~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.
Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's Room
Sitting down hard on her bed, Hermione takes a deep steady breath. Merlin, I didn't expect such a reaction to the announcement. Just this morning at breakfast Dumbledore announced the cancellation on of the Yuletide Ball. The whole dinning hall went eerily silent; even the Slytherins were behaving themselves. On the bright side of things, people will give more conviction to what I have to say, even the Slytherins.
A sharp rap at the door just before it opens. Ginny glides into the room. Smiling at her friend, Hermione says, "Meeting Draco in ten minutes, anything you want?"
"Yeah," laughs Ginny delighted. Ginny whispers, "I want you to taunt Draco into finding out who Psyche is or challenge him to find out. Plus I want him to get me something that's in Hogsmead."
"Girl, you're walking trouble."
Pleased with herself, Ginny sighs out, "I know."
The Library
Heading to the library, Hermione notices that many of the
student's faces were pale. They look
so dejected. Merlin, if they take it
upon themselves to amuse themselves, I am going to have a bigger
problem then
unclean common room.
Moving swiftly to the meeting spot, Hermione stops just short of going in. Have to be careful, Ginny's not here to play look out. Pausing to look at the books on the shelves as to not give away the secret room, Hermione hears Draco sure footsteps walking towards her.
"Well," stresses Hermione not even looking at Draco. "I told you Dumbledore was pissed."
"Yeah," groans Draco. "But to contemplate canceling Quidditch! That's an outrage," gesturing wildly with his hands. So is losing a ball, besides which he didn't cancel Quidditch. Hermione only halfway listens to him.
The Library
The Secret Room
Taking one last look around, she and Draco enter the secret room. Turning on him Hermione snaps, "Look if students were doing what they were suppose to be doing we," pointing to him and herself. "Wouldn't be in this fix."
"Fine," growls Draco slamming down a hand on the table. "You have me there. Lets get on to other stuff."
"Meaning the dares."
"Yeah, I still don't know why we are having fake spats all over school," questions Draco as Hermione sighs heavily. "Plus we're almost done with my stuff."
"Because you and I need to have people focused on something other then Balls and Quidditch," sitting down in her usual chair. Hermione continues, "plus you're the one who wants to know who Psyche is."
"Yeah why can't you just tell me who she is," demands Draco as he sits down.
"Because you have to earn that right," laughs Hermione as Draco glares at her. "And since we are halfway through the school year its time to up the anti."
"Up the anti," confused Draco ponders for a minute while Hermione snaps her fingers.
"Ah, bring it out into the open without having it out in the open."
"Good boy," patronizes Hermione. "You got it. Here's the deal: You win the next Quidditch game, you get Psyche's real name. You lose you have to pick something from the insane challenges."
"Fine, my turn. Quidditch game," Draco strokes his chin. "I dare you cheer for the Slytherins or you," Draco's eyes twinkle dangerously. "Have to …."
Teacher's lounge
"Ah, that's so gross!"
Remus shakes his head. I wonder what Ron and Harry have done now. Turning over his newspaper, it could also be Malfoy that's making Hermione scream. Shudders run through him. Nah, Hermione would just hex him, not yell out. Laughing, I need to tell Sirius, maybe he can find out what they're up too.
The Library
The Secret Room
Glaring at Draco, Hermione huffs. Come on, your smart! Think of a way out of this. You don't want to have to do his…. yuck! That dare. "Fine! But if I get someone from Gryffindor to tell me to cheer for your house you don't get Psyche's real name."
Smirking, Draco laughs, "as if someone from your own house is going to do that," holding out his hand. "Shake on it, Granger." Reaching out, Hermione shakes his hand. "Now what is your dare?"
Twitching her nose, Hermione grins evilly. "I dare you to buy something for Ginny when we next go to Hogsmead."
"That's easy," dismisses Draco.
"In front of everyone," clarifies Hermione. "I dare you to buy her something nice and slight expensive, in front of whoever is in Hogsmead."
"Fine," grumbles Draco. They talk for a few more minutes before vacating the secret room.
Hallway near Gryffindor Tower
Closing her eyes, Hermione contemplates how best to get out of Draco's dare. I could always tell Ginny. Maybe the two of us could figure out how to best handle this. Hermione didn't see the figure strutting towards her.
Slamming into a solid object frightens Hermione. Attempting to jump back as two strong hands gently steadies her. "Hermione," soothingly says. "We have to stop running into each other like this."
Laughing at his small joke, Hermione feels the fear fade away only to be replaced by a coiling tension. What is wrong with me? A tingling sensation jolts Hermione. Oh Merlin.
"Mione," asks Sirius. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be," questions Hermione. Feeling his intense blue eyes bore into her, Hermione swallows. I swear I'm fine.
"I heard you yelling a few minutes ago," states Sirius.
Yelling? What could he be talking about? Oh! Smiling Hermione waves a dismissing hand. "Oh that. It was nothing. Malfoy…Now Sirius! I know you don't like him much, but please I have to work him. He just said something gross, I yelled. He relented. Well almost."
Sirius frowns. He better not have pulled anything. Taking the time to look over Hermione's cloths, a small smile forms. "He didn't do anything?"
"No," rolling her eyes, Hermione regards Sirius. "I can handle myself, contrary to popular belief."
"I know," laughs Sirius. "But we strong men like to make sure our woman are well protected." Slipping her arm around his. "My lady, let me escort you back to Gryffindor tower."
"My kind sir," says Hermione as she looks into his eyes. "It would be a pleasure." Did he just say that I was his woman? No, that couldn't be right.
Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's Room
Floating on cloud nine, Hermione swipes into her room. Only to be greeted by Ginny's "Well?"
Looking up at her friend, Hermione feels herself crashing down to earth. Thinking of Draco's request Hermione smirks. "He really wants Psyche's name." Picturing his face, "Draco even made a bet on it."
"Oh really," wonders Ginny, wiggling her eyebrows. "Give details!"
"If he wins the next Quidditch game, he gets your name," holding up a hand to stop her on coming trade. "IF he loses he has to pick something from the insane challenges."
Ginny crews on her upper lip as she ponders the situation. A clear bright smile erupts onto her face. "Ah, hello? Did you tell Draco about Harry? The boy who has yet to fail in catching the snitch."
Laughing, Hermione goes over to her bed. Sitting down and picking up a pillow. Hermione hurls it towards Ginny. "Draco should know that by now."
"Ok, now what about the new set of Dares," questions Ginny sitting down at Hermione's desk.
Clearing her throat, Hermione whispers. "I have to cheer for his house or…"
"WHAT," explodes Ginny. "Do you have any idea what Harry, Ron and everyone else will do? Is that boy nuts?"
"GINNY!" After getting her attention, Hermione continues, "or I have to kiss…. Ah,… a certain person of Draco's choosing."
"Oh," gasps Ginny finally catching on. "That sucks."
"Yeah," huffs Hermione. "So is there anyone you know that we can treat into telling me to cheer for the Slytherins?"
"Why," asks Ginny.
"Because if I can get someone from our house to tell me to cheer for the Slytherins," explains Hermione. "Draco looses his chance at Psyche's real name."
The room went silent as both girls ponder who was best suited for the role. Then Hermione or Ginny would toss out a name. The other would dismiss it, saying either that the person wouldn't get angry enough or would become too irate to say anything.
"Colin! What do you think your doing," bellows Ron. "We are not Slytherins!"
"Ron," laughs Ginny. "Ron would say something like that in anger! He's thick enough."
Feeling more relived about the situation. "Yeah," laughs Hermione. "Remind me, before the next Ladies Night to inform the girls to stay out of the dream teams fights, cause this is going to be big."
Ladies Night
Transfiguration Room
"Ok. Ladies just so that you know," states Hermione looking around the room. "The Yuletide Ball has been re-scheduled for Valentines Day," hearing the light applause Hermione bows. "And the common rooms look wonderful."
"Yes," laughs Millie holding up her glass. "They sure do. But now the students are getting bored."
"Ok," getting down to business. Hermione asks, "What usually keeps the students busy other then school work and Quidditch?"
"That's easy," dismisses Jade. "Gossip."
"Good," laughs Ginny. "Because Hermione," pointing to the woman. "Is going to create lots of gossip."
"Really," purrs Kathy leaning forward. "Do tell."
"Well it's more like teaching a few people a few things they should already know," instructs Hermione in her best 'Professor Snape' voice. "And what I really need for you guys to do is either play along or just stay out of it."
"So give us the plan," demands Millie as she leans forward.
Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's Room
Almost done. Putting the finishing touches on her outfit, Hermione winks at herself in the mirror. I don't know if I really want to do this, pausing Hermione debates. The game is tomorrow away. But do I really want to kiss him? Granted he's sexy in a dark way. Hearing Ginny's fast paced footsteps running her way, "What now?"
"He," grumbling as Ginny points down the stairs. "Is at it again. I swear, Mione if he wasn't my brother I would have killed him by now."
"Ok fine," groans Hermione looking down the way Ginny came. "I was having second thoughts. After all he would have felt bad."
"Don't," snaps Ginny. "He currently has your textbooks and is in the process of trying to pull a prank by charming them."
"What," grumbles Hermione as she dashes past Ginny down the stairs in time to see Ron's planned prank backfire. What the hell is he doing? Does he know what he's doing? Her new textbooks would charmed shut. "Ronald Weasley! What in the name of Merlin do you think your doing?"
"Ah, come on Mione," groans Ron whose ears were turning red from being caught. "Its just a prank, I'm sure someone can undo it."
"Maybe," snaps Hermione. "But not before class. OR did you forget that we have potions today?"
"No," snaps Ron standing up. "I didn't forget we have potions," opening the portrait Ron and Harry start to walk away from their irate friend. But Hermione was already to go. Following them as they made their way to the dinning hall.
"God why do I even bother," growls Hermione. "I should just take points off for this," waving her textbooks behind the boys backs. Ron stops walking, nodding to Harry who nods back.
"Ginny," whispers Harry who gestures for her to follow him into the dinning hall. Sitting at the Gryffindor table, Ginny and Harry look back towards the entranceway when Ron's angry voice floats towards them, closely followed by Hermione's.
Entrance to Dinning Hall
"What! Don't be a prat, Mione."
"It would be good for the house!"
"Good for the house are you daft or something!"
Dinning Hall
Gryffindor Table
At this point Sirius joins Harry also looking at the entranceway "what's going on?"
"Ron's prank backfire," states Harry. "Now Mione is upset and wants to take points away from our house."
Looking at Sirius's surprised expression Ginny quickly inputs, "because today is potions and Professor Snape is giving an open book test, which Mione will probably fail because Ron charmed her books shut."
Entrance to Dinning Hall
"Hell if that's the way you feel why don't you cheer…"
"Ronald Weasley!!"
Dinning Hall
Gryffindor Table
Stiffly walking into the dinning hall, Hermione's face was pale; her eyes were quickly becoming red. Seconds later, Ron walks in. His face was also pale.
Spinning around to face Ron, Hermione snaps, "Fine, if that's what you want! I will." Sitting down next to Ginny, Hermione doesn't even look at Harry or Sirius.
Sirius perceives silent tears sliding down Hermione's face. What is Merlin's name did Ron do? Sirius glares at Ron as he sits down next to Harry. "Will what," demands Sirius as he continues to stare at Ron, getting no response from Hermione. "What will Mione do?"
"Ah nothing," groans Ron as he silently pleads with Hermione. Hermione just glares at Ron, as tears drops spill from her eyes.
Taking out his wand Sirius taps Hermione's textbooks, which flop open "Thank you," whispers Hermione as she clutches them close to her.
Glaring coldly at Ron "Mione," not looking at her. "What will you do?"
"Ron wants me to cheer at the next Quidditch game," states Hermione as she gets up from her seat, not even looking back she walks out of the dinning hall.
"Is that all," asks Sirius when he notices that Ron was fidgeting.
"Ron! How could you do that," demands Kathy the girl from Ravenclaw.
"Do what," purrs Sirius getting uncomfortable close to Ron.
"Suggested that Hermione cheer for the Slytherins," informs Kathy. "From the way Hermione is reacting she just might do that."
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.
Chapter 8:
No Dares were exchanged.
Chapter 9:
No Dares were exchanged.
Chapter 10:
No Dares were exchanged.
Chapter 11:
Harry and Ron set off a dungbomb, but no Dares were
exchanged.
Chapter 12:
Hermione has a Ladies Night.
No Dares were exchanged.
Chapter 13:
Hermione plots, but no dares were exchanged.
Chapter 14:
Hermione dares Draco to start a fight in the dinning hall.
