AN: Well, now that I covered the background, this is when the story starts to get a bit interesting. Thank you for reading, and enjoy.
Just One Drop
Chapter Two: Here we are now, entertain us
"He keeps staring," Hermione whispered, turning her head so that no one could see the movement of her lips.
"Everyone is staring, get used to it. That's what happens to beautiful people," Ginny said with a small smile.
"Draco Malfoy never stares at girls. Let alone me," Hermione whispered, glancing at Malfoy. He smiled when their eyes made contact, raising his hand in a small wave. Hermione quickly looked back at her food and began to eat her toast.
"He stared at you at the Yule Ball," Ginny reasoned, trying to hide her smirk.
"What are you smirking about?" Hermione demanded irritably.
"Nothing, I just don't get it. You're beautiful and even Ron is appreciating it. What's the problem?"
Hermione touched the smooth skin of her porcelain face, thinking about what Ginny had said. The new hair products did make her hair look nicer, turning the light brown to a rich honey color that made her porcelain face look delicate, like a flower. The moisturizer and face cream that Ginny had talked Hermione into ordering did make her skin glow like a Veela, adding to her delicate beauty.
"Hermione, you didn't put on your lipstick this morning," Ginny said, rummaging in her book bag.
"Ginny, I really don't see the need," Hermione said politely, not having much liking for the stuff.
"It's okay, this one is a lot lighter than the ones I had you try the other day. I think the lighter color will go along with the whole delicate flower look you got going on. This lipstick is made by Muggles so it won't last that long," Ginny said as she began to apply the lipstick to Hermione's full lips.
"Look at yourself!" Ginny encouraged. "The color is called Pink Hermosa. Hermosa is Spanish for beautiful and it is certainly beautiful on you! Go one, look at yourself," Ginny said again before turning back to her food.
Hermione reached into her book bag and pulled out a hand sized mirror. For the first time in her six years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione Granger had a mirror in her book bag. She felt ridiculous and conceited as she looked at her reflection, seeing the way the Pink Hermosa lipstick looked natural on her lips, as if she wasn't wearing lipstick at all.
Despite herself, Hermione smiled over at Ginny before shoving her mirror back in her book bag. "Well, I have to go to Arithmacy," Hermione said as she began to stand up. As Hermione picked her book bag up, one of the straps ripped. "Oh damn," Hermione muttered, fishing in her bag for her wand.
"I can't find my wand!" Hermione whined as she searched through her bag.
"Why not?" Harry asked, standing up to help Hermione.
"I put an undetectable expansion charm on my bag so I can fit all of books in at a time!" Hermione said.
"I'll fix it for you," Ron said, pulling out his wand.
"Rapero," Harry said with a wave of his wand before Ron could do it.
"Harry!" Ron complained, playfully pushing his best friend.
"You two are so silly. Can someone please summon my wand?" Hermione asked as Ron and Harry continued to play around.
While everyone was distracted, Ginny quickly took out the flask of love potion and poured the remains of it in Ron's pumpkin juice. The young Weasley quickly stowed the empty flask in her book bag as Ron summoned Hermione's wand for her. Ginny looked off to the side as Ron and Harry sat back down, humming to herself.
"Well, I'm off to class!" Hermione said as she picked her book bag up.
"Don't go yet, we still have fifteen minutes before class," Ron said.
"Exactly, that's just enough time for me to get ready for class," Hermione said.
"Goodbye Mione!" Ginny said first, Ron and Harry following suit.
Just as Hermione began to leave, Harry began to cough pretty badly, pounding on his chest as he reached out for a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"Hey, that's my pumpkin juice!" Ron protested but Harry had already taken a large mouthful. "Oh, sorry," Harry said as he gave the goblet back to Ron.
Ginny's eyes widened with horror as Harry passed the Goblet back to Ron, thinking, 'Oh shit!'
"I don't want it now! Your Chosen One saliva is all over it! I don't want your curse!"
"Then I suppose it's mine," Harry said as he took the goblet back. "This is the best pumpkin juice I've ever tasted."
"Then I want it back," Ron said before quickly snatching the goblet back and quickly drinking it all. When Ron finished, he slammed the goblet down victoriously, smiling foolishly.
Harry stared off to space, a dreamy expression on his face, his mouth slightly open. "Harry, are you okay?" Ron asked before his face went blank too and he stared off to space with Harry.
"Oh, no," Ginny whispered as Harry stood up.
"I think I'm going to walk Hermione to her class," Harry said before hurrying off.
"Ron, are you okay?" Ginny asked quietly, shaking her brother's shoulder.
"I think I'll go and walk Hermione to class too. See you later, Gin," Ron said as he got up and hurried after his friends.
"This should be very entertaining," Ginny said as she watched Ron hurry out of the Great Hall to catch up with Harry and Hermione.
Oo0oO
Today had been a very peculiar day for Hermione Granger, very peculiar indeed. After every class, Harry and Ron would be running toward her, arguing over who should hold Hermione's book bag as they walked her to class. Harry had tried to hold her hand on their way to Potions and Ron had kissed her on the cheek.
Things got even weirder as Hermione went to her seat in Potions to find Draco Malfoy sitting in Ernie Macmillan's usual seat, smiling at her. Hermione tried to ignore him at first but he insisted on cutting her mandrakes up for the stew.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione asked, exasperated.
"What is it Hermione? I just want to help you," Malfoy said earnestly.
"I'm a Mudblood, you hate Mudbloods. We're dirty, remember?"
"Don't say that Hermione, you're too pure to be called a Mudblood," Malfoy said.
"You can leave now," Hermione said as she began to ladle the stewed mandrakes into her potion.
"No," Malfoy said as he began to work on his own potion.
They worked in silence for the rest of the class, until they both had finished their Volubilis Potion.
"Do you want to try mine?" Malfoy whispered.
"We're not supposed to try it," Hermione responded icily.
"I'll try yours first then," Malfoy said before taking her ladle and sipping some of the potion.
"Malfoy!" Hermione gasped, placing a hand over her open mouth.
"What?" Malfoy asked, his voice a lot higher than usual. He sounded as if he had inhaled quite a lot of helium.
Hermione tried to keep her mouth in a straight line of disapproval but, as Malfoy began to sing 'Do the Hippogriff' by the Weird Sisters, she couldn't help but to laugh.
"I'll try yours," Hermione said with a wide smile as she leaned over and ladled some of Malfoy's potion into her mouth.
"How do I sound?" Hermione asked, her voice much deeper and masculine than before.
Malfoy burst out into laughter that sounded very strange in his newly acquired, high pitch voice. Hermione began to laugh with him, her usually girlish giggle rumbling like thunder through the classroom.
Malfoy began to sing 'Magic Works,' by the Weird Sisters and Hermione joined in, their new voices sounding odd together. The entire class began to watch with confusion as Malfoy grabbed Hermione's hand and spun her around before pulling her against his chest, one hand holding her hand and the other on the small of her back as they began to dance.
"Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, it is nice to see that your potions work. You may bring up a vial now," Professor Slughorn said, interrupting their singing and dancing.
Hermione quickly stepped away from Malfoy when she felt the eyes of all of her classmates on her. "Sorry Professor," Hermione said in her incredibly deep voice, causing her and Malfoy to break down in fits of laughter once again.
Once their laughter died down, Hermione glanced over at Ron and Harry. Harry was glaring at Malfoy, gripping his ladle so tightly that his knuckles turned white and Ron was glaring at Malfoy too, his ears a dangerous shade of red.
A light pink blush spread through Hermione's cheeks as she hurried to her cauldron, quickly filling her vial with potion and turning it in to Slughorn. Slughorn offered her an antidote but Hermione replied that she would let it wear off on its own.
When Malfoy returned to her table, Hermione tried her best to ignore him during the rest of the period but found that nearly impossible as Malfoy tried to grab her hand. Hermione snatched her hand away from him, mouthing 'stop.'
"No," Malfoy squeaked, his voice still a lot higher than usual.
"Why?" Hermione asked quietly, her voice rumbling in her chest.
"I love you," Malfoy said earnestly, causing Hermione to glare at him.
"That's not funny Malfoy!" She chastened him.
"I really do, Hermione. Why don't you believe me?" Draco asked as he took her hand in both of his.
"One, your voice is too comical to have anything you say taken seriously. Two, you're Draco Malfoy, the most pompous, arrogant, egotistical, narcissistic, spoiled, pureblood brat that I know. You would never love someone like me," Hermione said, snatching her hand away once again.
"You're so adorable when you're insulting me," Malfoy said in his high pitched voice, reaching out a hand to caress Hermione's pale cheek.
Hermione felt herself being dragged away from Malfoy's touch by one arm wrapped around her waste and another around her middle. Hermione turned to look over her shoulder, seeing Ron glower at Malfoy as he protectively wrapped his arms around Hermione's waste.
"Back off Malfoy," Ron growled menacingly, a tone Hermione has never heard Ron use.
"Or what Weasley? You're going to sick the Chosen One on me?" Malfoy sneered, the malice slightly marred by his high pitched voice.
"Ron, it's fine," Hermione said, trying to extract herself from Ron's grasp but he wouldn't budge.
"Just leave her alone, Malfoy, or I'll hex that stupid smirk off your face," Ron threatened.
"You don't have the balls, Weasley," Malfoy squeaked, taking a step forward.
Hermione quickly stepped in front of Malfoy, spreading her arms protectively. She had no idea what she was doing but she knew that she couldn't let Ron harm Malfoy when Malfoy had did nothing wrong, even if he is a prat.
"Oh, look at the time! You are all dismissed!" Slughorn called.
"Let's go, Mione," Ron said, taking Hermione by the hand and quickly walking away, dragging her along with him.
"Ron, my bag"—Hermione began.
"I got it," Harry said as he appeared beside her, placing a protective hand on her shoulder as they exited the dungeons.
When they had reached the stairs, Hermione yanked her hand away from Ron. "I don't know if you two have noticed or not, but I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself," Hermione seethed.
"Calm down, Mione. We were just trying to help," Harry said gently, cupping her cheek in his hand as he brushed his thumb along her cheekbone.
Hermione pulled her face away a bit awkwardly, bewildered by their behavior. "Just give me my damn bag," She said, holding out her hand.
Harry stood behind her quickly, holding up her bag so that she only had to slip her arms through the straps. Hermione slowly slipped her hands through the straps, perplexed.
Harry then wound an arm around her waste, pulling her along side him as they headed for Gryffindor tower. Ron quickly grabbed her hand as they walked, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
Hermione tried to ignore all the stares they were getting and all the snide comments from the Slytherine girls as they made their way to their common room.
"Is that Hermione Granger with Potter and Weasley?"
"What a bint."
"How grotty."
Oh great, more gossip. That's exactly what she needs, Slytherines spreading rumors about her sleeping with Harry and Ron.
Hermione could feel her face burning as everyone gave her disgusted stares, she could feel her eyes begin to burn as her own friends glanced at her like she was something disgusting. She quickly extracted herself from Harry and Ron's hold.
"I have to go to the loo," She said quickly before hurrying away.
Hermione hurried to the second floor, running into the girl's bathroom. She looked around once she entered, looking for any sign of Moaning Myrtle.
Hermione slowly made her way to the sink, stopping in front of the one she knew led to the Chamber of Secrets. She looked in the dirty mirror at her reflection, touching the side of her neck, staring at herself.
What a bint.
Before Hermione could control herself, she began to cry. Tears began to roll down her cheeks, smearing her makeup that Ginny had so carefully done for her, leaving ugly black stains on her cheeks. Seeing her reflection, Hermione began to cry harder, chocking on her breath as she tried to calm down.
"You look pretty today."
Hermione quickly whipped her head around to see Moaning Myrtle floating by the bathroom stalls, staring intently at her.
"What do you mean? Look at me! I'm a mess!"
Myrtle floated over to Hermione, leaving a hand floating over Hermione's shoulder since she really couldn't rest it there. "You're still beautiful," Myrtle said quietly.
Hermione looked quizzically at Myrtle, not understanding where this was coming from. She doesn't know the ghost that well but she knows her enough to know that Myrtle doesn't give out compliment s or try to make people feel better. Myrtle is usually stuck in her own world of despair, sulking in the U-bend as she cries out her sorrows.
"Why are you saying this?" Hermione asked.
"I dunno…I saw you earlier and thought you were beautiful and I noticed how you got Harry's attention. I was jealous at first and hated you for it but…When I heard you crying, I felt different. Funny, huh?"
And then she floated away, disappearing into one of the stalls. Hermione heard the water in the toilet splash, not the usual dramatic splash of water as she hurries away, but a small splash.
"Today is extremely odd," Hermione said before glancing at her reflection again.
She gasped when she saw the mess her face had become. Hermione quickly began searching through her bag before pulling out her makeup bag. She quickly cleaned her face and applied some mascara, leaving the eyeliner and powder alone. Hermione stared at her reflection for a long time before pulling out the Pink Hermosa Ginny had given her. She applied the lipstick to her lips, feeling ridiculous but beautiful.
Oo0oO
"No, no, no. It's pronounced Eh-waz," Hermione said, adding stress on the last syllable.
"Ek-wash," Harry tried again.
Hermione laughed, shaking her head. Hermione had went to the library after her talk with Myrtle and stayed there for the rest of the day. She returned to Gryffindor Tower after dinner to find only Harry in the common room. Somehow, during there conversation, Hermione had decided to teach Harry how to pronounce Ancient Ruins and he is failing miserably.
As Hermione laughed, Harry slipped closer to her. They were sitting on the couch so that they faced one another, their knees touching as Harry slid closer. Hermione leaned forward, her head resting on Harry's shoulder as she laughed. Hermione sat up when she calmed down, smiling widely as she attempted to get Harry to pronounce it correctly.
"Okay, watch my tongue as I pronounce it," Hermione said, straightening her back as she prepared to speak. "Ek"—Hermione began but she never got to finish, for Harry had leaned forward and kissed her.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as Harry's hand gently cupped her cheek, as his mouth softly pressed against hers, slowly opening and closing around her stagnant lips. Hermione found herself able to relax into the kiss, found herself able to wrap her arms around Harry's neck and kiss him back.
Harry smiled into the kiss when she began to kiss him back, wrapping an arm around her waste as he pulled her warm body against his. Hermione shuddered as Harry ran his tongue along her bottom lip, hesitating for a moment before opening her mouth slightly to allow him entrance.
Harry slid his tongue slowly into her mouth, allowing his tongue to stroke hers as he explored her mouth. The contact seemed to jolt Hermione back to her senses, causing her to jerk away.
Hermione stood up quickly, covering her mouth with one hand as she stared at Harry in surprise, at the Pink Hermosa smudged on his lips.
"What's wrong, Mione?" Harry asked, looking worried as she continued to gape at him.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Harry but this is a mistake. A huge mistake," Hermione said before turning to run up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
"Ginny!" Hermione shouted as she barged into the young Weasley's dormitory.
Ginny popped up, yawning as she observed Hermione. The young girl sighed before laying back down, pulling the covers over her small frame as she snuggled into her pillow. Some of the other fifth years in Ginny's dormitory woke up, glaring at Hermione before turning over in their beds, trying to go back to sleep.
"Ginny, I have to talk to you. It's urgent," Hermione whispered, kneeling beside the girl's bed.
"It can wait till the morning," Ginny said sleepily, turning her back on Hermione.
"No, seriously. You're going to hate me for it but I have to tell you right now or I will drown in guilt," Hermione whispered urgently.
"I'm sure it can wait for the morning Mione…Now go to sleep, you don't want dark circles under your pretty little"—
"I kissed Harry."
"What?" Ginny screamed in a very high pitched voice, jumping out of bed.
Hermione backed up as Ginny grabbed her wand, clenching her teeth a she tried to calm down. "What did you say?" She hissed through clenched teeth.
Hermione eyed Ginny's wand nervously, aware of how excellent Ginny is at casting the Bat-Bogey Hex and of all the fifth year girls sitting up in their beds, watching eagerly as Ginny advanced on Hermione.
Thinking fast, Hermione pointed her wand at Ginny and said, "Expelliarmus," before Ginny could react. Ginny's wand flew out of her hand and into Hermione's.
"Give me my wand Hermione!" Ginny shouted, stepping forward as she tried to snatch it back from Hermione.
"Not unless you talk to me calmly and sanely like a normal human being!" Hermione shouted as she held the wand out of Ginny's grasp.
"Fine," Ginny huffed, pushing her red hair out of her eyes.
"Okay, follow me," Hermione said before leading the way to the lavatory.
"Mufffaliato," Hermione said, pointing her wand at the bathroom door.
Ginny stood, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, as Hermione sat down on the counter next to the sink.
"Explain," Ginny said curtly.
"Well…Harry and Ron have been acting very weird toward me today. They've been walking me to every class, offering to hold my book bag, kissing me on the cheek, and even trying to hold my hand. I supposed it was just this stupid makeover but then Draco began to talk to me in Potions"—
"Draco?"
"I mean Malfoy. Malfoy began to talk to me in Potions…He cut up my Mandrakes for my potion and even tried my Volubilis Potion that made his voice very high pitched. He even began to sing to make me laugh so…I tried his and it made my voice very deep. Then…we kind of sang and danced together," Hermione admitted quietly.
"What?" Ginny said, unable to stop the small smile from spreading across her voice even though she is very angry with Hermione.
"He even put his hand on my waist without getting sick!" Hermione said in surprise, smiling.
"Than what happened?" Ginny asked eagerly.
"Well, I noticed everyone was watching so I…stopped. After turning in my potion, Draco tried to be nice to me again but I wouldn't let him…Then Ron pulled me away. He and Draco had a row before Slughorn dismissed us. On the way to Gryffindor Tower, Harry and Ron both had their arms wrapped around me and I was getting very nasty looks from everyone. Not just the Slytherines, but even Gryffindors," Hermione said, sniffling.
"It's okay Mione, they're just jealous because you were with the Chosen One. For get about them."
"Well, I walked away from Harry and Ron and spent the rest of the day in the library," Hermione said, leaving out her time in the bathroom, not wanting Ginny to know that she had cried over those petty girls.
"Then what?"
"Well…I came back after dinner and the Common Room was empty…Well, except for Harry. We talked for a bit and…He wanted to learn how to pronounce some words in ancient ruins…and while I was teaching him…we…" Hermione trailed off, her cheeks burning a she studied her fingers intently.
"He kissed you," Ginny finished for her, a lot more softly than Hermione expected.
"And I kissed him back," Hermione said, mortified.
Ginny sighed before wrapping her arms around her friend, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, as long as you didn't give him tongue."
Hermione winced as Ginny pulled away, looking guilty as ever.
"You did, didn't you! You little vixen!" Ginny said accusingly though there was no true malice to her words, just joking between two friends.
Hermione gave a little grimace. "I pulled away as soon as I realized what he was doing, what I was letting him do. I apologized and ran straight to you."
"It's okay, I forgive you Mione. Have fun, just not too much fun," Ginny said with a knowing smirk before taking her wand and leaving Hermione alone in the lavatory.
Hermione stared after Ginny in shock; she had expected a more…violent reaction. She had not expected Ginny to tell her to have fun with Harry. What is going on?
Just like what Myrtle had said…Funny, huh?
