Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! I can't name all of you, but you know who you are. . Won't be updating for a long while. I'll be gone for a couple of weeks to a place where access to a computer is extremely rare. =(
You should try reading "Too Much Stretching" while I'm away =D. It's a one- shot with no pairings. Quite funny if you have err...that certain type of humor.
Title: Dare From Hell
Chapter Five
I walked into Professor Binn's class, ignoring the sniggering that came from the Slytherins. I held my head high, my chin up and proudly made my way to the table I shared with Harry and Ron. There was no way that I would let Malfoy get the best of me.
On my table, like the written note had said, were my books. I took a quick glance at Malfoy who caught my eyes and smirked in return. I should thank the git, although a part of me didn't want to. After all, this was MALFOY. Bloody wanker Malfoy who is the prick of all pricks. Ron blushed the wonderful shade of his hair once I sat down next to him. I can sense it. It's a like damn sixth sense that has unfortunately bestowed upon me when Malfoy did that cruel and preposterous spell. Ron is staring at my chest. Heavens.
"Ron." I greeted, smiling at him.
Ron looked up and swallowed, but was unable to meet my eyes. "Hey 'Mione."
"Hermione," Harry lightly tapped my shoulder. I turned around, looking at Harry with mild curiosity. He held up a paper in my face. No, it wasn't a paper. It was a photo. A photo of me!
I snatched the photo out of Harry's hands and I stared at it with disbelief. My mouth literally dropped to the floor and I was aghast. It was a picture of me running from Malfoy during Transfiguration! Oh bloody hell! Malfoy with his wand raised, face shrewd with anger and his mouth silently screaming. His pink bow in his hair (awww) was halfway undone and his cute pink dress was wavering behind him as he gathered speed to catch me. I have to give that git props for I've never seen such boy run so smoothly and swiftly in pink slippers. High-heeled slippers! I wonder... What has that boy been doing lately? Even I, a girl, can't even walk a few steps in those kind of shoes without tripping on my own two feet and fall flat on my face.
I, on the other hand, was crackling into laughter with a certain pair of oversized thingies bobbling up and down in front of me while running for dear life. Who took this horrendous picture?! Who?! I demand to know who did this! Was it that Colin Creevey boy? No, he's not in my class...
"Er.. Hermione? Are you okay?" Harry asked, moving slightly away from me for fear that I would erupt into flames. "I didn't think you've seen the picture yet... so I—"
"Who took this?" I demanded, my anger rising.
"I-I don't know. It was around the Great Hall when I saw it."
"Quiet class!" Prof. Binns barked.
I lowered my voice. "Everyone saw it?"
Harry nodded.
The ghost had already started his lesson, but I was too distracted with the current situation to pay attention or write the detailed notes I usually do. I still have to plot my revenge on Malfoy. If it weren't for him, none of this would've started. No. If it wasn't for that stupid dare, I wouldn't be this enraged!
I stomped back to my common room, never feeling this much angry in my life and it was all because of Malfoy and the dare! Lavender, Parvarti, and Ginny would have hell to pay, even if they are my friends! Friends don't do this to one other. Friends don't put other friends in such a torturous state! I plopped down on the couch near the fireplace, crossing my arms and thinking of all the ways I would have vengeance. Hexing Malfoy into oblivion would work. Strip him naked for all to see and then publicly humiliate him would fulfill my thirst for his mortification.
A book lying on the table from across the common room near Malfoy's door caught my eye and I got up, the feeling of curiosity has plagued me. I walked to the table, that sensation of finding a new book had filled me. I picked up the book, running my fingers over the smooth, fine, black leather binding. The book felt oddly cold for the temperature in the room was warm. There was no title or any words on neither the cover nor the back. I opened the book to the first page and I gasped, the book almost falling out of my hands.
Draco Malfoy's Journal
Malfoy had a diary?! Wait, a journal?! I would've never thought he be the one to reveal his private thoughts into a book! I had always believed he kept all of his thoughts and emotions tightly bottled up inside of him.
Wow, I thought, my anger had not fully vanished for my brain had achieved the perfect plan to get Malfoy. What better way to do it than read his inner thoughts and blackmail him? Bend him to do my biddings? Malfoy shouldn't leave his things around like this, which is unlikely of him. That's strange. Who knows what happens to it? Fall into the hands of a revengeful Head-Girl? Possibly.
An evil smirk stretched across my angelic face and I knew that if anyone saw me now, they would've thought I belonged in Slytherin. I looked around the room, seeing if Malfoy would pop up suddenly. Nope. I ran to my room, placing a locking spell on the door.
I sat down on the bed, holding the book carefully as I can as if it would fall apart any minute. A rush of excitement charged throughout my body. I opened the book, turning to the first page of the written text.
March 3,
March 3? I pondered. So Malfoy began to write in this only three weeks ago? Oh well.
I began to read.
Today was just the usual. Shagged some Ravenclaws. Mindy, Cindy, Lindy, Dingy, whatever their names were.
I rolled my eyes. So typical of Malfoy.
Snape finally washed his hair. I noticed. It didn't hold that brilliant greasy shine like yesterday. Today the grease was just to a minimum.
I have to wait until my 18th birthday before I can fully gain my fortune from my dead father. I truly, dearly hope he has a wonderful time in hell. He probably tortures the devil minions there down there instead of the other way around.
So what can I say about my day? Nothing much. Granger is starting to look a bit pretty. With her busy hair and cute face.
I paled; the color was drain from my face. I read the lines over again; making sure my eyes didn't deceive me.
Granger is starting to look a bit pretty. With her bushy hair and cute face.
What?! I didn't care much about my looks before, but the way Malfoy wrote it, I'm feeling more offended than complimented. Starting to look pretty? Then what was I before? Hideous?
And Malfoy wrote I have a cute face. Me? Malfoy wrote that about me? It's not like I care about what he thinks, but it's truly appalling to know that my worst enemy thinks I'm cute. Truly appalling or truly disgusting? Possibly both.
I returned to the page. March 3 ended. I flipped the page, half-wondering what shocking words Malfoy wrote.
March 5.
I've never met anyone as clingy and obsessive as Pansy. Merlin, that girl clings more than Crabbe and Goyle clings to their food. Okay, perhaps that's stretching it. Granger is even better and prettier than Pansy and that's saying something.
I choked on my own air. Prettier than Pansy?! I know I'm not much of a looker, but being compared to Pansy is felonious. I think Malfoy is high on something when he's writing these things or maybe someone put a wand up to his head and was going to Crucio him. Not that I mind that. It would be doing me a very huge favor.
I just realized that, when McGonagall purses her lip in an angry fashion, she looks like a raisin with eyes and glasses. Today, I had the craziest idea that Snape and McGonagall would be a perfect match for one another. They're both old and Merlin knows if they're able to find someone as strict and impossible as them. Maybe McGonagall with her stern manner, she'll be able to tell Snape to fully wash his hair. Not partially, but the whole head.
Oh dear, I must go. A Slytherin girl whats-her-name is calling for a nice shag.
Malfoy must be really knocked-out. Snape and McGonagall? Absurd! But then again... If I think about it, it might not be that bad. He's right. They're both old and impossible.
That git doesn't write much. How am I supposed to blackmail him if he doesn't write any juicy stuff worth gossiping about? Not that I'm much for gossip. Still, it seems like Malfoy is writing this for his own amusement. I turned the page.
March 8,
By carefully observing Granger, I noticed that under all those layers of atrocious, baggy clothes that she wears, there is a body waiting to be touched.
I stopped reading and coughed. Is Malfoy fantasizing about me? (Although most girls would adore the idea of Malfoy dreaming of them) Dear God! That is absolutely ghastly! I gulped, swallowing my own vomit, which is utterly disgusting. I mustered up all the courage I had and continued on to read.
I wonder if the Bludger had caused damage to my brain while practicing Quidditch because throughout my own two eyes, Granger is sprouting like a weed that blossomed into a dandelion.
I was outraged. Sprouting like a weed that blossomed into a dandelion? A dandelion is not anymore or less than a weed! If Malfoy is trying to compliment me, he is sure doing a horrible job. The Bludger should've smashed his brain into tiny pieces, ergo, if the ball could get through his thick skull first. I had the impression Malfoy knew the ways of a girl (if his reputation is what as it sounds... Lavender and Parvarti... too much gossip) and could easily seduce them with his sly words, but goodness, these words won't even attract a fly!
I slammed the book shut, refusing to read anymore of these repulsive words. The book did nothing ease my anger, but as a matter of fact, it only added fuel to the fire. I stared at the book, having the biggest urge to throw it out the window or at least, Malfoy's head. That little idiotic voice is returning to infuriate me again.
Come on Hermione, you know you feel flattered. Admit it. Malfoy is complimenting you.
I snorted. His "compliments" are more of rude statements than pleasing to the ear.
Stop denying Hermione. I know you...
"Be quiet you exasperating voice."
You feel flattered; you actually like his compliments...
"I do not! Will you go away?!"
Do not deny the truth... Mwuhahaha
I looked at the book with a strong sense of revulsion. I took the spell off the door and strolled out into the common room. I placed the book back where I found it and vowed never to look in it ever again. Malfoy's really gone off his knockers.
The chatter of students and staff in the Great Hall was louder than usual during dinner. The only reason for it being so is there is probably new gossip. I wonder about whom. I thought dryly as I stirred the soup with my spoon. Harry and Ron were great friends and acted like nothing happened. That's a good thing. Lavender, Parvarti, and Ginny, however, were Gossip Queens and were in a very heated argument about... some boy... someone... something... who looked better... I wasn't listening.
For some odd reason, I didn't have much of an appetite. My eyes unknowingly wandered over to the Slytherin table. Malfoy was sitting next to Blaise who said something and the both of them laughed. I wonder how Malfoy was able to take this so lightly? I made him wear a pink outfit and publicly humiliated him! His ego should've at least been deflated!
I sighed, thinking that there is no way in hell I can understand him. I stirred my soup a bit, still observing Malfoy and wondering how I can have my reprisal and not suffer the so-called "consequences" of the dare... Whatever they are...
"You got it?" Blaise asked, smirking.
"Of course" Malfoy answered, eating his vegetables with etiquette.
"Brilliant." The other Slytherin said, reaching for a bread roll.
"Never knew you had such a mind, Zabini."
Blaise mocked hurt. "You will never know such a mind as great as mine." He declared. "Not even Merlin."
The Head-Boy did not resist the temptation to roll his eyes.
"How it's going with Granger?" Zabini grinned. "Anything?"
"Aside the fact that she gave me the worst outfit ever, no."
Zabini shook his head with disappointment. "Shame. You better it started."
Malfoy looked up and winked at me. If he weren't Malfoy, I would've actually thought it was cute. But ugh. Then realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Malfoy is flirting! Wait... so what he wrote in his diary, I mean journal is true?
I pushed my bowl of soup away from me. There goes what little appetite I had. Something is wrong with Malfoy. I better go ask Madame Pomfrey if Malfoy had checked into the Hospital Wing with any head collisions in the past weeks. Either that or Malfoy is up to something awfully dirty. That cunning bastard.
I got up from my seat and traipsed to where Ginny sat and dragged her out of her seat.
"What's up—hey! What are you doing Hermione?!"
"Ginny. Shush!"
She hushed up immediately. I hauled her out of the Great Hall and into to a secluded classroom down the hall.
"What is up with you?" Ginny asked, placing her hands on her hips in a very I-demand-to-know-what's-going-on fashion.
"Ginny, I feel really stupid for asking this."
"Oh how could you Hermione? You're the smartest witch I've ever met." The girl said wryly.
I ignored her comment. "Do the dares really have consequences if you don't do them or are you guys really trying to scare me into doing the dare?" I asked quickly.
She eyed me carefully. I flinched from her scrutiny.
"You really don't want to do the dare?" She asked finally.
After what I've read in Malfoy's journal, of course I don't!
"Yes, please!" I begged. "You don't know how bad it is!"
"Well..." She started skeptically. "There is one other way..."
"What is it?" I asked, my heart beating with anxiety. I could just soar right now! I don't have to do the dare! "Please, please tell me."
Ginny sighed, obviously defeated. "The person who cast the dare has the power to withdraw it. There were three of us, me, Parvarti and Lavender. Since the three of us dared you, at least two of us have to vote you out. Majority rules."
So there was a minor setback. No problem... All I need to do is a little persuasion.
"Okay," I said. "Let's go get Lavender and Parvarti then."
Ginny was reluctant to follow me, so I told her to stay behind and don't run away. I skipped happily out the door, feeling a bit relieved. I pushed through the doors of the Great Hall and marched up to the duo, tapping on their shoulders. They spun around with glee.
"Hermione!" They exclaimed. Oh, how can they be so happy when I'm suffering so miserably?
"I need to talk to the both of you." I looked around. "Away from here."
They glance uneasily at each other before nodding and getting up to follow me.
Ginny was sitting on a desk with her legs dangling on the sides when I returned with Lavender and Parvarti.
"What's going on?" Lavender asked, looking at my face and then at the door. She's probably making sure she has a clear route out.
"Hermione doesn't want to do the dare." Ginny blurted.
"We had this talk already!" Lavender cried out.
"You don't know how horrible Malfoy really is! You don't live close to him!" I exasperated.
"I told Hermione about the other way she can get out." Said Ginny.
Parvarti glared at the Weaslette who smiled sheepishly.
"If you're truly my friends, you wouldn't do this to me." I whined. "This is torture... please?"
"Let's vote then." Parvarti suggested.
I looked at Ginny, giving her my wide-eyes innocent expression. The puppy eyes.
Ginny bit her lip nervously. "I vote her out."
Yay! I hugged Ginny who just frowned. "You're an absolute spoiled-sport."
"No out." Lavender crossed her arms defiantly.
I turned to Parvarti, pleading with my eyes. She's my last hope! She looked at each of us.
"Sorry." She smiled meekly, looking at Lavender and then at me. "If that's what she wants, then I'll have to agree."
I screamed out with joy and hugged Parvarti tightly. "Thank you!"
Lavender looked really upset and betrayed.
"Thanks for the hug, Hermione." Parvarti said, patting my back. "But I meant with Lavender."
My smile disappeared and I instantly let go of her, backing away. Lavender's face had brightened up like the sun.
"Majority rules, sweetie." Lavender beamed. "You have to do the dare."
My face fell. "Nooo!!!"
"Sorry, Hermione. I tried. Good luck." Ginny shrugged and trudged out the door.
Lavender giggled and followed after Ginny. I shrunk to the floor.
I guess Parvarti took pity on me because she bended down and took my hands in hers. "Just incase you don't do the dare, Hermione... I'm going to a break a rule and tell you one of the consequences, but just a clue."
I looked up.
"You're going to act out... erm... your deepest desire... However, after your performance, you'll usually regret it." She grimed, possibly remembering an unpleasant memory. "I did."
I blinked.
Parvarti stood up and left. She lingered at the door for a moment before turning around and smiled, "The consequences are worst than the dare, just so you know."
TBC.
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