"Sandwiches are good for me. Sandwiches are fine.
I like Sandwiches. I eat them all the time.
I eat them for my supper and I eat them for my lunch.
If I had a hundred Sandwiches, I'd eat them all at once!"
Um… right.
This took a hellofa long time to write. I'll lie and say me being at camp for two weeks (Kick arse camp. They have a big screen TV and every thing.) is the reason I took so long. The truth is I spent the days watching old movies, M*A*S*H, The Crocodile Hunter and Star Trek. Maybe when I'm back to school, I'll write less erratically. Maybe not.
I sadly want to add my sister is leaving for University and I'm gonna miss her. Wahhh. Well, I'm done crying. Time to steal the stuff she left behind.
Forward to the stuff I always say......
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. You know this. I know this but they need me to say it. Huh, go figure.
Big happy thanks to:
Kimmie - For the usual yadda yadda yadda. Miss you blah blah. I have to buy new books now.
The nice reviewing People:
MOI – Ahh, not so loud! I'm glad you love it. Keep on trucking...I mean, reviewing.
aillsinjiin – Well, here's more but it's not quite more more more more.
Draco Malfoy N Harry Potter – Yes, yes, I know it took along time. This chapter did too. Oh yes, I also dislike over reacting Ron. Well, evil over reacting Ron, that is. Ha Ha I shall hold you to that now. I expect you to review. Hope you like this bit though it doesn't quite answer all your pressing questions about Draco. Keep reading and, of course, reviewing. :)
Unicorn*angel - Hermione and Ron were too busy not knowing they liked each other to watch Harry. But Hermione did notice he was acting a bit weird especially after Harry and Draco broke up. Thank you for reviewing.
Tionne – Ooh, you are preaching to the choir. (I've decided to start using old cliches.) I hate Ron disowning (or whatever) Harry when he finds out he's gay and/or with Draco. I tried very hard for him to stay loyal to their friendship and still be…for lack of a better word… pissy. Well, if you really want to know, Percy is appearing in future chapters, so I'll touch on that. Most likely very surprised that his mom thinks he has a girlfriend. I think I have more Hermione thinking about the letter in this chappy. Or, at least, about Draco. Thank you, I really like chapter five, too.
RaevenWynter – Here, my dear, is chapter seven. And I hope you realized you helped me feel very guilty about not finishing quickly. *Sticks her tongue out* Meanie. And you could never get through my booby-trapped house. My traps are now all taken from the Weasley twins. :) Ron's business is one of my fav parts of this story. Well, I hope they get together too but they're both so stubborn. Sigh.
Whisper, Shimegami - Oh my! You're really stroking my ego by calling this fic great. Thank you. I shall hurry as fast as can. Erm, just out of curiosity: Or else what?
Portuguese_GirL – Actually, I got both reviews, which is cool cause they're both neat and long. And the second was signed, so I went and made for of your profile. jk. Nice that you noted this fic being planned out because it is. (Sorta) I have two different files on my 'puter, keeping the plot line in order. I'm also really glad you think it's original. That's what I'm always striving for and I'm so glad I hit my mark. You touched on all my favorite scenes. My fav is the make out in the great hall. I love it when people say my stuff seems beautiful. Makes me happy. lol. Keeping Draco IC is sometimes hard, so it's good he seems in it. I promise Draco will wake up fully in the next few chapters. I also promise I'm not giving up on this fic. Thanks for the nice reviews.
*******
A true friend is a friend who is willing to help you bury a body.
*******
The Muggle truck they were in was black on the outside and black on the inside. The seats were leather and it had been terrible uncomfortable until Hermione had put on the air extinguishing thingy or whatever. It blew cool air in the truck until the temperature was decent. Ron wasn't sure if that was a good thing. He stared ahead at the passing scenery, so he didn't have to look in the back seat.
Harry was sitting in the back. When they had first started going he hadn't said anything, staring at his feet. Ron hadn't even tried to talk to Harry. He was sure he would just make it worse because he was also sure Harry had gone quite mad, thinking he loved Malfoy. Hadn't Malfoy been a bloody stuck-up bigot of a prat all through Hogwarts? Ron decided he wouldn't tell Harry that right away. The guy looked ready to break down. Hermione wasn't making chitchat either. She had taken it upon herself to drive. Harry had said he wanted to do it but...
"I'm not sitting with the blooming Death Eater." Ron howled at Hermione. He wasn't trying for Harry to hear but he did any way. The man's green eyes flashed in anger and he looked ready to verbally lash out at Ron. Hermione beat him to the punch. Or the slap.
'SMACK!'
The sound of Hermione's slap reverberated through his skull, the force sending his head forward. He rubbed the pained spot, staring at the woman in amazement.
"Oww," he whimpered. At that, Hermione grabbed the front of his sweater and tugged him down to eye level. She glared at him, making him feel an inch tall as she hissed out, "You aren't helping things, Ron." She released him and he straightened, feeling his face blush. No one saw it since Harry had turned away in anger and Hermione was headed over to him to give words of comfort.
"Don't worry, Harry. I don't think you should drive, though. You don't look well. When was the last time you had something to eat?" Harry didn't answer so she glared at Ron. "Ron, go get Harry a muffin or something."
When Ron returned begrudgingly with the muffin he found Harry in the back arms crossed and a furious look on his face. With a glare of almost equal pissiness, Ron got into the passenger side and sat glaring out the window. Hermione took the muffin and gave it to Harry before turning the key and starting the car.
"Ok," Hermione said, speaking to both of them, even though they weren't facing her. "I'm heading for King's Cross Station. They have a train that runs to Hogsmeade in the summer. I can probably get tickets." No one answered her and Ron saw her glower out of the corner of his eyes.
"Fine." She said icily, turning onto the road. She stared tight-lipped out the front window. When the sun started pouring in through the window and the air extinguisher came on, Harry fell asleep. Ron glanced at the back seat, feeling very uncomfortable. When he had been mad at Ron, Harry had sat up straight pressed against the door barley touching the unconscious blonde. Now that he was asleep he was leaning over Malfoy arm touching his leg only being held up by his car belt. Ron frowned. He wished Harry wasn't sleeping in that position 'touching' Malfoy. It made the thing he said in the Burrow more real.
"You don't have to glare at him, you know?" Ron looked up and over. Hermione had been watching him from the corner of her eye. Her hands were on the truck's steering wheel, pinched around so tight her knuckles were white. She sounded quite stressed. Ron snapped his head around and stared out the front. He wasn't sure which him she was referring to. He was glaring at Malfoy but she might have been defending Harry. He didn't know and didn't want her to hit him while driving and careen off the road in a horrible bloody massacre. Or something like that. The red head decided to keep his mouth shut. After a few minutes of silence, sitting straight, staring ahead and glancing fearfully at Hermione every km or so, he was surprised to see her eyes soften.
"Oh, Ron, I'm sorry. This isn't your fault."
Damn right. And Ron knew whose fault it was too. The name started with a D and ended with a Y. Ah, forget riddles, it was Draco Malfoy's fault Ron was sure of it. He wisely said none of this. Hermione had her eyes back on the road but also seemed to be watching the two in the back, through the front mirror thingy.
"It's just I'm worried and Harry's upset and poor..." Hermione's mouth formed a word then she seemed to think better of it and said, rather hurriedly, "them." She cast a nervous glance to the red head. Ron was blitzed, figuring she was just about to say Malfoy. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from screaming. If he screamed at her, she would scream back and that would therefore put her off his side. He would need her to help him later with Harry and figure out what was wrong his friend. Maybe it was a love potion. No, that would have worn off by now. Jeez, none of this made sense. Why would Harry like Malfoy. Why? Why? Why? Why?
"Ron?" Hermione glanced at him. The red head realized he had been snapping his jaw together in frustration for every 'Why'. He looked over at Hermione.
"What?"
"Um...I don't know!" she said aghast. "I'm sorry. We don't agree on this whole matter completely..."
"Damn straight."
"But, well, I can't exactly tell you why I agree with Harry. Even if you don't, though, you're here to support him, right? Right?"
"Of course, Hermione." Ron snapped. "I'm here that's all there is to it."
"Good."
Silence fell again. They both knew if they tried to talk about Harry they'd start fighting. Ron wasn't about to let her explain any thing to him. Besides she seemed intent on not wanting to explain why she thought what they were doing was smart. Just expected him to trust Harry was right and not insane or hexed. They were both insane.
Ron growled under his breath. He wanted to be a loyal friend to both of then. Hell, it ached in his cheats when he wasn't but doing so made him feel like a big stupid dog. Loyal, yeah, but blindly stepping out in front of The Knight Bus. Man, did the confusion ever swim in his guts and make him want to throw up.
Or maybe it was the car trip. He did get carsick every once in a while.
Hermione was glancing at him guilty.
Yeah, that's right. Feel bad that you never side with me. He sighed feeling a small shrapnel of guilt forming as he thought about Hermione that way. She watched him some more.
"Why don't you try the radio?" The brown hair woman suggested.
He looked at her glumly "No, thanks."
"It's Muggle. You might like it. It'll give you something to do." Ron looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She was trying to distract him and she knew, he knew it. Still, like his father, he always though Muggle things were neat. Who knew how much longer he'd be stuck in this truck with his two best friends having gone mad and a Death Eater? Well, not a Death Eater or so claimed Nutso Friend One but Malfoy was wearing the right colors to be close enough.
Ron looked at the radio thingy in front of him. You just had to tell a wizard radio to go on but he supposed Muggle ones were different. Maybe he could try it.
No, it was just Hermione way of entertaining (diverging his attention) him, like he was a two-year-old.
At least, it would take him mind off the things Nutso Friend Two had said.
No.
I wonder which button thingy makes it work? He pondered Not like I want to try it or anything.
"Turn the big knob on the left. That's what turns it on and controls the volume. The other one changes stations."
Ron frowned at the fact Hermione knew what he was thinking. He thought about pretending not to have heard her, just to spite her, but his curiosity of the Muggle radio got the better of him. He clicked the knob and the radio turned on.
"But that was before my Bobby done run away with a Tennessee tramp, left me here all alone."
Ron made a face and put his hand on the knob Hermione had said changed the stations he turned it. The sound fuzzed for a second, then cleared.
He flipped through the Muggle stations, long enough to hear a few words. Muggle radio was quite bizarre. You couldn't tell the radio what to play and no pictures came out of it, just songs. The music its self was freaky, too. They had none of the usual types he was used to, (His favorite being trollish, where the performers sang Irish folk songs while being attack by a troll. It was different every time) it was just plain music like you could charm a crystal to play. Finally, he stopped clicking, leaving the radio tuned to a pounding song with a loud crazy man ranting about being the real skinny so and so, every one was imitating him and could he please stand up.
"Ron!" Hermione spat, indicating to the back. Harry stirred in his sleep, probably due to the loud music. With his body movement, Harry's hand slipped down in a mock caress on Malfoy's face. Ron's blue eyes widened in shock and he quickly turned the volume knob until the song was a low murmur before clicking the radio off all together.
Right. He was going to sit and stare out the windshield for the entire trip. Hermione just shook her head and didn't say any thing. It may not have been a long trip but with him only blinking it seemed to be hours before they finally slid into the station. Hermione turned off the car giving Harry and Malfoy a glance to the back. She turned to Ron.
"I'm going to see what's going to Hogsmeade today. I should have enough money for at least three tickets." Ron open his mouth to say there was four people but she stopped him with a little glare. "Don't do anything.....mean." He nodded. "I'm serious."
"Ok, ok. Jeeez." He made a face and turned away from her. She frowned and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I guess I don't give you enough credit." She held his hand for a moment longer before letting go. She peeked over the side of the seat and rummaged through her small bag on the floor. She retrieved a leather change purse and put it in her pocket.
"I'll be right back. Don't...."
"Be mean." He said bitterly. She didn't trust him. She never trusted him. He wouldn't even wake Harry up.
"There's a good lad." She said softly, catching his tone. She reached out and stroked his hair fondly before exiting the truck. When the door closed behind her, he growled and shut his eyes. Making a fist, he punched the dash in front of him a few times venting. With a sigh, he stopped remembering, he his self promised not to wake Harry up. He glanced back at his green-eyed friend, still conked out.
Still touching Malfoy.
Another growl and he punched his palm, making less noise. When he stopped he had calmed a tad. He looked over at Malfoy. The blonde did look slightly, as Harry had said, dying. Paler then anyone should be. Maybe it wasn't an act but it still seemed fishy to him. Pulling himself up he looked Harry over, making sure he was uninjured. After a minute, he was slightly satisfied and pulling back saw Hermione's open bag. He peered into it, glancing at a letter on the top.
He eyed the notepaper, only catching the briefest of letters on the fold. The ink was elf blood green. Ron squinted at the letter. That was weird. The paper seemed worn and had been taped up even but the ink looked fine. If it had been read over and over, wouldn't the ink be smudged?
Ron closed his eyes shaking his head. Who cares? Why am I even thinking about this? He was nosey. That's why.
It's true though, he thought, looking at the letter, about the ink. Ink smudged on letters. He had to have been ten when he kidnapped a letter from Charlie. He had thought it was wizard reading all of his brother's stories about working with the dragons. Ron had read it so many times the letter had ripped and the ink had bled off. The ink had stained his hands slightly and he spent the day messing up furniture and the like. This letter's ink, on the other hand, looked fine despite its worn appearance. It was, he deducted old but not overly read.
Hmmm.
Ron's hand twitched by his side and slowly rose to grab the letter.
Don't do it! If Hermione finds out you're reading her mail, she'll kill you!
Easily ignoring his inner voice, Ron grabbed the letter and fished it from the bag. He held it in font of him. So maybe he shouldn't be looking at Hermione's letters. Then again, what if it was from Krumb or someone to that effect. Then he had a right to look. Didn't he?
No!
"Shhh" He hissed to..well.. himself. He flipped the letter over and frowned.
Harry Potter,
4. Privet Drive,
Little Whinging,
Surrey
So, this wasn't Hermione's letter. It must be a letter of Harry's. Well, that changed every thing. If Hermione found Ron reading Harry's mail, she'd kill him slowly. If earlier had taught him any thing, it was that Hermione was siding with Harry. Ron went to put the letter back. Or tried to. His hand wouldn't respond to his brain's commands. In fact, he started to pulled the letter all the way out of the envelope.
"Well, it was already out of the envelope, sort of." He mumbled to himself, trying to justify his actions.
Bad bad bad. You should nots be doing this.
Why did his inner voice sound like Dobby the house elf? He looked at his shoulder suspiciously, waiting for the elf to pop up wearing a halo. Nothing happened and he sniffed, irked. He felt annoyed at Harry still for his sticking up for Malfoy. Maybe this would make him feel better. It could be a letter from Sirius. That might be an interesting read. Or, his mind jumped at the prospect, it could be from Hermione. She had written Harry from the Burrow. He always wondered what she said to Harry. Maybe she said something about him. He smiled evilly and opened the letter.
Awww. He thought, sadly, Maybe this isn't a letter from anyone. It doesn't even say dear… OH FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY!
The letter slide through his fingers as he felt his cheeks heat up in a full out blush. He now had a sneaky suspicion about who had written this letter. Merlin's beard! It was from....from....MALFOY! He felt ill and tried to stuff the letter back into the envelope. Reading a letter from Hermione was one thing. Reading a perverted letter from Malfoy was something completely different. The letter caught on the tape and opened enough for Ron to read the next sentence. He stopped and pulled open the letter. That sounded almost....
Human.
Without a second glance or thought he read the letter. His face heated up like a fever as he read the phrase 'throes of passion' meaning they had......ick...he didn't want to think about Harry doing that, especially with Malfoy. Pushing past that, he started to feel bad. This was a personal letter from Malfoy to Harry and he should so not be reading it. His name came up though and that gave him enough will and curiosity to finish it. He folded it, again blinking. He glanced at the two in the back seat. So not only did Harry actually love Malfoy but the Slytherin loved Harry back.
Fuck, that was totally messing with his mind.
A slight metallic crunch caused him to look up. Through the darken windows he could see Hermione opening the door. In a panic, he stuffed the letter into his robe pocket, hoping she wouldn't spot him with it.
"I've gotten tickets." She said, efficiently. "It's on a ghost train, so it was cheap, too." Hermione poked her head in the door and looked at Ron
"Could you wake Harry up?" Hermione asked, gently. Ron shot a glance at Harry, not wanting to. It wasn't like he didn't want to touch his friend. He didn't think he'd catch something. He didn't want Harry awake. He could never lie to Harry and he knew he'd tell his friend about the letter. He didn't want Harry to know. He felt so ashamed. And what if Harry woke up and confirmed the whole letter was true. All of it. It just couldn't be this way.
Ron reached over the back of his seat and jabbed Harry in the shoulder.
"Wake up, Harry." He muttered as loud as he could with a huge constricting lump in his throat. Then he threw open his door and torn out like Voldemort himself was in the back seat.
Hermione protested at his exit. She had wanted Ron to wake Harry she didn't have to get back into the truck, crawl across the seat and wake him herself. Ron ignored her and leaned aganist the truck with his eyes closed.
Behind his lids his imagination played little scene from what he had read about Harry and Malfoy. Growling and blushing in anger and embarrassment he tried to shake the pictures away. It didn't work.
He heard the door open on the other side of the truck and heard the light murmur of Hermione and Harry talking. Guilt and anger filled the red head. He was mad at Harry and Hermione and guilty for feeling so. He even felt slight well more then slight guilt for reading Malfoy's letter to Harry. Taking a breath, trying to forget, Ron rounded the truck. Hermione had all the trunks and bags piled in front of her. Two were open and while Hermione searched through one, Harry pulled his Invisibility cloak from the other and headed towards the open door of the truck.
Ron pretended he wasn't watching as Harry gently (And it was ever so gently, as if he thought Malfoy was glass and would break) wrapped Malfoy in his invisibility cloak. Hermione glanced up and muttered a lightening spell on the invisible Malfoy. Harry nodded a small thanks. Hermione stood up with a thick text in her hand. Before Ron could ask her what the book was for she set it down and transfigured it into a luggage cart. Tucking her wand into her blouse pocket, she directed Ron to load the bags onto the cart.
When he finished he stood, carefully away from Harry. He could see the anger and betrayal on Harry's face couldn't allow himself to stop. He was too confused. He just needed to think. Right on schedule came a disapproving glare from Hermione. He looked away from both of them. All he needed were a few seconds to clear his mind. Then they could be mad based on that decision. Hermione looked ready to rain pain down on him but Harry just looked like Ron had kicked him. The red head let out a small sigh, feeling like he had kicked him.
Hermione open her bag that was on top of the cart and removed a cloak and two hats. She pulled her heavy winter cloak on, then pulled the hood up so her face was shadowed. Then she pushed a black pointed hat on Harry's head and another on Ron's. Harry looked at her surprised, shifting the invisible weight.
"Er… what are the hats for?"
Hermione smiled, slightly apologetic, "If I had time I think I'd do a Glamour but the train will be leaving soon. Just keep you heads down until we get a privet compartment." Still getting a confused look, she explained, "You said you want to keep out of the public's eyes with him. If you get spotted on a train bond for Hogsmeade, everyone is going to know where you're going."
"Oh," Harry said. Ron thought that was pretty smart but didn't bother saying so. Hermione knew she was smart. She looked at him and gestured over.
"Lets go." Ron followed, too deep in thought to take much notice of their brief excursion to the Muggle world.
Maybe it's a trick? That letter couldn't have been written from the Slytherin I know.
Ron followed Hermione down through the barrier onto Platform 9 3/4. On the platform there were more ghosts then humans, milling around, loading into the train. The train with about 20 cars long and had a pitch-black engine with bone finishing. Everything was wavy and almost see through. Since it was a ghost train, Ron shrugged off its appearance. He'd seen one before, even if he'd never ridden on it. It was best way for ghosts who couldn't will themselves other places to travel. It was also the only train that ran to Hogsmeade, until the Hogwarts Express made it's run in the fall. It had once been a real train but because of a terrible wreak caused by a magical cow (Or so the story went) all the crew died. Because the train hit the magical cow, it became a ghostly apparition, ergo its title, ghost train. They weren't very common and this was the only one that the living could ride on. Hermione and Harry looked at it in amazement, Hermione even muttering wow under her breath. Ron figured neither had seen a ghost train before. Hermione quickly forget about sight seeing.
"Hurry up. We'll try and get and empty compartment. There doesn't seem to be a lot of people around today." Hermione again put herself in charge. They found a empty compartment and Harry placed Malfoy across one of the seats while Ron sat himself lightly on the seat beside Hermione. He didn't say any thing in the minutes before the train started and as sound as the ticket collector had come and gone. He got up and walked to the compartment door.
"Where are you going, Ron?" Hermione asked, looking up at him sharply
He didn't bother to look at either of his friends as he went through the door muttering, "To see if they serve liquor in the dinning car."
*******
Ron had left Hermione alone with Harry and his unconscious....whatever the blonde was to Harry. This didn't prove to be much company. Harry asked her if she though it'd be ok for him to uncloak Draco. She had nodded and Harry had fixed Malfoy laying across a seat invisibility cloak as a pillow. The brunette tried not to stare at Harry's careful and meticulous moves. Her friend's eyes tore at her heart. He was so, so sad.
Harry finished tucking Malfoy onto his makeshift bed and made a move to seat on the bench facing the blonde. When he caught Hermione looking at him, he stiffened and went to sit a few seats over. Hermione opened her mouth to protest, then stopped. She watched Harry's eyes stare dull green out the window. Every so often his eye would flick to Malfoy. Harry's mouth pursed and worry lines sprinkled his brow. Hermione watched his eyes reading the only a single emotion. It was one she herself got when thinking of a certain someone. Total and utter yearning.
She watched him, her stomach twisting with dark vibes. It was so sad. Sad and sick. He just sat away from the smaller man and watched. She could see how much he wanted to be nearer. It was like the little boy in the candy store. Yearning for a treat that he knew he shouldn't ask for and couldn't take. Hermione wanted to cry right there in the train. Poor, poor Harry Potter. Her literal mind whirled trying to find a solution for his problem. Instead, she found only descriptions of her raven hair friend.
Romeo. Her mind came up with Romeo.
Not how that name was used in flippantly. Casual. Not, oh Harry, you heart breaker. You Romeo. No, not in the way so many people used it. Not as a boy who created a line of eager girls or guys. Not as the lover, Casanova, or dare she say it... player. Yes, even though she cringed to use it, player was the word she was looking for. No, that was not the term Hermione was thinking.
Little boy with true love flung at him with no heads up.
That was how Hermione would describe her friend. The story of Romeo and Juliet was not a tale of the wooing and sweeping of Juliet off her feet. It was a confusion of true love.
'My only love sprung from my only hate.'
Besides, even if Romeo snuck into the Capulet's garden, it was Juliet that called out to him and for him.
The brunette swung her head almost brutally to stare at the blonde man.
Did he call to Harry like that and make their romance fit her only misshapen comparison? He couldn't of. Draco Malfoy could never be Juliet Capulet.
Or could he be?
Hermione didn't know. How did their relationship start? Harry's quick tale had been of love and lust. A mistake, a misunderstanding, a misdemeanor. A horrible result. There was no time for the sappy romantic.
She could see it, though. The blonde calling out to her sweet friend in a metaphorical garden. It must have been lonely all those years being a Malfoy and a Slytherin. He could be compared to the girl child of fourteen, friendless save a nurse, locked and bond by a family name.
Hermione could find a comparison in her well-read mind.
Yes, Draco could be to Harry as Juliet was to Romeo.
Their story had already ended with a tragedy. It hadn't resulted in death but it killed their relationship. It made Harry sit across from what he wanted not allowing himself to touch or take. If that wasn't tragedy, Hermione was looking at the wrong definitions.
But could Shakespeare be rewritten? If she helped her friend reclaim what he wanted. If she could forgive and help Ron to too. He had come so far himself. If she could do that, could the tragedy be over looked?
Maybe.
If Malfoy lived long enough.
She loved Harry enough to make sure he did. Then Harry could have his Juliet.
She smirked despite the depth of her thoughts.
What would Malfoy think if he knew he was compared to one of the more famous woman in literature. She continued to smirk. Another reason he would have to stay alive
So she could call him Juliet.
******
Ron had found the dinning car but had left in disgust. He had forgotten where he was: a ghost train. The whole dinning car and even the cars close to it reeked of rotten food and spoilt meat. He'd taken a puff of clean air before dashing through the car, it's tables piled high with moldered food. He finally breathed again three cars away. He sighed, looking for a place to sit. He found one car with open seats grouped around tables. He sat on one heavily, his back facing the window. Maybe he should have stayed near the ghost food. At least his mind was distracted and he didn't have to think about any thing.
"Hello."
Ron looked up startled. A frumpy looking ghost from the next bench was looking at him. He was dressed neatly and trimly and you might not even notice he was dead except for the fact he was transparent and one of his arms was tucked in his belt. Unsure what to say, Ron nodded in greetings then immediately wished he hadn't. The ghost took it as an offering for conversation and floated right over. He came to a rest on the bench in front of Ron's bench.
"Hello." The ghost said again.
"Er..lo" Ron replied, not knowing what else to say.
"My name is Clancy Terwallop. And you are...?"
"Ron Weasley."
The ghost nodded knowingly. "Wonderful, wonderful and how are you felling this fine lovely day?" Clancy looked out the window to see the landscape had become rain and mist, "This horrid yucky day, that is."
"Fine."
"Going to Hogsmeade for business then, are you?" Clancy said, glancing at Ron and eyeing a patch Ron's robe, his eyebrow quirked. "Or looking for work?"
"I have a job, actually." Ron said angrily, pulling the patched part of his robe in the unseen shadow of his arm. A gravy stain popped up instead. "My own business, in fact."
So there!
"Own business!" Clancy exclaimed, not noticing Ron's voice. "I too have..er..had my own business." He looked confused, thinking. "At least, I think I did. The past is quite muddled." He gave a ghostly pout.
"How......sad for you." Ron said
"Isn't it?" Clancy said, flickering, almost whimpering. "I hardly remember my death." His eye screwed shut for a few second, then popped open. "Oh yes, that was how I went. Truly ghastly." He assured Ron.
"I'm sure..."
"Well, any way," The ghost went on, cheery again, and interrupted the redhead. "The important thing is you're working. It is most rewarding when you work, isn't it?"
"Sure."
"I most enjoyed work when I was living. I was an accountant, actually. Being dead is mostly like a vacation. I despise vacation. Actually, it was vacation that really made me sell the farm."
Oh Damn! A chatty ghost. Could staying in the compartment with Harry and Malfoy really have been that bad?
"So, are you traveling alone, lad?" Clancy asked, the eyes now fixing themselves on Ron. Ron bristled slightly about being called lad and slightly at the look the ghost was giving him. Was he insinuating something new now?
"Actually, I'm not." Ron growled. Something about the ghost was really raising his hackles more then usual pestering. "I'm going to Hogwa....I'm mean, I'm going to Hogsmeade with my two best friends." And some extra baggage I've yet to figure out.
"Ahh, Hogsmeade." The ghost said, leaning in eagerly. "Lovely place, it is. So, why are not sitting next to your best chaps?"
"For your information one of them is a girl." Ron said, frostily unsure why having Hermione listed as a chap bothered him. Clancy didn't seem to notice Ron's voice had gone miffed. He smiled brightly.
"Your girlfriend?"
"No!" Ron cried quickly. Hermione was not his girlfriend!
"Right." The ghost said, giving a knowing wink. "So, what will you be doing at Hogsmeade with your two best friends and your girlfriend.?"
"He's not my best friend!" Ron shouted before realizing what he had said, "I mean, there's not two guys and a girl. It's one girl and a guy... my best friends... going to Hogsmeade with me. Just Harry and Herm. No girlfriend or other bloke."
You idiot. Ron berated himself in his head. iYou're not supposed to tell people about Malfoy or that Harry was on the train. That's what all the damn secrecy is for. Granted it was only a ghost but one could never tell with ghosts. Ron looked Clancy up and down. The ghost seem unfazed and was staring out the window.
"Harry and Herm?" He said, lightly. "How odd. I'm sure I read just those name in the daily profit someone left on the street one day."
"Um, maybe you have, I wouldn't know." Ron looked out the window, wishing this conversation was over. When he meet up with Hermione again, he was so not mentioning how badly he sucked at being inconspicuous.
"Yes, I do recall it. That means you're... How fascinating, having a conversation with celebrities. That is, of course, only if I am to assume that your friend Harry is, of course, Harry..."
"Shut up!" Ron snapped ,before groaning.
"Rennelling, the famous wizard poet and his muse, Herminineti, the mountain hag." Clancy finished, giving Ron an odd look.
Who?
"Um, right. Darn, they were trying to travel inconspicuously." Maybe, this wasn't to bad after all.
"My dear boy, there is no reason to tell me to shut up. If your friends wish to be unsolicited, all you could do was say as much."
"Look, I'm having a very stressful day." Ron said. Clancy frowned.
"And I'm having a very stressful death. I mean, one day I'm living, the next I'm not. And you living are so rude to us dead." Ron was having a very sinking feeling he was talking to a dead relation of moaning Myrtle. "I mean, I was born before you were a twinkle in your father's eye. Weren't you ever told to respect your elders? Haven't I suffered enough what with my arm bitten of by a hippogriff and a fifty-foot fall to my death. All my pain and you snotty living types can't even be bothered to give me a bloody hello!"
Ron looked at the Clancy for a moment, stunned before shouting, "I DID tell you hello!"
Clancy stared at him pearl eyes blinking in dead shock. "Oh right. Cheerio then." Clancy floated off into the next car. Ron shook his head in awe. The dead were so annoying. At least, the dead fool didn't seem likely to be telling anyone of Harry and Malfoy going to Hogsmeade. He thought some weird poet was on the train. He sighed and lent back in his seat. As he did so, he heard the sound of paper crunching in his pocket. He winced, remembering putting the letter there. He felt a slight twitch to read the letter again. He ignored it. It was just a small part of him that liked to snoop in private things. It had mostly been appeased today. The part wondering what the hell was going on didn't need the letter to know. Even he didn't have a hard time figuring it out.
The stupid, blonde, snobby, rich , Death Eater, git loved his best friend.
And...
Harry loved the stupid, blonde git back!
"Uggh!"
How the bloody hell had Ron missed that?
********
When the train pulled up to a stop in Hogsmeade, Hermione gently tapped Harry's shoulder. He covered Malfoy in the invisibility clock while Hermione charmed the bags and trunk out of the train, on to the platform. Harry joined her a few minutes later, trying to hold the other man so he didn't look too odd. The crowd started to thin but they both waited, scanning the people and ghosts for a familiar redhead.
Hermione was a little worried about seeing Ron. He had said he was going to get a drink and due to the stress of the situation Hermione could see it very possible that he was drunk. She bite her lip. If he was drunk, she'd have no control on Ron said or did. She never did when he was drunk. He could say something he didn't really want to Harry. She didn't want her black hair friend to go through anymore pain. She certainly didn't want them to become estranged. Unfortunately, Ron became a little too open and loose when he drank. He either yelled or.....
Hermione blushed as she remembered the last time Ron had a wee bit to much ale and the not overly unwanted touches and kisses. The next day Ron didn't remember a thing but she had, since she only drank Butterbeer.
"Maybe he decided to stay on the train and ditch me." Harry commented, breaking Hermione out of her memories. She frowned when she noted that Harry had said ditch me, not us, like he was some problem that needed to be dumped. She patted her friend's too thin shoulder. "I wouldn't blame him."
I would.
"He wouldn't do that." She promised. Ron could never be that mean spirited to Harry. Besides he told her he was there for Harry.
But if that bloody stupid arsed pin headed red head git has passed out from guzzling to much Grog and I have to go get him, I will hex him so hard his whole blooming extended family will feel it!
It seemed Hermione's silent threats were not needed because when she scanned the crowed again she caught sight of him. He was weaving his way between a ghost so bloody he put the bloody baron to shame and a witch in a purple robe covered in spider patterns.
"There he is." Hermione affirmed. "He's not leaving." She look again and sighed in relief. He wasn't the least bit tipsy.
"So, good of you to join us." She snipped when he reached them. "The snack car nice?"
"Hmm?" Ron said, apparently missing all of her snippy sarcasm, "Oh, I found it but it was so vile I just sat on the other side of the train. I couldn't bare to go back through it." He brushed his robe, nervously. "But here I am." He looked at Harry, with a small smile before blushing and looking at his shoes as if they were the most interesting thing he'd ever seen.
Hermione blinked in surprise, then shook it off. Ron changed his mind on things so often. She'd just have to live with it and be glad that, at least in this mood, he was calm and not mad at Harry. At least, not openly mad at Harry.
"Ok," She started clapping her hands to get their attention. Ron's eyes snapped up from his amazing shoes and Harry's eyes slowly trailed from a lover he couldn't even see. Hermione bite the inside of her cheeks to stop any pitying comments.
"First, we have to fine a good way into Hogwarts. Since we're doing this incognito, I'm guessing we aren't going up the path in the front doors." Harry and Ron nodded in agreement but didn't offer suggestions. She frowned.
"Which means," She continued as her frown deepened, "We could either go through Honey Dukes or the screaming shack."
"Good plan." Ron said, supportively.
"The problems," She continued "Are that it's late so Honey Dukes is closed and you can't break into the shrieking shack."
"Right." Ron agreed. She shot him a glare, so he returned to looking at his shoes.
"What about the front way to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked. "No one should really be watching it."
"Not a great idea." Ron said frowning. "The bad guys are probably on the look out for him." He jerked a thumb in Harry's direction.
"My finding Draco wasn't a planned meeting. He wasn't sent in as a trap. It's not like Death Eaters are watching his every move, so being out in the open is unsafe" Harry growled back.
"Actually, I was thinking about you. If they know where you are, they'll follow. But your idea makes sense too." Harry glowered at Ron, pretending he though Harry had actually meant what he said. "Either way the front entrance is a bad idea."
"So, that leaves?" Harry asked turning to Hermione.
"Honeydukes. How in the world will we break in? Most outside doors are spelled for Alohomora."
Ron gave her a look. Harry got it. They were in Hogsmeade, after all. "Who do you think we're going to get to help us pick a lock, Herm?" Ron asked.
"I was hoping it wouldn't be them." Hermione admitted. She moaned and covered her eyes. "I don't want to go to their shop again. It's scary"
"It's not that bad." Ron insisted. She just gave him a look.
"Am I missing something?" Harry asked, giving both of them an exasperated look.
"The twins decided to start their joke shop and place it in the middle of Hogsmeade which as you may recall already has a joke shop. If you think being in a war between two businesses is bad, imagine when they're both prank shops..."
"And it is your brothers that are in the middle of a huge never ending prank war." Ron finished interrupting Hermione, smiling slightly.
"That doesn't sound too bad," Harry grunted, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Believe me, it's bad." Hermione said, patting her hair worriedly.
"Yeah, last time we visited them one of the spells hit Herm and-" Ron yelped as the brunette stomped on his foot.
"You promised you'd never say any thing about that!"
"Right." Ron said, grinning till he looked at Harry and the smile melted. "Actually, the whole family kind of avoids visiting them. They've locked themselves in and I haven't seen either for weeks. Afraid their shop will be hexed if they leave even for dinner."
"Well, if they're our only hope for breaking into Honeydukes, I guess we better get this over with." Hermione said, mournfully.
"It can't be that bad." Harry said. He gestured down the street. "It's down that way, right?"
"Yeah, come on, Herm." Ron said, grabbing the witch's arm and pulling her alongside him.
Twilight fell surprising quickly over Hogsmeade as they walked down the cobblestone street. The sky lost the pink orange glow of sunset and went to deep purple dotted with stars. The sliver of the gibbous moon flitted behind a cloud as soon as it rose. Magic streetlights flared up, giving purple and orange glow to the three walking. Harry had put himself in the lead walking quickly and anxiously. He had been to the Twin's shop before, though that was before the trouble their summer opening had caused. Draco's weight pressed lightly into his arm, making him speed up. Ron easily kept pace with Harry, due to his long legs, but Hermione the same height as Harry, had pushed herself into a slight jog least she be dragged along.
Harry stopped when they reached the store. A large glowing sign proudly displayed the shop open. Also glowing slightly in a porch light was the front walk of the store that had been painted in red and white squares like a checkers board. He didn't remember that when the twins had shown off their store to him last summer. Hermione pushed ahead of him, also looking at the walkway.
"Only step on the red squares." She told Harry, brushing the hair from her eyes. "The white are booby trapped. I learned that the last time we visited. It's a wonder they get any business." She paused, then glanced at Ron.
"It is the red right?"
He shrugged, "I dunno."
"Test it. Step on the first red square."
"Why me?" Ron cried, voice rising to a slight wail.
"Because I told you to."
Ron sighed but nodded, surprisingly not needing any more argument then that. He crept up to the red square like it would run away from him.
"Something this millennium would be nice Ron," Hermione said.
"Ok, ok." He grumbled before leaping onto the red square. He froze, bracing himself for a hex. When nothing came, he relaxed. "Red it is, then." He hopped to the next red square before turning back. "Urm, Harry...you need any help?"
Startled by the offer, Harry shook his head. Ron nodded then hurried away, jumping down the walk. Harry stepped carefully on to the red square then to the next. He heard Hermione start behind him. He moved slowly, careful not to even let a bit of robe fall on the white square, least a harsh hex that could harm or kill Draco be set off. Eventually they got the front porch. Harry made no move to knock the door, hoping Ron and Hermione knew how to talk to the twins.
Ron reached out and squashed a ugly stone gargoyle on the nose. It came to life snarling and rubbing its hurt nose. Ron pulled up one of its ears and shouted into it.
"OI! You two open up or come down. It's Ron and I've got Harry and Hermione with me and we need your help."
Ron stepped away from the gargoyle, waiting. The thing cocked its head then opened its mouth wide like one of its fountain cousins then froze.
"Password?" Floated out of its mouth, the voice tinny like a bad recording from a telephone company. Ron frowned.
"What? It's me, Ron!"
"Password!" It insisted.
Ron shrugged and looked over at Hermione. "Do you know the password?"
The woman let out a sniff of irritation. "This is getting ridiculous." She pushed Ron aside and the redhead wobbled, waving his arm, trying not to fall back on to a white square. Harry freed up his right hand long enough to grab his friends robe and steady him. Ron nodded a breathless thanks, eyeing the white squares like they were coiled to attack. Hermione paid none of this mind grabbing the gargoyles ear and pulling it towards her.
"Fred and George Weasley you two get your arses down here this second or I am coming up! Believe me, you don't want me to come and get you!"
There was a banging noise and a wild struggle. "Cripes Hermione!" George's voice came clearly from the stone mouth "You sound like our mum."
"Yeah." Fred's voice agreed. "You can't boss us around like Ron!"
"NOW!" Her voice left no room for argument.
"Coming!" The voices coursed together and there was another bang. A slight buzzing emitted from the stone gargoyle's mouth before it yawned and went to sleep. A light above the group blazed forth from a window above them and loud footsteps came tromping down a flight of stairs. The clicking of half a dozen locks being opened and the mumble of counter curses could be heard. The door creaked open as one of the twins stepped out.
"Ron!" Said the first twin who grabbed his younger brother, giving him a strangling hug around the neck. It showed to be Fred since Harry could see George grinning from the shop threshold. He seemed none too keen on stepping foot out of their shop.
"Hermione!" Fred cried next grabbing the woman around the waist and actually picking her up in the hug. He set he down when she slapped the back of his head and then he ruffled her hair. "Hairs grown all back then? Excellent!"
"Just as we said it would." George interjected, getting his first words in. "See there was no reason to yell at us."
"Jackasses." Hermione growled. Fred merely patted her head and spun around spying Harry.
"Harry!" The redhead threw up his arms and made a step towards. Harry backed away and ducked behind Ron. Both the twins gave him a curious look .
"Er, Harry's not in the hugging mood tonight." Ron said.
"Ok." Fred said stepping back, giving Harry a weird look.
"What can we do for you three?" George asked.
"That is so important that you had to scream at us?" Fred looked at Hermione through the corner of his eyes. "By the way Hermione, I'm sure Mum'll be so proud at how much you sound like her." Hermione flicked a hand at him like displeased royalty. Fred grabbed it and plated a kiss on it, so she pulled away. "I'm hurt! I'm wounded. The lady is distraught by my actions." Hermione's brown eyes rolled again but she smiled slightly as a blush played on to her cheeks. Ron frowned, annoyed by his brother flirting with his...with Hermione, when she obviously didn't want him too.
Ron cuffed his brother on the forehead when Fred took Hermione's hand again.
"Cut it out." He snarled. Hermione covered her mouth to stop a giggle hand still held in Fred's.
"Looks like you have competition Ronniekins." George called, stepping onto the foyer, also. Ron turned to George going red.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, I have no competition." Fred said, voice going low. "For my love for the sweet lady Granger is purer then um....." He turned to his twin for help.
"Then really pure stuff." George said helpfully.
"Yeah." He turned back to Hermione. "I love you more then the moon loves...other moons from… um, other planets."
"Your poetry is atrocious." Hermione said coldly, trying to pull her hand away.
"Cut it out." Ron said ,hitting Fred repeatedly on the head.
"Stop hitting me!" The brothers started smacking each other. George moved out of the doorway to save his twin.
"All of you cut it." Harry commanded in a low voice. "There isn't time to fool around. We need your help. Are you going to give it or not?
"Of course we'll help you Harry!" George exclaimed. "You're our favorite little brother." Fred nudged Ron and gave him a little grin. Ron merely scowled back. George went to put his arm over Harry's shoulder but Harry backed away from it. The twin chuckled.
"Right, no touchy."
Fred raised an eyebrow "What? Did'ya get some infectious disease, Potter?" George eyed Harry's arms, then rammed a elbow into his twins ribs gesturing with his head. Fred looked too, then murmured in understanding.
"So, it's an invisible disease, is it?"
Harry blushed and stiffened but didn't drop his gaze.
"Who is it?' Fred asked.
"Nothing and nobody of your concern." Harry said quietly. Hermione nodded.
"Did you kidnap some rich bloke?" Fred asked. Ron watched as Harry stiffened when Fred said rich. Neither of the twins seem to notice.
"Ooh, is it Fudge?" Fred asked.
"Right! You've kidnapped the minister of magic, haven't you, Harry?" George turned to Fred. "I always knew he was an evil chap and this proves it, kidnapping poor dear old dummy Fudge."
"Too true." Fred agreed, nodding and murmuring in disappointment. "I always knew it would come to this."
Hermione growled again and rolled her eyes. "Both of you simpletons, stop it this instant!"
"Harry hasn't kidnapped Fudge." Ron said, deciding to come Harry's defense.
"Who did he kidnap then?" The twins asked together.
"Nobody, you bloody idiots!" Ron shouted.
"Suuure, he hasn't." George said, dragging out the U sound.
"Why then all the secretly? Why are you looking for a hideout?" Fred asked
"We aren't!" Ron said. "I think." He looked over at Harry appealing for him to answer. A small silence spread.
"Look." Harry said finally. "I have a problem and I won't say what I'm doing and will be doing isn't technically illegal.. My lov... frie... this person I know is in a lot of trouble. He's dying. I need to get to Hogwarts. I need to help him. I promised him I'd........" He stopped, letting out a sigh. "We have to get to Hogwarts but we can't go through the main ways because You Know Who might be watching."
"You think You Know Who has his eyes out for you?" George asked, as the amusement lifted from both the twins' eyes.
Harry shrugged "No more then usual. Ron..." Harry paused and frowned, not looking towards Ron. "when he decided he'd like to help says for safety sake we...I shouldn't go to Hogwarts the main way. Even though this fucking little display is wasting time."
Ron glared at his friend. The way Harry said it sounded like Ron was trying to kill Malfoy. Well, for once, he wasn't. Both of the twins looked at Harry undoubtedly unnerved by his strange behavior.
"Harry don't blame Ron for thing that aren't in his control." Hermione scolded without malice. "His idea is just."
Harry nodded with a sigh bending over and looking like an old man trying to lift a load several time his weight. "I know." His whispered. His green eyes turned mournfully towards Ron. "Sorry, Ron."
"S'ok." Ron said, patting lightly on the man's shoulder. The trio turned to the twins who had watched the display silently then had started passing looks and gestures to each other. When they noticed the eyes on them, they looked apart.
"So...er, what exactly do you want us to do?" Fred asked both of the twins seeming embarrassed at watching a distraught Harry.
"Um." Hermione said when Harry shrugged. "We need to...break into ...Honey Dukes?" She almost winced when her voice rose into a question.
"Say it again, without the question mark." George said.
"Bugger yourselves." Ron said standing up taller behind Hermione. "We all know you can break in and we need to. It's important to Harry so it's important to Hermione and.....and me. You'd said you were going to help."
The twins clapped.
"Great speech, Ronnie." Fred said.
"But we were going to help anyway." George said, ruffling his brother's hair. He ducked a fist. "We'd love to help."
Harry gave a ghost of a smile. "Great." He turned down the path careful to keep to the red. He missed two pairs of eyes widening.
"Now?" The twins asked dubiously at the same time. Each twin was grabbed, Fred by Ron and George by Hermione and were dragged, hopping like, down the path.
"What about our shop?" George asked, trying to detach his sleeve from Hermione's fist.
"It's not protected enough!" Fred protested, giving a wrench to his arm.
"Too bad!" Hermione and Ron yelled at the same time. They let go of the twins at almost the same time. Ron copying Hermione, with some sort of expectation. It worked because the men sighed and followed, Fred giving one mournful look to their building. They muttered a second and then George jogged slightly to catch up with Harry. Fred moved in between Hermione and Ron. The careful chocolate eyes of the only witch in the group watched George for a second like a mother cat looking for danger to her kittens. Feeling it was safe she shifted her view to Fred. He was walking closer to her, to annoy Ron, which worked because she could see the poor dear fuming. She was about to shove Fred. After all Ron had been the best she'd ever seen. Nothing could sway his loyalty to his friends she knew that now...when the twin spoke up quickly and suddenly to Ron.
"So, Ron who does Harry have under there?"
"Why would he know?" Hermione interjected before Ron could say any thing to his brother. Goodness knew he couldn't keep a secret. Fred grinned.
"Because Harry tells you two everything and you said something before Ron could because you know he'd slip and because he's now adverting his eyes because he knows I'll make him tell me." Fred swung an arm over Ron's shoulder, who was indeed adverting his eye.
"Come on, Ronnie, you can tell me. Who does Harry have?" Fred grinned at his brother good naturally.
"A giant ferret." Ron said before ducking out from under his brother's arm and jogging ahead.
Fred turned to Hermione. "A giant...ferret?"
"Sure." She hurried to catch up, leaving Fred trailing behind.
They reached Honey Dukes and the two elder Weasleys knelt down in front of the huge door.
"This shouldn't take long." Fred assured, pulling his wand and a leather case out of his robe. He tossed the case to George.
"If you'll do the honors, brother dear."
"Of course." George said, opening the case to reveal different sized silver rods. "Remember to double check for cross bred charms." He looked up at their audience. "It's the newest thing in security. I hear Gringotts installing them."
"Yeah, they pack a real nasty punch. I doubt this lot," George indicated to the sweet shop with his thumb "has bother to upgrade though."
"True." George agreed.
Hermione made a nasty face at how easy the two could perform a crime. She had to admit though, they knew their stuff. George knelt down in front of the door, inserting two thin rods into the lock while Fred waved his wand over the door, searching for hexes. Hermione, Ron and Harry stood silently behind the twins, the only sound in the street was the thin scraping of the lock picks and Fred's chanting. After a few minutes, the bolt-clicked back and the twins grinned.
"It's a shock really.." George said, placing his picks back in their leather case.
"That the buildings here are not better protected." Fred finished, as he opened the door open a crack and peeked inside.
"A non law abiding citizen could easily break in." George added.
"Of course we are working for a noble cause." Fred said, grinning. George nodded in agreement. The twins stepped carefully through the door, then beckoned for the three other to follow. Hermione studied the doorframe as she entered.
"That didn't seem very hard for you to get in." She said. "Not very protected or are you just very good at breaking and entering?"
"A little from column A, a little from column B." Fred answered and both twins grinned at her.
"The truth is," George stated as all three had passed the threshold and he was gently closing the door. "that the real anti theft spell for this store is that all the sweets turn to cockroach clusters at night."
Hermione could in truth see that the usual stores of brightly colored candy was now replaced with the chocolate stuff. She made at face at the room's eldest Weasleys.
"I hope you didn't learn that little fact first hand." She accused. Both twins looked offended.
"Of course not." Fred whispered. "Stealing from a sweet shop would be totally...um."
"Immoral?" Hermione suggested.
"I was going to say with out scruples." Fred said.
"It sounds cooler." George added.
"Will all of you shut up!" Harry's voice growled from across the store to where he had already stood by the trap door. His hands were empty of his invisible burden as his fingers scrambled over the trap door hidden in the floorboards, searching for a handle. The twins looked at each other surprised at Harry's snappy behavior, a look Hermione would mirror if she hadn't known the reason for Harry's distress. To him, it must seem like time was running out and she couldn't help but agree. It looked like Malfoy's life was quickly draining out of the proverbial hourglass.
Harry was quickly joined by the stores other B&E'er and Ron and George help Harry lift the trap door up. Harry picked up Malfoy and started to make his way down the dark stairs. He was gone before the twins could say anything and Hermione smiled slightly apologetic.
"He appreciates it, you know?" She said, voice hopeful.
"Yeah.." Fred stated but was cut off by a thump above them. They could hear voices.
"Oh, Bugger." George moaned, "Looks like the owners are awake. Hurry up and get out of here!"
"Thanks!" Hermione said, in a loud whisper going quickly and silently down the hole. Not quick enough in seemed because Ron was shoved in on top of her and the door was shut. The sound of the twins dashing out of the shop pounded in Hermione's ears before her feet lost grip due to Ron weight and they both slid down the stairs to the bottom. She resisted a shriek as she fell, not wanting to alert anyone. Ron moaned when they landed in a painful heap. Hermione's heart pumped faster before she got her brains together and kicked Ron off of her.
"Lumos." She muttered and her wand flared up, encasing the dim tunnel in a bubble of pale gleam. Harry stared down on them, eyes glittering like they had been replaced with bits of glass.
"Ready? Lets go." Hermione pursed her lips but forgave Harry for caring more for his love then two best friends. Ron got up first, then gentlemanly helped Hermione to her feet. She shook herself slightly, feeling dusty and dirty from the fall. Ron sported a black smug on his face, which her hand twitched to wipe away. She turned quickly, clearing her throat.
"Lets go." She said, hoarsely mimicking Harry's previous words. Harry pulled ahead like a guide though there was only one way to go. Hermione kept up, deftly holding her lit wand out. They made silent pace, all teasing left with Ron's brothers. Hermione might have taken the time to observe her friends but just didn't feel like her mind conjuring riddled explanations. She stared at the wall instead. They were earthen and packed the kind that made Hermione nervous like they wandered into an unstable mine. Soft dirt squished beneath her feet, roots breezed above her. She tightened her grip on her wand, holding down a grimace.
A nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms indeed. She thought, grumpily all that's missing is an oozy smell, whatever that is.
They went on for ten minutes, the only significant thing being when she tripped and Ron caught her before she fell.
"We're close to the end." He whispered to her, as though normal volume voiced speech was off limits.
Hearing a moan, Hermione looked over to the source of the sound raising her wand to get more light. Harry was struggling with the invisible Malfoy. Harry hissed in pain and his arms went slack. Malfoy hit the floor with a thump and the cloak slipped off him. Hermione's eyes widened.
"Blimey." Ron whispered to her "He's awake."
Harry fell to his knees in front of the blonde whose eyes were open and rolling wildly around, not staring at anything. Malfoy's face glistened in the wand light as sweat poured down his cheeks. He writhed, moaning holding his arm to his cheats.
"Draco?" Harry asked holding the man down pressing a hand to his cheats.
"My arm hurts and I'm hot." The man whimpered, not seeming to even see where he was. "It's dark and I can't see anything." He was breathing in deep gasp. Harry pressed a hand too Malfoy's forehead.
"Don't worry. It'll be alright." Harry whispered soothingly.
"Ok, Harry." Malfoy whispered back, rolling over with a groan and closing his eyes. Harry sat staring the man his eyes wide before taking his hand off Malfoy's forehead and scooping him up. He turned to glare at Hermione and Ron as if they shouldn't have been here to see that. He turned and started briskly down the corridor. With a glare mirroring Harry's boring into the man's back, Ron followed. Hermione grabbed Harry's dropped cloak and followed them both.
The three of the slipped out from behind the one eyed witch blinking as the torch light hit there eyes. Ron leaned sulkily against the wall while Harry turned to Hermione. The woman bite her lip for a second thinking.
"Ok." She said, after a few second glancing slightly at the pale Malfoy in Harry's arms. He looked like a ghost in the bright light. "Harry, you go to the infirmary. I'll go and see if Professor Dumbledore is in his office. If not, I'll try to find a house elf or Flinch to help me find him."
"Ok." Harry said, nodding then taking off down the hall. Ron looked and Hermione eyes down.
"Forget about me, right? Come on, let's go get Dumbledore." He headed down the hall and she followed far enough to grab his arm.
"Actually, I didn't forget you Ron. You go down to the dungeon and see if Snape is here."
"Snape?" Ron asked giving a choke of surprise.
"I think he might be able to help. Please, Ron."
Ron gave her a odd look. "You don't have to say please. If you think it can help, sure I'll do." He looked down the hall to where a staircase led down. He took a step stopped and grabbed her hand. "Be careful." He warned before dashing off.
"Careful of what? You're jobs more dangerous then mine." She called out. Realizing she still had Harry cloak she tucked it into her belt before rushing off down the corridor in the direction of the main stairwell. She hurried up a side stair when the sound of loud cackling wafted down to her ears. She paused, wrinkling her nose. Peeves. She sided down the stair. She didn't need the hassle. She go around. Peeves was not who she wanted too run into at the moment. She sped up, going faster now because her trip was longer, glancing behind her nervously.
She ran smack dab hard into a tall imposing figure who stumbled slightly but it was her who fell on her rear. She looked up gobstruck at the man who wasn't about to offer her a hand up.
It wasn't like she wanted to run into him either.
Snape sneered down at her surprise suffocated by dark drawn brows.
"Miss Granger. I trust there is a reason for your trespassing in school property."
She sighed.
You know what? Murphy and his law could just kindly bugger off.
********
Ok, I have a lot of crap to say here. First, sorry for the long wait on this one. Expect maybe a shorter wait for the next chapter.
The widdle Hobbit plug (If you noticed) is because I finally saw LOTR (Things move slowly where I live.) and after I watched it eight times I felt I needed to read the Hobbit again, hence a bit of the opening line. I can't wait for the Two Towers to come out. Yay!
I lied at the end of the last chapter for Ginny did not appear in this chapter. She will for sure it the next. For a little preview, you'll also get to see Snape and Dumbledore and, on the other side of the coin, He Who Should Not Be Named, Luscious Lucius and Wormtail for the first time.
Keep an eye out for the next chapter and review please.
Ta ta Goggled Monkey.
P.S.
I also would like to add something, nay shamelessly promote, something. While toiling over this chapter, I got bored and wondered how bad one could write a H/H. Under my hand, I believe I wrote the worst one ever. Really! My friend Boongar girl gratuitously allowed me to post it to her profile. (I was too ashamed to post it next to my own work for fear of an evil tint run off. Also, I didn't say it was a joke fic because I wanted to see true reaction to it)
If you'd like to see true evil, try your hand at reading it. It's called 'Soulmates of Hogwarts' (Or something crappy like that, my sister named it.) and the summery is much too good for it. Boongar let me change her profile name too and it is now Purple and silver angle girl (Yes, the misspelling is intentional) Be warned, my sister said it actually made her feel sick. *Shuggs* I dunno.
Don't forget to review. *Grin*