Coughing Hermione stumbled out of the fireplace. Glancing around she quickly righted herself and moved out of the way as Daphne came through the floo behind her. Joining Ginny against the wall she found herself drawn to the sleeping portrait of Albus Dumbledore. He looked so peaceful. Smiling she turned back to the floo as Draco came through. Locking eyes with him she felt herself blush as she thought back to last night.
She had had no intention what-so-ever to sharing a bed with Draco again. However, she once again walked into her room to find Pansy and Ron in a compromising position. Backing out of the room quickly she shut the door and turned to find Draco lounging against the door frame to his bedroom smiling. Rolling her eyes she shoved past him and proceeded to his dresser drawer where she rifled through until she found an old quidditch jersey. Pulling it out she turned to find that Draco had quietly shut the door and was now leaning against it watching her. "Do you mind?" she hissed glancing at the sleeping boy in the other bed. Shrugging he simply smirked. Huffing she glared at him and simply pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it to her side as she watched him take a deep breath. Smirking she reached around and unclasped her bra and let it join her shirt on the floor. Raising her eyebrow was like sending a signal directly to his libido because he all but launched himself across the room at her. "Good god Granger, you're going to be the death of me," he whispered as they fell across the bed together.
Blinking Hermione came back to herself when she realized that Professor Snape was talking. Tearing her gaze from a smirking Draco she focused on her old professor. "I've arranged for you all to sleep in Gryffindor tower. I realize that you Slytherins may have a problem with this but you'll get over it," Professor Snape drawled glancing around at the mish mosh of people, "Now get out of my office." Following the others out of the office Hermione felt a rush of excitement as the stone gargoyles moved aside and the hallway of Hogwarts came into view. Smiling Hermione moved to the wall and let everyone bypass her as she walked and drug her hand against the cold stone wall. It had been two years since she had walked these halls and it still felt like home.
Feeling someone grasp her hand she turned her head to find Draco there. Smirking he asked, "Thinking about last night again, Granger?" Scoffing she pulled her hand out of his, "Of course not. Besides nothing really happened." Snorting Draco rolled his eyes, "Only because Damon was in the room. You have to admit Granger we've got great chemistry," he laughed as he moved away from her and joined Blaise and Theo who were a couple paces ahead.
Walking into the Gryffindor common room Hermione stopped and inhaled. It smelled the same as she remembered. Smiling she noticed Harry standing off to the side. Walking over to him she bumped her shoulder against his, "You okay?" she asked. Nodding Harry glanced at her and smiled, "It's like being home. I didn't realize how much I missed this place till we got here." Sighing Hermione nodded as well, "I know. I felt the same way as soon as we stepped into the hallway." Picking his back pack up from where he had dropped it Harry looked towards the stairs, "I'm going to go check out the dorms." Hermione watched as Ginny hurried up the stairs after Harry. Shaking her head she headed over to the couches and plopped herself down next to Astoria.
"Are you guys coming?" asked Theo. "Yea as much as we love the color red," Blaise said looking significantly around the common room, "we're only here for a couple days. Luna said she'd be down by the lake so we're going to go down and find her."
"Sure," Ron answered pulling Pansy up. "We'll go too," Astoria said as she and Daphne followed the boys from the common room. "Me too," Damon called running after the Slytherins. "You coming Hermione?" Pansy asked. "No, I'm going to relax. Did anyone see where Malfoy went?" she asked as she had just noticed that the blonde wasn't in the common room. Shaking her head Pansy answered, "No, he took off as soon as he saw where the common room was. Have a good relaxation," she said before following Ron through the portrait hole.
She had a feeling she'd find him there. Coming to the top of the stairs she stood for a second to watch him at the railing. "Everyone is down by the lake. What are you doing up here?" she asked moving next to him and looking out over the grounds of Hogwarts. "Shouldn't the question be what are you doing up here?" he countered. Turning to stare at him she didn't answer but simply watched him till he decided to answer her, "If you must know Granger I'm relieving 6th year. I spent a lot of time up here when I wasn't in the room of requirement that is."
"It wasn't your fault that he died. He was going to die anyway, you know that," she said quietly. Watching as he clenched the railing she reached over and placed her hand on top of his. Sighing Draco turned his hand so that he was now holding Hermione's hand, "I know that Granger. I just wish I would've known what I know now then. If that makes any sense."
"Of course it does. Do you think it would've made a difference?" she asked. Snorting he answered, "Probably not. In case you didn't notice I was a bit of an arrogant prat back then." Giggling Hermione smiled up at him, "Back then? I don't think that ever wore off."
"Hardy har har, you're so funny Granger," he responded. Staring at their intertwined fingers Hermione took a deep breath and asked, "Do you think you would've switched sides had your mother not died?" She immediately regretted asking as he pulled his hand away and walked a few paces away from her. "I'm not sure what answer to give you, Granger. I could lie and say of course but you're not stupid. My mother didn't agree with what my father was doing but she would've stayed by his side anyway and I would've stayed by hers," he answered shrugging his shoulders.
Nodding Hermione walked over and stood in front of him, "I understand your logic Draco. Now come on," she said grabbing his hand and pulling him with her, "let's not dwell on the past. Everyone is out by the lake. Let's forget about this war for a few hours."
After dinner found the group of friends standing outside the room of requirement as Harry paced back and forth in front of the stone wall. After his third time a wooden door appeared. Opening it he allowed everyone to head in before bringing up the rear and closing the door behind him. "Alright, so we're looking for Ravenclaw's diadiem. I'm not sure what it exactly looks like but Luna tells me it's like a crown. We'll split up and search. If anyone thinks they've found it set off green sparks," Harry said looking around as everyone moved into their odd groupings and started drifting off down different paths through the room. Grabbing Ginny's hand he allowed her to lead her into the pile of 'hidden' objects.
"So do you even know where you're going?" Damon asked Draco as he and Hermione followed his father through the maze of objects. "I practically lived in this room for a year, kid, I know a few paths," Draco answered as he shifted some books aside, "Are you two even looking for this bloody diadiem thing," he asked glancing at the two behind him. "You forget, dad, that I've already found the stupid thing once," Damon replied rolling his eyes. Stepping aside Draco motioned for Damon to pass him, "Well then lead on oh wise one."
Looking around with his hands on his hips Damon narrowed his eyes, "I think we veered the wrong way. I'm pretty sure it was back over to the right more," he said turning and heading towards the right.
"You two are like an old married couple sniping at each other," Hermione commented as she passed Draco and followed her son. "Don't forget Granger we're supposed to become the old married couple," he laughed as she glared over her shoulder at him.
After walking for a few minutes the trio came across a large cabinet. Stopping in front of it Damon looked at it thoughtfully, "I think I remember this thing. I'm pretty sure I found it somewhere over there," he said as he turned around and pointed in the opposite direction. Seeing his father's face Damon furrowed his brow and asked, "What's the matter?" When his father didn't answer he looked at his mother who seemed to be focused on his father. "Draco," she said quietly placing a hand on his arm. "It's okay Granger," he said as he shook her off and approached the vanishing cabinet slowly.
"What's going on?" Damon asked trying to get his parent's attention. Approaching Damon, Hermione put her arm around his shoulder, "This cabinet just bothers your father," she told him quietly. "Why?" he asked watching his father slowly pull out his wand.
"It's a mistake from my past," Draco growled as he lifted his wand. "Draco what are you doing?" Hermione asked alarmingly. "It needs to be destroyed," he said trying to control his anger. "No, it needs to be left in the past," Hermione insisted. "Well you don't get to decide," Draco replied as he started to yell, "Bom-," before he could get his spell out he was interrupted by, "Expelliarmus!" and his wand flew out of his hand and over the heads of Hermione and Damon.
"Hermione's right Malfoy. It needs to be left in the past and you need to leave it there," Harry said striding up with Draco's wand. "Always sticking your nose into things that don't concern you, Potter," Draco sneered taking his wand back from Harry's outstretched hand. "Draco, you know he's right," Hermione said quietly once again placing her hand on his arm and sliding it down to clasp his hand with hers. Pulling him away from the cabinet she passed Damon, Ginny, and Harry and headed in the direction that Damon had pointed to earlier. "Let's find the diadiem so we can get out of here," Harry said coming up behind the two. "Damon thinks he remembers it somewhere over in this direction," Hermione told him.
"Everyone be quiet," Harry demanded as he shut his eyes. Slowly he started to walk forward till he came to a small round table. Opening his eyes he glanced back, "It's somewhere here," he said. Rushing up next to Harry Damon exclaimed, "Yes, I remember. It's right inside here," he said reaching out to open a box on the table. "No," both his parents exclaimed pulling him back from the table, "Don't touch that it's part of the dark lord," Draco yelled. Snorting Damon crossed his arms across his chest, "I've already touched it before." "I don't give a merlin's dam if you've touched it before. You're not touching it this time," Draco commanded.
"It looks so normal," Ginny commented leaning around Harry and peering at the diadiem. "That's the point, Gin," Harry commented as he turned around with it, "Is the family argument done with?" he asked looking between Draco and Damon. Taking Damon's shrug as acceptance Draco nodded. "Good, I'm going to call everyone back here so we can get out of here," Harry said raising his wand and shooting off sparks.
It took a few minutes before Blaise and Luna rounded the corner followed by Astoria and Theo. Eventually Daphne and Neville, who had shown up for dinner, came into view. After several long minutes Draco muttered, "Where the hell are Pansy and the Weasel?" "This place is huge they're coming," Hermione told him quietly. Fifteen minutes later and 2 more times of sparks being shot in the air Pansy and Ron finally stumbled into view. Looking at them Hermione immediately realized what had taken so long as had Draco who voiced it, "Next time the two of you want to shag do it on your own time," he sneered at the two. Sputtering Pansy stood up straighter, "I don't know what you're talking about, Draco." "Pansy dear you're shirt is on backwards and Ron's is inside out," Daphne supplied helpfully. "Exactly," Draco commented as he turned and pulled Hermione behind him towards the door.