saving granger; a theomione

Chapter 6

The group of Gryffindors begrudgingly headed towards the dungeons. Of course Nott, Malfoy, Zabini and Slughorn were already there awaiting their arrival considering they lived in that end of the castle.

 "I have multiple tasks that require completion, and I have put you in small groups. Anyone who argues will receive another detention. Do I make myself clear?"

There were multiple, "Yes Professor Slughorn's," and there was one, "Crystal," from Malfoy. Hermione wondered if his father would be hearing about this. She couldn't hold back her giggle at her private joke. Everyone looked at her as if she had gone mad.

"Harry and Malfoy, you two boys will be cleaning all of the dirty cauldrons. Weasley one, two and Zabini, you will be cleaning the kitchens and The Great Hall, as I have given The House Elves the night off. Hand over your wands." 

No one was bold enough to argue. They all reluctantly handed over their wands, Malfoy eyeing him warily as he did so. "Alright, get to it. You will all be having a long night," Slughorn remarked, "Theodore and Hermione, you two follow me." They followed their Professor for a considerable amount of time before finally stopping in a dimly lit corridor on the fourth floor. She recognized the room that it led to; the Trophy Room. The trophies couldn't have been cleaned since Ron had detention there with Filch however many years ago. "You two are to make sure all of these trophies and such are spotless. I will return in two hours time to check on you. All of the supplies you require are in the cupboard at the back. Goodbye, for now." They watched in silence as he waddled out of the room and eventually around the turn of the corridor out of sight. 

Now came the part that Hermione had been dreading. She turned around to face Nott who was leisurely rested against one of the trophy cases, his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. "So, Granger. Its just you and I. All alone here, for two hours. However will we pass the time?" 

Hermione resisted the very tempting urge to smack him again, and settled for rolling her eyes to express her annoyance. "By cleaning the trophies Nott, as we've been instructed." 

"Where's the fun in that?" His sarcasm was not lost on her, but still entirely unamusing. Hermione pointedly ignored him.

"Alright, Granger. You win. I'll go get the supplies," he sighed. She watched as he headed in the direction of the supply closet and shared another laugh with herself. 

"What for?" she asked innocently.

He scoffed at the question. "To clean, Granger. Isn't it obvious? Merlin, and they say you're the brains of The Golden Trio." He turned to face her when she didn't respond and she gave him a coy smile. 

"But why would we need supplies if we could just use magic?" Theodore narrowed his eyes at her as if he was considering whether she had truly lost the plot. 

"Because Slughorn took our wands. Okay I'm beginning to think you're ill. Have you been drinking?"

"No, you idiot. I can do wandless magic. Isn't it obvious?" she mocked. Hermione felt a weird sense of satisfaction as he gaped at her. His eyes narrowed in disbelief and he took a few slow steps in her direction.

"Do you know how hard that is?" 

"Well evidently, if I know how to perform it." 

His eyes were still narrowed in doubt as he grew nearer to her. She could see the challenge reflected in his gaze, as if he was silently daring her to prove herself. If it was a show he wanted, it was a show she was prepared to give. 

"Well let's see it then." 

"You better stand next to me unless you're hoping to get swept away." He crossed the final steps to stand beside her, towering over her much smaller frame with his formidable height. Tentative excitement radiated from him, like a child in line for their first roller coaster.