Disclaimer: Again, I own nothing except the plot and Felicia. I really wish
we didn't have to write these, but oh well. I know, finally, another
chapter is up.
1 'Mmm,' Hermione mumbled, as she stretched. 'That was nice.'
'Well.' For once, Ron lacked a smartass comment. He settled for kissing her, and then cuddled against her back.
The two new lovers fell asleep, still intertwined.
***~~~***
The sun poked through the drapes surrounding Ron's bed. Hermione stirred under Ron's hands, but then quickly woke up. She turned to look at Ron in a new light. From close up, he actually looked innocent, his long eyelashes resting on his cheeks. Why are guys blessed with such unbelievably long eyelashes?
Ron awoke to see Hermione staring at him.
'What? Why are you staring at me like that?'
'It's just that I've never seen you from this angle before,' Hermione said, smiling.
'And?'
'And I like it.'
'Good, because I do too.' He leaned over to kiss her. Ron stared kissing her a bit more seriously, and Hermione knew what he wanted to do.
'Wait!' she cried, and sat up abruptly.
'Herm, don't worry. It's Sunday, no school.' Ron started to kiss her neck.
She shook him off. 'That's not what I'm worried about. What if your roommates know I was here with you last night?'
Ron laughed. 'They probably do. If I recall, you were quite loud last night.'
'Ron!' Hermione cried, and then hit him, lightly. 'Luckily I remembered to charm your bed curtains to be soundproof last night. But someone must've seen us come up here together last night. What if they told Dumbledore? I could get expelled!' She started to get frantic.
'Calm down! Hermione, please calm down!' Ron grabbed her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. 'I'm sure non knows. Well, I'm sure that if anyone does, they won't tell.'
'OK, but I still want to check.' She got out of bed and started looking for something.
'What are you doing?' Ron asked.
'Getting dressed so I can go down to breakfast, and make sure that no one has told.'
'No!' Ron groaned and fell back on his pillows.
'Yes, and you have to come with me.'
'Why? Why can't we just stay here and enjoy a little quiet time?' Ron winked at Hermione.
'Please?'
'Oh alright, but I'm only doing this because then you'll owe me, and I expect to get a great reward somewhere down the line.'
Hermione laughed and threw him a bunch of material. 'Thanks. Better put your clothes on.'
***~~~***
When Hermione and Ron walked into the Great Hall together at breakfast, more than a few catcalls were heard.
'See!' Hermione whispered in Ron's ear. 'They know!'
'Calm down, I doubt they know anything,' he whispered back.
Hermione quickly looked up at the Head Table. Nothing seemed amiss. 'Well, at least Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers don't seem to know yet.'
'Then calm down and we can have some breakfast. I'm bloody hungry!' Ron flashed a smile at Hermione and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. They proceeded to walk towards the Gryffindor table and their breakfast, when Draco Malfoy stepped up and blocked their way.
'What do you want, Malfoy?' Ron snarled.
'Whoa, Weasley! No need to be so harsh!' Draco replied. 'I just wanted to ask how you enjoyed your night? Sleep well?'
'Yes,' Ron sad suspiciously.
'Alone?'
'What kind of question is that? Of course we slept alone,' Hermione cried, a little panicked.
'Well I beg to differ. I have it on good authority that you didn't. I happen to know that you two spent the night together,' Draco said, smirking.
'How did you find out?' Ron asked, low and menacing.
'Oh, a little bird told me,' Draco replied, deliberately being vague.
'Who?'
'Perhaps a little dodo named Longbottom.'
'Neville!' Hermione cried out.
'Don't look so surprised, Granger,' Draco smirked.
'What are you going to do, Draco?' Hermione asked quietly, dreading the answer.
'Nothing.'
'What? You're going to do nothing! Knowing you Draco, you'd do anything to get me and/or Ron expelled. Well, now's your chance!'
'Obviously, Granger, you don't know me at all. I'm not as mean as you think I am.'
Ron laughed bitterly. 'Bullshit. You're an asshole and always will be,' he scoffed.
Draco backed up a step. 'What? Do you want me to tell McGonagall? Or worse yet, Dumbledore?'
Hermione rushed forward. 'No! Please! I'll do anything!'
'I don't want anything from you, except for you to treat me nicely. I'm actually a nice guy, and believe it or not, I have feelings. Just because I'm a Malfoy doesn't mean I'm like my father. Maybe you could get the other Weasley and Potter to do the same.' Draco stepped back, waiting for her reply.
'I think I can manage that. And Draco?'
'Yes.Hermione?' Draco stumbled over the name, as he had never said it before.
'Thank you,' she said quickly, and kissed him on the cheek before leading Ron to the Gryffindor table.
'Did Hermione actually have a civil conversation with Draco and then kiss him on the cheek?' Ginny asked Harry incredulously, as she and he had watched the whole thing.
'I think so. Has Hell frozen over?'
'I guess we'll have to ask Draco the next time we see him. Hermione what just happened?' Ginny said as Hermione and Ron took seats beside her and Harry.
'Nothing, really. So what's up with you guys?' Hermione asked, brushing off the entire incident.
'Hey Ron, hey Hermione,' Neville called down the table.
She turned to him, gave him a look that could kill, and then turned her back on Neville and blatantly ignored him.
Ginny leaned over to Hermione and whispered in her ear, 'Hermione, why are you being so rude to Neville? He's our friend!'
'He is not our friend! Well, at least he's not Ron's and my friend!'
Ginny gave Hermione a questioning look.
'I'll explain later,' Hermione whispered to the younger girl.
***~~~***
'You guys did what?!?' Ginny exclaimed.
'Not so loud,' Hermione admonished her. 'We had sex.'
'And how does Neville factor into this?' Ginny asked, remembering their previous conversation.
Ron got up and paced around the Common Room where the group had retired after breakfast. 'Somehow Neville found out what Hermione and I were doing, and for some reason, squealed to Draco Malfoy.'
'To Malfoy?' Harry exclaimed, confused. 'But he's a Slytherin, and not to mention, pure evil.'
'No actually, Malfoy, I mean, Draco, has turned out to be a nice guy,' Hermione said.
'Yeah, Harry and I saw you and Ron getting all chummy with him at breakfast. What's up with that?' Ginny asked, and then snuggled up to Harry. Since their makeup the night before, Harry and Ginny had tried to stay as close together as they could.
'Well, Draco was just letting us know that he knew what we were up to, and how he had found out. Then he told us that he wouldn't tell anyone about us,' Ron said.
'In exchange for what? Your immortal soul?' Harry said sarcastically.
'Harry, I know you might not want to believe it, but I think Draco has changed. I think he actually might be a nice guy. I can't believe it I'm saying this,' Ron said.
'Well, if Ron thinks Draco is a nice guy, he must be. Sort of sounds like Neville and Draco have switched personalities,' Ginny analyzed.
'What are we going to do about Neville?' Hermione asked Ron.
'I could talk to him,' Harry offered.
'I don't know Harry,' Ron said. 'I really think Hermione or I should be the one to talk to him. I mean, it really is our business, but thanks for offering.'
'I see where you're coming from,' Ginny ventured. 'But Harry does have a point. Because he isn't directly involved in this, um, situation, Harry could be objective when talking to Neville. You and Hermione could, and probably will, get very upset or angry and do something you'll regret later. Let's just be safe and let Harry do it.'
Ron and Hermione whispered together for a moment. 'Sure, Harry, thanks,' Hermione said.
'I'm going to go get it over with now, so I can come back and catch up on lost time with you,' Harry whispered in Ginny's ear.
'You are so sweet, Harry Potter. Make sure you do hurry back because there's lots I want to say to you,' she whispered back.
Harry stood up. 'I'm off,' he said and after kissing Ginny softly, he went to find Neville.
***~~~***
Harry found Neville Longbottom sitting by himself in the library.
'Hey, Neville!' he called.
'Yeah, what do you want?' Neville said sharply.
'Oy, no need to get all defensive, I just wanted to ask you a question.'
'Yeah, shoot.'
'Was it really you who told Draco about Ron and Hermione?'
'Yeah, what of it?'
'That's what I was afraid of. I don't want to point fingers, and I don't really know what's happening, but this situation is getting very familiar. Its almost seems like history is repeating itself and you're becoming.Peter Pettigrew,' Harry finished.
Neville's eyes grew wide and he lost all traces of that tough guy demeanor. 'No, I'm not evil, I swear. I was just lonely, because you guys were all off at Quidditch, and Draco was actually being nice to me. But, oh.' he trailed off.
'Its ok, Neville, I believe you. I think Ron and Hermione will too, if you apologize profusely and grovel a little.' Harry patted Neville on the arm and led him back to the Common Room.
***~~~***
Ron and Hermione accepted Neville's apology and they all became friends again, although Hermione still treated Neville with a bit of restraint.
Things were now back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be at a wizarding school where Draco Malfoy is now a good friend with our group of Gryffindors, and Ron and Hermione now enjoy new sleeping arrangements.
Ginny and Harry's relationship was now better than ever, with Harry lavishing withheld affection on Ginny, and Ginny blossoming under all of the attention. But the Quidditch game with Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff was approaching. Ginny wondered if Harry could keep his promise and not focus totally on Quidditch. She would just have to wait and find out.
1 'Mmm,' Hermione mumbled, as she stretched. 'That was nice.'
'Well.' For once, Ron lacked a smartass comment. He settled for kissing her, and then cuddled against her back.
The two new lovers fell asleep, still intertwined.
***~~~***
The sun poked through the drapes surrounding Ron's bed. Hermione stirred under Ron's hands, but then quickly woke up. She turned to look at Ron in a new light. From close up, he actually looked innocent, his long eyelashes resting on his cheeks. Why are guys blessed with such unbelievably long eyelashes?
Ron awoke to see Hermione staring at him.
'What? Why are you staring at me like that?'
'It's just that I've never seen you from this angle before,' Hermione said, smiling.
'And?'
'And I like it.'
'Good, because I do too.' He leaned over to kiss her. Ron stared kissing her a bit more seriously, and Hermione knew what he wanted to do.
'Wait!' she cried, and sat up abruptly.
'Herm, don't worry. It's Sunday, no school.' Ron started to kiss her neck.
She shook him off. 'That's not what I'm worried about. What if your roommates know I was here with you last night?'
Ron laughed. 'They probably do. If I recall, you were quite loud last night.'
'Ron!' Hermione cried, and then hit him, lightly. 'Luckily I remembered to charm your bed curtains to be soundproof last night. But someone must've seen us come up here together last night. What if they told Dumbledore? I could get expelled!' She started to get frantic.
'Calm down! Hermione, please calm down!' Ron grabbed her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. 'I'm sure non knows. Well, I'm sure that if anyone does, they won't tell.'
'OK, but I still want to check.' She got out of bed and started looking for something.
'What are you doing?' Ron asked.
'Getting dressed so I can go down to breakfast, and make sure that no one has told.'
'No!' Ron groaned and fell back on his pillows.
'Yes, and you have to come with me.'
'Why? Why can't we just stay here and enjoy a little quiet time?' Ron winked at Hermione.
'Please?'
'Oh alright, but I'm only doing this because then you'll owe me, and I expect to get a great reward somewhere down the line.'
Hermione laughed and threw him a bunch of material. 'Thanks. Better put your clothes on.'
***~~~***
When Hermione and Ron walked into the Great Hall together at breakfast, more than a few catcalls were heard.
'See!' Hermione whispered in Ron's ear. 'They know!'
'Calm down, I doubt they know anything,' he whispered back.
Hermione quickly looked up at the Head Table. Nothing seemed amiss. 'Well, at least Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers don't seem to know yet.'
'Then calm down and we can have some breakfast. I'm bloody hungry!' Ron flashed a smile at Hermione and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. They proceeded to walk towards the Gryffindor table and their breakfast, when Draco Malfoy stepped up and blocked their way.
'What do you want, Malfoy?' Ron snarled.
'Whoa, Weasley! No need to be so harsh!' Draco replied. 'I just wanted to ask how you enjoyed your night? Sleep well?'
'Yes,' Ron sad suspiciously.
'Alone?'
'What kind of question is that? Of course we slept alone,' Hermione cried, a little panicked.
'Well I beg to differ. I have it on good authority that you didn't. I happen to know that you two spent the night together,' Draco said, smirking.
'How did you find out?' Ron asked, low and menacing.
'Oh, a little bird told me,' Draco replied, deliberately being vague.
'Who?'
'Perhaps a little dodo named Longbottom.'
'Neville!' Hermione cried out.
'Don't look so surprised, Granger,' Draco smirked.
'What are you going to do, Draco?' Hermione asked quietly, dreading the answer.
'Nothing.'
'What? You're going to do nothing! Knowing you Draco, you'd do anything to get me and/or Ron expelled. Well, now's your chance!'
'Obviously, Granger, you don't know me at all. I'm not as mean as you think I am.'
Ron laughed bitterly. 'Bullshit. You're an asshole and always will be,' he scoffed.
Draco backed up a step. 'What? Do you want me to tell McGonagall? Or worse yet, Dumbledore?'
Hermione rushed forward. 'No! Please! I'll do anything!'
'I don't want anything from you, except for you to treat me nicely. I'm actually a nice guy, and believe it or not, I have feelings. Just because I'm a Malfoy doesn't mean I'm like my father. Maybe you could get the other Weasley and Potter to do the same.' Draco stepped back, waiting for her reply.
'I think I can manage that. And Draco?'
'Yes.Hermione?' Draco stumbled over the name, as he had never said it before.
'Thank you,' she said quickly, and kissed him on the cheek before leading Ron to the Gryffindor table.
'Did Hermione actually have a civil conversation with Draco and then kiss him on the cheek?' Ginny asked Harry incredulously, as she and he had watched the whole thing.
'I think so. Has Hell frozen over?'
'I guess we'll have to ask Draco the next time we see him. Hermione what just happened?' Ginny said as Hermione and Ron took seats beside her and Harry.
'Nothing, really. So what's up with you guys?' Hermione asked, brushing off the entire incident.
'Hey Ron, hey Hermione,' Neville called down the table.
She turned to him, gave him a look that could kill, and then turned her back on Neville and blatantly ignored him.
Ginny leaned over to Hermione and whispered in her ear, 'Hermione, why are you being so rude to Neville? He's our friend!'
'He is not our friend! Well, at least he's not Ron's and my friend!'
Ginny gave Hermione a questioning look.
'I'll explain later,' Hermione whispered to the younger girl.
***~~~***
'You guys did what?!?' Ginny exclaimed.
'Not so loud,' Hermione admonished her. 'We had sex.'
'And how does Neville factor into this?' Ginny asked, remembering their previous conversation.
Ron got up and paced around the Common Room where the group had retired after breakfast. 'Somehow Neville found out what Hermione and I were doing, and for some reason, squealed to Draco Malfoy.'
'To Malfoy?' Harry exclaimed, confused. 'But he's a Slytherin, and not to mention, pure evil.'
'No actually, Malfoy, I mean, Draco, has turned out to be a nice guy,' Hermione said.
'Yeah, Harry and I saw you and Ron getting all chummy with him at breakfast. What's up with that?' Ginny asked, and then snuggled up to Harry. Since their makeup the night before, Harry and Ginny had tried to stay as close together as they could.
'Well, Draco was just letting us know that he knew what we were up to, and how he had found out. Then he told us that he wouldn't tell anyone about us,' Ron said.
'In exchange for what? Your immortal soul?' Harry said sarcastically.
'Harry, I know you might not want to believe it, but I think Draco has changed. I think he actually might be a nice guy. I can't believe it I'm saying this,' Ron said.
'Well, if Ron thinks Draco is a nice guy, he must be. Sort of sounds like Neville and Draco have switched personalities,' Ginny analyzed.
'What are we going to do about Neville?' Hermione asked Ron.
'I could talk to him,' Harry offered.
'I don't know Harry,' Ron said. 'I really think Hermione or I should be the one to talk to him. I mean, it really is our business, but thanks for offering.'
'I see where you're coming from,' Ginny ventured. 'But Harry does have a point. Because he isn't directly involved in this, um, situation, Harry could be objective when talking to Neville. You and Hermione could, and probably will, get very upset or angry and do something you'll regret later. Let's just be safe and let Harry do it.'
Ron and Hermione whispered together for a moment. 'Sure, Harry, thanks,' Hermione said.
'I'm going to go get it over with now, so I can come back and catch up on lost time with you,' Harry whispered in Ginny's ear.
'You are so sweet, Harry Potter. Make sure you do hurry back because there's lots I want to say to you,' she whispered back.
Harry stood up. 'I'm off,' he said and after kissing Ginny softly, he went to find Neville.
***~~~***
Harry found Neville Longbottom sitting by himself in the library.
'Hey, Neville!' he called.
'Yeah, what do you want?' Neville said sharply.
'Oy, no need to get all defensive, I just wanted to ask you a question.'
'Yeah, shoot.'
'Was it really you who told Draco about Ron and Hermione?'
'Yeah, what of it?'
'That's what I was afraid of. I don't want to point fingers, and I don't really know what's happening, but this situation is getting very familiar. Its almost seems like history is repeating itself and you're becoming.Peter Pettigrew,' Harry finished.
Neville's eyes grew wide and he lost all traces of that tough guy demeanor. 'No, I'm not evil, I swear. I was just lonely, because you guys were all off at Quidditch, and Draco was actually being nice to me. But, oh.' he trailed off.
'Its ok, Neville, I believe you. I think Ron and Hermione will too, if you apologize profusely and grovel a little.' Harry patted Neville on the arm and led him back to the Common Room.
***~~~***
Ron and Hermione accepted Neville's apology and they all became friends again, although Hermione still treated Neville with a bit of restraint.
Things were now back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be at a wizarding school where Draco Malfoy is now a good friend with our group of Gryffindors, and Ron and Hermione now enjoy new sleeping arrangements.
Ginny and Harry's relationship was now better than ever, with Harry lavishing withheld affection on Ginny, and Ginny blossoming under all of the attention. But the Quidditch game with Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff was approaching. Ginny wondered if Harry could keep his promise and not focus totally on Quidditch. She would just have to wait and find out.
