Disclaimer: I own nothing...but my sick and twisted imagination
Time Bomb: Sorry to hear about your problem. I am grinning like a fool cuz of your review. I appreciate when ya'll say that the characters are like J.K's. She is my inspiration 'naturally'. Duh. I still don't possess the brilliance to create much mystery. But I'm willing 2 give it a go.
DHL: I like to keep myself guessing..Who's the hero in this story? Every chapter has yet to unfold in my head. Keep reading.
Svetlaella: No worries...I still love you. We are all exhausted at least once a day.
Beth: You are too kind. I look forward to your reviews.
KivaidensGirl: One of the most blushingly glorious reviews yet. I am spoiled. It's reviews like yours that make me want to spit out 2 more chapters by noon. Thank you. "Flowery words followed her thru the halls"
Ghypscee: I would love to fill you in, but I don't know yet myself where I'll take it. So let's just journey together, shall we?
Crazy noodle: I want the readers to get a certain apathy for Hermione before I use their feelings against them. LOL. I am evil. I want to say for the record that Hermione is not perfect, she is almost my double. I carry the same traits, so I can grasp them and pull out her flaws better than the readers. Example: She's damn naive, almost to the point of stupidity. Shy but brave in the face of danger, sometimes also a flaw, believe me...Always trying to please, even at her own expense. (Harry and Ron's blow up was the cost of her faith in friendship) She's the one who always sets others up for the witty phrases, but never has one herself. She doesn't seem to know half as much as she would like. A life surrounded by more books than friends. And I take it as an accomplishment that you think that I am 'too perfect'. Thanks.
Anastasia: Thanks for another sweet review.
Chapter 12: Conversations With An Old Fool
Hermione was smiling secretively to herself as she raced to the Headmaster's rooms after patrolling. She noticed that after she had resolved the Slytherin confrontation that Draco had become mysteriously quiet. He was probably just stung that she managed everything without his assistance. She chuckled, thinking how his ego could use a good smashing. She marveled that it would be her privilege to do it. With glowing pride she repeated the Head Girl's passcode to allow entrance and climbed the steps.
Dumbledore was snoozing in a wing-backed armchair by the enormous telescope. She contemplated waking him, hesitated, and then sighed "what the hell". Clearing her throat loudly she waited impatiently for the wizard's undivided attention. He slowly woke and drowsily smiled. Hermione's foot tapped on the hard wood balcony.
"Headmaster, I'm sorry to disturb you but I really need to talk to someone." "What bothers you, child?" Dumbledore inquired as he conjured another chair. He considerately asked her to relax. "You see, I have a 'friend', and she is serious about a boy. I am concerned because he is very different from her. They don't enjoy similar activities {well not most} and they never got along, until a few weeks ago. All of a sudden she can't get him out of her head. She has a constant need to be near him. It really is like a whirlwind romance."
Hermione paused to entertain the thought that her situation resembled the heroine in Romeo and Juliet. Dumbledore disguised the smirk that appeared while he watched Hermione's eyes become glazed and dreamy. He was not a fool in the least; he understood perfectly that this conversation was regarding Hermione's newfound attraction to a pale Slytherin.
"Well, I believe that your friend may have matured while you were not looking." Dumbledore patiently replied. " If your friend has found that her perspectives have become endearing, as of late, towards this young man, that is a perfectly normal attribute of adolescence."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, but that is not my friend's problem." "You see, she is falling in love with him and is pretty sure that he is fond of her." At this comment Hermione reddened. "Well, he has never really even said so, actually, but her woman's intuition works very well, she's really remarkable. Borders on some sort of second sight."
Hermione realized that she had just been bragging about herself and almost given away that she was this non-existent 'friend'. Trelawney eat my socks, she thought. The horrid woman was dreadfully incorrect about everything.
Dumbledore took Hermione's silent conversation to mean that she was now expecting some comments. "Ms. Granger, sometimes circumstances conspire against us. Your friend must surely understand that when a romance is blossoming, sometimes words fail to describe the catacombs of our hearts. I don't doubt that if the relationship has been founded on trust and communication, with time she will become aware of her companions emotions."
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, no disrespect meant, but in our time starved society, your attentiveness and listening skills seem to have fallen wayside." Hermione shifted in her seat to observe his profile.
" The reason for my appearance in your office is because my friend and her boyfriend both belong to separate groups. Neither of the groups mingles with the other; they take their rivalry to an extreme. She wants to be a part of his life but doesn't know how to achieve that when his friends won't accept her and vice versa." Exasperation seeped out her pores.
"My dear, the power of love is not ruled by what others think. Those who condemn the relationship must, in time, make their own peace. Tender hearts are unpredictable, to say the least. Nothing is of concern except the will of true love. If their path truly leads into the others arms, to deny it is to take a stand against the tornado." Dumbledore dragged on the pipe as a white halo circled him.
Hermione stood. " Thank you. I will try to keep an unbiased opinion while I reconsider this affair of my friend. You have been a great help." Hermione's mind required a breather. She escorted herself out and tried not to feel guilty about failing to inform Dumbledore about the four Slytherins. She decided it could only improve their disposition to remain locked up until the morning. With extreme cruelty, that Draco would be proud of; she imagined the inescapable night of fighting since the Room had only produced a single twin size cot.
After the last period Draco had headed down to the forbidden forest to fly off some of the suppressed anger from his fight. They had dared to attack him, the Head Boy. He had not expected his teammates to know he was even involved with Hermione.
He knew that once he told them, they would not jump for joy at the prospect of his inter-house dating, but was not prepared for this. He wanted to crush their skulls into dust with his bare hands. His knuckles were white as he squeezed the broomstick tighter. He would have his retribution.
Draco flew for hours, a flash of silver and cold. He knew that some of his anger was at Hermione. She had been so assertive. He didn't like it. He was supposed to be the man in this relationship; he was supposed to fight his own battles. He could hear the chants now. "Malfoy won't fight, why would he, when he can hide behind the skirts of a woman." "Watch out here comes Mr. Grainger, the coward."
He was blinded by rage as he sped barely above the treetops. He kept dodging the tall timbers, tempting fate as he tried to hurtle the dangerous obstacles. It was no surprise that he did not notice the stranger in his cape peering through the edge of the forest at his prey with wicked intentions.
The green-feathered dart pierced Draco's shoulder through his robes. He had barely reached the ground before the poisons flooded into his system, paralyzing him. The toxins were quickly blackening his focus as he desperately turned to face his attacker. Seconds later Draco fell limply to the dewy grass. The man in the black robes gracefully floated over to the unconscious form, and nimbly hefted it on to his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
"A simple toxin, and he passes out cold. Tisk. Tisk. Always the weak one. Why was I cursed with this disappointment for an heir?" Lucius snarled.
Time Bomb: Sorry to hear about your problem. I am grinning like a fool cuz of your review. I appreciate when ya'll say that the characters are like J.K's. She is my inspiration 'naturally'. Duh. I still don't possess the brilliance to create much mystery. But I'm willing 2 give it a go.
DHL: I like to keep myself guessing..Who's the hero in this story? Every chapter has yet to unfold in my head. Keep reading.
Svetlaella: No worries...I still love you. We are all exhausted at least once a day.
Beth: You are too kind. I look forward to your reviews.
KivaidensGirl: One of the most blushingly glorious reviews yet. I am spoiled. It's reviews like yours that make me want to spit out 2 more chapters by noon. Thank you. "Flowery words followed her thru the halls"
Ghypscee: I would love to fill you in, but I don't know yet myself where I'll take it. So let's just journey together, shall we?
Crazy noodle: I want the readers to get a certain apathy for Hermione before I use their feelings against them. LOL. I am evil. I want to say for the record that Hermione is not perfect, she is almost my double. I carry the same traits, so I can grasp them and pull out her flaws better than the readers. Example: She's damn naive, almost to the point of stupidity. Shy but brave in the face of danger, sometimes also a flaw, believe me...Always trying to please, even at her own expense. (Harry and Ron's blow up was the cost of her faith in friendship) She's the one who always sets others up for the witty phrases, but never has one herself. She doesn't seem to know half as much as she would like. A life surrounded by more books than friends. And I take it as an accomplishment that you think that I am 'too perfect'. Thanks.
Anastasia: Thanks for another sweet review.
Chapter 12: Conversations With An Old Fool
Hermione was smiling secretively to herself as she raced to the Headmaster's rooms after patrolling. She noticed that after she had resolved the Slytherin confrontation that Draco had become mysteriously quiet. He was probably just stung that she managed everything without his assistance. She chuckled, thinking how his ego could use a good smashing. She marveled that it would be her privilege to do it. With glowing pride she repeated the Head Girl's passcode to allow entrance and climbed the steps.
Dumbledore was snoozing in a wing-backed armchair by the enormous telescope. She contemplated waking him, hesitated, and then sighed "what the hell". Clearing her throat loudly she waited impatiently for the wizard's undivided attention. He slowly woke and drowsily smiled. Hermione's foot tapped on the hard wood balcony.
"Headmaster, I'm sorry to disturb you but I really need to talk to someone." "What bothers you, child?" Dumbledore inquired as he conjured another chair. He considerately asked her to relax. "You see, I have a 'friend', and she is serious about a boy. I am concerned because he is very different from her. They don't enjoy similar activities {well not most} and they never got along, until a few weeks ago. All of a sudden she can't get him out of her head. She has a constant need to be near him. It really is like a whirlwind romance."
Hermione paused to entertain the thought that her situation resembled the heroine in Romeo and Juliet. Dumbledore disguised the smirk that appeared while he watched Hermione's eyes become glazed and dreamy. He was not a fool in the least; he understood perfectly that this conversation was regarding Hermione's newfound attraction to a pale Slytherin.
"Well, I believe that your friend may have matured while you were not looking." Dumbledore patiently replied. " If your friend has found that her perspectives have become endearing, as of late, towards this young man, that is a perfectly normal attribute of adolescence."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, but that is not my friend's problem." "You see, she is falling in love with him and is pretty sure that he is fond of her." At this comment Hermione reddened. "Well, he has never really even said so, actually, but her woman's intuition works very well, she's really remarkable. Borders on some sort of second sight."
Hermione realized that she had just been bragging about herself and almost given away that she was this non-existent 'friend'. Trelawney eat my socks, she thought. The horrid woman was dreadfully incorrect about everything.
Dumbledore took Hermione's silent conversation to mean that she was now expecting some comments. "Ms. Granger, sometimes circumstances conspire against us. Your friend must surely understand that when a romance is blossoming, sometimes words fail to describe the catacombs of our hearts. I don't doubt that if the relationship has been founded on trust and communication, with time she will become aware of her companions emotions."
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, no disrespect meant, but in our time starved society, your attentiveness and listening skills seem to have fallen wayside." Hermione shifted in her seat to observe his profile.
" The reason for my appearance in your office is because my friend and her boyfriend both belong to separate groups. Neither of the groups mingles with the other; they take their rivalry to an extreme. She wants to be a part of his life but doesn't know how to achieve that when his friends won't accept her and vice versa." Exasperation seeped out her pores.
"My dear, the power of love is not ruled by what others think. Those who condemn the relationship must, in time, make their own peace. Tender hearts are unpredictable, to say the least. Nothing is of concern except the will of true love. If their path truly leads into the others arms, to deny it is to take a stand against the tornado." Dumbledore dragged on the pipe as a white halo circled him.
Hermione stood. " Thank you. I will try to keep an unbiased opinion while I reconsider this affair of my friend. You have been a great help." Hermione's mind required a breather. She escorted herself out and tried not to feel guilty about failing to inform Dumbledore about the four Slytherins. She decided it could only improve their disposition to remain locked up until the morning. With extreme cruelty, that Draco would be proud of; she imagined the inescapable night of fighting since the Room had only produced a single twin size cot.
After the last period Draco had headed down to the forbidden forest to fly off some of the suppressed anger from his fight. They had dared to attack him, the Head Boy. He had not expected his teammates to know he was even involved with Hermione.
He knew that once he told them, they would not jump for joy at the prospect of his inter-house dating, but was not prepared for this. He wanted to crush their skulls into dust with his bare hands. His knuckles were white as he squeezed the broomstick tighter. He would have his retribution.
Draco flew for hours, a flash of silver and cold. He knew that some of his anger was at Hermione. She had been so assertive. He didn't like it. He was supposed to be the man in this relationship; he was supposed to fight his own battles. He could hear the chants now. "Malfoy won't fight, why would he, when he can hide behind the skirts of a woman." "Watch out here comes Mr. Grainger, the coward."
He was blinded by rage as he sped barely above the treetops. He kept dodging the tall timbers, tempting fate as he tried to hurtle the dangerous obstacles. It was no surprise that he did not notice the stranger in his cape peering through the edge of the forest at his prey with wicked intentions.
The green-feathered dart pierced Draco's shoulder through his robes. He had barely reached the ground before the poisons flooded into his system, paralyzing him. The toxins were quickly blackening his focus as he desperately turned to face his attacker. Seconds later Draco fell limply to the dewy grass. The man in the black robes gracefully floated over to the unconscious form, and nimbly hefted it on to his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
"A simple toxin, and he passes out cold. Tisk. Tisk. Always the weak one. Why was I cursed with this disappointment for an heir?" Lucius snarled.