A/N: Well! I'm sorry for the delay in posting this instalment of Behind Blue Eyes, and my only excuse is that schoolwork has been piling up lately. I actually intended to have this chapter finished and posted about a week after Chapter Two was posted, but, unfortunately, things didn't turn out that way.
There are a few issues that I wanted to talk about, before personally thanking everyone and then getting on with the actual story!
Firstly, for those who asked, I do indeed intend to finish this story (I've never before given up on a story, and I don't plan on doing so now!). However, I am trying to update as soon as possible, but there have been some setbacks along the way, so I can't tell you how soon it will be before Chapter Four is up. But, to console you, a huge twist is rapidly approaching (you have no idea how much self-control I'm exerting just to stop myself from writing it for the next chapter, instead of waiting until the story progresses slightly more!) that I'm sure all of you will enjoy reading immensely. You might want to strangle me when you discover the cliffhanger I've got planned out for you, but I promise you it will be excellent nonetheless!
Secondly, for those of you who are avid readers of my other fan fictions posted here on ff.n, rest assured, I haven't abandoned those stories, and updates for them are coming! For Who Wants To Play Spin-The-Bottle? I've already got plenty of new ideas in mind, and another new chapter currently being formulated.
Thirdly, I have encountered many readers who have informed me that, although enjoyable, Chapter Two was thoroughly unbelievable and very out-of-character for Hermione. Well, I realized this same fault when I was posting the chapter onto IATQO, and changed it there, and I've just recently managed to get the export/backup feature on here to work, so Chapter Two has been altered slightly. I didn't want to re-write the entire chapter, because that causes a lot of confusion and entirely too much hassle, so the small adjustments should be enough to explain Hermione's behaviour sufficiently, and this chapter will support that, and further show that Hermione hasn't changed. Mentally, that is!
Finally, as for the questions concerning the identical twins issue, please read my response to a review by runaway mental patient! Yes, yes, I admit it, I'm a lazy author at times, and I can't be bothered typing my excuses twice!
Many thanks to the following people for breaking the one hundredth review milestone after only two chapters:
Briana, kawaiitie, Protectress Of The Small, Jade 121, EMMA holmes, Samantha, neoatsr, harryptaxd204, iam1boredteen, Magical Wishes25 (x2), Anigen, harriettapotter, Mrs Gabriella Malfoy, The-Dragon's-Angel, LilyTheBlonde, Blood-Red-Pen-Tip, Avanell, Alex, The Black Pearl Is Freedom (x2), SiriusJamesRemus'sgirl, Hogwartsstudent (x2), kriCket x0 (x2), Samantha Cameron (x2), future movie maker (x2), KaTeRiNa MaLfOy, blonde-brain (x2), Kichou (x2), Cocoa Flavour Punk (x2), Nixi Nox (x2), princessugar (x2), Snow Purple Rose, BabeBunny (x2), xo KaSsIe ox, treisilla, emmzi91, Punky Princess 13, blondest brunette, Beach-Babi, Athena's wolf, jesska-14, LYDRU, Sweet Charis, bitterhoney002, BiggerstaffStalker, x0x0 kisSmYaSs x0x0, maryo1, liz, firebreath, submissivesoul14, Callie, gopha-gurl, Jpeacecraft, Kidden, blood brther, sakura angel90, lilly, Vicangel, kat6528, robin777, Kace08, goodybad, littlemeercat, Shadow Silver Wolf, rebelangel566, Danish Pastry 28, Tears-That-Fall, devil's poodle, villainvalkyrie, Weird Not Boring, arwenundomiel021, nyet, Blue Dragon Skies, fdd, Steelo, MIDNIGHT-PIXIE, Hellz Childe, bookgal4000, Flor De La Cereza, HGDM lova, Trixie7, rani singala, HyperOnCookies
Alex25: Thanks for telling me, but I'm actually Australian, so here we can spell things like 'realizations' with an 's' or a 'z'. Your Narcissus Or The Rose story was excellent to read, but I do agree with you on the ending note of it.
Dreary Days (x2): Haha…don't die on me! I need your support, so keep reading and reviewing!
Jameslvr (x2): I have actually read other stories with the whole long-lost sibling style plot, but I can't actually remember any story titles from memory at the moment!
Runaway mental patient (x2): Thank you for reminding me of the identical twins problem, but I'm going to assume that Blaise, who mentions Hermione and himself looking identical, after Malfoy brings the topic up, is unaware of the 'Muggle' technical terms for opposite gender twins who are similar in appearance. Besides, at the time I wrote it, it was meant more as a way for him to express (for the benefit of the readers) just how similar the features of he and his twin really are, despite the different genders. That, and also I really don't want to go back and change everything to be technically correct, because the backup/export feature hardly ever works for me! Bear with me! Anyway, thank you for your reviews! And I do appreciate the advice!
HD4evva (x2): Mmhmmz…I like mOofins! Please keep reading! And reviewing!
LiLbLueangeL1223 (x2): Don't worry, I'll continue updating A.S.A.P! I can't be having grumpy readers on my hands!
Kittehgrl (x2): Have I mentioned just how much I positively adore long reviews? Thank you, and keep reading!
Tri Gemini (x2): You'll have to wait to find out Draco's reasons!
Marmalade Fever (x2): Don't tell me that fault! I'm all panicky now, but I'll just have to let the birthday issue slide by. Betrothal? Well, that's actually a very good idea, but not necessarily the main reason why Draco turns away from the Dark Side. You'll have to keep reading to find out! Oh, and I believe you asked why Hermione, but not Blaise, had to be hidden? Well, you won't find out exactly why just yet. There's still another twist on that! Oh, and thank you for your reviews!
OnEbLoOdYrOsEpEtAl373: It's going to be a DM-HG fan fiction! Thank you for your review!
Gentileschi (x2): …and I can't wait to reveal Malfoy's secrets!
Macey Muse (x2): Yes, the poem at the end of Chapter Two is mine. And, yes, this story will eventually be finished! I don't plan on ever giving up on any story, especially not this one when it's doing so well! Thank you for your review!
Chastity Morrows: Oo…don't hit me with a bread roll! I'm a good author, really, even though there's going to be an upcoming chapter with a huge cliff-hanger!…You didn't read that! I've almost given away an important part of the plot!
Dark-bitch: Draco and Hermione engaged? Well, you'll just have to wait and see! Thank you for your review!
ggffi (x3): I wanted to add in something fitting to the end of Chapter Two, so I created that poem. Thank you for the wonderful compliments concerning both the poem and the story so far!
Elfgirl: Thank you ever so much!
jesus4ever: Thank you for the kind offer, but I'll post a comment in my profile page if I ever need a beta reader or something similar. At the moment, however, I'm handling my stories quite well, though I tend to update on irregular basis for most of them, and as crazy at it sounds to some people, I enjoy editing work!
svetlaella: Another loyal reader? Excellent! I'm always glad to hear that, especially since I seem to have lost one of my normally most devoted readers, but then again, he/she may not have been following my latest stories.
Michelle Felton: I like that line, too!
JamieGirl: I also love that line! And I'm exceptionally pleased to hear that you're hooked!
Thank you once more to all of you! (Hopefully I haven't accidentally forgotten to type anyone's pen names!)
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. own everything relating to Harry Potter. The only thing here that you see that I actually own is the plot.
Warning: There is some (mostly mild) language in this chapter, so if you're not comfortable with that, or you are too young to be reading this, please don't continue onwards.
……x.:.X.:.x……
Behind Blue Eyes
Chapter Three: The Delightful Plotting Of Revenge
Hermione sighed as she sleepily opened her eyes. She smiled vaguely and snuggled into the warm, silky sheets. A haze was once more shrouding her mind, lulling her back into her dreams. Dimly, she registered her alarm clock beeping frantically at her, but she ignored it. There was no reason for her to get up so early, after all. It wasn't as though she had classes today.
…Wait.
Hermione paused, a frown marring her face, fighting off the light-headedness. Just what was going on? With dawning horror, she realized that she had set the alarm because classes did begin today! With a major effort, she was able to sit upright, groaning as a wave of dizziness spread through her. Was she becoming ill? Worried, Hermione attempted to stand up from the bed, only to find her eyes drooping as her legs wobbled like last night's Jell-o. She landed back in her bed with a disgruntled sound, before once more being assaulted with a bought of fatigue.
Hermione frantically tried to stay awake, forcing her weary mind to flick through all known illnesses. What on earth was wrong with her? The brunette girl suddenly paused, a thought forming in her agile mind. The symptoms were conspicuously similar to those of people doused with the more dubious form of the Dreamless Sleep Potion, the Sleeping Draught, but who would drug her? And why hadn't she noticed? She was Hogwarts' most intelligent student in over fifty years, for crying out loud!
Hermione searched her memory desperately. The girl dredged up images of drinking hot chocolate, then drifting into sleep with someone's arms wrapped around her – Malfoy's arms, she noted, horror rising up as she gasped. Oh, those two were going to pay dearly for drugging her!
She listened carefully, mentally shrugging off the fog skimming across her mind, before bellowing, "Blaise!"
Hermione glared furiously as her newfound brother's head appeared around the bedroom door.
"Yes, sister?"
"You – you – you!" She ended, rather dramatically.
Blaise looked supremely amused. "Go back to sleep, Hermione."
Her glare deepened. "No!"
Hermione vainly attempted to clear her head by shaking it vigorously, then determinedly pushed herself into a sitting position, ignoring her body's protests. Blaise looked mildly impressed as she swung her feet to the ground and pulled herself to her feet using one of the poles surrounding the four-poster bed for support. Staggering slightly, she moved over and clutched at the desk near the door, groaning at the effort it took to stay upright.
Hermione glared at her brother. "You used a Sleeping Draught on me? Those potions are frowned upon and you know it!"
He grinned, looking delighted. "You are incredibly intelligent, aren't you? I wasn't quite sure if you'd be alert enough to recognise the symptoms."
"You drugged me, you ass! I'm your sister!"
"It was necessary, Hermione. You need the rest."
He snorted as he heard a string of foul curses spew forth. Hermione's eyes blazed as she stumbled past him.
"There is no bloody way I'm missing class!"
Blaise rolled his eyes and trailed after her down the hallway.
……x.:.X.:.x……
Malfoy sighed as he left the Great Hall, hefting his Potions book into his arms. He supposed he had better check in on Blaise; he'd been gone for a while now, and breakfast was nearly finished now. He cursed vividly as he saw a heavily made-up girl with blonde hair leap up from the table and race after him. Great, just what he needed. Pansy. He supposed he should feel sorry for her. After all, her constant need for his attention most likely stemmed from the fact that even her mother probably couldn't love a face that bore such a remarkable resemblance to a pug. He coughed, furtively concealing his snort of laughter.
The pampered and distinctly unattractive girl attached herself to his arm, and the blonde boy barely managed to conceal his shudder. The girl truly was repulsive, and Draco detested girls who flung themselves at his feet and whined incessantly. Honestly, had they no pride? He knew he was utterly irresistible, but really, the whole 'let-me-throw-myself-at-your-feet-so-you-will-love-me' act was becoming rather tedious.
"…Oh, and Drake, darling, Mother found the most beautiful dress the other day, but don't expect to see it yet, you impatient boy, you," the girl tapped his nose, completely missing his furious look, before going on, "because I plan to wear it to our engagement party! Isn't that wonderful, Draco?"
"Engagement party? Aren't you jumping ahead, Pansy?" he ground out, his fury nearly palpable as he spotted Potter and Weasley sniggering at him.
"Why, of course not! We love each other, Draco, so I expect to see that ring anytime now!" She fluttered her eyelashes at him, but he backed away in horror.
"Pansy?"
"Yes, Draco?"
"No."
"No? For what, Draco?"
"Just – " he struggled to form a coherent sentence, "No."
"No, what?"
He glared. "No damn engagement party, that's what!"
The girl paled drastically. "What?" Then her colour returned full-force. "Oh, Draco, darling, I fully understand if you want it to be more…private." The girl's smile turned predatory, as she stalked towards him, dragging his face down for a kiss.
Draco suppressed a roar of horror as he felt the wily girl snake her hands downwards, and leapt back from her, wiping his mouth.
"Stay away from me, you vile woman!"
The girl pouted. "Draco, stop this silly game, it isn't funny anymore, and I want to kiss you!"
Draco stared at her in horror, shuddering from the memory of the last kiss, with her cold, thin tongue plunging past his teeth. "How does 'no' sound?"
The girl simpered. "Draco, come here for another kiss." She smiled beguilingly. Probably thought it made her actually look pretty, Draco noted sourly, but someone really needed to introduce the girl to Honeyduke's Toothflossing Stringmints.
He backed away, alarmed as the girl approached, then let out a startled yell as she launched herself at him. Swearing profusely, the young Malfoy heir proceeded to seize his beloved Potions textbook and repeatedly wallop the pug-faced girl over the head with it.
"Get off, Parkinson!" Malfoy roared, swatting the persistent, if not slightly deranged, Slytherin girl away.
"Dra-co! Stop that!"
"Stop? Stop!"
"Yes, stop! Stop being ridiculous!"
"Funny, Parkinson, I thought you stopped carrying a mirror round with you to class after third year."
"I'm talking to you, Draco! You're acting insane, and I'm only trying to show you how much I love you – "
"Me? How about you stick your 'loving attentions' up your ars– "
"Draco," Pansy stepped back, her eyes wide as she clapped a hand over her mouth, "How could you say such a thing?" Her eyes watered. "We love each other!"
Draco stared at her, wordlessly mouthing horrified expressions. He coughed, then managed to find his voice. "You daft, obsessed woman! I don't even like you!"
Pansy stared, dumbstruck, for a moment. Then, "I knew it!" She hissed, eyes glittering with rage. "Tell me which girl has bribed you into staying with her, and I'll kill her for you. No one takes my Draco away from me!"
Damn, this girl has some real issues, Draco noted, rather gloomily. He straightened abruptly and let out a rather undignified, feminine screech, raising his book like a baseball bat, as Pansy lunged for him once more with a cry of "I'll show that other girl who kisses you better!"
Ten minutes later saw a rather rattled Draco Malfoy striding down the hallway, a mutated Potions textbook clutched under his arm.
……x.:.X.:.x……
Malfoy sighed in relief as he strode briskly into the Head Students' Dormitory. He grinned to himself as he ran a hand through his hair. He tossed his ruined textbook onto a table, and then sank down onto a green couch with a groan. Finally, he was able to get some peace and quiet.
Or not.
Two very familiar voices resounded down from the stairs, the girl's with a rather angry note. Malfoy swore softly, then leapt gracefully to his feet and bounded up the stairs, his eyes taking in a furious Hermione shakily making her way down the stairs, with an amused Blaise shadowing her.
He raised an eyebrow at his best friend. "I thought you said you gave her enough to knock her out for a few days."
"Apparently not." Came Blaise's dry retort.
Hermione growled. "Just wait till I get my hands on you two conniving, sneaky bastards!" She made to step down, then wavered as a fresh wave of dizziness hit her. Both boys rolled their eyes.
"Hermione, get back into bed."
"No! Bugger off, the both of you!" She carefully evaded Blaise's grasp, then slipped on a step as her legs buckled once more.
In an instant, Malfoy was at her side, his arms surrounding her before she toppled to the ground.
He chuckled softly. "A real klutz, huh?"
"Shut up, Malfoy! And let me go!"
"I don't think so," came his drawling reply. "Back to bed, Granger."
She hissed at him and weakly kicked out as Malfoy lifted her up into his arms and strode up the stairs, past a laughing Blaise. Kicking her door open, he deftly settled her onto her bed, Blaise coming up to wrap the seething girl in warm blankets.
"I'll just get straight back up again as soon as you leave." Hermione threatened the two Slytherins.
Blaise smirked. "I've already informed the portrait that you're ill and not to be let out. Oh, and wards have been set in place throughout the dorm. You won't be going to class today, sister."
A strangled growl reached the ears of the two smug boys as they departed.
……x.:.X.:.x……
Hermione lay in her bed, glowering unhappily at her bedroom door. She had awoken once more from a drug-induced sleep merely an hour ago, and had immediately attempted to leave the dormitory. She was appalled to discover that Blaise had indeed ordered the wolf in the portrait not to let her leave, and she had quickly learnt that no amount of pleading, cajoling or cursing would convince the stubborn thing to move.
Next, the Gryffindor girl had vainly searched high and low for charms designed to lower specific wards or enable one to exit a portrait forcefully. All of the books in the Common Room supplying information regarding those spells had suspiciously disappeared from the shelves. No such luck there.
So now, a wide-awake and thoroughly irritated, Hermione was perched on her bed, impatiently waiting for Blaise to return. The angry brunette, eyes burning a hole into the nearest wall, grimly vowed to see Ginny as soon as possible – vengeance was in order, and the Weasleys – Fred and George in particular – were renowned for their excellent revenge tactics.
Hermione turned her head, eyes narrowing as she detected the sound of the portrait opening, and two male voices drifting up the stairs. Drumming her fingers against the sheets, she waited until footsteps sounded outside Blaise's room before pointedly coughing. Loudly.
She heard the footsteps pause briefly, then start getting closer. Malfoy and Blaise appeared in her doorway, both looking highly amused.
"Something wrong, sister?" Blaise asked, all innocence.
Hermione squashed the urge to snort sarcastically and opted to give him a murderous glare. "Can I actually leave now? Because I'm hungry, and bored, and I want to begin plotting your imminent downfall with Ginny."
Blaise stared, then threw back his head, rich laughter pouring forth. Hermione glowered. The nerve of him to laugh at her threats! She sourly vowed to make him deeply regret ever crossing Hermione Gran – damnit, she couldn't even use her normal name now! What about her precious reputation as Hermione Granger, the intelligent witch? Well, Hermione decided grimly, the school was about to realise that Hermione Zabini was just as deadly to anger, with all her knowledge. And right now, she was one seriously pissed off witch.
She was briefly distracted, though, when Blaise produced a tray from behind his back, complete with a hot chicken soup, crusty bread and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Hermione coolly ignored her brother as he placed the tray on her table, before seizing the bowl and proceeding to hungrily devour the delicious soup. Hermione seethed quietly when the two settled themselves upon her bed, but abandoned a potential argument in favour of the warm food.
She eyed the books Blaise set upon her table, sending him a questioning glance.
"Your homework." He grinned. "I had a nasty feeling that you'd attempt to castrate me if I didn't at least take extra notes for you."
Malfoy snorted as he moved to lie back on her bed with a groan, ignoring Hermione's protests.
"Why aren't you two eating?" She said finally, setting the empty tray aside.
"Already had dinner." Malfoy said vaguely, cracking an eye open slightly.
Hermione sat quietly for a minute, then turned to the two boys. "Out." She said firmly. "Now. I want to get changed."
"Actually, I was quite comfortable here – " Malfoy started, winking at her.
"Out!"
The two boys scrambled off her bed and bolted towards the door, laughing loudly as she slammed the door behind them. Hermione sighed, then absently changed, splashing water on her face in an effort to drive the faint drowsiness from her mind. Clenching her fists as she remembered how her own brother had drugged her – for no real reason – she stormed down the stairs, her fiery eyes locking onto a head full of rich black curls. Emitting a low growl, she whipped her brother round and whipped her hand across his face.
"That," she said, through clenched teeth, "Is for drugging me. No matter how much you tried to make up for it. And as for you, you slimy git," here she fixed Malfoy with her vitriolic gaze, "You're going to get the same payback as my brother here." She pivoted on her heel, and then slammed her way out of the dorm.
The two Slytherins cursed in unison.
"I think you pissed her off, my friend."
"Like I didn't realize that."
"Fix it, then, because her slaps damn well hurt, and I really don't want to see your sister out for our blood."
"I think I actually might agree with you for once. It's a scary thought."
……x.:.X.:.x……
Hermione dashed down the hallways, frantically searching for her friends, one in particular. Her satisfaction at slapping her smug twin was fading, and her hand was positively itching to strike out once more. What she needed was a distraction, No, she corrected herself absently as she skidded around a corner, what she really needed was Ginny, hot chocolate, and a long session of vengeful plotting. She paused, panting for breath, feeling the fog creeping upon her senses once more. Sweeping her hair out her face impatiently, she slid downwards, sitting on the floor to wait for the dizzy spell to pass. She audibly groaned as she realised her foolishness at dashing madly around the school's corridors – why on earth hadn't she just gone to the Gryffindor Common Room to look for Ginny in the first place? Smacking her palm lightly against her forehead, she unsteadily rose to her feet and took off, rather slowly, in the direction of the Fat Lady's portrait.
Ten minutes later, she was snuggling deeply into a comfy red armchair in front of a roaring fire, a delicious aroma rising from the mug in her hands. Sipping her hot chocolate contentedly, she grinned as Ginny settled into the armchair near her own.
"So, will you help me?"
Ginny grinned devilishly at her. "Of course!" She winked at her friend, promptly whipping out a small stack of papers. "Now, these are notes I've compiled over the years, from the tutoring Fred and George once gave me in the life of a prankster, and I've got some blank parchment, too, so we can sort out exactly which hexes your control freak of a twin and his pet ferret should have dished out to them." She paused, sending a decidedly Slytherin-like smirk towards the other girl, grinning when Hermione mirrored it.
"Let's get to work then, shall we?"
The two girls laughed quietly, before silence reigned as quills flickered over the blank parchment, hexes and curses strewn across the pages in ink at a rapid rate.
……x.:.X.:.x……
Hermione pranced happily through the doors leading into the Great Hall, grinning widely as she spotted a curly mass of auburn hair at the Gryffindor table.
"Well?" Ginny inquired archly as the older girl settled daintily into the seat beside her.
Hermione flashed her a mischievous grin. "Stage One of 'The Ruination of Control Freak and Ferret' is about to be put fully into action."
Ginny playfully pushed her. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go, go!"
Hermione laughed. "Okay, okay, I'm going. Wish me luck?"
"I think they will need it more by the time we're even halfway finished with them." The girls shared a brief moment of snickering.
"Did you send the letter?"
Ginny tossed her hair back elegantly. "Naturally. Now hurry up and do your part."
Hermione grinned, then stood up. "Going, going."
Malfoy and Blaise were deep in conversation as Hermione headed towards them.
"Uh, Malfoy?" Goyle's voice drifted into their conversation. They both sent him icy looks, and then promptly ignored him. Goyle sent Crabbe a nervous look, both of them surveying their fellow Slytherins as they coldly eyed Hermione's approach. "Draco, Blaise," Goyle cut in again, this time more firmly, "Hermione is coming."
"What?" Both boys echoed, jerking their heads up. Hermione was indeed heading straight for them, looking a bit irritated at the boys' lack of a welcome. Well, Blaise mused, it was certainly better than the decidedly frosty air she had adopted around them for the past few hours. He shared a slightly relieved grin with Draco – it appeared that she had indeed forgotten her vow to pay them back dearly for drugging her.
Hermione felt the hostility rising in waves from a fair amount of the Slytherins, and faltered slightly, unsure of her position. Blaise smiled warmly at her, though, and patted the seat between himself and Malfoy. Grinning as she remembered the real reason for her visit, she wrapped her courage around her, and flounced over to them, sliding easily into the seat provided.
Feeling her confidence soar once more as Blaise loaded a plate with food and gave it to her, she sent the other Slytherins a nasty look, daring them to make a scene. Malfoy frowned as he noticed the staring contest. Sharing a glance with Blaise briefly, he signalled to the others, eyes icy as he dared any of them to make Hermione uncomfortable. The others backed down immediately, tactfully choosing to ignore the presence of the Gryffindor rather than risk Draco's wrath.
Malfoy grinned at his best friend. "Slytherin politics have several advantages when you're the leader, don't they?"
Hermione, about to lift a forkful of scrambled eggs, paused, sending the two boys a curious look. "Slytherin politics?"
Both of the boys looked mildly surprised. Malfoy turned to face her fully. "Doesn't Gryffindor have their own set of politics, you know, with a leader, and ranks throughout the year levels?"
"No."
Blaise and Malfoy exchanged incredulous looks. Malfoy continued. "No? Then how on earth do you keep a rein on everyone in your House? Besides," here he sent Blaise another look, "Everyone presumed that Potter was the Gryffindor King, so to speak, and that you and Weasley were right behind him."
Hermione looked just as confused. "Well, the younger year levels do tend to follow Harry's lead, and I suppose they respect Ron and I, but we don't have ranks, nor do we have someone who dictates what students are allowed to do."
"Gryffindors." Blaise sighed, mock-tragically. Hermione bristled.
"How the hell do you lot survive then, without an official leader, at the very least?"
Hermione snorted. "Quite easily. Why would we need a dictator, anyway? It's not like we'd go around telling year levels at what times they were allowed to stay in the Common Room, or for how long they could use the bathrooms."
Blaise and Malfoy simultaneously choked. "You mean you don't have any rules? At all?" Malfoy managed to say, absently thumping Blaise on the back.
"Well, no."
"No wonder your House is so barbaric." Malfoy muttered, shaking his head.
Hermione sent him a nasty look, and made to get up from the table. Blaise reacted quickly, gently urging her to sit once more. "Ignore him, he's just in a foul mood because Goyle knocked him down the stairs this morning."
Malfoy glowered at him. "Shut the hell up, Zabini."
"It was an accident, naturally, or so Goyle claimed," Blaise continued, sending a wink at Hermione, "But with that rude attitude Malfoy has, I wouldn't put it past Goyle to have done it on purpose."
Goyle swivelled around, sending a surprisingly cheeky look towards the Zabini twins, grinning as he caught sight of Malfoy's smouldering face. Hermione's jaw dropped, but Goyle had already turned back to face Crabbe, seizing another plateful of food on the way.
She wheeled round to survey her twin, a mischievous smile tugging insistently at her lips. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely." Blaise assured her, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Enough, already." Malfoy snapped irritably, savagely spearing a pancake. He eyed Hermione rather warily. "So, why are you here, exactly?"
Hermione suddenly found the hem of her skirt exceedingly interesting, twisting it jerkily between her slim fingers.
Blaise took her hands into his own hand, using the other to tilt her chin upwards gently. "Hermione?"
"Well," She took a deep breath, feigning anxiety as she turned to face Malfoy fully. "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Me?" Malfoy managed to look properly alarmed.
"Him?" Blaise looked slightly incredulous, and slightly miffed.
Hermione sighed. "Well, yes." She grinned suddenly. "I wanted to get him alone, then hex him properly in punishment for all the horrible things he's done to us over the years, before I forgive him."
Malfoy looked like he'd tasted something rotten. "By 'us', I presume you mean yourself and those imbeciles you call best friends?"
Hermione sent the haughty blonde a nasty look. "Of course. And don't call them that."
"Oh?" He arched a pale eyebrow at her mockingly. "And who's going to stop me?"
In an instant, her wand was quivering in his face. "Insult my friends or myself ever again, and I'll hex your precious wand right off you."
"Really, Hermione," He drawled, "Expelliarmus is such a basic spell. It's a terrible display of your potential as a proper witch."
She smirked at him. "Not that wand, Malfoy."
His faced paled slightly as he swore at length. "You're sadistic." He accused her.
"I know." Hermione replied levelly, reluctantly lowering her wand after a chastising look from Blaise.
"Perhaps," Blaise began slowly, carefully, looking between the irate pair, "It is a good idea for you two to get the chance to…resolve your issues."
Malfoy looked distinctly unsettled after Hermione's rather low threat. "Yeah, sure, Zabini, schedule a meeting for us. Preferably in, oh, say ten years' time."
Hermione tossed her hair back, sniffing haughtily. "Well, if he's going to be that rude, then I don't know why I even bothered to try and make an offer of peace."
Blaise swiftly kicked Malfoy as he opened his mouth to protest, silencing him further with a warning look. "Hermione, please, remember that he's still peeved about the stairs earlier today." He grinned beseechingly at his twin. "Say you'll reconsider and meet with him, and I'll make sure he behaves, the prat."
Hermione crossed her arms, leaning back and eyeing the blonde Slytherin carefully. "Fine." She snapped, rather resentfully, before quickly adding, "But I won't promise not to end up hexing him thoroughly."
Her brother grinned, pointedly ignoring Malfoy's darkening facial features. "So, what time, then?"
Hermione pretended to think, absently tapping a finger against her cheek. "Tonight?"
Blaise nodded, turning a questioning look to his best friend.
"Whatever." Malfoy snarled, moodily shoving food around on his plate.
"Seven, then," Blaise decided for them. "You won't be noticed heading towards a deserted classroom or the like, not when everyone is up and leaving from dinner."
Hermione panicked slightly, jerking up slightly. "Seven?" She asked, her voice a tad too high-pitched. Her eyes widened marginally of their own accord, before she realized and concentrated on schooling her features to being smooth and impassive once more.
Blaise and Draco sent her suspicious, calculating looks, having caught her momentary lapse in control.
"Something wrong with seven o'clock?" Malfoy queried casually, twirling his fork in his hand.
"No! Well – " She paused to gather her thoughts, her mind fleetingly searching for a plausible answer. "It's just, that, well, seven isn't a very good time." She ended, rather hastily.
"You're lying." Blaise stated, eerily quiet. He kept his face turned slightly away from her.
"I – " She fell silent, slumping slightly. "Yes. It's just that – oh, but I can't tell you!"
Malfoy rolled his eyes. "We're Slytherins, Hermione, and you can trust me and your brother. That means we'd never let your secret out." Seeing her slightly disbelieving look, he added, "I – no, we promise, then. So, spill."
She cast them a hesitant look, then spoke. "I'm tutoring some students in Potions tonight, at seven."
"Who?" Malfoy looked disgustingly delighted. "Longbottom?"
Hermione resolutely stayed silent.
"I knew it!" Malfoy crowed, then deflated slightly. "And I can't even say anything about it." He swore. "This is exactly why I never make promises."
Blaise sighed. "Alright then, not tonight. Tomorrow night?"
"No!" Hermione blurted out, blushing slightly as the two boys turned to her once more, eyebrows raised.
"What's your problem now?" Malfoy asked exasperatedly.
"Make it at eight tonight." She said, firmly.
"What?" Blaise looked mildly surprised. "But you just said that you had tutoring – "
"I know, I know." Hermione sighed, running a hand through her hair, before glancing momentarily over at Harry and Ron.
Malfoy followed her gaze, and his eyes narrowed. "What's all of this got to do with Potter and Weasley, then?"
She sighed again. "They know about the tutoring lessons I've been doing, so if the session tonight runs overtime, they won't even bat an eyelid. However, if they discover that I'm suddenly going to meet a mysterious person, they will follow me, and I really don't feel like being the referee in another of your idiotic brawls."
"And won't the students you're tutoring return early, indicating to your friends that something is amiss if you haven't returned, also?" Blaise asked.
Hermione grinned. "Well, I'll just tell them I'm meeting a boy, but I don't want Harry and Ron to find out and drive the poor boy away before I get a chance to know him." She sent the Slytherin boys a mischievous look. "They won't tell Harry and Ron, trust me. I'll ask them to tell the boys that I'm gathering extra research material from the library."
"How very…Slytherin of you." Draco murmured softly, his eyes unreadable. "But how would they know whether or not you had returned from your tutoring lessons, if you go straight to the Head Dorms, now?"
It was Blaise who answered for her. "She always goes back to the Gryffindor Common Room before coming to the Head Dorm to sleep."
Malfoy sighed. "Fine, then. Eight o'clock it is."
Hermione nodded quickly in agreement. Leaning over, she used her fork to daintily snatch a mouthful of pancake from Draco's plate, giving him a cheeky grin as she flounced back to her own table.
Draco cursed her quietly, before sending his best friend a rueful look. "If your sister wasn't so damnably cute, I would've hexed her for that."
Blaise laughed. "She'll have you wrapped around her little finger in no time at all, Draco."
He looked decidedly ill tempered. "I know." He muttered.
……x.:.X.:.x……
Ginny Weasley hovered just outside the Great Hall, nervously chewing her lip as she stared at the huge double doors. When a slender brunette slipped through the doors, Ginny breathed an audible sigh of relief and, with cat-like grace, leapt to her friend's side. Linking her arm through Hermione's, Ginny cast a furtive glance around the Entrance Hall, before practically dragging the older girl into a deserted classroom.
"So? How'd it go?" Ginny spurted out as soon as the door swung shut, and Silencing Spells had been used.
Hermione grinned. "Stage Two is complete."
Both girls were quiet for a moment, basking in the joy of seeing a project work smoothly.
It was Ginny who broke the silence first. "I guess now all we have to do is wait, and watch for the results."
Hermione nodded, then frowned, casting an anxious look towards the door. "Yes, but we have to be careful."
Ginny raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh?"
Hermione dug her hand into her pocket, extracting her wand with a flourish. "They're Slytherins, remember, so we can't let anything slip. If we do, they'll find out in an instant exactly what we have in store for them."
With a brief, practised flick of her wand, the Silencing Spells were lifted as the door swung open. Hermione strolled out, deftly pocketing her wand as she slipped around the corner.
The normally bubbly, vibrant red-haired witch was quiet for a long time, before she, too, rose silently, leaving the classroom far behind.