Academic Affairs | Draco Malfoy Love Story

Lesson 13: Don't Speak Ill of Others.

"New friends." She repeated the foreign notion, "I hope this doesn't sound snobbish, but it's hard to tell who genuinely wants to be your friend these days. Most people just want to be friends with the Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's best friend, until I open my mouth and they have no clue what I'm talking about. Last weekend I was in Flourish in Blotts and someone struck up a conversation with me about the book I was checking out-only to find out they didn't have a clue about Muggle authors and only wanted a photograph together."

Draco's smile grew on its own. "That sounds tough. Perhaps you should try dodging a wayward diffindo or confringo when you pass someone whose family was ruined by the War. At least they're very upfront and honest about not fancying my company."

Her shoulders sagged, "I'm sorry-"

"It was a joke, Granger. I don't want your apology. I made my choices." He quickly interjected, "Why don't you come by Sunday afternoon for lunch and I'll introduce you to Pansy and Theo."

She was tense again. "I know them, why would I need to-"

"You knew them. Remember what I said about people changing? Perhaps you'd get along with them." He reflected in a wry tone, "Pansy likes those novels you read and Theo likes to work on his 'gadgets' as he calls them. You might find what he's working on interesting."

Granger shook her head in disbelief, "Malfoy, are you inviting me over to hang out with your friends?"

He blinked. He supposed he was.

Before he could answer, Leek appeared in the doorway, and gestured inside. "The bath is ready."

Draco felt time slow down. They would be fully clothed of course, but he was about to be in a hot bath with Granger pressed up against him. If a God existed, then he needed to start praying now. The last thing he needed was his cock at full attention and Granger realizing that he was very...very attracted to her.

Physically, of course.

Only physically.

A silent groan tore through him. Bathing with coworkers-especially fit off-limits-coworkers should not be allowed. At least for his sanity.

Lesson 13: Don't Speak Ill of Others.

There were many times throughout her childhood where Hermione thought, 'How did I end up in this position?' And when it came down to it, it was typically because Harry needed her help or Ron had gotten himself into trouble, and she felt a responsibility to help him. Someone (her) decided that it was a great idea to take more classes than the day allowed and used a time turner to accomplish an otherwise impossible task. This time, she'd gotten herself into a sticky situation and had no one to blame besides her newfound lack of foresight.

If Narcissa Malfoy had inadvertently saved her from eating jinxed chocolates, then this was a situation where she wanted Mama Malfoy no where near her.

After all... How did one explain being fully clothed in a porcelain bath tub with their son? With their very handsome, very brooding, adult son?

"We should have asked Longbottom how long this was going to take." Malfoy reflected, distractedly trying to pry his hands apart from each other.

"Will you stop moving so much?" Hermione snapped, quietly annoyed that his proximity was... It was...Well...