Like that was even possible.
Not her bowl of soup. Sure they were all entertaining. But they were fictions. Enjoy the book, don't drool over them. Living in a dreamland, with falsified illusions built up would do no good.
"I totally love the book! It's absolutely delectable!"
Hermione let out a noisy breath of exasperation which stopped Lavender just a bit. With a small tilt of her head, Lavender raised her perfectly done eyebrow to give Hermione a withering look.
"Um, what is it?" she asked looking confused.
Without a word Hermione looked at the clock pointedly. Bemused still, Lavender followed her line of vision and her eyes widened dramatically followed by hysterical giggles.
"Merlin! I swear it was like twelve o' clock just seconds ago! Hermione! You aren't meaning to pull any dirty tricks right? I mean…." she trailed off with the giggle.
Hermione answered with a small yawn and shake of her head. Tired eyes begged to shut down for the day but Lavender accompanied with Parvati (who Hermione suspected had long fallen asleep, if the lack of conversation from her side denoted anything) were going on with their 'important conversation' which wasn't helping any.
It was another fifteen minutes before the one side rant of Lavender died down. Lavender was okay, but lately she was having these…giggling fit which, in Hermione's opinion, wasn't all that healthy. With another pat of her pillow and comfortable silence in the dorm Hermione's chocolate eyes closed for a four hour sleep.
Unfortunately things always don't go like planned. The four hour sleep went a little beyond seven hours and Hermione literally fell out of bed. Tangled hair, blood shot eyes, hassled expression was what she wore as she rushed out to get a quick stuffing of breakfast. With the last slice of bread still in her hand she hurried out trying to remember which was the class she had to reach. Was it Potions? No. She couldn't see any fellow classmates on the way to dungeon.
Still preoccupied with her musings, she stopped the running only to check her time table. Her brain drew a blank and her neat scrollings of detailed timetable on the paper didn't help.
What day was this? Slightly puzzled by her own peculiar behaviour Hermione looked around.
She blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Slowly her brows furrowed. A sinking feeling began to fill her as she recognized the missing din of students, footsteps of last minute rushers, and for that matter clinking spoons way back in the great hall.
"Ouch," she swore as the pain of the self inflicted pain, by a pinch, stung, leaving angry red patch on her arm. Her eyes closed as she leaned back against the wall feeling exhausted from all the running. Probably this was one of those 'vivid' dreams and so it all felt too real.
Ten minutes later she was still stood alone with no indication of any waking up. Determined to get through this nightmare or whatever this was Hermione jogged back to her dorm to see if there was anyone, just in case. As predicted there wasn't anyone and Hermione moved out noticing that even the fat lady seemed to be fast asleep and unresponsive.
With a cluck of annoyance Hermione moved on, trying as much as she could to mask the growing panic. She darted forward searching for someone, anyone until she did found someone making her stop a few feet away from the grounds. For there he stood, the very familiar blond, obstructing the light of early morning.
"Malfoy?"
He did not move. But his body stiffened visibly. A small frown was taking its place on his handsome face. Draco Malfoy, for the umpteenth time that day, was nonplussed.
The approaching footsteps seemed like the only sound in the vicinity. Malfoy cringed and slowly turned around.
He wished he hadn't.
It was as though his worst fear was coming true. Stuck with a mudblood! Could there be something more horrific? Just one look at her face made him want to bash her against something. Hard. But he did the one thing which he knew would get to her.
He smirked, that smug smile. It got on her nerves. Just like predicted. Ms. Know-it-all faltered with her face a mask of loathing and fury.
"My, didn't expect that you'd approach me to confess your inferiority. I still won't let you replace my house elf Granger. So there still isn't a vacancy for you,"
With a roll of her eyes she stood with her hands crossed across her chest, "When did I ever give the impression that I'd be begging you for vacancy Malfoy," she spat.
"Pity. I thought you updated yourself Granger. Haven't you been subscribing to The Daily Prophet lately?" he gave her a once over before leaning comfortably against the wall enjoying the humiliation he was causing her.
"That's a whole lot of crap Malfoy, you know it as well as I do."
"I do not think so. Muggle-borns like you are the first victims of the Dark Lord. No one wishes to keep you in employment as you practically attract the death eaters abode. So, when you complete your seventh year of Hogwarts, you'll probably starve, that is if you wish to still stay in this world of us wizards, which for so long has been infected by the likes of you,"
"Or maybe you're just trying to rub it in since it's you who feel inferior Malfoy. After all, you weren't declared as the Head Boy, were you? Or is it because you've never ever managed to beat me in anything?" she snickered with sense of satisfaction as she witnessed the change in his composure, "Or was it the punch way back in the third year? What is it Malfoy? What is it that has made you hate yourself?"
"Nice try mudblood, but as you can see, all those aren't going to change the future. Your future. Future of filthy vermin like you," he spread his hand in mock defeat, "I admit that I do not posses the ability to cram and reproduce bookish knowledge unlike you, but may I remind you that should there be a duel between the two of us, you wouldn't stand a chance?"
Hermione bristled, her face taunt and her hands clenched into a fist.
"Tsk. Did I just hit a nerve?"
"What are you doing here? Where is everybody?" she snapped, no longer keen in this verbal sparing with him.
He shrugged, with an air of indifference, "How am I to know? I am not you Granger. In fact am surprised you haven't figured it out yet. You always have solutions ready, so solve it." The sentence was an overdose of sarcasm and Hermione knew it. Gritting her teeth Hermione started the counting of numbers in reverse order starting from 100.
100.
Breathe.
99.
He's just trying to irk you. Relax.
It took twenty counts before the fake smile was finally back in place. Malfoy watched it all with curiosity but said nothing. He was awaiting her comeback.
"I'm flattered Malfoy. Sometimes I wish there was something I could do to bring you out of your depression of being a loser,"
Malfoy sneered, "Not working Granger," he said inching forward a little threateningly.
Unfazed, Hermione went on folding her arms, "Admit it Malfoy. You're a loser, a wizard who turned into a ferret and has absolutely no self esteem whatsoever. I think you need to meet a healer and undergo some therapy,"
"Shrinks? You must know about them. Frequent visitor?"
"Not at all," she replied coolly giving him a cold stare.
"Thanks for the concern and all that Granger, but I think you're just thinking aloud what you must be doing. And don't thank me for helping you figure that out," he said with a melodramatic gesture of avoiding any appreciation.
Her smile was icy and her glare the likes of a dagger.
"Cut the crap Malfoy and get to the point, why are we the only two inhabitants here,"
Malfoy shrugged, "I don't know but let me assure you I am not enjoying your company,"
"Likewise Malfoy,"
Malfoy looked around thoughtfully pondering over her question before shaking his head. If only he could send a message to his father. But, Lucius Malfoy was still locked up in Askaban.
"Where's Potter? Missing too?" he asked just for the sake of it.
Hermione frowned, "He did not come back to school if you remember,"
"I don't,"
Exasperated now, Hermione rolled her eyes, "Quit the attitude Malfoy,"
"Do I even need to say that I don't have to necessarily do what you say Granger?"
Hermione stared at him before giving up all together. With a shrug she began walking in his direction. Just when he thought she'd punch him, Hermione moved right past him. Breathing a sigh of relief Draco Malfoy followed her outside but didn't peruse her further. There were far more important things at hand which needed to be figured out as soon as possible. Thus irking Granger wasn't an option, however entertaining it may seem.
Had he followed her, he too would have witnessed the spectacular event that followed.
Author's Note: This, in the other site, was two chapters XD but since people complain of the shortness chapters. So I hope you enjoyed the chapter/s .. Hm, OH YEAH! Please review :D All criticisms, or anything you want to say, a little appreciation is allowed too XD