Chapter 7 - Anti-Magical Cleaning Hex

and chapter 8 - Announcements

Word count for this chapter; 7,125

blah-blah - blah ...to represent the usual disclaimer stuff

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Hermione's POV:

Hermione had mix emotions after leaving the Gryffindor Common room to go to her private suite that the Head Girl & Boy shared. She was happy to hear from Ron and had laughed out loud along with Harry and the rest of them at Ron's sharp witted humor. Ron could always bring a chuckle or silent laugh out of her, although she never told him …out of fear that he would turn out to be more and more like his older brothers Fred and George.

She was also saddened to hear the obvious pain and anger directed at her from Ron. Belatedly she had come to realize that being caught in the act - instead of being honest and forthcoming from the start – she had damaged both her relationships with both of her two closest male friends.

That Ron had seemingly proven her right in his immature reaction to her dating Draco was small comfort in comparison to the negative response of her former 'housemates' as well as classmates in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. The lecture she had gotten recently from professor McGonagall over the potential miss-use of the Head Suite had been embarrassing enough.

If she is going to make her relationship with Draco work - then she needed to change the negative impression that most students and teachers had concerning Draco. If Hermione could win over the good will of Harry - and more importantly the surprisingly popular Ron, then the Head Girl felt confident the rest of the school would follow suit.

An impossible task for anyone else, other than herself – the smartest and best Head Girl that Hogwarts ever had. At least this was what she viewed herself as and hoped to have that option codified by being written in Hogwarts, A History one day soon. All she had to do to earn a footnote in her favorite book - was to convince Ron that he was mistaken about his feelings for her – and that they were never more to each other than friends.

And yet – Hermione had no explanation for the abrupt surge of - could it possibly have been - jealousy - that she'd felt when Lavender rather aggressively implied a romantic interest in her Ronald. She was still mulling it over in her mind - when she arrived at the Head Suite

"Draconus Nimbulas!" Hermione said unconsciously to the portrait of Sir Cadogan guarding the entrance of the Head Boy and Girl's suite.

"Enter milady," replied the old knight trying to stay upright on his steed but falling off after he opened up the entrance for Hermione. "Whoa you blasted mule, I said whoa…please whoa!"

Hermione walked into the Head Common room to see Draco sitting in his armchair looking up at her in a brooding mood.

"Draco what's wrong?" Hermione asked running over to Draco.

"Nothing Sweets," Draco said, then grabbed Hermione and forced her to sit on his lap so he could turn his head and give her a passionate kiss.

"Mmm, really you can tell me," Hermione said after she withdrew slowly from the kiss and wrapped her arms around Draco's neck.

Draco pushed her hair aside to see the old and small bruise on Hermione's face.

"Did Potter and that Weasley girl apologize for what they did to us?" Draco asked as he looked directly in Hermione's eyes waiting for a response.

Hermione stiffened, as she never actually got-around to ask for their apology. To make matters worse, Draco would be angry if he knew that she stayed up in the Gryffindor Common room just to listen to one of Ron's letters. Her boyfriend was obviously more than a tad envious of her closeness to Harry and Ron – never having had friends of his own before. She thought it better to distract him from the apology issue, before she answered. So she leaned down and initiated another deep-kiss only to have it broken off abruptly - by Draco, who was now openly scowling at her.

"They didn't, did they? I am sick and tired of the 'Potter Gang' always getting away with breaking the rules." Draco spouted hotly after moving Hermione off his lap.

"Please, Draco, if you two could just sit down together for a chat - and let him see the real you- -," Hermione begged, as she was scared for her best friends as Draco could get them expelled.

Draco reached up and rubbed Hermione's bruise before softly growling, "No one attacks me and my girlfriend and gets away with it. One way or another, they will pay. Scar-head doesn't have his bumbling sidekick to protect him now. With any luck that stupid …Muggle lover is-off somewhere washing dishes."

"Draco, they are my friends and I won't let you do anything to them." Hermione ordered, turning a serious and demanding stare at Draco.

"Relax my-sweet, - I plan to follow the rules, unlike Potter, by asking for his suspension and expulsion during the next staff meeting. They will have to agree to it - as the incident was in full-sight of everyone in the Great Hall." Draco said, with his trademark sneer and then he gave a sweet smile to a nervous looking Hermione.

"Draco please don't, I beg you." Hermione pleaded as she stepped closer to Draco and placed her hands on his chest.

"Hermione, we agreed when we became Heads to enforce 'all' the rules." Draco said, closing his hand on top of Hermione's hand.

"I know, but…"

"But nothing," replied Draco, finishing the discussion by shoving Hermione hard up against the wall and kissing her forcefully, his hands violently groping and fondling her fully clothed body without restraint – or - any more than mild resistance from his otherwise eagerly responsive girlfriend.

'One day he'll be gentle', - she said to her-self hopefully.

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A few days later

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"Well that the last item on the agenda is there anything else?" Professor McGonagall asked to the crowded staff meeting - being held in Headmaster Dumbledore's office.

Hermione immediately raised her hand.

"Miss Granger," remarked Professor McGonagall in a tone that she expected for Hermione to have something.

"Thank you Professor," replied Hermione as she stood up from the couch where she had sat beside Draco. "We, and by that I mean the Head Boy and I, are aghast at the haphazard attitude of most of the students body in their manner of dress while attending classes.

"The use of illegal uniforms accessories clearly forbidden by the long established dress code has become epidemic in scope. Even those students who are giving lip service to the old code are wearing their uniforms in a very sloppy fashion. Neckties by the boys left untied and blouses by the girls left unbuttoned low enough to display a shameful amounts of cleavage. A lack of self discipline in appearance can often lead to a lack of respect for other school rules. We, therefore as the heads request the strict enforcement of the official Hogwarts dress code rules."

Draco smiled up at Hermione with a facial expression that she had come to recognize as a withheld secret, but by now it was far too late to reverse course. But the feeling of a trap sprung shut bothered her deeply - as she began to wonder in the back of her mind - if Draco had an ulterior motive for enforcing the dress code that he hadn't shared with her. She was so taken with wonder that she failed to notice the universal expressions of disgust on the faces of Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, and a most but not all of the other Professors in the office.

"Yes… very well. Enforcement of the dress code is well-within the authority of the 'Heads' and the Prefects serving under them. But I warn you both - that overly strict enforcement of the rules might have negative consequences." Dumbledore said.

"Are you saying the blatant disregard for the established dress code is to continue?" Draco asked with his trademark sneer – "or are you withdrawing permission to enforce them as outlined in the rules."

"No Mr. Malfoy the rules allow the heads to determine such things - as you knew – perfectly well; before coming in here. Do what you wish in this matter, the staff according to the rules will not interfere".

"Now then - Are there any other items that we should consider …more important ones …perhaps?" Professor McGonagall remarked slightly aggravated by Hermione's suggestion and foreseeing the problems that excessive enforcement of any set of rules was about to cause.

"Excellent suggestion, the students have been violating the rules for far too long. I fully endorse this and second the motion." Professor Snape added and briefly nodded at Draco in approval.

"Yes… very well. Are there any other items to discuss?" Professor McGonagall remarked slightly aggravated by the head boys' attitude.

"Yes, Professor, a very important one." Draco offered as he stood up to address the staff meeting.

"No," whispered Hermione realizing what Draco was about to say.

"Go ahead, Mr. Malfoy," ordered Professor Dumbledore coldly - from behind his desk and staring down narrowly at Draco - through his half-moon glasses.

"I wish to bring to the staff's attention to a serious disciplinary problem recently presented by Mr. Potter and Miss. Weasley." Draco said in a formal tone of voice as he addressed everyone in the room.

"Ferret," muttered Hagrid standing in the back of the room.

Draco ignored the comment and pressed-on.

"Last Wednesday in the Great Hall, Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley did malignantly and appalling attack …both Miss Granger and myself without any provocation. I request that they be order to attend a Student-Professor disciplinary hearing chaired by Professor Snape and the Heads for punishment." Draco said, smugly and confidently in a formal manner as if he was delivering a speech to Parliament.

"Mr. Potter has been breaking school rules for years and he should be held accountable for his irresponsible actions." Professor Snape added in agreement with his favorite pupil.

"No - staff dismissed." Dumbledore said dryly, showing a small smile at a shocked and outraged Draco who was flabbergasted by his decision.

Hagrid and most of the staff stood up to leave, but stopped as Draco stormed up to Dumbledore's desk to yell.

"So once again Potter and his 'gang of thugs' gets-away with it! I guess the rules don't apply toward your favorite, and that pathetic Weasel family, that-lot are nothing but a bunch of literate, blood-traitors and drop outs!"

The room filled with the crackling noise of Hagrid's knuckles, but Dumbledore waved him off before re-addressing Draco.

"Mr. Malfoy if anyone is to be expelled it should have been you. For years, you have used the rules when it met your purposes and ignored them when it did not. In spite of your Head-of-House attempts to cover them-up …I am well aware of all your activities these last six years. The reason you are still here today at Hogwarts is only out-of respect for your Head of House, Professor Snape. The reason why you are a Head Boy this term – instead of someone far better qualified - is also out-of respect for Professor Snape.

As for the matter of Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley, the incident you refer to - was something that you initiated, as you so often do, by antagonizing them about Mr. Weasley. Who is not literate or a dropout, but a Co-op student – who will return? I shall overlook for the moment your blatant pure-blood bigotry, for I know this fruit does not fall far from its tree of origin". Dumbledore said with a hard glance toward Professor Snape.

"You may rest assured - as I do, in the sure knowledge that somehow Mr. Weasley will be informed - - not only of your comments at the time of the Great Hall 'incident,' but also of your often expressed views concerning his sister 'lack' of virtue. As a matter of pure-blood family honor, I can only imagine that upon hearing what you have said about his sister - in the hallways of this school – all within the hearing of numerous witness, - that his reaction will be somewhat heated. Thankfully for your sake, 'vendetta dueling' was abolished long ago, but then-again; Mr. Weasley does not need to use a wand to express his displeasure with you – does he?"

Hearing this Draco' pale face turned ghostly white in fear.

"However, as much as I look forward to your physically painful confrontation with Mr. Weasley - it is regretfully three months off. I have a more pressing issue here and now to deal with. There are in fact a set of expulsion paper already filled-out in my desk. It has your name on the top of it and only requires my signature at the bottom.

I plan to give copies to the Ministry, Gringotts Bank, and to the Malfoy family banisters. Oh yes, Mr. Malfoy – I am well aware of your trust fund and how you will not be able to collect a single Knut of it, if you are an untrained wizard expelled from Hogwarts." Dumbledore said, lifting the expulsion paper out of his desk for Draco to see.

"When my Father-," growled Draco before Professor Snape put a hand on his shoulder to silence him.

"If he escapes one more time from Azkaban, after I have already personally put him in there twice, then I will be forced to wipe his memory of every evil Dark Arts and magical spell he ever learned and force him to live as a Muggle." Dumbledore snapped, with a look of blazing anger in his eyes as he leaned forward toward Draco.

After a brief second of glaring, Dumbledore abruptly leaned back in his chair and re-gained control of his temper - before he finished talking. "Perhaps as a useful Garbage Collector, often the most manual labor intensive jobs …are the most rewarding.

Draco retreated in disgust and fear at the mentioning of losing his huge trust fund and his father being turn into a Muggle Garbage Collector. Professor Snape seeing that Draco had crossed the line with the headmaster - quickly pushes the Malfoy boy out of the office, past the chuckling of Hagrid and some of the other staff members. Soon the office cleared out except for Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and a now very timid looking Hermione.

"Miss Granger is there something else?" Dumbledore asked in a softer tone toward Hermione who was still sitting peacefully on the couch.

"Err… I can't believe …. He really is nice once you get to know him, Headmaster." Hermione said bashfully - at a total lost to explain Draco's offensive behavior.

Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes and turned her back on Hermione to hide her dismay while picking-up a pile of paperwork off Headmaster Dumbledore's desk.

"Perhaps you're right, Miss Granger, perhaps there is a side of Mr. Malfoy that the rest of us are unaware of," replied Dumbledore with a small smile on his face as he looked at Hermione".

"By-the-way Miss Granger," Albus began with a warm smile. "I realize you're busy what with your studies, and the responsibilities involved in being the Head Girl – especially in light of enforcing the old dress codes. I'm sure that task will take up loads of your energy. However, I wonder if I can press upon you …for some personal assistance."

Hermione jumped up from the couch full of excitement and said, "Yes, Headmaster, I be happy to help."

"No, on second thought, you are much too busy for something this trivial," remarked Dumbledore feigning his earlier request.

"No sir! I'll be delighted to help any way I can. I mean, I am extremely busy with class-work right now, but I consider it my duty to help-out with the school, in matters both large and small. I stand firmly for the Order, and will help even with personal matters." Hermione pleaded eagerly, as she walked up to in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Nothing of that scale, but it is something you have been crusading for the last few years. In fact, I heard about your lengthy speeches to the House elves given right-before the evening meals. The elves have been most…ah … excited - - - yes that's the proper way to describe their feelings - to report to me personally - their intense reaction to your speeches concerning elf emancipation – I don't believe anyone in recent history - has ever gotten them so worked-up on any issue - as you have." Dumbledore said diplomatically, as he stood up and guided Hermione to the back of his office.

"Ha-ha, oh yeah… excited, as-in about to riot" cracked softly one of the Headmasters Portraits in a near whisper - before feigning sleep again.

"Thank you, Headmaster", Hermione declared proudly having not heard the portraits sour comments.

"I'm afraid I haven't converted any of them - beside Dobby - with my S.P.E.W. doctrine, however I feel certain that I'm slowly making progress." Hermione smugly said, not noticing Professor McGonagall rolling her eyes again as she was pretending to be busy signing paperwork.

"Yes, about your S.P.E.W. views, you probably noticed my office is a little bit filthier than it was the last time you were up here - requesting longer classroom hours for all students." Dumbledore said, as he stopped in the back of his office and smiled warmly at Hermione.

"Sweet mother of Merlin," softly moaned another Headmaster Portrait - who caught-out instantly feigned sleep.

"Well, I didn't want to say anything - about your office's …state of tidiness, Professor – but about the request for longer classroom hours - we really could use more time in - -" Hermione began, while looking around and noticing at the dirt and dust lying-about in Dumbledore's office.

"- - No, I'm sorry my dear" – Albus interrupted gently. "But I'm afraid the Board of Governors turned down your wonderful proposal - for a shorter summer holiday and longer classroom hours. They seem to feel that the additional costs in salary, food and maintenance expenses - justifies at this time - the additional learning opportunities that a drastically shortened summer-holiday would provide," Dumbledore said as he showed his best poker-face of conjured regret - for Hermione.

"Darn," pouted Hermione not noticing several of the Headmaster Portraits roll their eyes and shake their heads disapprovingly at her.

"As I said Miss Granger, the house-elf who usually cleaned my office has been out sick for a month, poor-lad, and I am afraid to admit as the World's Greatest Wizard – I am simply horrible with cleaning spells."

Hermione chewed her bottom lip to keep from smiling, after learning Dumbledore cannot perform elementary cleaning spells.

"No problem, Headmaster," remarked Hermione pulling out her wand.

"No, I'm afraid at my old age that I accidentally performed an Anti-magical Cleaning Hex on my office. Even Professor Flitwick is unable to remove it." Dumbledore said, with a embarrassed expression on his face.

"Oh… I guess we will have to do it the Muggle way then. Er… Headmaster, I never heard of an Anti-magical Cleaning Hex." Hermione said, wondering if the Headmaster had really done that, but not willing to doubt him.

"It's an old, but not a very useful spell, I'm afraid. I can imagine you never read about it in the library. Why would you?" Dumbledore asked as he stopped to pick up a small wastebasket and then guided Hermione to his office door.

"I guess not. I can't imagine too many wizards and witches wanting to perform that spell," Hermione remarked in agreement.

"Not many indeed". Albus admitted. You can find brooms, brushes, and cleaning supplies with Mr. Filch. You can start with cleaning-out this bin – what the American's call a wastebasket - and then tomorrow you can clean the rest of my office every day just before the evening meals".

"What about my inspirational S.P.E.W. talks with the elves?" Hermione asked in a worried tone.

"I know it is a-lot to ask – to help an old man maintain appearances - so that visitors won't get the wrong impression of Hogwarts due to my filthy office". Albus said looking very unhappy. "If you do this favor for me - you'll have to cancel your nightly speeches to the house-elves in the kitchens".

"I can easily postpone my pep-talks to the elves until after your elf recovers", Hermione said reluctantly.

Thank you, Miss Granger. I'm in your debt for this," Dumbledore said beaming, as he handed Hermione the wastebasket and guided her out of his office.

The Headmaster's office door magically shut behind her.

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Professor's McGonagall's POV:

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"Albus, I mean …honestly, an Anti magical Cleaning Hex?" asks Professor McGonagall looking at Dumbledore with an expression that declared that no such spell ever existed.

"The youth sometimes - far too blindly - follow authority figures. Actually if you think-on-it my solution is one stone for two troublesome birds – as her presence cleaning in here – will silence the rebellion Miss Granger has been stirring amount the House-elves …with her non-stop calls for elf-freedom and secondly; I get my office cleaned," remarked Dumbledore smiling and feeling very pleased with himself - as he returned to his desk.

"Unfathomable brilliant book smarts and yet not a single ounce of street smarts." Professor McGonagall said, looking at the couch where Hermione had sat.

"I believe that common sense and speaking to our elves was Mr. Weasley's department."

"Speaking of which, I've given my former Gryffindor Prefect Weasley's absence further thought. You do realize that without young master Weasley's understated 'diplomatic skills' - in smoothing over the excesses of Miss Granger's strict 'obedience of the rules' obsession as Head Girl. I have every reason to fear - that what little goodwill with the house elves as well as the student body - that our Head Girl ever had before Ronald's departure - will totally evaporate once the new dress code is enforced – or – your sick-elf recovers. So having her clean – is only a temporary fix for your Miss Granger made problems

"Yes, when a boat is sinking – bailing is only a quick-fix ...and I know that", Dumbledore said knowingly. "I am sure there will be huge opposition to the dress code enforcement. Which will as time goes on - take an ever increasingly demand on her time – to the point where she will have no time at all to spew harass our house-elves,"

"That solves only one problem – the small problem – the dress code issue is the one that has the potential to tear this school a-part. So tell me why did you remain silent when you see this oncoming disaster as clearly as I do?"

"Minerva, when a student makes a mistake in class, it is the duty of the teacher, to point out the error so that the mistake can be corrected."

"Are you referring to the dress code - or - Miss Granger romantic choice?" Minerva asked arching an eyebrow. "Learning either lesson Albus, could be painful for a girl with her level of stubbornness."

"Sometimes - pain - is the only way to learn." Dumbledore said shaking his head sadly. "Ronald's pain may well help-him to mature and grow, leaving his child like qualities behind and taking-up the characteristics of manhood. Our head Girl's pain may well teach her to appreciate what she has taken for granted up to now. Only time will tell. "

"I take it that the bin / wastebasket you gave our Head Girl was the same one Mr. Weasley's used before he left us," remarks Professor McGonagall in a knowing fashion at Dumbledore.

Again the Headmaster Dumbledore merely smiled in reply with his eyes full of mirth.

Hermione's POV:

Hermione stood outside of Dumbledore's office and wondered how she just got kicked out of his office so quick. She then looked down at the wastebasket and noticed smelly old vomit inside it.

"Eww," thought Hermione as she searched for Mr. Filch and cleaning supplies.

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Chapter 8 – Announcements

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Hermione's POV:

The next afternoon just after classes, Harry stood up on a chair and made an announcement to his housemates in the Gryffindor Commons room.

"Listen up! Everyone gather around, I have an announcement to make!"

All the Gryffindor students' became quiet and circled around Harry. For all practical purposes Harry had become …in the last three years …the de facto leader of the Gryffindor house and had earned everyone's support and loyalty. Although, Harry never outwardly asked for this role, it was something that was generally assumed and agreed upon by his housemates. He just had a way about him - even without all the Boy-Who-Lived and past heroics. This made his friends and housemates follow his lead.

"Harry... Harry," Hermione whispered while gently grabbing at Harry's robe.

"What Hermione," Harry spat hotly - trying to control his temper as she was interrupting him?

"Well, Harry as you surely already know - all house announcements have to be cleared with the Heads." Hermione stated with a little bit of fear at getting Harry angry at her.

Her fear was well founded as she noticed a flash of rage shoot across Harry's face. He turned and made his announcement anyway. "Listen up you-lot! Our resident Air-Head current tryst with a well-known snake - has lost us our star Keeper – with just two weeks to go before our match with the rest of the Slytherin's."

Hermione slid slowly back down into her armchair next to Harry. She may have been Head Girl, but even she wasn't crazy enough to mess with Harry when he was this angry.

"She also won't let me wear my designer robes!" Lavender shouted and looked angrily at Hermione.

"Nor my family scarf and some of my makeup!" Parvati shouted just as angrily at Hermione as did Lavender.

The entire Gryffindor Commons room then broke-out… into all kinds of complaints and yelling from all directions - against Hermione in general - accusing her of abusing her powers as Head Girl and in specifics; over the dress code and her unyielding enforcement of it. She took in all the dislike thrown at her in good grace – even though the intensity of loathing she heard from her own House was deeply disquieting. However, in the end - Hermione bravely stood up in her armchair beside Harry to address all of them.

"Now listen here, Draco and I are simply enforcing the old dress- -"

"- - Hermione… Not... another... word!" Harry bellowed as he looked very angrily at Hermione and in the process – immediately - silenced the room.

Hermione pouted but got off the chair sets back down, and then looked away from Harry's scowl.

"As I was saying, I agree with you about the stupid new dress code." Harry remarked turning his face down toward Hermione and almost dared her to say anything. "Unfortunately, I can't do anything about it other than talk to Professor Dumbledore about removing them. I can't promise anything, - but I'll try."

Hermione continued to pout as she crossed her arms over her chest and said nothing while looking away from Harry. Meanwhile, most of the students felt dejected - but at the same time felt appreciative of Harry's best effort attempt to remove the much hated dress code rules.

"Now back to the announcement that I came here to make - - which is a certain un-named witch, who better be quiet for the rest of this announcement, through her choice in lover has indirectly lost - temporarily I sincerely hope - our Keeper. We need to have an emergency tryout for the position. Now, I'm not picky, so if you can fly a broomstick and have seen at least one Quidditch match, then you are to report to the Quidditch field tomorrow at five o'clock."

"What about us - first years?" An excited first year student asked.

Hermione could tell Harry was wondering if he was ever that small when he played during his first year.

"Yes, desperate times call for desperate measures."

Hermione jumped up from her armchair unable to hold her silence as she implored Harry. "Harry, you can't... the keeper position is not safe for the first years and you know - -"

"Silencio!" Harry yelled, after he yanked out his wand from his robe with lighting fast speed.

Hermione unaware that she had been hit with a Silencing charm kept mouthing and pointing her finger at a livid Harry.

"Thank Merlin! Now if we can just leave her like that!" A female fifth year roared, earning laughter from most of the people there.

Hermione finally realized she couldn't speak while she was being laughed at. She pulled out her wand to do the counter-spell, only to have her wand snatched out of her hand by none other than Ginny.

"Hermione for your own good sit back down before I do a permanent sticking charm to your tiny arse and that chair." Ginny growled while pointing Hermione's wand at a livid Hermione forced to slowly sit down again.

"Now don't forget tomorrow at five o'clock. I will put up Cushion Charms all around the goal hoops, so nobody will get hurt. Thank you."

"Ok, Harry," shouted an excited second year.

"No, - thank you Harry - for shutting the Air-Head up!" A fourth year male student cracked - cementing into stone - Hermione's new nick-name; which earned another round of laughter at her expense.

Harry got down from the chair and walked over to a hurt, angry, and pouting Hermione sitting quietly in her chair. She was busy scowling at Ginny, as Ginny continued to point her wand at her. Hermione turned her head to give Harry a hurt look.

"Hermione, you know why I'm so short with you right now?" Harry asked, still looking angrily at her.

Hermione, also still angry and pouting, shook her head no.

"Because not only have I lost a really good Keeper before my match with Slytherin, but now I have to go upstairs and write a really long letter apologizing to my best mate for having my other best friend make me promise to lie to him - - the very costly lie that I told - for the safety of Draco Malfoy, no less!"

Hermione started to mouth a defense of Draco before Harry held up his hand to stop her.

"Don't give me that he's really a nice guy – crap! Hermione you are my best friend, so I am telling you this for your own good. Drop the ferret and beg and plead for Ron to take you on as his girlfriend." Harry said, watching a shock and then defiant Hermione firmly shake her head no.

"You are a stubborn fool! Ginny give this silly berk her wand back. I will be upstairs writing that letter to Ron." Harry said, shaking his head in disbelief as he made his way upstairs.

Ginny tossed Hermione her wand back and watched as she performed the counter-spell on herself.

"Really! I can't believe he did that, and as for you Ginerva Molly Weasley- I could have you serving two weeks of detention for gross disrespect." Hermione said, pointing her finger at Ginny.

"You could have saved us all a huge load of grief – simply by admitting during last summer-holiday that you fancy Ron like mad and that you he are ruddy perfect for one another. Lord almighty knows - he has made his feelings for you plain enough in his Friday letter," replied Ginny immediately sending Hermione into shock.

"Since when were-we ever perfect for one another?" retorts Hermione deliberately ignoring Ginny's second comment about Ron feelings?

'After all it was too late now'; she thought to herself while trying to get over the shock of Ginny insightful comments.

"Ever since you first came to the Burrow," answered Ginny as she talked and escorted Hermione to the Fat Lady Portrait exit.

"Ginny, we are and have always been just best-friends. I never once told him that I fancy him in any romantic way - nor - have I given him any indication – even a tiny hint - that the so-called love he is so openly expressing in his letters now, will ever-be returned."

"If Ron actually took the time to read my letter he'd understand my unshakable commitment to Draco. I've made my life-mate choice and it is not Ron. He needs to understand that – and move on", Hermione declared with false bravado in a futile attempt to hide the growing ambiguity that Ron's every letter fostered in her very soul. Stopping at the exit portrait-hole and looking back at Ginny, her only real girlfriend, her facial expression a plea for support.

"What's wrong with my brother anyway?" Ginny replied asking a question that had bothered her for some time. "Granted - He's a royal Git, at times - but other than that he's loyal, not hard to look at …"

"Ginny, if he was interested in me he never said anything before the hints he dropped in the letters you read in the common room every Friday. Besides - running off - when he found-out about me and Draco was a childish thing to do and you know it. I'm with Draco now, it's too late for second guessing my-self. Ron had his chance during the last six years to tell me how he felt …he muffed it, and it's time for him to admit that and go after someone else."

"Someone else, like - Lavender Brown?" Ginny said in a highly disapproving tone.

"Well I do hope that he'll have better taste in women than that - but ultimately that's his choice to make. Remember what Dumbledore once told Harry – 'WE ARE WHO WE ARE BY THE CHOICES WE MAKE'. My choice is clearly Draco. Now I'll forget about everything that's happened just now - because no matter how wrong you are about my feelings for Ron – you're still my friend.

"However, in exchange for me not deducting any house points - you really have to let me write another letter to Ron. I want to apologize to him for the way he found-out about Draco and me. I should have told him straight-out at the beginning and then maybe - if I word it right in a letter, I can properly explain how much in love with Draco that I am. Then perhaps if he cares for me at all - he'll come to accept my dating choice."

"I don't think he will read it, but I'll send it to him," Ginny replied shaking her head sadly at her stubborn friend. "Hermione, you are still my friend too. Just please think about what Harry said …especially about Draco. That boy has shagged and dumped - twenty girls here - in the last two years. I'm worried that you are going to end up just like Lavender said …another notch in his bedpost, discarded and emotionally devastated."

"Thank you Ginny for your concern – but Lavender is wrong," Hermione replied, giving Ginny a hug to heal the fight and tension between them that they had the week before.

Ginny watched Hermione drop the hug then leave via the Fat Lady Portrait exit.

"She is just like Ron and both of them are too ruddy stubborn romantically - for anyone else," Ginny remarked to her-self thinking out-loud.

OoOoOo

Two days later

OoOoOo

Hermione made her way toward the Headmaster's office with her head full of conflicting thoughts and unrevealed feelings, as she drew nearer to the office she overheard a very familiar voice coming from inside the office.

"Our source said they will meet at the Lujza street corner pub in Budapest on Wednesday night. It's near the railroad station in the Józsefváros district."

"I've sent a dispatch to Charlie with orders to organize a small team to intercept them at the pub and conduct a discrete surveillance of that meeting." In a voice that definitely sounded like Professor Dumbledore.

"Will both of my sons now in Romania be a part of this team?" asked the familiar voice.

"Yes – Arthur The team will include Ronald. Nickolas tells me that your youngest son has a natural talent for his lessons, the best he has ever trained - and that's saying a lot."

The name Ron immediately got Hermione's full attention as she stopped and listened by the door.

"Hold on a minute Arthur, enter!" Headmaster Dumbledore ordered and the front office door swung open.

Hermione walked into the office to find Mr. Weasley's head in the fireplace.

"I just came to clean up your office. Hello, Mr. Weasley." Hermione said to Professor Dumbledore and then Mr. Weasley in her warmest voice, as she was very fond of Ron's dad.

"Oh... hello Miss Granger," Mr. Weasley replied in a tone that was cold - distant and formal.

"Unfortunately, Arthur by my own error Miss Granger has to clean my office the Muggle way." Headmaster Dumbledore said to fill the gap of silence after Mr. Weasley said hello to Hermione.

Hermione was feeling a bit guilty and hurt at having Mr. Weasley be so unapproachable with her. No doubt, Ron had told him about Draco and her dating a Malfoy.

"Oh really- can this true, Miss Granger?" Mr. Weasley asked in an excited manner.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Hermione answered, now smiling at Mr. Weasley for being a lot nicer to her.

"I was wondering if you could clean something for me too." Mr. Weasley asked in a father-know-best voice of his.

"What sir?" Hermione asked, a little bit worried with what he was going to ask?

"Could you please clean my wastebasket for me, thank you so much?" Mr. Weasley said, handing over a wastebasket to Hermione thru the fireplace via the floo network. "Albus, we will talk later, goodnight."

"Goodnight, Arthur."

Hermione looked down at the wastebasket to see smelly old vomit in it, and heard Professor Dumbledore chuckling behind his desk.

OoOoOo

End Trans – for now