Hereby I solemnly swear that I do not own Harry Potter, nor it's characters. Everything belongs to Mrs Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have no intention of gaining any material benefit from this fictional work , never had, never will.
This is an Alternate Universe. Not compatible with the last books. Everybody is alive. Except some people whom I may decide to kill of later. This is fan fiction. I do whatever I wish to do.
+Malfoy! - the Love-Sick Puppy? Ron refuses Hot Chocolate?+
"We almost lost the train, Ron." A slightly irritated boy hissed as they entered the compartment.
"And who's fault is that. Not mine, I tell you. You couldn't keep your hands to yourself! Honestly my sister is mental for being with you. Mental I tell you!" He yelled back with reddening ears, gesticulating madly.
"Do you have any idea what Hermione would have put us through if we didn't get on the Express..."
"Yeah, I know, Harry, she can be quite the terrifying beast."
His friend was frantically winking at him looking behind his back. Harry even tried to discreetly nod in that direction. Of course the red-head didn't even come close to catching the not-so-subtle hints.
"Is something wrong with your eyes, Harry?" He questioned genuinely confused. Harry smacked his hand on his forehead.
"I think what Harry is trying to tell you Ronald Weasley, is that the said terrifying beast stands right behind you." A girl's voice sing sang calmly.
Ron paled and quickly turned towards the voice.
"Her-Hermione. You found our compartment." His eyes wide trying to put on a smile.
"Obviously, Ronald." She looked at him sternly but a smile cornered her lips.
"Now as much as I would like to hear you discuss my temper and such, it would be much wiser for you guys to hug your best friend."
Harry and Ron looked at each other, smirked and both grabbed her lifting her up in the air starting to madly spin while hugging her.
"We missed you, Hermione!" They chanted together.
"Yeah, I missed you too guys. We haven't seen each other... hmm - she hummed pretending to count - for 24 hours."
The boys smiled letting her down gently. The irony of this little act was, that it was quite true. They really did miss each other. When you see Death with your eyes, you cannot come back pretending to not know. Your friends, your family, your love... you fear for them, because you learn that life shouldn't be taken granted. Because it's fragile. They learned it in a way they wished they would never had experienced.
Did every moment count? Definitely. Everybody just wanted to make sure that their loved ones were safe and sound. The wounds were too fresh, the emptiness too numbing.
"My, my Hermione, did you gain a few pounds?" Ron said cheekily while stretching his arms.
She merely gave him an irritated look, sitting down besides him, but turning to Harry.
"Where's Ginny? - she pondered for a moment - Luna and Neville are missing too..."
Harry gave out a big sigh, rolling his eyes. "Neville's frog went missing. Again. The girls went to search for it. Again."
Ron snorted at that.
"Frankly, – Harry continued – I don't think he even brought it with him."
Hermione nodded smiling understandingly. Neville may be one of the most heroic person she knows, but he was still completely lost.
She took out a thick book from her bag: Advanced Alchemy, the next hour she spent reading. Meanwhile, the girls and Neville came back. They were a weird bunch. So different, yet every single one of them was one of the people to whom the Wizarding World owned their lives. They were subjected after their heroics to some serious ass-kissing. High-prestige jobs, money, fame. Anything you could wish for and a whole bunch of things you will probably never want nor need.
'Who needs to finish their education when you killed the Dark Lord' – they said. Hermione almost had a heart-attack every time she heard words like this.
Nevertheless, they needed school. Not for their education, not even Hermione considered it the most important thing in the Universe, but for the experience of it. They were looking forward to a school year when they can finally concentrate only on school life. Simply hanging out without the fear of being constantly in mortal peril.
How relaxing. Hermione thought, vaguely registering her friends discussing the new Honeydukes limited collection. Her eyes were distant, looking at the familiar settings passing by.
They will be the elites of the school. She didn't think this year would be that normal. The only people who were missing from the heroes group were Malfoy and Blaise. Surprisingly, those two played a crucial part in defeating the dark forces. They betrayed everything they were taught to adore. Thanks to them a part of the Death Eaters joined forces with the Light. Thanks to them the other part, the rogue Death Eaters who escaped the Final Battle, were captured quite easily without any casualties. On the Light's part at least.
By no means did they want to become the 'good guys'. At least that's what they claimed.
"We were just born winners." Malfoy exclaimed arrogantly when questioned about their motives.
And thus not only did they destroy Voldemort, but they captured all the remaining Death Eaters too. Ironically, the Malfoy and Zabini family with their pureblooded inbreeding and all, gained never-before seen power and fame.
Fame she pondered fame won by killing. We are all famous because we killed. In a war there are no winners.
"Oi, Mione ! Want some chocolate frogs?" Asked Ron. She snapped out of her reverie.
"Yes. I would like some." She took a frog from Ron, delicately opening it.
"Mione's ain't a jumping one." Ron exclaimed. His smile fell.
"Pity - Luna added - The jumping one's give temporary powers to see the Snorphels."
"Hehe... What exactly are Snorphels, Luna?" Neville asked genuinely interested.
Hermione tuned out again. She really didn't care about the Snorphels or any other imaginary creatures. She was just thankful she didn't have to chew on a moving food.
"By the way, where are Malfoy and Zabini?" Ginny asked.
"Plobably tellorishing shome fisht yearsh." Ron chimed in mouth full of god knows what.
Hermione was about to announce that nobody missed them, when...
The compartment door crashed open.
"Somebody summoned our holy presence?"
Tall, blonde and a nasty smirk showing he is too arrogant for his own sake.
"Malfoy." Hermione spat like it was some sort of plague.
"Yes, my love?" he sing sang in saccharine tone squeezing himself between Ron and Hermione.
She merely rolled her eyes turning away from him, proceeding to look out on the window once again.
The others greeted them a bit more enthusiastically.
The other 'holy presence', Blaise, seated himself next to Ron putting his arm on the boys shoulders. Since the end of the war he showed an unnerving interest in the red head.
"How have you been, Ronnie boy?" The boy looked at him with a sparkling smile, his black eyes shining affectionately.
Ron looked very flustered. Beat red he tried to squeeze out of the black boys' embrace.
Malfoy mimicked his friend's actions and put a hand around Hermione's shoulder. She jumped at the touch.
"Malfoy - she said threateningly - get your blasted paws off me!" He said nothing, instead he turned to her and moved his face closer trying to give her a kiss on her cheek. Abruptly she stood up her face flaming in anger.
"I think this compartment is too small for us!" With this she swiftly turned around and went for the door. But a hand engulfed her right wrist pulling it backwards. She stumbled back falling. Preparing herself for a cruel collision with the floor, instead … it was a cruel collision with Malfoy's lap.
"You see, Princess? - he said embracing her from the back, snuggling to her - We have plenty of space here." He continued smirking unpleasantly.
Hermione was so angry she felt like exploding. Why was this happening to her. And what the heck was his problem. She could feel her eye twitching rhythmically.
"MALFOY!" she screeched as she was trying to rid herself from his touch. "What's it with you? You freaking pervert! Unhand me NOW."
The others were watching the scene bemusedly. The Slytherin boys have obviously gone mad. Blaise was now playing with a lock of Ron's hair, trying to capture his hand to entwine it with his own. He was unashamedly hitting on Ron, who was almost on the verge of tears. Was he not so preoccupied, he might have challenged Malfoy to a duel, defending Hermione's honor. However, at the moment he had to defend his own sanity, and more so, if things continued at this rate, even his own virtue. Trying unsuccessfully, so far, to get out of the perverted Slytherins embrace.
"ZABINI! Will you just leave me alone! I don't know what your problem is, buddy. But I certainly am in no mood for a ROMANCE!" He screamed the last part. "So stop PLEASE - he said strangling - stop hitting on me!"
"Hitting on you?" He asked innocently black eyes widening.
"Yes." Ron said through his teeth.
"Awww... - he fluttered his eyelashes, stroking with his long, graceful index finger the red head's freckled nose – I am so happy you accepted my feelings."
Ron started choking loudly from shock while a sympathetic and awfully caring Blaise rubbed his back.
Meanwhile, Hermione was frantically searching for her wand. Oh no it's in my bag. Where's my bag? Where's my bag? Ugghh!
"Guys help me. Please." She begged.
"Yeah, guys why are you just sitting there while we are assaulted by these horny idiots?" Ron chimed in, Blaise's hand still rubbing his back.
The said guys were only amused. Neville looked at first slightly flabbergasted. He wanted to say something, he just had no idea what should be said in a situation like this. Luna seemed to have no interest whatsoever in the unfolding scene. She continued to explain the mating habits of the Forest Snorphels to Neville, who quickly forgot his friends' predicament. He turned to Luna listening about the Snorphels peculiar sex life with a blush on his face. She even started to gesticulate.
On the other hand. Ginny and Harry who were holding hands only smiled. When you are in love your perception of some things grows considerably.
Ginny's smile grew wider. "Inter-house unity." She said simply " You guys should know how important it is." She continued giving a peck on Harry's mouth.
"Right, Harry?" she asked stroking Harry's cheek.
"That's right, Pumpkin." Harry responded leaning into her touch.
"You see dear, even Pothead approves." His smirk becoming vicious.
My Goddess I swear one day I'm going to wipe that smirk off with a hot iron.
Hermione had enough.
"Malfoy. Have you gone mental? Don't you have anything better to do? Like torturing someone?"
"Anything else pales compared to time spent with you." He shifted a bit docking a blow from Hermione's elbow.
"I can postpone my habitual Showing-My-Superiority Session only for you, my love!" He told her winking.
"Is that so?- she said successfully hitting him with her elbow this time. He didn't even flinch. "Then how come you're wasting your precious time with a filthy little Mudblood?"
All eyes were on the pair. Conversation ceased. She felt him stiffen beneath her. Finally a blow that hit home - she thought. His grip on her eased. Perfect. She hit him again disentangling herself. Finally, able to get up she turned, grabbed her book and hit him soundly on the head. Then she grabbed his arm pulling it with all her might. Surprisingly, it was easier then she thought. She pulled so hard he landed soundly and ungracefully on his butt on the floor.
A loud laugh erupted and soon everybody was laughing so hard they almost rolled out of their seats.
Hermione only huffed, her face flushed and with as much dignity as she could muster she seated herself on her old place.
That will teach him a lesson. She mused defiantly looking in his eyes with a triumphant smirk. She almost felt bad for him as she saw hurt crossing his stormy eyes. But guilt was quickly subdued by annoyance as he started whining.
"Heeer-miooo-neee! You are so mean to meee! Why are you so mean?" He said crawling on the floor in front of her.
He's covering it up. It was kind of a low hit.
She rolled her eyes huffing indignantly.
Ignore the guilt. He made you look stupid too.
She wanted to resume her reading but just as she was opening the thick volume, she felt hands embracing her right leg.
"Malfoooy" - she hissed. "Let go of my leg!" She emphasized the last word with a kick.
After minutes of kicking and screaming she was sure the boy would have bruises on his entire body. She stopped, seeing his persistence. He was still embracing her leg. Not an inch did he move despite all her efforts.
"Fine! Then stay there!" She looked at him seeing a brilliant smile on his face.
"Thank you, my lady!" He said smiling ever so brightly.
She opened her book once again. But it seemed like the words were jumping out of her vision.
What is this guy thinking. He has been like this ever since the Celebration Ball. Dropping lewd hints and touching my arms subtly. But never before have I seen him this insane.
He's gone mad. I'm positive he's gone bonkers! Why is he embarrassing himself. He surely cannot like me. I knew the war changed everybody, but this... this needed psychological help. Or maybe he was just bored, Perhaps this is sort of an amusing game for him. Something to pass his time. Maybe he was bored of all the women who threw themselves at him and he needed a new hobby. It seems like this hobby was me. Or making fun of me. She thought bitterly looking at him.
He was crawling on her rubbing his face to it like a bloody cat. He softly hummed some sort of tune. It sounded like a lullaby. Oddly familiar.
Hermione concentrated with all her power on reading her Alchemy text. Luna was still on the Snorphel Sex chapter. Neville was still blushing. Ginny and Harry have disappeared.
They probably won't come back only before we reach Hogwarts - she thought.
Ron so happy that there was more space, he didn't even care his sister and his best friend were away doing who knows what. He seated himself on the other side now facing Blaise who was between staring at him insistently and occasionally winking at him.
Time passed. She felt Malfoy stop his rubbing motions. The humming also ceased. She looked at him. He was fast asleep. She tried to move her leg but he still had a firm grip on her.
How he can sleep in a position like this is a mystery to me.
"Puppy." She muttered. More like "Stupid dog!" she looked out the window watching twilight setting on the country side.
Definitely not a normal year.
Preview from the next Episode:
"Blaise - he said looking seriously to the boy - you should be more subtle. The art of wooing is a really delicate one. Look at me and Hermione, for example – he looked lovingly at the bushy haired witch. We take things slowly."
"You're an idiot, Malfoy" she retorted angrily. "You wouldn't know anything about how to seduce a girl even if it hit you in the face!"
"You seem to hit me a lot - he said walking to her. He moved closer towering over her. He moved even closer. His face a few inches apart from hers - Does that mean I already seduced you?"
Tune in with the next episode: +Malfoy! - Prince of Fools! Ron has a Bed Intruder?+
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