A/N: Just a quick little note here...we understood that there was some confusion and in this chapter we tried to clear it up. For example Cyrano brought up that it was impossible that Hermione be in Slytherin. Of course we understand this, and the sorting was briefly explained in the following chapter. Also, sorry about the name mix up, if Hermione's middle name was Jane. And finally yes, Ron is ten months younger than Ginny (woah! shes crazy), and Hermione and Jo are muggle born. Whew. That was exhausting! Thanks to Cyrano, sweetfiregirl, cheekii monkey, Mr. Moomoo and Gahhh for your reviews and support. Hope you like the chappie!
Chapter Three
Fighting Fire With Fire
Hermione ran up and down the corridors of the Hogwarts express searching for her oh-so-punctual Slytherin housemates. She looked around for a few minutes and finally recognized Blaise Zabini, one of her best friends since first year.
Flashback
It was late. The sorting ceremony had just ended. Hermione was walking with one of her new friends Blaise, down the hall. What had just happened seemed to be the impossible. A muggle born student had just been placed into Slytherin. It had not happened in the entire history of Hogwarts.
Obviously, as any first year would be, Hermione had put on the sorting hat. It had taken a very long to say anything, but finally sorted her into Slytherin. It was of course a big shock to everyone.
"Stupid mudblood. Her and her sister both. They're both a disgrace to Salazar Slytherin!" said the shrill, high pitched voices of Pansy Parkinson and her friend Cindy Drapple. They spat at Hermione and walked away ignorantly, obviously upset with the newest member of Slytherin.
Blaise looked over at Hermione who was nearly bursting into tears.
"They called me a mud blood! Did you hear them? My own housemates. Its not my fault if my parents weren't wizards. The fact of the matter is that I'm one" She sobbed, careless of her surroundings. Blaise cautiously approached her.
"Don't worry. If they cant accept that then they aren't worth your time. Our time. I understand. And I want to be your friend. I don't care who knows. You're a great girl and you can depend on me." He said, nervous of her reaction.
"Thanks. I would really like that." the brunette smiled. Blaise pulled Hermione back onto her feet and gave her a reassuring hug. There was finally someone who could understand her.
"Hey listen. I want you to meet my friend Draco. He might be unsure at first but he's smart like you, so I think I can work something out," he said, heading over to the blond boy.
"She's a what?" Hermione overheard, nearly breaking down again." Fine. I'll give her a chance. But I don't know about this one Zabini."
End of Flashback
Well at the beginning things were kind of shaky with Draco Hermione thought to herself. But in the end things seemed to work well. His father must have been bloody mad at him!
She glanced back over at Blaise who seemed unusually bored. He was normally playing jokes on and laughing at the first and second years. But now he was sitting there quietly, all alone. Must be waiting for me and Draco. Hermione decided that she wanted to lift the boys spirits with a little prank of her own. She crept up behind him silently and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hey you!" she whispered seductively into his ear.
"What the he- Oh. Hello there Granger. Fancy meeting you here. What can I do for you?" He asked coolly, there faces hardly inches apart.
"I-uh-erm- sorry Potter." she spluttered, trying to keep whatever (if any) dignity she had left. "Unfortunately, you- your not the guy that I was looking for-my mistake."
She calmly stroked his cheek, staring intensely at his face. Her view was directed to his beautiful emerald eyes. They were the same as they had always been; mysterious, yet intriguing. His skin was amazingly soft, and sent shivers up her spine as she made contact. Wow! I don't think I've ever been this close to kissing a guy before! I mean, not that I would want to kiss Gryffindork Potter! Agh! Bad thoughts. Eww, how could I even go there? And of course there's no way in hell that I would let Potter steal my first kiss… After Hermione had restrained herself he responded to her smooth display.
"Oh, well that's too bad then. I wouldn't want to be the guy you were looking for anyway. Give him my concerns," Harry smirked. The young witch was completely thrown off by his response. She was starting to squirm fearfully.
"Tell me now Granger. Am I making you uncomfortable? Angry?"
Hermione was furious by his comment. He had her at a loss for words. Dammit! Just like Diagon Alley! She motioned to slap him across the face, but his hand caught her arm in mid-swing.
"I would not go there Granger." He commanded fiercely. Hermione turned around and stomped out of the compartment in rage.
Ugh! The nerve of that stupid git. Merlin's beard! And now of course he has me right where he bloody wants me; embarrassed about another stupid mistake. Surely he's going to go and tell all his stupid friends. ARG! How could I be so weak! I have to stop letting him get to me like he always does. I need to force myself to move on and be stronger. I am a Slytherin anyway.
"There you are Granger! Blaise and I have been looking everywhere for you for the last ten minutes? Where've you been?" Draco inquired.
"Oh hi! I was just you know, in the ladies room. Freshening up. Yes. That's what I've been doing all right."
"Pfft. No wonder it took so long to find you. What do you girls do in there anyway?" He laughed. "But hold on a second. My, my, my! Granger! You look like you've just shacked up with someone! You're a mess. You could've at least fixed your hair or something!"
"Draco, you prat!" she retorted half-jokingly.
"You know me far too well Mione. C'mon now, lets go back to the compartment. I'm sure Blaise is throwing dungbombs at the tiny first years. I definitely don't want to miss out on this."
Hermione had used to think that throwing things that explode at innocent little kids seemed cruel. However, eventually it had grown on her. She realized that it was kind of like a cycle. When these kids were in sixth year, it would be there duty to play jokes on the younger years. Being with Blaise and Draco for so long had a huge impact on her personality.
"AAAAAHH! Mommy!" screamed a little first year, running as fast as he could.
"Zabini." The two said simultaneously.
"Damn. I thought for sure that one was gonna cry. He's been leading us on for the past twenty minutes now, little twerp."
"Have you made any cry so far?"
"Sadly no. Hopefully soon! I can feel it!"
"Aww, that's too bad."
Draco dragged Hermione to the place where he and Blaise had chosen as their territory. Blaise was sitting there, fixing up some more dungbombs, as expected. The witch sat with these two every year. Except for the first of course. I think I might have sat with Potter and Weasley. What was I thinking?
"So Zabini. I heard you were looking all over for me? I'm sorry, but I just don't feel the same." Hermione joked.
"Granger! I'm impressed. That sounded like a line right from Malfoy's mouth! I am very pleased with your progress." Blaise stated. He quickly stood up and greeted Hermione with a short hug.
"I missed you mate." She whispered, making sure that Draco could not hear.
"Me too."
The train had been moving for quite some time now, and it was becoming dark. Hermione had decided to step outside for some water from one of the trolley's. The corridor was nearly empty, including two Gryffindor third years giggling unnecessarily, and Harry Potter??? What is he doing out here by himself? She noticed that the wizard seemed to be focusing on something in the middle of the hallway. Odd. Also his wand was out. It appeared to be pointing straight at Hermione. The boy was continuously muttering nonsense under his breath, not losing his concentration once.
Hermione began to feel uneasy as she stepped backwards very slowly. As she did so, she noticed a small piece of crumpled up parchment, fluttering steadily towards her. When it came close enough she snatched it and unfolded it. She looked back to Harry, whose expression was currently consumed with satisfaction.
Meet me at the back of the train in two minutes.
That was all the note read. It immediately shredded up after she saw it. Once again she looked in Harry's direction in confusion, but he had already disappeared from the area.
"Hey guys," Hermione said, poking her head back into the compartment where she was once resting. "I'm just going to the washroom. I'll be back in a short while."
"Again?" Draco complained.
"I didn't need to know that Granger." Blaise snorted. Hermione plainly rolled her eyes and cautiously made her way to the back of the Hogwarts Express.
Wait a minute 'Mione – What are you doing? Judging on the past encounters that you have had with Potter you don't wanna be getting into this scenario. Alone with Potter again? This is ridiculous! He's your bloody rival! Your enemy!…Oh forget it. She thought as she continued walked down the hallway a little unsurely. Here I go again, another disaster in the making.
The Slytherin nervously approached the back exit and mustered up all of her courage to open the door.
"So you decided to join me Granger?" Came a familiar voice from beside her. It caused Hermione to jump back in surprise. "Calm down woman, it's me, Potter."
"I knew that Potter. I'm not stupid, I just didn't see you there. It's really dark out here."
"That's because we're surrounded by mountains at the moment. Just hold on for a couple minutes." He said waiting patiently as the train curved around a mountain. It revealed a full moon and thousands of bright stars.
The view captivated Hermione but she spoke nothing of it, not wanting to seem soft. Harry too looked in amazement but also said no words. They were both mesmerized by the sky for a short while until Hermione broke the silence.
"So what is it you want with me Potter? Do you just want to piss me off even more?" She questioned bitterly.
"No. Don't be silly Granger. I'm not like you and your Slytherin friends. I just wanted to let you know that our meeting back there can be our little secret." He said truthfully.
"How do you expect me to believe you, Potter?" Hermione inquired narrowing her brown eyes.
"I don't."
"Fine then. Thanks Potter."
"I'm really not as bad as you tend to portray me, Granger"
"I guess not. But for your silence…" Hermione cut herself off. She caught Harry totally off guard by pulling into a warm embrace. Even the ladies man himself was trying to conceal his blushing. He quickly recovered and pushed Hermione away. She simply walked out confidently, excited to have shown Harry up.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" He said catching up to her quickly.
"I owed it to you." The brunette smiled as she continued sauntering down the hall.
"Don't be playing your stupid mind games with me now Granger." He yelled angrily. His expression was very tense. It frightened Hermione slightly. She suddenly felt as though hugging him was a humongous mistake
"I'll d-do w-hat-tever it is th-at I want-t to do P-Potter." The witch stammered extremely nervously.
You stupid bitch! Harry thought full of rage. Who the hell do you think you are? You have no right to be speaking to me like that! Wait. I just can't let her get to me like this. I wont let a Slytherin get to me.
"Fine then Granger. But remember. Everything that you do has a consequence. You're a smart girl. You should know that." He scolded as he stomped off, his robes swaying heavily behind him.
Blimey! That's one way to make an exit! Hermione thought relieved that she did not have to talk to the emerald-eyed boy for any longer. He goes through more mood swings than any of the girls I know! Including Pavarti Patil! One minute he's all 'look at the stars, were between the mountains' blah blah blah. Then right after he's bolting after me and scolding me for hugging him? What the hell am I suppose to do? I don't think I will ever understand that boy!
"Oi Potter! What's wrong mate?! You look like somebody just stole your Firebolt, then snapped it in half right in front of your eyes!" said a very puzzled Seamus Finnegan.
"I hate to admit it Harry, but Seamus is right! Were Malfoy and his stupid gang setting you off again? Because I think it's about time that I go in there and give him a solid poundi-"
"No Ron, it was nothing like that." Harry murmured slowly cooling off. "It was just some stupid Ravenclaw girls. Couldn't get their hands off me."
"That's terrible Harry. Were not even at the school yet and their already all over you. You really have it tough mate, all this attention! Very depressing." Ron implied sarcastically shaking his head at Seamus.
Its not always as great as it seems dammit! Stupid Granger. First she comes onto me while I'm minding my own business, waiting for my pals to show up. Next she gets all pissed off and such. Then she goes and pulls a ridiculous stunt like that hug? What the hell is wrong with that girl? She can't make up her bloody mind! I will never understand her…