1 Head to Head
3rd Chapter (Hi to Angel, G.Girl, and Expelliarmus!!!!)
(And Hi to Milky, Parvati, Pixie, ChoChang, Vanilla, lil_peeps, and anyone else from sound off who reads it!)
**************************************************************************** *******
"I am sure that both of you are well aware that you will be living in close quarters," began Professor McGonagall, "Yes?"
I shook my head dumbly, beginning to feel more useless every second. WHY hadn't I paid more attention last year?
I saw Malfoy shaking his head with me. I was surprised. It isn't everyday that Draco Malfoy admits that he doesn't know something.
"Uh, do we have to?" he asked, with all the intelligence of a hippopotamus.
Professor McGongalls eyes flashed, a danger sign. I tried to shoot the stupid git a warning look, but he was still staring at her.
"Well, as far as I know," she began coldly, "Every Head Girl and Boy have been honoured to have a wing of the castle all to themselves. You two definitely a first."
A wave of shame washed onto me. It shouldn't matter that we are from different houses. It shouldn't matter that Malfoy is a stuck-up jerk. It shouldn't.oh, who am I kidding? It does!
But, as Ron says: If in doubt, lie.
"Oh, of course we are. We just weren't aware." I began lamely. I am so not good at fibbing!
It was obvious that Malfoy (that prat) knew that we might find ourselves as Prefects (perish the thought!) instead of Heads if we didn't act quickly.
"Yes.Professor. Of course we are honoured!" he began, as slick as oil, "Shall we move on? I have heard that the Head's Rooms are most splendid!" he finished, sounding as if he was about 60 years old.
But, urgh, he was plenty convincing, but for once, I was glad. I mean, we have to be in the Professors good books, don't we?
"Very well." Said the Professor shortly, "Follow me."
We did. Down the long, lit corridors, higher and higher, up about 50 staircases and through trick walls. 'How are we ever going to get down to breakfast and to our classes on time?' I worried.
The Professor saw my look and cleared her throat loudly, to get our (wandering) attention. "There are portals in your lounge, they will automatically transport you to your common rooms, the Great Hall, and whatever corridor you wish to go to." She smiled. This was a new addition, I guessed.
Technology at Hogwarts! Who'd have thought?
As we carried on climbing, I let my eyes wander from picture to picture, watching old hags drink tea, Merlin scratch his nose (a bit too hard, he drew some blood..), and Sir Cadogan.
"AHOY there, fair maiden!" he yelled across the stairwell, "Hast thou requested the services of Sir Cadogan?"
I rolled my eyes . Some things never change, do they?
"You know that guy?" Malfoy asked me, indicating towards Sir Cadogan, who had promptly forgotten all about me, and was playing Chasey with his poor horse.
"Why should you care?" I snapped defensively. No way was I going to let Malfoy start calling me a Mudblood AND stating that the only friends I had were paintings, or whatever pathetic name he could come up with.
I turned away from him, and walked quickly to the Professor, who had stopped in front of a tiny painting, barely bigger than a thumbnail that was hanging a few feet up on the wall, just below my waist.
"WHAT is that?"
I turned around, annoyed. Couldn't this guy ever shut up?
"It's a painting, Malfoy." I snapped, "Surely, you should know that by now!"
He blatantly ignored me, and began jabbering to the Professor, who was looking extremely weary.
"Mr Malfoy, I assure you, you will not have to squeeze yourself through a door of this size," she began, guessing what was on our minds, "Watch."
She turned and faced the miniscule portrait, and muttered under her breath:
"Gryfferin."
_______********* _______ a minute later
The picture inside the painting seemed to come alive, voices were emitting from the coats of paint.
"Blimey, Serpent, why'd you put the batter in first? We need the fruit at the bottom!"
"Ssssorry...i ate the fruit."
I bent down curiously, and brought my eye close up to the painting, and saw the only thing that made me laugh all day.
A green serpent, wearing something that looked like a pair of silver spectacles, was standing erect, behind what looked suspiciously like a kitchen counter, and staring at the ground sullenly, while a majestic golden lion wearing crimson knickerbockers yelled at him angrily, obviously unaware of their audience. It looked like a cookery program gone a bit wrong.
"YOU ATE THE FRUIT? How are we supposed to make fruit trifle without FRUIT?" the lion barked at the shamefaced snake, "Typical!"
The serpent looked stubborn, and raised its scaly head to reply, but caught sight of me, laughing my head off in a most childish manner.
"Do you mind misssss?" the serpent hissed indignantly, "We're having a domestic."
I nearly went into hysterics at that, but was silenced quickly by a Look from McGonagall.
"Would you two be kind enough to open the hole?" she snapped at the two animals.
"Why?" asked the lion, tugging on his gleaming mane in bewilderment.
"BECAUSE the Head Girl and Head Boy need to get to their wing!" said Professor McGonagall, shaking he head in disbelief, "Open the hole, NOW!"
The animals sighed, and the lion waved his hand (as the snake couldn't, because he didn't have any.) and the tiny frame swung forward.
**********************************
"Nice rooms, huh Granger?"
I nodded blankly, and carried on reading.
"Which bedroom d'you want?"
I shrugged unconcernedly. Who cared about the rooms? They were identical. Green and gold wallpaper covered the walls, with the Slytherin and Gryffindor mascots stencilled on. The beds were four-poster, and sported magnificent scarlet and silver hangings - bedspreads matching. ("To create an inter-house environment.", as Professor McGongall had said.)
Both had doors leading to our respective bathrooms, which were, thankfully, decorated in our own respective House colours.
"Well, I'm taking the one with the door to the tower room, if you don't mind." he smirked. I bet he thought that he had a gigantic perk, or something. Something that I didn't have.
Yeah RIGHT. He hadn't even looked around the whole of our wing, just plopped himself onto the large futon couch after inspecting the bedrooms, which were probably his main priority.
"Whatever ." I shrugged again, and shut 'A Hundred Hexes For Slytherins, and How To Aggravate Them'. "I'm going to my common room. Knock yourself out."
I went over to the painting of the Lion and the Snake, which obviously penetrated both sides of the wall, and whispered: "Gryfferin!"
I heard Malfoy sniggering behind me, but took no notice, that jerk was probably thinking of more put-downs for the many Muggle-borns in the school. Best just to ignore him, I told myself.
The Lion sighed, and waved his hand at me, and went back to discussing the usefulness of apricot glaze with his companion.
The painting launched itself forward on its hinge once more, and dissolved completely, leaving me staring at a blank postage-stamp sized bit of stone wall, standing out from the sea of colour all around it.
Now, what was the spell again? I suddenly realized that I had totally spaced out as Professor McGongall had reminded us of the many spells and secret passwords that we had to use to get out of our wing.
I sighed mentally. Now I had to ask Mr Pureblood.
"Malfoy." I began, turning around, but as cut off by a derisive snort.
"Honestly, don't you know where anything is, Mudblood?" he asked me, not that he thought I would actually reply, "You don't use the PORTRAIT to get to your common room! WE have portals, remember?" he indicated to the shimmering mirrors standing desolately in the far corner of the lounge.
I flushed. That's right, first thing you go and do is make a fool of yourself in front of the person who would most likely bring a video camera to tape it if he could, I scolded myself. Not that he knew what a video camera was...
I walked silently over to the narrowest mirror, and said "Socianum!", while stepping through it at the same time. It was just like 'Alice Through The Looking-Glass', a Muggle book which I was very fond of.
Suddenly, the ground dropped from under me, and I found myself in the familiar cosy room, fully of squashy armchairs, all donned in gold and red, Gryffindor colours.
"HERMIONE!"
I spun around, alarmed, but was relieved to find Sharlette Jeonly racing towards me. I stepped forward to greet her, but was nearly knocked over as she threw herself tragically into my arms.
"What the." I began bewildered, not moving in case Sharlette fell over, since I seemed to be the only solid object supporting her at the moment.
"Where were you? Did McGonagall tell you about you having to." she broke off, as Ron bounced over to me, grinning as if he had just won the Quidditch World Cup.
"Hey Head Girl!" he said to me jovially, bowing low down to the ground.
"You can call me Hermione, " I snapped irritably, "and don't walk like that, you'll become a replica of Quasimodo."
OK, I knew perfectly well that he was bowing, but I didn't really want to have to contend with Ron's endless teasing right now. I had bigger fish to fry.
"What?" Ron asked, straightening his back, "Who's Quasimodo?" He shot me a confused look.
I sighed, and prepared to launch into a full-blown story about 'The Hunchback Of Notre' Dame' , but Emma, jumped in.
"Oh..Quasimodo was the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ron! Really, you should be taking the Muggle Studies course; we're doing Legends now! Honestly."
How could she have known? She had lived in a strict wizarding community before she came to Hogwarts - no Muggles allowed. And no Muggle-borns either, for some reason.
Ron stared at Emma, and I did to.Harry suddenly stiffened in his seat, a short way in front of us, where he was playing Chess with Dean Thomas.
I felt a shiver run up and down my spine.Shar obviously hadn't noticed, and, having finally gotten Emma to stop lecturing Ron, was chattering to her in a unconcerned sort of way. But she didn't know .
Emma.Emma had sounded like my clone! She had used the same mannerisms, the same exasperated, bossy voice, that my friends had been so accustomed too, only last year, before I had changed.
I quickly tried to push that thought to the back of my mind, but my all my attention was now focused on the brunette in front of me.
I risked a quick look at Ron and Harry, both of whom were staring at me with wide disbelieving eyes - I shook my head ever so slightly.just to warn them to back off.
Ron looked at me as if I was mad, but quickly shut up with as Harry glared at him ferociously.
Shar was staring at us now, I suppose we hadn't been too subtle with our (bad) body-language. But no way was I going to tell her.
"Whats the matter?" she asked.
"Uh, we ate a Puffskein.." Ron stammered, his ears going red.
I shook my head in a disbelieving sort of way. We ATE a Puffskein???
Shar was giving us funny looks, but I guess she decided not to comment. Maybe she was worried about our mental state of mind.I couldn't blame her.We ate a PUFFSKEIN??
"Er.I gotta go check up on my sister." she mumbled, avoiding our eyes, "the one that was sorted into Ravenclaw, y'know?"
She slipped out of the portrait hole, and left the FOUR of us staring at each other.
"Er.i have to go unpack."Emma said, looking uncomfortable, "Lots of new robes to hang up.."
And with that, disappeared up the Girls staircase.
I have to admit, I was kind of relieved. I mean, we (meaning Ron, Harry and I ) hadn't told Shar or Emma about the events of last summer, having only known them a year. They both got transferred here in our sixth year, from a little magical school somewhere is Wales.
"So, I guess Emmas the one." Ron said finally, still dumbstruck.
"But HOW could it be her?"I gasped, sliding into an armchair, "She's not on the Dark side."
"WHOSE not on the Dark side?"
Oh my god.we had totally forgotten about Dean, and he was sitting right next to us!
I went into totally panic mode, I am ashamed to say, and cast a Memory Charm on him! I don't think that we are even allowed to do them.but luckily, there wasn't anyone else in the common room.
"Er,Harry?" Dean began, his eyes doing loop-the-loops in their sockets.
"Yeah?" Harry answered, nervous in case Dean asked about our conversation.
"Brush your hair.and give the Fat Lady some cabbage, will you? She sure needs it.." he murmered sleepily, "Night!"
He slouched up to the Boys Dormitory, unaware of the fact that it was only 7.30pm.
************************************************
"Oh! THAT went well!" Ron scowled at me, plopping down onto the sofa opposite the roaring fire.
"Don't.."I sighed tiredly, shutting my eyes, trying to block out the horrific mental images of last summer that flooded into my mind continuously. If only we had never.
"We cant keep it from everyone for much longer, Hermione." Harry said gently, "It'll show soon. And Emma will have to go over. We cant prevent that from happening."
"We HAVE to, Harry!"I choked, tears stinging the back of my eyes, "Emma's one of our closest friends. We cant just give up on her! Its all my fault anyway."
"I know."he said miserably, "But at least we have a year to figure out what we have to do."
"But what if that's not enough time? What if it starts early?" I whimpered, a single, solitary tear trickling down my cheek.. Why did this stuff always happen to us?
"Don't you think we're sort of overreacting?" Ron said sensibly, his face creasing up in thought, "I mean, this is the first time it showed.it could just be because you and Emma hang around such a lot.and there are at least 500 other girls in the school, who could be the chosen ones, not just Emma."
"Right!" said Harry brightly, gathering up his chessboard, "I'd better go down to McGongall, she said something about tryouts for the Quidditch Team.hope this years lot are as good as last years! No one got hit by a single Bludger, can you believe? Its ok, Hermione, we'll try do something, but I HAVE to go to McGongall, I'm Quidditch Captain, remember?" he added when he saw my expression,.
I sighed. Yes, Harry was Quidditch Captain, and I was Head Girl. We had other things to do.things that were terribly insignificant, but important all the same.
"Yeah, your right." I sighed, "Go on...Professors not in a good mood."
Harry went, but not before looking at me in a sorrowful kind of way..what was up with him? But he was gone before I could ask.
********************************** (A/N: Ok, I might be using too many of these.)
"So, no Head Girl duties, then?" Ron asked me, lazily spreading his gangly frame out on the enormous sofa.
"No.but I need a favour.." I said, a weak, but beseeching smile on my face.
"What is it?" Ron asked, uninterestedly. I suppose THAT was because most of the favours I asked were work-related in some way - but not any more.
"Malfoy."I said stoutly.
"Hmm?"
"I need you to help me get back at Malfoy."
"What'd he do now?" Ron said, lazily shuffling a pack of cards.
"Just being his usual obnoxious self.but that's not the point.I cast a Revealing spell on him."
"You.WHAT???" Ron snickered, as if he couldn't believe what I had just said. "Hermione.yeah RIGHT! I DON'T THINK SO.."
"I DID Ron!" I bellowed, exasperated. Draco, Emma, Harry and now Ron..was this ever going to end?
"OK, OK.."he said, a little nervously, as always does when I get into a rage, "So, what do you want me to do?"
"We have to....."
About fifteen minutes later, after I tol Ron my plan, his attitude towards this had changed dramatically.
"So, when are we gonna do it?" he asked, his eyes twinkling, and a HUGE grin on his face.
"Oh.very soon.."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a place to leave you, eh????
Plz read and reviewwww!! (
3rd Chapter (Hi to Angel, G.Girl, and Expelliarmus!!!!)
(And Hi to Milky, Parvati, Pixie, ChoChang, Vanilla, lil_peeps, and anyone else from sound off who reads it!)
**************************************************************************** *******
"I am sure that both of you are well aware that you will be living in close quarters," began Professor McGonagall, "Yes?"
I shook my head dumbly, beginning to feel more useless every second. WHY hadn't I paid more attention last year?
I saw Malfoy shaking his head with me. I was surprised. It isn't everyday that Draco Malfoy admits that he doesn't know something.
"Uh, do we have to?" he asked, with all the intelligence of a hippopotamus.
Professor McGongalls eyes flashed, a danger sign. I tried to shoot the stupid git a warning look, but he was still staring at her.
"Well, as far as I know," she began coldly, "Every Head Girl and Boy have been honoured to have a wing of the castle all to themselves. You two definitely a first."
A wave of shame washed onto me. It shouldn't matter that we are from different houses. It shouldn't matter that Malfoy is a stuck-up jerk. It shouldn't.oh, who am I kidding? It does!
But, as Ron says: If in doubt, lie.
"Oh, of course we are. We just weren't aware." I began lamely. I am so not good at fibbing!
It was obvious that Malfoy (that prat) knew that we might find ourselves as Prefects (perish the thought!) instead of Heads if we didn't act quickly.
"Yes.Professor. Of course we are honoured!" he began, as slick as oil, "Shall we move on? I have heard that the Head's Rooms are most splendid!" he finished, sounding as if he was about 60 years old.
But, urgh, he was plenty convincing, but for once, I was glad. I mean, we have to be in the Professors good books, don't we?
"Very well." Said the Professor shortly, "Follow me."
We did. Down the long, lit corridors, higher and higher, up about 50 staircases and through trick walls. 'How are we ever going to get down to breakfast and to our classes on time?' I worried.
The Professor saw my look and cleared her throat loudly, to get our (wandering) attention. "There are portals in your lounge, they will automatically transport you to your common rooms, the Great Hall, and whatever corridor you wish to go to." She smiled. This was a new addition, I guessed.
Technology at Hogwarts! Who'd have thought?
As we carried on climbing, I let my eyes wander from picture to picture, watching old hags drink tea, Merlin scratch his nose (a bit too hard, he drew some blood..), and Sir Cadogan.
"AHOY there, fair maiden!" he yelled across the stairwell, "Hast thou requested the services of Sir Cadogan?"
I rolled my eyes . Some things never change, do they?
"You know that guy?" Malfoy asked me, indicating towards Sir Cadogan, who had promptly forgotten all about me, and was playing Chasey with his poor horse.
"Why should you care?" I snapped defensively. No way was I going to let Malfoy start calling me a Mudblood AND stating that the only friends I had were paintings, or whatever pathetic name he could come up with.
I turned away from him, and walked quickly to the Professor, who had stopped in front of a tiny painting, barely bigger than a thumbnail that was hanging a few feet up on the wall, just below my waist.
"WHAT is that?"
I turned around, annoyed. Couldn't this guy ever shut up?
"It's a painting, Malfoy." I snapped, "Surely, you should know that by now!"
He blatantly ignored me, and began jabbering to the Professor, who was looking extremely weary.
"Mr Malfoy, I assure you, you will not have to squeeze yourself through a door of this size," she began, guessing what was on our minds, "Watch."
She turned and faced the miniscule portrait, and muttered under her breath:
"Gryfferin."
_______********* _______ a minute later
The picture inside the painting seemed to come alive, voices were emitting from the coats of paint.
"Blimey, Serpent, why'd you put the batter in first? We need the fruit at the bottom!"
"Ssssorry...i ate the fruit."
I bent down curiously, and brought my eye close up to the painting, and saw the only thing that made me laugh all day.
A green serpent, wearing something that looked like a pair of silver spectacles, was standing erect, behind what looked suspiciously like a kitchen counter, and staring at the ground sullenly, while a majestic golden lion wearing crimson knickerbockers yelled at him angrily, obviously unaware of their audience. It looked like a cookery program gone a bit wrong.
"YOU ATE THE FRUIT? How are we supposed to make fruit trifle without FRUIT?" the lion barked at the shamefaced snake, "Typical!"
The serpent looked stubborn, and raised its scaly head to reply, but caught sight of me, laughing my head off in a most childish manner.
"Do you mind misssss?" the serpent hissed indignantly, "We're having a domestic."
I nearly went into hysterics at that, but was silenced quickly by a Look from McGonagall.
"Would you two be kind enough to open the hole?" she snapped at the two animals.
"Why?" asked the lion, tugging on his gleaming mane in bewilderment.
"BECAUSE the Head Girl and Head Boy need to get to their wing!" said Professor McGonagall, shaking he head in disbelief, "Open the hole, NOW!"
The animals sighed, and the lion waved his hand (as the snake couldn't, because he didn't have any.) and the tiny frame swung forward.
**********************************
"Nice rooms, huh Granger?"
I nodded blankly, and carried on reading.
"Which bedroom d'you want?"
I shrugged unconcernedly. Who cared about the rooms? They were identical. Green and gold wallpaper covered the walls, with the Slytherin and Gryffindor mascots stencilled on. The beds were four-poster, and sported magnificent scarlet and silver hangings - bedspreads matching. ("To create an inter-house environment.", as Professor McGongall had said.)
Both had doors leading to our respective bathrooms, which were, thankfully, decorated in our own respective House colours.
"Well, I'm taking the one with the door to the tower room, if you don't mind." he smirked. I bet he thought that he had a gigantic perk, or something. Something that I didn't have.
Yeah RIGHT. He hadn't even looked around the whole of our wing, just plopped himself onto the large futon couch after inspecting the bedrooms, which were probably his main priority.
"Whatever ." I shrugged again, and shut 'A Hundred Hexes For Slytherins, and How To Aggravate Them'. "I'm going to my common room. Knock yourself out."
I went over to the painting of the Lion and the Snake, which obviously penetrated both sides of the wall, and whispered: "Gryfferin!"
I heard Malfoy sniggering behind me, but took no notice, that jerk was probably thinking of more put-downs for the many Muggle-borns in the school. Best just to ignore him, I told myself.
The Lion sighed, and waved his hand at me, and went back to discussing the usefulness of apricot glaze with his companion.
The painting launched itself forward on its hinge once more, and dissolved completely, leaving me staring at a blank postage-stamp sized bit of stone wall, standing out from the sea of colour all around it.
Now, what was the spell again? I suddenly realized that I had totally spaced out as Professor McGongall had reminded us of the many spells and secret passwords that we had to use to get out of our wing.
I sighed mentally. Now I had to ask Mr Pureblood.
"Malfoy." I began, turning around, but as cut off by a derisive snort.
"Honestly, don't you know where anything is, Mudblood?" he asked me, not that he thought I would actually reply, "You don't use the PORTRAIT to get to your common room! WE have portals, remember?" he indicated to the shimmering mirrors standing desolately in the far corner of the lounge.
I flushed. That's right, first thing you go and do is make a fool of yourself in front of the person who would most likely bring a video camera to tape it if he could, I scolded myself. Not that he knew what a video camera was...
I walked silently over to the narrowest mirror, and said "Socianum!", while stepping through it at the same time. It was just like 'Alice Through The Looking-Glass', a Muggle book which I was very fond of.
Suddenly, the ground dropped from under me, and I found myself in the familiar cosy room, fully of squashy armchairs, all donned in gold and red, Gryffindor colours.
"HERMIONE!"
I spun around, alarmed, but was relieved to find Sharlette Jeonly racing towards me. I stepped forward to greet her, but was nearly knocked over as she threw herself tragically into my arms.
"What the." I began bewildered, not moving in case Sharlette fell over, since I seemed to be the only solid object supporting her at the moment.
"Where were you? Did McGonagall tell you about you having to." she broke off, as Ron bounced over to me, grinning as if he had just won the Quidditch World Cup.
"Hey Head Girl!" he said to me jovially, bowing low down to the ground.
"You can call me Hermione, " I snapped irritably, "and don't walk like that, you'll become a replica of Quasimodo."
OK, I knew perfectly well that he was bowing, but I didn't really want to have to contend with Ron's endless teasing right now. I had bigger fish to fry.
"What?" Ron asked, straightening his back, "Who's Quasimodo?" He shot me a confused look.
I sighed, and prepared to launch into a full-blown story about 'The Hunchback Of Notre' Dame' , but Emma, jumped in.
"Oh..Quasimodo was the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ron! Really, you should be taking the Muggle Studies course; we're doing Legends now! Honestly."
How could she have known? She had lived in a strict wizarding community before she came to Hogwarts - no Muggles allowed. And no Muggle-borns either, for some reason.
Ron stared at Emma, and I did to.Harry suddenly stiffened in his seat, a short way in front of us, where he was playing Chess with Dean Thomas.
I felt a shiver run up and down my spine.Shar obviously hadn't noticed, and, having finally gotten Emma to stop lecturing Ron, was chattering to her in a unconcerned sort of way. But she didn't know .
Emma.Emma had sounded like my clone! She had used the same mannerisms, the same exasperated, bossy voice, that my friends had been so accustomed too, only last year, before I had changed.
I quickly tried to push that thought to the back of my mind, but my all my attention was now focused on the brunette in front of me.
I risked a quick look at Ron and Harry, both of whom were staring at me with wide disbelieving eyes - I shook my head ever so slightly.just to warn them to back off.
Ron looked at me as if I was mad, but quickly shut up with as Harry glared at him ferociously.
Shar was staring at us now, I suppose we hadn't been too subtle with our (bad) body-language. But no way was I going to tell her.
"Whats the matter?" she asked.
"Uh, we ate a Puffskein.." Ron stammered, his ears going red.
I shook my head in a disbelieving sort of way. We ATE a Puffskein???
Shar was giving us funny looks, but I guess she decided not to comment. Maybe she was worried about our mental state of mind.I couldn't blame her.We ate a PUFFSKEIN??
"Er.I gotta go check up on my sister." she mumbled, avoiding our eyes, "the one that was sorted into Ravenclaw, y'know?"
She slipped out of the portrait hole, and left the FOUR of us staring at each other.
"Er.i have to go unpack."Emma said, looking uncomfortable, "Lots of new robes to hang up.."
And with that, disappeared up the Girls staircase.
I have to admit, I was kind of relieved. I mean, we (meaning Ron, Harry and I ) hadn't told Shar or Emma about the events of last summer, having only known them a year. They both got transferred here in our sixth year, from a little magical school somewhere is Wales.
"So, I guess Emmas the one." Ron said finally, still dumbstruck.
"But HOW could it be her?"I gasped, sliding into an armchair, "She's not on the Dark side."
"WHOSE not on the Dark side?"
Oh my god.we had totally forgotten about Dean, and he was sitting right next to us!
I went into totally panic mode, I am ashamed to say, and cast a Memory Charm on him! I don't think that we are even allowed to do them.but luckily, there wasn't anyone else in the common room.
"Er,Harry?" Dean began, his eyes doing loop-the-loops in their sockets.
"Yeah?" Harry answered, nervous in case Dean asked about our conversation.
"Brush your hair.and give the Fat Lady some cabbage, will you? She sure needs it.." he murmered sleepily, "Night!"
He slouched up to the Boys Dormitory, unaware of the fact that it was only 7.30pm.
************************************************
"Oh! THAT went well!" Ron scowled at me, plopping down onto the sofa opposite the roaring fire.
"Don't.."I sighed tiredly, shutting my eyes, trying to block out the horrific mental images of last summer that flooded into my mind continuously. If only we had never.
"We cant keep it from everyone for much longer, Hermione." Harry said gently, "It'll show soon. And Emma will have to go over. We cant prevent that from happening."
"We HAVE to, Harry!"I choked, tears stinging the back of my eyes, "Emma's one of our closest friends. We cant just give up on her! Its all my fault anyway."
"I know."he said miserably, "But at least we have a year to figure out what we have to do."
"But what if that's not enough time? What if it starts early?" I whimpered, a single, solitary tear trickling down my cheek.. Why did this stuff always happen to us?
"Don't you think we're sort of overreacting?" Ron said sensibly, his face creasing up in thought, "I mean, this is the first time it showed.it could just be because you and Emma hang around such a lot.and there are at least 500 other girls in the school, who could be the chosen ones, not just Emma."
"Right!" said Harry brightly, gathering up his chessboard, "I'd better go down to McGongall, she said something about tryouts for the Quidditch Team.hope this years lot are as good as last years! No one got hit by a single Bludger, can you believe? Its ok, Hermione, we'll try do something, but I HAVE to go to McGongall, I'm Quidditch Captain, remember?" he added when he saw my expression,.
I sighed. Yes, Harry was Quidditch Captain, and I was Head Girl. We had other things to do.things that were terribly insignificant, but important all the same.
"Yeah, your right." I sighed, "Go on...Professors not in a good mood."
Harry went, but not before looking at me in a sorrowful kind of way..what was up with him? But he was gone before I could ask.
********************************** (A/N: Ok, I might be using too many of these.)
"So, no Head Girl duties, then?" Ron asked me, lazily spreading his gangly frame out on the enormous sofa.
"No.but I need a favour.." I said, a weak, but beseeching smile on my face.
"What is it?" Ron asked, uninterestedly. I suppose THAT was because most of the favours I asked were work-related in some way - but not any more.
"Malfoy."I said stoutly.
"Hmm?"
"I need you to help me get back at Malfoy."
"What'd he do now?" Ron said, lazily shuffling a pack of cards.
"Just being his usual obnoxious self.but that's not the point.I cast a Revealing spell on him."
"You.WHAT???" Ron snickered, as if he couldn't believe what I had just said. "Hermione.yeah RIGHT! I DON'T THINK SO.."
"I DID Ron!" I bellowed, exasperated. Draco, Emma, Harry and now Ron..was this ever going to end?
"OK, OK.."he said, a little nervously, as always does when I get into a rage, "So, what do you want me to do?"
"We have to....."
About fifteen minutes later, after I tol Ron my plan, his attitude towards this had changed dramatically.
"So, when are we gonna do it?" he asked, his eyes twinkling, and a HUGE grin on his face.
"Oh.very soon.."
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What a place to leave you, eh????
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