A/N: And now……..drum roll please……also, if any of you other high school freshman like me are being tested on this, you could follow the plot with an updated version as a study guide thingy? Worked for me. I'm keeping this fic as close to the original plot as possible. Extra brownie points if you can see which character matches which! (Draco = Romeo…etc etc)
Disclaimer: I own the plot, well sort of. The concept is Shakespeare's; the characters are JK Rowling's. So essentially I own nothing. Whoopee. Also, all songs belong to the wonderful John Mayer. I'll say it again: I own squat.
.:~*~:.
Draco & Hermione
By: PunkMoxXie (aka Caitlin)
Chapter One (Prologue, Act One Scene One)
"Two Households, Both Alike in Dignity"
"Two households, both alike in dignity.
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny.
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ear attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend," read Professor Dumbledore from the Muggle book, "Romeo and Juliet." Dumbledore was teaching the first "Muggle Literature and How to Interpret It" class; only offered to seventh year students. It was a recently added class because the Ministry of Magic felt that the magical world was losing touch with the Muggle World, so all magical students were being required to take a muggle-related class. Some students were taking, the "Muggle Survival" class in which students had to basically carry out every day tasks like Muggles do. Others took "Famous Muggles" study where they studied what well known Muggles have done for the world. Everyone took the "Muggle Literature and How to Interpret It" class because it was the easiest.
Hermione was absolutely absolved. Ron was making gagging gestures to Harry, and they were laughing quietly to themselves. Hermione was sitting in the middle of the two in the back. She was desperately trying to pay attention to this class, while her two immature friends were making faces. Secretly, she laughed inside and would much rather do what they were doing than pay attention.
"Cut it out!" she hissed.
"Look, this Shiscabob guy was obviously up on something when he wrote this," Ron said, "And it's not like it really affects us or anything."
"No I think its Spearesomething," Harry said, deliberately trying to annoy Hermione. Apparently she wasn't the only one annoyed. The whole class was staring at the arguing trio. Draco Malfoy had a smug look on his face when he raised his hand and said, "There is no excuse for this behavior professor, they need to be taught a lesson." The whole class groaned. Draco Malfoy hadn't lost any of his annoyance over the years.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy, however I don't think detention is necessary," Dumbledore remarked, "but I will take 5 points from Gryffindor because Mr. Weasley and Potter were not paying attention." He then set the book that he was reading from on the desk.
"So can anyone tell me from this introduction what this play is about?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione's hand shot up immediately. But, of course, he did not call on her. He looked at Draco Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy, your thoughts," Dumbledore said.
"Two Muggles are obviously in love from rival families," Draco said. Dumbledore seemed impressed.
"So anyone care to make a comment on this?" Dumbledore asked. This time Hermione didn't raise her hand. Malfoy took her answer.
The lecture continued…Hermione had studied constantly, but had never taken the chance to actually learn. But she flipped through the text book reading bits and pieces and marveled at the verse and technique. But she, still being as naïve as she was when she was 11, she never thought about love like this character Juliet had.
Then bell rang, signifying the end of the period. Hermione was left to her silly day dreams, as she laughed and ran off carelessly with her two best friends.
.:~*~:.
"What do you think is the best way to get a Gryffindor pissed off," Crabbe remarked to himself and Goyle at the Dining Hall. Goyle was leering over at the Gryffindor table with utter loathing on his mind. Crabbe felt the same way, but he was able to articulate his thoughts.
"Tell them the truth," Goyle said chuckling to him.
"What…that Slytherin is better?" Crabbe said. He was very pleased with himself. It proved exactly was a sluggish mind he had.
"Yup," Goyle said, and the two super sized Slytherins laughed. They laughed so hard that the table shook.
"I got an idea," Crabbe finally said, "what if we threw something at them…get pudding all over those stupid Gryffindors…that'll show them."
There was no need to say that he agreed. Goyle chucked a bowl of custard over to the Gryffindor table, hitting Dean squarely in the back. Dean whirled around furious. He and Seamus marched over to the Slytherin table. Some of the custard had sprayed on Seamus also.
"Was that you?" Dean demanded.
"We threw food if that's what you mean," Goyle said simply. Crabbe nodded and agreed.
"Did you throw it as US, good sir," Seamus said mockingly. He wanted to toy with these stupid Slytherins, see how far he could take it.
"We threw food, and if it hit you…well that's just a coincidence," Goyle continued. He was getting a little apprehensive.
"I don't think that was the real reason," Dean said matter-of-factly, "do you Seamus?"
"No, I don't Dean. What do you think we should do about it?" Dean said mockingly stroking his chin.
They looked at each other, with hatred rising inside them, and simply said, "Get 'em."
They drew out their wands and lunged at the two Slytherins. They couldn't get very far until a familiar voice shouted very loudly, stopping the confrontation for a brief moment.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Benjamin said, prying himself in between Seamus, Dean, Crabbe, and Goyle. Benjamin had transferred from Salem Witch Academy along with his twin brother Mikey. They were both in 7th year along with Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Benjamin was more of the introvert personality inside, he liked everything to be as non-confrontational as possible, and since he was new, he couldn't quite understand this feud between the Gryffindors and Slytherins. But he was well respected by all Slytherins, because he was Drano's cousin. He inherited the classic Malfoy eyes that were normally a slate blue, but changed to gray depending on his mood. He had sandy blond hair, and was tall and lanky. But he proved himself to be strong to the Slytherins when a 6th year Ravenclaw heard him talk and made fun of his hometown, New York. He pulled him by the shirt, dragged him into a private room, and shoved him against the wall. He received many pats on the back and way-to-go's. No one talks about New York that way, Benjamin thought to himself. It was the only place in the world where Muddles and Witches interacted and co-existed together. That's why they say New York City is full of loonies.
"I got a balding spell with your guy's name on it," Benjamin said, shaking his wand in a threatening manner.
"Now what the hell do you think your doing?" an even more angry voice yelled out. Ron Weasley tore up the rows and marched to the scene.
"Slytherins, it figures," Ron sneered. He drew out his wand and pointed it at Benjamin, "Just because you're from America and you think you're all high and mighty doesn't make it that way. You and your brother. You don't know how it works around here."
"Weasley! Please! I'm just trying to stop this stupid fight! Do you want detention?"
"It doesn't matter. If I get detention for settling the score with Slytherins, so be it. I don't want peace, I hate peace as much as I hate you Slytherins. So be a man, and let's do this," he said challengingly and held his wand in a dueling manner.
It began. First it started with Ron calling out, "Mobilicorpus" at Benjamin and with that Benjamin was flung to the other side of the room. As if by taking their cues, the rest of the people in the great hall started throwing food at each other, some 7th year students casting spells on other 7th year students. It was an absolute fiasco.
"HALT!" came a sudden cry from the far end of the room. It was Dumbledore's unmistakable voice. Though very old, he could still command a room. The Great Hall immediately ceased all action.
"THIS NONSENSE HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH! IF YOU GRYFFINDORS AND YOU SLYTHERINS DON'T LEARN HOW TO GET A LONG, OR AT THE VERY LEAST TOLERATE EACH OTHER EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU WILL BE EXPELLED FROM HOGWARTS!" Dumbledore boomed. There was an awkward pause on the part of the Gryffindor and Slytherins. "AND FURTHER MORE: ANYONE I CATCH STARTING ANOTHER CHILDISH BRAWL LIKE THIS AGAIN WILL NOT ONLY BE EXPELLED, BUT I WILL SEE TO IT THAT THEY WILL NOT GRADUATE FROM ANY ACEDEMY!" And with that, he stormed out angrily out of the room. The other teachers came up to their houses to inspect the damage. Snape approached Benjamin.
"What happened here?" Snape asked.
"Crabbe and Goyle threw custard at the Gryffindors," Benjamin said blandly.
"I see," Snape said, surveying the damage. A table was over turned. Food smeared all over the walls and floor. Fidgeting 1st years running back and forth from the bathroom crying. "And where is Draco is all of this? Wouldn't he be a part of this?"
"Nah, I saw him roaming around the North Tower. Seemed distracted with something. I didn't want to bother him."
"He's been acting strangely for the past couple of weeks. Normally he would be happy, under the circumstances of this being his last year, and being a prefect…"
"I don't think he's thinking about school. He's been keeping to himself an awful long time."
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy I believe your right. Could you check up on him though? His mood has even interfered with his school work, Potions especially."
"No problem, Professor Snape," Benjamin said. He dashed off to the North Tower where he suspected Draco would be.
.:~*~:.
Benjamin climbed the numerous stairs, and headed to the very top of the tower. Little people knew that on the very top there was a lush meadow, filled with elegant sycamores. Benjamin had only been here once, often feeling unworthy of being there. Sure enough, he saw Draco softly sing to himself as he stared at the trickling spring weaving in and out of the sycamores. Draco sat on a rock, his eyes matching the cold emotionless rock he sat on.
"What's up coz?" Benjamin said gently to Draco as he approached him.
"Hey Ben," Draco sighed. He picked up a rock and threw it in the stream.
"You've been up here quite a lot lately," Benjamin continued.
"Just been thinking. You know," Draco said. He had no life in the conversation. He was completely and utterly bored with life. He felt alone in a crowded room, he had nothing to live for, no just cause to fight for.
"What about?" Benjamin said, standing next to him, picking up rocks and carelessly tossing them into the pond.
"Pansy dumped me," Draco finally blurted.
"What happened?"
"She says she's not interested in anyone at Hogwarts. She wants someone 'older,' and 'wiser.' A bunch of bullshit if you ask me," Draco said, still lifeless, "She was the last straw, you know? I saw hope and beauty in her eyes, and now that it's gone…I don't know if I can go on anymore."
"Come on now, Draco! There's plenty more fish in the sea!"
"None are appetizing to me," Draco simply replied.
"There's this ball tonight, you know the Fall Ball? We could totally crash it! There will be plenty of new girls there, find another fish for yourself."
Benjamin waited for Draco to respond but he just continued to wallow in his own sadness. Benjamin finally grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him away. They went downstairs to the main Hogwarts hallway. They ran into Jacob Creevy, the youngest of the 3 Creevy brothers (he was a 2nd year) who was carrying a sheet of paper. He looked frantic and desperate. Jacob ran up to Draco and Benjamin.
"Hey! Hey! Could you help me?"
"What about?" Benjamin said. He knew Jacob was a Gryffindor, but he wasn't a threat. He was only a 2nd year.
"I don't know who these people are…I need to go tell them they're invited to this party."
"If we tell you, can we come?" Benjamin asked, taking the paper from Jacob.
"Yeah! Sure! Anything as long as you're not from Slytherin," Jacob said.
"We're not," Benjamin lied. He pointed out who the people were on the list who passed by in the hallway. Draco peered and read the list, and saw the name "Pansy Parkinson." His expression brightened. Maybe he would go to the party.
"Well thanks guys!" Jacob said, "I'll see you at the party!"
"See you there," Benjamin said, then turning to Draco, "See, simple as that. We'll wear masks or something so they can't tell. Then before you know if you'll be on some girl and you'll be saying 'Pansy! Who the hell is Pansy?'" They both laughed and Draco said to himself, "We'll see."
.:~*~:.
Draco got ready with absolute euphoria, even singing to himself. He'd convince Pansy.
.:~*~:.
A/N: DUM! Dadadum! DUM! Oh yeah. What a way to study for a final! Thanks for everyone who has reviewed. I know I haven't gotten around to the story much, only because I've been so damn busy with starting high school and what not. I was also getting a little frustrated with the characters because I'm trying to mix a little bit of Shakespeare and a little bit of JK Rowling without making the whole story blow up in my face with contradictions and not being true to character and such. It's a challenge for me, so if you have any suggestions on my writing style or how to make it better, please review and let me know. I only accept constructive flames. The immature ones like I said before will be used to make tasty s'mores!
If anyone could shed light on how to center text, I'm typing this on word. If you want to see the pretty version, type in this on your browser:
http://www.geocities.com/lastnite26/ActOneSceneOne.html
Catch ya later!
~Caitlin