Disclaimer: I own the story, Julie and Jason. That is all.
Chapter 10; Confrontations with Pansy.
Hermione ate the sprout and made a face. She hated sprouts. Eating one had been an accident; she was too engrossed in what Dumbledore was saying to the students in the Great Hall that she wasn't paying attention to what she put in her mouth. She forcefully swallowed and then turned her attention back to the Headmaster.
He was standing as usual, emitting a certain power about him and silencing the Hall with one look. "It is with quite a huge amount of happiness, that I welcome Hermione Granger back into this school." He continued, earning a red face from Hermione. "We are extremely pleased that she was rescued but I doubt that she would want how it came about, announced to the school. She deserves privacy and I want to hear that no one has been badgering her into giving details. I believe that you are feeling better Miss Granger?"
Hermione nodded once. This seemed to satisfy him and he proceeded with other news. "As it is nearing Halloween, we have devised a little bit of entertainment which the Prefects and Heads are organising. Not to dash anyone's hopes, but I have been told by them, not to disclose any information as to what they are planning. You will hear about it later or more precisely, on October 31st. Well that is all I have to say apart from lessons being back on. You may go."
The crowd groaned. They were enjoying their time off but Hermione smiled, trying to hide (in vain) just how happy she was.
Ron looked at her and whispered "You're one in a minority Hermione."
She hit him lightly on the arm. "So sue me."
Harry who was sitting on her other side said "Hermione, come back to the Gryffindor common room. Ginny always comes and we miss not talking to you."
"But what about lessons?"
Harry and Ron rolled their eyes. "It's Sunday Hermione. We'd think that you of all people would remember the days of the week."
"Ok fine, but I have to go back to my common room and put my stuff away."
"Stuff?" Ron asked, looking around her "What stuff?"
"This," Hermione showed him her quill, Daily Prophet and sheaf of parchment.
"Why do you have that?" Harry asked, hiding a grin.
"So that I can take notes."
"Of Dumbledore's speech?" Ron asked incredulously.
Hermione started to glow red. "Well yeah. I might miss something."
Harry laughed "What does he have to say that will benefit your education in any way?"
Hermione actually growled at Harry which made Ron stifle a laugh.
She left for her common room and deposited her things on her bed. She opened her door to leave and stopped. Draco was also leaving his room. "Putting your notes away from Dumbledore's speech?" She asked.
He looked confused. "What?"
Hermione giggled, "Never mind. It's an inside joke. Well I should be going anyway."
"Yeah, I'm heading for Quidditch practise anyway."
It was then that Hermione realised that he was in gear and that he looked pretty hot in it too. 'Why do I never realise that they are in Quidditch gear?' "Well have fun. Don't work too hard, we'll beat you anyway."
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Don't bet on it."
"Draco, we always beat you. Now I may not be into Quidditch, but I know that much."
Draco blinked a few times. He liked the way she said his name and she was telling the truth. He had never beat Gryffindor. "Well I might as well try huh? Give Potter a run for his money at least"
Hermione shook her head "Boys, when will they learn?"
Draco headed out and so did Hermione. She had forgotten that she had a direct route to her old common room via the one that she had now so she headed out of her portrait hole, taking the long way around. It was probably because she didn't use it much.
Hermione was halfway there when she bumped into Pansy Parkinson, figuratively speaking.
"Oh look." She squeaked "It's Granger."
"I know it is." Hermione said exasperatedly "I've lived with that name for quite a while now though I am surprised you remembered it Parkinson. I doubted whether the thing between your ears could even pass for sawdust. Just goo right?"
Pansy didn't get it. Not that Hermione thought she would.
"How did you escape He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
Hermione mocked puzzlement "huh…oh you mean Voldemort right?"
Pansy flinched and visibly paled.
"Not scared are you Parkinson? Afraid that he'll stalk you at night and take away all your precious stuffed toys?"
Pansy advanced on Hermione who just rolled her eyes. "I'm no afraid of you Parkinson. You're a pathetic excuse of a Slytherin let alone a girl. In case you haven't noticed, I am also taller than you and I am willing to bet, stronger so just back off and leave me alone."
"Oh yeah, well my boyfriend will have something to say about that."
Hermione laughed in her face this time. "And who are you imagining this time? Crabbe? Goyle?"
Pansy smirked evilly "No, Draco Malfoy and I am not imagining it. He really is."
Hermione nodded sympathetically. "I am sure that in your world, he cherishes you with his very life but in this one, the real world, everyone hates you and do you know why? Because you don't try and get along, you make things up and you flirt mercilessly with any guy that comes within your radar. They think you're cheap and easy. Think about that the next time you make up a boyfriend."
Hermione turned and headed the way she was going. She didn't make it far before she heard a voice bellowing a curse at her. Hermione was too quick, she ducked, acutely realising that Pansy had tried to use the Cruciatus curse on her (as if she hadn't had enough of that), and hit Pansy with the stunning curse. Leaving her there, Hermione went up to the Gryffindor tower. 'God! Some people just can't handle the truth.
Harry and Ron were sitting by the fire in their usual best chairs and talking. Ron spotted Hermione. "What took you so long?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I had a run in with an insect."
Both boys looked confused. "Oookay."
Hermione grabbed the third chair and sat with them. "So how's life guys?"
"As crappy as it can possibly get." Said Harry "I have some very good news though" Ron gave Hermione a look that clearly said 'Now look what you've done'
"Yes Harry?" Hermione asked, ignoring Ron.
"Well all my teachers have just told me that all my school grades have improved considerably and that if I want to become an auror, I have every possibility that I will be successful."
Hermione was so pleased with this news. She knew that and auror was all the Harry wanted to be when he was older so that he could avenge all the people that he had loved being killed. She jumped up and hugged him. "That's wonderful Harry, I'm so proud of you."
"So was I." said Ron moodily, "but I didn't hug him. Isn't a simple congratulations enough?"
Hermione hugged Ron too. "And I'm glad that you are almost failing in all of your classes as usual."
Ron beamed. "Thank you." Then he turned to look at Harry "See, I told you someone would be proud of me."
Hermione looked knowingly at Ron "You'll do fine, as long as I'm here."
"And you always will be. We'll always be your best friends Hermione, no matter what."
Something shifted within her, she didn't know what. Ron's words just then were very touching but would he still hold to that if, just say, she turned evil or dated the wrong person. Would they still love her then? "good Ron. You better mean it too."
Ron smiled easily. "Do you know what day it is tomorrow?"
"Well sure. It's Monday."
"And the date Hermione? September 19th…ooooh."
Harry laughed. "How can you forget you own birthday?"
Hermione looked awkward "I just forgot I guess."
Ron was laughing so hard. "I told you that one day she would work herself so hard that it would addle her brains."
"It's not that bad Ronald!" Hermione scowled. "Why did you remind me anyway?"
"Well", said Ron calming down. "I know that Dumbledore's given you the best present by resuming classes, but we were going to throw you a party here. Surprise parties are so old so we just thought we'd tell you about it. Can you make it?"
Hermione was so pleased that they had thought of her. In all the time that she had been at Hogwarts, no one had done anything like this for her on her birthday. "Of course I'll come. Oh this is so nice of you. Is it only Gryffindor's allowed?"
Harry looked uncomfortable. "Well it's a secret party and as Head Girl, you know very well that no Ravenclaw's, Hufflepuff's and Slytherin's are allowed to know where the Gryffindor Tower is."
Hermione sighed. "I know that guys. Don't worry, I'll be here. I just have to go and see Madam Pomfrey now, god save me. She said that she wants to check up on me and see that I'm okay and everything. I'm sure it's just in case something goes wrong and my skin rips open and starts bleeding again."
Ron glared at Hermione. "Oi, my food isn't quite digested yet you know? I can remember what it looks like without having a second look at it thank you very much."
Hermione giggled and Harry looked reproachful. "Thank you again guys." She hugged them both. "For everything you've done for me."
Harry smiled warmly at Hermione "You are our best friend."
Hermione nodded once and left to go to the hospital.
She was given the all clear by Madam Pomfrey but Hermione was still a little iffy about her after the way she had acted when Hermione had first come around. A little bit of that Madam Pomfrey showed up every now and again and Hermione couldn't help but ask. "Madam Pomfrey?"
"Yes dear?"
"Ha…have you finally cracked?"
Madam Pomfrey's head whipped around. "What do you mean dear?"
"Well you seem a little…odd"
"No Miss Granger, I'm just happy that I could save at least one person that has nearly been killed by that idiot Voldemort. It makes one feel like they are on a 'high' sometimes."
"Oh" Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "I can understand that. Well I'm glad that you feel useful Madam Pomfrey." Hermione said, rolling her sleeve down, "Is there anything else or can I go now."
Madam Pomfrey smiled. "No no, you nay leave now. Bye dear."
Hermione got off the bed, said "Bye" and left the Hospital, closing the door on the way out.
* * * * *
I know that there wasn't much Draco in this chapter but at least they are being civil in the parts that he does appear J.
Review please and please don't flame. Thank you.
