As Hermione made her way past the Fat Lady and into the Gryffindor common room she was startled to see Harry, awake and apparently waiting for her. She quickly smiled at him as he stood up upon seeing her. He smiled and waved, putting down the Divination text he held in his hands onto his lap as he sat back down. She crossed the room and sat by him.
"Harry? What are you doing awake?"
"I could ask the same of you, Hermione. I was coming down here to get some extra studying in and I caught you sneaking out. So I decided to wait for you."
"Oh."
Harry studied her features as she struggled with her words, something she never did. He could tell she was in serious thinking mode from the way her forehead was all scrunched up. He decided to prod a little.
"So... do you want to tell me about where you were?"
Hermione looked up when Harry's voice reached her ears.
"What?" She waited a second until her brain processed what he had said and continued speaking just as Harry opened his mouth to repeat himself. "Well, yes, Harry. Yes, I do. It's just that, well, I can hardly believe what just happened."
"Are you alright?" he questioned, laying his hand on her arm. He then realized how foolish that must have sounded, not to mention it was a bit late to ask.
Hermione's smile told him she knew what he was thinking but being the type of friend she was she didn't comment on his slip.
"Yes, I'm fine, Harry. It's just that, well, I was in the kitchens with Malfoy." She breathed the sentence out in a rush. Harry was on his feet in a flash, wand at the ready.
"What? Did he threaten you? I'll kill him!" His voice had risen dangerously and Hermione quickly shushed him, appalled at the thought that her housemates would wake up and stumble in on their discussion. She grabbed his sleeve and tugged until he reluctantly sat down beside her again.
"This is clearly never going to work; I don't know why I bothered suggesting a trial run," she muttered as she dropped her head into her hands, a pose Harry recognized as one she adopted only when genuinely distressed about something. That fact alone made him soften his tone.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I just reacted to the sound of his name without hearing the rest of the story. I'm a stupid boy, please tell me the rest?"
If there was one thing that Hermione loved about Harry, it was his ability to apologize. He did it so freely and openly, without feeling ashamed of the quickness with which he usually delivered the words. She smiled and raised her head to face him.
"It's alright, Harry. I don't blame you; I've reacted like that and worse over the years."
He returned her smile and placed his book on the floor next to him and turned to face her fully, intent on giving her his undivided attention.
"So, start from the beginning. How did you come to be in the kitchen with the git?"
She smiled at him, knowing he was teasing her a little since "git" was usually the nicest way she referred to Malfoy…Draco, her mind corrected. Remember?
"Well I was reading in bed when I heard a tapping on my window. And it was Malfoy. He told me to meet him in the kitchens; he had to talk to me about the unity project."
"What did he want to say?"
"At first I thought he was teasing me about not having a partner," she put a hand on his arm when Harry went to draw his wand again, "but then I realized that he wanted us to work together on it."
"What?! You can't be serious!" This time Hermione's hand couldn't stay Harry and he jumped up and stared down at her, incredulous. Hermione just pleaded with him using her eyes alone and he finally relented, sitting back down and putting his head between his knees for a moment. Hermione simply waited for him to get back to the place where he could listen to her. When he raised his head and looked at her again she continued speaking.
"Believe me, Harry, it was not something I expected either. So we talked about it and decided that our project could be him and I spending time together like friends would, simple as that."
"What do you mean, spending time together?"
"Well, think about it. Who is less likely to pair up together than me and Draco? Besides him with either you or Ron, that is."
He made a non-committal sound and shrugged, knowing that any verbal response was likely to get Hermione upset with him.
"So we agreed to study together, sit by each other in our classes, eat dinner together, go to the Unity Ball with each other…" she trailed off, the full impact of the amount of time she and Malfoy (Draco, her inner voice piped up, annoyed at the prospect of continually needing to remind Hermione of this fact for weeks to come) had agreed to spend together hitting her with a force that rendered her speechless. Just as Harry was about to make a sarcastic remark about the improbability of either Malfoy or Hermione surviving that much contact together Hermione continued speaking in a near whisper.
"Oh god, we can't do this. We can't be around each other that much!" Her voice started to rise. "What was I thinking, even agreeing to a trial run? This is absurd! This whole idea is nonsense! Clearly I have gone mad!"
She whirled on Harry, who hushed her before she could continue on her tirade.
"You're going to wake the others. What do you mean by trial run?"
She shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Somehow it seemed to make more sense when cookies and hot cocoa were involved," Upon seeing Harry's confused look she gave a small smile, "Never mind that. Anyway, I said that we had to tell our friends about the plan and then have a trial run, starting first thing in the morning and lasting until an hour before we had to give our report. That way, we'll know if there's any point in going ahead with it."
"While I'm glad you wanted to share this with me why did you tell Malfoy you had to?"
She shrugged.
"You and Ron have to support this or else I won't do it."
"What?" Harry was clearly aghast at the thought of being held responsible for Hermione implementing this idea.
"It's true, Harry. I would obviously choose you and Ron over Malfoy, I mean Draco, any day of the week. So if you guys aren't with me on this then there's no reason to put us all into such close contact for any period of time."
At any other time Hermione would have been amused by the look that crossed Harry's features. Now, she just waited for the outburst.
"First of all why are you calling him by his first name and secondly, why do we have to be involved at all? It's your project."
"Because I'm not likely to convince the committee that we have a real shot at pulling this off if I only refer to him by his last name. And of course you and Ron are going to be involved, just as Crabbe and Goyle, and maybe Pansy, or whoever else he counts among his minions, will be expected to."
"But why?" Harry nearly whined in his frustration at the prospect of spending any time at all with the members of the Slytherin house.
"Harry, do you honestly think that we will have any chance at all of receiving the points if just Mal-Draco and I are civil to each other? This project is supposed to be about affecting change, about strengthening the relationships between people from every house. So how will it look if Draco and I can't even get our friends to hang out with us when we're together?"
Now it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes.
"Harry, I'm serious!" She took in his stance and sighed. "But I'm also your friend. And if even considering this is going to change that then tell me now and I'll drop it immediately. It's not worth considering if it's going to upset you."
Harry's expression changed instantly.
"Of course it wouldn't change that, Hermione. Don't even think that way. It'd take a lot more than Malfoy to change our friendship. I know you, Hermione. I know that these House Points mean a lot to you, and the extra credit points mean more. I just don't like the thought that you're going to be subjecting yourself to Malfoy's torture. I know that he gets to you, and I hate to think of you being hurt."
Hermione's features softened. Harry really was the sweetest, dearest friend she could ask for. And he played the role of white knight with an unconscious ease she found to be annoying at times, yes, but not at times like these. At a time like this Hermione just wanted to hug him close to her forever, knowing that her happiness meant so much to him.
"Well to tell you the truth I have my doubts, Harry," she laughed at his dubious expression, "of course I do. I'd be silly not to question this whole thing. But to tell you the truth I couldn't come up with a unity project, and I don't have a plan B right now."
Her expression became quizzical and then joyful, all in the space of a moment.
"But now I've got you to help me, Harry. So maybe between the two of us we can come up with another choice, and then I won't have to worry about telling Ron anything about this and I can…"
"Tell me anything about what?" Ron interrupted from the top of the stairway that led to the boys' dormitory, yawning as he did so. Hermione and Harry whirled around; Hermione's hands going to her mouth to cover the shriek that had threatened to emerge.
"Ron! What do you think you're doing, sneaking up on us like that? You scared us to death!" Hermione scolded in a loud whisper.
"I didn't mean to, honestly," Ron whispered back as he finished descending the stairs. He made his way to a nearby couch and plopped himself onto it, reaching back with one hand to cover himself with the blanket on the couch's back.
"So what won't you have to worry about telling me?" he questioned, yawning and shutting his eyes as he waited for Hermione's answer.
Hermione and Harry shared a look, with Harry shrugging his shoulders and gesturing to Ron. Hermione finally sighed and relented, knowing that the sooner she said something the sooner they could start thinking of a way out of this.
"I won't have to worry about your reaction when I tell you that I just spent the better part of an hour with Draco Malfoy in the kitchens discussing the possibility of our pairing together for the unity project."
Hermione stopped talking and looked at Ron, and then Harry. At first Ron just nodded, indicating that he'd heard what Hermione had said. Hermione was about to whisper something to Harry when Ron's eyes flew open, all traces of sleep having disappeared.
"What did you just say?"
"I said that I was talking to Draco Malfoy about being partners for the unity project."
Ron was on his feet faster than Hermione could recall seeing him move before, the blanket tossed aside carelessly.
"I thought I was dreaming, hearing things." Harry took a step towards Ron, who held out a hand to stop him. "Wait! Maybe I am! Maybe I'm sleep walking and having a really horrible dream!"
After this declaration he ran to Hermione and grasped her shoulders.
"Hermione, is it really you? Am I dreaming?"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Get off me, Ron. Now go sit down, we need to talk."
"Oh it's worse than I thought, it's a nightmare!"
Harry looked at Hermione and then went to sit by Ron, who had flopped back onto the couch and flung his arm over his eyes in despair. She sighed before going over to join the boys.
It was going to be a long night.
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Disclaimer: I own nothing, apparently not even a sense of time passing.
Author's note: So Book Five threw me for a loop with this story and now I have just seen PoA and decided that my story is already so AU that I can just feel good about it and get back to writing. Could my update be any slower? Nope, sure couldn't. At least it was less than two years. I'm trying to see the silver lining.
Reviewer thanks:
Hustler—Thank you very much! I appreciated your kind words and am glad that you do not find this plot overused.
Ocianne—I really, really enjoyed your review. Many people (myself admittedly one of them) cannot find the words to be constructive and I envy that talent in you. Yes, an IC Herm and Draco may never be this way, I readily admit that. Especially seeing where the books have gone I am really AU here. But your praise made my day and helped encourage me to go back to this, after I thought maybe there was no point. I'm curious who we both read, and shall have to look into it. So thank you for reviewing, I appreciate your comments. And yes, I shall repost the chapter with the missing dialogue as soon as I can, and review your stories as well!
RazbryButterfly—Hello! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my setup, back over a year ago when you were thoughtful enough to review. I apologize that I didn't get more chapters of this or more than one of my FG posted. I am grateful to you for saying you understand the whole school first thing, it eased the guilt. And yes, I too am drawn to those who sport hair like Julian's (hello, Legolas!)
Lady Shadowlight—We shall soon see if they can not erupt into chaos and violence in public. I hope you'll be along for the ride, thanks for reviewing. 1-7.
rebecca89—If I have not already, I will read and review your fic as well. I am always happy to return the favor when asked so nicely.
RazbryButterfly—btw, does the edible insect happy dance, CRACKED ME UP!
Venus Smurf—Ah, my dearest reviewer! I am so pleased that I get to address you again. Yes, the thought of Draco smiling is creepy to the extreme. I admit to shivering when I imagined it. And you tickle me, you know that? I appreciate the offer of Skittles by the truckload, by the way. My sister and I became roommates this past summer and she is always on some diet or another so junk food is a highly desired commodity, as far as I am concerned at least. Thank you for once again providing the fuel I need to keep going in the form of your reviews.
Venus Smurf--Starts to do corny victory dance because highly admired author has finally updated and Venus Smurf is ecstaticRealizes that imaginary people are starting to give funny looks as corny victory dance continuesMore victory dance --I personally cannot get enough of your dances, and am humbled that I would cause them for you, so thanks for that. I'm glad you like the plot. I was worried that it wasn't being accepted and then I read a review such as yours and I am in the clouds, delirious that you enjoy it.
Chiquita—I am so sorry that you had to wait this long. Come back, if you can!
Madame Plot Bunnie—Yes, fluff in a D/H is pretty unavoidable. Still, I want to try and keep it to a minimum, and avoid as many clichés as I can.Thanks for checking in!
Dreamer—Well, we've started to see what Ron and Harry think, now what do you think?
Girl-Named-Belle—Thank you! Sorry it was so long in coming!
KEL-71E—Fantabulous? I like that word! Thank you for reviewing! Btw, I liked your quote about knowledge.
tainted black—Ah yes, the trial run. It should be a hoot! Thanks for your encouragement, and for checking back in more than once. I always like to see that!
Rage42—I am sorry that my update was nowhere near the near future, or soon, or any other word that implies speed.
Fire'N'Ice—I am so glad that you do not find yourself bothered by the fluff. I was worried and your review helped reassure me, so thank you for that! And reading all seven chappies in one fell swoop? Color me impressed.
Chiquita—I hope the chapters to come will rock your socks as well!
Zyzychyn—Thank you so much. I really enjoyed reading that you do not find Herm and Draco to be too OOC, because I really didn't intend them to be. But the way the books are going it's already AU for sure. Thanks for taking the time to read and review.
Anonymous—I'm so pleased you don't think I've over done any of the clichés we seem to read so often--"gorgeous Draco" or "Hermione miraculously stunning over night." And thank you for the constructive criticism. I value your input.