Chapter 8

Matches Made in Heaven

I wanna thank my lovely cousin/beta reader hotaru170 for making all of possible. LMAO. Naw, I just wanna say thanks to her for encouraging me to get this far in Fanfiction writing and helping me better my writing in this chapter. Enjoy the show readers. LOL.

As soon as Darien arrives at the Potions dungeon, he notices a sign on the door that says, "Advanced Potions cancelled due to detention preparations having to be made. Homework: Write an essay on Doxy bites. Two and a half feet long, single-spaced. Due next class."

"Oh well, at least I don't have to worry about sitting through a stupid lecture and practically falling asleep, I guess I'll just go to the common room and start on my homework with all the free time I have," he says.

Meanwhile...
Serena in Transfiguration

Serena sits in Transfiguration attempting to listen to the words that were coming out of Professor McGonagall's mouth but her mind kept wandering back to the little event that happened between her and Darien in the Great Hall just moments ago. "I can't believe I actually accused him of liking another girl," she thought. "Although.... he was staring in Hermione's direction, what was I supposed to think?" she asks herself before she is snapped back to reality.

"Miss Tsukino, are you ok?" McGonagall asks. "You don't look well." Before she is able to answer Professor McGonagall tells her to gather her things and go ahead and leave early and that class will be over in nearly ten minutes anyway.

"Whoa, I've been daydreaming that long, how time flies when you're having fun, huh?" she chuckles to herself. She then gathers her stuff and waves bye to Cho Chang then starts walking up to her common room.

As she is walking she begins to think, "Maybe it would be best if Darien and I took a little break from dating for a bit. No, no. I'll just talk to him later and apologize," she thinks as she finally realizes that she is at the entrance to her house. "Now what was that password again?" she thinks. "Oh yeah, now I remember, "Picture Perfect," she says to the statue of the old witch. A second later the witch moves to reveal a passageway to the common room and dormitories.

As she enters the common room still lost in thought she almost misses Darien sitting in lazy chair by the fire. When he hears the door close to the common room, he looks up and sees her walk in.

"Hi Serena," he says with a weak smile. "Do you have a moment, I'd like to talk to you about what happened during lunch?" he asks.

"Oh hi Darien, I didn't see you there," she says. "Actually I was needing to talk to you too," she adds. "Me first." "I've been thinking about what happened and I was a bit too harsh on you, I should not have jumped to conclusions. I didn't know what you were thinking when I saw you looking in Hermione and Oliver's direction so I assumed you were looking at her," she says as she paces the room. "I'm sorry Darien, could you ever forgive me for even thinking that you would cheat on me?"

"Of course Serena, you know I could never stay upset at you forever. You are the only girl I ever think about, that I ever dream of being with. I could never cheat on nor leave you for anyone else," he says as he pulls her into a loving embrace.

When they finally let go of each other Darien looks at the clock and says, "Well, it seems now that this little matter is settled we should be getting ready to begin our homework so we can start heading down to dinner soon."

"I agree, I'll meet you down here in fifteen minutes," Serena says as she heads up to her room to work on her homework.

"That girl never ceases to amaze me," Darien thinks as he watches her leave the common room to her dormitory.

As soon as they had everything taken care of at the appointed time they meet each other in the Ravenclaw common room as promised. "May I escort madam to dinner?" Darien asks while extending his arm to her.

"Why of course kind sir," she says with a giggle and linking her arm with his. On their way down to the Great Hall they pass Cho Chang and Padma Patil.

"Hey you guys, I see you've patched up your little argument," says Padma.

"How did you know?" Darien asks obviously looking confused.

"How did we not know? Everybody in the Great Hall heard you guys' little quarrel and anybody who didn't hear obviously heard about it from people who did hear it," Padma explains giving them one of her "are you serious?" looks.

"Well, we'll meet you guys downstairs in a few, we need to put our stuff in our dormitory," Cho says.

"Ok, see you," Serena and Darien say as they continue on their way arm in arm.

Every person arrives on time for dinner except for Oliver and Hermione. "Where is Hermione?" Ron asks as Raye slides into the seat across from him.

"I saw her go into the library with Oliver about five minutes ago," Raye replies. Ron and Harry exchange mischievous glances. "What's going on you guys?" she asks when she notices the looks on their faces. "If it's something to do with matchmaking, I want in on your little shenanigan."

"Do you think she can be trusted?" Ron whispers in a voice low enough for only Harry to hear.

"Let's let her in on our secret Ron," Harry proposes.

"Alright, here's the thing," Ron says. "We're going to try and get Oliver and Hermione together, you know, as a couple." "After we three are finished eating we're going to go begin plan A."

"What IS plan A?" Raye asks.

"We don't know yet, but we'll come up with as we go along," Ron replies.

While they were talking this over they were unaware that two certain people were listening in on their plans. "So, when are we putting our plans into action?" Fred asks, popping up next to Ron, with George at his side.

"Are they in on this as well?" Raye asks after slowly finishing the food in her mouth.

"Actually, no they aren't. They just think they are," Ron replies while giving the twins one of his "get away from me or I'll jinx you" looks. "We told you guys we don't need your help."

"And we told you GUYS that we are helping whether you like it or not little brother," Fred replies putting emphasis on guys. "Oh by the way," he adds with a smirk. "Have you asked out that Lita chic yet?"

"What are you talking about?" Ron asks confusedly. "Oh, don't play that game with us. We've seen the way you look at her and act around her. It was quite obvious from the moment you met her that you had a thing for her," George says cheekily. "I'd ask her out myself if she wasn't too young for me," he adds with mirth.

"Ok now, back to Hermione and Oliver, which is whom we are setting up and not Lita and myself," Ron says giving his brothers a foreboding (AN: for those who don't know what this means, it means threatening.) look while getting back to the conversation.

"I can't believe she did that," gasps a shocked Polly. Lita was just finishing telling her how Raye, Hermione, Harry, and Ron had all gotten detention. She gave the same details that she had heard from Hermione.

"Yeah, that's what I was told. I couldn't believe it either but I guess it's true. And then Hotaru and Draco got detention as well. From what I was told, Hotaru got offended when he called Hermione a mudblood so she punched him giving him a broken nose in the process. I saw the nose for myself to see if it was true. It looked terrible. I think he caught me looking at it, because as soon as I saw it he quickly turned around and walked away," Lita says exuberantly.

"There is no surprise there, I heard that Hermione punched him as well last year but unfortunately she didn't give him a broken nose," Polly exclaims before putting her last forkful of corn in her mouth. "Are you ready to go do our homework now?" she asks getting up from the table, ready to leave.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Thanks again for agreeing to help me," Lita says as she gets up to follow her.

"Oh no problem, it's no big deal," Polly says.

"Wait a second, I'm going to go say good bye to Ron so he doesn't come over looking for me when he's ready to leave," Lita says stopping a few feet away from the Gryffindor table before turning down the aisle towards Ron. She puts a finger up to her lips to signal for Polly not to make sound. Then she quietly walks up to Ron and wraps her arms around him affectionately.

"Hey, what the..." Ron begins before realizing whose arms were around him. He then gets up out of his seat and hugs her back, "Hey, how was your first day?" he asks as he lets go of her and reclaims his seat next to Harry.

"It was wonderous, I learned a great many things I never thought existed in the normal mind," she says jovially, ingeniously using terms that would probably cause Ron to not understand what she means.

Ron gapes at her confoundedly. Everyone who sees his face begins laughing. Harry coughs before saying, "Um...Lita, in case nobody has told you yet. Ron is a nitwit when it comes to sentences larger than three or four words." Everyone laughs again.

"I know, I just wanted to see what would happen if I did that," she adds giggling.

"English please," Ron says, finally speaking.

"I'm sorry Ron, yes I had a great day, and it was fun." "If you are done, would you like to walk us as far as the library, we're going to do a little studying before we go back to our dormitories?" she asks.

"Sure we need to go the library anyways, guys are you ready to leave?" he asks Harry, Raye and the twins. They all nod their yeses before gathering their things and following Ron and Lita out, knowing very well what they were actually going for.

In The Library

"Thank you for your company, I'm afraid this is where we must part," Lita says as she and Ron let go of each other's hand.

As soon as Lita and Polly are out of earshot Ron signals for the other four to huddle up. "Ok guys, here is what I think we should do," he begins. "Raye and Fred, you two will go pull Oliver away and pretend that you need help finding something for some assignment, make one up if you have to. While you are conversing the assignment bring up the topic of Hermione, ask him what he thinks of her then report back here."

"Ok," the two reply before heading off to grab Oliver away from Hermione.

"George, Harry, you two and myself will go do the same with Hermione," he says to the remaining two. "Got it?"

"Got it," the two reply.

Oliver and Hermione

"Oliver, can we borrow you for a moment?" Raye asks.

"Sure," Oliver replies. As he is getting up Hermione gives him one of her "What do you think she wants?" looks. When Raye turns to lead him to where Fred is waiting he shrugs in an "I don't know" response. "I'll be right back," he says to Hermione before following.

She just shrugs and says, "Don't hurry" before returning to the Arithmancy homework she was working on before Raye appeared.

3 Minutes later...

"Hey Hermione," Ron says walking up and seats himself in Oliver's vacant chair next to Hermione followed by Harry and George.

"Oh, hi you guys," she says finally looking up from her work. After a moment she asks, "Is there something I can help you guys with?"

"Actually, yes. Just out of curiosity, we were wondering if you had a thing for Oliver?" Ron asks. She stares at them with lifted eyebrows, "What? What do you mean, do I have a thing for Oliver?" she asks flabbergasted (which means very surprised) by the question.

"Exactly what we said, do you like Oliver?" Harry replies, making it more clear for her.

"Ok, first of all, it is none of your business whether I like him or not," she says. "And second of all," she adds before George interrupts her.

"First of all, we are your friends," he begins. "And second of all, because we are your friends, it is all of our business whether you like him or not."

"Oh really?" she asks smirking. "Fine," she says sighing impatiently. Also knowing very well that they wont give up until they get an honest answer. "If you must know,"

"And we must," George interrupts with a grin.

"I do like him." She says timidly.

"I knew it," Ron yells quietly, standing and punching the air as if he'd just won a quidditch match.

"Calm down Ron," Hermione says pushing him back in his chair and putting her finger to her lips to shush him. "Don't get so excited, I don't even think he'll even want to date me."

"Why is that?" Harry asks curiously.

"Well, look at me. I have bushy hair, I'm not as pretty as Lavender or Parvati and not to mention I'm a fourth year and he's a seventh year," she says trying to make a point.

"Hermione, Hermione," Ron begins while patting her shoulder. "For one, your bushy hair is what makes you stand out from the other girls. For two, you are very pretty and I think you are very attractive," he says trying to reassure her.

"And for three, I'm sure Oliver wouldn't mind making exceptions on the age limit thing for someone as great as you," says a voice behind them.

The four turn around to find Oliver, Raye, and Fred standing there with broad grins on their faces. When Hermione sees Oliver her face turns the color of Ron's hair.

"How much of that did you hear?" she asks quietly while smiling, looking very abashed (it means embarrassed), and obviously not making eye contact.

"I heard every word of it beginning with the question Ron asked when he sat down," he replies, his grin turning into a luminous smile.

"We'll leave you two alone," Ron says getting up with Harry and George following suit. "Come on you guys, let's go. I have to go get ready for detention," he says leading them out of the library. "Oh, Hermione," he calls before leaving.

"Yes?" she asks turning her attention to him.

"I looked on the notice board earlier and there was a note for all detentionees to report to the Potions classroom by 10 pm. I just thought you ought to know."

"Thank you Ron, but I already saw it earlier," she replies. "I'll see you later," she says before turning her attention back to Oliver.

"Bye," Ron says following his awaiting companions.

The Slytherin Table: In the Great Hall

"Where is your little friend, Dracie?" Pansy asks maliciously while seating herself in Hotaru's usual seat.

"What friend?" he asks in mock confusion not meeting her eyes.

"Oh, what was her name? Hotarmu? No. Hatera? No," she asks with her voice deliberately laden (it means filled) with sugar sweetness.

"Her name is Hotaru," Draco mumbles.

"What was that?" Pansy asks intentionally making him repeat the name.

"Did I stutter?" he asks impassively (it means not showing reaction). "I said Ho-tar-u," he says making sure she heard him that time.

"Oh, right," she says before standing to leave. "I have something to take care of, I'll see you later Dracie," she adds patting his arm affectionately before leaving.

"God, that girl drives me nuts," he thinks rolling is eyes in annoyance. "Well, she just ruined my appetite," he says throwing his fork and napkin down and getting up. "I think I'll go have a little fun. Maybe I will go see what Potty and his gang are doing," he thinks as he opens the doors to the Great Hall. "Nah, I'll be able to have my fun with them later tonight in detention," he says changing his mind and turning around to go down to his dormitory. He begins rubbing his hands together rapturously while he is walking and thinks about how fun it will be to torture the "Golden Trio" and get them so much detention that they'll be expelled. He is so excited that he almost walks past the portrait to his house.

In the Gryffindor Common Room

"I'm finished," Raye says looking at the clock. "It's now 9:15, are you guys done?" she asks putting her books back in her backpack.

"I'm finished," Harry replies.

"I'm finished for tonight," Ron says. "I'll finish the rest tomorrow." Raye and Harry give him a "If you say so" look before getting up.

"We'll meet down here in five minutes to start heading down to the Potions classroom to meet up with Hermione," Raye proposes.

"Ok," the two boys reply before they part to go to their dormitories.

5 minutes later...

"HARRY, RON!!!!!!!!" Raye screams from the common room to the boys dormitory.

"We're coming," Ron bellows.

"I SAID FIVE MINUTES, YOU GUYS, NOT FIVE HOURS, NOW MOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!" she screams again.

"Hurry up Harry, from the way she's screaming she might come up here any second and pull us out by our hair," Ron says trying to get Harry to move it.

"I know, but I just want to make sure I look a little better than my usual self for Hotaru," Harry says trying to fix his messy black hair.

"Oh God Harry," Ron says putting his hand to his forehead in frustration. "I don't think Hotaru likes you for your hair, she likes you for you, now lets move it. If you hurry you might be able to ask her to this weekend's Hogsmeade visit, now MOVE!" Ron says practically pushing him downstairs. "Sheesh, and they say I'm dense," Ron thinks as they practically run downstairs to meet the impatient Raye.

When they finally get in the common room they come face to face with nothing they've ever seen before. Raye practically had steam coming out of her ears and nose and fire was flaming from her eyes (Not literally). "Ok, Ca-Calm down Raye. We-we're sorry we're late, but Har-Harry thought he had to pr-primp for detention," Ron stutters in utter astonishment. Raye just stands there glowering at the two latecomers.

"Let's go," she says her voice searing with anger. The two boys follow in complete and utter silence so as not to make Raye madder than she already was.

Potions Dungeon for Detention

"It's about time you guys showed up, I was beginning to wonder if you all were going to come or not," Hermione says as soon as they arrive.

"Yeah, well, we would have been here sooner if Princess primp here wasn't messing with his hair," Ron says pointing at Harry who was standing next to him.

Hermione smirks at Harry before saying, "Oh, we have company you guys."

"Who?" Ron asks.

"It's Malfoy and Hotaru. I heard they got detention for fighting," Hermione replies.

"Was he fighting her or was she fighting him?" Raye asks.

"She fought him," she replies.

"I'm surprised he's not dead," Ron says with a smirk.

"Oh are you Weasel?" asks a snotty voice from behind them. They turn around and come face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy himself.

"I hear you got your "perfect" nose ruined by a girl, Malfoy," Ron says with a grin.

"Yeah, well, if Professor McGonagall hadn't shown up when she did your friend would have been a pile of bones," Draco sneers.

"Don't you ever talk about her in that manner again Malfoy," Harry says through ground teeth and clenched fists.

"Oh, I'm soooo scared Potter," Draco says in a mock frightened voice. "What? Is she your Girlfriend now? Huh?"

"Not yet," Harry mumbles still glaring at him.

"Cant you guys ever stop fighting?" Hotaru says coming out of the classroom. "And I heard what you said Malfoy, about me being in a pile of bones."

"Yeah, so?" Draco comments with the Malfoy signature smirk upon his face. "So, would you care to back those words up?" she asks detested with the sight of him. "I'm sure everyone would love to see you with more than just a broken nose."She says haughtily.

"If you all don't get in here in the next ten seconds I will take twenty points from each of you," came Snape's familiar voice from inside the classroom.

"Let's go you guys," Hermione says to all but Draco (whom she probably could care less if he comes or not). They all file into the classroom, quietly taking a seat near the front of the room.

"No talking, no paper throwing, no wand waving or silly incantations, this is detention so listen up and listen good," Professor Snape begins. "Since there are six of you, I will split you up into groups of three." "And no Miss Granger you can not choose whom you want to group with," he adds seeing Hermione's hand begin to raise to ask that particular question. "As soon as I group you all up, one group will be cleaning this classroom, in the Muggle fashion, of course, and the other group will be cleaning Professor McGonagall's transfiguration classroom in the same manner." "Do I make myself perfectly clear?" he asks.

"Yes Professor," they sulkily reply.

"Ok, group one I want Miss Granger, Mister Potter, and Miss Tomoe and it's quite obvious who group two is." "Group one will work on the Transfiguration classroom while group two will work on this classroom," he instructs monotonously. Before leading Hermione, Harry, and Hotaru away to the Transfiguration classroom Professor Snape stops momentarily and looks around the room. "Just a bit of advice, if I find anyone using magic to make these rooms spotless, you all will be cleaning your assigned classrooms a second time," he adds. "Do I make myself clear?" he asks.

"Yes Professor," they all reply. Before leaving, Professor Snape conjures up some cleaning supplies for them to use.

"I assume at least one of you know how to use these cleaning supplies, so I do not have to explain how to use them, correct?" they nod their heads. "Good, I will return in one hour" he says then he turns to leave.

As soon as Professor Snape was gone from the room Draco turns to Ron and Raye, "Well, get to work," he says composedly (it means with dignity).

"Excuse me," Raye scoffs with her hands on her hips giving him her death stare. "I believe Snape told ALL of us to clean, not just one or two of us," she says throwing a rag at him. "A Malfoy doesn't do manual labor," he scoffs back at her.

"You will work like the rest of us. Now lets all get to work," she continues grabbing a broom and beginning to sweep.

"Um... Raye, I don't believe I am familiar with the Muggle way of cleaning, can you show me how to use this stuff?" Ron asks staring idly at the spray bottle of bleach he had just picked up.

"Come here Ron, and pay attention because I'm only going to show you once," she says as she beckons for him to follow her to a table not more than a few inches away from him. "You might as well watch as well Draco, because whether you like it or not you are going to help," she instructs. "First you spray the cleanser on the table, like so. Then you wipe the cleanser across like this," she says as she demonstrates the procedure. "Now, please, lets just get this done so I can go to sleep," she sighs impatiently before returning to what she was doing.

Fifteen minutes later...

"Great, finished," Raye shouts gingerly, looking over her work. For the past fifteen minutes she spent the time sweeping, mopping, and waxing the entire classroom floor. "How is everything going with you guys," she asks.

"I'm almost finished dusting off these books," Ron replies. "Just two more to go."

"How about you Malfoy, are you finished with the windows yet?" she asks almost in laughter.

"I never thought I'd be cleaning like a maid," Draco replies giving her a disgruntled sneer.

"Well, there's a first time for everything, Malfoy," Ron chortles jovially. As soon as Draco was back to work Raye decides to play with him a little.

She walks airily (it means lightly) up to him and whispers in his ear, "You missed a spot." When he turns his face to meet hers he turns so quickly that he nearly brushes his lips across hers.

"What do you mean I missed a spot?" he asks with a smirk, knowing very well what he'd almost done. "Never mind," she whispers turning away from him. Before Raye is able to walk away she feels a hand lightly grab her own. She turns to find that the hand belongs to Draco Malfoy himself with a very sincere look on his face. "Raye, I'm sorry," he begins.

She inwardly gasps. "What?" she asks.

"I'm sorry for everything I said to you earlier. I'm sorry for what I said to your friends. I can change," he continues.

"Draco, is there something you want?" she asks genially (it means with friendliness).

"Raye, will you please be my girlfriend?" he asks giving her one of his best smiles.

"Oh my god, can it be true? Ok, I guess I can say yes. He's being so sweet, and I think he really means it when he says he can change, and he did say please," she thinks smiling to herself. "Ok Draco, I will be your girlfriend," she sighs with a smile.

He looks up stunned at what he had just heard, "Are you serious?" he asks flabbergasted by her answer.

"On one condition," she adds.

"Anything," he says with mirth.

"You have to stop making others miserable," she says.

"I'll jump off a bridge if you ask me to, as long as you will be mine," he agrees still laughing joyously. He hugs her still laughing and hoists her up into the air and spins her around making her laugh as well. Ron finally hears them laughing and turns to see what is so funny.

He is thunderstruck (it means shocked) at what he finds when he turns around. "What on earth...is going on?" he asks nobody in particular. He stands there with his jaws completely dropped until Raye finally notices him goggling at them.

"Oh, I'm sorry Ron. You are probably wondering what is going on, huh?" she asks still holding onto Draco's neck. Ron just nods his head up and down, mouth still wide open. "Well, Draco just asked me to be his girl and I said yes," she explains. "I know it's unusual for a Gryffindor to date a Slytherin or vise versa but we cant base our relationships off of house alone forever now can we?" she continues still laughing.

"But...but...but," Ron begins. "Now Weasley, cant you just be happy for Raye that she is dating someone as good looking as me and not who she's dating?" Draco asks innocently trying very hard not to make the redheaded madder than he usually makes him. It was a challenge not to make Ron upset but Draco succeeded.

"Ok, I hate to say this but," Ron begins. "You're right Draco, I should be happy for her. But, you hurt her in any way, shape, or form and I'll be on you like white on rice before you can say "Mommy"," he continues. "Do you understand?"

"Don't worry Weasley, I'll treat her like a queen," Draco says looking back at Raye.

"You'd better."

"Are you done threatening Draco, Ron?" Raye asks. He nods his head. "Good, then let's sit down and wait for Professor Snape to return," she proposes leading Draco to two chairs. She takes one for herself and motions for him to sit down next her. Then they wait in silence.

Transfiguration classroom

"Finally. I didn't think blood would be so hard to get up," Hotaru says eyeing her work.

"It looks great," Harry says looking over her shoulder. "Hey I think you missed a spot," he says.

"Where?" she asks confoundedly looking over the place where Draco's blood had been.

"There," he teases pointing to the place on the floor where his face showed like a mirror.

"That's your face, you dope," she chortles, playfully smacking his arm. "Are you finished with what you were cleaning?" she asks still laughing. "Yep, all finished," he replies. "How about you Hermione, are you finished?" Hotaru asks.

"I finished my tasks not more than five minutes ago, I don't know where you've been," Hermione replies jovially. As Hotaru double checks to make sure she didn't miss any blood spots Harry walks over and sits in a chair next to Hermione. "So, are you going to ask her?" Hermione whispers.

"What?" Harry asks stunned by the question.

"Are you going to ask Hotaru to go with you to tomorrow's Hogsmeade visit?" she asks making her question clearer.

"I haven't decided yet," he replies.

"What do you mean you haven't decided yet?" she asks astonished by his answer.

"I mean I don't know if I'm ready for a girlfriend yet," he replies.

"Well, I think you are more than ready. Also, it's not like you're going to marry her, you'll just be dating, that's all," she explains.

"Well, I'll think about it."

"You'd better think fast then because the Hogsmeade trip is tomorrow, don't forget. And if you don't ask her I'll ask her for you. Ron has already asked Lita and Oliver has asked me, so if we go you have to go."

"Oh, ok. I'll ask her now, if it'll make you happy," he sighs giving in.

"Good, then go," she says giving him a light shove.

"Hotaru, are you done examining your work of art yet?" Harry laughs.

"Yes, I think I'm done now," she replies picking herself up off the floor.

"Hotaru, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Harry, what is it?" she replies giving him her full attention.

"Well, I know we haven't know each other for very long. But I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me during tomorrow's Hogsmeade visit?" he asks.

"Oh Harry, I was wondering when you were going to ask me. I'd love to go," she replies wrapping her arms around his neck tightly. "So, what time should I be ready," she asks finally pulling away leaving Harry a bit flustered.

"How about 8:30?" he replies.

"Morning or night?" she asks still smiling.

"Morning of course," he replies.

"Ok, are you love birds done?" Hermione asks breaking the sudden silence.

"Yes," they reply.

"Good, because Professor Snape will be returning soon and I don't think he would like the fact that one of his Slytherin students is dating a Gryffindor, so keep it at a down-low when you're around him, ok you guys?" she suggests.

"Gotcha," they reply.