Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling's characters. And the lines from the play are from Walt Disney's script of Sleeping Beauty.
A/N: OK, I got a few reviews, which is amazing to me. So I kept writing…..
There was a very cliché feel about the common room that night. Hermione was sitting drinking a cup of tea while reading some book or another. Harry and Ron were animatedly discussing some new Quidditch play on the couch next to her, and a few other people were scattered around the room.
Outside, big snowflakes were falling, and Hermione kept glancing out to watch it fall. When she'd told Harry the news before, he'd been less than impressed, but had decided to go along with it, for Hermione's sake.
Hermione smiled at the thought. He was probably trying to impress Cho, or some other girl. Lately, Hermione had given up trying to figure out what was happening by way of Harry and Ron's love lives. If they needed advice, she was willing to listen.
Sighing, she closed her book. She was having a hard time concentrating, and decided to go for a walk in the snow, maybe even bring a thermos of tea for herself.
"I'm going for a walk," Hermione said to the boys as she got up. "Ron, help Harry with his lines, please." And then to Harry, "And yes, you do have to practice. Stop talking about Quidditch for just a few minutes, I beg of you."
Both boys gave her willing looks as she walked out of the common room. As soon as she was out of earshot, Harry started going over a new plan for the team.
But they were interrupted by Hermione's sing-song voice from the portrait. "Is that in the script?"
Draco strode hurriedly away from the common room. Pansy had entered a few moments before, assuring him that she'd be back in a few moments. And what an opportune few moments…..
He had found out long ago that the only way to get away from Pansy was to go outside. It was her most hated place, due to the fact that all sorts of horrible things could happen to your nails or hair. He smirked. Girls who were that artificial were just scary, and he was definitely getting sick of having Pansy hanging off his arm.
He pushed through the doors, and into a flurry of snow. It wasn't cold, and the wind wasn't blowing hard. Talk about the cliché winter night.
Draco had been memorizing his lines, much to the surprise of the other Slytherins. But he'd told them it wouldn't be good at all if he just dropped out and let Potter get the part. They, of course, readily agreed with him, and he had an excuse.
But really, what was the excuse for? Surely, he didn't really want to be in the fool play Dumbledore was putting on. Perhaps it was merely so he could show up the other houses, or just to make a mockery of it.
Yes, that was the reason. If he was chosen, he would cause as much trouble as possible.
Hermione rammed into someone, falling into the piles of snow already forming. She checked her thermos, her wand, and found that nothing other than her dignity was damaged.
Meanwhile, Draco was slowly picking himself up from the ground. He peered forward, trying to find out who he'd ran into. His vision cleared, and he corrected himself. Now he knew who'd run into him.
"Granger," He growled.
"Malfoy," she replied, with fake cheer. He scowled, and began to walk away. "I hear you're trying out for a part in the play. Wouldn't it be fun if we got to play the leading roles?" Hermione's voice was laden with sarcasm, but Draco couldn't help himself.
"Oh yes dearest. Then we could tell everyone about us." For an instant, Hermione looked shocked. Quickly though, she responded.
"Oh yes," she replied, moving forward and placing a hand on his chest. "It would be wonderful." She finished with a heavy sigh, laying her head against is shoulder.
He grinned down at her, and it was a long way down, because he was about a head taller than her. She was good, but he was better.
"If only," he said, using the same sad voice she'd used before as he wrapped his arms around her. "If only we could tell everyone. But you know we can't. We've discussed this."
Hermione only briefly stopped to consider how odd the situation was before continuing the little game. "But, honey, it's all I really want of Christmas…." She said, emphasizing a few words like a young child might talking about a pony.
Draco gave in to laughter, because he really couldn't hold it in anymore. She watched him, smiling, and then said "So, you think I'll get the part?"
He finally regained control. "That was priceless. I've got to hand it to you."
"You weren't that bad yourself," she replied, looking thoughtful. "But that was very odd."
"Very. Just don't ever run in to me again," he said, finally remembering who he was and who she was. He remembered it almost in the way someone would say thank you after a long pause, and apologize for forgetting their manners. "And don't believe for a second I'll be acting beside you up on that stage, mudblood." And with that, he stalked off.
Hermione frowned after him, but managed to say "Then I suppose you won't be trying out, Draco Malfoy. Because I will play the part of Aurora." Hermione took a sip of tea, and realized how corny she'd just sounded.
But it had been pretty funny…..
Hermione walked back up to the common, realizing how late she was. As she entered through the portrait hole, Parvati and Lavender practically jumped on her.
"What?" She asked, groggily.
"Who is he?" Lavender squealed.
"Tell us!" Parvati added, in the same high pitch.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione stated calmly, truly perplexed.
"The boy!"
"Outside."
"Who you were with!"
"And then you got into a fight!"
"Right before you kissed!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, and started to say there was no boy, but Parvati cut in. "We couldn't see him really well because of the snow. But you really seemed to like him."
Hermione laughed, realizing they meant Malfoy.
Oh shit. They meant Malfoy.
A/N: OK. That's that, and I hope the rehearsals will actually be in the next chapter. You never can tell……Originally, I was going to have eggnog as Hermione's drink of choice, but I wasn't sure how many of you knew what that was. Tell me if you know what eggnog is, OK?