CHAPTER TWO


Hermione was in JC Penney's, looking for a present for
her mum's Birthday, which was in two weeks. She had
hinted that she wanted a blouse that was from here,
and as it turned out, the blouse was on sale.
For $40.95.
She was steaming over the insane price when she
happened to look up and, low-and-behold, see Draco
Malfoy standing over in the men's' section across the
aisle. Looking doubtfully at a pair of pants.
Hermione just stared.
When Draco finally left with a taller boy, she
blinked several times, Was that really him?
She hadn't had much time to ponder about it though,
because just at that moment, her mum was coming her
way.
Her mum didn't know she was here, she'd come in her
own car, and she didn't want her to spot her with the
present.
So, she grabbed the blouse and headed over to the
check-out lanes, fuming about how this was going to
take a big chunk out of her savings, and wondering it
she'd really just seen Malfoy considering buying
muggle pants.
After she bought it, she headed over to the EXIT sign
and once she got outside, headed for her car.
Now, her car was, in all seriousness, a piece of
shit. It was a pale green color, and was very small;
she doubted that Ron would be able to sit in it
comfortably, with his long gangly arms and legs. But,
it was all she could afford at the moment, and it got
her where she wanted to go, so she didn't
complain...much.

When she reached her house, the car sputtering and
squeaking, she went inside and wrapped the present
quickly and had just finished when she heard her mum's
car door slam shut outside.
She left the present on her bed and headed
downstairs.
Hermione had dinner with her folks. Her parents
discussing gingivitis the whole time.

The next day she packed her trunk and Crookshanks in
his small carrying case into her parents' car.
They'd insisted on driving her, and she wasn't about
to complain, she didn't think her car had much of a
chance at a long life, and she wanted to prolong it as
long as possible (A/N: So many LONGS! q:).
Bye mum, dad. she said, giving them both a hug and
a kiss as they stood outside the family car, Oh, mum,
look on my bed when you get home, alright?
Sure honey. she said smiling, Now, you have a good
yea--
They all turned to see Lucious Malfoy leaning into
his son's face, yelling and spreading spittle
everywhere.
Hermione did a double take.
Oh my God, Draco Malfoy actually looks slightly
attractive to me!' she thought unbelieving.
Draco finally grabbed his things and left his father
standing there, looking pissed off.
she said, shaking her head, as I was saying,
this is your last year, and I want you to have a GREAT
time, understand me?
Hermione smiled, Sure I will.
She gave them last hugs and kisses, then left to the
train.
She got there just in time to see Draco disappear on
board the Hogwarts Express.
She hurried on, and realized at the very last second
that she was FOLLOWING DRACO MALFOY.
What's wrong with me? she asked nobody in
particular.
Lots of things, I can name a few if you want?
She turned and saw that Draco was sitting there,
wearing a content smile.
Why are YOU so happy? she asked.
He sighed, And why do YOU care?
She shrugged, So, what's with the getup?
he looked down at his clothes, I was just
doing it to...to...
She waited for a moment, then impatiently said, To
what?

Draco could've sworn a light bulb appeared over his
head at that moment, he had just gotten such a GREAT
idea!
As Hermione stood over him, he thought about what his
dad hated most. Muggles... and mudbloods. And here
was a mudblood, who just happened to get better grades
then himself (as his dad always coldly reminded him).
Just think of how angry his father would be if he
started dating Hermione...
To what? Hermione demanded.
To... learn more about muggle culture. he said
slowly, realizing this was the second time in two days
he'd used culture as an excuse.
She looked down at him skeptically, Oh really?
Draco decided to try out a new role, I mean, if this
idea he'd gotten was going to work, he'd need to
convince Hermione he was serious, so he became excited
and eager as he continued.
Yeah! I mean, I feel like I've just missed out on
so much these last seventeen years, just think about
it!
Hermione was still skeptical, Are you serious? then
she glanced his loop earring, shining in the light,
Wow, I think you may actually BE serious about this.
Oh yeah. he said, nodding,
Well, now that we're going too school, you're gonna'
be surrounded by wizarding things, so how are you
going to learn about muggle culture their? she
asked.
He shook his head sadly, letting his shoulders droop,
Alas, I only found out about my new passion about a
week ago...so there's not much I can do.
She tilted her head too the side, Well...have you
ever read a muggle fantasy-adventure book?
Uh, I've never read ANY muggle book for that
matter. he replied.
It just so happens, she started, then sat down
across from him and popped open her trunk, rifling
through it for a minute, she finally pulled out a
book, I have one you can read.
She handed it to him, and he flipped it over to the
front, where there was a small circular picture of a
town, and above that, in green letters, he read aloud,
The Fellowship of the Ring?
Nodding, she said, It's volume one in The Lord of
the Rings Trilogy. That book is some GOOD muggle
writing. she watched as he opened the old thing to
its' first page, Do you want to borrow it?
Yeah, thanks. he answered.
she closed her trunk and stood up holding
Crookshanks, By the way, if you ruin that book in any
way--I'll kill you.
Good to know. he commented, looking up at her.
Bye Malfoy. she said while leaving.
See ya' Granger.


Hermione walked into the compartment Ron and Harry
were sitting in, talking (or should she say arguing)
about...da-da-da-da-da, Quidditch.
Hey Hermione. Ron said, scooting over in his seat,
making room for her.
she said, taking her seat, and setting down
her things heavily.
Hi Herm. Harry said, then turned back to Ron,
You're wrong, it says, VERY SPECIFFICALY in Quidditch
Through the Ages that the last time the Chudley
Cannons won the league was in 1890!
No, it says that the last time they won was in1892!
Ron argued angrily.
Ron's right. Hermione told them, It says 1892.
Harry glared at Ron for a moment, then sat back in
his seat, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked
out the window, It doesn't matter, it's still been
over a hundred years since they've won.
It's just a brief lapse, they're gonna' win!
You call BRIEF a hundred freakin' years?! Harry
asked, Oh, so THAT'S why it takes you so long to do
your homework, I'll do it in a brief moment'. he
imitated.
Hermione sighed as they started at it again, and
reached down and opened her trunk, taking out a book
and burying herself in it, blocking out their angry
voices.
But a few minutes later she was dragged back into the
fight as Harry turned to her and asked, Is it illegal
to pretend like you're going too punch another
player?
she sighed, it's called the Transylvanian
Tackle, and it's legal.
Harry said, smiling, You were wrong Ronny!
Shut up.



I HATE SNAPE! Ron yelled angrily, slamming his
potions book shut, causing Harry and Hermione to look
up, startled.
Calm down Ron. Hermione said, writing down
something with one of her new quills, The Potions
assignment isn't that hard.
Isn't that hard?? he repeated disbelievingly, We
have to write a twenty inch essay on the ways that
----- hide is stronger then dragon hide. he frowned,
realizing something very important, It doesn't even
have anything to do with Potions!
I already finished it.
He looked like he was going to argue some more, but
finally just sunk back in his chair, Shut up.
It's all Malfoy's fault. Harry said bitterly,
taking a break from his own assignment, I can't
believe we got paired together.
Well, if you hadn't tried to pour the potion on
him-- Hermione started.
He was egging me on! he cried, There was nothing I
could do!
She rolled her eyes, It doesn't matter now, since
you tried to pour the potion on Snape's beloved
student, we got stuck with an essay.
I would've done it too! Ron stated angrily,
defending his friend.
Well, that's just cause neither of you is very
bright in here. she said, taping the side of her head
with a sympathetic look.
He crossed his arms over his chest, Shut up.

So, as you can see, the first two weeks of school
weren't going to great for the seventh year
Gryffindors.

Nevertheless, they got their revenge.

In Transfiguration, in which they had with Slytherin,
Malfoy and Ron were paired together.
You're saying it wrong Weasley. Draco said, his
teeth clenched tightly together.
If I didn't have to concentrate on your stupid
interfering voice, I'd be saying it right! he
snapped, Now shut up!
Not wanting Ron to transfigure him wrong on purpose,
Malfoy shut his mouth.
They had been assigned to transfigure their partners
into gorillas, and Ron hadn't quite caught on yet.
he called.
The transfigure was unsuccessful. Malfoy now had
two, huge, swinging ape arms with bulging muscles.
But, unfortunately, that was it.
It's not that difficult! he yelled, Just say
Ape-ee-es hue-man-ish!
I'll say it however I want. Ron declared.
Malfoy grabbed his wand, transfigured his arms back
to normal, and aimed it at Ron, he
started.
Professor McGonagall saw what he was about to do, and
immediately stepped in and gave him detention for two
weeks.
The other Slytherins didn't appreciate that.

All in all, the Slytherins and Gryffindors weren't a
happy bunch.

So, that's probably what caused them to do what they
did the next day. The tension was high, and they both
wanted the other House to die (did you like my
rhyme?).
All right, I'm done with my narrating for now, ENJOY!

Hey! Malfoy!
Draco turned around to see Hermione running towards
him,
You finished with my book yet? she asked, coming up
next to him.
Oh yeah, I am, you want it back now?
That WOULD be nice.
Right, here, hold this. he handed her his wand, and
set his bag down on the ground, searching for the
book, Here ya' go. he said, handing it up to her,
Do you have the second one? he asked, standing up
and getting his wand from her.
Uh...yeah! I think I do. She set her own bag down
and started going through it, but during her search,
she fell down on her butt, and her wand went rolling
away from her.
So, that's what the group of seventh year Gryffindors
coming down the hall saw.
Draco standing above Hermione, his wand pointing
towards her, and Hermione sitting on the ground,
helpless without her wand.
Get away from her Malfoy! Harry yelled, running up,
the other Gryffindor's close behind.
Draco stepped back and frowned at them angrily, I
wasn--
Hermione, get over here so I can get a clean shot at
the scum! Ron growled, holding out his wand
threateningly.

Ironically, a group of seventh year Slytherins were
coming up from the other side of the hall, and,
sensing (also seeing) what was happening, ran over to
Draco's side.
Get outta' here! one of them snarled.
You first! someone called from the Gryffindor side.
They faced off like that for a minute, before one
person, no one ever knew exactly who it was, called
out the first spell.
The rest of them erupted.
:p

You liked that right? Oh boy! Lots of stuff happens
in the next chapter! There's Quidditch, and
treachery, and a party...But I'm afraid I can't post
it until you review...HOW SAD! OH! I know! How
bout you review, and all will be mysteriously fixed!
REVIEW!!
(By the way, can someone tell me how long I should
make these chapters?)