Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Daylight	By : pepperdoc Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 13120 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter Universe, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
They walked back into the Mission chatting amiably about the Thunderbird, speculating on whether there was any use in his feathers or blood or tears in potion-making, then they moved on to speculating on Wand properties he might be able to help them with. Draco teased her a bit about how she had acted in front of the Thunderbird, but Hermione wondered aloud if Anthony’s research would be fit for publication and asked if there were any books she might find to explain their mythology in the Americas. Draco- smirking, answered her question rather than continue his jests- informed her that there were several hundred books which might interest her, but he only had access to a few.
Landon was in the pews again with his head bent and hands clasped, so they passed him in silence so as not to disturb him. He called out to them just before they entered the stairwell, however, “May I speak to you, Mr. Malfoy,” He said in an icy politeness.
Draco looked at Hermione and kissed her cheek before telling her, “I’ll catch up with you in a while.”
She gave him a smile and then proceeded down the stairs before her. She decided to go to her room and change since she had gotten wet in the rain outside. She marveled again about the Thunderbird, amazed that she had the opportunity to see such a rare creature. She looked through the clothes which Rose had given her and at the ones she had ordered via owl which had arrived the day before. She decided to wear a gold colored cami from Rose and a grey skirt which had come from the magical shop with gold thread in a diamond pattern.
After she changed she spelled her hair dry and thought about Draco for a while. He was right, she saw, now that she was thinking of it from his perspective. She did seem to be pushing him away. She blushed as she suddenly remembered being in the Thunderbird’s arms. How foolish she must have looked! His man-form really was gorgeous, but she couldn’t believe that she had fallen into his arms without sparing a thought for her…. Boyfriend. And how happy she had been to do so! Was it a part of the magic around him?
She remembered him saying that Thunderbirds had their ways of making women their bride. She remembered the attraction that Veela were said to have, and that she had witnesses at the Quiddich world championship. Ron had nearly climbed over the railing to fall to his death just to be near them. Suddenly she remembered Draco being in the woods that night, telling Ron and Harry that she needed to be protected, since she was Muggleborn. Her brow creased as she thought back on it. I don’t think I ever spared that a second thought, it certainly sounded like his normal veiled threats, but now… She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts, that same year he… had been nearly silent about her heritage. She was overthinking it.
Dismissing the thought, she went to the loo. Closing the door after she had finished, she decided to explore the library again and look up Thunderbirds.
A few minutes later she stood in front of a twin set of shiny wooden doors. They looked similar to the doors in front of Draco’s private rooms but without so much decoration on their polished surfaces. These doors had a small scene depicting Native Americans wearing their simple garb accepting books from what looked like overly fashioned Spaniards. The split in the door was between the Spaniard who was furthest forward and the rest of his countrymen. The Europeans were wearing puffy shouldered jerkins and slightly pointed helmets, all of them with identical expressions of wonder at the men before them.
Hermione wondered for a moment why the artist had decided to split the door where it was before she saw the immense library in front of her and forgot the door completely. Hogwarts’ library had been massive, but the Mission’s library seemed large enough to contain every book ever written. The ceiling was three stories above her with floor to ceiling shelves and walkways supported by wires magically attached to the shelves.
She marveled at it, mouth agape and barely breathing. She had not given much thought to how wide the Mission must spread out, but she wondered if it didn’t cover the entire valley above. She couldn’t see the back of the library, since most of the lights were dimmed.
She absently stepped forward and a bank of lights lit in front of her. She blinked in surprise and took another few steps forward and the next set of lights turned on. She realized with a smile the lights were charmed to only light the area around where the visitor was, so as to not waste energy.
She spent the next few hours wandering around and getting thoroughly lost amongst the shelves without a care to how she would ever eat again. Her mind was buzzing to and fro with information and amazement.
She finally decided to sit down at one of the many study tables scattered about the enormous room and read about Thunderbirds when she heard a tentative voice calling her name, “Miss Granger?” The voice seemed small and worried.
She looked around and didn’t see anyone. Frowning she called out, “Hello?”
A large squashy stomach preceded the Potions instructor as he rounded a row of books before her. He gave her a toothy grin before saying, “Well, Miss Granger, found you at last.”
She smiled slightly, nervous about being near this man. He wasn’t exactly rude, if anything his politeness was worrisome. It gave the unsuspecting a sense of security and with what Rose had warned her about him, she knew better than to fall into his traps. “Hello, Al. What do you mean at last?”
“Well,” He began with a flourish and sat across from her. “I’ve been trying to find you since early this week alone. It’s my understanding that your interest in Potions goes far beyond most Witches’ and Wizards. Is that true or shall I have to have words with my informants?” He gave a small tittering laugh as he finished.
She tried not to let her expression change from polite interest, and answered in a polite tone much the same as his own, “Why yes, it is quite true that I have a deep love of Potions. Why ever would you ask, Al?”
He smiled, seemingly showing all of his teeth and she was reminded of a shark’s grin. His happiness did not extend to his eyes. “Well, Miss Granger, may I call you Hermione?” She nodded, reminding herself that the names business in England was nonexistent in America. “Well, Hermione, such a beautiful name, by the way. I have need of a research assistant in my labs, if you are still looking for something to occupy your time while you are in the Mission.”
She thought about it for a moment. Al had been a mild thorn in Draco’s side since she had arrived. She might be able to find reason to like him, despite what Rose had said about his gossiping. She wondered about the information which Rose had mentioned about how Al hated Draco, and he was threatening to leave if Draco remained Headmaster. She wondered if he had some angle which he was trying to play at. What would he have to gain from having Hermione in his labs? If he were crazy enough, the ability to poison her if he was so inclined. Or to slip Veritaserum in something he might give to me to try and get information about Draco. She wondered if he were capable of doing something like that. He might be. Especially if he were trying to get rid of Draco.
Finally, she answered, “I should like some time to consider, Al. Is that all right with you?”
She saw the briefest of frowns cross his features and then it vanished. “Yes of course, Hermione. No problem. Just don’t take too much time, I have Thunderbird feathers, blood and tears to examine for their properties. Anthony, you know him don’t you? A wonderful man, but if you’re not with Mr. Malfoy, I’d be worried about him, he’s gay you know. He’s always talking about getting Draco into bed. It’s quite disgusting, really.”
She faked a smile while she thought that he was an asshole. He continued, uncaring of her opinion on the matter, “Well, Anthony has a Thunderbird in his possession at the moment. Apparently the thing went free or something and caused a torrential downpour, can you hear the thunder down here?” He paused as though listening. Hermione realized she quite disliked this man. “No I suppose you can’t.” He sounded disappointed.
“Well, anyway, there hasn’t been a Thunderbird in captivity for a good long while, and we don’t really know what their properties are. So as soon as he told me of course I begged him to give me a few samples. He had the audacity to tell me he would only ask for them, can you believe? Asking an animal for permission to have some samples.” He was looking to his left as he said this, but faced her suddenly as he said, “Too bad I’m not as attractive as Mr. Malfoy else he would have given them to me without a thought.” He smirked. “But I suppose it has its advantages, you know. Then those fags can leave me alone.” Hermione felt her eyebrows shoot up before she could control her face’s reaction.
“Isn’t that an offensive term, Al?” She asked, so she could cover her surprise.
He pretended to be interested in something just over her shoulder and obviously looked at her from the corners of his eyes, “To some,” He answered, evasively.
She bit her cheek to stop herself from grinning triumphantly. He was not nearly as smart as he thought he was. She recognized that he was testing boundaries, finding things which would make her angry and was not very good at hiding his intentions. She could run circles around him when it came to getting information out of people in conversation. He focused on the term, and had not noticed at all how she had reacted to his ‘asking for permission’ comment earlier. She had remembered that horrid woman Umbridge, suddenly, and she was certain she had grimaced when he made that comment.
Before she could say anything, he continued, “And to pass on such a beautiful Witch, besides, what is our Headmaster thinking? Has he tried and you turned him down perhaps?” She opened her mouth to respond and excuse herself from his presence which was growing more repulsive the longer he was before her, but he continued. “No, I can see the anger in your face. Let’s leave the conversation for now. What training have you had in Potion making?”
Finally, he had stopped speaking so that she might answer, but the swift change in topics had caught her a little off guard. She answered, “I was an apprentice to several Wizards in England. I can give you a list if I decide to accept the position. However, what exactly will you be researching?” She decided to ignore his unusual questioning and repulsive nature. She had worked with men who were much more repulsive than he was. He seemed unable to not think aloud once he started going. She could just learn to ignore it.
“Why the properties of Thunderbird tears, feathers, and blood, I said already. I think there might be some hidden magical properties which we don’t know about yet. I’m especially interested in using them for love and lust potions, given what Anthony told me about their-” But he was cut short when they both heard Draco calling her name.
“Over here, Draco!” She called, grateful to get away from this man, or at least have someone else present. She saw the lights turning on as Draco followed the sound of her voice.
When he came around the corner a few seconds later, his displeasure at finding her talking to Al was evident, to her at least. Al seemed unconcerned and greeted Draco like an old friend, despite having just suggested he was possibly in a homosexual relationship with Anthony not a few moments before. “Why Headmaster, how are you doing on this fine, stormy afternoon?”
Draco glanced at Hermione before answering and she had a distinct impression that he was as annoyed as she was at the Potions professor. “It is a wonderful day for a swim, now, Al,” He drawled. She was beginning to learn that when he used that tone it was to cover up his true attitude. That one and that icy politeness when it was someone he needed to show respect towards. Apparently, he did not feel the need to be respectful toward Al, though.
“Has it really rained so much?” Al inquired jovially. He seemed totally uncaring about how Draco spoke to him.
“Indeed it has. Granger will be most displeased to know that I must break up your conversation, which was no doubt illuminating, to take her to the Auror’s Headquarters.” He had crossed his arms over his chest as he said her name and was now looking at her expectantly.
She smiled thinly and answered while standing, “Certainly. It was pleasant to speak with you, Al. I’ll give your offer some thought and give you an answer as soon as is possible.”
Al grinned broadly at her and bid her a pleasant afternoon. She took Draco’s arm in what was becoming a totally normal way to walk, with a smile at him. He still had his arms crossed at first when she took his elbow, and she saw his expression soften when he looked down at her. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles and then lowered his other arm so they were walking normally.
Once the carved door slid shut behind them, Draco’s expression changed dramatically from a polite mask to cold fury. “So, having a pleasant chat, Granger?” He practically hissed.
“He asked me to be his research assistant while he looks into the properties of the Thunderbird samples,” She answered without emotion in her voice. He probably worried about how Al would be using the information he suspected her of giving, the Slytherin prat. “Aside from trying to make me tell him if we were together, and failing miserably at it, he talked about the Thunderbird’s potential to his research, Nothing to worry about, Draco.”
She saw that he was relaxing as they walked. He wasn’t that complicated to read, now that she was getting used to his dramatic shifts in personality when he was worried about something. To others, his moods might be terrifying, but she was beginning to learn that he only showed his true emotions when he felt unthreatened. With her, he was unthreatened, so he didn’t hold anything back. She was much the same way, really.
She saw his brow creasing as he thought, he asked, “It’s my understanding he was planning on leaving the school in protest of my appointment. Did he say anything about that?”
“No, he seemed…” She reached for a term which would adequately describe the Potions teacher and upon finding one, finished, “Excited more than anything.” She watched him relax minutely and decided to chance making him laugh as they continued walking toward the top floor of the Mission. “And he told me to watch out for Anthony, as he might steal you away from me,” She told him in a whisper.
He laughed, “Did he call Anthony a fag and watch you from the corner of his eyes to see your reaction?”
She smiled and nodded when he looked at her. Thunder boomed through the top floor and there was a steady hard rain outside. When they entered the Mission, it was empty and dark. It looked rather ominous in the streaks of lightening coming through the glassless windows and the floor was wet from the frantic winds bringing the rain inside. Beyond the windows, all Hermione could see was darkness and she wondered if she had ever seen a storm of this one’s equal.
Draco leaned toward her ear and shouted over the rain, “I have made a temporary Apparition point, Side-Along, will you, Granger?” She nodded and clutched his arm tighter. Since she hated Side-Along Apparition, she closed her eyes and allowed him to lead her a few steps forward. She felt the pull at her navel and suddenly the sounds of the storm were gone.
In their place were the muted sounds of heels clicking on tile and quiet voices. She opened her eyes and saw several Aurors walking around purposefully behind the over-large desk in front of them. There was a severely pretty young black woman who was looking at them from her seat. She had something like a telephone headset over her curly black hair and was speaking into the microphone with a perfectly manicured finger held out to them. She smiled as she spoke and reached toward the modified telephone to apparently end the call. She picked up a pen and wrote something down as she said, “Name and Auror you are meeting?” To them.
Draco answered with his name and her eyes widened in recognition. She took a closer look at him and her smile went from her mild professional mask to a face of real pleasure. Before Draco could say Hermione’s name, the young woman said, “Of course. I’ll call ahead. They are expecting you in Interview Room 4, do you remember where that is?”
Draco smirked and answered in the affirmative. He gave the girl a wink before linking his fingers with Hermione’s and leading her down a few hallways. Hermione was pondering why the Aurors always reacted to his name with instant respect and having a mental debate about asking him about it- to avoid thinking about how every woman Draco came into contact with seemed to want to flirt with him. When she saw Lieutenant Benjamin Ptyalin, he was standing at attention in front of a door with a small sign labeling the room ‘Interview Room 4’.
The Lieutenant nodded to them and opened the door without a word. She smiled at him regardless and he gave her a sneaky wink as she passed. Head Auror Avery was scowling and looking through a glass partition to the right of the entranceway. He glanced over when the door clicked and said, “Good afternoon. Rowle first, is that alright with you?”
Draco told him yes and asked Avery about the security procedures they would need to know.
Avery’s eyes flicked to Hermione and he gave a small smile while he answered, “He is unable to stand, due to his restraints. Do not get within his arms reach, preferably, stay on the other side of the table. One at a time, if you don’t mind. Miss Granger can be accompanied by an Auror if she so wishes,” He looked at Hermione fully as he said this.
“I would not think he would speak if there was someone in the room. Let’s try it without.” She said, thoughtfully.
Avery seemed to size her up for a moment before saying, “Very well. Ladies first?” He was smirking.
She realized he was issuing a challenge to her bravery and her chin rose in defiance immediately. She was a Gryffindor for heaven’s sake, she had no shortness of bravery. She opened her mouth to speak without thinking about what would come out of it, “Indeed ladies first. Avery, do you need my wand before I enter, I’m quite adept at wandless magic if I need it.”
Avery’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I’ll accept it. What do they teach you Brits, eh?” She handed it over and glanced at Draco, who was grinning. She took a deep breath and looked through the glass partition before her.
On the other side was Rowle seated at a silver table with chains on his wrists and a glass of water on the table in front of him. His eyes were focused on the glass, but he had no expression whatsoever. The glaring whiteness of the room, she suspected, was even brighter on the other side, since she reckoned the glass was really a two-way mirror. She made a list in her mind of all the questions she planned on asking in the few seconds she looked at him.
Avery sniffled beside her and she started to walk toward the door just beside the glass which opened into the room where Rowle was seated. She placed her hand on the knob and then suddenly turned and asked Avery, “Does he know we have his partner in custody?”
Avery shook his head in a negative with an eyebrow raised. She nodded and turned the knob.
A/N: Ok, I’m stopping it short so next chapter we can get the whole conversation, without having to break. Just some set up. See? I’m updating when I should. : )
So I’m expecting two more chapters of plot stuff with a time jump somewhere up ahead and then maybe some sexytimes. This has been a pretty tame story so far, but I am loving my invented school.
You can find review replies here: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/51078-daylight-review-replies-n-discussion-thread/
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Daylight