A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys! Keep them coming! Quite astute of you to pick up the classic movies bit TriGemini. Yes, the 1940's version of Pride and Prejudice with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier is the inspiration of this fic, although it is a lot harder to try and fit the storyline into Hogwarts. With that, I bring you the next chapter of Pride and Prejudice.
Chapter Three: Getting To Know You
For the rest of the night, Draco stood by the pillar scowling at the sight of Hermione and Harry having a wonderful time out on the dance floor. Hermione catching his stare, glared back with the same look of resentment.
The day after the Yule Ball, the exchange students from Durmstrang left for the remainder of the holidays to return to their families. During that time of separation, Lavender and Ron communicated through the owl post many times. Their affection for each other grew more and more as they got to know each other better. Due to the heavy load of schoolwork after the holidays, neither party could see each other until the next Hogsmeade visit.
Seamus and Dean were walking down the stairs as they heard a commotion in the Gryffindor common room.
"Things are working out exactly as I knew they would the first minute I saw that Ron Weasley," Parvati said proudly.
"What's all this about?" Seamus asked the girls, "What is this I hear about Weasley?"
"I'm dining with him and his sister this afternoon at Hogsmeade. This is the day." Lavender replied.
"The great and faithful day?" Dean gasped dramatically.
"Now Lavender, remember what I told you." Parvati reminded, ignoring Dean's remark, "Don't be too distant with him and be sure to laugh a lot when he makes a joke."
"Yes, even if it's a bad one!" Seamus added.
"Especially if it's a bad one!" Hermione chimed in.
"And try to sit where he can see you in profile," Parvati instructed, "You know I'll say it even though I'm incredibly jealous, you have the loveliest profile in Hogwarts."
Hermione turned Lavender's head and examined her profile, then nodding in agreement.
"Oh girls!" Lavender blushed.
"Lavender! Wait!" Parvati called out just as Lavender was about to leave the common room, "I just had a marvelous idea!"
Parvati ran upstairs to their dorm while Hermione and Lavender exchanged confusing looks. A few minutes later, Parvati dashed down holding Lavender's riding broom.
"If Ron suggests a bit of flying after lunch, don't refuse. It can be a very romantic ambiance. In fact, propose riding to Hogsmeade instead! "
"Yes Parvati," she replied.
"There won't be much flying today," Hermione warned, pointing out the window where dark clouds were quickly forming in the sky.
"Dear me, I'm afraid you're right," said Parvati. After thinking it over for a minute, she handed her the broom anyway, "Well, if it starts to downpour, then perhaps the two of you could find temporary shelters, alone somewhere among the shrubbery."
"You can't expect Lavender to fly in this weather!" Hermione interjected, "She'll catch her death of cold!"
"Nonsense Hermione," Parvati dismissed, "People don't catch cold from a few drops of water! Plus, it if does rain, more reason for Ron to be even more attentive towards her."
The girls walked with Lavender out the portrait hole where they found Ron leaning against the wall waiting for her. His expression lit up as he saw her approach.
Ron found the idea of flying Hogsmeade much agreeable. After summoning his own broom, they flew together towards the wizarding village.
Just as Hermione predicted, torrential downpour greeted them soon after their luncheon engagement. And just as Parvati predicted, Ron suggested they find some shelter along an alleyway.
It wasn't until nightfall before the storm lifted up. Already passed curfew by the time the couple reached Hogwarts, Ron led Lavender back to the Slytherin's common room instead, not wanting to take the chance that Filch or Mr. Norris would catch them in the corridors. He showed her into an inner chamber upstairs that served as Draco, Ginny and Ron's private common area. Lavender feeling ill, quickly fell into a deep slumber on the couch as Ron sat by her side the entire night.
The next morning, Hermione noticed Lavender's bed was still made and empty. She realized that Lavender never returned from her date with Ron and grew very worried.
After dressing up, she decided upon herself to head down to the Slytherin dungeons to inquire about her friend. Reaching the entrance, Hermione banged loudly on the door.
"There seems to be someone knocking at the door," Ginny announced as she and Ron were sitting in the common room. She looked out through the peephole, "It appears that it's one of Lavender's friends, Hermione."
"I'll go to meet her then," Ron said as he stood up from his seat. He opened the door and came face to face with a very concerned Hermione.
"Why come on in Hermione," Ron invited in a friendly manner.
She stepped inside, slowly taking the opportunity to look around, having never been to the Slytherin's common room before, "Ron, I was wonde-"
"Yes, I know, Lavender. She is here. This way please," he finished for her. He started to lead her to the staircase.
Ginny quickly made her way over to her before she reached the stairs.
"Please forgive me Ginny, I'm afraid it's a great intrusion," Hermione explained, "My uneasiness about my friend must be my excuse."
"It's just a little cold, that's all," Ginny stated coldly.
"Ah, but I believe there's some fever. We were going to take her to Madame Pomfrey right after breakfast, as soon as she awakes," Ron informed her politely.
"It doesn't amount to anything," Ginny added, annoyed, "Nothing to get agitated about."
"I thought I heard your voice Hermione," Draco called out as he made his way down the stairs. Have you come to visit your friend?"
"Yes, and apparently she couldn't have waited until after breakfast. Did anyone else decide to come with you?" Ginny asked, giving her the third degree.
"No," Hermione answered, "Everyone else was asleep. I had no alternative."
"You left your own common room to visit your rival houses' without leaving a word of it to anyone?" Ginny said disgustedly.
"Yes, I came all alone," she responded, not really caring what she had to say.
"Why how shocking!" Ginny commented, "Don't you think so Draco?"
"Is it shocking for a young lady to be concerned about her friend?" Draco asked, finding himself quick to defend.
"But to come disturb us so early in the morning, and alone!" Ginny hounded on the fact.
Hermione became agitated and ignored her. She turned to Ron, "Ron, would it possible for me to see Lavender?"
"At once," Ron replied, "I'll take you up myself."
The two made their way up the stairs. Draco stared after the Gryffindor until she was out of sight.
A few moments later, Ron and Hermione helped a fatigued Lavender off the couch and into the Infirmary. Madame Pomfrey diagnosed her with only a slight headache, some fever and a nasty cold. After treating her, Madame Pomfrey gave Lavender a sleeping draught to help her rest, and assured Ron and Hermione that she would be fine.
As they left, Ron invited Hermione to their lounge after dinner so that they may get to know her better. Grateful of Ron's hospitality towards her friend, Hermione reluctantly agreed, although not looking very forward to seeing neither Ginny nor Draco.
Ron and Draco were playing Wizard's chess as Hermione entered the room.
"That's four games in a row," Ron gloated.
"I'll beat you yet Weasley," Draco retorted under his breath.
"Ah, Hermione," Ginny acknowledged her presence with an air of superiority, "Is the patient asleep?"
"Is she better Hermione?" Ron asked with a sincere tone.
"Yes," Hermione replied, "Her fever is quite gone."
"I'm so glad," said Ron, relieved, "Would you care for a game of Wizard's chess?"
"No thank you," Hermione replied, "Please continue with whatever you were doing, I would enjoy looking through some of your books here if I may."
"Hermione is a great reader I'm sure," Ginny remarked derisively, "and has no pleasure as anything so frivolous as board games."
Draco chuckled, "Is that true, Hermione?"
Hermione gave a light laugh as she started looking through the bookcase, "Not at all. I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many frivolous things."
Ron reached up and grabbed a few books from the very top shelf that was out of her reach and presented them to her.
"This will suit me perfectly," Hermione said as she chose one of the books, "Thank you." She took a seat on a nearby couch.
"What a delightful library you have at the Malfoy Manor," Ginny remarked casually.
"It ought to be good," said Draco in agreement, "It's the work of many generations."
"Shall we continue Draco?" Ron asked, pointing to the board.
"You and Ginny play," he declined, "I really must finish my letter to my sister." He walked over to the desk in the corner of the room.
Ginny followed him, "How I long to see your sister again Draco. I never met anyone who has delighted me so much. Such countenance! Such manners!" She glanced over at Hermione, "and so extremely accomplished one of her age."
Hermione sensed her and looked up from her book. Ginny quickly turned her head.
"Its amazing to me how young ladies can have the patience to be so accomplished as they all are," Ron remarked nonchalantly.
"All young ladies are not accomplished Ron," Ginny stated, glaring at Hermione.
Hermione sensed her gaze again and returned her stare.
"All I know are. Aren't all you know accomplished Draco?" Ron asked.
"I can't boast of knowing more than half a dozen who are rarely so," Draco answered confidently.
"Nor I," Ginny agreed and turned to Hermione, "What do you think Hermione?"
Hermione set the book on her lap, "I think that you and Draco must comprehend a great deal in your idea of the accomplished woman."
"I do," Draco answered. Hermione picked up the book again and started turning the pages.
"Oh, certainly," Ginny added snobbishly, "No one can really be esteemed accomplished unless she has a thorough knowledge of music, singing, dancing, and the modern languages. Besides she must also possess a certain something in the tone of her voice, in her address, in her expression, as well as in her figure and carriage."
"To which you must add something more substantial in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading," commented Draco.
Hermione closed her book, "I'm no longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished woman. I wonder that you knowing any."
"Ginny, are we going to discuss this subject further? Or shall we play chess?" Ron asked, getting tired of the subject.
"Oh I don't think we should play chess Ron," Ginny replied, "I think I prefer a book too. After all, there's no enjoyment like reading."
Hermione got up from her seat and handed Ginny her book, "I'll play with you Ron." Hermione smiled as she sat down at the table.
"Do you like dancing, Hermione?" Ron asked while setting up the board again.
"Love it," she replied.
"As soon as your friend Lavender has recovered, I shall speak to Dumbledore about arranging a party by the Quidditch field after exams, as a treat for the Hogwarts students, as a thank you for their hospitality during our stay"
"Oh that's a delightful idea!" Hermione praised.
Ginny, made her way towards Draco desk, overlooking his shoulder at the letter he had been working on, "Please tell your sister that I'm delighted to hear her progress in music, and let her know I'm quite in raptures with her beautiful little design for a table," she aid with a voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Would you allow me to defer your raptures another time? I really haven't room to do them much justice," said Draco.
Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "It is of no consequence, I shall see her soon."
After their first game, Ron stood up from his seat and announced, "I'm hungry, I'm going down to the kitchens to fetch something. Could I get you some food Hermione?"
"No thank you," she replied graciously.
Ron swiftly exited the room.
"Hermione," said Ginny, "Let me persuade you to join me in taking a turn about the room. You'll find it very refreshing after sitting for so long,"
"With pleasure," Hermione stood up.
"Draco? Would you care to join us?" Ginny offered.
"No thank you," he declined with a smirk, "I can imagine only two motives for your walking. Either of which, joining you would interfere."
"What does he mean by that Hermione?" Ginny asked.
"If I read his character correctly, he means to be severe upon us." Hermione concluded, "And the best way of disappointing him is not to ask."
Draco laughed, "I'm not sure your character reading is too brilliant, Hermione."
"Anyway I must know. Pray, explain what the two motives might be Draco," Ginny demanded an answer.
"I have not the smallest objection to explain," Draco responded with a grin, "Either you have secret affairs to discuss, or you are conscious that your figure shows the greatest advantage by walking. In the first case, I shall be completely in your way, and in the second, I can admire you much better from where I am."
"Perfectly abominable!" Ginny cried, "What should we do to punish him Hermione?"
"As you know him so well, I shall leave his punishment to you," Hermione answered, "It's getting late, I must go see Lavender in the Infirmary one more time before heading back to my own common room. Good night."
"Good night," said Ginny, glad to see her go.
Hermione started walking towards the door when Draco suddenly cuts in front of her, "Why disclaim punishment, Hermione, when you deliberately inflict it by leaving us so soon?"
"If my departure is any punishment, Draco, then you are quite right," Hermione replied with a polite smile, "My character reading is not too brilliant. Good night."
