Sweet Sixteen

~Chapter Six~

"What?" Draco asked as he turned to look at her.

"The Krums. Viktor's parents. Do you know where they live from Hogwarts?" said Hermione very slowly so he would understand.

"No, why?" shrugged Draco.

"Look Malfoy, don't play dumb with me. I know that the Krums and the Malfoys have been friends for centuries. Even though Lucius and Alex don't like each other very much, they have to remain friends to keep the Pureblood traditions going. So, if you don't know where they live, no one will," sighed a frustrated Hermione.

Draco just stared at her.

"Damn it Granger, you definitely need to get out more," he said matter-of-factly.

"Malfoy, answer the question," Hermione said defensively.

"What's it to you?" asked Draco nonchalantly.

"I have a business proposition for you," Hermione answered happily.

"A business...."

"Malfoy, Granger keep it down," snarled Snape.

They both glanced at each other and looked down quickly. Hermione picked up her quill and hastily wrote: Meet me tonight 10:00 in the Transfiguration room. When she was done she passed it to Draco. He read it, picked up his own quill and wrote: Maybe I will come, if I feel like it. Hermione swore under her breath. 'This is going to be more difficult than I thought.'

Later that evening at 9:58, Hermione was pacing back and forth nervously. What if he didn't come? What would she do? Would she still go? Hermione bit her lip nervously. Unbeknownst to her, a figure was standing in the shadows watching her. 'God, she's bloody mental' thought Draco. He finally decided to grace her with his presence, and stepped out of the shadows. She jumped in surprise.

"Oh, Malfoy you came!" Hermione said excitedly.

"Clearly," Draco drawled as he sat in a chair, adjacent from Hermione. "So, what's this business proposition you have for me? You don't want to become a Death Eater do you?" Malfoy raised his eyebrows in question. Hermione's eyes turned to one of mock happiness.

"Oh, yes Malfoy. I'm so glad you figured it out! I've always wanted a big ugly mark on me that burns whenever my deformed master needs me. And what's more, I can hang Muggles from the air for no particular reason. Where do I sign up?" she glanced back at Draco, her eyes glaring.

"I was kidding Granger," hissed Draco.

"Clearly, so was I." Draco gave her a look that suggested where he wanted her to go.

"Look Malfoy, you don't like me and I certainly don't like you, but I umm...I need your... help," Hermione said this last part almost above a whisper.

"Wait a minute. Perfect Granger needs my help? Will wonders never cease? So, what exactly do you need my help with?" asked Draco smugly.

"Well, you know that letter Viktor sent me? It said he wants me to look under.... Something, but I couldn't do it at the funeral because I only had half the letter," Hermione said in one breath. Draco stayed silent for a moment than,

"Are you insane? You want me to sneak out of Hogwarts, somehow get to the Krums, break into their house, dig up their son's dead body, place it back, strategically, and get back before classes," Draco asked amusedly.

"Ummm, well, yeah," Hermione answered looking slightly put out.

"What's in it for me?" asked Draco curiously. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I don't know, what do you want?" she asked.

"I'm not sure yet, but, when I think of it you will do it without question," Draco said, his eyes glistening.

"Sure.... I guess," said Hermione nervously. "So, will you do it?" her voice changing hopefully. Draco pretended to think for a moment.

"Sure, Granger, why not? By the way, we're leaving this Friday. I will have worked out the kinks by then," Draco said casually.

"Who said you are the leader?" asked Hermione disbelieving.

"I did. You need my help, remember?" Draco smirked.

"Fine. Whatever," she responded irritably.

***********~~~~~~~~~???????^^^^^^^^^*************

Wednesday came surprisingly fast. Hermione had just sat down in the Great Hall for breakfast, when the Owl Post came. A sleek, black owl dove right in front of Hermione and stuck out it's talon gracefully. She took the envelope and immediately recognized the Malfoy Coat of Arms on the front. She opened it quickly. She was in no hurry to read a command, but if Harry and Ron saw there would be questions. It read:

Granger,

Meet me in the Astronomy Tower. Tonight. Eight 'o clock sharp. No later.

D. Malfoy

Hermione rolled her eyes. 'He sure is a gentleman.' She looked down at her watch. 'Great. Time for Potions'.

Once Hermione sat down in her seat just as Snape came bursting in, his robes following behind him.

"Today, we will be testing our Truth potion. You and your partner will come up here. One of you will drink the potion while the other asks him or her a question. I will give you a moment to decide whom does what," Snape's voice bellowed.

"I think I should ask the question, while you drink the potion," Draco said haughtily.

"And why may I ask, is that?" Hermione asked disdainfully.

"Because you need me this weekend," Draco smirked.

"Your horrid! Fine, I'll do it. But, please nothing personal, okay?" asked Hermione.

"Promise," said Draco, with his hands crossed behind his back.

"Everybody ready? Malfoy, Granger your first," snarled Snape.

Hermione and Draco carried their potion to the front of the class. Hermione took the vile filled with the baby blue potion and drank it quickly. It tasted like sour milk. Immediately any thought in Hermione's head was sucked out. She stood in front of the class with a dazed look upon her face. She could vaguely hear Malfoy ask her a question.

"Who are your best friends and what do you like most about them?"

Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron. Before she could think about what she was saying, she spoke.

"Oh, well you see Malfoy, I used to have two best friends: Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. But, ya know things change," Hermione answered sounding a bit tipsy. At this point both Harry and Ron stood up, while the rest of the class looked shock, even Draco.

"What do you mean by that Hermione?" asked a confused Harry.

"Exactly what I said Harry," Hermione said in an exasperated tone. "We are no longer best friends because you are too busy playing lets-snog-in-a-broom closet with your gorgeous girlfriend. Besides, even if you still did talk to me, all you would want is homework help. In fact, here's some advice right now," Hermione picked up her Potions book. "You see this? It's called a book, what your supposed to do is, open it. But be careful, it creaks the first time. And do you see these little black things? They're called words, you read them, and you get information. Wonderful how it works, isn't it?" said Hermione in a sarcastic tone.

"Hay, I know how to read a book!" Ron said indignantly.

"That's not true Hermione, we're here for you. I know we've been a bit busy...." Harry was cut off immediately.

"Always there for me, huh? Were you there when I got kidnapped? Were you there when poor Muggles and Muggle-born's were being tortured? Were you there when Voldemort wanted me to tell him about a certain map? Were you there when he killed my parents? NO!! YOU WERENT!"

Suddenly Hermione's eyes became clear again, she was now aware of everyone staring at her in shock and disbelief. Harry and Ron's faces looked very pale. Hermione suddenly remembered she could walk, and as fast as she could, she picked up her things and ran out of the room. Hermione wasn't sure where her feet were taking her, but she did know she wouldn't show her face again ... until eight o'clock that night.