~ Next Chappie... Yeah! Sorry about the delay, but I had to stop and route out the plot for this story. I don't usually write 'spur of the moment' pieces (which this happens to be), and when I write a story I like to have it generally plotted out. So, when I started to write this chapter I was stuck - not really sure of where I was going with this. Anyway, I took a breather and started writing a plot summary, which is why it took me so long to get this to you!
Well, I'm going to stop writing this now, honestly... truly - so you can get on with this story... what, haven't you stopped reading yet? What are you doing? READ THE STORY!!
** To all those who reviewed: THANK YOU! And to all who didn't: Please do - I don't think you realize how much a review means to the writers at ff.net... even if its criticism. Please? I can handle it.
*Dragonmaster Kurai: Thanks for the poke. How did you know I'm always starving??
*Kedd: Thank you for all the information about formatting. It helped. A lot. I still haven't figured out the whole italicized thing (believe me I tried) - but what can you do? Thanks!
*Matte: Again, thank you for your review. It really prompted me to get my ass in gear and finish this half-written chapter!! Kudos, my friend, kudos!
Oh side note: have you ever watched Field of Dreams?? "If you write them, they will read them" totally reminded me of (in spooky inspiring voice) "If you build it, they will come". It was great - made my day (Even if you didn't mean for it to sound like that) Anyway, many thanks.
Disclaimers are the same as the last chapter, and the prologue... I don't own it people!
OH!! And I now have an email address for this site: BlDrgnfly07@hotmail.com so email me if you want chapter updates, or just want to say 'hi'. Whatever. Now Read!
*****
Sensible
Blue Drgnfly
*****
Chapter Two
If they had landed inside her apartment, she hadn't noticed. The air buzzed with the energy of an Apparation, but all Hermione noticed was the heat of her hand connected with his arm. She could almost feel his skin through the fabric of his robes - could imagine the hair of his arm against her fingertips. She swallowed, closing her eyes, trying desperately to get her bearings, before opening her eyes once more, coming in contact with smoldering black ones. He stared down at her, his face unrecognizable, one eyebrow raised as he surveyed her reaction.
Hermione blinked, clearing her throat, as she stepped back - separating their physical connection. She looked about, her hands coming around to grasp her elbows as she tried desperately to think of something appropriate to say.
"This IS your apartment I assume?" Severus sneered, cutting through the silence.
She jumped, looking up at him again, "Oh - uh, yeah of course... Sorry 'bout the mess - bloody research you know." She sighed uncomfortably, as she shifted her feet.
His eyebrow, if it was even possible, raised even farther, "Research?"
She blinked, "For the Order - studying a certain potion we believe the Death Eaters have in their possession. We need an antiserum. But there isn't one in existence - to our knowledge..."
He nodded, a piece of dark hair falling into his eye, "So you're creating one."
She smiled, relaxing as she realized this was a safe topic to discuss. He was a Potions Master after all...
Her arms dropped to her side as she motioned to the makeshift laboratory in the corner, "Exactly. I'm not having much luck however - its an ancient magic, mostly created during the Dark Ages and during times of witch persecution - there are hardly any text on it and what little there once was..." she shrugged, "was destroyed."
Severus' brow furrowed as he looked over to the table. His fingers itched to touch the equipment - having been so long without the means to make suitable potions. He huffed at his weakness, and returned his gaze to the young woman standing across from him. He crossed his arms as he leaned languidly against the wall - processing the information she had given him.
"What exactly are you researching?"
Hermione hesitated only a second - after everything she had found out about her quiet ex-Potions Teacher - she trusted him.
"Muggle Mors Magus."
Severus mouth opened, "Mors Magus? For Muggles? What exactly are the parameters - Death Magic can vary greatly depending on the spell."
Hermione sighed, looking old and weathered, "It's a very rare, obscure potion - an form of Exterminous. As far as we know, the potion has multiplying properties and, when sprayed into the air, it spreads and kills any Muggle or Muggleborn who inhales it."
Severus bit the inside of his lip in thought as he glanced back towards the worktable. "Well, that would certainly fulfill the desire of every Death Eater out there - and then some, unfortunately." His eyes moved back towards her, noticing the determined set of her jaw - her eyes bright with fortitude. This threat must affect almost everything she holds dear...
He sighed, "Does the Order know who is in possession of such a potion? It could be most beneficial to know something more of the possessor."
"We have a few leads - but no one knows for sure. From what we gather, Voldemort had the spell for quite sometime. But due to his Muggle ancestry, he couldn't use it."
"Now that Voldemort is dead..."
"Nothing's stopping them. Exactly."
He looked thoughtfully at her - his eyes seemed to glint with knowledge as he digested the problem. Hermione noticed the way he bit the inside of his cheek as he thought - suddenly wondering why she had never noticed the life inside his eyes, the sparkle of an intelligence few people could appreciate. She blinked in surprise before vanishing the thought, her cheeks growing warm with color.
Severus noticed her blush, but chose to ignore it. Instead, he focused at the problem of the potion. "Has Albus not sent you any assistance? This is obviously a task for more than a single person..."
She shook her head, her curls dancing around her face, "I'm afraid not... there are so few people that qualify for work like this - let alone people we can trust. I assume that Dumbledore would have asked you, being a Potions Master, but under the..."
She stopped, her mouth still forming forgotten words as she stared at the man across from her - her eyes sparkling with revelation.
"That's it!" she exclaimed, her hands coming together with excitement and hope.
Severus glanced around nervously, his eyebrow raising as he suddenly felt he was being cornered. He sneered, "What is 'it', Miss. Granger?"
She smiled, wanting to laugh, "YOU."
"Wha-"
This time she did laugh, her voice sounding full and relieved, "Its brilliant! You can stay here. Certainly I am having trouble finding the antiserum alone, but together, we could figure this out - I'm sure of it. You would have a place to hide out and I would have that extra pair of hands and knowledge I desperately need."
Suddenly Severus was at a loss for words. Could she have possibly asked him to work with her - laughing and happy? He scowled at the strangeness of the situation.
"Miss. Granger..." he started, as if he was explaining something insipidly plain to a child, "as much as you think this is the answer it, by all means, is not. This is no safe house and my staying here, if anything, would most certainly put you and your research in danger."
Hermione huffed, trying to ignore the superior tone of his voice, but failing miserably. Insufferable man. "There is no research without your help! Surely you can concede to that point. And as much as I'd hate to admit it, especially to YOU... I do not have the skill it takes to create such a potion alone."
Her arms crossed as she boldly stepped towards him, her eyes afire, deep amber, as she stared into his unreadable eyes. "Yes, by staying here I am taking a risk. Yes, I understand that I might loose my life. Yes, I understand that, if you are found, the research will be destroyed. But the point is that I will never get anything accomplished without you - and I will die anyway if I don't find an antiserum. I will die along with my family and countless other innocent people who are not even aware that there could be a danger!"
Severus stared at her, not recognizing the woman before him as the young, bossy girl he had once taught. His eyebrow rose as he looked at her, her breaths coming in heavy puffs - causing her chest to rise and fall dramatically. And, as he looked at her - angry and indomitable - he began to feel something he felt for few people. Respect.
Silence dragged on as he regarded her words, trying to find holes in her logic. Frankly, a small part of him acknowledged, he was afraid of staying with her. He sighed as his fingers played tentatively with the fabric of his sleeve - his features masked the uncertainty he was feeling.
Hermione's weight shifted, suddenly finding she felt off balance after her outburst.
Her fingers tapped impatiently at her side, "Well? Say something!" She said, finally unable to take anymore of his silent survey of her. She swallowed, her mouth feeling dry.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he watched her loose her composure. "Fine."
This time, it was Hermione's eyebrow that rose. "Fine?"
"I have considered what you have said, and, finding that you do understand the danger you might be partaking in... I will help you with this enigma of a potion you seem to be having so much trouble with."
Her lips twitched, "Thanks... I think."
His eyebrow rose as his eyes glowed with something akin to humor. "No problem."
*****
Harry leaned back in his chair, his arm moving to the armrest - fingers tapping from pent-up energy, a sigh escaping his lips in heavy dramatization as he glanced over at his red haired companion who slouched depressively in his own chair - echoing Harry's sigh in silent agreement.
Running a hand through his coppery hair, Ronald Weasley stood, pacing the small room.
"I'm going bloody bonkers!" He exclaimed vehemently as he raised a fist in the air. "The biggest Quidditch game of the year and were stuck in ruddy France of all places."
Harry sighed, glancing up at his friend, "Sometimes I really miss Muggle society - we could be watching the game now if we had a television!"
Ron stopped, looking shocked. "You want to watch Quidditch in a box!?"
Harry smiled, fearing he would - once again - have to try and explain the intricacies of a television. He moaned, suddenly grateful that Arthur wasn't there. "It's not a box Ron. Its... well you see, erm, its..."
"Its no use Harry, that's what it is. No matter how many times you try to explain it to me - or that blasted Comutter contraption - I don't get it. It seems cruel to shrink people and put them in a box for other's amusement!"
Harry laughed good-naturedly, "It's a Computer - you dolt! And I suppose it would look that way to a Muggle if they saw a Wizard photograph... But honestly Ron, Muggles cannot shrink people."
Ron huffed, looking at Harry suspiciously, "Sound a bit like Hermione with the 'honestly Ron' bit...." He walked over to his friend's chair and bent down to look at him in mock-concern. "Are you feeling alright?"
Harry laughed, "Perfectly. 'Mione would have your hide if she heard that."
Ron smiled, plopping down into his chair, "Good thing she's not here then, right?"
Harry smiled, his thoughts lingering on the said companion. Neither he nor Ron had seen Hermione since she had started her assignment almost a month ago. His smile faded as he sunk farther into his chair and looked around the small safe house, reminding himself vigilantly of why he was here. He looked over to his friend, his comrade-in-arms, of who he had been through so much with, and tried to ignore the concern he saw in Ron's eyes as he gazed back at Harry.
Ron frowned, noting the symptoms of his friend's newly found pastime of brooding. He sighed, many things had happened to everyone in the last decade.... Harry, of course, had been affected the most. His eyes narrowed, unsure of how to bring the man out of his stupor.
"Harry..." he began but was interrupted by the sound of the lock on the door rattling - a muffled cry of frustration heard from behind the entranceway before the door swung open, a figure emerging cast in shadow from the glare of the mid afternoon sun.
Both Ron and Harry rose, their wands gasped in hand, as they tensed for attack - trying desperately to ascertain the identity of the person walking in the room. The two men stiffened as the watched the figure at the entrance transform into that of a woman; Ron swore in recognition, rolling his eyes as he lowered his wand.
"Oi Gin! Announce yourself next time - I could have blasted you into next week!"
Ginny smiled, her eyes never glancing up at the two startled men - her petite frame shifting from left to right to accommodate the extra weight of the box she carried as her sleek ponytail swayed in time to the rapid rhythm of her pace as she made her way towards the kitchenette table.
She paused, dropping the box onto the table with a 'clunk'. "Honestly Ron - blasting your own sister? What would Mum say?" she shook her head in mock reproof, "And when she brings you some of Mum's cooking!"
Ron jumped, his face mirroring that of a small child as he smiled broadly - peering into the contents of the box.
"Mum's cooing? That's brilliant!"
Ginny smiled, rolling her eyes skyward. "Yeah - and ya better owl her a 'thanks'. She seems to think you two can't take care of yourselves..." She shook her head sarcastically, "Don't know why she'd think that though."
"Hullo Harry." She said, glancing in his direction before collapsing onto the nearest chair.
Harry stared, his posture still maintaining the rigidity it had when the young woman had first opened the door. His emerald eyes looked over her form - his face thoughtful and uncertain. Ron looked over to his dark haired friend, a piece of chicken in his hand - his plate already half-empty.
"Oi mate... Harry - FOOD." He stated - his chicken leg waving in his hand for emphasis.
Harry blinked, twice, before coming to his senses. Shaking his head, Harry moved towards the small table - trying to forget the effect Ginny seemed to be having on him lately. He sighed, settling down at the table in front of the food that had been placed for him. Ginny Weasley. His lips twitched as he thought of the crush she had on him back in her first year at Hogwarts. He looked pensively down towards his food - he had thought of her crush as well... weird back then and he had been pleased to find she had gotten over her preoccupation with Harry Potter a little over a year latter.
Then something unexpected happened. After going back to Hogwarts for her graduation, he had discovered something - disturbing. Ginny Weasley, the tiny, stickly little child - the sister of one of his best friends - had become a woman.
He chewed viciously at his food, not even taking the time to notice what he was eating, as he glanced furtively at the woman seated next to him. By classical standards she was not, by all means, a beautiful woman. With her compact frame and her freckled face - no one would claim her to be 'model' material. However, there was a spark in her eyes - a fire that Harry had found to be annoyingly charming and an undying hope for the future and normality that he found himself clinging to... wanting desperately to believe in.
His thoughts became abruptly to an end as a hand came in contact with the back of his head.
"Eat your food you silly man - before it gets cold! I swear you sulk more than any man I've ever met!" Ginny exclaimed, shaking her head as her hand returned to her fork.
Harry inwardly moaned as he brought his attention back to his plate. Clearly, Ginny Weasley had gotten over her crush a long time ago... In a word? Harry was screwed.
*****
Lucius Malfoy had never been known for his patience - in any aspects of his life - and today was no exception as he sat by his unlit fireplace, staring into its empty expanse. Waiting. Annoyed fingers strummed as his expertly manicured nails glimmered in the dim light of the room, making time with the grandfather clock on in the corner.
Unexpectedly, a puff of green smoke filled the once empty hearth as a young man appeared. Dusting off his cloak, the man stepped into the room glancing around, before settling on the man sitting before him.
Lucius made no attempt to welcome the man. Instead, his fingers laced together coming to rest below his chin.
"You're late."
The man tensed, his blue eyes stared at nearly identical ones and he found no love in them.
He shifted on his feet. "Sorry father. I... well, something unexpected happened."
Lucius' expression remained placid; the only indication of his displeasure was the slight thinning of his lips.
An eyebrow rose, "Oh?"
The younger Malfoy shifted his weight once more - unsure of what to say.
He cleared his throat. "He got away... I'm sorry father - I lost him after he Apparated somewhere - must have been warded - I, I couldn't follow him."
Lucius looked at his son, considering what he had just heard. He smirked coldly, "So he managed to escape you, Draco? You never were good for much anything I suppose. Why should I think you could handle this simple task?" He surveyed his son, looking him up and down as he fidgeted nervously. Pathetic.
"Do you have anything at all of interest for me, my boy? Or have you once again managed to waist my time?"
Draco spine straightened at the insult as he glared at his father - wanting something other than hate to reflect the elder's eyes.
He smiled, knowing that at least he could please him temporarily. "Actually I do. He had help escaping."
Lucius eyebrows knitted in thought, "Really? And do you know who it was?"
Draco smirked, nodding his head. "Hermione Granger."
Draco's father paused; his blue eyes slightly widened in surprise, "The mudblood bitch from your school days?" He smiled cruelly. "Interesting. Very Interesting."
*****
Author's Notes:
Nothing really exciting to write here... though I did have an interesting thought while I was writing this ... a few years back, before I had succumb to the domain of Harry Potter fanfiction, I was a firm advocate of Hermione/Ron and HATED Harry/Ginny. I went strictly on canon and I believed that Hermione/Ron had something coming to heads in the books - even if it only was a crush - while I believed Ginny's crush was just idol worship.
Hmm... funny how you can change your mind after a few well written fics. Just proves the old adage "don't knock it 'til you've tried it"!! Anyway, hope you enjoyed it, and please review!!
Well, I'm going to stop writing this now, honestly... truly - so you can get on with this story... what, haven't you stopped reading yet? What are you doing? READ THE STORY!!
** To all those who reviewed: THANK YOU! And to all who didn't: Please do - I don't think you realize how much a review means to the writers at ff.net... even if its criticism. Please? I can handle it.
*Dragonmaster Kurai: Thanks for the poke. How did you know I'm always starving??
*Kedd: Thank you for all the information about formatting. It helped. A lot. I still haven't figured out the whole italicized thing (believe me I tried) - but what can you do? Thanks!
*Matte: Again, thank you for your review. It really prompted me to get my ass in gear and finish this half-written chapter!! Kudos, my friend, kudos!
Oh side note: have you ever watched Field of Dreams?? "If you write them, they will read them" totally reminded me of (in spooky inspiring voice) "If you build it, they will come". It was great - made my day (Even if you didn't mean for it to sound like that) Anyway, many thanks.
Disclaimers are the same as the last chapter, and the prologue... I don't own it people!
OH!! And I now have an email address for this site: BlDrgnfly07@hotmail.com so email me if you want chapter updates, or just want to say 'hi'. Whatever. Now Read!
*****
Sensible
Blue Drgnfly
*****
Chapter Two
If they had landed inside her apartment, she hadn't noticed. The air buzzed with the energy of an Apparation, but all Hermione noticed was the heat of her hand connected with his arm. She could almost feel his skin through the fabric of his robes - could imagine the hair of his arm against her fingertips. She swallowed, closing her eyes, trying desperately to get her bearings, before opening her eyes once more, coming in contact with smoldering black ones. He stared down at her, his face unrecognizable, one eyebrow raised as he surveyed her reaction.
Hermione blinked, clearing her throat, as she stepped back - separating their physical connection. She looked about, her hands coming around to grasp her elbows as she tried desperately to think of something appropriate to say.
"This IS your apartment I assume?" Severus sneered, cutting through the silence.
She jumped, looking up at him again, "Oh - uh, yeah of course... Sorry 'bout the mess - bloody research you know." She sighed uncomfortably, as she shifted her feet.
His eyebrow, if it was even possible, raised even farther, "Research?"
She blinked, "For the Order - studying a certain potion we believe the Death Eaters have in their possession. We need an antiserum. But there isn't one in existence - to our knowledge..."
He nodded, a piece of dark hair falling into his eye, "So you're creating one."
She smiled, relaxing as she realized this was a safe topic to discuss. He was a Potions Master after all...
Her arms dropped to her side as she motioned to the makeshift laboratory in the corner, "Exactly. I'm not having much luck however - its an ancient magic, mostly created during the Dark Ages and during times of witch persecution - there are hardly any text on it and what little there once was..." she shrugged, "was destroyed."
Severus' brow furrowed as he looked over to the table. His fingers itched to touch the equipment - having been so long without the means to make suitable potions. He huffed at his weakness, and returned his gaze to the young woman standing across from him. He crossed his arms as he leaned languidly against the wall - processing the information she had given him.
"What exactly are you researching?"
Hermione hesitated only a second - after everything she had found out about her quiet ex-Potions Teacher - she trusted him.
"Muggle Mors Magus."
Severus mouth opened, "Mors Magus? For Muggles? What exactly are the parameters - Death Magic can vary greatly depending on the spell."
Hermione sighed, looking old and weathered, "It's a very rare, obscure potion - an form of Exterminous. As far as we know, the potion has multiplying properties and, when sprayed into the air, it spreads and kills any Muggle or Muggleborn who inhales it."
Severus bit the inside of his lip in thought as he glanced back towards the worktable. "Well, that would certainly fulfill the desire of every Death Eater out there - and then some, unfortunately." His eyes moved back towards her, noticing the determined set of her jaw - her eyes bright with fortitude. This threat must affect almost everything she holds dear...
He sighed, "Does the Order know who is in possession of such a potion? It could be most beneficial to know something more of the possessor."
"We have a few leads - but no one knows for sure. From what we gather, Voldemort had the spell for quite sometime. But due to his Muggle ancestry, he couldn't use it."
"Now that Voldemort is dead..."
"Nothing's stopping them. Exactly."
He looked thoughtfully at her - his eyes seemed to glint with knowledge as he digested the problem. Hermione noticed the way he bit the inside of his cheek as he thought - suddenly wondering why she had never noticed the life inside his eyes, the sparkle of an intelligence few people could appreciate. She blinked in surprise before vanishing the thought, her cheeks growing warm with color.
Severus noticed her blush, but chose to ignore it. Instead, he focused at the problem of the potion. "Has Albus not sent you any assistance? This is obviously a task for more than a single person..."
She shook her head, her curls dancing around her face, "I'm afraid not... there are so few people that qualify for work like this - let alone people we can trust. I assume that Dumbledore would have asked you, being a Potions Master, but under the..."
She stopped, her mouth still forming forgotten words as she stared at the man across from her - her eyes sparkling with revelation.
"That's it!" she exclaimed, her hands coming together with excitement and hope.
Severus glanced around nervously, his eyebrow raising as he suddenly felt he was being cornered. He sneered, "What is 'it', Miss. Granger?"
She smiled, wanting to laugh, "YOU."
"Wha-"
This time she did laugh, her voice sounding full and relieved, "Its brilliant! You can stay here. Certainly I am having trouble finding the antiserum alone, but together, we could figure this out - I'm sure of it. You would have a place to hide out and I would have that extra pair of hands and knowledge I desperately need."
Suddenly Severus was at a loss for words. Could she have possibly asked him to work with her - laughing and happy? He scowled at the strangeness of the situation.
"Miss. Granger..." he started, as if he was explaining something insipidly plain to a child, "as much as you think this is the answer it, by all means, is not. This is no safe house and my staying here, if anything, would most certainly put you and your research in danger."
Hermione huffed, trying to ignore the superior tone of his voice, but failing miserably. Insufferable man. "There is no research without your help! Surely you can concede to that point. And as much as I'd hate to admit it, especially to YOU... I do not have the skill it takes to create such a potion alone."
Her arms crossed as she boldly stepped towards him, her eyes afire, deep amber, as she stared into his unreadable eyes. "Yes, by staying here I am taking a risk. Yes, I understand that I might loose my life. Yes, I understand that, if you are found, the research will be destroyed. But the point is that I will never get anything accomplished without you - and I will die anyway if I don't find an antiserum. I will die along with my family and countless other innocent people who are not even aware that there could be a danger!"
Severus stared at her, not recognizing the woman before him as the young, bossy girl he had once taught. His eyebrow rose as he looked at her, her breaths coming in heavy puffs - causing her chest to rise and fall dramatically. And, as he looked at her - angry and indomitable - he began to feel something he felt for few people. Respect.
Silence dragged on as he regarded her words, trying to find holes in her logic. Frankly, a small part of him acknowledged, he was afraid of staying with her. He sighed as his fingers played tentatively with the fabric of his sleeve - his features masked the uncertainty he was feeling.
Hermione's weight shifted, suddenly finding she felt off balance after her outburst.
Her fingers tapped impatiently at her side, "Well? Say something!" She said, finally unable to take anymore of his silent survey of her. She swallowed, her mouth feeling dry.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he watched her loose her composure. "Fine."
This time, it was Hermione's eyebrow that rose. "Fine?"
"I have considered what you have said, and, finding that you do understand the danger you might be partaking in... I will help you with this enigma of a potion you seem to be having so much trouble with."
Her lips twitched, "Thanks... I think."
His eyebrow rose as his eyes glowed with something akin to humor. "No problem."
*****
Harry leaned back in his chair, his arm moving to the armrest - fingers tapping from pent-up energy, a sigh escaping his lips in heavy dramatization as he glanced over at his red haired companion who slouched depressively in his own chair - echoing Harry's sigh in silent agreement.
Running a hand through his coppery hair, Ronald Weasley stood, pacing the small room.
"I'm going bloody bonkers!" He exclaimed vehemently as he raised a fist in the air. "The biggest Quidditch game of the year and were stuck in ruddy France of all places."
Harry sighed, glancing up at his friend, "Sometimes I really miss Muggle society - we could be watching the game now if we had a television!"
Ron stopped, looking shocked. "You want to watch Quidditch in a box!?"
Harry smiled, fearing he would - once again - have to try and explain the intricacies of a television. He moaned, suddenly grateful that Arthur wasn't there. "It's not a box Ron. Its... well you see, erm, its..."
"Its no use Harry, that's what it is. No matter how many times you try to explain it to me - or that blasted Comutter contraption - I don't get it. It seems cruel to shrink people and put them in a box for other's amusement!"
Harry laughed good-naturedly, "It's a Computer - you dolt! And I suppose it would look that way to a Muggle if they saw a Wizard photograph... But honestly Ron, Muggles cannot shrink people."
Ron huffed, looking at Harry suspiciously, "Sound a bit like Hermione with the 'honestly Ron' bit...." He walked over to his friend's chair and bent down to look at him in mock-concern. "Are you feeling alright?"
Harry laughed, "Perfectly. 'Mione would have your hide if she heard that."
Ron smiled, plopping down into his chair, "Good thing she's not here then, right?"
Harry smiled, his thoughts lingering on the said companion. Neither he nor Ron had seen Hermione since she had started her assignment almost a month ago. His smile faded as he sunk farther into his chair and looked around the small safe house, reminding himself vigilantly of why he was here. He looked over to his friend, his comrade-in-arms, of who he had been through so much with, and tried to ignore the concern he saw in Ron's eyes as he gazed back at Harry.
Ron frowned, noting the symptoms of his friend's newly found pastime of brooding. He sighed, many things had happened to everyone in the last decade.... Harry, of course, had been affected the most. His eyes narrowed, unsure of how to bring the man out of his stupor.
"Harry..." he began but was interrupted by the sound of the lock on the door rattling - a muffled cry of frustration heard from behind the entranceway before the door swung open, a figure emerging cast in shadow from the glare of the mid afternoon sun.
Both Ron and Harry rose, their wands gasped in hand, as they tensed for attack - trying desperately to ascertain the identity of the person walking in the room. The two men stiffened as the watched the figure at the entrance transform into that of a woman; Ron swore in recognition, rolling his eyes as he lowered his wand.
"Oi Gin! Announce yourself next time - I could have blasted you into next week!"
Ginny smiled, her eyes never glancing up at the two startled men - her petite frame shifting from left to right to accommodate the extra weight of the box she carried as her sleek ponytail swayed in time to the rapid rhythm of her pace as she made her way towards the kitchenette table.
She paused, dropping the box onto the table with a 'clunk'. "Honestly Ron - blasting your own sister? What would Mum say?" she shook her head in mock reproof, "And when she brings you some of Mum's cooking!"
Ron jumped, his face mirroring that of a small child as he smiled broadly - peering into the contents of the box.
"Mum's cooing? That's brilliant!"
Ginny smiled, rolling her eyes skyward. "Yeah - and ya better owl her a 'thanks'. She seems to think you two can't take care of yourselves..." She shook her head sarcastically, "Don't know why she'd think that though."
"Hullo Harry." She said, glancing in his direction before collapsing onto the nearest chair.
Harry stared, his posture still maintaining the rigidity it had when the young woman had first opened the door. His emerald eyes looked over her form - his face thoughtful and uncertain. Ron looked over to his dark haired friend, a piece of chicken in his hand - his plate already half-empty.
"Oi mate... Harry - FOOD." He stated - his chicken leg waving in his hand for emphasis.
Harry blinked, twice, before coming to his senses. Shaking his head, Harry moved towards the small table - trying to forget the effect Ginny seemed to be having on him lately. He sighed, settling down at the table in front of the food that had been placed for him. Ginny Weasley. His lips twitched as he thought of the crush she had on him back in her first year at Hogwarts. He looked pensively down towards his food - he had thought of her crush as well... weird back then and he had been pleased to find she had gotten over her preoccupation with Harry Potter a little over a year latter.
Then something unexpected happened. After going back to Hogwarts for her graduation, he had discovered something - disturbing. Ginny Weasley, the tiny, stickly little child - the sister of one of his best friends - had become a woman.
He chewed viciously at his food, not even taking the time to notice what he was eating, as he glanced furtively at the woman seated next to him. By classical standards she was not, by all means, a beautiful woman. With her compact frame and her freckled face - no one would claim her to be 'model' material. However, there was a spark in her eyes - a fire that Harry had found to be annoyingly charming and an undying hope for the future and normality that he found himself clinging to... wanting desperately to believe in.
His thoughts became abruptly to an end as a hand came in contact with the back of his head.
"Eat your food you silly man - before it gets cold! I swear you sulk more than any man I've ever met!" Ginny exclaimed, shaking her head as her hand returned to her fork.
Harry inwardly moaned as he brought his attention back to his plate. Clearly, Ginny Weasley had gotten over her crush a long time ago... In a word? Harry was screwed.
*****
Lucius Malfoy had never been known for his patience - in any aspects of his life - and today was no exception as he sat by his unlit fireplace, staring into its empty expanse. Waiting. Annoyed fingers strummed as his expertly manicured nails glimmered in the dim light of the room, making time with the grandfather clock on in the corner.
Unexpectedly, a puff of green smoke filled the once empty hearth as a young man appeared. Dusting off his cloak, the man stepped into the room glancing around, before settling on the man sitting before him.
Lucius made no attempt to welcome the man. Instead, his fingers laced together coming to rest below his chin.
"You're late."
The man tensed, his blue eyes stared at nearly identical ones and he found no love in them.
He shifted on his feet. "Sorry father. I... well, something unexpected happened."
Lucius' expression remained placid; the only indication of his displeasure was the slight thinning of his lips.
An eyebrow rose, "Oh?"
The younger Malfoy shifted his weight once more - unsure of what to say.
He cleared his throat. "He got away... I'm sorry father - I lost him after he Apparated somewhere - must have been warded - I, I couldn't follow him."
Lucius looked at his son, considering what he had just heard. He smirked coldly, "So he managed to escape you, Draco? You never were good for much anything I suppose. Why should I think you could handle this simple task?" He surveyed his son, looking him up and down as he fidgeted nervously. Pathetic.
"Do you have anything at all of interest for me, my boy? Or have you once again managed to waist my time?"
Draco spine straightened at the insult as he glared at his father - wanting something other than hate to reflect the elder's eyes.
He smiled, knowing that at least he could please him temporarily. "Actually I do. He had help escaping."
Lucius eyebrows knitted in thought, "Really? And do you know who it was?"
Draco smirked, nodding his head. "Hermione Granger."
Draco's father paused; his blue eyes slightly widened in surprise, "The mudblood bitch from your school days?" He smiled cruelly. "Interesting. Very Interesting."
*****
Author's Notes:
Nothing really exciting to write here... though I did have an interesting thought while I was writing this ... a few years back, before I had succumb to the domain of Harry Potter fanfiction, I was a firm advocate of Hermione/Ron and HATED Harry/Ginny. I went strictly on canon and I believed that Hermione/Ron had something coming to heads in the books - even if it only was a crush - while I believed Ginny's crush was just idol worship.
Hmm... funny how you can change your mind after a few well written fics. Just proves the old adage "don't knock it 'til you've tried it"!! Anyway, hope you enjoyed it, and please review!!