Chapter 7: Friendship? Huh? And news?
Yo-yo everybody. OK, let's see how long this takes me. It's the 16th December, 6:56pm, and I am starting Chapter 7.
Reviews, reviews . . . rar!
*~*electra(): hiyaaaaaa. I dunno if you've reviewed it.but keep on reviewing it anyway. Look at that. 22 reviews! Pathetic! I need more!!!!!! SARS? I won't ask.I'll just ponder, lol.
*~*bombshell: thanks for the vote of confidence. You truly inspire me to keep writing. . . so I will.
*~*ILUVRONWEASLEY: you find it strange when Ron READS??? Hehehe.funny. And no probs on the beig behind thing . . . think about how behind I am!!!!! Just keep reading (and reviewing) and we shall all be fine.
*~*ILUVRONWEASLEY (again): o pantomime? O. . . k. . . then.
And YES, electra, here is the disclaimer:
Disclaimer: I own my story, and the pizza I am currently eating, and the 8 candles I've gotten so far for Christmas . . . and Christmas isn't for another 9 days! Ahh, I love candles so . . .
Righto, just a little insight. . . this is the chapter where a friendship between Hermione and Malfoy is established. And if you normally don't read this beginning section you're missing out on what I'm saying. Muahahahaha!!!!!
Righto, onward and onward!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, Sunday, saw many of the Gryffindors looking very tired, because the after-game party had gone well into the hours of the morning. Harry and Ron, for example, looked as though they'd been beaten in by a sledgehammer.
Hermione was somewhat perky however. She was supposing it had something to do with the 3 hours more sleep she got then anyone else, because she'd stuffed earplugs in her ears, shut her curtains around her, and fallen asleep soundly, while the party was still going on. She was determined not to be groggy so she could have a clear mind for today. A full day of studying. Therefore, at 8:00 in the morning, Hermione, fully ready, went downstairs, and looked around at the perfectly cleaned Common Room. She shook her head and thought of the House Elves that would have been working overtime to clean up. As if it weren't horrible enough how they were treated.
She walked down to the library, lay out her newest Ancient Runes essay, and began translating the new text the teacher had just given them. It was pretty difficult and required a lot of concentration. Within half an hour she was mesmerized in her work.
That evening she came back from her retreat, and joined Harry and Ron at the dinner table.
'Hermione!' exclaimed Ron brightly. 'We thought you'd died!'
'Charming,' Hermione replied. 'No, I was in the library . . . '
'For once,' said Harry.
'Well, it was better then listening to you two complaining about your hangovers.'
That shut the two of them up.
Hermione had a lot of trouble going to sleep that night. She was presuming this was because she was only half a role ahead in her transfiguration essay which might mean she was getting an A minus . . .
But maybe it was something more then that. Maybe she was afraid of what would happen if she fell asleep. Her stomach was still aching from last time. She was scared of what she could do to herself. She lay awake, thinking about it.
Needless to say, on Monday she was very tired. And with Potions first, that wasn't good. Snape would probably yell at her and take off 50 points for yawning, accusing her of being bored.
Hermione didn't see the other two at breakfast. She presumed they were probably having a lie-in. Lazy buggers, she thought to herself, as she ate her toast in silence. She didn't even have enough energy to read.
She dragged herself into the Potions room and took her seat. She stared at the ceiling, concentrating on staying awake, until she felt Malfoy sitting down next to her.
'Hello,' she said, yawning.
'Same to you. Don't fall asleep on me Granger. I need to talk to you about our Halloween act, remember.'
'Yeah, yeah, fine . . . ' she said sleepily.
Professor Snape gave them their regular potion, the non-Slytherin students the Evil Eye, and set everyone to work. Half an hour later the pairs were ready to try it. Hermione took a long drought and paused, suddenly realising she didn't know what the potion did.
'Malfoy,' she said groggily, 'What's this Potion do?'
'It's a drowsiness potion. Any drinker falls asleep instant-'
He didn't finish his sentence due mainly to Hermione slumping into his arms, asleep easily.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hmm, thought Malfoy. No-one else drank that much, did they? No-one else was falling asleep. They were still able to take a rejuvenating drought. He overheard Snape saying something, and turned to pay attention . . .
'Being tired in the first place tends to enhance the effect. . . '
Ah.
'Excuse me sir,' Malfoy called out. 'How long does it last for?'
Snape looked at Malfoy, slightly annoyed. 'That depends on how much was taken, Mr Malfoy. If Miss Granger has been so much of a know-it-all she thought she knew what she was doing, and took too much, she'll probably be asleep for an hour or so. If you wish, you can take Miss Granger to the hospital wing to wake up. She's of no use to me here.'
Malfoy rolled his eyes slightly, lifted up Hermione magically, and led her towards the hospital wing. At the infirmary Madam Pomfrey raised her eyebrows after she heard the story.
'Interesting. Well, it's probably a good thing she took the stuff then. You can take her to a bed Mr Malfoy. The bell will be going in about 20 minutes.'
'OK Madam,' he said, leading Hermione to a bed and laying her down. He shook his head at her, and was about to leave when he heard a noise.
Malfoy whipped around and saw Hermione jerking slightly. She gasped and put a hand to her calf. Malfoy looked at the calf curiously. He edged over and pulled off the blanket. The calf was bruised.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ow. Hermione had fallen over, and a rock had jabbed into her lower leg. She grabbed it in pain. She was fairly sure something had just hit her in the shin. She looked around. The images were blurry, very blurry, but they were there. She was beginning to see. It looked like strange winds blurring together, then sort of apart . . . but it was definitely something.beginning to appear. It wasn't cryptic any more . . . Ow! Something just hit e upper arm. She touched it and could feel blood. . . '
She was suddenly in the hospital wing. She shook herself slightly, wondering what happened. As far as she could remember, she'd drunk quite a lot of that strange potion, and Malfoy was sort of telling her what it was. . . then she was here. . .
She checked her watch. Midday! She was suppose to be in Charms! She grabbed her bag, which happened to be on a chair, and hurried out. Madam Pomfrey didn't notice her leaving. . . she would, however, notice the blood on the sheets Hermione's most recent cut had left there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione raced into the Charms room.
'Professor,' she gasped. 'I'm so sorry. . . I. . . '
'No need Miss Granger,' replied Professor Flitwick. 'Mr Malfoy has already explained to me what happened. Take a seat. We're working on Silencing charms today.'
Hermione nodded, and walked towards Harry and Ron, who were waving her over.
'Hi,' she said, sitting down. 'Did you-'
'Yeah. Malfoy gathered enough courage to come and tell us on your behalf. He wants you to see him in the quiet room the second the bell rings for end of lessons. All right?'
'OK.'
Last lesson was Defence Against The Dark Arts. Once that was over, Harry and Ron bade Hermione farewell, as she ordered her key to take her to the Quiet Room. When she got there, the found herself eye to eye with Malfoy, who pushed her onto a nearby chair.
'So,' said Malfoy, sitting down opposite her, and putting his feet on the table, something Hermione's mother always hated her to do.
Hermione grimaced. She had no idea why she was reacting this way. What did it matter if Malfoy knew. It was only Malfoy, after all. Still, she felt like it was a big thing, to tell him about it, though.
'What's wrong with you Granger?' Malfoy gave her a classic Malfoy look. Hermione almost giggled, but pinched herself. What she was thinking of.
'Why does it matter to you?' she asked.
Malfoy sighed. 'It matters,' he replied. 'Because I saw you getting injured in your sleep, and that's not a pleasant thing to watch. I want to know if you're all right.'
'Why? I thought you hated me. Why would you care about me?'
'Granger, hasn't it become obvious? I don't hate you any more. And I don't really think you hate me either. In fact, I'd really like to be your friend. . . but the first thing I want is for you to tell me what is wrong with you.'
'Fine,' replied Hermione coolly. 'I have Kedua's syndrome.'
Malfoy stared. He'd read about that disease. It was dangerous. Not catchy, or anything, but really dangerous. 'Really?' he asked.
'Yes. If I don't find a cure before it's too late I could essentially kill myself.'
'You seem,' said Malfoy, '. . . unshaken . . . by this. Aren't you worried?'
Hermione sighed, and stared at her knees. 'I am a little. But I also remain completely in faith with Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure he'll find a cure.'
'Hmm,' replied Malfoy, looking deep in thought.
'But listen,' said Hermione. 'Don't worry about it. It's my problem. I'll deal with it. What's this friendship thing you're talking about?'
'The proposal is simple Granger. We agree, under the oath of ourselves, to no longer regard ourselves as enemies, to be united in the cause that is leading our school this year, and not making stupidly snide remarks to each other. And also, despite our opposing views, remaining in harmony with each other.'
Hermione narrowed her eyes in thought. 'Sounds reasonable to me. Our views aren't exactly opposing though.'
'Whatever. Do we have a deal?'
Hermione looked at Malfoy for a long time, then smiled.
'OK, deal.' She extended her hand and Malfoy shook it. 'But do I have to call you Draco?'
Malfoy grinned. 'Nah. Malfoy's fine. I'm not calling you Hermione either, OK?'
'OK. Now, I managed to find out how to create different effects with peoples voices. You say the effect, then follow it with dai bois, (pronounced day buaar), and you'll get the desired effect. For example,' Hermione pointed her wand at herself. 'Echo dai bois'
'OK,' replied Malfoy. 'Sing 'Daydream Believer'.'
'You KNOW that song?'
'Yeah, I heard of it. Do you know the words?'
'Well, yeah,' Hermione stuttered. 'But the Monkees were Muggles.'
'Oh, people had suspicions about the short one and the one wearing a funny hat. Go on, sing it.'
Hermione sighed, but began to sing:
Cheer up sleepy jean
Oh what can it mean
to a Daydream Believer
and a home-coming queen
You once thought of me,
as a white knight on his steed
Now you know how happy I can be
Oh and our good time starts and ends
without dollar one to spend
but how much baby do we really need
Cheer up sleepy Jean
oh what can it mean
to a Daydream Believer
and a home-coming queen.
The whole time Hermione was singing, this great echo could be heard after every word came out. When she stopped, Malfoy was suitably impressed.
'Me like Granger. What else could you do?'
'Well,' said Hermione, still sounding out an echo, 'You could double track, or distill, or or crackle . . . just mention what you want the voice to sound like. I think this charm would do it.'
'So if I said to you 'mouse dai bois'. . .
'I'll sound like a mouse,' said Hermione squeakily. 'Bastard,' she continued. She pointed to him and said 'gorilla dai bois'
'Hey,' said Malfoy, sounding just like a grunting gorilla. It was amazing. 'Finite Incantatem' said Hermione.
'Cool huh?' asked Hermione, sounding normal again.
'It's great Granger! People are really gonna like our stand.
'Yup.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the next few weeks, everything went on fairly normally. Harry and Ron, when not studying, spent their time practising Quidditch, playing Wizard's chess and writing letters to the Order, who were all a bit dejected at that moment, because they hadn't been having a lot of success in figuring out where Voldemort was or what he was doing.
Hermione spent a fair amount of time with them, but she also spent a fair amount of time with Malfoy, working on what else but their Halloween event. . . and it was proving to be shaping up quite nicely.
'Hey,' said Malfoy to her one day, two days before Halloween, while they were in the Quiet Room, making last adjustments. 'Are you sure this podium is steady?'
'Oh honestly,' she replied, standing up on it. 'Perfectly steady. Look,' she began jumping on it. 'See, no worries.'
'All right,' he said. 'It's just that, brilliant as you are Granger, I don't think you've become quite the magical carpenter yet. It looks really unsteady.
'It'll be fine Malfoy. As long as no one utters 'finite incantatem', while pointing and thinking about the podium, it's all good.'
'All right,' he replied. He sighed and sat down on a chair. Hermione noticed his expression.
'Tired?'
'Yeah.' Malfoy raised a hand and ran it along his brow. 'The boys in my dorm keep me awake.'
'Well, you have authority over them,' said Hermione, waving her wand at lights and practising the brightening charm ('bralightabus') 'Tell them to knock it off.'
'I would,' he replied. 'But I'm too intrigued on what they're talking about. All this stuff about the Dark Lord. Saying he's up north -'
'Really?' Hermione interrupted, pulling back her wand and causing a light to shatter. 'Reparo' she continued without a glance. 'Up north? Do you know how far away?'
'I've been trying to figure it out, but Nikolas has never said where. Apparantly her mother frequently sends him letters of her whereabouts -'
'That's odd,' Hermione interjected again. She took a seat opposite Malfoy. 'Why would she keep talking to him directly about her whereabouts? Surely she's smarter then that.'
'Bellatrix is powerful, and has the ability to get out of things,' Malfoy agreed. 'But, she's not that bright. She normally relies on other people to get her around. Her husband not being around I'm sure doesn't help. Apparantly when they were at school together, Rudolphus would get Bellatrix out of many tight spots. He was the brains of the duo.'
(A/N: people, please tell me, is Rudolphus dead, or what? I've forgotten!!!!)
'Hmm,' replied Hermione. 'So, do you think that we could perhaps find out, via. Nikolas, where You-Know-Who is?'
Malfoy sighed. 'I'm trying Granger. But it's not easy. Nikolas has his fathers brains, despite his inaptitude in making a decent potion (Hermione grinned). He only tells the people he absolutely trusts; and though he's friendly to me, he hasn't learned to trust me . . . yet.'
Hermione knitted her brow. 'And how are you going to get him to think you're trustworthy?'
Malfoy didn't seem to want to tell her that.
'I have my ways Granger,' he replied simply. 'Now, about these light things you talk about . . . '
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day Hermione had just returned to the Common Room from the (surprised?) library, to see Harry and Ron jumping up and coming towards her.
'Hermione' Harry began. 'You've got a letter.'
'Oh yes?' Hermione replied, setting down her book bag. 'From who?'
'The staff of St. Mungo's,' said Ron.
Hermione's eyes widened. That meant the letter involved her parents. No news is ultimately good news. . . so having news . . .
'Where is it?' she demanded hastily.
Ron picked up something off a nearby table and gave it to her. She tore it open and unfolded the parchment.
The message was short, but relieving.
Dear Miss Granger. Your parents are doing absolutely fine, and we believe they're making progress. Your mother has begun to sing, and says to us 'I sang this to my daughter when she was a child.' In a perfectly sane voice. Your father's begun to realise that you aren't around, and at one point has asked to see you.
This, we feel, is possible. Perhaps during the Hogwarts Christmas break, we could have you, and several other people closely related to your parents, come to the hospital and spend the afternoon with them.
We await your owl expressing your consent.
Happy Halloween Marissa Marchwood Head Of Insanity ward
Wow, thought Hermione, folding up the parchment. That was reassuring.
'Oh Hermione', said Harry, who was reading over her shoulder. 'That's great news!'
Hermione was so happy, she grabbed Harry and Ron and embraced them so hard they began to turn blue. 'Hermione,' said Ron weakly. 'Can't . . . breathe . . . '
'Oh, sorry,' replied Hermione, letting them go. 'Will you come with me though? To see my parents, I mean? I'd love for them to meet you, even if they might not be able to understand you're there. Would you come?'
'Hermione,' said Harry, bowing down at her. 'It would be my honour.'
Hermione grinned. That night, her dreams were Kedua free.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And today is the 23rd December. That took me a week. Not too bad, ay? Hehe. But, however, if you thought it was too long, and think I should be quicker with my chapters, then you have to review and tell me, or else I.just can't.
Yo-yo everybody. OK, let's see how long this takes me. It's the 16th December, 6:56pm, and I am starting Chapter 7.
Reviews, reviews . . . rar!
*~*electra(): hiyaaaaaa. I dunno if you've reviewed it.but keep on reviewing it anyway. Look at that. 22 reviews! Pathetic! I need more!!!!!! SARS? I won't ask.I'll just ponder, lol.
*~*bombshell: thanks for the vote of confidence. You truly inspire me to keep writing. . . so I will.
*~*ILUVRONWEASLEY: you find it strange when Ron READS??? Hehehe.funny. And no probs on the beig behind thing . . . think about how behind I am!!!!! Just keep reading (and reviewing) and we shall all be fine.
*~*ILUVRONWEASLEY (again): o pantomime? O. . . k. . . then.
And YES, electra, here is the disclaimer:
Disclaimer: I own my story, and the pizza I am currently eating, and the 8 candles I've gotten so far for Christmas . . . and Christmas isn't for another 9 days! Ahh, I love candles so . . .
Righto, just a little insight. . . this is the chapter where a friendship between Hermione and Malfoy is established. And if you normally don't read this beginning section you're missing out on what I'm saying. Muahahahaha!!!!!
Righto, onward and onward!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, Sunday, saw many of the Gryffindors looking very tired, because the after-game party had gone well into the hours of the morning. Harry and Ron, for example, looked as though they'd been beaten in by a sledgehammer.
Hermione was somewhat perky however. She was supposing it had something to do with the 3 hours more sleep she got then anyone else, because she'd stuffed earplugs in her ears, shut her curtains around her, and fallen asleep soundly, while the party was still going on. She was determined not to be groggy so she could have a clear mind for today. A full day of studying. Therefore, at 8:00 in the morning, Hermione, fully ready, went downstairs, and looked around at the perfectly cleaned Common Room. She shook her head and thought of the House Elves that would have been working overtime to clean up. As if it weren't horrible enough how they were treated.
She walked down to the library, lay out her newest Ancient Runes essay, and began translating the new text the teacher had just given them. It was pretty difficult and required a lot of concentration. Within half an hour she was mesmerized in her work.
That evening she came back from her retreat, and joined Harry and Ron at the dinner table.
'Hermione!' exclaimed Ron brightly. 'We thought you'd died!'
'Charming,' Hermione replied. 'No, I was in the library . . . '
'For once,' said Harry.
'Well, it was better then listening to you two complaining about your hangovers.'
That shut the two of them up.
Hermione had a lot of trouble going to sleep that night. She was presuming this was because she was only half a role ahead in her transfiguration essay which might mean she was getting an A minus . . .
But maybe it was something more then that. Maybe she was afraid of what would happen if she fell asleep. Her stomach was still aching from last time. She was scared of what she could do to herself. She lay awake, thinking about it.
Needless to say, on Monday she was very tired. And with Potions first, that wasn't good. Snape would probably yell at her and take off 50 points for yawning, accusing her of being bored.
Hermione didn't see the other two at breakfast. She presumed they were probably having a lie-in. Lazy buggers, she thought to herself, as she ate her toast in silence. She didn't even have enough energy to read.
She dragged herself into the Potions room and took her seat. She stared at the ceiling, concentrating on staying awake, until she felt Malfoy sitting down next to her.
'Hello,' she said, yawning.
'Same to you. Don't fall asleep on me Granger. I need to talk to you about our Halloween act, remember.'
'Yeah, yeah, fine . . . ' she said sleepily.
Professor Snape gave them their regular potion, the non-Slytherin students the Evil Eye, and set everyone to work. Half an hour later the pairs were ready to try it. Hermione took a long drought and paused, suddenly realising she didn't know what the potion did.
'Malfoy,' she said groggily, 'What's this Potion do?'
'It's a drowsiness potion. Any drinker falls asleep instant-'
He didn't finish his sentence due mainly to Hermione slumping into his arms, asleep easily.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hmm, thought Malfoy. No-one else drank that much, did they? No-one else was falling asleep. They were still able to take a rejuvenating drought. He overheard Snape saying something, and turned to pay attention . . .
'Being tired in the first place tends to enhance the effect. . . '
Ah.
'Excuse me sir,' Malfoy called out. 'How long does it last for?'
Snape looked at Malfoy, slightly annoyed. 'That depends on how much was taken, Mr Malfoy. If Miss Granger has been so much of a know-it-all she thought she knew what she was doing, and took too much, she'll probably be asleep for an hour or so. If you wish, you can take Miss Granger to the hospital wing to wake up. She's of no use to me here.'
Malfoy rolled his eyes slightly, lifted up Hermione magically, and led her towards the hospital wing. At the infirmary Madam Pomfrey raised her eyebrows after she heard the story.
'Interesting. Well, it's probably a good thing she took the stuff then. You can take her to a bed Mr Malfoy. The bell will be going in about 20 minutes.'
'OK Madam,' he said, leading Hermione to a bed and laying her down. He shook his head at her, and was about to leave when he heard a noise.
Malfoy whipped around and saw Hermione jerking slightly. She gasped and put a hand to her calf. Malfoy looked at the calf curiously. He edged over and pulled off the blanket. The calf was bruised.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ow. Hermione had fallen over, and a rock had jabbed into her lower leg. She grabbed it in pain. She was fairly sure something had just hit her in the shin. She looked around. The images were blurry, very blurry, but they were there. She was beginning to see. It looked like strange winds blurring together, then sort of apart . . . but it was definitely something.beginning to appear. It wasn't cryptic any more . . . Ow! Something just hit e upper arm. She touched it and could feel blood. . . '
She was suddenly in the hospital wing. She shook herself slightly, wondering what happened. As far as she could remember, she'd drunk quite a lot of that strange potion, and Malfoy was sort of telling her what it was. . . then she was here. . .
She checked her watch. Midday! She was suppose to be in Charms! She grabbed her bag, which happened to be on a chair, and hurried out. Madam Pomfrey didn't notice her leaving. . . she would, however, notice the blood on the sheets Hermione's most recent cut had left there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione raced into the Charms room.
'Professor,' she gasped. 'I'm so sorry. . . I. . . '
'No need Miss Granger,' replied Professor Flitwick. 'Mr Malfoy has already explained to me what happened. Take a seat. We're working on Silencing charms today.'
Hermione nodded, and walked towards Harry and Ron, who were waving her over.
'Hi,' she said, sitting down. 'Did you-'
'Yeah. Malfoy gathered enough courage to come and tell us on your behalf. He wants you to see him in the quiet room the second the bell rings for end of lessons. All right?'
'OK.'
Last lesson was Defence Against The Dark Arts. Once that was over, Harry and Ron bade Hermione farewell, as she ordered her key to take her to the Quiet Room. When she got there, the found herself eye to eye with Malfoy, who pushed her onto a nearby chair.
'So,' said Malfoy, sitting down opposite her, and putting his feet on the table, something Hermione's mother always hated her to do.
Hermione grimaced. She had no idea why she was reacting this way. What did it matter if Malfoy knew. It was only Malfoy, after all. Still, she felt like it was a big thing, to tell him about it, though.
'What's wrong with you Granger?' Malfoy gave her a classic Malfoy look. Hermione almost giggled, but pinched herself. What she was thinking of.
'Why does it matter to you?' she asked.
Malfoy sighed. 'It matters,' he replied. 'Because I saw you getting injured in your sleep, and that's not a pleasant thing to watch. I want to know if you're all right.'
'Why? I thought you hated me. Why would you care about me?'
'Granger, hasn't it become obvious? I don't hate you any more. And I don't really think you hate me either. In fact, I'd really like to be your friend. . . but the first thing I want is for you to tell me what is wrong with you.'
'Fine,' replied Hermione coolly. 'I have Kedua's syndrome.'
Malfoy stared. He'd read about that disease. It was dangerous. Not catchy, or anything, but really dangerous. 'Really?' he asked.
'Yes. If I don't find a cure before it's too late I could essentially kill myself.'
'You seem,' said Malfoy, '. . . unshaken . . . by this. Aren't you worried?'
Hermione sighed, and stared at her knees. 'I am a little. But I also remain completely in faith with Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure he'll find a cure.'
'Hmm,' replied Malfoy, looking deep in thought.
'But listen,' said Hermione. 'Don't worry about it. It's my problem. I'll deal with it. What's this friendship thing you're talking about?'
'The proposal is simple Granger. We agree, under the oath of ourselves, to no longer regard ourselves as enemies, to be united in the cause that is leading our school this year, and not making stupidly snide remarks to each other. And also, despite our opposing views, remaining in harmony with each other.'
Hermione narrowed her eyes in thought. 'Sounds reasonable to me. Our views aren't exactly opposing though.'
'Whatever. Do we have a deal?'
Hermione looked at Malfoy for a long time, then smiled.
'OK, deal.' She extended her hand and Malfoy shook it. 'But do I have to call you Draco?'
Malfoy grinned. 'Nah. Malfoy's fine. I'm not calling you Hermione either, OK?'
'OK. Now, I managed to find out how to create different effects with peoples voices. You say the effect, then follow it with dai bois, (pronounced day buaar), and you'll get the desired effect. For example,' Hermione pointed her wand at herself. 'Echo dai bois'
'OK,' replied Malfoy. 'Sing 'Daydream Believer'.'
'You KNOW that song?'
'Yeah, I heard of it. Do you know the words?'
'Well, yeah,' Hermione stuttered. 'But the Monkees were Muggles.'
'Oh, people had suspicions about the short one and the one wearing a funny hat. Go on, sing it.'
Hermione sighed, but began to sing:
Cheer up sleepy jean
Oh what can it mean
to a Daydream Believer
and a home-coming queen
You once thought of me,
as a white knight on his steed
Now you know how happy I can be
Oh and our good time starts and ends
without dollar one to spend
but how much baby do we really need
Cheer up sleepy Jean
oh what can it mean
to a Daydream Believer
and a home-coming queen.
The whole time Hermione was singing, this great echo could be heard after every word came out. When she stopped, Malfoy was suitably impressed.
'Me like Granger. What else could you do?'
'Well,' said Hermione, still sounding out an echo, 'You could double track, or distill, or or crackle . . . just mention what you want the voice to sound like. I think this charm would do it.'
'So if I said to you 'mouse dai bois'. . .
'I'll sound like a mouse,' said Hermione squeakily. 'Bastard,' she continued. She pointed to him and said 'gorilla dai bois'
'Hey,' said Malfoy, sounding just like a grunting gorilla. It was amazing. 'Finite Incantatem' said Hermione.
'Cool huh?' asked Hermione, sounding normal again.
'It's great Granger! People are really gonna like our stand.
'Yup.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the next few weeks, everything went on fairly normally. Harry and Ron, when not studying, spent their time practising Quidditch, playing Wizard's chess and writing letters to the Order, who were all a bit dejected at that moment, because they hadn't been having a lot of success in figuring out where Voldemort was or what he was doing.
Hermione spent a fair amount of time with them, but she also spent a fair amount of time with Malfoy, working on what else but their Halloween event. . . and it was proving to be shaping up quite nicely.
'Hey,' said Malfoy to her one day, two days before Halloween, while they were in the Quiet Room, making last adjustments. 'Are you sure this podium is steady?'
'Oh honestly,' she replied, standing up on it. 'Perfectly steady. Look,' she began jumping on it. 'See, no worries.'
'All right,' he said. 'It's just that, brilliant as you are Granger, I don't think you've become quite the magical carpenter yet. It looks really unsteady.
'It'll be fine Malfoy. As long as no one utters 'finite incantatem', while pointing and thinking about the podium, it's all good.'
'All right,' he replied. He sighed and sat down on a chair. Hermione noticed his expression.
'Tired?'
'Yeah.' Malfoy raised a hand and ran it along his brow. 'The boys in my dorm keep me awake.'
'Well, you have authority over them,' said Hermione, waving her wand at lights and practising the brightening charm ('bralightabus') 'Tell them to knock it off.'
'I would,' he replied. 'But I'm too intrigued on what they're talking about. All this stuff about the Dark Lord. Saying he's up north -'
'Really?' Hermione interrupted, pulling back her wand and causing a light to shatter. 'Reparo' she continued without a glance. 'Up north? Do you know how far away?'
'I've been trying to figure it out, but Nikolas has never said where. Apparantly her mother frequently sends him letters of her whereabouts -'
'That's odd,' Hermione interjected again. She took a seat opposite Malfoy. 'Why would she keep talking to him directly about her whereabouts? Surely she's smarter then that.'
'Bellatrix is powerful, and has the ability to get out of things,' Malfoy agreed. 'But, she's not that bright. She normally relies on other people to get her around. Her husband not being around I'm sure doesn't help. Apparantly when they were at school together, Rudolphus would get Bellatrix out of many tight spots. He was the brains of the duo.'
(A/N: people, please tell me, is Rudolphus dead, or what? I've forgotten!!!!)
'Hmm,' replied Hermione. 'So, do you think that we could perhaps find out, via. Nikolas, where You-Know-Who is?'
Malfoy sighed. 'I'm trying Granger. But it's not easy. Nikolas has his fathers brains, despite his inaptitude in making a decent potion (Hermione grinned). He only tells the people he absolutely trusts; and though he's friendly to me, he hasn't learned to trust me . . . yet.'
Hermione knitted her brow. 'And how are you going to get him to think you're trustworthy?'
Malfoy didn't seem to want to tell her that.
'I have my ways Granger,' he replied simply. 'Now, about these light things you talk about . . . '
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day Hermione had just returned to the Common Room from the (surprised?) library, to see Harry and Ron jumping up and coming towards her.
'Hermione' Harry began. 'You've got a letter.'
'Oh yes?' Hermione replied, setting down her book bag. 'From who?'
'The staff of St. Mungo's,' said Ron.
Hermione's eyes widened. That meant the letter involved her parents. No news is ultimately good news. . . so having news . . .
'Where is it?' she demanded hastily.
Ron picked up something off a nearby table and gave it to her. She tore it open and unfolded the parchment.
The message was short, but relieving.
Dear Miss Granger. Your parents are doing absolutely fine, and we believe they're making progress. Your mother has begun to sing, and says to us 'I sang this to my daughter when she was a child.' In a perfectly sane voice. Your father's begun to realise that you aren't around, and at one point has asked to see you.
This, we feel, is possible. Perhaps during the Hogwarts Christmas break, we could have you, and several other people closely related to your parents, come to the hospital and spend the afternoon with them.
We await your owl expressing your consent.
Happy Halloween Marissa Marchwood Head Of Insanity ward
Wow, thought Hermione, folding up the parchment. That was reassuring.
'Oh Hermione', said Harry, who was reading over her shoulder. 'That's great news!'
Hermione was so happy, she grabbed Harry and Ron and embraced them so hard they began to turn blue. 'Hermione,' said Ron weakly. 'Can't . . . breathe . . . '
'Oh, sorry,' replied Hermione, letting them go. 'Will you come with me though? To see my parents, I mean? I'd love for them to meet you, even if they might not be able to understand you're there. Would you come?'
'Hermione,' said Harry, bowing down at her. 'It would be my honour.'
Hermione grinned. That night, her dreams were Kedua free.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And today is the 23rd December. That took me a week. Not too bad, ay? Hehe. But, however, if you thought it was too long, and think I should be quicker with my chapters, then you have to review and tell me, or else I.just can't.