Chapter 2

A/N: No, it's not mine. Anything you recognize can only be claimed by JKR.

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Ch 2: Actions and Consequences

Hermione stepped through the Floo, only to find Dumbledore sitting behind his desk looking at an object balanced in his palm. Tilting her head, Hermione stepped closer. "Professor, what is that?"

Dumbledore didn't look away from it, but answered her softly. "This, Miss Granger, is called an add it all. It is what I am sending to Poppy to try to figure out the exact ingredients to Longbottom's potion." With a smile, he set the strange gadget aside and gave her his full attention. "Did you and Mr Malfoy deliver Professor Snape to his quarters without incident?"

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "Not quite, sir. Parkinson saw us." She winced as she thought of how embarrassed Draco must have been at what Snape revealed. She wasn't quite sure what she thought of the revelation. She hated to think that he'd been tossing off in the loo, thinking of her as he did it.

Albus smiled, nodding in understanding. "Of course. Well, we will deal with any ramifications from that come tomorrow. Now, what is it that is bothering you?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she realized that the chances were good that Dumbledore already knew what had transpired between his Potions professor and the two students before she had even entered his office. Swallowing, she answered, "Professor Snape shared something that I wasn't supposed to know about during our trip to his rooms." She could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks. "I actually believe he quite embarrassed Malfoy."

Pursing his lips, Dumbledore tilted his head and seemed to consider her words before responding softly, "Yes... the incidents in the loo."

Hermione's eyes bulged and her jaw dropped. "How do you...? I mean, what is the...?" she stammered. "I... Hey! What do you mean, incidents?" She sat in the nearest chair, a shocked look on her face. "He did it more than once? While thinking of me?"

Albus sat back and clasped his hands before him, smiling. "It is irrelevant, Miss Granger. As you said, it was never planned for you to know about such times." He glanced at his timepiece before offering her a sympathetic look. "Considering that you and Mr Malfoy have only the evening before you are to teach Professor Snape's class, it might serve you both to confer about where exactly you plan to pick up where he's left off. Don't you agree?"

Hermione nodded, a dismal look still playing across her face as she made to stand. "Yes, sir. I'll Floo him once I get to the classroom..."

Dumbledore nodded. "Excellent! I shall make everyone aware that until further notice, you and Mr Malfoy are excused from the curfew that falls upon all the other students."

Hermione smiled timidly and moved to pardon herself. "Thank you, Headmaster."

The old man watched her leave. The twinkle in his eye grew especially dazzling as he watched her go. This was going to be a most fun adventure, after all. Thanks to Longbottom, this year was going to be quite interesting after all.

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Draco paced the classroom anxiously. He had pulled out several volumes of spells and potions, trying to decide which one would be the best to attempt teaching to their classmates in Snape's absence. He had narrowed it down to three different spells, all of which he was accomplished at preparing. Now, he simply needed Hermione's approval.

Glancing at the door with a look of impatience, he wondered what was keeping her? After all, she was the one who had sent him a message that they should discuss a plan of action for the following day. He would have been more than happy to just have the Potions class cancelled until further notice.

In a huff, he sat down in the professor's desk and balanced his chin on his palm. This was ridiculous. Where was she? Why wasn't she here yet? She was usually so punctual. One hardly ever witnessed Hermione Granger being late for anything.

Almost as if she heard his inner pondering, Hermione walked through the door. Her usually unkempt, riotous curls were pulled back in a neat, if somewhat damp ponytail, Also, her school robes had been replaced by a pair of Muggle jeans and a baby blue t-shirt.

Draco found himself gaping at her as she moved to the head of the class where he sat. Catching himself, he looked away just before she looked up at him.

"I'm sorry I'm late, but I imagine we will be busy detailing the studies most of the night, so I went ahead and bathed, so I won't have to worry with it come morning." Her voice was soft, and she offered him a fleeting smile as she drew closer.

Draco found that he was thankful that the desk hid certain parts of his anatomy from her. "Yes, well," He scowled, clearing his throat. He was determined to be a royal git. It was already more than he could stand for her to know he fantasized about her. "Next time, bathe on your own time, Granger. I, for one would like to get some rest tonight."

Nodding, Hermione looked away from him and sighed. "Point taken. So, what do you feel we should teach tomorrow?"

When she looked back at him, it was to find him staring at her lips. Somewhat baffled, she reached up and wiped the corners of her mouth with her thumb and forefinger. "What? Do I... do I have something on my face?"

Draco watched her hand move from her mouth to brush a stray curl away from her face. How soft was her hair? Did she ever wonder things like this about him? Had she ever imagined what they might be like together? Realizing the directions of his thoughts, he looked down to the notes he had been taking and cleared his throat. "Uhm... No. I just was wondering what cleanser you use."

Immediately, he could have hexed himself. What in the bloody hell was he doing? Asking what cleansers a Mudblood used? His mother would have him gelded if she knew what he was finding himself thinking about. "Nevermind," he said in a deeper voice. "Let's just get on with this, shall we? I made a list of the potions I believe Professor Snape would have had us working on next." He pushed the parchment towards her. "Take your pick. I'm familiar with all of them, so it shouldn't be a problem for me." He smirked, "That is, if you think you would be comfortable with those."

Hermione looked over the list of potions on the parchment, then nodded with a smile. "Oh, I'm familiar with all of these as well. I think that any of them would be an excellent choice." She began making notes in the margins. "If you like, we can split up the lesson. One of us can teach the proper mixing techniques, then the other can show proper simmering levels and directions of stirring."

Draco nodded. "I suppose that will do. So do you have a preference on which one we should teach first?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. Any of them are acceptable to me."

Taken somewhat off guard by her friendly manner, Draco again found himself staring at her. When she didn't make any comment on his watching her, he found himself asking, "Why are you being so agreeable with me? We hate each other, don't we?"

Looking up from the parchment, she shook her head. "This isn't about us, Malfoy. This is about filling in for Professor Snape until he is able to resume his duties." As she looked back down at the list, she added. "For what it's worth, I thought Professor Snape was a complete prat to say anything about what you do in the loo." She was careful to keep her eyes downcast as she said this.

Draco felt his cheeks burning at her words and was grateful that she didn't look at him. For a moment, he simply sat, trying to collect his thoughts. Then, he spoke in a quiet voice. "Please, don't say anything to the other members of your trio. That would just be too humiliating." Then he rolled his eyes. "I do have a reputation to protect, since I am a Malfoy."

Hermione looked up at him that time. Her eyes met his, and the look on his face made her lips curve into a wide smile. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from giving in to the urge to laugh hysterically. Nodding emphatically, she drew a shaky breath and cleared her throat before answering. "I wouldn't dream of jeopardizing your precious reputation, Malfoy. Believe me, that is the furthest thing from my mind."

For a moment, Draco stared at her dumbly before he found her own smile contagious and allowed himself a small smile before gesturing back to their potion list. "If you are sure these potions will work, then I don't see why we should have to remain here any longer tonight..."

Hermione nodded and stepped back from the desk. When she turned and began to make her way to the door, Draco found himself staring raptly at her backside as it swayed with each step she took.

She hesitated at the door, turning, "Would you care to walk back to Head rooms together? I mean, we are right down the hall from each other."

Draco sputtered as he used the heel of his hand to push his erection down. Thankful that the professor's desk still separated them, he shook his head. "I must make a slight detour, I'm afraid. But I will see you in the morning," he squeaked in a voice that sounded strangely high for him.

Hermione tilted her head and considered asking him if he felt well, but instead just nodded after a moment and turned, leaving him alone in the classroom to deal with his problem.