Black Rabbits and Red Roses
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling not me etc etc etc
A/N: I should state firstly that this is pure fluff. Secondly that it may seem like a Hermione/Draco story but it isn't. Thirdly that part of it was inspired by a few snippets from one of my other 'on hiatus' stories. Right – read on and (hopefully) enjoy!
Chapter One
Ginevra Weasley wasn't actually present during the moment that would change her life. She was in the library, apologising profusely to Madam Pince for spilling red ink over Sonnets of a Sorcerer. The people who were present during 'the-moment-that-would-change-Ginevra-Weasley's-life' were the people who were always present on these occasions: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry and Ron had started their dinner, as Hermione had been kept behind by Professor McGonagall after Transfiguration class. The boys couldn't help but grin a little at the panic stricken look she'd given them, obviously fearing that her latest essay hadn't received full marks. Ron, however, was willing to bet his yorkshire pudding that it was simply more "head girl business". Since being given the post, Hermione's workload had practically doubled as she took on more and more in an effort to live up to her job. Many people had been surprised (while the Slytherins had been amused) that Dumbledore had passed Harry up for the role of head boy, choosing instead the more reliable Hufflepuff Justin Finch-Fletchley. Harry was privately rather pleased at not being offered the post, having seen how little time it would have left him to train for Quidditch, let alone do his homework.
Just as they were finishing their roasts, Hermione entered the Great Hall, looking fraught. For a brief moment Harry wondered whether she really had received a 9/10, but on closer inspection she appeared simply annoyed, rather than distraught. She spotted them at walked briskly over.
"You'll never guess," she stated, sliding in beside Ron on the bench, "Professor McGonagall has asked me to give Malfoy remedial Transfiguration lessons."
"She's what?" Harry and Ron chorused.
"I know; I'm not looking forward to it at all, but at least it'll be like revision for me."
"This is brilliant!" Harry enthused, and he actually got up and did a little jig around the table, "Malfoy has to have remedial lessons! He'll never live it down!"
"I did think you might have a little more sympathy for me," replied Hermione coldly, "And anyway, I'm supposed to keep it quiet."
"Does Malfoy know yet?"
"No," said Hermione grimly, "But I'll be willing to bet that he won't learn quietly."
"When's your first lesson?" Ron asked, failing to hide the grin enveloping his face.
"This evening at eight."
Harry and Ron glanced conspiratorially at each other before Hermione noticed and interrupted.
"And don't even think about trying to crash it to get at Malfoy."
Hermione was waiting at McGonagall's desk when Draco entered the classroom, leaving the heavy door slightly ajar. She was poring over her Transfiguration notes and fiddling with her wand nervously.
"Hello Granger" Draco said grumpily.
"Malfoy," she nodded curtly, in an extraordinarily good impression of McGonagall.
"Can we get on with this?" he drawled, "I've got to wash my hair."
She faced him, brandishing her notes, refusing to be drawn into his goading.
"I thought we'd start quite simply with some third year stuff. Professor McGonagall said there's nothing wrong with your knowledge; it's the practical stuff you've got to worry about."
Draco snarled at her. She raised an eyebrow and couldn't resist saying; "The Professor has told you that I'm allowed to give and take points from you?"
Draco snarled again.
She smiled, "Right, well, I thought we could start with transfiguring rabbits into slippers – you remember that one?"
"Have you got any rabbits on you?" he sneered. He was getting good at this – only a little more practice and he'd be up to his father's standard.
Hermione waved her wand and conjured a white fluffy rabbit from mid-air.
Draco resisted the impulse to gape at the fact she could perform a conjuring spell.
"It's white." He said stiffly.
She waved her wand impatiently and the rabbit turned black. "Better?"
"How did you get its eyes to go that red colour?" Draco asked curiously.
"Thought you might prefer them that way."
"Humph"
Hermione figured that was closest she'd get to a 'Thanks'. She was thinking, "Christ, this was going to be a long two hours" at the precise moment when Ginny Weasley fell unceremoniously through the classroom door.
What did you think? You know what I think? I think that it's really tempting to press the little button saying 'review'...