Disclaimer: I do not claim to own Harry Potter!
Chapter Fifteen: Getting Around Things
Cautiously leaving out her book, her muggle past, and a whole lot of other useless information, Mione told Tom about her summer.
It took less time than she originally thought, but still managed to keep them up most of the night.
Around eleven they both decided to finally turn in for the night. Mione glad that for once she had no homework, just flopped in bed, and welcomed sleep with open arms, and closed eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, Mione walked out of her room to see tom sitting on the couch, just finishing his homework.
"I was thinking Mione." He started. "If I'm the only person here at school who realizes that you and Malfoy are quite friendly with each other, shouldn't he know? Mind you I wont tell anyone, I know how precious this secret must be."
"I was thinking along those line too, I think I'll owl him now."
"You have no homework?"
"Nope."
"Wow."
She nodded and called some writing utensils to her and had about started the letter, when her brain actually woke up. After shaking her head in disbelief she called green ink to her and started to write properly.
At least, for an untraceable letter.
'Caro Draconis,'
She started.
"Prima di tutto, ti sto scrivendo in questo modo, e cosi' dovresti fare tu, cosicche' nessuno realizzi che si tratti di noi. Tu sei Draconis ed io sono Mercurio. In seconda battuta, scriviamo in italiano, semplicemente per confondere la gente. Bene, ora nel merito: abbiamo un nuovo alleato, vieni su alla mia stanza comune, la parola d'ordine e' 'verde' e tu lo incontrerai, prova ad indovinare. Bene, comunque, ti parlero' piu' tardi.
Mercuriorn"
Smiling she put the letter in an envelope and stuffed it in her pocket. "I'm heading to the owlry, then down to breakfast." She said, Tom nodded and continued to work.
Walking out , and along the corridors, she was glad that Harry and Ron didn't decide to meet her.
When she reached her first destination, she picked out a rather fluffy owl and attached the letter to its leg. "Quick, preferably breakfast please." She said kindly, the owl nodded and flew out.
She then headed down to breakfast.
Once in the great hall, she saw Tom was already there, he saw her and waved, she waved back and sat down between Harry and Ron who were debating with Ginny over some trivial matter. When she actually listened she found out it wasn't all that trivial, actually it was about her.
"So Mione, how about the truth on the matter?" Ginny said once she realized she was there.
"Matter about what?"
"Snape! Of course!" Ron said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh that." She noticed how everyone listening rolled their eyes at "that". "Well I'm not in Potions anymore."
"Well after what you did, I would think so much." Harry said plainly.
"Did what?" Hermione Played innocent praying they didn't press the matter.
Both Ron and Harry glared at her, along with all the seventh years who were listening in, and were in the class. "You know very well what!" One hissed at her.
She made her look more confused then before.
"Maybe she forgot.. ." Ron said thoughtfully. Mione signed heavily inside.
"Well, Snape said that I need to go to professor Dumbledore's next time we have potions." She said hopefully.
"That really odd."
Mione nodded and started to gather her food. Just then mail came. Mione looked up supposedly trying to see if she got mail or not. She saw the fluffy owl land on Draco's shoulder and went back to eating.
Harry noticed the little 'glance' of hers and thought to ask her later, with all of the rest of his questions.
When she finished, Mione looked considerably happier. "Ok! Care of Magical Creature today, come on lets go help Hagrid set up!"
Harry and Ron, all thoughts discarded, looked up and nodded merrily. They left the hall rather quickly with broad smiles.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco Opened the letter that came from the odd owl and instantly recognized the handwriting. Reading a very long book, handwritten by a person would do that to you.
Reading he realized that it was written in Italian, Reading it for the second time he translated in his head:
Dear Draconis (Draco),
First, above most, I am writing this way, and so should you, so no one realizes it us. You are Draconis (Draco) and I am Mercury (Mione). Second, we write in Italian simply to confuse people. Ok now onto the subject, we have a new ally, come up to my common room password 'green' and you'll meet him, take a guess. well anyhow, I'll talk at you later.
Mercury (Mione)
Smirking he crumbled it up and set it to flame in the air and continued eating, only looking up when he saw the dream team leave the hall.
Shaking his head he continued to eat, getting weird looks form his two 'bodyguards'.
When he finished he stood up in a flurry of robes. "Alright boys, and girls." He started. " Its about time we paid our humble respects," he added a sarcastic hint to that last, "to the half Giant."
Grinning evilly at that, all of the Seventh year Slythrins followed him out of the hall, that is, all who took the class.
*~*~*~*~*~
Mione spotted the group of Slythrins walking towards Hagrid's little hut, but said nothing more then "They're here."
The group stopped short of where they were supposed to be, and smirking. Mione sighed as she thought of what they could be planning.
"Welcome back e'ry one!" Hagird stepped up merrily to them "Today, we all a'e going to the lake, so follow me."
They did so. The Gryffidors, more specifically Harry Ron and Hermione, followed right behind him, the rest, kept their safe, and disgusted, distance, respectfully.
Mione heard snickering from behind her, recognized Malfoys voice, and mentally prepared for what ever they could come up with.
Draco may be her friend, be he was also quite a character when it came to his little practical jokes, and possibly it was because she was his friend, that she knew very well what he was capable of doing. Tugging on Ron's robe and tapping Harry's hand she discreetly nodded behind her to indicate trouble. They both glanced behind themselves and nodded their understand back to her.
Malfoy was up to something, and they weren't going to let it ruin the lesson, again.
Once there, Hagrid introduced the lesson, Merpeople.
Harry gave Ron and Mione a look that said, don't worry, I already know all about them. So instead of listening to the lesson, (not including the assignments, they paid close attention to them) they kept a careful eye on Malfoy and the other Slythrins.
Malfoy didn't seem to ever stop smirking during the duration of the lesson, but once Hagrid let them lose to work in groups discussing the lesson. The smirk grew into a very evil grin.
He walked up to the threesome, flanked by the personified boulders and the screechy blonde bitch. Hermione noticed herself glaring at Pansy more then she ever had before, and tried to stop but found it a fruitless effort.
Instead she clutched her pendant and glared into Draco eyes. "What do you want Malfoy?" she said rather sweetly.
"May we join your group?"
Harry and Ron nearly blacked out at that single sentence, Mione noticed, but she knew him, she knew that this was the real him, but knew that it was at the same time, not him at all.
"If you four can manage to be civil then of course." She sat down to try to revive her friends from the shock.
Once her task was done the seven of them sat in a neat circle, and Mafloy Started. "I believe we all understand the lesson, with some exceptions." He nodded at the boulders. " so why don't we add to all of our knowledge," he looked at Harry "I believe in Fourth year you got to talk to a few of them Potter, anything you wish to add?"
Pansy and the Boulders were still smirking. Mione knew this was only the tip of the iceberg.
"Well, they are very chivalrous, and have high egos. They are quite powerful, and don't like talking to much." Harry glared at Malfoy. "That all I got out of talking with them, tell me do you see any new information there?"
"Granger, you said we could join your group if we were civil, how about Potter? I believe he should be on the same restrictions we are."
Sighing Mione knew she was in a ditch. She looked over at Harry "I have to agree Harry, they have done nothing wrong, stop acting like they have." Harry looked rather shocked at this, then clamed down considerably, but as she had said before, that was only the tip.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco knew that Hermione could keep Harry under control, and he was quite surprised that he effected him the much, he wasn't aiming for Potter any way.
Weasely, there was a target.
Pansy was up to bat now, and for simple sake of Mione, Draco wasn't going to do the initial damage himself. But he had to be in there enough to appear to be the main cause. Only Mione would ever know the truth.
"So," he heard Pansy start. "Ron, you don't mind if I call you Ron do you?"
He looked startled, ah, the innocence!
"N-no, course not." He stuttered.
"Wonderful! Well you were down there longer then Harry," she paused and looked over at Harry. "You don't mind Harry if I call you that?"
Harry, in a strange but silent retrieval, only shook his head.
"Great! Well do you or Mione have anything to add to what Harry said?"
Draco, knew that potter would figure it out sooner of later, he silently hoped for the later. Mione couldn't be burdened by trying to explain everything to the idiots.
Just as he expected, he saw Potters eyes flash, when he noticed that Pansy didn't ask Mione on the change of terms.
"We were both quite asleep Pansy, it was part of the rules." Mione said. "May I ask you something?
"Sure?"
"Why are you calling me Mione without my assent, when you asked for Harry and Ron's?"
"Oh! I just figured that you would except too, I'm sorry, Granger, I wont call you Mione."
'nice save Mione.' Draco though to himself.
"Well," Draco spoke up again, "I believe that we have finished our task, so Ron, you don't mind, Pansy after got assent?"
"No.. ." but it was obvious that Ron was getting angry.
"Oh well, I noticed that you must have talked with your little sister, she actually looks nice in make up, least properly done make up."
Draco didn't realize that Mione was the cause of this, she made a note to help Ginny yesterday before dinner, to show her the simple and correct way to apply makeup.
Ron didn't know whether or not to be angry, or take the complement.
Mione realized at that moment what was going on. Draco told her himself right after her run-in with her old rival.
'Be clever and cunning, be nice to them, just to see the confused faces that have, it will not only make you laugh'
It was something he was quite used to already, but he hadn't used it on them. Not to mention the torture was worse simply because Harry and Ron were being assholes.
Ron was about to blow up, and she knew it, confusion made him blow quicker then anything else, on that short fuse of his. Red heads, what could you do.
Dampen the wick.
Mione had never noticed Harry's retrieve, Constantly watching, observing, trying to put two and two together, but never getting four. It was about the time when something almost clicked that Ron blew.
"Alright you four, I don't know what you are up to but stop acting like you just went nuts its messing with my head!" he jumped up.
"What could you be talking about?" Pansy started, But Draco put his hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
"Pansy, class is about to end, take Crabbe and Goyle up to the castle and make sure they make it to the next class will you?"
She looked at him oddly, but agreed. Soon it was just the four of them.
"Potter,"
"Back on last name terms?" he asked.
"I was never on first with you. Only Ron." He said, but realized that he made a fatal error. 'shit' he scolded himself as he remembered the letter he wrote before school started.
"Any how it's not important, I was just wondering why you seemed to be out of things today, it isn't like you."
"Why would you care?"
"Potter, if you start acting like anyone but the world saving happy boy who lived, it puts mud on my face too. For it lessens my status." He drawled. "Granger? Mind telling the head boy that I'll be over around nine tonight for our meeting? I'm sure you could get the message to him quicker, as you do share a living space."
"Of course, he'll know by lunch."
"Good, I had better catch up with my class mates," and he left.
"Something's changed," Harry said once Malfoy was out of earshot. "And it has him at the center."
"I'm sure its just your imagination Harry, he seems like the same egotistical basterd he always was."
"Its not that, I don't know, it seems more, you know, more of a perspective thing."
"Well, I hope you figure it out Harry, if there is something up, our reputations require that we fix it." Ron stated.
Mione looked down. "But Ron, what if it's for the better?"
Both of the Boys didn't hear, for she had whispered her comment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
As Mione finished her Dinner, she Remembered what Draco had told her. she sorted it out when she came to the conclusion that he wanted to meet Tom, and he was planning on tonight.
Silently she chided herself on not figuring it out earlier, but she had other problems. Harry seemed to be absent from reality lately, and she kept noting how when she let little truths go, he seemed to gather them up as if they were puzzle pieces he was looking for.
Harry was figuring out that something was up, he told her so earlier. Gratefully he hadn't connected her yet, or had he? She would just need to be more careful. Not to mention, she had to talk to Draco, he was being too careless.
She knew that he was hoping that Harry and Ron would believe him to hide the truth tightly and give them lies, but he didn't know Harry to well, even after reading her book. It was an understanding that came from experience. And she knew that Harry was very capable of figuring out the truth, much like Ray and Dora.
Ironically, she always rubbed this trait onto her friends, and it didn't help that Harry had it to begin with.
Ron, she was relived to find, had no idea about the impending doom around him. She prayed that it would remain that way, but knew better. Once Harry got enough proof, Ron would know before anyone else.
The owl that stayed at her house, decided to make an appearance then. Taking the letter, she let the owl eat some bread while she read.
'Dear Mione,
A few things. First, My mom has been bugging me lately, why? Because she is trying to figure out why she can't figure you out. If that makes any sense. A little help wanted here?
Second, Wow, Owl post? That's original! I love the idea, maybe us muggles can adapt it?
Or maybe not. Well anyhow how are you and you know who doing? He owled me yesterday telling me about your owl, and not to write his name in letters. I'm still grasping it. Maybe Ray will even owl you sometime. Who knows?
Well the advice thing, and please hurry!
P.S.
Is there any way you could get the letter to your house? I'll pick it up there, so mom won't see.
Doreen'
Harry looked over at her.
"Who's it from?"
"A pen pal From a witching school in America. Her name is Doreen." She said the first thing on her mind, while making a mental note to let Dora, Ray, Tom and Draco know the excuse.
A lie is true if there is no one who can counter it.
She put away the letter and headed up to her room. It was seven, so she had some time to write back.
"Tom I just got a letter from a Muggle." She said once she was safely in the common room.
She loved watching the look that overcame his face. "WHAT?!"
"My friend Doreen, she owled me."
"Really? What about?"
"Her mom is bugging her about me and where I go to school."
"Oh, well you should have her tell her mom the excuse you give any muggle about your schooling."
"She'll figure it out, she has the sources."
"Then, have Doreen tell her mom that she shouldn't be putting her nose that carefully into peoples businesses, its rude and degrading."
"Its her job."
"Tell her that anyway!"
"Ok," and she grabbed paper and ink and started to write back.
'Dora,
Draco owled you? Why? Ok never mind, scratch that. He's fine, so is everyone else here. Now what to do about your mom, well tell her this:
You shouldn't be putting your nose that carefully into peoples businesses, its rude and degrading. If you want to know, ask her yourself straight up!
I wont be around, so it works.
I hope that helps you some. Tell Ray to owl me, Never mention Draco's name, unless necessary!
My friends hate his guts or my oh my I will have a situation on my hands. I hope to hear from you again soon, more then one person besides Draco I can talk to safely is a good thing and I'll need it before long.
Hermione'
"There." She held up the finished product. "Hay Tom?"
"Hum?" he looked up from his book.
"Do you have an owl?"
"Yes, Ebony. Care to borrow her?"
"Yeah, that's what I was going to ask."
"She's in my room." He nodded to the stair way opposite her Stair way.
"Thanks!" and she ran up to Owl it.
His room was one word. Blue. Blue and Black, Blue pillows and Curtains, Black covers, Black walls, Black Lamp a blue dresser, blue trunk. Sighing she recalled how her room was very green.
Must be his favorite color combo. She found Ebony and sent the letter out. Taking one last look at the room she shut the door and came down stairs.
"I think for Christmas, I'm getting you a red pillow." She said once she was back in the room. "What do you do up there? Its so dismal!"
"No, its cool."
"Yeah what ever you say." And she sat down and started on her homework.
*~*~*~*~*~
Draco looked up from his books at his clock. "Time to go" he said to himself. Putting down his books, he grabbed a plain silver robe, and tossed it over his shoulders.
After living amongst Muggles for a few months, he realized how comfortable the outfits were.
So after classes, he changed into a black T and dark blue jeans. His hair wasn't really all slick back, he didn't like gelling it, made it harder to clean, so lately, he had sort of stopped.
Hands in pockets he glided along the halls ways up to the head tower. On his way, he passed a few lost First years, a couple snuggling in the corner, and lots of portraits.
Finally he reached the picture of the Hogworts crest.
"Green."
Nothing happened. "Damn, she gave me the wrong password." And he thought for a second. "Wait, maybe, Verde?
And the Picture slid up reveling a door. Draco grasped the handle and turned.
"Very funny!" he said once he got in. "Writing in Italian while giving the correct password, which just happens to be Italian for green?"
"Oops, did I do that?" she said walking up to him looking innocent.
"Don't play the innocent with me." he scowled, crossing his arms and going into the 'stance'.
After a minute they burst out laughing and gave each other a quick hug.
"Hello Draco."
"'Lo Mione."
They shared a smile for a moment, then Hermione Led him over to a chair. He occupied it and looked over at Tom.
"Tom, now you won't tell, will you?" he asked the black haired boy.
"I already told Hermione, I won't."
"Allies? Or would you prefer friends?"
"Friends." He stood up, and Draco followed suit. They clasped hands and did a quick hard shake.
Draco lightened up. "Its nice to have a place where we can actually quit the acts, right Mione?"
"Yeah." She sighed.
"So, Draco, a bit about yourself?"
"You probably know everything you need to." He looked at Tom oddly.
"From what I hear, appearances can be deceiving."
"Well, my Father is Lucius, I spent last summer in a muggle neighborhood, I have had my eyes open to truths in the last two years, I won't become a death eater, and I have gained two muggle friends, I like flying and pissing off Potter, My favorite color is ice blue, and I can't stand runes. Anything else?"
"No, that's perfect." He looked over at Hermione. "You told Draco about my gift right?"
"No I didn't."
"Oh well, I can tell peoples secrets after being around them for a while. MY favorite colors are Sapphire and Black, Hermione plans on getting me a red pillow because she believes my room is dismal, I have been the shadow of our year since I arrived, and I'm from Ravenclaw. Also my parents were both Muggles."
"Do you fly?" Draco asked getting more and more comfortable by the minute. Hermione Smiled it was great that they were getting along.
"A little, I'm pretty good, but not on my team."
"I can't fly." Mione said simply.
"Maybe me and Tom can teach you, this room has a pretty high roof, and we could hold the lessons here."
"Yeah, that sounds good, How about it Hermione, care for lessons?"
"Sure that sounds great!"
"Good we'll use my broom." Draco nodded. "I know it better."
"Ok, and while we are planning things. Tom how would you like to help me and Draco with our Seventh year pranks?"
"Pranks?"
"Its tradition among Muggles, and I say, it's a very good one, and that we magical folk should have it too." Draco said knowingly.
Tom laughed at this. "You really did spend a couple of months around us!" he looked slightly thoughtful. "Seventh year pranks? Why not? Ok I'm in."
"Great!" Mione exclaimed.
"You have a few ideas?"
"Yep," and Draco started to list them off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An: YEAH chapter fifteen! I'm so sorry about the lateness of this chapter, I hope I make it up by the length there was just so much I needed to say here!
I'm starting on, Sixteen but keep in mind the time window ok.
THANKS BUNCHES TO ALL OF YOU REVIEWERS !!! you guys (and gals) are the best!
Relena~
Chapter Fifteen: Getting Around Things
Cautiously leaving out her book, her muggle past, and a whole lot of other useless information, Mione told Tom about her summer.
It took less time than she originally thought, but still managed to keep them up most of the night.
Around eleven they both decided to finally turn in for the night. Mione glad that for once she had no homework, just flopped in bed, and welcomed sleep with open arms, and closed eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, Mione walked out of her room to see tom sitting on the couch, just finishing his homework.
"I was thinking Mione." He started. "If I'm the only person here at school who realizes that you and Malfoy are quite friendly with each other, shouldn't he know? Mind you I wont tell anyone, I know how precious this secret must be."
"I was thinking along those line too, I think I'll owl him now."
"You have no homework?"
"Nope."
"Wow."
She nodded and called some writing utensils to her and had about started the letter, when her brain actually woke up. After shaking her head in disbelief she called green ink to her and started to write properly.
At least, for an untraceable letter.
'Caro Draconis,'
She started.
"Prima di tutto, ti sto scrivendo in questo modo, e cosi' dovresti fare tu, cosicche' nessuno realizzi che si tratti di noi. Tu sei Draconis ed io sono Mercurio. In seconda battuta, scriviamo in italiano, semplicemente per confondere la gente. Bene, ora nel merito: abbiamo un nuovo alleato, vieni su alla mia stanza comune, la parola d'ordine e' 'verde' e tu lo incontrerai, prova ad indovinare. Bene, comunque, ti parlero' piu' tardi.
Mercuriorn"
Smiling she put the letter in an envelope and stuffed it in her pocket. "I'm heading to the owlry, then down to breakfast." She said, Tom nodded and continued to work.
Walking out , and along the corridors, she was glad that Harry and Ron didn't decide to meet her.
When she reached her first destination, she picked out a rather fluffy owl and attached the letter to its leg. "Quick, preferably breakfast please." She said kindly, the owl nodded and flew out.
She then headed down to breakfast.
Once in the great hall, she saw Tom was already there, he saw her and waved, she waved back and sat down between Harry and Ron who were debating with Ginny over some trivial matter. When she actually listened she found out it wasn't all that trivial, actually it was about her.
"So Mione, how about the truth on the matter?" Ginny said once she realized she was there.
"Matter about what?"
"Snape! Of course!" Ron said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh that." She noticed how everyone listening rolled their eyes at "that". "Well I'm not in Potions anymore."
"Well after what you did, I would think so much." Harry said plainly.
"Did what?" Hermione Played innocent praying they didn't press the matter.
Both Ron and Harry glared at her, along with all the seventh years who were listening in, and were in the class. "You know very well what!" One hissed at her.
She made her look more confused then before.
"Maybe she forgot.. ." Ron said thoughtfully. Mione signed heavily inside.
"Well, Snape said that I need to go to professor Dumbledore's next time we have potions." She said hopefully.
"That really odd."
Mione nodded and started to gather her food. Just then mail came. Mione looked up supposedly trying to see if she got mail or not. She saw the fluffy owl land on Draco's shoulder and went back to eating.
Harry noticed the little 'glance' of hers and thought to ask her later, with all of the rest of his questions.
When she finished, Mione looked considerably happier. "Ok! Care of Magical Creature today, come on lets go help Hagrid set up!"
Harry and Ron, all thoughts discarded, looked up and nodded merrily. They left the hall rather quickly with broad smiles.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco Opened the letter that came from the odd owl and instantly recognized the handwriting. Reading a very long book, handwritten by a person would do that to you.
Reading he realized that it was written in Italian, Reading it for the second time he translated in his head:
Dear Draconis (Draco),
First, above most, I am writing this way, and so should you, so no one realizes it us. You are Draconis (Draco) and I am Mercury (Mione). Second, we write in Italian simply to confuse people. Ok now onto the subject, we have a new ally, come up to my common room password 'green' and you'll meet him, take a guess. well anyhow, I'll talk at you later.
Mercury (Mione)
Smirking he crumbled it up and set it to flame in the air and continued eating, only looking up when he saw the dream team leave the hall.
Shaking his head he continued to eat, getting weird looks form his two 'bodyguards'.
When he finished he stood up in a flurry of robes. "Alright boys, and girls." He started. " Its about time we paid our humble respects," he added a sarcastic hint to that last, "to the half Giant."
Grinning evilly at that, all of the Seventh year Slythrins followed him out of the hall, that is, all who took the class.
*~*~*~*~*~
Mione spotted the group of Slythrins walking towards Hagrid's little hut, but said nothing more then "They're here."
The group stopped short of where they were supposed to be, and smirking. Mione sighed as she thought of what they could be planning.
"Welcome back e'ry one!" Hagird stepped up merrily to them "Today, we all a'e going to the lake, so follow me."
They did so. The Gryffidors, more specifically Harry Ron and Hermione, followed right behind him, the rest, kept their safe, and disgusted, distance, respectfully.
Mione heard snickering from behind her, recognized Malfoys voice, and mentally prepared for what ever they could come up with.
Draco may be her friend, be he was also quite a character when it came to his little practical jokes, and possibly it was because she was his friend, that she knew very well what he was capable of doing. Tugging on Ron's robe and tapping Harry's hand she discreetly nodded behind her to indicate trouble. They both glanced behind themselves and nodded their understand back to her.
Malfoy was up to something, and they weren't going to let it ruin the lesson, again.
Once there, Hagrid introduced the lesson, Merpeople.
Harry gave Ron and Mione a look that said, don't worry, I already know all about them. So instead of listening to the lesson, (not including the assignments, they paid close attention to them) they kept a careful eye on Malfoy and the other Slythrins.
Malfoy didn't seem to ever stop smirking during the duration of the lesson, but once Hagrid let them lose to work in groups discussing the lesson. The smirk grew into a very evil grin.
He walked up to the threesome, flanked by the personified boulders and the screechy blonde bitch. Hermione noticed herself glaring at Pansy more then she ever had before, and tried to stop but found it a fruitless effort.
Instead she clutched her pendant and glared into Draco eyes. "What do you want Malfoy?" she said rather sweetly.
"May we join your group?"
Harry and Ron nearly blacked out at that single sentence, Mione noticed, but she knew him, she knew that this was the real him, but knew that it was at the same time, not him at all.
"If you four can manage to be civil then of course." She sat down to try to revive her friends from the shock.
Once her task was done the seven of them sat in a neat circle, and Mafloy Started. "I believe we all understand the lesson, with some exceptions." He nodded at the boulders. " so why don't we add to all of our knowledge," he looked at Harry "I believe in Fourth year you got to talk to a few of them Potter, anything you wish to add?"
Pansy and the Boulders were still smirking. Mione knew this was only the tip of the iceberg.
"Well, they are very chivalrous, and have high egos. They are quite powerful, and don't like talking to much." Harry glared at Malfoy. "That all I got out of talking with them, tell me do you see any new information there?"
"Granger, you said we could join your group if we were civil, how about Potter? I believe he should be on the same restrictions we are."
Sighing Mione knew she was in a ditch. She looked over at Harry "I have to agree Harry, they have done nothing wrong, stop acting like they have." Harry looked rather shocked at this, then clamed down considerably, but as she had said before, that was only the tip.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco knew that Hermione could keep Harry under control, and he was quite surprised that he effected him the much, he wasn't aiming for Potter any way.
Weasely, there was a target.
Pansy was up to bat now, and for simple sake of Mione, Draco wasn't going to do the initial damage himself. But he had to be in there enough to appear to be the main cause. Only Mione would ever know the truth.
"So," he heard Pansy start. "Ron, you don't mind if I call you Ron do you?"
He looked startled, ah, the innocence!
"N-no, course not." He stuttered.
"Wonderful! Well you were down there longer then Harry," she paused and looked over at Harry. "You don't mind Harry if I call you that?"
Harry, in a strange but silent retrieval, only shook his head.
"Great! Well do you or Mione have anything to add to what Harry said?"
Draco, knew that potter would figure it out sooner of later, he silently hoped for the later. Mione couldn't be burdened by trying to explain everything to the idiots.
Just as he expected, he saw Potters eyes flash, when he noticed that Pansy didn't ask Mione on the change of terms.
"We were both quite asleep Pansy, it was part of the rules." Mione said. "May I ask you something?
"Sure?"
"Why are you calling me Mione without my assent, when you asked for Harry and Ron's?"
"Oh! I just figured that you would except too, I'm sorry, Granger, I wont call you Mione."
'nice save Mione.' Draco though to himself.
"Well," Draco spoke up again, "I believe that we have finished our task, so Ron, you don't mind, Pansy after got assent?"
"No.. ." but it was obvious that Ron was getting angry.
"Oh well, I noticed that you must have talked with your little sister, she actually looks nice in make up, least properly done make up."
Draco didn't realize that Mione was the cause of this, she made a note to help Ginny yesterday before dinner, to show her the simple and correct way to apply makeup.
Ron didn't know whether or not to be angry, or take the complement.
Mione realized at that moment what was going on. Draco told her himself right after her run-in with her old rival.
'Be clever and cunning, be nice to them, just to see the confused faces that have, it will not only make you laugh'
It was something he was quite used to already, but he hadn't used it on them. Not to mention the torture was worse simply because Harry and Ron were being assholes.
Ron was about to blow up, and she knew it, confusion made him blow quicker then anything else, on that short fuse of his. Red heads, what could you do.
Dampen the wick.
Mione had never noticed Harry's retrieve, Constantly watching, observing, trying to put two and two together, but never getting four. It was about the time when something almost clicked that Ron blew.
"Alright you four, I don't know what you are up to but stop acting like you just went nuts its messing with my head!" he jumped up.
"What could you be talking about?" Pansy started, But Draco put his hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
"Pansy, class is about to end, take Crabbe and Goyle up to the castle and make sure they make it to the next class will you?"
She looked at him oddly, but agreed. Soon it was just the four of them.
"Potter,"
"Back on last name terms?" he asked.
"I was never on first with you. Only Ron." He said, but realized that he made a fatal error. 'shit' he scolded himself as he remembered the letter he wrote before school started.
"Any how it's not important, I was just wondering why you seemed to be out of things today, it isn't like you."
"Why would you care?"
"Potter, if you start acting like anyone but the world saving happy boy who lived, it puts mud on my face too. For it lessens my status." He drawled. "Granger? Mind telling the head boy that I'll be over around nine tonight for our meeting? I'm sure you could get the message to him quicker, as you do share a living space."
"Of course, he'll know by lunch."
"Good, I had better catch up with my class mates," and he left.
"Something's changed," Harry said once Malfoy was out of earshot. "And it has him at the center."
"I'm sure its just your imagination Harry, he seems like the same egotistical basterd he always was."
"Its not that, I don't know, it seems more, you know, more of a perspective thing."
"Well, I hope you figure it out Harry, if there is something up, our reputations require that we fix it." Ron stated.
Mione looked down. "But Ron, what if it's for the better?"
Both of the Boys didn't hear, for she had whispered her comment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
As Mione finished her Dinner, she Remembered what Draco had told her. she sorted it out when she came to the conclusion that he wanted to meet Tom, and he was planning on tonight.
Silently she chided herself on not figuring it out earlier, but she had other problems. Harry seemed to be absent from reality lately, and she kept noting how when she let little truths go, he seemed to gather them up as if they were puzzle pieces he was looking for.
Harry was figuring out that something was up, he told her so earlier. Gratefully he hadn't connected her yet, or had he? She would just need to be more careful. Not to mention, she had to talk to Draco, he was being too careless.
She knew that he was hoping that Harry and Ron would believe him to hide the truth tightly and give them lies, but he didn't know Harry to well, even after reading her book. It was an understanding that came from experience. And she knew that Harry was very capable of figuring out the truth, much like Ray and Dora.
Ironically, she always rubbed this trait onto her friends, and it didn't help that Harry had it to begin with.
Ron, she was relived to find, had no idea about the impending doom around him. She prayed that it would remain that way, but knew better. Once Harry got enough proof, Ron would know before anyone else.
The owl that stayed at her house, decided to make an appearance then. Taking the letter, she let the owl eat some bread while she read.
'Dear Mione,
A few things. First, My mom has been bugging me lately, why? Because she is trying to figure out why she can't figure you out. If that makes any sense. A little help wanted here?
Second, Wow, Owl post? That's original! I love the idea, maybe us muggles can adapt it?
Or maybe not. Well anyhow how are you and you know who doing? He owled me yesterday telling me about your owl, and not to write his name in letters. I'm still grasping it. Maybe Ray will even owl you sometime. Who knows?
Well the advice thing, and please hurry!
P.S.
Is there any way you could get the letter to your house? I'll pick it up there, so mom won't see.
Doreen'
Harry looked over at her.
"Who's it from?"
"A pen pal From a witching school in America. Her name is Doreen." She said the first thing on her mind, while making a mental note to let Dora, Ray, Tom and Draco know the excuse.
A lie is true if there is no one who can counter it.
She put away the letter and headed up to her room. It was seven, so she had some time to write back.
"Tom I just got a letter from a Muggle." She said once she was safely in the common room.
She loved watching the look that overcame his face. "WHAT?!"
"My friend Doreen, she owled me."
"Really? What about?"
"Her mom is bugging her about me and where I go to school."
"Oh, well you should have her tell her mom the excuse you give any muggle about your schooling."
"She'll figure it out, she has the sources."
"Then, have Doreen tell her mom that she shouldn't be putting her nose that carefully into peoples businesses, its rude and degrading."
"Its her job."
"Tell her that anyway!"
"Ok," and she grabbed paper and ink and started to write back.
'Dora,
Draco owled you? Why? Ok never mind, scratch that. He's fine, so is everyone else here. Now what to do about your mom, well tell her this:
You shouldn't be putting your nose that carefully into peoples businesses, its rude and degrading. If you want to know, ask her yourself straight up!
I wont be around, so it works.
I hope that helps you some. Tell Ray to owl me, Never mention Draco's name, unless necessary!
My friends hate his guts or my oh my I will have a situation on my hands. I hope to hear from you again soon, more then one person besides Draco I can talk to safely is a good thing and I'll need it before long.
Hermione'
"There." She held up the finished product. "Hay Tom?"
"Hum?" he looked up from his book.
"Do you have an owl?"
"Yes, Ebony. Care to borrow her?"
"Yeah, that's what I was going to ask."
"She's in my room." He nodded to the stair way opposite her Stair way.
"Thanks!" and she ran up to Owl it.
His room was one word. Blue. Blue and Black, Blue pillows and Curtains, Black covers, Black walls, Black Lamp a blue dresser, blue trunk. Sighing she recalled how her room was very green.
Must be his favorite color combo. She found Ebony and sent the letter out. Taking one last look at the room she shut the door and came down stairs.
"I think for Christmas, I'm getting you a red pillow." She said once she was back in the room. "What do you do up there? Its so dismal!"
"No, its cool."
"Yeah what ever you say." And she sat down and started on her homework.
*~*~*~*~*~
Draco looked up from his books at his clock. "Time to go" he said to himself. Putting down his books, he grabbed a plain silver robe, and tossed it over his shoulders.
After living amongst Muggles for a few months, he realized how comfortable the outfits were.
So after classes, he changed into a black T and dark blue jeans. His hair wasn't really all slick back, he didn't like gelling it, made it harder to clean, so lately, he had sort of stopped.
Hands in pockets he glided along the halls ways up to the head tower. On his way, he passed a few lost First years, a couple snuggling in the corner, and lots of portraits.
Finally he reached the picture of the Hogworts crest.
"Green."
Nothing happened. "Damn, she gave me the wrong password." And he thought for a second. "Wait, maybe, Verde?
And the Picture slid up reveling a door. Draco grasped the handle and turned.
"Very funny!" he said once he got in. "Writing in Italian while giving the correct password, which just happens to be Italian for green?"
"Oops, did I do that?" she said walking up to him looking innocent.
"Don't play the innocent with me." he scowled, crossing his arms and going into the 'stance'.
After a minute they burst out laughing and gave each other a quick hug.
"Hello Draco."
"'Lo Mione."
They shared a smile for a moment, then Hermione Led him over to a chair. He occupied it and looked over at Tom.
"Tom, now you won't tell, will you?" he asked the black haired boy.
"I already told Hermione, I won't."
"Allies? Or would you prefer friends?"
"Friends." He stood up, and Draco followed suit. They clasped hands and did a quick hard shake.
Draco lightened up. "Its nice to have a place where we can actually quit the acts, right Mione?"
"Yeah." She sighed.
"So, Draco, a bit about yourself?"
"You probably know everything you need to." He looked at Tom oddly.
"From what I hear, appearances can be deceiving."
"Well, my Father is Lucius, I spent last summer in a muggle neighborhood, I have had my eyes open to truths in the last two years, I won't become a death eater, and I have gained two muggle friends, I like flying and pissing off Potter, My favorite color is ice blue, and I can't stand runes. Anything else?"
"No, that's perfect." He looked over at Hermione. "You told Draco about my gift right?"
"No I didn't."
"Oh well, I can tell peoples secrets after being around them for a while. MY favorite colors are Sapphire and Black, Hermione plans on getting me a red pillow because she believes my room is dismal, I have been the shadow of our year since I arrived, and I'm from Ravenclaw. Also my parents were both Muggles."
"Do you fly?" Draco asked getting more and more comfortable by the minute. Hermione Smiled it was great that they were getting along.
"A little, I'm pretty good, but not on my team."
"I can't fly." Mione said simply.
"Maybe me and Tom can teach you, this room has a pretty high roof, and we could hold the lessons here."
"Yeah, that sounds good, How about it Hermione, care for lessons?"
"Sure that sounds great!"
"Good we'll use my broom." Draco nodded. "I know it better."
"Ok, and while we are planning things. Tom how would you like to help me and Draco with our Seventh year pranks?"
"Pranks?"
"Its tradition among Muggles, and I say, it's a very good one, and that we magical folk should have it too." Draco said knowingly.
Tom laughed at this. "You really did spend a couple of months around us!" he looked slightly thoughtful. "Seventh year pranks? Why not? Ok I'm in."
"Great!" Mione exclaimed.
"You have a few ideas?"
"Yep," and Draco started to list them off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An: YEAH chapter fifteen! I'm so sorry about the lateness of this chapter, I hope I make it up by the length there was just so much I needed to say here!
I'm starting on, Sixteen but keep in mind the time window ok.
THANKS BUNCHES TO ALL OF YOU REVIEWERS !!! you guys (and gals) are the best!
Relena~