Chapter 13
To say that Malfoy had failed their agreement would have been an understatement. That previous night he had called Hermione so many unflattering and highly offensive names and he even managed to piss off Crookshanks who had taken refuge under her bed.
"For the one who offered the truce, your not working very hard to uphold your end of the compromise," Hermione said disapprovingly that next afternoon during their lunch break as she revised Harry's Transfiguration essay.
Malfoy, who had just criticized her bushy hair, rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Maybe," he started, "I wouldn't have a go at your . . . appearance — if you actually tried to look presentable for once. I mean, come on Granger, you set yourself up."
"Oh I'm sorry that the way I look allows you to be incapable of restraining yourself against snide remarks towards your peers." Hermione said, her voice soaking with sarcasm.
Malfoy laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back on his arm chair. He flashed a dazzling smirk in her direction, "Thank you."
Hermione scowled. Due to anger, the tip of her quill pressed too hard on Harry's parchment, causing a long rip down the center. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut, and forced herself to take a steady breath. She pulled out her wand and tapped the parchment once, mending it instantly.
"Watch it Granger, you don't want to turn into a hot head like Weaslebee do you?"
Hermione grit her teeth and focused on the essay, "His name is Ron. Now will you please shut up?"
At the moment, Hermione hated how loyal she was. She should not be defending the boy who had crushed her heart. And yet, it was Ron. How could she not?
"Ooooh I seemed to have struck a nerve," he said joyously, closely examining his perfect nails; not even bothering to notice Hermione was on the verge of snapping. He thought this was some kind of game. "How's Weasley doing—"
"SHUT UP!"
Hermione flung her quill to the ground and marched up to Malfoy. He looked very taken aback.
"What happens between me and my friends is none of your concern! I don't even get why I bothered agreeing to your stupid little truce. I thought for a fact that my request would have been the easiest you'd have to overcome, but now I see that you can't even hold back a single snarky comment. . . Merlin I can't wait to see what the rest of my friends tell you to do."
Hermione rubbed her eyes and laughed at her own incompetence.
"I should have listened to Harry and Ginny . . . but that's my problem isn't it? I put my faith into people who don't deserve it! So why on earth did I think you of all people should get another chance?" Hermione asked more to herself then him. Although she had been breathing very heavily after her little speech, her next words were all too clear. "You may think your too good for everyone else at this school, and that's the reason your being such a twat right now, but actually try to make an effort, if not for yourself than at least do it for your friends."
Hermione left it at that. She grabbed her quill from the floor, Harry's essay, and her school bag, and stalked through the portrait door towards her next class. Leaving Malfoy to stare blankly at the spot where she had previously been standing.
••••••••••
The rest of the evening was a blur of classes he hadn't bothered paying attention to until Defense Against the Dark Arts. Today was the first lesson with their new professor.
Draco had heard next to nothing about newcomer other than his name: Professor Groom. He had to admit, just the sound of it was intimidating, the name fit perfectly with his overcast features and calculative look.
By the time the bell had rung, Gryffindors and even his fellow housemates had taken their seats and sat quietly waiting for their new professor to begin.
The new staff member sat at his desk, examining each and every one of his students. His gaze lingered on Weasley and Granger, but even more so on Potter. Then he swept his eyes over the other half of the room, easily noticing the split between the houses.
He stood and walked around his desk, his fingers interlaced between his back. Professor Groom wore a black cloak, much like Snape used to wear, it brought out the darkness in his deep blue eyes and fair skin.
"There should be no reason the class is divided," he spoke. His voice was firm and unwavering like that Umbridge lady, but he stood relaxed and approachable, identical to Lupin's old stance. His eyes passed over their faces again and hardened, equivalent to Moody's, his lip curled so much like Snape's used to when he was about to go off on a tangent.
This new professor seemed to be a combination of their previous Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. "The Headmistress made herself quite plain during the Welcoming Feast, did she not? In my classroom there will be house unity is that clear?"
Every student in the room nodded vigorously.
"Very well then. Granger! Malfoy! Stand!" He said suddenly.
From across the room Granger bolted up. Her bushy hair bounced on her shoulders then sat in place, her back was straight and arms held perfectly at her side. She chanced a quick glance at Draco and widened her eyes, they wordlessly yelled at him.
That was when he realized he hadn't stood. Draco pushed himself up quickly, his chair falling noisily behind him.
"Uh, yes sir?" He asked sheepishly, smoothing out his robes. From beside him Theo sniggered and placed his chair right side up.
Professor Groom looked from both Granger then to Draco, spotting their noticeable differences effortlessly.
"I'd like you two to assign the class new seats. Be sure merge unlikely pairs together, please." He said as he began writing his lesson on the board.
"Yes sir," Granger responded instantly.
In a matter of minutes they had placed Gryffindors and Slytherins together, with the result of nasty glares and many grumbles.
Draco heard Granger whisper an apology to Dean Thomas once she placed him with Goyle. Once everyone student had moved and was seated again there was only one table left that wasn't occupied. Draco inwardly groaned as he realized he'd have to share with Granger. She seemed to come to the same conclusion at the corresponding moment because he saw her bite the inside of her cheek and reluctantly take her seat.
Professor Groom had just finished scribbling his lessons and turned to face his class once more. "Now that that is taken care of I think some ground rules are due. My name is Professor Groom to those of you who have not heard. I shall expect your outmost attention, there will be no foolishness or senseless actions tolerated. Any rule breakers shall receive a punishment I deem worthy of their wrongdoing. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," the class responded.
Professor Groom clapped his hands once, "Very well then, let's begin."
••••••••••
"Weasley! Oi Weasley wait up!" Draco called.
He had found himself later that evening, on his way to dinner, trying to find members of Potter and Company. After a fruitless search he had finally caught sight of Weaslette's ginger head.
Granger's words she had spoken durning their break had not been forgotten. As much as Draco hated it, she was right. He hadn't put much effort into his deal with her. After she had told him off for it, Draco forced himself to strangle any thoughts or instinct that told him to make rude comments.
This he found to be insanely difficult because he thrived on insults.
Once again his good for nothing brain reminded him of both McGonagall and Granger's words; but most of all, his mother's.
It was this thought was what had led him to where he was at the moment. Chasing a bloody ginger.
"Oi Weasley! I'm trying to talk to you!"
If anything the human orange walked faster.
"Oh would you stop already," Draco jumped in front of her, blocking her path to the entrance of the Great Hall. "Do you know what you want yet? I'm getting tired of waiting." Draco tapped his foot impatiently, showing her that he didn't have time with her nonsense. "Also, I didn't appreciate having to chase after you."
"Oh please, your fine." She snapped and pushed him out of her way. "Walk and talk Malfoy. I'm starving."
Draco did not move. How dare a Weasley order him around! He most certainly would not walk and talk; all because she had suggested it, he stood firmly and crossed his arms just as she had spun around, glaring at him. Students brushed past them, entering the noisy Hall for dinner. Forks and knives clattered against plates, voices talking over one another as students began to tuck in.
Draco had made the connection a while back that when a Weasley was hungry and you deprived them of their food, they were bound to be 100% more hostile.
"God your so stubborn!"
"It's what I do best," he retaliated. "What is it that you want? Answer quickly now, people are staring and I haven't got all night . . . Also I'm afraid you'll eat me."
Weasley clenched her fists. "I'm not sure, okay? Hermione took mine. Can I just save it for later? I can't think of anything at the moment."
"Blimey, Weasley just bloody choose something!"
"Piss of Malfoy! I'll tell you when I think of one."
"Fine. Tell Weasel King and Potter they better have theirs ready to go. I don't want to spend any more time with them than need be. Understand?"
She responded with a scowl and rushed into the Great Hall.
Draco let out an anguished huff and waited several seconds as he recomposed himself before entering.
Minuets later he found himself engrossed in a reluctant conversation with Astoria; Theo and Blaise listened closely while feeding their faces at the same time. Astoria seemed very keen to hear what Weaslette and Granger had to say, she unconsciously began shifting her food around with her fork.
"What do you think Ginny will say?"
All three boys gawked at their friend.
She looked up innocently, meeting each of their eyes, "What?"
"Ginny?" Blaise uttered. The same sounded foreign on his lips.
Theo looked plain disgusted.
Draco snorted and asked what the other two were also probably wondering. "Since when have you been on first name basis with a Gryffindor?"
Astoria tutted apprehensively, "Oh please . . . Well it's her name isn't it. . . I'm just trying to get past this rivalry is all. You lot should be trying too."
She took an angry bite of roast chicken and glared when she saw they were still looking at her. "At least I'm putting in some effort," she said accusingly. When no one responded, Astoria pushed away her plate and stood. "You know, it wouldn't kill any of you to try once in a while!"
And with one final scowl, Astoria marched from the Great Hall.
"What's got her knickers in a bunch?" Asked Blaise.
Draco, whose gaze wandered to the Gryffindor table, spoke quietly, "I think I may have an idea."