Chapter 2
CRYBABY
A/N: Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews!!! I have a warning though, this chapter contains highly Wiccan material… Don't do this at home unless you really want to invoke any spirits… seriously…;) Have fun reading now!
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Hermione rubbed her eyes as she made her way to the Great Hall that fine Tuesday morning. She hadn't had much sleep the night before, but she was used to it, having slept a few hours everytime she was worried about her grades, which was usually everyday. She grinned to herself as she remembered one summer when she woke up in the middle of the night screaming. She had dreamt that she got a 95% on her Transfiguration test. Her footsteps were light on the marble floor as she turned around the corner. She could hear students laughing and talking loudly to each other while eating their breakfast. She was about to enter the Great Hall when Harry and Ron almost bumped straight into her.
"Whoa! You guys," Hermione almost jumped. "What's the hurry?"
Both boys looked at each other, gasping for breath. "Thank goodness we found you here, Hermione," Ron said while he put his hand on her shoulder. She only looked at it and then at Ron, and then to Harry.
"Harry, what's going on?" she asked him.
Don't get mesmerized in her eyes, Harry thought as Hermione looked at him, searching him for answers. He shook the thought off his head as he grabbed Hermione and started to lead her opposite the Great Hall. "Why don't we take a walk for a while? Class won't start until half an hour, right Ron?"
"Yeah, yeah, you're right," Ron agreed, nodding his head furiously. "Let's go down the lake for a stroll, shall we?"
Hermione looked exasperated. "Look you guys are not fooling me. Is there something you don't want me to see in the Great Hall?"
Both Harry and Ron stared at each other again. Hermione suddenly sneaked between the two boys and ran towards the entrance to the Great Hall before they knew it.
"Hermione!" They called after her.
* * *
Once she opened the massive doors, she was shocked. The whole Great Hall looked like a stock market. Students were ignoring the bacon and eggs and pancakes that lay on the table. Nobody seemed to be hungry at all. There was one part of the hall where many students seem to be huddled together.
"I'll take one! Give me a copy!"
"Over here! I want one too!"
"Easy people! There are plenty of copies for everyone!"
"Oy! Two copies over here!"
"Hogwarts Forum! Hogwarts Forum! Get it here! Everything that's happening in our school, get it right here!"
Hermione was still by the entrance door. She didn't have any clue as to what exactly was going on. She was surprised at herself that day for being so slow.
"Oh my God, is this Hermione Granger? I should have been there to see it!"
She turned around and saw that a bunch of sixth year Hufflepuffs were all staring at their copy of The Hogwarts Forum. She couldn't believe what she saw. There she was on the front page, just underneath Draco's body. They were both on the field, the background of which was Harry and Ron running towards their direction. The Headline read: HERMIONE GRANGER: A DIRTY SKUNK!
Hermione gasped. "Give me that!" she yelled at the boys, snatching one copy from their hands.
"Hey -" The boys were startled too, at first, but then they saw who took the Forum from them. At this they went silent. One by one, students turned to their direction and soon, all eyes were on Hermione.
Harry and Ron came up just in time to comfort Hermione.
"Hermione, come on, just let it go," Ron said.
"Yeah, just ignore it," Harry said. "Besides it's not true."
But Hermione didn't seem to hear all this. Her heart was pounding as she read the first few lines of the article. "As if Hurting Harry wasn't bad enough for going for Viktor Krum, this dirty skunk goes off to the filthy rich this time, as she finds herself under the body of Draco Malfoy, wanting time to stay still…"
Her chest was becoming heavy and she was having a hard time breathing. She looked for the name of who wrote the article. Sure enough it was there, BY: MAGDA SKEETER. Hermione tore off the front page and threw the remaining pages of the newsletter to the floor. Her eyes darted in all directions, looking for that skinny little bitch wearing those fuckin' glasses. Her eyebrows met as she found her, right in the middle of the commotion giving off copies of the Hogwarts Forum. She took a deep breath to try and stay calm and walked towards Magda.
"Hermione, come on!" Harry said, throwing his hands in the air as he and Ron walked forward, following their friend. "It's not worth it!" He was mad when he saw this too, but he was too much of a gentleman to stand up to a girl.
Ron ran his finger through his hair. "Oh man, I bet she's gonna lose it," he said, shaking his head.
Harry looked up at his friend. "Yeap, I think so too."
Finally, Hermione was there, right in front of Magda Skeeter. Hermione was taller than her, but Magda Skeeter kept her cool, in a snobbish sort of way. She merely smirked at Hermione.
"Hey, Granger," she said. "You want a copy too?"
Hermione sarcastically batted her eyes at her and smiled back. "No darling, thanks. I was just wondering whatever came into your bloody head about writing lies about me? And about other people? Because, you know, it's bad." She paused for a while, eyes not leaving Magda Skeeter's huge ones. She put her hands on her hips. "If your mother did teach you what's wrong from bad."
By this time, everyone was casually edging a bit closer, just to hear what these two girls were saying.
Harry glanced at Ron. "Not good," he mouthed at him.
Magda fixed her specks once more and put her hands on her hips as well. "Look, here, dahling… My mother taught me everything I need to know about good journalism, thanks very much. Besides, everything here is true." She took a step closing to Hermione. Now, they were nose to nose. "Are you accusing me of lying?"
Over at the Slytherin table, Malfoy was seeing all this. He was wondering what Hermione was going to say next, but he was also thinking, what the hell was Potter doing there, at Hermione's back. He shook his head. If I was there at his place right now, Draco thought, I would have slapped that Skeeter girl right across the face for her.
Crabbe laughed, his mouth still full of English muffins. "Hahaha!" He pointed at Hermione. "Looks like the mudblood's putting up a show! Hehehe…"
Draco didn't respond in any way at this. He just sat there, watching.
"Well duh." Hermione rolled her eyes at Magda, who was looking straight up at her. "You stay away from me, or Harry, or Ron, got that?"
"Look, you over grown beaver, I'll write whatever I want to write, okay?"
"Stop acting like a fly Magda, and just stay out of people's business!"
"Fuck off, Granger!"
"Bitch!"
"Skunk!"
"CATFIGHT!!!!" Somebody suddenly shouted as Hermione threw herself against Magda and they both fell on the floor. People were suddenly hollering and shouting, cheering both girls.
"Yeah!"
"Get her Granger!"
"Fight dirty, Skeeter!"
"Come on!"
"YOU CAN DO IT!"
People suddenly swung their faces around as they heard this terribly familiar line from a terribly familiar person.
All eyes were on Rob Schneider, who was the only man wearing muggle clothes, amidst the school robes of Hogwarts. They didn't notice him enter the hall. Hermione and Magda froze there, with Hermione on top. Draco simply raised an eyebrow.
"Oops," Rob smiled weakly, blushing all shades of red. "Wrong movie, I guess. Sorry." He turned his heels and left.
All at once the girls started fighting once more. People were now chanting their names.
Harry and Ron stared in awe as both of the girls were trying to pull each other's hair off. They were screaming at each other. Magda's glasses were broken and there was little blood dropping from Hermione's eyebrow, a gash probably from one of Magda's nails.
Draco couldn't stand just sitting there doing nothing. Without knowing what he was doing, he stood up on his chair and stepped up the table, knocking over the platter of eggs in front of him. He jumped down and ran towards the catfight.
"Move out of the way!" he yelled as he mad his way through the people crowding around to watch the show.
"Hermione!" Draco yelled as he pulled her out of Magda's grasp.
"Let me go, Malfoy!" Hermione struggled to get out of his arms. She had never felt so good about this before. She felt evil about herself that time, enjoying the rush inside of her, wanting nothing than to hit and hit and hit... Usually when things were bothering her, she would just open her book, "Controlling Your Anger by: Jengga Ferthigald". This was the only time she poured out all her emotions to a human and not a book.
"Hermione, Hermione." Malfoy's voice was cold yet soothing. He was breathing down her neck and it felt warm. "Calm down."
Harry couldn't believe himself. Malfoy came first before he could pull Hermione up. Usually, he wasn't like this. Something wrong happens, instinct kicks in, and he would do the right thing. This is what love made him: A slow moving coward.
Magda who was still on the floor was watching all this. Draco, with his arms around Hermione. Hermione, glaring back at her, chest heaving. Harry, just looking at Draco with "his girl" and Weasley, just standing there by Harry. Emotions. She could read what people felt. She smirked. She didn't care if that goddamned Granger got her good. All that she cared about was getting to work for the new print of Hogwarts Forum.
"WHAT IN BLUE DAFFODILLS IS GOING ON HERE?!?"
Everybody turned to look where that voice was coming from. For a while, Harry thought Dumbledore had gotten back to Hogwarts, but instead, that
voice came from his brother.
"Somebody tell me what in the dark world happened here!" Aberforth Dumbledore was speechless at what he saw. Nobody had noticed him come inside the Great Hall. Food was splattered everywhere. Plates and goblets, smashed into pieces. Students who wanted to watch the catfight and who weren't fast enough to go down when Aberforth came in were still standing on their chairs. There was a banner that said "GO HERMIONE!" which Lavander Brown and Parvati Patilhad bewitched with different sparks to give support to their friend. Aberforth, having seen this banner, slowly shook his head. Everyone fell silent again.
"And who is this Ms. Hermione?" Aberforth asked aloud, to no one in particular. At this time, all the other teachers were there, wondering what was going on. Snape was folding his arms across his chest and Lickorpuss had his hands on his perfectly curved hips. Professor McGonagall stepped forward.
"Please, Headmaster," the professor began. " Ms. Hermione Granger is at the top of her class. Surely I wouldn't think she would be responsible for such… havoc, if you ask me. I--"
"No, professor, it's true." Hermione suddenly piped in, moving away from the crowd that was trying to hide her.
"Hermione - " Harry said, surprised. But she continued to speak.
"I did all these. But I wouldn't have done this if I wasn't provoked."
Aberforth raised his eyebrows. "And who provoked you, my dear?"
Hermione glanced at Magda, who was simply wiping off a few egg yolks on her robe. She acted indifferent. "Magda Skeeter, sir." At this, Magda Skeeter glanced up. She laughed and fixed her glasses. "You see Headmaster, I was only giving out copies of the Hogwarts Forum. You know, the newsletter you approved of? Honestly, I didn't realize that people were so… barbaric here. "
Hermione looked at Harry and Ron confusingly. They just shrugged. They were confused too.
"Ah yes, I did approve of such a thing…" Aberforth suddenly remembered. "But I didn't expect this would be the reaction to this. This thing wouldn't have happened if the articles here were of good journalism." He looked down at Magda Skeeter from his round, silver glasses. Magda was suddenly fidgeting with her shoe.
"Now, Professor McGonagall." Aberforth turned to look at Minerva. "I trust that you know what to do with your students."
McGonagall nodded her head. "Yes, headmaster." She turned to look at Magda. " Ms. Skeeter. Honestly, a new student at Hogwarts, off to a bad start."
McGonagall's eyes went softer when they turned to look at her best student. "And Ms. Granger, frankly speaking, I wasn't expecting this from you. Now I won't take points off from my own house, but you two will certainly serve your detention tonight."
Hermione looked down. Everybody heard all of this, since everyone was still watching. Both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff looked sympathetically at their direction. Over at the Slytherin table, people were only smirking at them. You'd think that smirking would be their trademark. Her thoughts suddenly faded away as Harry took her hand into his and squeezed it for support. He looked at her with those soft green eyes. They seem to be telling her that things were going to be okay. She read the meaning in his eyes. She smiled back, not letting go of his hand.
"Now then. Seeing that everything is in perfect order," Aberforth said, destroying the perfect silence that hung in the Great Hall. "I think it would be fitting to suspend class for about two hours. Students haven't fully eaten yet, and so have the faculty, am I not right?" He grinned at himself. Students from all four houses looked at each other. Classes not starting until after two hours? Wow, pretty cool for a headmaster.
Aberforth clasped his hands then spread them in the air, and soon there were breakfast food on the table once more. All students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin took their seats and started eating again.
"Phew! Glad that was over!" Ron exclaimed, sitting down to his place.
The faculty was now making their way towards their table, and as they did so, Professor Lickorpuss gave Ron a wink.
Ron's face was suddenly as red as his hair. Was that a wink? He thought to himself, as the hair at the back of his head stood. No way!! He shuddered at the thought.
Harry tugged at Hermione's hand. "Come on, let's eat."
Hermione hadn't noticed that Malfoy had taken his seat back, over to the far side of the room. She wondered what made Malfoy do what he did to her. She shook her head. No point thinking about that Granger, she said to herself as both she and Harry sat down to eat some breakfast.
***
The day turned out to be perfectly fine, despite the bad start that they all had. Gryffindors had no Double Potions with Snape because of the suspended two hours. Their lessons went well, and Harry, Hermione and Ron had plenty of time to visit Hagrid at his hut, who was still taking care of dangerous and magical creatures. Over the years, Hagrid had grown a few silver linings in his hair, but nevertheless, he was still the same kindhearted giant. And he still made cakes and sweet that the trio only ate out of the fondness in their hearts for Hagrid. Meaning his food still tasted awful. But he was their friend, and they his, and that's how it will always be.
By nightfall, the students had eaten their dinner and were now retreating to their warm and welcoming four-poster beds, in each of their own houses. Homework was light so they didn't stay up too late. Hermione was still awake of course, seated at the cozy chair with a heavy book in her hands. Although she was looking at it, it didn't mean that she was reading it. Her thoughts were far away from different incantations teenage witches should now. Her thoughts were on different things. The Hogwarts Forum. That Magda Skeeter. Harry. Malfoy. Hmmm… Malfoy…
"Hermione?"
Hermione glanced up from her book. Harry had changed into his pajamas, and he was wearing his scarlet robe. The fire in the fireplace was casting shadows in all the right places on her face. It seemed that his eyes were sharper in the dark. She could see its brilliance. Although his hair was still messy, it gave Harry a look that gave reasurrance to Hermione. As long as there was a faint outline of those messy hair in the dark, Hermione would always think that everything would be fine. Harry was holding a cup.
"Thought you were still up. Brought you coffee and myself, in case you needed a companion." He grinned.
Hermione pushed a lock of her soft brown hair behind her left ear, and smiled. "Thanks".
She stood up and slowly walked towards him. As she did so, he marveled at the sight of her. She was wearing a pale pink nightgown, and she had on her scarlet robes as well. Although her robe was hiding her perfect body, he memorized it by heart. The lines of her collar bone, the necklace Harry and Ron had given her on her sixteenth birthday. It was a necklace with a pendant. A heart, with a picture of the three of them together. She always wore it so that it had become part of her body since then. Harry's eyes darted slowly to her breasts, soft and perfect, untouched. Her waist, how he always held it casually but never more than that. Her hips, down to her feet, which were sporting bunny slippers. He didn't realize that Hermione was already there, in front of him.
She slowly took the cup from his hand. Doing so, their fingers touched a little and it sent an electric jolt up through both of them. She laid it on the table nearest to them, but she never took her eyes off him. She was looking at his eyes. The wood in the fireplace was softly crackling, and it brought a soft glow to Harry's face. This is the face of the boy I had always loved. Hermione ran one finger on his cheek and smiled to herself.
At this, the boy could have fainted. He closed his eyes, wanting the feeling to remain forever. I love you, Hermione, he wanted to say so badly, but he didn't want to risk their friendship. Instead, he let his actions do the talking. He looked deep into her chocolate brown eyes, which were twinkling in the faint light. His hands cupped her face, slowly went down to her neck.
Hermione's heart was pounding. But still, she let him touch her. Feel her. She just closed her eyes. His fingers were now moving down to where Hermione's robes were tied. No, he didn't touch her breasts. Not yet. Instead, his fingers crawled down to her sides, feeling the curves, and then, his hand rested on the knot of the robe.
"Honestly, how do you do it?" he looked at her.
"Do what?" Hermione stared up at Harry's green eyes.
"Make me so crazy about you."
Through his glasses, she could see his eyes' softness. How they protected her in some way, how it comforted her, even now, when they were so close together.
She didn't know what to say.
"Actually, males are always attracted to females for different reasons. In the animal kingdom, the females attract the males when they're in heat, you know to preserve the species. But humans are different. They're attracted to each other because, of their feelings. As for you going crazy, it's those nerve cells that are going to your brain which make -"
"Shh…." He put a finger on top of her lips. He smiled. "I've been trying to hide myself. All these years."
"I thought you didn't feel the same way as I did about you,"
"At first I didn't know what it was. But when I knew it, I was afraid of our friendship"
"Harry, look at me," Hermione gently said, running her hand through his jet black hair. "Nothing is going to ruin our friendship."
For a while, they just looked at each other, enjoying their perfect view. You're all that matters to me, He wanted to tell her. You're everything.
Slowly, he untied the velvet scarlet robe, and soon, he had a perfect view of Hermione's nightgown. She was still wearing her robe. He looked at her. He smiled gently and kissed her eyes. Carefully, he took off Hermione's robes, and let it drop on the floor.
At this, Hermione's eyes slowly opened. She saw Harry looking at her, wearing nothing but her gown and panties. But she didn't mind. She only moved closer to the boy, feeling his hardness. She felt him wanting her. And she wanted him.
But he moved leisurely, taking all the time in the world. He brushed his hands up Hermione's bare arms. He leaned down. Slowly, their lips met. Soon, there was a prickly feeling for the both of them. All their hidden emotions, all those years, all poured out in their first kiss. Hermione's lips were supple, and so were Harry's. His tongue parted Hermione's lips, and soon, his tongue was inside Hermione's mouth, memorizing every part, every corner of it. She let out a soft groan. His hand was on her waist, and the other one was moving up to her breast. Hermione didn't care. This was what she wanted. Her knees were becoming so weak. Her arms encircled Harry's strong neck. She always held onto Harry for strength. She was gently moaning as he gave soft kisses on Hermione's neck. He was massaging her breast carefully, not wanting to hurt her. He could feel her nipple become firm against the soft cloth.
His lips found Hermione's again and they shared an ardent kiss, burning them, and Hermione found out that she could no longer stand up. Her knees gave away, and she leaned on Harry. She felt his hardness and she gasped a little. Oh my god, she thought to herself.
The boy, sensing this, lay her down on the floor. He couldn't believe he was doing this. He was on top of her. All he could see was Hermione's eyes, and all that mattered was right underneath him. He leaned back to kiss her some more when suddenly there was a faint beeping sound.
"What was that?" Hermione asked softly, breathless.
"Never mind that," He muttered as he kissed the hollow bone between her collarbone. The beeping sounds gradually grew louder.
"Oh no," Hermione suddenly said, her hands no longer at Harry's back. It's Professor McGonagall!"
At this, the boy suddenly sprung to his feet, looking around. "Professor! This is not what it looks like!" He nervously said, glancing around. "Hermione, where is she?"
Hermione giggled as she stood up. "Silly. I put an alarm on the letter Professor McGonagall gave me this afternoon." She suddenly put her robe back on. "About my detention tonight, remember? I alarmed it in case I forgot."
He blushed. Detention. "Oh yeah. Never thought you would be so calm talking about detention." It was a shame Hermione was wrapped up in thick clothes again.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Is that so, Mister Potter?" She smiled back at him wickedly.
"Go," he said as he kissed Hermione once more. "Getting a detention is unbecoming for you, Ms. Granger, but being late for one is another."
Hermione smiled as Harry's lips touched hers once more. "You're probably right. Don't wait up for me though. You're probably tired."
Harry stiffed a yawn, not realizing that he was sleepy. "I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, in that case I should sleep now so tomorrow can come faster."
"Brilliant, Holmes." She hugged him tight before leaving the Gryffindor common room.
***
She sat on the ground, her white cotton dress sprawled on the grass. It was damp, but it didn't matter. She looked around them. One two three… thirteen. Perfect everyone was here. She breathed in fresh air. The moon was full now. As it will always be after every cycle. It shone brightly above them, so big. It reminded her how big the universe is. Let alone the world. She glanced around at the people with her. All of them were wearing white. Masks, to hide their faces. They didn't know much about their world. They didn't know her world.
But no matter. They will find out for themselves sooner or later.
"High Priestess, it is time," a boy with a horned mask whispered to her.
"Yes. Let's get started. Give me your hand."
And he did as he was told, and everyone followed. So all thirteen of them formed a circle and hummed quietly, feeling the cold night air on their skin. Some of them were shivering, but they tried hard not to be afraid.
Well they shouldn't be, she thought. She could feel them. She could feel them shivering.
She stood up, and the people on either side of her closed the gap by holding hands immediately. She walked around the circle. Athame in her hand, purifying the ritual area with salt and water. She could see a glowing light in her path. She was the only one who could see it.
"I exorcise thee, O Spirit of salt, casting out all impurities which may lie within. Likewise do I exorcise thee, O Spirit of water, casting out all impurities which may lie within."
There was a gush of wind. Her hair blew into her face but she didn't mind at all. The ritual was about to be completed. Blue fire suddenly grew around the edge of the circle. Once again, only she could see it. The others were still humming, shifting slowly from left to right.
She continued to chant. "I conjure thee, O Circle of power, that thou beist a boundary between the world of humanity and the realms of the Mighty Ones, a guardian and a protection to preserve and contain the power we shall raise within Wherefore, do I bless and consecrate thee."
She now stood at the center of the circle. Both hands raised high in the air, with the Athame on her right hand. A girl with chalky white mask stood at her right. She drew a star in the air with her right hand, starting from the right, going straight to the left, down diagonally to the right, up diagonally, down, then up diagonally.
She opened her mouth, as if in a trance, and spoke:
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air, I call upon thee! Thou who art the breezes, winds and zephyrs, and who art also mind, intellect and imagination… Grace our circle with your presence this night! I invoke thee!"
A girl at her back stood up and did the same thing.
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Powers of Fire, I call upon thee. Thou who are the fiery rays of the sun, the dancing flames of the hearthfire and the deep heat within the Earth's core, and who art also energy, will and passion. Grace our circle with your presence this night! I invoke thee!"
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Powers of Water, I call upon thee. Thou who art the mountain streamlets, the mighty rivers, the vast oceans. Who art also feeling, emotion and intuition. Grace our circle with your presence this night! I invoke thee!"
"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Powers of Earth, I call upon thee. Thou who art the towering mountains, the fertile plains, and the enduring bedrock, and who also art our bodies and all things material. Grace our circle with your presence this night! I invoke thee!"
Lightning suddenly struck low. But she wasn't scared. Suddenly there was a green glow from the sky. Four human faces showed up to them. It was misty and foggy, but clearly you could make out the eyes, the mouth, the nose. And there were surely four faces in front of them. The eldest seemed to be wearing a cloak. His face was hidden, but his voice shook the whole earth.
"Ah… Phoenix." He had said. "About time."
She half smiled. She wasn't scared at all. She simply bowed down, and at this, the others who formed the circle did the same. They were shaking. They didn't know what exactly was happening. She smirked. Mudbloods, she thought. "Phoenix, it has been a long time. Tell me everything, while I am still here. You can amuse my little friends, oh and my younger self as well."
Her eyes darted on to the two figures who looked like boys. They must know my brother, she thought. Both of them were huge, and dumb-looking. But they had a look on their faces. They were serious. The other one was handsome looking, but arrogant looking as well. All three of them had a little snake on their chest. She looked back up at the hooded man.
"Yes, I must tell you everything," she added. "My Lord Voldemort."
* * *
Over at Hogwarts, at the Slytherin house, Draco Malfoy woke in the dark, his head about to burst open with unbearable pain.
***
Draco couldn't stand it. His head was burning. He was having the dream again. Lately, that was all he ever dreamt about. Was someone trying to tell him something? He didn't know. He didn't have any idea. He tried to shake the dream out of his head, but that only made his head hurt even more. The girl in the dream. Her white blond hair, long. She looked so fragile, so white. Like a ghost. But she wasn't a ghost. At least, that's what he thought. She looked so familiar. He couldn't stand all this worrying. He stood up and pulled out his suitcase from under his bed. He flipped open his trunk and took out his Invisibility Cloak. He smirked. He always did fancy this. A gift from his father, for his fifteenth birthday. He was sure that he was the only one in Hogwarts who had one.
He pulled it out and put it around his body, and made sure that his feet were not exposed. He silently crept down the stairs to the Slytherin common room and out the Slytherin dormitories. The Painting which was hanging on the door was sleeping. No matter. He would only wake it up when he was to return.
And there he was, walking along the corridors of Hogwarts in the middle of the night. He didn't care if he was going to get caught. Mostly, he didn't care whatever happened to him. His mother was in hospital, his father in prison. There was nothing he would lose. Except maybe, his family wealth. It still mattered, in a Malfoy-esque sort of way.
Shadows lurked everywhere, he was walking slowly because sound moved faster in the night. Mrs. Norris might wake up. He didn't realize where he was going when he turned around one corner and he suddenly bumped into someone.
"Granger!" he muttered surprisingly, still under his invisibility cloak. He was waiting for her to scream. It's not everyday a mudblood bumps into someone invisible, he thought.
But he was wrong. She was calm. "Harry! What are you doing in your dad's cloak!"
Draco was taken aback. Potter? How could he have an invisibility cloak? "Wrong, mudblood. It's me."
Hermione's mouth dropped as the voice she always heard inside her head spoke to her. Very slowly Draco Malfoy appeared from nothingness. First his hair, a bit ruffled for being hidden in the cloak, but it was still sleek. Hermione wondered if Malfoy went to bed with gel on. Then his face, soft. Smooth. Flawless, except for the scar he "allegedly" got from his Polaris S Type. (Hermione had always wondered if this was true.) His green robes were glistening in the torch lights of the castle.
"Malfoy. What are you doing here, then?" she tried to ask coolly.
Draco's gray eyes seemed to pierce her. His expression was vague. "Well, what would you do if you had an invisibility cloak?" His body didn't even move an inch. Only his eyes seemed to move as the lights played tricks on them. "I think the question would be, what are you, doing here?"
Hermione couldn't believe the sudden change in his tone. For a while, all Hermione could think about was Draco's sudden change, from being loathsome to being actually, likeable. She remembered that day during their Phys. Ed. Class. The Draco she felt on top of her was different from the Draco she was face to face with now.
She threw her chin up. "Helping Professor McGonagall with some stuff. Serving my detention, you know," she said, trying to read anything from Draco's eyes. "Just finished."
She could read nothing. Draco was just staring at her. Although his eyes did not move, his vision could still see Hermione full. From her soft brown hair which had gone incredibly straight, to her cute bunny slippers. He smiled.
"Stop smirking at me, Malfoy."
"I wasn't smirking at you, Granger." Honestly. Don't people know by now that the closest I can get to smiling is by smirking? Draco thought.
"Then what the hell are you doing?"
"I'm not doing anything." He took a step closer to Hermione.
Hermione didn't move. She couldn't take it. She wanted to ask him so many questions.
"Why?"
"Why?" Draco echoed.
"Why are you being mean to me?"
Draco's eyes were still not showing any emotions. "Because you mean everything to me."
"Liar! You called me a mudblood."
"I was protecting my reputation. My family."
"The hell with your reputation."
"Hermione, I've liked you since first year. You just don't know how much."
"You stay away from me!"
"I can't!"
"Why not?!"
"Because I need you!"
At this, Hermione slapped him right across the face. Draco responded by pushing her against the wall and putting his mouth onto hers.
It was breath taking. Draco's lips were cold and they were sending shivers up her spine. He stuck his tongue down at her, sucking her tongue out as well. He was touching her everywhere. His hands ran fervently down to her hips and cupped her butt. It was overwhelming, they had to let go of each other.
"Hermione.." Draco growled low. He was hot inside. He wanted her. He wanted her all these years.
"Draco…" She was breathless. She didn't know what she was doing. Harry was nowhere inside her head right now. "We musn't…"
"Don't talk." Draco immediately took her hand and ran as fast as his feet could carry him, leading her to a room where there could only be the two of them. The two of them. No Potters, no Weasleys. Just him. And her.
They were running. Feeling like they needed each other now. There was no other time. Draco opened the door of a room hastily.
"The trophy room?" He heard Hermione. He didn't answer. No time for that. No time for anything. You. Me. Now. That was all in his head.
"Draco I don't think - "
He cut off Hermione's sentence as he pushed her to the wall again. She didn't feel the pain. She felt nothing except Draco's body against her. He took off her robes. She was wearing a pale pink nightgown. He kissed Hermione in the mouth, his tongue violently exploring the depths of her mouth. He was squeezing her breast with his strong fingers, and Hermione gasped. She ran her fingers through Draco's hair, which were now falling into his eyes. She felt herself take Draco's school robes off himself. He was wearing silky green pajamas. Both their clothes were barely there, because of the soft thin material.
Draco's mouth was sucking Hermione's neck by this time. He was making soft growling noises under his breath. He ran his hand up Hermione's smooth thigh. He could feel her shaking. His fingers stopped at something. Her panties. Didn't matter. He sneaked two of his fingers inside and suddenly forced themselves inside Hermione. She threw her head back and screamed but immediately bit her lip. Her fingers dug deep into Draco's back.
"Draco, we have to be quiet!" Hermione breasts was rising and falling fast. She was sweating like crazy.
"I can be quiet…" Draco said as he pushed his fingers even deeper. "Can you?" His dark gray eyes were looking straight at her own, sending her the fire inside him.
Hermione could only hold her head back. Her mouth opened and she screamed silently. Stop, she thought to herself. The pain was almost unbearable, but she knew she wanted more. He smelled so much like honeysuckle. Like daisies and comfrey in mountain spring water.
Suddenly there was a ripping sound. RRIIIIPPP!!!
"Draco! My gown!"
A thin smile formed in Draco's lips. He found it irritating to see any clothes at this time. He ripped off Hermione's nightgown, and now she was looking at him with her bare chest. Her nipples were awakened by the cold night air and the hotness inside of her.
"Come here." Draco held out his hand which Hermione took.
It was going to be a long night.
***
"I don't know, Mr. Malfoy," Aberforth said.
"Oh come on, Professor!" Draco threw his arms in the air and turned around Aberforth's desk. Dumbledore's office hadn't changed much. Peculiar things were still there, including his weird ensemble of a telescope and books of different shapes and sizes. Fawkes was there too, his beautiful crimson feathers glistening, perched above a big wooden globe.
"Look." Draco took a deep breath and forced a smile. Aberforth backed away a little bit. It was always kind of eerie to see a Malfoy smile. Usually their faces looked better when they looked apathetic. "Students in their third year and up are allowed to go to Hogsmeade, right? Covencraft is in Hogsmeade. Nothing will happen. Besides, this is great publicity to the school too. When other people see students how well behaved they are, they'll say "Ah! That's how they teach it at Hogwarts!" There will be more students wanting to study here. Think about it."
Aberforth stroked his golden beard as Draco was looking at him, drumming his fingers on his table. He looked at him.
"Are you sure everyone will have a great time?" he finally looked at him.
Draco smirked. "Everyone will have a blast."
Aberforth shrugged and smiled at the tall, fair-haired boy. "Why not?"
"Oh great Professor!" Draco exclaimed. "You won't regret this!"
"Very well then. Off you go."
* * *
"Hermione!"
Hermione blinked as the real world was coming back to her. The voices in the Great Hall, her friends practically screaming at her.
"Huh?" was all she could say.
"I said, aren't you going to eat your chicken?" Ron was shaking his head. "Honestly. You haven't been yourself lately." He said, mouth full of chicken.
"Oh Ron," Hermione said, her mind still hazy. "Go on, have my chicken. I'm not hungry anyway." She drifted back to daydreaming as Ron and Harry proceeded to talk about Quidditch.
Yes. Maybe she hasn't been herself lately. She hasn't realized that the week was already over. During her Arithmancy class, Professor Vector had to call her twice before she could answer the difference between a Heart number and a Character number. Of course, Heart number was for vowels and Character number was for consonants. Duh. She knew that. In Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall was right in front of her face and still didn't seem to notice her.
Hermione sighed as she placed her cheek upon her hand. Tonight was the night. She was going to go down the lake and set things straight. She was going to tell Draco to leave her alone. What happened at the common room was a mistake and that they should just forget about it. Yes that's right Hermione. Lie to yourself. She slowly glanced at the Slytherin table, at the far side of the Great Hall. That's who's tattooed on my mind, she thought. He was looking straight at her. No emotions. You couldn't read what he was thinking about, right now, as Draco was looking at her. Nothing. His gray eyes stood out amidst the crowd in the Hall.
She was drained into it.
She turned her head around and suddenly got fascinated in the woodcarvings of the Gryffindor table.
Harry bit his lip. What could she be thinking about? He thought as Ron's mouth continued to move, something about Wimbourne Wasps making a comeback in the near future. Hermione's hair covered her face a bit, but he could still make out her enticing eyes, and her long lashes. She was biting her lip too. That's what she always does when she was in deep thought. He only hoped that she was thinking about him.
"OY!" Ron suddenly yelled, Hermione's face fading from Harry's mind and Draco's eyes from Hermione's. Both of Ron's friends spun around to look at him. "Have you two gone mad? It's like I'm the only sane person around here. All you guys ever -"
"Um, Ron, you've got something in your teeth.." Harry said, stifling a laugh. Hermione suddenly giggled.
"Huh? Where?" Ron discreetly put a finger in his mouth, covering it with the other hand.
Hermione bent a little bit. "Oh, right there… no… a little bit to the left… That's it!"
Ron glanced down at his fingers, but there was nothing. "Wait a minute! There's nothing here!" he exclaimed.
Harry and Hermione burst into laughter as they high-fived each other.
"Gotcha!" The said in unison. Harry momentarily felt a shock as he touched Hermione's hand.
"Oh. Okay. That's right. Pick on me, will ya?" Ron rolled his eyes, exasperatedly. He stuck out his tongue to the both of them. Hermione ruffled his hair. "Ickle Ronniekins…" she teased.
Harry smiled at the sight of this. His friends. They were all that mattered to him.
Suddenly the doors to the Great Hall opened with a bang that everyone turned to its direction.
"The Hogwarts Forum! Get your copy! Newest edition ever!"
Harry now realized that Magda had a new partner Colin Creevey. His camera was slung around his neck while both of his hands carried new copies of their school's newsletter, which seemed to be a lot heavier than him. Harry glanced around to see that nobody made a move to get his or her copies. He grinned. After what happened last week, they didn't want that to happen again.
"Oh relax will ya!" Magda exclaimed. She made her way towards the Slytherin table first, gesturing for Colin to come with her. "I haven't written anything stupid now. If you ask me, this is all pretty boring news. But this is what you guys want, so this is what you guys get." She said as she slumped a few Hogwarts Forum on the table. Next she laid out copies on the Hufflepuff table, then Ravenclaw the finally, Gryffindor.
"Happy Reading," Magda greeted everyone while pushing her glasses back. After this she left the Great Hall, Colin Creevey trailing behind her.
All of a sudden there was a commotion over at the Slytherin table. Ron glanced over there and saw Malfoy being slapped in the back. Ooh, that arrogant son of a bitch, he thought. "What's that about?" he wondered out loud.
"Ron, look," Harry said as he read aloud the article at the front page, which was headlined: COVENCRAFT: Draco Malfoy's Stash Making Pub. There was a picture of the Covencraft with Malfoy in the foreground, arms crossed over his chest.
" 'This weekend, everybody who's anybody will want to be at the opening night of Covencraft, Draco Malfoy's recently owned pub. Expect great live music from Cakewalk, Fusion Pack and the international phenomenon DJ Crestfold.' "
"He owns a pub?" Harry said, looking up from the article.
"Well, Harry, he's a Malfoy, that means he owns a lot." Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah, but don't all those things belonged to Lucius Malfoy?"
"Maybe he inherited everything once his father was sent to Azkaban," Hermione suggested.
"Yeah, that's right, you lot!" Malfoy suddenly raised his voice, enough for everybody to hear. "And each and everyone of you is invited to come!"
Before long, the Great Hall erupted into yelling and hollering, all in excited voices.
"Oh my god, what the hell am I gonna wear?" Lavender Brown gasped from the opposite side of the table.
"Yeap, gentlemen," Dean Thomas said to Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnegan. "It's time for Cassanova…" He said in a funny voice.
Ron was shaking his head at the sudden outburst. "Damn. You guys gonna go there?"
Harry looked thoughtful. "I don't know Ron," he said, looking at him. Of course, he still hated Malfoy, but they'd pretty much ignored each other for the past few days. He turned around to Hermione. "What about you?" he asked.
"I don't know either," she said, biting her lip. "But it sure would be fun, wouldn't it?"
She hoped she didn't sound too earnest. She wanted to go, but if her friends weren't coming, then she won't.
"Oh, what the hell." Ron threw his head back. "Voldemort's really gone, the Malfoys are at their worst right now, no harm in having a little fun, right?"
Harry gradually nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. I bet it'll be fun."
Hermione looked at Harry then Ron. "So, are we gonna go?"
Ron smiled. "You bet we will!"
* * *
That afternoon, Harry Potter walked outside for a while on the school grounds. He let Hedwig fly for a while, who was now just hovering above him. The air was great. The sky was a perfect sapphire, with the clouds just hanging low. The sun was lazily shining its light upon everything Harry's eyes could lay upon. His feet took him to a hill, where he sat down for a while.
God, he was so thankful right now. It wasn't until the summer when he was allowed to live with his godfather, Sirius Black. Harry informed Mr. Weasley, who had become the Minister of Magic that Sirius had been innocent all along. Wormtail was caught and all charges filed against Padfoot were raised. He was a free man and Harry Potter at last lived in the same roof with a family.
He still thought about Dumbledore. How is he in Azkaban? He knew there weren't any dementors around his cell, but still he was worried. Albus Dumbledore's silver white hair and soft blue eyes in his head were soon replaced by a girl with auburn hair and russet eyes.
Hermione.
God. She means so much to me. If she only knew that I was crazy about her. He looked at the sky. She's my best friend and the only girl I will ever love. He took off his glasses and stared at them. He chuckled softly. His glasses were still in perfect shape because of Hermione. If it weren't for her, his eyesight would be worse. He couldn't see without Hermione. She's so spe -
His thoughts came into an abrupt stop as someone put their hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?" The voice asked in a snarled tone.
Harry smiled. He knew those hands too well to make a mistake. He knew that voice too perfectly.
"Let's see. Your favorite subject is Arithmancy, you detest Divination, your favorite book is Hogwarts: A History which you've memorized totally by heart. Your parents are dentists, you tricked Madame Pomfrey into shrinking your two front teeth, and recently you used muggle products to tame your once bushy hair…… Is that you Ron?'
Hermione pushed Harry's head.
"Ow!" he hollered, rubbing the back of his head.
"Ha ha." Hermione said, putting her hands on her hips. "Very funny."
Harry looked up to her. "Did you follow me all the way from the castle?"
She looked down on him. "No," she lied.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," she finally said. "Well I wondered where you were going."
Harry smiled. "Come down here, sit with me." He patted the soft grass beside where he was sitting. Hermione took the seat and sat down. Both of them were silent for a while as they enjoyed the view. The horizon was a bit foggy and unclear but it was still there. Settled on the land on top of the hill, it looked like they were the only people in the world. Above them, Hedwig was hooting freely, flying around in circles. Protecting them. She was almost invisible at the clouds because of her
snowy white feathers.
Hermione contemplated whether or not they should talk about the Common Room. There was a gentle breeze in the air and it blew her hair softly. She didn't mind when some strands went into her face. Harry'd been acting as if nothing has happened.
"Hermione?" Harry gently said.
"Mmhmm?" she didn't take her eyes off of the horizon. She was a bit fearful of what she would see in his eyes.
"You're my friend, right?" he asked.
She turned to look at him. His eyes were calm, tranquil. "Of course, Harry."
"Promise me no matter what happens, we'll always be friends."
She frowned. "Harry, we made that promise ages ago. But I promise to keep it. What are you talking about?"
Harry looked down on the grass. Played with it for a while. His long jet-black hair blew with the wind. "Good. Because," he gazed at her face. "I love you."
She drew a deep breath. "I know. And I love you too." But she was unsure of herself.
Harry smiled meekly and shook his head. "No you don't".
"Harry, I care about you." She ran her hand through his hair. The strands were soft, even if they looked messy. "I don't want anything bad to happen to you, my best friend. I don't want to lose you. You're all I ever think about." Tears were swelling up in her eyes. Confusion. Uncertainty. She wasn't used to this.
But Harry was composed. He took her hand into his. "Now that's the Hermione I know. Of course I know you care about me, and that you don't want to lose me. I've known it for seven years. And that's how it will always be."
"Harry, I don't understand."
He was looking tenderly at her. He looked different with his specs off. Now, she could see everything. And she knew he was telling her the truth. "You don't love me Hermione. No… wait. You do love me, but not in the way that I love you." Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but Harry hushed her. "You love someone else, not me."
A single tear crawled down her cheek. She shook her head. "So you're just going to think that nothing happened between us at the Common Room?" She wanted to scream. But she couldn't. All she could do was cry.
Harry cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears away. She was trembling. "Hermione, nothing happened at the Common Room."
Her tears were uncontrollable now. "Harry, how could you?" She took her hand away from him. "Harry, you kissed me right then and there! You… You and I…We… God! You just want to forget all that?"
Harry shook his head. Hermione could see complete bewilderment in his eyes. "Hermione, when was that?"
"Oh don't tell me you forgot!" She stood up, her arms crossed on her chest. "All right. All right. I'll play your stupid game! The night before I went to my detention!"
"Hermione!" Harry was still sitting down, looking up at her while she was pacing around. "I was asleep, remember?"
"You brought me a cup of hot chocolate!"
"But I was asleep! I told you!" Harry threw his arms in the air. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about!"
She froze in her steps and pointed a finger at him. "Did you just raise your voice at me?"
He raised a finger up at her too. "You raised your voice first!"
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did - Oh damn it!" She yelled. "We are not gonna have this immature conversation!" She knelt down beside Harry and stared at him. She held his shoulders. "Look at me in the eye and tell me you're not lying."
Harry gazed at her, not blinking at all. They were eye to eye. "I am not lying to you, Hermione Granger. I couldn't."
At this, she loosened her grip on him, but she wouldn't let go of her gaze on him. He's telling the truth, she thought.
"Oh my God…" Hermione gasped.
Harry looked at her. "What's wrong? What happened?" He tried to search her eyes which were now wet with tears.
"Hermione?"
"Oh Harry!" she cried out as she hugged him.
He was surprised. She was quivering in his arms. She was so light and frail, he was afraid he might crush her if he held on to her too long.
"Tell me what happened…"
"Harry, I did the most god-awful thing. I - I thought it was you. He looked like you. I didn't well… it was dark. I… damn it… I kissed him…. I
let him touch me… I … I just thought it was you… Oh my god…"
Rage was building inside of Harry. He held her close as Hermione continued to sob. Who could have done it? Why did he do it… he thought as he stroked Hermione's hair. Whoever had done this to her would pay. "Hermione," Harry said as he gently pulled her away, so he could look into her eyes. Tears were making them glisten, making her even more beautiful. "Do you think it was Malfoy?"
She shook her head. He noticed the way her face changes everytime he mentions that name. "No, couldn't be."
"Polyjuice?" Harry suggested.
"Well, were not supposed to learn how to make that until later this year, remember?"
"So who could it be?"
Hermione just shrugged.
Harry nodded. "All right then. We'll find out who that is and make him pay."
Hermione just leaned on to Harry, enjoying his reassuring touch. For a while, they took the pleasure of having a wordless moment. She smiled as her head nestled on his shoulder. He was her defender. Her shield. Her friend. The sun was setting down and the sky was slowly turning into scarlet. "We better get back or we'll miss dinner." Harry said after a while. "Yeah, you're right." Hermione said as she began to stand up. She wiped her eyes dry.
"Crybaby." Harry teased her. She only made a face at him.
Harry looked up and saw Hedwig perch upon a sturdy branch. She saw the whole thing.
"Come on Hedwig. It's back to the Owlery for you," he said as he took Hermione's hand once more and made their way back to the castle.
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