Title: Eclipse... Ooh, Tingly!
Recap of last chapter:
The gum had ricocheted and bounced back into Malfoy's mouth and down his throat. The Head-Boy gagged and choked, while heavily pounding his chest with his fist.
-Cough-
-Cough-
-Cough-
Finally, Malfoy was able to breathe again. "Oh shit. I swallowed it."
"Merlin, I swallowed the damn thing!" He panicked. "What's going to happen? Oh shit!"
Chapter Three- Swallowing Gum
The floating candles in the Great Hall shone brilliantly as so did the moods of the students of Hogwarts. The students cheered with optimism as Hermione, chin up and head held high walked gracefully up to the podium. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he rose from his eat, arms wide to receive the Head-Girl.
"May I announce the valedictorian...Miss Hermione Granger!" Cheers and claps erupted, like explosions of ear piercing, battering noises. Many had given her standing ovations. Hermione's caramel eyes glistened with tears of happiness.
Finally, She thought zealously. Graduation, this is it.
She beamed proudly at the students before her, cherishing and savoring the temporary moment when all eyes were upon her. The anticipation of delivering the speech had bubbled within her even though she had practiced many a times. She gripped the edges of the podium tightly, apprehensiveness enveloping her as she glanced over at the Headmaster for moral support. The Headmaster nodded, fully comprehending her need for help.
"Miss Granger...." He smiled, eyes flickering with a hint of tomfoolery. His ebullient face suddenly twisted into a notorious expression and he bellowed, "WAKE THE HELL UP!"
Hermione was too shock from the sudden outburst as she entwined herself in her bed sheets and tumbled off the bed. Landing with a loud thump on the ground, while her precious head had forcefully came in contact with her end table. The Head-Girl had let out a symphony of vibrant, incoherent curses as she soothingly massaged her head. She threw the bed sheets off her leg and managed to stand up.
"GRANGER, WAKE UP!" The loud, obnoxious voice belonged to no other than the Head-Boy, Malfoy. He pounded heavily on her door, causing the wooden structure to vibrate.
What in Merlin's hat does that idiot want?! Hermione thought irritably. I can't believe he woke me up from a marvelous dream!
Infuriated, Hermione crawled back into her bed, dug under the covers and slammed pillows over her head. Maybe if I don't answer, he'll go away.
"WAKE UP! WOMAN SLEEPS LIKE A DAMN FUCKIN' LOG!"
Lalalala... Hermione sung in her head, pulling the pillows down harder. This is like a bloody nightmare.
Malfoy pummeled the door harder. Hermione could've sworn she felt the ambiances through the bed.
"GRANGER, I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! YOU GOTTA BE BLOODY DEAF NOT TO HEAR THIS!"
The door shook. Again. Again.
"BITCH, OPEN THE DOOR!"
Damn it! She groaned, pushing the covers away and slowly climbed out of bed. He's not going to leave anytime soon.
She wandered to the door and quickly opened it, an expression of aggravation marked on her face. A raging mad Malfoy stood before her, hands raised to clobber the door again.
"Malfoy, what do you want?" Hermione exasperated, placing her hands onto her hips.
"What the hell took you so long?" Fumed Malfoy.
"I was having my beauty sleep." She replied dryly, palpable sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Do you know what time it is? It's the middle of the night!"
"Whatever, I don't care what time it is!" The blonde Slytherin screamed. "Granger, I done it! I did it!"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Look Malfoy," She said bluntly. "I don't care if you did it or not. I truly do not want to know about your sexual life."
Malfoy looked at her confused before he smirked playfully. "Granger, such a dirty mind. Tsk-tsk."
"What?"
"I was just saying I finally blew a bubble."
Crimson graced across Hermione's cheeks. Damn Ginny for making me read those stupid, sappy romance novels!
She quickly diverted back to Malfoy's topic. "You woke me up and probably half the school just to tell me that?!"
"Uhh no." The Head-Boy grew quiet. Should I tell her? I woke her up in the first place to ask her what would happen.. Dammit.
"Well..." He started slowly. "I swallowed it. I accidentally swallowed the gum." He refused to make any eye contact with his rival in fear of what her expression might be.
I can't believe he woke me up for this! He swallowed the damn gum! So what?! Hermione screeched silently.
"What's going to happen?! Granger, what the hell is going to happen?!" He demanded.
She sighed, "Malfoy, you're not going to di—"Hermione closed her mouth abruptly, the wheels of her mind slowly turning in the direction of impiety.
A wicked smirk stretched across her angelic face and she said in her most sincere tone, "What I mean to say is, you're going to die Malfoy."
"Don't you know swallowing gum is quite harmful? Merlin, gum is quite enjoyable once in your mouth, but if you swallow it, you're in deep trouble." She grimaced, shaking her head.
Horror struck Malfoy and the expression on his face was priceless. Hermione had to bite down her tongue to keep herself from bursting with laughter.
Her mind quickly formulated the explanation. "The gum travels down your throat, leaving its stickiness trailing behind... Then your esophagus starts to stick together and gradually, you will find yourself having trouble breathing."
Malfoy gasped.
"It attaches itself to the walls of your stomach, eating away your fluids and nutrients so you'll suffer from malnutrition. Then, it'll grow, and keeping absorbing, sucking away your insides and you'll die when your intestines get clogged up." Hermione wondered if that even made sense because she surely had no idea what her mind had conjured up. Certainly enough, that fabricated reasoning did not exist and if Malfoy believed that, he's more ignorant than she thought.
Malfoy's breathing became ragged and short. "You're joking right?"
"Of course not." She scowled, lying smoothly. "I know my Muggle candies."
The Slytherin looked like he choked on his own air.
"Oh look," She pointed out. "It's starting already."
Hermione bit her tongue, suppressing the hilarity down her throat until she coughed.
"But why would Muggles sell this candy if it's so dangerous?" He asked.
"Well, Malfoy." She replied, thinking that she sounded quite intelligent with such a ridiculous answer. "Wizards also sell dangerous things to children. Why, the Chocolate Frogs had injured a few children here and there. Whenever the chocolate froggies jump out of their box and the little kiddies has to run after their food."
Malfoy frowned. "But there are so many things I want to do. I'm too young and handsome to die!"
The Head-Girl couldn't help but rolled her eyes at Malfoy's egoistic remark.
"I haven't even beat Pothead at Quidditch yet!"
"Aw Malfoy, too bad." She said sweetly. "It's been quite nice knowing you. Now, I'm going back to sleep. Good night." With that, she slammed the door shut on a stunned Malfoy.
Grabbing her wand from her desk, she cast a silencing charm on the door so any sounds created in her room would not travel through. Within milliseconds, Hermione opened her mouth and released all the laughter that she restrained within. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought gloriously of her work and she chortled with amusement of Malfoy's staggered face.
After a few minutes of Hermione laughing until her stomach and sides hurt, she creped back into bed and fell asleep with a huge grin plastered onto her face.
Hermione awoke to a beautiful Saturday morning with the sun shining brightly and the air crisp. She felt much better than the night before. Remembering the occurrence with Malfoy and the gum last night, Hermione stifled a giggle while she energetically jumped out of bed. She grabbed a red shirt and a pair of Muggle jeans, which she had prepared her daily clothes the previous day. Scuttling into her private bathroom, she let out another snigger.
Wrapping her towel around her body after her morning shower, Hermione wondered what her no-good Slytherin rival was up to. She slipped into her jeans and pulled on her shirt. Then she wrapped the towel around her head and slipped her feet into a pair of slippers while wondering whatever happened to Malfoy. It looked like he was scared senseless last night.
If Malfoy finds out about my little prank, there's hell to pay. Hermione grimaced, but she knew she would take pleasure in scaring the wits out of Malfoy every minute she can. The Head-Girl traipsed to Malfoy's door while her slippers slapping the hardwood floor with every step she took.
She took in no consideration whether Malfoy might be sleeping or not. If he's going to be loud and rude to wake me up last night, hell, I might as well fully return the flavor.
She knocked loudly on the door. "Malfoy, are you awake?"
With no answer, she tapped louder. "Malfoy, is your bloody arse awake?!"
Sighing to herself, she tried turning the doorknob and to her fortunate luck, the door was unlocked. Hermione slowly pushed the door open, its hinges creaking a bit too loud. She poked her head in, her eyes peeking around the room. Like hers, Malfoy's room greatly represented his pride in his house, but instead of the red and gold that adorned her decorations, his was green and silver.
Her eyes immediately stopped at Malfoy's bed. There, sprawled on his bed, with the upper half of his body on the bed and the other half, legs dangling over the edge.
Merlin, that boy looks deplorable. Hermione shook her head with pity. She opened the door wider and entered into Malfoy's sanctuary. Glancing at the mirror as she walked by it, she saw beads of water or at least, she assumed it looked like water splattered all over the mirror. Dried water droplets on Malfoy's mirror. She did not want to think about what went on in this room.
Goodness, Malfoy is messy and dirty for such a rotten prat. She walked to the bed and carefully observed the being that lay so peacefully there. He looks like an angel. She smiled but mentally slapped once she realized how outrageous her thoughts were. Outrageous, but true.
Malfoy's platinum blonde hair had fallen over his aristocratic face and his eyes were closed; his face didn't seem as impious and the sneer that he mostly held on his face was replaced by serenity. All the façade of insolence was momentarily gone.
If only he didn't act like Malfoy. Hermione sighed, wondering if she should wake him up or not. She edged a bit closer to the sleeping Malfoy, grabbed a pillow from his bed and vigorously slapped his head. "Wake up you bloody idiot! We have a potions assignment to work on!"
She hit his head repeatedly. "Lazy git! Ahh!"
She screamed as she felt a cold hand grabbing her wrist. Malfoy shot up from the bed and glared forebodingly at her. He tightened his grip.
"Malfoy let go! You're hurting me." She said edgily. I probably have a bracelet of blue and purple bruises around my wrist now.
"Don't you ever hit me again." He gritted harshly through clenched teeth. He forcefully pushed her wrist away and climbed out of bed.
"Malfoy," Hermione said, looking at Malfoy as he made his way to the bathroom. "Something is really eating your arse away, huh? I thought only women had their time of the month."
His reply to her was a door slam.
Malfoy emerged from the bathroom wearing an expensive green shirt and black pants an hour later to see Hermione incensed and tapping her foot impatiently in their common room.
"What could you be doing in there that's taking you so long?" She asked, eyeing Malfoy carefully.
He didn't respond so she probed further. "So... what happened to you?"
He looked up; eyes tired, and said, "I was making a Things To Do Before I Die List."
Wow, he actually believed me. I should tell him, I feel awful now. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a miniature devil-Hermione garlanded with pointy horns, a tail, and a pitchfork popped on Hermione's shoulder.
No you should not tell him! Devil-Hermione screamed.
As swiftly, the angel version of Hermione appeared on her other shoulder, completely lavished feathery white wings, a halo, and carrying a small golden harp.
Poor boy, you should pity him. Tell him! Angel-Hermione defended.
"Maybe you're right..." Hermione whispered, looking at the struck Malfoy.
Devil-Hermione argued. Remember back all those years he was a cruel bastard to you and your friends! Look, he still is one now!
"But then again..."
People can change! The other shrieked. The boy has grown up.
He's still the same old bouncing ferret! If you tell him what you did, he'll make sure there's hell to pay! Devil-Hermione pointed her pitchfork daringly towards her opposite.
If you keep on playing him, it's going to be a lot worse later on. Angel- Hermione shook her harp threateningly at the other.
"That's true..."
Enjoy the fun while you can and ignore that pixie-winged freak!
"Maybe I should..."
Angel-Hermione gasped, eyes shooting murderous glares. Who are you calling a pixie-winged freak, you pointy-tailed pig?!
Devil-Hermione growled and launched herself at Angel-Hermione, grasping her throat and shook the other violently.
I'm going to pull every one of your feathers out!
Horns belong to bulls and you look like one!
You don't even deserve a halo you conniving imp!
I'm not the one with the pitchfork!
Hermione shook her head, shaking the pair away (who were still strangling each other). Malfoy looked at her curiously, wondering why the hell was she talking to herself.
"Maybe you should what Granger?" The Head-Boy queried.
"Uhh..." She bit her lip, trying to come up with a quick answer. "Maybe I should get started on the Potions assignment."
Reasonable enough. She thought, smiling to herself.
"So Malfoy," Hermione began, switching the topic. "What's on your Things To Do Before I Die List?"
"I'm not going to tell you." The boy said crossly. "It's my business."
She frowned, crossing her arms. "I know making the world a better place isn't on there."
"What? How can you take me for such a person Granger?" He mocked scowled. "Of course I'm going to make the world a better place and in order to do that task, I'll have to get rid of some people."
"Me too?"
"Of course not, Granger." He said, but caught Hermione's surprised look. Malfoy continued, "You're entertainment."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Nice to know I'm appreciated." She said, her words coating with sarcasm.
She dug into her pocket and pulled out an Eclipse gum package. "Want one?" She offered, smiling oh-so-sweetly.
Malfoy looked at her offer. Hermione was sure he felt tempted.
"No." He said defiantly. Malfoy looked away.
"Oh, come on, take one." She pressed, pulling one gum out of its package and plopped it into her mouth. "Yummy. Don't you want to take the yummy gum Malfoy? I know you want it."
"No." He repeated.
"Oooh, it's so refreshing." Hermione chewed noisily. Malfoy was convinced that she did that intentionally.
She smacked her gum loudly. He clenched his fist, ignoring the stupid little voice in his head.
Take it Draco... Granger knows you want one... You know you want one. It said.
"No."
Don't deny it... Do not resist the temptation. Gum is good... VERY GOOD.
"If I swallow it, I die."
Just chew the gum. Chew the gum.
"Damn it."
Malfoy turned to face Hermione who held a big grin on her face. She smiled at him, "How do I say this? Oh, it makes me feel... tingly."
"Fuck." Malfoy cursed and snatched the gum package out of Hermione's hands.
This is like a drug. A bloody addiction. He thought as he threw the gum into his mouth and chew furiously. Who knew Muggle candy, especially gum can do this to you?!
"Okay Malfoy," Hermione said, taking back the gum. "You had your gum, now it's time to do work."
"No." Came Malfoy's rebellious answer.
"What?" Hermione was shocked.
"First, I going to eat breakfast. Then I'm going to train for the Quidditch game this afternoon so I can beat Potter's arse before I die. What I do after that, I'm not going to tell you."
"B-but the potion!" She stuttered. "It's due in three months! We have to start brewing it soon and find the correct ingredients! Who knows how long that'll take?!"
"I-do-not-give-a-donkey's-ass about that right now." He turned on his heels and marched out the portrait hole before Hermione could utter another word.
TBC.
Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! Remember, the more reviews I get, the faster I update. ;)
I did a little research and as it turns out, gum does not take 7 years to digest (which is a myth, it actually takes 15 years ;) Nah, I'm joking). Since gum is a soluble fiber, it passes through us like any other food and comes out as waste. It usually takes around a day or two, but never more.