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Well done, Parkinson
Pansy carefully peered around the suit of armor behind which she was hiding. She had made a plan, an infallible one, and tonight she would put it into action.
After a quick glance at her watch, she smiled in contentment. It was half past ten. Perfect timing.
Like every Friday, Draco would be the last student to enter the castle. After Slytherin Quidditch practice, he always stayed a few minutes longer than the others, stowing the balls and locking all the changing room doors. Captain's duty. Apparently, he was taking his job very seriously tonight, which was more than convenient. A few minutes ago, the other team members had entered the castle and disappeared into the dungeons towards the Slytherin common room. As soon as they had been out of sight, Pansy had been able to set up her little trap.
Now, on a small table in the entrance hall, there was a silver plate of biscuits, all prepared with the love potion she had spent weeks brewing in an unused classroom on the fifth floor. Next to the plate she had placed a note. The Christmassy weather that had descended on Hogwarts a few days ago had given her the idea.
The school administration wishes you a Merry Christmas.
Feel free to give our little greeting from the kitchens a try.
A brilliant move, Pansy thought. Although he would never admit it, Draco loved biscuits. He had an incorrigible sweet tooth and would hardly walk past the plate without taking a quick look — and then hopefully a bite. And since the annual Christmas visit to Hogsmeade had been announced on the bulletin board earlier in the week, he certainly wouldn't be suspicious either.
Brewing this particular love potion hadn't been easy, but Pansy had just been too eager to use it. The Witch Weekly article that had given her the idea in the first place had been so promising.
According to the magazine, the effects of the potion lasted a maximum of twenty-four hours, which was more than enough. (At least for now. Pansy only wanted one night to begin with.) After taking the potion, the drugged victim would feel an immediate and unrestrained attraction to the first person crossing their way. And of course, Pansy would be that person, at least in the very likely event that Draco actually ate one of her biscuits.
He had been spurning her for months now. Ever since returning to the castle, catching up on her N.E.W.T.s and repeating the seventh school year that had ended so quickly with the Battle of Hogwarts, Pansy had been trying to make eyes at Draco. So far, none of her efforts had been crowned with success. He just hadn't shown any interest, no matter what she had said or done.
And she really had tried everything. There had even been an incident where she had opened the door of the girls' dormitory, accidentally in only her underwear, when she had heard that Draco, Blaise and Theo were in the corridor. However, even that hadn't earned her more than three pairs of raised eyebrows.
Arrogant, indifferent dipshits, all of them.
It was precisely for this reason that Pansy now resorted to more drastic measures. She wanted Draco Malfoy; had wanted him for so long. And she was convinced that once he experienced firsthand how good she could be for him, he would reciprocate her feelings.
Suddenly footsteps sounded, tearing her out of her daydreams and making her jump. Biting her lower lip, she ventured another look over the armor's shoulder.
Oh no.
No, no, no.
Pansy broke out in a cold sweat because it wasn't the platinum blond hair that she adored so much that caught her eye. Instead, she spotted another, equally familiar shock of hair. Except that she hated this one more than anything.
She briefly considered jumping out from behind the armor to make sure the stupid Mudblood didn't interfere with her plan, but then she changed her mind.
Did it even matter?
A diabolical grin crept onto Pansy's face as she developed her thoughts further.
If Granger, for whatever reason she was strolling through the castle at this late hour, actually ate one of the biscuits, she would definitely embarrass herself. It was out of question that the swot wouldn't encounter anyone when she returned to her own common room. Maybe she would even bump into a girl first. That would then be The Topic of Conversation for the whole school.
Pansy suppressed a gleeful cackle.
Granger actually stopped and took a biscuit. She sniffed at it skeptically before breaking off a piece and popping it into her mouth, chewing slowly. Apparently, the biscuit wasn't to her liking (Pansy had to admit that her baking spells left a lot to be desired) because she stuffed the rest of it into one of her robe pockets and grimaced.
But one bite would suffice, Pansy was positive. And sure enough, a little private show seemed to be about to happen, because now she heard another pair of footsteps.
"Hermione?"
That was definitely Potter's voice. Merlin, the Weasel, that lovestruck idiot, would kill him.
Internally, Pansy was rubbing her hands in delight.
And then, all of a sudden, everything went downhill.
The moment Potter entered the entrance hall, the large double wings of the portal on the other side of the hall were pushed open as well. And Granger, that stupid bint, turned around curiously to see who was wandering the grounds so late. Before she gave Potter a single glance, mind you.
This time, Pansy had to stifle a gasp of horror.
Draco entered the entrance hall and Granger's eyes immediately fell on him. For a few breathless seconds nothing happened, then suddenly her entire posture changed. With slightly dreamy eyes, she straightened herself, smoothed down her blouse and flashed Draco a bright smile that almost made Pansy gag.
Potter eyed Granger suspiciously as she stared transfixed at Draco, who in turn walked past them without so much as a glance at either of them. (Unfortunately, he ignored the biscuits just as expertly.)
"Hermione, are you all right?" Potter asked stupidly.
Instead of answering, Granger actually started following Draco, who had just reached the stairs to the dungeons. Pansy frowned in exasperation. At that particular moment she could have kicked herself in the arse.
When Draco was finally out of sight and earshot and Potter, now slightly panicked, tried once again to get through to Granger, Pansy stepped out from behind the suit of armor. Considering who the love potion that was now coursing through Granger's veins had targeted, it was probably better if she got involved.
She cleared her throat, making herself noticeable.
When Potter spotted her, his eyebrows shot up so high that his ugly scar disappeared behind the strands of hair that fell across his forehead. Pansy took a deep breath before she spoke.
"Potter, I'm afraid I have to explain something."
Draco stood up with a soft sigh, then shouldered his satchel and left the Slytherin table where he had just enjoyed a hearty breakfast. It was Saturday and he had decided to spend the morning in the library working on the assignments the teachers had relentlessly thrown at them. Once he had fulfilled this duty, he would at least be able to while away the afternoon in Hogsmeade in peace.
He left the Great Hall, climbed some of the moving stairs and crossed the wing where the Charms lessons took place. When he was almost at the end of the corridor, two people came around the corner.
Potter and Granger. Again.
Draco rolled his eyes.
To his astonishment, Potter's expression turned into something panic-stricken when their eyes met. Granger, for her part, seemed electrified when she spotted him. She wrenched her wrist out of Potter's grip (for whatever reason he was holding onto her in the first place) and ran straight for Draco.
Fuck, why was the swot attacking him? Where was his wand?
Draco dropped his bag and frantically groped for his only weapon.
He wasn't quick enough. Before he knew it, Granger was with him and had her arms wrapped around his neck, the unexpected, boisterous collision of their bodies making him stumble. And just as he regained his balance, she pressed her lips to his and then she was kissing him.
Hermione - Granger - was - kissing - him.
Draco gasped, pushing her away roughly.
"Have you gone insane, Granger?" he hissed at her.
She looked like she was about to make a second advance, so Draco quickly took a few steps back.
"What's wrong with her?" he yelled at Potter, whose face sported a shocked expression. "Get a damn grip on her!"
"In here," Potter gasped out in response, opening the door to an empty classroom.
He grabbed Granger and pushed her into the room with some effort, while giving Draco a look that was probably meant to indicate that he should follow them.
Draco narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
Maybe it was just a sick joke. Or it was meant to be a punishment for the wrong decisions he had made in the past. Could it be a trap? Yes, that had to be it. They would probably lure him to a place where no one would find him and then torture him in peace.
Fuck his life.
Despite his worrying thoughts, he followed Potter with hesitant steps. In the meantime, he had found his wand and was now clutching it tightly. Whatever the two Gryffindors were up to, Draco was ready.
"What the hell is going on?" he repeated impatiently after closing the door behind him.
Potter was busy pushing Granger back into the chair he had placed her in (and which she clearly didn't want to stay in).
"A love potion is what's going on," he grunted breathlessly.
At his words, Granger stopped fidgeting and lifted her chin, her eyes flashing at Potter indignantly.
"Nonsense, Harry," she snapped at him. "I've already explained it three times this morning: I want to be with Draco. I love him and there's nothing you can do about it, do you understand me?"
She gave Potter a rather murderous look.
Draco raised his eyebrows. Curious.
His shoulders relaxed a little. This was definitely a strange situation, but at least his life didn't seem to be in danger.
"Right," he sneered, adjusting his robes in a decidedly indifferent manner. "And why, pray tell, did she take a love potion that would make her throw herself at me, of all handsome people?"
Potter let out an annoyed huff.
"You can thank your daft girlfriend for that. Parkinson. Actually, if I understood correctly, she brewed the potion for you. She prepared biscuits and put them in the entrance hall for you to snack after Quidditch practice. The potion seems to make you fall in love with whoever you lay your eyes on first."
Draco's jaw dropped.
What was that idiot babbling? Pansy had been trying to slip him a love potion? Had she gone completely mental?
Of course, he had noticed how hard Pansy had been trying to get his attention over the past few months — very hard. But it had never occurred to him that she would resort to such foul means. The thought alone made him shudder. He would have to have a serious word with her the next time they crossed paths. Draco had no interest in Pansy Parkinson and no intention to make himself The Idiot of the School just because she couldn't stand a rejection.
At least he was warned now. He would never again eat or drink anything offered to him by Pansy.
"Then make it stop," he vented his anger on Potter.
"And how am I supposed to do that, smart-arse?"
Potter was obviously just as pissed off as Draco, for his eyes flashed ominously at him. Secretly, Draco couldn't blame him. If Potter had been keeping Granger from freaking out since last night, he probably hadn't had a particularly good night's sleep.
"What do I know? Get the antidote. Crawl to Slughorn and suck up to him as usual."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"And you think it would be safe to leave her alone in this state?" the Gryffindor retorted. "Brilliant idea, really."
Draco thought about it.
Well, maybe it was actually a problem.
"I'll stay here and keep an eye on her," he suggested at last, shrugging. "She would go looking for me as soon as I left anyway, wouldn't she?"
Admittedly, babysitting Granger was the last thing Draco wanted to spend his Saturday morning with, but he simply couldn't think of anything better.
Potter gave the impression of having a good thought about Draco's proposal first. He seemed at a loss, though, which didn't surprise Draco in the slightest. In his opinion, Potter had never been the brightest candle on the birthday cake. Finally, boy wonder nodded.
"Okay, but please don't hurt her. She doesn't know what's wrong with her."
A worried look crept onto his face, whereupon Draco rolled his eyes once more.
"Saint Potter in the flesh," he deadpanned. "I'm not going to kill the swot while you're gone. Just do us a favor and get going. I don't want to take roots here."
While Potter eyed him suspiciously, Draco's gaze wandered to Granger who had apparently not listened to one word of their conversation. Instead, she was undressing Draco with her eyes, and when she noticed him watching her, her lips curled into a flirtatious smile and she brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"I'll hurry," Potter muttered. "Merlin, I hope Slughorn is available."
With one last look at Granger, he hesitantly left the classroom and closed the door behind him. Hopefully he would continue the rest of his way a little faster.
"Draco," Granger cooed.
A shiver ran down Draco's spine. She had never called him by his given name before and for some stupid reason he liked the way she pronounced the syllables.
She stood up from her chair and slowly approached him.
"Now we're alone," she breathed, looking at him so expectantly that he involuntarily raised his wand. "Finally. I was afraid Harry would never leave."
"Keep your hands to yourself, Granger," he warned her, but she didn't seem to care.
Draco took a few steps back until his back hit the wall.
"You don't have to be afraid," she murmured soothingly and gave him another smile. "We can show our feelings now. It's okay."
She stopped right in front of him. A hand pawed at his chest and Draco quickly swatted it away. Gods.
"I said," he hissed, "don't touch me. Pull yourself together or I'll curse you, I swear."
Draco revised what he had promised Potter. If Granger continued to molest him like that, then it was self-defense, it was as simple as that.
She pouted and Draco's gaze flicked to her lips, which had kissed him so fiercely. She had beautiful lips, he noticed. They were full and shapely. And a small voice in the back of his mind told him that it hadn't even felt bad when they had attacked his mouth.
He cleared his throat. Nonsense. Granger was absolutely ugly, of course. Starting with her unruly hair in that awfully boring color, to her — wait a minute.
Granger had taken advantage of the seconds he had been distracted and snuggled up to him. As she did so, her breasts, which he had been convinced didn't exist, were clearly pressing against his chest.
Draco gasped softly.
"Granger," he whispered (not so angry anymore) and tried to push her away.
He still had his wand in his hand, but he wasn't gripping it quite as tightly as before. He had almost forgotten that he had just been toying with the idea of cursing her.
"Draco, please," she whined, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I know you want it."
Halfheartedly, he tried to loosen her grip. Would it be morally reprehensible if he allowed it to happen one more time? Only to humiliate her even more, of course. Because Draco was sure that even if the love potion wore off at some point, Granger would still be able to remember everything. And her bashful face would at least sweeten his classes on Monday.
He couldn't help but smirk.
Granger seemed to take that as an agreement and stood on tiptoe. She weaved a hand into the hair at the nape of his neck and tried with all her might to pull his head down.
Draco still wasn't sure if this wasn't the dumbest idea ever, but eventually he obeyed. He lowered his head and Granger sighed in satisfaction, stretching just a little more.
Then he felt her lips again. The kiss was gentle, not quite as stormy as the one in the corridor. His wand was dangling in his hand, completely useless.
He didn't know exactly what to do next. He was kissing Granger — so far, so good. And as a result, she would surely be in agony for at least the entire next week. Fine. But Draco had no plan how to proceed.
His thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly felt Granger's tongue experimentally licking his bottom lip.
Her - tongue - licking - his - lip.
She moaned, a needy mewl, and Draco knew he should push her away. Right now. But for some reason he couldn't quite fathom, his body didn't obey any longer. Quite the contrary, because now he actually returned the kiss, and when he parted his lips to allow her access, a strange sound escaped him as well.
Well, fuck.
Draco stiffened, but didn't have enough time to think about his physical reaction. What the hell was the swot doing now?
Granger's hands had slipped into Draco's school robes and under his shirt. Now she was running her fingers up his abs, leaving a delicious tingling sensation wherever she touched his skin.
His wand fell to the floor and tumbled across the stones until it came to rest in front of one of the desks that were scattered across the room.
Suddenly, his hands were on Granger's waist. He didn't know how that had happened, but, frankly, he didn't care anymore.
The scene developed a strange momentum of its own.
Draco groaned, pulling Granger closer while she was still kissing him passionately. She whimpered and tugged at his tie, whereupon he allowed her to lead him to the chair where she had just been sitting. Then, before he knew what was happening, she gave him a push and he found himself sitting on it.
He looked up at her with his mouth slightly open. Merlin, he hadn't known Granger could be so temperamental when she wanted something.
She regarded him with sparkling eyes as her hand wandered to her blouse. He only realized what she was up to when the first two buttons were already undone.
"Fuck's sake, Granger," Draco cursed, leaning forward to slap her hand away from the buttons. "Stop it."
Now she really went too far. He was, after all, a man and his body temperature was already rising. He had only wanted to embarrass her a little, nothing more. The whole thing, if it went any further, would ruin not only her reputation but his as well. How was he supposed to explain this? A single kiss was harmless. He could easily blame it on Granger and claim that she had taken him by surprise. But this?
Granger grabbed his outstretched hand and placed it on her hip. And then, still very energetically, she swung herself onto his lap, straddling him.
For a moment, they looked into each other's eyes, both breathless. Then it was Draco who leaned in and pressed his lips to hers again.
He pulled her closer. Not even a piece of parchment would have fit between them now. His hands were on her thighs, hers were buried in his hair.
When she let out another moan, he could no longer deny it: yes, now he wanted it, too.
He was just tugging Granger's blouse out of the waistband of her school skirt when the door flew open with a bang.
Granger turned around with a huff, probably to see who was bothering them now of all times. Draco peeked over her shoulder and spotted Potter standing in the doorway, staring at them in disbelief. And accompanied by Professor Slughorn.
Oops.
Draco tried to regain control of his breathing before he uttered his next words.
"Just in time, Potter."
It was Monday. Potions class.
Draco had already endured four incredibly boring lessons. In fact, Potions was the first class of the day that he could muster any interest in — for the sole reason that the Slytherins had Potions with the Gryffindors.
Since the beginning of the lesson, his eyes had been on the back of the petite girl in the front row who had been constantly haunting him for the past two days. Hell yes, constantly, because Granger had even appeared in his dreams. And when Draco had woken up this morning, panting with need and drenched in sweat, he could have slapped himself in the face. What in Merlin's name was wrong with him?
It was small consolation that the whole spectacle had apparently affected Granger, too.
Draco hadn't stayed in the classroom when Slughorn had administered the antidote to her, but he could imagine that it must have worked, because he hadn't seen her for the rest of the weekend. Even in Hogsmeade he hadn't spotted her mop of brown curls, which made him think she had probably been trying to avoid him. And when she had entered the classroom with Potter and Weasley a few minutes ago, her face had turned a deep shade of pink, although she had avoided looking in his or Pansy's direction at all costs.
Potter, on the other hand, had glared at him, but Draco had expertly ignored him. Scarface could think whatever he wanted. Draco had no intention of making big noise about the incident. He had overdone things, he knew that, so he did well to keep his mouth shut.
Pansy, however, had already received her beating. She sat a few seats to his left, staring at Slughorn's desk with red-rimmed eyes. Draco didn't feel sorry. It was her own fault. She didn't deserve any better after coming up with such a guileful plan to get him into her bed. He didn't intend to continue associating with her in any way.
He was jolted out of his thoughts when Granger's head suddenly turned around. At first her gaze was downcast and her movements were slow and subtle, but when she finally lifted her chin, she was looking straight into his eyes. Once again, she blushed, but she held his gaze for a few seconds before turning away and sheepishly tucking a curl behind her ear.
Draco's breath hitched.
What the actual fuck?
He found himself gripping his quill tighter and consciously relaxed his hand, angry with himself. His heartbeat had quickened and he didn't understand what the hell was happening to him.
As if reading his mind, Granger turned her head once more. Their eyes met again and now she visibly gasped as well.
Draco silently scolded himself and broke eye contact.
Was it possible that Granger had the same images in her head as he did? That she also kept thinking about Saturday and couldn't shake off the memories?
Well, he'd probably never find out. After all, he and Granger hadn't exchanged a private word ever before. It would be far too conspicuous to approach her in one of the corridors or the Great Hall, and he would probably have Saint Potter's wand at his throat in no time. Draco would rather avoid that. He didn't want to provoke a duel over Granger and risk his hard-earned house points.
By the way, it was time to take care of the latter. So Draco pulled himself together and focused on his Potions book.
There she was.
Of course, she had spent her lunch break in the library studying until the very last minute. Draco shook his head, mildly amused. Only Merlin knew how she had managed to stay so ambitious over all the years. He, too, was ambitious, but Granger topped everything and everyone.
Now she strolled down the aisle, looking through the stained glass windows at the snow-covered grounds with a pensive expression on her face.
This was his chance. It was the only time of the day he could be absolutely certain that neither Potter nor the Weasel would be anywhere near her. Neither of them went to the library right after lunch.
As she walked past the small alcove where Draco was hiding, he reached out, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the niche with a jerk. She squealed, but luckily her wand seemed to be safely tucked away in her satchel because at least she didn't curse him right away.
Granger looked up at him with wide eyes, and when she realized who had kidnapped her, she blushed.
Draco successfully convinced himself that there simply wasn't enough room in the alcove and pulled her even closer. A smug smirk curled his lips.
"Pretty hard to catch you alone," he whispered.
Granger blinked, once, twice.
And then, before Draco could utter any of the words he had carefully prepared over lunch, she reached for his tie, pulled his head down and kissed him. Determined, eager, hot-tempered. It was almost comparable to their first kiss in the Charms wing on Saturday morning.
Almost. Because this time she didn't have that dreamy look on her face that had only been caused by the love potion. Instead, there was a mischievous glint in her eyes as she pulled back after a while to look up at him. She was still a bit embarrassed, Draco could tell, but the corners of her mouth were quirking as she stifled a smile.
Granger seemed to know exactly what she wanted. Well, well, well, who would have thought?
"You didn't happen to eat some biscuits of suspicious origin in the library, did you?" he murmured, nuzzling her jawbone.
"Shut up, Malfoy," she replied, rolling her eyes.
He tightened his grip on her waist and gently pressed her against him. Her heart was beating just as fast as his. Good.
She met his gaze and her hazel eyes bored deep into his storm grey ones.
"I still hate you," she whispered, at which he grinned.
"Oh, believe me, Granger, I hate you more."
Then he leaned in and kissed her again.
Pansy looked up as the classroom door swung open.
Her jaw dropped.
She had assumed that it would be one of the two missing students, who were now more than fifteen minutes late, but what she actually saw was beyond her imagination.
Draco entered the classroom and apologized for being late to Professor McGonagall, who merely raised an eyebrow in response. His robes were uncharacteristically wrinkled and there was an oddly pleased expression on his face. Right behind him, Granger stepped through the door, cheeks slightly flushed, curls even more tangled than usual. She looked positively ruffled, but not like something terrible had happened to her.
Quite the opposite, Pansy thought, swallowing hard.
And when Granger pushed past Draco to get to her seat and Pansy saw their hands accidentally brush, she felt like crying.
Potter had seen it, too. He turned in his chair to face her. A mixture of disgust and disbelief distorted his features and he glared at her.
"Fabulous, really. Well done, Parkinson."