Passing Notes
Kneazle
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, etc. All fonts used can be found at Font Garden. Basic plot (GG meetings) based on the movie Strike (now released as All I Wanna Do) and Bedazzled. The idea of "passing notes" for a subplot is based on my life in (my old) Spanish and math class, and from Cosmo Girl! Most Brit language is from the AMAZING Louise Rennison books, "On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a SEX GOD", and "Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas".
Summary: Passing notes in class is fun; secrets are shared, gossip is spread, and friends get closer. Now the boys are on a mission to find out just what the Gryffindor girls are writing… just what are the GG meetings? What's the purpose? Will the passing notes be responsible for something Hogwarts has never seen before?
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: HP & the Prisoner of Azkaban, HP & the Goblet of Fire
**-**
CHAPTER FOUR: Miltowns and Coke
By the time Hermione had made it out of the library and towards the Entrance Hall where she and twelve other very exceptional, bright, intelligent, beautiful, honest – you can tell me to stop anytime now… – girls would be, it was nearly eight now. Hermione looked around, feeling a prickly sensation at the back of her neck. From the shadows emerged Cho Chang.
Hermione forced her lips into a tight fold, and nodded curtly. She had never really liked Cho, ever since she had begun to think she had a chance with Harry when Hermione liked him… I mean, likes him.
"Hello Hermione," she purred out, looking horrible in her very slinky dress.
"Em, yes, hello Cho," replied Hermione, continuing her brisk pace. "If you'll excuse me… we must meet in the Entrance Hall now."
Cho smiled, her ruby red lips pulling into a smirk. "Allow me to come with you." Hermione inwardly groaned, but nodded. The two socialites walked briskly together towards the Entrance Hall, where Professor Maybell Sinistra was waiting. She had lined up the selected female students to escort the St. Aristippus students around.
"Miss Granger, and Miss Chang! There the two of you are – now; get in line will you… the Headmaster from St. Aristippus will here any minute." She said in her fluttery voice.
"How will they arrive here, Professor Sinistra?" asked Ginny, a questioning look on her face.
"By broomstick, Ms. Weasley."
Ginny blushed under Professor Sinistra's cool no-nonsense tone, but stood her ground and began searching the sky for the broomsticks.
Hermione took her place between Ginny and Lavender, and took her time looking around the fifthteen girls who would be escorting the St. Aristippus boys.
There was Parvati Patil all the way on the far right, with her twin Padma beside her; following her was Ginny, then Hermione. She turned her head and looked in the opposite direction. Lavender Brown, Blaise Zabini, Lisa Turpin, and lastly Hannah Abbott. Below them, on the next steps, were Cho Chang, Sally-Ann Perks, and Pansy Parkinson, who was by Hermione, despite her disgust; following her was Susan Bones, Mandy Brocklehurst, Millicent Bulstrode, and finally, the new Quidditch commenter, Samantha Marble.
All witches were dressed up nicely and were silent, waiting for the St. Aristippus School. Hermione noted, though, that Cho was the oldest girl in the group, and Samantha and Ginny were the youngest, though Samantha by a year more than Ginny, being a fourth year.
Soon, Lavender looked up, poked Hermione in the ribs and pointed, "Look! There they are!"
Sure enough, in the distance was a beam of light. Following that beam was a long line of sticks, which upon closer inspection were actually a group of groups, in single file.
"Where is he?" Hermione muttered, leaning a bit towards Lavender. Professor Sinistra turned and shot her a warning look. Hermione smiled nicely in return.
"Second one from the front," replied Lavender, speaking through her teeth in her smile. Hermione nodded and looked at the wizard on that broom.
He looked exactly like his yearbook picture, and Hermione found a devious smile gracing her lips. That was Chad Brussels, all right – and like she told Lavender earlier, he was going to be hers.
"I hope you know what you're doing," muttered Lavender. Hermione glanced at her curiously.
"Of course I do. Don't be such a wanker," replied Hermione, a look of surprise in her eyes. "Ron'll notice you, Harry'll stop being such a prat and our plan will work out just nicely."
"I hope so," finished off Lavender, straightening up and smiling. Hermione copied her, her eyes trained on Chad Brussels. It was unfortunate that Harry wasn't going to the dance. He'd enjoy what Hermione was planning to pull off – actually, anyone being a fan of the Marauder's would.
Professor Sinistra stood up straight as the Quidditch Coach from St. Aristippus stepped forward. He had a nasally voice, and Hermione disliked his cool attitude right away.
"Professor McFarely, I believe?" asked Professor Sinistra, holding out a hand for the man to shake.
McFarely glanced down at Sinistra's hand and sneered lightly as he shook it quickly. "That's right. Shall we get this over with, Professor?"
Professor Sinistra frowned but nodded. She turned to the Hogwarts witches and said, "When I call your name, your partner will be presented to you."
"Likewise," sniffed McFarely.
Hermione leaned towards Lavender. "Change of plans. I've got a new idea. You keep up with the… er, potion, but I'll improvise. I don't feel like getting suspended, but this ought to be a laugh…"
Lavender nodded uncertainly. "Okay…"
"Adams, Nick," called McFarely.
"Abbott, Hannah," called Sinistra. The two stepped forward, with Hannah giggling lightly as she began talking to Nick Adams, a very cute Matt Damon look-alike. She pulled tightly on her pigtail, signaling she had everything under control. She didn't see Nick's own hand give a thumbs-up to his comrades.
"Clark, Jonathan," was paired up with Susan Bones. She frowned slightly at the jock, bulging with muscles, but engaged him in a conversation as Susan winked at Hermione. Jonathan turned to his friends and made a thumbs-down. There was some laughing.
"Deeds, Mick" was paired with an angry-looking Mandy Brocklehurst, which made the slightly skinny boy cower in fear, offering his arm hesitantly. Lavender and Hermione giggled over this, with Blaise grinning behind her hand.
"Dower, Josh," was with Lavender. She sighed as she stepped forward, almost heavenly as Josh had just as many freckles as Ron and has a head of shocking red hair (that was, unfortunately for Ron, spiked – making him look much more handsome that the Weasley). Hermione winked at her friend, and noticed finally Josh's thumbs-up. She frowned, wondering what they were up to.
Millicent Bulstrode was paired with an "Eisenburg, Donald". He was tall and presented her with a flower, which the witch took gingerly, smiling shyly up at him through her heavy fringe. He glanced down before giving a thumbs-up.
Hermione's frown deepened, and she leaned towards Blaise, "What's with the thumbs-up and down?"
"Don't know, but they're all looking at the girls' um… 'Nunga nunga's'." Blaise finished uncertainly.
Hermione turned fully to her friend. "The hell is nunga nunga's?"
Blaise blushed slightly. "Well, my older brother is at the wizard college… it's what he and his friends call a woman's… breasts… in code."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Tell your brother to grow a brain!"
"Will do!" Blaise saluted.
"If you two are most certainly done," came Professor Sinistra's voice. Hermione and Blaise flashed innocent grins.
"Yes, Professor," they chorused.
Professor Sinistra then cleared her throat. "Cho Chang."
McFarely glanced down at his list and said in his disgustingly nasally voice, "Chad Brussels."
Cho stepped forward, in her slinky and sluttish red dress, while the handsome Henry Cavill look-alike stepped forward uncertainly to greet his date.
"Cho!" stepped forward Hermione, waving an accusing finger at the girl. "You switched the list! I signed up to be with Chad!"
Cho glanced over her shoulder at Hermione, winked, and gave her a smug smile.
"Hermione," began Sinistra, in a kind voice. "You're too tall for Mr. Brussels. You were all signed up by height. Your partner is…" she glanced at McFarely's list, which the man didn't like. "Darrel Cockner."
A short teen stepped forward. He was nervous and his voice wobbled as he spoke. "Hermione," he said, "that's Gaelic, right? But then, it would be Air-Mione." He said, pronouncing the difference.
"What's your name again?" asked Hermione, distractedly as she stared at Cho's retreating back.
"Darrel, but everyone calls me Cockner. You can call me Darrel, or Cockner, or Cocky, that's what my Grandma says"—
Groaning, Hermione grabbed his arm without looking and said, "Let's go Cock-swipe."
**-**
As Hermione led Darrel Cockner around the school, she couldn't help but think of some plan to get Cho Chang back. First she goes and tries to get Harry right under Hermione's nose, and now her totally fabby plan that involved Chad Brussels! Argh – it was more than one girl could stand, but Hermione kept her cool and said nothing between the grating of her teeth.
As they walked through Hogwart's gardens, Hermione spotted Cho just ahead of her, clinging to Chad's arm and giggling. A lightbulb went off in Hermione's head as she began moving towards the two without a second glance back.
"Excuse me," she muttered darkly at a confused Darrel.
Walking up behind Cho, Hermione grinned wickedly before knocked her knees into the other girls'. Cho went down on the ground, her stockings ripped and smeared with grass stains.
"Oops, silly me," smiled Hermione, helping Cho up. Her hair was a mess and her eyes went dark as she pointed a finger at Hermione.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on my date!" she said vehemently. She then turned with her nose in the air towards the dorms. At this, Hermione smiled, and looped her arm with Chad Brussel's.
"So… have you seen the new Quidditch pitch?" she cooed, while Chad shook his head. "Then let's go." Her old date, Darrel, looked on forlorn as Hermione walked away. He remained unaware of what he should do, watching the two saunter off.
**-**
Harry sighed, twirling his quill around in his fingers. Seamus glanced up at a clock above the library's doors, and then turned back to his parchment. He began to scribble something, and when Madam Pince wasn't looking and shot it at Harry. Harry caught the snitch-like parchment and unraveled it, before frowning as he read the contents.
Harry – we must bust out of this place! Something doesn't feel right, just like before You-Know-Who would attack… get any ideas that would get us out of this shitty place? – Seamus
Harry frowned. He wasn't sure what he could cook up, but he did have some ideas, like a hologram charm that Hermione had been teaching him before he tried to grab her attention by being some other bloke that was vying for her attention. He looked around to make sure he was okay, before he scribbled the spell down and what to do.
Hey everyone – okay, here's the deal. We can bust out if we use the hologram charm that Hermione was teaching me… before everything. The spell we'd use would be: Hologramious (your name)-ious. I would say "Hologramious Harry Potterious", and there should be a hologram of myself when I move in the last position I was in. So try to look bored. Oh, and Ron? The stresses you seem to always have trouble with – remember, its "Lev-I-osa, not Levi-o-SA"!! ] – Harry
After rereading it and making sure it would work, Harry crumpled it up into a ball again, pulling out his wand stealthily as Madam Pince turned away and began to walk to the end of the library, collecting books to pile on to a book cart.
Harry tossed it to Seamus, who read it and tossed it to Dean, nodding and passed it to Ron who growled slightly at the 'Wingardium Leviosa' memory. After though, all young wizards pulled their wands out and nodded at the same time. There was a hushed whisper of merging voices, but when Madam Pince looked up at the sound, she saw all the boys where they were, silent and brooding.
She didn't notice that the library door had swung shut quietly.
**-**
Hermione, with Chad Brussels's hand in hers, led him towards the Gryffindor Quidditch Stand. He looked up in awe at the giant nets and tall stands, turning around to get the whole experience.
"What? Isn't yours the same size back at um… whatever it's called?" asked Hermione, still slightly ticked from Cho.
"No, yeah – um, I dunno. It's hard to tell from the ground y'know. From the sky it's a completely different story." Chad sighed. "I love flying. It comes so naturally that I sometimes take it for granted."
Hermione laughed. "You sound just like Harry."
"Who is Harry?" asked Chad, letting her tug him up the stairs. Hermione paused slightly before glancing over her shoulder at him.
"Harry Potter. One of my best friends," she finally divulged. Chad's eyes widened.
"The Harry Potter is one of your best friends?" he gapped out. "Wow! Is he really? Is he going to the dance tonight? Are you his date? Are you supposed to make the two of us meet so we can talk Quidditch?"
Hermione inwardly groaned. God, what is it with guys and Quidditch??? She wondered, before turning and bracing both hands on opposite beams, barring Chad from going any further.
"Yes, Harry is one of my best friends. No, he's not going to the dance tonight. No, I'm not his date, though I really, really wish I were. No, you two are not going to meet, especially if Cho has her ways." She finally finished, closing her eyes briefly before turning and taking the last few steps up to the top of the rickety wooden stands.
Chad followed her silently, before standing next to her. Leaning forward, he ran his hands through his short brown hair and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that nosy. It's just… I really admire that guy, y'know? Youngest person to play Quidditch in a century, defeated You-Know-Who how many times, all-around good guy… I'd like to meet him and tell him that I admire what he does, even when he doesn't ask for it."
"He never has," agreed Hermione, nodding slightly. Then, she turned to Chad. "Wanna get high? I've got some Advil in my pocket."
"What? You can get high off of liquid and Advil?" asked Chad, appalled.
"Sure," shrugged Hermione, waving her wand. Two Cokes appeared. Chad shrugged and took one that she offered in her outstretched hand.
Swallowing, he took a swing of his Coke and frowned slightly. "Are you sure that was an Advil? It looked more like a Miltown…" There was a brief moment of silence before Hermione opened her mouth, but Chad continued. "I mean, my mum inhales those whenever she gets cramps, y'know? She eats them like chips and doesn't listen much to what the mediwizard says."
"Same, so does my mum," laughed Hermione, dropping her guard. "Where do you think I got them from?"
"So these are Miltown's!" blurted Chad, looking down at Hermione, aghast. Hermione backed up a step, her mouth making an "o".
"NO!! No, not at all!" she gasped out.
Chad nodded, convinced. "Oh, okay then…" He was silent a bit, letting the drug work its magic. "Hey? Earlier, remember when I asked if Harry was your date an' you said no, but you really wished he was? Does that mean… that… that you fancy him?"
Hermione winced. Apparently, the drug wasn't working fast enough for her. "Yeah. I've fancied him since school started again this year, and I thought he might've fancied me too, for an ephemeral moment. Alas, I was wrong." Hermione frowned. "And now he has an in-school suspension."
"D'you want to go with him to the dance and not… Cockner?" asked Chad, starting to sway slightly. Hermione nodded. Chad turned, grabbing onto Hermione for two reasons; one, he needed support to stand up, and two; because he wanted to help her if she helped him.
"Great! Let's make a deal!"
"Oh gee," Hermione began warily, placing an arm around his waist to help him down the stairs, "I dread those four little words." Then, after taking a few steps she asked feebly, "What is it?"
"I guess you know that make Grandfather is on the Board, right?"
"Yeah?" Where is he going with this?
"Well, I've been trying to get kicked outta school for a while now, because I don't feel… right there, y'know? Like, they're all soldiers marching off the same cliff… the 2.5 kids, 4.0 GPA, colonial house, perfect wife, perfect job…" Chad took a breath, before turning to Hermione. "You set a situation up where I can get suspended or expelled, and I'll help get you an' Harry tog'ther."
Hermione scrunched her nose up to one side, thinking it over. The offer did deem reasonable – nothing too big for her to handle by herself. And she was getting a bit tired of her silly "Boy OVER Girl" thing… so…
"Sure. And I've got the perfect idea." Grinning wickedly, she realized that she could just knock two birds with one stone, and get away clean. "BUT!" she said, poking Chad in the chest, "No mention of my name, Hun – or the deal is off."
Chad nodded. "Great. Which was to Potter?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Um… good question."
As they began walking across the Quidditch Pitch, Hermione saw two figures in the distance rapidly closing in on them.
"Uh oh," they said in unison.
As the figures became clearer and closer, Hermione realized it was Darrel Cockner and one of Cho's loyal friends, Emily Beatrice.
"Hermione!" Emily called in a sharp voice. "You cannot abandon your date and take off with another!" She leaned forward and grabbed Chad's robes. "I shall accompany Mr. Brussels to his true date, while you and your date can stick together. The dance starts in twenty minutes!"
With that, Emily began to walk away, but not before Hermione heard Chad exclaim, "This is great! I get a new date every ten minutes!"
"So… Hermione," butted in Darrel, "What are we going to do now?"
"Excuse me, I have to set up the refreshments," all but snarled Hermione, crossing her arms protectively across his chest before stomping (or as stomping as heels can) away from Cock-swipe.
**-**
Ginny sighed, looking up at her date, Charles B. Madison. He was a cute, with shaggy blond beach-surfer hair and beautiful blue eye that shamed hers. He also was extremely polite and kind. He had showed her nothing but kindness and Ginny was sure this was the kind of guy her mum would want her to take home and introduce to the rest of the Weasleys. Er… minus Ron, who'd fly off his broomstick.
"You know," said Charles in a husky deep voice that sent shivers down Ginny's spine, "You can tell a lot of a person by the texture on the back of their hand."
"Really?" asked Ginny, awestruck and filled to the brim with naïveté.
"Yeah," breathed Charles, holding Ginny's hand as they walked into the Great Hall, which was serving as the dance room. Balloons floated and hovered just out of the reach of students, and refreshments that Blaise and Hermione were managing were plentiful. Streamers blew back in worth in a non-existent wind.
Charles looked at Ginny's pale freckled hand and whispered, "Just what I thought… soft and smooth, just like you."
Ginny grinned at him before feeling the back of his hand, then dropping it in surprise. "Ewww! Rough and callus!"
Charles shrugged. "What can I say? I'm not exactly a good guy."
Ginny laughed, enjoying the feel of a guy in her arms. She would never have gotten away with this, since Ron is the over-protective type of brother. Though, ever since they had entered, coming in a bit later than the rest of the school, Ginny knew that there were a few eyes on her that weren't solely her date's.
For instance, Hermione and Blaise were speaking to each other, and glancing ever few minutes at her and Charles. Also, in the far, dark Slytherin corner, Ginny was sure that Draco Malfoy had glanced over at her.
Snorting softly, Ginny shook her head slightly. Now, why on Earth would a Malfoy be looking at you, Weasley trash? Muggle lover? Hmm?
Instead, Ginny felt Charles's breath tickle the sensitive skin by her ear and whisper, "Wanna get out of here?"
Shivering with pleasure, delight and something else Ginny couldn't identify, she nodded. "Sure. Quidditch pitch?"
Charles grinned and together they began to inconspicuously move towards the doors. Oh, but there were a few people who did notice, and one even managed to follow them.
Unbeknownst to the two, Ginny and Charles were lip-locked, hidden by the large folds of the Hufflepuff flag that cascaded down the Hufflepuff Quidditch viewing stand. Charles moved behind Ginny, kissing her neck and moving his hands around her waist before one moved to her back, inching its way up to her dress' zipper. Hearing the zip, Ginny started.
"What are you doing?" she whispered hoarsely.
"Do you want me to stop? I will if you say so," answered Charles hastily. His hands began to pull away from her body, and Ginny didn't want that.
"No, it's okay," she said, turning around to face him. Nodding, he continued, just stopping the zipper at a stop, and slipping his hands underneath the clothing article. They made their way simultaneously, before reaching her bra and unclasping. Ginny shuddered, and then opened her eyes in horror as she realized Charles was pulling the cloths she had pushed in the cups to make her bust larger, out.
One red cloth went tucked into his robe's pocket, and then the blue on in the other. Then, within seconds, there was another St. Aristippus boy in front of her, with a camera, and her bra and top was pulled up as the flash went off.
Charles and the other teen laughed and high-fived each other as Ginny slumped, pale as snow, against the Hufflepuff tower, clutching her loose bra and top part of her dress to her body.
Though, before the two were out of her sight, a few more St. Aristippus boys joined the group. Slinking into the shadows, Ginny watched in horror as they laughed loudly and talked about who had found the largest pair of –
"HEY!" a voice shouted, and a familiar one at that. Ginny pulled herself slightly out of the shadows to see Draco Malfoy, with Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Harry Potter, and oh Merlin – Ron Weasley come barreling towards the five St. Aristippus teens.
"What the fuc—"
Ginny was sure that Charles would've tried to finish that sentence if Draco's fist hadn't connected with the teen's jaw. His head popped back, and Charles stumbled, a hand to his bleeding mouth.
"You little shit," he snarled at Draco, before stepping forward with his other four friends right behind him.
Then, just as quickly as the picture had been taken, Crabbe had one St. Aristippus in a headlock, begging to be released, Goyle had knocked one out with one punch, Harry had done a series of boxing jabs to make the other two stumble back and get knocked out by Ron behind them. Draco, however, had gone far enough to knock Charles into next Friday, tied him up, and then out of spite, spat at his booted feet.
"That's for violating a girl, you—" Draco would've continued if Harry hadn't laid a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"He can't here you, though I wish he could," said the Boy Who Lived, removing his hand. "Thanks for telling us about this when we met in the hallway."
Draco drawled, "Well, I thought it was best for Weasel here to know what was going on with his sister. And 'sides, I would've never thought I'd live to see the day you, Potty, snuck out of detention."
Ginny's eyes widened. Her brother and his friends snuck out of detention? Why?
"Anyway, we're heading back to the dance. I need to find Hermione and explain something to her," sighed Harry, running a hand through his messy hair. "Let's go, Ron."
"But—"
"Let's go, Ron."
"Fine," grumbled Ron, turning his back on where Ginny was half-hidden. She saw him lean forward and grab the front of Draco's robes and hiss something at him, but Draco laughed and unhinged his robes from Ron's vice-like grip.
After he and Harry disappeared over the hill, Draco turned to his two goonies, and told them to wait for him back at the dance. Once they two, had disappeared, he turned to face Ginny, now fully hidden in the shadows.
She saw him look right at her, and she blushed. He came striding forward, and stopped right before her.
"There's no sense in hiding, Ginny, come out. I can see you in the dark anyway," he said, in surprisingly, not a drawl.
Bushing even more, Ginny hunched her shoulders, making herself as small as possible before coming out into the faded light.
Draco swore under his breath as his eyes traveled from her muddled hair, to the dress and bra she had still clutched to her body.
He stepped closer, muttering about a "sonofabitch, Merlinhelpthatmother—" He stopped when he saw Ginny's scared face.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Just turn around and I'll help you put your clothes back on. Then we can held back to the dance and pretend this didn't happen, okay?"
Nodding shyly, Ginny stepped forward, a tiny step, and found herself staring at Draco Malfoy's chest. He smirked a bit, but didn't say anything as he stood behind her and helped her clasp her bra back on and zip up her dress top.
"Are you going to be okay, Ginny? Not going to throw up or start crying on me now, are you?" asked Draco, stepping in front of her again.
Shaking her red head, Ginny looked up at him. "You said my name."
"What? What did you say?"
"You – You called me 'Ginny'. Not 'Weasley Junior', but Ginny," said Ginny, slightly breathless. Her blue eyes searched his own steely ones. "Why?"
"I dunno what you're going on about, Weasley. Don't be a wanker. I wouldn't call you anything else but Weasley, Ginny."
"You did it again!" surprise and pleasure were in her voice as Draco snapped his eyes closed and clenched his hands at his side.
Let that one slip didn't you? A voice in his head taunted. Give it up. One night isn't going to hurt you – your father will never know.
Draco remained tense until he felt two, small arms wrap themselves around his midsection, giving him one of his first remembered hugs.
His robe muffled Ginny's "Thank you," but that didn't stop Draco from putting his own arms awkwardly around her.
"Um, it's no problem, really. I mean, I knew that guy was an as – er, tosser, and I knew he might try something so I came out here…"
"You don't have to explain," Ginny said, pulling back. "I'm just grateful that you were there. Thanks." Then, she shyly raised her head and asked, "Want to go back to the dance together, then?"
Draco smirked, but Ginny thought it wasn't as much as he normally smirked, but more of a tiny smile. Drawling, he waved his while placing an arm around Ginny, "Well, I normally wouldn't go to a dance with a Weasley, but since you're special… Yeah, sure, Ginny. I'll go with you."
Ginny grinned and together they began to walk back to the dance.
**-**
Hermione bit her bottom lip in anxiety. She had seen Charles take Ginny out somewhere, and that was half an hour ago. They hadn't come back, and she was beginning to worry about her closest little friend.
"Do you think she's okay?" Hermione asked, her eyes catching Chad's before he winked sluggishly once and turned away, dancing with Cho.
"Ginny can handle herself, Herm. She's a growing girl and she"—
"And she what, Blaise?" asked Hermione, looking up from the cups. "Holy Mother of Merlin and all other Creations!" she gasped out, dropping the cup.
There, in the middle of the dance floor was Ginny, fine with only a messy head of hair, in the arms and DANCING with Draco Malfoy. Dancing. With Malfoy. Together.
"I'm going to faint," Blaise announced just as the thought flashed through Hermione's mind. The two girls watched for a few more minutes before sharing a look.
"Where's Charles?" asked Blaise, a little thought popping into her head. Hermione shrugged, but grinned.
"I don't know, but I have an idea of what happened to him."
The two girls giggled before a male teen in robes stopped in front of the two. "Ladies," he began in a recognizable voice, "Can I please can a cup of punch?"
Hermione giggled once more, while Blaise placed a new tank on the table. Lifting her head and handing the teen the cup, Hermione began, "Sure here you go – what the hell! Dean!" leaning over the table as Dean grasped the cup, Hermione hissed, "Aren't you suppose to be in detention?? In the library?"
Dean flashed a pearly white grin. "Now, really, Herm – do you think we'd spend the dance in there, with all these beautiful ladies available" – a young witch with long legs past the table and Dean called out after her, – "Hello there, hot stuff!"
She shot him a frosty look, which made Dean winch and shudder, "Oooh."
"And the Deanster is left in the cold again," came Seamus's voice as he joined the two girls. "Hey Herm, Blaise. Can I have a cup too, please?"
Gapping wordlessly, Hermione handed him a cup.
"If you two are out of detention, then where are Ron and Harry?" asked Blaise, voicing what Hermione was thinking.
"Ah," Dean said, turning slightly to let his eyes sweep the dance floor. "No idea. They went off with Draco awhile ago, but we haven't seen them since Draco and his goons came back."
"Oh," said Hermione, her head dropping a bit. "Anyway," she brightened up, "Do you two think you can do me a favor?"
"Yeah, sure," replied Seamus.
"Well, firstly, I want to say I'm sorry about the whole… feminist thing."
"Apology accepted. Is that it?"
"Um, no. Can you please tear Cho away from her date so I can talk to Chad? I have to… help him with something." Grinned Hermione. Dean and Seamus turned and found Cho dancing very… whorishly with Chad, who was having the time of his life. Dean and Seamus then shared a devilish grin that would've made Fred and George proud.
"No problem Herm. Be right back."
"Take your time!" called Blaise, just as two St. Aristippus boys came up and asked for the punch. She grinned and lured them in with a crocked finger. After handing them two cups, she said, "We made this stuff just for you, and only you. If you want more, ask for the 'Surprise Punch'."
The two Aristippus teens looked confusedly at each other before shrugging and walking away. After they had gone a few paces and taken a sip, they coughed and glanced at each other.
"It's spiked!" said one.
"And masterfully!" said the second, in surprise.
At that moment, another Aristippus teen came up to them, holding a punch cup in his hands and panting slightly. "Have you guys tried the Surprise Punch?"
"Yeah!" said the first. "Let's go get some more!"
**-**
Lavender was shocked. Josh Dower had left her twenty minutes ago to go use the loo and "relieve" himself and hadn't been back since. But that wasn't what shocked her, no – it was the fact that Ginny and dancing with Draco, and the fact that Lavender had seen Ron a few seconds ago in the room and hadn't done anything to Draco, though he was watching the pair carefully.
Now, since Josh had disappeared, and the song was over, Ginny detangled herself from Draco's arms and said something to him, before making her way through the crowd to the food stands where Lavender was standing, her arms crossed.
Ginny then saw her, and smiled openly. "Hey Lav."
"Hello yourself, Ginny," replied Lavender, a bit coolly.
"Ouch, what jumped up and bit you in the arse?" asked Ginny, glancing at her friend as Ginny grabbed a plat and began piling it with food for two.
"Well, besides the fact that my date has disappeared for about twenty minutes, and then you're dancing with Malfoy and Ron hasn't jumped you, it's safe to say I'm a bit confused and shocked."
"Yeah," smiled Ginny, smacking her lips together as she tasted a small sandwich. "It's an interesting story, but I don't think Ron and Draco'll fight anymore."
"And why not?" demanded Lavender.
Ginny shot her a look. "Well, Charles was a wanker who took a picture of my… ah… you-know… and Draco beat him into a pulp, with Harry and Ron and his goonies."
Lavender looked from Ginny to Draco, to Ron who caught her eye, and then back at Ginny's hair. "Really?" she asked, her coolness melting away.
Ginny nodded. "Yeah. I was a bit shocked, but now they have a medium and grudging respect for each other."
Lavender nodded, her eyes on Ron, who was in the shadows trying to hide from the Professors. He was also with Harry.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that Charles did that to you," she said sincerely.
"So am I. I'm completely with Hermione now, and again, with her WAM views," nodded and agreed Ginny. Lavender looked at the younger girl.
"Oh, didn't you hear? Hermione disbanded WAM this afternoon, just before the dance started. She said she was mistaken, and would do the last scheme of hers alone. And completely alone. She wouldn't have Blaise nor I help."
Ginny frowned. "Odd."
"Very, but we respect her decision." Lavender looked up, and again at Ron.
"You should just go up to him and ask to dance," interrupted Ginny.
"What?" Lavender blushed. "Ask who the dance, Ginny? Really, I can't follow your young minded thoughts anymore."
Sighing, Ginny stomped her foot before backing away. "Lavender, just ask Ron to dance. I'm sure he'll say yes – after all, there must be a reason why he saved the picture with you, Hermione, Harry and himself and placed it beside his bed."
Lavender blushed, but then nodded and began to move towards Ron.
**-**
"Aw, c'mon, Ron, do you see her?" whined Harry, his own emerald eyes searching the dance floor. "I can't seem to find Hermione anywhere on the dance floor with her date."
"Aha! It's because she's doing refreshments!" laughed Ron, pointing as Harry followed his line of sight.
He was about to say something when a scream cut him off. Turning, he saw the Dean and Seamus had been "grooving" and "accidentally" bumped into Cho, spilling their punch all over her.
"You clods!" she screamed, before turning to Hermione, who was nearby and watching with a smug smirk. "Don't you even think to touch my date!"
And with that, she turned her nose in the air and began to walk back to her dorm room to change her dress.
As soon as she was out of the line of sight, Hermione took Cho's date's hand and whispered something in his ear. His face went a bit redder, and Harry felt something twist his stomach.
"Does she fancy him?" he asked, gripping Ron's upper arm.
"Oww, ow, ow! Harry, lay off, will you?" asked Ron, pushing his friends' hands away. "How should I know? I just found the girl like you wanted!"
"I know, but—"
"But nothing. If you fancy her all that much, go after them!" Ron said, giving Harry a push. Sighing, Harry scratched the back of his head before nodding. He then took off at a fast jog, dodging between dancing couples and groups of friends.
When he reached the refreshment table, he panted to Blaise, Dean and Seamus, "Where'd she go?"
"Er, Gryffindor Dorm for the Marauder's Map and then Ravenclaw Dorms," stuttered Blaise, pointing halfheartedly.
"Thanks," he breathed out, dashing away from the table.
He raced through the halls, running up the Great Entrance Hall's stairs and jumping the missing one, before taking a shortcut to the Gryffindor Common Room.
As he skidded to a halt in front of the Fat Lady portrait, the picture swung open, revealing a griping Hermione and what looked like a stoned date.
"Hermione?!" asked Harry, stepping back.
Hermione's brown head snapped up and she exclaimed, "Harry?!" in the same tone he used. The other guy looked between the two, laughing lightly and joined the conversation.
"Chad?!" he concluded. "You must be Hermione's crush, Harry Potter. 'Leased to meet you."
"Hermione's what?" exclaimed Harry.
Hermione turned to Chad and shook her violently. "You little prat! You promised not to say anything if I helped you! ARGH! Deal's off, Brussels!"
"No, no, no!" Chad whined. "Help me! Please! Get me expelled!"
Harry stared at the two before him, before jumping into action. "For Merlin's sake," he snapped, helping Hermione out of the portrait first, then gave Chad a steadier body to lean against, "Let's get this over with while you two explain."
"Explain?" shrieked Hermione. "EXPLAIN?? Harry, you should be explaining what you're doing out of detention!"
"In-school suspension," he corrected her glumly, setting his jaw in a line. "Now, can we just go before Cho misses her date – again?"
Hermione made a face and nodded, telling him her idea about getting Chad expelled. Harry grinned wickedly, and nodded. "If all goes well, I like it."
Together, they made their way to the Ravenclaw dorms, and used the Map to get the current password. The banner of a Centaur reading the stars parted to show the Ravenclaw entrance, and the trio stepped in.
Silence was met from every corner, expect slightly above, where Cho was changing her dress.
"Let's do this fast," whispered Harry, taking his Invisibility Cloak from Hermione and draping it over him and her.
"Chad," whispered Hermione, "You'll need to take the last… um… pill I have with me. Then, we'll escort you up to Cho's room…"
"And I'll do the rest," he grinned, walking off to one side and then the next. "Gotcha, 'Mione."
Rolling her eyes under the cloak, Hermione felt in her pocket for the pill and pulled it out, her hand emerging from thin air as she handed it to Chad. He nodded his thanks and swallowed, before they started moving up the Ravenclaw dorm staircase.
"That's the room," whispered Harry. "She would always tell me which room was hers."
Chad nodded again, and gave the two a tiny salute before his opened the door and found Cho in her underwear. She screamed, but Harry and Hermione didn't stick around to see what would happen. Instead, the two of them raced down the stairs and out of the dorm room.
Once they were a safe distance away, Harry pulled Hermione into an empty room and pulled the cloak off them.
"Now, what's this about me being your crush?" he demanded, blocking her escape route by leaning against the door.
"Um," began Hermione, waving her hands around a bit, before continuing, "Well, it's true."
"You mean you fancy me? After everything that I put you through and your silly WAM thing?" asked Harry, surprised.
"Yes," squeaked Hermione, when he began to step slowly closer to her. Just as his head inched close to Hermione's, she backed up some more and demanded, "And what about all those split personalities, huh, Harry?"
"Oh," at this, Harry blushed. "Well, you see, I also happened to fancy you… very much so, and… I, ah, didn't know what kind of bloke you fancied…"
"So?"
"So I asked Dean, Seamus and Ron for advise."
"WHAT?" Hermione nearly screamed. "You asked the three most notorious playboys and bachelors in the school how to get a girl?"
Harry closed his eyes. "When you put it that way it sounds bad."
"Bad???" exclaimed Hermione. "Harry, you were doing fine on your own before you went all… John Travolta and James Dean and gay on me!"
"Gay?" gasped Harry, a hand flying to point at himself. "Me? WHEN?"
Hermione stepped slightly forward. "Yes, you – when you were so interested in books and literature and you spoke so refined. You sounded and acted gay. To me at least."
Harry rolled his eyes, stepping forward, making Hermione back away. He did it again, and this time she bumped into the Professor's desk.
"I can assure you, Hermione, that I'm not gay," said Harry, before smacking his lips on hers. His hands found themselves to her back and one to her neck, while hers tangled themselves in his ebony hair.
Harry growled deep in his throat, before slanting his lips to a new angle, getting more of Hermione. Then, his tongue traced her lips, and she allowed him access to her mouth. His tongue entered her mouth, and a moan came from Hermione.
While all this happened, Harry's hand on Hermione's small back pulled her closer to him, and she unconsciously moved her legs apart while Harry placed one leg between hers. Without realizing it, they had somehow found their way on the desk for a serious and long overdue make out session.
Hermione hands were busy playing with the hair at the base of Harry's neck, while one of his braced itself on the desk as not to crush Hermione, and the other was woven around her waist to bring her as close as possible to him.
"The scream's coming from the Ravenclaw dorms!" came a nearby voice. It was so near that Harry and Hermione both jumped startled, and fell off the desk and behind it with a loud thump.
"Wait! Did you hear that?" came another voice. The door then opened, and two shadows entered the room. Seeing nothing amiss, the first person sighed.
"No, no one hear. Let's continue on," it said. The other hesitated before shutting the door.
Hermione, on the ground and underneath Harry, craned her neck to see if the two were truly gone. However, that was detained as Harry began to kiss her neck.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to kiss you?" he mumbled into her skin. Hermione sighed.
"No. No idea," she replied, smiling serenely. Harry pulled back and propped himself up on his elbow.
"A long, long time, my 'Mione. A very long time," he grinned. Hermione smiled back at him, before looping an arm around his neck and bringing his face back down to her.
"C'mere you," she laughed in the darkness of the classroom. There were a few minutes of silence except the sounds of two people kissing, before they broke apart, panting.
"Hey, Hermione…"
"Yeah, Harry?"
"What was that pill you gave Chad?"
Silence.
"Umm… it was a…"
"A…?"
"Miltown."
"WHAT?"
**-**
AN: Wow! Took me a while to finish that off. Anyway, things shall run smoother now that I own "Strike/All I Wanna Do" on DVD and can watch it whenever. I hope you are all enjoy this, and to answer any questions:
HoT*lIkE*fire: LOL, go and offend me, I don't mind! I take the good with the bad, and that makes me a better author because of it. Yeah, everyone is wondering, just what is Hermione thinking? Well, I guess you got a clue here, but she still has to explain a lot to Harry – and some other people… **evil laughter**
Cuddlelove: "About time someone wrote something like this" – Aww! Thanks! But it's not because I'm a feminist or anything – I just felt like changing and mixing some things up like crazy. ^_~ I can't help it. Is it my fault I wish I led such a crazy life like Hermione?
Naturesbungle: There's a new concept! Most people feel bad for Hermione, and you're feeling bad for the boys and Gin and Parvati? ((Hm, thanks for reminding me to add Parvati in – she'll pop up in chapter five!)) Bravo for being different and unique! Kudos to you!
Stoneheart: Why, hellooooo again. Ah, yes. Just as many layers to this story as there are in onions. ((Thank Shrek for that one)) From comedy to romance, yep, that's my specialty. In truth, I've got now idea. None. Nada. But let's keep that between you and mean – I wouldn't want to secret to get out ((mock whispers)) okay? And um… (Mafalda Hopkirk) Who? Never got one either, just in case you're wondering… so… perhaps they should try again? ^_~ Righty-ho!
Sparkle Tangerine: Hello again! That's a fair good of advise to Harry – take your love life into your own hands, laddie, don't trust your friends. They'd probably screw it up, just like in real life! **coughJASONcough** did you like the snogging at the end? I put it in just for you! ^_^ But you're right; Hermione has gone too far, and this is where she realizes it. Now she just has to live up to her actions…
Roku kyu: Hey there!! Wow, I never expected you to read one of my stories, and especially a Harry Potter one! I thought you were all Fushigi Yuugi and Inu-Yashi! Oh yes, very amusing and many undertones and as Stoneheart says, layers. Hahaha, are they the same length? That's pretty interesting because I though yours were longer – ah, must be the font size or something! Oh yeah… I happen to hate the fact that people think, Slytherin = evil; Ravenclaw = smart; Hufflepuff = dense and loyal; Gryffindor = brave, heroic. Life ain't like that, and everyone has a good and bad side, no matter where or what house they're in. I look forward to seeing more of your reviews, and be sure to look for mine on your "…Cast" FY fanfic with your shameless self-family insertation, lol!
