Disclaimer: I don't own the characters within this chapter, that you might associate with the Harry Potter books. They thankfully belong to J.K. Rowling! (21st July! WOOHA!) Ahem. And the film characters thingys belong to Warner Bros. (Is the no sister?!) And the plot (hmph) belongs to ME! ME ME ME! M..E.. ME! Did you know? (Just there.)
A/N: So I've finally updated! Cheer people, cheer! Well, we have snow. Finally SNOW SNOW SNOW! I like snow, I really do. HEH! Snow Queen right here people! The British Snow Queen is me! .. Er.. yeah! So by now you all should know that OotP is released on the 21st July. I already have it reserved. Also, CoS on DVD and VCR is released on the 14th April. YIPPEE! .. etc etc. Thanks for coming back for more people! And to new readers.. Hiya! Be nice! LOL!
Thankios to all the following: SuSaMiNa: Did you win though? I shall count up all the votes for you LOL! Yeah, you'd get a sneaky peek! And NO ya can't vote for yaself! LOL Thanks matie! Eternity: *bows* Thank you, thank you! *bites her lower lip* Drastic action you say?! NNNOOO! *echo echo* Slytheringirl560: You love all my work?! WOW! Everyone! I have a proper fan here!!! Don't make me bluuuushhh! The Dragon Guardian of the Sea: You always leave me mental maniac reviews! *hugs* thanks! Cheers me up when I read em! LOL! *re-reads your review* Er.. I'm glad the horse is calm... ANYWAY... YOU update YOUR fics are you convenience. And that is a sarcy comment, coz I want you to update!! HEH! Robbie_Dobbie_Doo_Dah: Thanks! I think it's a good start too! I'm just worred about following it up LMAO! Annayt: Ah, it's not MUCH of a cliffie! Thanks! PlasticPandas:Yes, what kind of sick twisted mind DO you have?! LOL!! Urm, Draco sweeping her off her feet? He might come for her soon, or he might of already done it and you'll find out in her memories! Oh, and I will mark your word! LOL Witch Goddess: Wonderful?! WOW! Suspense?! What suspense? LOL! Your vote has been counted LOL! Mystic Dragon: Great writing? You really think so? Aww! You're too nice! Reviews like that make me wanna keep writing and not quit!! Kerbi: Here's the update!! I can't do fluffy that good! Thanks for your review! Red Magic Marker: WOW! I've got you hooked with just one chapter! How kool can I get?! LMAO! Hermy-own-ninny: LeaLea! Teehee! It's not wonderful you plonker!! Awwww! Shucks! Your vote has been counted! And thank you mate!!!! .. N stuff.. Blaire: Now is when i'm going to add more! Thanks! rabid-dragons: Does your dragon froth at the mouth too?! WOO! You adore my writing style!!! *grins* And I have oodles of writing style?! Fantastic story!? OOhh.. With comments like that, you could be my fave review in a shake of a can of Dr Pepper!!! Thank you heaps! MiaMaria: *bows* Someone famous in the ff.n HP world reviewing my fic! Gosh, I feel so.. so.. flattered! *gushes* Here! Have THREE frogs!! *throws them* ... *mutters* MiaMaria reviewed my fic!! Right, you owe me now for saying that. Or I shall call my dad. MaliShka: Thank you for reading!!! Teehee!! allee_kat: *blinks* Ya know, sometime you scare me, Hoofle. Who said it was someone?! LOL! And I'm not lazy, I just think of it as updatecally challanged. Ner. aliveforever83: Oh, but The Sheenster, I did stop there! *g* Look, I've updated. Now YOU have to. You do. You DO! DO DO DO! Stop arguing with me! Oh, you're not. Ah, ok. Oh shuddup. Anonymous: I will finish the story, eventually! Don't die, i need as many reviews as I can get! Jenie: Thank's for the review! Keep on lovin' it! LOL! Selvagem: *hides her face and mutters* No, no. Quarantine ain't finished, I'm just.. Uh, Yes! That's right. On a break. I shall update after this one though! Already wrote some of it! Honest Guv! DracoLover788: Thank you for the review! I shall try to update more sooner this time!
BETA READER: The results are in! For all the.. uh, three people who voted, SuSaMiNa is now Scratch That's BETA reader! *presses the play button* **fake cheer** So you all blame her for the mistakes! Ok?! Good! Though, I must say, she's bloody brilliant! Without her, I would sound so... so... er.. thick! LOL
Scratch That
Ch. 2
Hermione slowly withdrew her wand. With a sigh, she tied the bit of loose fabric which was flapping in the heavy winds back onto the beam. Turning around, she made her way back to her spot. She was glad it wasn't him anyway. He'd upset her that much that night, god knows what curse she would had used on him. She knew he would be able to defend himself, no doubt about that. But still, he wouldn't expect it. Over the last few weeks they'd both said and done things neither of them had expected. She was reminded of a saying her Grandpa used to say to her.
"Expect the unexpected, my sweet child.."
He always came out with sayings like that. Hermione was pretty sure Grandpa Arnold would get along smashingly with Mad Eyed Moody.
She always replied to her Grandpa when he told her that saying with;
"If I expect the unexpected, Grandpa, will it not just make it expected with no need to expect it at all?"
Grandpa Arnold would just pat her on the head and laugh. Oh how she missed him. Although she didn't show it much, she really missed all her family. It was only natural after all. Being away from them for such a long period at a time. She had never really thought of Hogwarts of being a boarding school. Boarding School reminded her of horrible places where parents sent their children when they got in the way. No fun, no laughter, no friends. But she has friends! She has fun, and laughter... Yet - Yet there was something missing. Something she thought she had.
He was right. She thought too much.
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Hermione spent the rest of the class ignoring the remarks Malfoy would send her way under his breath, and taking notes down for the project.
"... And that's how Doolid the Dark came to discover the 'Bridge of Obmu'loc'. That bridge was the start of the first Troll war in Ireland. The complications were also great for the muggles who had recently settled in the area, as it was their only source of running water."
Hermione finished checking her notes as the class packed up. She stood up and picked up her bag. As she collected all her pieces of parchments together, Malfoy pushed passed her and nudged all the papers out of her hands.
"See you later, Granger." He growled at her, She caught a menacing look on his face, much more threatening than usual. Hermione felt a stab of something as she picked up her work.
Fear.
When had she ever really feared Malfoy? She wondered to herself.
"Mione?" She looked up into the eyes of Ron. He and Harry bent down
and helped her with the scattered notes.
"Hey. Thanks. I'm ok, he's just so childish. Thats all." She put the
notes in her bag, and the strap of her bag over her shoulder.
They were the last out of the classroom, apart from Professor Binns. But he would leave back through the blackboard. The trio slowly made their way back to the common room. As that was the last lesson of the day they didn't have to rush. Harry pushed a red and yellow tapestry aside, and went through a secret passage.
"Rotten luck though! Fancy, out of all the other people in the class you get Malfoy!" Said Ron.
"Well we didn't exactly get the best partners either, did we?" Harry pointed out, avoiding walking through the Gray Lady who suddenly came through the stone wall.
Ron wrinkled his freckled nose and adjusted his bag on his shoulder. "True. Maybe you could persuade old Binns to let you swap with one of our partners?"
"Ron, I can't even persuade you two to not go on those... those silly adventures!"
"Actually," Harry started, "Binns would be easier to persuade!" He and Ron shared a knowing grin.
"Listen, give me your bag and go back to Binns. He should be in the staff room now." Harry stopped walking which made Hermione and Ron stop. "And we'll meet back in the common room. Ron and I have Divination homework to do anyway!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah. On a Friday. It's because the silly old bat wants it handed in tomorrow after Quidditch."
Hermione asked why so soon. "Don't ask." Was their answer. She sighed. What did she have to lose? She'd either get a 'No', or Ron or Harry for a partner.
"Well, ok then." She eventually agreed, handing over her bag. "See you later." She said, and turned to walk away.
"Good luck mate!" Ron called after her.
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Fifteen minutes later, Hermione found herself going through the argument she was going to propose to Binns in her head. As she turned to her right she saw Professor Binns hovering outside the staff room. As she came closer she noticed he was in conversation with a student. The glow off the ghost was shining onto the student. It was then she realised it was Malfoy. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to them.
"I already told you. The answer is no." Binns told Malfoy, who was looking quite angry. Hermione stopped the other side of Binns, and Malfoy sneered at her.
"Yes, Miss Grander?" Professor Binns asked.
"It's Granger sir. I was wondering if it was at all possible to swap partners?"
"As I told Mr... "
"But please sir. It would be easier for us both is we had other partners." She told him, nodding to Malfoy. "You know out history sir, even our House history."
'Well, he can't be a history teacher for nothing,' She thought to herself.
"I think that it would be in your best ..."
"Malfoy hates me, so us working together wouldn't work sir. It would be a disaster." She bravely said. Malfoy gave a small grunt. Professor Binns gave a piercing stare. Then he looked at Malfoy who was studying Hermione strangely.
"And, you agree with this?" Professor Binns asked Malfoy.
Hermione felt relieved. They would be able to swap after all.
"Actually sir, I've changed my mind."
Professor Binns gave Malfoy an annoyed look, while Hermione gave him a confused one. Malfoy grinned.
"But..." Hermione was lost for words.
"If you've finished wasting my time?" Droned Professor Binns. His anger was obvious. Without further ado he floated back through the door.
"But.." She said again. "I thought..."
"You always did think too much." He sneered at her. "I guess you're a little... Shocked? Curious?!" Malfoy took a step closer to Hermione and crossed his arms over his chest. "I saw how much you wanted to swap. To interrupt a teacher is almost a sin for you, so you must be real desperate. If working with me is that bad - if it annoys you, upsets you and makes you miserable then I'm all for it." He smirked more and took another step closer.
Hermione's immediate reaction was to step back and her hand hovered for her wand.
"That's pathetic Malfoy. Really immature."
"Not in my books it isn't. I get to torture a Gryffindor regularly for the next few weeks!"
Hermione whipped her wand out and with a steady hand, she pointed it at him.
Malfoy took a lazy look at her want and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, not physically... yet..." He said, unfolding his arms. He brought his pale left hand up and tapped the side of his head. "Mentally."
With a short cruel laugh, he spun on the spot and walked away.
Hermione made her way back to the common room where Ron and Harry were doing their Divination homework. She flopped down next to Ron, who was peering into a cup. Sensing Hermione looking over into his cup, he muttered "Tea Leaves." and turned his cup around in his hand.
"Any lucky?" Harry asked, writing something down on a piece of parchment.
Hermione shook her head. "None whatsoever. And now Malfoy knows how much its irritating me, he's all for us working together! Oh, and I kind of annoyed Professor Binns, he won't swap either of your partners either." Hermione blushed. Harry smiled.
"Ah, that's ok Hermione. If you have to suffer, we might as well!" Harry looked over to Ron. "What are you doing?"
"I don't know why she's getting us to do this again, the old bat." Ron frowned, practically throwing his cup and saucer down next to where Hermione was seated.
"Me neither." Harry agreed. "I can't seem to make out any shapes really."
"Apart from that blob that look's like the golden snitch with a clown face on!" Ron laughed at him.
"Yeah yeah. I swear it was though! Uh.. Hermione?" Harry said, glancing up at his friend.
"What? No! Oh come on Harry..."
Ten minutes later Hermione handed her nearly empty, and three-times spun, cup (bar the leaves floating in a small amount of tea) to Harry. Turning the cup over onto the saucer they all waited for the tea to completely drain.
"Uh, forgot to say, what did you..."
Hermione took her eyes off the cup and answered Harry. "I just asked for a general future reading."
"Oh." Harry nodded his head. He picked up the cup, and Ron knelt down beside him, book open in his hands. Harry cleared his throat as he glanced into Hermione's cup. Hermione was getting a tad bit impatient. She could had been starting on part of the project, rather than this. But, if it helps Harry with his homework...
"Right, ok." He muttered to himself as he flicked through the book from Ron, marking down notes. He eventually looked up at Hermione.
"This is the first clear reading I've ever had!" He brought the cup closer to Hermione, so he could point as he read her the reading. "This heart below the rim, near the handle is a sure sign that love is on the way soon. And that goat there next to it? That means it'll probably be someone you either work with, and/or the relationship will be hard work. You need to relax about it as it'll make you anxious. With persistent effort it will work in the end."
Ron Duh'd as Harry read the middle part out. "Everyone knows she needs to relax about things! She works too hard!"
"Right," Harry continued, "See those?" He pointed at a few clumps of tea leaves in the middle-lower area of the cup.
"Yes?" She asked, trying not to show any sign of interest.
"That's a rose, and to the left is a knot. That means romance and admiration is close, in the next week or so, but you'll again be quite anxious and wary about it. Try not to be so cautious. Now above that, closer to the rim again, is a rug." He said looking up at her, trying not to laugh.
"Oh! Maybe you're going to fly a magic carpet!" Ron chirped in.
" You know they're illegal here Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry and Ron sniggered, but then Harry went back to his notes after a glance at Hermione.
"Ok, with the results you have up to now, the rug means you'll have a genuine friendship starting in a week I guess. But, ah, is that a Volcano?" He said, showing Ron the cup.
"Nah, they're hills mate."
"Ok, uumm.. Hills... Yes, the hills mean a challenge ahead within the next few days."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "That'll be the History project and working with Malfoy then."
Harry continued. "Uh, overcoming them hills will bring pleasure, wisdom and achievement." He finished, and put the cup and his notes back down.
"Right..." Hermione laughed as she picked up the cup. "And after all that, I'm glad I dropped the class! Though I'm sure Professor Trelawney would be sad that there was no death in it though. What's that there then?" Hermione pointed again into the cup.
"I dunno. Here, let me see." He took the cup back from her, and with the handle in his left hand, he tipped it from left to right.
"Here! If you look at it from my direction, it becomes a 'D'." Ron said, as he also looked in the cup.
"Well, with all the things going on in your cup, it means that the friendship, romance, challenges all revolve around someone with that initial I think." Harry said, glancing at Hermione.
There was a silence.
Then there was Ron.
"You are all thinking Draco, right?!"
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The rain still coming down heavy, Hermione curled herself up into a ball. She felt like just giving in. Something she'd never done before, give in. Harry and Ron would be proud of her. Admitting defeat! That was a point, had they noticed her disappearance yet? No, course the wouldn't have. They would think she's still with Malfoy, studying. With a sigh she closed her eyes and welcomed the darkness. Admitting defeat. A first time for everything.
...T.B.C...