A/N – WOW! I got 11 reviews! I's so happy!!! 26 total!!! You are all too good to me. By now you can tell that I'm back from vacation. This is actually the only story that I worked on while up there, so I hope its good for u all. This is probably the longest chapter I've done, and it's also become a lil more heated… you'll see. smiles widely, like I'm hiding the best secret in the world READ ON!!! An afterthought… someone had said that it was difficult to tell the play lines apart from what Hermione and Draco are really saying, so when they're saying their lines, it is in bold… although there are some other words here or there in bold, but I hope it is easier on u all.
Summary – A play is being but on at HSoWaW. And you'll never guess who gets what parts. A funny little fic about how opposites attracted.
Rating – Still PG-13, but a lil stronger now
Disclaimer – Harry Potter, not mine… Romeo and Juliet, not mine… a lot of the info about R&J, not mine. HP belongs to JKR… R&J belongs to a long gone dead man named Shakespeare… and the info, most of it comes from Sparknotes… Yes I know I've cheated… so sue me!!!
Chapter 4 An Encounter
Hermione sighed heavily as she, Harry and Ron trudged there way to their Potions class. People were still staring at her in disbelief and talking in hushed whispers as they walked past. Now she knew how Harry felt two years ago.
"'Mione, what's wrong?" Harry asked, looking at her sideways as they stopped outside the door.
"I've still got people treating me like an alien or something," she said, leaning against the wall.
"It seems they've all realized you're to be avoided," said the cold and emotionless voice of a tall blonde. Hermione looked toward the end of the hall and was met with the icy grey eyes of Draco Malfoy. For a moment she could have sworn they softened a bit as their eyes met, but with a snap of the fingers, it was gone and they were back to their iciness.
"Shut up ferret-boy," Ron said, the tips of his ear tinted red. Hermione said nothing, just stared at the ground, trying to avoid looking at Malfoy.
"Oh please weasel, the ferret joke has run old," was Malfoy's tart remark. He looked over towards Hermione again, snorted and left, pushing past Harry and Ron to get to his groupies.
"What an ass," Ron seethed, brushing his robes off where Malfoy had touched them. "I'd just like to punch that ferret once… just once."
"You know he's right Ron," Hermione said softly. "The ferret comment has lost its punch." She then quickly walked into the now open room, leaving behind a confused Ron and Harry.
"That is enough class," Snape said curtly as he swept into the room. "Don't bother sitting down, I am assigning seats and partners to match your abilities." Everyone groaned at that and stood around the room. "Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, up front…" he said, then listing a few more till about halfway through the class, now sitting in the middle of the room. "Ron Weasley and Pansy Parkinson…" And finally, the last group and only two people left, "Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger in the back."
Hermione closed her eyes and took in a deep breath and walked to the back calmly, setting up her cauldron up. Draco did the same and she tried to ignore him. Her plan didn't work.
"You know you should feel special," Malfoy started cockily.
"Oh really, and why is that?" she replied as though she didn't care.
"Well first, you're co-staring with me in the school play. Second, you're graced with my presence and third you get my potions expertise," he said, smirking at her with his arms crossed.
"Oh yes… I feel so special," she said sarcastically.
"Listen Mudblood, I-"
"Quiet!" Snape yelled, interrupting Malfoy. "Open your books to page eight hundred and eighty two and read the information on the Polly Juice Potion. When done you and your partner will start brewing. It takes one month, so do get a head start." Everyone groaned, except for the Golden Trio who all smiled
"What's got you so Happy Granger?" Malfoy questioned.
"Oh, nothing," Hermione answered, still smiling as she went to the ingredients cabinet. She came back with her arm full and dropped them down in-between her and Malfoy. "You need to start chopping up the mandrake root into small equal pieces while I mash the crab grass," she ordered.
"I don't take orders from those lower than me," he replied, crossing his arms.
"Unless you feel like failing, I think you should listen to me," she said, starting on the crab grass. Malfoy huffed but started chopping anyway, glaring over at Hermione in the process.
"Rotten luck 'Mione," Ron said with a mouthful of food. They were at lunch right after Potions.
"I'll survive. Long as Malfoy does his part it shouldn't be too bad," she said offhandishly. "Besides, we all should ace it right?" she asked rhetorically smiling.
"Yea, if Neville lets me put in all of the ingredients," Harry said sarcastically.
"Aw, Harry, Neville's not too bad anymore. He's become more confident since the DA meetings," Hermione said comfortingly as she stood up.
"Where're you going 'Mione?" Ron asked, still mouth full of food.
"Practice… every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for me. I'll see you guys later." With that she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed off to the muggle studies room, dreading what would happen.
She walked in and noticed that it was set up to look like a ballroom. Rich colored drapes everywhere, food tables, ice sculptures, and an orchestra were playing. She smiled to herself, recognizing the scene. She then noticed that Malfoy wasn't there yet. Sighing heavily she sat down at one of the chairs, laying her head down on her arms.
"What's the matter Granger? Dreaming of me?" a cold voice questioned from behind her. Sighing again she sat up and glared at him, her eyes showing how fed up she was with him.
"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit Malfoy. As much as you'd like the idea of me having a hot, steamy, erotic dream about you… you can keep dreaming cuz it'll never happen," she said, her voice tired and monotonous.
Taken back by her demeanor and comment, he couldn't come up with any comeback. Luckily for him, Professor Travis walked in at that moment saving him from saying anything.
"You're both here already, good," she said smiling. "I'll give you your schedules now; we have a lot of work to do." She passed out a piece of paper with a bunch of dates and names on them. "They are in chronological order and have a list of who all should be there. This Saturday we're having a read through, everyone should be here. We have to do as much as we can if we want to get this in by Samhain. Although we may be able to postpone it until Yule, but people go home then."
"If we work hard… and if Malfoy and I work together in our own time it should be fine," Hermione said, still sounding very worn out.
"Wonderful!" the teacher exclaimed clapping her hands. "Lets get on with practice then."
"Today we're going to run through the first scene with Romeo and Juliet in together, where they first meet. Contrary to popular belief, there is not only one kissing scene at the end of the play. There are actually many kisses and even an inferred sex scene," Travis explained. At this last comment, both Draco and Hermione looked at each other in disgust. "Oh no! There will be no such scene, just waking up in bed with each other. Of corse we will have to keep it clean, there are children here! Anyway... let's begin the scene.
"I'll set it up… Mr. Malfoy, you have snuck into a Capulet ball in hopes to see the fair Rosaline, whom you swear is your one true love. You have been standing on the opposite side of the room as Hermione, doting over your unrequited love of Rosaline. Once you spot Juliet, all thoughts of Rosaline have left your mind and you are entranced; Rosaline is nothing but a ghost. You have asked a servant who she is. After he tells you he does not know, you move your way through the crowd but are stopped by Tybalt, who is played by Mr. Weasley. He has noticed who you are. After a scoff between you, Tybalt and Lord Capulet, Tybalt has been thrown out and you are allowed to stay. But before Tybalt leaves he threatens to get back at you. Do you understand this all?" Malfoy nods, taking notes. "Once when we get together to do this scene properly, I'll give you better stage directions," Travis intoned.
"Hermione, all the while you have been drifting around, lost in your own world. When Romeo approaches you, you are taken off guard by touching your hand. Please start here." Hermione and Draco nodded and got into place.
"If I profane with my unworthiest hand, This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand, To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss," Draco intoned gently, grabbing hold of Hermione's hand and gazing up at her. Bowing slightly at the waist, he placed a sweet kiss on it.
"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much," she said, pulling her hand away. "Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss?" A smile now graced her face as she held her palm against his.
"Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?" he asked hopefully, moving a bit closer to her.
"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer," she replied, still smiling and taking a step back, their palms still attached.
"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair," Draco said eagerly, taking yet another step towards her. Once again Hermione just kept smiling and backed out again.
"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake."
"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged."
Draco then started to lean in but stopped quickly, not able to believe what he was about to do. He couldn't believe how pathetic this Romeo dude was, begging for a kiss when he could just steal one.
"Do I really have to do this?" he asked, dropping Hermione's hand and pushing the Romeo part of him way back for now as he turned to look at the Professor haughtily. She sighed heavily and shook her head.
"Not for now, no… but for the performance and some practices yes, you must. You guys are doing great. It'll need some work, but that's enough for now. You may go."
He sighed heavily and turned to get his stuff, completely ignoring the other person in the room. He was thanking the heavens that that was over now and he didn't have to practice alone with her for a long while. He turned to walk out, but noticed that his pathway was blocked.
"Malfoy, we really need to practice together alone something soon."
"Look Granger… I'm quite capable of practicing my lines by myself. I don't need the help from a Mudblood like you," he said, not even looking at her as he tried to maneuver his way around her. In a second, Hermione had her wand out and pressed against his throat.
"You listen here," she said, her voice deathly low. "I am your equal, if not your better in some areas. You better start treating me as so or else you'll face the consequences. Meet me at the library in half an hour." She then turned around and stormed out, her robes flaring out around her in a way to rival Professor Snape.
She left quite a frightened Malfoy cornered in the ball room type class. His once emotionless face was now contorted in fright. His normal cold slate grey eyes were widened in shock. But the most shocking new feature about Malfoy was the feeling of tightness in his pants. A ferociously angry woman was just yelling at him, had him backed into a corner and was pressed much to close for comfort. What could he say? Slytherins aren't as cold blooded as everyone thinks, and this particular one was turned on by fiery women. And now he had to go see her again, and he wasn't sure what he was more afraid of; her or what he may do to her.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he then brushed his robes and rearranged them to hide his "lil" problem.
"Stupid Mudblood," he mumbled under his breath. "Makin' me take another shower today." He then walked off, still a little frazzled, but with his dignity intact. He just hoped it would stay that way the rest of the night.
By the time Malfoy had taken a shower and gotten ready, he was already ten minutes late. Mentally preparing himself he entered the library. Looking around he couldn't see anyone. Sighing a bit to himself he swiped his hand over his forehead.
"Guess perfect Granger forgot," he said as he turned around.
"Think again Malfoy," Hermione said. She was now standing right in front of him. He yelped in fright, not expecting her there. "Come on, we've got a lot of work to do."
She grabbed hold of his arm and dragged him towards the back of the library. Malfoy was too shocked to come up with a snotty retort; instead he just followed like a good little doggy.
"Okay Malfoy, Travis wants the play put on Halloween," Hermione started saying.
"I thought she said Samhain…" he replied confusedly.
"They're the same thing you idiot pureblood. If you had paid any attention in History of Magic then you'd know that!" she yelled angrily. "As I was saying, that leaves us two months to memorize and block… so start reading!" she slammed the script into his chest and sat down at the table.
Malfoy looked from her, to the other empty chair, to his script and back again. Recovery came quickly when he realized what had just occurred.
"You listen here," he burst out, pointing a finger out at her and bending his face close. "I DON'T take orders from anyone! Especially the likes of you!"
"Ah, and yet you bend to every whimsy of your father and Voldemort," Hermione replied calmly.
"You know NOTHING of what I do," he whispered in a deadly voice, now gripping her wrist tightly. "NOTHING!" he bellowed in her face.
Hermione gulped, genuinely scared. She had never seen Malfoy this enraged.
"Y-your hurting me M-Malfoy," she stuttered, her lip quivering.
"You're scared aren't you Mudblood?" Malfoy asked, a smirk now coming across his face. She didn't reply, just looked down at her lap. "Admit it!" he bellowed, gripping her wrist harder and lifting her face by her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You're scared shitless of me."
"I-I don't need to put up with this," she finally answered after a few terse moments of silent starring. She stood up, trying to yank her arm out of his grip.
"You're not leaving till you admit it," he said as he pulled her back to him. He now had a hold of her by both arms and they were pressed close together. Malfoy started to feel the effects of having her too close, he began to loose his edge and Hermione noticed.
"I'm terrified," she whispered sarcastically into his ear, pushing herself closer to him. Malfoy took in a deep breath and regained control.
"You forget who's in charge here!" he yelled and pushed her against the bookshelf. No one took control of a Malfoy.
"Oh but Malfoy, I think it's you who's forgotten," she said, her head motioning behind him. He turned his head and saw Madame Pince, the librarian, making her rounds.
"Ha-ha, very funny. Don't worry Mudblood, this won't be the last time we meet like this," he whispered in her ear, pushing closer to her, gripping her arms harder and nibbling on her ear. He then shoved off of her, stalking out of the library. Hermione slid down the shelf and took in a deep breath, calming her jittering nerves.
"Miss Granger, are you all right?" Madame Pince asked as she approached her.
"Just leaving," Hermione answered, gathering her stuff and leaving, still rattled a bit by the encounter.
-----------------------------------------Thank You's----------------------------------------
xAmayAx – Ohhhhhhhhh…. Sorry… I'm kinda blonde here, so any stupid questions I ask, blame the hair. Glad u liked the chapie.
alleria black – good, hope u like this one.
Alena – thanks… glad u like it.
HermyGWeasley – Things heated up a bit more too, didn't they? And thank ur dad for me.
Pigwidgeon188 – She'll get over it… they always do…
lestrange24 – oh well then I feel special :D
ScRibBLrOfDrEaMs – I'm glad u like it so much… sorry u had to wait so much
guitargurl – is it really that good?? I'm glad u like it so much tho.
Dark Zelda – Well I am trying to make it as close to R&J as I can… I just always thought Hermione and Draco would do well because they're families are enemies (Hermione's family being Ron and Harry duh!) Oh well… I've gone on and on… hope u liked this one too.
tennisplaya278 – studied it for half a year and don't remember anything? Oh well… I'm gonna try and make it as easy for people to understand as I can cuz I know not many people are as interesting in Shakespeare as I am. Glad you like the story tho. (hope I didn't' insult u at all)
Hope you all liked this chapter