A/N: wow almost 100 reviews. That makes me happy. I was a little anxious to write this part of the story as I am not one for being clever with my comedy - despite the title of the chappy. (It's usually lame or corny!) But I hope, my dear readers, that you enjoy it nonetheless... but it is long... sorry!
**WARNING** subtle slash at the end.
Chapter 24
It was frustrating. As part of the task, he had to make sure the real Harry Potter didn't come barging into the Great Hall when he was giving Hermione the Hateful Potion. The only troublesome thing was that he had to wait for Potter to show his ugly face out from the Gryffindor Common Room.
First it was a hoard of younger students, which he gathered were Fourth Year and below all laughing and conversing about their day before he spotted the Mudblood and Weaslette strolling his way.
"So... the haunted house won?" Ginny sighed, "Shame. I for sure thought people would love dancing,"
"Yes but mind you, once I tallied up those of Slytherin House..." Hermione shook her head, "Only about twenty of them selected the dancing, everyone else wanted the house. We are, however, going to send out candy grams."
"Figures, leave it to the snakes to ruin our fun! Oh speaking of Slytherin..." Ginny gave Hermione a playful nudge, "Sources tell me that someone skipped class today, and not alone I might add!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Whatever happened to telling me about your day? You know, telling me about you and Dean...why am I always telling you what happened with me?"
"Because it's far more interesting! You never once skipped a class, and if you did, you certainly wouldn't go off and be with Malfoy having a repeat of last night or whatever! Which I am still waiting for you to tell me what happened..."
Hermione felt the heat rising to her cheeks as she remembered the morning's events. Her heart vibrated her ribs and her lips tingled. She quickly shook her head of further thoughts. "That's because it isn't any of your business!"
"Oh come on Hermione!"
Blaise rolled his eyes at the Weaslette's whiny voice before she and the Mudblood disappeared around the corner with their fellow Gryffindorks. 'Well that'll be over soon enough!'
He didn't wait much longer until he spotted Boy Wonder who, for the first time, wasn't along side the Weasel-King.
He pulled out his wand and whispered, "Imperio" and Boy Wonder instantly stopped mid-step. Causing confusing his flock of idiots.
"Uh, sorry guys I..."
Blaise furrowed his brows in trying to figure out how to word the sentence without being obvious, but before he could, Potter had shook off the curse and began looking around in a panic.
'What the-?'
No one ever managed to shrug off his Imperius Charm!
He watched as Potter tried to pinpoint his hiding spot, but having cast an Invisibility Charm upon himself, it was a lost cause. And funny.
"Everything alright Harry?" called Dean.
Harry swallowed and stopped looking around, "Weird. I thought I felt someone..." he trailed off when he had a strange thought. Like someone tried to Imperius him, but it was thanks to Mad-Eye-or rather, Barty Crouch Jr., that he was able to deflect the curse effortlessly.
But who would try to control him? Surely not Ron. He wasn't that spiteful. Not even when they were hunting for Horcruxes...
"Erm... I just thought someone was watching me, or us," he added lamely. He knew that was a stupid answer, but believable enough to not endure too much questions.
Seamus scoffed, "Probably Ron. Haven't seen him since class..."
Blaise snarled as the four boys retreated down the hallway trailing behind all the other students.
Well this wasn't going to cut it! He needed his hair for the Polyjuice Potion! So he reluctantly followed, waiting patiently for another opportunity to get the hair.
Slytherin Common Room
This wasn't good.
Dinner was in a half an hour and still she didn't have Potter's hair for the potion, or rather she hadn't got a word from Blaise after she sent her owl to him.
If they wanted their plan to work, she would have to take the potions to Blaise! Opening her potion kit, Daphne pulled out the suitable flasks for the correct dosage before corking them closed, inserting them into her robe pockets and then left her room.
She sauntered down the stairs, spotting Theo shifting through the Daily Prophet by the fire.
"Say Theo, seen Blaise around?"
Theo just flipped another page of the paper, "Nope," he said with a smack of his lips.
'Wonderful' she groaned as she checked the clock above the mantel, "Well if he does show up, tell him I'll be in the Great Hall,"
"I'm not some errand boy." Theo mumbled, as he continued to flip through the pages. He had to bite down the temptation flirt with her and stick to his part of the plan - even though he had no idea what Draco has in store for Daphne and Blaise, as he was quite tight-lipped on any detail!
"Besides I'm about to clear off myself once I'm finished with this here paper." Which was a lie. Truthfully, he was waiting for Draco to leave his room - as per his part in the plan - even though he had no idea what it even was. It only made Theo more anxious for the outcome.
Daphne studied her classmate's gleeful expression, which he usually would sport after saying something derogatory. 'How strange...'
Theo could feel her gaze on him, 'Shit, I think she called my bluff,' he thought, trying very hard to play it off.
"Well this is absolute bollocks. No Quidditch announcements... divorces... deaths in Azkaban..." Theo sighed tossing the paper to the side. He'll just have to leave the Common Room, hide and then return once Daphne was gone.
He got up from the chair, stretched his arms and back and then patted Daphne on the shoulder, "Take care love," then made to leave until Pansy came through the passageway.
"Why good-evening Teddy"
Theo growled, "Don't call me-"
Pansy dismissed him by a wave of her hand, "Forget it, I'm not here to see you but Daphne! Apparently Blaise is looking for you. He wouldn't tell me why. Can you believe that? You're my best friend and here-"
Daphne's eyes widened at hearing that Blaise was looking for her. 'Show time'
"Excellent," was all she said before brushing past Pansy to leave the Common Room.
"Hey Daph!" Pansy whined as she turned back around to see her friend had left.
Theo burst out laughing, before he went up the stairs to the boys dormitories.
"Piss off," snarled Pansy before she too left the room to accompany her friend.
Theo rolled his eyes and strolled up the staircase, dodging the younger years as they left their dorms for the evening meal, before he walked down to Draco's door.
"Alright mate, it's all clear. Daphne just left with Pansy..."
The door opened a few minutes later, where Draco was biting into a green apple.
"And Blaise?"
Theo smirked, "Apparently Daphne sent him on an errand. He only just succeeded and requested her assistance."
Draco grinned before biting into the apple again. "Just what I want to hear..." He shook his head to rid the fringe of hair from his eyes and sighed.
It didn't hit him until a few hours ago, that Blaise would do something to Potter to keep him away from the Great Hall, but if he wanted his plan to succeed, he would need to have Potter there.
"And the Sensory Device?"
Theo grinned, as he handed Draco a small flashing ball purple, "As far as she was concerned, I gave her a pat on the back. Now will you tell me what the hell is going on? Why are you dogging her?"
But Draco just remained tight-lipped, "Sorry mate, as I've been telling Granger, you'll just have to sit back and enjoy the show!" he added with a flare of his eyebrows.
Theo folded his arms, at hearing Granger's name. "And here I thought you were too busy charming your way into her knicks..." Theo itched his chin, "You mean to tell me you've got her in on this too?"
Draco sighed, "Well can't use magic you see...so yeah she helped," and then he bit off another piece of apple "Shall we?"
He motioned at the Common Room door, but Theo remained rooted on the spot, where the other Slytherin students had to skirt around them.
"I must admit Drake, definitely didn't expect that! Not only did you get her to skip a class but you actually got her to do your dirty work for you. Did she put up a fight at all? No wait, did you at least proposition her to have a little fun? Come on mate give me something!"
Draco smirked and just finished off his apple, before he followed his fellow house-mates out the door.
Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom
Blaise stood staring down at the sleeping Harry propped up against the bathroom stall and then he left the room to keep a look out. He checked his watch, noting that Daphne was running late. He had a hell of a time trying to get Pansy off his case, about why he was blocking the door and requesting her friend. It wasn't until he promised her to buy her something if she would just leave.
"Right where I left him!" he heard Pansy say.
Blaise's frown deepened when he saw the brunette strut her way over to him, "And you thought you would keep it from me, huh?"
Blaise didn't respond he just turned to face Daphne, "Do you have them?"
Daphne pulled out the two flasks, handing him the one with the Polyjuice Potion first. "I'll give you the second potion after the transition."
Pansy folded her arms and grinned, "Ha! See it was stupid of you to keep it a secret, when I'll just find out anyway! Mind you, I still expect to collect from your promise. I could use some new dresses..."
Once again Blaise just ignored her, dropped the hairs into the vial. It bubbled away and then downed the potion.
Daphne waited with bated breath for the transition to happen. The minutes ticked by, but nothing happened. Blaise was still Blaise! Daphne blinked and then stepped back. This was strange she was certain she had brewed the potion properly. It had all the characteristics of the Polyjuice Potion, so why didn't he change?
Pansy furrowed her brows as she watched Blaise sway on the spot. His expression darkened as though he was going to be ill.
"Isn't he supposed to change into someone else? I mean that disgusting potion was the Perryjuice Potion right?"
"Polyjuice Potion" Daphne corrected as she watched Blaise look frantically around the corridor. Yes he was supposed to change into Boy Wonder once he added the hairs... but no such thing happened.
"Blaise?" Daphne said waving her hand, to get his attention.
His eyes flickered to Daphne, where they widened slightly.
"Your eyes..." Blaise began in a low voice, "They are so bright...so green...just...like his"
Pansy paled as she took a broad step backward, looking at Daphne and then back to Blaise.
"What?" Daphne said, starting at Blaise curiously.
Blaise looked at her but then he saw Theo and Draco walking toward them.
"You!" He said, strolling right up to them, looking straight at Draco. "You're... you're always... around him, tell me...where can I find him?"
"What is with this 'him' business?" Pansy frowned, "Who is he talking about? Better yet, what did he drink?" Her dark eyes shot to Daphne, for the answer, "What did you give him?!"
Daphne was too stunned for words, she went to get the vial back from Blaise but he wasn't going to have it.
"Answer me Draco!" Blaise growled, "Where is he?"
'Right behind you,' Draco mused, as he stared at the 'Out of order' sign on the door, but no, this wouldn't work. He needed Blaise's humiliation to be public!
Draco cleared his throat, "Great Hall I expect,"
The second Blaise heard the words he bolted off down the corridor and out of sight. Pansy glared at the empty corridor before turning to Draco.
"You did something to him! I just know it!"
"We just got here," interjected Theo, "Came to see what all the yelling was about, right Drake?" He saw the small glowing sphere of the Sensory Device on Daphne's shoulder and gestured to Draco, as he was closest, to take it off her.
Draco saw what Theo was pointing at and then plucked off the patch, just as Daphne turned around, "What?"
"Forget them Daphne, we have to go and make sure Blaise is alright!" Pansy said, tugging Daphne on the wrist. But Daphne just remained still.
"Hold on a second, Pansy..." she glared at Draco and then Theo. It wasn't just a coincidence. Then just showing up wasn't a coincidence just like Blaise didn't change into Potter because it wasn't the Polyjuice Potion she brewed. It was only disguised as the potion. It was obvious now to what the 'him' Blaise was referring to. Harry Potter, whose hair was dropped into the potion; which she now realized was Amortentia. If that were the case, could the potion she was holding be changed to? It was hard to tell as it had the characteristics of her Hateful Potion...
But Draco was a smart boy, why would he change one potion and not the other? The only question remained is how did Draco do it? He wasn't able to use magic...and she knew that was his spell. He had often bragged about learning the spell for sometime, but he was too proud to actually teach it to someone else.
Her green eyes flickered over to Theo. Now his behaviour in the Common Room made sense. How could she be so blind? She pocketed the flask for later analyzing.
"Bravo Drake," Daphne said, looking Draco square in the eyes, searching for a hint of the truth. "But now you've only made matters worse for yourself..."
Draco raised an eyebrow, not understanding her meaning of the comment.
"Don't know what you're on about, Daph..." Theo said scratching his throat, his eyes flickered to Pansy and then back to Daphne, as he withdrew his wand, looked around the corridors for any wandering students or Professors before looking back to both girls.
"Obliviate"
Two whispy white strands of magic went right to Daphne and Pansy's heads.
Draco rounded on his friend, but Theo just dismissed him, "Mate, that girl is too smart for her own good. Obviously it wouldn't be in your best interest for her to have that knowledge, or Pansy for that matter..."
He pocketed his wand and then offered Daphne his arm, once she was no longer effected by the spell. "Shall we head off to dinner?"
Daphne blinked and then stepped back, staring at Theo with wide eyes, "What am I doing here?"
Theo grinned, "We had a disagreement love, and... well, kinda felt bad about it so I... er, we" he nodded to Draco, "Followed you"
Pansy showed Draco a toothy smile, "Are you going to escort me to dinner too?"
Draco shook his head, "I've got something to deal with first. You go on with Theo and Daphne"
Trying not to look hurt, Pansy bowed her head and left.
Making sure the coast was clear, Draco ducked into the washroom, crouched down and gave Potter an antidote of the obvious Sleeping Spell Blaise put him under. 'Amateur' Draco went to stand back so he would not be caught in the act of helping him.
Harry blinked his eyes several times before he shifted himself awake.
"Malfoy?" Harry said confused. Was he dreaming? Was Malfoy actually standing before him looking in the mirror?
"Pathetic Potter," Draco sighed, washing his hands. The scent of the antidote was revolting. "Falling asleep in a girls lavatory"
"Why are you here?" Harry asked before he could help himself.
Draco said nothing, as he just resumed washing his hands. "And why should I answer to you?" And with that he left, drying off his hands on his own trousers.
Arriving with Potter to the Great Hall would be far too suspicious. No, if he wanted a good seat for the show, he would need to be at the Great Hall first! He felt the familiar tug on his lips as he smirked.
Too confused for words, Harry stumbled up and dusted off his robes.
"The dark one cast a spell on you," croaked Myrtle from behind the stall he was currently standing in front of.
Harry leapt in his skin at the sudden appearance of the ghost. "Myrtle!"
Myrtle shyly turned her head, "Hello Harry, it's been ages since we've seen each other. Many others were saying you died in that atrocious battle against...Tommy..."
Harry nodded, "Sorry did you just say someone cast a spell on me? Was it Malfoy?"
Myrtle shied away again, "Draco only woke you up. Such a nice boy he is..."
Harry wanted to laugh. Malfoy... nice? "Right..."
"I told you. The dark one did it then he carried you in here so he wouldn't be caught. Such a silly Slytherin, as if he could hide away from me!"
Dark one? Slytherin? The only thing he remembered was talking to Dean... but he wasn't that dark nor was he a Slytherin!
"I tried to wake you, but obviously it wasn't any use. I wished I could use my magic again..."
"Erm...thanks Myrtle" Harry said awkwardly before he left.
Great Hall, Gryffindor Table
Hermione was at the table with Ginny, helping herself to some dinner. She felt rather anxious as this was the time when Draco said his plan would take into effect. She glanced around the Slytherin table in search for his white-blond head to no avail, but never saw him.
'Where is he...?' she wondered. She saw his classmate, Blaise Zabini staring up and down the Gryffindor table, with a forlorn expression.
'What in the world?' she furrowed her brows, watching the Slytherin curiously before Neville distracted her by a nudge in her arm.
"Oh hey I finished off my creature essay. Luna helped me"
Hermione frowned feeling guilty for not helping him after her spat with Ron. "Sorry I didn't help you Neville I-"
"It's no worries. I mean I realized after it was Hagrid and well I figured it was useless to worry myself into a dither about being too knowledgeable..."
Hermione smiled to him before he returned to his dinner. Her eyes trailed back over to the doors, hoping to spot Draco but once again he wasn't there. More Slytherins showed up, Theo, Daphne and Pansy but no... Draco.
'Stop it, Hermione. You're acting like a love-sick girl...'
But truthfully, it was just aftershocks of the afternoon she had with him...
**flashback**
Outside The Castle Grounds
The coloured leaves continued to float down around them as she walked toward the Black Lake.
"You know, I'm still waiting on that apology" she said, glancing down to their clasped hands for a moment before turning to his eyes.
"And here I thought things were actually looking up for us" Draco said scoffing.
Hermione frowned as she went to break away from his grasp, but Draco just held on tighter.
"Look, you know I don't do so well to apologies..." he said shaking his head.
"Perhaps, but if you want... well, if this... that is to say... um..." she felt the heat rushing to her cheeks. This was the very first time that she was actually addressing their relationship. Her eyes shot wide when she saw his hand reach up to brush back her hair from her face.
"If it's about the House-Elf thing, I already told you, Pansy gave me permission to use him. I haven't been using him maliciously, or abuse his help in any matter. What you saw was really the only thing I have him do. And for Red, well, I just wanted to be near you,"
Hermione blinked. Once again, his response threw her for a loop.
"All I wanted was to talk to you, but when you woke up...well," he broke out to a grin, "talking wasn't on your mind."
Hermione blushed as she bowed her head and chewed her lip. "Actually we did talk..." she mumbled.
"Speaking of... how about you tell me why you were in such a state last night?"
"Oh my... not this again! Will you please stop pestering me about that?" Hermione hissed, "Whatever happened to the whole 'out of sight, out of mind' thing hmm? Especially when it comes to emotions. None of your lot dares to touch that subject, so why now?"
"Funny you should say that. Aren't you the one pestering about an apology?"
"That is different!" Hermione pouted, "I deserve one!"
Draco smirked, "Give me the reason then I will,"
Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly at his childish response. "Forget it,"
"Then you can forget about the apology." He stated smugly, folding his arms.
Hermione's jaw dropped, "An apology isn't something that you can just trade off, it is meant to be honest... to be... well, essentially, everything you-erm... Slytherins are against." She snarled giving him a look up and down, "No matter, forget it. We're done here."
He raised a curious eyebrow at her, "Is that so?"
"If you insist on being...this...then yes, we are done" She pulled her hand from his grasp and stalked off.
She got about two steps before his arm snaked around her middle. The hairs on her neck stood up and her legs and stomach became riddled with goosebumps. She felt her heart jump to her throat once she felt his grip tighten on her waist and his nose buried itself into her neck.
"It was because of Weasley, wasn't it?" he said into her hair. His breath tickled the skin on her neck, where Hermione closed her eyes from the sensation. "For many years, it's always been him that would actually reduce you to tears..."
Hermione licked her lips and placed her hand on top of his arm, desperately trying to pry his limb off her midriff.
"Not true," she whispered, as she tried to use her shoulder to push him off her back, but only a couple of times before she gave up. She closed her eyes and sighed, welcoming the warmth his body was giving off. "The war...your Aunt-"
"I mean recently." He said, turning his head slightly, his lips only inches away from her ear, "First it was his blonde trollop... and then... whatever it was he said to you last night," he loosened his grip so he could turn her around so she was facing him. Draco lifted his hand to cup the side of her face.
Hermione reached up to place her hand on top of his, "Draco...please-"
"I said I don't do well with apologies, but that doesn't mean I won't try. Yes, emotions and us Slytherins don't mesh at all. It's bothersome and frankly not worth our time. We get what we want and then we get out, not bothering with the fallout."
Hermione stiffened, wanting to escape his grasp but he held her firm, "Don't. I'm not done. You are different though. I... can't get away. I can't just leave and forget. You test me, and well it's refreshing, I kinda like it"
"You-" but her voice was lost then. She really didn't know what to say to that. To this 'apology' of his.
He pressed a finger to her lips.
"I didn't realize what I did was wrong, which is why I find it strange you keep bothering me about it, but... give me a few moments and... as I can recall I once said, it takes a big man to own up to his mistakes."
He dropped his hand to capture hers again, "What I did was a mistake. Dismissing Red was a mistake, but truthfully I was more focused on your lovely reaction to waking up next to me, and trust me, if you were a bloke you would too"
Hermione felt the heat rise up again to her cheeks. Her heart was now dancing away.
"I did the same thing yesterday, figuring that you being annoyed with me would be better to deal with than your blubbering mess. Again, that was wrong, I realize I should've dealt with it like an adult. Which what brings us to the here and now."
He took a long, slow exhale, "I can't stand it when you're mad at me. It drives me insane. So when I heard someone was going to dilebrately make that happen... well, I wasn't going to have it. After tonight, I want you to steer clear of this person whatever it takes. They are dangerous, especially when he is angry."
He cleared his throat, "But all that will change... come tonight of course with my Illusion Spell in place"
Hermione smirked, "Can't I have a little hint? Aside that he is your friend and a Slytherin?"
"He's not my friend. Not... not really. Anyway not to get off topic"
"No." she said shaking her head, "You've said all there is to be said...um...thank you... I... I..." she was at a loss for words from Draco's confession, completely surprised on how he would say such things.
"I accept your apology" she murmured after a long pause.
"Really?"
Hermione bit on her lip before lifting her head to meet his lips, kissing him softly and then stepped back before it could deepen, so she could look at him. Watching as a leaf fall on top of his head, "Really."
She reached up to pick out the leaf, and dropped it to the floor. She felt he deserved to know a little... "Just like how last night... that outfit as it were, was..." she felt her entire body shake, "It was for you..."
She watched as his eyes widened, "Um...what?"
Hermione grinned, and shrugged her shoulder innocently "Ronald and I conversed, and it was... short and to the point, really. It showed me his true colours...so I...did what was necessary," She tried not to blink as she stepped backward from his grip, "I removed my clothes and informed him that I was going to meet you"
Just then the bell sounded signalling the end of class. "Oh would you look at the time?" she said in a sing-song voice, smirking at his stunned expression, "See you later I suppose," she gave him a light kiss on the cheek and skipped off before he had a chance to respond to her comment.
**end**
A small smile lingered on her lips before she took a sip of some juice. She felt very proud of herself. Even more so because she managed to keep a distance with Draco for the entire day after that conversation!
It took her several more minutes to realize someone was talking to her.
"Say Hermione," Seamus said, as he took a seat down beside her, as Dean took a seat to Ginny. "You wouldn't happen to see Harry anywhere?"
"Yeah one moment we were talking and then...well... it's a bit foggy really, so I couldn't say anything even if I tried."
Ginny turned to Dean, "You weren't hit with a spell or anything were you? I mean..." she reached over and placed a hand to his forehead, "You seem a bit flushed..."
Hermione raised her brows at the action. Things have definitely changed in the past week between her best-friend and her once estranged boyfriend.
"Erm not that I can recall..."
Ginny frowned as she dropped her hands from his face, "Hmm..." she turned to face Seamus, but he looked completely normal. Her eyes went to Hermione who was staring at the doors. Curious Ginny sifted her gaze over to the side of the room.
Malfoy just walked in.
Hermione felt the familiar tug in her chest as she caught his gaze. Even from this distance she caught him wink at her. She busied herself by staring down at her plate of food, willing herself not to blush.
"There you are!" cried a male voice, unknown to most of them. Hermione snapped her head up and looked straight at the Slytherin table where Blaise was ready to attack Draco.
"You lied to me!" WHACK "You said he was here," WHACK "you said that I would find-"
"MISTER ZABINI!" cried Slughorn, as he waddled over to the two wizards, "You do not attack a Prefect for no reason! Detention, tomorrow evening nine o'clock, my office."
"But Sir," Blaise panted, "Draco lied to me he said that I would find-HARRY!" Blaise cried Harry's name, jumping away from the Slytherin table to meet with the boy wizard who just walked into the Great Hall.
Everyone in the hall grew quiet they watched the dark Italian storm over to Harry and envelop him into a hug, "Oh.. I've... been rather worried. Draco said you were here, but... but..." Blaise bowed his head, shaking it. "Thank Merlin nothing happened to you..."
Harry who was very mindful to the onlookers of all houses staring at him. Most importantly the stunned expressions of five certain Gryffindors.
"Er...umm..." he felt his throat closing up on him as he tried to shrug off the pawing Slytherin. No one in the Great Hall was eating, not even the Professors.
"You're not hurt right? Oh I... I was just... it was just a Sleeping Spell... it wasn't harmful, but... I... I understand if... if you... oh... please forgive me" Blaise went to hug him again, but Harry brush him off.
"No! I... uh," he stuttered once catching Blaise's saddened expression.
"You...don't?"
Again Harry looked to the sea of students, and then back to Blaise. He looked completely devastated. "Er...I mean yes. I forgive you" Harry swallowed tightly feeling very awkward of the close proximity, but all was lost when Blaise enveloped Harry into a tight hug.
Now he understood what Myrtle met by dark Slytherin.
"Thanks Harry... you are... amazing"
Harry felt a strange sense of déjà vu when he dealt with Ron after eating all those chocolates meant for him. Then it hit him. Blaise Zabini had drunk a Love Potion.
"Um...Blaise?" Harry said, wincing once he felt a hand against his face.
"You have no idea how much this means to me! Thank you!" Blaise smiled, staring at Harry lovingly, "You really do have the most... astonishing green eyes"
'Yes...definitely Love Potion...'
Loud whispers echoed around the room, distracting Harry for a moment before he turned back, which in retrospect he wished he hadn't as Blaise kissed him right on the lips just then.
Silence. Complete utter silence fell over the Great Hall, where nothing but Luna's soft humming could be heard.
Hermione blinked once. Twice. And then she turned over to the Slytherin table, who, were quiet for a long time before each and every one of them howled with laughter. The other tables, remained dead silent as they watched the scene before them play out.
"MISTER POTTER! MISTER ZABINI!" cried McGonagall as she and other Professors sauntered over to the scene before them.
Harry pulled himself free, "No Professor, it's not... he's been dosed with Amortentia!"
Worried McGonagall looked at Blaise who was covering his head in shame, "Oh I've done it. I've embarrassed him. Oh... now he won't ever forgive me...please Professors, it's all my fault, not his. Don't... don't punish Harry!"
"Horace," McGonagall said facing the plump Professor, "Take Mister Zabini for the antidote. If none is ready then a Sleeping Draught would do. He'll sleep it off...as for you Mister Potter...well I can't say there is anything I can do of this unfortunate incident..."
Harry shook his head. He expected as much!
"It's fine Professor..." he mumbled, not wanting to meet her eyes and just left the Great Hall.
Seamus snickered, "Well that certainly explains why Blaise kept lookin' over here"
Dean whistled, "That's rough."
Hermione however, was completely beside herself. She glanced over to the Slytherin table seeing Draco looking rather pleased with himself before he spotted her. Giving her another wink for good measure.
'Unbelievable...' she mused shaking her head. She should've known someone else was going to be effected by the potion, but it was her fault for not asking Draco...
Yet the only thing she felt she really regretted was that it wasn't Ron.
From across the Hall, Draco sat, still staring at Hermione. The afternoon they had was better than he imagined. She forgave him for what he did and kissed him, and that meant something to him. He felt a strange tug in his chest by his heart and sighed.
It was time to make up for his promise of not wanting to hurt her again.
It was time to call off the bet.
E/N: hurray for Draco apologizing! Our boy has come to his senses!