CHAPTER FOUR

For the first time in his life, he'd cheated to win a
game of Quidditch. And not only cheated, he'd hurt
another person in the process.
He immediatly wished he could take it back.
As he started to land on the ground where his fellow
Gryffindor's waited to give him praise, he turned to
look at Draco.
He had landed on the ground, and he was leaning
against the stands, holding his leg and grimacing in
pain.
In a sort of daze, Harry turned back to his team and
they all walked back towards the school.



Draco landed painfully on the ground and leaned
against the stands, his eyes watering, and not
believing his incredibly bad luck.
Potter had unintentionally rammed into his injured
leg. If only his fathe-- no, it was the past, no use
getting more angry now.
His team came up and he told them a few words about
how they'd win next time, that the Gryffindors would
be nothing compared to them, blah-blah-blah.
After the field had emptied, he finally decided to go
to the school himself.
Draco took a deep breath, then slowly headed back
towards Hogwarts, limping.
On his way, he passed groups of celebrating
Gryffindors, he scowled at all of them angrily.
Not in the mood to go back to the common room yet, he
decided to visit the handy-dandy library.
Madam Pince watched him closely as he sifted through
the books, finally picking up Ingenius Wizarding
Spells.
He sat at a table in the back, and after setting his
broom down next to him, opened the book and started to
read.
About ten minutes later, Hermione sat down across
from him, Ingenius Wizarding Spells? she read,
Wouldn't you rather read The Two Towers?
Didn't have it with me. he told her, setting the
book down, What do you want?
She shrugged, I just wanted to know what happened at
the end of the game. I mean, you almost had the
Snitch!
Why do you care? he asked politely enough.
I don't, not really anyway, I was just curious.
He nodded, Ah, well, maybe I'll tell you later, he
held up the book, at the moment, I'm just too
absorbed in this.
she stood up,
See ya'.


Hermione went up to the common room, where there were
no Slytherins present for some mysterious reason, and
started celebrating with the other happy Gryffindors.
It was brilliant Harry! Ron said, patting him on
the back, Absolutely wonderful!
Harry smiled, but looked a bit queasy,
What's the matter Harry? Hermione asked, You look
a bit green.
He sat down in a chair heavily,
She decided she'd ask him later, when not so many
people were around.
So Ron, she said, I've always wanted to know, are
you allowed to pretend to punch another player while
playing Quidditch?
Yeah, it's called the Transylvanian Ta-- he stopped
when she started laughing, and frowned deeply, Shut
up.

Harry couldn't believe what he'd done, it was so...so
wrong! This was expected of Slytherin! Not
Gryffindor!
He had considered going up to his room, but since he
hadn't seen Draco at all, he figured he was up there,
and he definitly didn't want to speak or look at him.
So, he sat their, celebrating with the others, but
not really feeling happy at all.
Finally, people started going to bed, and after a
while, the only people left were Hermione, Harry, and
Ron.
Well, that's it for me. Ron said, standing up,
Great job Harry! Good night Hermione, he headed
towards his room.
After Hermione heard Ron's door close, she turned to
Harry, I know something's wrong, so just come out
with it and tell me.
He looked down at his hands,
She frowned, You're not sick are you?
No, I just feel it.
Why do you feel sick?
He sat up and looked her right in the eye, I
did...something wrong.
Her eyebrows raised, Wrong? How wrong?
Pretty damn wrong I'd say.
She sighed, Look, are you going to tell me or not?
No, I don't think so.
She stood up, Fine, I'll see you at breakfast then.
she started towards her room. She had almost opened
her door, when Harry called out,
She turned around,
he said
quickly, linking his words together.
She blinked a few times before finally asking,

He sighed loudly, I hit Malfoy in his knee when he
nearly had the Snitch, so, I ended up with it.
she asked in confusion, You couldn't of hit
him that hard, or we would've seen it.
I didn't hit him too hard. he confirmed.
Then why--
He has barely any cartilage in his knee because he
fell off the upper part of his house. he interrupted
quickly, not wanting to think about it.
Wow, she thought, but decided not to say it.
Deciding to start with the easier questions, she
asked, How did you know that?
His shoulders drooped, I found a paper that said
it.
she sighed, Why did you do it?
I...just couldn't let him win! he said, turning
angry, Not the first game we had of the season, it
wouldn't have been--he didn't deserve it!
She shook her head, You have to tell him.
No, I won't--I can't.
she said, coming back over to him, You're
going to spend your life knowing that you cheated at a
Quidditch game by hurting someone else?
I suppose so.
You know you can't do that, she laughed, you're
way too nice.
He frowned, No I'm not.

The portrait to their room opened, and Draco came in,
dragging his broom behind him.
He looked over at them staring at him, Don't mind
me. he said grumpily, then continued on the way to
his room, limping. Causing Harry to feel even more
guilty.


The next day, classes went on as usual, Snape was
mean, McGonagall was stern but fair, Professor Sprout
was bubbly, Hagrid was loud, Divinations was stupid,
and they all had a lot of homework. Just a run of the
mill day.
I need the next one. Draco said, dropping The Two
Towers down in front of Hermione in the common room
after classes.
She looked up at him, startled, I can give it to you
tomorrow, she said, I left it at home, and I had to
send an owl to my parents to send it.
he sat down across from her, You already
starting on homework?
Of course.
You're always doing homework. he stated, twirling
his wand around his fingers, Doesn't that get the
least bit boring?
She frowned, I'm not always doing homework', she
said, mocking his voice, I just do it when we get it
assigned to us.
Really? I always thought you made up homework for
yourself so you'd have something to do. when he saw
her face, he put up his hands in a non-defensive sort
of way, Just kidding!
She decided to change the subject to something that
would make HIM uncomfortable, So, what's with the
limp?
Oh, uh, just banged up my knee pretty good. he
said, actually sounding just a teeny bit nervous.
0
I, uh, fell.
Why is he so edgy?' Hermione wondered, You fell?
He nodded, Yup--you know what? I'm going to go
follow your lovely example and do my homework now. he
jumped up out of his seat so quickly, he nearly fell,
but he regained his balance, See ya'.
Well, that was a bit strange...she looked down at her
homework and started on it again.


All right! Ron exclaimed with a smile after
Professor McGonagall announced there was going to be a
trip to Hogsmeade that day, rubbing his hands together
excitedly, This is just what we need!
Yeah, I really need to get some more dung bombs, and
maybe some Sugar Quills, those things are good. Harry
stated, looking over at Hermione, What about you? You
getting anything?
She nodded, Yup, I need some ink, more parchment, a
few books, and definitly a butterbeer or two.
The two boys both smiled at the last thing,
Harry said, You look like you could use a break.
Do I? she asked, I have been somewhat tired
lately, I mean, all those essays really take their
toll after awhile.
We wouldn't know, we haven't done any of them. Ron
said with a yawn, So, you guys ready to leave?
They both nodded, following Ron out of the dormitory,
I think I'll get some Sugar Quills too, Hermione
said thoughtfully.
So, Ron, whenya' actually gonna' do some work?
Harry asked, walking beside him.
He glared at him, Shut up.

So, they went to Hogsmeade (A/N: How the heck DO they
get to Hogsmeade?? If anyone can tell me--I doubt you
know for sure--please do!).
Their first stop was at Honeydukes, for sweets of all
tastebud pleasures. Ron and Harry each got a bagful
of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum (A/N: Read PoA!), whilst
Hermione bought herself a handful of some fragile
sugar-spun quills.
They left their and headed over to Zonko's, buying,
who could've guessed it, dung-bombs! Among other
assorted things, Hermione bought a few chocolates,
secretly, and planned to give them to Ron and Harry on
Christmas, they were supposed to turn them into giant
bunnies.
All right, time for some hot butterbeer! she said,
pulling them towards the Three Broomsticks.
They walked inside and headed over to a booth towards
the back, and Ron immediatly went to go get their
drinks for them from Madam Rosmerta.
Hermione rubbed her arms, Wow, I didn't think it
would be this cold already, or I would've brought a
heavier cloak.
Me too. Harry agreed.
Hermione stopped rubbing her arms and gave Harry a
serious look, When are you going to tell him?
He frowned, I dunno'/
You have to do it soon.
Why's that?
Because the longer you wait to tell, the harder it's
going to be. she said, You know that.
He didn't answer.
Ron came back and put a foaming tankard in front of
both of them and sat down next to Harry, What shall
we cheers to? he asked, holding up his tankard
expectantly.
Harry said slowly, for starters, a better
Quidditch season--
A great year with good grades- Hermione put in.
And a great friendship. Ron finished.
H e r e h e r e! Harry and Hermione called with
smiles, and they all clrank their drinks together and
gulped down huge sips.
Hermione set her's down first, and after wiping off
her mouth with her arm, commented airily, Wow Ron, I
never knew you could be so sentimental.
Harry had a good laugh at that.
His neck and cheeks turned red, Shut up.

*Okay, I know this next part is sort of sudden, but I
have this idea, and I NEED TO WRITE IT!! I've had this
idea for awhile, and I can't wait any longer!! And
I'm not going to lie to you, this next part is
TOTALLY, TOTALLY, TOTALLY BOGUS! It's only for my own
pleasure, alright?? Alright, anyway, well, I hope you
enjoy it anyway.*

After dinner that night, Professor Dumbledoor called
the Head Boy and Head Girl up to his table, so,
Hermione and Harry headed up there.
He smiled down at them, We have a...sort of field
trip coming up, he told them, where you two will
be going to a conference in America to speak to the
other students and Professors about the differences
between the seperate Witchcraft and Wizarding school,
and tour it. he smiled even more brightly, And
that's not all, he said, starting to sound like the
guy announcing the prizes on an old game show, after
you're done at the school, you will be staying with
some good friends of mine, Madam Ebeneezer and Miss
Urunus, and each of them will take you through many
muggle every day experiences, so you'll learn more
about it.
Then you can come back here, and tell a speech to
all the students at Hogwarts on what you learned about
Muggle societies, and the other magic school.
After a moment, Hermione and Harry exchanged a look.
But sir, Harry and I both already KNOW about Muggle
things, because, y'know, we both grew up with at least
one muggle guardian. Hermione pointed out, But, of
course, I'll go just for the learning experience...
His eyes sparkled, You are very smart Miss Granger,
and you put in your ideas, it's a nice trait. he put
his hands on the table and twined his fingers
together, That is why I've assigned each of you a
student from an all-wizarding family to take with you,
and explain to them what they're doing, and
yadda-yadda-yadda... he looked at both of them in the
face, All right?
May I ask--um...who they're going to be? Harry,
well, asked.
You already did, Dumbledoor informed him, but yes,
Mr. Potter, you are assigned with-- he looked down
his crooked nose and through his crescent-moon shaped
glasses to peice of parchment lying in front of him,
Of course, Mr. Ronald Weasley.
Harry made his hand into a fist and jutted his elbow
downwards happily.
Miss Granger...Miss Granger... he said, searching
the list, which she figured wouldn't be too hard to
find since their WERE only four names on the entire
thing, ah, yes, Mr. Draco Malfoy.
Hermione smiled as she exclaimed, I was just about
to tell you that he told me he's been wanting to learn
about Muggle culture anyway!
He smiled fondly, Well, well, well, did he now?
Yeah, I even let him borrow some books of mine to
help out.
he asked with mild surprise, How kind of
you.
She blushed.


Malfoy really wants to learn about Muggles? Harry
asked in disbelief for the third time, And you let
him borrow your books?
Yes and yes! she nodded in exasperation, Now quit
asking me that!
he said, and they walked in silence for
approxamitly two seconds as Harry thought over his
next question, You let him borrow your bo--
That's it! she spun around and faced him, Stop.
Asking. Me. That!
Harry blinked a few times, until she finally turned
around and started walking away again, and when she
was pretty far ahead he finally started to move,
Y'know, you sound a LOT like McGonagall when you're
pissed off. he pointed out helpfully.
Hermione rolled her eyes exasperatedly, Thank you
Mr. Observant Helper!
q:

Okay-dokey!!!! Did you enjoy that????
Good!!!!!! Now, I know one of you reviewers asked
about cartilage, and thank you other helful reviewers
for clearing that up, you're so helpful!!!!!!!
So, the whole injured-knee-thing will be surfacing in
later chapters, but not now, so you hang in their!!!!!
Okay, the next chapter is about...well, I don't
really want to tell you.
:-)
Anyway,
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REVIEW!
OH, thank you Camille for the thanks, but, I'm afraid
that you're incorrect, YOU DESERVE THE THANKS, NOT ME!
Oh, and we have something in common! Y'know how you
said you lived for this story?? Well, I live for the
reviews!!
Hey--It's my Birthday!! YAY!! Anyway, review!
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