The Boy With No Choice

almost

"The saddest word

in the whole wide world

is the word almost."

"I can't believe that Professor Vector paired me with Granger! Of all people to partner with for a year-long project and I had to get her. . ." A shoulder slammed into his own from behind and soon the wild curls of Hermione Granger entered Draco Malfoy's vision.

"You act like I'm just bloody thrilled about it, Malfoy." He sneered at her.

"You should be; it's a blessing to have such an intelligent partner."

"Quick reminder that I'm first in our class and you're only second."

"Not for long, you swot." She bristled but a malicious grin lifted her lips slightly.

"You say that but it's going on six years that I've been better than you. What makes you think that this year will be any different?" His eyebrows drew close as his eyes narrowed.

"Oh, you have no idea."

"Ooh, so scary, Malfoy. I'm absolutely trembling." With that, she turned on her heel and started off to her next class. Blaise Zabini turned to Draco.

"Damn, mate. When Granger's feisty, she's bloody attractive." Draco gagged.

"Don't make me throw up my lunch, Blaise. I don't need weird images of you getting it on with Granger stuck in my head." The Italian boy shrugged as they turned the corner.

"Hey, I wouldn't mind some of those images coming true." His eyebrows waggled and Draco gagged again.

"Truly sick, Blaise, absolutely sick. I think your hormones are getting the best of you."

"Wow! Did the famous muggle-hating Draco Malfoy remember something from his Fourth-Year Muggle Studies class?" Blaise's voice was dripping with sarcasm. Draco leered.

"Ah, yes, science. The thing that muggles use to explain magic. It's quite a silly way of thinking, mind you, but I do believe that your actions currently are to be blamed by it."

"So you don't think that you could be swayed by the Gryffindor princess to have a go, do you?"

"None whatsoever, you tosser."

"Bet on it then." Draco stopped and stared at his best friend with wide eyes. Blaise's face was stretched wide in a natural Slytherin smirk.

"I-what?"

"Bet on it. I bet that you end up going at it with Granger by the end of the year. If you don't, then you'll have to profess your undying love to her in the Great Hall at the ending feast. If you do, well. . .you got to shag Miss Priss." He snickered. Draco continued to watch him with interest for another minute.

"If I do bed Granger, you have to profess your undying love to her in the Great Hall at the feast instead." Blaise gave Draco a strange look before shrugging.

"Fine. It's a done deal." With that, the two shook hands and made their way to their next class.
-------------------------------------------------------
"Not like that, Malfoy!" Draco seethed. Hermione had jumped across the table to stop him from writing and her bushy hair was now getting into his eyes. "If you write it that way, you could cause an absolute mistranslation! It needs to go like this. . ." The scratching of her quill on his parchment bothered him to no end.

As he watched her scribble across his notes, he mentally cursed Blaise a million times over. How in Merlin's beard was he supposed to get Hermione Granger down on her knees? Not to mention, for him, of all people.