Talk is Cheap

Chapter 3

"Good morning, class. Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Shocked silence.

"Remus?"

"It's Professor Lupin now, Harry."

"You're our teacher?"

Nod.

"Really?!"

"When the Headmaster offered me the position, I'm afraid I just couldn't refuse the chance to teach my favorite students again." Smile.

"Booyah!"

"Whoohoo!"

"Mr. Thomas, Mr. Finnegan. Please calm down."

"Sorry."

"Yeah. Sorry."

"Not a problem."

"Professor?"

"Yes, Hermione?"

Small sob. "I am so glad you're here."

"Uhh... yes, I'm glad to be here as well."

~~~~~~~

"Honestly, Hermione. Embarrass yourself more, why don't you."

Sniff. "I can't help it. Besides, now I feel much better about the N.E.W.T.S."

"I should have known it boiled down to those ruddy tests."

"I'm just glad he's all right. I... wondered."

"Harry?"

Shrug. "After Sirius died... I mean, Sirius was my godfather, but I never really knew him. Not really. And he was Remus' best friend. I can't imagine how that must have felt. I really don't want to, truthfully. For awhile there, he wasn't doing too well. And then he just... his letters stopped."

"Over the summer?"

"About halfway through Sixth Year they started tapering off. And during the summer I got one, just at the beginning of June. And then I didn't hear anything until he stepped into that classroom." Deep breath. "I thought..."

"Oh, Harry! And to think I was the one crying..."

"Hermione, he's not going to cry."

"He's tearing up..."

"Damn it, Harry! Don't cry! 'Cause if you cry, I'll cry, Hermione'll cry more..."

"All right, all right. I'm not crying. Honestly."

"Good. Now let's go be men and... curse something." Sniff.

"Good plan."

Eye roll. "Men."

~~~~~~~

"Malfoy!"

Pause. "Potter."

"Can I... talk to you, for a second?"

"Of course."

Sound of a door shutting.

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to ask you favor."

"A favor?"

"I wanted you to teach me... about Dark Magic. Because you're the only one who could possibly understand." Pause. "You do... understand, don't you? The way the Dark Magicks work...?"

"Yes. I understand."

Silence.

"I'll just go then..."

"The Trophy Room. Midnight."

"That sounds familiar."

"Our duel. Yes. I guess we'll just have one of another kind."

"If I have to duck all over the hallways to avoid Filch again I may have to hunt you down and kill you."

Wry smile. "Haven't heard that one in awhile. So are we back to threatening each other?"

Pause.

"Only if you want to be."

"I actually rather liked the civility and the chance of a bit of normal conversation."

Small laugh. "All right. Midnight it is then."

"Midnight."

~~~~~~~

"What was that all about?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Right. Pulling Malfoy aside to 'talk' to him is nothing."

"Ron, lay off, all right? It's none of your business."

"Like you don't want to know what that was all about!"

"I believe I all ready know."

"She knows but I don't? How is that fair?"

"She doesn't know, she just thinks she does."

Snort. "Right. Whatever you say, Harry."

~~~~~~~

"Midnight. Right on time. Such a Gryffindor quality."

"And here I thought it was manners."

"Please. Ever heard of fashionably late?" Beat. "Ah yes. I forget who I'm talking to."

Sigh. "Would you just...?"

"Oh, all right. Put your wand away. Theory comes first."

"And here I thought that was a teacher thing. How dreadfully Ravenclaw."

"Better than Hufflepuff."

"Mhmm."

"All right, listen up. We're starting small. The Nunapher Spell..."

~~~~~~~

"Harry, where did those scratches come from?"

"What? Oh. Just Quidditch practice. I didn't even notice."

"But..."

"Hermione, it's just a couple of scratches."

Sigh. "Do you want me to heal them?"

"If it'll make you feel better, sure."

"Plysis!" Flash of light.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I should really teach you that spell one of these days. Pretty interesting, actually. It's creator was actually trying to find a way to remove hair and instead - "

"Hermione."

"Yes?"

"Stop."

"Sorry."

~~~~~~~

"So what's on the agenda tonight?"

Fake perky smile. "Perhaps actually managing to do a spell?"

"Sod off."

~~~~~~~

"Good job, Harry. Excellent use of the Ranaculnus charm. Ten points to Gryffindor."

~~~~~~~

"Congratulations. You only fainted four times."

"As opposed to last time - "

" - which was five."

Sigh. "Bloody great."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think there were Dementors around here."

"Dementors I can deal with, Malfoy. I need your help in killing Voldemort, something you said you wanted. Now prove it."

~~~~~~~

"You all right there, mate? You looked a little peaked. And pale. And you've got bags under your eyes... Wait. Does peaked mean pale?"

"Rough night, that's all. I can sleep in tomorrow and then I'll be fine."

"S'not nightmares or anything, is it? I can get you a Dreamless Sleep Potion if you like."

"No, nothing like that. Thanks though. If you do want to do me a favor, just make sure the other guys don't wake me up too early tomorrow."

"Can do."

"Thanks, Ron."

"No problem. Speaking of problem, you know that Potions essay that was due today? More specifically, next period?"

Laughter. "Yes, you can have a look at it."

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

~~~~~~~

"Pathetic, Potter. Do it again."

"Screw you, Malfoy."

"Such language. Again."

~~~~~~~

"Got another letter from George today."

"And...?"

"I don't know! That's why I'm telling you!"

"Well, you don't like him, right?"

"Not like that, I don't."

"So tell him."

"Just... tell him?"

"Yes. Tell him."

"Do I really have to? I don't want to... I don't know, break his heart, or something. I've honestly never seen him so serious about anything."

"Well, you can't not return his letter. That's rude, not to mention incredibly insensitive. And you have to tell him that you don't feel that way at some point. Fred isn't very subtle, so I doubt he'd take any hints."

"Just flat out tell him?"

"Exactly."

Deep breath. "Okay. Okay, I can do that. After all, it's just a letter. Words written in ink on parchment. And I get to let Hedwig be the bearer of bad news." Pause. "Um, Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"So, um, what should I write? I mean, 'I don't like you' seems terrifically blunt..."

Sigh. "You, Harry Potter, are a hopeless case."

~~~~~~~

"You're bleeding."

"I am? Oh. So I am."

"Idiot. Plysis." Short pause. "Why didn't it work?"

Aggravated sigh. "And you call me an idiot. I told you, Potter. Magical immunity, remember? Have to do it the Muggle way."

"Doesn't that require, I don't know... bandages?"

"I have some back in my room."

Small burst of air. "You'll bleed to death before then."

"For Christ's sake, it's not that bad."

"Still." Ripping noise. "C'mon, use this."

"Harry?"

"Yes?"

"You do realize that was your shirt?"

"Yes."

"And that it's going to get blood all over it, and consequently be irreparable?"

"Yes."

"You realize that was your shirt?"

"Yes, Draco. You asked me that all ready. The blood loss must be making you woozy." Smaller ripping noise. "As I recall, you once called this shirt 'an excuse for a rag', so I don't think anyone will miss it much. Now hold out your arm. I can't tie this properly with you dancing around like a mad house elf."

"Is there any other kind?"

Small laugh. "Not that I've ever met."

~~~~~~~

"Hermione, how do you spell 'Pecularius Solamentium'?"

"Why don't you look it up?"

"I'm trying, but how can I look something up if I don't know how to spell it?"

"Oh for - " Sigh. "P-E-C-U-L-A-R-I-U-S-S-"

"Hold up!" Frantic scratching of a quill. "U-S-S..."

"O-L-A-M-E-N-T..." Pause. "I-U-M."

"Oh good, I had it right. I was starting to think I'd mixed it up with Precumbrus Solemnari again..."

"Honestly, Ron. How do you plan on passing your N.E.W.T. if you can't tell the difference between a seeking spell and one for warding off ghosts?"

"Honestly, if I hear the word 'N.E.W.T.' one more time, I will scream. Do you hear me, Hermione? I don't ruddy care. I don't care if I fail the effing test so long as you don't nag me about them ever again!"

Sniff. "Well, excuse me for being worried about you!"

"You're not worrying, you're badgering! Carping! Harassing, hassling, and generally driving me and Harry absolutely batty! Isn't that right, Harry?"

"Hm? Wha -? " Yawn.

"Were you sleeping again?"

"You've been doing that a lot lately."

"Have you been having... you know, nightmares?"

"Mm, no. Nothing like that. Quidditch, homework, detentions... m'a very busy boy, ya know..."

Snort. "Mhm. C'mon Boy Wonder. Let's get up to the Common Room."

"Why?"

"To sleep. Duh."

"It's that late?! What time is it?"

"A little after eleven."

"Oh. Good. Um... I'm gonna go get something from the kitchen. You guys want anything?"

"Nope."

"No thank you."

"Be back later, don't wait up!" Slam of a door.

"He's been doing that a lot lately."

"D'you think he's meeting someone? These late night disappearances and all..."

"No. If he did, I thought he surely would have said something to you."

"Nope."

Silence.

"N.E.W.T."

Shrill scream. "Argh! That's it!"

Slam of a door. Giggles.

~~~~~~~

"You're not ready."

"I am ready!"

"You're not ready."

"Bollocks! I can recite the theory backwards and forwards, and you've taught me every other spell you know! How the hell am I not ready?"

"You think that you're ready to watch something drop dead at your feet? You're never ready for that!"

"If I'm never going to be ready, than it shouldn't bloody matter when you teach me, should it?"

"Potter..."

"I'm beginning to wonder if you want me to kill him or not."

Slam. "Never ever doubt that I want him dead."

"Draco, I didn't mean..."

"Shut up. I will teach you, if that's what you want. Stand here."

"Draco..."

"Shut. Up. Stand like this. Wand out. Straight. No waving or hand motions required. Just power and concentration."

"Draco..."

"I said shut up, Potter! I'm beginning to wonder if you want to kill him or not."

Silence.

"Yes. I want to kill him."

~~~~~~~

Off-key singing. "Eighty-nine bottles of beer on the wall, eighty-nine bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around, eighty-eight bottles of beer on the wall..."

"Harry, why in heaven's name did you ever teach him that song?"

"We were drunk at the time, if that's any explanation."

Sigh "I suppose it helps."

~~~~~~~

"Why isn't it working?!"

"Because you don't want it to."

"Of course I bloody want it to! If you're going on about me not wanting to kill Voldemort, so help me, Malfoy..."

"I don't really give a shit, Potter. Maybe you want to kill Voldemort, maybe you don't. Maybe you will. Maybe you never will. Maybe you'll stand in front of him and lose what nerve you have. All I know is that right now you're hoping that you screw up. Deep down that is exactly what you're hoping, because you don't really want to kill it. And if you can't kill a kitten, it makes me wonder whether you'll be able to kill Voldemort."

"I... well that's different. I hate Voldemort! And the kitten..."

"Yes?"

"It's cute! I can't kill anything cute!"

"Meow?"

Sigh. "Fine. What would you prefer to practice on?"

"Not cats. Or dogs. Definitely not a dog... Hedgehogs?"

Sigh. "Potter..."

~~~~~~~

"Harry, you know, if there's anything you want to talk to us about...."

"Anything at all. We're totally listening."

"Ummm... okay. What exactly brought this on?"

"Your midnight walks. Sudden disappearances. The fact that you sleep through History of Magic."

"Hermione, everyone does that."

"I don't."

"You're the exception to the rule, I'm afraid."

"What are you - "

"Well, Ron, Hermione, it's been interesting, but I'm a little late and - "

"Late for what?"

"Just... practice. Like the DA. Only it's just me. And, no offense, but I need some time alone. Just to concentrate."

"Oh. All right."

"That's cool, I guess. We just - "

" - Wish you would have told us."

"Exactly."

Groan. "Oh please, don't do that. It reminds me of the twins."

"Any word from George?"

"Nope. Not sure whether I'm relieved or scared."

"Silence isn't usually a good sign. Not from the twins..."

"That's why I'm scared!"

~~~~~~~

"Avada Kedavra!"

Shattering noise.

"Happy now?"

"No. You were right. I wasn't ready."

Silence.

"If you want to cry, go ahead. I did the first time I used it. I don't know who was more disgusted; my father, or me."

"Draco... shut up." Sniffling noise.

"You feel cold, right?" Sigh. "Go downstairs. Talk to Weasley, play chess, eat chocolate. Go to sleep. Make sure you eat breakfast tomorrow morning." Pause. "You'll be fine."

"But the rat won't be."

"No. It won't. But you know what they say; only hurts for a moment."

More sniffling noises.

"I don't even like rats..."

~~~~~~~

Snuffling noise. "Mmm? Harry, z'that you? Where you going?"

"Just for a walk."

"Don't stay out too late." Yawn. "Transfiguration test tomorrow... today... whatever..." Snore.

~~~~~~~

"What are you... how did you get in here?"

"Snuck in."

"That ruddy Invisibility Cloak again." Sigh. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I wanted to say thank you. For... you know. Helping me. Everything."

"Harry... I can't... we can't..."

"What?"

Deep breath. "I am a Slytherin. And for all intents and purposes I am a good Slytherin. And by that I mean I'm bad."

"Why did that not make any sense whatsoever?"

"I mean... we can't be seen together. You are Harry Potter, and I am Draco Malfoy."

"I know that!"

"I mean... oh, ruddy hell. I don't know what I'm talking about. And... and I don't understand exactly what's going on because I know exactly what's going on!"

"You do realize that also made no sense whatsoever?"

"Now I do, yes. Thank you for pointing that out." Pause. "What I meant to say, was that I don't understand how you and I are becoming friends. Even thinking about it! We're not supposed to, and we probably shouldn't. But it's... happening anyway."

Shoe scuffle. "I don't really get it either. But apparently it's just another chapter in the Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy saga."

"Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter saga sounds better."

Sigh. "At least I understand what's going on. Pretty much the last thing I ever expected to happen."

"Potter's Theory of Life?"

"Pretty much. The last thing on the world that could or should happen... does."

"So you never thought about being friends with me?"

"Before this year? No, not really, to be truthful. You were just too... hostile? Is that the word I'm looking for?"

Snort. "Hostile sounds about right. And... I shouldn't have been. We got off on the wrong foot, didn't we? Cor, I was a stuck-up little prick. Stupid..."

"You all right?"

"What? Yes, I'm fine. Of course I'm fine. I just..."

"You seemed... never mind. And who says we can't be friends now? Or at least try. Don't we owe ourselves that much?"

"That's what I've been trying to say. I'd like to, I would, but now... Back in Fifth Year, when the Ministry finally declared that Voldemort was back, the lines were drawn. And you are either with him, or you are against him. There's no middle ground and right now I can't afford to be against him. I can't... it's not an option. Not a feasible option, at any rate."

"But you're not with him? You don't... believe what he believes?"

Shrug. "Oh, I'm with him, make no mistake about that. But if I ever get the chance to stick a knife in his back, figuratively or literally, well... I'll do it."

Long silence.

Bitter laugh. "Not much to say after that, is there?"

"I meant what I said. If you ever change your mind."

"Go back to your House, Harry. Snape makes the rounds soon. Can't have you getting caught."

~~~~~~~

"The sign-up list for students staying over winter break has been posted for almost a week now. I have yet to see your name on it, Mr. Malfoy."

"I've been called home. As I thought I would be."

"That is... regrettable. Perhaps if your Potions grade were to take sudden nosedive, requiring extra lessons..."

"No. It simply doesn't matter. I have to go back."

"Draco - "

"It will be worse if I don't."

"You don't have..."

"I'm seventeen, Professor Snape, and he is Voldemort. I know my place. I don't like it, but I know it, and it keeps me alive."

Deep breath. "You are making it rather difficult to help you."

"There is no helping me. How many options do you honestly think I have?"

~~~~~~~

"Hey Malfoy!"

"... Potter."

"I just wanted to say... have a nice vacation."

"You too."

Silence.

"I'll see you after break, then?"

"Yeah. I'll see you."

~~~~~~~

"So... you're going to Dean's house over break, eh?"

"Yeah."

"Told Ron yet?"

"No. I... I wasn't going to."

"Oh. I guess..."

"I mean, it's not like I have to. He's my ex, I don't owe him any explanations..."

"He's also your friend, Hermione. And you know he still cares about you. A lot."

"I... I know that. That's why I don't want to tell him."

"It's why you probably should." Pause. "Where is he, anyway?"

"I believe he's in the little wizard's room."

"Oh." Snort. "Little wizard's room?"

"Shut up."

Silence.

"Are you going to tell him?"

"If I can find the right words."

" 'Ron, if you want to send me a letter or anything over vacation, you should know I'll be at Dean's house with his parents.' There. Am I brilliant or what?"

"It's not that easy..."

Door sliding open.

"Hey Hermione, Harry." Pause. "Something wrong?"

"Oh. Oh, no. I'm just heading off to the little wizard's room, that's all. You two play nice while I'm gone."

Door sliding shut.

"Little wizard's room?"

~~~~~~~

"So. How'd it go?"

"Why do I feel like I trampled all over his heart?"

"Because in all essence... you did."

"Harry... Argh! Damn it. Damn it!" Slamming noise. Whimper. "Ow."

"Steady on there, 'Mione. Punching the wall is a sort of painful thing to do, as well as being rather manly..."

"I just... I love him. And I love Dean. I don't love Dean the way I love Ron, but I can't be with Ron. I can't. I just can't. He doesn't seem to understand that!"

"He understands it. He just doesn't want to accept it. He loves you too."

"I know he does. And I... every time he touches me, I come this close to giving it one more go. This close to saying 'what the hell, it couldn't really have been that bad.' But it was. And it would be again. He'd never hurt me and I'd never hurt him, I know that. But I can't... I can't put us through that again." Pause. "I do love Dean. And he loves me. So that... I'm going to concentrate on that for now."

Long silence.

"Happy Christmas, Harry."

"Happy Christmas, Hermione."