I have just had to do 10 hours straight of coursework and I am sooo tired,
so here's the story.
Disclaimer: Nothing but what I have already mentioned (Jason and Julie) are mine.
Chapter 4; Flying
A week had past and Hermione went out every night at 12. No one except Ginny (and now Julie) knew the she went out when she was stressed, most importantly; she went out on her broom. Not even her best friends knew that she enjoyed flying just about as much as Harry did. It was freeing from all the stress that she had to endure doing her school work.
Ginny worried about her. She didn't think it was safe but Hermione didn't agree, Hogwarts was the safest place she knew and she was sure that Dumbledore knew that she flew at night. Being Head Girl did have its advantages.
* * * * *
Hermione made her way through her window at 1:30am to find someone already on her bed, waiting for her.
Hermione set her broom beside her full length cupboard then turned to the person, hands on hips "Yes Gin? What did you want? You should be in bed you know? Prefect or not, there is no reason to be up this late." She joined Ginny on her four poster, king sized bed.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Look who's talking. I just finished patrolling the corridors. I know that flying lets off steam for you but I wish that you would not fly for so long."
Hermione smiled grimly. "It was only an hour and a half. Besides, I have been feeling a bit more stressed than usual you know. All the extra work and all."
Ginny nodded knowingly. She walked over to Hermione's bedside table and lightly touched the framed picture that was here. It was of Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny. All moving and happy. She said sadly "It's not Safe Hermione, Voldemort's still at large and if he wants to enter Hogwarts he will. He doesn't even have to do it himself. Remember the Death Eaters? They aren't afraid of Voldemort and I wouldn't put it past Malfoy."
Hermione shot of the bed so fast that she nearly lost her footing. "Gin, please don't say things like that. We have to live in the same place as him and I don't want to be scared of this place. You prefects live up a different staircase and across the common room from us. I can see his bedroom door when I open mine. And anyway, we can not make assumptions without knowing the facts."
Ginny sighed heavily and made her way back to Hermione "We know who his father is. How can he not be?"
"Don't ask me. I'm tired so can we continue this later?"
Ginny nodded, hugged Hermione and started to make her way out of the bedroom. She stopped when she came to the door and turned to say to Hermione "By the way, this room is so much better than mine. Bigger bed, bigger room and an en suite!" Hermione smiled and Ginny left the room.
* * * * *
Hermione opened her door at 7:30am, she hadn't got much sleep after when Ginny had insinuated. She was changed and looking forward to a completely Malfoy free weekend. How she would achieve that, she didn't know.
She stopped short when upon opening the door, she found Malfoy's open. He was across his room with his back to her, crouching over his trunk, obviously looking for school things.
She started to tiptoe silently out of her room and down the corridor when she suddenly heard "Don't bother Granger, you're louder than a stampeding rhinoceros breaking glass."
Hermione swivelled around and huffed. "Well I apologise your highness! I'm sorry I disturbed your much needed silence. I'll leave you be shall I?"
Malfoy stood up straight, to his full and intimidating 6ft 3in. he turned to face her, gorgeous as ever and said in a slow voice. "Don't patronise me mudblood. I don't care what you think or feel. You're worse than Voldemort and that's saying something."
Hermione let his words wash over her, except the last part. 'Did he just say Voldemort?' Not even his followers said his name; it was like they were more afraid of him than the good witches and wizards.
Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow. "I doubt I'm comparable to him Malfoy. I have not murdered anyone and I'm not evil, unlike some."
"No, but you're still a filthy mudblood like him, disgusting to look at, just like him and a coward to top it all."
Hermione laughed out loud at that. "Me, a coward? Whatever you say Malfoy but just think about this. After all I have faced in my past 6 year's here, it would really take a jealous git to call me a coward. As far as I know, you have done nothing brave or kind. Hiding in your father's shadow and just being an all round annoying bully." She looked at him with growing disgust "you're worthless." She spat.
She turned and departed.
* * * * *
Hermione was sitting in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, enjoying the sun while doing her 12ft essay which Ron had complained vehemently about. He didn't think it was right to be set homework that was double your height. Hermione, of course, had been delighted. She liked showing that she knew her stuff, even if it was stressful at times.
She had just about reached 10ft when she felt the air above her move, the weather was still so she looked up, rolled her eyes and shouted "Ronald Weasley! What have I told you about flying over me?!"
"Well it's not my fault you're afraid of brooms." He called back.
"Shows how much you know." She muttered and continued her work.
Ron flew over the other side of the pitch after that, coming back now and again to have a chat. It was mostly to ask her if she would help him with his essay which she blatantly refused to do.
Two hours later, Hermione was packing up and heading back to the school (Ron had gone in 30 minutes earlier) when she bumped into someone.
"World of your own Hermione?" the person asked.
Hermione shook off the sudden surprise and smiled. "Hi Julez, how are you?"
"Fine. Are you avoiding someone?" she asked it in a way that told Hermione she knew exactly what she was hiding from.
"No." Hermione said shortly
"Right, not even Draco?"
"Definitely not him. I'm not afraid of him."
"I know you're not. You're a Gryffindor and they are not afraid of anything." Julie laughed. "Want to plan the party?"
Hermione cocked her head, puzzled and stared at the crystal blue sky. "The Halloween party? It should be fun but I do not want to work with Malfoy."
"You'll get used to him" they sat on the steps of the school "He isn't all bad."
"No" agreed Hermione "He's mostly bad."
Julie giggled. "You're judging him and you don't know him. I bet you thought I couldn't possibly be good as I am in Slytherin, right?"
Hermione tried to protest but found that she couldn't. Julie was right.
Julie nodded in understanding. "Our house has prejudices, just like everyone else. I proved to you that I'm not like that but it's harder for other people. Draco gets on fine with the prefects and other houses. He doesn't criticise. He has grown up from the arrogant boy that he was. Life is much harder now after Voldemort returned and you can't be too careful"
Hermione had a burning question which she would not ask Malfoy. "Julie, how come Malfoy says Voldemort's name? I thought Death Eaters and everyone apart from Harry, Dumbledore and a few others, were afraid to say his name."
The look on Julie's face could have stopped the world going round. It held such disappointment. "I'm a Slytherin but definitely not a future Death Eater and neither is Draco. He hates Voldemort."
Hermione flinched, she didn't mean to hurt Julie's feelings "Which goes to show that he hates me more. He compared me to him and said that I was worse."
Julie rolled her eyes. "This rivalry you two have is getting out of hand. You're both adults. Can't you put it behind you? I know that Draco hates Harry and Ron but it really isn't worth it."
"I agree Julez, but there's nothing I can do."
"Ok, change of subject. I want to see how well you fly."
Hermione's eyes widened and she gasped. "Not here Julez. I never fly at daylight. The only reason Ginny knows is because she caught me one time. I haven't even told Harry and Ron."
"Fine, but you're showing my tonight."
"Deal"
"Can we go back to our common room now?"
Hermione nodded, stooped to pick up her bag and walked back to her new quarters with Julie, bumping into Harry along the way who wanted help with his essay. Hermione's answer was the same 'Do it yourself or you'll never learn. I might not even be here tomorrow. What will you do then?'
They collapsed onto their respective sofas in front of the fire. Someone was coming down the Head staircase which could only mean that it was Malfoy. 'Great' Hermione groaned inwardly. She turned her head to look at him and gasped (which was very audible from where Julie sat, making her giggle, Hermione shot her a look that promised death) Malfoy was wearing a tight black t-shirt and black, tailored trousers which went very well with his hair. It also showed off his toned body which Hermione had to admit, was very (stress the very) nice. Her mouth hung open. It was a good thing Malfoy was not looking at them because she didn't think that she would have been able to stop staring, even if she wanted to. Which she didn't
Julie leaned over and whispered "if you don't stop drooling, you're going to drown in it!"
"I am not drooling" Hermione growled
"But it's quite obvious of what you are doing and yes, you are that obvious."
Hermione shut her mouth and called across to Malfoy. "Muggle clothes Malfoy? I thought you despised that lot of em!"
Malfoy turned around and looked at her lazily. An unrecognised emotion flashed in his eyes but before Hermione could pinpoint it, it was gone. "Didn't know you cared to look mudblood." This earned him yet another telling off from Julie, which he ignored. "I would advise you not to, I'm not yours for the taking."
"Oh you're breaking my heart Draco! How will I go on?" Hermione said, sarcasm dripping from her like water.
"Try your two boyfriends." Draco said. Yet again, something flashed in his eyes but Hermione didn't bother to pick up on it.
"Sorry, they're already taken." Someone called from the portrait hole.
Hermione swivelled around to find Ginny there, smiling. Hermione couldn't think why. She didn't realise that what seemed like a very controlled argument between two enemies, to her, looked like a lovers tiff to everyone else.
Julie and Ginny exchanged knowing glances which irritated Hermione. He might be gorgeous, he might be every girls dream but Hermione Granger did not like Draco Malfoy one bit. The spoilt, arrogant prick.
Hermione turned back to Malfoy. "So I noticed Malfoy, now do you care to tell me why you are wearing clothes made by people you clearly feel are a lower life form than yourself."
Malfoy stared at her for a few moments and then simply said. "No." He left the common room through the portrait hole.
"Where's he going?" Ginny asked.
"Quidditch practise" Julie answered.
"Looking like that?"
"What can I say?" Julie shrugged "He dresses to please."
"Who?"
"His fan club."
"He has one?!" Both Ginny and Hermione asked, astounded.
Julie giggled. "Yes, the founders are Gryffindor's."
"Who?" They said in unison
"Why Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil of course."
"Of course." Hermione said, exasperated. "We should have known. They'll make a fan club for anything that looks good. They already made one for Harry. Only Ginny's a founder too."
Ginny had joined Hermione on the couch by that time. "I am not a founder of that club Hermione! How many times have I had to threaten them into leaving him alone? Not even the prospect of having to kiss Snape will deter them."
"Yeah." Julie said "But you get him up close and personal. He's yours remember. Just like Hermione wants Draco to be hers."
Julie had to dodge the book that came her way after she said that. "Hey!" she cried "That could have hit me!"
"It was meant to! If I was Ginny (Chaser for Gryffindor), it would have hit you so thank your lucky stars."
Julie just laughed. "Deny it all you want but just think, if you did get him, you'd have what the girls really want. Now that Harry's taken" Julie inched away from Ginny "lots of girls are hot for him."
"Not me!" Hermione cried
Ginny set the book down that she had picked up to show Julie just how good her Chaser skills were, by knocking her nose off. She decided that they had reached safe territory.
Julie shrugged. "Like I said, deny it all you want."
Hermione groaned. "I'm going to bed."
Ginny looked at her watch, which Hermione didn't understand. "Right now Hermione? It's only 5pm."
"Yeah, well you two have tired me out. My brain's gone all mushy."
"For Draco?" Julie asked innocently.
Hermione couldn't even bring herself to glare so she just said. "You do the honours for me Gin."
Ginny nodded and proceeded to tackle Julie. Hermione went to sleep.
* * * * *
Hermione was woken at 11:45pm. When she became fully aware, she realised that something was walking on her. She screamed and fell off the side of her bed, landing on a heap on the floor. She heard doors bang open and in a few seconds everyone was there, all four prefects and Draco Malfoy!?
Hermione untangled herself and stood up, trying to gain as much dignity as one could get when they had just been caught falling off their bed with bed hair and extremely creased pjs.
"What happened?" Ginny said, coming to stand opposite her.
Hermione looked down at the offending walker, Crookshanks. She tried to hold down her embarrassment and said "Crookshanks woke me up, by walking on me."
Julie laughed "So he is as clever as they say he is. I sent him in here to wake you up because you promised my something outside of school today remember?" Julie gave her a pressing look and suddenly it clicked.
"Oh right! Yeah. Sorry for waking you everyone. I hope I haven't disrupted your sleep completely."
The boys left, trying to hold back laughs, even Malfoy, which made Hermione think of the worst ways to remove his heart while he was still alive.
Ginny left shortly after and Julie turned to Hermione. "Going flying then?"
"Seeing as I'm awake." Hermione said, grabbing her broom.
* * * * *
End of chapter. That has to be the longest. Well I'll update soon, bye.
Review please. No flames. Thanx
Disclaimer: Nothing but what I have already mentioned (Jason and Julie) are mine.
Chapter 4; Flying
A week had past and Hermione went out every night at 12. No one except Ginny (and now Julie) knew the she went out when she was stressed, most importantly; she went out on her broom. Not even her best friends knew that she enjoyed flying just about as much as Harry did. It was freeing from all the stress that she had to endure doing her school work.
Ginny worried about her. She didn't think it was safe but Hermione didn't agree, Hogwarts was the safest place she knew and she was sure that Dumbledore knew that she flew at night. Being Head Girl did have its advantages.
* * * * *
Hermione made her way through her window at 1:30am to find someone already on her bed, waiting for her.
Hermione set her broom beside her full length cupboard then turned to the person, hands on hips "Yes Gin? What did you want? You should be in bed you know? Prefect or not, there is no reason to be up this late." She joined Ginny on her four poster, king sized bed.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Look who's talking. I just finished patrolling the corridors. I know that flying lets off steam for you but I wish that you would not fly for so long."
Hermione smiled grimly. "It was only an hour and a half. Besides, I have been feeling a bit more stressed than usual you know. All the extra work and all."
Ginny nodded knowingly. She walked over to Hermione's bedside table and lightly touched the framed picture that was here. It was of Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny. All moving and happy. She said sadly "It's not Safe Hermione, Voldemort's still at large and if he wants to enter Hogwarts he will. He doesn't even have to do it himself. Remember the Death Eaters? They aren't afraid of Voldemort and I wouldn't put it past Malfoy."
Hermione shot of the bed so fast that she nearly lost her footing. "Gin, please don't say things like that. We have to live in the same place as him and I don't want to be scared of this place. You prefects live up a different staircase and across the common room from us. I can see his bedroom door when I open mine. And anyway, we can not make assumptions without knowing the facts."
Ginny sighed heavily and made her way back to Hermione "We know who his father is. How can he not be?"
"Don't ask me. I'm tired so can we continue this later?"
Ginny nodded, hugged Hermione and started to make her way out of the bedroom. She stopped when she came to the door and turned to say to Hermione "By the way, this room is so much better than mine. Bigger bed, bigger room and an en suite!" Hermione smiled and Ginny left the room.
* * * * *
Hermione opened her door at 7:30am, she hadn't got much sleep after when Ginny had insinuated. She was changed and looking forward to a completely Malfoy free weekend. How she would achieve that, she didn't know.
She stopped short when upon opening the door, she found Malfoy's open. He was across his room with his back to her, crouching over his trunk, obviously looking for school things.
She started to tiptoe silently out of her room and down the corridor when she suddenly heard "Don't bother Granger, you're louder than a stampeding rhinoceros breaking glass."
Hermione swivelled around and huffed. "Well I apologise your highness! I'm sorry I disturbed your much needed silence. I'll leave you be shall I?"
Malfoy stood up straight, to his full and intimidating 6ft 3in. he turned to face her, gorgeous as ever and said in a slow voice. "Don't patronise me mudblood. I don't care what you think or feel. You're worse than Voldemort and that's saying something."
Hermione let his words wash over her, except the last part. 'Did he just say Voldemort?' Not even his followers said his name; it was like they were more afraid of him than the good witches and wizards.
Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow. "I doubt I'm comparable to him Malfoy. I have not murdered anyone and I'm not evil, unlike some."
"No, but you're still a filthy mudblood like him, disgusting to look at, just like him and a coward to top it all."
Hermione laughed out loud at that. "Me, a coward? Whatever you say Malfoy but just think about this. After all I have faced in my past 6 year's here, it would really take a jealous git to call me a coward. As far as I know, you have done nothing brave or kind. Hiding in your father's shadow and just being an all round annoying bully." She looked at him with growing disgust "you're worthless." She spat.
She turned and departed.
* * * * *
Hermione was sitting in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, enjoying the sun while doing her 12ft essay which Ron had complained vehemently about. He didn't think it was right to be set homework that was double your height. Hermione, of course, had been delighted. She liked showing that she knew her stuff, even if it was stressful at times.
She had just about reached 10ft when she felt the air above her move, the weather was still so she looked up, rolled her eyes and shouted "Ronald Weasley! What have I told you about flying over me?!"
"Well it's not my fault you're afraid of brooms." He called back.
"Shows how much you know." She muttered and continued her work.
Ron flew over the other side of the pitch after that, coming back now and again to have a chat. It was mostly to ask her if she would help him with his essay which she blatantly refused to do.
Two hours later, Hermione was packing up and heading back to the school (Ron had gone in 30 minutes earlier) when she bumped into someone.
"World of your own Hermione?" the person asked.
Hermione shook off the sudden surprise and smiled. "Hi Julez, how are you?"
"Fine. Are you avoiding someone?" she asked it in a way that told Hermione she knew exactly what she was hiding from.
"No." Hermione said shortly
"Right, not even Draco?"
"Definitely not him. I'm not afraid of him."
"I know you're not. You're a Gryffindor and they are not afraid of anything." Julie laughed. "Want to plan the party?"
Hermione cocked her head, puzzled and stared at the crystal blue sky. "The Halloween party? It should be fun but I do not want to work with Malfoy."
"You'll get used to him" they sat on the steps of the school "He isn't all bad."
"No" agreed Hermione "He's mostly bad."
Julie giggled. "You're judging him and you don't know him. I bet you thought I couldn't possibly be good as I am in Slytherin, right?"
Hermione tried to protest but found that she couldn't. Julie was right.
Julie nodded in understanding. "Our house has prejudices, just like everyone else. I proved to you that I'm not like that but it's harder for other people. Draco gets on fine with the prefects and other houses. He doesn't criticise. He has grown up from the arrogant boy that he was. Life is much harder now after Voldemort returned and you can't be too careful"
Hermione had a burning question which she would not ask Malfoy. "Julie, how come Malfoy says Voldemort's name? I thought Death Eaters and everyone apart from Harry, Dumbledore and a few others, were afraid to say his name."
The look on Julie's face could have stopped the world going round. It held such disappointment. "I'm a Slytherin but definitely not a future Death Eater and neither is Draco. He hates Voldemort."
Hermione flinched, she didn't mean to hurt Julie's feelings "Which goes to show that he hates me more. He compared me to him and said that I was worse."
Julie rolled her eyes. "This rivalry you two have is getting out of hand. You're both adults. Can't you put it behind you? I know that Draco hates Harry and Ron but it really isn't worth it."
"I agree Julez, but there's nothing I can do."
"Ok, change of subject. I want to see how well you fly."
Hermione's eyes widened and she gasped. "Not here Julez. I never fly at daylight. The only reason Ginny knows is because she caught me one time. I haven't even told Harry and Ron."
"Fine, but you're showing my tonight."
"Deal"
"Can we go back to our common room now?"
Hermione nodded, stooped to pick up her bag and walked back to her new quarters with Julie, bumping into Harry along the way who wanted help with his essay. Hermione's answer was the same 'Do it yourself or you'll never learn. I might not even be here tomorrow. What will you do then?'
They collapsed onto their respective sofas in front of the fire. Someone was coming down the Head staircase which could only mean that it was Malfoy. 'Great' Hermione groaned inwardly. She turned her head to look at him and gasped (which was very audible from where Julie sat, making her giggle, Hermione shot her a look that promised death) Malfoy was wearing a tight black t-shirt and black, tailored trousers which went very well with his hair. It also showed off his toned body which Hermione had to admit, was very (stress the very) nice. Her mouth hung open. It was a good thing Malfoy was not looking at them because she didn't think that she would have been able to stop staring, even if she wanted to. Which she didn't
Julie leaned over and whispered "if you don't stop drooling, you're going to drown in it!"
"I am not drooling" Hermione growled
"But it's quite obvious of what you are doing and yes, you are that obvious."
Hermione shut her mouth and called across to Malfoy. "Muggle clothes Malfoy? I thought you despised that lot of em!"
Malfoy turned around and looked at her lazily. An unrecognised emotion flashed in his eyes but before Hermione could pinpoint it, it was gone. "Didn't know you cared to look mudblood." This earned him yet another telling off from Julie, which he ignored. "I would advise you not to, I'm not yours for the taking."
"Oh you're breaking my heart Draco! How will I go on?" Hermione said, sarcasm dripping from her like water.
"Try your two boyfriends." Draco said. Yet again, something flashed in his eyes but Hermione didn't bother to pick up on it.
"Sorry, they're already taken." Someone called from the portrait hole.
Hermione swivelled around to find Ginny there, smiling. Hermione couldn't think why. She didn't realise that what seemed like a very controlled argument between two enemies, to her, looked like a lovers tiff to everyone else.
Julie and Ginny exchanged knowing glances which irritated Hermione. He might be gorgeous, he might be every girls dream but Hermione Granger did not like Draco Malfoy one bit. The spoilt, arrogant prick.
Hermione turned back to Malfoy. "So I noticed Malfoy, now do you care to tell me why you are wearing clothes made by people you clearly feel are a lower life form than yourself."
Malfoy stared at her for a few moments and then simply said. "No." He left the common room through the portrait hole.
"Where's he going?" Ginny asked.
"Quidditch practise" Julie answered.
"Looking like that?"
"What can I say?" Julie shrugged "He dresses to please."
"Who?"
"His fan club."
"He has one?!" Both Ginny and Hermione asked, astounded.
Julie giggled. "Yes, the founders are Gryffindor's."
"Who?" They said in unison
"Why Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil of course."
"Of course." Hermione said, exasperated. "We should have known. They'll make a fan club for anything that looks good. They already made one for Harry. Only Ginny's a founder too."
Ginny had joined Hermione on the couch by that time. "I am not a founder of that club Hermione! How many times have I had to threaten them into leaving him alone? Not even the prospect of having to kiss Snape will deter them."
"Yeah." Julie said "But you get him up close and personal. He's yours remember. Just like Hermione wants Draco to be hers."
Julie had to dodge the book that came her way after she said that. "Hey!" she cried "That could have hit me!"
"It was meant to! If I was Ginny (Chaser for Gryffindor), it would have hit you so thank your lucky stars."
Julie just laughed. "Deny it all you want but just think, if you did get him, you'd have what the girls really want. Now that Harry's taken" Julie inched away from Ginny "lots of girls are hot for him."
"Not me!" Hermione cried
Ginny set the book down that she had picked up to show Julie just how good her Chaser skills were, by knocking her nose off. She decided that they had reached safe territory.
Julie shrugged. "Like I said, deny it all you want."
Hermione groaned. "I'm going to bed."
Ginny looked at her watch, which Hermione didn't understand. "Right now Hermione? It's only 5pm."
"Yeah, well you two have tired me out. My brain's gone all mushy."
"For Draco?" Julie asked innocently.
Hermione couldn't even bring herself to glare so she just said. "You do the honours for me Gin."
Ginny nodded and proceeded to tackle Julie. Hermione went to sleep.
* * * * *
Hermione was woken at 11:45pm. When she became fully aware, she realised that something was walking on her. She screamed and fell off the side of her bed, landing on a heap on the floor. She heard doors bang open and in a few seconds everyone was there, all four prefects and Draco Malfoy!?
Hermione untangled herself and stood up, trying to gain as much dignity as one could get when they had just been caught falling off their bed with bed hair and extremely creased pjs.
"What happened?" Ginny said, coming to stand opposite her.
Hermione looked down at the offending walker, Crookshanks. She tried to hold down her embarrassment and said "Crookshanks woke me up, by walking on me."
Julie laughed "So he is as clever as they say he is. I sent him in here to wake you up because you promised my something outside of school today remember?" Julie gave her a pressing look and suddenly it clicked.
"Oh right! Yeah. Sorry for waking you everyone. I hope I haven't disrupted your sleep completely."
The boys left, trying to hold back laughs, even Malfoy, which made Hermione think of the worst ways to remove his heart while he was still alive.
Ginny left shortly after and Julie turned to Hermione. "Going flying then?"
"Seeing as I'm awake." Hermione said, grabbing her broom.
* * * * *
End of chapter. That has to be the longest. Well I'll update soon, bye.
Review please. No flames. Thanx
