Yeah. I couldn't help but bring this update up, I really suck at sticking to things. Thanks for all the fantastic reviews. :) As promised, Draco tells the story in this chapter; we haven't heard from him in a while. I guess that's all I must say for now, so please enjoy!
"So, tell me, how did it go?" Blaise asked, lying down lazily on his bed, staring at the ceiling of the Boys Dorm.
It had been an entire day since I haven't dared to tell a soul about our little encounter in-between class, and I didn't think about spilling it out to such a person as Blaise. I guess you could call him what I considered a friend, but he was definitely not the best at keeping his own share of secrets. I threw my schooolbag on my bed and threw out most of the contents, for today was the day I dreaded. N.E.W.T.s were taking place in the Great Hall this afternoon after Breakfast.
"Must you keep asking, Blaise? I already told you, I refuse to tell," I said through gritted teeth. Pulling on my school robes and effortlessly folding the sheets of my bed, I made my way down the stairs, leaving Blaise in question.
The Slytherin Common Room downstairs wasn't too empty or too full, so I found it a good start of the day. Most gathered around the tables flipping through their textbooks for some last-minute studying, and I found myself with nothing to worry about at all. I have never been the type to be concerned about school, for I wasn't the best but not the worst either.
Making my way towards the exit, I found Pansy sitting in a couch talking to Miles and I gave her a little wave. She returned it as if nothing had ever happened throughout the year. I wondered how normal this day would turn out to be, after all.
But my leading conclusion to that had ended the moment I was inches away from the exit, where Daphne seemed to magically appear behind a silver tapestry on the wall. She stood in front of me, unwilling to leave, that godawful smile of hers planted right on her face.
"Greengrass, what is it you want now?" I asked her irritatingly. She was the last person I wanted to deal with at the moment. "Move aside, you're in my way."
"Oh, Draco, I was just offering you a little hello, that's all," she chanted quite flirtatiously, but before she could open her mouth again, I shoved her aside and made my way out. I could hear her scoff and stomp away when I left.
The torches lighting the dungeons grew old and dull, and I sped through the dungeons quite fast for I was growing sick of it. Usually I would wait for Miles and Blaise, but they were always far too busy conversing things with Daphne and the like. Several giggling girls strode past me with devilish smirks stuck flat on their faces, but merely glowering at them would immediately sent them away.
When I made way to the Entrance Hall, there seemed to be countless students zipping back and forth from the doors of the Great Hall; probably off to their Common Rooms to fetch their textbooks or to ask further questions. I couldn't help but notice Professor McGonagall exiting the Great Hall with her arms crossed, looking absolutely frustrated.
Making my way towards the long and narrow Slytherin Table, I ran into Hermione, who looked rather flustered indeed and her hair was more bushy than I have ever laid eyes on it.
"Oh, good morning, Draco." she said, breathless and trying to keep up with it.
"What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing, I just didn't get any sleep."
"Studying all night again, haven't we?"
"Of course! What else would I be doing?"
I shook my head in an indistinct way of telling her I understood her purpose. Even I found myself unable to directly fall asleep with all the numerous thoughts racing through my mind at the moment, and I'm glad that we've sorted out everything. Regardless of if the Gryffindors approved or not, I followed Hermione back to her table and sat down beside her.
As expected, a couple of Gryffindors frowned at the sight of me. Hermione shrugged her shoulders at them and gestured them to forget about it. She reached for a plate of toast and quietly started eating Breakfast, her fingers skimming through pages of her textbook simultaneously.
When Potter, Weasley, Weaselette and Longbottom took their seats, they ignored my presence as if I wasn't even there. I know they didn't want to deal with another heated argument, and I was definitely not planning to start one. Weasley seemed to the only one showing that he was putting up with difficulty not to scream his lungs out, for every now and then he shot me a couple of his pathetic glares.
"Actually, Hermione," I caught her attention, placing my hand over her book. She instantly stopped reading and looked up at me. "I'll talk to you after the exams. I'll go to the Slytherin Table."
"Aren't we supposed to have one period of class, you know, considered as a study session?"
"I'm surprised at the fact that we will be taking them in midday whereas the original schedule was during the evening," I replied, disgusted by the sudden changes. "They've removed our study session as well. I'll see you later."
Hermione nodded, approving. She waved at me hurriedly before she stuck her nose back into her book, muttering various incantations that I found unfamiliar under her breath as she continued her accustomed process.
When I took my usual seat at the Slytherin Table, my back facing Hermione, all of the Slytherins seemed to be present. Pansy, as usual, managed to scurry away and take a seat at the other end of the table with a group of worrying Slytherin girls. Unlike those of Gryffindor House, no one in our table seemed to be reaching for their books and spare pieces of parchment to scribble on. They were all conversing with each other as if today was as normal as any other.
Blaise approached me again, an apple clutched firmly in his hand.
"We have another Hogsmeade Weekend on Saturday," he muttered after taking a large bite. "That's tomorrow. Have any plans?"
I returned him a look gloomily.
"Dunno, haven't thought about it."
"Spending the weekend with Granger, are you?"
He was really getting on my last nerve now. I knew where he was going with this.
"Listen, Blaise, perhaps you're better off asking Miles or something. I'm not interested. I don't even know if I'm going."
Blaise crinkled his nose at me, obviously upset, and walked away to find another fellow Slytherin to question. Indeed, I have been thinking about the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend, of course I would prefer to spend it with her to ease down all the trouble on her shoulders a bit, but I planned to ask her after the exams, it'll have to wait until then.
When Breakfast was nearing its end, Professor McGonagall had ordered the students to proceed to their Common Rooms and return to the Great Hall after ten minutes to take the N.E.W.T.s. I haven't even gotten anything to eat when we were dismissed, and I do wish I would have acted earlier. I walked along with a chattering Blaise back to the Common Room, not listening to a ridiculous word he was saying.
I slumped my body down on the couch, and the people in the surrounding couches around me were Blaise, Miles, Theodore, Pansy, and to my absolute disgust, Daphne. Whether they had a reason to talk to me or not, I didn't leave, seeing as I had nothing else for me to do.
"What do you guys plan to do tomorrow?" Miles asked out of nowhere, reaching for a piece of candy in the pile on the table nearest to him.
"Probably just get a bite to eat," Blaise informed, elbowing Theodore. "Theodore and I are going. Want to come, Miles?"
"Guess it won't hurt," he popped a piece of chocolate in his mouth. "What about you, Daphne?"
She annoyingly twirled her finger in her pigtails, rolling her eyes refusing to answer. I caught her raising an eyebrow at me cheerfully, but I didn't want to think about returning it.
"Pansy?" Miles unwrapped another piece of candy.
"...I don't know, I'll probably just stay here with Millie," she said, ruffling her short dark hair. I felt a pang of guilt hit me a little; I remember spending most of my Hogsmade weekends with Blaise and Pansy, I would have asked her to come along if I could, but that just wasn't the best idea since I was now involved with Hermione. I let it go and forgot about it, returning to reality.
"What about you, Draco?"
"Who knows."
Everyone but Pansy and Daphne's eyes darted to me suspiciously, eyeing me. Theodore raised an eyebrow in which Blaise elbowed him in the chest, and Miles would not stop his constant sniggering. Pansy looked cross, while Daphne found enough amusement to twirling strands of her hair with a finger, humming to herself. They were really starting to tick me off.
"Strolling around with Miss Granger again, now, are we?" Miles asked everyone in a mock-thoughtful voice. Theodore was the only one who laughed, but I can clearly see that Blaise was trying hard to fight back his laughter.
"I think so," Daphne replied, tittering with her hand in front of her mouth, laughing a little too much.
"Oh, do shut your worthless mouth, Greengrass," Pansy snapped, rising from her seat. She tugged Blaise's sleeve and he did not wait to follow her away from the couches. "Come on, let's go back to the Great Hall."
Daphne looked at her as if she had been slapped hard in the face, but grumbled to herself, throwing a cushion to the floor before following them. Theodore and Miles stood in front of the exit of the Slytherin Common Room, and I didn't have to ask to accompany them on their way there. Throughout the entire time we strode through the corridors, they did not speak a word to me.
I was reminded horrendously of our O.W.L.s. The Great Hall was arranged exactly as it had been during our fifth year examinations - the four House tables had been removed and replaced instead with many tables for one, all facing the staff-table end of the hall. Professor McGonagall stood facing the students, with a long piece of parchment that almost trailed to the floor, clearing her throat to gesture the students to hurry up and sit down in their assigned seats.
Yesterday's early dismissal absolutely had no point to it, if they could arrange the Hall this fast...
Once Miles and Theodore had left me, I looked around for Hermione, around where all the other 'G's were sitting. I overlooked the middle row and immediately felt pity.
Hermione sat crouched in her seat, muttering incantations, whereas to my horror, Daphne Greengrass sat behind her, constantly reaching out to tug a strand of Hermione's hair for reasons I did not know. She was only successful a few times, then groaned in failure once Hermione found the process familiar and leaned foward in time.
I quickly made my way to my seat and stared at the piece of parchment on my desk, turned down. When all students were seated, Professor McGonagall turned over a colossal hourglass where spare quills, ink bottles, and parchment resided, and said, "You may begin."
Eyes scanning the paper, I felt regret instantly - I really should have listened to Hermione and studied more. Turning to look her direction, she already whispering to herself and scribbling down on her exam, beaming. The only sound in the Great Hall now were quills tracing against their parchment, and the occassional sound of a student coughing or sneezing. This was going to be a very long period indeed.
- - -
"My God, I never want to take those again," Pansy rolled her eyes indignantly, after the exams. "We'll have to continue them after the weekend...dammit."
It was now dinner in The Great Hall, all students had proceeded to their Common Rooms after testing and returned for dinner. The four House tables have returned in no time and the majority of the students were only just returning from their dorms, most of them making the wise choice to take a quick nap. I haven't gotten any sleep at all. Theodore, Miles, Pansy, Blaise, and Millicent continued to discuss whether or not they could pull of cheating on the next part of the examination or about the questions they have answered correctly. I left and made way to the front, where I met Hermione.
"Merlin, Hermione, what happened to you?"
Her skin had lost its proud glow, especially around her cheeks. Her eyelids grew heavy and started fluttering, a book clutched in her hand, and her hair was a jumble, even bushier than I have ever recalled seeing it. Sighing, her body fatigue, she still managed to give me a smile. I pulled her awy from an intruding crowd of Hufflepuff girls.
"That was overwhelming," Hermione complained matter-of-factly. "I do not clearly see the point in removing our study session this morning. And that poor excuse of a student, that wench Daphne Greengrass wouldn't stop her accustomed manner of pulling my hair during the test! And because of that, I'm afraid I'm only along the lines of an 'A', Acceptable - "
" - And that's a bad thing?" I wondered dubiously. "Look at yourself. You need to unwind and take a break."
"...You really think so?" Hermione responded, frowning a bit.
"Don't you think I am? Come on, you hardly get enough sleep. Hell, you hardly eat anything at all. There's a Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow and I really would be less troubled if you get a good sleep and come with me. What do you say?"
"...You're right, Draco. This is ridiculous," she raised her shoulders. "Sure. I'll come with you. Any specific time and place you want to meet?"
"Doesn't matter, just be here at Breakfast. And get some sleep immediately." I ordered, and Hermione smiled at me deviously.
"Goodnight." She stood on her toes and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, prancing off to Gryffindor tower. I waved and walked back to the Slytherin table, where most of them had just finished eating dinner.
"Come on, let's go to the Common Room," Miles yawned, sluggishly rising from his seat. Blaise and Pansy followed us along the way. Students were now beginning to stream out of the tall doors of the Great Hall, off to their Common Rooms to get some sleep. We passed the unused girls bathroom and Daphne emerged out of it, her face troubled. As soon as she caught sight of us, she quickly sped back inside.
"So," I turned to them. "Pansy, what are you doing for the weekend?" I asked, sort of relieved that she was not afraid to speak to me anymore.
She bit her lip before talking for a moment, then Blaise elbowed her gently. Pansy crinkled her nose at him.
"Don't know, I'll probably just come with Blaise," she replied, and Blaise gave her a look of doubt. "And yes, Blaise, I'm coming with you whether you like it or not."
"Whatever," Blaise mumbled before saying the password to the entrance of the Common Room. Pansy walked over to the couches where Millicent currently resided, deep in conversation with a third year. Blaise made way to the Boys Dorm immediately and I followed, instantly falling asleep the moment I rested my head on top of the pillow.
- - -
Waking up the next morning, I was sort of pleased to see the sun out. It had been a while since the weather had been this cheerful, so I quickly got dressed in my casual clothing and made way down to the Common Room. Most of the students had already waken up, and almost every one of them were talking about their plans for the later hours of today. Miles and Theodore talked to Blaise and Pansy, and it must have been quite interesting, for the four of them were laughing. There was no sign of Daphne anywhere.
Good.
Once I left the dungeons, students were already filing out of the Entrance Hall and out to the school grounds to go to Hogsmeade. A flood of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs came down to Breakfast before me, the most of them getting in my way. After they were out of sight, my eyes turned to Gryffindor table to find her and just leave this ruddy school.
But she wasn't there. The seat was empty, in fact, all of her friends were there, but Hermione was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she was still sleeping or on her way to the Great Hall as I spoke. But before I could draw to any final answer, something was placed atop my eyes and all my sight was concealed. Someone's hands.
"Guess who?" a familiar voice called out, but it had an unfamiliar giggle that I was sure belonged to someone else.
I didn't even bother guessing as I quickly pulled their hands out of my face, turning to face the individual who challenged me with their actions. It was Hermione.
"Hermione? Since when did you play games such as that?" I questioned, wondering her purpose.
"Erm, since, ever," she tittered, constantly placing her hands behind her back. She was acting rather differently. Huh?
"...Anyway," I said, late on cue, telling myself that there was nothing to be so preoccupied about. It was just Hermione, after all. "Off to the carriages?"
"Definitely," she replied excitedly, and with a motion so fast that I didn't take notice, she clutched my arm and embraced it in a way so relative to Pansy. Never did I recall seeing her acting so odd, but she just might have felt more carefree today now that there was nothing for her to study over. We found an empty carriage with a white unicorn and stepped inside. I allowed her in first, and she laughed hysterically once she finally let go of my arm. What the hell?
"So, Draco," she began once the carriage started moving, the road slightly bumpy. "Where do you want to spend the day at?"
"I guess a quick drink won't hurt," I confessed; I really did miss the taste of Butterbeer. Drinking Pumpkin Juice during every meal really did grow boring. "Let's take a quick visit to The Three Broomsticks. I've brought money if you're short."
"Wonder how busy Madame Rosmerta is today, there's many students arriving," Hermione asked herself, her voice pondering.
"She won't be busy, Hermione, have you forgotten? She...died."
"Oh. Really?"
"Yes, she is. What? Don't tell me you've forgotten!"
"Oh, of course not, silly me, sorry about that."
"Whatever you say..."
I was beginning to find this unfamiliar side of Hermione to be quite peculiar, but I stuck to my previous thoughts. A good night's sleep might have done her some good. The carriage stopped after about ten minutes of pointless conversation and we left after paying the horseman, and walked down the fairly crowded streets of Hogsmeade. The smell of sweets arose from the popular Honeydukes and swarms of girls gathered around Madam Pudifoots.
We approaced the Three Broomsticks, and the entire time we walked towards a vacant table, Hermione clung to my arm as if this was her last day alive; as if she was aware that another individual might just snatch me away from her. Once seated on by a windowcarrying a pot of dead flowers, Hermione let go and tapped her fingersvigorously on the table.
Madame Rosmerta wasreplaced with a sharp-nosed woman. Lookingover at the front of the pub,her eyes were cat-like, her hair wasa vibrant blonde and her skin freakishly pale. Her cheeks were tintedwith a strong red and her dressseemed to be made of animal fur. She did not look too friendly, for after Hermione decided to stand up and order two Butterbeers,she shooed her away, scolding her that our drinks will be ready in awhile.
I noticed through the corner of my eye that Hermione had developed the unlikely manner of tucking strands of hair behind her ear and constantly adjusting her clothes. I found it rather out of her character but I didn't want to inform her about it, for that might insult her.
It took about twenty minutes until our order had arrived on the table, the sharp-nosed woman slamming it onto our table, her hand reaching out and demanding payment. Hermione seemed to have money and offered it to her quickly, and the woman quickly snatched it away, strutting back to the front. I pulled my glass of Butterbeer towards me and took a quick sip. Hermione did the same.
"It's hard to believe how long the Death Eaters are waiting, especially after our last encounter," I said quietly after about another ten minutes so the others in the pub would not take notice. "I guess they come and go when we least expect it...it's not too long now, only a matter of time..."
"...Right," Hermione squeaked nervously, blowing on the bubbly fizz that gathered on top of her Butterbeer glass. She seemed to find no interest in our conversation and more entertainment with the bubbles.
"Listen, Hermione," I started. "Don't take this as an offense, but are you sure you're all right?"
"Whatever do you mean, Drakkie?"
...Drakkie? What in Merlin's name was with that? I ignored it, as with everything else.
"...Ahem, well, you don't seem like yourself. Are you sure nothing is the matter?"
"Oh, there's definitely nothing to worry about," Hermione raised her shoulders and beamed extremely. "I'm fine. Excuse me for a bit, I'm off to the bathroom." She scooted her chair back, making an ear-piercing screeching noise and scuttled to the Girl's Lavatory. I was left to wait dully for her return, until two familiar faces arrived in the pub and went over to my table.
"Well, hello," Blaise asked, Pansy accompanying him. "What are you doing here alone?"
"I'm not here alone, Hermione's in the bathroom," I admitted unwillingly. "What about you two? You look like you've had fun." I said, referring to the dominant smile glued to Blaise's face.
Pansy blushed.
"Well, we visited Honeydukes for a while, they're running low on stock, so it pretty much sucked," she replied, folding her arms across her chest. Blaise nodded, agreeing with every word she said.
"So what brings you two here?"
"Just wanted a couple of drinks, is all," Blaise said, his head turning towards the direction where Hermione had ran off to. "Blimey! Is that really the Granger I've grown to loathe?"
"What are you talking about?" I widened my eyes, and Pansy gaped, staring off into the distance, the same direction where Blaise's eyes were stuck flat.
"I see what you mean," she laughed dubiously. "That can't be her."
I arose from my seat in a rush to see what childish manner they were talking about now. A girl emerged from the bathroom door, who I would've considered to be Hermione, but I was drawn from that conclusion. She looked completely different from before she had left the table only moments ago. She walked up to us as if she had not a clue that we were all staring at her.
"Hello, I'm back," Hermione said cheerfully, then turned to Blaise and Pansy. "Draco, what are these two doing here?"
All three of us stared at her, speechless.
"What are you all staring at?"
Blaise smirked and elbowed Pansy once again. She flinched from the sudden movement, but snickered at the sight that laid before her. I couldn't help but join them as well, as I was already sure of what was coming ahead. This was unbelievable.
"Well, well, Miss Granger," Pansy sneered. "Since when did you have green eyes?"
"Green eyes? Wha-? Oh..." 'Hermione' trailed off, looking down nervously at her feet. She was cursing under her breath.
"And straight hair, yes?" Pansy continued.
'Hermione' ran her fingers through her suddenly straight brown hair nervously, panicking and frustrated. Blaise and Pansy broke into silent fits of laughter as I watched her facial features change into that of a very familiar girl that I was very dissappointed to see.
"Daphne?" I asked, already ticked off.
"Ha, she Polyjuiced her!" Blaise cackled, fighting himself to hold back tears of laughter. "You pathetic desperate little..."
Pansy slapped Blaise hard on the back after noticing how angry I was. Blaise instantly ceased his laughing and frowned at once after Pansy glared at him threateningly. I continued to look down at Daphne angrily.
"Oh...um..." Daphne muttered, her mind blank.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I questioned her, already trying my hardest not to scream, for this was definitely something the entire pub did not need to hear about. Pansy and Blaise grumbled at her, the pressure on Daphne piling up rapidly. "Where's Hermione?"
"She's at the school, that Mudblood's probably still asleep," Daphne continued, rolling her eyes and flipping some hair over her shoulder.
"Asleep? At this hour? What are you, mad?" Pansy snarled.
"I did happen to lace her pumpkin juice with a Sleeping Draught before she came for dinner, so -"
"Dammit, Daphne, I don't need any more of this from you!" I bellowed. "Crazy bitch..."
"He's right, you ought to - " Blaise began, but he was cut off with various startling screams emerging from outside the pub. Pansy shrieked and I felt her jerk the back of my jacket.
"What was that?" A terrified woman from the table aside us yelped.
Blaise and Pansy ran towards the door and I did not hesitate to follow, leaving Daphne behind. Once Pansy kicked the door open people from the pub started streaming out of the door, knocking us over to our backs. They screamed and swarms of people cried for help outside, all the doors from the shops and hotels swinging open as crowds ran away from whatever was approaching.
"What are they running from...?" Pansy asked, coughing, after Blaise had helped her up.
Our sight darted to the left, where a group of black hooded figures shot various spells with multiple colors out of their wands, their faces concealed with masks.
"Damn, not now!" I screamed, making my way back into the pub where Blaise and Pansy followed. Daphne was still standing there, hating herself.
"Greengrass, no questions, just hurry up and get back to the school without the Death Eate -"
"But why are we - "
"Just shut up and hurry along!" Pansy took hold of Daphne's sleeve and pulled her out of the pub and the four of us began to run back towards the carriages, gasping for air.
I hope you liked the chapter. :) I know, some of you may think that this wasn't the most satisfying after a wait, I do too, but this was all I could stir up. My computer didn't work for a while so the file kept disappearing, so again, sorry about that. I haven't the slightest idea when I will update next, school will be starting soon and things have been very busy in real life, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I think this story's progress will trail into during the school year, so forgive me if I show any lack of updates. Anyway, please review and I hope to hear from you all soon.
