A.N.: Tanky, Tanky to my reviewers. I save you all's reviews. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I read chapter 5 over again and I thought, 'Good grief, what was I smoking when I wrote this?'(Honestly I don't smoke anything. I'm drug and alcohol free.) So like the idiot I am, I rewrote most of the chapter. Here it is. I hope you enjoy. If not tell me what's wrong with it. Buh bye.
Chapter Five: Lion's Gold, Serpent's Silver
Hermione spent the rest of the train ride with Ron and Harry in their usual compartment at the back of the train. The boys were rambling on happily about their long summer at the Burrow.
"It was great, Mione! Mum let us play quidditch in the field and Fred, George, and Ginny played too…Ow, Harry!" Harry, sensing a nonstop prattle on quidditch, had elbowed his redheaded friend in the ribs.
They had definitely been well fed! Both boys were a foot or more taller, though Ron still beat Harry by a deal. Harry was brown from lengthy afternoons in the hot summer sun, while Ron had gained an enormous amount of freckles.
Ron hit Harry back and addressed Hermione, "You look great, Mione!" A blush started creeping up his neckline.
"Thanks, Ron. You two don't look half bad yourselves," she said with a brilliant smile.
The boys wore identical grins. They too were glad to be with their other friend and to be going home.
Then, her mind suddenly spurred to life. 'Remember the Prophecy,' it hissed it's reminder with exasperation.
As soon as the thought came, her smile fell into seriousness.
"I need to tell you guys something," she said quietly as if someone was going to hear.
"What is it?" Harry asked concern swarming within his emerald eyes.
"I'm a pureblood, and my mother had a Prophecy pertaining me and two other people," spurted out of her lips quickly without a pause. A meek look took over the usually strong Hermione.
"Wha?" questioned Ron, while Harry watched her quietly.
"Whom all did it pertain to, Mione?" Harry asked moving to sit closer to her.
"You, Malfoy, and I," she whispered. Hermione was afraid how they would react to that information and the fact that she wasn't what they always believed her to be.
Harry reached over and pulled her into a brotherly embrace. He knew how it felt to be apart of something you didn't want to be and what you didn't know you were. Ron soon joined them in the supportive hug between best friends.
After they had comforted and reassured Hermione, they sat there in their own thoughts. There was a lot to think about. She had told them the Prophecy, and Ron had snorted doubtfully at when she told of Draco being involved with the destruction of the Dark Lord. It seemed neither of the boys had thought of her and Malfoy having to be together as an issue, or they just hadn't noticed the exact wording.
As the train lurched to a halt, the three started down the corridor with their respective animals. Crookshanks hissed moodily at the small owl, Pigwidgeon, who was twittering like mad and jumping around his cage like he was a ping-pong ball.
The station in Hogsmeade was its usual jumble of Hogwarts students on their first day back. Second year and up were all hurrying to catch the carriages. The tiny first years were milling around in excitement, horror, and confusion.
Suddenly behind them they heard, "Firs' years! This way!"
Hagrid was performing his yearly ritual of gathering the new students. As usual, the youth walked warily towards the huge man. Some looked terrified, but others were awed by his half giant size.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron weren't fooled. Though the man was half giant, he was no more evil or harmful than a bag of butterflies. The three weaved through the crowd to their friend shouting their hellos.
"'Ello, there 'Arry, Ron, 'Mione. Have good summers?" Hagrid asked happily before shouting, "First years, follow me!"
They all nodded as one and Hermione told him they'd see him at the feast. Then, they went to catch one of the remaining carriages.
The three rode in silence for a while. But it seemed Ron was still in a huff about Malfoy being involved in the Prophecy.
"How can that rotten ferret even think about tickling You-Know-Who's pinky toe, while he's a deatheater?" Ron exclaimed when he had reached bursting point.
"One, Ron, he's not a deatheater, and two, he doesn't even know about it!" Hermione stated the facts out of exasperation.
Harry looked at her in slight disapproval because she hadn't told Draco, but the feeling was mixed to where he was glad that she hadn't endangered herself.
"What do you mean he's not a deatheater?" Ron snarled angrily at her hidden challenge. They always argued, but the funny thing was he never won.
"He told me he isn't," she said lamely.
"Oh, okay, let's believe one of our worst enemies was actually telling the truth!" he exclaimed in what he thought was triumph.
"I think he was," Hermione said quietly.
"Have you gone absolutely nutters, Mione?" Ron asked indignantly.
Then, Harry intervened, "Shut up, Ron, and let's hear her out." He turned towards he waiting.
Hermione fidgeted for a moment before answering, "Well, I popped off at him after our meeting, and it appeared to have ticked him off a bit."
Ron's face faded from anger into mild surprise and back again to anger. "Did he hurt you?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"No, Ron" she replied calmly.
He looked relieved but there was a slight hint of disappointment on his face. She knew it was because he didn't have any reasons to try and hurt Malfoy, yet.
Draco spent the rest of the train ride cooling down. He still wasn't sure how she knew exactly what not to say, but said it anyway.
He got off the train with Crabbe and Goyle and found a carriage for the three of them. Crabbe had a large welt on one cheek were Goyle had obviously hit him over the pastry. Suddenly, a head popped into the door.
"There you are!" Pansy Parkinson exclaimed with a grin, "I've been looking for you guys everywhere."
Draco was immensely pleased to see his best friend. He now had someone with an IQ over twenty-five to talk to.
Pansy hopped into their carriage still beaming. Before she had sat down, she had hugged all three in turn and asked of their summers.
Goyle and Crabbe both grunted a simple good, and Draco sat silently watching her with amusement.
"Now, Dray-darling, whatever could be eating you?" she asked through a large pile of sarcasm.
"Nothing, Pans," was his only remark.
"Don't you lie to me, Draco Malfoy!" Pansy shrieked in fake outrage. She fell beside him in the seat, when the carriage started moving. With a small huff she straightened herself out and sat down before continuing, "Is he at it again?" she probed expertly.
He knew quite well who she meant by 'he'. "Yes, he's still trying, and I'm running out of excuses."
"Oh," that seemed to have shut up his talkative, female friend. She looked out the window in silent thought.
The short ride up to the castle ended quickly. The small carriage grounded to a complete stop, and the three boys and the girl hopped out of the carriage in turn. They were finally home, somewhere sadistic parents and crazy men with wands could no longer reach. Hogwarts was their safety zone.
"Mr. Malfoy, I'd hate to separate you from your pleasant company, but the Headmaster has requested that I show the new Heads to their residences," Professor Snape conversed almost sarcastically.
Draco looked back to wave off his friends, but upon turning he realized Crabbe and Goyle had already lumbered off -eager to fill their pit sized stomachs- and Pansy remained behind. He nodded her off silently, and she threw him a small smile before hurrying through the large wooden doors.
"Ms. Granger, please follow me. I will be showing you to your dormitories," came Snape's cool voice purred behind him.
He caught sight of the Golden Trio as he turned his head. Hermione was slightly in the lead. She appeared to be talking over her shoulder at them animatedly. When she reached the stone steps, she waved her friends off much like he had.
Without a single word, the Potion's Master turned on his heel in his aloof manner and strode off into the school. The two students couldn't do anything but follow. He couldn't help but think of whether or not Dumbledore had lost his mind. Surely, he knew that the two couldn't breath the same air without so much as cursing one another into dust.
Draco and followed the man's quick gaits easily, but Hermione was lagging behind. She had to practically jog to keep up with the men's longer strides.
"Great git! Why can't he walk like a normal person?" Hermione cursed the greasy-haired man under her breath.
Snape had led them up to the fifth floor without so much as a pause. His brisk pace had left the smaller female behind. Truthfully, that amused the man to some extent. He stopped sharply in front of a large portrait and turned to Draco.
"Wherever has Miss Granger gone?" he asked with a smirk.
Draco smirked back at the unhindered humor his professor was showing. Suddenly, Hermione came into view.
She charged around the corner puffing hard and clasping a stitch in her side. The girl had just run up the last flight of stairs to catch up with two of her least favorite people. She wasn't in the best of moods.
"So nice of you to join us, Ms. Granger," Snape drawled in distaste, then he turned to the picture, "This is entrance to your new dwellings. Lia and David were the first Hogwarts Heads, and they will answer any questions you may ask. Oh, and I may add that there are tapestries of each of the house crests. These are shortcuts to each respective house. These are for your use only," he said giving Hermione a significant glance.
"The Sorting and feast are now over, and you shall eat in your common room. Choose a password and enter. Good evening." And with all said and announced, he left them in a swirl of air from his billowing robes.
The Heads of Hogwarts turned to the first Heads. The two obviously were a couple. David's arms were wrapped protectively around Lia's waist. The couple looked at them speculatively. Lia wore a knowing smile, while David looked amused with the hateful looks they threw at each other systematically. Lia was a prime example of classic beauty. Curly blonde hair, creamy skin, and amethyst eyes made her a beauty in her time. She looked fondly at her boyfriend in obvious happiness. David wasn't bad looking either. His dark brown hair and serious hazel eyes only enhanced his defined features and dark tan.
"Welcome to the Head dorms," ventured Lia breaking the stubborn silence. She sat forward in her seat gracefully.
"Hello, my name is Hermione Granger, and this is Draco Malfoy," Hermione said indicating herself and Draco.
Draco rolled his eyes at the unnecessary formality.
"What do you want the password to be?" David asked with a smile.
"How about 'twitchy ferret'?"
Draco came back icily, "Why not 'Potty and Weasel'?"
The ancient couple watched the couple with genuine pleasure. Lia crumpled up in a fit of giggles, while David smiled in understanding.
"Now, now. Why don't you to just use our old password?" David asked intervening smoothly. Lia sat beside him trying to stifle her smile, but only succeeded in tearing up and laughing harder.
"What's so funny?" Draco asked slightly taken aback by the girl's sudden laughter. He was afraid she might have something wrong with her.
"Ya'll are just like we used to be, that's all. I didn't realize how stupid we looked until now," Lia puffed between breaths.
"What changed you two?" Hermione asked in hurriedly before Draco could retort smartly. She wasn't in the mood to be locked out of her room all night.
"Things happen in funny ways," answered David almost secretively. He squeezed Lia's hand gently.
"I'd like to hear the story sometime," she said ready to learn something new.
"Okay, anytime you want to drop out and have a chat you're welcome to."
"Are you three done already? I'd really like to see the place I'm having to share with her all year," cut in Draco's cold voice without a care.
"Oh, yes, the password is 'Lion's Gold, Serpent's Silver.' Hermione's room is to the left, and Draco's is to the right," David answered quickly, as if he knew how the boy felt. The portrait swung forward at his words.
Hermione held her breath. He was such a jerk, sometimes! Well, actually, all of the time. Draco Malfoy couldn't hold a civil conversation with the wall or a picture! She didn't understand why he thought everything was lower than he.
Still in a huff, Hermione followed Draco into the hole in the wall. Almost as soon as she walked out of the hole, she ran smack dab into the silver haired boy.
For once, he didn't say anything foul or witty, but it wasn't long until she found out why. Peeking around his tall frame, she saw the amazing common room she was going to live in for the whole year.
"Now I know why I worked so hard," Hermione muttered under her breath as she looked admiringly around the small room.
Draco just nodded in unusual agreement.
The walls were the usual Hogwarts stone, but they were covered in areas with large tapestries of the houses' coat of arms. A large bookshelf ran down one wall, filled with many books on anything that someone might be interested in. A large glass and metal desk sat in front of it, with overstuffed leather chairs. On top sat an elegantly shaped quill holder, surrounded by many multicolored inkbottles. The desk had clear drawers on either side holding several filing folders and assortments of parchment and other useful items. A finely carved mantel stood over the small fireplace. The carvings were of the assorted house animals, which all appeared lifelike. A large portrait of the two students hung above the merrily crackling flames. In front of the fires place was a large glass coffee table framed by a black leather loveseat and couch. The table sat on top of a large black fur rug.
In a small alcove was a large pile of cushions and pillows made out into a pallet. The alcove was shaped by two curving staircases on either side. The many colorful pillows were in front of a large bay window looking out over the crystalline lake. She could just see the giant squid floating lazily across its calm surface.
But the best part of all was the ceilings. Just like the Great Hall's ceiling, the common room had a perfect view of the night sky. The stars looked down on them with an unknown, twinkling knowledge. A bright comet shot across the star spangled darkness.
Almost as one, Draco and Hermione glanced at each other and darted up the separate staircases to their bedrooms.
Hermione burst through her door in pure excitement and suspense. A satisfied smile curved her lips at her décor.
Instead of Gryffindor red, her room had clover green and gold motif; her favorite colors. The bedroom's ceiling was bewitched, also. Long, silver, wispy canopy hung over her large bed. Her blanket was black, but the sheets underneath it were green, while the pillows were gold. The thick, so she would be warm during the late fall and winter months. The bed itself sat on top of a large fuzzy black rug.
All the furniture was ebony. She had a wardrobe with a full-length mirror for the front -that she knew was already full of her robes- and a large dresser that had a big, circular mirror above it.
The one window in her room looked out over the school grounds to the peaceful mountains beyond. Like the common room, her window had a small pallet in front of the window for reading. Close by was a door that she unconsciously labeled the bathroom.
A short piece of parchment caught her eye on the nightstand. The scrawl was neat and in an emerald green ink. It read:
I hope the accommodations are to your liking. I put a rather convenient spell on your rooms, so no one can enter lest invited. It's really quite like the vampire's curse.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts
Draco looked around his room with his usual self-satisfied smirk. It was perfect. Where Hermione's room was green and gold, Draco's was blue and silver. The dark furniture was perfect for his usual dark atmosphere.
Instead of the pallet that Hermione had, he had a large wing backed chair. His window looked out over the Forbidden Forest and out to the distant frosty mountains.
He found the note and scanned it quickly. A small genuine smile curved his lips, he couldn't help but see the twinkle in the wise man's eyes.
Though in separate rooms, they both thought, "It's perfect."