Chapter 9: Hogsmeade Visit the first, and news (again)
Hello my funny-feathered friends! Welcome to the next chapter of the most successful story I have ever written. 37 reviews! I'm over the moon! (or that missing satellite that was meant to be tracking Mars). And right, it's the 27th December . . .
Anyhow, reviews, reviews!
*~*paprika90 - I say, you're new to my story review boards! How are you enjoying it so far? Anyhow, Keduas syndrome is related to Hermione's feelings. The things Hermione feels, added to the strong amount of magic she has flowing in her veins, makes her harm herself unintentionally when she's suffering really badly from these things. The things she's suffering from are a combination of something that effects the world, and something that effects her personally. The personal thing is the stinger. The bloke that died from Keduas couldn't get his personal resolution. I made this disease up as a spoof of how, when no-one loves you in the world, you feel empty, like a shell. It's a spoof on that. I hope I've answered your question well enough, and that you're enjoying my story.
*~*Lisa - another new person! Glad to see you're enjoying it, and thank you for your advice and for you enjoyment of Keduas!
*~*electra*27: yes yes I've reviewed your fic, and added it to my author alerts list so that I may actually be a proper fan of yours now. Lol . . . did I mention I'm really jealous? Your fic gets all these reviews. Hmph.
*~*bombshell: ma'am, I apologise. And thank you for the compliment.
*~*ILUVRONWEASLEY: ahh, right, I see where your confusion is now. OK, I'll clarify: Will Young???? Well, each to his own. But you're British aren't you? I liked Heinz . . . pity he's South African though. Yeah, I'm sorry about the 16th Dec thing. That was a typo. It was the 26th. *blushes* Ahh and yeah, the candles thing. It was nine days until Christmas when I wrote that particular part of the chapter.
*~*Crippled Butterfly (x9): ta Bea for the reviews. You have made my load of reviews.number of reviews, whatever, more.hehe. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
*~*rupy: yay, Guy! And no I haven't finished yet there's heaps more to go so stay tuned!
OK everyone, there ya go. But I don't get it still. How come I'm not attracting many people to the reading of my story. Can anyone offer any hints??? Review me to tell me about them!
Disclaimer: OK, now I own a whole bunch of Christmas presents, including Innocent Eyes (Delta Goodrem) and Just As I Am (Guy Sebastian, our Australian Idol!) and the White album (the Beatles), and this great Harry Potter satchel, which is now officially my school bag. No-one will have any trouble knowing who's it is, because I'm just that mad harry potter/weird 60's music/drama freak.
And everyone, just as a warning, I may be changing my name from da-drama- queen to paulm-my-luv . . . just temporarily, mind, because I really am da- drama-queen. Lol.
All right, enough rambling, let's get ready to ruuuuummmmbbblllleeee!!! *ding!*
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It was two weeks after the successful Halloween carnival, and Hermione and Malfoy were still getting many pats on the back for their efforts. They both took this graciously, but they were beginning to get kind of sick of it. It was just a carnival, after all.
'It is pretty amazing Hermione,' Harry said one evening just after a Hufflepuff 5th year came to congratulate her on her efforts. 'I mean, you managed to put together this thing alongside Draco Malfoy, whom you really can't stand. It's admirable, and we salute you.'
'Yes Harry,' replied Hermione, slapping Ron's arm as he saluted mockingly stiffly. 'But Malfoy isn't really that bad, once you get to know him a bit better.'
Ron laughed. 'You've gotta be joking Hermione. I mean, you hate the guy! Didn't you remove all his hair last year during Ancient Runes? And he calls you 'Mudblood' all the time!'
Hermione chose not to respond from that, apart from saying 'People change, you know.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hogwarts seemed to have become a bit of a boring lull throughout the course of November. Teacher after teacher was laying down essay after essay for students to complete. All, apparently, great practise for their NEWT grade. Even if Hermione hadn't had a dream-related disease, she wouldn't have been getting enough sleep, as she was studying tirelessly, as well as being Head Girl. She barely allowed herself to rest.
'Hermione,' Harry asked her one night as she was writing a very complicated potion essay on rejuvination potions for Snape (who, if he was any sort of noticing teacher, would have noticed that the potion she and Malfoy concocted for the people who had had one too many rides of the Weasley dragon was working perfectly, hence stamping out any need for either of them to learn anything more about that particular potion). 'Ever heard of the muggle illness CFS?'
'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?' Hermione looked blearily at Harry with eyes that were deeply out of focus due to the paper she was reading being about an inch from her nose. 'Yes. What about it?'
'They say overworking causes it,' replied Harry. 'I'm concerned you might get it, and you don't need that, with Kedua Syndrome on top. How's that going, by the way?'
'I haven't gotten any dreams for over a month,' replied Hermione. 'I'm not sure why.'
'No-one would be, I'm sure,' said Harry darkly.
At that point Ron came bursting into the Gryffindor Common Room, looking slightly flushed. Harry and Hermione looked up, Harry saying 'Ron, what news of the outside world?'
'Hogsmeade!' exclaimed Ron brightly. 'Next weekend! It'll be December then. Gee the year's been flying by, hasn't it?' He took a seat next to Hermione.
'Certainly has,' replied Hermione, reading through her essay. She was yawning profusely. Both Harry and Ron noticed this.
'All right Hermione, bed time for you,' said Ron. Both he and Harry took hold of one of Hermione's arms, and sent her walking upstairs. Hermione had hardly enough energy to care. Her essay was done anyway. She hoped Professor Snape had said 4 rolls of parchment, not 2, because it would be a shame to have the second half of the essay unaccounted for.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next day during Defence Against the Dark Arts, while Harry and Ron were busy trying to Jinx each other, (Harry had already managed it about half an hour ago but Ron was having a lot of trouble with this particular Jinx (one that, if performed properly, will make your partner Stun himself. Good for when dealing with a lot of people, or for your amusement).) Malfoy approached Hermione cautiously.
'Hey, I got the word from Dumbledore. Apparantly we're meant to organise the Christmas event.'
'Why?' Hermione asked, puzzled. 'Neither of us are going to be here . . .'
'Actually, I am,' replied Malfoy. Hermione looked at him, and he sighed and said 'Alternative arrangements. Turns out my father doesn't really want me around. He of course, as usual, didn't listen to my mothers pleads. So I'm stuck here, along with quite a few other people. Ever since the Ministry acknowledged that the Dark Lord has returned, there's been a cue to have students in Hogwarts and staying there, because parents feel more guaranteed that the kids will be safe in Hogwarts.
'My proposition is that they have a little bit of Christmas cheer,' he concluded.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. 'Seems reasonable. I'll tell you what's happening with me. I'm going to be spending most of it at Ron's, because my parents don't have a home at the moment. But the week after Christmas, on the Wednesday, I'm going to visit them.'
Malfoy considered this, finally nodding in consent. 'Right . . . it's a pity you can't be around though. Your presence would have been good.'
'Yeah,' said Hermione. 'Pity . . . wait! Maybe I could be there!'
'What?' asked Malfoy, confused.
'Yeah. If I come back to Hogwarts for a day, like, the second half of Christmas day, and I stay for the ball, and go back the next morning. That'd work!'
Malfoy remained quite shocked, yet pleased, as well. 'That'll work well, I'm sure. That means then, you'll be able to help me plan?'
'Absolutely. We ought to get the Prefect's help on this one as well. The one's that didn't volunteer to help with the Halloween carnival were very disappointed they didn't get a chance to help.'
'They should have volunteered then.'
'Unlike you, Mr Malfoy, I'm not rude enough to tell them that.'
'Ow!' yelled out Harry then. Hermione and Malfoy turned to see that Ron had poked Harry in the arm with his wand, rather then performed the Jinx on him.
'Hermione!' Ron yelled. 'PLEASE help me here. I'm not getting it!!!'
Hermione sighed, and, abandoning Malfoy, went off to help her struggling comrade.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That weekend found the students in high spirits. This was their first Hogsmeade visit this year, and they were very excited about it. Harry, Ron and Hermione had various different objectives, they found. Hermione had made a promise to the Prefects that she would see them at around 11am to talk to them about the Christmas ball. Harry was hoping to walk around the place, and go to the spot where the three of them had had that meeting with Sirius in their 4th year. He'd been there a lot during 6th year (mostly when he wasn't really suppose to be there), and he felt now was the time to pay that place another visit. Ron mainly wanted to spend all his money at Honeydukes.
They spent the morning wandering around and having a butterbeer at the three broomsticks. Harry asked under plain curiosity how many would a human need to drink before they began to get tipsy. Madam Rosmerta said 'About 15. It's not strong stuff. We limit Hogwarts students to about 5, because that's around the same as a standard drink in the Muggle world.' Harry nodded at this, still deep in thought as the three of them headed out an hour or so later.
'Right,' she replied. She checked her watch. 'Ahh, 10:30. I'm suppose to be meeting the head's in half an hour. Any special place you want to go in that time?'
Harry thought about it for a minute. He was about to answer to the nagative when Ron suddenly said 'Yes! I have a place. Come on, I'll take you there.'
With that, Ron dragged Harry and Hermione out behind the Shreiking Shack, and up a huge hill. When they reached the top Ron gestured at the view below.
And what a view it was. Harry and Hermione could see heaps of wizarding homes scattered around the place, could see many little witches and wizards going about their daily business, and also the sun up ahead. Hermione could tell that this would display a magnificent sunset. She grinned at the thought.
'Wow,' said Harry, who was also looking. 'That's great. How'd you know about this place Ron?'
'Fred and George use to create magical fireworks displays atop this hill. They probably still do actually. I'll have to ask them. They took me up here one time and asked for my opinion on some new thing they'd created. The place always stuck to my mind. Nice, huh?'
'Certainly is,'
They spent the next half hour ogling the view.
Then suddenly Hermione snapped back to reality and realised she was needed back at the Three Broomsticks. She turned and rushed down the hill very quickly, darted past passers-by, and flung herself into the Three Broomsticks, finding the Prefects seated at a table near the back. Malfoy was telling them something, until he turned and noticed Hermione there.
'So pleased that you could finally manage to join us Granger,' he said mockingly.
'Oh shut up,' she replied, grinning and taking a seat on the other side of the table. 'I'm sorry I'm late everyone minus Malfoy. What have you all managed to figure out then?'
'Well, Granger,' retorted Malfoy, 'We've decided that it would be a good idea to have gigantic ice sculptures around the school, similar to the ones Beauxbatons apparently has. Add a lovely sense of occasion.'
'Yeah,' replied Hermione. 'Sounds good. Remember the 12 trees will be in the Entrance Hall, as always.'
'Of course. And also, we were thinking of a miniature fireworks display inside the great hall at around 8:00 in the evening, while everyone's having dinner. Add a lovely sense of occasion, we think.'
'Yeah, that sounds good too. Where would we get these sorts of things though. Those ice sculptures can cost a lot of money if you want them done professionally.'
'Yeah,' said Susie, who butted in at this point, noticing that the two Heads were ignoring the Prefects with gusto. 'But Professor Flitwick, I'm sure, could whip up something spectacular. And let's not forget you Hermione. Cleverest witch in the school, you're bound to be able to do something.'
'Err,' replied Hermione, as everyone else at the table smiled at her warmly, and she felt her face beginning to flush. 'All right. I'll try and think of something.'
'Great,' replied Malfoy. 'As for the fireworks. . . perhaps, Granger, you could try and get in contact with Weasley's two brothers that run that place in Diagon Alley. Maybe see if they'd be willing to give us a hand.'
'I'm sure they would, but they'd charge,' said Hermione thoughtfully. 'Maybe if we said we were going to shove them in the teachers pumpkin juice flask. . .'
'Hmm . . . well I wouldn't say the cost would be too much of a problem. Dumbledore gets his funds somehow.'
A brief silence followed. Hermione began toying with a necklace she had on. It was given to her by her mother. A chain with a pendant on it. The pendant was a gold heart, and on the back, engraved on it, was 'to Hermione, luv Mum'. Hermione hardly ever took it off. It was her treasure.
Malfoy was about to say something about the music, when she saw what Hermione was fiddling with. He looked at her sceptically. Hermione saw him looking at her, blushed, and mouthed 'I'll tell you later'. He nodded and continued on with the proceedings.
'So, music. What do you all think?'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione was a little late getting back. She knew the teachers wouldn't mind, because they were organising a school event. After the meeting was over, she and Malfoy walked off, and headed towards the school together.
'So Granger. What's with the necklace?' he asked.
'It was a gift from my mother a year or so ago. About two months before she went insane, she gave me it.'
'Ahh right,' he replied. 'I've got something from my mother too.' He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a little statue of a dragon. A black one, with silver lining along it.
'"Draco" is Latin for Dragon. Either that or snake. I'm sure you knew that, didn't you Granger?'
'Yes I knew that Malfoy. I wanted to find out what the school motto meant, so I had to look up the individual words.'
'Uh-huh. Anyhow, the dragon's always been a special animal to me. My mother got me this a few years ago, as a good luck charm.'
'You believe in luck?'
'No. I just have it as a nice little thing. Having it with me makes me feel more confident . . . and helps me to remember that at least one of my parents loves me.' He said the last part kind of sadly, and took to staring at the ground afterwards.
'Hmm. Well, I suppose my one is the same kind of thing,' she said.
The two of them turned and looked at each other. It was a mutual understanding they were developing towards each other, as they began to learn more and more about each other. The more they learnt, the more they felt that they could relate to each other, Despite the obvious differences in culture. They both liked that.
They grinned at each other, and entered the school grounds. As they were walking to the entrance hall, in order to split up and go their own dormitories, they were stopped by Professor McGonagall.
'Where have you two been?'
'Err. . .' said Malfoy.
'We were preparing for Christmas,' said Hermione. 'The other prefects went a little earlier, so they could get back on time, but Mal-Draco, and I, we had to talk about a few last minute things. We swear we weren't committing any crimes, or anything.'
'That's reasonable Miss Granger,' replied the Professor. 'But you both need to come to the Great Hall quick, there's some very interesting news the school needs to know.'
Hermione and Malfoy looked each other in the eye in shock, then raced up towards the Great Hall. They entered through the main doors and walked calmly to each of their tables. Hermione sat down next to Harry and attempted to catch her breath.
'Hi,' she said breathlessly. 'What's this news?'
Harry, who had a cold cloth pressed to his scar, removed it and said 'Well, I had some sort of vision, as you can see, similar to the ones I kept getting in sixth year, remember?'
'How could I forget?' There was a memorable time during a Transfiguration lesson that Ron and Hermione were waiting for Harry to turn them into pigs when suddenly he fell onto the floor, clutching his scar in agony, and accidently Transfiguring Ron into a Walrus. Hermione had hurriedly turned Ron back into a human, and they'd both called the Professor over. This time was particularly memorable to Hermione, because after Harry and recovered enough to talk, he'd looked at them both and said 'He's ready to attack Muggle London.' The vision had led to Hermione's eventual finding out about her parents.
' Yes, and anyway, this one was pretty minor in comparison to some others I'd had. The funny thing about it though, was half an hour after I'd reported it to Dumbledore, he came to me and said 'We've just gotten an Owl from the Order. Turns out Voldemort's on the move.'
'On the move is he?' said Hermione. 'You mean from wherever Dumbledore sent him . . . where was it he sent him?'
'Timbuktu,' said Harry. 'But he's managed to come free from those African guards, and he's on the move.'
'Attention!' said Dumbledore. 'This is some interesting news indeed. We have the Order Of The Phoenix tracking his every move, but I strongly recommend caution to everyone here. Remember where all teachers offices are, and that we're all here for all of you. Thank you.
He sat down again, and dinner appeared in front of them. Hermione frowned at her plate. This was news indeed. She knew that harm was pretty much unavoidable. However she couldn't find herself worrying too much, Voldemort had already hurt her in the worst possible way. . . they would just have to take it as it came.
Hermione was halfway through dinner when a memo came flying her way. She opened it up and found the following message.
Interesting news huh? Everyone at my table is partying down. *rolls eyes*. I mean, I know my house is cool and all, but honestly.
Anyway, if you could come to the Quiet Room after we've been adjourned, I need to discuss some Christmas-related things with you that I just remembered I need to talk to you about. This thing is a month away, when are we going to announce it?
See you there.
Hermione sighed. She hoped Malfoy wouldn't keep her for too long. She was anxious to add another few paragraphs to an assignment Professor Flitwick had given them on the self-stunning Jinx they'd been working on. However she had to comply. For the good of the school, or whatever.
Sure, just don't keep me too long. -H
She sent it flying back over, and turned to finish her dinner.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hurrah for me! I have finished this chapter. Hurrah hurrah hurrah. Please review, even just to wish my a happy new year.
Or to discuss with me how much Love Actually rocks as a movie. Either way.
Hello my funny-feathered friends! Welcome to the next chapter of the most successful story I have ever written. 37 reviews! I'm over the moon! (or that missing satellite that was meant to be tracking Mars). And right, it's the 27th December . . .
Anyhow, reviews, reviews!
*~*paprika90 - I say, you're new to my story review boards! How are you enjoying it so far? Anyhow, Keduas syndrome is related to Hermione's feelings. The things Hermione feels, added to the strong amount of magic she has flowing in her veins, makes her harm herself unintentionally when she's suffering really badly from these things. The things she's suffering from are a combination of something that effects the world, and something that effects her personally. The personal thing is the stinger. The bloke that died from Keduas couldn't get his personal resolution. I made this disease up as a spoof of how, when no-one loves you in the world, you feel empty, like a shell. It's a spoof on that. I hope I've answered your question well enough, and that you're enjoying my story.
*~*Lisa - another new person! Glad to see you're enjoying it, and thank you for your advice and for you enjoyment of Keduas!
*~*electra*27: yes yes I've reviewed your fic, and added it to my author alerts list so that I may actually be a proper fan of yours now. Lol . . . did I mention I'm really jealous? Your fic gets all these reviews. Hmph.
*~*bombshell: ma'am, I apologise. And thank you for the compliment.
*~*ILUVRONWEASLEY: ahh, right, I see where your confusion is now. OK, I'll clarify: Will Young???? Well, each to his own. But you're British aren't you? I liked Heinz . . . pity he's South African though. Yeah, I'm sorry about the 16th Dec thing. That was a typo. It was the 26th. *blushes* Ahh and yeah, the candles thing. It was nine days until Christmas when I wrote that particular part of the chapter.
*~*Crippled Butterfly (x9): ta Bea for the reviews. You have made my load of reviews.number of reviews, whatever, more.hehe. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
*~*rupy: yay, Guy! And no I haven't finished yet there's heaps more to go so stay tuned!
OK everyone, there ya go. But I don't get it still. How come I'm not attracting many people to the reading of my story. Can anyone offer any hints??? Review me to tell me about them!
Disclaimer: OK, now I own a whole bunch of Christmas presents, including Innocent Eyes (Delta Goodrem) and Just As I Am (Guy Sebastian, our Australian Idol!) and the White album (the Beatles), and this great Harry Potter satchel, which is now officially my school bag. No-one will have any trouble knowing who's it is, because I'm just that mad harry potter/weird 60's music/drama freak.
And everyone, just as a warning, I may be changing my name from da-drama- queen to paulm-my-luv . . . just temporarily, mind, because I really am da- drama-queen. Lol.
All right, enough rambling, let's get ready to ruuuuummmmbbblllleeee!!! *ding!*
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It was two weeks after the successful Halloween carnival, and Hermione and Malfoy were still getting many pats on the back for their efforts. They both took this graciously, but they were beginning to get kind of sick of it. It was just a carnival, after all.
'It is pretty amazing Hermione,' Harry said one evening just after a Hufflepuff 5th year came to congratulate her on her efforts. 'I mean, you managed to put together this thing alongside Draco Malfoy, whom you really can't stand. It's admirable, and we salute you.'
'Yes Harry,' replied Hermione, slapping Ron's arm as he saluted mockingly stiffly. 'But Malfoy isn't really that bad, once you get to know him a bit better.'
Ron laughed. 'You've gotta be joking Hermione. I mean, you hate the guy! Didn't you remove all his hair last year during Ancient Runes? And he calls you 'Mudblood' all the time!'
Hermione chose not to respond from that, apart from saying 'People change, you know.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hogwarts seemed to have become a bit of a boring lull throughout the course of November. Teacher after teacher was laying down essay after essay for students to complete. All, apparently, great practise for their NEWT grade. Even if Hermione hadn't had a dream-related disease, she wouldn't have been getting enough sleep, as she was studying tirelessly, as well as being Head Girl. She barely allowed herself to rest.
'Hermione,' Harry asked her one night as she was writing a very complicated potion essay on rejuvination potions for Snape (who, if he was any sort of noticing teacher, would have noticed that the potion she and Malfoy concocted for the people who had had one too many rides of the Weasley dragon was working perfectly, hence stamping out any need for either of them to learn anything more about that particular potion). 'Ever heard of the muggle illness CFS?'
'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?' Hermione looked blearily at Harry with eyes that were deeply out of focus due to the paper she was reading being about an inch from her nose. 'Yes. What about it?'
'They say overworking causes it,' replied Harry. 'I'm concerned you might get it, and you don't need that, with Kedua Syndrome on top. How's that going, by the way?'
'I haven't gotten any dreams for over a month,' replied Hermione. 'I'm not sure why.'
'No-one would be, I'm sure,' said Harry darkly.
At that point Ron came bursting into the Gryffindor Common Room, looking slightly flushed. Harry and Hermione looked up, Harry saying 'Ron, what news of the outside world?'
'Hogsmeade!' exclaimed Ron brightly. 'Next weekend! It'll be December then. Gee the year's been flying by, hasn't it?' He took a seat next to Hermione.
'Certainly has,' replied Hermione, reading through her essay. She was yawning profusely. Both Harry and Ron noticed this.
'All right Hermione, bed time for you,' said Ron. Both he and Harry took hold of one of Hermione's arms, and sent her walking upstairs. Hermione had hardly enough energy to care. Her essay was done anyway. She hoped Professor Snape had said 4 rolls of parchment, not 2, because it would be a shame to have the second half of the essay unaccounted for.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next day during Defence Against the Dark Arts, while Harry and Ron were busy trying to Jinx each other, (Harry had already managed it about half an hour ago but Ron was having a lot of trouble with this particular Jinx (one that, if performed properly, will make your partner Stun himself. Good for when dealing with a lot of people, or for your amusement).) Malfoy approached Hermione cautiously.
'Hey, I got the word from Dumbledore. Apparantly we're meant to organise the Christmas event.'
'Why?' Hermione asked, puzzled. 'Neither of us are going to be here . . .'
'Actually, I am,' replied Malfoy. Hermione looked at him, and he sighed and said 'Alternative arrangements. Turns out my father doesn't really want me around. He of course, as usual, didn't listen to my mothers pleads. So I'm stuck here, along with quite a few other people. Ever since the Ministry acknowledged that the Dark Lord has returned, there's been a cue to have students in Hogwarts and staying there, because parents feel more guaranteed that the kids will be safe in Hogwarts.
'My proposition is that they have a little bit of Christmas cheer,' he concluded.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. 'Seems reasonable. I'll tell you what's happening with me. I'm going to be spending most of it at Ron's, because my parents don't have a home at the moment. But the week after Christmas, on the Wednesday, I'm going to visit them.'
Malfoy considered this, finally nodding in consent. 'Right . . . it's a pity you can't be around though. Your presence would have been good.'
'Yeah,' said Hermione. 'Pity . . . wait! Maybe I could be there!'
'What?' asked Malfoy, confused.
'Yeah. If I come back to Hogwarts for a day, like, the second half of Christmas day, and I stay for the ball, and go back the next morning. That'd work!'
Malfoy remained quite shocked, yet pleased, as well. 'That'll work well, I'm sure. That means then, you'll be able to help me plan?'
'Absolutely. We ought to get the Prefect's help on this one as well. The one's that didn't volunteer to help with the Halloween carnival were very disappointed they didn't get a chance to help.'
'They should have volunteered then.'
'Unlike you, Mr Malfoy, I'm not rude enough to tell them that.'
'Ow!' yelled out Harry then. Hermione and Malfoy turned to see that Ron had poked Harry in the arm with his wand, rather then performed the Jinx on him.
'Hermione!' Ron yelled. 'PLEASE help me here. I'm not getting it!!!'
Hermione sighed, and, abandoning Malfoy, went off to help her struggling comrade.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That weekend found the students in high spirits. This was their first Hogsmeade visit this year, and they were very excited about it. Harry, Ron and Hermione had various different objectives, they found. Hermione had made a promise to the Prefects that she would see them at around 11am to talk to them about the Christmas ball. Harry was hoping to walk around the place, and go to the spot where the three of them had had that meeting with Sirius in their 4th year. He'd been there a lot during 6th year (mostly when he wasn't really suppose to be there), and he felt now was the time to pay that place another visit. Ron mainly wanted to spend all his money at Honeydukes.
They spent the morning wandering around and having a butterbeer at the three broomsticks. Harry asked under plain curiosity how many would a human need to drink before they began to get tipsy. Madam Rosmerta said 'About 15. It's not strong stuff. We limit Hogwarts students to about 5, because that's around the same as a standard drink in the Muggle world.' Harry nodded at this, still deep in thought as the three of them headed out an hour or so later.
'Right,' she replied. She checked her watch. 'Ahh, 10:30. I'm suppose to be meeting the head's in half an hour. Any special place you want to go in that time?'
Harry thought about it for a minute. He was about to answer to the nagative when Ron suddenly said 'Yes! I have a place. Come on, I'll take you there.'
With that, Ron dragged Harry and Hermione out behind the Shreiking Shack, and up a huge hill. When they reached the top Ron gestured at the view below.
And what a view it was. Harry and Hermione could see heaps of wizarding homes scattered around the place, could see many little witches and wizards going about their daily business, and also the sun up ahead. Hermione could tell that this would display a magnificent sunset. She grinned at the thought.
'Wow,' said Harry, who was also looking. 'That's great. How'd you know about this place Ron?'
'Fred and George use to create magical fireworks displays atop this hill. They probably still do actually. I'll have to ask them. They took me up here one time and asked for my opinion on some new thing they'd created. The place always stuck to my mind. Nice, huh?'
'Certainly is,'
They spent the next half hour ogling the view.
Then suddenly Hermione snapped back to reality and realised she was needed back at the Three Broomsticks. She turned and rushed down the hill very quickly, darted past passers-by, and flung herself into the Three Broomsticks, finding the Prefects seated at a table near the back. Malfoy was telling them something, until he turned and noticed Hermione there.
'So pleased that you could finally manage to join us Granger,' he said mockingly.
'Oh shut up,' she replied, grinning and taking a seat on the other side of the table. 'I'm sorry I'm late everyone minus Malfoy. What have you all managed to figure out then?'
'Well, Granger,' retorted Malfoy, 'We've decided that it would be a good idea to have gigantic ice sculptures around the school, similar to the ones Beauxbatons apparently has. Add a lovely sense of occasion.'
'Yeah,' replied Hermione. 'Sounds good. Remember the 12 trees will be in the Entrance Hall, as always.'
'Of course. And also, we were thinking of a miniature fireworks display inside the great hall at around 8:00 in the evening, while everyone's having dinner. Add a lovely sense of occasion, we think.'
'Yeah, that sounds good too. Where would we get these sorts of things though. Those ice sculptures can cost a lot of money if you want them done professionally.'
'Yeah,' said Susie, who butted in at this point, noticing that the two Heads were ignoring the Prefects with gusto. 'But Professor Flitwick, I'm sure, could whip up something spectacular. And let's not forget you Hermione. Cleverest witch in the school, you're bound to be able to do something.'
'Err,' replied Hermione, as everyone else at the table smiled at her warmly, and she felt her face beginning to flush. 'All right. I'll try and think of something.'
'Great,' replied Malfoy. 'As for the fireworks. . . perhaps, Granger, you could try and get in contact with Weasley's two brothers that run that place in Diagon Alley. Maybe see if they'd be willing to give us a hand.'
'I'm sure they would, but they'd charge,' said Hermione thoughtfully. 'Maybe if we said we were going to shove them in the teachers pumpkin juice flask. . .'
'Hmm . . . well I wouldn't say the cost would be too much of a problem. Dumbledore gets his funds somehow.'
A brief silence followed. Hermione began toying with a necklace she had on. It was given to her by her mother. A chain with a pendant on it. The pendant was a gold heart, and on the back, engraved on it, was 'to Hermione, luv Mum'. Hermione hardly ever took it off. It was her treasure.
Malfoy was about to say something about the music, when she saw what Hermione was fiddling with. He looked at her sceptically. Hermione saw him looking at her, blushed, and mouthed 'I'll tell you later'. He nodded and continued on with the proceedings.
'So, music. What do you all think?'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione was a little late getting back. She knew the teachers wouldn't mind, because they were organising a school event. After the meeting was over, she and Malfoy walked off, and headed towards the school together.
'So Granger. What's with the necklace?' he asked.
'It was a gift from my mother a year or so ago. About two months before she went insane, she gave me it.'
'Ahh right,' he replied. 'I've got something from my mother too.' He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a little statue of a dragon. A black one, with silver lining along it.
'"Draco" is Latin for Dragon. Either that or snake. I'm sure you knew that, didn't you Granger?'
'Yes I knew that Malfoy. I wanted to find out what the school motto meant, so I had to look up the individual words.'
'Uh-huh. Anyhow, the dragon's always been a special animal to me. My mother got me this a few years ago, as a good luck charm.'
'You believe in luck?'
'No. I just have it as a nice little thing. Having it with me makes me feel more confident . . . and helps me to remember that at least one of my parents loves me.' He said the last part kind of sadly, and took to staring at the ground afterwards.
'Hmm. Well, I suppose my one is the same kind of thing,' she said.
The two of them turned and looked at each other. It was a mutual understanding they were developing towards each other, as they began to learn more and more about each other. The more they learnt, the more they felt that they could relate to each other, Despite the obvious differences in culture. They both liked that.
They grinned at each other, and entered the school grounds. As they were walking to the entrance hall, in order to split up and go their own dormitories, they were stopped by Professor McGonagall.
'Where have you two been?'
'Err. . .' said Malfoy.
'We were preparing for Christmas,' said Hermione. 'The other prefects went a little earlier, so they could get back on time, but Mal-Draco, and I, we had to talk about a few last minute things. We swear we weren't committing any crimes, or anything.'
'That's reasonable Miss Granger,' replied the Professor. 'But you both need to come to the Great Hall quick, there's some very interesting news the school needs to know.'
Hermione and Malfoy looked each other in the eye in shock, then raced up towards the Great Hall. They entered through the main doors and walked calmly to each of their tables. Hermione sat down next to Harry and attempted to catch her breath.
'Hi,' she said breathlessly. 'What's this news?'
Harry, who had a cold cloth pressed to his scar, removed it and said 'Well, I had some sort of vision, as you can see, similar to the ones I kept getting in sixth year, remember?'
'How could I forget?' There was a memorable time during a Transfiguration lesson that Ron and Hermione were waiting for Harry to turn them into pigs when suddenly he fell onto the floor, clutching his scar in agony, and accidently Transfiguring Ron into a Walrus. Hermione had hurriedly turned Ron back into a human, and they'd both called the Professor over. This time was particularly memorable to Hermione, because after Harry and recovered enough to talk, he'd looked at them both and said 'He's ready to attack Muggle London.' The vision had led to Hermione's eventual finding out about her parents.
' Yes, and anyway, this one was pretty minor in comparison to some others I'd had. The funny thing about it though, was half an hour after I'd reported it to Dumbledore, he came to me and said 'We've just gotten an Owl from the Order. Turns out Voldemort's on the move.'
'On the move is he?' said Hermione. 'You mean from wherever Dumbledore sent him . . . where was it he sent him?'
'Timbuktu,' said Harry. 'But he's managed to come free from those African guards, and he's on the move.'
'Attention!' said Dumbledore. 'This is some interesting news indeed. We have the Order Of The Phoenix tracking his every move, but I strongly recommend caution to everyone here. Remember where all teachers offices are, and that we're all here for all of you. Thank you.
He sat down again, and dinner appeared in front of them. Hermione frowned at her plate. This was news indeed. She knew that harm was pretty much unavoidable. However she couldn't find herself worrying too much, Voldemort had already hurt her in the worst possible way. . . they would just have to take it as it came.
Hermione was halfway through dinner when a memo came flying her way. She opened it up and found the following message.
Interesting news huh? Everyone at my table is partying down. *rolls eyes*. I mean, I know my house is cool and all, but honestly.
Anyway, if you could come to the Quiet Room after we've been adjourned, I need to discuss some Christmas-related things with you that I just remembered I need to talk to you about. This thing is a month away, when are we going to announce it?
See you there.
Hermione sighed. She hoped Malfoy wouldn't keep her for too long. She was anxious to add another few paragraphs to an assignment Professor Flitwick had given them on the self-stunning Jinx they'd been working on. However she had to comply. For the good of the school, or whatever.
Sure, just don't keep me too long. -H
She sent it flying back over, and turned to finish her dinner.
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Hurrah for me! I have finished this chapter. Hurrah hurrah hurrah. Please review, even just to wish my a happy new year.
Or to discuss with me how much Love Actually rocks as a movie. Either way.