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The Dare	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 82898 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 11
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter. Don't own any of the characters. Am not making a profit.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Draco sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his lovely girlfriend as she slept. Though he hadn’t told any of his friends, he was actually a bit nervous at the idea of waking her. He knew her temper well enough, thanks to a moment in third year, and he was loathed to become reacquainted with it. There had to be something he could do to soften the blow, or keep it from coming altogether.

As he studied her face, he found himself amazed by how beautiful and peaceful she looked in sleep. At that moment, she was his own personal sleeping beauty, and he was reminded of the child’s tale he had stumbled across so many years ago. He smirked. He could finally put use to his knowledge of that Muggle fairytale. He remembered when he had read it, he found it to be pure rubbish. Some prince defeating a dragon to save a princess trapped in a sleeping spell? The allegory was almost uncanny now as he thought about it. Only, he didn’t defeat the dragon, he was the dragon and the prince.

He wondered how long it would take him to get her to fall in love with him. He had the looks, for sure. And he knew she admired intelligence, which he had proven to her he had loads of. Taking her virginity had been a big step in the right direction as, despite having fought the Dark Lord and his minions, she was still naïve enough to cling onto him. She probably had some deep seated fear that he would take her virginity and dump her.

If only she knew what his plans actually were in regards to her…

He knew she needed to wake and soon. Ancient Rune would be starting soon and he had no doubt she would try to rip his head off if she missed it. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and expelled it, calming his nerves a bit as he stood up. Leaning over her, he whispered the incantation and pressed his lips against hers in a move reminiscent of the story. When he felt her lips part, he drew away, looking down at her as her eyes fluttered open.

She stared up at him. “What happened?” she asked as she began to sit up. She glanced at her surroundings. “How did I get here?”

He sat on the bed, concern filling his eyes. “I carried you,” he explained. “You were so emotionally exhausted…”

Her eyes snapped to his as the memory of what had occurred came back to her. Her eyes narrowed. “What did you do?” she asked, a bit angrily.

He sighed. “The only thing I could think of, princess,” he told her. “You had gone so far off your rocker, I couldn’t get you to calm down. You were even accusing me… Honestly, I’m not sure what you were accusing me of,” he admitted.

She glowered at him. “Astoria Greengrass,” she spat a bit venomously. “She told me you were engaged to her.”

“I am not,” he said, truthfully. He would kill the little slag before he married her, but his princess didn’t need to know that. “She wants to be engaged to me, yes. Many girls here in Slytherin do. Family fortune being what it is, but my father doesn’t choose my bride. I do. And I refuse to marry some gold digger just because she may be pretty and Pureblooded.”

Hermione folded her arms. “So you admit that she’s pretty?” she asked rather jealously. She had no idea where the emotion was coming from, but she found that she really didn’t care.

“Is she not?” he asked with a shrug. “I’ll admit that I find Parkinson and Ginger pretty, too. Doesn’t mean I have any interest in either of them.”

She sighed as she slumped. “Somehow I doubt your father will agree with you dating me,” she mumbled.

He cocked his head as he reached a hand out to touch her chin. He was gentle as he tilted it upwards and met her eyes. “My father no longer has a hold on my fate, princess,” he told her. “I’ll choose who I do, or do not, date, and, when the time is right, it will be me who chooses my bride.”

Her eyes sparkled in the low firelight as she contemplated him for a moment. “How is that?” she asked finally. “Is your father alright? I mean… he’s not ill, is he?”

Draco chuckled as he shook his head. “No, he’s fine. Just as ornery as ever,” he assured her. Looking at her, he sighed. “After the war, Father was able to make a deal with the Minister that allowed him to remain out of Azkaban. Unfortunately, for him, the Ministry turned the Manor, the estate, and all the finances over to me. My father can still handle the finances and whatever else, but I have the final say in everything.”

“That must tickle your father’s chin,” the Muggle born said sarcastically. “You’re what? Sixteen? Bit young to suddenly own everything.”

Draco nodded. “Which is why my father is still running things,” he said with a smile. “Once we get out of Hogwarts, he’ll teach me more about the business and I’ll take over entirely.”

“So, you’re not interested in marrying Astoria Greengrass?” she asked again, biting her bottom lip.

He cupped her jaw and stared into her golden eyes. “Not if she was the last woman on Earth,” he confirmed before kissing her gently on the lips.

Breaking the kiss, she gave him a weird look. “Did your kiss actually wake me?” she questioned.

He shrugged. “Maybe,” he said. “I mean they do say that only your true love could actually break a spell, right?”

She frowned. “Where did you hear that load of rubbish?”

“Read it in a book,” he told her. “One of those Muggle fairy tales where the prince saves the princess and they share true love’s first kiss.”

Hermione stared at the Pureblood wizard in disbelief, her eyebrows effectively hidden under her bangs. “You read a Muggle fairy tale?” she murmured. “You? Draco Malfoy? Slytherin Prince and blood purist. You actually read a Muggle fairy tale? Which one?”

He gave her a dirty look. “I’ve never been a blood purist, Granger, not truly. And which one?” he drawled. “You mean there’s more than one? The one I read was about a girl who’d been bewitched by an evil sorcerer and had to be rescued by a prince who defeated the sorcerer.”

“You’ve just described about four or five fairy tales,” she told him, smiling.

“In this one, the sorcerer turned into a dragon,” he stated.

The witch nodded. “Sleeping Beauty then,” she surmised. “There are different versions of that tale. I think the one you’re referring to is the Disney version. The actual story is much darker than that.”

He frowned. Much darker? That was interesting. He watched as she began to lay back on the bed. As much as he enjoyed seeing her and wanted to actually kiss her again, he held himself back. There would be time for that later.

“How are you feeling, princess?” he asked.

She sighed. “I’m still angry,” she replied. “Though, honestly, I’m angrier at Ronald than anything. I want to meet with Lavender and find out what’s going to happen to her. It’s not going to be fair if they make her leave school just because she’s pregnant.”

“I can understand why they would, though,” he said. “Her stomach is going to grow and she’ll start having difficulties showing up to class. Not to mention having to disrupt class if she needs to take care of anything or…”

She glared at him. “She just got pregnant, Draco,” she pointed out. “She won’t even start showing until she gets to her third or fourth month and by then the holidays will already be past us. There’s no reason she can’t attend her classes, especially if she visits Pomphrey every day and does what the witch tells her to do. She really needs to stay in school. She’ll learn a lot more being surrounded by her peers than she would at home.”

“You’re under the assumption she even wants to stay,” he told her.

She tilted her head. “Shouldn’t that be her decision?”

He sighed. “Perhaps, but that’s really for the headmaster and her parents to decide, isn’t it?” he asked. “She is under their guardianship until she turns seventeen.”

The Muggle born huffed. “I honestly think the only thing I don’t like about the Wizarding world is how people tend to be treated,” she growled. “Elves are enslaved and treated as little more than work horses. Children are trained to fight adult wars and women are still pieces of property to be bartered with like cattle. Our only purpose seems to be bearing children and it’s disgusting. And poor Lavender is going to be denied her education just because…”

“They’re not going to deny her education, Granger,” he stated, cutting her off. “If they do send her away, she’s still going to be allowed to study and take her N.E.W.T.s. A woman’s only purpose is to bear children? Last I checked there were at least five or six women on Hogwarts staff as it is. And the Ministry is just crawling with female workers. That doesn’t even count the witches employed at various shops in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.” He shook his head. “You’ve been around the Weasleys for too long, princess. Women have a lot more rights than you seem to think.”

She clenched her jaw stubbornly. “And what about the rest?” she asked, folding her arms.

He took a deep breath. “The children who fought in that war did so because they wanted to. Because they felt it was the right thing to do. Right? Do you honestly believe Potter would have left it all alone just because he’s underage? And you and Weasley were willingly right by his side. I doubt that would have changed regardless.”

“We should not have had to fight period,” she said, looking away.

“I agree,” he admitted. “But that’s life, princess. I doubt Brown was planning on becoming a mother when she’s still a child herself, but… there you have it. The majority of humanity is cold, cruel, and often unforgiving. We are a selfish species.”

“That’s a very cynical view of the world,” she stated, staring at him.

He shrugged. “When you share a home with the Dark Lord for a year, you become cynical,” he drawled. “That and Slytherin House isn’t exactly all about sunshine and daises. We are located in the dungeons underwater, after all.”

A clock chimed somewhere in the room causing Hermione to jump. Her eyes darting around, she asked, “What time is it?” She followed Draco’s line of sight and her eyes widened. “Please tell me that’s A.M.!”

Licking his lips, he shook his head and watched as she jetted off the bed and started searching for her shoes. “I’m going to be so late,” she fussed, finding her shoes and slipping them on. She grabbed her bag, but stopped when she realized how light it was. She growled, “Draco Malfoy, sometimes I could strangle you!” She threw her bag onto the bed and began searching through it. “Where are my Runes books?”

“I put my copies in my satchel,” he drawled casually. “We don’t need both copies considering we’ll be sharing a table. We can just share what I have.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but hesitated. There really wasn’t much point in saying anything. And she knew if she started arguing with him, they would end up late. Giving a frustrated growl, she closed her bag up and put it on, glaring at the wizard as she did so. As he grabbed his satchel from the desk and slung it over his shoulder, she stated, “I will want my own books, Draco. I’ll let it go today because I don’t want to be late for class, but those are my books.”

He paused in front of her, cupping her jaw gently and letting his hand slide around her waist. “I only did it because I didn’t want you to overload yourself, princess,” he told her. “Those books are heavy and you can seriously injure yourself carrying them if you’re not careful.”

“And I appreciate it,” she assured him. “I’m just… not used to all this care and attention.”

He rubbed her back as he led her out of Slytherin House and towards their class. The class in and of itself was interesting as always. As Draco had predicted the couple sat next to one another, sharing a table, and making it easy to share the same books. Time passed quickly for the couple as they listened to the lecture, took notes, and put the lesson to practice. To Hermione’s relief, Draco did not attempt to distract her.

After class they went to the library and spent an hour or two working on their essays for their classes. It was a calming experience. They worked together and helped one another when needed. When it got close to supper time, Draco suggested they pack up and head to the Great Hall. “We can work some more after we’ve eaten,” he told her, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

As they walked together, they held hands and kept their heads up. When they entered the Great Hall, Draco bent down slightly to kiss her on the lips as he wrapped his arms around her. Her own arms hugged him around the waist and when he broke their kiss, she rested her head on his chest for a moment. “We’ll meet back here after we’re finished eating,” he whispered into her hair, though she already knew this.

Parting from him, Hermione quickly made her way to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Ginny. Several people around her were watching her closely and a bit wearily. Finally, Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice and asked, “Everything alright, Hermione?”

The Muggle born witch looked at her best friend curiously. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Malfoy knocked you out after you went nearly berserk on Ron and Malfoy,” he commented. “Not that I blame you, of course. If anything, I’m actually surprised you’re still with him after what he did.”

Hermione sighed as she added some vegetables to her plate. “The only thing Draco really did wrong was put me to sleep, and that he only did because, you’re right. I was going a bit mental,” she said.

“What about him being engaged to Greengrass?” Harry asked.

The witch rolled her eyes and shook her head. “He’s not. She was only telling me that to try and break us up,” she explained. “We talked about it some more once I woke up. Apparently, Draco now owns the entire estate and the vaults. The Ministry just gave them to him after the war. So, Astoria and her father are trying to get their hands on it, naturally. But Draco has no interest in marrying her and had informed his father of such.”

Harry nodded as Ginny looked at her. “I do know he was angry about what happened,” the redhead stated. “He’s very protective of you, Hermione. I swear if I didn’t know better, I’d wager he was even in love, but it’s still way too soon to tell.”

Just then, Lavender stormed into the Great Hall. For once in her life, her hair was a mess, her clothes dishevelled. Ron was following her, a pleading look in his eyes. “You don’t understand, Lav. I…”

“Don’t call me ‘Lav’, you pig!” she snapped as she sat down next to Hermione. She waved her hand to indicate the rest of the table. “Go sit down there somewhere. I can’t stand to look at your face anymore.” He moved to sit next to her with the intention of ignoring her, but she dealt him a glare so hard, he was effectively cowed.

Ron sent Harry a wary look, but the bespectacled boy said nothing. Moping, Ron moved a bit further down the table and sat between Seamus and Dean.

Hermione looked kindly at the blond girl next to her. “What happened?” she asked gently.

Lavender scoffed. “I got a letter from my parents this afternoon,” she replied, looking miffed. “My dad is cutting me off and my mum has told me that since I’m old enough to be pregnant, then I’m old enough to take care of myself.” She looked at Ginny. “Has your mum said anything yet?”

Hermione’s eyes widened at those words as Ginny shook her head. “I’ve not heard anything,” she said. “Which actually surprises me. I half expected her to show up to the school or at least send Ron a Howler.”

A large eagle owl flew into the hall at that moment. The small group of Gryffindors followed the owl with their eyes, watching as it dropped a letter beside Draco’s plate and fly off. Hermione grimaced. “That’ll be Draco’s father replying to him,” she commented a bit sourly. She glanced back at Lavender. “I’m sorry to hear about your folks. Has McGonagall said anything yet?”

The witch sighed. “At first she wanted me to return home,” she said. “Maybe just finish my studies there, but my parents refuse to accept me back. Having an unmarried pregnant witch in the family is embarrassing, after all. Do you know Ron actually suggested that I get rid of the baby? Can you believe that?” She scoffed as she rested her forehead on her hands. “He actually told me that there are Muggle clinics one could go to to ‘take care of the problem’.”

Hermione looked horrified as Harry and Ginny stared at Lavender in disbelief. “Those places are dangerous,” Hermione said. “My mother brought me to one when I was younger. I actually spoke to one of the nurses and learned a lot. And, honestly, they do help thousands of girls and women and they’re great for young couples who are looking to eventually have children of their own. But, abortion should never be treated as an option, but rather as a last resort. The fatality rate for women is much higher in the process of an abortion than it is by just giving birth. And that’s for Muggles. For witches, it’s even worse.” She shook her head. “You’re right to tell Ronald to shove off. I can’t believe he would even suggest it.”

The blond witch nodded and stared down at her plate of untouched food. “I have a meeting today with Dumbledore,” she told them. She met Hermione’s eyes. “I’d like it if you could go with me? It’s right after dinner.”

The Muggle born placed a hand over the Half-blood’s. “I would be honoured,” she said with a small smile.

The rest of the meal was eaten in a companionable silence, though Lavender kept shooting daggers down the table at Ron. Hermione managed to catch Draco’s eye and she saw the concern there, as his eyes flitted to Lavender and back. The Muggle born gave him a reassuring smile, but he continued to frown slightly and she knew she would have to explain more to him a bit later. For herself, she was curious about the letter he had received. She could garner nothing from him when she had glanced at him reading it and that made her even more curious. She didn’t know everything he had told his father, but she hoped the man wouldn’t try to make it difficult for them.

After the meal was done, Hermione stood and helped Lavender stand as well, taking the girl’s bag in addition to her own. Ginny looked at the two girls. “Want me to come along?” she asked.

The blond gave the young witch a smile. “I appreciate it,” she said. “I asked Parvarti to come along, but she has too many essays to complete.”

“I’ll come, too,” Harry started, but Ginny touched his arm.

“No,” the ginger haired witch said. “You need to go to Ron. Try and talk some sense into him and see if he’s heard from Mum yet. Hermione and I can handle this.”

He sighed. “Alright, but you’ll let me know if you need anything?” he replied, looking a bit putout.

Ginny nodded. “We will,” she assured him.

As the girls made their way to the entrance, Draco approached them. “Ready, princess?” he asked Hermione, though the look on his face suggested that he knew something was up.

Hermione shook her head. “I’ll catch up with you later,” she told him. “I promised Lavender I would go with her to see Dumbledore.”

He looked at the girl in question and nodded once. “Alright. Then I’ll go with you,” he stated as he reached to take the bags from Hermione. She knew the information she had given Lavender about abortions was false, but she’d be damned if Ron was going to get out of it that easily. She turned back to her food and took a bite as she secretly hoped Lavender wouldn’t ask anyone else.

The Muggle born took a step back and shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. We can meet up in the Slytherin Common Room later,” she said.

His eyes narrowed as he reached for the bags again, taking them and tossing them over his shoulder. “I know you’ll be in the Common Room later,” he said as he took her hand. “But I’m still coming with you.”

Lavender and Ginny shared a look as Hermione snatched her hand from Draco. “No, you’re not,” she stated firmly. “Ginny and I will handle this. We don’t need a gang of people showing up at Dumbledore’s office just so Lavender can speak to him. We’ll take care of this and then I’ll go to Slytherin.”

Draco’s eyes moved to the Half-blood witch for a moment and then back to Hermione. “Fine,” he said finally, but with his eyes narrowed and stormy. Touching the brunette witch’s chin, he bent down and kissed her on the lips a bit harsher than he had meant to. “Try not to take too long,” he whispered against her mouth.

Breathless, Hermione nodded. Giving a final look at Lavender, Draco turned on his heel and stalked away from them. Hermione watched as Crabbe and Goyle joined the Slytherin prince and the boy tossed the bags at them angrily. The Muggle born sighed. “Tonight should be interesting,” she commented as she turned back to the girls.

Lavender’s eyes widened. “Possessive much?” she asked.

Ginny gave a nervous laugh. “Yeah, it looked like he was about to tear off Lavender’s head for a moment there,” she stated as they began walking to Dumbledore’s office.

But the Muggle born just shook her head. “He’s not possessive so much as he is concerned,” she said. “Draco’s still upset over what happened earlier.” She gave Lavender a rueful smile. “You did call me a ‘slag’ after all.”

The witch nodded. “Yeah, and I am truly sorry for that. I was just in such a shock over learning I was pregnant and was panicking over Ron leaving me that I unfortunately lashed out,” she explained, looking a bit saddened.

Hermione smiled at her. “I forgive you,” she said. “It might take Draco a little while, though.”

Lavender frowned. “He does seem a bit possessive, though. I’d be careful if I were you, Hermione,” she said sagely. “I know you like this boy, but there’s something dark about him.”

“He is a Slytherin,” Ginny pointed out. “Not that that matters, but it is something to take into account. I’ve been in their Common Room. It’s not exactly a happy place.”

“You’re worrying over nothing,” Hermione assured the girls. “Draco would never hurt me, nor will he let anyone else do so.”

The blond girl sighed as she tucked some hair behind her ear. “Protective,” she repeated the word Hermione had used. “Let’s hope that’s all it is. You’re a smart girl, Hermione. Much smarter than I am and I really do hope the best for you and Malfoy. He seems like he could be good for you. I just hope he is what he seems for your sake.”

(III)(III)

“Purity!” Draco barked at the Slytherin entrance. The portal swung open and he stalked inside. He was seething with anger.

He hated the idea that Hermione was alone with those girls, especially that Brown. He glared at Zabini as he approached the boy sitting in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. “How much can Ginger be trusted with Granger?” he asked.

The black wizard shrugged. “As much as you can, I suppose,” he stated casually. “They’ve been friends for years. Why?” he added, looking at his friend curiously.

Draco clenched his fists as he began pacing. “Brown had asked her to go to some meeting she has with Dumbledore and Ginger is with them,” he said.

“Draco, you’re going to give yourself whiplash if you keep pacing like that,” Zabini said. “Sit down and relax. Have a glass of firewhiskey.”

The blond Pureblood sighed, but plopped into the chair opposite of his friend. “I wish I could just marry her now and be done with it,” he growled.

“If wishes were fishes…” the other wizard observed. He glanced at a passing fifth year. “Get Draco a finger or two of firewhiskey,” he told the boy.

“Fuck that, Zabini,” Draco said. “Bring the whole bottle. I’ll make my own glass.”

Zabini shrugged, but nodded to the fifth year all the same. “I wouldn’t worry too much, mate,” he said, turning his attention back to his long-time friend. “Granger’s not going to let a bunch of girls decide her life for her. She’s too smart for that.” The black boy smiled as he watched Astoria position herself in front of him. “Come to play, little girl?”

She gave him a soft smile as she unzipped his trousers and pulled out his cock. “If that is ok?”

Zabini waved a hand at her. “By all means. Just watch your teeth, pet,” he said as he watched her begin stroking his cock and sucking the head.

Draco leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. The letter from his father had looked promising. The older man agreed with Draco on the decision about the Greengrasses, though he wasn’t too thrilled that Draco had taken up with “that Mudblood girl”. Merlin, how he hated that word! He regretted the first time he had ever used it and every time he had used it since. Regardless of what his father said, however, the older wizard still stated that he would send Granger an invitation to the Christmas ball so he could “get to know” his “future daughter-in-law better”. The way he made it sound left Draco with an uneasy feeling that he didn’t like, but there was little the blond could do at this juncture.

He glanced up as others began filtering in. Snatching the bottle out of the fifth year’s hand, he took a swig of the drink and closed his eyes so he could concentrate on his breathing. He was angry at Granger for insisting that she accompany the other two Gryffindors without him, but he did trust the girl. He knew she was smart and wouldn’t be easily persuaded by what others might tell her. Then again, he had managed to take her virginity without any difficulty. Had she really been so starved for affection that she would just wrap her legs around his waist and let him enter her body? Of course, she hadn’t technically “let” him do anything, but those were semantics. He had her and that was all that mattered in his book. Now all he had to do is figure out how to keep her.

“Daphne,” he called as he opened his eyes and took another pull. “Would you come here a moment?” The blond haired girl stared at him with narrowed eyes, but she obeyed, still remaining silent. Draco did not take his eyes off of her. “Your sister did well earlier today,” he told her, though he wasn’t really praising the girl. “She accepted her punishment well and left all of the boys who fucked her rather satisfied. How is your hand?”

She swallowed. “It’s fine. Madam Pomphrey healed it for me.”

“Did you tell her how you hurt it?”

“No,” she answered with a shake of her head. “She didn’t really ask, either, just assumed I had jammed it in a door or something and I didn’t bother to correct her.”

“Good,” Draco stated. “I hope you know I wish no ill on you or your family. You’ve always been a good friend. However, now that I am betrothed to the Gryffindor princess, it is my duty to protect her. You know this. Having someone feed her false information and calling her foul names won’t do.”

She frowned, but it was a fourth year boy who had spoken up, “The Malfoys must have really fallen into disgrace if old man Malfoy is letting his only son marry a Mudblood. Honestly, Draco, have you no honour at all?”

The anger Draco had been holding back flared to the forefront and he stood up. Before the fourth year could react, Draco had his wand out and had wordlessly levitated the boy by his throat. “You’re not going to live to see another day,” he threatened viciously.

“Draco, let him go,” Parkinson ordered as she entered the room. She glared at the blond Pureblood as she hissed, “I’m only going to say this once, so pay attention.”

He sneered at her and handed her the bottle. “This boy is going to pay for what he’s said about my wife,” he growled.

Pansy snarled as she grabbed the bottle and tossed it in the fire. A loud Bang! startled everyone, causing the boys to jumped and Astoria to wrench herself from Zabini, coughing and gagging.

“What the hell, Parkinson?!” Draco hissed as he glared at the witch.

“Oh, grow up,” she snapped as she pulled several vials from her robes. She handed one to each of the boys. “Drink this.”

Draco studied the potion in his hands, his eyes narrowing. “A hangover potion?” he asked as he uncorked it and took a sniff. “A sobering potion,” he corrected himself and glowered at the witch. “The point of drinking isn’t to sober up, Parkinson.”

“You need it,” she nagged. “Do you honestly think you’ll keep Granger by getting drunk, bullying those younger than you, and condoning debauchery? I don’t even like Granger and I know she has better class than that. You are the son of one of the wealthiest men in all of Britain. Merlin, you are one of the wealthiest men in all of Britain. And that includes the Muggle world as well,” she fussed. “On top of all of that, you’re wanting to marry the brightest witch of our age. Do you really think you’ll keep her fooled? You can get away with whoring out Astoria because Granger barely knows her, doesn’t like her, and already believes Astoria has loose legs, thanks to you. But she hates bullies. You keep terrorizing every person who says something negative about her and she’s going to notice.”

The blond wizard pointed an accusing finger at the wizard in question. “Did you not hear what he said? Merlin’s beard, Parkinson!” he argued, his voice a bit higher pitched than he had wanted. “I can’t have people going around speaking about my family like that with the expectations that they’ll get away with it.”

“She’s not your wife!” the brunette shrieked. “Not yet anyway. How long has Astoria been attempting to swallow Blaise’s cock? Since she got in here? You’re not doing yourself any favours, Draco. And, honestly? I’m disgusted by what Slytherin is becoming. We are a reputable House that commands respect from the other Houses. We used to win the House Cup every year. Every year! And now look at us!”

“That’s not my fault,” he said. “I do everything I can to bring us to the top and you know it! I work my arse off for fucking points and good grades. Like our House, though, I always come in second place. You want to win the House Cup? Stop bitching at me and start bitching at everyone else!” He was standing now, glaring at the witch. “I can’t go it alone, Parkinson. I’m not saint bloody Potter! I’m a Malfoy and, in case you’ve forgotten, our side fucking lost! The Dark Lord was defeated. My father barely escaped prison and many of us actually have family in prison. And that’s not counting those who died.”

She folded her arms. “I didn’t lose a war,” she said, her voice mocking. “My family didn’t participate. And either way, it matters very little, Draco. I don’t really give a damn who lost or who won the war. And people die every day. Am I sorry for the loss? Yes! Magical blood, any magical blood, is precious and should be valued. But how can anyone value something we don’t value ourselves?”

“Who said it wasn’t valued?” he asked.

“Your actions!” she screamed, throwing her hands in the air. “Punishing Astoria is one thing, but going after Avery as well? Throwing House members across the room? Draco, I know you’re upset. I get it. People have insulted Hermione Granger and you don’t want that because you want to marry her. But you called her your wife without even having a ring on her bloody finger!” She gave a frustrated growl and turned away from him. Taking a few steps away from the boys, she turned around and stared at him. “If you want to convince her that you’re worthy of her, you need to start being an example. Leading by fear is only going to expose you and get you stomped on. For years, people have looked up to you because you do make the best grades. You do bring our House many points and pride. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but if you keep going down this path, you’re going to lose the respect you’ve worked so damn hard to earn. Its bad enough you’ve chosen a Muggle born to marry. Making people fear you will only make it worse.”

Draco ran a hand through his hair. He knew the girl had a point, but he hated it. “She will be my wife,” he said finally.

Parkinson shrugged. “And you’ll make Half-blood babies and live happily ever after, I know,” she said irritably. “Honestly, Drake, I think you’re mad, but it’s not really my place to judge.”

“You don’t understand what marrying her would do for my family,” he growled softly and chugged the potion. He grimaced at the foul taste, but grabbed some random third year’s Butterbeer and chased the potion with it.

“Most people, like Avery here, would say it would bring disgrace to your family, marrying a girl with her blood,” Nott pointed out, having taken the potion himself.

Draco shrugged. “If she were some common Muggle born, maybe,” he agreed. “But we’re not talking about a commoner, are we?”

Nott smirked. “Ah yes, the Gryffindor princess: Brains of the Golden Trio and brightest witch of her age. She helped defeat the Dark Lord and still made the highest and most O.W.Ls in well over a century, if not longer.” He sat casually on the arm of Zabini’s chair as he added, “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she was related to Merlin himself.”

“You never know, mate,” Zabini said as he sobered up. “Honestly, anything’s possible. And I did recently read an article that stated Muggle borns do have a squib in their ancestry somewhere. Don’t know how true that is, but… there you have it.”

Draco nodded as he took another swallow of the Butterbeer. “If it’s there, we’ll find out,” he told them. “Father’s looking into it. I sent him a sample of her blood and he’s going to see what he can learn.”

(IV)(IV)

As the girls entered the office, they found Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, his elbows resting atop it as his hands were folded, his fingers silently tapping his chin in thought. “Please, ladies, have a seat,” he offered, waving a hand at the three chairs in front of the desk. “Lemon drop?”

Hermione declined the sweet, but the other two girls helped themselves to a candy or two. Together they sat in the chairs, Hermione straightened up in a business like way while Lavender slumped in her chair. Ginny folded her legs at the ankles and tucked them under the chair.

Dumbledore waited as the girls became settled before asking, “How are you feeling today, Miss Brown?”

Lavender looked down at her hands. “I feel fine, professor,” she said meekly, a bit of her hair falling into her face.

It was then that Hermione realized the girl still looked just as messy as she had when she entered the Great Hall. “She’s been a bit upset, sir,” she said.

Dumbledore nodded. “I can imagine. Having a baby can be very stressful and a lady’s hormones tend to be everywhere during that time,” he said. “Has the father said anything to you?”

Tears welled up in Lavender’s eyes and she bowed her head. “He… He wants me to get rid of it,” she said, not bothering to check the tears that fell into her lap.

Dumbledore frowned deeply as Hermione piped up, “And Professor McGonagall suggested she leave the school. You wouldn’t make her leave, would you, headmaster? Her parents have already put her out, refusing to allow her back, and she really does need to be somewhere she can receive a proper education.”

Dumbledore gave the Muggle born a soft smile and inclined his head. “I will not tell Miss Brown to leave,” he assured the witch. “She should be allowed to finish school, however, beginning next school year, she will have a baby to care for. An infant should not be without its mother and father if it can be helped.”

He picked up a piece of parchment from his desk and scanned the contents. “I received a letter from Mrs. Weasley,” he told them. “It seems Mr. Weasley doubts the paternity of the child and as such, Mrs. Weasley has refused to offer any support until the child’s paternity can be verified.”

All three girls stared at Dumbledore, Hermione’s face contorted in anger. “How dare he!” she hissed, clutching the arm of her chair. “He knows damn well that’s his child!”

“He has given the impression that Miss Brown may have been with another. Is this true, Miss Brown?” he asked, calmly.

“What?” Lavender stared at him in disbelief. Tears were now falling freely from her face. “After I… No, headmaster. Ron is the only boy I have ever been with. I even gave him my…” Unable to finish the sentence, Lavender hid her face in her hands and sobbed.

Hermione pulled the girl into a hug, rubbing her back soothingly as she looked at Dumbledore. “Ronald is a pig and a cad,” she spat. “I hope he’s never able to have another child.”

“Oh, he won’t once I’m through with him,” Ginny said, darkly.

Dumbledore raised his hands to calm the girls. “Now, now. It will all be settled soon enough. Once Miss Brown reaches her second trimester, there is a spell Madam Pomphrey can perform that will tell us who the father is. It’s not invasive and both the mother and child will be quite safe and comfortable. Trust me, Miss Brown, you are not the first young witch to become pregnant at this school. Nor are you the first to have her parents disown her because of it,” he told her. “Many years ago, this school actually had a nursey set up for girls with infants so they could continue their education both during and after their pregnancy. It’s been many years since the room have been used, however, if it would please you, I’ll have the elves set the room up and I’ll start looking into hiring a nanny to provide care for the child while you are in class next year. However, if you agree to this, Miss Brown, you will be expected to attend all of your classes as much as you can and you will need to pass. It will be difficult, but with Miss Granger here to help you, you shouldn’t run into too much trouble.”

Lavender nodded as she glanced at Hermione from the corner of her eye. “You’re not still mad at me, are you?” she asked the bushy haired witch cautiously.

The Muggle born shook her head. “I was never angry with you,” she told the girl honestly. “Ron? Yes. Draco? Yes. But I wasn’t angry with you.”

The Half-blood tilted her head curiously. “Why would you be angry with Draco? What did he do?”

Hermione gave a small smile. “Well, I thought he had been engaged to Astoria Greengrass and that he was only playing some sort of sick, twisted game with me,” she said before she realized they were still in Dumbledore’s office.

“Oh, I doubt Mr. Malfoy is playing a game with you, Miss Granger,” the old man said, causing the young witch to jump in surprise. “I have it on good authority that he’s rather fond of you. I’m sure it pleases him immensely that you’ve agreed to date him.”

Hermione gave a tiny, nervous giggle. “It does seem that way, sir,” she agreed. “He is a bit protective, though. He wasn’t the least bit happy that I was coming here today with Lavender to speak with you.”

“Oh, of that I have no doubt,” the headmaster replied sagely. “Mr. Malfoy has never been one to trust easily. With the war ending the way it had, he’s become even less trusting.”

“I thought he was glad it ended the way it did,” Ginny said, frowning. “He even said as much, didn’t he? Saying how he was now free to be with you, Hermione?”

The Muggle born tilted her head up a bit in thought. “That doesn’t mean he trusts anyone, though, Gin,” she stated after a moment. “Draco gained a sort of freedom to be with me, yes, but he and his family also suffered a great deal of losses. I don’t know exactly what all they lost yet, of course…”

“I’m sure Mr. Malfoy will tell you in time,” Dumbledore said. “If there isn’t anything else you ladies would like to discuss, I’m sure your young gentlemen would like to have you all returned.”

Lavender shook her head. “I don’t have a gentleman waiting for me,” she said softly.

Hermione glanced at the girl in sympathy. “Hey, why don’t you come with me?” she suggested. “Draco and I have our essays for Potions to write and we could help you with yours.”

The blond looked sceptical. “I doubt Malfoy will want to help me out,” she said.

The girls all stood and thanked the headmaster. Leaving, Hermione gave the pregnant witch a satisfying smirk. “Oh, he’ll help you,” she said with certainty. “He’d do anything to piss off Ronald.”

(V)(V)

“Wait right here a moment,” the Muggle born whispered. The other witch nodded and Hermione turned to the door, whispered the password, and slipped inside.

She found Draco and several other students congressing around the fireplace. As she approached, the blond Pureblood saw her and stood up. She shook her head as he wrapped an arm around her and kissed her.

“How did everything go, my princess?” he asked as he set her down and took another swill from the bottle of butterbeer.

She offered him a soft smile as she answered, “Surprisingly well. Lavender won’t have to leave, though Dumbledore did ask if you and I would help her with her studies.”

Releasing her so he could return to his seat, he frowned. “I never agreed to that,” he drawled, looking a bit miffed.

“You didn’t have to,” Hermione said. “As future Head Boy, it’s part of your job. Your responsibility.”

“’Future’ Head Boy does not equate ‘current’, Granger,” he said lazily. “She can always ask our current Head Boy and Girl for help. We…”

“I’ve already agreed we’d do it,” she interrupted, folding her arms and lifting an eyebrow.

His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “You did what?” he asked slowly.

She shrugged. “She has no one else and the Heads this year are Marcus Belby and Cho Chang. They’re both Ravenclaws and I don’t really trust either of them to help her,” she told him.

“Explain to me how that is my problem,” he said casually before downing the rest of the butterbeer and handing the empty bottle back to the fifth year.

Hermione’s eyes narrowed. “There’s nothing wrong with helping her, Draco,” she told him. “You know her condition. And, besides,” she puffed up her chest, tilted her head up a bit, and gave him a smirk, “imagine Ronald’s face when he sees you, of all people, helping her with her homework.”

Several of the Slytherins chuckled or laughed and even Pansy Parkinson smirked. Draco stared at the Muggle born in amusement. “Spoken like a true Slytherin, princess,” he commented. “I do believe we’re beginning to rub off on you.”

She pressed her lips together and sighed. “I want to get back at him, Draco,” she said. “He’s broken my heart too many times and he managed to get Lavender pregnant. Do you know he’s denying the child is his? He actually told his mum that he believes Lavender’s been sleeping with other blokes as well.” She shook her head. “How do boys do that? She had been faithful to him and she had so much devotion and love for him.” Her face hardened as she glanced at her boyfriend. “He really needs to pay.”

“Is the child his?” Draco asked, though he already knew the answer.

“Of course it is!” she hissed. “Lavender isn’t some slag. Sure I was jealous of her when she first started dating him, but she’s been my roommate for six years.” She sighed. “She doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. I… Oh no!” Her eyes widened and she looked at the door. “I forgot she was out there.” She looked back to Draco. “I meant to ask you if she could come in. I was going to help her with her essay tonight and since you had taken her bag earlier…”

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose and waved a hand. “Bring her in, Granger,” he told her. “But don’t let this become a habit. I already allow you and Ginger to come and go as you please.”

Hermione smiled and inclined her head. “Oh, thank you! I promise, it won’t become a habit,” she said, squealing a bit. She quickly ran up to him and gave him a peck on the lips before going to the portal and letting her friend in.

“I need a drink,” Draco groaned as the other Slytherins watched the two Gryffindors enter the room.

Author's Note: I really am so glad they have the reviews back up an running. Y'all didn't hold back, did ya? *Giggles* As always, thank you so much for your reveiws. They are greatly appreciated.

Pinster: It will only have repercussions if Hermione finds out, I think. ;)

DaFossil: Oh, don't worry, Ron is coming soon. And yeah, something tells me if Hermione ever were to find out, it would literally be End Game for Draco. All his planning would literally be for nothing.

Coranessa: You liked that, huh? Wait til you see what his father said in the letter.

Severus1snape: Why thank you, my dear. :)

Bella Principessa: Would you believe me if I told you I have never been to one of these parties and the whole scene was strictly from my imagination? Because it's true. I was a sheltered little girl growing up. Very sheltered. My parents kept me grounded for the duration of my teenage years over petty shit and when I got older, I was grateful for it. Kept me out of any real trouble.

Dramionefan: I've been wanting to write a story like this for a while, but it's been hard for me, making him dark, because I love him so much. His snarks are just to die for for me.

Leti001: Yeah, it's going to get crazier, too.

Sherlocked17: I'm not sure he ever truly cared about her blood status, even in the books, though he often claimed he did. I think, if anything, he kept trying to imitate his father, but by the 7th book, started to realize it didn't really matter. Of course, this totally disregards both the 6th and 7th books, but it's assumed something very similar might have happened. (Haven't entirely flushed out the details yet.) Hermione is going to come into her own, I promise. Right now this is all very new to her. As for the rape, it may have felt a little out of place, but I do think it was necessary. It kind of helps to set the tone for the direction this story is kind of going.

Mady: Don't worry. I think you'll enjoy it. :)

Also, folks, please don't forget to review. And, I've been playing around with some ideas in my head. I should probably give a warning in case anyone has any problems with consensual incest, drug use, or threesomes. Not sure I will go that route, but I'm going to give the warning anyway just in case. ;)

EDIT NOTE: I have been getting so much fucking shit about the little line Hermione says about abortion and I'm sick of it, that I did what I could to fix it. I don't normally edit my stories to this extent, but I'm so tired of every person reading it and commenting on it that I did "butter it up" a bit and gave away a piece that I wasn't ~wanting~ to give away until later in the story.

I'm not an idiot, just so all of you know. So, the next time people want to accuse me of not doing my research and being some backwoods, Bible thumping moron, please note, that there are reasons I post things a certain way.

ALSO! Do I agree with abortion? No. Do I believe, like Hermione stated, that it should be used as a last resort? Yes. However, I DO know it's not nearly as dangerous as a woman actually giving birth and I DO believe it's a woman's choice. I am very much pro-choice. But being pro-choice does NOT mean I have to want to do it myself or that I agree with doing it myself or having it done. Yes, I think abortions are wrong, but I also think a woman has a right to what she chooses to do with her own body. You can ask anyone who bloody knows me and they will readily agree that these are my views.

Now please STOP fussing at me over little details in my stories and just enjoy them for what they are: Fantasy stories based in the world of Harry Potter. And if you don't like what I've written, you don't have to read it.

And please, don't go off on a tangent about how "Hermione would never do that" because I can think of at least three people with whom she had done something similar to. Just read the story. ALL of it is explained later on, I promise.
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