Last time on CHS:
Draco, Draco. It's me. Please open up.
Draco groaned as he realized who it was. For Fuck's sake. Can't I be left alone for five minutes? He walked to the door and roughly pulled it open. Damn it Pansy, how many times do I have to tell you to forget about what happened before you get it through your thick skull, he yelled.
Pansy stood in the doorway looking terrified and on the verge of tears. Just pull yourself together Pansy. You can do this, she thought to herself. Draco, please just hear me out. There's something I have to tell you. Something that you need to know.
CHAPTER 3: The Talent Show
Draco glared at Pansy from the doorway before stepping aside to let her in. "Alright, you have about five minutes before I kick you out."
Pansy stepped in slowly with her head down. She stopped just a few steps into the room and turned to face him. "Well," she started nervously, "I'm sure you already have an idea and all, but I think I should just tell you so that it is out of the way. Because….um… I really think you need to know."
What in bloody hell is she babbling on about? Draco thought to himself. "Quit babbling and just tell me what you came to tell me," he said as he looked at his watch. "You have about three minutes left."
Pansy sighed deeply and spoke softly," I just wanted to let you know that I still care about you and that I think we can work this out. I really don't care that there is someone else you have…feelings for and whoever it is, I'm willing to share."
Draco stared dumbfounded at the girl standing in front of him. He wasn't sure what to say. He had never heard anything more stupid in his life. He chuckled softly and took a step towards her. "You really are pathetic you know that," he growled at her. "Now, this is the second time I am going to tell you and this is the last time. You and I will never happen. Get it out of that thick head of yours and get yourself out of my room."
On the verge of tears Pansy took a step back and opened her mouth to speak but shut quickly as he glared at her and hurriedly ran out of his room and out the Slytherin dungeons. She didn't stop until she reached the great hall doors. She stood there for long that she didn't notice when someone had come behind her.
"Are you ok?"
Pansy turned to see Hermione standing in back of her and quickly led her to an empty corridor where no one could see them.
Hermione stood there as she watched Pansy catch her breath. She looked like she wanted to cry. "What's wrong?
"I just came from talking to Draco," she said when she had composed herself.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh, no. What did you do Pansy? Did you tell him what we were going to do? You did, didn't you? I should've known I couldn't trust you."
Pansy grabbed her by the shoulders and startled her at the force that she used. "Will you shut up for one second and let me tell you what I was doing?" Hermione hesitantly nodded her head. "I was just trying to find out if Blaise had ratted me out. I needed to know if Draco had some idea of what we are doing, ok? You can't trust anyone, especially a Slytherin."
Hermione raised her eyebrow. "And what about you?" Pansy gave her a look. "Okay, I was just kidding, I believe you. So.......... what did happen with Malfoy?"
Pansy put her head down and shook her head sadly. "Well.... I told him that I still cared about him and he practically laughed in my face," she said with a quiver in her voice. "I was stupid to think that anyone would actually care about me."
"Don't you ever say that," Hermione said angrily. "He's the stupid one. That little prick doesn't deserve you. If he can't see the good things that come his way, he deserves to be alone." Pansy stared at her in shock. No one had ever stood up for her before. Hermione was also in shock. She had never heard of anyone, let alone herself, sticking up for Pansy Parkinson. They stood there silently before Pansy spoke.
"Thank you, Hermione,"saying Hermione's name for the first time. It sounded kind of weird coming from her. "Listen, we better get to lunch. We'll talk about this later."
Hermione just nodded her head and watched as Pansy headed to the great hall first. She waited a couple of minutes before heading in. As she entered the great hall, she saw that most of the students were already there. She took a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Ron and started to fill her plate with food.
"Hi guys."
She was just about to take a bite when she noticed Ginny and Harry, who were sitting in front of her staring at her.
"What?"she asked carefully, wondering if they had seen her with Pansy. Harry and Ginny exchanged a nervous glance and both looked at Ron who was nervously playing with the food on his plate. Hermione finally realized exactly who she sat by. Once again she had totally forgotten about the Ron incident. The four friends sat there in silence until finally Ron spoke.
"Um....Hermione?"
"Yes Ron?," she asked in mock sweetness trying to hide the bitterness in her voice. She was still mad at him for doing that to her.
"Well...I-uh," Ron started but stopped shortly as Dumbledore stood up and asked for everyone's attention.
Hermione was grateful for the interruption, but had other things on her mind. She still didn't know what she was going to do about the whole Malfoy situation. The only thing she could think of was ripping his head off and giving it to Harry to use as a bludger in a quidditch match. Caught in her little daydream, Hermione was brought back as the great hall filled with frantic chatting.
"This is so great. Do you think you are going to do something Hermione," Ginny asked as she took a drink from her goblet.
Hermione looked at her strangely. What in bloody hell is she talking about? "What are you on about?"
"The talent show that Dumbledore just announced that's going to take place at the end of the month. Are you going to join?"
Realizing she hadn't paid any attention to what Dumbledore said, she tried to play it off. "Oh, that. Um.... sounds like a load of rubbish to me. Why am I going to embarrass myself in front of the whole school? You're much more talented than I am. You go ahead and join," she said quickly digging into her food and listening to Ginny plan on what to do as she finished her food.
"Whatever, you have talent. You just need to find it. Anyway, I have to start planning and making decisions on what I will be doing?"
Hermione decided to have a talk with Ron about their "relationship." She finally forgave him, but told him it was not going to work. She thought of him more as a brother than a boyfriend. To her surprise he was happy because he too thought of her as sister. She was disappointed at hearing this, but didn't let it show.
Three days had passed and she hadn't spoken to Pansy since Sunday in the corridor. She was beginning to worry if Pansy had backed out. Luckily it was Wednesday and the Gryffindors had potions with the Slytherins. She finally got a chance to speak with her in potions that day.
Snape decided to partner Hermione and Pansy together to work on a potion. Harry and Ron weren't so lucky. Harry got stuck with Blaise and Ron got stuck with Malfoy.
Hermione played along as she sat next to Pansy with a scowl on her face. Pansy returned the look and started working on their potion. They didn't speak for a while, both working on their own making sure no one payed any attention to them.
"I think I came up with something," Pansy whispered as she added an ingredient to the potion.
Hermione stirred the mixture. "Ok, let's hear it," she said not looking at her.
"How good of a singer are you?"
Hermione finally eyed her, confused at her question. "I'm okay, I guess. Why are you asking me that? I thought you had a plan."
"Keep your voice down," she said as she looked around to make sure no one had heard. Hermione didn't realize she had been talking that loud. "Sorry,"she mouthed. "I do have a plan,"she continued, but was interrupted as Ron suddenly slammed his flask to the desk. Everyone's head turned to look at a fuming Ron and a smirking Malfoy.
"Mr. Weasley " barked Snape. "Do we have a problem?"
Ron furiously shook his head and stared straight ahead. Hermione eyed him carefully then looked at Malfoy and found herself staring into his gray eyes. She felt mesmerized and finally pulled from his gaze as everyone went back to their work.
She looked at Pansy who was staring back at her. "What?"
"It is true. I didn't notice it until now. I guess I didn't want to believe it."
"Believe what?" Hermione asked confused.
"Draco," Pansy whispered. "He really does care about you. I could see it in his eyes when he was looking at you."
Hermione sighed heavily. "Whatever. Don't think about that and just think about ways of getting him back for what he did to you. Now, lets hear this idea of yours."
"Fine, but I'm not sure if you're going to like it or even go through with it, but you have to do it. Just say right now that you'll do it," Pansy pleaded.
"What is it Pansy?"Hermione asked nervously.
"Just say you'll do it."
Hermione sighed. "Alright, alright. Just tell me what it is." Pansy muttered something under her breath. "Pansy, you're going to have to speak up a little bit I can't hear you."
"We're going to join the talent show."
A/N: I am truly very sorry for not updating any sooner, but I've had writer's block. I'm also very busy with work and planning this Halloween party that I'm having tonight so hopefully I'll be able to update sooner. Thanks for being so patient. Please, please, please review. I'd like to know what you all think and suggestions are always welcome.
