Dear Miss Granger,
I must present my deepest regrets in the passing of your parents so suddenly. I understand now, that law enforcement officials will not allow you to stay in your house without a legal guardian to watch you.
You now have a decision to make. You can gather your things, and move to the Order Headquarters after the funeral, or you may choose to spend the remaining summer vacation at Hogwarts.
I'm not going to the funeral…Hermione thought.
You should know, however, if you choose the latter, that other students now are staying at the school. Students in which, I assume, you are not very fond of and have had your differences at times.
Malfoy…excellent…
I await your response by the owl provided, and must again express my sincere condolences.
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Albus Dumbledore'
Hermione Granger dropped the letter on her bed next to her trunk. She continued packing her books and quills, relieved now that she didn't have to explain anything to her friends.
Sorry guys...she thought as she quickly folded her school robes and threw them in her trunk. I really don't want your pity right now.
Hermione began rolling up a long sheet of parchment, and in doing so glanced at herself in the mirror. She tied the roll and placed it in her trunk and then turned back to the floor length mirror hanging on her wall.
She walked up to it, touchy the smooth, glass surface. This wasn't her. This couldn't be the Hermione Granger everyone knew and expected back at Hogwarts.
She had gotten a bit taller. She had thinned, probably due to the recent increase in stress. Her hair was black and straight, thanks to the new shampoo she used, and about half a foot past her shoulders.
She had gotten curvier, and started wearing makeup (dark makeup), not that it had helped her much this past week. She had paled. It was more visible with her dark clothes.
The lack of sleep and self mind-torture had taken quite a toll on the meek little bookworm that everyone knew.
A knock at the door drew her out of her thoughts, and she rushed downstairs to greet her visitor.
A tall, old man, with brilliant white hair and a long white beard, wearing black robes and a purple cloak stood in her doorway. His face was gentle, his old age etched in every line, every wrinkle, but still he refused to give up his job as Headmaster of Hogwarts, or any other title. His eyes twinkled, as they always did, with warmth and friendliness, and he was smiling.
If he was surprised or appalled at the state of Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore sure didn't show it.
"Professor!" Hermione gasped. "What are you doing here?" she asked, shocked at her quick rudeness to her Headmaster. "I mean, come in!" she side stepped and allowed him to enter her home.
"Hello Miss Granger. Fine day today." He replied almost business-like as he passed through the doorway.
"Please, sit down." Hermione pointed to a couch in her living room next to the fireplace and had a seat in one of the chairs across from it.
Dumbledore complied with her request, and gazed at the lamp on the table next to him intently, as if studying it. "I'm here to take you to Hogwarts."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "How did you know I was going?"
Dumbledore's fixed smile widened. "I always know, remember?"
Hermione smiled. "Would you like some tea?"
"That would be splendid, thank you."
Hermione quickly got up and bustled into the kitchen, putting a kettle on the stove and gathering cups and tea bags.
"I say," she heard Dumbledore marvel from the next room. "How does this muggle contraption work?"
Hermione glanced in the room and saw the wizard gazing again at the lamp next to him. As she walked back to the stove she raised her hands and gave two crisp claps.
The lamp must have turned on, because moments later Albus Dumbledore could be heard gasping and then laughing. "What a marvelous invention!" he called to her.
Hermione returned to the living room with two mugs of hot tea and a plate of scones and Dumbledore promptly offered her a lemon drop.
"No thank you." She replied.
He smiled. "They never do…" he muttered almost to himself. "Now, to business." Dumbledore straightened up, as if speaking business matters with the Pope of Italy.
"I understand you do not plan on attending the funeral?"
Hermione opened her mouth to ask how he might have known this, but on a second thought decided she didn't really want to know.
"That's correct. Yes, Professor."
"Then we will leave at once! That is, as soon as I finish my scone."
---
Swirling. Everything turning around her. There wasn't that must around her. Hermione sneezed. Then sneezed again. Swirling, spinning, turning, churning. Sneeze, sniff, sneeze. Finally it stopped.
Everything stopped moving and Hermione fell out of the Albus Dumbledore's fireplace place, closely followed by her trunk that seemed fit to land on top of her.
Ouch.
"Bloody hell!" she muttered, pushing the crate off of her. One good thing about wearing all black, it can't get all sooty.
Hermione had been so disoriented immediately after flooing that she hadn't noticed the peals of laughter coming from the office door.
Of course, there to witness her gracelessness was Draco Malfoy, accompanied by Blaise Zabini and another Slytherin she didn't recognize.
"Shove it, Malfoy." She hissed.
"Ooh…" he feigned fright, "the mudblood's mad at me!"
Hermione herself was about to say something she, months earlier, would have strongly disapproved of, but the second she opened her mouth, Dumbledore could be heard flooing into the room.
"Miss Granger, you know Draco Malfoy."
"I know him." She growled, staring him down fiercely.
"Blaise Zabini and Xavier Darnel." Albus continued, pointing to each student in turn. "I trust I'll have no problems between you four?" It wasn't a question.
"Yes Professor." They chorused.
"Then you may all go. Your trunk has been taken to your dorm already, Miss Granger."
They all exited the office, and Malfoy waited until the gargoyle had jumped back into place to say anything to Hermione. "Why the makeover, Granger?"
"Buzz off." She replied, walking in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
Malfoy cut her off. "Surely you don't think you look better that way?" When he received no response he added "Not that you looked good in the first place, or anything, but I suppose the makeup does help."
Hermione stopped and stared at Malfoy in disbelief. Did he just compliment me??
"I mean with that on, well, it hides that hideous face of yours. You've gotten skinnier too. Tell me, did you throw up after meals, or just stop eating altogeth—"
Malfoy didn't have a chance to finish his statement as a resounding crack filled the hallways.
"Shut it." Hermione hissed.
"Make me, mudblood." Hermione raised her hand again but Malfoy caught it this time. He yanked her towards him, so there wasn't but two inches space between them. "You will never touch me again, Granger. Do you understand me?" he snarled.
A minute passed in silence. Then another. For a moment Draco and the others thought she was going to apologize. And in that moment of assuming, Malfoy let down his guard, and Hermione spit directly in his eye.
The next moment was a bit of a blur. Malfoy dropped her wrist and clutched his face like it was on fire, while Hermione kneed him in the groin, Blaise and Xavier scowled at Hermione, but were visibly holding down laughter, and Hermione touched Draco's shoulder gently and whispered, "I'll have to get that leg removed, after having it there." Then swiftly turned and walked away.
---
Ice, ice, need ice!!! Draco stumbled through the hallways to the Slytherin common room in a rage, resisting the urge to turn around and find the mudblood that kneed him in the groin and teach her a sweet lesson.
If I ever catch Granger off guard I swear to Merlin I'll—"Best blood."—tear her to pieces! I'll rip her throat out and make her eat it! I'll gut her and hang her by her innards! The stupid mudblood! How I'd like to—"Hey Malfoy, feeling better?"—shred that soft, delicate skin! Kill her! I can't wait to—"Fine." Malfoy growled.—blow her to pieces after she watches her precious friends die slowly at my hand!
Draco Malfoy collapsed in the chair next to the fire place, wincing ever so slightly at Xavier's malicious grin. Bonds among Slytherins were tight, when a friendship could be found, but that didn't stop the best of friends from kicking each other while they were down.
"Stupid mudblood." Draco muttered, mostly to himself.
"If she bothers you that much, go find her." Xavier suggested.
"What are you implying?" Malfoy asked, rubbing his temples with his forefingers.
"I'm implying you one-up Granger. Go find her, hurt her; make her bleed and scream and cry. Make her beg you for mercy." Darnel urged.
"All because she kicked his member?" Blaise asked from the other side of the room, an eyebrow raised.
"Zab's got a point. Besides, I have a strict policy about not hurting girls unless necessary." Malfoy declared.
"I told you no to call me Zab." Blaise called over to him, eyes never leaving his book.
"Sure thing, Bini." Draco emphasized the new nickname. Blaise Zabini sighed.
A few minutes passed in silence and everyone was left to their own thoughts.
Draco stood up abruptly. "You know, I think I will go find Granger."
"Annihilate her!" Darnel exclaimed in a hoarse, rather creepy voice.
---
Hermione walked. And walked. And walked and walked and walked. My, it was a long way from the common room to the Astronomy Tower.
She started whistling. And humming. And finally started singing softly to herself. Then loudly. Loud enough, at least, for a certain blonde Slytherin to track her down.
Hermione suddenly stopped singing. She forgot the lyrics. Silence rang until Hermione remembered the tune and started humming it. Was there a drum in this song? Hermione heard drums. Thump thump thump. No, more like, clomp clomp, pause, clomp. Then she realized. They weren't drums! They were footsteps! Someone was following her.
Oh crap, someone was following her! Someone heard the whistling, the humming—the SINGING! The loud, off-key singing as Hermione belted out words she wasn't quite sure were even in the song! She walked faster, finally reaching the stairs to her destination.
She quickly bounded up them, and into the open Astronomy tower.
---
She was easy to find. All he had to do was follow the singing, which was so loud that it seemed to come from every nook and cranny of every wall. Oh yeah, no problem.
He finally arrived at the stairs. He could hear Granger running up them. He followed suite. He came to the door in time to see Hermione Granger standing on the railing and then, pulling herself onto the roof.
Psycho! I wouldn't even try that! But Malfoy had to. If Granger found out he didn't have enough nerve to do it she would know exactly where to go so he couldn't bother her. And that wouldn't be good.
He slowly climbed up onto the railing and turned himself around. He found two grips in the stone above him that Granger must have used. He held to them for life, and slowly pushed himself up.
---
"Ooof!"
"Go away, Malfoy." Hermione didn't even have to turn around to know it was him.
"No such luck, Granger." Draco walked over to where she was and sat down next to her. He had never realized this tower's roof was flat!
"What do I have to do to get you to go away?" she asked him, finally turning her head to meet his gaze.
"Kiss me!" he said wistfully. She knew he was joking.
"You'll be up here for awhile then, Malfoy, if you're going to wait on that."
"Good, more time to bother you, eh?"
"Joy." Hermione took another drag off her cigarette, and exhaled the fumes elegantly.
Wait a minute. Not right. See Granger. See Granger smoke. Smoke, Granger, smoke. "How is this possible?" he asked out loud.
"If you mean the cig, I started shortly after school got out."
"You can't smoke! Put that out!" Draco cried out.
"What's the matter, Malfoy? Does this ruin your outlook on me? Did the perfect Granger and her perfect world bubble just burst before your eyes?"
Draco ignored her sarcasm. "You know, smoking is a bad habit. A Black habit, one might say." He glanced out of the corner of his eye to see if this statement had any affect on her. It didn't.
"Sure, why not?" Hermione took one last drag before dropping the cigarette and grinding it with her foot.
"Is that why you started? Because your beloved Black died? I know that's why you started."
Again, Hermione replied, "Sure, why not?"
Malfoy could have some fun with this.
"Are you having relations with Potter?"
"Sure, why not?"
"And Weasley?"
"Sure, why not?"
"What do you say to a steaming hot orgy with Crabbe, Goyle, and Millicent Bulstrode?"
"Sure, why not?"
Draco asked a number of questions before this game got old. "This is boring now. Can I bum a smoke?"
Instead of replying, Hermione sighed and fished in her purse for her pack of cigarettes.
"Got a light?" he asked, his words slightly slurred with the cigarette in his mouth.
Hermione took out her lighter.
"What's that?" Draco inquired, pointing to the lighter.
"It's a lighter, jumbuck. Used for lighting things on fire? Bloody hell Malfoy, didn't you take Muggle Studies?"
"Why can't you just use your wand?"
Hermione snorted. "If you want to use something as powerful as that to light a cigarette, be my guest, ferret. Frankly I'd like to see what would happen."
"What was that you just called me?"
"Fer-ret." Hermione said slowly, emphasizing each syllable. "Don't you remember fourth year?"
Draco scowled. "I didn't mean that. I meant that buck thing. What's it mean?" He asked suspiciously.
"Jumbuck. And I'm not telling."
"Why not? I want to know what it means!"
"Well that's just too bad for you, isn't Malfoy?"
Malfoy let something like a low growl emit from his throat before sighing. "Can I ask you something?"
Hermione cocked her head to one side, as if contemplating the question; her brows were furrowed as if deep in thought. "Umm…no." And with that she got up and slid down into the room below them, leaving a frustrated Draco Malfoy on the roof, too afraid to try to get down.
---
Too many questions; enter retreat mode. Hermione's brain commanded. Her body did what it was told and gracefully slid off the roof to the room below it.
That was strange. He was being somewhat…friendly… Hermione shuddered so hard she nearly fell head first down the steps.
Hermione didn't like questions. Questions could be dangerous. Sure it started as 'Can I bum a smoke?' but even questions as simple as that can lead to more questions like 'Why are you here?' and 'How did your parents die?' And questions like that were forbidden. No one could know.
---
Draco finally built up enough nerve to try and get off the roof. He was successful. Granger didn't want him to know something. Big revelation, there's tons of stuff girls don't want boys to know.
Malfoy made his way to the library, the next probable place to find Granger. He didn't know why, but he really felt like bugging her today. He was in luck.
Hidden at the back table in the corner of the library sat Hermione, hunched over a book, her nose about two inches from the surface.
"Hey mudblood."
"What, ferret?"
"What's a jumbuck?"
Hermione sighed and pushed her book away. "Get to the point and tell me why you're here, because I know that's not the reason."
Malfoy sat down across from her. "Why are you at Hogwarts early?"
"Why are you at Hogwarts early?" she repeated.
Malfoy's jaw set and his eyes went cold. "My business is none of yours, mudblood." He hissed.
Hermione smirked. "My business is none of yours, ferret."
"Stop that!"
"Stop what, jumbuck?"
"Stop repeating me!" Malfoy insisted.
"You stop repeating me.""Enough."
"Enough." Hermione mimicked.
"Cut it out, why are you here?"
Hermione stood and entered one of the aisles, searching for a book. "It was here, or the Order Headquarters."
Malfoy followed her. "So why didn't you go spend the summer with your little friends?"
"You're insanely nosy, has anyone ever told you that, ferret?" Hermione sighed, pulling a book off the shelf and started flipping through the pages.
"I know. Answer me."
"I don't have to."
"C'mon."
"Why do you want to know so badly?" Hermione cried exasperatedly. "Why do you need to know why I chose the school over my best friends, even when I knew you were here?"
"You—you knew I was here?"
"Dumbledore sent his warnings." She replied coolly."So why did you pick me over them?"
Hermione looked up from the book "Because, Malfoy, I didn't want people asking me questions. I figured if I came here, you tease and annoy the hell out of me, but you don't give a damn about me so you wouldn't care why I was here; all you would care about was having someone to torture all summer. I guess I figured wrong." Hermione shoved Muggle Slang Dictionary into his hands and he glanced down at the page.
"Jumbuck." He muttered, and then called to Hermione's retreating figure, offence in his tone, "I'm not a sheep!"
---
So she can't go out tonight again
Her sister's sick, she's gotta baby-sit
Yeah, that sounds like a pretty good excuse
Now you didn't hear any of this from me
But things aren't always what they seem
Brace yourself, this may come as a shock to you
Hermione sang. In her head this time. She loved this song. Guys just didn't seem to understand that…
Girls lie, too
We don't care how much money you make
What you drive or what you weigh
Size don't matter anyway
Girls lie, too
Don't think you're the only ones
Who bend it, break it, stretch it some
We learn from you
Girls lie, too
We can't wait to hear about your round of golf
We love to see deer heads hanging on the wall
And we like Hooter's for their hot wings too
Other guys never cross our minds
We don't wonder what it might be like
How could it be any better than it is with you
Hermione wished she had her guitar with her at Hogwarts. She loved to play. She could play virtually any muggle song, and could sing almost all of them perfectly.
Yeah, girls lie, too
We always forgive and forget
The cards and flowers you never sent
Will never be brought up again
Girls lie, too
Old gray sweatpants turn us on
We like your friends and we love your mom
And that's the truth
Girls lie, too
Yeah that's the truth
Girls lie, too
No, we don't care how much hair you have
Yeah, that looks good
Comb it over like that
Hermione's favorite part, the end. She spoke the last verse out loud, and then proceeded to growl.
"What the--!"
"Malfoy!" Hermione spun around and glared at him.
"What the bloody hell was that?!?"
"Go away. I was singing."
"No, Granger. I heard your singing, remember? And that unholy sound right there wasn't singing."
"Go. Away. Malfoy."
"Don't you love me anymore?" He asked in a small voice, feigning sadness.
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.
She hadn't moved two steps before she felt his hand gripping her wrist tightly.
"Let go." She demanded.
"Turn around.""I said let go." Hermione tried to rip her wrist free.
"And I said turn around." Malfoy hissed in her ear, forcing her around. "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you."
"I'm sorry I've disrespected you, your highness." Hermione apologized, bowing in mockery.
"You had better learn some respect; next time you pull something like that I might not be in such a good mood."
"You want respect from me, Malfoy? Well, you'll get it then! Do me one small favor though, and hold your breath until it happens." Hermione ripped her wrist from Malfoy's slackened grip and turned.
"Wench!"
"Brat." She retorted.
"Mudblood!" At this Hermione turned.
"You want to insult me, Malfoy? You really wanna make me feel like shit? Call me a pureblood next time." And, not responding to any more of his comments, Hermione turned and walked away.
---
She sat there on her bed, contemplating the consequences of her recent, foolish, actions. Things could happen. Bad, bad things. Dumbledore could get very upset. He didn't want this sort of stuff at Hogwarts! Yes, Dumbledore might get so mad he would throw her out of school...or not. She might have opened a porthole to hell for all she knew.
"To hell with it." She finally spoke, releasing her stare and scooping her recently conjured guitar into her arms. Bliss filled Hermione Granger as she strummed the first notes.
"Now, what to play?" she thought out loud. Goodness it was stuffy in her room!
Hermione walked over and opened up her window, letting a cool breeze in. She would have been more comfortable up in the Astronomy Tower, but Malfoy couldn't get her here.
Hermione sat by the window, strumming her guitar, deciding on one of her favorites.
Grew up in a small town,
And when the rain would fall down,
I'd just stare out my window.
Dreaming of what could be,
And if I'd end up happy,
I would pray.
Try not to reach out,
But when I tried to speak out,
Felt like no-one could hear me.
Wanted to belong here,
But something felt so wrong here.
So I'd pray,
I could break away.
Hermione let the music fill her entire being, drowning in the beat of the non-existent drums and bass.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly,
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky,
And I'll make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun,
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Wanna feel the warm breeze,
Sleep under a palm tree,
Feel the rush of the ocean,
Get onboard a fast train,
Travel on a jetplane,
Faraway, and break away.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly,
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky,
And I'll make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun,
I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I've gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Buildings with a 100 floors,
Swinging and revolving doors,
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me.
But I gotta keep moving on moving on,
Fly away, break away.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly,
Though its not easy to tell you goodbye.
Gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun,
But I won't forget the place I come from.
I've gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Break away, break away
She finished, leaning back against the sill and sighing wistfully.
---
Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Xavier Darnel were making music of their own.
Far ahead of Hermione, they had their instruments as well as an amplifier and speakers. All of the electronics were enough to make Hermione want to burn Hogwarts, A History for lying to her.
On the contrary, Malfoy, for once in his life, had been a bit cleverer than Hermione and found a spell, making the instruments work without electricity.
Yes, they had a nameless band. Mind you, it wasn't some pitiful "boy band" coughNSYNCcough!
And, with Malfoy as lead singer (naturally), Blaise on the bass and Xavier on the drums they sound pretty unbelievable.
Draco gave the signal and Xave started up the beat, him and Blaise closely following on guitar. Soon they were singing the meaningful lyrics Draco had recently written.
Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
Cuz inside I realize
That I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Hermione heard them. Long finished with her own song, she had wandered downstairs in hopes of finding the house elves in their usual giving mood.
Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Than anytime before
I have no options left again
She curiously opened the door to the Great Hall, finding more a concert stage than an eating place. Intrigued, she stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame.
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
Cuz inside I realize
That I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
And scarily enough, Hermione understood the lyrics she heard. She wondered then, if Malfoy had been the one to write the words he was currently singing.
His song made perfect sense; it had to be about himself.
I'll paint it on the walls
Cuz I'm the one that falls
I'll never fight again
and this is how it ends
Draco saw her standing there, as did Blaise. Xavier was somewhat caught up in his own world, as he always was whiling playing, and to him the new arrival went unnoticed. Head full of black hair thrashing, he continued to drum.
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity
to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I'm Breaking the habit tonight
Malfoy finished off the last word and the music died, leaving Hermione gaping, absolutely stunned.
"What do you want?" Draco called to her, a bit rudely.
"When did you start a band?" Hermione asked, trying to hide the amusement in her voice.
"What does it matter?" Xavier asked curtly.
"Ever thought about a fourth?" Hermione asked. "Add a girl to the group?"
"Like we'd let you join." Malfoy snorted Blaise laughed.
"Now hold up a bit." Xavier silenced them, then turned to Hermione. "You interested?"
"Xave, she's a Gryffindor." Draco pointed out.
"And I'm a Catholic, big deal." Darnel retorted.
Blaise stood, unresolved for a moment then nodded, jumping down from the stage followed by Xave. "Let's see what ya got."
Hermione made her way up to the stage and walked over to Malfoy, who was still helplessly clutching the microphone.
"Ahem…" Hermione made a fake cough, implying Draco move.
With defeat written across every feature, Malfoy sighed and dropped to the ground next to his buddies.
Hermione picked up the guitar and strummed it, checking the tune. "What do you want?" she asked. "Rock, ?"
"Anything. Play anything."
Hermione took out her wand and waved it, commanding it with her mind to produce the affect of drums and bass guitar for the song she wanted. It worked.
How many times have you told me you love her
As many times as I've wanted to tell you the truth
How long have I stood here beside you
I live through you
You looked through me
Ooh, Solitude,
Still with me is only you
Ooh, Solitude,
I can't stay away from you
How many times have I done this to myself
How long will it take before I see
When will this hole in my heart be mended
Who now is left alone but me
Xave leaned over to Malfoy. "Sad, depressing…I like her style."
Blaise leaned over from the other side of Malfoy and noted, "She's got a perfect voice, the perfect image…"
Malfoy just huffed and rolled his eyes, though, he couldn't honestly say he didn't agree with them.
Ooh, Solitude,
Forever me and forever you
Ooh, Solitude,
Only you, only true
Everyone leave me stranded
Forgotten, abandoned, left behind
I can't stay here another night
Your secret admirer
Who could it be
Ooh, Can't you see
All along it was me
How can you be so blind
As to see right through me
Hermione poured herself into her song, singing with as much soul as she could muster. For some reason she felt the unexplainable urge to prove to Malfoy that she was talented. For some reason, she needed to be in this band.
And Ooh, Solitude,
Still with me is only you
Ooh, Solitude,
I can't stay away from you
Ooh, Solitude,
Forever me and forever you
Ooh, Solitude,
Only you, only true
She finished and silence rang out through the Great Hall. She had done to them exactly what they had done to her: speechless.
"So?" She finally broke the silence.
"So, what? This isn't an audition, we don't need anofer memmmer." Draco's muffled voice sounded from under Xavier's hand, who had promptly placed it there.
"Yes we do." He said quickly. "Don't mind Malfoy, he's an ass."
"O I'm ot!"
Blaise swiftly elbowed Draco.
"If he doesn't want me then I'll leave. I'd rather not waste my time."
"You're not! And he does, he's just too pompous to admit it. Isn't that right Draco?" Xavier added menace to his last words.
Malfoy sighed and nodded. "We want you." He admitted after his face had been released.
"If you're sure…" Hermione offered them another chance to back out.
"We are." Blaise and Xave chorused in a way that made Hermione think of Fred and George immediately.
A pang of something hit her hard. She couldn't tell if she missed them, or was afraid of what Harry and Ron would do when the found out that she had just made somewhat of an alliance with their worst enemy.
Either way, Hermione feared seeing them again.
An alliance was made, and there was no going back now.
---
Well that's part one…whatcha think?
To continue or not to continue, that is most defiantly the question. Major AU huh? Haha, Mione' as a goth…niiice….
Sorry if I offended any Catholics, I really didn't mean anything by it, I'm not biased at all, I was just trying to think of a way for Xavier to make his point and that's the first example that popped into my head.
Well that's that then, all 18 and ½ pages…review please, I'd LOVE to know what you all think!