11

* * * Chapter 11: October 29, 1997 * * *

They were just stupid little things, Draco told himself, and no one except Granger noticed them. Therefore he had no reason to be embarassed, but he was.

He would wait in the common room in the morning to walk her down to breakfast. He left his bedroom door open when he was studying, and would tip his chin in greeting whenever she entered the suite. He even pulled aside the few Slytherin prefects he trusted and instructed them to quietly keep tabs on Granger during patrols. In particular, they were to ensure that she made her way safely down to Snape's office and back every single night--and report straight to Draco if anything was out of the ordinary.

I can't let her fall to pieces on my watch. Mother would go nuclear if Granger became the first Hogwarts Head Girl to take a dive from the Astronomy Tower. From that day forward, every minute his father spent in Azkaban would be his fault for screwing up their one opportunity to influence Dumbledore and the Wizengamot, and Mother would be sure he never forgot that. He had to look after her for his own sake. That was what the Head Boy did. Yeah. Just doing his job. Doing as Uncle Severus insisted.

He stopped taking his late-evening baths, however.

Homework was taking more and more time to complete as the semester progressed, and he could no longer afford the luxury of a long bath just before bed. Besides, if he started a fire in the common room hearth just after she left for patrol, it would be roaring cheerfully when she returned, and she would sit with him. It wasn't anything like watching her undress, but all in all, Draco felt it was a good trade.

She still steadfastly refused to attend the Halloween Ball. She was sure he was up to something and wouldn't be part of it. That really stunk, because she was, of course, spot on in her assessment, but confirming her suspicions would hardly change her mind. When Snape cornered him again after Potions, Draco confessed that he might have met his match.

"She reads the Prophet, Uncle Severus. She knows Father is on the docket for probation when the Wizengamot meets in February. She said I had no right to 'use' her for political influence."

"And you were unable to convince her of your 'sincere intent' to support the Headmaster?"

That stung. "She's known me a long time, you know," Draco snarled defensively. "It's rather like you trying to pull one over on Mum."

Snape made the slightest cringe, and a surge of vindication warmed Draco's chest. "Touche'," said the older man.

"But she's agreed to the dinner, and perhaps once she's all dressed up, I can persuade her to--" Draco stopped in mid sentence when Snape waved his hands impatiently.

"Won't work," Snape said curtly. "The girl's worse than a mule. Once she's decided something, it would take the Imperius to change her course." Draco fingered his wand thoughtfully until Snape yanked it from his hand and slammed it down on the lab bench. "Don't even think about it. No, Draco, leave this to me. I believe I have just the solution."

Draco was curled up on the divan in his pajamas, his Arithmancy text cradled in his lap, when Granger returned from patrol that night. He invited her to sit before the fire with a wave of his hand. She removed her cloak, hung it on the peg by the portrait hole, and took her usual chair. But instead of sinking into it, she sat up straight on the front edge. Her eyes were brighter than usual.

"Something on your mind, Granger?" said Draco, forcing himself to contain a wicked grin.

She wrung her hands briefly. "Well, yes. I, that is... I just thought you should know, I've changed my mind."

Draco raised his brows innocently. "Regarding?"

"The Halloween ball," she said, beginning to blush. "I'd like to go after all. Just for a brief while."

Donning his best come-hither gaze, he shoved the book from his lap. "I knew you'd come to your senses. But I won't have you hanging all over me; you get the first dance and then you'll get in line with all the other witches."

She looked so affronted that he was afraid he'd gone too far. But he laughed, and then she did as well, and for a few seconds it felt like he was with a friend.

"So what really changed your mind?" Draco said.

She hid a shy smile behind her hand. "I'm not supposed to tell. It's a secret."

He nodded slowly. "But you can tell me. I'm all about secrets." She shook her head, but he could see from the glint in her eye that she was dying to tell it. "In two days everyone will know it anyway. I can definitely keep my mouth shut that long. Spit it out!"

It had been so long since he'd seen her really smile, he'd forgotten what it looked like. Or perhaps he'd never noticed before, it was hard to tell.

Despite the fact that they were obviously alone in the suite, she leaned forward into a conspiratorial huddle. "All right," she said in a hushed voice. "I just, um, ran into Professor Snape. He said he'll be at the dance tomorrow."

She paused to glance around, as if there were any chance of being overheard. Draco was growing impatient. "That's the secret? He's a teacher; of course he'll be there to chaperone!"

She leaned even closer. "No, he's not working at the dance. He's going to the dance. As a guest. And he's bringing someone."

Once again Draco found himself on strange and unfamiliar ground. "Snape's got a date?"

Granger's eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets. "Even better. He said he's bringing his wife."

Draco internally chanted every single swear word he knew, and improvised a few new ones. "You're having me on," he finally croaked.

"I'm not! He said it, I swear!"

Mother of Merlin! Draco burst out laughing. "That little bastard."

Granger laughed too. "I know! I wouldn't miss this for the entire world."