Disclaimer: Oh, no! We forgot the disclaimer from the last chapter! Now everyone will think that we were trying to steal the characters from J. K. Rowling! Please don't sue us!
Chapter 11
Darn!
Draco
Darn! I was friends with Hermione. And as much as I wanted to deny it I cared about her. Hermione and my friendship meant so much more to me then Crabbe and Goyle. They were just a couple of dumb guys that hung out with me because our fathers are friends so we grew up together. Hermione meant so much more to me. She was smart and funny. She laughed at my jokes, and I mean really laugh, not like Crabbe and Goyle laughing because I said the joke, she laughed because I had said something funny.
Just then the mail arrived. Dozens of owls flying into the Great Hall all at once. It is really an amazing experience to see the mail at Hogwarts. An eagle owl came over and landed on my shoulder. I know I should be used to it by now, but I still flinch with pain, when I feel the talons digging into my skin. Great! I thought. Now I have some more nice scars to add to the collection. Whenever my dad freaks out, he'll do something so that I have a scar to remember that time by. I can sit there and point out each scar to the reason my dad was mad.
I knew the letter was from my dad because it was one of his favorite eagles. I took the letter, gave the owl some scrapple, and started to open the letter. I had no clue why he was sending me the letter and not quite sure what to what to expect. The letter read:
Son,
How are you doing in studying for the NEWTs? It would be as much as a pleasure for me to have you by my side then it would be for you. I know that you have some full proof plan that you are working on.
In the mean time, I need you to give me a hand with my plan. We are going to kidnap Harry Potter and his two best friends, what are there names again? Ryan and Ivory? Whatever. They just really bug us. Can you try to get them alone by the Womping Willow, on the day before Gandalf Day, Sunday, around 9:00 p.m.? Good.
Your Father
Not all muggleborns are bad. I realize that now. In fact some of them are downright funny, smart, nice, dependable, and so much more. Unfortunately this was going to ruin my plan of what to do after I graduate. Not to mention my dad's new plan. How can I help him when I am friends with "Ivory?" There is no way I can be a Death Eater and like muggleborns. There was no way I could remain loyal to my father, and like Hermione. I would have to choose, Hermione, my only real friend that I have ever had, or loyalty and respect of my father.
This was going to be a tough decision.
Chapter 12
What's Up With Hermione?
Ron
Detention! And 50 points from Gryffindor. We lost our lead on the house Cup, now Hufflepuff has the most points. We don't even have a lead on the Quidditch Cup; we are tied with Ravenclaw. The last match is the Saturday after the next. If we win the match we get the Cup, but if Ravenclaw wins they get the Quidditch cup.
I was sitting silently in the common room late at night with Harry. We were not talking. I think we are both feeling guilty about Hermione.
I didn't mean to ignore Hermione. I just wanted to spend time with Julia. I really like her. She is the best. I am taking her to the Seventh Year Ball. I know Harry's taking Ginny. But who is Hermione taking? Is she taking anyone? Maybe she is taking the person she is tutoring. I wonder who that is. Probably a Hufflepuff. She was going to tell me Sunday night, but Harry interrupted, and I started talking. I didn't notice how rude it was then. I do now.
"Harry?" I asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Should we ever talk to Hermione again?"
"I think that we should try to make up with her, at least."
"I'm not sure I want to talk to her. Now, all of Gryffindor is mad at us, too. I think that killing her would be much more fun."
"Look, I know it would be more fun, but she's right. We have been ignoring her, Ron. This is worse then our third year."
"Hey! In our third year, who did she go talk to?"
"Hagrid!" So Harry and I went down to Hagrid's hut. We saw Fred and George outside tormenting some first years with their Strawberry Tarts, which left a bitter taste in your mouth for an hour. Fred and George are working as the Defense Against the Dark Arts; they work as a team. Recently there lessons have been outside, by the forest. They are saying that it is just until there joke shop business, but it has been three years since they graduated and they still have not opened the shop.
"Hey, Ron, Harry! Aren't these just some normal strawberry tarts." Fred had asked us because he knew that we liked to torture eleven years as much as they do.
"Yeah!" said Harry. Harry knew that they would listen to him because he was the famous Harry Potter.
"Really," said John Johnson, a timid looking first year, which kind of reminded me of what Harry used to look like.
"Really," I responded. They need to learn the hard way. Never trust Fred and George.
"Is Hagrid inside? Harry asked George, who was handing out the Strawberry Tarts.
"Nope, he's out in the Forbidden Forrest looking for some wartbugs for his next class."
"Great! That's just what we need! Some big ugly warts to show our
girlfriends. Have you seen Hermione
around here lately? Like in the last
couple of weeks?" I asked.
"We've been seeing her at the greenhouses for the last week, but she hasn't come here at all. What has she been doing there?" Fred said, between explaining why he didn't want to have a Strawberry Tart.
"Oh, she's just tutoring someone in Herbology," I informed them.
"Who?"
"YUCK! What is this stuff?" shouted one of the first years.
"We don't actually know. That's why we were looking for Hargid, we were wondering if she had talked to him about it." Ron looked embarrassed when he said this. I was beginning to wonder who it could be.
"Well, she hasn't been here."
"Fine. See you around then."
"Now, what are we going to do?" I asked
"We are going to ask Hermione who she is tutoring."
Chapter 13
Hand in Hand
Hermione
The next few days went on without event. I had regular tutoring sessions with Draco. Each day we talked more and more. Each day I liked him more and more. I used to think that all Draco Malfoy is was some rich evil brat. I never thought it was possible to like him. But then I did not know the real Draco, maybe no one does. I started spending more and more time with Draco. During meals he and I took our food outside onto the grounds and ate together. We spent all our free periods having tutoring sessions so we could talk
It was Friday afternoon, in double potions, Snape was telling us about the potion we will be making today, Polyjuice potion.
"Once you have chosen your partner take some of his or her hair, put it into the potion and wait. Your transformation will last for an hour. You may talk amongst yourselves until you turn back," Snape said.
Ron and Harry immediately chose each other. I looked around and saw Draco turn down Pansy Parkinson and walk towards me.
"Can I be your partner? I want to do this with the experienced Polyjuice potion maker." He joked with a smile and I smiled back at him.
"Sure." We had fun making the potion. It was fun being able to look at the world from someone else's point of view. The only problem was walking around; I didn't feel comfortable with my height and weight.
"Gee, Hermione, I thought you did this before."
"Did I mention that I became a half cat/half human beast." Draco laughed when he heard this.
"It's NOT funny," I protested.
"Yes it is," he said laughing.
After that I saw the humor in the joke and we laughed together. I spent the rest of potions class talking and laughing with Draco. We planned to have a tutoring session later that night and one tomorrow evening after the Hogsmeade trip. I was looking forward to getting to know him even better. Not that I did not already know him. We were practically best friends now!
After Potions was over, Draco and I walked out of the dungeon together, laughing. I saw Ron and Harry looking at me strangely. Good. Let them be jealous. They deserve it.
At that moment I did something drastic. I don't remember thinking about doing it or deciding to do it. Maybe I did it because I wanted to make Harry and Ron jealous or maybe it was because I really liked Draco. But the next thing I knew I had slipped my hand into his, and we were walking through the halls hand in hand. It felt good to be holding his hand. Just before Draco and I left the entrance hall I saw Harry and Ron staring at me, their mouths hanging open.
After we reached greenhouse 9, we planted the Afodilds, added some Ulipts, and planted them. Afodilds grow in fifteen minutes so we talked while we waited.
"So, where is your house?" he asked.
"In Bimachville, right outside of London," I replied, "And you?"
"In Malfoyville, on the other side of London."
"Wow. Your pretty famous, aren't you?"
"It's more my dad who is famous then me. People are always like 'Oh, you're Lucius Malfoy's son,' and think I'm just like him. Well, I'm not! And I am so pissed at everybody who thinks I am." Where did that come from? I don't think of him like that anymore. Does he still think I do?
"Draco, I don't think you're just like your father."
"I know you don't, Hermione, but Weasley and Potter and all the other Gryffindors do."
"Your father and many other people think that I'm just like my parents. They think that I should be a muggle because my parents are. You're not the only one who feels like this."
"Hermione, I don't think you should be a muggle. You are the smartest witch at Hogwarts. I bet you'll be valedictorian."
"Well, I am in the running, along with Hannah Abbot, Pansy Parkinson, and Bob Bobson. Bob will probably win. He is in Ravenclaw."
"Ten Galleons says you'll be it."
"You're on!" I said laughing. The rest of the afternoon was joyful. We talked a lot and walked around the lake some.
"Good bye," I said, at the end of the lesson. And then, before I lost my nerve, I reached over and hugged him.
"See you tomorrow," he said, apparently unfazed by this. I walked up to my room, dazed. I didn't even notice if there was any people in the common room.
Something about Draco seemed so right. I never thought it was possible to be friends with him. I do now. Now I am friends, with him that much is clear. Unfortunately whether or not we are anything more is a bit blurry.
A/N: Yeah, yeah I know. Bob Bobson. I have no original names.
Chapter 13
The Same Old Snape
Harry
Ron and I stood there for a second. We both were staring at where Hermione and Draco had been. I got my senses back.
"Ron?" I said trying to sound normal and failing to do so for I sounded like a scared house elf.
Ron did not answer. I could under stand that for he and Hermione dated for a while in fifth year, though they broke up with a decision to be JUST friends he probably is upset about seeing her with Draco.
"Ron?" I said again.
No answer.
"Ron, were they touching?" I asked waiting for his answer.
But all that came out of his mouth was a frightened high-pitched squeak.
"Ron!" I shouted.
He squeaked again.
"Ron, snap out of it!
This time Ron started to back up, muttering to him self "ewww, ewww!"
Unfortunately, for us, someone was already there.
"WEASLEY!" yelled Professor Snape.
"Sorry professor. I just-" he began.
"Detention, Weasley!" Snape shouted.
"But, Professor Snape..." I started. I should not have said anything.
"And another detention for Potter," he interrupted. " Plus, twenty-five points from Gryffindor for saying that insufferable word.
"But... but..." Ron stuttered.
"Fifty points!" He yelled. "Have anything else to say?" We shook our heads silently and left the classroom.
Only two more weeks of Snape, I reminded my self. He is just probably trying to give us detention as much as possible because soon he won't be able to. Many things are changing in my life; it is good to know that Snape will always stay the same.
Chapter 14
That Jerk, Draco
Pansy
I cried the whole way back to the dorm. How could he do this to me? When I saw him and Granger together I felt like my heart had been torn out and stomped on. I thought he liked me, kind of at least. I mean, we did go to Yule Ball in fourth year together. Well, okay! Since he really doesn't like me, I shouldn't be crying. Get over him! Maybe I should ask out Ron Wealsey, since I always thought that he and Granger should be together. If she can steal my man, I can steal her's! Oh, wait! He goes with Julia Dido, now. Oh well. I guess that leaves me by my self.
Granger is always taking what's mine. Everyone knows that I like Draco, and most people have respected that. And everyone knows that I am the smartest person in the school. What if she gets Valedictorian? I mean she might be smarter then me. I heard a rumor that a lot of people are betting on who will win. That just puts a lot of pressure on me and everyone else. I have got to win I really need to study a lot if I am going to beat the other candidates.
I was in my dorm now by my bed. I couldn't help it. I started to cry. I cried so long, I thought I would never stop.
"PANSY!" I heard someone scream suddenly, "Why are you crying?"
I turned my head to see my best friend, Lyra Sandems, running to my side.
"Are you okay? Why are you crying? Is it Draco again? Look I've told you a million times you are better then that cheating bastard. You have spent to many hours crying over him. Move on!"
"I can't!" I cried out. "When I saw him with Granger I felt so bad."
"GRANGER! Draco is going with Granger? There's a combination I never thought I'd see. Oh Pansy you must feel awful!"
"I know it sounds crazy but I really thought Draco was the one. You know?"
"Yeah, I know, When I went out with Steve I really thought I was in love with him to, but he turned out to be a jerk, like Draco. Hey tell you what, tomorrow when we go to Hogsmeade, I will buy you all the chocolate you want. It really helps when you are upset."
"What's going on?" said a voice as it entered the room. I looked up to see another girl from our dorm, Dawn coming in. "Pansy! What's wrong?" she demanded.
I shot Lyra a look that said "Don't tell her" Lyra nodded understandingly and turned to talk to Dawn. Dawn is kind of nice, but never entrust her with secrets. She is the gossip queen.
"She is upset about the valedictorian thing. She thinks Bob will get it." Lyra lied quickly.
"Oh, I can go to the library, and get you some books if you want. I will go first thing in the morning." Dawn offered.
"Thanks" I replied.
With that she turned and left. Finally, Lyra and I could talk again in peace and I would not have to go to the library and back. Dawn saved me from that.
Chapter 15
Hogsmeade Plans
Hermione
I woke up early on Saturday. I wanted to get an early start on the day. It was about 8:00, which is VERY early for a Saturday, but to my amazement there was already someone in the common room. It was Ron. Ron NEVER gets up early on weekends. In fact he was known for sleeping in. Normally I would start talking to him, however I was still so angry with him, and Harry that I just sat down with my Arithmancy book and began to study.
Soon Harry came down stairs to. Harry also slept in whenever he could. They must have planned this. The looked as if they wanted to talk to me. So I quickly got up and went to the library to study.
The library was quiet this early in the morning. I looked around to see who was there. I saw Dawn Ragle in the advanced transfiguration section. This was a surprise because the only times I had seen her in the library was when she was talking to people trying to get new gossip. If you ask me she is very mean.
I had studied for about a half-hour, when all of a sudden I could not see anything. Someone had sneaked up behind me and was covering my eyes.
"Guess who" a familiar voice said. I knew that voice anywhere.
"Draco" I said confidently.
"No, it's Hermione" he joked.
I started to laugh and he did the same. We laughed so hard Madam Pince came out to yell at us. So he took my hand and we walked out quickly still giggling. Just as we were leaving I got a glimpse of Dawn; she was staring at us, dumbstruck.
Draco and I walked down to the Great Hall, for breakfast. We went in and then went separately to our tables where we got our breakfast. It was still so early that no one else was there. Draco and I walked outside together where we went to the maple tree by the lake.
"Are we still meeting at 5:00 for tutoring?"
"Definitely."
"Great. Are you going down to Hogsmeade?"
"I don't know. Harry and Ron probably won't want to be there with me. So there is really no reason for me to go."
"If you ask me, you're friends are insane. I mean you are smart, funny, not to mention you value your friendship very highly. I doubt you're the best friend anyone could have."
"I am not."
"Did I mention you are very modest? Honestly, if Weasley and Potter think that they will find a better friend or person, they've got another thing coming."
"Yeah? Well if you are right it is not coming very quickly. And it does not change the fact that I still don't have a reason to go to Hogsmeade."
"Hey, why don't you and I go together? We can hang out. It'll be fun."
"Sure, yeah that would be great!"
"Good. Meet me at Three Broomsticks."
"I can't wait!"