Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

The Dare, the Hand Shake and the Challenge


Summary: Before the start of the Seventh year term, Hermione and Ginny trick Draco into playing a muggle game of Dare throughout the school year. Voldemort is gone.
AN: I know that spelling and grammar are extremely bad also everyone sounds American. I have no beta! This story is now under construction.

Diagon Alley

Using floo powder Hermione and Ginny arrived to shop for their school supplies; walking towards Gringotts they spotted Draco and his father. Ginny nudged Hermione on the arm to let her know that she was heading to her brother's shop. Nodding her head to Ginny, she kept her eyes pined to the Malfoys.

"Well," purrs Lucius Malfoy looking pompous. "My son is head boy!" Smirking at him 'so what I'm head girl.'

"Dad," mumbles Draco desperately. "I have to get my supplies."

"Of course," snaps Lucius as he walks toward Draco. Watching the pair of them, Hermione could swear that Draco was afraid of his father. He almost flinches as his father gave him some gold to get his supplies. As Draco walks away a slight limp was evident. 'Draco is being abused?'

Looking around her, not noticing anyone watching. Hermione decides to follow Draco. . When he entered Madame Plumps a sweet shop Hermione corners him.

"Draco," greets Hermione, looking around her to make sure that they wouldn't be over heard. "What is going on between your father and you?"

"Nothing," snaps Draco as he tries to push past her. Grabbing his wrist she watching him flinch and inhale sharply.

"Draco," whispers Hermione, holding up his arm. "This is not nothing."

"So," whispers Draco. "It's not like you can do anything about it."

"No," agrees Hermione as she watches his face tighten. "But there is something you can do about it."

"Like what," hisses Draco. "I have tried everything I can think of."

"Well," hiss Hermione. "Two heads are better then one."

Confused, "what?"

"It's a muggle expression," groans Hermione. "It means that two people working on the same problem are often able to come up with a better solution then one person."

"You want to help me," asks Draco as he looks at her.

"Yes," smiles Hermione. "You helped us. Now I'll help you. First we need some place private to talk, then we'll tackle this prob."

"Tackle? Prob," questions Draco.

"At the same time I give you a quick overture on muggle expressions so you don't keep questioning what I'm saying," laughs Hermione as Draco leads her to the back of the shop.

"This is my Aunt Suz private room," as he opens the door,"we don't have much time, before my father comes looking for me."

"Just give me the real short version," suggests Hermione.

Gringotts
Fifteen minutes later


The door swings open as Hermione walks into the bank. Waiting in line to speak to Mr. Weasley (bill?) she watches Lucius Malfoy look sick when he spots her. 'Wait until we have pulled this off then you'll really hate me' smirking at him she watches as he approaches her.

"Well if it isn't the mudbl…," sneers Lucius Malfoy as he look just past her.

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you," growls Sirius, causing Hermione to gasp. Turning around, she smiles as she sees both Sirius and Harry standing just behind her.

"Hello gentlemen," laughs Hermione as Harry hugs her tightly. "Fancy meeting you gents here."

"Hermione," laughs Harry as he releases her. "You missed it. Sirius got to meet my aunt and uncle…" Hearing Sirius growl some more Harry maneuvers Hermione away from Lucius Malfoy and closer to Sirius.

"This place is polluted," spats Lucius Malfoy as he stalks off leaving the group behind.

"So," laughs Sirius as he looks down at both Harry and Hermione. "Hermione, how was your summer?"

Looking at him, she smiles sweetly 'wow your looking better.' "Hmm," ponders Hermione. "Good, yours?" Watching Sirius narrow his eyes at her, before shaking his head.

"Good," laughs Harry as he takes a good look at the line Hermione is in. Harry starts to understand why Sirius was questioning Hermione. "Mione, I think you're in the wrong line?"

Laughing sweetly at both of them, "Nope, I'm in the right line."

"Miss Granger."

Watching her walk away from them, "I wonder what she is up to?"

"Sirius, this is Hermione," worry evident in his voice. "Straight and narrow. Never breaks a single rule."

"Yeah I know."

"Something must be wrong for her to be in this line," states Harry as he watches her take papers from Weasley then smile at him before she turns and walks out. Slowing down only to wave at Sirius and Harry.

"Ok," groans Sirius. "I think you're right Harry, something is wrong. Lets get some money and find her. Then make her talk to us."

"Yeah."

Outside The Weasley joke shop (Sorry forgot the name)
Ten minutes later


"Now Draco," states Hermione. "You need your father and mother to sign these. Plus it does take a few months for the process to be completed."

Mumbling under his breath, Draco stares at her, "How do you know all this?"

"Long story, no time to tell," dismiss Hermione.

"Ah," groans Draco as he stares behind her.

"What," demands Hermione refusing to look.

"Potter and Black," hisses Draco. "Coming this way. Now what?"

"That is easy," hisses Hermione. "When Harry gets here, behave until he or Sirius starts."

"Then what," rasps Draco look at her confused.

"Then push me into Sirius, not Harry," answers Hermione. "What ever you do, make sure its Sirius."

"NO WAY," grounds out Draco. "He'll kill me."

Squinting her eyes at him, "I DARE you." Hearing him groan in acceptance, she smirks at him.

"What do you think you're doing Malfoy," snaps Harry as he and Sirius come closer to them.

"Harry," hiss Hermione. "Draco is Head Boy, I have to…"

"Talking to the mudbl..." sneers Draco at Harry watching Sirius come up to stand behind Hermione. 'Ok you asked for this, god I hope this works.' Raising his hands he shoves her backwards into Sirius, hearing a popping sound he knows that he has sprained her ankle. Sirius quickly maneuvers to catch her as Harry pulls out his wand and points it at him.

"Draco," purrs Lucius Malfoy as he comes around the corner. "Come along there is a new broom I want you to look at." Walking toward his father, he glances in a window front catching Hermione's eyes in the reflection he sees her wink at him. 'Smart girl.' Smirking continues to strut away.

"Hermione," gasps Ginny as she comes running out of the shop, "are you ok?"

"Yes," sniffling her tears as Sirius finishes the healing charm. "Harry as I was saying. I have to talk to Draco. He is Head Boy."

"God Mione," groans Ron as he joins the group. "That's got to be bloody annoying."

Standing up and tenderly testing her foot, Hermione smiles at the group. "Yeah, it is. Which is why I need to have a conversation with Fred and George. Sirius that was smashing of you to heal my ankle." Linking arms with Ginny she leans close to her and whispers, "The games afoot. My dear."

Until Later