Short Change Hero

Chapter 30: Sweet Dreams Are Made of Trouble

Hello there! Quick author note before I jump right into the next chapter. I just wanted to quickly say that I am so sorry for not updating in forever. Thank you to all the votes and comments in the past couple months. I would love feedback so much. Let me know if this chapter is good and whatnot. I am welcoming all constructive criticism. So comment away!

Again thank you all! Love you and hope this wait was worth it!

- Madi

"Learn your lines, get your story straight,
Broken bottles gonna seal your fate,
Happiness is just a glass away,

I'm trouble,

Breathe me in, like the summer nights,
It's only a mistake if we don't survive,
Kids grown up, but we're not alright,
We're trouble..."

Trouble by Natalia Kills

Still Friday November 1st, 1996

Just outside the Great Hall, half past seven in the morning

For several moments, Hermione just stood there watching Malfoy slowly walk out of the empty classroom in the opposite direction of the Great Hall. It wasn't until he was out of view that she allowed her fingers to brush against her damp lips that still tingled. The taste of spearmint still lingering upon her tongue while she folded into herself by crossing her arms.

With a sigh she sunk into a seat behind the desk in deep thought about the kiss. She couldn't quite place why, but there was something about this time that seemed different from their previous kisses. The curiosity was still there like the first kiss. The demand was still there like the time she approached him. Nibbling upon her lip, she could still remember the desperation from moments ago that had been twisting the space between them until it wasn't anymore. The slow yet ardent way he kissed her this time seemed deeper. Teetering on an edge of something that was new and unknown territory. Dangerous territory.

'He couldn't possibly...' she paused her thought as she exhaled unevenly. 'It's Malfoy. We hate each other... It's just a puerile game to him... '

Pulling at the sleeve of her dress robe lightly, she decided it was time she needed to go towards breakfast before she missed another meal. Hermione the stood up slowly making her way out of the empty classroom and rolled her eyes. Kissing her obviously was just part of the game he was playing. It was just his juvenile way of distracting her from the important questions she'd been asking, getting too close to things she wasn't supposed to know about. Things he refused to answer...

When he told her he didn't know about Theo being a death eater or about Ginny being under the imperious curse, she realized that she believed him instantly. If anything, Malfoy even if he sometimes needed an extra push, he always followed through with his deals. Hermione was sure it had to do with his upbringing as a child that had to do with keeping his word.

Rounding the corner she then noticed two adult wizards dressed identically in deep blue robes standing on each side of the great hall entrance. Instantly she knew they were aurors. Closing her fists tightly at her side she approached them sluggishly, somewhat anxious about what they were going to say to her. When she passed them into the other room without them even moving she made her way to the spot she saw that was meant for her.

"Seems a bit much to have one stationed at every entrance in the castle. The Ministry shouldn't be allowed to stick its nose into Hogwarts business..." Harry spoke in annoyance as Hermione slid into her seat.

"There's obviously more going on than we're being told Harry." Hermione added reaching for an apple, the vibrant green shade twisting an image of Malfoy in her thoughts momentarily. "Professor Dumbledore wouldn't allow the Ministry anywhere near Hogwarts if he thought he had everything under control."