The Invitation
The first week of classes flew by rather quickly. NEWTs were never clearer then they were now, and with all of the homework, practicing for the next DA lesson and her Head Girl duties, Hermione did not have a very active social life. She had drifted slightly away from Harry and Ron; yes, they still ate their meals together and sat together in classes, but they did not continue to spend time together during the evenings. Hermione was very edgy because of all the work there was to do, and since Harry and Ron did not take it seriously or apply any kind of effort, she now refuses to work with them. Instead, she takes refuge in her common room. Malfoy is hardly ever around; most likely he's out with several different girls every night, having fun and also being careless about his schoolwork. Hermione didn't mind though; the quiet, deserted common room is exactly what she needs to complete her homework in peace.
However, by the time to next DA meeting rolled around, schoolwork was pushed far out of Hermione's mind. She was eager to see Ace again, and little does she know that he was equally eager to see her. The Tuesday of the second week of school was the second DA meeting; Hermione ran quickly up to her dormitory after dinner to change. She changed into a gorgeous red track outfit with a black line going from her underarm right down to the bottom of her pants on both sides of her. She then put her hair up into a quick, messy (but great looking) bun, locked the door to her bedroom with a simple spell and made her way to the common room. Of course, who would be there but Malfoy? He seemed to only be around when it was convenient to him, and the most convenient times for him were the times when he could bother Hermione.
"So, where is the mudblood off to tonight?" Malfoy asked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall next to the exit.
"You've asked me this before, and the answer last time is the same this time. None of your business." Hermione snapped.
"Someone's grumpy." Malfoy sneered.
"You would be to if a mindless idiot kept calling you an extremely rude name." Hermione scorned.
Malfoy took this into consideration. He seemed to think it was best to pretend she didn't call him a mindless idiot. "Okay, then. Where is Granger off to tonight?"
Hermione looked at him skeptically. "Like that is so much better. I'm off to a place where I need to be, so if you'll excuse me…" Hermione walked past him and out of the portrait hole, but much to her dismay Malfoy was followed her.
"Hello, Draco!" One of the mermaids cried.
Malfoy winked at them before running to keep up with Hermione, who was rolling her eyes at the incredibly stupid mermaids.
"Malfoy, go away! You can't come!" Hermione cried, exasperated.
"Why not?" Malfoy asked. "Maybe I'm interested in this little self defense class that Pothead seems to think he can teach."
Hermione was speechless. "You… you know?" She stammered.
"Duh! Everyone in the pathetic school knows. Just because Slytherins don't want to waste their time attending doesn't mean that we don't know about it. We know everything."
"I'm sure you do." Hermione replied sarcastically, recovering from the shock. "Fine, you can come, but don't stand close to me or people will think we're friends or something."
"Are you sure Scarhead won't mind?" Malfoy smirked.
"He will if you call him that! No names, Malfoy. The DA is serious, okay? We want to learn and we want to be good. So just keep your mouth shut and listen to him."
Before Malfoy could reply, the two had stepped into the Room of Requirement, which was full of new students, but none could be identifiable as Slytherins. Hermione wandered off to find Harry and Ron, leaving Malfoy standing by himself.
"Hey, guys!" Hermione greeted. "Are we almost ready to start?"
"What the hell is he doing here?" Harry growled, referring to Malfoy.
"He wanted to come. You said yourself that anyone was welcome, and he was willing, so just don't cause any trouble, Harry." Hermione warned. "You're in charge, remember? People want a levelheaded leader."
Harry grunted to show he understood, but he was considerably moodier then he was before.
Once everyone had arrived (Hermione spotted Ace by himself in the same corner he stood in last time, and her heart gave a quick leap), Harry began instructing everyone; they would be practicing the Patronus Charm again, because half the people were new and hadn't practiced it, and hardly anyone in the other half had managed to master it.
"Okay, so if you could all divide up into pairs then we'll get started." Harry ordered after giving a quick and impressive demonstration of his Patronus.
Malfoy spotted Hermione at once. He began to walk towards her, wanting to ask her to be his partner. But-
"Hey, Hermione." Ace cut in front of Malfoy, smiling and holding out a hand. "Partner?"
Hermione's eye caught Malfoy as she glanced at him from over Ace's shoulder; he looked awkward, and she could tell he was about to ask her to be his partner. He quickly walked past her and Ace, trying to look as though he just happened to be strolling by.
Hermione snapped back into reality, looking up into Ace's gorgeous eyes. "Of course." She smiled, taking his hand and leading him to an empty space in the room where they could practice.
"Hey, do you guys want to practice with us?" A voice asked.
Hermione spun around and saw Lavender and Parvati practically drooling over Ace. Hermione definitely did not approve and she wanted to work with Ace alone, but so as not to be rude she accepted their invitation.
The three girls and Ace were practicing for about fifteen minutes before growing tired and taking a little break.
"So Ace, what is Durmstrang like?" Lavender asked, looking at him dreamily with her chin in her palm.
Ace shrugged. "It's okay." He got up and walked over to where Hermione was sitting. He plopped himself out so that he was sitting with his weight resting on his hands and his legs spread out so that Hermione was sitting in the middle of them.
Hermione giggled, while Parvati and Lavender looked extremely jealous.
"How old are you, Ace?" Parvati asked, trying to gain his attention.
"Turning nineteen." Ace asked. "Older than all of you by about a year and a half. That's why I'm so great at the Patronus. I was just telling sexy Hermione here yesterday that powerful magic is determined by the age of the wizard; the higher the age, the better the wizard actually is."
"I disagree." Ron appeared along with Harry, and both sat across from Hermione and Ace. Ace slid his arms around Hermione's midsection, which made her blush even madder (she was still red from Ace calling her sexy).
Harry looked disgustingly at Ace, probably for even touching Hermione in a more-than-friendly way. "Look at me. I thwarted Voldemort like five times, and he's way older than me. And now he's dead."
Everyone except Hermione and Ace flinched at the sound of Voldemort's name.
"Yes, well you're an exception." Ace said. "The fact is that I'm older than you and I can definitely kick your ass in a duel."
Ace wore a superior expression while Ron gave him a look of disbelief.
"Oh, yeah?" Harry asked. He stood up, but at the moment he was called over by Seamus and Dean, so he had no choice but to leave, but not before throwing Ace a dirty look as he walked away, followed closely by Ron.
Hermione was a bit taken aback at Ace's rude behavior, but she quickly disguised it, not wanting him to resent her.
"That was rude." Lavender stated. "Come on, Parvati." The two stood up and walked away as well.
"Finally, alone at last." Ace smiled.
Hermione smiled as well. She thought that he was very outgoing and outspoken, much like herself.
They spent the rest of the DA lesson practicing the Patronus Charm, but flirting endlessly (more Ace with Hermione then vice versa).
By the time the DA lesson ended, it felt as though the two hours had just flown by. Everyone was filing out of the Room of Requirement and Harry and Ron were cleaning up, yet keeping a very close eye on Hermione.
"Look, Hermione, I think you're really sexy." Ace said, bluntly. "Want to come to my dormitory tomorrow night?"
"Sure!" Hermione exclaimed, excitedly. "Where is it?"
"It's just a room across from the statue of Hector the Hated on the fifth floor. Come at nine o' clock?" Ace asked, hopefully.
"Definitely, but I have to be back by ten thirty."
"Great, then I'll see you then." He walked past Hermione to leave the room, and she gave a small yelp as he smacked her ass on the way out. She giggled to herself afterwards, though.
"Hermione," Harry started, advancing on her the minute Ace disappeared from sight. "Ron and I think it's best that you stay away from him. He's a funny character; you can't trust him. He's from Durmstrang, remember?"
Hermione grew angry. "Not everyone from Durmstrang is bad, you know!" she cried shrilly.
"Oh yes, of course. You have a certain knack for making friends from that school, don't you?" Ron jumped in. "How is old Vicky doing, anyway?"
"You two are so immature!" Hermione shouted. "I can see whoever I want, it's not up to you to decide! I didn't say anything when you dated Cho," (she pointed an accusatory finger at Harry.) "Or when you dated Luna, even though she's a bit of a lunatic!" (Her finger moved over to Ron.) "It's not up to you to decide who I see, so stop acting like two overprotective boyfriends or something!"
She stormed out of the Room of Requirement, leaving Harry and Ron looking stunned.
"We're her best friends, of course it's up to us to decide who she sees." Ron said.
"Mate, I think she's a bit upset with us." Harry noted in an agreeable voice as they locked up the Room of Requirement and headed towards the Gryffindor Tower.
Meanwhile, Hermione arrived at the portrait of the mermaids, fuming. "Coconut Ice!" She cried. The mermaids allowed her entrance without even glancing at her, but this was fine with her. She climbed through the hole and was greeted to the sight of Malfoy lying on the couch, reading one of the new books assigned for their seventh year.
"Where were you all night?" She asked, some of her anger evaporating.
"I left early." Malfoy said, simply. "I was bored."
"How could you have been bored?" Hermione asked. "Don't you want to learn the Patronus Charm?"
"Not really, seeing as I already know it." Malfoy said. His eyes found their way back to the book and began moving left to right. Hermione knew better than anyone not to interrupt anyone when they were reading, so she silently took her cloak off and slung it on the arm of a chair facing the fireplace. She then plopped herself down on the same chair and stared into the fire for a few moments before turning her head to glance at Malfoy.
"Why are you so different this year?" Hermione asked, suddenly.
"What do you mean, mudblood?" Malfoy asked in a bored voice, closing his book.
"You're not quite as mean as you usually are." Hermione stated, feeling quite stupid, as he had just called her a mudblood. "You're usually much more resentful and rude."
"Maybe I don't feel the need anymore." Malfoy said.
He did not continue, so this time it was Hermione's turn to ask, "What do you mean?"
"Wow, for someone who's supposed to be the most brilliant witch of her year, you sure are stupid right now."
Hermione looked highly insulted.
"In case you didn't know, my dad died last year." Malfoy said, stating the obvious. "I'm not quite in the mood to be as insulting anymore."
"Oh Malfoy, I'm so sorry." Hermione said genuinely.
"Whatever. You're glad. You and the golden boys and everyone else in this damn wizarding world. Yeah, he wasn't the best person in the world, but he was still a person. He was a husband and a father, and thanks to Mr Pothead, he's gone. Who do I have now? No one."
By instinct, Hermione stood up and stared at him in shock. She was quite sure Malfoy had never talked to anyone about this before. Malfoy seemed to notice her staring.
"Just forget about it, mudblood." He grinned. "If you would like me to be meaner, then that can be accomplished. Jesterio!"
Hermione's pants fell to her ankles, revealing matching bright red underwear.
"Malfoy!" She cried, shrilly. She quickly pulled her pants up and glared at Malfoy, who was laughing uncontrollably. "We had a deal! No magic for non-school purposes, remember!"
"Whatever, mudblood. I'm off to bed." He jumped up and ran off to bed, leaving Hermione fuming once more.