Thanks for the reviews, guys! Your support has helped me a lot, keep them coming!

harshipper - Yes, the "punishment" part was very fun to write, and surprisingly easy. I just thought of what I'd do to my boyfriend if he talked to me like that.

NewSecretRose - Thanks for your review! I don't know about "amazing author," but if you really think that, go me, and go you! Keeping Hermione and Draco in character was crucial to the success of this fanfic, I'm glad I've done a good job. Please keep reviewing, you inspired me to keep typing when I really didn't want to, thanks!

Now, back to "The Turn of the Tide" .

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Episode Three The Banquet

The Sorting and the Feast passed very vaguely to Hermione; she couldn't keep her eyes or her mind off of Draco. However, when Dumbledore began his speech, her ears perked up by instinct.

"Welcome, my students and fellow teachers, to another year of Hogwarts! Before I begin on the regular reminders, I should like to tell you the things of importance. Firstly, we are welcoming two new teachers to our staff. Miss Nymphadora Tonks will be filling the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Tonks?!" Harry and Ron exclaimed at the same time, joining in on the applause for her. They quickly scanned the Head Table and found her sitting next to Professor Sprout, her hair long, straight, and vivid electric blue. She gave them a hearty wink and smile before Dumbledore continued.

"I'm sorry to inform you that Hagrid will not be returning to his post as Care of Magical Creatures professor."

"What?!" Ron interjected loudly. Dumbledore gave him a stern look that made him sink into his seat before pressing on.

"Here to fill his post is Charlie Weasley."

The applause from Gryffindor table was tumultuous. Harry and Hermione whipped their heads around to Ron, who looked just as surprised as they did. They joined in the applause and scanned the Head Table again; Charlie waved at him from his seat next to Professor McGonagall. Then he looked back toward Dumbledore, who was continuing his speech.

"Secondly, I would like to announce a new position in the Hogwarts staff, to be filled by Madame Fleur Pernelle. Madame Pernelle will serve as a school mentor, and will be here to speak with any student who needs advice or counsel. All things discussed with Madame Pernelle will remain completely confidential, unless, of course, the information puts you or another student in danger.

"I have hired Madame Pernelle because of the return of Lord Voldemort." This statement caused many stirrings and whisperings throughout the Great Hall; Dumbledore carried on as if he didn't notice. "I feel that many of you are stressed or confused over this matter, so she is here to listen if you need guidance. She will also be planning three dances, one near Christmas, one near Easter, and one near the end of the school year. I believe I will allow her to further explain things. Madame?"

"Zank you, Dumblydorr." Every head above fourth year did a double take; Madame Pernelle was Fleur Delacour. "For zose of you above fourth year, I would like to introduce myself as Fleur Delacour, one of ze TriWizard partizipants. But, now, I muzt azk you to pleaze call me Madame Pernelle.

"I am 'ere to speak wiz you about ze return of ze Dark Lord. Profezzor Dumblydorr and I both believe zat ze stresses of school and ze fears caused by His return are burdens zat you should not have to deal wiz. Zerefore, I am 'ere to give you comfort and counsel.

"Of, courze, I weel also be organizing three dances for you. Zere weel be a Chreestmas Ball on December 19th, an Easter Gala on March 23rd, and a Head Ball on June 20th. Ze Chreestmas Ball weel be for fourth years and up, and dress robes and evening gowns weel be worn. Ze Easter Gala weel be for everyone, and normal robes weel be worn. Ze Head Ball weel be for fifth years and up, and dress robes and evening gowns weel be worn. Evening gowns and dress robes can be bought at Madame Malkin'z in Hozmeed on any Hogzmeed weekend. I 'ope to be a help to all of you in ze timez of darkness ahead of us."

With that, she sat down. A great round of applause was given for her, and only ended when Dumbledore stood back up and began the normal reminders.

"Ron, why didn't you tell us Charlie was coming to teach?" Hermione asked him.

"I didn't know," Ron answered simply.

"I'm sure he'll be a wonderful teacher, he does know a lot about animals."

"Yeah, and this is what he's wanted to do ever since he came to Hogwarts. He got the highest grade his year in Care of Magical Creatures on OWL's and NEWT's!"

"I bet you anything Hagrid gave up his job for Charlie, especially after he did for Norbert," Harry said quietly.

People started standing and walking around them. Hermione quickly looked over toward the Slytherin table and caught Draco's eye. He smiled and winked at her, then moved on with the rest of the Slytherins.

"Malfoy's such a git!" Ron said vehemently. "Winking at you like that!"

Hermione just realized he was talking to her. "Yeah," she said vaguely. "Yeah, he is."

"You let me know if he puts any moves on you, you know, being Head Boy and all."

"I- I will, Ron."

They walked the rest of the way in silence, speaking only the password into the Gryffindor common room. When they go there, the common room was still empty and silent, save the merry crackling of the fire. Ron ran upstairs to retrieve his Wizard Chess from his trunk, and Harry turned to Hermione.

"How was the Mediterranean?" he asked jovially.

"Wonderful! Corsica is such a beautiful island. How was Ron's?"

"Great! We got to practice Quidditch every day! And. can you keep a secret? From Ron?"

Hermione's face fell. "Depends. What is it?"

"Oh, nothing horrendous. It's just. me and Ginny are."

"Oh, Harry! How sweet!" Her face erupted into a huge smile. "You should tell him! He won't be that upset!"

Harry broke into a grin. "You think?"

"What are you two hyenas smiling about?" Ron asked, but left no time to answer. "Ready to watch me teach Harry the meaning of Wizard Chess?"

"You know Ron, I think I'm off to be. I've got a lot of unpacking to do." She caught Harry's eye in a meaningful look, then headed off to a door with 'HEAD GIRL' written on it.

The door opened to a large room with a single king size bed, two large antique armoires, and a door, leading presumably to the bathroom. Draco was already reclining on the bed.

"How did you get in here?!" they both shrieked at the same time.

Draco answered first. "I just got in here a few moments ago. through that door."

"But, how on Earth did you get into Gryffindor tower?"

"I wasn't in Gryffindor Tower. I was in the Slytherin common room."

"Wait a minute." Hermione sank down onto the bed, her eyes screwed in concentration. "So you telling me that when you came in, that door lead to Slytherin?" Draco nodded. "Open it."

"What ?"

"Get up and open the door!" she snapped impatiently.

He groaned for a minute, then pushed himself off the bed. Sure enough, when he pulled the door open, Gryffindor Tower had been replaced with a dark, cold, green room that Hermione assumed to be the Slytherin common room.

The door clicked shut. "This dorm must be enchanted so that if I touch, it leads to Slytherin. And if you touch it -"

" - It leads to Gryffindor," Hermione finished. "It's ingenious, the magic must have been extremely complex."

Draco didn't answer, but sat down next to Hermione of the bed. He gently turned her face towards his. His hand slid down to her back; he pulled her close to him. Their lips tumbled over each other, the tongues danced in the chasm between their throats. Their minds made sweet love as the sky darkened and fire crackled in the hearth.