Miss Rhapsody; Thank you very much.
Dracohermioneluver; I was tempted to keep him evil but it wouldn't have been a romance then really would it? It would have been more angsty (which the requester said they didn't want). I like nice Draco anyway, glad you do to. Thanks for the review :o)
Bride of Malfoy; Thanks. Had I not already written this I would have probably used your idea of the room sharing. Lol.
Shezebel; Thank you, I will :o)
Juxtaposed; How could I forget you! Yes "Light and Dark of the Raven" is possibly one of the longest and thus most annoying titles in history to type out :o) Hee hee, three guesses as to who she ends up with. I'm glad you still like the writing style, it was such a challenge after "the other story". Thanks again.
Chapter Three-The Lioness and the Serpent King
Hermione soon settled into the routine of being Head Girl and felt at ease in her new rooms, which she had decorated in delicate blues and silvers, a nice change after being stuck with red and gold for six years. It fell to her and Draco to arrange the first visit to Hogsmeade for the seventh years, who were allowed to visit much more often than the others, and they soon agreed on the third week in September.
As they sat together in Draco's black, green and silver quarters, pouring over the lists of permission slips, Draco watched Hermione constantly brush the same strand of hair back form her face, even though it fell back within seconds. Her deep eyes were narrowed as she concentrated crossing of people's names yet she looked perfectly relaxed and at home.
Draco opened his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it again, thinking he was foolish. Hermione looked up at the sound;
"Pardon?" She asked, again brushing the strand away from her cheeks.
"I didn't say anything." Draco snapped.
"But you were going to. So what was it?"
"Nothing, it's silly of me."
"I'm sure it's not, now spit it out."
"Yes mother." Draco shot back. "I was going to ask who you were going into Hogsmeade with."
"Oh, um...I hadn't really thought about it. I normally just go with Harry and Ron."
"Oh." Draco said, his expression slightly crestfallen.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, do you fancy coming with me? Not on a date or anything, it's just that I had a great time talking to you on the train coming here and I've not spoken to you since."
Hermione thought for minute, wondering if perhaps Draco was simply toying with her mind and emotions, but he really did seem genuine. She looked at him, taking in his handsome, pointed face and grey eyes which were now boring into her .
"OK." Hermione said, surprising herself and Draco, "But we'll have to be careful, our houses will kick off fantastically if they know we're friends. I'll have a word with Harry and Ron; I can't lie to them but they won't be impressed"
Draco felt a smile rising to his face that he couldn't control when she agreed to his proposal but it fell slightly upon hearing about Harry and Ron;
"Yes because I'm sure they'll understand so much more then."
"Of course they will." Hermione smiled, rising to go. "I'll go and talk to them now. See you on Saturday."
"Yeah, bye." Draco muttered at the closing door
--------------------------------------
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Ron yelled at Hermione, all rational thought exiting his head.
"I'm going into Hogsmeade with Draco and I would appreciate it if you two didn't act like children over it." Hermione repeated in a calm voice.
Harry said nothing; he had been secretly looking forward to asking Hermione to go into Hogsmeade with him. Eventually he spoke;
"What are going to do with him?"
"Well, we can't go to the Three Broomsticks or the Hogs Head as too many of the students will be there but I know there's another little pub that no- one goes into because it's too expensive for us poor students. It's the Seventh Star."
Ron whistled;
"Expensive's right; it's about five Galleons for a butterbeer."
But Harry wasn't listening;
"What else have you got planned?"
"I'm not sure yet Harry. Why?"
"I don't trust Malfoy. He's a snake; cunning, evil and manipulative. You should stay away from him."
"He's changed." Hermione said, her voice rising to an indignant squeak at Harry's scoffed. "He has, and you don't have to believe me but I know the truth. I thought you would be grown up to accept this. Obviously I was wrong."
And with that Hermione turned on her heel and left the two Gryffindor boys staring after her, opened mouth.
Harry eventually broke the stunned silence;
"We need to do something." He said.
"Why do you care so much?" Ron asked accusingly.
"Why do you think Ron? I care a lot for Hermione...more than I used to. I think...I think I like her."
Harry closed his eyes, waiting for Ron's fist to contact the side of his face, but nothing happened. Harry opened his eyes, only to see his friends with a wide grin on his face.
"I knew it mate. I knew you had the hots for her and were scared of telling me."
"You aren't mad?" Harry asked, stunned.
"Hell no. I got over Hermione when she got over me. We both knew we weren't right together."
"Cheers Ron." Harry grinned.
"Any time. However, you were right when you said we need to do something. We need to drag her away from Malfoy and towards you. "
"Yeah, that's all well and good in theory but how we going to put it into practice?"
"By making her jealous. If she sees you with another girl she'll realise she's losing you; cue soft lighting, running through fields and cheesy music. She'll be all yours."
"Great plan, but now we need a girl."
"Um...who's not taken?"
"None of the decent seventh years; they're all taken and Ginny can't go as it's a seventh year only trip."
"Hmmm...What about a Ravenclaw?"
"Who? Cho hates my guts as do her friends. That leaves Eloise...not really jealous material is she?"
Neither of them spoke for a while whilst they thought;
"I've got an idea." Harry said suddenly, his eyes shining.
"I don't like the sound of this already." Ron groaned.
------------------------------------------------
"This is bloody ridiculous!" Ron spat, trying his best not to fall over in the heeled boots, which were a whole new experience for him.
"Nah, it's a great idea; no-one will recognise you, Hermione will see me with you, think you're a girl, get jealous and want me. Then all will be well with the world."
"Great," Ron hissed, "but aren't people going to wonder where I am?"
"Nope. I told everyone you had had to stay at school because you're failing Herbology."
"Great so now I'm a transvestite and a dunce; no-one can fail Herbology, it's the easiest thing on the curriculum, other than Divination. Some bloody friend you are...How's my hair?"
"You look fine." Harry laughed, pushing open the door to the Seventh Star.
Ron did actually look passable as a member of the opposite sex, if not a very attractive one. He wore a wig stolen from Filch's confiscated items drawer, as his standard red would have been far too inconspicuous. He wore jeans with a simple long sleeved black top, which had been stuffed at the front with some of Harry's odd socks as their transfiguration skills were not yet far enough advanced to reshape Ron's body, and they didn't fancy trying to explain it away to Madam Pomfrey if it all went wrong. The whole effect was rather believable, so long as no-one came up to speak to them directly; especially not Hermione.
They ordered two butterbeers and chose a table in a dark corner at the back, with Ron facing away from the door.
"You're chair m'lady." Harry grinned, pulling out one of the high backed, oak chairs for Ron.
"Shut it mate; you're already on thin ice."
Harry simply grinned further and settled in his own seat, watching the door over his menu.
"I hope you're paying for this." He heard Ron whisper.
"Yes dear, my treat."
"I should think so too."
Harry didn't have to wait long for Hermione to appear. Only minutes after they had ordered, she breezed in with Draco looking as stunning as ever. She wore deep blue jeans with a simple red shirt, the first three buttons open. Her bushy hair had been tied into a loose plait and on her feet she wore delicate red pixie slippers. Harry sighed.
"Shut your mouth mate; you're drooling." Ron laughed and Harry elbowed him.
Hermione cast her eye around the inside of the Seventh Star as Draco went to get drinks; it was a beautiful little place. The restaurant was decorated in deep blues, silvers and blacks, and the ceiling was permanently the deep blue of night, dotted with shining stars. It was all very romantic.
"Looks like the corner table's taken." Draco muttered, returning and passing her a butterbeer choosing another table to one side of the restaurant. Hermione placed her shopping bags full of new robes, parchment and quills beside the table and glanced over to the occupied table and nearly choked on her butterbeer but said nothing.
"What do you think?"
"It's lovely. I'm glad we came here; much nicer than the Hogs Head or the Three Broomsticks."
"Isn't it just. Now, are you hungry?" Draco found himself asking. Feeling an overwhelming need to make this meeting between the two of them as wonderful as possible.
"Not especially. As it's only two hours since we had breakfast." Hermione laughed.
Draco grinned back at her and the pair soon fell into easy conversation, covering everything form the N.E.W.T.s to what their intended careers were going to be. Draco was fascinated to learn Hermione wished to first go to Stone Henge University to study Advanced Charms, including a years study abroad in Japan and then, hopefully, return to Hogwarts to teach, and Hermione found it equally interesting that Draco intended to attend Tintagel University in order to gain a degree in Potions. However, beyond that he had not yet decided on a further career.
The hours soon flew by and as the time neared four O'clock Hermione found herself not wanting to return to the large castle. She would have been quite happy to stay in the company of the blond Slytherin until they ran out of things to say; which seemed unlikely to her.
Harry sat across the room, watching Hermione laugh and flirt with Draco openly, playing with a loose strand of her in her usual manner, smiling and nodding at everything he said.
"Look at her; she's behaving like a hussy." Harry spat.
"Oi, watch what you say. She may be flirting but she's no hussy." Ron answered, worrying for his friend's apparent lack of sanity when it came to this certain female.
But Harry didn't cool down for the rest of their "date."
"You know you're crap company when you're like this." Ron laughed, "I'm glad we're not really on a date or I may have walked out by now."
Harry didn't answer; his eyes were fixed on Hermione who was gathering her bags together as Draco paid the bill.
"Shit." Harry muttered as Hermione sauntered over to them.
"Honestly Harry, you could have come up with something a bit more imaginative to get my attention." Hermione said semi-angrily, but not quite fully hiding her amusement before walking away.
However as she went she looked back at them;
"Oh and Ron, stick to your own gender. It suits you much better."
Dracohermioneluver; I was tempted to keep him evil but it wouldn't have been a romance then really would it? It would have been more angsty (which the requester said they didn't want). I like nice Draco anyway, glad you do to. Thanks for the review :o)
Bride of Malfoy; Thanks. Had I not already written this I would have probably used your idea of the room sharing. Lol.
Shezebel; Thank you, I will :o)
Juxtaposed; How could I forget you! Yes "Light and Dark of the Raven" is possibly one of the longest and thus most annoying titles in history to type out :o) Hee hee, three guesses as to who she ends up with. I'm glad you still like the writing style, it was such a challenge after "the other story". Thanks again.
Chapter Three-The Lioness and the Serpent King
Hermione soon settled into the routine of being Head Girl and felt at ease in her new rooms, which she had decorated in delicate blues and silvers, a nice change after being stuck with red and gold for six years. It fell to her and Draco to arrange the first visit to Hogsmeade for the seventh years, who were allowed to visit much more often than the others, and they soon agreed on the third week in September.
As they sat together in Draco's black, green and silver quarters, pouring over the lists of permission slips, Draco watched Hermione constantly brush the same strand of hair back form her face, even though it fell back within seconds. Her deep eyes were narrowed as she concentrated crossing of people's names yet she looked perfectly relaxed and at home.
Draco opened his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it again, thinking he was foolish. Hermione looked up at the sound;
"Pardon?" She asked, again brushing the strand away from her cheeks.
"I didn't say anything." Draco snapped.
"But you were going to. So what was it?"
"Nothing, it's silly of me."
"I'm sure it's not, now spit it out."
"Yes mother." Draco shot back. "I was going to ask who you were going into Hogsmeade with."
"Oh, um...I hadn't really thought about it. I normally just go with Harry and Ron."
"Oh." Draco said, his expression slightly crestfallen.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, do you fancy coming with me? Not on a date or anything, it's just that I had a great time talking to you on the train coming here and I've not spoken to you since."
Hermione thought for minute, wondering if perhaps Draco was simply toying with her mind and emotions, but he really did seem genuine. She looked at him, taking in his handsome, pointed face and grey eyes which were now boring into her .
"OK." Hermione said, surprising herself and Draco, "But we'll have to be careful, our houses will kick off fantastically if they know we're friends. I'll have a word with Harry and Ron; I can't lie to them but they won't be impressed"
Draco felt a smile rising to his face that he couldn't control when she agreed to his proposal but it fell slightly upon hearing about Harry and Ron;
"Yes because I'm sure they'll understand so much more then."
"Of course they will." Hermione smiled, rising to go. "I'll go and talk to them now. See you on Saturday."
"Yeah, bye." Draco muttered at the closing door
--------------------------------------
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Ron yelled at Hermione, all rational thought exiting his head.
"I'm going into Hogsmeade with Draco and I would appreciate it if you two didn't act like children over it." Hermione repeated in a calm voice.
Harry said nothing; he had been secretly looking forward to asking Hermione to go into Hogsmeade with him. Eventually he spoke;
"What are going to do with him?"
"Well, we can't go to the Three Broomsticks or the Hogs Head as too many of the students will be there but I know there's another little pub that no- one goes into because it's too expensive for us poor students. It's the Seventh Star."
Ron whistled;
"Expensive's right; it's about five Galleons for a butterbeer."
But Harry wasn't listening;
"What else have you got planned?"
"I'm not sure yet Harry. Why?"
"I don't trust Malfoy. He's a snake; cunning, evil and manipulative. You should stay away from him."
"He's changed." Hermione said, her voice rising to an indignant squeak at Harry's scoffed. "He has, and you don't have to believe me but I know the truth. I thought you would be grown up to accept this. Obviously I was wrong."
And with that Hermione turned on her heel and left the two Gryffindor boys staring after her, opened mouth.
Harry eventually broke the stunned silence;
"We need to do something." He said.
"Why do you care so much?" Ron asked accusingly.
"Why do you think Ron? I care a lot for Hermione...more than I used to. I think...I think I like her."
Harry closed his eyes, waiting for Ron's fist to contact the side of his face, but nothing happened. Harry opened his eyes, only to see his friends with a wide grin on his face.
"I knew it mate. I knew you had the hots for her and were scared of telling me."
"You aren't mad?" Harry asked, stunned.
"Hell no. I got over Hermione when she got over me. We both knew we weren't right together."
"Cheers Ron." Harry grinned.
"Any time. However, you were right when you said we need to do something. We need to drag her away from Malfoy and towards you. "
"Yeah, that's all well and good in theory but how we going to put it into practice?"
"By making her jealous. If she sees you with another girl she'll realise she's losing you; cue soft lighting, running through fields and cheesy music. She'll be all yours."
"Great plan, but now we need a girl."
"Um...who's not taken?"
"None of the decent seventh years; they're all taken and Ginny can't go as it's a seventh year only trip."
"Hmmm...What about a Ravenclaw?"
"Who? Cho hates my guts as do her friends. That leaves Eloise...not really jealous material is she?"
Neither of them spoke for a while whilst they thought;
"I've got an idea." Harry said suddenly, his eyes shining.
"I don't like the sound of this already." Ron groaned.
------------------------------------------------
"This is bloody ridiculous!" Ron spat, trying his best not to fall over in the heeled boots, which were a whole new experience for him.
"Nah, it's a great idea; no-one will recognise you, Hermione will see me with you, think you're a girl, get jealous and want me. Then all will be well with the world."
"Great," Ron hissed, "but aren't people going to wonder where I am?"
"Nope. I told everyone you had had to stay at school because you're failing Herbology."
"Great so now I'm a transvestite and a dunce; no-one can fail Herbology, it's the easiest thing on the curriculum, other than Divination. Some bloody friend you are...How's my hair?"
"You look fine." Harry laughed, pushing open the door to the Seventh Star.
Ron did actually look passable as a member of the opposite sex, if not a very attractive one. He wore a wig stolen from Filch's confiscated items drawer, as his standard red would have been far too inconspicuous. He wore jeans with a simple long sleeved black top, which had been stuffed at the front with some of Harry's odd socks as their transfiguration skills were not yet far enough advanced to reshape Ron's body, and they didn't fancy trying to explain it away to Madam Pomfrey if it all went wrong. The whole effect was rather believable, so long as no-one came up to speak to them directly; especially not Hermione.
They ordered two butterbeers and chose a table in a dark corner at the back, with Ron facing away from the door.
"You're chair m'lady." Harry grinned, pulling out one of the high backed, oak chairs for Ron.
"Shut it mate; you're already on thin ice."
Harry simply grinned further and settled in his own seat, watching the door over his menu.
"I hope you're paying for this." He heard Ron whisper.
"Yes dear, my treat."
"I should think so too."
Harry didn't have to wait long for Hermione to appear. Only minutes after they had ordered, she breezed in with Draco looking as stunning as ever. She wore deep blue jeans with a simple red shirt, the first three buttons open. Her bushy hair had been tied into a loose plait and on her feet she wore delicate red pixie slippers. Harry sighed.
"Shut your mouth mate; you're drooling." Ron laughed and Harry elbowed him.
Hermione cast her eye around the inside of the Seventh Star as Draco went to get drinks; it was a beautiful little place. The restaurant was decorated in deep blues, silvers and blacks, and the ceiling was permanently the deep blue of night, dotted with shining stars. It was all very romantic.
"Looks like the corner table's taken." Draco muttered, returning and passing her a butterbeer choosing another table to one side of the restaurant. Hermione placed her shopping bags full of new robes, parchment and quills beside the table and glanced over to the occupied table and nearly choked on her butterbeer but said nothing.
"What do you think?"
"It's lovely. I'm glad we came here; much nicer than the Hogs Head or the Three Broomsticks."
"Isn't it just. Now, are you hungry?" Draco found himself asking. Feeling an overwhelming need to make this meeting between the two of them as wonderful as possible.
"Not especially. As it's only two hours since we had breakfast." Hermione laughed.
Draco grinned back at her and the pair soon fell into easy conversation, covering everything form the N.E.W.T.s to what their intended careers were going to be. Draco was fascinated to learn Hermione wished to first go to Stone Henge University to study Advanced Charms, including a years study abroad in Japan and then, hopefully, return to Hogwarts to teach, and Hermione found it equally interesting that Draco intended to attend Tintagel University in order to gain a degree in Potions. However, beyond that he had not yet decided on a further career.
The hours soon flew by and as the time neared four O'clock Hermione found herself not wanting to return to the large castle. She would have been quite happy to stay in the company of the blond Slytherin until they ran out of things to say; which seemed unlikely to her.
Harry sat across the room, watching Hermione laugh and flirt with Draco openly, playing with a loose strand of her in her usual manner, smiling and nodding at everything he said.
"Look at her; she's behaving like a hussy." Harry spat.
"Oi, watch what you say. She may be flirting but she's no hussy." Ron answered, worrying for his friend's apparent lack of sanity when it came to this certain female.
But Harry didn't cool down for the rest of their "date."
"You know you're crap company when you're like this." Ron laughed, "I'm glad we're not really on a date or I may have walked out by now."
Harry didn't answer; his eyes were fixed on Hermione who was gathering her bags together as Draco paid the bill.
"Shit." Harry muttered as Hermione sauntered over to them.
"Honestly Harry, you could have come up with something a bit more imaginative to get my attention." Hermione said semi-angrily, but not quite fully hiding her amusement before walking away.
However as she went she looked back at them;
"Oh and Ron, stick to your own gender. It suits you much better."