Disclaimer: If I were JK Rowling, I would not be anxiously waiting for the 21st to come and torturing myself wondering if Harry dies. I would already know. ::sigh::
A/N: And Welcome to another chapter of 7th Year Deluxe::spreads arms wide::Hope you like it. I feel all accomplished cuz I kept my deadline :D yea!!
Thanks to all my reviewers!!!!!! I love you all!!!!!! I'm so happy!! 40!!
Kara: hi! I'm really glad you liked it. This week I didn't actually have much of a life- going with my mum to take my gran to an ear specialist was the highlight:P but even though I think my summer fun officially begins Tuesday, I won't stop updating! Thanks for reviewing!!
meganxrawr: thanks:D Glad to see you again!! And cheers for blank spaces!! And repeat reviewers like you:D
IloveMeLife Thanks :D I'm glad you like it and lol about Hermione's hair- I meant to answer that in this chapter but it's going to be the next one instead. But don't worry everything'll be fine for her. Hint- she's going to have a loooong night. :P Hope you like it!
Sakura evil twin of Sango ::drumroll::….. and it's here :P Thanks for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter too:D
Vinwinzlol I hope this is soon enough. Thanks for reviewing!! I'm getting used to seeing you:D
D.M. lover: Thanks::beams:: well you get the partners this chapter and the broken hands coming after about 2 more chapters. Hope you like this chapter:D
K please please please read and review!! I'd love to get to maybe 45??
::looks hopeful::
Enjoy!!!
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Hermione reached the Gryffindor table in time to see Ron clasp his hands dramatically together, close his eyes and begin to chant "I want a boy I want a boy I want a boy."
As she sat down with one eyebrow raised at Ron, Ginny sniggered and said in a falsetto scandalized voice, "Why Ronald!! I'm ashamed to have you as a brother!! You'd better hope Mum doesn't find out about your planning to stray from the straight and narrow. And Harry I must say that if I were you, I'd watch myself around him!!"
The entire Gryffindor table burst out laughing, especially when Ron's face turned beet red from embarrassment and anger.
"For your information, you bloody pervert of a sister, I meant that I want a boy as my SCHOOL partner since if it's a GIRL I would have to DANCE which I CAN'T." he said, teeth clenched.
"Well don't get you knickers in a twist or anything, I was only joking!" Ginny huffed, not realizing that considering the circumstances, a reference to Ron wearing knickers was not entirely appropriate. The rest of the table, however, caught the humor in it and burst out laughing again. Fortunately, Ron saw the humor as well after a while, deflated and joined in the laughter.
Soon however, the Gryffindors stopped laughing and began to seriously discuss Dumbledore's surprising announcement while digging into the feast hungrily.
"I say he's bloody mad!!" Ron said before shoveling a humongous helping of creamed potato into his mouth.
"I mean Dumbledore's done some pretty weird things before, but seriously this is the worst!" Harry said, shaking his head, "I knew the whole 'you can use magic while on summer vacation this year' was too easy! Now we're going to pay for it!"
"And the worst thing," said Hermione, "is that we're all bound to be paired up with Slytherins. I mean who else would be better to try to unite than the two most strongly opposing houses? Even McGonagall said th---"
"Said what, Mione?" Harry asked.
"Er- nothing" she replied vacantly as her thoughts raced.
Dumbledore wouldn't pair me with him would he? No that's silly. Right? But McGonagall said we were what was it? The prime representatives of anti- Inter House unity….Oh…crap. This is not good.
When she tuned into the conversation again, it was to hear Lavender wailing "Now I'm going to have to do my hair and nails and everything by hand!! Spells are so much easier!!"
This comment caused Hermione's eyes to suddenly pop open. Wait a second. Was her newfound beauty really going to be that short- lived?? One day?? Seriously? She was really going to have to talk to Lavender and Ginny about non- magical hair maintenance right after the feast.
Soon, she realized that the food had disappeared, to be replaced with the most epicurean desserts she had ever seen. In particular, the humongous chocolate gateau with the mouth- watering excess of cherries and whipped cream was enough to allow her to push her troublesome thoughts out of her mind for a while at least. With a sigh, she took two large slices of the cake and dug in while beside her Harry and Ron were each on their fourth slice of cake and their third slice of pumpkin pie.
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When Draco had returned to the Slytherin table, it was to much uproar and snarling. It was obvious the Slytherin Seventh Years were not exactly on board with Dumbledore's idea. This time, he spotted his friend Blaise and went to sit beside him because he by no means intended to spend the entire evening with Pansy attached to him.
As he slid into the seat, Blaise looked up from his food with a smirk on his face.
"Well, well! It's the new Superstar! You sure love the drama don't you?
Draco's reply was a smug smirk before he too dug into the feast.
"So what do you think about the old coon's newest stunt?" Blaise asked.
"I think it's about time that old retard retired. He's obviously getting more senile by the minute." Draco snarled.
Blaise laughed comfortably, much to Draco's annoyance. Despite Blaise's reputation for being a tough guy, he was pretty easy- going when he was with his friends and it took a lot to get him worked up but honestly, wasn't the prospect of being bonded with some stupid Hufflepuff or fat- headed Gryffindor enough for him??
"What the hell do you have to laugh about??" he snapped.
"A hell of a lot more than you, mate. At least I won't be attached to Granger for a year! Which is more than I can say for you! She's one tough and from what I've heard irritating chick." Blaise replied somewhat smugly.
Draco felt the blood drain from his face but he tried for a high- handed rebuttal.
'So what? You're taking over for that case Trelawney? You can 'see' my future? What makes you so sure I'll be paired with her? I could just as easily be cursed with Potty or the Weasel." he said.
"You're in denial, mate. It's beyond obvious. Think about it. You're Headboy. She's Headgirl. You're Slytherin. She's Gryffindor. In a twisted mind like the Dumb door's it'll be a match made in Heaven. Or should I say Hell?" Blaise said patiently.
Draco was silent as he analysed the situation in his head over and over. But no matter how many times he took it around in his head, he came to the same crappy conclusion as Blaise. He was brought out of his psychological torture by the appearance of dessert. Blaise was already digging in, having left him to his own thoughts for a while. Seeing that Draco had finally snapped out of his thoughts, he said, "Hey, look on the bright side, mate- at least she looks good now and you won't be stuck wrangling with the bush on top of her head while you tango!!"
He then started snorting, evidently trying to stop himself from laughing but eventually he burst out laughing at Draco who was giving him a death glare.
With a sigh, he took up a chocolate covered strawberry, stuffed it in his mouth and began to chew desolately while maintaining the most evil- looking glare he could at Blaise, who unfortunately was ignoring him in favor of his food.
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"And now," announced Dumbledore, standing, "after this marvelous feast, which is of course to be accredited to the houselves of the kitchens, it's time for us to continue our unfinished business! Professor McGonagall?"
Professor McGonagall stood to absolute silence as Dumbledore sat down. Her face looked like it usually did, and only someone that knew her well would have been able to tell how smug and excited she was actually feeling. She looked around the Hall and was pleased to see that every single student's eyes were firmly riveted on her.
"Good evening to everyone. Now, I have here the pairs that have been assigned for a year. We took into account various criteria such as class and other schedules and past histories and rivalries etcetera as well as consulted with the Sorting Hat to confirm our choices. I would first like to remind all Seventh Years of how serious this assignment is. You will be linked with your partner magically as well but this magical link will be confined to the boundaries of the School and Grounds for your own safety and protection . In addition, when one partner is injured, the other will find themselves drawn to them until the problem is resolved. For this reason, separate dorms and a neutral common room have been set up apart from the House dorms for all pairs. It is your choice whether you stay in them or continue to use the House quarters. Now for the names." She said.
The entire school waited with bated breath.
"Hannah Abbott…. Pansy Parkinson!"
"………….."
"Lavender Brown…… Michael Flamer"
Lavender smiled, relieved.
"……………"
"Hannah Gruen……….. Justin Mercedes"
Hermione couldn't breathe. Her name was Granger for crying out loud!! Why had she been skipped? She noticed with a sigh that Malfoy's name hadn't been called either.
"Harry Potter ……. Blaise Zabini!"
Harry swore softly under his breath, although it was no more than he expected.
"…………."
"Lucille Maynard …………. Zach Porter"
Draco's heart was thumping much faster than he cared to acknowledge and he was beginning to feel sick.
"Ronald Weasley……. Millicent Bulstrode!"
Ron's jaw dropped and his face turned red. His swearing I'm sorry to say was not exactly under his breath.
"………………."
"And last but certainly no least, the two I have left until the end, your Headgirl and Headboy, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy!!" McGonagall finished.
Across the Hall, two stomachs dropped- one at the Gryffindor table and the other at Slytherin table.
"Now, are there any questions?" McGonagall asked.
Across the Hall dozens of hands shot up and everyone started talking at once until Dumbledore stood up.
"Settle down. Now considering the large number of you that have queries, it is evident that all of them cannot be addressed tonight. So with your agreement Professor McGonagall, we will suspend all classes tomorrow and dedicate the day to answering all questions and queries that the Seventh years have. To that effect, all bonding charms and wand tracking spells will be done tomorrow as well so tonight Seventh years, you are free to use magic!! Information about the meeting room will be provided at breakfast tomorrow. Now I wish a Good Night to all!! You may leave!"
Amid the stampede leaving the Hall, Hermione grabbed Lavender and Ginny and whispered urgently, "Meet me in the Common Room in twenty minutes; I need you guys' help!"
Any further conversation was deemed impossible, however, so she hurried out of the hall with everyone else.
When she got outside the Great Hall, she was surprised to see Professor McGonagall hurrying towards her.
"Ms. Granger!! Oh and come over here Mr. Malfoy!!" she shouted.
She pulled them away from the crowd where they again refused to look at each other.
"Right. I forgot to give you the password to your quarters- it's 'Uniburrow'." she said, ignoring both the incredulous look Hermione gave her and the sneer on Draco's face, "Feel free to change it, but it must be known and agreed on by you both. Your trunks have already been delivered. I would show you myself but I have some business to attend to so a house elf will show you the way. And remember, it is important that you two get along with each other this year."
She then snapped her fingers and a female house elf immediately appeared and invited them to follow her.
As Professor McGonagall bustled off, they walked after the house elf, still saying nothing to each other.
A/N: oi. There it is! That was a really stressful chapter to write for some reason. Sorry it's not any longer but I kinda thought that was a good place to end and the next chapter won't be long in coming. and remember you can look on my profile page for the story status and sneak peaks for future chapters! Lotsa luv, angeldrama.