Disclaimer: Only the PLOT belongs to me. Unfortunately none of the character do. They belong to J.K. Rowling. But that's ok because this wonderful website gives me the chance to do things MY WAY!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!
A/N: I know this was supposed to be a one – shot but so many people liked it and I finally got an idea for it that worked with me and the characters. So sit back, relax, and prepare yourself for The Best Day Ever!
Hermione's POV
Yes! The week was finally over! It had been terrible. It started out listening all night to the two blabber mouths I share a room with talk about the stupid ferret that insists on insulting me every chance he gets. And then I found out that everybody was just pranking me about having a Potions test! I studied so hard I thought my brain would explode! And imagine my embarrassment when I ask Snape about the test and he asks me if I'm so eager to prove I'm a Know-It-All that I would make up a test! Then the next day, Harry decided that he wanted to try out a few new spells and ended up giving me the longest beard in the world. After that-
I'm sorry. I'm complaining, aren't I? But yeah, let's just say this has not been my week. I'm currently heading up to my room to try to get some sleep for tomorrow because the boys want to get up bright and early to go see Hagrid before their big Quidditch game against Slytherin. Although it's a wonder I'm still talking to them after that Potions incident. But I guess it was because they started spouting off at the mouth to Snape in my defense that made me forgive them. Or maybe it was the pretty sapphire necklace that they bought for me in Hogsmead. Eh, tomato, tohmato. (A/N: is that how you spell it? Or does it not make any sense at all?)
"Going somewhere, Mudblood?" a snide voice I would know anywhere asked.
"Does it matter to you, ferret?" I retorted, without turning. I'm hoping that if I don't see him, he'll go away and I can pretend it's a bad dream.
"Not in the least," he said, crashing that plan.
"Well, then why the question?" I asked finally turning, setting my glare on him.
"Just trying to make conversation. Is there something wrong with that?"
He was leaning up against a pillar, his mysterious blue-grey eyes only hinted behind the fine blonde hair falling casually into his face. He had that stupid, arrogant, annoyingly sexy smirk plastered to his face. And I can honestly say I hated him with every fiber of my being.
I shrugged, and answered with a simple, yet firm, "yes."
He just smirked. I glared even harder. "Let me ask you a question now, Malfoy. What the heck are you doing this far out by the Gryffindor Common Room? What could possibly bring you this far into the lion's den, you slimy snake?"
His eyes flashed, but only for a moment. "I was looking for you."
I blinked, and then became very suspicious. "Why?" I hissed.
His smirk just grew even wider. "Because you like a challenge. And I have one for you."
I raised an eyebrow. Everyone at this school knew Hermione Granger loved a challenge. They knew that I couldn't resist a battle of wits. I wanted to prove I could do anything. I wanted to set an example that even Muggleborns could perform magic. And I've managed to perform better than almost everyone. The only one that could rival my wits and intelligence was standing right across from me, challenging, taunting me, with that smirk of his. And he knew I would bite the bait.
I straightened my back and raised my head high. "What kind of challenge?"
His danged smirk grew. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. But you just walked into the snake pit, Mudblood. This is something not even you will be able to do."
Suddenly I felt it. The pride in myself that always came with a challenge because there has never been something I couldn't do if I tried. And I loved proving people wrong. I walked closer to him and his smirk faltered. He just stared at me bewildered that I would close the ten feet distance policy that we had somehow silently agreed upon. And when I finally stopped, I was only one foot away. I leered after a minute of silence had gone by. I decided then to show him I could and would do anything. I leaned in super close to his ear and whispered, "What are you waiting for, Malfoy? Tell me what this undoable challenge is. Hit me with your best shot."
I grinned when I heard him gulp and pulled back in time to see a look of confusion and desire leave his face. He seemed to remember who I was and he sneered. And then, just to show me he wasn't afraid, he leaned in very close to me, and hissed, "Don't play with fire, Mudblood. You'll only get burned." I gasped when I felt his tongue sweep the shell of my ear. I heard myself moan before I opened my eyes and yelped. I hadn't even realized that they'd been closed. I jumped back very quickly and when I saw the smug look on his face, I wished I hadn't done that. Now he really thinks I can't do it.
I glared at him. "Whatever, Malfoy. Just because I don't like your tongue in my ear doesn't mean I can't do your challenge. Which you have you have yet to tell me about," I reminded him.
"The challenge is simple, Granger. It's only one task and I'll give you two weeks to get it done," he said, that smirk appearing again.
"Oh?" I asked. "And what do I get if I get it done."
He grinned from ear to ear, like a child who comes down the stairs at Christmas and sees the thing he wanted most in the whole world.
"I love this part, Granger. The loser has to announce to the whole school that they are in love with the other. And we both know how painful that would be. For either of us," he added as an afterthought.
"Okay. What's the challenge?" I asked.
"Simple. You have to get Blaise Zabini to kiss you."
My jaw dropped. "Why the hell would I do that?" It wasn't that I hated Zabini with all my heart like I did with Malfoy. Zabini had never really done anything to me. He just stood in the background. And it didn't hurt that he was the second hottest guy at this school, again only rivaled by ferret boy. But he was still a slimy Slytherin and a definite player at that. The boy was even colder than Malfoy when it came to girls' hearts. He didn't care one way or the other, just as long as he got what he wanted. And I couldn't stand boys like that. Who only thought girls were good for one thing.
"Because. I'm bored and I need some entertainment. And you like a challenge. Everyone knows that Blaise likes to get action, and he would do most any girl. But not you. And not even because of your filthy blood. It's because he can't stand you as Potter's know-it-all best friend. Believe it or not, Mudblood, Blaise hated you even more than I do. He wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole. So with that being said, do you accept? Or not?"
I thought about it for a moment. I couldn't believe that Malfoy would put his best friend up to this, but then again, he was a Slytherin. But the challenge called to me. And I have never denied it. And I wouldn't start now.
"Two weeks to kiss Zabini?" I asked.
"Exactly," Malfoy answered, excitement written clearly on his face.
"Deal," I said, holding out my hand.
"Deal," he said shaking my hand. He then turned and started walking away, but before he got too far, he looked back over his shoulder and said, "Oh, and Granger, when you pronounce your love for me, please do throw in how hot I am and how much you want to shag me."
I couldn't say anything as he turned around again and kept going. I only moved when I heard his laughter completely dissolve. Oh, I would show him. I would kiss Zabini so well, that he would be begging for more. And then I would laugh as Malfoy pronounced his undying love for me in front of everyone. I would show him if it was the last thing I did.
I turned and started walking to the Common Room again. I will show him that you don't mess with the lioness.
A/N: So what do you think? I think I'm gonna make it into a novel. And thank you elfling 14 for the idea of pranking Hermione. I absolutely loved it. And if anyone wants something thrown in, just pitch me your idea and I'll consider it. Thank you so much for reading and let me know what you think!
