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.

Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's room

Hesitantly putting her feet on the ground near her bed, Hermione takes a deep breath before attempting to stand up. Swaying unsteadily she reaches out for the chair next to her bed. God damn it! I should be able to walk by now! Growing frustrated Hermione lowly growls.

"Just what do you think you're doing," asks Sirius. Startling Hermione as he leans against the doorframe looking nonchalant.

"I'm getting up," states Hermione attempting to gain her balance. "I have work to do."

Chucking Sirius strolls into her room. "Winter recess starts in one day. You can work on your homework later. Right now you need to get back into bed."

"No! I'm going to dinner," snaps Hermione. "I'm sick of being stuck in this room, all day." Feeling his hands on her shoulders she glares into his blue eyes. "I mean it. I want to go down and eat."

"Fine," laughs Sirius. "You do realize that it's a long trip, back and forth. And if you want to go, you'll have to get there on your own. I'm not helping you get there."

"But," gasps Hermione as she tries to think of an argument to sway him.

"But nothing," growls Sirius. "You have been sick for close to four weeks. FOUR WEEKS! Mione. Do you really think I'm going to help you have a relapse?"

Groaning, Hermione runs a tired hand over her face. "No."

"Plus, I got a few of the house-elf's to bring us dinner in here," whispers Sirius attempting to placate her.

Watching Dobby and Winkie come into the room. They were carrying food and drinks for two, Hermione smiles softly at Sirius. Taking a step, her legs become jelly under her.

Sirius gently lifts Hermione up into his arms before she could fall on the floor. "See you need to get back into the swing of walking." Settling her back down on her bed. Sirius arranges for a bed tray to cover Hermione's lap.

Since she was eating in bed, Sirius charms her stable chair into a pale blue love seat. Taking one side for himself, Sirius also uses a try. The other side was used to hold additional food and drinks. As they eat their dinner, conversation flows freely. Straightening any misgivings about their relationship and setting a few ground rules too.

Around nine thirty, Sirius could tell that Hermione was getting tired even if she tries to hide it. "I'm surprised that Harry or Ron haven't come up to see you," says Sirius glancing towards the door.

"They're probably still at dinner," states Hermione. Her face flashes between pensive to confused. "They said that they would stop by afterwards."

"Good thing too," snickers Sirius knowing full well that preventing Ron from having his dinner more then not leads to disaster. An irate voice penetrates the walls of Hermione's room.

"Blimey," states Sirius. "Who can that be?" Shaking his head, Sirius heads for the door. Opening it just a crack, Ron's irate voice explodes into the room.

"THAT BLOODY GIT!! HOW DARE HE! I KILL HIM!"

"Sounds like Ron," comments Hermione as she struggles not to laugh. Muttering under his breath, Sirius quickly rushes down to the common room. Minutes later Ginny sweeps into the room.

"Mione," gasps Ginny struggling to get the words out. Good Lord! Don't tell me she's upset. Swallowing hard Hermione waits for Ginny to get her breathing under control. "You missed it! Right before dinner is over Draco goes right up to Ron." Ginny flops down in the now vacate chair. "Says to him that I'm one of the nicest girl in the school. Ron agrees."

"That's good, right," questions Hermione.

"There's more," states Ginny. "The next thing Draco says is that I'm a sexy vixen, and I should be dating him."

"What did Ron say," asks Hermione. Oh boy.

Smirking Ginny says, "Without thinking Ron agrees!" Gasping at Ginny, Hermione shakes her head.

"BLOODY STUPID GIT COMES RIGHT UP TO ME!" explodes into the room.

"Whoa," laughs Hermione. "He's awfully mad."

Rolling her eyes, Ginny huffs. "That's because right after Draco got Ron to agree that I should be dating him. Draco comes over to me and says: Hot stuff, you, me dinner. You brother said it was ok. You should have seen Ron! He looked like he was going to explode!"

"I'll bet," agrees Hermione. "He sounds like he's going to explode."

"THEN HE GOES OVER TO HER!" echoes off the walls in Hermione's room.

"And thing else happen at dinner," questions Hermione.

"AND THEN HE KISSED HER! IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! MY SISTER, MY BABY SISTER!"

"Ginny!" admonishes Hermione. "I' can't believe you didn't tell me. So what was it like?"

"RONALD WEASLEY!" barks Sirius. Silence greets Sirius's bark. Hermione and Ginny wait for a few minutes for some noise of life n the common room. Three sets of footsteps approach Hermione's room. First Harry walks in. Followed by an extremely pale Ron, and an agitated Sirius.

Can you smell the Testosterone?

Gryffindor Tower
Winter Recess: Christmas Day

Taking it one step at a time, Hermione steadily makes her way down to the common room. Inspecting the room, she notices Sirius in one of the comfy chairs by the fireplace. What's he doing here so early? Is he sleeping? Making her way over to the Christmas tree, Hermione whispers, " Merry Christmas." Not really sure if Sirius was awake.

"Good morning," grunts Sirius. Opening his eyes, Sirius blinks away the bleariness. His sharp blue eyes rake over Hermione. "Bloody hell, what are you wearing?"

"P.J.'s," answers Hermione looking down at what she was wear. Her sleepwear comes down to mid-calf. The Lace-up slip is red while the slim adjustable straps are gold. The corset-inspired lacing plays peek-a-boo with curves. Daringly low in front but not showing anything. What everything is covered? "Why?"

"That's not sleep wear," whispers Sirius. Hearing the sounds of Harry or Ron coming down the steps, Sirius leaps up off the chair. Taking off his black dress robe, he quickly wraps it around Hermione's shoulders. Looking at Sirius funny, Hermione tries to shrug off his robes, but his strong hand prevent her for doing so.

"Leave it on," growls Sirius. "I'm the only one who gets to see that."

"Ah Sirius dear," laughs Hermione. "Both Ron and Harry have seen that." Hearing him choke, "Who do you think helped pick it out?"

Seeing his distress, Hermione rolls her eyes. "From a Victoria's Secret catalogue. But if it makes you feel more comfortable, I'll leave your robes on." His relief was obvious.

As Harry came bounding into the room, he picks up a gift for Hermione and one for himself. Handing Hermione her gift, he hears Sirius growl at him. Harry gives Hermione a, what's up with that look. Laughing at Sirius's over protectiveness, Hermione playfully slaps Sirius chest.

"Hey Sirius," grumbles Ron rubbing his eyes with his hand. "Have you seen Ginny?"

"She's probably out with Draco," whispers Hermione into Sirius's ear. Sirius in turn says without thinking, "she's out with Draco." Ron turns pale and gaps like a fish.

"Sirius Black," hisses Ginny as she steps off the stairs. "That's not funny."

"What's not funny," asks Remus as he comes into the room. Meanwhile Sirius starts tickling Hermione who pleads fro him to stop. He relents only when Hermione tells her part in the slip up.

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.

Chapter 15:
Ginny requests that Hermione dares Draco to buy her something in Hogsmeade.
Draco dares Hermione to cheer for the Slytherins at the next Quidditch game.

Draco demands Psyche's name. Hermione gave him the chance to win.
Draco's team has to win the Quidditch game in order to get it, or he has to do any insane challenge.
But if Hermione can get someone from her house to tell her to cheer for Draco's team he loses his chance at Psyche's name.

Chapter 16:
Hermione tricks Ron into telling her to cheer for the Slytherins at the next Quidditch game.
No Dares were exchanged.

Chapter 17
Draco dares Hermione and Ginny to walk into the Dinning hall singing.

Chapter 18
Draco dares Hermione to dress up as a cheerleader.
Draco also does his insane challenge of turning Professor Snape's hair was purple and orange.

Chapter 19:
No Dares were verbally exchanged.
Hermione dares Draco to kiss Ginny in the dinning hall.

Chapter 20
Hermione dares Draco to deceive the students and teachers into thinking that Dumbledore has required them to alternate sitting at each other's table, Draco at Gryffindor the next time Hermione at Slytherin.
Sirius makes a date with another professor, which pisses off Hermione.

Chapter 21
Draco dares Hermione to act like a dumb cheerleader.
Hermione to Draco, act like you want Harry.

Chapter 22
No Dares were exchanged.
Draco and Hermione do their dares from Chapter 21

Chapter 23
Draco dares Hermione to kiss Professor Snape.
Hermione dares Draco to wear Muggle cloths.

Chapter 24
Draco dared Hermione to mess with a teacher's classroom. She chose Professor Black's.
Hermione dares Draco to confess his feelings for Ginny.