Hermione sat with Ron in an empty nook. It had once held a statue of a pretty maid with flowers, but she had run off with one of the suits of armor in the castle. Ron was holding Hermione's hand. They were squeezed in close, barely fitting.
They had come here to make out, and snuggle, and generally engage in disgustingly sweet activities. Harry had been a little sensitive lately about their public displays of affection. Yet he still didn't ever want to leave them alone, so they had to sneak away to cuddle.
They looked to their right at the sound of footsteps. Then, they looked to their left at the sound of more footsteps. Hermione gasped, and stifled a giggle.
"Ron, Harry's coming, and so is-"
"Draco," finished Ron, eyes wide.
The trio of Slytherins met up with Harry, right in front of Hermione and Ron. Hermione whispered something, and they were clothed in shadows.
"Hello, Malfoy," said Harry hotly.
Malfoy gave him a frosty stare. Fire met ice, and the resulting steam was nearly tangible. "Potter." He crossed him arms over his chest.
Ron whispered in Hermione's ear, "You know, Draco may be an ass, but Harry's bloody destined for him. Look at those two."
"Shh! They'll hear us," hissed Hermione under her breath. Ron 'hmmphed' and turned his attention back to the pair.
"Flanked by your goons as usual, Draco?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "I could send them away, if it would make you happy."
"Fuck off!" said Harry, and pushed past the three. Draco turned around to watch Harry walking away. The Gryffindor boy didn't give Draco a second glance.
Hermione watched the expression on Draco's face. His lips tightened, and a muscle to the right of his mouth twitched. The girl fought another giggle as two faint spots of purple appeared on his cheeks.
"Looks bloody ridiculous when he's near blushing, doesn't he?" Ron said quietly.
His girlfriend nodded. "He's all the wrong color for it." They leaned forward, trying to stay hidden in the darkness.
"Why would you send us away, Draco?" Goyle asked in a hurt tone.
Draco shut his eyes in exasperation. He took a deep breath, and turned to them. "Because you're getting on my last nerves right now. Shut up." Hermione caught Draco mouth 'git' as he turned away from them. With one last look down the hall, Draco turned and left.
Harry finally caught up with Ron and Hermione at dinner. "Where have you guys been all afternoon?" he said as he ran to catch up with them.
"Library," Ron said quickly, at the same time as Hermione said "Quidditch field." They looked at each other.
"That is-" Ron began.
"We were at the Quidditch field, then-" Hermione cut in.
"It looked like rain, so we-"
"Came in to-" Hermione continued in a flustered tone.
Harry looked at both of them. "Never mind. And it's a perfectly nice day, no hint of rain. You don't have to be secretive on account of me. I can handle it."
"Of course, Harry," Hermione said pacifyingly.
He pushed his glasses up and sighed. "Let's just go eat."
Harry didn't notice Draco staring at him as they took their seats at the Gryffindor table. Seamus sat next to Harry. "You look glum. What's wrong? Slytherins again? They're an infestation, I tell you."
Harry just nodded a little.
There was silence in the hall as Dumbledore stood. "I am very pleased to announce that Hogwarts will be starting a playing troupe. Tomorrow afternoon, we will be holding auditions for our first production here, at three o' clock. Professors McGonagall and Snape will be in charge of casting, along with a few other teachers. Now, all of you will have studied at least a bit of Shakespeare by graduation in at least one of your classes, as he is, in fact, an alum of Hogwarts." There was a twinkle in his eye at the murmer across the hall. Many students were unaware of this fact, since the Shakespeare study was a minor matter in the seventh year studies.
Despite magically-altered historical records to the contrary, Shakespeare had indeed attended Hogwarts in his time. Still, despite a decent skill with magic, the performer and the artist within him had been more important than the practice of wizardry. His resulting fame had required some editing of history, but the population of Hogwarts was still proud of him. Those who had known this, anyway.
"Shakespeare went to Hogwart's?" Hermione said in surprise.
"Oh, something you didn't know?" jested Ron. "Uh, who's Shakespeare?"
"Shh!" Hermione advised him.
Dumblesdore went on. "To encourage you to expand your horizons, any student who auditions will be given both bonus marks in a class of his or her choice, and house points as well. However, please keep in mind, if you audition, and are cast in a part, you will be required to play that role, attend all rehearsals, and be generally dedicated. No exceptions, no excuses, no arguments. So consider carefully whether you wish to audition or not. That is all, and I look forward to what I am sure will be a simply splendid production. Let's eat!"
The food appeared in front of them. Hermione looked confused. "But-he didn't say which play."
Ron was tearing into a grilled cheese sandwich. "I don't think he meant to. What's with all that stuff about having to play a part if we get it? And who's this Shakespeare chap?"
"William Shakespeare, born in Warwickshire in 1564-"
Harry cleared his throat. "Hermione, I don't think he needs a lesson in his background. He's a playwright. I thought a Muggle playwright, but-"
Hermione took a bite of carrots. "But he's not. And I guess it makes sense, when you think about it. So many of his plays have magic in them. I'm sure we'll be doing something that involves magic. The Tempest, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream-oh, I bet that's it!" She smiled. "Ron, are you going to audition?"
"I don't think so," said Ron. "I don't need marks that much. I might be cast!"
"I'm auditioning," Harry said suddenly. "If it's for the good of the house, I'll do it. And maybe, if I get a part, I'll enjoy it. I've been feeling rather bored lately."
"Harry, are you really? You're really going to try out for the play? Shakespeare isn't easy, you know."
Harry looked at them sharply. "I'm not afraid of a challenge."
Neville piped in, looking very nervous. "Well, I'm going to try out too."
And this got everyone's attention. "What? You're going to try out?" Seamus said in shock.
Neville turned bright read and stared only at his plate, but nodded. "Yeah. I need the marks in Potions. And for Gryffindor-I feel like I never do anything, but at least I can help out with the points."
Hermione touched his arm kindly. "Neville, we all like you. You don't have to do this."
Neville looked up a little, still red. "You talk like I'll get a part. Please, Hermione. There's no way."
"What about you, Hermione?" Ron asked, and she turned to him, leaving Neville to his dinner.
"Me?" she said in surprise. "I don't know. Shakespeare is beautiful, but it's very difficult. I don't know if I have the time." Hermione reached over and grabbed a chocolate biscuit. "Maybe. There isn't much time to think about it, is there? I guess I probably will. It's an important experience."
Ron rolled his eyes, and Harry grinned. "She doesn't even want to be in the play, but she's going to try out."
"Well, it's good to see you smile, mate," Ron said. He looked down past Seamus and Dean to where his brothers were sitting. "You guys going to try out?" he called.
George yelled back, "Yeah, of course."
Ron looked puzzled and shrugged. "Why would he say 'of course'?" He turned his head the other way. "Ginny, what about you?"
She grinned. "Yes, I am."
Ron groaned. "Well, I don't care what anyone else is doing. I'm not trying out for the play. I'll show up at auditions and watch you guys. For moral support." He downed half a glass of water, and no matter what anyone said to Ron for the rest of the meal, he wouldn't budge.
Author's Note: Well, I had finals last week, so I was busy. And the merciless plot bunnies never seem to aid in my writing. On the plus side, my novel is up to 175 pages. Yay for me.
Prize if you review...well, not really. but I'll be happy.
