Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters, insignia and stuff are owned by J.K. Rowling and not by me.
It was towards the end of her Muggle Arts period and in the middle of her substitute professor's sermon when a falcon knocking at the windowsill interrupted Hermione's class.
Professor Iratus stopped from his scolding and glared at the bird that was still pecking at the glass. "Who in this class is special enough to have a falcon come here during class hours to deliver a letter?" He bellowed, obviously irked.
He went to the window and peered. "I see, the envelope has Ministry seal, must be important. Nevertheless," He opened the latch and let the bird in which immediately flew to Hermione's desk. "Ms. Granger! Could you explain the falcon?"
Hermione stared at the bird that she never saw before. "Sir, I -."
"Open the letter and have it read out loud for everyone to hear its contents. Be grateful that I didn't tear it on the spot, Ms. Granger, as I would have on other occasions had it not been a Ministry letter. Still, rules are rules and an obvious bend in it needs a punishment."
Hermione silently boiled as she followed the orders. As she untied the letter from the falcon's leg, she noticed as silver nameplate on a silver chain at the falcon's neck saying 'Henry'.
Damn it, Malfoy, Hermione thought to herself, THIS is Henry? I should've known he'd get me into hot water.
She muttered a few charms and the letter unfolded itself and Draco's drawl as heard from it.
"Hermione, we didn't know, you are needed at the Ministry right now. But luckily, Weasley's, I mean, Ron's brother said that its all right as long as you come here immediately after all your classes ended. I should've known that he's into studying as much as you are… Anyway, what I originally wanted to write to you about is that you must go home as soon as classes end, but now, I don't see the need of it. So, take care. Draco Malfoy. By the way, Potter and Weasley here are currently red as a tomato. Well, why are they red? It is all due to the fact that during the press conference, in front all of those people, a reporter 'accidentally' slipped on saying that just this morning Weasley walked in on you and Potter in his bedroom. And that Weasley was heard saying that you should've used a locking charm next time. Just thought you might want to know…"
Hermione was speechless, one of the uncommon happenings in the history of her life.
"So, I thought the letter would contain just a simple yet important message for Ms. Granger, but it appears to have told us more." Professor Iratus smirked at Hermione.
Suddenly, a snowy owl was pecking once more at the window.
The professor scowled. "Must be another of your well-wishers, Ms. Granger." He opened the latch and in came Hedwig, Harry's owl.
Hermione opened the enveloped and muttered the same charms she cast on Draco's letter.
"Hermione, I know Draco must've written to you, but anyway, I have to say something myself. When you come to the Ministry this afternoon, use the back door and we'll be waiting there for you. Don't respond to any reporter that comes your way – they'll just give some twisted interview and write a sicker article. Hermione, I'm sorry if I always put you under the wrong light like with the Skeeter woman. Anyway, we know that it's all nothing anyway. Ok, got to go, Ron's practically mad as a bull and is currently being "restrained by Draco from slugging the reporter. Harry."
Professor Iratus grinned wickedly at the class. "I believe Ms. Granger deserves a punishment for all this rule breaking."
Hermione slouched in her seat, head bowed.
"But I suppose, this humiliation is enough for her today to tell her boyfriends not to write such, how will I say it, educational letters to her during class hours. Class dismissed."
Hermione picked up her things faster than the rest of the class and quickly left, fuming and embarrassed.
***
At that afternoon, Hermione was at the Ministry backdoor. Though, Draco was the only one waiting for her.
He decided to acknowledge her. "So, you've met Henry, haven't you?"
Hermione seethed. "Yes, and thanks to you – I almost got detention!"
"Chill, Granger, chill…"
"I should've known! The only time I got detention in Hogwarts was when YOU decided to tattle a tale on me, Harry and Ron. And now, I'm in university, I didn't think you'll still get ME in trouble!"
Draco took Hermione by the shoulders. "Merlin Hermione! Get a hold of yourself! That was just a letter during class hours! How would it have upset you this much?"
She broke free from her grasp. "Damn it! The professor asked me to let the whole class hear – LISTEN – to the CONTENT of the letter! Now they probably think I'm -."
"Hermione, that's their fault if they interpret it in that way. It'll be fine, besides, we're here for you, 'k? Don't you ever forget that! And," Draco paused. "I'm sorry if I got you in trouble."
Hermione was taken aback. Draco Malfoy had just apologized to her.
"Ok, forgiven."
"Thank you."
"Hermione!"
They both turned to see a flushed Ron rushing to them.
"Ron! Where's Harry?"
Ron bent down and panted before answering. "That's why I'm late. The reporters have been chasing us since this morning, just now, Harry, unfortunate bloke, was cornered by some fans of his. He told me to come here and meet him at the fifth floor, in Percy's office."
Ecstatic screams were heard echoing at the corridor.
"Merlin, here they come! Let's go, quickly!" With Ron in the lead, they dashed to the nearest elevator and rode to the fifth floor.
Upon reaching Percy's office, they found Percy rather preoccupied with something, or more appropriately someone.
"Percy!" Ron yelled, red in the face.
Hermione and Draco, meanwhile, froze, shocked from what they have just seen: Percy Weasley, now Minister of Magic, and Penelope Clearwater, his current secretary and Hogwarts girlfriend, snogging in the Minister's office with the secretary on the lap of the Minister.
Penelope almost fell off Percy's lap as he stood up but caught herself in time flushed.
"Well, next time," Ron, though flushed as Percy and Penelope, smirked. "Big brother, make sure to lock your doors. Good thing that it was just us who found you guys – lest you'd be stripped from your title."
"Humph." Percy can only reply while Penelope stood straight and began to smoothen her skirt and hair.
Draco's stunned face slowly turned into his trademark smirk. "So, Weasley, do you recognize a pattern today?"
Ron faced him. "What?"
"You see, you seem to be developing a new habit or shall I say, hobby of yours. It's called "Weasley Walks In At The Wrong Time. How's that?"
"Why you ferret!" Ron lunged at Malfoy.
Simultaneously, the door of the office opened at Malfoy's side and in came Harry, looking very worn out.
"Hey, what's going on-?"
He, again, never got to end his question, as Ron tackled him to the floor.
"Ron!" Hermione knelt to pull Ron, who was still blinded by anger and stress, from Harry, who was being pulled by Draco.
"No, Hermione! This blonde ferret's had the last of its bouncing days!"
"Weasley, as you can see, I'm still here and not being suppressed by you!"
"What?" Ron faced Draco and was shocked to see him there. Slowly he looked at the person he had tackled. "Bloody hell! Harry! I'm so sorry!"
Harry stood up, with the help of Hermione, dusting himself up and fixing his glasses. "Merlin, Ron. That was an insult being called a blonde ferret! I don't look like Malfoy, now, don't I?"
"Sorry, Harry… If only Malfoy wasn't such a prat…
"Hey, Weasley, don't be so hot tempered, you know that was just a joke!" Malfoy interjected. "I'm sorry if I hit a nerve."
"Truly Malfoy must be changing," Hermione interceded. "That's the second time today he's apologized in front of me."
"Really?" Ron has calmed down. "Well… I… Alright, I forgive ya, and sorry for my own short comings."
"Ahem…"
Everyone turned to face Percy, who has once more regained his posture.
"Well, shall we start our meeting?"
They just nodded in reply and sat on the seats in front of Percy's desk.
"First things, first," Percy started pompously staring at them at their eyes, one by one. "I need an honest answer here – what is the truth behind the rumor that the reporter started this morning?"
Harry and Ron went red from embarrassment and Draco, as usual, smirked.
Hermione boldly replied. "Actually, it was all true." The three men beside her dropped their mouths. "Well… Not in THAT sense that they were insinuating, though. I was in Harry's bedroom, waking him up when Ron walked in when I had a Sonorous charm. He told me to lock the door next time I use a Sonorous for it really is heard throughout the house since the Silence charm is only applicable in the room I was in. So, basically, there is truth in it but the rumors that follow don't."
Percy relaxed. "Good. I though my brother has walked in something rather, ahem, private – believe me, Harry, I know how that feels."
Hermione grinned, Draco sniggered and Ron's face colored.
((A/N))
Thanks for reading, sorry if the chapter is short, I need to complete my math project and I currently couldn't put my ideas into writing. I hope you read and review… Thank you…
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