Loss of Control

Chapter Six

It was September 19^th. Hermione heaved a great sigh. Today she wouldn't worry about Malfoy; in fact, she wouldn't worry about anything at all. Finally she was seventeen; today she was officially an adult in the eyes of the wizarding world. Today would be a great day.

She stumbled down the stairs into the Gryffindor Common room. Choruses of "Happy Birthdays" met her ears. Hermione smiled broadly, it was nice to know that her House-mates hadn't forgotten her.

Harry and Ron ambled up to her, goofy grins on their faces. "Happy Birthday, 'Mione," they said grinning, handing her two rectangular packages.

"Thank you, you really shouldn't have," Hermione said, smiling as she unwrapped the packages. But her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. 'You really shouldn't have. Books are lovely and all, but couldn't you two be creative for once?' she thought.

Pushing the thought away, Hermione linked arms with the two boys and they made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

***

The three of them were winding their way through the castle on their journey through the corridors of Hogwarts. It seemed that the boys felt obligated to spend time with Hermione on her birthday. They had actually accompanied her to the library for the first time all term.

Just as they passed an open window, the brown tawny owl that she had sent back to her parents a few days ago, swooped in. Clutched in it claws was a fat brown envelope accompanied by a tiny box. Hermione took it from the petite creature and stroked it behind its ears before it took flight again.

"What is it, Hermione?" Ron asked curiously.

"It must be my parent's birthday present for me," she replied excitedly.

Not being able to contain herself, she quickly tore open the paper packaging of the tiny box. Nestled in the white tissue paper was a pair of emerald studded earrings. A tiny card read Much Love, Mum. She looked up at the two boys, just in time to see them share a look of disgust.

"What?" she questioned cautiously.

"No offense, Hermione," Harry started. "They're beautiful, but Slytherin colours? Are you going to actually wear them?"

She narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Of course I am what a silly question." Pulling off the backings, she quickly slipped them into her ears and gave the boys a look of defiance.

Hermione then turned her concentration to the envelope that she still held. Slowly she tore it open, and extracted the card.

Happy Birthday, Angel. Buy yourself something pretty.

Love,

Dad

Folded into the card was an assortment of bills, adding up to 100 pounds.

"What's in there?" Ron questioned, trying to peer over her shoulder.

Hermione forced herself to smile up at them and swallow back the lump forming in her throat. "100 pounds," she croaked, "from my Dad."

Ron and Harry's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow," exclaimed Ron. "What I wouldn't do for that kind of money."

Her and Harry chuckled at him; Harry then glancing down at his watch. "It's dinner time," he announced. He and Ron began to make their way down the hall. "Are you coming, 'Mione?" he called over his shoulder.

"In a moment," she replied, smiling at Harry until the pair rounded the corner.

When they were gone, Hermione expelled a heavy sigh and slid down the wall landing on the floor with a dull thump. Her bottom lip quivered and she chewed on it desperately, hoping to quell the feeling. A few silent tears slid down her cheek. Hermione was gripping the bills tightly in her fist, crumpling and wrinkling them.

'Can you remember the last time he gave you a real present for your birthday?' the nasty little voice in her head piped up. 'No,' came the tentative answer, 'but this is enough. I know he loves me. Presents don't matter; I'm not a materialistic person.' Hermione held her head up and willed her emotions to go away. 'If they don't matter,' the voice said again, 'then why are you crying? Face it, money is lovely, but a real present is more personal.' Hermione had to agree with this. She had no doubt her father loved her, but every birthday she waited eagerly to see what he had gotten her and every time she was disappointed with a few scribbled words and some folded bills.

She didn't want to buy herself something pretty; she wanted him to do it for her. She wanted to see that he cared enough to go out and buy her a gift. Hermione managed to get him something every year, even though it was much harder for her to remember with the infrequent trips to Hogsmeade. But he had the opportunity there for him constantly. How did he manage to overlook his only daughter?

Hermione sniffled loudly, and swiped at her nose carelessly with the back of her hand. She began to compose herself in the dusty corridor, searching her pockets fervently for a handkerchief.

A piece of white cloth waved in front of her face and Hermione started. Looking up she saw his grey eyes looking down upon her. Raising an eyebrow at the Slytherin, she cautiously took the material from him, and blotted at her eyes. Adjusting her robes, she made to stand, but Malfoy extended his hand and helped her to her feet.

Holding out the soiled piece of cloth, she went to hand it back to him. Hermione could see him wrinkle his nose at it.

"I don't want that; soiled with your filth it is," Malfoy hissed at her.

Hermione reddened slightly, turning away. "I should have known it was too good to be true," she mumbled under her breath.

"I saw you crying, Mudblood," he piped up from behind her.

Hermione whirled around in rage. "You saw nothing, Ferret," she hissed at him.

Malfoy leaned forward, his mouth next to her ear. "I know what I saw, Granger," he whispered, his breath washing over her skin. "And I know how to make it all go away." He seductively ran his tongue across the tender flesh behind her ear.

Hermione fisted the fabric of her robes in suppressed rage. "I don't need anything from you," she said defiantly.

He looked at her, his grey eyes flashing in amusement. "Just one pill, Granger. One tiny little thing and everything will be better."

He reached deep into his pocket and pulled out one of the tablets that she had seen before in the forest. Malfoy popped it into his mouth and cocked his head at her. Reaching behind Hermione's neck, he grabbed her hair and forcefully yanked her head towards him, smothering her mouth with his. He probed savagely with his tongue, pushing it into her mouth. Hermione had to desperately try to stifle a moan. She felt a tiny ball move into her mouth, his tongue pushing it deeper down her throat.

Suddenly he pulled away from her and gave Hermione a smug look. Massaging her throat, Hermione realized that he had tricked her into taking the pill. She stomped her foot in anger and glared at the Slytherin.

"How dare you!" Hermione cried. She spun on her heel and began to make her way to Gryffindor Tower. Behind her, she could hear his footsteps following her path. As Hermione ascended the second staircase on her journey, she began to laugh. The whole situation suddenly seemed hilarious to her, although she didn't know why. At the top of the stairwell, she turned around quickly and found herself inches away from Malfoy's face. Hermione desperately tried to keep a straight face and stifle her giggles as she stared into his eyes, but eventually it was too much for her and she burst into a fit of laughter.

Hermione felt as if she was floating on air. She couldn't remember what she had been doing all day - but she didn't care. Why she was walking about Hogwarts with Draco Malfoy following in her wake was unknown to her. Shouldn't she be somewhere right now? With those two friends of hers? Hermione didn't know. She just felt incredibly bubbly inside and had a strong urge to just run about in the spring sunshine and sing at the top of her lungs. Hermione had forgotten it was autumn. She couldn't not smile and laugh, everything was funny; the portraits of past Heads of Houses on the walls, the curious look the suit of armor down the hall was giving her, and especially the look of discomfort on Malfoy's face when she turned to face him.

She was bent double with laughter, hands on her knees for support. Looking up, Hermione was surprised to see Malfoy trying to hide his laughter as well. Gasping for breath, she straightened up and tried to be serious.

"What exactly is in these pills, Malfoy?" she asked, suppressing the giggles.

He eyed her warily. "What makes you think I'd tell you, Granger?"

Hermione let out a huff of exasperation and placed her hands on her hips. "Seriously, Malfoy, do you think I'm about to come some sort of drug dealer with the knowledge? I just want to know that this isn't some seriously damaging, OK?"

"Fair enough," Malfoy said casually with a shrug of his shoulders. "It's a simple Forgetfulness Potion and Cheering Potion mixed with crushed Doxy droppings; they give you the floating feeling."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "Malfoy! Doxy droppings can be harmful to your brain!"

Malfoy didn't seem too perturbed over her revelation. "Granger, they're drugs; all drugs have harmful side effects when used in abundance. What did you expect?" He looked at her with a bewildered expression. "What are you doing?" Malfoy was referring to the strange way Hermione's features were twisted. It looked as if she was trying to figure some incredibly difficult Arithmancy problem but just couldn't find the answer.

Hermione's face relaxed. "I'm trying to remember whatever it is that the pill has made me forget."

He rolled his eyes at her. "The point is to not remember, you silly bint."

She was now looking up at him with a silly grin plastered on her face. "What?" Malfoy asked warily.

Hermione giggled and wobbled about slightly. She reached up and began to stroke his cheek. "You're very pretty, ferret-boy," she said in amusement.

She could her Malfoy groan as he pulled an arm around Hermione's waist to steady her. "I think it's high time you finished your fiery storming back up to your tower."

Pouting, Hermione slung her arms around his shoulders. "I don't wanna," she remarked childishly.

"You don't have a choice," Malfoy growled at her.

Hermione leaned into him, her lips just barely brushing his. "You're so cute when you're angry," she whispered.

Smiling triumphantly, Hermione heard Malfoy groan softly before he pushed her savagely against the stone wall and descended his mouth onto hers.