A/N: see my chapter dedication at the end of the chapter! ^_^
Chapter 10: Eight hundred and Eighty Eight
I can't believe this. Draco woke up earlier than me. AGAIN.
"Has little baby Malfoy been getting nasty scary dreams?" I said in a diabetes-causing sickening sweet tone.
Draco rolled his eyes at me. "God. How did you know, Granger? I keep dreaming of you with your scary brown hair, shoving books down my throat."
I laughed. "Hey, that was MY dream!"
Draco glared at me, then noticed the letter in my hand. "How are you going to send it?"
"Well I was thinking of using the school's owls." I said, as we started walking towards the Hogwart's owlery.
"Well, not that I want to or anything, but you could use my owl." Draco said, his voice nonchalant.
"Well, not that I want to or anything, but sure! That would be great." I laughed.
And I swear, I think I saw Draco's cheeks reddening again.
That would make it the second time!
Maybe it was a premonition or sign of something big that was going to happen.
Like the end of the world.
"Harry, have you lost weight?" I asked concernedly at breakfast.
Harry's face has become slightly emaciated and gaunt.
"He can't eat or sleep." Ron said, shaking his head. "Usually, it's guys who are dumped that have such symptoms. But no, Harry, our wonderful friend has to be different, his panicking on how to dump Parry."
"I'm not dumping Parry." Harry said annoyed.
Ron and I looked skeptically at Harry.
"I'm just rejecting her in a nice manner." Harry said, glaring at Ron and me. "It's for the best."
"I don't see what's the big deal." I shrugged. "You could go to the dance with Parry as a friend. It might be fun."
"That unfortunately, my love advisor," Harry looked pointedly at me. "Is not an option. Parry will think that I love her if I go to the dance with her, and she will think it's possible for us, to you know…"
"Well, if a girl chases after me like Parry does, I will feel flattered." Ron said, then smiling smugly. "Of course, I'm already happily in love."
I dug into the mango pudding. It was heavenly, a pity that each student was entitled to only one pudding. "Yes, rub it into our faces."
"I will be happy once the whole Parry fiasco is over." Harry said, then smiled gleefully. "From now on, the only love I shall have will be Qudditch."
"No wonder you are our local Romeo." I smiled, then looked at Harry's uneaten mango pudding. "Harry, would you be a dear and give me your mango pudding?"
Now, don't think I was being mean. Harry had eaten quite a bit for breakfast, maybe it was because of the soothing effect of my voice. He had eaten a slice of shepherd pie, two chicken drumsticks, ham omelette and bacon and two pancakes.
You would agree with me that Harry has eaten quite a lot for a teenage boy, wouldn't you? I know, I know Harry didn't really eat well yesterday, but excessive eating is also not healthy!
"Sorry, Hermione, but I was saving the mango pudding for last. I just love this mango pudding! It's a pity we only get it once a week." Harry said, reaching to get his mango pudding.
I know it was horrible and a mean thing to do. But I couldn't help myself. I'm blaming this all on Draco's influence.
"Oh my! Is that Parry, I see over there?" I cried suddenly.
Harry disappeared in a flash, as if he had ridden away on his firebolt.
Ron looked suspiciously at me as he dug into his own mango pudding. "I didn't see Parry anywhere."
I smiled as I took a spoon of Harry's mango pudding. "Neither did I."
I felt guilt-stricken the whole day, because of Harry's mango pudding. It was a mean thing to do.
Still, I didn't regret it. I wonder if that's the first sign of turning evil.
So to make up to Harry, I gave him my desert for lunch and dinner. Harry doesn't know I tricked him during breakfast, and Ron's not telling either.
Ron thinks it's delightful, and "there's hope for you yet, you naughty little muggle!"
I must admit although I feel remorseful for what I did, I enjoyed every moment of it.
"Is something wrong with your mouth, Granger? You have this weird scary grin on your face, that's going to give me nightmares again." Draco smiled maliciously at me.
"Nothing. I was just thinking of the wonderful uses of sticky glue." I said, as the two of us stepped into our "homework" room.
The homework room was pretty useless to Draco, since from the start of the year I haven't seen Draco done a piece of homework.
"Was that a threat?" Draco laughed as he sat down at the table.
I noticed he carried no books this time, but a manila folder.
"What? Innocent ol me? I don't know what a threat is." I said, making my eyes like a puppy dog.
"What's that you're holding?" I asked as I sat down.
Today, I had only one homework assignment. I had to write an essay on the ten applications of Frogbeans in potions.
"This?" Draco waved the folder." Oh applications."
Then his eyes glinted. "Hey, you're a girl. Maybe you can help me."
"Wait, you are getting ahead of yourself." I said as I unrolled a fresh parchment. "You are supposed to ask me for help first."
"Ok, ok." Draco rolled his eyes. "So, Granger, want to take part in the most exciting project of your life?"
I smiled, then pretended to think for a moment. "No."
Draco looked shocked. "What?"
I tried to look sorry and sad. "I'm sorry, Malfoy. But I'm pretty happy with my drab mundane existence."
I paused to think. What was the first application of Frogbeans?
Draco smirked. "Don't worry, Granger. I understand you're too shy to accept my offer right away. Don't want to look too desperate right?"
"That's all right. I will take it that YES, you want to help me." Draco smiled.
Oh right, the first application… to poison annoying silver-eyed blond-haired boys!
Draco started to open the folder. And I must admit that I was just a little bit curious.
"Well, ok." I said at last. "I will help you. But let me finish my essay first."
Draco arched his eyebrows. "I will give you an hour."
"Why, how generous of you." I smiled sweetly. "Is this the part where I kneel on the floor and grovel at your feet?"
Draco smiled. "No. That's after you say, "Why, aren't you the greatest master of all times? I must be the luckiest girl on earth to be able to worship you."
One hour later, I did managed to finish my assignment. I was a bit sad to state only twenty applications of Frogbeans, since there was still ten more I knew in my head.
But well, a promise is a promise. Even if it's to a devil's spawn.
"Your done, finally?" Draco said, yawning. "I was shocked to see you were willing to only do your assignment twice the length of normal students."
I smiled. "You're not the only one."
Draco mouthed, "HaHa", as he spread out the contents of the envelope.
Oh my god.
I can't believe what Draco is showing me.
After a few minutes, Draco wiped his forehead. "Well, that's all eight-hundred and eighty eight of them."
All I could do, was stare at Draco.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to:
Deimos – thanks a lot your so sweet! ^_^ What is Draco? Well, the answer will be revealed in a few chapters in the future. Just not yet… sorry ^_^
Rei-chan – thanks so much! ^_^ I try to be as funny as possible… I will be sure to check out the fic you recommend!
Chocolat elf – haha! That's real funny… ^_^ thanks 4 reading! I love draco too…haha
Krissy – your too sweet! ^_^
Hpdancer92 – thank you so much! I'm so happy that you found it sad… ^_^
AlyBaby – yeah! So glad you like it! ^_^ I was afraid he was too OOC
A r – thanks for your comment! I will try to improve! ^_^ They were made to study in the homework room, so that they could learn to work with each other… ^_^ wonder if that's working!
Fire Soul – thanks! ^_^ hope you like this chapter… ^_^
Iris – ooh! Thanks! ^_^ I was afraid I made everything more messed up!
Wyrm – I hope you will like the friendly bickering in this chapter! ^_^
JMS – Aww! ^_^ thanks so much!
Ashley023 – I hope you like what happens this chapter! ^_^
Critic – thanks! ^_^ glad u like it… actually I don't usually leave the chapters at cliffhangers! I only remember doing it twice…heehee ^_^
Xtreme Nuisance – haha your comment made me laugh. ^_^ Thanks 4 readin!
Belladonna – that's so nice of you! ^_^ Yup, I agree a bit too detailed… I got carried away..heehee.. hope u liked this chapter!
Katya-Urban – haha I choked on an m&m before cos I was laughing so much! Glad u like it! ^_^
Dawniky – I agree! ^_^ Draco's really sweet when he wants to… ^_^
Detrianelle – thanks! Hope you like this chapter! ^_^
DMandOBrhot – aww your so sweet! ^_^ thanks!
Roswellbfan – yeah! I made someone laugh! Thanks! ^_^ hope you like this chapter
Slytherin5 – haha! Oh no… how am I gonna eat tuna again? I hope this chapter saves me… from all future batterings ^_^
Ezmeralda - ^_^ thanks! Sorri, this chapter was so long the statue of venus wasn't in it! Again! Hope you like it still.. ^_^