Hermione woke up, annoyed, angry, mad, outraged and everything near that neighborhood. She dreamt of the scene that happened yesterday with Malfoy and wanted to punch herself. Hermione Granger had been acting reckless recently and she was well aware of that.
"Damn that bastard," Hermione muttered and she slammed her drawers-along with her fingers.
She cursed under her breath and blew on her fingers, to which she realized was stupid as it did nothing to help at all. In fact, she had been acting stupid; playing games with Malfoy, feeling sorry for Malfoy, kissing Malfoy.
She smiled at the thought Malfoy is stupid.
She groaned as she slumped into her bed, not wanting to go out. She was acting like a ditz, complete ditz.
Hermione didn't understand herself anymore. She knew she was a hard-working and a decent student as well a person but Malfoy just had to come and ruin everything. She had to admit, she liked this new daring side of her...
"SHUT YOUR MIND, GRANGER" Hermione screamed in her room. Malfoy banged through the door and looked around.
"Stop screaming to yourself!" Malfoy shouted, looking equally mad. He left and slammed the door behind him. Malfoy was outraged too, and this was fine with Hermione. This would make Malfoy easier to avoid.
Hermione took a deep breath and prepared herself for the day. Malfoy was nowhere to be seen in the common room, to Hermione's relief. Not wanting to risk bumping into him, she hurriedly ran to the Great Hall. She met with Ron and Harry at the Gryffindor table.
Hermione felt guilty again, seeing Ron's bubbly attitude.
"Good morning, Hermione," Ron said with a huge grin.
"Good morning, Ron," Hermione said, forcing a grin. She looked like someone who smelled a skunk.
Harry eyed them both but said nothing.
"By the way, Ron, we have Quidditch practice tonight after dinner," Harry announced.
"You'll be there to watch right?" Ron asked Hermione hopefully.
"Of course" Hermione whispered. She didn't feel like going but she didn't want to stay in her dorm either.
"Don't the Slytherins seem awfully unusual today?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione in Potions class.
The Slytherins didn't mock, tease or do anything to get on anyone's nerves. Instead, they were all quiet and kept whispering to each other even in class, the halls, the banquets-the Slytherins have been acting unusual.
"Wonder what they keep whispering about," Ron said, eyeing Malfoy who was also whispering to Crabbe and Goyle.
"Nothing good, that's for sure," Hermione said, trying to concentrate on what Snape was teaching.
Snape continuously deducted points from Gryffindor every time anyone looked at something other than him for half a second.
"If I catch anyone walking around late at night, detention shall you meet," Snape hissed at the class abruptly. It seems that Snape also caught the unusual behavior of the Slytherins.
"Come with me to library?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron. They both agreed to finish Snape's assignment so that none of them would be stressed especially not to cram after the dinner for the Quidditch pracice.
"Thank Merlin Snape's the only cruel teacher to give us an assignment," Ron said dramatically.
"Shut up!" Harry whispered. He was peeping through some books on the bookshelf. Hermione and Ron saw behind the bookshelf was Pancy Parkinson and some of other Slytherin girls.
"Marcus Flint has got no chance," One girl snickered.
"The boy isn't even that bad or good-looking, just nasty" Pancy nodded.
"Blaise could win, can't he?" A girl asked.
"Well, he is one of the biggest competitors," Pancy said
"Terrence has a chance too," Another one said,
"Yes he is quite good looking, but I think we all know who's going to win this one, too bad I can't go though" Pancy said. The rest of the group nodded in agreement.
"Is there some sort of competition?" Ron whispered.
"Not that it's any of your business, Weasly," A voice said.
Malfoy was leaning casually on the bookshelf with Crabbe and Goyle behind him, as usual.
"Sneaking and listening to Slytherin business, you just can't keep your nose out of anything, can't you, Potter?" Malfoy hissed.
"Eat Dung, Malfoy," Harry snapped. Pancy and her friends must have heard Malfoy and rushed to their side.
"What's going on?" Pancy asked, glaring at the three of them.
"You oughta be more careful! They were listening to you and the girls," Malfoy snapped. Pancy looked ashamed. Hermione noticed Malfoy hasn't looked at her or even acknowledged her being there.
"You know, if Potter was in Slytherin, he might have a chance, don't you think?" Malfoy smirked.
The Slytherins were reluctant to answer.
"If, only if," Pancy sneered though agreeing.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione demanded. Malfoy finally looked at her.
"It's not your business, you filthy mudblood" Malfoy sneered.
Just like the effects of those words before, Ron jumped onto Malfoy but only to be thrown away by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Nuisance these kids nowadays," The librarian muttered as she threw them all out. Malfoy snickered one last time before disappearing in his sea of cronies. Ron, Harry, and Hermione went on their way as well.
"That git, calling you that," Ron cursed.
"I wonder what they're up to though," Hermione said,
"I hope it just gets them into trouble," Harry said.
That, they all agreed to.
Nothing special happened during dinner except that everyone noticed the Slytherins were getting more excited as time flew. They were now passing bulky bags which could have contained anything but when a teacher tried to catch them, they simply got away. Nobody knew what the Slytherins were up to.
"Do you think it might have something to do with Voldemort?" Harry asked.
"Impossible, he's dead," Ron said dismissively.
"Yeah but how many times did people exactly think he's dead when he wasn't?" Harry wondered.
"It just have to be something other than that or Dumbledore must have warned you already," Hermione said as she eyed the Slytherins with big grins on their faces.
Hermione looked at Dumbledore laughing merrily, obviously not worried to whatever the Slytherin house was up to.
Hermione came with them to watch their Quidditch practice after dinner. Harry was really trying to shape up his team and successfully too. Ginny was able to gain flying skills that matched Harry's (due to Harry's private lessons with her, as rumored) and Ron keeping skills were already better than Wood's. After a fruitful Quidditch practice, goodnights were said and they all left for bed.
Hermione forgot all about the Slythein commotion until she got in her dorm. The moment she stepped in the dorm, y instinct, she drew out her wand and pointed it at Malfoy. Malfoy had a black cloak and was clutching a gold mask on his right hand.
Malfoy looked like a Death Eater. Those were the first thoughts Hermione had. Hermione panicked. How long did she have before she could alarm everyone? How could she fight off Malfoy? Does this mean Voldemort is alive? Harry didn't kill Voldemort? Was the commotion among the Slytherins was about coming together as Death Eaters? Did anyone know?
"Woah, drop that thing, Granger," Malfoy said, seeing the wand.
Hermione ignored him and was also taken aback by Malfoy's casual response.
"I thought you gave up being a Death Eater," Hermione said, trying to buy time to register the scene.
"Death Eater? This is simply an outfit for a ritual," Malfoy said, laughing. Hermione didn't lower her wand though.
"What ritual?" She asked.
"As I've said, it's Slytherin business,"
"Tell me!" Hermione demanded. Malfoy seemed to calm but Hermione didn't let her guard down.
"Er, I can't. It's against the rules," Malfoy said.
"What rules? What Slytherin business? What ritual?" Hermione demanded
"I said, I can' tell you, Mudblood!" Malfoy snapped "If you will excuse me -not that I care, I'll be on my way now,"
Malfoy walked for the door but Hermione blocked it, pointing her wand at him.
"I won't allow you, not unless you tell me what you're doing," Hermione threatened
"It's nothing! It's been a ritual in Slytherin for years! It's nothing that will cause harm! Now move!" Malfoy said, exasperated.
Hermione considered this.
"Bring me along then," Hermione said slyly. Malfoy looked as if he found out he, himself was a muggle.
"No way! Not on your life! It's absolutely forbidden!" Malfoy said angrily.
"You won't get past me then," Hermione said with a smirk. After a minute of glaring, Malfoy finally said 'fine'
"You need a cloak and a mask though," Malfoy said, digging through his trunk.
"Here, it's Pancy's, she's not going because of some reasons," Malfoy said, throwing her the black cloak and robe.
"I'm supposed to pretend I'm Pancy?" Hermione frowned.
"Yes and unless you want to come, hurry up and change!" Malfoy spat. After a minute, Hermione went out, wearing the cloak and the mask but her mask was silver, unlike Malfoy's golden mask.
"Be quiet now and follow me," Malfoy said.
Hermione's curiosity rose as they went. She felt warm inside the cloak but she had to endure if she wanted to see what the Slytherins were up to. She contemplated on how Pancy acted so she could copy her as they walked.
"We're here," Malfoy said. Hermione saw that they had arrived at the dungeons, the Slytherin base.
"Pure gold," Malfoy told the portrait and it swung open.
"Remember, your Pancy and try not to speak much," Malfoy hissed as they walked in the Slytherin common room.
Hermione held back her gasp and saw that the Slytherin room looked different than what Ron and Harry told her it looked like. She could see there was no light except for the 4 candles burning on each side of the room. The couch and everything that should have been there was gone. The room must have been enchanted to be bigger as there were so many people inside in black cloaks.
Slytherins, Hermione thought.
No one spoke and the air was heavy with excitement and mystery. All of the Slytherins gathered in one huge circle and she joined them. Malfoy joined 4 other people in gold masks at the center.
"Welcome," A voice hissed. It was one of the people on gold masks. "It is our 5 year Royal Slytherin ritual in which we will pick our leader, our king, our prince of Slytherin."
"4 candidates who have been nominated to be titled the "Prince of Slytherin"" The same voice said.
Hermione stiffed a giggle. This was what it was about? Being Prince of Slytherin? The Slytherin beside her looked at Hermione and she was thankful they all had masks on.
"Terrence Higgs, Blaise Zabini, Marcus Flint and, Draco Malfoy are the candidate to take the crown of this tittle," The voice continued. "The "Prince of Slytherin" shall gain power to do anything and take anything from anyone as long as it is in the Slytherin house. Basically, he will be treated royally and be added to the Underground history books of Slytherins. This ritual has been going on for centuries going back to the day Salazar Slytherin found our house. Now, it has been 5 years once again and it is time to choose our Prince!"
The Slytherins around the circle lit their wands without saying a word. Hermione did the same non-verbal magic. The candles around the room blew out and it was only the wands that shone light in the room.
"The winner shall be decided by us, fellow common Slytherins. The three of the candidates shall be divided into each corner of the room. A simple procedure; you are to go behind the candidate of your choice and the one with the most Slytherins behind them is the "Prince of Slytherin"
"Begin!"
People shuffled here and there but Hermione only stood to watch. It seemed that even though the candidates were masked, they all know who was who. Malfoy had the largest amount of people behind him. Terrence had the largest amount next to Malfoy. Blaise had almost the same amount as Terrence and Marcus had the least. In silent movement, Hermione caught herself and wondered where she should go. She just hurriedly joined the group behind Malfoy to blend in. After the shuffling, the guy in the golden mask looked around and declared, "I think we all know who the winner is,"
"The Prince of Slytherin is...Draco Malfoy!"
There was no shock. Malfoy removed his mask and raised his arms as the Slytherins applauded. Hermione knew that even if this ritual didn't take place, Malfoy would still be considered the Prince of Slytherin- it was practically in his blood. The other contestants removed their gold masks and replaced it with the common silver mask.
"For our next ritual, all step in a circle, please," The Slytherin announcer said, who also had a silver mask on. People shuffled into one huge circle and Malfoy was obviously in the middle of the circle.
"The next ritual is all for the heck of fun and of course, for the prince," The announcer said, giving Malfoy a bow.
"The Prince must receive a kiss from a virgin!" The announcer said. Hermione saw Malfoy smirk. To Hermione's dismay, everyone took a step back except for her. Were all the Slytherins not virgins? She was the only virgin in the room and she isn't even a Slytherin! Everyone looked at her as she hastily stepped back but was pushed to the front anyway.
"No need to be shy. It is an honor to be kissed by the prince," The Slytherin said, taking her hand. People began murmuring "who is she?" as if being the only virgin made her a deadly virus.
She was led to Malfoy and bowed to him out of force.
"A virgin in front of the Prince, awaiting to be kissed" The voice boomed. Malfoy slowly took Hermione's hand. He reached for her mask and was about to pull it out.
"Malfoy! It's me!" Hermione hissed. Malfoy looked shocked and seemed as if he didn't know what to do. Finally, he pushed Hermione's head deeper into the cloak and removed the mask. Hermione was sure no one could see her face in the darkness.
Malfoy's face drew nearer inside Hermione's cloak.
"Are you really going to kiss me?" Hermione asked, nervous that Malfoy was so close again.
"It's tradition," Malfoy murmured as he planted his lips on Hermione's. Hermione didn't struggle nor pull back but returned the kiss with passion. Malfoy grabbed Hermione's left leg and lifted it up to his waist as they continued to kiss. The people around them wolf-whistled and cheered.
Hermione wanted to keep on kissing Malfoy and Malfoy seemed to want the same thing but after a couple more kisses, they broke away.
Malfoy quickly returned Hermione's mask as he resurfaced.
"How was the virgin's kiss?" The Slytherin asked Malfoy.
"The best kiss I've ever gotten," Malfoy smirked, making everyone clap and whistle again.
Hermione quickly returned to the circle greeted by high-fives. She was glad for the mask as she was blushing deeply. She hated to admit it but she wanted more of Malfoy's kisses. She shook off the thought of it but it couldn't just go away. She liked Malfoy's kisses but then again, this was Draco Malfoy. His name stood alone on why Hermione shouldn't want to do anything more with him. He was Draco Malfoy, Prince of Slytherin.
Everyone talked amongst each other but most fawned over Malfoy and Hermione refused to be a part of that group. She looked around, not knowing what to do. It seemed stupid if she also fawned over Malfoy.
"Pancy!" Someone behind Hermione greeted. Hermione turned around to see a guy in a silver mask. She didn't say anything, unsure on how to respond.
"It's me, Terrence," Terrence said, removing his mask. Hermione nodded, knowing what to do.
"I thought you couldn't come," Terrence said "Well, it's a good thing you're hear. Draco won but there's no shock about that is there." Terrence laughed good-naturedly.
Hermione didn't respond, scared to blow her cover. She looked at Terrence with nervous eyes through the mask and hoped he would just leave her alone.
"Why are you so quiet?" Terrence said, frowning. Hermione hesitated then took the risk.
"N-none of your business!" Hermione snapped nervously, trying to imitate Pancy's voice unsuccessfully.
Terrence smiled and pulled Hermione into the Slytherin's boy's room. Hermione struggled to get free, scared. She didn't know what Terrence would do or how much trouble she would be in if the Slytherins found out. It was a whole house against Hermione.
Terrence closed the door behind him and looked at Hermione.
"You can take your mask off now, Hermione," Terrence said, sitting on a chair.
"I-I'm not that…that mudblood!" Hermione said with a quivering voice. How unlucky she was that she forgot the spell on imitating people's voices of all times.
"Seriously, Hermione, I won't tell anyone," Terrence said. Hermione hesitated but finally removed her mask.
"Thanks,"
"So how did you find out about the ritual?" Terrence asked.
"Malfoy, I caught him leaving and forced him to make me with him," Hermione said a little proudly.
"Draco? He's the last person I expected to tell a Gryffindor, much less bring one. You know, him hating muggles and all that." Terrence said.
"You don't hate muggles?" Hermione asked curiously.
"No, what did they ever do to me?" Terrence laughed. Hermione gazed at Terrence.
She never really noticed Terrence before. Aside from Hermione, Terrence was the other one in class who always recites but not as mush as Hermione does. Terrence was also well known for his looks; a lot of girls giggled when he passed and this isn't limited to Slytherins. Girls from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and Gryffindor also had crushes on Terrence. It was rumored that he was the better half of Malfoy; smart, good-looking but not as much as Malfoy, and good-natured. One thing's for sure, Hermione noticed Terrence now. She noticed the way his brown hair with blonde highlights casually fall and his green eyes and his friendly attitude.
"Hermione, are you all right?" Terrence said, waving his hand.
"Sorry, it was just quite a shock meeting a Slytherin who isn't disgusted with muggles," Hermione said with a smile.
"Is that what people think of us? I guess we are narrow-minded but hey, everyone is different, right?" He said, smiling back.
"You are a pure blood right?" Hermione asked curiously which fairly a stupid question seemed since most of the Slytherins were purebloods
"Yeah,"
"Why are you in Slytherin?" Hermione asked.
"Well, the Sorting Hat considered me in Ravenclaw but I guess my blood won," He said humbly.
"How did you know it was me behind the mask and not Pancy?"
"Pancy would usually be kissing Malfoy's shoes the moment he won and Pancy's been bragging about how Malfoy had her mask especially made and I there's not a day when I don't hear your voice in class" He said with the Slytherin's trademark smirk.
"I should be going, I'm exhausted," Hermione announced, looking away while blushing.
"Come on then, I'll escort you," Terrence said, standing up.
"What? You don't need to. They'll miss you," Hermione said with just an ounce of hope he would escort her.
"The most interesting that happened this night was discovering you here and with Malfoy, I doubt they would notice if there was a dragon in the room," He laughed as he handed back her mask. They both put their masks back on went down to the common room.
Malfoy was now being surrounded by girls wiggling their bums on his face but Hermione didn't mind. She was dazed at the fact Terrence was holding her hand as he led her out.
Terrence let go of Hermione's hand when they reached outside of the portrait. They walked silently back to Hermione's dorm.
Once inside, they removed their masks again.
"That was stuffy," Hermione said as she removed her cloak. Thankfully, she was wearing a normal pair of jeans and shirt.
"Yeah," Terrence agreed also taking off the cloak revealing, a fit body that wasn't too much. He was wearing a green sweater and jeans.
"Thanks for bringing me here," Hermione said as they sat down beside the fire.
"No problem. I would have died of boredom anyway," He said, looking around.
"What's it like to live with Malfoy?" He asked curiously.
"Horrid, he absolutely no manners and I can't even go home without being tormented," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"He can't be that bad," Terrence said, laughing.
"Oh he is," Hermione muttered darkly, remembering when she kissed Malfoy.
"Does anything interesting happen here?" Terrence asked abruptly, catching Hermione's eyes.
Hermione tore her gaze and shifted nervously. She didn't want Terrence to know she snogged Malfoy once here and the music stuff.
"I see," Terrence smirked; obviously he knew the answer was "yes".
"Why aren't you arrogant and vain and things that Slytherins are supposed to be?" Hermione asked, the words flowing out of her mouth carelessly. She blushed deeply, realizing what she just said.
Terrence looked at her thoughtfully and said,
"I just find it cruel for people to be mean with each other. I mean sure, we're purebloods but really, we're all alike. Our personalities define us, not what's flowing through our veins,"
Hermione was dumb struck. An actual Slytherin was saying this to her. Terrence was different. He was kind. He was smart. He was friendly. Hermione's brain turned into mush. She could just feel herself falling for Terrence.
"You're a really nice person," Hermione whispered.
"Thank you," Terrence said with a smile, his green eyes twinkling.
"What the bloody hell is this?" An angry voice boomed as the dorm room door opened loudly.
Draco Malfoy was standing beside the door, his face beaded with sweat, his hair disheveled, his clothes crumpled, his mouth panting and he was wearing an angry look on his face.
"Hey Draco, I was just about to leave," Terrence said, standing up, his posture cool and composed.
He grabbed his cloak and mask and headed out for the door.
"See you some other time, Hermione," Terrence waved as he went out of the dorm.
Hermione felt a wave of pleasure when Terrence said her name, almost forgetting Malfoy was in the room.
"Get that disgusting look out of your face, you filth," Malfoy sneered.
"I haven't heard a single rude comment the whole night until you had to walk in!" Hermione snapped.
"What were you doing with him?" Malfoy demanded.
"Talking, you prat! And it's none of your business," Hermione said, furious at Malfoy for barging in.
"Of course it's my business! I was the one who sneaked you in!"
"That doesn't I need your consent on who I talk or not!"
Malfoy's face was now flush red with anger, his fists were balled and the veins on his neck were seen. Hermione never saw Malfoy like this but she wasn't scared. She was equally mad.
"I-I suddenly see you leaving the Slytherin House with Terrence! I left the ritual looking around for you two! You also had the nerve to bring him to our dorm!" Malfoy said, his voice shaking with anger.
"I leave as I please! No one asked you to look for me! I can take care of myself! and I don't give a damn about this dorm!"
"You could have been seen! If people saw you there, they would hate me!"
"Big deal!" Hermione said, throwing up her arms. Before Malfoy could say anything, she threw the cloak and mask at Malfoy.
"Thanks for nothing, you arse," Hermione spat as she stormed into her room and locked the door.
In angry frustration and exhaustion, Hermione fell into deep sleep.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW. REVIEWS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. :D
