Unmasked

Three

"...And then I ran," Hermione finished.

Ginny stared at her, eyes wide. "What?" she exclaimed. "You what?"

"I ran," Hermione said carefully.

Ginny looked up. "Why, God, why did you stick me with," she motioned towards Hermione, "this?" She shook her head at Hermione. "I can't believe you did that," she said. "The hottest boy in school, excepting Harry, of course, practically throws himself at you, and you run?" She sighed, disappointed. "I do not recommend telling Lavender and Parvati about this."

"Okay," Hermione said slowly. "So... what should I do now?"

"I suggest getting some leather-" Ginny started.

"First off," Hermione interrupted, "no leather. Secondly, I meant how should I get him to leave me alone, not how I should get him back."

"Oh, well," Ginny said, once again disappointed. "As for that, I'm not sure. I'm not too big in the discouraging thing. But I would tell you that the way you're going about this, I think you're going to end up encouraging him if you keep running away. That's what you call 'playing hard-to-get.'"

~*~

Draco slumped in his chair again. Then, on a thought, he straightened. "Millicent, if a girl runs away, what does that mean?"

Millicent looked at Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini before answering. "Well," she began slowly, "it could mean one of two things. Either she doesn't want you paying your, erm, affections, or she is playing hard-to-get."

"What d'you think Hermione was doing?" he asked.

"Did she let you kiss her before?" Draco nodded. "Then she could be playing hard-to-get. But there's always the possibility that she doesn't want your attentions."

Draco grinned. "I'll take that chance," he said, going up to his dorm.

~*~

Dear Hermione,

I would like to state upfront that I don't have a girlfriend. I did, but we broke up this summer. We didn't really understand one another. (Literally. I met her during the Tri-Wizard tournament. She speaks very garbled English.)

No, I would not take this opportunity to "score" with you, or anyone else. I would only do that if you knew who I was, but I can't tell you.

By the way, I heard through the grapevine that you're dating Draco Malfoy. Is it true?

T. M. M.

A gloved hand folded the letter up and tucked it into an envelope. Addressing it, he attached it to the leg of an eagle owl, and said, "Take it to Hermione. Quickly," while letting the owl fly out of the window.

~*~

"Millicent," Blaise said. "I think you really shouldn't tell Draco anything else about girls." He glanced down the hall to the boy's dormitory. "Poor Granger." He shook his head. "She won't know what hit her."

"I know," Millicent said ruefully. "I really do pity poor Granger. Blaise," she said, smiling mischievously, "have you seen her friend, the youngest Weasley?"

Blaise coughed and turned bright red. "Erm, no," he said, mouth twitching. "She wouldn't, by any chance, be the red head with the-" he coughed again, "-er, very nice body, would she?"

"Yes," Millicent said, trying not to laugh at her salivating friend.

"Then no," Blaise said. "Excuse me, I've got to go, er, to the library." He got up and hurried out, whistling.

"You've turned on a time bomb, Millicent," Theo said, once again, over his book. "And, what's worse, you've done it on purpose."

"I know," Millicent said. "But it's so much fun."

~*~

Looking up at the top shelf, Ginny glared at it, frustrated with her small frame and short arms.

"Blasted book," she muttered. "Blasted paper." Footsteps sounded to her left and her head swiveled in that direction. Hating having to resort to what she was about to do, she groaned inwardly. "Zabini?" she said. There was no response. The tall, dark-haired boy's brow was furrowed, he seemed to be concentrating on something. She tapped his shoulder.

"What?" he asked, turning towards her. "Oh, it's you. What d'you want?"

"Zabini, could you get me that book?" Ginny asked, pointing.

"Sure." Easily, he reached up and tugged it off the shelf. "Here."

"One further question, Zabini," Ginny said "What's your first name?"

"Blaise. Why?"

"D'you know Draco Malfoy?" she asked, smiling. 'Now reel him in, Ginny.'

He flushed. "Yeah, I do. Why d'you care?"

"Well," she said, trying to be charming, "what do you know about this 'thing' with Malfoy and Hermione Granger?"

And so, a conspiracy was born.

~*~

Hermione walked through the corridors in between classes as she was heading to History of Magic from her Transfiguration class.

Suddenly, an arm shot out from a door of an empty closet and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her into the closet. The door shut behind her, and it was lightless in the broom closet. There was a clicking, and Hermione saw who had pulled her into the closet. It was Draco.

He leaned close to her face. "Hermione, you really shouldn't avoid me," he whispered. "It only encourages me, I'm afraid. Intriguing is the only word." His breath, hot and sweet touched her face. His mouth touched hers and his hands snaked around her waist, grabbing the cloth of her robes.

He pushed up against her harder, deepening the kiss immediately. He dug his hands into her hair, and pulled her even closer.

But, before he could go on, the warning bell rang. He let her go, and put his hand on the doorknob.

"I'll see you later, Hermione," he said, breathing hard. "Count on it."

He kissed her hand. "Count on it," he murmured in her ear before walking off.

Hermione leaned against a mop for a moment, panting, and remembering the masked man. She tried to calm the emotions, not all of them unwelcome, inside of her while also trying to push the blush that had appeared from under her collar back down. Glancing at her watch, she ran to her class, thinking of excuses to make.

She slid into her seat next to Harry.

"What happened?" he whispered.

"Missed a staircase," she lied. "Had to wait for it to come back."

"Oh."

Hermione pulled out a scroll, quill, and a pot of ink, and began to take notes.

~*~

The rest of the day, Hermione stuck close to Harry and Ron, ignoring the dark and seductive glances that Draco threw her way.

Finally, at lunch, she couldn't take it anymore. She put some food into a napkin and went to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Closing the door, she rested her head against the cool wood and smiled.

"Something the matter, Hermione?" Hermione jumped.

"Bill," she said, turning around, "don't do that. You scared me."

Bill grinned, ears slightly pink. "Sorry," he said. "But you're so fun to scare. Anyway, why are you in here? Didn't you want to sit with Ron and Harry?"

Hermione walked over, pulling a chair up to his desk. "It just that... someone has been following me and giving me some... interesting looks. I couldn't bear it for an hour together. Previously it had only been fleeting things in the corridors, and I could deal with that, but..." She shrugged. "I'm not into him, and it's annoying."

"Oh, well, have a seat," Bill said. "Would you like something to eat?" He nodded towards a plate of sandwiches and fruit. "I usually eat in the Hall, but today I'm grading some third-year's papers, and had no time to finish them before their class after lunch. So I asked Dobby to bring me what I normally eat."

"How is Dobby?" Hermione asked. "I hear he was promoted."

"Yes, he's the Head House-Elf now. He's enjoying the job and has learned to knit. He's making tea cozies for the entire staff." Bill rolled his eyes, amused. "I've got five already." He looked hopeful. "Would you be willing to take some off my hands?" he asked.

Hermione considered it. "Well, the Prefect's lounge does need a tea cozy or two, so I suppose I could," she said.

"Thank you!" he said, leaping up and hugging her tightly. "They're beginning to take over my chambers. I fear for my life when I go to sleep."

Hermione laughed, hugging him back. "That's cool, Bill. But what about the House-Elves? What if they found out you gave them away?"

"Like my charming brother says, eff 'em," Bill said unconcernedly.

Hermione blinked at him. 'Did he just? No. He couldn't have! It's Malfoy! But... he said what the masked man wrote almost exactly!'

"Something wrong?" Bill asked, frowning.

"A sudden thought," Hermione said, concerned look on her face. "I've got to go, Bill. I'll see you later," and she fled.

~*~

Ginny walked into the library after lunch, trying to inconspicuous, and went to the very back.

Settling down in a chair, her foot began to tap, almost of its own accord, until Blaise burst through the shelves.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, catching his breath. "Draco had... things he wanted to discuss." He looked her up and down. "Lord you look good," he murmured to himself.

Ginny, who had excellent hearing, was shocked by what he said. "What?" she said.

"I didn't say anything," he said, mentally cursing himself for being too loud.

"Yes, you did. You said 'Lord, you look good'," Ginny insisted. "What I want to know is why?"

He prepared to defend himself. "Look, it's not a crime for someone to think someone else is good-looking, is it?" Venturing into the pick-up line territory, he said, "Because if it is, I'm guilty."

Ginny blinked at him. "That," she said, "was a very obvious pick-up line. I hope you know it."

"I think the question is," Blaise said, hand tentatively touching her hand, "did it work?"

"You can bet your arse it did," she said, smiling and taking his hand in hers. "Now, let's get down to business. How are we going to get your best friend and my best friend together?"

~*~

Hermione sat on her bed, pouring over the letters that the masked man had sent her. Her brow furrowed when she remembered something that she could identify with both Bill and Draco.

She sighed, and laid back.

"Why does this drama have to happen to me?" she asked aloud. "This really, really stinks."

~*~

Draco pushed past the third-years into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. As soon as the last one was gone, he closed the door and advanced on Weasley, wand drawn.

"What do you want, Mr. Malfoy?" Weasley asked.

"I want you to keep your filthy paws off Hermione," Draco growled. "She's mine."

"I don't understand what you're saying," Weasley said smoothly. "I don't recall you having bought Hermione. I don't think she qualifies as a possession, do you?"

Draco barely contained his rage. "Bugger off, Weasley, while you still can," he said dangerously. "Or else." He turned, hand gripped tightly around the wand.

"Oh, and I suppose that you expect me to listen to you because of your daddy, Mr. Malfoy?" Weasley said tauntingly. "I seem to remember that he's a fugitive right now."

"That. Is. It." Draco turned and jumped on Weasley, punching him in the solar plexus. He got in a few jaw line punches before Weasley kneed him in the groin.

Weasley stood up and brushed him self off while Draco lay, moaning, on the floor. As the pain receded, Draco's anger grew. His kicked out, and his leg swept Weasley off balance, and quickly pinned him onto the floor. Draco then kneed him, and hit him again in the stomach.

"You... bastard..." Weasley hissed, trying to get his wind back. "She... doesn't... like... you..." He pulled himself up, and spat on the ground. Blood was mixed into the saliva. "Bastard," he said again, glaring at Draco. "You're luck I'm not going to report you."

"Why won't you?" Draco asked, suddenly aware of what he'd done.

"Because you're important. You, Harry, Hermione, and Millicent can all do the Light Expelling charm. That's a very rare talent. Other than you four, Dumbledore and I are the only ones I know of who can perform it to the extent you four did."

"But," Draco said, bewildered, "if it's the only spell that can kill a Mahfi, what about the people who have? How can they have-"

"I said to the extent. The normal version of that spell is much different. Basically the same result, but it takes longer. The version you performed can also be used for exorcisms and eradicating years of Dark spells from someone."

"You mean-" Draco said.

"It's a possibility, yes," Weasley said. "We're trying to keep all of the off-roads open, thanks." He extended his hand. "C'mon, Malfoy, let's go to Hospital." They walked through the hallways. "This doesn't mean we're friends," Weasley assured him. "I still think you're a spoiled bastard."

"And I still think you're a cradle-robbing bastard," Draco said. "Friends?" He shuddered. "God forbid."

They walked into the Hospital, where Madam Pomfrey gasped at them in horror.

"Professor! Mr. Malfoy!" she exclaimed, sitting them down on to separate beds. "What happened?"

"I was trying to pick up some books that I dropped by a staircase and the professor tripped over me and brought me with him," Draco lied smoothly.

"Oh, dear," Madam Pomfrey said worriedly. "Well, you two just stay right here, and I'll go get some Bruise-Away for you." She bustled off and Weasley turned to Draco.

"Nifty lie, Malfoy," he said. "How long have you kept that in reserve?"

"I use it every fifth time I get into the Infirmary," Draco responded. "Unless it's Quidditch injuries."

"Interesting," Weasley said. "Oh, thank God, the Bruise-Away is here."

~*~

"Bill, I just wanted to-" Hermione started, walking into Bill's office. She saw him putting a salve onto his ribs and she gasped. "Bill! My God!" She rushed over to stand in front of him. "What happened?"

He grunted, secretly pleased at her shock and concern. "I got into a fight," Bill responded. "Nothing big."

"Bill! These bruises go all the way down your stomach!" Hermione said. "Here, sit down, I'll put the salve on." She picked up the jar and sniffed it. "What is this?"

"Bruise balm," he said. "Made special by Mum for such occasions. I believe she normally gives it to the oldest sibling here, or whoever is the most responsible. Otherwise she just lets us go to Hospital. I did, but I needed a bit more, you know?"

Hermione rubbed the salve on his chest. "Oh," he said, smiling, eyes closed, "that feels good. Damn brat, and his lucky shots."

"Who were you fighting?" Hermione asked, moving on to his stomach.

Bill squirmed. "Erm," he said, "I, er, don't think I want to say. You'd report me."

"Did you fight with Professor Snape?" Hermione asked. She stopped rubbing the salve and looked at him reproachfully.

'Hmm, if I say yes, she'll scold me. If I tell her who I really fought, she'll go running into his arm,' Bill thought.

"Erm, maybe? C'mon, 'Mione," he pleaded, "I'm really sore. Please," he motioned towards his stomach, "don't leave me in pain."

Hermione sighed. "All right, all right," she said. "I'll let it go. Once." She resumed rubbing the salve on his stomach.

A few minutes later, she stopped and rubbed her hand off on a towel. "There," she said. "I think you're done."

Bill smiled, and pulled on a t-shirt he had on his desk. "Thanks," he said. "By the way, why'd you come here?"

"I wanted to apologize for running out earlier," Hermione said. "It was rather rude."

"Apology accepted," Bill replied.

"I have one other question," she said. He nodded. "Did you, erm, did you go to the ball? The masked ball, I mean."

"Yeah," Bill said. "But... I, er, left early."

"Oh," Hermione said, frowning. "Okay then." She smiled. "Bye Bill." She turned and walked out, her shoulders a bit slumped.

~*~

Hermione walked down the corridors, humming to herself.

'I can't believe I thought it was Bill,' she thought, sniffing. 'I feel like such an idiot. Oh, Lord, here comes Draco.'

"Hermione," Draco said. He had a few fading bruises on his jaw. "I-"

"Wait, Draco," Hermione asked, eying him warily. "Did you go to the ball?"

"Yes. Yes, I did," he said, smiling. "Why?"

"I- I was just wondering if, um," she said, getting nervous. He stepped closer. "If, um, if you wore black robes."

Draco advanced on her a bit more. "Yes, I did."

"And a, uh, black half mask?"

"Yes. Why are you asking me this, Hermione?" Draco asked.

"Oh, erm, no reason," she said.

"In that case, I think it's time for dinner. I hear Dumbledore has an announcement."

Hermione eyed him uncomfortably. "You aren't going to jump me?" she asked, suspicious.

"I have never jumped you," Draco said. "At least, not in the literal sense of the word." He offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

~*~

Hermione slid into a seat next to Ginny as Dumbledore stood up.

"Good evening, students," he said, smiling. "I am aware that most, if not all, of you enjoyed last Thursday's Halloween Ball. If you did, you will be excited to hear that there will be a second ball tomorrow, which, as you all know, is Saturday night. At the end of this ball, a spell will be cast to link you to your previous partners and then you will unmask yourselves and, well, after that is your decision. I do hope you all enjoy it. Tuck in." He sat down and started to talk to McGonagall.

Ginny sighed and turned to Hermione. "Lord. With my luck, my dance partner is going to end up being Mr. Cheats-A-Lot." She glared down the table at a cowed Dean, who was still trying to avoid Ron, who was still trying to, as he put it, 'beat his cheating arse into the ground'.

"With mine, it's hard to tell," Hermione said, grabbing the mashed potatoes before Seamus, who protested. "Honestly, Seamus, if you wanted any, you should've been faster." Seamus grumbled and picked up the broccoli instead. "They're either psychotic or just weird."

Ginny held up her goblet. "I'll drink to that," she said, laughing and clinking the glass against Hermione's.