Chapter 15
Nice.
That was all it said. Nice.
These days confusion was Draco's number one feeling. He didn't understand. Be nice? Look nice? Smell nice?
Whoever was sending those bloody one word letters was really starting to piss him off, and freak him out.
There had been a new owl each time, each with a different and rather meaningless word, but he was starting to become paranoid. Draco found himself looking out the window every time he passed one or glancing over his shoulder to maybe get a glimpse of his mysterious guide. But to no avail, if anything he spooked himself even more. Even worse, Granger was starting to take notice.
"Agghhhh!"
"Woah," she said taking several steps back, "I was only asking if you knew who was doing the rounds tonight."
Draco grabbed his chest in attempt to control his breathing and ran a hand through his hair. "Oh uh Neville and Ginny." He said, clearly forgetting to call the two Gryffindors by their surnames.
Granger gave him a odd look. He ignored it.
"Sounds like your doing better with names I take it?"
"Huh?" He said still shook.
She gave him another look, this time different, and maybe, quite possibly, her features softened. "Are you okay?"
Draco stood, his head was clear enough to know that nothing good ever came out of someone speaking nicely to him.
Nicely.
That was it! He did have to be nice. It must be what the letter wanted; but Draco was never one to listen to strangers, or be nice for that matter.
"I'm fine." He pushed himself away from the window by their shared bookcase and stormed into his room.
••••••••
He was acting strange, Hermione concluded. She hadn't been able to read, her mind replaying what had happened earlier with Malfoy. Her eyes had been rereading the same sentence for sometime before she decided to close her book.
Hermione laid back against her squishy armchair and brought her knees to her chest. She sat, starring into the empty fireplace and pondered over the reasons he might have been acting odd. He had nearly jumped out of his skin when she had spoken . . . maybe he had realized he had forgotten to do his homework. She ruled that one out; it seemed to only apply to her.
Maybe he had been thinking about something horrifying like something from his nightmares. Or even worse, something from reality.
That was a dark, Hermione thought. Maybe she wondered, this one made her laugh just thinking about it, maybe he had been thinking about her.
Ew.
"Granger!"
Here it comes.
"I swear to Merlin, turn that bloody light out!"
Hermione decided she change things up a bit.
"Okay!" She yelled back and put out the light.
Not one second after she heard his bed squeak and the the sound of bare feet slap the stone floor. Malfoy's door swung open and they stood squinting at each other in the dark.
"You actually did it?" He said amazed.
"It appears so."
Hermione was close enough to see his eyes narrow. And his bare torso.
Good thing it was dark.
"Okay," she laughed awkwardly. "Goodnight."
She strode into her room and then locked the door. Hermione washed up then headed for bed. Maybe they could learn to compromise, she thought. She sipped from her potion and fell right asleep, dreaming of absolutely nothing.
••••••••
The week flew by rather quickly, and the hype of the upcoming Qudditch match was greater than ever. With Slytherin and Gryffindor against each other it was bound to be a good game. What made students even more ready for the match was to see if the rumors were true about Draco Malfoy. Will he be Slytherin's Seeker? Will he even play at all?
Weasley must've gone blabbing, telling anyone who would listen that Draco was too chicken to play against Gryffindor. The next time he saw Blaise he would have to tell him to chuck the Quaffle at Weasley's head or maybe poison him before the game.
It didn't matter though. None of this rose his spirits about the match. Remembering that he had to somehow get a picture of Potter for that bloody badge made things worse.
"Please, please, please win Blaise. I'll change your round schedule to who ever you want to be with if you win. Hell I'll even pick up your rounds for a week if you—"
Blaise elbowed him, "Stop pressuring me. Your messing up my pregame vibes."
Astoria gave him a funny look.
"It's a real thing," he retorted, shoveling in a spoonful of porridge.
Draco was too anxious to eat — well that's what he was telling himself this time, it was his "anxiety"— and all he could do was badger Blaise and give him tips.
"The sky is clear so it'll be easy to see, but the sun might be in your eyes so watch out for that, oh and make sure you stay in formation too, War—"
"I can't take anymore of this. I'll see you guys after the match."
And with that the Slytherin Captain stood and strode out of the Great Hall, commanding his teammates to follow his lead. Over at the Gryffindor table Potter seemed to be doing the exact same thing.
"Why did you do that?" Shot Astoria as soon as Blaise was gone. "He's nervous and now you've made it ten times worse."
Draco shrugged. "He'll be fine. I've seen them practice and I've got to admit they're pretty good. Of course, they'd be better with me on the team but—"
"You'd better hope we win or else he'll kick your arse," she said gravely.
Draco snorted, "I'd like to see him try."
Then suddenly McGonagall stood from her seat at the high table; students quickly shut their mouthes and turned their attention to the Headmistress.
"Those of you wishing to watch the upcoming match please make your way down to the Qudditch pitch at this time — oh and Professor Hagrid has asked that you all refrain from stepping on his newly planted hydrangeas along the path." She raised her hands up and pointed to the Courtyard, "You're all dismissed."
All four house tables rose and made their way outside to enjoy the match; Gryffindor versus Slytherin.
••••••••
"Oi Malfoy! Sweet badge, where'd you get it?"
"'Potter's Better?' Blimey you're actually speaking the truth now Malfoy!" Called a brave fifth year Gryffindor, his friends laughed as Draco stormed by.
"Excuse me?" A minuscule Gryffindor boy asked as he scurried alongside him, "Do you mind if I get your picture? That badge is pretty neat, perfect timing, getting the snitch in the photo too. I'm sure Harry will like it. Are you friends with him? My brother was—"
"Bugger off kid." Draco growled and pushed his way through the Courtyard later that evening.
Wearing that bloody badge had taken a toll out of him, everywhere he went he'd get a snide comment or get laughed at. It was after he had gotten rid of that midget Gryffindor he decided he'd skip dinner and hide out in his common room. Draco wasn't very hungry and had even less of an appetite after Blaise had yelled at him for messing with his pregame vibes.
He felt bad for his friend but knew he'd get over it quickly. It was one of the many things he liked about Blaise. He couldn't hold a grudge for very long.
As Draco made his way up to the common room he fist bumped the air once he realized Granger wouldn't be there. Hopefully she'd be too partied out when she came back from Gryffindor tower to rub their win in his face.
Although this would probably not be the case because he couldn't see her as a big partier, Draco knew she'd gloat over Slytherins defeat. Maybe he'd just have to lock himself in his room when she returned.
Once Draco had reached Lupin's portrait and given him the password he had approximately three seconds of peace.
"Oh good your here."
"Granger! Aren't you supposed to be at dinner, chatting about your victory?"
She shrugged and closed the book that sat in her lap. "I'm probably one of the only Gryffindors who couldn't have cared less about that match. . . Although I am delighted that they won, it was a poor game."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, for starters, our Keeper—"
"You mean Weasley?"
"Yes, our Keeper could barely block the rings and let in several easy saves. Your Chasers were fairly skilled, but they dropped the Quaffle a lot. However, Blaise was a better captain than I expected and fortunately for us Harry was the better Seeker." Granger finished.
"Well thanks for your Quidditch analysis oh wise one; I'm leaving." Draco said and walked towards his room.
"Wait." She brushed a strand of hair from her face and stood. "I've been meaning to ask if we could switch the patrol group for tomorrow?"
Draco, who had looked quite annoyed, smirked and sat in his arm chair. "Why? Do you have plans?"
Granger straightened but shuffled nervously, "Its none of your business."
Draco leaned forward slightly and nodded, "Actually it sort of is, being Head Boy and all."
Granger stared daggers at him for several long seconds before she sighed, "Fine. Yes I have plans. Can you please just take my shift with Terry tomorrow night?"
Draco stood and brought his fingers to his chin as if he were in deep thought, he circled her slowly, "I wonder though, what's in it for me?"
He saw her sigh and when she did he noticed how tired she looked, dark bags under her eyes from lack of sleep, her brow furrowed, and deep frown marks at the corner of her lips.
Nice.
The sudden thought of the mysterious letter popped into his head. Maybe . . . Just this once he could give her a break.
"I take it back Granger. Only because you turned off the light the other night when I told you to. . . So I suppose I'll take your shift, and when I say 'I'll take your shift' I mean Blaise will take it."
"You'll actually change it?" She asked surprised that he had compromised so easily.
Draco shrugged,"Yeah, why not."
Just as he moved around her and walked into his room Granger said one last thing, "Thank you."
•••••••••
The next day proved to be bittersweet.
Blaise, as he had expected, had forgiven Draco and even apologized for shouting at him after the match. Even better, he hadn't caught a single glimpse of Granger and the rest of Potter and Company all day, which lifted his spirits greatly. Although, they were shot back down every time someone laughed at him and his bloody badge.
It was not an exaggeration to say that the badge with Potter's face on it was ruining his life.
Draco couldn't walk through a single corridor without fingers pointing and idiots asking if he really thought Potter was a better Seeker.
It was sometime after dinner when Draco had had enough. He was only on day two of a week and he could barely keep himself from jinxing and taking points from his stupid schoolmates. As the sun was beginning to set he pushed his way through the Courtyard and down the grounds of Hogwarts.
The grass was already becoming slippery with dew as the sun sank lower in the sky, he was careful with each step as he descended. The last rays of sunlight shone through the yellowish leaves of his favorite tree by the time he reached the Black Lake.
Draco sat down, leaning back against the trunk, not caring if he dirtied his pants because he was devising a way to rid himself of the horrible badge. As he wondered whether or not Potter would believe him if he said the giant squid had attacked him and taken the badge as a souvenir Draco saw, out of the corner of his eye, a ripple in the lake.
He turned slightly and saw, perched on the dock, Granger.
At first Draco sprang to his feet, wanting to creep up behind her and scare her so hard that maybe she'd fall into the water, or if that didn't work maybe he'd just push her in from behind. As he crept closer he noticed how at ease she looked, and for the second time in the past 48 hours he decided not to annoy Granger. Later he would thank whatever magical being that had held him back.
He walked quietly in the shadow of the tree, watching her legs dangle off the edge of the dock. Draco noticed how she had rolled up her jeans several inches so they wouldn't accidentally touch and how her toes skimmed the water beneath, causing the lake to ripple. She was leaning back, her hands pressed against the creaky boards; each time she swung her feet down to lightly touch the water her curls, which looked more like beach curls today, swayed gently against her back.
Draco found himself wishing he had a camera so he could capture her sitting by the lake, watching the sun and all the sky's colors disappear.
It was when he took a step closer and snapped a twig did he wish he could disappear as well.
Granger turned quickly but once she realized it was him she went back to looking at the lake.
Draco, feeling as though he ought to say something after this embarrassing encounter of him watching her, walked up the dock and sat beside her.
Just as he opened his mouth to make up some excuse as to why it was he was watching her, Granger sniffled and rubbed at her eyes.
Oh bloody hell.
"What's wrong?" He asked stiffly.
"Nothing," she murmured turning away from him.
"No. C'mon now you have to tell me." He said nudging her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Her voice was thick but soft.
"Well your emotions are leaking and I'm nosy and have got nothing better to do and I want to know what's wrong." Draco stated being brutally honest.
She opened her mouth, either to insult him or actually tell him what was wrong, he didn't know, but shut it as if she thought better of it.
"Granger."
She sighed and pushed several strands of hair from her face, her eyes were waterier than usual. Reluctantly she answered, "Well, it's my birthday, you see."
He looked at her as if she were mental and shrugged, "That's. . . great Granger, Happy Birthday."
She shook her head and frowned, "Thank you." She responded glumly and looked down at her toes making tiny little ringlets in the water.
"I–I'm missing something. Why are you moping? You should be partying with Potter and Company right now, not sulking by the squid . . . Did you have another fight with Weasley?"
Granger turned to him, not sure whether to appear angry or sad. She settled for slowly shaking her head.
"Then what's wrong?"
She wiped her eyes once more on her sleeves and held her head in her hands. "It's my parents," she muttered.
"Did they not wish you a 'Happy Birthday?' or send you a gift? I–I don't quite understand."
Granger laughed sadly. If only it were that simple, "No. It's a long story."
Draco reached down and began to take off his shoes, placing them next to hers. He dropped his feet in the water, his actually fully submerged and splashed them lightly, looking out over the lake like she had been doing minutes before. "I've got time."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Granger turn and stare at him rather intently, probably wondering why he being so insistent? Or if he genuinely wanted to know and if he was going to make fun of her afterwards?
She decided to enlighten him.
Granger told Draco the story of how she modified her parents memories and had them move to Australia for their own protection. She told him of the long search for her parents after the war, and her worry that she might not be able to restore their memories. She explained how she returned them home with the help of the Weasley's. Then Granger spoke of the complicated counter spells to bring her parents back to their rightful state. She told Draco how the spell had only partially worked and how her mother and father knew a small portion of their former lives, only the major details.
"So. . . Did they, well did they remember you?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yes, they remember me." She said grimly.
"Well that's good isn't it? I'm still so lost, why are you miserable?"
"I'm miserable because they don't remember all of me." Draco frowned, not completely understanding what she had just said. "They don't remember my middle name. They don't know what my favorite color is. My parents don't know my favorite season or activity or foods. They don't know I'm a witch. That I can do magic. They don't know that today is my birthday." Granger sighed, her lips wobbled and she turned away from him again, but when she turned back he could see her jaw sent and the muscles there tense.
Draco frowned, like he understood her pain, and watched the squid pop it's tentacles up one after the other. The sun had finally set and now the only light came from the moon, bright up in the sky, and the castle behind them, both reflecting off the glassy water.
"I couldn't give a damn whether I get presents or cards from them, honestly. It's just the fact that they don't remember, is what breaks my heart." She brought her knees to her chest dropped her head into her lap and sniffled.
Draco sighed and cursed himself for interacting with her in the first place, but thankful that he hadn't pushed her in the lake earlier because he'd probably be up by Madam Pomfrey. He stood, put his shoes back on, and offered her one last piece of advise.
"Look Granger, I'm . . . Not good with these sorts of things, and I'm not gonna sugarcoat this next part: that sucks. It really does and there's probably nothing you can do to help them remember everything, but I don't think they'd want you to be moping around on your birthday when you could be partying."
Granger was putting her shoes back on and stood just as he finished, "Thanks. That was. . . Really griping Malfoy. I think I'll just go and party now."
Draco knew she was being sarcastic and frankly, he didn't like her attitude; so he did the one thing he wanted to do when he had first seen her sitting on the dock.
He pushed her.
Except Granger had been facing him so she had seen it coming.
She stumbled, her toes just barely on dock, Granger had quickly grabbed the collar of his shirt so he was unbalanced too. He fell slightly forward but grabbed her arm and pulled her back up.
He chuckled and let go of her, "You almost got me there Granger."
She pushed him lightly and tried to suppress her grin. It didn't work.
"You're a git Malfoy." She smiled and walked away, up the grounds and towards the castle.
"Where you going Granger?" He called.
"To party!" She yelled back before the darkness swallowed her.
•••••••••
Yay another chapter done!! Hope you guys enjoyed!! Xx