Anyone But Me

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Hermione sat there in shock. She had expected some nefarious plan about getting back at Pansy to come from his mouth, not... this. Her mind tried to play catch up with the unanticipated turn. How had he found out? Who else had he told? Why had he decided to confront her?

He pulled back to make eye contact with her again, his tall frame made his shoulders hunch forward as he watched her face for involuntary giveaways. Slowly the gears in her head started spinning again and both her eyebrows rose up in mock surprise. "Wh... What are you talking about?"

"That's right. I know all about how you've gotten into his head. I also know that someone from your precious Dumbledore's Army put you up to it. And I am here to tell you that your little plan is not going to work..." Nott said, his eyes narrowing further into a glare with each sentence spoken.

She used her amusement at how off-base he was to add confidence into what would have been a nervous laugh. "Are both you and Parkinson certifiable? I do not have time to entertain your absurd stories tonight. Everyone knows that there is no love lost between Malfoy and I. Now give me back my book..."

"Oh come off it, Granger. You are not the only one in this whole school who pays attention. Don't think for a second that the two of you not being able to be in the same room without eye fucking each other has gone completely unnoticed." Theodore said, keeping his voice down but pulling away enough that he was no longer invading her personal space.

"Honestly Nott... I think you have lost it. Should I run and get Pomfrey for you?" She asked with mock concern coloring her tone.

His jaw clenched in annoyance at her pitiful attempt at evasiveness. "I am not kidding. Either cut the shit or I am going to go to Snape with my concerns."

"Why should I care if you go to Snape with some fantastical conspiracy theory? Go right ahead... I am positive both he and Malfoy will respond kindly when they find out the drivel that is spewing from your mouth." She challenged after getting her voice to work around the sudden lump that had lodged itself in her throat.

For the first time since his approach she saw a flicker of doubt navigate his features. The threat of what could happen if he ended up being wrong was enough for him to second guess himself. A small mercy on another day that was turning into an episode of The Twilight Zone. He ground his teeth together for a moment before shaking his head. "I do not believe you..."

"Well then... Let's go. Right now. Would you like to stop and pick up your asshole friend first to save time? Or should we let Snape summon him?" Hermione questioned, hoping he wouldn't call her on the bluff. She did not look up at him as she put the unorganized pile of papers into her bag. The action giving her the time to gather her chaotic thoughts again. There had to be some way out of the corner she had gotten herself in...

After she got everything but the book that was still under his palm inside, she stood up and faced him. Silently she gestured for him to hand it over and waited for his response.

He stood there and stared down at her. The fact that he was trying to decipher the way she had countered his move was written all over his face. She decided to offer him an easy out... "There is always the option of forgetting this ever happened too..."

Momentary relief was quickly replaced with a cocky grin when his eyes flickered behind her. "That will not be necessary."

Her heartbeat soared but she refused to look to find out what had changed his demeanor. "And why not?"

"Because my proof has just arrived." He sneered.

There was a horrific moment that passed where she thought Draco had shown up, despite her warnings of Harry watching him, but the signs of another person's arrival never materialized. She didn't break her gaze from the boy until she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye.