In the Eyes of the Enemy

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

In the Eyes of the Enemy- Chapter Seven Insecurities


Draco’s heart soared. Hermione had just returned his feelings of love, but then a realization crossed his mind. ‘What if the potion hadn’t wore off for the two of them? After all up to this point they had been bitter enemies. How could those feelings change so suddenly for both of them?’ He knew that it had been his plan to seduce her, but since their ride in the carriage he had to admit his feeling of hate had subsided. The hate for her that once resided in his heart, was now being replaced with feelings of admiration, respect, concern, and even love. Draco furrowed his brow and asked Hermione “Do you think the love potion is still working?”

Hermione cast her eyes to the floor and replied, “I don’t know.” After confessing her feeling to him Hermione had imagined his reaction would be different since he himself had openly admitted his feelings first. At the mention of the Love potion though she had to agree that she wasn’t feeling much different then when she had been under it’s influence. She was less sure of herself than she had been but she couldn’t say heelinelings for him had changed, maybe he was right, maybe something had gone wrong with their potion.

With a determined look Hermione turned back toward Draco and announced “We’ll need to ask Snape in class on Friday what all the effects of the potion are, and if someone could find themselves permanently under it’s spell. Until thethinthink it would be best if we kept way form each other except for classes and prefects meetings which we share.”

This was not the response Draco had wanted to hear but he knew it was the right one. He slowly nodded in agreement before turning to leave the room. Once he stepped through the doorway, Draco found himself being thrown against the wall pinned in place by a furious Ronald Weasley.

Ron shouted, “What the hell have you done to her Malfoy, and how do you know her password?”

Draco glared at Ron but before he could speak Hermione stepping into the common room and calmly told Ron, “Let him go Ron, Draco was just worried about me.”

Ron turned to look at Hermione refusing to let go of his hold on Draco’s neck and asked, “Hermione did this prat do anything to hurt you? Dobby said something had happened to you, and it was his fault.”

Hermione moved toward Ron slowly shaking her head “No Ron he didn’t do anything, I was just upset about the love potion. When you and Harry started joking about it on the way to Hagrid’s class I realized I couldn’t face the rest of the class, so I came here instead.”

Ron released Draco from his grasp and wrapped his arms around Hermione in a hug. “I’m so sorry Hermione, we didn’t mean anything by it.”

Draco couldn’t stand to watch Hermione and Ron any longer, seeing him hold her was more than he could take tre tried to slip away unnoticed to his room but was stopped my Harry. Harry calmly but quietly said to Draco “Thank you for looking after Hermione and for defending her in class earlier.” Draco simply nodded and dashed into the safety of his room.

Harry turned back toward the still hugging Ron and Hermione, he cleared his throat before he asking “Hermione are you sure your ok?”

Hermione broke away from her hug with Ron and replied “I’m fine Harry, I think that love potion just left me a bit more emotional than normal.”

Harry nodded and continued, “So how did Draco know your password?”

Hermione froze, how could she tell her two best friends in the world that she had spent the following night in the arms of their most hated classmate. She thought for a moment before deciding what she had to say. She sighed “Oh he must have overheard me use it when he was in the common room, I’ll make sure to change it when he’s gone.” Neither Harry nor Ron seemed to pick up on the nervous sound of her voice, so she breathed a small sigh of relief that they’d bought it.

Harry and Ron smiled at Hermione understandingly. The whole situation seemed to be a misunderstanding. Hermione motioned for the boys to wait “Let me quickly get my things ready for the meeting tonight and then we can head down for dinner. Both boys nodded and watched her step through her portrait and into her room, to gather her belongings. While waiting the boys took it as a good sign that the likenesses in the portraits had separated back to their own sides of the room. Draco’s smirked at them from the other side of the room while Hermione’s casually ignored them while reading her book.

Once Hermione was ready the three made their way to the Great Hall, which was buzzing with conversations and excitement. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their usual seats at the Gryffindor table, and were immediately met with an onslaught of questions. Students up and down the table were asking, “Is it true Malfoy hexed Pansy Parkinson in Care of Magical creatures class? Is he going to lose his Head Boy title? Did he do shinghing to you Hermione, Collin said you running through the halls very distressed?”

Hermione’s head was swimming ‘what had Draco done to Pansy? Why woue hee hex someone from his own house?’ She turned with a quizzical look on her face toward Harry and Ron and asked, “What did Draco do to Pansy?”
Harry laughed and then started retelling the story “You should have been there Hermione, Pansy was comparing you to this gribble in Hagrids class which looks like a huge hairy fur ball. Then before Ron or I could say anything it was Draco that pulled his wand and ordered her to stop, otherwise he would hex her bald. She was furious and called you a mudblood so Draco true to his word hexed her bald.”

Hermione was in shock and stuttered “He really did that because of me?”

Harry nodded “For a moment there I actually liked the ferret boy but then Dobby showed up and well you know the rest.”

Hermione blushed a bit and replied, “So what’s going to happen to him?”

Harry shrugged and said, “not sure no one else in class saw it happen” and gave Hermione a wink.

To this Hermiome asked “What about Hagrid, won’t he get in trouble?”

It was Ron’s turn to speak now and said, “I don’t think so, he went off to check on her and he seems to be happy as ever at the head table talking to Dumbledore.”

Once they were finished with dinner Hermione reminded the Gryffindor prefects of the meeting about to start, so as a group they headed towards the Prefects room.

“Welcome all to our first official meeting as Hogwarts prefects. Our first order of business is to discuny rny requests we’d like to bring before Headmaster Dumbedore this year.”

Hermione had been about to continue when a bald Pansy Parkinson rose and screeched “I request for Draco Malfoy to be removed as Head Boy due to his inexcusable actions today.”

It was Draco who rose and spoke in his own defense “The matter was already discussed with Dumbledore while you were at dinner, and since there were no witnesses to the event Dumbledore can’t continue with any formal disciplinary actions.”

He then smirked at Pansy who screamed “I didn’t do this to myself” and bolted from the room presumable to further discuss the matter with Dumbledore.

Hermione then continued, “I will now accept any requests or ideas any of you have for this year. Please pass them forward.” Each girl and a few blushing boys passed their completed request forward where Hermione looked over each one before announcing “It seems the only request anyone would like brought before Headmaster Dumbledore Pro Professor McGonagall this year, seems to be if we can have a ball. That being the case do we have any suggestions as to when this ball should be held?”

It was Collin Creevy who asked first “What about Halloween?”

To this Hermione shook her head “No the 7th years will be heading to London for that weekend along with several members of the faculty as chaperones.”

It was Hannah Abbot who next asked “How about New Years Eve? We can have a count down and everything.”

The room broke out in sianeoaneous conversations until Hermione motioned for silence and asked, “Are there any other suggestions?” There was no other hand raised or voices heard so Hermione continued, “In that case, the matter of a new years ball will be discussed with the headmaster and faculty. Does anyone have any further matters to discuss?”

Anthony Goldstein then asked “Can anyone swap rounds with me tonight? I have a paper due tomorrow first thing that I haven’t even started yet
Dr
Draco calmly replied, “I’ll swap with you for tonight and then you can patrol with Hermione tomorrow instead.”

To this Anthony smiled and said “Thanks.”

Hermione asked “if there were any further matters” and seeing that there weren’t concluded the meeting. As it was time to begin rounds Draco left with Padma Patil who was also scheduled for rounds.

Hermione decided to spend the evening getting acquainted with the private library choosing a pile of books to read on the couch. Nearly three hours later. Draco returned to the common room to find a sleeping Hermione on the couch. Deciding against moving her to her room, he instead brought out his Slytherin blanket. He slowly removed the book, which lay open beside her and gently covered her sleeping form before quietly heg bag back to his room for the evening.

Hermione woke to find she had spent the night asleep on the common room couch. She was surprised to find herself covered in a Slytherin blanket, and figured it must have been Draco’s. The blanket still smelled like him so she pulled it tight around her before drifting back to sleep.

Draco woke the next morning to a knocking sound on his door. It wasn’t until he heard her voice that he realized who it was “Draco are you awake?” The morning sun was pouring through the open window and according to the clock in his room it was already nine o’clock. He left his bed and opened his door to Hermione.

She was stunned; here he was standing before her in nothing but his boxer shorts. Hermione couldn’t help buticetice his hard pecks and abs on display before her. He was more muscular than she remembered underneath those robes he wore. With her cheeks beginning to turn red she held out his blanket and said, “I think this belongs to you.”

Draco couldn’t help himself, standing before him was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, and he had to touch her. He reached out to take the blanket and grabbed her by the hand instead. He pulled her towards him and placed his lips firmly on hers. She was quick to respond opening her mouth to him and brushing her tongue against his teeth. Her hands were moving up his chest, resting on his hard pecks, while her fingers gently circled his erect nipples. He began kissing to her neck, while his hands reached inside her robes, and up her skirt.

Upon feeling his hands moving up her legs and under her skirt, Hermione was shook back to her senses. She swiftly moved her hands down to his intercept his, while she stepped back and away from his embrace. In a firm voice she said “Draco please stop.” Hermione moved further away from him, trying to put as much distance between them.

Draco was numb, one minute they had been together and everything felt right, but then she had asked him to stop and was at the moment moving as far as she could away from him. ‘What had he done that caused her to move away from him? Was the idea of him touching her repulsive to her? Was he not good enough for her? She who had admitted she shared his feelings of love, was that all a lie?’ Furious with the situation he retrieved his blanket from the floor where it had fallen and stormed back into his room.

Hermione felt awkward about what had just happened, he was obviously mad, but she couldn’t allow their embrace to continue. As much as she yearned for his touch, she knew that until she spoke with Snape about the potion. It wouldn’t be right to indulge in these feelings. With a light mist of tears in her eyes she too ran for the sanctuary of her room.

The rest of the week passed by quickly with Hermione and Draco avoiding each other as much as possible. Friday came and as they stepped into the potions dungeon, both knew there could be no more hiding.
Snape called for everyone to be seated and take out their parchments. Hermione’s hand immediately shot in the air, to which Snape stated “The lesson has not yet begun Miss Granger, and as you are about to turn in your assignment I believe any question answered now would do you little good.”

Hermione refused to lower her hand and when Snaped nodded at her sp she asked “Is it possible for the potions effects to brmanrmanent?”

To this Snape laughed “Why have you found yourself madly in love with Mr. Malfoy? Although from what I hear happened with Miss Parkinson maybe the other way around is more likely.”

Snape raised is eyebrows in Draco’s direction but he was glaring firmly at the wall ahead of him and took no notice of Snape’s look. Snape then continued, “No Miss Granger the potions effects are not permanent. The potion temporarily removes your inhibitions and brings out any positive feelings you have for the brewer out into the open. You still control your emotions though since your feelings of Love will only be as strong as your actual feelings for the person. For instance hate will merely bring out tolerance, compassion or conceill ill bring out puppy love, and actual feelings of love or lust will bring out passion. Remember the potion only afiesfies emotions that were already there it didn’t create them. Now with that said please turn in your parchments and lets begin today’s lesson.”

Hermione was stunned the potion was not responsible for her feelings toward Draco she was. ‘Could it be that I actually do feel something for him? When did that happen? Snape said hate would only make me tolerate him but it made me do a lot more.’

Hermiones thoughts were broke by Snape who was now announcing the next potion they would be brewing “with love out of the way we will now look at truth, today we will be brewing Veritaserum which aurors use to elicit the truth from uncooperative individuals. The ingredients are on the board you have until the end of class so I suggest you begin.” With a flick of his wand the potions ingredients were listed on the board and the students began to work.

By the end of class everyone except for Neville, who’s caldron had tipped over as he reached for the Jobberknoll Feathers across the table. Snape then announced “This potion is very powerful, so I would like each of you to full one vial for grading, and place no more than three drops in your partners mouth. You will be allowed to ask each other questions in order to determine if the potion was successful. As you leave each of you will be given a vile of the antidote, I suggest you drink it quickly unless you wish to spend the day spilling your deepest darkest secrets to the entire school. Now hurry you have five minuets before the bell rings.”

Hermione and Draco each placed their labeled vials on es des desk and returned to their seats. Nervously each placed a few drops in each other’s mouth and swallowed. “It was Draco who looked hard at Hermione and asked, “Do you Love me?”

Unable to control her voice she replied, “Yes.”

It was her turn now and asked the same question “Do you Love me?”

Draco also unable to control his voice responded, “Yes.”

Hermione’s head began to swim with questions but the first one to find its way out was “When did you know?”

Draco looked as if he was struggling inside but his voice betrayed him and uttered the response “When you were sleeping on my lap in the carriage, I thought you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.”

Hermione’s eyes widened in shock he had feelings for her before they ever took the potion, but before she could think about it any more he was asking her “When did you start loving me?”

To this Hermione’s voice spoke “When you sent me the flowers it was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me.” She was surprised at her own answer but looking back it was the truth, receiving such a wonderful gift had made her question her feelings toward him for the first time.

Remembering the flowers she quickly asked, “What did you mean when you said the roses reminded you of me?”

Draco eyes softened as he said, “They are beautiful to look at but impossible to hold, much as you are beautiful to look at but impossible to be held at least by me.”

Hermione couldn’t believe her ears how could Draco Malfoy the Prat who had always poked fun at her and her friends be so sweet and vulnerable inside. It was Draco who got to ask the last question “Why did you run away from me the other morning?”

Hermione quickly responded, “I was scared, what if it was just the potion, I didn’t want to get my heart broke.”
The bell sounded and the students made their way toward the door quickly drinking the vial of blue potion handed to each of them by Snape.

Harry and Ron ran to catch up with Hermione who was running away from the dungeons and toward the prefects meeting room. Once they caught up to her and spun her around they realized she had tears in her eyes. Harry quickly asked “Hermione what’s wrong?” She merely shook her head and tried to look away.

Ron jumped in and stated “If Malfoy did anything to you I’ll kill him.”

She reached out and took Ron’s hand before saying “It’s nothing he did, it’s something I need to figure out for myself.”

Harry putting the pieces of the puzzle he knew into place said, “You have feelings for him don’t you?”

Before she could answer Ron spat “she doesn’t have any feelings for Malfoy, who could he’s an arrogant prat.” Hermione released her hand from Ron’s and ran full speed to her room without looking back.

Harry slapped Ron upside the head “You idiot of coarse she has feelings for him why else would she be asking Snape thouestuestions in class about if the Love potion was permanent.”

Ron simply shrugged “I thought it was Malfoy like Snape said, ver ver thought she’d be asking for herself. How could she like Malfoy, he’s not her type anyway.”

Harry smiled “why Ron are you her type?”

Ron simply blushed “NO, I’ve never thought of Hermione like that she’s more of a sister I just can’t picture her as anything more.”

Placing an arm around Ron’s shoulder “Well then Ron I guess we’ll just have to do the big brotherly thing and be there for her, not to mention break his face if he breaks her heart.”

Ron smiled “Knowing Malfoy it won’t take long, so that’s something to look forward to.” The two boys headed towards the prefects meeting room and what they knew would be an emotional Hermione.

As Harry and Ron made their way back toward Gryffindor tower they came across none other than Draco Malfoy. Harry yelled out “Oi Malfoy we’ve got something to talk about.”

Draco sneered and simply replied “What could you and the weasel possibly have to talk to me about Potter.”

Resisting the urge to physically harm him, Harry calmly stated, “It’s about Hermione.”

Draco’s eyes widened at the mention of her name but he kept his emotions in check nonchalantly replying “What about her?”

Ron was unable to hold his tongue any longer and blurted out “There is obviously something going on between the two of you and it’s up to Hermione what she wants to do about it, but if you so much as hurt one hair on her head I’ll kill you Malfoy”

Draco’s eyes flew wide open, but still careful to control his emotions in front of Harry and Ron he simply responded with “Does that mean I have your permission to be with Hermione, not like I was even asking for it.”

Harry held Ron back and clinched his jaw before replying “It’s Hermione’s choice what she does with her life, though we may not understand, its her decision to make. It’s obvious she has feelings for you, and it’s not up to us to stand in her way, but should you take atagetage of her of break her heart then you’ll be dealing with us.”

Draco smirked and started down the hall before turning to reply “I guess well just leave it with Hermione then won’t we” and off he went in the direction of their rooms.

Ron nearly as red as his hair screamed “I hate him Harry, are you sure we should be doing this, sending him right to her.”

Harry nodded before saying “It’s for her to decide and maybe it’s better that she get it out of her system now while we’re around to keep an eye on her, then behind our backs were she’ll be too afraid to come to us should she need our help.”

Ron’s features relaxed as he simply replied, “I know it’s the right thing to do, I just don’t like it.” With that the two boys turned and headed toward their tower.

Draco’s head was spinning as he strolled in the direction of his quarters. ‘Did Potter and his weasel just say he could be with Hermione? Was she was deciding about being with him right now?’ She had run out of class so quickly he thought she was embarrassed about confessing her feelings. He had thought to stop her but needed time to figure out how he felt about the situation first. Hearing Potter and Weasley talk about her, had made up his mind, he had to find Hermione.

In her and Draco’s common room Hermione was pouring though books searching for an answer to why she was now falling in love with the only person in the school she had, until this year hated. The books were of no help, the love potion had only brought out the feelings in her, which were already developing, but it was no longer in effect. The truth potion had forced her to speak the truth about her feelings to him, but the hardest part for her to deal with was that he had returned every word she said proving he felt the same way. So why should this be so complicated if they both obviously had feelings for each other why were they not together. It was then that Hermione realized that after spending 6 years hating each other and 6 days finding love they didn’t really know anything about each other.

Draco entered the common room to find Hermione on the couch surrounded in books casting a faint smile his way. He sat down next to her and took her hand in his before speaking “Hermione I know this week has been crazy, but what I told you today was the truth, believe it or not I’m falling in Love with you, and it’s not just us who sees it. Potter and Weasley stopped me in the hall and told me even they could see it. It’s your decision Hermione but if your willing to take a chance on me I promise I won’t let you down.”

Hermione was stunned and only able to squeak out the words “Ron and Harry said that. Were they angry?”

Draco smiled and replied “I don’t think they were thrilled, Weasley and Potter did make some death threats should I break your heart or hair, but basically they said it was your decision to make, and they’d respect what ever choice you make.” With tears streaming down her face Hermione pulled him toward her in an embrace.

After a short kiss Hermione pulled back and said “I want to start from the beginning though, really get to know each other I don’t really know that much about you.”

Draco tensed ‘what would she think of him if he told her the truth about himself and his family? He didn’t want to lose her though; having her in his life had been the only truly good thing to ever happen to him. He’d just have to cross that bridge when he came to it.’ He pulled her close to him and whispered in her ear I want to know everything about you Hermione Granger.”

Hermione simply smiled and replied, “I may not like everything I learn about you Draco Malfoy but I promise to keep an open mind.” Draco breathed a sign of relief maybe he could trust her not to judge him but just the same there were still things about him that would remain a secret, for knowing Hermione there were gs egs even she couldn’t forgive.

Draco was over the moon with happiness as he entered his bedroom but he was suddenly jerked back to reality when he saw his father’s midnight black owl perched on his window seat clutching a piece of parchment a sma small box tightly in it’s claw. Draco removed the items from the bird’s outstretched claw and began to read:

Draco,

First of all your treatment of Miss Parkinson is inexcusable. I have spent the better part of this week responding to howlers from her parents who are furious about the situation. I understand that as part of your plan, you must give all outward appearances that you care for the mudblood, but in the future first consider how your actions will reflect on the family. It is dishonorable enough that you will be seen having relations with this vermin but I discourage any further acts against any of your Slytherin housemates most of whom, like Miss Parkinson have parents in our lords service. I have also decided to set a date for this charade to end. You have until the first of the year to win the heart of the mudblood and the trust of her friends, at which time she will be given to our Lord who will set the trap for Potter. I have sent you one of your mother’s necklaces; she will never miss it as she has so many. Women love jewelry, so it may be useful in wooing the mudblood. Remember Draco no more incidents or I will not allow you to precede with your plan any further.

Lucius

Draco cast the letter into the fire and opened the box. The black velvet box contained a spectacular butterfly shaped necklace resting on a bed of soft pale blue silk. The wings, which were crusted with millions of tiny pieces of diamonds, shimmered in the sunlight. The body was made up of a oval shaped diamond which looked to be at least 5 or 6 carats in size with a round diamond approximately 2-3 carats perched on top if the body forming the head. Two small antennae protruded out from the head ending with a sapphire on the tip of each one. The necklace was truly magnificent, and would look stunning on Hermione but Lucius’s letter had tainted the day. Draco decided to put the necklace inside his trunk for now, and went out into the common room to meet Hermione before heading to dinner.