A/N ~ Ok here we go, this is a very very long chapter that I have to type. This is not very good, most of it was written with writer's block, with a few bits of inspiration placed sparsely in there. There are a few inside jokes, but as many of my readers are close friends, they will get them. For those of you who aren't, they really aren't that funny because we have a perverse sense of humor. Moving on.
Disclaimer ~ Um, let's see here, I stole stuff from JKR, Katie D., Lori, and I think that's it. If I stole more I apologize. Lets just add David Eddings, Tamora Pierce and Cassandra Claire to the list for good measure. Enjoy.
Chapter 10
Hermione finished her breakfast in silence and looked over at Harry. "I can't believe you just did that." She said, still blushing. "I was about to die when I heard the things those people were saying. I mean it, I would have spontaneously combusted right there on the spot."
"I just decided that everyone is going to gossip no matter what. I don't care what they say, I love you, not my reputation, not the opinions of everyone else. I decided that it would be better to face the problem head on than to try and hide from it." Harry said before taking another sip of his orange juice. "If they're going to gossip, they might as well have something to gossip about."
Hermione didn't reply to this statement, she merely slipped her arms around Harry's neck and laid her head on his shoulder. "I still can't believe that Ron did that to us. We would never do something like that to him and Lavender."
"Oh, I probably would," replied Harry, taking her into his arms. "Possibly not in such a public fashion, but I would probably have a lot of fun with that information."
"It's a wonder that jerks like you two both have girlfriends. How on earth are you two friends if you would willingly publicly humiliate each other? I could never do something like that to my friends. Now that that lecture is done, the question is, how are we going to get back at him?"
"You could always turn him into a turnip, little miss top of her class." Harry said smiling. "Or I could just clobber him, that always works."
"Why is it that your thoughts always go to violence?" Hermione asked tartly. "I'm going for the public humiliation angle. And I don't want to involve Lavender, she wasn't a part of this and she's my friend. I'm going to teach Ron not to mess with someone who can turn him into a newt with the snap of a finger. Hey!" She exclaimed. "That's it, I'll turn him into a newt"
"Umm, Herm, there are just a few minor flaws with that plan, one of which is the fact that it will get us in loads of trouble, Ron will probably kill us, or if he can't, his mother will."
"Harry, don't give me that look. It won't be permanent, just an hour-long transformation, very simple, very vengeful, so classic. Hey, and you're supposed to be supporting me, not listing the flaws with the plan, that's my job. And you didn't seem to care about breaking rules last night." She finished with an impish grin.
Harry returned her smile, and spoke. "Okay Hermione, it's fine to turn our best friend into a small, semi-aquatic salamander. It's a perfectly reasonable solution."
"No, I'm serious, this might work. Here's what we should do." Hermione bent over and started whispering into Harry's ear.
~
Hermione ran into Ron's room crying. "Ron, I can't believe that Harry did that to me. I thought he loved me."
Ron stood up and hugged her, "Hermione, what's wrong, what did Harry do?'
"This morning when we were publicly humiliated a breakfast. Did you hear him? He admitted to everything, and even volunteered to answer questions. I thought he loved me, but apparently he just thinks about me as something to bolster his ego and reputation. Doesn't he care about my reputation! But I was willing to give it up for him. He doesn't really care about me, he just cares that he shagged the untouchable Hermione Granger." And with that she collapsed into tears.
"Herm, calm down, I'm sure Harry doesn't feel that way about you." Ron said, "I'll talk to him about it, okay."
"Thank you Ron," said Hermione as she walked out of the room. She had no idea about how Ron really felt about her, just as Ron had no idea that her crying fit was no more than a subterfuge to get revenge on him for what he had done, that morning.
"Did it work?" Harry asked as he motioned for her to sit down beside him on the bed. Hermione waved him off and moved to pace in front of her mirror.
"Yes, he wants to have a talk with you. It worked. Thanks to my brilliant acting skills of course. You may applaud."
"Oh my, what an honor." Harry said with feigned awe.
"Oh shut up." Hermione said without malice. "This is going to be so much fun!" She exclaimed as she bounced over to the bed. "Now everyone will know what happens when you mess with Hermione Granger." (She's got a wicked side hasn't she. Hehehe.)
~
"This is a scandal!" Declared Professor McGonagall. "The Head Boy and Girl, sleeping together in school, in the Gryffindor tower! The night of the Yule Ball! I just can't believe that they would do something like that. Hermione is usually so clearheaded, so sensible. It's not like either of them just to chuck responsibility out the window."
"I might have expected it." Snape said, looking positively gleeful. "They are always like that in class, always wanting to work together. I knew you should never have allowed them that much freedom in Gryffindor tower. 'They're only friends, Severus, my Gryffindors would never do anything like that.'" He said imitating Minerva's voice.
"Severus, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. They've only been dating for about two weeks, during Christmas break. They haven't been in class. And I highly doubt that the rumors are true. We have absolutely no proof to substantiate this ridiculous gossip. And further more, this morning Harry only said that they were dating. I suggest that we do as he requested and ask them about it before we make any hasty judgements." Remus (Reeje–pooh) said in a calm voice.
"And how exactly do you know about this Remus?" Snape asked suspiciously
"Both Harry and Hermione confided their feelings for the other to me. They told me that they were dating and I don't believe that they would become intimate at school, or this soon after first becoming a couple." Lupin said.
"Remus, the rumors alone, true or not, cause a problem. Parents will want to know why our Head boy and girl are behaving in such a disreputable fashion. The shame it will bring on the school." Minerva said, wringing her hands.
Albus Dumbledore stood up and spoke in his quiet voice. "I will take everything you have said into consideration before I speak with Miss Granger and Mr. Potter. In the mean time, please do not take the initiative of speaking with them about this yourselves. " He shot a pointed look at Snape. Dumbledore smiled to himself as he walked up to his office. These two were very much like Lily and James. He remembered his staff's reaction to their relationship as being about as vehement as his current staff's reaction.
~
Ron stopped Harry in the hallway before dinner. He shoved Harry into an empty classroom. Unbeknownst (yes, I like this word) to Ron, Hermione was following silently behind them under Harry's invisibility cloak. "How could you do something like that to Hermione!" Ron demanded angrily. "I know she's your friend, even if you suddenly decided that you didn't want to go out with her anymore it doesn't give you the excuse to treat her like dirt. I know you're not like that, or at least I thought I knew." He shouted.
"Hey, hold up, what did I do to Hermione?" Harry replied in a puzzled voice. "Last time I checked do to Hermione?" Harry replied in a puzzled voice. "Last time I checked you were the jerk who embarrassed her in front of the whole school, people who used to respect her before you decided to meddle in her personal life. She's still rather mad at you for that you know."
"Why is she mad at me?" Ron said incredulously. "That was hilarious, you should have seen the looks on your faces when you walked into the Great Hall this morning."
Hermione stepped out from behind the invisibility cloak. "That was precisely the wrong thing to say, Ron." She said sadly. "I was almost ready to forgive you because you were being such a good friend. I was willing to chalk up that horrible horrible stunt you pulled this morning to 'guy stuff'. But no," she said getting angrier. "You thought that what happened this morning was funny that was humiliating. All the people who used to respect me now think of me as a little tartlet. I am a source of amusement at the school that I love. My teachers and fellow classmates won't respect me anymore. I'm Head Girl, that's not supposed to happen. And you think that that it is FUNNY! Well, I'll show you funny. Tritoniousus!" And Ron turned into a newt. "Now don't worry." Hermione said sweetly. "It isn't permanent, it should wear off in about an hour or two. Oh, and you might want to watch out for Mrs. Norris. Enjoy." She said brightly.
Harry walked over to her and put his arm around her. She kissed his cheek and they walked out of the empty classroom. "I didn't think you would really turn him into a newt." Harry whispered into her ear.
"I wasn't planning on it, he just made me so mad, wondering why I could possibly be mad at him. I just lost my temper, Minerva is right, I need to work on that. It's not a good idea for powerful witches to go around turning people into small salamanders when they make me mad. Although, I wonder where he'll be when he changes back." They continued to walk towards the Great Hall for dinner.
"Harry, we need to talk about what happened last night." Hermione said quietly.
"Okay," he said.
"That can't happen again, not at school. I'm amazed that we've avoided punishment so far today. But we can't disgrace our school, or Professor Dumbledore. And we can't give Ron or anybody else another chance like that to disgrace us."
"Okay, that makes sense." Harry replied. He was cut off by an owl swooping down in front of them. It extended its leg and Harry bent down to untie the note. It read, "Miss Granger and Mr. Potter, could you please see me in my office as soon as possible. Thank you,
Albus Dumbledore"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and blushed. They both knew what Dumbledore needed to see them about. Hermione took Harry's hand and they walked to the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office. Harry said "Lemon drop" and the gargoyle moved aside to reveal a door. They entered a hallway and walked until stopping in front of Dumbledore's door (that sounds funny doesn't it). They knocked and then heard Dumbledore's voice say "please come in." They opened the door and saw Dumbledore sitting at his desk.
"Please sit down Miss Granger, Mr. Potter. Thank you for coming so quickly, I know that I am postponing your dinner. I'm sure that you understand that there are a number of rumors going around the school that I need cleared up." Dumbledore paused and looked up. "I hope you understand that I am not trying to pry, and I most certainly do not want to know details from your personal life. However, I do need to find out what of these rumors is true. Do you have an intimate relationship?" Everyone in the room was turning red.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other before Harry answered. "Yes Headmaster, but only once, just last night. We weren't thinking clearly at the time, it won't happen again." Dumbledore sighed and picked up his wand twirling it beneath his fingers.
"I really hoped I wouldn't have to ask this question, I'm sure this is as embarrassing for you as it is for me. "Did you take the proper precautions?"
This time Hermione answered, turning even redder. "Yes Headmaster." She whispered. She looked as if she were about to cry.
Dumbledore nodded. "Okay then. Everyone makes misjudgments at one time in their life or another. There will be no serious repercussions from this one, to the school or to yourselves. Because this did not happen during school, and because I have you assurances that I will hear nothing else of this sort for the remainder of the school year I will consider that the rumors have no substance. Thank you very much for coming in to see me, now I'd suggest that you go eat your dinner.
Harry and Hermione fled from the room. Once they were past the gargoyle they burst out into nervous laughter. "I thought we were going to get expelled for sure." Harry said gasping for breath.
"I know," said Hermione. "I was about ready to die when he asked if we had slept together."
"And then he wanted to know if we had taken the proper precautions. I swear, if I could apparate, I would be in Timbuktu by now."
"Harry, how many times have I told you, you can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds. Are you ever going to read Hogwarts a history!" Hermione said sounding exasperated.
"Well, if Dumbledore knows, then Snape will know." Harry said. "Classes are sure going to be fun tomorrow."
"Oh no." Exclaimed Hermione.
"There's really no use worrying about it until tomorrow, Herm" Harry replied kissing her cheek. Hermione turned her head so that he was kissing her lips. Then the author of this fanfic decided that snogging in front of Dumbledore's office was not a good thing and she doesn't know what got into her characters. (Shame shame!) Hermione took Harry's hand and they walked into the Great Hall. They walked over to their usually table where Ginny, Seamus, Dean (he was at home for Christmas break), Neville, Justin, Lavender and Parvati were waiting for them.
"So how are the two lovebirds?" Seamus asked teasingly. "Was Dumbledore upset?"
"It's none of your business, Seamus, you bloody dolt." Ginny said as she elbowed him. He responded by poking her in the side with his finger. (Note to Shannon etc. 'I know three uses for that finger' I quote Josh. Hehehe.)
"We're just fine." Hermione said as she absently rubbed her foot against Harry's leg. Harry shook his finger at her in a mock reprimand and then squeezed her hand. Their food appeared and everyone began to eat.
~
Dumbledore sat pensively in his office. Harry and Hermione were getting more and more like Lily and James every day. Neither knowing about the other's feelings. Using Remus as a confidant and matchmaker. Harry a Quidditch star like James, while Hermione like Lily sat in the stands and worried. Starting best friends. Both in Gryffindor, both Head Boy and Girl. It looked like history was repeating it's self. He smiled as he remembered when he had to summon Lily and James to his office for the same offense. Although, at least Harry and Hermione had decided to use a room. Where was it that Lily and James had been caught. Oh yes, the gardens. He could still see them standing in front of his desk, looking like guilty children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. He chuckled softly before immersing himself in his thoughts again.
~
Everyone was back from Christmas break, and was consequently sitting in the Gryffindor common room waiting for the Head Boy and Girl to show up and tell them the juicy details. Suddenly there was a small poof and a small newt that had been crawling up a wall turned into a boy with red hair. Ron had transformed back into a human and was now attempting to lick his eyes. He fell off the wall, reoriented himself and turned very red. The stream of conversation was immediately turned from Harry and Hermione to Ron the flying newt boy. Everyone trickled off into their respective dormitories and Harry and Hermione stepped out from under the invisibility cloak and walked towards their rooms. They stopped in front of Hermione's and Harry kissed her goodnight. From somewhere down the hall there came a chorus of "Awww"'s and one call of "hey, no snogging in the hallway." Harry and Hermione smiled at each other and they each went into their respective rooms.
A/N ~ Oh my! That was a long chapter. Will there be more problems for the young couple? Will they keep their word to Dumbledore? How miserable will Snape make their lives? If anybody knows the answers to these questions please let me know because I sure don't. (This could be a bad thing). And now on to the next chapter. Thank you for your patience in waiting for me to get this out (well you really didn't have much a choice) but I didn't get any hexes or death threats, so… Okay, now I have to write chapter 11. The chapters are getting longer and more involved, so expect a new post maybe once a week or every 4 to 5 days. Something like that.
Thank You to ~ Clio. Amy. Katie D. (I'm so proud that you caught that reference (not really, I'm actually rather frightened). Fluff is good isn't it. And no, now she's obsessed with newts.) Sweet_angel (don't worry, I'd never make a story R/H) Lilika. Star Fish. HGW. Brit (nope, there is no end in sight) Sarah. Angelina Johnson. Laura Xoria Walton (Hehehe, I know what your initials stand for! Humperdink Humperdink Humperdink. And no I don't think it's like Juliet always trying to kill herself, you just have a strange mind. And don't get a big head.) Firefly. Nikki. And Emily. And of course a resounding round of applause to Katie and Shannon for finally reading the whole thing. And no it is not! ~Shannon. Umm thank you to Katie D. and Laura for talking with me for hours on the phone while I tried to get this right. And that's about it.
A/N ~ Oh, and by popular decree, Ron will not fall in love with Hermione, she wouldn't have dated him anyway, but… The people have spoken and there will be no fluff twist in that direction.