Chapter 2
And Hermione left the Gryffindor common room having said her bit, her logical mind working overdrive on the new situation.
Harry had been so sure he'd been in the common room all the time… though he had been rather good at hiding his emotions lately… This was so confusing…
Hermione sighed, the picture had really thrown him… Maybe he thought he'd get away with it? - WHAT? With the giant crowd they attracted?
Good luck! Still, Hermione had to admit Harry and Malfoy were both strikingly seventh years all the same… In fact, when she thought about it, it wasn't really that surprising.
Okay, actually it was.
Hermione pondered for a moment. Nope. Nothing came to her. And it was kind of annoying. I mean, the smartest student in her year and she wasn't able to figure it out… it really just made you want to set something on fire.
And Hermione set off at a run towards Dumbledore's office. She didn't know why she hadn't thought of it before. Dumbledore was omniscient.
"MUDBLOOD! Hey! Mudblood!'
It was none other than a very pissed off looking Malfoy. She turned impatiently and came to a halt.
"What is it, Malfoy?' she snapped.
"Where's that dirty rotten piece of half-blood trash you call a hero?' Malfoy snarled viciously. "Off trying to incriminate some else?'
"Oh, yes..." Hermione smiled superiorly - because she knew what was going on, and the King of Cock didn't. "You weren't saying that just now," she taunted. "In fact you and Harry were barely coming up for air, let alone speaking."
"You liar."
"Liar, am I Malfoy? Half the castle and I?' She drew one of the many photos Colin had given her, and held it out to Malfoy. "You can keep it. I'm sure they're be lots of copies flying around. Its magically enhanced to be smudge free, too. Just don't get it wet, it can't deal with water."
Everyone's a comedian, he thought dryly. I'll remember to drown myself with it.
"Fuck off."
And then she sprinted off to find the wise headmaster.
"Filthy mudblood," he said under his breath, and chuckled to himself.
Fucking hell… that's not me at all. I, Draco Malfoy would never touch… whatever Potter is.
And why am I just standing there for Gods sake? Get some pride Malfoy! Who'd let Potter grab them in the bloody hallways and make out like there was no tomorrow.
Well which respectable wizard anyway?
Why do I even like it? Fucking hell! I mean look like I like it! Obviously. And fucking hell I don't mean me! Fuck I mean the person who looks like me! I really did. My ears aren't so pointy. Clearly. Fucking Clearly.
*~*~*~*
"Professor!' Hermione breathed when the Gargoyle had sprung away after multiple password callings, cursed the practicality of the office and burst through the doors. "Sorry… to… disturb… you..."
Now they knew why she why she preferred spells to sprinting. Pant… Pant.
I think I'm going to die.
Pant.
"It's no trouble, I assure you. I offer you a seat and a sherbet lemon while I deal with a matter at hand. Or is the something that has brought you here too urgent?'
"Not… at all -' Hermione gasped again and almost fainted. Still she figured the problem could wait.
Severus Snape was watching tight-lipped off to the sight glaring at two boys. Two boys she had seen earlier. And everyone who hadn't was incredible disappointed. What a way to brake into the new year.
Once again, Hermione almost fainted. Harry was in Malfoy's lap, straddling his hips. What a strange thing to do with your enemy. And in front of the Headmaster and Potions Professor.
Maybe she was going blind.
"Hermione!' said Harry alarmed. "Are you okay?' he tried to get up but Malfoy only pulled him back down again and attempted to kiss him.
"Not so fast, Potter," he drawled.
"Stop that at once!' Snape scowled down at the two boys. He didn't favour Malfoy too much at the moment.
Malfoy attempted an apologetic smile. I think. It didn't look very apologetic, but Malfoy gave it his all. "Sorry Professor." His hot breath tickled Harry's lips, tempting them both.
Hermione watched this with a sort of detached surprise.
"Just… carry on, it can wait."
"Right, Severus. What is the problem?'
Snape looked at Hermione coldly, and adjusted his dark robes with importance in his movements. "As I was saying, these two students have been setting terrible examples as upper years."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he steepled his fingers. Snape looked on impatiently.
"I saw that!' Snape growled, having noticed Harry try and sneak a kiss with Draco. He looked up innocently with wide green eyes.
"What were they doing in the halls, Severus?'
"Doing? Headmaster you have seen the performance here today!'
"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled. "I was under the impression you were fed up by the constant everyday bickering."
"I was! But this is worse!'
"House unity!' Dumbledore beamed, and rose from his feet in silvery beard and vibrant robes. "What better?'
"What better indeed," said Snape darkly. "I surely hope next time you're not going to suggest we award them points for vulgar making out-" the two boys snickered at that ("Snape said making out!") "-that I will let this time go. Keep you're hormones in check! Now return to you're dormitories out of my sight! Albus, I need a word."
"You can't let them leave!' said Hermione shrilly. She rose from her seat, so only Harry and Malfoy were left sitting. "Of course!'
She no longer felt like burning anything.
Dumbledore's wild silver eyebrows rose. "Could this be the reason you have delighted me with you're appearance?'
"Professor! I've just realised. That's not Harry - it can't be Harry, because Harry is in the boys dormitories! And that's not Malfoy, I've already passed him!'
"Hermione?' Harry asked, pushing Malfoy's arms of around his waste before the boy could react and took her by the shoulders. "Are you okay?'
Oh, those eyes… How could they not be Harry's eyes? Am I wrong? Maybe it is them after all… Harry's beautiful eyes… his scar… the expression… the air about him…
He rested his forehead against hers and said again, even softer, "are you okay?"
She pulled away quickly like having been burnt. It must be some sort of evil that had come to KILL THEM ALL!
She had to resist or she may get sucked in too! Hermione mentally batted away the echo of 'crazy girl' floating around her head and gathered all the logic she could muster.
Right, deep breath.
Harry looked hurt. Look away, Hermione, look away.
Professor Snape and Dumbledore had been watching her antics curiously. A blush rose to her cheeks when she realised she'd been standing there limp as a lettuce trying to coach herself not to be sucked in by the evil.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Professor Dumbledore." She thought back to her earlier inspiration.
"Professor! These are a replica of Harry and Malfoy's subconscious minds! I remember reading it somewhere… There was another case of this… back in 1977 -'
"Yes miss Granger, we are all familiar with Hogwart's history," Snape cut in. "So you're saying that thank God Draco is not really making out-" Harry and Draco snickered at that ("Snape said making out!") "-with Potter."
Hermione glared at him. "I wouldn't be so cheerful, its got to have taken pretty strong magic on Harry's and Malfoy's subconscious part to have brought these two to life." Hermione jabbed a finger over her shoulder.
"Strong indeed," Dumbledore smiled and his eyes flittered over to Draco and Harry resuming their "private affairs'. (Trying to chew each other's lips off).
"Well how do we get the imposters to go away?'
"By all accounts, Severus. These are not impostors but part of a soul that has been dormant for who knows how long. But to get them to go away? They easy way would be to give Harry and Draco a smile push in the right direction. Or harder still, would be to convince them there is too much animosity for anything to happen."
Snape spoke icily, "with no disrespect, headmaster, you seem to have mixed up the effort requirements. In fact Draco and Potter have been at each other throats enough lately to convince even that one bean short of a Bag of Bertie Botts dim-witted Fudge."
Author's Notice: I'm sorry I took so long in updating. I know I am an awful person, and I still did not manage to get both Harry and Draco to meet their other halves. If, that is, you are still interested in another chapter, I shall do my best to cram it in the next one, and I promise to get that one out quicker. (Usually Saturday nights). Otherwise... well, otherwise.
THE END.