Chapter 14: Blood Magic. From The 6th Year Itch on ao3
Amazing art by the incredible ellemisc
After a short crawl at an uncomfortable incline, and Draco grumbling about the ruined state of his trousers, they emerged on a second floor corridor, the main staircase visible and waiting for them at the opposite end.
Hermione dusted off her uniform and started walking when Draco pulled her back into his chest and flattened himself against the nearest wall, her gasp silenced by his palm. With his other hand he drew her attention upwards. She followed his gaze and saw Peeves at the end of the corridor, bobbing against the ceiling, the bells on his hat tinkling sporadically.
“There’s an alcove behind that tapestry, right across from us,” he whispered into her ear. “On my count, we make a run for it.”
Both of their eyes were trained on Peeves’ profile as he bounced something repeatedly against the wall, matching the staccato of their heartbeats.
“One…”
Peeves chased the blob-like object, gliding down the corridor away from where they stood staring with round eyes, bodies frozen of breath.
“Two…”
Peeves’ rotund form continued spinning away from them, giving them his back—
“Three!”
Draco tugged her behind him and she ran, whispering a quick levitation spell to lift the tapestry’s corner upwards, allowing Draco and her to duck into the one-person alcove, undetected.
“The whole castle is awake tonight. So much for your theory,” Draco said, twisting around in the space so they could face each other. And breathe.
“Did we not just crawl through a secret passage?” Her body was jostled into his arms. “How’s that for a deus ex machina?”
“Or whoever used it before us forgot to hide the entrance.”
It took me a while but the next chapters are finally finished. English is not my first language, so I am grateful if you overlooked any spelling or grammatical errors :D
The 6th Year Itch a forced proximity to lovers to partners in crime fic told in three acts. Now complete on ao3! Link (rated E, 56k words)
Moodboard by @nudestockingss
They both walked in late to Herbology, almost running into each other when they tried to enter the greenhouse at the same time. Everyone else was already at their stations, paired up and working. Which is how Hermione found herself partnered with Malfoy.
Summary: Hermione and Draco find themselves getting drawn together, much to their (initial) chagrin. Hermione just wants to get through her classes in peace and Draco won't stop hovering. But when Draco ends up in the hospital wing and Hermione's curiosity grows out of control, they find themselves learning more about each other than they ever thought possible. And as the end of the year approaches, the mystery of what's going on with Draco Malfoy threatens everything.
