Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! You're wonderful people! Okay, let's get on to business. The past chapters have all been fun and games, its time to get serious. I think this chapter is not as humorous as the other ones. It's more serious... informative, I think.
Chapter Nine
By sunrise, I was wide awaked. I didn't know why they came or how they came, because I was trying so hard so suppress them down. They flowed freely down my cheeks and I was at their mercy. Perhaps it was the humiliation, the shame that I was brought upon when I was forced to do that. The tears could not be stopped, but were like waterfalls that gushed through my eyelids as they were like a dam trying to stop it. But one can only hope on my behalf. I was praying all through the night that no one besides Malfoy had heard me sang that now mortifying song.
If people know of this, they would laugh. Yes, they would laugh and see the hilarity in this situation, but they don't know how embarrassment can bring such tears to one's eyes. How can they laugh when others are suffering? Is this world so cruel?
I was slow to get out my bed that morning. I was not willing to go to class today and I felt so shameful of myself for thinking of skipping classes. My eyes were dark and there were circles around it, obvious that I did not much sleep last night. I felt tremendously tired and for once, I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed and be swallowed by my fluffy pillows and warm sheets. I lagged my way to the bathroom, closing the door behind me, my mind a bit too exhausted to remember about locking the door. Pulling the clothes off me, I climbed into the shower stall and blasted the water cold. If the cold water didn't wake me up, I surely don't know what will. Half trembling, I proceed to lathered shampoo into my hair and washed my body.
I turned off the water sprout and grabbed a towel from the rack, wrapping it around my body. Of course, I was too occupied to hear it. Certainly, I wasn't paying attention to the door to see that it was opening. And dear me, why couldn't have I just locked it in the first place? When I had spun around, I was greeted face-to-face with a staring Malfoy. We didn't say anything; it was like a gorge of silence between us. Malfoy looked at me unblinkingly, lips slightly parted. At first, I was stunned, a bit too shock to see Malfoy, barely registering the fact that the only piece of cloth that shielded my nakedness to a person of the opposite sex was a towel. I could've dropped that towel out of pure fright, and it would have all been revealed. But luckily, I didn't, and I soon realized the predicament that we were in. I blinked, the rage inside of me gradually building up. Then with a lease of fury, I grabbed the nearest thing, which happened to be a bar of soap and launched towards Malfoy's head. Perhaps he was a bit too dumbfounded to react in time, for the soap hit him directly on his forehead. It bounced off, landing on the tiled floor.
"Malfoy!" I growled. "Get out! Get out! Out! Out!" If he had said anything inappropriate to me at that time, Harry and Ron would soon visit me in Azkaban. Hell, I wouldn't regret being in there.
Malfoy quickly closed the door, just narrowly missed another object being thrown at his thick head. I was fuming. Does that boy not know how to knock? It's a simple gesture of balling up one's first and gently tapping it on the door. Is that so hard that even an incompetent fool like Malfoy could not complete the task? I hastily put on my school uniform and wretched the door open, almost pulling out the doorknob. Even if it wasn't to his intentions that he accidentally walked in on me half-naked, I wouldn't feel better until I complete my act of vindictiveness. I need to plan, oh yes, I do.
During breakfast, I had expected Malfoy to blab his big mouth to the entire school, if they not already know, about the little karaoke session I had in the Heads' common room last night. Strangely, he didn't. On top of that, no one had walked up to me and asked, "What's the name of that song you were singing last night? Was it 'Draco and his sweet honey buns?' or 'Draco, Draco, how did you get so fly?'" Because if they did, instead of hexing them to oblivion like I would normally do, I would politely smile and reply, "Repeat that one more time and you'll end up in the Hospital Wing."
"Hermione, you look awfully tired. Are you okay?" Harry asked worriedly. He placed his palm on my forehead.
"Harry, I'm fine." I said, smiling a little and gently pushed his hand away. "I'm not sick."
Suddenly, an idea sparked in my head. "Harry," I whispered. "Say, would you mind me borrowing your Invisibility Cloak tonight?"
Harry was surprised, but after a few moments, he nodded. "Sure... would you mind telling me what you're doing with it?"
"Nothing dangerous to humanity." I replied briskly. "You'll all be here tomorrow morning, heads, arms, and legs attached."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione, I mean it. Is it something I can help you with? You're not planning to..." He lowered his voice. "Sneak off school grounds?"
I leaned in closer to him. "Harry, would you like to help me take a book out?" I knew what his answer was.
"Uhh... no. That's alright."
Where there's no excitement, such as taking a book, you won't find Harry. "Thanks." I grinned.
If all goes well, this would be the end to my problems.
My day went by pretty quickly since I spent half the time scheming and placing all logic together. After dinner, I walked alone to Professor Binn's room, for once, I was anxious to start my detention.
"Professor," I greeted as I walked into the room.
He looked up and smiled. "You're here early Miss Granger."
"I was wondering if I might be able to get a head start on my detention," I said, sitting down. "Just so I can finish early and rest tonight. I'm terribly tired."
"Well, Mr. Malfoy won't be here for another hour, are you sure—"
That bloody idiot can fall off the Astronomy tower for all I care!
"It's perfectly fine."
"I suppose there's no harm in this." He smiled, adjusting his glasses. "Two hours Miss Granger."
"Thank you, Professor." I stood up and walked to the back room.
Immediately recognizing where I last placed the book, under the stack of books I knew Malfoy would not bother to sort. This way, I can read in peace and without the presence of Malfoy badgering me. I turned to the page that I've marked.
Chapter Three
The Consequences
It was absolutely remarkable how Maywood was able to determine the degree of humiliation and the number of consequences one has to go through prior to not completing a dare. Wizards and witches alike have not been able to resolve this difficult conflict that has left us all in puzzlement. Tis a shame that Maywood would not expose his secrets.
Consequences that are to follow can be as simple and harmless as getting an oversized pimple on one's nose or even the middle of one's forehead to something as drastic as making one run streaking in broad daylight in a crowd marketplace. Yes, we all marveled at Maywood's brilliantness.
I snorted. Brilliantness? Absurd! Maywood is crazy; he should've been locked in Azkaban for unleashing this horror upon the world.
Records have shown that over the last century, over five hundred thousand consequences have been unleashed. We are to believe that people enjoy others' embarrassment, thus, proving that the more people are to enjoy this game, the more degradation it would cause. Research has been conducted. Ignited by a chuckle or a laugh by someone, a witness to a consequence shall make the next consequence more mortifying, unless that consequence is the final one. The more laughter created by a consequence, the more horrible it would be for the next one. Conversely, if a scream, sob, or tear is created (by witnesses, not the person who is completing the consequence), the next consequence shall be less dire. If anything drastic happens, such as death, the consequence is immediately halted.
Wonderful I thought sarcastically. If my consequences were to be stopped, someone has to die. Malfoy seems like the ideal candidate.
I bit my lip, trying to remember my past consequences. First... it was that kiss... and people were laughing... practically the whole Great Hall! Second... hmm... last night, that stupid song, but it was only Malfoy that was laughing. So... would the next consequence be less humiliating or more?
Yes, that's for Maywood to know and for me to find out... the hard way.
Below are some people with enough dignity left to share their unpleasant experiences.
Roy Banks, eighteen,
Dare, Would not like to be said.
Consequence, "I was always afraid of bleeding and when I didn't complete the dare my friends had dared me, I only had one consequence, fortunately. However, that one consequence is enough to make me wish I were born a Metamorphmagus so I can change my appearance and no one can know that it was me. I think it was during lunch on a Saturday, in Hogwarts School, 1978. I didn't wear my robes that day, just a simple pair of pants and a shirt. But dear Merlin, I should've worn my school robe. I stood up and walked out the Great Hall, but before I reached the doors, I felt this wetness seeping through my pants. It was like I was peeing on myself, but I know I wasn't because... well I would know if I was. When I finally had the courage to look down, there was this flow of thick, dark, blood staining my pants and I could feel it running down my leg. Peeves, a really annoying ghost there, had screamed out, really loud, "Banks got his period! Banks got his period!" The whole Great Hall had turned around and stared at me. I wanted to die at the moment. The students and teachers were pretty much grossed out, but they were laughing so hard, clutching their stomach, doubling over laughing. I've never felt so much humiliation in my life. From that day on, I was dubbed "Bloody Banks", the only boy who ever got a period. As it turned out, I didn't get a cut or anything that could've caused the blood, it was just the crazy works of Maywood. That is the last time I will ever play Truth or Dare."
Oh the horror! I felt such an enormous amount of pity for that poor boy.
Marie Canther, twenty-one
Dare, "I was dared by a couple of friends to 'mingle' with the boss so we all could easy promotions. I told them it wouldn't work, but I was dared anyway and I didn't do it."
Consequence, "Merlin, how can I say this? I can't believe I'm telling this to you. Okay, we were on a resort with a few of my friends along with my boss from the Ministry of Magic. I was in this brand new bikini I just brought a few days ago especially for this trip. It was absolutely sexy. So I wrapped a towel around my body, just so I could surprise everyone. Then it came. I didn't even see it when I was changing. Unknowingly to the changes, I took off my towel and made my appearance infront of everyone. The look on their face was priceless. I didn't know what they were gaping at. A friend of mine slowly came up to me and whispered in my ear politely, "Marie, dear, you should've cleaned your body of those hairs before wearing a bikini." I looked down and froze. My entire breast and stomach area was covered with hair! Like a hairy animal! You couldn't see a patch of skin anywhere! God, it was dreadful."
I shuddered, feeling a bit repulsive. And to think that singing to Malfoy was horrible, imagine if that had happened to me! This will definitely be my last game of Truth or Dare ever. I'm not going through this bullshit again.
Those poor people's experiences were not fun, to say the least and they knew what they were getting themselves into. Sometimes, out of pure enjoyment, can lead you to horror. Please remember to warn your friends before attempting to dare them. If not warned and your friends has accepted the dare without knowing the true terror, the consequences will still act on its own if the dare is not completed. However, if the person that was dared, later knows of the consequences and was not previously warned of the consequences before being dared, he/she is able to, by the laws of Maywood, confront the darer and accuse him/her of foul play. The darer must withdraw and call back the dare or the consequences will turn around and they'll be the one that gets targeted. All remnants and memories of the consequences will be forgotten once the darer takes the dare back.
My eyes narrowed until they were nearly slits. Foul play, huh? I knew there were loopholes to these sorts of things. There are always loopholes. I knew never 'Truth or Dare' could be such a complicated game.
Consequences shall end on their own, when the dare is completed, when the reaction to the consequence by the witnesses is anything but funny, or foul play is involved. Please note: Memories of the consequences is only erased when foul play is occurring, otherwise, other consequences shall still be one's mind.
I closed the book softly, a smile creeping up my lips. I smiled, satisfied with my findings. Now, all I have to do is continue on with my plan. I decided that I did enough reading and placed my book in a place where I will only know of. Then, I began my job of sorting out the hundreds of books.
Malfoy walked in, surprised to see that I was already there. "A bit early, huh Granger?"
"Oh yes," I grinned.
He raised a pale eyebrow. "What's with the sudden happiness? Feel like singing my song again?"
"Nah," I said simply. "Really tired tonight, awful headache."
He sat down next to me, but I didn't scoot away from him like I usually would. "Tell me, Granger," He said, swinging his arm over my shoulders and pulled me closer. I didn't object.
"Do you hate me?"
I considered this. Did I really loathe him? Despised him? He humiliated me, yes, taunt me, called me names, annoyed the hell out of me, did everything to piss me off. If anything, I should say yes, I do hate him, but despite everything, it didn't feel like I hate him. Sure, he wasn't the same scrawny midget who coward behind his father with his stupid sneer (which he still has), but now, he's a nearly full-grown man and his attitude has changed... somewhat. He didn't call me a Mudblood in every sentence that he refers to me like he did two or three years ago.
"I don't... suppose so..." I said slowly. "I don't hate you... I can't stand you, that is true."
"Well," He sighed lightly. "That's a start. Now consider this, if I were to ask you to the Graduation Dance, would you go?"
I looked at him like he just declared 'Goyle is his secret lover'. Go with him? Is he insane? He is crazy! Ludicrous! He is a conceited prat! He is high beyond anything else! He is—oh Merlin, devilishly handsome and sexy. Most likely, my date for the Graduation dance would either be Harry, Ron, or even Neville and as much as I love them, I don't think I want to go to another school dance with them because it's just the borders of friends going out with friends. Malfoy would be... something else... But, all the times he hurt me. I can't.
"No." I answered softly, wondering if he heard me.
"Why not?" Apparently, he did.
"Because... you're Malfoy."
"Granger, that is a stupid answer." He remarked bluntly.
I glared at him. "No it's not! You're Malfoy, high society, rich, pureblooded boy. I'm a Granger, a muggle!"
"That is still a stupid answer. Forget all of that. Push aside the fact that I'm a Malfoy and you're a Granger. I'm not a Slytherin and you're not a Gryffindor. Would you go with me?"
I nervously bit my lip. "Yes..."
A big, victorious grin was stamped upon his face. "Then it's settled. We'll go together."
"Wha-wait a minute!" I protested. "I did not agree to that!"
"Yes you did. You said yes."
"I said 'yes' if only you weren't a Malfoy and was not in Slytherin!"
"Tough luck, sweetie. You just agreed and I don't back out of agreements."
"Y-you tricked me!" I sputtered, feeling a bit used.
"Nope." He leaned in closer.
I whimpered, afraid of what he might do next. He captured my lips. At first it was slow and I was not answering. Then I parted my lips and his tongue entered, exploring my mouth. Our tongues battled, twist and twine, fighting for dominance. I moaned as his tongue probed in deeper. Gods, that boy is skilled. His hand went underneath my shirt, gently massaging my stomach. This is... I don't know what this is... but it's sure as hell feels wonderful. His hand started to move up, crept under my bra and tenderly squeezed my breast. I gasped. This feeling was delightful. My fingers ran through his luscious hair and I pulled him in closer, deepening the kiss.
"Miss Granger!"
I shrieked and Malfoy's hand quickly shot out of my shirt. I looked around, expecting Professor Binn to be gaping at us in shock. But he wasn't there. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Miss Granger!" He called again from the other room. "Your two hours are done!"
I stood up, fixing my robe and patted my hair down. I looked at Malfoy who was smirking at me, his lips swollen from my nibbling. His perfect hair was sticking out in all sorts of places. He never looked more desiring and tempting.
"Well Malfoy," I said, straightening out my robe. "I'll see you tomorrow."
I walked out and nodded politely to Professor Binn. I just hope he didn't notice my unruliness appearance.
I draped the Invisibility cloak over my head. It midnight and mostly likely, the whole school are sleeping. Hopefully.
I tiptoed out the common room and if I get caught, my excuse? I'm Head-Girl. I could tell them I heard a noise and was out checking what it was. I silently walked to Professor Binn's room, with the aid of the light from my wand. Quietly saying the unlocking spell, I entered. I walked carefully to the back room, trying very hard to bump into an object or trip and fall, bringing down the entire room in the process. Luckily for me, the door to the back room was unlocked and I went in.
Exactly in the same place I left it, I grabbed the book and held it close. Part two of my plan is completed.
That morning, I walked to Lavender and pulled her away from her gossiping friends. I motioned for Parvarti and Ginny to follow.
I lead them to an empty classroom and closed the door, making sure that no one was around to eavesdrop.
"Lavender," I smiled innocently. "You're one to follow rules when it comes to games... such as Truth or Dare, right?"
Lavender rolled her eyes and had the initiation to move towards the door. "Oh Hermione, not this conversation again."
"No." I halted her. "I found a flaw in your so-called brilliant plan."
She was all eyes and ears now. I advanced towards her, pulling out a book from my bag. I had left a quill on the page and I opened it, skimming down to the paragraph that I wanted to show her.
"Read." I said, handling her the book and pointed to where she should start. Lavender looked at me suspiciously, but read anyway.
After a few seconds, Lavender's calm face was quickly run over by surprise. "I-I..."
I took the book away from her and gestured for Parvarti and Ginny to do the same. Moments later, they looked up, stunned.
"You know what to do." I said, crossing my arms. "It's considered as foul play."
"But I did warn you of the consequences." Parvarti whispered.
"After you dared me. I would've never accepted if I knew."
"She's right." Ginny agreed. "It's foul play."
"Well," Lavender sighed. "What can we do? We have no choice but to withdraw the dare."
Parvarti looked me. "We were only trying to help you, but you had to be so difficult..."
Ginny slightly smiled. "I was kinda hoping you would complete the dare so, no offense Hermione, so you can get some excitement in your life."
I looked at them apologetically. "Too bad girls, you really weren't helping me. It's Malfoy, we're talking about."
Lavender whined. "All you had to do was to get him to be your date for the Grad—"
"Wait." I gasped suddenly. "Malfoy is my date for the Graduation ball."
I just realized that. How slow can I get? He asked me last night!
Revelation crossed each one of their faces.
"Are you serious?!" The three of them said in unison.
I nodded.
"Hold on," Lavender said warily, "If Malfoy really is your date, then why are you asking us to withdraw the dare since it's already completed?"
"I didn't really ask him..." I replied edgily. "He... kinda... asked me. Does that count?"
"Does it?" Parvarti wondered, glancing at Ginny who shrugged.
"It does." Lavender beamed. "I knew it! I knew this was going to work!"
This was unexpected... I had unknowingly completed the dare... and the consequences... are... gone! It felt someone just lifted a boulder of my shoulders. The trio of devil's spawns gave me hugs and left.
Ginny turned around and grinned. "I knew you had it in you, Hermione." Then she left.
I slumped down to one of the chairs. I can't believe this. It's all over... finally... but... yes, there is a but... my plan was not completely thrown off its course.
"Zabini!" Malfoy cried out in triumph. "Want to guess who my date for the dance is?"
Zabini scrutinized him. "You're kidding me." He breathed.
"No."
"Aw, shit!"
Malfoy couldn't help but grin like a maniac. "I told you."
"When?"
"Asked her last night during detention. It was easy as hell. No one could resist my charm, even Granger."
"Are you sure you didn't cornered her and threatened to kill her if she said no?" Zabini asked hopefully.
"I'm a gentleman, I won't do that Zabini, unlike you."
Zabini buried his face in his hands. He was so sure that Granger would say no! Now, the bloody bloke is going to rub his glory all in his face. Damn Malfoy and his ego. "Are you going to trash her like you said?"
Malfoy froze. "I-I...."
He honestly didn't know what to say.
Author's Note: It's been one crazy week for me. Sad to say, the story is almost done. Most likely, there is going to be two more chapters, three, the most. Yes, I know, you all probably hate me for not giving Draco any consequences and Hermione's dare is done and this chapter was horrible. But don't worry, Hermione still has her plan and Draco has his. There is the Graduation Dance to attend to, of course. A lot can happen in one night.
Spite everything, please rate/review. (blows kisses to reviewers)
