Leather and Libraries
AN: Sorry about the delay! I am such a procrastinator! Here are some replies to reviews I thought I would add:
Evilevergreen – Thank you for your condolences. (o.0 so posh!) In addition, thanks for the nice little credit!
Lauz – Sorry about the sp and grammar mistakes then! Microsoft Word has no idea!
SlytherinSweetie – I know but I could not resist! It is just Draco has not felt a proper love in his life (well that is my theory!) and I felt that would be a simple reaction. Trust me, you would hate what I was going to put in this chapter (it was seriously corny!)
Everyone else – Thank you soooo much for your credit! It really does mean a lot to me since it is my first published fan fiction!
Okay this is turning into an Oscar acceptance speech, so I'd best get on with the bit you all seem to care about!
Summary: After an incident in the library, Draco and Hermione start to find they have more in common than just books
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or any of the fabulous Wizarding World, except things that I have made up. In addition, I do not own Jessica Slocombe because she is in fact, a real person! You owe me one girl!
Chapter 7 – Laughter of a Friend
"Awww come on Hermione," A girl's voice whined. "You have to come to Hogsmeade with us."
Hermione had been subject to this since she got up; that ear breaking voice that had already began haunting her.
"Lav, how many times do I have to tell you - no!"
Lavender put on her best sad face. "But it's only five more weeks until Christmas break! And I've been dying to show you all the make-up and robes in Madam Trisand's shop!" Lavender continued to babble on about all the joys of being fashion conscious all the time and she did not seem to notice Hermione was now choosing to ignore her. She looked at the Great Hall entrance doors and saw Harry, Ron, Seamus and Neville walk in, all laughing. She gave them a smile and motioned them to sit down. They all piled on the small area of bench that was left, but Harry sat between Hermione and Lavender.
"Thanks" She whispered.
"No problem," Harry replied, them both smiling.
"So are you coming or not Hermy?" Lavender said, throwing a disgusted look at Harry for disturbing her 'intense' chat.
Hermione opened her mouth to say something but Harry cut in. "Hermione is fully booked today, please try again later." He wrapped an arm around her as Lavender made an 'Hmph!' sound and walked down to Parvati.
"That's' twice you've helped me in 5 minutes, anymore and I'll be in debt forever," Hermione joked, looking up at the owl mail. A Daily Prophet owl flew down to the cereal bowl in front of Hermione, scattering cornflakes everywhere. She unwrapped the newspaper form its leg and deposited two Knuts in its brown, leather satchel and the bird gave a soft hoot before flying away. She began to read the front page, which displayed a picture of Fudge shaking hands with a small group of goblins, occasionally shooting scared glances at the camera and edging away.
"Listen to this," Hermione said to them. "'I have learnt that goblins are no longer our enemies, but companions. They do everything like us and are very handy with our money!'. What a load of dragons' poo!" The boys laughed at her 'remark' "Oh shut up. But who does Fudge think he is? Two years ago, there were stories about how much he hated goblins and the things he did to them! He is only doing this because he's still got Dumbledore on his back all the time about making friends with them."
Hermione rolled her eyes in an annoyed fashion before taking a deep breath and clearing her mind. One thing her experiences had told her was to control your emotions and not let them control you. "So, are you coming to Hogsmeade?" She looked around at all the boys expectantly.
"Nan won't let me," Neville grumbled. "She says I need to spend more time studying."
"Good," Hermione said. "If only the others would-"
"I'm coming," Seamus butted in. "Stock up on supplies." He winked and the boys smirked while Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You should plan your time more productively instead of doing stupid childish pranks," Hermione lectured. This was their cue to start snoring while she went on. She hit them all over the head and shot them an annoyed look.
"What about you Ronald?" She said, making Ron look up and his mouth hanging open and displaying the glories of the human mouth digesting breakfast. Hermione grimaced. "It's too early to see your eating habits."
He swallowed it and then replied, "Yeah but only until 2; I'm meeting Hannah." His face softened at the sound of his girlfriend's name. They had been going out for only 4 days, but seeing them together was so sweet and they fitted perfectly together.
"Good, I can buy your Christmas present then," Hermione smirked while Ron's face became motionless.
"I cancel to help you," Ron said quickly, getting up.
"Don't be stupid Ron. I can't buy it with you there." She pulled him back down while he scowled and crossed his arms like a toddler having a little strop. She laughed and shook her head.
"Well, I want to get an early start so come on!" She got up, while all the boys carried on eating. She groaned, "Get up now or I'll be forced to do it myself personally!" She fingered her wand with a mischievous smile placed on her face. The boys all exchanged the same glance and quickly stood up, dragging Hermione out of the hall. They went to the courtyard and passed Filch, who all looked at them checking for dung bombs or any Weasley Wizard Wheezes'.
Hermione looked across the courtyard and saw Draco Malfoy standing with some fellow Slytherins, them all laughing at something Pansy had just said. She narrowed her eyes at the girl, despising everything about that evil bitch. Draco noticed this and raised his eyebrow, as if saying 'Jealous now are we?' in that pompous way. She shook her head and smiled slightly, turning and walking away to her friends.
Zonko's was packed with Hogwarts students, all laughing and trying to test out the products they were going to purchase. Some 7th year Gryffindors were in the specialist part at the back, looking at previously locked products.
"Whoa, this used to be in Egypt," Ron said, looking at the bottom of small box with inscriptions on it. A small piece of paper was next to it reading:
'This was founded in 1865 by an unknown muggle explorer. Within a week of returning home with it, all his enemies had mysteriously fallen dead with no explanation of how they died. Tricks were constantly being played on people who had previously taunted him by some 'force'. It was not until 1972 that a fellow muggle had found it in an attic, and knowing it was of some importance, gave it to a friend who happened to work here in Zonko's.'
"Maybe they won't mind if I..." Ron said, slipping it under his robe. Hermione grabbed his arm and gave him a 'polite' death stare. "I was only joking." He placed it back on the shelf and walked to the normal part of Zonko's, picking up a pack of Canary Creams and putting it in a nearby basket. They all followed suit, all bored of the artefacts that had not changed since last year.
The next half hour was spent looking at all the products on offer and seeing if someone would try something and when they did make their way out into the lazy autumn sunshine, their moneybags had become considerable lighter.
"Well I'm going back," Dean stated.
"Me too," Seamus added. "There's nothing new in Hogsmeade anymore.
They all said their goodbyes and departed in different directions, with us following Harry and Hermione to the Three Broomsticks.
They found a table in the middle because all the tables at the back were occupied with kissing lovers. The squishy armchairs welcomed their arrival and Harry ordered two butterbeers, which were with added warmth and extra mellow as part of a new experiment.
"So, what's happening with you and Jess?" Hermione asked, cupping the mug with her cold hands. Jessica Slocombe was Harry's partner in Professor Flitwick's class, and let us just say they did not see eye to eye.
"It could be better," Harry, grinned. "We do more bickering than work and it ends up with one of us storming off."
Hermione thought about this for a moment, weighing possibilities. "Well, why don't you put it from both points of view? I swear you two are hopeless!"
"We're on that route now, but it's kind of confusing. Anyway, it is not us! It's bloody Flitwick's fault for partnering us together!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It'll be alright in the end... God I sound like a muggle card!" They both laughed together.
"You always are," Harry said, dodging the punch Hermione had just sent at him. "It should be me feeling sorry for you anyway; with Malfoy as your partner."
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "It's okay; you just got to learn how to tame the snake."
He stared open mouthed at her in disbelief. "You mean it's actually enjoyable working with Malfoy? The same Malfoy who's been taunting insufferably since the first day of Hogwarts?!"
"Yes Harry. It's not that big a deal." Hermione stood up, not liking where this conversation was heading. "Time to get going again. I want to start some shopping before it gets too crowded."
Harry looked pleadingly at her as he melted into the chair. She sighed and in one swift move, she went behind Harry and started tickling him on the ribs. Immediately, he started squirming in his seat like a child, not letting out the laughs that wanted to escape.
"You give up?" Hermione asked.
"I surrender!" Harry laughed, getting up. She gave a look of triumph at Harry and linked her arm through his, steering him outside.
"You're a threat to wizards everywhere, not Voldemort," Harry said, heading towards the nearest shop.
"That's why your best friend's with me," Hermione smiled.
AN: Okay, so I start Chapter 8 straight away, since it is going to be relatively small due to what is going to happen! However, do not believe me because I keep telling lies and everything goes kaput all of a sudden. If you have any questions, just email me and keep an eye out in my bio for updates on my stories! rolls eyes
Okay, that was mindless babble! Keep up the ab fab reviews people!
Star x