Only Ones Who Know

Prefect Parties

Practice began shortly after Neville stumbled upon the Room of Requirement. Hermione couldn't wait to find her inner power. Weeks went by and everyone was having a blast learning new spells and using them on a dummy and each other. Hermione couldn't believe she was actually performing those defensive spells. Everything was going great.

She skipped down the hall merrily one morning to meet Ron and Harry for the next week's lesson. Her happy thoughts were disrupted when a hand came out of nowhere and clasped her mouth and dragged her into a broom closet. She was scared to death until she realized who it was.

"LET GO OF ME MALFOY!" She yelled as she struggled to get free of his grip.

"I know what you and your little freak friends are up to." The broom closet was small so he was pressed up against her and their faces were just inches away.

"What are we up to?" She crossed her arms and pretended to not know what he was talking about.

"I- I don't know." Draco stammered. "But I'm going to find out. That's why I brought you here."

"How are you going to find out something that isn't happening?" Hermione smirked. It amused her to see him fumble his words.

"I know something is up." He got out his wand and held it up to her neck, pressing on her jugular. "And you're going to tell me."

"What are you going to do? Turn me into a toad?" Hermione chuckled and Draco pressed his wand harder making her flinch. She looked around trying to figure a way out of the closet. She noticed his back was pressed against the door and came up with a brilliant idea.

"Okay, I'll tell you." He lowered his wand. "But I have to whisper it." She cupped her mouth and stood on her tiptoes to get close to Draco's ear making sure to push him back a little. He bent down to listen.

With a swift motion, Hermione turned the door handle and pushed it open, making Draco fall flat on his back. He groaned as Hermione quickly stepped over his body, making a break for the hallway before he could reach for his wand again. She giggled, running down the halls until she knew she was safe. She panted as she rested on the wall and peered around the corner. When she calmed down, all she could think about was the way his body was pushing her into the shelf in that cramped little closet.

***

Weeks had gone by and Hermione hadn't seen Draco since their encounter. It was the night of Halloween. This meant it was the first prefect party of the year. Hermione had been so busy with her school work, she forgot to plan a costume. She had to think of something quick. She pulled on a regular old jumper and a pair of jeans. She frowned at herself in the mirror and her pathetic excuse for a costume.

She left for the common room where music was blaring and people were chatting loudly. The first person she ran into was Ron. His face was painted green and he had self-drawn scars on his forehead. He also had screws sticking out of either side of his neck. Even though he looked ridiculous as a red-headed Frankenstein, his costume was ten times better than hers.

"What are you supposed to be?" He talked through a mouth full of crackers and cheese.

"I am a Muggle." Hermione forced a smile although she was very disappointed in herself. A voice from across the room perked up right after she said it.

"I wish you were one, Granger. What a shame two Muggles made a witch like you." Draco, who had dressed up as a vampire, was still upset about the closet incident. Hermione clenched her jaw, wishing she did worse to him.

"Lay off, Malfoy. Can't we all just get along for one night?" Ron turned to Hermione gesturing to the snack and drink table. "Cheer up, we got all the food you can eat and all the booze you can drink. Fred and George really came through with the liquor." He gave her a wink and walked her to the table.