~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.
The Dinning room
Harry and Ron were sitting at their usual place at the table waiting for Hermione to join them for breakfast. Professor Lupin and Black were having a lively discussion on something as Professor Snape nervously glances towards them. When the catcalls began everyone stopped talking and looked around.
Sitting down next to Harry as Ron just ogles at her. Ron's eyes bug out and he starts gasping. Giving him a strange look, "What?" Demands Harry. Ron points to Hermione, while Harry still asks, "What? Come on Ron. What?"
Turning his head towards his best friend, Harry knew who was getting the catcalls. Hermione's hair is drastically different from yesterday. Gone was the long bushy brown hair, replacing it was long slightly blonde curly hair with streak of dark brown and under layers of pink hair. (Looks like the singer Shakia's hair.)
Looking at the gapping Ron. "What," asks an innocent Hermione while she twirling her hair. "Do you like?"
"Ah Hermione," croaks out Harry. "It's different." Glancing at him under her eyes Hermione smirks at his shocked expression come on guys, you knew that I was a girl.
Rolling her eyes at both of them. "Guys I hate to break it to you but we have Transfiguration in less then ten minutes. We need to get going if we're going to make it."
Loud choking sound comes from the teacher's table as the trio looks up and over. Spotting Professor McGonall's shocked expression as she stumbles back to grip the table. There stood Draco holding out something to the professor. The trio was not surprised to see both Lupin and Black glaring at Malfoy before going back to their discussion.
"Come guys," laughs Hermione nice start Draco pulling Harry towards the door. "If it was important Lupin and Black would have been all over it."
Hallway towards Transfiguration classroom
Walking towards the classroom, Harry starts to growl, narrowing his eyes. Being shorter then Harry, Hermione couldn't see what he saw. But Ron however could. Both boys griped their wands inside their robes.
"No magic in the halls," hisses Hermione as they move to flack her. Pushing them away "what is it," jumping up, trying to see what has they so worked up. "Come on what?"
Reaching the door for Professor McGonall classroom, Hermione easily spots Draco holding the door open. Oh Draco you bad boy. Ron enters first, standing just inside the doorway giving enough room for Hermione to pass him at the same time providing back up for Harry.
As Hermione walked into the classroom Draco drawls, "Granger, love what you did to your hair." Smiling, Hermione just nodded at him. "Potter, you going to just stand there or join us for class?"
Walking to her chair, Hermione immediately felt both Harry and Ron take the seats closest to her. Shaking her head as Professor McGonall starts class.
Care of Magical Creatures
Walking towards Hagrid's hut, Hermione managed to lose both Harry and Ron. They had to see someone about homework more likely running to Lupin or Black. So lost in her thoughts she wasn't watching were she was going.
Walking with Harry and Ron, Professor Black notices that the grounds were looking a bit worst for wear (crewed up). Looking around he easily spots Hermione, who by the look of things was lost in her own thoughts. What got Sirius's attention was Malfoy and friends were walking directly towards her. Picking up his pace, both Ron and Harry from years of experience also pick up their pace to match his.
Feeling the ground shift under her, Hermione gives a startled cry. Bracing herself to hit the ground, she was surprised instead to feel to two steady hands gripping her forearms.
"Ok? There Granger," drawls Draco as he holds her up. His fellow Slytherins noticed his action of gentleness. Many were looking pale and sickly, while others just plain confused.
Steadying herself, Hermione responses, "yes, thanks Malfoy," whispers Hermione as she spots Professor Black and her bodyguards running her way. "I think you better let go."
"Hermione," shouts Ron. "You ok?" as they get closer.
Laughing at herself, Hermione shouts back, "yes, wasn't looking where I was going." Professor Black glared at Malfoy as he walked away from the situation.
"You sure," drawls Professor Black his eyes still following Malfoy.
Rolling her eyes come on look at m, coughing to get his attention. "Yes, I'm sure," drawls Hermione. . Watching his eyes widen then narrow, as he looked her over. Oh I think someone just noticed some changes. Smirking at him, "what?"
Just then Hagrid's voice booms, "ok class this year I have a special treat for you," then there was a slight pause. "Harry, Ron, Hermione where are you guys?"
Jumping the trio jumps and shouts, "Coming."
Teacher's lounge
Later just before dinner
As Professor Black opens the door to the teachers lounge, he could hear Professor McGonall ranting," He stood at the door and greeted everyone. He even held the door open." There was just a mummer of response from Professor Snape. "He even complimented Hermione on her hair!"
"That's not all," pipes in Madam Pomfrey. "This morning he made special rounds at the hospital wing. He talked nicely to everyone," getting everyone's attention. "Even those in Gryffindor."
Plopping down his mug Hagrid offers "he even told his fellow Slytherins to shut up and pay attention in my class today. I'm telling you it was scary." Mutters of agreement went around the room. They were still talking about Malfoy's confusing behavior as they went to dinner.
Holding Lupin back, Sirius asks, "Did you see Hermione's hair?"
"No why?"
"When you go to dinner, look at it."
The Dinning Room
Sitting down at the teacher's table Remus smiled at Harry and Ron it couldn't be that bad. Looking around he couldn't find Hermione at the Gryffindor table. Mouthing to Harry, "Where's Hermione?"
Remus watches as Harry points her out in the hall. Looking over to the Ravenclaw table, he easily recognizes her red robes. When she turns and starts to walk towards her table, Remus gets a good look at her hair. My god.
Clearing his throat, "Sirius, I think Hermione went and grew up without us." Looking at his best friend's facial expression. Someone likes Hermione.
As dinning progressed, Hermione walked up to Dumbledore, who chuckles at her hair. They had a small conversation in which she gave him a piece of paper. He reads it over then smiles, his blue eyes twinkling with delightful.
"Very good idea, Miss Granger," laughed Dumbledore, as he looked it over again. "I will let you know what I decide in a few days." Glowing, Hermione thanks Dumbledore before swirling away back to her table. Sitting down next to Ginny, squeals of delight erupts.
The Library
The Secret Room
Next Day
Walking into the small room, Hermione noticed that Draco was waiting for her for a change. "In a hurry?"
"Not really," dismisses Draco. "Believe it or not yesterday wasn't so bad."
Thinking about the different reactions. "Yeah. So have you thought of your next dare?"
"Yes and no."
Laughing at him, "oh really. Now you have to tell. What were you thinking?"
"The first Hogsmead trip is coming up."
"Yes I know, we'll visit your estate in Riverside," pausing. "Thanks for including Ginny. Plus we need to stop and get Ginny her costume."
"Don't you need one also?"
Laughing, "nope."
"Then in that case, I dare you…."
Outside the Library
Laughter floats out into the hallways.
Inside the Secret Room
Holding her sides, "Draco that's weeks away!" Smiling at him, "If you really want that. I have the perfect idea," eyes gleaming dangerously, Draco starts to move away from her. "Now for my dare. Draco I dare you to…"
Outside the Library
"What!" shocks everyone in the library and walking the halls.
Inside the Secret Room
Sitting down hard on his chair, Draco snickers, "before or after?"
Laughing, "After and in front of everyone."
"Damn girl," Draco pauses. Pondering it over, "Potters or one of mine?"
Getting up, "you pick," Hermione states as she leaves the room.
Until Later
List of Dares so far:
Chapter 1:
Hermione and Ginny trick Draco into playing Dare.
Chapter 2:
Hermione dares Draco to push her into Sirius.
Chapter 3:
Draco dares Hermione to wear red robes all year, her house
color.
Chapter 4:
Hermione dares Draco to change his hair style, with some
muggle highlights.
Draco dares Hermione not to participate in class (no
answering question,) all but Potions for one day.
