The Agreement
Chapter 5
Hermione woke up to the sounds of the last chattering birds that had not yet flown south. She stretched, still tired; She had not had an early night. What Anthony and she had witnessed the night before bothered Hermione greatly. Why would Snape trust Pansy Parkinson besides the fact that she's a Slytherin?
Still wondering, she climbed out of bed and walked over to the window that looked over the grounds and gazed longingly at Hagrid's hut. The smoke climbed slyly into the crisp morning air through the smokestack on the roof.
Hermione's eyes traveled skyward. The gray sky arched over the Forbidden Forest. It seemed as if the trees were in a dismal mood too. How would she face the school again after the small show Malfoy had put on the night before at dinner?
She took a deep breath and tried her best not to think about. It would be no use to worry herself. She frowned slightly as she continued to stare almost reproachfully down at the treetops.
Her gaze steadily moved onto Hagrid's hut yet again. She felt disappointed in herself for letting Hagrid down as she had yesterday. Though it wasn't entirely her fault, Hermione felt it was.
She slid away from the window that seemed to be dampening her day already. Her closet door held a few ordinary things that an ordinary girl would wear; A few sweaters, at least a dozen blouses, and her school robes. Hermione shrugged self consciously. She was at school, why worry about making a fashion statement on top of homework? Plus, this was their N.E.W.T.s year.
She pulled on her black robes on top of her uniform that consisted of a pleated skirt and a plain white blouse. Standing in the mirror she did up her scarlet and golden tie with ease.
The Head Girl stared at herself critically in the full length mirror. Her hair hung from her head like a frizzy bush. She ran a hand through the thick chestnut locks before gathering it up and pulling it into a ponytail. She smiled inwardly and patted it down. She knew her looks did not matter as much as her intelligence.
She stepped into her Mary Jane's and walked out of her room into the half lit hallway. Hermione shook her head as she passed Malfoy's room. His persistent snores reached her ears. He was obviously still asleep.
It was just how Hermione liked it. The Great Hall was nearly empty. Although a fair amount of students were scattered throughout the hall at their tables and the professor that was on duty watching over the hall in silence, which happened to be Professor Flitwick.
In spite of the fact that he was watching them, Hermione removed her Charms textbook from her bag and flipped to a random page and read lazily as she sipped her coffee.
Fifteen minutes upon reading, Hermione found herself entirely bored. Perhaps this was because she'd already read her textbook at least half a dozen times. She watched the some Ravenclaw fourth years somewhat carelessly. They sat huddled together taking turns reading.
Not wanting to just sit around for another hour, Hermione took up an apple and walked slowly back up to the common room. She said the password and walked through the portrait door. Hermione took a seat on a leather sofa and closed her eyes.
She bit hungrily into her red apple. It was highly sweet and slightly sour. Just how she liked them. She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew, she was awoken by the shortage of breath.
"I was hoping you'd die from the lack of oxygen." Malfoy scoffed.
Hermione touched her nose briefly. "Did I give permission for you to touch me?"
She looked up and found Malfoy staring down at her. "What are you looking at?" She snapped.
His lopsided smirk widened. "If it wasn't for me, Granger, you'd be late for class."
Hermione harrumphed.
"I know," Malfoy said backing away slowly, "what are good servants for?"
Hermione jumped up in surprise. "Who said the deal was still on?"
"Let's think about that one for a moment." He tapped his chin and looked up at the ceiling. "The contract, perhaps." He grinned wickedly at Hermione's astonishment.
"You are a bloody malodorous git." With that, she picked up her bag and stalked out of the common room, leaving Malfoy standing there, smirking.
For a moment he simply stood in the same spot thinking. Malodorous? It's probably some foreign language for beautiful. He hitched his bag up on his shoulder and walked calmly out of the common room and down to the Great Hall. The word of the day.
"Good morning Crabbe. Goyle. You both are very malodorous today." Malfoy smiled innocently as he sat down across from his cronies and stared hard at them. Blaise Zabini nodded at them from next to Malfoy.
"You're telling me." He turned his head so only Malfoy could hear.
Malfoy, pretending he knew what the word even meant, nodded in agreement. Pansy and her group of chattering girls approached them. "Those first years are so annoying." Pansy pointed a finger to where the younger students were sitting. They glared at Pansy and her friends.
"Hello Pansy, girls. You're all so malodorous and gorgeous today." Malfoy batted his eye lashes.
Blaise choked in the goblet he'd been drinking from. "Flattering, Malfoy."
"Malodorous means-" Started Mallory Kings but Pansy interrupted her.
"Malodorous? Your vocabulary seems to be expanding, Malfoy. You've been hanging out with the Mudblood." She sneered and pulled at his hair. Before he could slap her hand away she pulled back.
Tabitha whispered in Pansy's ear. "Well, you're just malefic then." Pansy retorted, giving the egotist a nasty grin and sitting next to him. The others followed suit.
Knowing what that meant, Malfoy took up her hair and pulled it. "Don't you ever speak that way to me, Parkinson." He gave her black hair another yank.
"Release her, Malfoy." Blaise pulled his friend's arm away. "You don't handle women like that."
"Oh look, here's Blaise, the real gentlemen. I'll show you how to treat women." Malfoy picked up a goblet of pumpkin juice and threw its contents in Crabbe's face."
"What was that for?" Crabbe fixed an enraged stare on Malfoy.
"Accident." Malfoy replied getting up quickly and walking away. He barely managed to conceal his fright.
"There's..." Goyle looked quizzically at Malfoy's retreating back.
"...Something wrong with him." Pansy finished. She seemed to have a knack for interrupting people.
Breakfast was dismissed sooner than expected. All of the students clambered eagerly out the doors on their way to class. "Skipping are we?" Blaise gave Pansy as skeptical glance.
She shook her head. "I'll be late. I've got some business to take care of." Pansy and her friends pushed their way through the crowd and exited. Blaise turned, confused, to look at a sopping wet Crabbe, and Goyle.
"Do you not have the decency in cleaning yourself up? Merlin, Crabbe." Blaise grabbed his books off the table and stalked arrogantly off to class.
...ABCDEFG...
"Why weren't you at breakfast?" Ron asked Hermione. He and Harry slid into the seats on either side of their bushy haired friend. The trio had Transfiguration first on Thursday mornings.
"I was there earlier." Hermione opened up her text book and took out some parchment and her favorite quill.
Neither of the two boys answered for McGonagall had stood up from behind her desk and was speaking to the class. "Studying with the Ravenclaws?" Harry whispered quietly to Hermione with a mocking smile.
She pretended not to hear, and continued writing down what McGonagall was saying word for word. Ron made a feeble attempt in copying off her paper but she put a protective arm around it.
"I hope you all have been studying," McGonagall was saying, "for I've decided to give a little pop quiz to see just how much you have. As you know, your N.E.W.T.s are drawing nearer..." Her voice droned on, but the class was not listening—other than Hermione.
Harry and Ron began to fret. "Hermione let us see your notes." Ron begged in an undertone.
"You can't be serious." Hermione gave him a dirty look. "Of course not."
"Ms. Brown, I hope you don't mind volunteering to pass out the quiz." McGonagall handed Lavender Brown a stack of paper which she immediately began passing out to each student. "There are fifty questions to complete. You have one hour. Begin."
Hermione read the six page quiz over carefully before actually answering the questions. Ron and Harry glanced sideways to look at her answers ever so often. Once McGonagall caught Ron copying Hermione's answer and moved him to another desk in the front of the room.
It only took Hermione half the time given to complete her work. She handed it in to the teacher's desk. The students would each be excused from class after they handed in their test. Hermione made her way to the library. She noticed a familiar person sitting at a table in the back of the library.
"You've earned yourself a detention for skipping class, Quartet." She said in a voice that sounded exactly like Professor McGonagall.
Daniel nearly fell off his seat in surprise. When he turned around his frightened face changed to one of gentle calmness. "Hermione! You shouldn't sneak up on people like that." He put a hand over his chest and began to breathe normally again.
Hermione laughed quietly and sat down next to him. "So why are you not in class?"
"You see, I'm horrible in potions, and Snape absolutely hates me." He half whined.
"Snape hates everybody except for his beloved Slytherins; get used to it. As for being horrible in potions, why didn't you just ask me for help?"
Daniel scrunched up his shoulders and put his head down, ashamed.
Hermione held his chin and gently lifted it so he faced her. "How about, you don't miss anymore of your classes?"
He heaved a sigh. "What's in it for me?"
"What's in it for you, you say? What if I tutored you once or twice a week so you can keep up with the rest of your classmates?"
Hermione watched as he formulated her offer in his head. "I guess we could come to some sort of," He paused in uncertainty, "a deal..." Daniel finished firmly.
"I'll speak to Professor Dumbledore about it later. Now get off to class." Along with her demanding tone, she left the parting Daniel with a weak smile.
"Thank you." He walked out of the library with a bounce in his step. Hermione smiled and wondered what she was getting herself into. She turned her attention to the book that lay open innocently on the table. Not able to resist herself, she took it in her hands and flipped it over to look at the cover.
This was not a book having to do with curses, or anything on the subject they had been searching through last night. It was a book filled with potions and spells concerning romancing, passion, and affection. What did we have here?
Before Hermione could flip through the book, the bell rang meaning she had to hurry to her next class. She got up and left the book where Daniel had left it in the first place.
...ABCDEFG...
Draco Malfoy dragged his feet as he walked up towards the East Tower for an excruciating Divination class, as he put it. All morning his so called Slytherin friends had teased him about the incident with his nose the day before.
All he'd had to do was give them all an irking glare to shut them up, but he knew they were still talking behind his back; Once a Slytherin always a Slytherin. He climbed the wooden ladder up into the tower and was once again introduced to the dreadful fumes that possessed the room.
Before going to the back of the classroom, Malfoy sent a squalid look to the back of Professor Trelawney's head. He hated taking the class since third year, but his father thought it was best for him. Only Merlin knows why, for his father did not even believe in such rubbish.
Malfoy gingerly sat upon a poof next to Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy couldn't even see their cushion underneath there backsides, not that he was looking purposely. His Slytherin housemates and Ravenclaws filed into the classroom. They arrived in two and threes, sitting around him.
"Class," Trelawney began once the last of the Ravenclaws and Slytherins had sat down, "We're going to perform the spell I taught you all last week that allows you into the mind of another person so you know what they're thinking inside their head." She held up a hand when she noticed a few of the students already pulling out their wands.
"But wait, that's next week." Malfoy sent Trelawney another hard look. "First I need to know you're all capable of doing so." She gazed particularly at Pansy Parkinson through her large spectacles. The class groaned and gradually put their wands away.
"You'll have half of the class to complete this written assignment. Once you've finished, you're free to read your text book. I don't want any cock ups, namely you, Ms. Parkinson." Professor Trelawney continued smugly.
There was a moment of laughter from the other students around the classroom. Pansy looked around quickly and blushed. She put her head down and did not look back up.
Professor Trelawney did not bother to cease the primitive laughter; she only smiled along and passed out parchment. "You may start."
The class finished in prompt timing, eager to leave and go to lunch. "Are you all done?" Professor Trelawney's debonair voice rang out through the classroom. With a wave of her wand, their work flew into her outstretched arms.
"I hope to find that you all did well." This time she did not make Pansy out as a fool. "When the bell rings you're dismissed."
Blaise Zabini turned to look at Malfoy steadily. "I wonder how I did." Blaise divulged to himself more than to anyone else.
"They say I'm starting to sound like Granger." responded Malfoy shaking his head.
"Funny." Blaise grumbled in a tone that suggested sarcasm.
"So I heard that oaf giant got his wimpy heart broken yesterday." Malfoy smirked. "I wish I could have been there."
"He did. Not even Potter stood up against him. Priceless."
"I imagine so." Draco replied bored out of his wits. "Let's get out of here."
"What do you mean? We can't just leave."
"Watch me." Malfoy got up and calmly walked across the classroom until he was at the trap door where the ladder was. Malfoy's expression was full of smug satisfaction. He quirked his head at an angle and motioned for Blaise to follow.
He reluctantly did. Blaise picked up his books and slid quietly against the wall out of the room like Malfoy had. "So we're out. Where to now?" Blaise gazed skeptically at his friend. "You do have a place in mind, don't you?"
Malfoy fidgeted with a button on his robe. "Don't I always?"
"So what is it?"
"Let's steal Potter's broom." He suggested. "I've got the password for their common room. It's an opportune moment, no one will be around."
"Draco, that's something we'd do as first years."
As they walked down the tower, Malfoy managed to change Blaise's mind. They hurried to Malfoy and Hermione's common room where they carelessly dumped their books, and then they nearly ran all the way to the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"This is it, right?" Blaise asked unsurely.
"You're not going to back out on me now, are you?" Malfoy glared nastily. Blaise rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"The password's Slytherin's are repulsive." Malfoy said sneering. "How much do you want to bet Weasley came up with that?" Malfoy led the way into the scarlet and gold decorated common room.
"The Zabini fortune." Blaise looked around the common room with a frown on his face. "Why is it that they have a nicer common room than the Slytherins?"
"Because Dumbledore's a Muggle loving fool, and he probably wants to marry Harry Potter." Malfoy explained lamely.
"I see."
"Let's go, it's up here." The blonde led them up to where the seventh year boys' dormitory was. "This is definitely Potter's." They bent down and Blaise unlocked the trunk with a simple spell.
Malfoy was not careful about going through Harry's things. He tried desperately not to touch the underwear or dirty socks. At the bottom of the trunk lay Harry's Firebolt. Malfoy retrieved it with a smirk.
"We've got to hurry. Class is almost over." Blaise glanced at his watch. They closed Harry's trunk and locked it before leaving. Then they ran back to the common room and each collapsed on a different couch.
"What do we do with it?" Blaise panted.
"Why hide it of course."
"Or better yet, Malfoy. We make it look like Granger took it."
"Yes, go put it in the back of her closet." Malfoy gave the racing broom one last greedy look before handing it over to Blaise.
When Blaise came back, Malfoy was waiting for him by the door. "Appearances; I don't want anyone to get suspicious. Lunch is just about to begin."
They walked calmly down to the Great Hall with expressionless faces. The two Slytherins strutted to their table and sat down to eat. Down at the other end of the Slytherin table, five girls sat planning what they'd call a conspiracy.
"Tabitha swiped it. We begin tonight."
"I can't wait until Halloween."
"I can't wait to see the school's reaction." Pansy claimed smiling slightly.
"Can't we just start it now? I'm too excited to wait." Mallory begged.
"Not enough time." Monet answered.
Just then, Harry Potter came running into the Great Hall. He looked left then right before rushing to where Ron and Hermione were sitting.
"My broom!" Harry said loud enough for only them to hear. "It's gone!"
"Goon?" Ron chewed his food and swallowed before continuing. "What do you mean by gone? You were only cleaning it last night."
"Did you look under your bed?" Hermione observed the situation.
"It's not there, Hermione! Please, help me find it. We have Quidditch practice after classes on Friday." Harry pleaded.
Hermione was about to ask if they could look later because she hadn't eaten but an apple all day, but seeing Harry's frantic face, Hermione gradually got up and followed Harry. She realized that Ron was not in pursuit. She went back to where he was chewing on beef and grabbed his ear. "Let's go." She led him out of the hall and back up to the Gryffindor common room.
"It's not fair, Hermione. This is the second time I've had to abandon my food in less than two days!" Ron complained.
"Would you like it if your broom was missing?" Seeing Ron's face, she took it as a no. "So you better help Harry, even if you don't get any sleep because he's our best friend."
"Thanks Hermione." Harry got on his hands and knees and looked under Neville, Dean, and Seamus' beds. "It's not here." He got up and clenched his fists.
Meanwhile, Hermione was looking in the closets. Ron had disappeared to see if it had been left in the common room the night before.
"I know I put it back into my trunk. I just know it." Harry repeated to himself over and over.
"Calm down, Harry. I'll check my common room later. It's got to be somewhere. We'll find it in time."
"Sure we will!" Harry bellowed losing his cool. "This always happens to me! Will my string of bad luck ever end!" He took a deep breath and sat down on his bed. Hermione aborted her search and sat down next to him.
"I believe in you Harry. So does Ron, Ginny, and everyone else in Gryffindor." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't try to get yourself down like that."
"No, Hermione." Harry pulled his arm away. "They just depend on me to kill Voldemort." He breathed the Dark Lord's name in fury. "I hate him. I hate them! I hate them all!"
Ron appeared as silently as he'd left. "I believe in you, Harry. We all do."
Harry seemed to calm down greatly. "Thanks you guys. If it wasn't for my two best friends, who knows where I'd be now." Harry smiled at them.
"We'll find your broom Harry." Ron said in such an assuring tone that Harry's face brightened.
"We'd better, or else I'm stealing Malfoy's." The three laughed.
"Let's go see Hagrid." Hermione suggested trying to break the silence that had come over them.
"Yeah, maybe he'll have a good idea to where my broom might be."
Hermione and Harry looked expectantly at Ron. He shrugged. "Sure."
Harry knocked on the thick wooden door. "Who's there?" Hagrid's voice came from inside.
"It's us." Harry replied defiantly.
"Come in then." The door opened slowly. "You're lettin' the cold in." Hagrid added. They walked into the small round cabin and gathered at the table.
"Have a seat." Hagrid offered still not looking at them. Harry and Ron plunked down into Hagrid's wooden chairs, but Hermione stood.
"Hagrid, we came down to apologize. We were all cruel and selfish yesterday." Hermione choked out. "You're our favorite professor; we love your classes. What's life without a bit of excitement in it? Please forgive us." She wrung her fingers earnestly.
Hagrid turned around slowly to face them. "O' course I forgive yeh." He gave Hermione a rib snapping hug that pulled her a few feet off the floor.
"Er, Hagrid? Maybe you should put her down." Ron's eyes widened as he watched Hermione's face turn blue.
Hagrid dropped Hermione gently. She scurried away and sat down in between Harry and Ron. She took a few deep breaths before continuing. "So are we going to still study the skrewts?"
Hagrid gave Hermione a look of amazement. "O' course not! I got rid o' them las' night."
The trio looked at each other before Harry asked, "Then what are we going to move onto next?"
"That, Harry, remains a secret." Hagrid placed three gigantic mugs of tea, on in front of each Gryffindor on the table. He too sat down and drank deeply from his hot drink.
"So what's been goin' on with you three? We haven't really gotten a chance to sit don't and talk since you lot started school."
"My broom was stolen earlier." Harry put his head in his hands.
"What? Did yeh tell Dumbledore?"
"No, I'm not going to bother him about it."
Hagrid thought for a moment. "Have yeh looked in public places such as the Great Hall or broom cupboards?"
"No. I guess I could have a look later on."
"We." Hermione corrected.
"Well you better head back up ter the school. Don't want you missing any classes. This is yer N.E.W.T.s year after all."
"We'll come visiting soon." Ron assured their half-giant friend.
Hagrid nodded and ushered them to the door. "Yer in for a surprise on Friday." Hagrid said happily and he closed the door.
"I'm glad he's no longer mad at us." Hermione commented blissfully as they made their way up the sloping grounds.
"Me too but I wish I had my broom." Harry looked down at his feet.
Ron patted Harry on the shoulder. "You can borrow mine if we don't find it by Friday."
"No, it's okay."
They stood in the Entrance Hall thinking silently.
"Well, see you." Hermione announced making the other two jump.
"Yeah, okay. See you later."
Hermione walked off leaving them standing alone.
"Gryffindor Stinks." She said half-heartedly. The portrait door opened and she stepped in to find Malfoy and Blaise Zabini lounging around.
"Are you just going to ignore us without saying hello?" Blaise asked when she passed them without a word. She stopped and turned around to face them. They both wore the same provoking smirk.
"Hello." She walked around to where Malfoy was laying on a couch with his eyes closed. "You best give Harry his broom back." Hermione gave Blaise her best contemptuous face. His smirk was pronounced more than ever.
Malfoy opened one eye and peered up at her. "See how biased Gryffindors are, Blaise? Something gets stolen and they come blaming the Slytherins."
"Well, where is it?" The Head Girl put her hands on her hips. "Give it back."
"Give it back." Malfoy mocked sitting himself upright.
"Give it back or I'll go to McGonagall." She warned.
"How do you know if he even took Potter's bloody stick?" Blaise drawled.
"I know you well enough. I know both of you well enough to know you stole it! You have the password for the Gryffindor common room."
"Go ahead and look in my room, Granger. Nothing's there. Accompany her, Blaise. There are thing in there that should not be seen upon Granger's beady eyes."
"I will." She marched upstairs and into Malfoy's room. Blaise followed behind slowly.
"Stupid mudblood." Malfoy muttered before closing his eyes again. He listened carefully and heard her shifting through his things on the floor above.
When he heard them coming back down into the common room he turned around to give her a smug look. "Find anything?"
She folded her arms back over her chest. "Your room stinks,"
"Does not." Malfoy insisted standing up.
"Keeping rats underneath your bed would not trigger that awful smell then?" Before he could open his mouth to reply, Hermione stalked out of the common room without another word.
Blaise sat down on the sofa he had been sitting on before. They sat in silence before Blaise opened his mouth to speak. "Rats, Malfoy?"
"They're for...a project."
"You're horrible." Blaise said standing up. "Well, see you."
Malfoy was about to ask where he was going but the portrait door shut with a snap.
Blaise traveled on his own behind Granger in a slow pace. He guided his feet along the corridors toward the Ancient Runes classroom.
...ABCDEFG...
Ginny Weasley found herself not paying attention as she sat in class, barely listening to Professor Binns lecture the class on who knows what. She nodded off slightly for a moment before sighing deeply and reaching into her bag. She pulled out a few slips of parchment and her favorite quill.
The quill had belonged to Bill when he was in school, so she always chose to write with it. She tickled her face with the old feather. Lines, neat and short were strewn all over the paper. Her desk mate Melanie Smith tapped her on the shoulder, perhaps half an hour later.
"What's that you're drawing Weasley?" Ginny turned it over on the desk. Melanie shrugged. "Class ended a few minutes ago. Just thought you'd like to know. See you tomorrow."
"Thanks Mel." Ginny called after the blonde. Ginny's brows furrowed together as she looked critically at what she'd drawn. The doodling had turned into a portrait. She huffed slightly and picked up her bag.
The corridor was a mess. It was crowded, end to end with students that were hurrying to their destinations. Ginny had to wait a few impatient minutes before she could move. Just as she stepped forward, someone else stepped on her foot. Ginny lost balance and grip of her school bag. She fell forward in front of the owner of her tripper's feet. Books flew in all directions, hitting some people's legs and feet. "Damn."
"Oh dear," She heard someone say, slightly sarcastic. It was a deeper voice. Ginny was not paying attention, though. She was busying crawling on fours trying to get her books. People angrily tripped over her. One even kicked her in the stomach.
"I'm dreadfully sorry." Ginny murmured awkwardly. Blaise Zabini crouched down to retrieve some of Ginny's property. Ginny looked up, surprised.
"It was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going." Blaise filled the silence and ignored the redhead's stare.
"N-no. I shouldn't be s...so clumsy."
"Really," Blaise picked up a piece of parchment and looked at it curiously, "the pleasure was all mine."
Ginny blushed bright red at Blaise's comment. To hide her embarrassed faced, she looked at her hands and what she was picking up.
"What's this?" He asked shoving the paper he was holding under her nose. Ginny focused her vision and looked down. Her red face became even redder.
"Nothing." She replied hastily. Ginny made to grab it quickly from him, but he held tight to it. "Can I have it?" Ginny finally looked up into his face. His eyes were looking directly into her own. Blaise's eyes were gorgeous. They were of the color of plain brown, but the specks of green and black were intriguing.
"You have beautiful eyes." Ginny breathed. She gasped when she realized she'd said it aloud. He looked at her curiously.
"What did you say?"
By then the corridor had cleared somewhat. It was the perfect time to get away from this embarrassing situation. "I...I nothing. I didn't say anything." She glanced down and realized that there hands were still holding the parchment. She let go slowly and took a deep breath. Blaise watched her all the while.
She opened her mouth to speak but Blaise beat her to it. "Did you draw this?"
"I was really just doodling; I didn't even realize what I was doing. Professor Binns is so boring I started to fall asleep then I started doodling. I was really just doodling." Ginny rambled not making much sense.
"What?"
"I just started drawing, and when I was finished, well actually it's not finished yet. Well, when class was over I obviously had to stop and I was going to complete it with color and all..."
"It's nice."
Ginny made a small face. As soon as she did, she wished she hadn't because he was still watching her.
"I mean, it's more than nice, but I'm not used to being drawn...or something." He scratched the back of his neck, confused. "So I can have it?" Ginny nodded, blushing again.
"Sorry for running into you again!" Ginny yelled. He turned around and smiled her way.
"As I said, the pleasure was all mine."
...ABCDEG...
"...and then he said the pleasure was all his!" Ginny gushed out to anyone that would listen during dinner. Mainly Lavender, Parvati, and Ron.
"How dare he make you fall?" Ron exclaimed. "I bet Malfoy put him up to it. You've seen how those two have gotten to be such great pals now." Parvati slapped his arm and fixed a deprived look on her face.
"It was an accident, Ron, goodness! Can't you just appreciate the wonders of budding love and romance?" Lavender spat.
"What? Budding love and rom-" Ron gripped the table's edge and leaned across to stare Ginny in the eye. "You will definitely regret it, Ginny Weasley, if you so much as talk civilly to a Slytherin. Blaise Zabini to be more specific."
"Oh?" Ginny stood up too, so that they were face to face. Harry, Hermione, Lavender and Parvati watched silently. "Or what?" She whispered and narrowed her eyes.
"I'll write to mum." Ron's tone was empty, cold, and dripping with haughtiness. A look of fear passed over Ginny's face. She slowly sat back down.
"You do that, Ronald, and I'll tell mum about your little detention escapade." She faced him, determined. Ron too took a seat.
"Yeah, and just how unusual are those? I doubt mum will even care, seeing the Order's busy with the war. But she will pay close attention if she finds out about you."
"Which she won't." Ginny angrily got up and went to sit down at the other end of the table with some classmates in her year.
"What's gotten into her?" Ron looked around before shrugging and going back to eating his dinner.
"What's gotten into her? Ron, you're treating her like a child!" Hermione pointed her fork at Ron accusingly.
"She is a child Hermione! She has no right to go hanging around some Slytherin scum like that." Ron slammed down his own fork and glared at Hermione. "So now you're on her side?"
Harry turned away from the bickering pair to talk to Seamus and Dean.
...ABCDEFG...
Hermione walked along an empty corridor toward Professor Dumbledore's office. She was in such deep thought, she nearly missed it. Being Head Girl, she knew that password that allowed her inside. Hermione knocked softly upon the tall and wide door and opened it immediately after Dumbledore replied.
"Why, Ms. Granger, a pleasure." He beckoned her forward so that she was in front of his large wooden desk. "What brings you here on this fine evening?" He paused upon hearing a boom of thunder from outside. He smiled. "Sit down."
Hermione took a seat in front of Dumbledore. "Professor." She addressed him. "I've met a student. A first year. He's having some trouble with Potions...mainly Snape," She paused and cleared her throat.
"Professor Snape." She corrected. Dumbledore nodded for her to go on. "And I think it would be appropriate that he received tutoring to guide him along until he grabs the concept." Not knowing what to do with her hands, she placed them neatly on her lap.
"Ms. Granger, I'm proud that you have taken attention to this matter. It is important here at Hogwarts that each of the students receive a healthy education. If Mr. Quartet is indeed struggling, I agree that he should be helped.
Hermione opened her mouth in amazement. How had Dumbledore known who Daniel was? Dumbledore's eyes glittered in secret. "You're right." She coughed lightly.
"Ms. Granger, I think that it would be suitable that you tutor him."
"That's a grand idea." Hermione faked surprise.
"Well it's settled then. We will have Mr. Quartet notified." Dumbledore looked over his long fingers at her.
"Thank you professor. You've been so helpful and kind." Hermione stood up quickly and before leaving said, "Good night professor."
Hermione walked away from the gargoyles with a bounce in her step. She walked happily up to the Gryffindor common room where she found Harry playing chess with Ginny.
"Hello Hermione." Harry greeted without removing his eyes from the chessboard. Ginny looked up at Hermione and smiled. "How'd it go?"
"Dumbledore was fine with the idea." Hermione sat down next to
The distraction gave Harry enough time to snatch up a knight that could have put his king in check.
"Put that back Harry." Ginny said without looking at the game. Harry was shocked. "Peripheral vision, Harry." His mouth formed an O. Ginny turned back to the game. "Come on now, Harry." She laughed as Harry meekly placed the piece to where it had been.
"I give up trying to put anything past you." He grumbled.
"Good." Ginny patted his arm before making her next move and indeed putting Harry's king in check. He groaned audibly and made his move. Hermione took a seat and watched the game closely. She tattled on Harry every time he stole a piece from the set and placed it in his small pile.
Hermione stood up and stretched her arms. She looked at her watch which read eight o'clock and groaned. "Detention with Snape, here I come. Good night you two."
They bade her goodnight and continued on with their game. Hermione hurried to the dungeons. There was no mistaking that Snape would be upset that she was late. She rushed into the Potions classroom, breathless. In front of her stood Professor Snape and Daniel.
"Sorry I'm late, professor." She slumped against the door to catch her breath.
Snape raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips. "Make it your duty to be on time in the future, or you'll be given a few more detentions to deal with. Understood?"
Hermione nodded and stood up straight.
"That is yes sir, Ms. Granger. We might not be in class—"
"Yes sir." Hermione cut in. Daniel stood timidly off to the side glancing at Snape every so often.
"Tonight, you'll have a special detention. I supposed you've gotten the headmaster to wriggle you out of it..." He jerked his head toward Daniel before continuing. "You'll be starting your tutoring. Now get out of my sight, the both of you." Snape growled.
Once outside in the corridor, they stood for a moment before Hermione actually spoke. "Well, we should go to the library and find some books to start off. What do you think Daniel?"
Once they had settled down in the library with a few books, Hermione took over. She explained to him the basics and helped him finish his homework. An hour later, Hermione stood up and stretched. "It's after nine. I think we should get a fresh start on next Tuesday."
"Okay. Thanks Hermione, you're so smart." Daniel thanked her in awe.
"Thank you Daniel!" Hermione said obviously pleased.
"My friends call me Dan..." He gazed at the floor, blushing. Hermione didn't notice his embarrassment.
"Dan it is then." She gathered up a few heavy books and shoved them into his arms. "Read over and memorize chapters one in each of them by next week." Dan checked out the books and walked with Hermione to the Hufflepuff common room.
"Remember to read!" She reminded enthusiastically although he had not forgotten. Daniel nodded and staggered into his house common room.
It had not been a bad detention at all.
...ABCDEFG...
Five girls sat around a cauldron in the seventh year Slytherin Girls' dorm. Four of them joked and laughed as they stirred the contents and added the other ingredients.
"Shut up, do you want someone to hear?" Pansy spoke at last. They quieted their conversations for a moment before getting loud again.
"It would be just hilarious to see Granger and Longbottom holding hands!" Monet giggled hysterically. This sent the four girls into another fit of laughter.
"You know, Pansy... It would be a great idea." Mallory said carefully.
"I don't know... that seems like a waste. Granger is smart enough to figure this stuff out." Pansy disagreed.
"I'm all for the Longbottom thing." Gwen sniggered.
"All right. We'll see what happens. If this doesn't work, you'll be sorry, Monet Arwens."
The girls left the simmering cauldron and got into their beds. Two weeks until their plan would be engaged.
Completed April 19, 2005
Author's Note: Hello my lovely readers. Long chapter. I hope it was an enjoyable one. 18 pages... wow, I feel very good about myself. I'm sorry for not getting this chapter up sooner because I finished it ages ago. I had this huge research paper to do too. I better get a good grade on it... because I actually handed it in.
Tell me what you all think so far, seriously. I'm very open to suggestions for future chapters. I'll try my best to get chapter 6 out in less than a month. Haha. I wish I could say a week. I cannot type dialogue well at all. x)
Yep... Also, check out my C2 Community or whatever it's called. I'm looking for staff so the archive is bigger.
If anyone has any referrals for good fanfics, please tell me. I'm looking for something new, but I'm having a lot of trouble doing that. I've become extremely picky when it comes to Draco/Hermione.
Now, there are people that reviewed for chapter 4. You all have a chance in winning a date with Draco Malfoy!
xoKaSsIeox
Fairy pwincess
Hermionemalfoy18
xOxOkIsSmYaSsXoXo
and
Kerry
The person that reviews first of those five listed above, a suggestion for the next chapter that gets personally picked by me wins!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter novels because I'm certainly not Jo Rowling. This is sort of depressing because if it's one thing I love, it's the paparazzi. So since I don't own the books, I don't own the characters, settings, etc, etc, etc.
Claimer: It sort of makes me sad to think I'd need to actually do it, but some people like to use other people's ideas without permission. I made up "The Deeply and Ineffable Love Potion of Ecstasy", Helga Rae Cottonseed, and Charles Deacons, Daniel Quartet, Tabitha Limons, Mallory Kings, Monet Arwens, and Gwen Ludder.
Lots of love, and thanks so much for reviewing!
Steph-
