Shivers of a Serpent

Overheard Conversations

DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Hermione's eyes swept round the entrance hall, carefully looking everywhere but at Malfoy. Two lone suitcases stood in the middle of the room, but no teachers were anywhere to be seen. Leaning against the cold stone wall, Hermione sighed and hoped that one of the staff would return soon; anything to make sure she wasn't alone for long with this miserable excuse for a wizard. She was aware of his stiff form standing near the open doors into the ground, just far away so that polite conversation was impossible. Not that polite conversation and Malfoy were two concepts that ever went together.

The castle was quiet, the rest of the school being in their first lesson. The only sound audible in the empty hall was the sound of her own breathing and the pitter-patter of the rain outside coming through the open doors. Outside, the sky was grey and oppressive, the continuous cloud cover lending to the day a depressing feeling of being trapped underneath it all. Hermione sank down to the ground and sat on the cold marble floor, knees up to her chest, allowing the soft sound of the raindrops to lull her into a sleepy trance.

The silence stretched on as the two students waited: Draco's tall form remained unreadable as he continued staring into the sky and Hermione wondered what he was thinking. Surely he knew that this would be difficult for him - with no Muggle knowledge he would surely stick out like a sore thumb. Was he scared? Or did he just not care?

"....the impropriety of the situation. At times like this, Dumbledore, the school needs to maintain an organised, calm front to the wizarding world, and sending away students on some crackpot scheme, consorting with Muggles, is not going to reflect very favourably on the establishment!" A cold clipped voice echoed angrily down the grand staircase from the corridors above, sending shivers of recognition down Hermione's spine. She watched Draco's back stiffen but he remained facing forward. She strained her ears to hear what the disembodied voices were saying.

"My dear Lucius, I fear it is too late to worry about image." Dumbledore's voice floated down with a hint of amusement in it. "The Daily Prophet has already drafted in tomorrow's copy of the paper, and we are front page news."

All trace of calmness vanished from Lucius's voice. "I will NOT have my son wasting a month of his stewing in a blistering stinkhole of Mud-..Muggles! I refuse to forgive you for this Dumbledore, and I don't need to remind you that as a member of the governing body..." Lucius broke off as they entered the entrance hall and spied Hermione and Draco. He glared at the girl venomously before turning to Dumbledore and spitting angrily - "If, Dumbledore, you would permit me a moment with my son".

Dumbledore smiled and opened his hands - "Of course. Who am I to stand between a father and his son?"

Lucius turned and strode down the stairs angrily, grabbing Draco roughly by the shoulder and dragging him to a corner of the hall. Dumbledore's smile remained fixed on his face, but Hermione could detect a hint of strain. "Miss Granger, if you would care to take a stroll outside with me?"

Once outside, Dumbledore waved his wand casually at the sky above them and muttered "quiscere aqua". They were suddenly enveloped in a warm, dry bubble of air and Hermione smiled graciously at her headmaster. Dumbledore looked at her shrewdly for a moment and began to speak quietly.

"Miss.Granger, I know that you are somewhat upset by your pairing. But...do not think that your friends have got the better deal." Hermione looked at him, slightly puzzled. What could possibly be worse than Malfoy?

Dumbledore seemed to sense this unasked question and smiled enigmatically. "Sometimes you have to give a little of yourself to get something back. You may be surprised." The twinkle now back in his eye, Dumbledore said, "I must be off to see Hagrid, but I wish you good luck. You know how to find me if needs be."

He turned on his heel and walked out of the bubble into the downpour, leaving a warm, dry Hermione watching her headmaster getting drenched and still trying to figure out the point of that conversation.