Mr Maybe
It's crazy how successful this story has been… it's almost unreal!! You guys are so nice in making sure that many of you do review!! So far I've gotten 248 reviews, 30 since 3 weeks, ago, sorry btw, when I posted up CH 12 which 586 people have read since then, I'm on 63 people's favourites, 81 alerts and I've got 13, 465 hits!! Thanx soo much!!
None of you, however, responded to my question of last time, though, so make sure you ansa it this time or I won't no what prize to give u if you're one of my lucky reviewers!!
To all my readers, I need an idea for the next few prizes. Every 100 reviews I will change the prize, so everybody, in ur review add an idea that you have that could be a prize for those lucky reviewers. But, if that means a walk on role, you guys will have to wait till the later chapters, say chappie 21 onwards as I've written every chapter up to that one already. I've almost finished writing it, the plan was done ages ago and the story is 26 chapters long, so we're almost halfway thru!!
And btw Erised The Dreamer: you need to ask me a question of your choice as you were my 200th reviewer…
I've put up this chapter again to see if the alerts will work this time… so those who have read and reviewed this, please don't be mad at me… I'm writing Chapter 14 up as we speak and it will be out before Saturday… so read and review so as to remind me to keep working!! It just makes me want to work even harder to get it finished in time…
On with the story…
PREVIOUSLY ON MR MAYBE
"Hermione! Just how long have you and Mr Malfoy?"
"There are reporters chasing Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy around the school."
"What exactly have I done to deserve this?"
"I cannot even go to the damn TOILET to take a fucking PISS without being fucking FOLLOWED!"
"Are you angry because of what the papers are printing or are you angry because you wish what they were printing was true?"
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ADMISSION, CONFUSION AND NO ESCAPE
20:27/ SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER/ HEADS' QUARTERS/ OUTSIDE DRACO'S ROOM
HERMIONE P.O.V
OK, Hermione, deep breath. It's not going to be that hard. Just remember, keep it short and to the point.
Having decided to take Ginny's advice, I'm standing outside Draco's room about to ask him to forget all about the kiss. It is a good plan; I just need to actually put it into action. OK. One… two…
KNOCK. KNOCK.
I hear something crash to the ground, a muffled curse, then footsteps, before the door swings open and Draco stands there, eyes wide in confusion as he sees me. I gulp, reluctantly. Seeing his handsome face up close after so long feels like a punch to the stomach.
"Can I come in?" my tone is slow and hesitant, my eyes earching his face for a sign of hope that he isn't too alarmed at me talking to him for what must be only the second or third time since Monday night. There is a pause during which his intense gaze pierces its way into my eyes and I shift from foot to foot, uncomfortable.
To my relief, he nods slowly and steps back, allowing me to enter his room. It hasn't reall changed all that much since I was in here last, grey floor cushions being the only new addition. I remember the last time I was in here, a week or so ago, giving Draco some milk and cookies, finding his beautiful drawings. I really want to go back to that. I'd rather settle for his friendship than nothing at all.
"We need to talk," I tell him, whirling around to face the platinum haired boy before me. He opens his mouth, as if to say something. Quick! Stop him before he starts talking about the kiss…
"I would really like it if we could just forget all about what happened on Monday," I cut him off, watching him anxiously for a reaction. Good, well done, hermione. Now all we have to do is see what he says. He stands there, still by the open door, intense blue gaze on me, expression impossible to read. Why is looking at me like that?
"I would really like for things to go back to the way they were," I explain, slowly. Maybe he's confused..? But, apparently not. He nods, eyes still on me, still with that strange glint in hs beautiful eyes that makes my heart beat a little faster. Huh. Well, at least we're friends again.
"Right," I say, eyes shifting away from his to look around the room in order to avoid his gaze. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Goodnight." With these last words, I nod at him and walk past him, eyes down, and shut the door behind me.
Once I'm out of the room, I breathe a sigh of relief. Did you notice that he didn't utter a single word? What's going on with him?
Why is he acting so strangely?
07:58/ MONDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER/ HEADS' QUARTERS/ COMMON ROOM
DRACO P.O.V
I'm so glad that Hermione and I are talking again. And thank God for the fact that she made the first move as there is probably little or no chance in Hell that I, the famed Ice Prince of Slytherin, would have.
I'm wandering around our common room, picking up rubbish left over from last night. We watched something Hermione called a 'movie', something on a big screen that has people acting out stuff on it (apparently the participants earn tonnes of money from doing it, but I personally can't see why) and ate a lot of junk food, including some nice tasting stuff called 'popcorn'. It was a lot more fun than I expected and I suspectm though I'll never admit it aloud, that it had less to do with what I was doing, and more to do with who I was doing it with…
Hermione throws her head back as peels of laughter gurgle from her throat. The light from the fire makes her glossy, honey coloured hair shine brilliantly and amber eyes reflective as mirrors. As I watch her express her evident enjoyment of the film, I can't help but smile slightly. And, I don't know if this is the first time I've said this, but she seems to be one of those rare people who make you feel happy simply by them being happy. I have to admit that I've never met anyone quite like Hermione Granger. It's hard to believe that just a couple of weeks ago, I hated the very ground she walked on and now… now what? I still don't know…
Yeah, last night was a lot of fun. Just remembering it brings a smile to my face.
Tying the rubbish bag, I dump it in a corner of the room and grab my rucksack before going to stand beside the door. I'm waiting for Hermione to come down, you see, so we can leave together. It's a tradition we started before the Ki- before what happened in the locker room and, well, now that we're talking again-
"Hey, Draco, ready to go?" I look up at the sound of the instantly recognisable female voice, to see its owner walking hurriedly down the stairs, a bright smile on her face. Woah. She should definitely wear short skirts more often. As she trots down the stairs, my eyes remain helpessly glued to her endlessly long, tanned legs. How come I never noticed them before? They're not exactly easy to miss.
"Hey," I croak through my dry mouth, as I manage to drag my gaze away from those gorgeous limbs of hers up to her even more beautiful face. Luckily for me, she doesn't seem to have noticed my lack of articulation or (even better) the reason for it, beign too busy searching through her bag for something.
"We have Potions first, so…" she murmurs, pulling out a pair of dark sunglasses and hiding her honey eyes with them. I nod, swallowing hard to wet my throat.
"K, let's go," I say, hoisting my bag over one shoulder and pulling open the door. We stand, waiting for the portrait to swing away slowly. And, oh, what a surprise. I would never have suspected this. But, just in case you did, take a stab at guessing at what is outside our door at this very moment…
Ok, you guessed. Now shut up.
"Hermione! Draco! Over here!"
"Could you give us an exclusive, you two?!"
"Mr Malfoy! Howdoyoufeel knowing that Miss Granger reportedly cheated on you with Mr Potter, last night?"
A swarm of screaming reporters and flashing photographers surround us, so many it's impossible to even see the carpet. How annoying. Hermione and I stand here gazing back at them. Now it's clear to me exactly why she got out those sunglasses; the flashes of the bulbs is blinding. Even though I've gotten used to this stupidity, it doesn't make it any less irritating.
I gaze around the corridor, looking for a way out of this spectacle. The prospect is practically impossible. The entire immediate vicinity is crammed with these damn idiots. The only escape I can think of is-
"Hermione," I murmur, turning to the caramel haired witch beside me. "On three."
She turns to me puzzled, but nods and tightens her hold on her bag.
"Three… Two… One!" As I finish my whispered countdown, I grab hold of her hand and tug her along behind me as I start to sprint through the crowd. Cameras continue to go off as we run, questions still being hurled at our backs. The sounds of her quick breathing reach my ears as we break through the mob. Ah ha! Freedom!
We continue running through the corridor, my one objective being to try and put as much space as possible between our pursuers and us. God, I hope that their equipmentis slowing them down. I look back and see Hermione who is now laughing uncontrollably, wavy hair whipping around her face. A smile creeps onto my face as I turn back to look for escape routes.Ah ha! God, I hope this works…
I tug Hermione around the next corridor and into an empty classroom, slamming the door shut behind us. The sounds of a thousand footsteps thundering past reach our ears as I turn to look at my companion who is still giggling. I stand here watching her, silent, smile still on my face. Hogwarts is definitely filled with more idiots that I previously thought. I mean, what we just did is the oldest trick in the book and I've had people fall for it twice.
Laughter bubbles up from somewhere deep within me and erupts from my throat, surprising both Hermione and myself. She pauses for a second and gazes at me, silently, an adorable look of confusion on her face as I clasp my stomach with my free hand, laughter escaping me hysterically, before joining in.
HERMIONE P.O.V
As we giggle, my gaze remains on him. Even through my tear filled eyes, I can't helpbut notice that, laughing, he looks like an innocent little child who's having the time of his life, slapping the table, nose scrunched up adorably… he looks even better when he's laughing and I didn't think that that was possible.
Do you think that he's noticed that we're still holding hands?
DRACO P.O.V
Oh, God. I wipe my streaming eyes and turn my gaze back onto Hermione who is doing the same, as our laughter subsides. I can't remember ever having laughed like this in my entire life, laughing so hard you have the cramp to prove it.
But this is the thing about Hermione. I don't feel like I have to be all icy, controlled and superior, the way I have to in order to maintain my place as leader of one of the two most popular cliques in Hogwarts, I can just be… me. The me that isn't always in complete control of the situation, who can almost wet his pants laughing, who feels as if he can do anything just because she'll be beside me the entire time…
"Well,"she says, bright eyes twinkling with mirth. "As much fun as this has been, I have to go make sure Harry and Ron have gotten up."
At her words, I feel an oddly familiar stirring sensation in the pit of my stomach. I nod, looking down at our still clasped hands which are radiating warmth all through me…
"Yeah, and I'm really hungry, so…" I trail off, dragging my eyes back up to meet her warm ones. She nods, understanding, before hesitantly removing her hand from mine. Instantly, my hand feels empty and cold, reflecting the room as, with one last smile, she hoists her bag onto a slender shoulder and walks out of the room.
I gaze after her, for some reason feeling lost and helpless, and perch myself on the end of the nearest desk. The emotion feels exactly like the ones I had the other day when Hermione suggested we forget about the- the kiss. I don't know why but, as soon as the words fell from her soft lips, my heart sunk and a feeling of…disappointment filled me. That's why I didn't say a word afterwards, because I physically couldn't. My chest felt tight and my throat as if I hadn't drunk for days. But, why? Why am I feeling these things when I know we're meant to be 'just friends'? When I know there could never be anything between us?
But this doesn't mean that Blaise is right about me being in love with her, 'cause that's ridiculous and he isn't.
He isn't… is he?
11:03/ MONDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER/CLASSROOM 21/ CHARMS
NARRATOR P.O.V
"I'm telling you, Harry, I don't like this. I don't like this one bit," Ron frowns, eyes on Hogwarts favourite couple who are seated directly two tables ahead. The two seem to be spending more time chatting and laughing than doing the set assignment and this fact is not escaping anyone, least of all the auburn haired, overprotective member of the Golden Trio.
Harry seated beside him, is also watching the lovey dovey two with narrowed eyes.
"And look how close they're sitting!" Ron exclaims, popping his gum. "Is he even thinking about what will happen once that damn thing wears off?"
His raven-haired friend nods in evident agreement.
"The way this is headed… well it can only get worse from here," Harry says, as the sounds of the loud laughter of the Head Boy and Girl reach our ears. Ron sits back in his chair, unhappy and folds his arms. The two male members of the Golden Trio watch Hermione and Draco (or Dramione as the media, and indeed all of Hogwarts, are now calling them) in silence.
"Uh, excuse me?" a female voice comes timidly from the table in front of theirs. Harry looks up to see a blonde haired girl who has turned around in her seat and is now facing him.the poor, yet evidently stupid, soul is extending a copy of the lates HG Weekly. The Boy Who Lived raises an eyebrow causing the girl to blush furiously.
"Could-could you pass it to the boy behind you?" she stutters, eyes hopeful. Harry's blank expression changes to one of absolute disgust as he looks at her. He takes the magazine, inspects it with a now unreadable expression before (Lord, have mercy) ripping it up and flinging it back at the girl. She sits in shock, bits of the torn magazine falling to the floor around her, her mouth open and gaping like a fish.
Ron, who appears to have missed out the entire exchange, turns away in revulsion from the sight of the Head Girl whispering something in her smiling companion'sear and gives his male best friend an earnest look.
"I think that it's time we went to see Dumbledore," he suggests, tapping a quill on the desk. Harry nods, absently, eyes still on the chatting couple. After rummaging in his rucksack, the auburn haired wizard pulls out a blank piece of parchment and scribbles something onto it, before folding it up and writing something else on it. He taps the still offended blonde witch on the shoulder and, as soon as she turns around, presses it into her hand without saying a word. The girl pauses for a moment but appears to know better than to argue and passes the missive forward. I mean, this is Ron Weasley we're talking about, member of one of the two most popular cliques in Hogwarts, aided in the defeat in one of the most evil and feared wizards of all time. You do not want to cross him.
Meanwhile, at a nearby Slytherin table…
"I'm not liking this so much anymore, B," Pansy murmurs, wary eyes on the laughing couple two tables across from hers and Blaise's. "It was fun at first, it's not often that I get to be right and Draco wrong, but now I'm worried. What happens when that damned potion wears off and Hermione goes back to hating him? He'll be devastated."
The beautiful blonde haired witch turns to her handsome best friend beside her. She frowns as she sees him leaning against the desk behind him, legs propped up on his own, hands clasped behind his head, eyes closed. Is he even listening? She hits his taut stomach.
"Are you even listening to me?"
He sighs, heavily.
"I'm not liking this so much anymore, B," He mimics her, perfectly, still retaining her precarious position. "It was fun at first, it's not often that I get to be right and Draco wrong, but now I'm worried. What happens when that damned potion wears off and Hermione goes back to hating him? He'll be devastated." Eyes still closed, he raises a delicate eyebrow. Unhappy at having been proved so horribly wrong, Pansy sits back, pouting sulkily.
"Whatever, Blaise. It's still ture."
Blaise shrugs, causing his best friend to turn away. Suddenly, a folded up piece of parchment hits the back of her head. Hard.
"OW!" Pansy exclaims, a hand instantly flying up to grasp the afflicted spot, an affronted expression on her face as she turns around to see exactly who had the nerve to fling something at her. Nott, who is seated behind her, points in explanation to the parchment now lying on the ground. The blonde haired witch glances down and, seeing the object of her distaste, leans down and picks it up. She inspects it, frowns (what does it say? Can you read it from here?) and unfolds it, starting to read whatever it says. One second while I try and get a closer look…
We've come to the conclusion that this whole 'Dramione' thing is now out of our hands… there's nothing that we think can be done by us anymore so Harry and I are going to see Dumbledore tonight at a quarter past eight.
You coming with..?
Ah, so they've finally come to their senses, have they? Pansy folds the missive back up and Blaise, having read the note over her shoulder, nods his assent. The female member of the Silver Trio turns around to find the green eyes of the note's sender already on her. She nods slightly at him, causing him to wink at her (a few girls in the immediate area sigh fawningly…). She smiles in response before turning back around. Never one to miss an interesting exchange, it is no surprise to us that Mr Zabini didn't fail to notice that little one and he raises his trademark eyebrow once more. The brown-eyed witch makes sure to avoid his questioning gaze.
Looking around, it appears that we were not the only ones to notice that little transaction. All around the room, eyebrows are being raised and an underlevel of muttering can be heard from anywhere in the room.
Hmm… I have a feeling that there's something going on here that these two aren't telling us about…
12:34/ MONDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER/ CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CLASSROOM 27
HERMIONE P.O.V
Thank God we thought to leave DADA late, 'casue I could not face that damned mob again. Harry, Ron and I lingered in the classroom for around five minutes after everyone else left so as to avoid them.
We walk out of the classroom and, to my understandable surprise, find the corridor completely empty. I stop and gaze around the vacant hallway, with a slight frown on my face. O-K. Even thought this is what we were aiming for, I'm still surprised that no one's here. Why?
"OK, well this is weird," Harry mutters, glancing around. "Well, we're heading to the Quidditch pitch to get in some more practice.
"I'll see you guys later then, 'cause I'm going back to my room," I tell them. I don't want to have to be answering people's stupid questions about Draco and I, so I'm having lunch in my room.
BUZZ! BUZZ!
What's that- oh, yes. The noise is coming from my bag. I reach a hand into it and rummage around for a moment, pushing past my pencil case and assorted books… Ah ha! I pull out my always trusty, Swarovtski crystal encrusted, T-Mobile Sidekick and, oh, yes, the email icon is blinking away merrily.
I open it up and, huh! Ginny! Back in July, I brought several of these phones and gave one each to Ginny, Ron and Harry, so we could keep in contact over summer. They came in very handy as we used them in the fight against Voldemort, I having enchanted them so we could use them in both the muggle and magical worlds.
To: Mioneswan
From: Ladavinnny (N.B. they are on aol, but, if i state that, it won't show up anyway, so...)
MESSAGE: STAY AWAY FROM THE GREAT HALL!
Hey, honey! Look, if you're thinking about going to lunch or your room or whatever via the main corridor, DON'T! There is a mob of photographers and reporters just outside the Great Hall. D already showed up and had to turn back 'cause it's too crazy. Just a head's up!
BTW, aren't you proud of me for finally having gotten the hang of this thing? Love you lots…
Well, that explains a Hell of a lot. No wonder the corridor's so empty. They're obviously grown wise to our evasions. Harry and Ron, who have been reading the email over my shoulder, glance at one another as I quickly type out a thankyou to one of my closest female friends.
"We could always use the passage behind the one eyed witch, but it'll make the walk to your room ten minutes longer," Harry suggest, startling greeng eyes raised to the ceiling in thought. As Ron nods, I pause eyes on my raven-haired friend. What?
"What d'ya mean, 'we'?" I ask, eyes narrowed in confusion.
"We're coming with you," he answers, simply, expression similar to that of a little boy.
"But-"
"No buts, now come on," he and Ron turn around and start to walk towards our destination. I stand still for a moment then begin to follow them. They don't have to do this for me, I don't want to put them out of their way. But, as we all know, Ron and Harry are two of the most stubborn people at Hogwarts. Once they've made up their minds on something, it's near impossible to change them.
But I guess they're just doing it out of their care for me. Aah, now I think about it, it's kinda sweet… if a bit stupid, seeing as they're Quidditch Practice is due to start any minute now/
A small smile creeps across my face. I know they can sometimes be very annoying but I also know that I've very lucky to have friends like these two…
19:41/ MONDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER/ HEADS' QUARTERS/ COMMON ROOM
DRACO P.O.V
Lord, I am so tired. Thankfully, it's practically the end of the day; the only downer being that today's a Monday. But it's not all bad. There's that Hogsmeade trip on Saturday to look forward to…
I enter the Common Room and throw my heavy ruckscak into a corner. The room is warm and cozy, the fire burning away merrily. The whole scene appears so inviting. The only thing that would make it even better is if-
"Draco, hey!" a voice that instantly brightens up the room even more comes from the direction of the fireplace. As a mass of brown curls emerges from the top of the nearest sofa, my heart speeds up and a pleasurable tingling feeling spreads through me. I can't help but smile in amazement. How is it possible to feel miles better just by seeing someone?
She turns, that beautiful smile of hers making my heart skip a beat, and raises a delicate arm to beckon me over. Unable to stop myself (even if I wanted to…), I walk over to her and sit beside her slender form. She continues to watch me as, to my surprise, she swings her legs onto the sof and curls up next to me, legs tucked up under her, side pressed against mine. Fireworks go off within me and I get an odd feeling. Not like an 'ooh-she's-touching-me' kind of feeling, but more of a feeling that this is where she belongs, tucked right up against me.
She extends some papers that I only now notice.
"These are the papers that we need to sign so we can get some preliminary things in for the Ball," she explains, handing me a quill, as I look the papers over. "The second bunch will come a couple of weeks before the Ball."
I nod in acknowledgement and sign on the dotted lines that she points out for me. Placing the pieces of parchment onto the table, I turn back to her soft dancing eyes and open, honest gaze.
"I heard about Lunch," her amber eyes are twinkling mischeviously. "Is it true that you were practically chased out?" As she says this, her smile widens until she can no longer contain herself and she bursts into musical laughter. God, this girl. I can't help but smile fondly at her, though.
"No, that is not true. I left peacefully and of my own accord." At my words, she continues giggling before raising a teasing eyebrow.
"Yeah, whatever," she rolls her eys. "But isn't all this crazy?"
I nod in agreement.
"Completely."
"I mean it's ridiculous that people think we're going out isn't it?"
Immediately, a felling of overwhelming disappointment fills me and I have to look away. I can't risk letting her see what I'm felling. And I'm confused. Why does hearing her say those words make me feel like this? And I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.
"Yeah, " I agree, so half-heartedly that even I can hear it in my own voice. Hermione, however, doesn't seem to have noticed as she continues smiling. I swear one day that smile of hers will be my undoing. Just seeing it brightents up my mood, it makes me want to spend even more time with her just to see it. Wait a second… ooh… that is such a good idea, Draco. You are so clever, not to mention good-looking…
"How about we all hang out together on Saturday?" I suggest, slowly, watching her for a reaction. Wait a second, D… since when did you ask her to go anywhere?
Her face brightens up even more.
"Sure! Let me just check with the guys," she says, rummaging in her bag on the floor for a moment. I watch her in understandable puzzlement as she pulls out a crystal encrusted rectangular shaped box. She taps it many times, incitingmany alarming beeping noises. Before putting it awat. What is that thing?
"What is that?" I repeat my thoughts outloud. She glances at me, an expression of surprise on her face.
"It's called a phone," she explains. "Muggles use it to communicate with each toher. And this one you can use to send special sorts of messages to others like it."
Hmm… sounds quite cool. I wonder…
"Where can I get one of those?" I ask, a little surprised at the fact that I want something so-muggle. She raises her eyebrows.
"Well, I've got some spare," she says, rising from the sofa and immediately I feel the loss. She runs up the stairs, two at a time.
"I enchanted them so they could work in the magical world too!" Her raised voice calls from her room where the sounds of a search are also coming from.
A few moments later, she emerges at the top of the stairs clutching a brightly coloured cellophane wrapped box. Hermione turns it over several times as she descends.
"I'll show you how to operate it in the morning, 'cause I'm really tired righ tnow," she says, handing it over. On the box is a picture of a machine similar to Hermione's. All I can hope is that the one evidently inside the box isn't pink like hers too.
"Goodnight, then," I say, getting up from my seat and looking down at her while she gives me that honey gaze of hers. To the surprise of us both, I reach down and plant a kiss on the soft skin of her forehead. Woah! What was I thinking! Instantly, a furious blush rises to her cheeks and I don't think she's alone in that. I can feel a fiery heat flooding my face.
She stares at me for a moment, eyes wide and beguiling, drawing me in, before gifting me once more with that smile and turning away to walk back up the stairs once more and into her room.
I stand here, completely still, mind racing with thoughts of what I just did. What was I thinking? I can't just go around kissing Hermione, especially after acting the way I did after the last time I did it. Keep your mind focussed, Draco! Ignore the tingles that ran down your spine when you kissed her forehead, disregard the fact that she makes you feel like you can do anything. Forget about that lovely vanilla and chocolate scent of hers, her beautiful honey eyes, wavy chocolate hair, stunning smile and everything else about her that makes you-
Makes you WHAT, Draco? SHUT UP!
Sigh…
Is it just me, or does the room seem a lot emptier without her?
It's just me, isn't it?
20:17/ MONDAY 27TH SEPTMBER/ HEADMASTER'S QUARTERS
NARRATOR P.O.V
The Boy Who Lived and his auburn haired best friend emerge from the outside of the Headmaster's Quarters as the gargoyle leaps aside from the entrance. The female and black haired members of the Silver Trio glance up and see their less than discreet entrance. As soon as the two newcomers spot them, they start back in surprise.
"How did you guys get in here?" Is the raven-haired boy's instant inquiry. As Ron nods dumbly in agreement, Blaise and Pansy exchange glances.
"Draco told us the password," Pansy explains, simply, shurggin her slender shoulders. Sporting identical frowns, the two male members of the Golden Tro walk over to stand beside the other two who are positioned just outside the door to Dumbledore's office.
"Well, here we go," Blaise sighs, looking around at the other three for confirmation before rapping the door once with his knuckles. His blatent disregard and disrespect of authority and rules is part of what makes Blaise Zabini so sexy.
"Enter!" Calls the familiar male voice from within the Office. The four nod at each other before Blaise turns the crystal doorknob, allowing them entrance to the room. Quick! We have to get in now or we won't have another chance. And please try not to step on my toes. It's useless hiding under an invisibility cloak if you get discovered for crying out in agony.
As we enter (the door managing to hit me on the arm, thank you so much for holding the door for me. Your concern is so touching), we see that the four are now seated in chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. The man himself is leaning back in his chair, hands forming a steeple. He appears to have hidden away his laptop as it's nowhere in sight. Let's just wait beside the door, shall we…
"What brings you young folk to my quarters this fine evening?" the Headmaster asks, putting on his spectacles and peering fondly over them. The four teenagers look at each other, then glance at Harry who at first widens his eyes and shakes his head slightly before sighing heavily and turning back to Dumbledore.
"Well, we're here to talk to you about… M-Draco and Hermione," is tone is wary and measured. "We're really worried about them."
Dumbledore nods slowly as her gets out a piece of parchment and a quill and positions them behind a large pile of textbooks on his desk. Looking around, it appears that no one else in the room apart from us has noticed or can see the objects.
"Do continue."
"At first, he behaved the way he usually does towards her; insulting and mocking her and stuff like that. But lately… lately, it's eemed as though he's forgotten completely that she's been hit by a love potion-" as Harry is talking, the other three are nodding emphatically. Just one second… can you see that too? Either we've lost it completely, or Dumbledore is actually taking notes.
"We-we think that he's fallen in love with her," Harry finishes, reluctantly, looking pleadingly at the Headmaster. Finishing his scribbling, Dumbledore sits back in his chair, steepling his fingers once more and looking up at the vaulted ceiling. Ron and Pansy exchange glances (and do you see that? Talk about lingering eye contact…).
"I think it would be best to let fate take care of it," Dumbledore says, slowly, eyes suddenly on the students before him. Instantly, they gasp in disbelief with the two present members of the Silver Trio looking at him as if he's crazy. Seeing their reaction, he watches them for a moment, seeming to consider something of great importance, before sighing heavily. He removes his spectacles and looks at them with a grave expression.
"What I am about to tell you was not to be revealed to you before the potion had worn off, if at all," he begins slowly. "The Love Potion that was spilled on Miss Granger is, in actuality, a very rare and little known one. It was not the one that Professor Snape asked you to make. The difference between the two is a very small one that will have no effect on the appearance of the Potino. It appears that Mr Longbottom changed the normal, very common, Love Potion into the rare one, by adding in one more millimetre of Boomslang Skin than was needed. So the potion you were looking up Mr Potter and Mr Weasley, was the wrong one."
At his words, Harry and Ron's eyebrows that have already been raised in surprise during his speech, now shoot up so high, they are in danger of disappearing into their hair. Dumbledore simply smiles slightly at their reaction.
"You see, in medieval times, magical families tended to betrothe their childen at a very early age," the wise old man continues. "However, often many discovered that, by the time their children were of age, they appeared to be in love with other people. As it happens the couple would, if indeed the case, rather marry each other even if they didn't love one another, than upset and disgrace their parents. Their parents, contrary to their offspring's beliefs, viewed their children's happiness as more important than the betrothal.
"They then, if they suspected their offspring were involved with others, made use of a very rare love potion. This potin would make the victim publicly show their love from was the beloved in an infatuated manner, so that their parents would know who was the object of affection. The trick was that, so as to prevent any embarrassment and keep the possibility of a marriage between the betrothed open, the Potion would only have an effect if the victim was loved in return by their beloved. It, strangely, however, would have no effect whatsoever on the beloved."
As Dumbledore trails off, silence reigns with the four teens trying to take in all the new, shocking revelations. Harry is the first to recover, a troubled expression crossing his handsome features.
"But then that would mean that Hermione's actually in love with Draco and the Potion just made her show it and that he's in love with her and always has been…
"I knew it," Pansy mutters, chocolate eyes narrowed in triumph.
"Precisely, Mr Potter," Dumbledore replies.
"But then, what will happen when the Potion wears off?" The raven-haired boy continues in his musings, eyes on Ron who is staring back at him, equally troubled.
"I don't know," The Headmaster assents. "But I'm holding you four responsible for what happens afterwards. I'm making you responsible for making sure that they realise their love for one another and beceom a real couple after the Potion wears off…"
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OK!! OMG… the longest chapter yet and trust me, the next one's even longer! So that's the reason why all this has happened… hope it answers many previous questions… Chapter 14 will be out by next Sunday at the latest, sorry this one took so long to do. I had exams and stuff like that… but they're over now…
RECOMMENDED STORIES…
I Hate Everything About You by Ceres Vesta… amazing story… u guys have to read it
Cuffed by Beadsofgrace… another one that you guys have to read…
Hidden Pain by Anjali Potter… this story is so good it gave me goosebumps… search for it right now!
Right, thank you to…
Glowing red eyes, Bellisia Moonfire, Angels-songwriter, White Kisses, SizzleBerryLicious, Idk, Love2Love, Aerochick06, PadfootPatronus, Professionalhatstand, Librastar, 2cut2b4got10 (love the name!), Now Known As 'All Smiles', Silidons (AKA The Reviewer, lol…), Rupertsgirlies, b-ballgurl2, Slim Shady, x3Jessuckerxx, Tigger101, Hater-Of-Heartless-Critics(love the name…lol, and yes I loved ur very long review, make sure to give me another one! I look forward to them!), Tailz the great, Spix, Varietygirl9143, Siriusforeva, WinnieThaPooh92, Sharada87, lilmzhln18, RomanticIllusions, Abbi and last, but certainly not least,LilyJamesAddict.
All of the above, I will be looking out for reviews from u for this chapter so click away at the little blue button below!!
See you next week!!
You Know You Love Me…
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