Harry Potter and the Prince of Slytherin

"Maybe what?" Hermione asked looking at Draco who seemed to be in a daze. Her voice woke him up as he looked back at her.

"Nothing, where was I?-- oh yes, the Kelpies." Draco said ignoring Hermione's suspicious gaze, "The well was something out of the ordinary."

"What was there?" Hermione asked curiously as it was rare for Draco to not expect things.

"The well was far deeper than I expected it to be, in fact, there was a whole room down there." Draco said, "It was quite beautiful, to be honest. There were huge statues of the founders but I didn't really have the time to check it out."

"Must be one of the secret rooms then... Hogwarts has never lacked one." Hermione said, "So what about your cut, how did that happen?"

"I don't know. I was too busy being chased by the kelpies." Draco said trying to shorten the conversation but seeing Hermione's gaze he continued, "I did find their nest and..."

"And?"

"And I might have taken it away to make them chase me and follow me inside the suitcase."

"Sigh! Why go through all the trouble." Hermione said shaking her head with her arms crossed, "Didn't you say you bought the couple of animals you have here, why can't you do just the same. I am sure buying would be easier and safer than what you're doing."

"I could but I am glad I didn't do that." Draco said, "The room was worth looking at and the kelpies well... the potion which polluted the well had already killed the rest of them leaving the only two of them alive. If I hadn't gone there, I am sure they would be all gone by tomorrow."

Hermione stayed silent when at that moment someone started knocking on the door. Draco got out to find that it was one of the elves who did it.

"I am sorry, master." The elf bowed, "I didn't know you were here."

"It doesn't matter." Draco shook his head, "Go over to the new pond and check on the kelpies there, they were in a polluted source of water before and I am sure they are weak. Go look over them and take this potion with you-- make sure to drop a spoonful of it every day in the water."

"Yes, master." The elf nodded and took the potion as it quickly went away.

"What was that?" Hermione asked looking at the elf's back.

"A house elf." Draco said, "They sleep during the day as I stay here most of the nights so it's hard to find them this time around. They usually take care of the animals here since I don't really have the time to handle them myself."

Hermione nodded as she sighed, "I can't really understand all this." She looked at Draco with a bitter smile, "The more I try to understand the wizarding world the complicated it seems to be. The studying and me trying to better my spells aren't really working wonders. I don't know why but I tend to freeze up, every time something bad's going to happen. I am good at spells, I know I am but what's the point in learning it, if I can't use it when I am in trouble."

Draco walked up to Hermione and pulled her into a gentle hug. He slowly caressed her bushy brown hair. Hermione didn't fight back as she enjoyed Draco's warmth and relaxed her head on his chest. Since the current Draco was quite taller than her it felt a bit awkward at first but she quickly got used to it.

"Don't think too much about it." Draco said, "You're one of the smartest witch I've ever met. If I was in your shoe, I am certain I wouldn't be able to do anything that you are doing right now. People call me a genius but I am really not one. All I did was take control of the resources which I had from the moment I was born, if you were born in the same environment as me, I am sure you would be able to do much more."

"Why are you so nice to me?" Hermione asked.

"Oh! Why wouldn't I be?"

"I am serious." Hermione said, "I know myself better than anyone. Every step of the way I am doubting you and when you do something amazing, I feel jealous wishing I could do that. Don't say that you don't know about it because I know you do."

"I am nice to you because I know that you doubting me is because you care." Draco said softly, "As for your envy, I guess that's just your personality I've to deal with and to be honest, it's interesting that you want to compete against me and not follow me blindly like everyone else. I guess that's what makes you different from the rest and makes you stand out. But even with all that I know, you'll always have my back."

Hermione didn't say anything as she smiled brightly holding Draco closer.

"And as I told you before, don't be in a hurry to fight. Learning is the most important part and I know you're very good at that" Draco continued, "As for the fights, you just need practice. Like take me for example, I have been practicing magic from a young age especially dueling which has made me adjusted enough to think straight in a time of need."

"Dueling huh... we should involve that in our club." Hermione said, "You could teach me and the others how to fight."

"Yeah about that..."Draco went on to explain Hermione about him leaving for Drumstrang after two months and how he wouldn't be able to stay here and teach them.

"Is it necessary for you to go there?"

"Yes, There are a lot of questions that I want the answers to." Draco said as he looked at Hermione who wasn't giving him the doubtful questioning look as always, "...Aren't you going to ask what answers am I looking for?"

"Would you tell me if I ask?--You are the one who's always telling me to trust you and that's what I am doing right now." Hermione said as she looked up at Draco, "Just don't break it, okay?"

"Okay." Draco smiled as he slowly bought his face close to her and kissed her forehead, which made Hermione blush as she quickly pulled back from the hug and started to go on her way about how they needed to get out of the suitcase, in case someones finds it.

Draco just laughed and followed along, as both of them got out of the suitcase.

Getting out Draco saw Hermione who looked shocked and was silent as he was getting out of the suitcase. He looked around to find that he was no longer outside but indoors and inside a very familiar place.

"That... you know this..." Hermione spoke looking at Theodore who was in front from them, trying to think of an excuse for the whole coming out the suitcase thing.

Draco and Theodore looked at each other and laughed. Hermione who quickly understood the situation glared at the two of them and went outside the room muttering about how she wasn't the only one who knew.

"You seem busy." Theodore said with a smirk, "What were you doing?"

"I could ask you the same question." Draco said jumping out of the case, "Where were you all morning?"

"I found a secret passage by accident and was dealing with it." Theodore said, "A waste of time I tell you. The passage was blocked halfway through, I am pretty certain there is a secret room behind it."

"Oh, what a coincidence."

"You found a secret room too?"

"Yeah, inside the well." Draco said, "I am certain, one would never have guessed that there was such a place deep beneath it."

"Why would you?"