Disclaimer: Spoilers - I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story
Chapter 11
"But, her bedroom is a lot like ours. And, it's really the only area that had a lot of red and gold."
Parvati laughed around her toothbrush and finished brushing her teeth. She had been in her room with the door closed when Hermione had come in the previous evening and was just catching up on everything that had happened. While showering she had listened to Hermione talk about her break up with Ron, run in with "Malfoy" and Greg, some of what happened in getting to know Pansy. And, finally, she heard the way the evening ended. By the time she was wrapped in a towel at the sink and Hermione took her turn in the shower, Parvati knew she had missed a lot of important happenings.
"Hmmm. I can't wait to see it all," she called over the noise of the shower running. "Think we can convince Ginny to have a little party?"
Hermione laughed, "I don't think it would be her we have to convince. You did hear the part about her git of a roommate, right?"
"Oh, I heard you. I think I heard more than you meant for me to hear, actually," Parvati laughed lightly, as she stepped through the door leading to her room. She left the door open and reached for her school clothes, just as Hermione stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and came to stand in the doorway.
"Okay, explain what you meant by that."
Parvati looked over her shoulder at Hermione and wondered for the billionth time why Hermione couldn't play up her lovely features. She and Lavender had tried for years to get Hermione to be more "girly" but had always failed. She smiled as she remembered their conversation from the night before and realized she would now get her chance.
"I think you have a bigger problem than whether or not purebloods the world over will ever get past their prejudices," Parvati smiled. She knew it was a touchy subject, and her tone conveyed her understanding of that.
"Like what?" Hermione asked as she rang water from her hair into a towel.
"Well, I get that you're over Ron, sudden friends with Parkinson, love Ginny's new rooms, still dislike Zabini, and plan to let Goyle down easy at some point. But, I must say, I found two other things more interesting. First that a certain sexy blonde didn't jump in with his friend to put you down, and second, that his is the only first name you can't seem to say. Heck, you even called that ass Blaise by name during your little tirade. But, with Draco Malfoy…"
Hermione rolled her eyes, laughed, and turned to go back into the bathroom, "Oh, please, Vati."
Hermione made it across the bathroom and to her own doorway before she heard Parvati's laughing voice, "Didn't hear you deny it."
"There's nothing to deny. So, I didn't say his first name. That's not breaking news. He's Malfoy!" Hermione rummaged through her drawers and pulled out clothes for under her robes. "And, with all the stuff he's been through over the last few months, I'm not surprised he wasn't up for much of a fight last night."
She heard Parvati's, "hmmm" through the bathroom and shook her head, "Honestly, Vati, what are you getting at?"
Hermione turned her head when she heard Parvati's shoes click across the bathroom on her way to Hermione's room. She saw the other woman was dressed and fully made up already.
"Seriously, what do you mean?"
Parvati shook her head as she leaned against the door jamb and smiled, "Smartest witch of our age, my butt."
Hermione looked confused as she pulled her blouse on, "Meaning?"
Parvati brought up her wand and uttered a quick hair and makeup charm that Hermione had heard hundreds of times in their old rooms. She watched Hermione turn to look at herself in the mirror before she answered.
"Don't touch your hair, it's perfect. And, what I meant, my extremely intelligent, but stupid friend, was I think you need to examine why you care what DRACO does or doesn't think about you or anyone else. Why his is the only name you can't get past those now perfectly made up lips. And, why when he had all the chances in the world, he didn't once insult you, well except for that VP thing, but I think that was more habit than anything else. And, anyway, he even made sure you knew his new feelings."
Before Hermione could formulate an answer, Parvati was out the door on her way to the common room downstairs. Hermione opened her mouth to call the woman back, but then realized she didn't know what she would say. They were all valid questions she supposed, but Hermione realized she didn't have any answers. She honestly didn't know why he acted like he did or why she cared. She wasn't even sure she did care, but she admitted something had been different in the way they'd acted together.
"Why am I even thinking about this?!" Hermione asked herself in the mirror.
"Because you want to find the answers, as always," her mirror self said back to her.
"Oh shut up," Hermione laughed.
With one last glance at her newly made up self, she grabbed her bag and headed down to the common room to meet her friends and go to breakfast.
xxxxx
Harry looked up when Hermione appeared at the top of the steps and whistled, "Look at you!"
Dean Thomas looked up at Harry's comment and saw Hermione, "Wow! You look great. What's the occasion?"
She smiled as she continued down the steps, "First day of school, of course."
Dean came over to meet her at the bottom of the steps and leaned in a bit. "I heard you and Weasley broke up."
"Yes, we did," Hermione nodded. "News sure travels fast."
"Well, when it has to do with one of the top catches in the school, people are bound to talk," he teased. Then he reached out and caressed a curl that rested on her shoulder, "Breaking up with Ron agrees with you, Mione."
She blushed a bit at the intimate quality to his voice and stepped down off the last step, putting some room between them. "Uh, thank you, Dean."
"You're welcome." Her actions had told him more than her words, so he nodded in understanding and stepped back as he turned to the rest of the group, "So, everybody ready for breakfast?"
Hermione found herself flanked by Harry and Ron as the small group made their way to the Great Hall. Lavender and Parvati giggled behind her. Dean and Seamus laughed and pushed each other childishly as they bound down the steps. Ron and Harry talked about quidditch over her head as they walked. And, when they neared the hall, Ginny joined the group and after everyone's greetings, joined in Harry and Ron's conversation. It was all so normal and comfortable that for the first time in a long while Hermione finally felt at peace, at home.
When they reached the Great Hall she noticed that her group wasn't the only one reluctant to go inside and leave their friends. The new seating arrangements, while exciting to many, still meant a lack of friend time.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and said, "Well, I'm hungry. Since we won't have time to meet up to compare timetables, how about we all agree to spend whatever free periods we have today in the All-House Common Room? It's not far from most of the classrooms, so we're bound to see each other enough times to exchange schedules."
Everyone agreed and after a small round of handshakes and hugs, they parted company.
xxxxx
Draco sat quietly at his table, ate his breakfast without much interest in what was on his plate, and watched the proceedings around him. He saw Weaslette, 'Ginny' he reminded himself, and Pansy talk to each other easily, as if they'd been doing it all their lives, and shook his head in wonder. He had known Pansy his entire life and never suspected he didn't really know her. She had provided him with enough new realizations in one evening to leave him tossing and turning for most of the night. And, it wasn't just her.
His grey-blue eyes slid back to his own table and he sized up Ronald Weasley. For the first time ever he tried to be fair to the boy, now man, he'd hated on principle for so long. Too red hair, goofy grin, taller than the last time he's seen him. Eyes blue and almost as twinkly as Professor Dumbledore's. Loud laugh, but an honest one. Good with the younger kids at their table. And, an open book, his every feeling floating across his face.
What on earth does Pansy see in him? And, Hermi…wait! Where the hell did that come from? Granger! Yes, Granger. She's way too smart for this simpleton. And, why do I still want to punch him in the face and then hex him with boils?
Draco sighed at his own thoughts and looked away, his eyes landing on a smiling Hermione. She glanced his way just then and when their eyes met he felt the breath whoosh from of his body. He flushed as he recalled the feeling of her curves against him in the hall the previous evening and broke the contact.
What the hell? I must be more desperate than I even knew. One bit of body-to-body contact and I'm losing my head. Well, I am an 18-year old man and she is a very tasty looking… okay, enough! Focus! School, Dumbledore, continued therapy sessions, classes and studying, and a very much alive godfather, Severus.
He had a lot to think about and many changes to accept and didn't need to add his sudden sexual awakening to the mix. For a year or two he had played up to the rumors that he was the greatest shag to ever enter Hogwarts with Pansy's help as a gossip and liar, but then, at the time when they really could have started to make the rumors true, real life had stepped in and ruined things. It never ceased to amaze him that people thought he spent all his spare time going from witch to witch in broom closets for the past two years. They never seemed to get that his sixth year had been spent practically paralyzed with fear for all that he had to do. The repercussions of his actions, and then the feelings of failure, loss, and more fear had swamped him the remainder of that year. The next year…he shuddered at the memories and laughed bitterly to himself. Yeah right. Like that had been the time for sex of any kind.
He winced as Ron's boisterous laugh brought him mentally back to their table and felt the stare of 'Loony' Lovegood. When he glanced her way he saw her sizing him up and shifted uncomfortably in his chair as her eyes seemed to mirror the path of his thoughts.
"So, Draco," Luna breathed. Her voice was soft, almost dreamy, but it cut across the din of the busy room regardless, "what classes do you have when?"
Draco glanced down in surprise to see his timetable resting at his elbow. He'd never even noticed it being placed there, and glanced around quickly to see professors making their way around the hall with papers for the rest of the students. He smirked at the look of irritation that he noticed on Potter's face and glanced down again to read his own schedule. Each sixth and seventh year student had been placed in classes based on their O.W.L.S. scores and future plans. That meant that there were no more per house classes. Seeing his new timetable with only his name and classes on it, Draco realized he had no idea who else would be in class with him.
Before he got to the second line of his schedule Luna's voice was heard again, "Soooo?"
He looked up to see most of the table looking at him expectantly. Ron was staring at his plate, pointedly ignoring him. Draco bit back the immediate retort that sprang to his lips and cleared his throat.
New beginnings, he reminded himself. More acceptance, less jerk. You're with this lot for four weeks. Play nice. Even with the Weasel.
His face was set in a grimace as he spoke, "Today, Wednesday and Friday, Herbology and Arithmancy before lunch, and Transfiguration after with Astronomy at night. And Charms, Potions, and Muggle Studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
He didn't mention the bold print that read "Mental Health" on Thursdays after his classes, so he was a bit shocked when Luna asked about it.
"And, when are your sessions?"
"Why do you care?" he snapped.
She shrugged her delicate shoulders and smiled benignly at him, even as her eyebrow arched at his tone, "We all have them, you know? It's not just you."
He hadn't known and his surprise was evident as he looked around the table and noticed everyone nod.
Faruka spoke up, "Mine's on Thursday mornings with the new teacher, Professor N. T. Lupin. Is he or she nice?"
Ron smiled and nodded at the young girl, "She's great. You'll love her." Then he glanced at Draco and couldn't stop himself from jeering, "What? No DADA for you?"
A stab of pain went through Draco as his eyes bore into Ron's, but he kept his voice as neutral as possible, "I think I've dealt with enough dark arts to last me a lifetime, don't you?"
Ron seemed to realize what his jab at Draco had sounded like and started to apologize. Then he thought better of it. Draco wouldn't accept it, and he wouldn't really mean it. A part of him almost admired Draco for coming back to school to face everyone. The fact that Professor Dumbledore was alive had been the source of a lot of conversation the night before. And, with his reappearance, much of the burning hatred toward Draco had faded. They'd all known he hadn't been able to kill their former headmaster, but that hadn't stopped them from blaming him for everything that had happened that horrible night.
Over the summer while looking back, Ron and Harry had realized that they had given the Draco Malfoy too much power in their lives. They had let their anger, fear, and childishness focus on Draco, rather than on the bigger picture of what had been happening. They'd then vowed to let go of their grudges and start this year anew. Of course, the night before they had fallen back into old habits and both had been ready to pummel him for upsetting Hermione. But, now in the light of day, he couldn't bring himself to keep up the fight. With a sigh he turned to his own timetable.
He cleared his throat to breach the sudden silence at the table and said, "I've got uh Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, DADA and Transfiguration today. And, Charms, Potions and Muggle Studies tomorrow. Darn, no Remus! Well, at least I get Tonks in Transfiguration."
He glanced up to see several of the younger students staring at him with their mouths open.
"What?"
Faruka whispered in awe, "You called professors by their first names."
"Oh," Ron blushed and laughed, "sorry about that. But, it's going to be weird to call them professor when I got to know them before, you know?"
There were a few giggles before Luna asked, "So, do you know this Peyton Mills person?"
"Not really, ran into her a time or two during the war. Seemed nice enough. She's replacing Professor Burbage," Ron answered.
Neither noticed Draco's sudden loss of color and one of the younger boys asked, "Whatever happened to her?"
"No idea," Ron answered around his bagel.
Luna shook her head at his manner of eating and continued, "She just disappeared one day. No one's seen her or heard anything about her whereabouts. It's like sticknits just carried her off."
A fifth year girl sighed dramatically, "I heard she resigned to run off and get married to a wizard ten years younger than she was."
The other fifth year at the table, a boy, looked at the girl almost sadly as he muttered, "Sorry, but I don't think so. More than likely she was captured, tortured and killed by Death Ea…"
Luna cut him off with a tiny cough and all eyes flew to Draco, some in sympathy, others in accusation. He quickly decided he'd had enough to eat and stood to leave the table. He kept his face impassive and refused to make eye contact as gathered his things.
His movements faltered a moment when he heard the boy say quietly, "I didn't mean him."
And, Luna's answer, "I know, but you should watch what you say."
Draco took the first step away before Luna called out, "See you in Herbology, Draco."
Without turning, he nodded and then continued his walk to the doors. With each step he reminded himself that he was blameless. He hadn't been the one to kill Professor Burbage. He also hadn't been capable of stopping it from happening. No one knew that he had seen her die. No one knew that she had looked him in the eye before she'd breathed her last breath. No one knew how much her death had affected him. The feeling that the walls were closing in on him made him hurry his steps. He needed to get out of the hall before he embarrassed himself by curling into a ball and screaming until the images left his head.
Quite a few sets of eyes followed Draco's departure from the Great Hall. Some wondered where he was going to go. Others wondered if he was off to do something nefarious. And, still others simply appreciated the view of his lean body sweeping across the room and out the door.
xxxxx
Pansy sighed softly as the door shut behind Draco. "And, what do I do about him?"
Ginny shook her head, "Maybe you should talk to him. I mean, if you two really want out of this thing, you're going to have to break it together."
"What are you ladies whispering about?" Harry asked from his table behind them.
They turned to see him leaning back in his chair with a small smile on his face. Unable to resist, Ginny leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"Nothing big. Just going over our timetables," Ginny smiled. Harry saw Pansy breath out a sigh of relief and refrained from pushing the issue.
He nodded, "So, what do all the healers-to-be have today?"
"You want to be a healer?" Pansy asked in surprise.
Ginny nodded, "Yeah. Why is that so surprising?"
"I don't know," Pansy shrugged. "I guess I just pictured you as becoming a world famous quidditch player or something. But, being a healer fits, too."
"I know people don't always see me as serious," Ginny said soberly, "but, I saw too many people hurt back then. And, there was nothing I could do to help. At that final battle, I just wanted to…to help. And, everyone just kept trying to protect me and push me back. I had friends who were dying and I just wanted to be able to…"
"Ginny," Harry interrupted softly.
Ginny stopped immediately and realized that her voice had risen and people were staring at her. With a flush, she forced herself to relax and cleared her throat.
"I think I understand," Pansy said quietly, as she placed her hand on Ginny's clenched fist. "Healers are respected and they can help make things better. I know you'll be great at it, Gin."
Ginny smiled gratefully and relaxed her hands.
"She's going to be the best healer ever seen," Harry added. When Ginny turned to look at him, he smiled and reached out for one of her hands. "So, what do you have today?"
Ginny pulled her hands from both of theirs and reached for her paper. "Care of Magical Creatures, Basic Medical Aide, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration."
"Wow, we're in almost every class together!" Pansy laughed. "Except Care of Magical Creatures. I have no idea how you can stomach half of the things he brings into that class."
Harry laughed with Pansy, "You get used to it." Then he looked at Ginny, "At least we'll see each other most of the day. Of course, I have Astronomy tonight and Wednesday night. Sheesh, who wants to go to classes at night?"
"My poor suffering future auror," Ginny teased. Then she turned to Pansy, "He and Ron didn't have a choice in their classes. They have to follow the auror training requirements."
Pansy nodded knowingly, "Yeah, Greg, too."
Harry's eyes widened, but it was Ginny's gasp that made Pansy laugh, "Yes, Gregory Markus Goyle wants to be an auror."
"But, um, not to be rude, but, does he know you have to study and stuff? I mean, it's really hard work," Harry said uncomfortably.
Pansy smiled and leaned in, "Don't tell him I told you, but he's a lot smarter than he lets on. He gets practically straight Os in everything. He even helps Draco and Blaise study sometimes."
She laughed out loud at the looks of disbelief on Harry and Ginny's faces and reached for her glass of water.
xxxxxx
Author's Notes – Thank each and every one of you who have read or reviewed this story!!
kazfeist: You are correct, my dear. The summary does imply all kinds of shakeups, doesn't it? But, I just can't bring myself to separate Harry and Ginny for too long. Lol Hope you liked eleven. :-)
Dreamweaver (for 9): Sorry they went up rather quickly. I had promised someone three updates in a week and in order to do it ended up posting four times because I hit Sunday again. Lol Glad you got caught up though. Plus, now I get to go read yours…
I love that you found so much humor in the story. I put it in there because I see it as funny, but I never know if anyone else finds it funny. lol And, you reading and reviewing at the same time, made me laugh out loud this time. You're reactions were PERFECT!! Thank you. And, "All's fair in love and fan fiction", I love that!
(for 10): Your response to Blaise was EXACTLY what it should have been in my estimation, angry understanding. lol And, no, he's not a mama's boy. lol We shall see if he ever grows and learns to get past things. And, didn't you just love Pansy?! And, as I said to kazfeist, HarryGinny4eva!! So, now we are back on the regular schedule, Sundays and Wednesdays. I hope you continue to review and show the love. Your reviews make my day!! Thank you.