"You went flat again."
Blaise and Xavier groaned.
"No I didn't!" Hermione protested.
"Yes, you did." Malfoy insisted.
Hermione sighed. "Fine, whatever! I went flat, big deal. Let's start over."
"Let's just do a different song." Blaise suggested.
"Yeah, I don't like playing the same song five times in a row."
"Six." Corrected Malfoy and Blaise together.
"And just do it." Malfoy commanded.Xave sighed and did as he was told.
Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me
And dear my love, haven't you longed to be free
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you
And at sweet night, you are my own
Take my hand
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name
I have dreamt of a place for you and I
No one knows who we are there
All I want is to give my life only to you
I've dreamt so long I cannot dream anymore
Let's run away, I'll take you there
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason
This was the part, the part that Malfoy kept insisting she went flat on.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw him glance over to her. Probably predicting I'll screw up again…
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you now
Hermione whipped her head around to meet his eyes, gaining a nod of approval from him.
As much as they still detested each other, their voices fit perfectly together.
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name
They finished the song and Malfoy muttered a "good job" and turned away.
Hermione never told them these were muggle songs she was teaching them. They would NEVER agree to play them if they knew; they meaning Malfoy.
Hermione stretched her arms and yawned. "Are we done for the night then? I want to go out before bed." Out meaning: I need a cigarette once a day and I'll damned if you're going to make me miss it.
---
Hermione took a long drag of her cigarette and exhaled slowly, savoring the bitter taste of the nicotine in her mouth.
She heard rustling behind her: someone was coming up.
Figuring it was Malfoy she ignored it. It wasn't Malfoy.
"Care for company?" Hermione looked up, startled to here Xavier's voice.
Hermione just shrugged, pulling out a cigarette and offering it to him.
"No thanks, never really did like them." He denied. "Brought some rum though." At this Xave pulled out a silver flask and sipped from it, much resembling the paranoid Moody.
Hermione gave this thought a half smile, and accepted the flask, taking a small sip.
"No need to be stingy, it's got a refilling potion." Xavier pointed out.
Hermione considered this, then took a bigger gulp.
"You did excellent down there. Don't mind Malfoy, he's just sore because you can sing higher than him."
Hermione chuckled at this statement, realizing sadly that that could be a legitimate possibility. "Thanks."
"You ever take singing lessons?" Xavier asked, leaning back on his elbows and gazing up at the sky.
"Nope." Hermione answered promptly. "Well, I had music class at my muggle school, but that was years ago."
"You had a whole class dedicated to music?" Xave asked in amazement.
"Heh, yup."
"Tell me something." Xavier said suddenly, passing the flask back to Hermione.
"What?"
"Tell me something about you."
"Okay…well my favorite color—"
"Not that stuff. Tell me something else. Something no one else knows."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm." Was all she said.
A stretch of silence passed between them in which both Xave and Hermione stared up at the stars. Finally Hermione spoke.
"Sometimes…" she started slowly. "Sometimes I think it's just not worth it."
"What?" he inquired further.
"Fighting, I mean. Sometimes I feel like Harry is in way over his head and that no matter what he does Voldemort will win."
Xavier sat up at this. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"And, promise you won't tell anyone?" Xave nodded. "Sometimes I want him to. Win, I mean. Beat Harry. Sometimes I want him to prevail, so that every muggle, witch and wizard; mudblood and halfblood and pureblood alike can have a taste of the pain I feel all the time." Hermione spoke quickly, freezing when all the words had escaped her open mouth.
Xavier Darnel was speechless. "I…that's…woah…"
"I…I never…I mean I always thought…but I've never…never actually said it…" she spoke slowly, as if gradually coming out of a daze.
"It's okay to think that you know…because that's probably what's going to happen." Xavier said quietly.
"I know." She breathed.
"On a lighter note, I think it's pretty cool that you and Malfoy are getting along."
Hermione huffed. "We're not getting along. It's called tolerance, and I'm about out of it."
"Again, I say forget Malfoy. He doesn't quite see you as an equal, you know? He's still hung up on the houses."
"And the blood…" Hermione added.
"Yes, and that, as incredibly stupid as it may be."
"Are you schizophrenic?" Hermione asked abruptly.
"What?!" Xave shot up into the sitting position.
"I mean one minute you're like a psycho evil Slytherin, and the next you're up here, being like…my friend."
Xavier shrugged. "I dunno. I have to admit, I am somewhat two-faced."
"Not the best quality to have…" Hermione mentioned.
"Slytherin." Xave reminded her. "Can't I be your friend?"
"I suppose…going to have to be, huh? With the band and all…"
"Blaise is really nice for a Slytherin, but if that's the excuse you're going to use then I have to warn you, it includes Malfoy too."
Hermione sighed. "I know. I suppose we've already got somewhat of an alliance. We'll have to talk about it later…but I need to get to bed, I'm completely exhausted. Thanks for the rum…and thanks, for the talk."
"No problem. See ya in the morning."
Hermione nodded her goodbye to Xavier, sliding over to the edge of the roof and swinging into the tower below.
She stopped for a moment, contemplating everything that had just happened.
I just made friends with a Slytherin…
Vaguely cold, Hermione continued down the stairs and headed for the Gryffindor tower, a slight smile pasted on her face.
---
"Can't you just forget about it? What's it really matter anyways?" Blaise questioned.
"You don't get it. I can't just forget it…it's the way I was raised!" Malfoy raised his voice again..
"She's an excellent singer." Blaise said.
"Yeah."
"And despite what she was before, she can be bloody sexy."
"I know. I know all of this Zab! I just…I can't change my entire outlook on everything in five minutes! You have to give me time to get used to having her around."
"You see her every bloody day! One would think that would be time enough!" Blaise was exhausted, they had been arguing for the past hour, starting with Blaise comment on how unfair he was being to Hermione.
"One would think…" Malfoy muttered, resuming his pacing.
"I don't see how you can't just accept her Malfoy! Just let everything go! Like it or not, you're going to be seeing a lot more of her now."
Malfoy sighed.
"We need her!" Blaise continued. "We need her to sing for us, she's amazing! What we don't need is you pissing off our chance to win!"
Malfoy sighed again. "I know!" he said exasperatedly.
"Do you want to win? I mean do you really want the money--"
"I do." Malfoy protested.
"—because you're not acting like you want it—""I want it!" Draco shouted. "I need it! I'm not like you Zab, my parents don't support every decision I make. I don't have anything. Anything."
"Then don't piss her off!"
"What am I supposed to do?" Malfoy questioned.
"Talk to her. Become her friend. It can't hurt you at all, you know that. She's going to help us win the money Malfoy. Your parents find out and you can kiss your bloody Gringotts account goodbye."
"They will find out. They have to, eventually."
"Then go talk to her. She said she was going out, go to the Astronomy Tower."
Malfoy contemplated all this, then, sighing, nodded and left silently.
---
He walked the stairs up the tower, wondering what he would say to her.
"I think, with you in the band and everything, that we should at least try to be friends…" he practiced.
Malfoy froze in mid-step. "That sounds so bloody corny I think I'm going to hurl." He spoke out loud.
He finally reached the top, but stopped as he walked over to the railing.
He heard voices.
"…be your friend?" it was Xavier.
Granger answered him. "I suppose…going to have to be, huh? With the band and all…"
"Blaise is really nice for a Slytherin, but if that's the excuse you're going to use then I have to warn you, it includes Malfoy too."
Why are Xave and Granger talking? Malfoy wondered.
I suppose we've already got somewhat of an alliance. We'll have to talk about it later…but I need to get to bed, I'm completely exhausted. Thanks for the rum…and thanks, for the talk."
Heh, Darnel gave Granger rum…Malfoy thought, amused. Hey! That's my rum!
Hermione was shuffling over to the edge of the roof. Malfoy quickly exited the tower and headed for the Slytherin common rooms.
Tomorrow…we'll talk tomorrow. Malfoy was suddenly reminded of a Shakespeare play he had read once. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…
---
Xavier whistled as he entered the Slytherin common room, catching sight of only Blaise. "Mission accomplished."
"Same; took quite some time though." Blaise replied.
"Where's Malfoy?"
"He came in about twenty minutes ago. Went straight to bed. Kept muttering something…what was it? 'Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow' or something…""Hmm." Xave thought for a moment. "Well our chances of winning the contest are considerably higher now."
"Yeah, and with Hermione, we're a shoe in for it. Great voice and a great body to boot. We were damn lucky to stumble upon her."
"Yeah we were." Xave slumped into a comfort chair next to the fire."How'd it go with Granger, was she easy to convince?"
"Pretty much. Thinks I'm schizophrenic now, but I believe it was worth it…"
Blaise didn't understand, and was bloody glad of it.
---
Sun's up
It's a little after twelve
Make breakfast for myself
Leave the work for someone else
People say
They say that it's just a phase
They tell me to act my age,
Well I am
Hermione imitated Hoku while picking out her outfit for the day.
She finally decided on dark blue jeans, a white tube top and a navy blue over shirt.
On this perfect day,
Nothing's standing in my way
On this perfect day,
When nothing can go wrong
It's the perfect day,
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
I could stay, forever as I am
On this perfect day
Hermione crimped her hair and put on her make-up.
Sun's down
A little after ten
I pick up all my friends
In my Mercedes-Benz
Wake up
Don't tell me it's just a dream
'Cause when I've had enough
You'll hear me say,
Now don't you try to rain on my
Perfect day,
Nothing's standing in my way
On this perfect day,
Nothing can go wrong
It's the perfect day,
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
I could stay, forever as I am
On this perfect day
La la la
La la la,
Oh, oh
She kept singing as she made her way down to the kitchen for a late breakfast.
I'm in the race
But I've already won
(La la la)
And getting there can
Be half the fun
(La la la)
So don't stop me
Till I'm good and done,
Don't you try to rain on my
Perfect day
It's the perfect day
It's the perfect day
Nothing's gonna bring me down
I could stay, forev—
"Granger!" Malfoy called to Hermione down the hall.
Hermione spun around. "Yeah?""Headed to breakfast?" he asked.
Odd… "Yeah, wanna join me?"
Malfoy quickened his pace until he met up with Hermione. "Yeah, I'm starving. Slept in." he explained.
"Same here."
So Hermione continued to the kitchens, Malfoy following.
"Listen," he said abruptly. "I think we should try to…" he paused. "…get along. You know, like…" he grimaced. "…be friends?"
Hermione smirked. "Why Draco are you asking little old mudblood me to be your equal?"
Grimace. "Yeah…" he said slowly. "For Blaise and Xave's sake, I think they're about ready to kill us."
"I suppose…if it's for Blaise and Xavier then…yeah, I guess I could try a little harder to stand you." She continued walking.
"Thanks…hey!" Malfoy ran again to catch up with her.
"Yes?"
"What are you implying?!" he accused."Why whatever do you mean?"
"Are you suggesting that I'm hard to stand?" he asked.
"Are you suggesting that you're not?" she questioned back.
Malfoy narrowed his eyes to slits. "Well…no, but you shouldn't have said it out loud!"
"Okay. Next time I'll insult you in my head." Hermione continued to walk. "I'm skipping breakfast, I want to sing."
---
"Good job, Xave. Nice bass, Blaise. Try to keep up next time, Malfoy."
Malfoy glared at Hermione. "Let's run through it again."
"Fine." Hermione sighed.
I tried to kill the pain
but only brought more
I lay dying
and I'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal
I'm dying praying bleeding and screaming
Am I too lost to be saved
Am I too lost?
My God My Tourniquet
Return to me Salvation
My God my Tourniquet
Return to me Salvation
Hermione's favorite song.
Do you remember me
Lost for so long
Will you be on the other side
or will you forget me
I'm dying praying bleeding and screaming
Am I too lost to be saved
Am I too lost?
Perhaps she was too lost. Maybe no one could save her now. Not Harry, nor Dumbledore, nor herself.
My God My Tourniquet
Return to me Salvation
My God my Tourniquet
Return to me Salvation
My wounds cry for the grave
My soul cries for Deliverance
Will I be Denied Christ
Tourniquet
My Suicide
"Great. That was great guys."
"Sing us something." Blaise requested.
Hermione smiled. "Okay."
The three boys hopped from the stage and sat at a table, waiting for Hermione to start.
"I wrote this one." She informed them. She waved her wand, and music played.
Can you see me now?
Can you see me now?
Can you see…?
Hermione started, urging her voice to go as high as it would allow.
All this weeping in the air
Who can tell where it will fall?
Through floating forests in the air
'Cross the rolling open sea
Blow a kiss, I run through air
Leave the past, find nowhere
Floating forests in the air
Clowns all around you
Hermione HATED clowns. Creepy painted clowns scared the crap out of her. But somehow she was able to write this song.
Clowns that only let you know
Where you let your senses go
Clowns all around you
It's a cross I need to bear
All this black and cruel despair
This is an emergency
Don't you hide your eyes from me
Open them and see me now
Can you see me now?
Can you see me now?
The boys looked amazed at how high she was singing, obvious wonder on their faces as to how she could sing that high and still have perfect pitch.
Can you see?
Can you see?
See me here in the air
Not holding on to anywhere
But holding on so beware
I have secrets I won't share
See me here pushing you
If I then deny I do
Contemplate or wish away
If I ask you not to stay
Clowns that only let you know
Where you let your senses go
Clowns all around you
It's a cross I need to bear
All this black and cruel despair
This is an emergency
Don't you hide your eyes from me
Open them and see me now
Hermione finished leaving the three Slytherins, once again in complete and utter astonishment.
Hermione just stood up there, waiting for them to say something. "So?"
"Good—good, great. That was great." Malfoy stammered.
Hermione smirked (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately…).
"I'm going for a walk. See ya later."
---
Hermione strolled around the lake for the fourth time, finally plopping down on a rock. Everything was happening so fast.
Hermione couldn't believe she was now friends with 3 Slytherins that she was in a band with. She also couldn't believe that she had told Xavier Darnel her most inward thoughts without hesitation.
He agreed with her. He thought it was going to happen too. And what if it did? What if Harry did fail?
Hermione took off her shoes and socks and slid her feet into the icy waters of the lake. I don't know what I'm doing lately...she thought. How could I have let this all happen? How could I let them...why did I have to leave??? Hermione began the brutal mind-torture.
I should have stayed put...I was just so...mad. Hermione sighed as a single tear fell down her cheek. How could I have left them? I knew the risks...
Another tear slid off her face as she remembered her dead parents.
Draco was coming. How did she know it was Malfoy? There was only three other students at the school, and only one of them can saunter in a way that is elegant and pompous all at the same time. Draco Malfoy.
"What's wrong?" he questioned, approaching her.
Hermione scrubbed at her face quickly, trying to eliminate every sign that she had been crying but in fact, only making her eyes more red and puffy.
"Don't try to hide it. Something's wrong." Malfoy sat down next to her, keeping his gaze on the murky waters and the giant squid tentecles now flailing about them.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
Draco sighed. "Swooning over me again?"
"You caught me."
"Knew it."
"At least I swoon over my worst enemy in private, instead of obviously checking him out in public."
"Touché." Malfoy smirked.Oh how I hate that smirk...Hermione thought. Hate the way he can make those innocent lips look so thoughtful and smug at the same time. ...Asshole.
"There you go again, staring outright at me."
"I don't stare outright at you!" I do it inwardly...Hermione thought.
Malfoy did a double take. "What?!"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Did I just say that out loud?!?"
"You bloody well did and I hope to Merlin it's not true!""Heh, of course not..."
"So what were you thinking about that was making you cry then, if it wasn't me?"
"My..." Hermione hesitated. She just blabbed to Xave the previous night about how oh-so-confident she was in Harry, should she really open her mouth to Malfoy too?
I don't care...she thought. I need to talk...
"My parents. They're the reason that I'm here. They--they're dead."
Malfoy lowered his head, suddenly interested in his feet. "Oh..."
Another tear slid down Hermione's cheek and Malfoy looked up. "Don't cry." it was almost a command. "I can't stand it when girls cry."
"What do you care, I'm just a mudblood."
"As true as that may be, you're still a girl." Malfoy knew he had just made matters worse. Time to change the subject.
"How did it happen?"
"We...we got in a fight."
"And you..." Malfoy raised an eyebrow.
"Bloody hell no! God Malfoy, you think I'm some kind of homicidal freak?"
"A freak yes but--""I left. I got pissed off and I went out with my friends." she interrupted.
Draco remained silent, waiting for her to continue. "And?" he asked.
"And I came home and they were dead, okay?!" she blew up at him, standing immediately and took off towards the school.
Whoops...Malfoy thought.
---
That's it. No more. Hermione thought angrily. No more opening up to people. She swung the doors to her precious sanctuary open and stopped, breathing in the deep musty scent of ancient books.
Stupid stupid stupid Hermione! Very stupid! Bad bad girl, never ever again, never again!
Hermione walked over to an aisle and picked a random book off a random shelf and sat down at the corner table, hidden from everything.
She opened up to a random page and began to read.
'So there I was, one werewolf to the left of me, one to the right, cornered in the cemetery with a mummy loose.' Hermione closed the book and looked at the cover.
"Lockhart..." she muttered, pushing it away and staring at a random point on a random wall. Until Malfoy blocked her view.
"Move..." she muttered."Can't see..."
"Can't see what?" he questioned.
"Wall...move.""I'm sorry."
Hermione broke from her stupor and look at Malfoy in pure amazement. "What?"
"I'm sorry if I upset you back there. I can be kind of insensitive sometimes."
Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes.
"I'd like to hear what happened, if you feel like talking about it."
"I already told you. I came home and they were dead."
"But how?"
"I wasn't drunk. Just buzzed. Not drunk. I understood everything too much for me to be drunk."
"What?"
"I was a couple blocks away when I saw it. Hovering at some random point in the sky. I knew that it could be anyone's home. But I knew...It registered too quickly for me to be drunk. I knew what I would find when I got there."
"The dark mark?"
Hermione nodded. "I went inside and they were there, in the living room, face down on the floor and I knew...I knew they had been begging whoever it was to spare them....or me.""The Death Eaters." Draco muttered.
"I could have been drunk, thinking on it now, Because the second I saw their the dark mark I knew...I don't think I would have thought it having not been drunk. They were looking for me."
"Looking for--"
"Me." she finished with a sigh. "Obviously Voldemort's latest scheme to catch Harry. Capture the helpless mudblood and order him to duel, this time against him and his followers. And that's it. I'm the reason they're dead. That's all there is to it. It's my fault."
Malfoy sat in silence, racking his brain for something to say. A low guttural sound escaped his lips, but made no word.
"Huh?"
Draco cleared his throat. "No. It's not." he forced the words out. "It's not your fault they're dead.""Had I been there--"
"--You would have witnessed it. And that's all there is to it. They would have died no matter where you had been. At least you didn't see it."
Hermione stared at Malfoy. "I...You don't..." she was breathing heavily, for no obvious reason. She could no longer form words either. "You don't understand! At least I could have told them! At least I could have said goodbye!"
"You had a chance to do that at the funeral you didn't go to. And what exactly would you have said?"
"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if I had said 'I love you' or 'pass the ketchup'! At least my last words to them wouldn't have been filled with such malace and hate!"
"That's not the point! Don't you get it? It would be ten times harder for you right now if you had been there, you could be dead!"
"And what would you care?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"I asked you a question, Malfoy. I want an answer! What would you care?"
"I would! Okay? I would care, because despite how much I may despise someone no one, no one deserves death like that."
Somewhere along the line they had both stood up and walked around the table. And now they stood face to face, panting with anger, faces flushed from a rage that had taken both of them by surprise.
Something struck Hermione, and she instantly straightened. Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she crumpled to the floor, silent tears spilling down her cheeks.
Malfoy crouched next to her, close enough for comfort but far away enough that they might not do anything stupid.
Hesitating a little, Malfoy put his hand on her shoulder and leaned towards her.
-The big kiss!-
"Let it out. Let it completely go. You've tried and convicted yourself and now you know. You're not guilty." he whispered.
-Fooled ya!-
Hermione wiped her eyes and looked up at the boy she desperately needed to hate. "Thank you." she whispered.
He was making it awfully hard, wasn't he?
---
Malfoy sauntered down the hall, thinking back on what he had just done.
Was there a consequence? Oh yes, a big one, if his parents ever found out.
Did he care? Possibly not. It was worth it...he concluded.
He made Hermione feel better. He couldn't believe it, didn't think it possible, but he had laid aside everything he had ever been taught, every prejudice and every bitter feeling of resentment towards her little Golden Trio (which seemed to him to be rusting at a considerable rate) and comforted her.
He said comforting words and hugged her. And what was the result?
He didn't look dirty, didn't feel dirty. What had been the big deal about being her friend? He still wasn't, but what had been the big deal about being nice to her, and treating her with the respect she deserved? Why hadn't he held his tongue every time he have a biting comment that so obviously cut her to the bone?
Why did he torment her?
She didn't look dirty. And holding her in his arms, resulting in a tear-stained shirt didn't feel dirty. So why was it? What was the difference between her and himself (other than the whole gender thing)?
No. He was wrong. ...He was her friend.
---
Hermione sank into the bathtub brimming with hot water. Bathtub? More like a swimming pool! she thought. Oh how she loved her prefect privileges.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, breathing in the cinnamon-scented steam.
Malfoy just spent the better part of an hour comforting her.
Well fancy that, comforting me!
It had been very strange, the way she felt so natural when he took her into his arms and whispered comforting messages in her ear, rocking her back and forth until she quit sobbing uncontrollably.
Despite the scalding hot water, Hermione shuddered. "What did I just think?" she asked out loud, as if she were sitting in the common room with Ron and Harry and had lost track of the conversation.
Did I just say natural? It had felt natural being in Malfoy's arms?!? I think not! If fact it was quite unpleasant, being wrapped in his strong arms and cradled like a baby. I didn't like it at all.
Then why do I wish I were still with him? She asked herself.
"No, no Hermione! I'm vulnerable right now, him comforting me made me feel something because I'm vulnerable...I hate him. I hate him. I hate him, I hate him, I hate him I hate him I hate him!"
But say it all she wanted to, Hermione knew it wasn't true. She didn't want to have to admit it.
But Draco Malfoy was her friend.
---
A good week passed before Malfoy and Hermione had a real conversation after that.
They exchanged greetings and nodded their heads, but both refused to make eye contact, or stand next to each other. They didn't feel comfortable being too close together, and no matter how far apart they were, as long as each was in sight, there was always a slight tension in the air.
When Malfoy found Hermione, she was sitting on top of the Astronomy Tower, staring at the stars and, as he usually found her, singing to herself.
It was beautiful.
Some people live for the
fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
It was sad, and gloomy; about whom he didn't know. All Malfoy did know was that Hermione was pouring her entire being into this song; all of her anger and sadness…and pain.
Some people search for a
fountain
Promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Handed the world on a silver platter
And wondering what it means
No one to share, no one who truly cares for me
Malfoy sat down next to her, nodding his greeting, urging her on without the power of speech.
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
Hermione continued to sing beautifully, gazing up at the stars, as if singing to the gods, hoping to please them.
If I ain't got you with
me baby
Nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby
Hermione finished and the world was silent. A gentle wind blew around them and the trees of the forbidden forest bowed to her excellence.
"How…" Malfoy started softly. "How do you do it?"
Hermione tilted her head to one side. "Do what?"
"How do you…with the singing…you…and it's like…" Malfoy was ashamed, stammering about this. "You're amazing. The way you sing. You put everything in. I find it hard not to gaze at you in a stupor when I'm supposed to be singing."
Hermione gave him a weak smile. "You manage."
"Hardly." He breathed quickly. "Just barely."
Hermione broke into a full smile. "I know you're obsessed with me Malfoy, as it shows in your grades, but don't let it affect your music too."
"I try." He smiled back.
Pause. Rewind. –He smiled- that's the part we're looking for. –He smiled- as Bugs Bunny would say, "Screwy, ain't it?"
"You're amazing Granger. You really are. You…you make me want to be with you all the time. You drive me crazy, and I'm starting to love it."
Hermione looked over and locked gazes with Malfoy's cool grey eyes. She searched them, though she knew he could mask his emotions, and sensed no insincerity, and that scared her.
"I'm not special."
"On the contrary, Granger. You're quite unique. I can easily say I've never met anyone like you. Or anyone who can insult me so swiftly, as well as stand her ground against me."
"You're making yourself sound like an idiot again, Malfoy." Hermione informed him.
"Thanks for the warning."
"But you're wrong about that, just like you were wrong the other night."
"You're singing is amazing. You're amazing."
"No, I'm changed. You wouldn't have even heard my singing if I were still what I used to be."
"I don't know."
"You're loosing your touch Malfoy. My singing entrances you and you tell me I'm amazing."
"More than that entrances me…" he spoke softly. His hand made to brush away a piece of hair that had fallen in Hermione's face, but stopped itself quickly.
Hermione glanced at his hand, then stared back into his eyes, breaking contact only to blink. Eventually she looked back up to the stars, sighing slightly.
There was a stretch of silence that lasted an eternity. Then he spoke. "I don't know what you're doing to me…" he whispered.
"I do nothing. You're mind is playing games." She whispered back. She raised her hand and lightly touched the cheek she had slapped many a times. "You and me," she breathed the words, barely moving her lips. "we were never meant to be together. There can never be anything between us."
Malfoy considered this then replied. "There's friendship."
Hermione gave him another half smile. "And I thank God for that, but I'm too vulnerable. I couldn't handle anything more right now."
"I know. And I wouldn't try anything, not unless you wanted…wait a minute. Who said anything about us hooking up?!?"
Hermione shrugged. "I dunno, I just thought you were insinuating—"
"Well I wasn't! You and me? No. Never. Us together is no."
"I couldn't agree more."
---
If someone had told Draco that every time he ran into Hermione Granger he would catch her singing he would have sent them to St. Mungo's.
Anyways, she was on stage this time, in the Great Hall. Dancing and singing a sporty little number. Malfoy slipped through the doors and slid into the shadows, going unobserved by Hermione. This song was interesting.
You wanna know more, more, more about me
I'm the girl who's kicking the coke machine
I'm the one that's honking at you cuz I left late again
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Could you see I want you by the way I push you away, Ya!
Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today
Mix the words up with the actions do it all for your reaction Ya!
Hey! Hey!
Get tangled up in me
Yes, very interesting.
You wanna know more, more, more about me
Gotta know reverse psychology
I'm the reason why you can't get to sleep
I'm the girl you never get just quite what you see
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Could you see I want you by the way I push you away, Ya!
Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today
Mix the words up with the actions do it all for your reaction Ya!
Hey! Hey!
Get tangled up in me
I totally agree…Malfoy thought, staring at her. There she goes again, dancing like no one's watching, swinging her hips back and forth while head banging at the same time. The only girl that could ever pull that off.
You think that you know me
You think that I'm only
When everything I do is only to get tangled up in you
You wanna know more, more, more about me
I'm the girl that's sweeping you off your feet
Well there's an interesting thought…
(Anna- Quite)
(Kerry- Very)
(Hannah- Rather)
(Natalie- Indubitably)
(Did I get all those right?)
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Could you see I want you by the way I push you away Ya!
Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today
Mix the words up with the actions do it all for your reaction, Ya!
Hey! Hey!
Get tangled up in me
Minutes after Hermione finished, Blaise and Xave entered the Great Hall. Malfoy edged over next to them, appearing like he had entered at the same time.
"Hey Mione." Xave greeted her. "Singing without us?"
"Yes, and don't call me 'Mione' I hate it."
"Hey, all of us have stupid nicknames. Xavier's got Xave, and I've got Zab…" Blaise pointed out.
"What's Malfoy's?"
Silence.
"We'll call him Foy." Xave prompted."How about no!" Draco scowled.
"We can call him Bob." Hermione said randomly.
"More like Boob." Blaise muttered not-so-quietly.
"Let's get going, I want to run through Reason quick."
"Reason?" Hermione questioned.
"A song I wrote recently. No room for chicks, sorry." Draco smirked at her and Hermione rolled her eyes.
The three Slytherins assumed their positions and started playing.
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Malfoy wrote it…
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
He was staring straight at her, and she didn't know how, but everything clicked. It was like the night she found her parents. Some red flag went up in the back of her mind, and she just knew he had written this about her, to her, that she was the reason he was changing.
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
She loved the thought of it. The cause of Malfoy's transformation. It made her feel extremely special, given how stubborn and pompous Draco Malfoy was.
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
She wanted to cry. It was too perfect.
"That was great." She tried not to let what she was feeling show in her voice. She concealed it well.
"Thanks." They muttered together.
"Blaise, you should do you're song." Malfoy suggested.
Zab hesitated for a second, then nodded, switching guitars and places with Malfoy.
We all know the girls
that I am talking about
Well they are time bombs and they are ticking
And the only question's when they'll blow up
And they'll blow up; we know that without a doubt
Cause they're those girls, yeah you know those girls that let their emotions
get the best of them
And I've contrived some sort of a plan to help my fellow man
Let's get emotional girls to all wear mood rings
So we'll be tipped off to when they're ticked off
Cause we'll know just what they're thinking
Cause what they're thinking...
Hermione had never her Blaise singing so boldly. He usually stood away from the spotlight, only doing accompaniment when Xavier didn't want to. His voice was soft, but sweet, though Hermione wasn't quite sure of the lyrics.
(Dedicated to my good friend Anna E., who is currently in the hospitalL)
She's so pretty but
she but doesn't always act that way
Her mood's out swinging on the swing set almost every day
She said to me that she's so happy it's depressing
And all I said was someone get that girl a mood ring
If it's drama you want then look no further
They're like the real world meets boy meets world meets days of our lives
And it just kills me how they get away with murder
They'll anger you then bat their eyes; those pretty eyes that watch you
sympathize
Well, it is true…Hermione thought.
And I've contrived
some sort of a plan to help my fellow man
Let's get emotional girls to all wear mood rings
So we'll be tipped off to when they're ticked off
Cause we'll know just what they're thinking
Cause what they're thinking...
She's so pretty but she but doesn't always act that way
Her mood's out swinging on the swing set almost every day
She said to me that she's so stressed out that it's soothing
And all I said was someone get that girl a mood ring
Cause when it's black
means watch your back because you're probably
The last person in the world right now she wants to see
And when it's blue it means that you should call her up immediately
And ask her out because she'll most likely agree
And when it's green it simply means that she is really stressed
And when it's clear it means she's completely emotionless and that's all right
I must confess
Yes, this song about girls was very true, and Hermione liked it. She loved Blaise's voice. Malfoy was a good singer, but his tone was loud and harsh, convicting and ruthless.
We all know the girls
that I am talking about
She liked you Wednesday but now it's Friday and she has to wash her hair
And it just figures that we'll never figure them out
First she's Jekyll and then she's Hyde....at least she makes a lovely pair
At this point, Blaise dropped to one knee, the drums stopped and his was the only guitar, playing a single note at a time.
Mood ring oh mood ring
Oh tell me will you bring
The key to unlock this mystery
Of girls and their emotions
Play it back in slow motion
So I may understand the complex infrastructure known as the female mind
He turned to Xave behind him. "Heh…that was terrible…"
"Blaise that was incredible! I didn't know you could sing like that!"
Blaise Zabini blushed. "Thanks, I don't like tons of attention. Not like my man Bob here." He said, reaching over and messing up Draco's hair.
Whether Malfoy scowled from being called Bob or from having his hair messed with (or both) they didn't know, because all of a sudden there was a loud crack, like someone apparating. But that was clearly impossible.
NO ONE can apparate into or disapparate from Hogwarts!
But Hermione suddenly felt dizzy, the room was spinning slightly and fading in and out of blackness. Then it was done. Everything was right back the way it was minutes before, and looking around she could tell the unexpected bang had an affect on everyone else.
There was a moment of confused silence, quickly broken by a cold drawling voice. "Who let the mudblood in?" Hermione spun around and glared at Malfoy.
"Excuse me, Ferret, I will be wherever I want." She hissed.
"Get your filthy blood out of my sight before I'm sick." Xavier commanded regally.
"You get your pureblood ass out of my sight before you make me sick!" she yelled back.
"Hey, don't talk to him like that, bitch!" Blaise's harsh voice broke the next lapse of silence.
"Watch it!" Hermione hissed.
"Get out, Granger, before I hex you into oblivion." Malfoy's drawling voice came again.
She didn't know why, but his words were really hurting her. But she stared back into his eyes defiantly, her face a perfect mask of hate.
"Go cry about your dead parents some more." He ridiculed, his words dripping with malice.
That was it. Everything was a blaze of smoke and curses. And when the smoke cleared, there was quite a sight to be held.
For Draco Malfoy was now a ferret, and Hermione Granger was a duck.
---
Well that's that, whatcha think of this? Nice twist at the end? I'll read more into what happened in the next sections.
Review please!
