Chapter 3: The Serum
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or its characters. But, I wouldn't mind owning Sean Biggerstaff. Hehe…no, I'm JK, Sean…I would very much fancy his autograph though… ;)
A/N: Firstly, bah, humbug on mistakes! I meant 'Fawkes', not 'Fakes'. And, I forgot to close a quotation. Sorry, but mistakes bug me. I think there was something else, unless that was my other story…oh well…
God bless you all! I love my reviewers with all my heart, scary as it is! Mwahaha. Anyway, here's to you! The chapter's below my comments to all of you lurvely people, so if you could care less, just scroll down. God knows if I didn't review, I sure as hell wouldn't care.
Enter the Red Age: Heh, role reversals are weird, aren't they? Thank you for saying I'm not a freak, lol. I don't get that often :D I's glad you liked the teacher bit, and I reviewed ur story. Very interesting…
Firefly: Spankies. I'll try to make you happy. I am here to serve. *bows graciously* Yeeeah…lol.
Me: I like ur name, it's very funny. Heh. Here, I believe this is updating soon…
Twisted Angel: I'm glad you enjoyed. Yay, my writing is 'eloquent'. With comments like that, you'd think my English teacher would like my essays. Funny, isn't it? Anyway…:/ Here it is, I'm writing more!
MistressDeDraco: I just lurve confusing people. And thanks for the compliments on Hermione's character. I sure hope it'll be fun…and Dumbledore's solution will be soon. I shud be evil, and keep it to myself for a while. But we'll see… *cackles*
Kerbi: I'm getting to ur story, I promise. I started it, but then I had to go to bed. Hopefully, I'll have reviewed it by the weekend. It's new quarter, and I'm getting swamped. I should actually be doing homework now, lol. (Shame on me)
Raschel Jordan: Again, I's glad you like it. I wasn't sure how people would take the whole thing.
HarryPotterWanter: Don't worry…I'm trying to keep Draco as Slytherin as he get being a Gryffindor. See, I had him slam her against a wall, lol. If it makes you feel better, he can wear a Slytherin tie just for you , lol. As for the plan, just wait and see, bwahaha! I put Harry with her, because, the Draco/Hermione thing is a little overdone, especially with me! Plus, it's more fun to let Harry discover things. And, they knew because of faithful lil' Snape, and Dumbledore's Pensieve.
Mistress del Mare: Hurrah, I'm BRILLIANT! Hehe, here's the next chapter. Thanx for loving it.
Ash Wolv: God bless you. When I first read this, I was distracted, and I saw the word 'shit', and I was like, 'Hey! Waahhh'. But then, I read it again. Lol, I'm a little queer, aren't I?
Freaker: Thank you. I love being original. J
Alex'z Death Chic: Coolie! Well, here's your upload.
****
"Remember, just two questions," Snape called.
Harry Potter stared open-mouthed at Professor Snape.
Did the man just live to torment him? When in the Gods' name would he ever catch a break?!
Reluctantly, Harry gathered his things, and moved over to the Slytherin side, since it was very obvious that Hermione wasn't budging.
He risked a glance up at her, expecting to see a look of hatred locked on her face.
But instead, Hermione's face was blank, and her eyes were slightly glazed over. It was as if she were anywhere but in class, which was exactly where Harry wanted to be.
Gently, Harry poked her.
She jumped a little, staring back at him. "What?" she demanded, coldly.
"Um, we need to get started on that serum," Harry said gently, gesturing around at the students adding the ingredients.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"A truth serum," he explained, furrowing his eyebrows.
Hermione groaned in frustration. "Great, just what I need," she mumbled, rising out of her chair. "I'll get the stuff," she volunteered.
Harry just nodded, and looked longingly over at his friends. Ron was scooting farther from Millicent, and Draco was frowning at Pansy. Poor Neville was stuck with Crabbe, and he was trying desperately to make the potion properly.
A few moments later, Hermione returned with the ingredients needed for the potion.
Harry flipped through his book, looking for the notes on how to make it. Finally finding it, he carefully measured out each item.
"Care to add it in?" he asked, prodding Hermione once more.
She exhaled through her nose, sending him a glare.
I'll take that as a 'no', Harry thought, adding in the crushed leaves.
Bobbing his head to imaginary music, he stirred the liquid in the cauldron, watching Hermione.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing?" she asked, snapping him out of his calm state.
"Er…mixing?"
"No, with your head!"
Harry blushed, and muttered, "Pretending there was music," he admitted, glancing away.
Hermione huffed, and asked a few seconds later, "Is the damn thing ready yet?"
He nodded, looking back at his friends again.
"You first," she murmured, leaning back in the chair.
Harry looked at the potion nervously, wondering what sort of evil questions she'd ask him.
He dipped in a spoon, and hesitantly swallowed the serum.
"Oh, Gods, this is so retarded. What kind of questions do you ask Harry Potter?" she muttered softly, scoffing. "Ok…Ooh, this should be good…Who do you like?"
Harry heard the question, but he didn't like the answer that followed immediately. "Cho," he blurted.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, laughing. "That was the most pathetic answer ever. But, whatever…Um…" she paused, to laugh uncontrollably. "No, there's no way I could ask that—I'd die! Alright, then. Ok, Harry…What's your most embarrassing…thing, for lack of a better word."
Harry mentally groaned in frustration when he told her, "I sleep with a teddy bear."
Hermione cracked up laughing, slapping the table. "Oh Gods, that's absolutely rich!"
His cheeks were burning, and he said curtly, "It's your turn now."
~*~
Hermione stopped laughing to look at her partner. Gods, he was a goody-goody.
"Fine," she hissed, picking up the spoon, and ladling some potion in it.
She brought the slightly transparent blue liquid to her mouth, and finally tilted it to drink the truth serum.
The taste was most unpleasant. Well, at least until she drifted into a blissful state of ignorance.
She heard Harry ask, "Your life seems nearly perfect. So…what's the worst thing that's ever happened in your life?"
Being the strong person she was, she felt herself struggling to keep quiet, but eventually, her mind gave in, and she said, "My father is forcing me to join the dark side and marry Voldemort."
It was one of the worst things. There was more. She hadn't seen her mother in a long time, her father magically abused her, and they kept her locked up in her room…
Hermione was internally satisfied when she heard Harry gasp quietly, his lively emerald eyes losing its gleam.
"Ok," he murmured, unsteadily. "Um, let's go for an easy one. I don't think I'll want to hear anything else personal. Er, why is Potions your favorite?"
"It's Snape. He favors me. You'd like it too, if you were a Slytherin."
"Can't argue that," Harry stated quietly, avoiding her gaze.
She shook her head gently, feeling the serum wear off. "Well, that was fun," she muttered sarcastically.
Snape came up from behind them, and gave her a small smile. He leaned closer to Harry, and whispered something, causing Harry to beam. {A/N: Please, don't take that the wrong way. This isn't slash.}
When the professor slunk away, Hermione hissed, "What did he say?"
Harry shook his head, still smiling triumphantly.
She crossed her arms, glaring at The Boy Who Lived. "Well, fine then. Bloody hell, I didn't know it was a secret!"
~*~
Draco rushed out of Potions, looking curiously at Harry.
"What's got you so happy, Harry? We just came from Potions," Ron asked.
Harry smiled, and whispered, "Snape gave five points to Gryffindor!"
Draco was taken aback. "For what? I doubt if you would get so much as one, if you saved the bloody git's life a thousand times!"
"I was nice to Hermione. Apparently, she has some personal problem, and he wanted me to be her partner so I wouldn't be mean, and ask really personal questions."
Draco frowned, and recalled the letter in the library.
"What'd you ask, Harry?" Ron asked, scratching his flaming red hair.
"Oh, stupid stuff. Like her favorite color, and why she liked Potions," Harry said quickly, tightening his grip on his Potions books.
Draco knew he was lying. "Did it have anything to do with her family?"
"Er, no…I don't know anything about Granger's family."
"Come on, Harry," Draco prodded.
"Damn it, Draco! I told you! I don't know a blessed thing. And I like it that way! Who'd want to know about Hermione Granger's fucked up family, anyway?" Harry exploded, glaring.
Draco jerked his head back, frowning again. "Gods, didn't know it was such a sensitive subject."
"Sorry," Harry mumbled, embarrassed. "It's just a habit."
"Er, well let's go guys. Draco still needs to get his presents from us," Ron interrupted, forcing a grin.
The mood lightened considerably after this, because it was hard to be mad on someone's birthday.
Draco heaved a sigh, as he entered the Common Room.
Glancing around, he frowned. It was way too dark…what exactly were his friends planning?
"SURPRISE!" shouted every Gryffindor there. There were so many, the sound boomed, echoing off the walls.
He grinned, turning to his friends. "Bloody brilliant! Bugger, how'd you do this without me finding out?"
"Draco, you may be book smart, but when it comes to things like this…" Ron began, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Happy birthday, mate!" Fred Weasley exclaimed, slapping Draco's back.
Out of habit, he patted his back, searching for a prank. Like a 'Kick-Me' sign.
"Oh, we wouldn't do that on your very own birthday," George exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "What do you think we are…heartless?"
"Try two evil prank-pulling buggers," Draco laughed, slapping George's out stretched hand.
"Here, from the both of us. You should feel bloody special. You have the honor of having the first Weasley product."
"Fred, that's not fair. We got Harry's stupid git of a cousin first," George reminded him, clutching his sides.
"True," Harry chimed in, grinning at the thought.
Draco took the bag, frowning thoughtfully at it. "I'm not so sure I should open this…" he muttered, poking it.
"Be a good sport, Draco. Open it!" called a third-year.
"Fine," Draco sighed, opening it.
Sure enough, out popped a bunch of life-like spiders, eliciting a shriek of terror from Ron. After they had dropped (these spiders were much like Chocolate Frogs: they only have one good crawl in 'em), there were a few candies sitting in it, and a wand.
"Why in the Gods' name would I want a wand?"
The twins simply grinned.
"Here then…take that squiggly candy right there," George suggested, pointing to a writhing pink candy, "and give it to McGonagall. I reckon she'll pee herself."
Draco wrinkled his nose, staring at the candy with a disturbed look on his face. "Well, no offence, but if you think I'll be eating that candy…"
"Give it to that stupid git, Granger," Ron cut in.
He shrugged, and put down the bag.
Most of the Gryffindors who weren't his friend had wandered off, after seeing the Weasley twins' gift.
Harry handed him a big package wrapped in a paper that had flying brooms zooming around on it. It was quite funny to see a few collide.
"Thanks, Harry," Draco said, after viewing a broom kit (like the one he had given Harry a few years back), and a cube. "Er, what's the cube do?"
"It's the wizard version of a magic 8 ball. You ask a question…any question, not just yes or no, and tap it with your wand."
"That's cool," he responded. Grabbing his wand, he pointed to it, and asked, "Should I trust those things in the bag the twins gave me?"
So long as you fancy the hospital wing, or an extremely long beard, it answered back.
"Blasted cube," Fred muttered.
The rest of the crowd laughed.
"Here's mine," Ron said, handing him another bag.
Inside, were sugar quills, an enchanted watch, and a silvery liquid in a bottle.
"Now, what's this?" Draco asked, holding up the bottle.
"That's bloody excellent, that is. Grants you three wishes."
"Like a genie?"
"Bloody hell, no! I got this off of Fred and George. This is for three revenge wishes. You know, stupid stuff like making them grow a beard."
Draco grinned. "This will be so excellent. You guys are the best!
~*~
Hermione grasped her quill, and her hand was shaking.
What in the bloody hell was she thinking? Just giving in so easily? No, there had to be a better way.
Just wait until Dumbledore gets back. For an old fool, he's rather smart, she thought, blinking.
For now, it was safest to just let her father think she was accepting the ordeal with open arms.
Yes, that would prevent from getting a rather nasty visit from her father, and Hermione didn't fancy him visiting her dorm.
She rolled over on her bed, forcing another train of thought to come through. Anything else…anything to keep her lunch down.
But of course, the only other thing that consumed her mind was Harry, and the fact that he knew.
No one knew how her father treated her, or the things he did. No one, that is, until damned St. Potter.
Hermione's blood was boiling at the thought that this very instant, he was probably off pitying her.
"Ok, something else," she murmured, looking up at the ceiling.
The only other thing she could think of was Draco, and her plan for revenge.
Rather stupid reason for revenge, I say, her mind thought, sneering.
No it isn't! No one undermines my authority! Hermione answered back angrily.
I think someone has a wittle cwush, her mind taunted.
"Hardly!"
"Hermione? You ok there?" Pansy asked shrilly.
She flinched. "Mind your damn business Parkinson. Where in the hell is Bulstrode?"
Pansy shrugged, and turned back to the mirror.
Hermione groaned in frustration. She was so bored! There had to be something to do until Dumbledore came back.
She got up, and stalked outside, looking around for anything to do.
Haven't been out lately… she thought.
So out Hermione went, finding a nice, shady tree.
She leaned against it, staring into the water.
It was reflecting the lowering sun, with orange, pink, yellow, and bits of red reflecting off the glittering surface.
Water was always calming like that.
Slowly, every pain she had, every consuming thought in her head vanished, watching the sun lower itself and its reflection on the lake.
Ever so slowly, her eyes drifted shut, and she fell asleep.
~*~
Draco strolled leisurely on the grass, thinking about the gift his parents sent him.
Nothing magical, of course, but they had sent him a book Mrs. Weasley had helped the Malfoy parents pick out in Diagon Alley. A book on curses and spells, which Mrs. Weasley thought would be of help. With the war and all.
After skimming it, Draco had found a few fun ones, and tested it on unsuspecting Slytherins from the Astronomy Tower.
Ginny Weasley had run in breathlessly an hour after the party, and handed him a photograph.
It was one of Harry, Ron, Lavender, Parvati, George, Fred, Ginny, and him. Apparently, Professor McGonagall had taken it earlier in the year.
He had laughed, at the way things were exploding every time the twins disappeared. At this point, Ron's usually bright hair was tinged with ash, and Harry's glasses were tilted off to the side when the two had accepted a ball of gum from the twins.
Draco and the rest of the students in the photograph laughed, high-fiving George and Fred.
Wizard pictures were the best.
As he approached the lake, he saw a figure resting peacefully against the tree.
He walked closer curiously. "Hello?" he asked.
The person stirred, stretching to yawn.
"Granger? What are you doing out here?" Draco asked, bewildered that the Queen of Slytherin would let her guard down like that.
She never let herself be vulnerable.
"What do you think I'm doing, you stupid git? I'm relaxing. Since when is that a crime?"
"Well, sorry! I was just asking."
"Then stop. I don't have the patience for your asinine questions. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the dungeons," Hermione retorted, standing.
"Where you belong," Draco murmured softly, covering it with a cough.
"What?" she demanded, her chocolate eyes flashing.
"I didn't say anything," he replied innocently.
She sighed in irritation, and narrowed her eyes. "You better not have," Hermione whispered in a deathly tone.
Draco rolled his steely eyes, and brushed past her.
God, she was the rudest thing on the planet, hands down.
****
A/N: Well, there it is. I think that the 4th chapter will be here weekend time, approximately. Anyway, everyone, be proud. I got Honor Roll. But, pray for me…I got a C in History. My parents can be pretty uptight about grades…It's not my fault I can't stand history!
Um…I'm getting the internet in my room this weekend, so as soon as I finish a chapter, I can submit it, rather than wait for my dad to leave.
Peace!
[Submitted: April 2, 2003]
P.S.—Check out my other story, Hidden Dragon!!! Hehe. As always, R&R!