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.

Potions

Professor Snape struts across the room, checking every cauldron as he goes. Smiling to herself Hermione pulls out a vile of water. Oh this is going to piss him off. Placing it on the table before her, she silently waits for him to make his way back towards her and Longbottom. Hearing his footsteps approaching them, she reaches for the vile.

Feeling a hand grip hers, she looked up into her Professor's angry face, "so this is what Professor Black is teaching you," Professor Snape spats. "To pull pranks in my class!"

"No," replies Hermione calmly. "That's my drinking water." Pulling her hand out of his, she gulps down the water. She watches the muscles on his face twitch in anger. Oh this is too easy. Now I know why Sirius and Remus loved pulling pranks on him when they were younger!

"Miss Granger," sneers Professor Snape looming his face closer to hers. "Do you really expect me to believe that," pointing to the vile. "Was just water."

Smirking at him "yes," moving the vile so that is was above the cauldron. "Only water will not react with this potion," turning it over she poured the remaining liquid into the cauldron. Professor Snape jumped back as did Longbottom.

"You," stutters Professor Snape. "You, spawn of the devil!" Moving away from her, "twenty points from Gryffindor!" Gasping for breath he added, "class dismissed!"

Cleaning up her workstation, Hermione smirks at Professor Snape. "Something funny Miss Granger?" he demands.

"No," answers Hermione. "But you have just giving me the best idea for Halloween," pausing to let her words sink in "Thanks professor." The class speeds throw the cleaning process, tiring not to laugh.

Dinning Room

Sitting next to Harry, "So Ron tell me, what are you going as for Halloween?"

Ron shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."

Shocked, "Harry, what about you?"

"I don't know," dismisses Harry, "I was thinking of going as myself."

"What!" Hermione shouts loud enough that everyone turns to look at her. "You mean to tell me that all the planning that I and everyone else has put into this," stressing her point she glares at them. "You two are going to blow this off." Seeing how mad they had mad her, both rushed to reassure her that they were just taking their time deciding on a costume.

Head Table

Remus looks on as Harry and Ron tried to placate Hermione. Laughing at her expression of complete frustration.

"What's so funny," asks Sirius as he looks to Remus.

Pointing to the trio. "That," laughing some more. "Harry and Ron are tying to convince Hermione of something and she's not buying it." Looking over Sirius shake his head. "What do you think it's about?"

Laughing, "knowing how much planning Hermione has put into this Halloween thing," looking at her, his face goes soft. "That has to be it. I wonder what she's going as?"

"What are you two going as," asks Dumbledore both Remus and Sirius look up at him.

"Well," coughs Remus, "I was thinking of going as Apollo."

"Hmm," stroking his bread. "And Sirius what about you?"

Laughing, Sirius smirks, "I think I'll go as Ares."

"Good," startling both Remus and Sirius, Hermione smiles at them. "I'm glad you guys at lest are taking this seriously. Now Dumbledore what about you?"

Watching him gesture fruitless about, "by your own rules you have to go," Pausing Hermione taps her foot thinking. "You could always go as Zeus." Dumbledore agrees as Hermione walks back to her table.

Sirius watches her give the thumbs up sign to her table. "Why do I feel like we just got suckered?"

"I don't know," laughs Remus. "Probably because we did." Glancing at each other they get up and walk towards Hermione who was back to sitting next to Harry.

"So Mione," smoothly states Sirius. "What are you going as?"

Looking at him "I'm not telling you," smiling smugly at his facial expression. Poor baby. "But I will give you a clue," pausing to see his face brighten. "It's a Snape inspired costume." As his face darkens, oh someone's not happy. Boy, just wait until Halloween! Well I defiantly have his attention. Laughing she gets up waves to everyone, as they demand to know wheat she is talking about.

Gryffindor
Hermione's room

Closing the door, Hermione looks at Ginny. "So what do you think?" Showing Ginny her costume designs.

"I think you're insane," Ginny laughs. "But by all means go for it. You only live once."

Rising her eyebrows at Ginny. "So, are you game?"

Hearing her groan as she gives in Hermione laughs delightfully. "Bloody hall Ginny, they're not going to know what hit them!" Hermione squeals as she clips her hands. "Plus I think I'm going to need help convincing Draco on his costume."

Purring, Ginny almost drools. "Malfoy is going to look as good."

"Yep," smirks Hermione. "Poor Harry," fake pouting. "Poor Ron." Laughter erupts in the room.

Halloween Day
Dinning Room Lunch Time

"Attention Students and Teachers alike," states Dumbledore while he stands up at the Head Table. "Now all of you know that today is the Halloween Fest. Please remember to be in costume by 6:30 p.m. As you come into the Dinning Hall," pointing to a student. "Collin Flay in Ravenclaw will announce you. If you don't want everyone to know who you are just tell him the name of the character you have chosen."

Gryffindor
Hermione's room

Waving her wand around Hermione gets Ginny ready for her debut. "Now Ginny you remember the rules," tapping her wand, "you can't tell anyone who you are until later."

Looking her directly in her eyes, "you look beautiful. Now flutter them."

Inspecting her handiwork, "perfect, now just don't leave until I get back."

Hallways

Walking the hallway towards the hospital wing Hermione glances around making sure that no one is looking at were she is going. Smiling at passing students she picks up her pace. Now if only I can get his royal pain to go along with what I want!

Hospital Wing

Walking into the room, Hermione waves to Madam Pomfrey.

"He's in the back," Madam Pomfrey whispers, "waiting for you."

"Thanks," Hermione whispers back. "When I'm done with him, I was wondering if you could help me."

Madam Pomfrey smiles at Hermione. "Of course dear."

Walking to the back of the hospital wing Hermione finds Draco pacing the back wall. "Planning on wearing a hole in the floor," whispers Hermione causing Draco to jump in fright. Gotta you good Draco!

"Don't do that," Draco snaps as he walks toward her. "Let's get this over with."

Smirking at him, "Fine by me." Waving her wand Hermione changed Draco into his costume. "Well your date should be ready," glancing at her watch. "She'll meet you at the Dinning Hall Entrance."

"How will I know its her," asks Draco.

Smirking at him, "Because she will be your costume's mate."

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 hairstyle, with some muggle highlights.
Draco dares Hermione not to participate in class (no answering question,) all but Potions for one day.

Chapter 5:
Hermione dares Draco to taunt her about the Flying NEWT.
Draco dares Hermione to help him with his costume for the Feast.

Chapter 6:
No Dares were exchanged.

Chapter 7:
Draco dares Hermione goof off in Snape's class.