I know last chapter I said I would touch on the topic of the Hogsmeade; I lied. I didn't mean to lie, I just kind of forgot about it and when I remembered it the chapter was already so long (on my standards) that I decided to with hold that information until this chapter okay? Somebody's having a dream ~ the same dream every night – what's the deal? What do you get for somebody who has everything? Read and Find out. And review, if you don't ill stop posting.
Disclaimer ~ I do not own Harry Potter and Co. I wish I did but I don't, so don't sue me.
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Falling Head Over Heels
The Story of Hermione Granger and
Her relationship with Draco Malfoy
By: Befuzzled
Chapter Seventeen ~ Reoccurring Reveries and Unexpected gifts
"You drive a pretty car
You know how fine you are
And nobody needs to say it
They love the clothes you wear
They complement you
And I just love the way you play.
But the only thing you dream of
Money can't buy for you,
And in my dreams
I'll make your wish come true.
For the girl that has everything;
I bring you love, I bring you love
Cause the girl who has everything
Can't get enough of my love"
~*Nsync
The weeks started to drag by, everything seemed to be in slow motion while everyone anticipated the happenings to come on Christmas Day: getting gifts and then the Ball to follow. Well, the weeks were slow and tedious for everyone except the four Prefects. They took regular visits to Hogsmeade and every once in a while would accompany a teacher to Diagon Ally and assist in creating or picking up some sort of decoration.
Things were especially busy for Hermione. Everyday during the week was spent doing something for the dance. Every Saturday when her partners got a chance to catch up on sleep and homework, she could be found fulfilling her promise to Paul walking around Hogsmeade keeping up with the banter. Sundays were a day "off"; just enough time to finish all essays and work assigned for the next week.
"Hey Hermione, have you gotten your dress yet?" Paul asked as the passed in front of Gladrags.
"Not exactly. But I don't need one." Her voice was drained and tired.
"Okay, is there anything else you do need?"
"Just a butterbeer I guess, and to get your present."
"Oh! So what am I getting?"
"What do you want?"
"Good question. Surprise me! You know how much I like those."
"Okay."
~*~
"Professor McGonagall?"
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"I know this isn't proper and I know I shouldn't ask for this, but would it be possible to go to Diagon Ally? It's not for the decorations; its to get a gift for someone and they don't have it around here," She pleaded in one breath, relived she got it all out.
"Would I be imposing for me to ask who the present is for?"
"Of course not. It's for Draco."
"Wouldn't you be able to fins a gift for that boy around here?"
"I've already looked but there's nothing here that he doesn't have. I do have an idea of what to get him, but it's in Diagon Ally."
The conversation continued from there. The two women plotted ways and making up reason for Hermione to go to Diagon Ally.
~*~
Hermione collapsed into a chair in the Prefect common room the day before Christmas. "Is anybody else as tired as I am?"
"Nope"
"Not really."
"Probably not."
"Okay then. What's on the agenda for today?"
"For you?" Hannah stared.
Terry finished for her, "Nothing."
"What!?"
"You have been trying to support this whole campaign on your shoulders. You forgotten there are four people working on this and not just Hermione Granger, " Draco scolded.
"I have not," Hermione's voice was strong and defiant.
"Oh really? Then how come you're the only one of us who hasn't gotten dress robes?" Draco retorted.
"I have gotten them, they just aren't here."
"Hermione, I love you like the sister I don't have, but you need to take a break. Let us do something. If we mess it up then you can have your way. Let's try at least make this look like a team effort." Hannah's voice cooled the air and caused everyone to relax.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I guess I have been a bit bossy."
"Not bossy, just over bearing. Plus, how can you expect us to find you presents if you're always with us when we shop?"
Hermione laughed, "Okay, I'm sitting down. Now what do you want me to do?"
"Lay down and go to sleep. You can sleep here or will tie you to your bed. All we going to do today is go over the check list so we'll be quiet." Draco brought over both his and Hermione's blanket as he said that. "Which color couch do you prefer?"
"Crimson, of course. No offense Terry."
"None taken."
"Okay then, here is a pillow, and a few blankets now go to sleep."
"I'm really not sle-*yawn*-epy." Draco gave her a stern look. "Okay, my gosh you don't have to get all dad like on me."
She lain down and fell asleep almost instantly. The others in the group set to work on double-checking the supplies and order slips.
~*~
Hermione pushed a large wooden door open. It led to a long, dark narrow tunnel. She glanced behind her, and saw nothing, no way out. She had no choice but to follow along the corridor. She walked slowly, quietly listening for the slightest sound, eyes searching for a way out.
After about twenty minutes of walking, she pushed open another door, letting a harsh distinct green flame hit her eyes. She walked into the room cautiously. There were two chairs in the entire room; one high straight back red chair, with the fabric pulling away from the seem, the other, a small wooden rocker.
Aside from the chairs there was nothing, no one. She was trapped in an abandoned room to afraid to call out, to afraid to scream. The door squeaked open and a dark figure walked in, a mysterious chill spread across the room. Hermione turned around, gasped, and fainted. The blackness surrounded her, protecting her thoughts from what could, and might be happening to her. The darkness was a security blanket, blocking the sight of the monsters that came out from under the bed.
~*~
She woke up in a panic. Draco was sitting next to her wiping the sweat off her brow. "Shh, Hermione wake up it was just a dream. It's okay I'm here. You'll be alright."
She gripped onto his robes, never wanting to be alone again, well at least until the dream was pushed far back into the core of her brain to be forever forgotten. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No I just want to forget it. Please don't tell."
"Hermione, I can't."
"Please? It's nothing important just a nightmare. It's the first one I've had since last year after the Quidditch pitch. I'm fine really."
"Okay, Hermione. But if it happens again will you at least tell me?"
"Yes, but it won't. Where are Terry and Hannah?"
"They went to go get some food for us to snack on while we work. Do you want to get up or go back to sleep?"
"How long was I sleeping?"
"About two hours."
"Okay then I'm definitely getting up. I have to go wrap some presents and talk to MacGonagall."
~*~CHRISTMAS~*~
Everyone woke up with a pile of presents at the foot of their four-poster. It was Gryffindor tradition to open the presents in the common room so everyone levitated the mis-shapen, oblong, boxes and bags down stairs to the common room.
Hermione sat on the couch waiting for the other's to awake from their slumber. She stared into the dancing orange flames of the fire, and voices began to flicker in and out of her head. They were memories she had tried to forget – lose under all the knowledge capacitating her brain. The flickering spindles of fire soon hypnotized her into a trance. She was taken to a time not yet known to her captured by her curiosity to figure and absorb everything.
~*~
"Oh look, it's the MudBlood, Hermione Granger." The voice was like poison piercing her ears.
"What do you want with me? Haven't you already taken enough from all of us?"
"I want nothing from you. You're bait! I'm attracting the real prey."
"That's absurd. You can't actually expect to catch anybody like that."
"Oh no? What about a certain boy-who-lived, or maybe a son of a deatheater, even a Gryffindor chaser? Did you forget about them? You all are the same, like sheep. If one of you gets into some trouble; the rest aren't far behind."
"If that's the case, I guess you forgot a few. There's Ron, Ginny, Hannah, Terry, and about the whole Gryffindor house. Not to mention Sirius, Lupin and Dumbledore." She smirked at him, showing a lot more bravery than she really felt. "So if you think they will find me, you're right. They'll find me, and they'll find you. And once again, you'll be reduced to a small, insignificant, spec on the wizarding radar screen. You'll still be a loathed worthless piece of sh*t!"
A swift, hideous hand struck hard against her cheek. "Quite a tongue on you MudBlood. Especially since no one will be around to hear you scream."
"For one, you've obviously forgotten that you are a MudBlood too, Tom Riddle. And I am entitled to say what I like. I'm sick of being scared. I'm sick of always having the feeling of someone watching me. I'm sick of looking over my shoulder. I'm sick of spending at least three weeks every year in the hospital wing, in a hospital bed or sitting by one. I'm sick of the memories. I'm sick of the nightmares. I'm sick of almost losing everything close to me. I'm sick of saying "he-who-must-not-be-named" and "you-know-who"." The rage was boiling now.
"And I am most definitely SICK OF YOU!"
She was snapped out of her trance and instantly realized she had spoke aloud, right to Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Paul.
"Oh really? Is that so? What are we not good enou…" Ron was cut off.
"Oh please Ron, stop. I was having a dream, I think, and I didn't realize I was speaking out loud. None of it was directed to you, I promise. It was just a dream I swear." Her voice was shaking as well as her hands and shoulders. She looked like she was about to cry.
Paul and Ron took a seat on either side of her. "Are you okay? It seems like that was a bit more than a dream."
"Yes, I'm fine Harry. Or I will be. It was just a collaboration of our past experiences all coming to a climax." Her voice was calming down slightly.
"Was it about You-know-who?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, kind of. But if more about me coming to grips with myself. Any ways, don't we all have some presents to open?"
Off to the side Paul turned to Harry, "One of these days, you all will have to fill me in on all your adventures."
~*~
At the same time off in the dungeons of the Slytherin rooms, Draco woke with a start. ~ That was some dream. That voice- what was it saying? Who was it talking to? And why did it sound so familiar?~
He looked at the foot of his bed, finding an arrangement of presents. Most with wrap with silver, green, or black wrapping paper, a crimson envelope stuck out.
He immediately opened it:
Dragon,
Meet me in our common room at 10 o'clock for your present.
Sleeping Beauty
He tried to think of all the things she would have gotten him. He hadn't asked for anything special or left any hints. It was going to be a surprise. Draco went to shower and put on some normal clothes and robes for the day, since they didn't have classes. At a quarter to ten he made his way to the common room, slowly now even more perplexed about the whole situation.
He appeared in the room with a silver wrapped box, tied with gold ribbon – Hermione's present.
"Hello? Hermione?"
"I'm on the couch." He walked over to her. She was sitting on the couch with a gold wrapped package with silver ribbon and an easy pop of top.
"Happy Christmas," he said handing her his gift and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh thanks, you too. Open your's up first." Anticipation spread across her face and excitement shone through her eyes. "Oh and don't shake, it fragile."
"Oh what is it?"
"Open it."
He did and instantly and black ball of fuzz ran up his arms and attached its self to his head. "Ow! That hurts! Hermione I didn't know you still hated me! My god what kind of curse was that?"
"I do like you it's just scared." She stood up and gently pulled the creature off her friend's head.
"It?" questioned Draco looking at the damage done to his arm through his torn robes.
It was a black cat with only a cresset moon on its forehead. It couldn't have weighed more than two pounds. She squeaked in Hermione's arms.
"What's its name?"
"That's for you to give to it."
"Then I'm going to call it Lucifer."
"You can't do that!"
"Why not? You said it was mine to name."
"It is, but it's a girl."
"Fine, then what do you suggest."
"Lucy. You could say it stems for Lucifer if like. But she's really sweet, she just was ready to come out of the box, I guess."
Draco picked her up, and 'Lucy' started purring. "Here's you present. It's nothing special, not like a cat or anything."
Hermione was excited even after the warning from Draco. She pulled out several black boxes. Her eyes widen as her opened the first one – sparkling silver and shimmering gold intertwined earings. She got up and hugged Draco, "they're beautiful."
"There's more, Hermione."
There were still three boxes left. They contained a matching necklace, bracelet, and hairpiece, tiara. "They are so lovely, and you said they were nothing special." She kissed him on the check, hugging him again.
"I thought maybe if they didn't clash with your dress you could wear them tonight. I asked around but nobody seemed to know what it looks like."
"Nope it's my little secret. It's nothing obtrusive and your gift will match beautifully."
"Am I going to have to hire a kitten sitter for Lucy?"
"Not really, we'll employ Crookshanks. They already get along."
"How many people know about this?"
"Two – you and me. Crookshanks is the only other creature. Don't worry your reputations not ruined."
"Can I ask why you got me a cat?"
"I don't know, you just always seem so lonely, all the time. So, I got you some company. Plus she just so cute, she reminded me of you."
"How?"
"Haven't you noticed her hard her exterior?" Lucy was strutting around pouncing on the ribbons from the boxes. "She acts really tough, but she's genuinely nice on the inside." Lucy did a sommersult over the strings into a box. "Do you like her?"
"Yes. Very much. I guess you're right about the whole exterior thing too."
"I know I am."
"I meant the cat - Shall we go get some breakfast?"
~*~
The two looked rather funny walking into the Great Hall: for one, the "enemies" were together and the second reason was the rambunctious Lucy trailing them pouncing on the back of their shoes.
The weird trio walked to the Gryffindor table to drop Hermione off and Draco walked off in the direction of the Slytherin table. The kitten looked back and forth between the two people. She was confused on whom to follow. So, she sat there and cried. Draco was forced to walk back and pick her up amongst all the stares.
By the middle of the meal, she was no longer worried whom to stay close to and spent time at each table. She had the most fun among the Professors, especially squirming and crawling in and out of Dumbledore's beard. When Draco noticed, he ran up and muttered his apologizes.
He scolded her and she sat there and listened but as soon as he had gone back to eating, Lucy left to find Hermione.
Lucy wasn't the only surprise during that meal. Dumbledore stood and silently waited for the students to quiet down. "As you all know there is an upcoming ball, and it has been brought to my attention, by an anonymous source, of a muggle tradition at the formal winter dance. The students nominate candidates to be elected Court, Queen and King for the year. Then the students vote and at the dance the winners are announced. So from now until the dance we will be taking names for nominees. At the dance there will be a ballot box to place your choice into. And for all who think you will be able to vote more than once, you are sadly mistaken the box will have a spell on it to prevent that."
A quiet murmur spread throughout the hall and the Prefects all casts looks to each other wondering whose idea it had been.
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AN: Okay isn't Lucy cute? I modeled her after my newest kitty, even the name.
The whole prom court thing was an after thought – I had to fit in an idea, more of an excuse, for the next chapter.
What you have to look forward to:
1) What Hermione's Dress looks like
2) The reaction of people at the dance
3) Who actually holds Hermione to their promised dance
4) The rest of the Concordia Ball
5) The over all out come
My chapters are getting longer I don't know what is wrong with me.
I don't know how long it will last so enjoy!
And as always Review if you want me to keep writing
