Hello guys. I'm so sorry I didn't updated sooner something came up and I had to disappear for a while. Although I can't keep disappearing, now should I? So I did this all today to make it up to all of you.
VSATGPFAN88: Thank you for you kind words but Fluer and Cho won't be until the next chapter but I'm with you about the jealousy thing. I'm a sucker about jealousy or anything about fighting for attention. P.S. I like hiding in your shadows. :P
laintmr: That it did. :) But for a good reason.
sable-rover : I love Luna but I don't know how to write her as anything but a friend to Big H.
SH4D0W44: Lucky her indeed. I wish I was in her position :( to be honest. I just love her to death.
And to everyone else who reviewed I love you guys. My peps please don't give up on me. Hope you like this chapter.
Sorry for the errors and mistakes.
Chapter 7: Stuck with you Part II
"Would you stop frowning already? Its making all these seem a bit more harder to bare" Daphne all but said to a gruff looking Hermione, who all but stared daggers at the potion book which she left untouched for the last 10 minutes after arriving in the library.
"I'm allowed to frown" she said childishly. "Especially after getting kicked out of potions class just because I can't seem to separate myself from you" she said after a sigh.
Hermione glares again at the book as the memories of the past 20 minutes recounted itself in her mind.
After eating in the great hall, the two (still) conjoined witch, had manage to get themselves to potions class. Mind you, it was barely manageable from the circumstances they both had and sits themselves as comfortable and appropriately as possible. Hermione might have no say in the 'glued' situation but Professor Snape wouldn't really care for any excuses if he deems it nonsensical. So they waited for their potion teacher while hugging to each other as close as possible, after feeling prickle of pain from distancing a few inches from each other but they had to bare it all.
When their potion teacher did arrive, his sights were on them. Scary and hard eyes criticizing them as he took in their close proximity and then he sneered while the two gulp in return. "For the lack of me asking but why is one my house witch hugging a Gryfindor in my class?"
The bookworm was prepared to explain themselves and made a move to say something when Professor Snape holds up his hands to signal her to stop. "Don't answer that, Ms. Granger. I might as well suggest you both to get out of my class rather than hear your pathetic excuse to cuddle each other in front of me" and then proceed to go to his desk to put down his hands on the books to open it.
"Excuse me, professor Snape but an accident happen in Charms class that glued us together." Hermione said as calmly as she possibly could while the Snape raised his eyebrow as if expecting to give any care whatsoever.
"And that concerns me how, Ms. Granger? and why are you still here? Get out"
Hermione gapes at this. "You can't possibly be serious. You can't kick us out of potion class just cause you don't listen to reason... and we're not cuddling. It just hurt to extend so much away from her"
"Just as I have said Mr. Granger I don't care whatever excuse you have. Get out of my class before I make you clean my office again. I'm sure Vlad would want to claw your face out after the scare you gave him the first time you went there" Then a noticeable smirk went up his face as Hermione's anger bubbled.
Daphne had been quiet in the whole exchange and didn't want to make matters worst but when he saw how the bushy-haired girl was ready to brew a fight with her housemaster, did she squeeze her arms to get her to look at her eyes and whispered. "Come on, Hermione. Let's go before he does give us detention"
The brunette stared at the blonde and contemplated her words as she change her gaze from Snape to Daphne then back at Snape and bits her lip stopping her retort from getting out of her jailed confinement. She later on nods at the blonde and got out of the class. Not seeing the smirk from Snape's face as he muttered. "You'll thank me later, Ms. Granger" and went on with class.
"Just let it go already. You got the whole hour as a free period. You should be happy" Daphne encourage as she kept looking at the her sides trying to find the librarian.
"What am I suppose to do anyway?" still bored out of her mind. She was supposed to learn Wit-Sharpening Potion today as she's been having lots of confusion from the potion composition itself and wanted to listen to professor Snape, even though it hurts her a little, and question all the kinks she could have made in haste but as it seems she'll just have to learn it another time. Distastefully, wishing from another professor too.
"What do you usually do in your free time?" Daphne asked after she couldn't find the librarian and looked at Hermione's bored expression. She was wondering if Madam Pince even was in the library to begin with, if not then the two of them would be the only people in a room full of books. Not to sound claustrophobic but that was what seems to be happening to Daphne. At least the way she's feeling a bit restricted.
The brunette didn't seem to notice this as she thinks for a while then answers. "Read, do homeworks and maybe... assist Harry and Ron in whatever mess they get into but mostly read"
The blonde nods her head in thought. "Okay, the first one's boring, the second one is a pain and lastly they're busy. Might you suggest something different then?"
"Why don't we just... talk then" Hermione said while adjusting herself beneath the blonde's body on her lap.
She raised her eyebrow at the bookworm in question. "Talk? about what?"
"Yeah. Talk about anything you want. I won't mind" Suddenly the blonde felt defensive and guarded by the suggestion of speaking to someone, even though she's slowly finding to be a relatively close stranger, who was still very much a stranger.
Daphne gazed away from the brunette and tried not to look so uncomfortable although this time she saw the flicker of worry in the green hues and bit her lips in contemplation to salvage the moment afraid to ruin the opportunity of knowing the ice princess of the Slytherine house.
"You know what? Forget it... lets make it a two way conversation then." A smile was in her lips trying to hope she didn't sound too worried for her own good.
"A what?"
"Let's do 20 questions. You ask me a question and we both answer, we'll take turn in asking and answering. That way we're equal."
"What if I don't want to answer a particular question?"
Hermione shrugs. "If its too personal then we don't have to answer it but we both have to promise to be as honest and participate as much as we can. It'll be a waste if we ignore and pass all the question, now would it?" She saw her bit her lip which made her a bit adorable in Hermione's opinion.
"Could I sill back out from this?" She said in the smallest voice she could muster and didn't particularly like the idea of doing the 20 question thing for reasons she still found it a little out of her comfort zone. She still did find the gryffindor girl to be her not-so-normal criteria for a BFF. Not when you add being friends with the golden trio, a reckless troublemaker and someone who reads for fun. So yeah, definitely not her normal friend.
The bookworm could still see the wariness swimming in her eyes and posture, that she really didn't want Daphne to be forced to bond with her. Looking at the window she could see the skies growing a bit darker than an hour ago and smiled when an idea flew in her mind. She looks back at her friend with a shit eating grin which was in turn return with a hesitant raised eyebrow.
"Why are you grinning at me?"
"The fact that I'm going to apologize ahead of time"
"For what?"
"For this" The blonde had not expected the sudden change of force in her sitting placement and felt her body raised in the air as the brunette carried her against her body and suddenly ran out of the library carrying her in protest.
"AHHH!"
With all of Hermione's careful precision and movement she lifted Daphne easily and carried them both out of the library while the blonde had all but screamed in shock and continued to blow out the brunette's eardrum as she never ceased screaming. From that moment Hermione learned different profanities out of the usually calm and icy princess that she can't help but laughs. Daphne glares at the bookworm's reaction and proceed to punch, lightly, her shoulders and scolds her to stop this insanity.
All was in deaf ears. Hermione didn't particularly do this in a normal basis but just as Daphne puts it a minute ago, she doesn't have anything else to do, so why not? It was easy enough to carry a protesting Daphne on her arms and her destination was far from dangerous.
"Hermione! Put me down!" Daphne screeches after noticing they were going outside the castle and directly towards the trees and bushes directly to the giant pond beside the school.
"Can't. We're not there yet" Hermione grins at her while the blonde finally gives up, crosses her hands and lets her have her way, even though she has no idea what they were going to do.
"I promise you. If I don't like where we're going then I will kill you, Hermione." Hermione laughs heartily at her.
"Not a promising way to treat your friend." She said while smiling.
"With the way you're manhandling me. I should tell you that instead" Daphne said as a matter of fact tone.
It wasn't long and luscious color of green filled both of the witches eyes. Hermione had walked them not much deeper to reach the forbidden forest but a bit father out from school than normal. In the enter of a average looking pond was a beautiful colored Japanese Maple tree, and clear spectrum of the dancing trees.
Daphne was momentarily surprise by the beauty of it all and was speechless, feeling the light air flowing the shady part of the surrounding trees and fishes swimming on the pond, beautiful as the trees and corals itself. She smiles when she met Hermione eyes. Clearly, loving the view.
Hermione in turn was happy her friend liked it as much as she did. She found it last year after chasing Crookshanks. It was majestic and found this place to be just as relaxing, if not more than, the library.
"This is beautiful, Hermione" She puts the blonde down yet still overly close to her.
"I know and very nice to look at, right?" She asked as she giggled at the still gaping blonde, who was still marveling the sweet outdoor then suddenly faced the brunette with a questioning look. "Why did you carry me here?"
Hermione's smile stand still and thought it through as she looks back at the beautiful Japanese Maple tree and then looks at Daphne with a thoughtful look. "I was thinking you'd feel much better if we talked here than in the library..." she smiled at her friend. "... and there's something else I want to show you"
Curious, She questioned. "What is it?"
"You'll just have to wait for it. It doesn't happen until later" she said honestly. The blonde nods at this and went back to appreciating the beautiful tree in the center of the pond.
They were in silence for 10 minutes. Just letting the quite chirping of birds flowing the air and the wisp of wind blowing through their locks. Hermione was okay with this too. She knew that Daphne might not want to talk about herself so suddenly. Most people don't and from the looks of it. Daphne wasn't the kind of person who suddenly puts her problems and life story just by asking it so she didn't felt insulted that she didn't try and talked to Hermione. It was better to take her time with her.
"You know. I was afraid of clowns once" She started suddenly. Daphne heard her and looked quizzical but Hermione just shrugs and grins. "Clowns are people who puts heavy make-up on their faces and dress really ridiculous so people, mostly children, would laugh at their get-ups. They would be hired in parties to do tricks to make people laugh and happy but... I was never one of those kids who like looking at scary looking white-faced red nose man. They kind of freaked me out" Daphne regarded Hermione words and listening while picturing out this 'clown man'.
"I didn't get why they have to put on so much make up and grin at you as if they're ready to eat you alive." Hermione complained while Daphne felt a bit pleased at her childishness. "Then one day, after getting invited by my neighbor's birthday party, I get to end all of my fears" Hermione said and looks to be in reverie.
"The clown arrived and I did my best to hide behind my parent's back so the clown wouldn't see me and pick me for one of his tricks. But you see, he did see me and he did picked me from the other hands that shots up. My parent's urge me to follow through so I did, unhappily I might add." She said in a mournful voice that made the Blonde smile. "So he did his trick and made me sit on the chair close to him as he began to twist balloons making animal shapes. He gave me one and honk his damn annoying horn and that did it for me. From the fear I was feeling from being so close to him, to the sudden honking he did. I screamed as loud as I could and haywire my magic, that popped all the balloons from the party and short circuited the main electricity line that the party blacked out. I didn't stop there and suddenly I levitated the cake for a second and heard a splat somewhere when the backup generator went back. After that I saw the clown on his butt and cake all over him. Everyone was so shock about it all but the view made me laugh hard. I was the only one chuckling... and for the first time since seeing clowns. I was laughing myself off" Hermione was by all means very happy that day. Not much but she was willing to talk to Daphne about her ex-fear about clowns. Those damn thing still creeps her but not as much as then.
"My parents had an inkling I did all of those and silently while secretly dragging me back home to never talk about it ever again. I didn't once bring it up mostly because my neighbors had stop hiring clowns since then but to be honest, I was happy I was never invited to a party at my neighborhood again."
After a brief silence, Hermione opened another memory of her past. Something to ponder from them both and Hermione could feel that the blonde was enjoying herself just listening. "I stole a train once"
Her companion stared at her with wide eyes while she chuckles at her reaction. "Really?"
"I know. So unlike me, right?"
Daphne bits her lip in thought and then shakes her head. "Not that its unlike you. It mostly because I can really see you steal the people in it than the train itself"
"Hey!" She said sounding offended to which made Daphne smirk from the teasing.
"What the hell would I do with a bunch of people on a train?! I'd rather have the train. Its' much more useful"
"Now. now, Hermione. We all know you need a guinea pig for all those spell casting you've been doing in one of your secret chambers, you've probably found in the castle, and I'm pretty sure you're bent on having someone as a dummy. Now tell me I'm not proving a point" Daphne have tried to hold her laughter from looking at Hermione's horrified face as she clutches her head with her hands.
"You're right?! you're bloody right?! I haven't I thought of that before?!" Daphne couldn't hold her laughter anymore as she laughs at the prospect that Hermione was willing to kidnap a live person for the sake of her magical gain and the fact she didn't deny any of her words.
She looks at grinning blonde and threw her a quizzical look. "Why are laughing at a time like this?! I've just realized something really brilliant and you're just standing there making fun of me! This is important!" Hermione's distress voice rang more loudly and sounded not in the least bit joking making the blonde double in laughter.
"Hermione Jean Granger. I can't believe you're actually thinking of committing something as preposterous as kidnapping someone to throw spells at their chest or making them drink any brews potion you're planning"
"And why not? There's a valid reason for it"
"Not as valid as you think and anyway, I was just joking. Please don't actually kidnap someone"
Hermione pouts. "But what if, it's important that I do kidnap someone?"
She shrugs. "Fine but I'm not getting myself in your trouble schemes. Why don't you just return to your stealing of trains. What was that about?"
Momentarily forgetting her previous chatter her face lights up."Oh right! About that... I didn't actually stole a train but more like I shrunk it and took it home as a model piece for my room"
"Doesn't that still count as stealing?"
"Not if I changed the one I stole" Hermione smiles mischievously at the memory.
"You swapped out the trains?"
"Yep" she said happily. "With an enlarge toy train"
"You did not just do that?" Daphne said disbelievingly. Who in their right mind steals a train and return a toy train that was enlarge to fit the bill.
"I did. I was so proud of my collections by then although 3 months after and someone officials from the Minister of Magic came in to take back the train and gave me an earful of lecture for wizarding world in peril from the stunt that I did." Hermione sighs. She'd gave a lot of effort to steal it and they just barged in her room with not so much as flicking a wand to get it back. A month getting grounded was what met her in the end of her 'Alakazam' show. Pity she didn't do it again just to spite them.
"Serves you right. Something like that would have expelled you from School for using underage magic"
She raised her finger to sway it at her. " .Ah. First of all I was 10 and a half and secondly, I wasn't the one who actually cast the spell" The other girl was confused by this. "Then who did?"
"I asked another wizard, a very old man, to do it for me. He was kind and really talkative. We would talk a lot together because he was near my house. Then one day, he asked me for something as a present because he was leaving town indefinitely. I guess I didn't thought it through enough as I asked for a real train. One thing lead to another and I had it in my hand for a piece in my room." The brunette shrugs at her.
"Wow. I didn't know you weren't just reckless, you're a bit stupid too" She said this jokingly.
"Hey! That's the second time you insulted me."
"You can't blame me for that. You actually asked for a real train and not... I don't know... a book of dark and special magic spells. I'm sure he may have some if he's that old" For the second time that day Hermione was looking at her horrified as the day she heard that she was getting an A in her potion class and screamed again.
"You're right?! Again?!" and lets out a groan. This time Daphne did pity her and only rubs her back in consolation. Seeing Hermione like this. Seeing her mixed emotions of hate, anger, happiness and eccentricity made her wonder. Is this what one would be if they're sharing themselves in front of somebody they trust? Because right now. She was tempted. Tempted to open up to Hermione. To actually talk about... anything. Just anything.
Looking at how fussy the brunette was made her want that too. Will she also cry, scream or smile if she just talked about herself to someone else without being labeled as conceited or vain-ful?
She wanted to know...
And to do that, she actually has to open up.
"Okay" Say suddenly by Daphne.
"Huh? Okay what?" Hermione lets go of her groaning, asked while facing the blonde.
"Let's do 20 questions but lets do it a bit more daring. We will answer every question the other asks and no backing down. Are you willing to say 'yes' to that?"
'Um... I don't know about this anymore'
Well that's it for now. I'm so sorry for not updating earlier. My mom came home and we had our performance task so I was busy all the time. I hope I did this justice. Till next time.
Please review. I love reading all of them. Heart. Heart :3
