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Chapter 11

Hermione

The forest around me was too quiet, the trees too menacing and dark in the dim light.

"Lumos," I said, lighting my wand, making everything seemed substantially brighter. I could now see the faint paths that wound their way through the forest.

'If the headmaster didn't want students in the forest, why did he put easily accessed paths throughout it?' I thought, once again questioning Dumbledore's sanity a bit. 'Or should I say, ex-headmaster. Stupid Umbridge.'

Deciding to visit Grawp, I took the path to my right, thinking it to be the right way.

The eerie forest started to thoroughly freak me out. I thought back to my childhood when my mother would sing to me whenever I was afraid, the old song still fresh on my mind.

I started singing the familiar tune quietly to myself, then I began to sing louder, until my strong voice was ringing through the still air around me.

Nobody knew it, but I'd always been rather musically gifted. I'd been taking voice and dance lessons at a small "preforming arts" studio near my home just outside of London. I'd been attending them since age four, entering all of the annual recitals and talent shows. I'd yet to win one, because of cursed Liam McNalley. One of my biggest -yet most mediocre- dreams was to win the talent show, and see Liam crying to his mommy. I had to admit that I still felt that way, however childish it was. I'd never been one to give up, and spat upon defeat each time it knocked at my door.

I obviously hadn't told any of my wizard friends, because none of them seemed to understand the muggle side of my life and how important it was to me. Sure, Harry had been raised by muggles, but they'd been so horrible to him that I couldn't blame him for being put-off with muggles and their culture, though he was nothing like some of the Slytherins. As for my muggle friends, I didn't have any to speak of. In elementary school, I'd always been the nosy, stuck-up, know-it-all, better than everyone, too mature, bucktoothed girl that nobody liked. I tried to act tough, but bullies always got under my skin in a way unlike any other. That must've been why I detested Draco so much.

Draco...

I had no idea as to what was going on with that situation, and I undoubtably never would, as he was always so cryptic and closed around everyone. He just didn't want people to know anything about him. I had yet to find the reason why, though I was positive that I would pester him until he told me more. I didn't know why I wanted to know so much about him, but I did, and I wouldn't stop until I knew what laid hidden behind those bemusing gray eyes.

I was still singing, though somewhat absentmindedly, as I tromped my way through the black trees that no longer frightened me.

Draco

I was still wandering aimlessly through the forest, minding my own business and keeping to myself, as usual. My ears perked up as I heard a beautiful voice singing from somewhere off to my left, calling to me like a siren to male sailors.

"No kind sir, I cannot marry thee. For I've a love, whose gone out to sea.

He's been gone for seven years. Still no marry shall marry me.

What if he's in some battle slain?

Or drowned in the deep salt sea?

What if he's found another love, he and his love, both married be.

And if he's in some battle slain, I shall die when the moon doth wane.

If he's drowned in the deep salt sea, I'll be true to his memory.

And if he's found another love, and he and his love both married be. I wish them health and happiness, where they dwell across the sea.

He picked her up, in his arms. Kisses gave her, one, two three.

Weep no more, my own true love, I am your long lost John Riley."

I found myself subconsciously walking towards the mysterious singer, no longer on the path, but cutting through the trees and brush. She was such a siren, singing her song for me, and I was dumb enough to follow, possibly to death, though hopefully not anything that drastic.

'Reminds me of Hermione,' the random thought occurred to me, catching me slightly off guard. 'I wonder how she feels about me... I don't think she hates me, anymore at least...well, I hope not! I certainly don't despise her, after she saved my life and all that! So far from hatred, nearly love...'

'I think Parkinson slipped something in my pumpkin juice last night.'

'Face it, you like her!' part of me argued.

'Do not! I just...appreciate her!'

'LIAR!'

'Prat! Bug off!' My angry side retorted.

'You're the one arguing with yourself!'

The other half of me was stumped. 'You've got a point, there...'

'Admit it! I'm right, you like-no, you LOVE her!' The annoying part said, causing me to sigh in defeat.

'Fine! Ugh! I don't know who I am anymore!'

'For once, I completely agree, mate.'

I let out an angry huff, kicking a nearby tree stump, simultaneously hearing a protesting crack from one of my toes. I hopped one foot, loudly exclaiming, "Ow! Ow! Ow!"

Losing my balance, I toppled over and just lied there, letting a few muttered curses tumble from my lips out of habit.

The singer stopped with her beautiful song.

I'd really done it now.

"Hello?" Called a voice, clearly startled. "Who's there?"

Before I even knew it, I idiotically yelled, "No one!"

"Who are you?" The girl demanded, sounding a lot like Hermione when she was mad. "Show yourself! Don't make me come find you!" She threatened.

Actually a little scared, I continued my way through the underbelly of the forest, seeing a slight clearing up ahead.

I heard a startled shriek as I got around the last gnarly little branch, tripping up a little on the way.

"Draco?" Asked a disbelieving voice.

When I faced the unknown female, I noticed that it was indeed Hermione, after all.

She was wearing muggle clothes, her hair back in a careless bun that suited her quite well, worn out frog slippers on her feet, a shocked look on her gorgeous face. It made my hard heart start to melt when I looked at her, like the Arctic after a particularly foul winter.

"Hey Hermione," I said with a smile, "I didn't know you sang! Sounded really good, by the way!"

She looked taken aback by my compliment, then regained her composure as she questioned me. "Were you following me?"

"Well, I heard singing, and I was curious..." I said defensively, "I'd already been in the forest though, so I didn't follow you all the way out here, if that's what you're asking."

"Oh, I see. Why are you out here, exactly?"

I sighed, plopping down on a large boulder. "I was trying to clear my head, to get away from everybody. Besides, I couldn't sleep last night for some reason."

Hermione sat next to me, nodding understandingly. She seemed to remember something, a barely visible blush creeping its way to her face in the light of our wands.

I laughed at her expression, raising an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"So...you heard me singing?" She asked, embarrassed.

"Yeah, I did. You sounded amazing!" I said truthfully, giving her a smile to lighten the mood. "Where'd you learn to sing like that?"

With a smile, she proceeded to tell me about her childhood lessons without seeming to give it a second thought.

"But don't tell anyone," she added as a side note, "it's a secret."

I figured I might as well tell her about my musical endeavors as well, hoping to make her feel better about spilled her guts to me.

"Actually, that's a secret as well," I said, "so don't let the cat out of the bag. We don't want Hogwart's infamous 'Slytherin Prince' to become Hogwart's 'softie hippie,' now do we?"

We both laughed at that, looking into each other's eyes.

I gestured between the two of us, asking, "Are we having a 'moment,' here?"

She bit her lip nervously, then she smirked. "Maybe..."

We both leaned in closer, closer, closer, each now able to feel the other's breath on our faces.

I closed the distance, kissing her.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

AWWW! How romantic, no?

Anyhoo, if you have anything to say, or even if you don't, PLEASE review so I know that SOMEBODY is reading!

Thanks a ton for everything!

Love,

Little Miss English Nerd