Ok, here's the second installment. By request, I have made this chapter longer. I think one more chapter for the Ball, and a surprise. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. This is probably the first of my fics that got 12 reviews in the first day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What have I gotten myself into?
Hermione rushed back to the common room and plopped down on the cushy couch. She began to replay the night's events in her head. Draco had duped her into meeting with him in a darkened hallway. He had threatened her, nothing new there, and then told her that he was in love with Ginny. And somehow or another, he had managed to get her to agree to spy for him. Now she was in the predicament of a lifetime. How do you tell your most hated enemy that the person he loves more than likely hates his guts? Worse yet, how do you tell your best friend that his most hated enemy is in love with his little sister? She exhaled sharply and sat back into the couch.
"Hey, Mione, what's wrong?" Well, she thought, at least it's not Ron. Harry sat beside her and she made up her mind. She pulled the note out of her pocket and handed it to him. He took it and read it, confusion evident on his face.
"Mione, I didn't write this, but it's in my handwriting."
"Yeah, I guess whoever wanted me to meet them was careful to not make me suspicious."
"You didn't go, did you? I mean, prefect or not, we can't be wandering the halls at night." He smiled as she gave him the "you're kidding, right?" look.
"Of course I didn't go, Harry. I mean, I was going to, and I had just gotten out of the portrait hole, but I changed my mind. I mean, it could have been Malfoy for all I know." There, now if he had heard her come in, he knows why. He smiled and wrapped his arm around her. She smiled back and leaned into his embrace.
"And I wouldn't want to lose you to Malfoy. Neville maybe, but not Malfoy." She elbowed him in the ribs and giggled.
"You don't have to worry about that. Imagine Malfoy, liking a Muggle-born." They both laughed at the thought of him telling his father.
"The only thing worse than that would be if he suddenly fell in love with a Gryffindor!" He laughed heartily at the thought, and Hermione had to try her best to play along. This is going to me impossible, she thought. Finally, they both consented to go to bed, as they had finals coming up soon, not to mention OWLS.
The next morning as she walked into the Great Hall, she stole a glance at Malfoy. He narrowed his eyes at her and glanced over at Ginny. Hermione looked at the younger girl and mentally gasped. If she didn't know better, she would have thought Ginny was furtively glancing over to the Slytherin table. Hermione looked shocked for a moment, then looked back to Malfoy. She shook her head so slightly, she hardly felt it, and Malfoy sneered and turned back to his breakfast. Hermione made herself a mental note of confront Ginny in private about the incident.
Soon, she got her chance. As Harry and Ron headed off to Divination, Hermione headed to the library. She found Ginny there, studying fourth year Herbology. Hermione piled her bag onto the table and sat down next to the younger girl.
"Hey Herms? Where's the rest of the Dream Team? Oh, I forgot. They have Divination and you don't."
"Of course not, Gins. I wouldn't be caught dead taking that subject. It's so hokey. I mean, aside from the crazy bat predicting Harry's death every other week, he tells me that Dumbledore himself said she's only made two real predictions in her life."
Ginny giggled, "I wouldn't be surprised, but it's an easy mark. I mean, all you have to do is predict a little doom and gloom and she thinks you're a prodigy." Hermione took a peek at Ginny's book, and smiled. She remembered that lesson. She was about to say something about breakfast that morning when Colin Creevey walked up.
"Hey, uh, Ginny?" Ginny gave Hermione an apologetic glance, and turned around to face Colin.
"Yes, Colin?"
"I, uh, was, uh, wondering if you might wanna go to the Yule Ball with me this year?" She could tell it had taken all his courage to ask her that simple question. And he's supposed to be a Gryffindor, she thought.
"Sorry Colin, but I'm already going with someone. Maybe next year, okay?" He smiled at her and walked away, heart-broken. Hermione took the opportunity that had presented itself.
"Who are you already going with Gins?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Uh, no one as of yet, but I'm hoping someone will get up the guts to ask me."
"Someone just did," Hermione pointed out, which only got her a light slap on the arm. "Seriously, though Gins. Who do you want to go with? And if you say Harry, I'll trounce you."
"Don't worry, my school-girl crush on him ended the minute you two began dating. No, this someone is, well, he's not Harry. I don't know if I should tell you or not. I mean, you and Ron and Harry tell each other everything, and I don't want either of them knowing this right now." If only you knew, Hermione thought.
"Oh come on, Gins. This is girl talk. Just between you and me." She leaned in closer, hoping to hear two words that would solve all her problems. Well, most of them.
Ginny took a deep breath. "Draco Malfoy. That's who I want to go to the Ball with." Hermione smiled on the inside, but for show, managed to look astonished.
"Are you crazy? You do know what he thinks of your family right? Not to mention he hates all Gryffindors." All but one, she amended silently.
"I know, it's stupid! But I can't get this idea out of my head that he's not really as mean as Ron makes him out to be. Sounds dumb, huh?" Hermione had a far-away look in her eyes, but she responded the same.
"Not really, Gins. I mean, we can't help who we love." It sounded cheap, but it was the only thing she could think of at that moment. The irony of that was it was exactly what Draco had said to her last night when she told him he was crazy. The two girls finished their work in silence and separated to go to classes. Hermione walked down to the dungeons for potions while Ginny headed outside for Care of Magical Creatures.
She was early, she knew, but she wanted to review her report one last time before Snape obliterated it. Surprisingly, she found Draco waiting for her. Even more surprisingly, his two cronies weren't in sight.
"Well, if it isn't the Mudblood. Where are your two boyfriends?" He held up his hand for her to be silent and paused, waiting for someone to rise to her defense. When no one did, he continued in a hushed tone. "What have you found out, Granger?"
Hermione was tempted to lie; to crush his heart for all the things he had done and said to her and her friends over the last four and a half years. But she couldn't do it to Ginny. She took a breath and replied in an equally hushed voice.
"She likes you, but she thinks you're not as bad as everyone says you are." His eyes dropped, revealing that perhaps Ginny had been right. "You're not seriously saying you have a soft side, are you?"
"I said nothing of the sort. My father expects me to marry a pureblood to continue to family line. But the people he wants me to associate with are not those I wish to as well. Even Crabbe and Goyle are flunkies put in place by my father. I don't even really remember their first names." Despite herself, Hermione let out a small laugh, then quickly covered it up with a cough. She looked back up to find his sneer back in place, and only had to take one guess. Quickly, she reacted to the obvious.
"Shut up, Malfoy, or I'll have Moody come back and turn you into a ferret again."
"What did you say to her Malfoy?" Harry rose to her defense in a heartbeat, and Ron wasn't too far behind.
"Well, if it isn't Scar-head and the Weasel. Here to defend your precious girlfriend, Potter?" He crossed his arms and smirked, clearly knowing he had the upper-hand in the dungeons, where Professor Snape was bound to emerge anywhere.
"If you haven't noticed, we outnumber you Ferret Boy, so sod off!" Ron was red and had almost reached the point of yelling. But of course, as if on cue, Professor Snape emerged from the classroom and scowled at the three Gryffindors.
"10 points from Gryffindor for your language, Weasley. Now would someone care to tell me why you are so early to my class? I expect as much from Draco, he is an excellent pupil, but you three are never early. What are you scheming?" Ron stood, mouth agape. They just couldn't win with this guy! If they were late, he had a field day taking off points, and if they were early, he suspected them of something. Harry gave him a warning glance and the three of them quietly hung outside the door, not wanting to be stuck inside the potions classroom with two Slytherins.
Harry turned to Hermione as soon as Snape and Malfoy were inside. "What did he do to you?"
"Nothing that he doesn't normally do. Threaten the Muggle-borns, call me a Mudblood, the usual." She shrugged it off, hoping she sounded convincing enough. Harry narrowed his eyes at the door, then took a deep breath. That was why she liked Harry. He could let go of almost anything, especially if she did as well. Ron, on the other hand, was still fuming about an argument he wasn't even in.
"He's lucky I didn't hear it. I would have decked him."
"And gotten more points taken off and possibly expelled, Ron?" She always tried to make him see reason, and as usual, he ignored her.
"He never gets points taken off for calling you – that word."
"Snape, take points from Slytherin? You should try out for the talent show at the Ball, Ron. You're pretty funny." And as always, Harry tried to lighten the mood to take Ron's mind off of pummeling Malfoy. Soon, the other Gryffindors showed up and they filed in quietly.
The rest of the day went by uneventfully, and soon came time for Hermione to meet with Draco again. Boy, if the guys ever find out about this… She snuck out and rushed to the hallway where they had met last night. He was waiting for her.
"So, what do you have for me now, my spy?" She stopped and reeled back. Was he joking with her? No, must have been her imagination. She found her voice and relayed what had happened in the library. She watched him smirk at a few points, especially when Ginny had blown off Colin.
"That's it?"
"Well, she does sneak glances at you during meals."
"So do you think she would say yes if I asked her to the Ball?"
"Positive, only you'd have to get past Ron and Fred and George…well, pretty much all the Gryffindors. Probably some Hufflepuffs too."
"That's where you come in. I want you to set up a secret meeting between myself and Virginia. Tomorrow night. Here at the normal time."
"How am I supposed to get her out of the dorms? It's hard enough for me, and I'm a prefect."
"You're smart, you'll think of something. Tomorrow night Granger." He walked off, leaving Hermione completely stunned. He had not only not insulted her the entire meeting, he had actually complimented her. Something was definitely wrong. Of course, if that was stunning, what came next was absolutely dumbfounding. Just before he reached the door, he turned.
"See you in class tomorrow," then left. She quickly composed herself and returned to the Tower. She snuck back up to her dorm and fell asleep, still completely clueless as to how she was going to get Ginny to the hallway tomorrow night.
Her alarm was always set earlier than others. She found it relaxing to get up and into the Great Hall before the crowd of people. She could eat and read in silence. As she walked into the Hall shining her badge for the day, she noticed another figure sitting at the table.
Ginny Weasley looked like she had just gone ten rounds with a mountain troll, and she was barely staying awake over her eggs. Hermione sat down next to her, but the younger girl didn't seem to have noticed. Hermione looked closer, and saw that the girl was really asleep. She gently shook her shoulder.
"Gins?" The red-head woke suddenly and spilled her orange juice. Instantly, it was gone and a fresh glass appeared in front of her. "Gins, why are you up so early? And why are you falling asleep in your breakfast?"
"Sorry Herms. I didn't sleep very well last night, and I woke up at five and couldn't get back to sleep. So I came in here to get an early breakfast then I was going to the library to do some studying for my Herbology quiz. Guess I fell asleep."
"Well, it's good thing I found you now. I need you to come with me tonight. I'm supposed to arrange a meeting between you and someone, but I'm not allowed to say whom. He just wanted me to get you two together alone."
"Oh, like a secret tryst kinda thing?" Hermione grimaced.
"Please don't put it like that. That's a horrible mental image. He just wanted to talk to you alone. Will you come?" Ginny furrowed her brow in thought, then straightened her face.
"Sure, as long as I'm back before my brothers do their 'bed check.' Seriously, they need a hobby."
"I'll talk to Ron about that, but I can't say anything for Fred or George. Maybe if you talked to Alicia and Katie." Hermione knew the twins liked the Chasers, but she didn't know if either was going to make a move. Perhaps if the girls did, they would stop bugging Ginny.
"Deal," the red-head said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go try and get some more sleep before classes." Hermione watched her go, but not before bumping into Malfoy on his way in. She gave him a fake glare for show, which Hermione saw right though, and continue on her way. Malfoy, for his credit, actually said excuse me as he brushed past her. He raised his eyebrows at Hermione, who merely nodded and sighed. He smirked and continued to his designated place at the head of the Slytherin table. Though only a fifth year, he was undoubtedly the most respected (and thus feared) by the other Slytherins. They had heard stories from their own parents on how Lucius had been and was now, and they tried their hardest to stay on Draco's good side.
She was joined shortly after by Ron and Harry, who were arguing about tonight's Quidditch game between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Ron, as usual, sided with the Hufflepuffs, but Harry correctly pointed out that with a new Seeker, they were still straggling. Cedric Diggory's death had haunted Harry for a few months. Hermione had received countless owls in the middle of the night telling her of a dream he had had. It was then that she realized she loved him, and subsequently dumped Krum and asked Harry out. Surprisingly, he had said yes, and he was permitted to spend the remaining weeks of summer at her house; and Ron came over within the last week as the trio shopped for the upcoming year.
Hermione opened her Arithmancy book and tuned the boys out as she studied tomorrow's material. Harry gave her a hug to let her know he had seen her and she wasn't forgotten, but he continued on with his argument.
The day was uneventful, but all together pleasant, as they didn't have Snape that day. She had gained almost 20 points for Gryffindor that day, and even Ron managed to get one thing right in Care of Magical Creatures, earning him 5 points. Lunch was spent as a normal Friday at Hogwarts. Most students were anxious for the weekend, and talking about the upcoming Quidditch game. It seemed as if most people were agreeing with Harry and picking Ravenclaw as today's winners. Harry and Ron had even bet 5 Sickles on the outcome. Hermione opted to skip the game in favor of homework, and by the time the boys came in, Harry smiling and 5 Sickles richer, she had completed all her homework for the weekend. Harry frowned, but began his anyway, and Ron left for the Great Hall to get an early start on dinner.
They joined him twenty minutes later, and Harry had already completed his Defense Against the Dark Arts essay. Ron griped at him, but decided to finish his tomorrow early so he could have the rest of the weekend off. Hermione excused herself with the excuse of going to the library and left. She found Ginny in the common room and sat beside her.
"Meet me down here ten minutes after lights out. Try to be as quiet as possible. I'm going to try and get Harry's Invisibility Cloak, but don't count on it." Ginny nodded and ran up to get ready. If she was going to meet a boy, she wanted to look her best. Hermione snuck into the boy's dorms, after tricking Neville into giving her the key, and quickly grabbed Harry's cloak. She stuffed it in her bag and left, giving Neville his key back.
She did her bed check for the girls as Harry did his for the boys. They met back in the common room, traded figures, made sure everyone was accounted for, and he kissed her goodnight on the cheek. She blushed and walked up to her dorm. She waited until she heard the boy's door shut, then she returned to the common room. Ginny was waiting for her. Hermione threw the cloak on her and walked out. Luckily, prefects' lights out times were extended half an hour, so it was fine for her to be in the halls. They reached the hallway to find a shadow lurking in the corner. Ginny uncloaked and stared at the figure.
The blond merely smirked at her as she studied him to make sure he was real. She turned back to Hermione, asking the question with her eyes. The older girl shrugged.
"Don't ask me. This is between the two of you. I'll be in the next room." She gathered Harry's cloak and left, not really wanting to hear this conversation.
Draco merely nodded, "Hello Virginia."
"Hi Draco. You're the one who wanted to talk to me?"
"Yes, it was me. Granger has been most helpful these past few days." Ginny stared at him in shock. Hermione was working with Draco? Though it did explain her strange behavior, which of course was only noticeable in hindsight. She sighed, then realized Draco was in the room.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about the way she's been acting lately."
"You mean it was noticeable?"
"Only in hindsight, and then only if you look for it. She's a really good actress. But I'm sure you didn't ask me to come here to talk about her."
"Of course not. I wanted you to come here because I was told you had an interest in me. Well, I wanted you out of range of your brothers to ask you if you would like to go to the Yule Ball with me. And before you start, I know very well what everyone will say, especially my father. And frankly, I don't care." Wow, Ginny thought, that was well thought out and rehearsed. She stood stunned for a moment, soaking it all in. Was this really happening, or was it all a dream. At his expectant look, she found her voice.
"I would love to go to the Ball with you Draco. I just don't want you putting yourself in harm's way by going with me. You'd be much safer going with Pansy or Millicent."
"Actually, my father has already arranged a marriage between myself and Pansy. That is when I finally decided that I am the one who chooses my destiny, not him, and especially not the Dark Lord."
"Are you going to be a Death Eater, Draco?"
"What would you say if I told you yes?" This was not the answer she had been expecting, and she faltered for a moment.
"I would do all I could to divert you from that path, because it is not who you are."
"How do you know?" It wasn't said hatefully, but curiously. He wanted to know how this young Gryffindor knew so much about him. The only thing they had ever exchanged her insults and sneers, not pleasantries and compliments.
"Because if you were going to join the Dark Lord, you wouldn't be here now," she said simply. He thought about her words, which made sense in their own way.
"Then you have nothing to worry about, Virginia. I have no intention of ever joining Voldemort. Hopefully, Potter can become the world's savior before that time." Ginny laughed, an angelic sound to his ears, and stepped closer to him.
"Harry's not really as bad as you think he is. Ron, on the other hand, is going to flip when I walk through the doors on your arm."
Draco raised his eyebrows at the insinuated secrecy this would entail. "Are you sure you're supposed to be a Gryffindor? Because you have a lot of Slytherin qualities."
"I'll try not to take too much offense to that," she joked, but he didn't seem to get it. "It's a joke, Draco. You're supposed to laugh?"
"Joking is not common among Malfoys unless it's a snide remark against someone." His face remained straight as he stated this matter-of-factly.
"We are definitely going to have to work on that." She stuck out her hand, fully expecting him to take it. When he did, she pulled him in for a rather awkward hug. "Thank you, Draco." She let him go and signaled to Hermione that they were done. The prefect emerged and waved goodbye to the Slytherin, who was still standing shocked at Ginny's action.
On their way back to the Tower, they ran into Filch. He was easily diverted by a lie saying they were meeting with a professor, careful not to name anyone, and quickly returned to their dormitories. Ginny hugged Hermione and thanked her, skipping up to her room.
Hermione plopped down on the couch and grabbed a book from the table. Flipping through, she looked at all the pictures of the greatest Seekers of Hogwarts. She found the page on James Potter and smiled. She remembered giving Harry this for his birthday. He must have forgotten it when he went to bed.
"Where have you been?" There he was. She turned to face him, not really knowing what to say.
"Harry? What are you doing up?"
"Waiting for you to return. My cloak was missing, and Ron said he hadn't seen it. I was going to ask you, but you weren't in your room. I also see you have my cloak. So where have you been?" He wasn't angry, she noted, more concerned. Secretly, she wondered what she had done to deserve him, but she pushed that thought aside in lieu of more pressing matters. Sheepishly, she stood and handed his cloak back to him.
"You have to swear you will not tell anyone, not even Ron." Now he knew it was serious if he couldn't tell Ron. He merely nodded, indicating for her to continue. "I was sneaking Ginny out to see her admirer. He asked her to the Ball and she said yes and we left and came straight back here. See, it's not even past our lights out time yet." Harry looked at the magical clock, and noted that it was only 10:25 pm.
"Mione, I understand that you have your own little things that you need to keep to yourself. I do too. But please don't go out alone in those halls without at least letting me know. That way, if you don't come back, I can notify someone. I'm just worried about you, that's all. With Voldemort's return, Muggle-borns are in more danger than everyone else. I can't lose you now; not when I've just gotten you." He pulled her into a firm embrace, and she let a few silent tears fall. She hated lying to him, but she couldn't tell. For Ginny's sake. Harry had even told her she didn't have to tell him. So she rationalized with herself and told herself it was okay, that she wasn't lying, just not telling the whole truth.
It sounded shallow and lame in her own ears, but for now, it was the best she could do. She only had one more week before the Ball, then everything would be alright again. Well, as long as they kept Ron from killing anyone. Which was going to be a feat in and of itself. She laid down in her bed and closed her eyes, finding sleep easier than the night before.