Hey!!! Wow! I got my 20 reviews! And here is the 7th chapter, as promised! I experimented with a few different writing techniques in this chapter, and I'm really happy with it. And, finally, I think I at least sort of know where I'm going with the coupling. Although, not all of them are evident from this chapter...Thanks are at the end!
Chapter Seven
Harry rose grumpily out of bed. His hair was in usual disarray, his scar was in throbbing pain, and he had had yet another awful nightmare. He didn't really remember what it was about, however, which was most unusual, because usually he remembered his nightmares in minute detail. He had a strange thought nagging at the back of his mind: Draco and LILY.
Harry's stomach curdled at the thought of Draco and Lily. Draco had her wrapped around his white little finger. Harry didn't trust Draco, at all. Sure, he had spasms of semi-goodness when it came to several of the Slytherins, but most of the time he was an evil, conniving MALFOY. He lazily wondered why he would even think that Lily would bend to the level of liking him, and then he slapped himself on the forehead and reminded himself that even Hermione had admitted that Draco, slimeball that he was, was most definitely good looking. As she said this to Ron and him, he had dared to look in Ron's direction. He had noticed his friends' fists clenched, as if to say, "Well, if I have anything to do with this, he won't look lovely much longer!" Harry had a sneaking suspicion that Ron liked Hermione, or maybe just really despised Malfoy. Harry had to admit that every chance Ron got, he argued with Hermione, so maybe it was just friendly lookout. Harry sighed and looked over at his sleeping friend. His bed curtains were open, and he was asleep in yesterday's robes with a book on quidditch laying open next to him. At the last quidditch meeting Fred had informed everyone that he would need a replacement, because he was going to go study for three months under a wizard named Algoy Marsipion. Mr. Marsipion was well known in certain circles as an expert in the field of pranks. He was known to be rather eccentric, to put it lightly, but he was the best person an aspiring prankster could study under. And, as Fred and George were planning to use pranking as their profession in life, they needed to learn from the best. In three months, Fred would come back, and George would leave. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that this was where his thousand galleons were going. Since one of them would always be gone, they needed a replacement, and Ron was hoping with his heart and soul and crummy broomstick to take their place.
Harry was suddenly jolted back to the unpleasant thought of Lily and Malfoy. He thought that she was too smart to fall for him, but he supposed that if Malfoy, for some reason, decided to put his undivided attention on her, she would. Harry decided to watch Malfoy a little more closely. Lily was a friend. Sure, he was occasionally entranced by her charm and beauty, but she WAS just a friend, and friends watch out for friends. Malfoy was, in Harry's mind, a direct translation of "Danger. Beware."
Neville stirred in his bed, then shot almost straight into the air as a loud alarm clock went off next to his head. He fell out of bed. Ron, Dean, and Seamus also had similar responses to the alarm clock. Harry was almost completely ready for breakfast by this time, and decided to make sure that no one was seriously injured and then go find Hermione, who would surely be up by now.
Harry went down to the common room, but found no Hermione, who was normally there waiting for him or Ron, avidly reading some massive book. He briefly thought about checking in the girls' dorm, but knew that it was strictly against Hogwart rules, and figured that Hermione was probably in the Library. Maybe he was up earlier than usual.
Harry strolled down the hallway at a leisurely pace. He was about to round the corner leading to one of several staircases that led down to the breakfast hall, when he heard a familiar voice, talking in hushed tones, to someone he didn't recognize.
"...you do realize that if you don't start to do better, she may get away..."
Then he heard the typical, if hushed, drawl of Draco Malfoy. "Yeah, yeah. I'm telling you, she won't. But I hate this whole job. She's a f***ing mudblood!"
"I know. Filthy creature. But you saw the way she looked at you. Soon, you'll have her over Potter and his little red headed sidekick. I need to go, can't be seen in this place. Ciao."
Harry heard a *pop!* and just managed to duck into the shadows as Draco strolled by. What the hell was going on? Hermione? Draco? No. But what other "mudblood" hung out with Ron and him? And how dare they call Ron his sidekick! Ron was underestimated, completely. Should he go find Ron? No. Not if there was the possibility that Ron liked Hermione. He would have a fit. Maybe he should find Hermione? Yes. He should find Hermione, before it was too late.
Finally making his way down to the Library, Harry headed straight to Hermione's corner. He looked up to find only one person sitting there. But it wasn't Hermione. It was Draco. He was looking impatiently at his designer watch, and tapping his fingers on the table.
So. This was the way it was to be. But Hermione? Harry shook his head, and headed over to an opposite corner. Maybe Malfoy was gonna put her under some sort of curse. But what would he want with her?
He saw Hermione walk at her usual fast pace into the library, and make a beeline for her corner. However, she quickly made a beeline in the opposite direction. He waved. She saw him and looked relieved.
"Hey Harry! Whatcha doing up so early? You were up even before me! What's wrong?" Hermione looked genuinely worried, heavy book tucked under her left arm. She knew perfectly well that it was a miracle for Harry to be up before breakfast began. Ron usually had to wake him up at the last moment.
"Hey 'Mione. I guess I'm just a little confused, that's all. I woke up early because of a nightmare, and then I overheard a little conversation. What's going on between you and Malfoy? And when were you going to tell us?" Harry looked vulnerable and hurt, and Hermione couldn't help laughing.
"Harry, you look so serious! That was a good one. I swear, you and Ron get better and better at you poker faces daily! No, really, what's wrong?"
"Hermione, I AM serious! I don't know what you're playing at, but the other day you said that you thought he was hot, and then he was waiting for you today..." Now Harry looked exasperated and run down at the same time. Hermione was beginning to worry.
"Harry? Do you have a fever? Did you have some really weird dream? I know Malfoy was sitting where I usually sit, but he wasn't waiting for me! He's over there talking INTIMATELY with Lily! Now what's wrong?"
Harry had shot straight up out of his bean bag chair with a look of shock and despair spread across his face. Then, in rushed and whispered tones he said, "'Mione, I think we need to go somewhere else to talk. Now. I think...I'm on the brink of...I think that, well, we have a mess to figure out..."
"Breakfast hall?"
"Skip that. Common room?"
"Ok. But I really can't be late for Potions. You know we have it first, and double, and Snape will kill us if we're late."
"Ok"
The two entered the now deserted common room. Harry pulled up a chair opposite him and motioned for her to sit.
"First off, I need to know where you stand with Malfoy."
"Where I stand? Where I always have. You and Ron are my best friends, and Malfoy's the little git (although he's not so little anymore) that likes to get in the way and bother us. He is an annoying prat. Does that explain things, Harry?"
"Er, yeah. So...you don't have anything...er...going on with him then?"
"For the hundredth and last time, no! Why?"
Harry told Hermione about the conversation.
"Well, that certainly sounds like they were talking about me...but the only thing Malfoy's done to me all week is call me a filthy mudblood and screw up several of my potions...which does not usually make a girl fall in love with you!"
"No...it doesn't. Which leaves us with a much more...likely situation. I had completely forgotten about Lily! In that one big book that told all about her family, you know the one, it simply said that her family had been banned from using magic. Which means that she IS a witch, which makes her a mudblood, and...explains my dream..."
"What was your dream about?"
"It was all about Draco and Lily. Draco definitely had the upper hand. I woke up feeling sick..."
"And Draco was talking with Lily this morning. So, obviously something's going on, and we need to find out what, and soon. First off, we need to be certain that there actually is a problem. And maybe the person we should talk to isn't just Dumbledore. I think we should bring this up to Snape, too."
"'Mione, have you gone insane??? Snape? I dunno...speaking of Snape, we ARE ten minutes late for his class..."'
"Good! That means that he will give us both detention in the dungeons, with him. That would be the perfect time to talk with him. Dumbledore trusts him, and, well, Dumbledore is a wise man. I think that he would be able to find out a lot more to help her than we ever could. Plus, he already has taken a fancy to her. No, Harry, not in that way. He's constantly protecting her against the likes of Lucius. C'mon. We don't want too much detention!"
Harry followed Hermione flabbergasted out of the common room.
Draco lazily twirled his quill around on his desk. He was in double Potions, and Snape was droning on and on about the powers of seaweed. At first Draco had been interested, because he had thought that maybe it was the stuff that muggles used to get high, but then he realized that it wasn't, and went back to twirling his quill with intense concentration.
Potter and the Mudblood came walking in casually, reminding him of himself. They didn't look at all worried. Peculiar. Draco slowly stopped twirling his quill. This should be interesting.
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Glad that you could fit Potions into your already tight snogging schedule. You are exactly twelve minutes late, and have missed eleven minutes worth of information. So you will each have 132 minutes of detention. Tonight. In the 2nd dungeon. Be there at 8 o'clock sharp. Sit down, and quit grinning like you've just gotten your picture taken for the paper again, Potter. Thirty points from Gryffindor."
Draco couldn't believe it. Even hearing Snape chew out the Gryffindors was boring. Something was definitely wrong. Why had Potter and the Mudblood been so damn complacent? Draco sighed, then noticed Lily staring at him. He grinned at her. She blushed and looked away. That morning he had proposed that she come with him over Christmas break. She had said that she wasn't sure, she had wanted to go see her mum. He thought that maybe he had almost convinced her to come. He knew that she wanted to.
He absently ran a hand through his hair, as partners were being assigned for a seaweed potion. He was with the Mudblood. Pansy was with Weasley, and Lily was with Potter. Draco felt like growling. He shot daggers at Potter, who in turn pretended not to notice. What had gotten into Snape?
Hermione came walking over, looking just about as excited as he felt.
"So, Granger. You were paying attention, right?"
Hermione glared. "Malfoy - how about I call you Draco. I'm sick of this last name thing - do you think I was paying attention? I just got detention. I came in late. I haven't a clue what we're supposed to be doing. You, however, should. Unless that quill proved to be much to interesting."
Draco's mouth fell open. When had she become so...so un-Hermione-like? Did Potter and her have a thing going?
"So, Granger, you and Potter have a thing going on?"
"My name is Hermione. H-E-R-M-I-O-N-E. Got it? And no, Harry and I do NOT have 'a thing' going on. Now, unless you want detention, too, we should probably figure out what we're supposed to be doing."
"Go ahead. I really couldn't care less." Draco leaned lazily against a desk, and stared into space. Hermione looked at him for a moment, snorted, and went to ask Ron what they were supposed to do.
Ron and Pansy were staying as far away from each other as possible. They both looked like they had storm clouds floating above their heads, and were busy chopping seaweed into very fine pieces.
"Hey Ron! D'you think you could explain to me what we're supposed to be doing? Draco doesn't know a damned thing, and, well, neither do I..."
Ron looked up, relieved. "What happened? Why did you just accept detention like that? Oh, shit, here comes Snape. Here, take Pansy's list." He picked up Pansy's list and handed it to her. Hermione smiled and left. Pansy glared at him and kicked him in the shin.
Hermione went floating back over to their desk right before Snape was able to give her more detention. Draco looked disappointed. Hermione handed him five long pieces of seaweed and instructed him to chop. She did the same, while starting a conversation.
"So...what are you doing over Christmas?"
What was up with the Mudblood? Why would she care? Attempting to maintain his look of both disgust and indifference, he said, "What do you care? Oh, wait, I forgot. I'm going to go murder a bunch of mudbloods with my father. And you?" He watched her carefully. She looked both shocked and like she could laugh.
"Nothing. Oh, wait, I forgot. I'm going to go kiss Harry under the mistletoe." They both noticed Harry look up in shock, and surprised themselves with both laughing hysterically. Then they noticed what they were doing and returned to furiously chopping seaweed.
Ron couldn't believe it. Harry and Hermione had joint detention that night, which meant an evening spent most likely with Ginny and her friends and non-stop Harry Potter worshipping. To top all that off, he had to work with Pansy Parkinson for two hours in Potions. She had already kicked him in the shin, leaving a huge bruise. And now Hermione was over with Malfoy laughing hysterically. His life was falling to pieces.
"Ron? Um...you're chopping your robe sleeve..." Ron looked up startled into the face of a very close and worried Pansy.
"Wha-oh, yeah...woops..." He returned to chopping seaweed and ignoring Pansy. She kicked him again.
"Are you alright? You've been sitting there chopping the same seaweed for at least ten minutes! I didn't think working with me was THAT bad..."
"What? Oh, its not you...sorry..."
"Oh, I've heard that one before...trust me, it doesn't work. 'Oh, it's not you. It's me...what I'm not saying is, I'm seeing someone else...'"
Ron choked with laughter. This was Pansy Parkinson? Draco Malfoy fan? Slytherin slut? What was going on?
"Sorry...I guess I've just been a little preoccupied. Plus, y'know, I didn't think that we would exactly have much to say to each other. It's not like we have anything in common."
"Oh, but we do. You're Lily's friend, aren't you? So that's a start."
So that's a start...Maybe he should be a little more open minded...
"Yeah, I guess so...interested in Quidditch?"
"No. But you should try out for that open place on the Gryffindor team. Since Potter plays and all. Ballet?"
"Uh...nope. I assume that means you are, though."
Pansy was just about to say something when Draco came sauntering over. Ron stood up a little straighter, making the fact that he was 3 inches taller than Draco more obvious. He noticed Pansy straighten up, too, and tuck a stray lock of blond hair behind her ear.
"I need to talk to you for a sec." No bravado, no manners, and off he dragged her.
Ron watched as Pansy floated along propelled by Draco's hand on the small of her back. So she still really was the same Draco-obsessed Slytherin slut she always had been. But wasn't something else there? He felt like something was different...
Pansy gulped as Draco pushed her along. His hand felt really cold on her back. Only a few days ago, she would have died to have him touch her, and now she actually wanted him to let her go.
"Hey Pansy. I hope I didn't, um, interrupt your chat with Weasley. I figured it wasn't that important. Or, at least, not as important as this. Y'know how I had asked you earlier in the year to help me with our father's little project if I needed it? Well, I do. I was hoping you would help me do something very sneaky and very crucial..."
"Draco, I dunno. I know I said I would at the time, but...I just can't bear to hurt her..."
"You won't have to hurt her. You just have to sort of mangle things up a bit...that's all..."
"No. You don't seem to understand. I don't want to mangle things up a bit. I don't want to do anything! What happened to you loving her? I think that you, Draco Malfoy, are in love with the promise of power. And, further more, I think that you are a fool!"
Draco had to strongly resist the urge to slap her. He needed her help. What had happened? Why wouldn't she help him? She seemed somehow different...she seemed stronger than before, and he badly wanted to squash her. She could destroy everything...
"Ok, Pansy. How about we talk about this a little later on. I need your help, but I can live without it...how 'bout you meet me in the astronomy tower for lunch today?"
"Fine." And she turned around, going back to where Ron Weasley was busy chopping more seaweed. Too much seaweed, in fact.
Viola! Ta Da!!! Chapter seven! Guess what? I have FABULOUS news!!! Tomorrow's my last day of school, so the chapters will probably be coming a lot faster, except of course when I'm on vacation elsewhere!!! Now, onto the Thank you's...
THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING MY STORY!!!!!!!!!!! (pat yourself on the back and have some banana cream pie)
Sara- thanks for reviewing! I'm sorry I didn't get this part up sooner, but the next part will probably come faster!
Alya Pascal- Thanks for your suggestion on Harry and Pansy! As you can see, it looks more like Ron and Pansy, but I still want to know what everyone thinks, so please tell me what you think of that pair! Thanks!
Zedd- I'm glad you appreciate my Hottest Wizards choice! I don't think there will be any Snape romance in here, but I think I will have him play an important role...As you can see, things seem to be leaning towards Ron and Pansy...although, I change my mind so frequently, it may not stay that way! Please tell me what you think! Thanks!
Fireline- yes, I think I have continued to get people to pity and take Pansy's side! Wow! Hahaha...Yes, Lily's desire to wear pink was sort of related, but more on a subconscious level for her, because she loves her dark colors...It was sort of saying that she was feeling like a dark veil had been momentarily lifted. It would have been what I would have used on just about anyone feeling that way, though. Thanks for reviewing!!!
Glammer Gurl that hates PINK- first off...really really like your penname!!!! Hahaha...I'm VERY flattered by your praise, and glad that you reminded me not to make Lily too mary jane. I personally don't think she will be. She will, of course, make stupid mistakes...but, then again, she may not make enough of them because I am sort of partial to my own character, so I really appreciate the fact that you reminded me! Thanks!
Draco's Girl- Sorry I didn't get this posted sooner! Also, it doesn't really look like it will be Ron and Hermione...sorry! But hopefully you will like Ron and Pansy! I sort of have a weird penchant for peculiar couples!!! Anyways, thanks for reviewing!!! You were my 20th review!!! Yay!
So...keep on reviewing my story, you all know I love it!!! And I PROMISE I'll write more soon!!!
Chapter Seven
Harry rose grumpily out of bed. His hair was in usual disarray, his scar was in throbbing pain, and he had had yet another awful nightmare. He didn't really remember what it was about, however, which was most unusual, because usually he remembered his nightmares in minute detail. He had a strange thought nagging at the back of his mind: Draco and LILY.
Harry's stomach curdled at the thought of Draco and Lily. Draco had her wrapped around his white little finger. Harry didn't trust Draco, at all. Sure, he had spasms of semi-goodness when it came to several of the Slytherins, but most of the time he was an evil, conniving MALFOY. He lazily wondered why he would even think that Lily would bend to the level of liking him, and then he slapped himself on the forehead and reminded himself that even Hermione had admitted that Draco, slimeball that he was, was most definitely good looking. As she said this to Ron and him, he had dared to look in Ron's direction. He had noticed his friends' fists clenched, as if to say, "Well, if I have anything to do with this, he won't look lovely much longer!" Harry had a sneaking suspicion that Ron liked Hermione, or maybe just really despised Malfoy. Harry had to admit that every chance Ron got, he argued with Hermione, so maybe it was just friendly lookout. Harry sighed and looked over at his sleeping friend. His bed curtains were open, and he was asleep in yesterday's robes with a book on quidditch laying open next to him. At the last quidditch meeting Fred had informed everyone that he would need a replacement, because he was going to go study for three months under a wizard named Algoy Marsipion. Mr. Marsipion was well known in certain circles as an expert in the field of pranks. He was known to be rather eccentric, to put it lightly, but he was the best person an aspiring prankster could study under. And, as Fred and George were planning to use pranking as their profession in life, they needed to learn from the best. In three months, Fred would come back, and George would leave. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that this was where his thousand galleons were going. Since one of them would always be gone, they needed a replacement, and Ron was hoping with his heart and soul and crummy broomstick to take their place.
Harry was suddenly jolted back to the unpleasant thought of Lily and Malfoy. He thought that she was too smart to fall for him, but he supposed that if Malfoy, for some reason, decided to put his undivided attention on her, she would. Harry decided to watch Malfoy a little more closely. Lily was a friend. Sure, he was occasionally entranced by her charm and beauty, but she WAS just a friend, and friends watch out for friends. Malfoy was, in Harry's mind, a direct translation of "Danger. Beware."
Neville stirred in his bed, then shot almost straight into the air as a loud alarm clock went off next to his head. He fell out of bed. Ron, Dean, and Seamus also had similar responses to the alarm clock. Harry was almost completely ready for breakfast by this time, and decided to make sure that no one was seriously injured and then go find Hermione, who would surely be up by now.
Harry went down to the common room, but found no Hermione, who was normally there waiting for him or Ron, avidly reading some massive book. He briefly thought about checking in the girls' dorm, but knew that it was strictly against Hogwart rules, and figured that Hermione was probably in the Library. Maybe he was up earlier than usual.
Harry strolled down the hallway at a leisurely pace. He was about to round the corner leading to one of several staircases that led down to the breakfast hall, when he heard a familiar voice, talking in hushed tones, to someone he didn't recognize.
"...you do realize that if you don't start to do better, she may get away..."
Then he heard the typical, if hushed, drawl of Draco Malfoy. "Yeah, yeah. I'm telling you, she won't. But I hate this whole job. She's a f***ing mudblood!"
"I know. Filthy creature. But you saw the way she looked at you. Soon, you'll have her over Potter and his little red headed sidekick. I need to go, can't be seen in this place. Ciao."
Harry heard a *pop!* and just managed to duck into the shadows as Draco strolled by. What the hell was going on? Hermione? Draco? No. But what other "mudblood" hung out with Ron and him? And how dare they call Ron his sidekick! Ron was underestimated, completely. Should he go find Ron? No. Not if there was the possibility that Ron liked Hermione. He would have a fit. Maybe he should find Hermione? Yes. He should find Hermione, before it was too late.
Finally making his way down to the Library, Harry headed straight to Hermione's corner. He looked up to find only one person sitting there. But it wasn't Hermione. It was Draco. He was looking impatiently at his designer watch, and tapping his fingers on the table.
So. This was the way it was to be. But Hermione? Harry shook his head, and headed over to an opposite corner. Maybe Malfoy was gonna put her under some sort of curse. But what would he want with her?
He saw Hermione walk at her usual fast pace into the library, and make a beeline for her corner. However, she quickly made a beeline in the opposite direction. He waved. She saw him and looked relieved.
"Hey Harry! Whatcha doing up so early? You were up even before me! What's wrong?" Hermione looked genuinely worried, heavy book tucked under her left arm. She knew perfectly well that it was a miracle for Harry to be up before breakfast began. Ron usually had to wake him up at the last moment.
"Hey 'Mione. I guess I'm just a little confused, that's all. I woke up early because of a nightmare, and then I overheard a little conversation. What's going on between you and Malfoy? And when were you going to tell us?" Harry looked vulnerable and hurt, and Hermione couldn't help laughing.
"Harry, you look so serious! That was a good one. I swear, you and Ron get better and better at you poker faces daily! No, really, what's wrong?"
"Hermione, I AM serious! I don't know what you're playing at, but the other day you said that you thought he was hot, and then he was waiting for you today..." Now Harry looked exasperated and run down at the same time. Hermione was beginning to worry.
"Harry? Do you have a fever? Did you have some really weird dream? I know Malfoy was sitting where I usually sit, but he wasn't waiting for me! He's over there talking INTIMATELY with Lily! Now what's wrong?"
Harry had shot straight up out of his bean bag chair with a look of shock and despair spread across his face. Then, in rushed and whispered tones he said, "'Mione, I think we need to go somewhere else to talk. Now. I think...I'm on the brink of...I think that, well, we have a mess to figure out..."
"Breakfast hall?"
"Skip that. Common room?"
"Ok. But I really can't be late for Potions. You know we have it first, and double, and Snape will kill us if we're late."
"Ok"
The two entered the now deserted common room. Harry pulled up a chair opposite him and motioned for her to sit.
"First off, I need to know where you stand with Malfoy."
"Where I stand? Where I always have. You and Ron are my best friends, and Malfoy's the little git (although he's not so little anymore) that likes to get in the way and bother us. He is an annoying prat. Does that explain things, Harry?"
"Er, yeah. So...you don't have anything...er...going on with him then?"
"For the hundredth and last time, no! Why?"
Harry told Hermione about the conversation.
"Well, that certainly sounds like they were talking about me...but the only thing Malfoy's done to me all week is call me a filthy mudblood and screw up several of my potions...which does not usually make a girl fall in love with you!"
"No...it doesn't. Which leaves us with a much more...likely situation. I had completely forgotten about Lily! In that one big book that told all about her family, you know the one, it simply said that her family had been banned from using magic. Which means that she IS a witch, which makes her a mudblood, and...explains my dream..."
"What was your dream about?"
"It was all about Draco and Lily. Draco definitely had the upper hand. I woke up feeling sick..."
"And Draco was talking with Lily this morning. So, obviously something's going on, and we need to find out what, and soon. First off, we need to be certain that there actually is a problem. And maybe the person we should talk to isn't just Dumbledore. I think we should bring this up to Snape, too."
"'Mione, have you gone insane??? Snape? I dunno...speaking of Snape, we ARE ten minutes late for his class..."'
"Good! That means that he will give us both detention in the dungeons, with him. That would be the perfect time to talk with him. Dumbledore trusts him, and, well, Dumbledore is a wise man. I think that he would be able to find out a lot more to help her than we ever could. Plus, he already has taken a fancy to her. No, Harry, not in that way. He's constantly protecting her against the likes of Lucius. C'mon. We don't want too much detention!"
Harry followed Hermione flabbergasted out of the common room.
Draco lazily twirled his quill around on his desk. He was in double Potions, and Snape was droning on and on about the powers of seaweed. At first Draco had been interested, because he had thought that maybe it was the stuff that muggles used to get high, but then he realized that it wasn't, and went back to twirling his quill with intense concentration.
Potter and the Mudblood came walking in casually, reminding him of himself. They didn't look at all worried. Peculiar. Draco slowly stopped twirling his quill. This should be interesting.
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Glad that you could fit Potions into your already tight snogging schedule. You are exactly twelve minutes late, and have missed eleven minutes worth of information. So you will each have 132 minutes of detention. Tonight. In the 2nd dungeon. Be there at 8 o'clock sharp. Sit down, and quit grinning like you've just gotten your picture taken for the paper again, Potter. Thirty points from Gryffindor."
Draco couldn't believe it. Even hearing Snape chew out the Gryffindors was boring. Something was definitely wrong. Why had Potter and the Mudblood been so damn complacent? Draco sighed, then noticed Lily staring at him. He grinned at her. She blushed and looked away. That morning he had proposed that she come with him over Christmas break. She had said that she wasn't sure, she had wanted to go see her mum. He thought that maybe he had almost convinced her to come. He knew that she wanted to.
He absently ran a hand through his hair, as partners were being assigned for a seaweed potion. He was with the Mudblood. Pansy was with Weasley, and Lily was with Potter. Draco felt like growling. He shot daggers at Potter, who in turn pretended not to notice. What had gotten into Snape?
Hermione came walking over, looking just about as excited as he felt.
"So, Granger. You were paying attention, right?"
Hermione glared. "Malfoy - how about I call you Draco. I'm sick of this last name thing - do you think I was paying attention? I just got detention. I came in late. I haven't a clue what we're supposed to be doing. You, however, should. Unless that quill proved to be much to interesting."
Draco's mouth fell open. When had she become so...so un-Hermione-like? Did Potter and her have a thing going?
"So, Granger, you and Potter have a thing going on?"
"My name is Hermione. H-E-R-M-I-O-N-E. Got it? And no, Harry and I do NOT have 'a thing' going on. Now, unless you want detention, too, we should probably figure out what we're supposed to be doing."
"Go ahead. I really couldn't care less." Draco leaned lazily against a desk, and stared into space. Hermione looked at him for a moment, snorted, and went to ask Ron what they were supposed to do.
Ron and Pansy were staying as far away from each other as possible. They both looked like they had storm clouds floating above their heads, and were busy chopping seaweed into very fine pieces.
"Hey Ron! D'you think you could explain to me what we're supposed to be doing? Draco doesn't know a damned thing, and, well, neither do I..."
Ron looked up, relieved. "What happened? Why did you just accept detention like that? Oh, shit, here comes Snape. Here, take Pansy's list." He picked up Pansy's list and handed it to her. Hermione smiled and left. Pansy glared at him and kicked him in the shin.
Hermione went floating back over to their desk right before Snape was able to give her more detention. Draco looked disappointed. Hermione handed him five long pieces of seaweed and instructed him to chop. She did the same, while starting a conversation.
"So...what are you doing over Christmas?"
What was up with the Mudblood? Why would she care? Attempting to maintain his look of both disgust and indifference, he said, "What do you care? Oh, wait, I forgot. I'm going to go murder a bunch of mudbloods with my father. And you?" He watched her carefully. She looked both shocked and like she could laugh.
"Nothing. Oh, wait, I forgot. I'm going to go kiss Harry under the mistletoe." They both noticed Harry look up in shock, and surprised themselves with both laughing hysterically. Then they noticed what they were doing and returned to furiously chopping seaweed.
Ron couldn't believe it. Harry and Hermione had joint detention that night, which meant an evening spent most likely with Ginny and her friends and non-stop Harry Potter worshipping. To top all that off, he had to work with Pansy Parkinson for two hours in Potions. She had already kicked him in the shin, leaving a huge bruise. And now Hermione was over with Malfoy laughing hysterically. His life was falling to pieces.
"Ron? Um...you're chopping your robe sleeve..." Ron looked up startled into the face of a very close and worried Pansy.
"Wha-oh, yeah...woops..." He returned to chopping seaweed and ignoring Pansy. She kicked him again.
"Are you alright? You've been sitting there chopping the same seaweed for at least ten minutes! I didn't think working with me was THAT bad..."
"What? Oh, its not you...sorry..."
"Oh, I've heard that one before...trust me, it doesn't work. 'Oh, it's not you. It's me...what I'm not saying is, I'm seeing someone else...'"
Ron choked with laughter. This was Pansy Parkinson? Draco Malfoy fan? Slytherin slut? What was going on?
"Sorry...I guess I've just been a little preoccupied. Plus, y'know, I didn't think that we would exactly have much to say to each other. It's not like we have anything in common."
"Oh, but we do. You're Lily's friend, aren't you? So that's a start."
So that's a start...Maybe he should be a little more open minded...
"Yeah, I guess so...interested in Quidditch?"
"No. But you should try out for that open place on the Gryffindor team. Since Potter plays and all. Ballet?"
"Uh...nope. I assume that means you are, though."
Pansy was just about to say something when Draco came sauntering over. Ron stood up a little straighter, making the fact that he was 3 inches taller than Draco more obvious. He noticed Pansy straighten up, too, and tuck a stray lock of blond hair behind her ear.
"I need to talk to you for a sec." No bravado, no manners, and off he dragged her.
Ron watched as Pansy floated along propelled by Draco's hand on the small of her back. So she still really was the same Draco-obsessed Slytherin slut she always had been. But wasn't something else there? He felt like something was different...
Pansy gulped as Draco pushed her along. His hand felt really cold on her back. Only a few days ago, she would have died to have him touch her, and now she actually wanted him to let her go.
"Hey Pansy. I hope I didn't, um, interrupt your chat with Weasley. I figured it wasn't that important. Or, at least, not as important as this. Y'know how I had asked you earlier in the year to help me with our father's little project if I needed it? Well, I do. I was hoping you would help me do something very sneaky and very crucial..."
"Draco, I dunno. I know I said I would at the time, but...I just can't bear to hurt her..."
"You won't have to hurt her. You just have to sort of mangle things up a bit...that's all..."
"No. You don't seem to understand. I don't want to mangle things up a bit. I don't want to do anything! What happened to you loving her? I think that you, Draco Malfoy, are in love with the promise of power. And, further more, I think that you are a fool!"
Draco had to strongly resist the urge to slap her. He needed her help. What had happened? Why wouldn't she help him? She seemed somehow different...she seemed stronger than before, and he badly wanted to squash her. She could destroy everything...
"Ok, Pansy. How about we talk about this a little later on. I need your help, but I can live without it...how 'bout you meet me in the astronomy tower for lunch today?"
"Fine." And she turned around, going back to where Ron Weasley was busy chopping more seaweed. Too much seaweed, in fact.
Viola! Ta Da!!! Chapter seven! Guess what? I have FABULOUS news!!! Tomorrow's my last day of school, so the chapters will probably be coming a lot faster, except of course when I'm on vacation elsewhere!!! Now, onto the Thank you's...
THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING MY STORY!!!!!!!!!!! (pat yourself on the back and have some banana cream pie)
Sara- thanks for reviewing! I'm sorry I didn't get this part up sooner, but the next part will probably come faster!
Alya Pascal- Thanks for your suggestion on Harry and Pansy! As you can see, it looks more like Ron and Pansy, but I still want to know what everyone thinks, so please tell me what you think of that pair! Thanks!
Zedd- I'm glad you appreciate my Hottest Wizards choice! I don't think there will be any Snape romance in here, but I think I will have him play an important role...As you can see, things seem to be leaning towards Ron and Pansy...although, I change my mind so frequently, it may not stay that way! Please tell me what you think! Thanks!
Fireline- yes, I think I have continued to get people to pity and take Pansy's side! Wow! Hahaha...Yes, Lily's desire to wear pink was sort of related, but more on a subconscious level for her, because she loves her dark colors...It was sort of saying that she was feeling like a dark veil had been momentarily lifted. It would have been what I would have used on just about anyone feeling that way, though. Thanks for reviewing!!!
Glammer Gurl that hates PINK- first off...really really like your penname!!!! Hahaha...I'm VERY flattered by your praise, and glad that you reminded me not to make Lily too mary jane. I personally don't think she will be. She will, of course, make stupid mistakes...but, then again, she may not make enough of them because I am sort of partial to my own character, so I really appreciate the fact that you reminded me! Thanks!
Draco's Girl- Sorry I didn't get this posted sooner! Also, it doesn't really look like it will be Ron and Hermione...sorry! But hopefully you will like Ron and Pansy! I sort of have a weird penchant for peculiar couples!!! Anyways, thanks for reviewing!!! You were my 20th review!!! Yay!
So...keep on reviewing my story, you all know I love it!!! And I PROMISE I'll write more soon!!!