A/N: Babmidnight- I'm not sure if they get the dark mark with a wand or a knife… I thought a knife. But if it's with a wand then… woops!
~ Also… I don't mean to be mean to Neville in this chappie 'cause I love him he's like one of my favorite characters its just how Ron and Harry react to having to work with him it has nothing to do with how I think about him! So sorry Neville fans! ;-)
~Another thing… (Sorry!), I know I haven't really added in Blaise yet and I think he/she's pretty much up to me to create since Rowling hasn't given any information on them… so Blaise is a boy in my story and is on the dark side.
Chapter 14- A Broken Friendship
"Good morning class," welcomed the new Defense Against the Dark Art's teacher, Professor Avalonia, as she swiftly headed to the front of the class. "Now that we're all here, please turn to page 311 of Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts and read over the section on revealers. Now, I'm sure you're all familiar with this ability from the past year, thus far there is only one student that successfully succeeded channeling the revealing power. With the second war upon us, Dumbledore has given me permission to teach you all how to channel the revealers. The revealers are spirits that always know when a soul is being truthful or not. If you can communicate with them that is. Now, after you finish reading the section I would like you to split into groups of three and start practicing the charm on each other. Begin!" she concluded, as she settled down at her desk.
Hermione looked over at Ron and Harry. They were staring at Professor Avalonia agape. "We get to practice being revealers?" whispered Ron to Hermione, still staring at their professor as if Christmas had come early.
"Hmm…" Hermione replied, absentmindedly. She wasn't that surprised with Dumbledore's new curriculum. She had already read the chapter. Who was the person was who already became a revealer? It was a very advanced charm, even for 7th year NEWTs. As more people finished the reading, a rustle began as they moved into groups. She looked at Harry and Ron, who were looking at Neville nervously as he was noticeably making his way over. The opportunity was to good to be true for Malfoy, who witnessed the whole thing. He quickly made his way to Hermione.
"Granger?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Hermione raised one in return, confused at Malfoy's motive for asking her in front of Harry and Ron until she heard Neville asking to join Harry and Ron's group. They turned to look at Hermione to find Malfoy sitting next to her, smirking at them. Blaise Zambini, another Slytherin, soon joined them. Hermione glanced back at her three Gryffindor friends to find them staring at her in astonishment. Shrugging her shoulders, she shot them an apologetic smile before turning to say something to Draco. Ron and Harry gave each other looks, silently agreeing to confront Hermione after class.
Hermione prodded in to Draco's mind. Knowing what she was doing, Draco thought, "I didn't want the other Slytherins to succeed at the revealing charm and discover where my loyalties lie." Hermione whispered back into his mind what about Zambini…while shooting the boy a wary look. "You can take care of him." Draco thought, making Hermione suddenly giggle approvingly. Noticing that the Gryffindors were starting to look at her suspiciously, she quickly turned from Draco to re-read the incantation. They continued practicing the spell while Hermione shuffling through Zambini's mind every time he succeeded, and ignoring the accusing Gryffindor looks. Thankfully the bell rang to signal the end of class quickly. Hermione left the classroom slowly, knowing that Ron and Harry were waiting for her outside the door.
"What was that?" Ron cried accusingly to Hermione. Harry looked livid. Hermione gave them both an amused look.
"Look, you guys, you two were going to be working with Neville, and Draco asked my help, so I just figured…"
"Draco?" asked Harry, looking at her questioningly. "Since when have you been on a first-name basis?" Hermione is flushed and she nervously bit her lip.
"Since I became Head Girl and he became Head Boy and we had to start to work on everything together. You guy really need to get a grip!" she said with little conviction. Harry and Ron glanced sideways at the other.
"Sorry, Hermione. You're right. You're obviously going to spend time with Malfoy. It just feels like he's getting too close to you, that's all." Ron said, looking downcast. Hermione's anger disappeared. She was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sadness. With each lesson with Snape and Malfoy, she was advancing quickly for the day her work would begin, and she would have to turn against her friends. They would not understand now. They would think she has betrayed them for Voldemort. She felt burning tears brimming her eyes, and suddenly she threw herself onto Harry, crying into his shoulder.
"I love you Harry!" she cried into his shoulder. Harry looked at Ron bemused, but Ron looked just as bewildered as Harry. Hermione turned to Ron. "I love you too, Ron." She sniffed, hugging him tightly too.
"It's ok, Hermione." Ron reassured, while patting her back awkwardly.
"Yeah, Hermione… we uh… like you very much too." Harry added, although he was still very taken aback. Hermione pulled away from Ron, wiping her eyes on the back of her sleeve.
"How about we skip breakfast in the Great Hall and just grab something from the kitchen and hang out?" Ron suggested, looking at Hermione tenderly. Hermione nodded, and they made their way to her common room.
"Gryffindors suck." Hermione said, revealing the new password to Ron and Harry. She turned to them quickly. "It was Dra- Malfoy's turn to choose the password." She explained, rolling her eyes as she saw their curious faces.
"Ok… well should I get food?" suggested Ron, as he made his way to the door, leaving the room quickly. Hermione turned to Harry.
"I'm sorry, Harry. It's just … everything's so different…" she broke off, looking into Harry's eyes, searching for approval.
"I understand, Hermione. And nothing has to change. Ron and I love you too." He said, giving her a quick hug as Draco walked in with one eyebrow raised.
"Potter, do you mind getting out of my common room?" he said, just as Ron walked back in.
"Hey ferret!" he said, cheerfully before turning to Hermione and Harry. "I told the house elves what to bring up. You guys are really close to the kitchen!" he said, in awe. Hermione smiled and turned to Draco.
"Want any food?" she asked innocently, her back turned to Harry and Ron so only Draco saw the looks they were giving her.
"And accept anything from a mudblood like you?" he answered cruelly. Hermione looked at him, surprised.
"Suit yourself, Dragon." She replied turning back to Harry and Ron as they began setting up a wizard chessboard. They both looked questioningly up at Hermione and Draco. Malfoy shrugged, before heading up to his room, leaving the two boys perplexed.
~
"So who are you going to the ball with, Harry?" Hermione asked, as they were making their way down to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry looked embarrassed.
"Umm… well if you must know, Ginny." Ron looked smug. Hermione smiled.
"I know." She happily answered.
"Why did you ask then?" Harry asked, still quite perplexed.
"So Ron would know too!" Hermione laughed. Ron smiled at her.
"Well then who are you going with, Hermione?" Harry asked distracted, although Ron suddenly looked very interested.
"Oh… McGonagall wants me and Drag- Drac- Malfoy to go together." She stuttered. Harry and Ron stopped in their tracks.
"Since when is Malfoy, Dragon?" Ron asked, incredulously. Hermione replied sternly.
"Ron, we're not going over this again."
"But-" he began, but Hermione cut him off.
"Really Ron, lets just go down to the Great Hall." She stopped, as she looked at Harry's face.
"You like him, don't you Hermione." He said softly, not looking at her. Hermione's confidence fell.
"No Harry…" she started, feeling a familiar ache in her heart. It was too soon… too soon they don't have to hate her yet…
"Hermione..." Harry repeated her name, a look of betrayal etched on his face. Ron suddenly realized what Harry was saying.
"Harry, you don't seriously think… I mean, Malfoy!" Ron argued.
"Yes, I do." Harry said, as Hermione took a step back, tears welling up into her eyes.
"Harry…" she started.
"Hermione!" Ron yelled. Hermione flinched.
"I'm sorry. Someday you'll understand." She whispered, even though she wasn't altogether sure they had heard her. With that she turned and tore down the hall, ignoring their beckoning calls. Turning a corner she ran blindly down the next hall, tears obscuring her vision. She suddenly ran into something solid. She stumbled back, but a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, steadying her.
"Dragon..." She whispered, her eyes shut against her tears. He pulled her closer. Draco held her, letting Hermione cry into his chest. He stroked her hair gently and kissed the top of her head. He wished he could stop the world from spinning, if only to save her from another day of pain. He felt ready to give everything up for her.
"I love you Hermione." He whispered into her hair.
"Hmm?" Hermione questioned, unsure of what Draco had whispered.
"Nothing." He replied, pulling her even closer to him and holding her in his arms.
"Nothing."
A/N: thanks to all my reviewers! You guys rock!