I found these files deep within my hard drive (these were most likely on my old laptop's hard drive and I copied them over to my new one when it died). It's some of my first fan fiction; the first 5 chapters date all the way back to '07. My young shipper heart was toying with this pairing way back when and I guess I completely forgot about it. From what I read, I believe that this is all happening during OoTP.* The writing was atrocious so I took the time and revamped it a bit. I had so much fun editing this, I think I may just continue but I can't guarantee anything. Also, as far and I can tell, these are chronological so if I do continue this story I'll try and keep up with that.
Since this was some of my first fan fictions, I have a feeling it may closely resemble other authors' works. A thousand apologies in advance if it does; I do not mean to plagiarize their works. These documents are old and the creative parts of my brain were just beginning to work.
*June 8, 2012 I had to make some changes to these first few chapters mid-story in order to get everything to fit my story line. I apologize if you have read this from the start but instead of the gang being in their fifth year, I've changed it so that they're in their sixth. Again, I'm sorry for the abrupt change.
Disclaimer: As much at it disappoints me, I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters although I would very much like to hug Draco and/or Tom Felton.
"Harry," scolded Hermione. "You can't keep letting You-Know-Who into your head." She sat cross-legged in her favorite chair beside the common room fireplace.
"Well, I can't really help it, Hermione," Harry snapped back. He sat slouched beside Ron on the sofa with his arms crossed. "I can't always control what happens if I'm asleep."
"Isn't that the whole point of Occlumency lessons?" Hermione said looking up from the book spread open on her lap.
"Snape isn't the most patient and he's done nothing but yell at me. He actually told me to leave last time."
"Well," Ron said stretching out his legs in front of himself," Snape isn't the most cheerful bloke, mate. I think Mad-eye is more pleasant."
"Can we just stop talking about this, please?" said Harry sinking further into the cushion.
"No, we can't." Hermione snapped her book shut. "You've been so tired and worn down lately, Harry. You've even fallen asleep in class."
"I really don't see how falling asleep in class is horrible," Ron said rolling his head back. Hermione shot him a threatening look that could rival his mother's and it made him sit bolt upright. "It's no different than when we sleep through Divination. Beside, Hagrid completely understood why Harry fell asleep."
"That's not the point, Ron. Harry is deprived of sleep. It's affecting his focus and more than likely affecting his ability to keep out You-Know-Who."
"Can't you make up a sleeping draught or something?" Ron asked thoughtfully.
"I've already tried," Hermione said down-heartedly. "There's potions that can help him fall asleep but nothing that can keep Harry's mind closed for sure. Besides, I don't have access to half of the ingredients, even if I nicked them from Snape's stores."
"Clearly you two aren't going to stop talking about this," Harry said getting up from his seat. "I'm going to bed. You coming, Ron?"
"Yeah, I'll be up in a bit."
Harry shuffled to the stairs that led up to the boys' dormitories.
"I really am worried about him, Ron," said Hermione in a hushed tone.
"I am, too, but Harry's stubborn. Almost as stubborn as my mum and that's saying something." Ron stood up and stretched. "I'm going up to bed. You should, too."
"I will," Hermione replied as she opened her book once more. "I just have to read the end of this chapter."
"Alright, then," Ron shrugged. "G'night, Hermione."
"Night, Ron." Hermione look down at her book once more but found that she could not focus. Maybe it was the warm glow of the fire or perhaps the steady rainfall outside the window but either way she could not seem to bring her attention to the pages before her. She shut the book and sighed.
Hermione was also tired but for a completely different reason. She had spent the last few nights tossing and turning in her bed dreading the thought of the Charms assignment Professor Flitwick was going to assign the following day. Hermione knew she could finish the assignment perfectly but Professor Flitwick said that they were to be working in pairs. To prevent distraction, Professor Flitwick was going to assign the pairs. Naturally, Ron and Harry groaned in disappointment but Hermione was actually dreading the assignment.
Shaking those thoughts out of her head she scooped up her bag and the remainder of her books. Once up in the girls' dormitory she changed into her pajamas and climbed into her bed drawing the thick scarlet curtains close behind her in hope that, if only for a few hours, she could shut out the rest of the world and her thoughts.
…
The following morning at breakfast, only Ron appeared well-rested. He ate his eggs, potatoes, and bacon with zeal and drank at least a quart of orange juice before realizing that his friends had hardly touched their food. When he asked why they were not eating, Harry and Hermione replied, in unison, that they were simply not hungry. Ron shrugged and continued shoveling forkfuls of egg into his mouth.
Harry picked at his porridge while Hermione continued swirling her spoon around in her coffee. Finally, Hermione drained her cup and grabbed her books.
"Let's go before we're late for Charms," she said to the boys. Ron grabbed two slices of toast, shoved one in his mouth and one into Harry's hand urging him to eat.
"At least eat this, Harry," Ron said with a mouthful of toast. "Can't have you fainting now, can we?"
"Thanks," Harry muttered and the trio made their way out of the Great Hall and to the staircase.
"You look a little better today," Hermione said to Harry as they waited for the stairs to change. "Still a little pale but better. Did you sleep well?"
"I slept through the night," Harry replied through a yawn, "But I'm still exhausted. I don't know how I'm going to make it through to Occlumency tonight. Maybe I can get Fred and George to give me a Puking Pastille." Harry looked to Hermione for a reaction but he did not receive a scolding. Hermione was too lost in thought and worrying about who she would be paired with.
This year's Charms class was shared with Slytherin. Hermione had endured countless sneers and pointing fingers but she hoped and prayed that she would not be paired with one of them. She silently begged to be paired with Parvati Patil or Lavender Brown. She would settle for working with Seamus or Dean although Seamus still could not shake his nasty habit of setting things on fire. Working with Harry or Ron was out of the question because either of them would end up pushing the work into her hands. She walked the rest of the way to class in the same dazed stated and took her seat in the middle row of desks. She could barely stop worrying while Professor Flitwick lectured on the correct usages of the different unlocking charms.
Near the end of class, Professor Flitwick adjusted himself atop his small stack of books behind the podium and waited for the class to be silent. He tapped his wand on a piece of parchment that lay on the podium and cleared his throat.
"Now," Professor Flitwick began in his little voice," I will place you into pairs for your latest assignment. You and your partner will be researching one of the Paired Charms we have been studying meaning you will research the reverse charm of your partner. Now, let us begin. Please stand so that you may join your partner" He cleared his throat again and began pairing off the students. "Mr. Potter, you and Miss Patil will be researching the Summoning Charm and the Repulsion Charm." Harry stood up and went to join Parvati on the other side of the room.
That leaves me with Lavender, Seamus, or Dean, Hermione thought to herself.
"Mr. Crabbe, you and Mr. Finnigan will be working together on the Reparation Charm and Destruction Charm. Miss Brown, you and Mr. Thomas will be working together…" Hermione had stopped listening. She panicked that her ideal partners had all been paired off. "Miss Granger," Professor Flitwick half-squeaked which brought Hermione back to her senses. "You will be working with…" Please don't say it, Hermione thought. "...Mr. Malfoy on the Conjuring Charm and Vanishing Charm."