So, here's chapter 9 like promised. It's one of the longer ones, I hope you like that. Chapter 10 will surely be out by the end of the week but I'm not sure exactly when because things are a tad busy around me now. Hope you like this update and you're safe out there:)
Chapter 9
Hermione didn't forget about her debate with herself, but she did manage to put it out of her mind for a while. She kept her focus on school and friends, and the days passed in the kind of routine she had been hoping to have at Hogwarts. She was worried whether Ron wouldn't abandon his attempts to be civil with the Slytherins but he seemed determined to prove himself, although he was still talking to them stiffly. The brunette was mostly proud of Pansy, however, who was not only being friendlier to everyone, but was also one of Hermione's dearest friends now. They were often doing their homework together, going to the Great Hall to eat together, or simply lying on their beds, reading and occasionally sharing smiles.
September slowly morphed into October, and one Saturday Hermione went down to breakfast to find everyone in high spirits, chatting excitedly with each other. She walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to Ginny.
"Good morning, Ginny."
"Hey, Mione" the redhead said. "Excited for today? Where are the boys, I thought they'll be coming down with you."
"No, they're in the Common room, I suppose. Why should I be excited?" Hermione asked, spreading jam onto a pancake.
"Um, the Quidditch match? First one of the season? On October 19th?" Ginny looked at her quizzically. "Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw? Did you forget?"
"No, of course not" Hermione said quickly. "I just haven't been paying attention to dates really."
"Well, it's today, so-there they are!" Ginny looked at Harry and Ron's figures, running over to them. "About time you showed up, Mr Captain" the redhead snapped.
"I had to gather the team" Harry motioned behind himself where the whole Gryffindor team was coming towards them.
"Well, sit down, you need breakfast" Hermione said, seeing Ron's face. "You'd think Ron would've got over his panic after the Battle" she whispered to Ginny as Harry pushed Ron to sit down.
"You'd think you'd know him better than that" the other girl laughed. "Only thing that'll make him paler is seeing a spider."
Hermione shook her head and continued to sip her coffee while the team discussed the forthcoming game. She didn't take part in the discussion as she wasn't all that interested in Quidditch. A number of quiet words caught her attention, though, and she immediately turned to see who had spoken.
"Already booked beds in the Hospital wing, Mr Savior? For you and your ginger sidekick? The Ravenclaw Beaters promised me to get you in there."
She saw a sixth-year Slytherin student passing by the Gryffindor team, smirking. The brunette was just about to stand up and give the boy a piece of her mind when the boy seemingly tripped and fell.
"Watch it, Vinns" Blaise said, towering in front of him. "That's what happens to people who make empty threats."
"And you have no idea who the Ravenclaw Beaters are, right?" Theo smiled down at him.
"Pray I never hear you threatening them again, Vinns" Draco growled.
Hermione was so surprised she watched the quiet exchange of words open-mouthed.
"Pick your jaw off the ground, Granger" came Pansy's voice from beside her. Hermione turned to the Slytherin who was grinning at her broadly, putting her wand back in her pocket. The Gryffindor's eyes widened as she realized.
"You sneaky Slytherin!" she hissed. "You can get in so much trouble."
"Who said trouble?" Blaise plopped down on her other side. "Whoops, sorry, Potter."
"No problems, Zabini" Harry said, making more space for the dark-skinned boy.
"You didn't just jinx another Slytherin in front of the whole school because he messed with us" Ron said as Draco and Theo sat next to his sister.
"Of course we didn't Weasley," Pansy hissed, "keep your voice down."
Ron was still staring at the four of them but Draco ignored him.
"So, Mia, ready for the big game?" he asked.
"Yeah, totally. Ready to root for my House."
"You had forgotten about it right?" Theo smirked at her.
"No, I hadn't!" Hermione looked at him furiously.
"Yes, you had" the others chorused. The brunette turned away.
"I hate you all" she muttered and stood up, holding back a grin. "Good luck" she wished to everyone from the team except Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and left without another word. In the Entrance Hall, someone caught up with her, but she didn't turn to see who it was. That is, until she got dragged into a small corridor, leading away from the Hall.
"Hey!"
"Someone's decided to be petty today" Pansy's mocking voice sounded in her ear. Hermione turned around to look at her.
"You're lucky I didn't think you were attacking me" she snapped.
"Maybe" Pansy grinned. "Maybe not. I think you'd have been more scared, now you look angry."
"I wonder why?" Hermione said. "Probably because I don't like being dragged into corridors."
"So dramatic" Pansy laughed. "I pulled you with me."
The bushy-haired girl rolled her eyes.
"Did you want anything in particular, Parkinson?" she asked.
"Why, yes. To invite you to the celebration tonight."
"Celebration?" Hermione asked, walking back into the Entrance Hall, then going out in the weak autumn sunlight.
"Yeah, the match. We'll celebrate Gryffindor winning."
"You'll be supporting Gryffindor?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I want to sit with you, and you'll be sitting at the Gryffindor sector, so."
"You want to sit with me?" Hermione asked as they made their way to the Stadium. "I'm honoured" she smirked.
"No, Granger, you're dead" Pansy hissed and lunged at her. Hermione jumped out of the way and looked at the Slytherin. "You better run."
The brunette followed the other girl's advice, running away, hearing Pansy's footsteps coming closer. Hermione was quite fast, though, and did manage to reach the Stadium's entrance before Pansy caught up with her and pulled her behind a nearby tree.
"Merlin, Granger, you are fast" the raven-haired girl panted, holding Hermione's wrists tightly.
"I'd tell you how I got that fast, but I wouldn't recommend it" Hermione said, struggling to free her hands. "What's that death grip, Parkinson?" she asked frustrated after a few attempts in vain.
"Perfected through the years" Pansy smirked, drawing her close. "You never did accept my invitation" she whispered.
"Maybe I wasn't going to accept at all" Hermione countered stubbornly, renewing her attempts to free her hands.
"What a shame," Pansy murmured in her ear, "I was really hoping to share a drink with you tonight."
The girl came closer yet, her breath hot on Hermione's cheeks, and for a moment Hermione closed her eyes, waiting...
"I think that's a yes. Now come on, the game's going to start soon."
Pansy had pulled away and was walking into the Stadium now, and Hermione was left behind the tree, blushing heavily. What had just happened? Had Pansy just been messing with her? Probably so. But what had Hermione been waiting for? A kiss on the cheek? From Pansy Parkinson? Surely not.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her racing heart and will her cheeks to regain their natural colour. She then followed Pansy's footsteps and saw her already sitting between Draco and Blaise in the stands. Sighing, she walked to them, sitting down next to Draco.
"Hey, Mia, where were you?" he asked. "Pansy said you were right behind her."
"I thought she was" Pansy corrected him. "Lost your way up, Granger?" she shot at the brunette.
"I was simply reconsidering sitting with you" Hermione shot back.
"Oof" Blaise commented.
"Where's Theo?" Hermione asked, looking around for signs of his chocolate-brown curls.
"Over there with Susan Bones" Blaise answered her, pointing to the right. Draco shushed him.
"It's starting!"
Hermione had never pictured she would see Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson wearing matching red sweaters and screaming angrily at the top of their lungs every time a Gryffindor player was fouled, but life had never stopped surprising her. Two hours later Pansy's voice sounded loudest of all to Hermione when the Slytherin screamed at Harry's sudden dive for the Snitch.
"HE'S GOT THE SNITCH! POTTER'S GOT IT!"
"No need to lose your voice over it" Blaise snapped at her.
"Shut up, Zabini" she laughed and stood up with Draco to go congratulate the winners.
"I think I'll sit next to you next time, Blaise" Hermione said, watching their backs.
"I'll be glad. Those two lunatics can't tear their eyes off the field."
"I will never understand what everyone likes about the game" Hermione shook her head.
"I wonder how you haven't since you've been spending a lot of time with Pansy" the boy remarked. The girl looked away.
"She's mentioned it once or twice."
"Lucky you."
The two of them went to the Great Hall for lunch. There they saw the Gryffindor team cheering loudly at their House table. One of the Beaters seemed to be in a deep discussion with Draco who was sitting next to him. Pansy was talking to Ginny, seemingly about one of the goals the redhead had scored. Hermione and Blaise walked over to join them and the brunette sat down next to Pansy.
"Great game, you all" Hermione said, reaching for some food.
"Yeah, we can totally go celebrate tonight" Draco said.
"What did you have in mind?" Harry asked.
"Well, Hogsmeade, Butterbeer, a walk around, the Shrieking Shack etc" the blonde explained.
"Just don't tell anyone who's not up to sneaking out at night" Blaise whispered, watching a few of the younger players in the Gryffindor team skeptically.
"Hey, everyone's coming" Harry said and turned to his team. "Who's up for some celebration?"
"Us" Peakes said enthusiastically. "Now?"
"No, not now." Harry dropped his voice. "We're going in Hogsmeade tonight. Meet us in the third-floor corridor, next to that statue of the One-eyed Witch."
The Beater seemed confused, but nodded, turning to the other teammates to tell them about the plan.
This evening, the Gryffindor and Slytherin eight-years finished dinner quickly and walked hurriedly out of the Great Hall. Hermione hoped she had only imagined Professor McGonagall raising an eyebrow at her while she was walking out with Harry and Ron. She dismissed the thought at once, though, upon walking into the dormitory and seeing Pansy in front of the mirror. She looked fantastic with a tight black skirt, ending a few inches above her knees, a dark green turtleneck, and high-heeled black boots. She was just applying dark lipstick which, in Hermione's opinion, finished the look perfectly.
"Wow" Hermione said.
"Oh, hey, Granger" Pansy said. "Like my outfit?"
"It's something" Hermione said. "Who am I kidding, you look great."
"That was my intention" Pansy said. "Hurry up now, we'll wait for you downstairs."
With that she walked over to her bed, took the dark green cloak that stood there and exited the room, winking at Hermione before closing the door. The brunette walked to her bed, the image of Pansy's look still fresh in her mind. She didn't know why but she really wanted to look as good as her. Hermione thought for a moment, then immediately started rummaging in her trunk, looking for something. She finally found it and pulled it out, looking at it. It was a really nice red skirt, with a cream-coloured top – she had bought the outfit while shopping with Narcissa once. Perfect for the occasion, Hermione thought, quickly changing and putting on a pair of black platforms. She looked in the mirror and waved her wand. The shoes were now matching her skirt. Hermione was pleased. She applied some red lipstick and put her hair in a bun, grabbed her black cloak, and hurried down to the Common room.
"Wow, Hermione, you look fantastic" Ron said when she came down.
"That was my intention" Hermione smiled, looking at Pansy. The raven-haired girl didn't spare a glance her way. "Hey, Theo" Hermione said quickly to excuse her look at their group.
"Hey."
"Now we're waiting for Mr Fashion Model to come" Draco said.
Blaise chose this moment to come down, tightly wrapped in a black cloak, wearing a set of elegant deep purple robes underneath.
"Here I am, Mr Bleach. Slicked your hair back already?"
Ron snorted.
"Let's go then" Harry said, preventing the argument from continuing.
They met up with Gryffindor's Quidditch team next to the statue of the One-eyed Witch. Miraculously, all thirteen of them managed to get into the tunnel after Harry opened it, without getting caught by a teacher, or Filch. When they reached the other side, they emerged in the cellar of Honeydukes and dusted off their clothes.
"Come on," Draco said, "We can catch Madam Rosmerta and she'll give us a few bottles of Butterbeer. Then we can go to the Shrieking Shack and have some fun."
"The Shrieking Shack?" Demelza Robbins asked. "But it's haunted! We can't go inside."
"Whatever's been haunting it hasn't been heard in years" Harry said. "But if anyone doesn't want to come just come get some Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks and go back to the school."
Demelza nodded and they proceeded. They crept quietly out of the sweetshop and walked in the direction of the Three Broomsticks, humming Weasley is Our King.
"Wait" Hermione said before Ron could open the door to let them in. "We shouldn't just go inside, all of us. Madam Rosmerta is bound to call McGonagall, some of us are still underage."
"And we're all Hogwarts students. We've got to be in the school." Draco said.
"Well, it's not like only one of us can go inside and order thirteen bottles of Butterbeer" Pansy huffed.
"Yes, but we can't-"
"What are you all doing here?" came a voice from behind Hermione and she jumped. Turning around, she saw Madam Rosmerta's questioning glare.
"Um..." Harry said.
"We, er..." Draco began.
"We're celebrating" Jimmy Peakes said quickly.
"Yeah – Gryffindor won against Ravenclaw today" his fellow Beater, Ritchie Coote, added enthusiastically.
"Yeah, yeah, nice story. And what about those four with you?" the woman asked, looking at the Slytherins in the company suspiciously.
"They're celebrating with us" Hermione said quickly, and a little defensively.
"What a lovely excuse Miss Granger" Rosmerta cut her off. "Not a very good one, though. Slytherins celebrating a Gryffindor victory? Who would fall for that?"
"Hey!" Ginny said angrily but the owner of the Three Broomsticks continued on.
"Why even cover for them, though? The rumours can't be true, can they?" she suddenly looked Hermione full in the face. "Can they, Miss Granger?"
Hermione looked back at her defiantly. She had an idea what the rumours might be about but she wasn't going to give in to Rosmerta's direct interrogation.
"I couldn't tell you whether they are true or not if you don't tell me what rumours you're talking about, Madam Rosmerta."
"Don't be ridiculous, girl" Rosmerta snapped, and her pretty face turned into an angry grimace. "I'm talking about the rumours about you becoming all too friendly to people who don't deserve it. And making Harry Potter friends with them, too! Shame on you!"
Hermione was so surprised that her voice failed her and her mouth opened but no sound came out.
"Don't you think you're being a little too harsh?" Harry asked in the silence.
"So she has really poisoned your mind. Wait-aren't you all supposed to be at the school? You just wait until I-"
"Obliviate."
Rosmerta's eyes became unfocused and she blinked a few times.
"Everyone run" Blaise said, pocketing his wand. "Quickly, before she comes to her senses!"
They all began to run back to Honeydukes, the more cunning ones placing Disillusionment charms on themselves. Hermione placed one on herself and stopped running, watching the others go ahead and enter the sweetshop. She waited until its door had closed then turned around and began to walk quickly in the opposite direction. She passed Madam Rosmerta, walking by extra carefully because the woman was looking around suspiciously. When Hermione was at a safe distance, she started running until she reached the slope where the Shrieking Shack stood. She hesitated at the fence, wondering whether she shouldn't just go back to the castle quickly. The others were probably worried...
Making up her mind on the spot, she jumped over the fence and started walking towards the creepy building.