Hermione was able to get the routine quickly and the next morning, before Malfoy woke up, Hermione was already clean and dressed in her best robes, ready to go to Beauxbatons.
"Hurry, you need to change before Professor McGonagall sees you in that state," Hermione scolded Malfoy when he was still sitting on top of the bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Grumbling, her reluctantly went into the comfort room and changed.
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a plain white dress that went above her knees with a matching white cardigan and white heels. She figured she looked decent and presentable with it. Finally, Hermione went out to see everyone assembled.
Professor McGonagall was wearing her witch's hat with her silky robes and the other students were wearing dresses and button up's. Everyone chattered excitedly as Professor McGonagall was talking to Snape in a hushed tone. Finally, Malfoy staggered out, wearing a dark blue polo and jeans, his hair still wet. Immediately, Pansy Parkinson appeared out of nowhere wearing a bright green dress and clung on to Malfoy's arm.
"Alright, now! We will eat at Beauxbatons for breakfast and we will ride thestrals to go there. Hurry along now," Professor McGonagall said abruptly. At once, students lined up and went out of the carriage to see thestrals waiting for them to haul a beautiful carriage, a more elegant than the one they rode before.
Hermione sort of frowned when she saw the thestrals and saw that the other did too. She, along with the others, had seen many deaths during the Hogwarts battle.
They all went in and Hermione was joined by Malfoy, with Pansy clinging on his side, sat down beside Hermione.
"Had a good night's sleep?"Malfoy winked, which was thankfully missed by Pansy.
"What'd you do?" Blaise Zabini asked, sitting directly in front of them.
"Nothing," Hermione said, blushing.
Blaise and Pansy looked at each other and then looked away; this was something both Hermione and Malfoy didn't miss. They have obviously been talking about them.
"So what's the little secret, Blaise?" Malfoy asked in slightly commanding voice.
"It's nothing, Draco," Blaise said, shrugging.
"Tell me," Malfoy ordered. Blaise hesitated and the shook his head.
"It's nothing,"
"Have you forgotten who I am?" Malfoy said sternly, flexing his fingers. Hermione flinched beside him. She didn't like it when people used their power or position to get what they want.
Malfoy noticed Hermione flinch and relaxed a bit but he was still stern.
"You're the Prince of Slytherin, Draco," Blaise said reluctantly in defeat.
"You got that right. Now tell me," Malfoy said.
"Later, I will," Blaise said, tilting his head towards Hermione who pretended to be busy by smoothing her skirt.
Malfoy nodded and looked away. It seemed that Malfoy didn't want any secrets to be kept from his by his fellow Slytherins, Hermione noticed.
After a long silence, Professor McGonagall went to the middle of the carriage and said, "We will be arriving at Beauxbatons within a minute! Pansy, please pull up your dress! It's revealing too much! Luna, goodness, please remove that! Kevin, fix your collar!"
Luna scowled as she removed a huge lion head mascot she was wearing.
"Line up, now! We're here!" Professor McGonagall said anxiously. "Now, instructions will be told after breakfast. Let us go,"
Everyone smoothed out their clothes as Malfoy and Hermione stepped in front of the line to lead everyone. They walked out of the carriage, following Snape and Professor McGonagall.
Hermione gasped as she saw the outside of Beauxbatons.
Surrounding the palace, was a huge vast of field where the winged horses roamed freely. It was a palace but it was brighter, newer, and more elegant than Hogwarts. It was practically glittering against the bright sun, its ice blue color chining brightly. Hermione followed Snape and Professor McGonagall in front of the blue door with the Beauxbatons' crest embedded upon it.
"—vrom Hogwarts!" Hermione heard someone announce from the inside.
The two doors opened and Professor McGonagall and Snape walked in. Hermione followed them as her eyes traveled around their "Great Hall" – Hermione didn't know what they called it.
It was similar to the Great Hall but it was much brighter. The walls were a mix of shimery blue and silver. There were 6 long tables that looked like they were made of ice where students sat as they clapped when they marched. Hermione saw the Beuxbatons' crest largely embedded behind the teacher's table in front. There were several teachers sitting there, clapping too. This time, their table was made of silver.
The Headmistress, Madam Olympe Maxime – Hermione remembered, stood up and smiled pleasantly at the Hogwartians.
"Ve velcome you to Beauxbatons! Please, do take e zeat," Madam Maxime said, gesturing to some empty spots on the table. Hermione and Malfoy led the students to their seats and they took their place. Hermione sat down beside a very-pretty looking girl (Half-veela, Hermione assumed) and they both smiled at each other with Malfoy on her other side.
"Before anything, else, let us veast!" Madam Maxine said. At once, the silver plate in front of Hermione was filled with food and so was the silver cup on her side.
Hermione recognized the local French food but didn't know how to pronounce it. She looked around first and then touched the crystal-like table. It wasn't cold but it was certainly made of crystal that looked like ice. Suddenly, music played and Hermione turned to see wood nymps making music.
Hermione took a bite of the food and felt her mouth swell in it's taste. It was delicious and light at the same time.
Hermione ate and noticed that some Beauxbatons girls were looking at Malfoy with interest as he ate, ignoring everyone. Finally, when everyone was done, the remains of the food along with the plates and cups, vanished.
Everyone turned their attention to Madam Maxime who took her post again at the podium.
"Now zat we are vull, let us give anozer varm velcome to our beloved visitors!" She said, clapping enthusiastically. Everyone clapped as well.
"Ze Hogwarts students are only here for e day," Madam Maxime started once the clapping died down. "Vot vill they be doing? They vill be free to roam around the palace and observe Beauxbatons as they vish. I expect you all to be in your best behavior. Vou may wish to go anyvhere you like except for ze private rooms, of course." Madam Maxime said pleasantly.
Hermione felt herself grow in delight. She already knew what she was planning to do – she would attend some of the classes and go to their library. It would be fascinating to learn new things! Oh, the books she could read – they would probably be in French but she bet there were some in English.
"Now, go! Enjoy your stay at Beauxbatons!" Madam Maxime said dramatically. At once, everyone got out of their seats and tried to get acquainted with the Hogwarts students.
Hermione jumped out of her chair excitedly as she went out the hall. Everything was silver and blue but in a comfortable way and there were portraits too but mostly of maidens and gentlemen having a picnic and laughing.
"Hello," Someone surprised Hermione from behind. Hermione turned to see a pretty girl with blonde hair falling softly on her shoulder with bright brown eyes.
"Hello," Hermione said with a smile.
"I am Devana. Pleazure zo meet you," Devana said, smiling.
"I'm Hermione Granger. It's my pleasure," Hermione said.
"I know who you are. You're one of ze heroez of ze wizarding vorld. I've read about you. Ze brightest witch of ver age!" Devana said, awe in her voice. Hermione blushed as she smiled.
"My next class iz what you vould call it—Charmz. Vould you like to join me?" Devana asked as she and Hermione started walking.
"Yes," Hermione said enthusiastically. Hermione followed Devana as Devana chatted happily about Beauxbatons and the different classes. Hermione was delighted to realize that Devana loved to read books and learned too. Maybe that was why she wanted to befriend Hermione?
"Here 've are," Devana said as she pushed open at blue door. The room had a high ceiling and the walls were white with marble tables where students were sitting, waiting for the teacher.
"Zit 'ere," Devana offered a chair beside her. Hermione sat down and looked at the textbooks Devana was clutching. Devana smiled as she wordlessly handed Hermione the textbooks.
Hermione was about to open it when a woman in her late forties appeared but she looked very glamorous in her silk robes and high bun. She smiled as she caught Hermione's eye.
"Welcome to charms! It is absolutely delighting to have Hermione Granger in my class! My name is Professor Ivone." Professor Ivone said in perfect posture and perfect english.
Hermione blushed again as the students looked curiously at Hermione Granger.
"No, let us begin with where we left off before. Now, who can tell me what the Avis spell does?" She asked.
Devana's hand shot up in the air and had a excited look on her face. Hermione wondered if she looked like that.
"Avis ez a spell that conjures e flock of virds. Ze virds are shot from ze caster's vand tip, accompanied vy a loud vlast that sounds like a gun veing vired and zmoke." Devana said.
"Correct, now, who would like to give me an example," Professor Ivone's eyes traveled to Hermione and said, "Ms. Hermione Granger? It would be a pleasure"
Hermione smiled weakly and remembered when she used the spell on Ron after seeing him snog Lavender Brown. She stood up and pulled out her wand.
"Avis," Hermione murmured. At once, yellow birds appeared and Hermione manipulated them with ease.
Everyone clapped and Hermione smiled.
As the class went on, Professor kept asking Hermione to do stuff and some students couldn't resist asking her some things about her adventure. Hermione felt awkward with the attention but was delighted that they were not snobbing her.
Once class was over, Devana walked out with Hermione to see Malfoy with a Beuxbatons girl.
"You went to class, Granger? We're on a break, remember?" Malfoy teased.
"Scoff off, Malfoy," Hermione retorted and was about to leave when Devana pulled her.
"Could you mayve introduze me to dis Malfoy?" Devana asked meekly.
"You do not want to meet him. He's horrid," Hermione warned, knowing girls couldn't help themselves around Malfoy.
"I vould like to fid zat out for myself," Devana said as she longingly gazed at Malfoy. Hermione rolled her eyes and agreed. They approached Malfoy who seemed to be waiting, a triumphant smirk on his face.
"Devana, meet Malfoy. Malfoy, this is Devana," Hermione introduced lamely. Malfoy threw a quick glance at Hermione and held Devana's hand to kiss the top of it's palm. Devana blushed furiously.
Over kill, Hermione thought as she watched Devana, all her blood was probably in her face.
"It is a pleasure," Malfoy said smoothly.
"Ze pleasure is all mine," Devana said meekly. "Vould you like to come with uz for our nexr class? It'z defense against ze dark artz,"
Malfoy threw another glance at Hermione and beamed at Devana.
"Sure,"
To Hermione's frustration, as smart as Devana seemed, she was still clueless on having a liking for Malfoy who was putting up quite an act. The three of them walked through more hallways until they reached a door. Devana summoned two extra chairs and Malfoy say between them.
"I don't know what you're doing but don't play with her," Hermione warned Malfoy while Devana was busy talking to her friends in rapid French.
"Are you jealous?" Malfoy whispered with a smirk.
"Just don't," Hermione warned, smacking him lightly on the arm.
"My, Granger is jealous," Malfoy teased.
Suddenly, a guy approached their table, his eyes fixed on Hermione's. He had black hair and bright blue eyes and as all the students did, he looked good.
"'ello, my name eez Michel. A pleasure to meet you," Michel said to Hermione, ignoring Malfoy.
"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said, flustered that such a beautiful boy was approaching her.
"Vould you like to zit vith me? I vould like to get aquainted," Michel offered, his eyes twinkling.
Hermione hesitated for a while and decided to say yes. After all, Devana seemed to keen on being alone with Malfoy. Hermione opened her mouth to say yes when Malfoy suddenly wrapped his arm around Hermione.
"Sorry, Michel. My girlfriend's not going anywhere," Malfoy said – announced, to practically the whole class while his arm was draped over Hermione's shoulder. To Hermione's horrow, Michel stammered some French words and walked back to his seat. Everyone was looking curiously at the both of them.
"What are you doing?" Hermione demanded in a whisper, wriggling out of Malfoy's arm.
"He's only interested in you because you're famous. Trust me, I know those guys," Malfoy whispered.
"Oh, yeah! Thank you for saving my arse! Oh and everyone thinks I'm your bloody girlfriend!" Hermione hissed under her breath.
"It actually is quite amusing," Malfoy admitted with a smirk on his face. Devana took her place beside Malfoy and threw an odd glance at Hermione.
Hermione wanted to tell her it wasn't true but the teacher appeared. The teacher was wearing a black cloak and she had a long pointed nose and cat-like eyes. Her eyes swept to Malfoy and Hermione and nodded.
"Velcome to Defenze against ze sark arts." She greeted them sternly. "Although, I zink zat zey 'ave more experiences wid ze zark artz already. I am Professor Geneva." She said, her voice a little bitter.
Hermione already knew that Professor Geneva wasn't as friendly as Professor Ivone.
"Ve vill start vhere ve left off. Vegin practicing ze "Mirageullision," zpell vy vivking a partner. Devana, help ze Hogwartians," Professor Ivone instructed as she circled around the class to watch the pairs.
Hermione felt her curiosity arise. She didn't know what spell this was and it seemed certainly interesting since people around the classroom began screaming and running around.
"What does this spell do?" Hermione asked Devana.
"It makes you ze enemy zee terrivle things like e giant angry hippogriff but it doez not hurt them. It iz simply an illusion," Devana explained.
"So how do we do this?" Malfoy joined in.
"You just point yer vand at ze enemy and shout 'Mireullusion!'. You can't control vot they zee but they are certainly terryfving." Devana explained.
"Try it on me," Hermione challenged, excitedly.
"You zure?" Devana asked, uncertainly. Hermione nodded and waited.
Hermione saw Devana take a deep breath and watched as Devana raised her wand directly at Hermione and exclaimed, "Mireullusion!"
Hermione seemed to be in a molten land along a cliff. Hermione screamed as soon as she saw a huge dragon – ten times bigger than any dragon she ever saw. The dragon had menacing blood-shot eyes and sharp teeth. It's scales seemed to be made of metal and had huge horns sticking around it's body. Every time it took a breath, smoke seemed to come out of its nostrils. It glared hungrily at Hermione. The dragon stomped its foot and Hermione felt the ground vibrate harshly.
Without hesitation, the dragon attacked Hermione and Hermione ran around, tripping and screaming. She pulled out her wand and screamed numerous spells but they were deflected by the dragon's scales. Hermione felt as if she would die any moment as she tried to avoid the fire the dragon was firing at her.
Hermione tried to calm her mind as she ran away from the dragon.
"Conjunctiva!" Hermione shouted, pointing her wand at the dragon.
The dragon was directly hit on the eyes and began to trash wildly until it fell off the cliff.
Hermione dropped on the floor. She opened her eyes and saw that she was back in the classroom. Her breath was uneven and sweat beaded on her forehead. She shakily stood up and saw that everyone was looking at her.
"Vell, it zeems zat someone vas able to zefeat ze curse, for ze first time in zis class!" Professor Geneva said, smiling what seemed to be a pleasant smile at Hermione.
Everyone clapped and cheered for Hermione although Hermione was still too shaken to give a smile back or even blush.
Malfoy helped her stand up and Devana was beaming at Hermione.
"Zat was vrilliant, Hermione!" Devana exclaimed happily.
"What?" Hermione asked, thoroughly confused as she sat in her chair.
"You are ze first to vreak the curse in zis class. It takes e high level of experience and discipline to vreak off zat spell. Ze curse never stops unless ze one who cast it removes it or if you zefeat it and you are ze first to defeat it in zis class," Professor Geneva said who seemed a bit softer now.
Hermione blushed as she wiped of the beads of sweat on her face.
After that, Hermione and Malfoy began practicing that spell but with Professor Geneva who was the only other one who could break off the spell and since Hermione didn't want to do it against Devana.
"That was a bloody scary hippogriff," Malfoy admitted to Hermione and Devana as they walked out of the class.
"Ah yes, I remember your fear of it," Hermione said, laughing.
"Zo, how long 'ave you been two zating?" Devana asked, changing the subject abruptly.
Hermione suddenly remembered the reckless move Malfoy made a while ago.
"2 years," Malfoy answered quickly with a grin. Hermione punched Malfoy.
"He's lying. I don't nor will I ever date this git. He's horrid, honestly," Hermione said, half-lying. Malfoy was horrid but that didn't mean Hermione might – might—want to go out with him.
"Oh," Devana said, releasing nervous laughter.
Even if Hermione said that, everyone still seemed to stare at Malfoy and glare at Hermione.
"I 'ave to go zo my assignments. Feel vree to go anyvhere," Devana said, waving goodbye to them.
"I don't know why you had to do that," Hermione muttered as they walked along the halls.
"Why not? I'm actually enjoying this," He said as he put his arm around Hermione once again and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed when he kissed her on the cheek. She pushed him away and tried to cover her red face with her hair.
"Will you stop pretending we're together? A lot of girls here like you, if you haven't noticed," Hermione said, a little angrily as a group of half-veelas glared at Hermione.
"And a lot of guys like you," Malfoy added, a bit seriously.
"That," Hermione started, "is none of your business,"
"No but it's most certainly Terrence's," Malfoy retorted.
Hermione winced as she remembered Terrence. He was supposed to be here, with Hermione, at France but he was at home, sick and broken.
Hermione fell quiet and so did Malfoy.
"Do you want to go to the library?" Malfoy offered, as if trying to cheer up Hermione.
"Yeah," Hermione murmured, not that enthusiastic anymore. How could she enjoy it after remembering Terrence who needed her help?
"Maybe you'll find something there that will help Terrence," Malfoy offered.
"Maybe," Hermione said, her mood lifting up by an inch. It was certainly worth a try.
Malfoy and Hermione asked a couple of Beauxbatons students where the library was. Finally, they opened another blue door to reveal the library. It was huge but smaller than the one at Hogwarts.
At once, Hermione and Malfoy rummaged through a couple of books that were written in English
"There's nothing here, really," Hermione said after looking through a couple of books with Malfoy.
"They're basic magic and I bet the thing that will help Terrence's father is written in French," Hermione added in defeat.
"We have more of the world to go to. I'm sure you'll find something for Terrence," Malfoy said as he closed the book he was scanning.
"You're right," Hermione said, feeling relieved that someone was helping her.
"Do you like him that much?" Malfoy asked suddenly.
"Even if it wasn't Terrence…even if it was Ron or Harry or Pansy, I would feel sorry enough to try to find a way to help them, I guess. No one wants to live that kind of life no matter how horrible you are," Hermione said thoughtfully and knew it was true.
"Very interesting, Granger," Malfoy said, after a minute of silence. Hermione glanced at Malfoy and saw that he was smiling. Hermione's stomach dropped when she realized there was no trace of arrogance or superiority in his smile. It was just an honest smile.
"We should go," Hermione stammered, wanting for a distraction to look away.
"Come on, my love," Malfoy teased as he put his arm around Hermione just in time for more Beauxbatons girls to walk in the library.
"Stop that," Hermione murmured as she blushed. She pulled away from Malfoy and walked out with him of the library.
For an hour or two, Hermione and Malfoy just went around Beauxbatons, going in some of the classes to learn new magic and they went outside to watch the winged horses roam around. Malfoy refused to approach one in fear that it might attack him. Hermione, however, with the assistance of a teacher, was able to ride one.
"I took a picture," Malfoy said once Hermione descended from the winged horse.
"What?" Hermione said, shocked.
"Yeah, I'll show you when I have it made," Malfoy said with a grin as he held up a wizard camera.
"Fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed, figuring she should sent the pictures to Ron, Harry and her parents. She thought about Terrence but Terrence would probably feel upset seeing Hermione have fun without him.
"We should go back, Devana is probably looking for us," Hermione said as he and Malfoy trudged back to the palace.
"PATHETIC LYING MUDBLOOD!" Someone shrieked and as Hermione dreadfully predicted who it was. Pansy came to view, stomping angrily towards Hermione and Malfoy.
"What is this rumor that you're his girlfriend? You lying, pathetic, Mudblood!" Pansy shrieked at Hermione's face. Hermione didn't see a point in explaining to Pansy because she hardly believed Pansy would believe her.
Students began to pile in to watch the drama and Pansy seemed to get a hold of herself.
"We," Pansy looked at Malfoy, "—need to talk," She grabbed hold of Malfoy's sleeve and dragged him along with her, leaving Hermione.
Hermione was joined by Devana who together walked away quickly from the crowd.
"She iz one screamer," Devana commented once she and Hermione were away from the watching eyes.
"She's the real girlfriend of Malfoy," Hermione said.
"Her? But she's terrivle!" Devana exclaimed, not believing what Hermione said. Hermione nodded in agreement and resentment. Couldn't Pansy at least control herself?
Hermione and Devana walked to the Beuxbatons' Great Hall as Hermione knew their time in Beauxbatons was up. Hermione and the other Hogwarts students walked inside the Great Hall. Hermione saw Neville being escorted by a group of girls who was flirting with Neville. Hermione laughed at it but as she looked around, Malfoy and Pansy were nowhere in sight.
Hermione took her place between Devana and as Madam Maxime approached the podium again. Malfoy, Pansy together with Blaise entered the Hall but sat as far away as possible from Hermione. Hermione wondered what happened between them since Malfoy looked bitter.
"I 'ope our zear visitors learned a lot from Beauxbatons," Madam Maxime started, "Zadly, it iz a time for farevells. I 'ope you 'ave made new vriends and vonds vetween ze two schools,"
Madam Maxime shook hands with Professor McGonagall and Snape. The two of them marched out of the castle and gestured for the students of Hogwarts to follow.
"Thank you so much, Devana! It's been fantastic!" Hermione told Devana, heartedly as she gave Devana a hug.
"It 'as veen vonderful. Let us meet again, Hermione," Devana said as she hugged Hermione back. Everyone was hugging the departing Hogwarts students and a couple more students whose names Hermione forgot hugged her.
"As, iz a shame, I zid not get to know you," Michel said, hugging Hermione.
"Maybe next time," Hermione laughed as she hugged him back.
Finally, they waved goodbye to Beauxbatons and went back to the carriage. Hermione was sharing experiences with Neville and Luna when Malfoy, Pansy and, Blaise walked in.
They sat, once again, as far away from Hermione as possible. Malfoy glanced at Hermione and then looked away quickly. Blaise and Pansy looked at Hermione too and looked away. Pansy held Malfoy's hand this time, he did not pull away.
Hermione wondered why. Why were they so far away? Why did it feel like there was a barrier between them?
That's it! Long 8 pages, hope this satisfies you! I didn't edit this again though and it was so hard to type with a French accent. And I just made up one spell and what Beuxbatons looks like. I'll update again soon. Reviews please! :)