Harry!" She cried throwing her arms around him in an awkward hug.
"Hermione," He breathed into her hair and she started crying as soon as he said her name.
"Shh.. why are you crying," Harry asked as he pulled away from her and held her at arm's length.
"It's just that, Ron's here too, but it wasn't really Ron, only someone who looked like him," Hermione said and Harry nodded grimly.
"Any ideas why we're here," He asked and she shook her head.
"It's maybe not the best idea to stand out here on the stairs where anyone can come upon us. Let's go to my room," Hermione said wiping at her tears.
They silently walked towards Hermione's room, their proximity was close, and Hermione kept brushing Harry's arm with her own, just to reassure herself that he was still there. When they got to Hermione's door, she opened it and peeked inside. No on was in there so she and Harry walked in and collapsed on her bed together.
"Harry, do you think this is a plot of You-Know-Who?" Hermione asked in a tired tone.
"Maybe. It doesn't make any sense though," Harry said running a hand anxiously through his hair.
"You're not going to like hearing this, but someone else is here with us," Hermione said and Harry looked at her quizzically.
"Who?"
"Malfoy," Hermione said and Harry didn't look all that surprised.
"How has he acted," Harry asked and Hermione sighed.
"He's been as helpful as he can be, given the situation," Hermione said.
"Do you think he might have something to do with this," Harry asked although he could already tell that however bothersome Malfoy had been in the past, Hermione seemed to have taken a shine to him. Harry put it down to another one of Hermione's hopeless cases.
"No, he's as clueless as us," Hermione said rubbing her hands together thoughtfully.
"I've wondered if maybe it isn't..." Harry began but his voice squeaked to a halt like an old record.
Hermione looked at him in horror, before her eyes, Harry's face was seemingly turning fuzzy around the edges, and then it was more distinct, Harry was disappearing. The same old dizzying sensation came back and Hermione clutched at the bedclothes trying to keep herself from going.
It was of absolutely no use, she was sucked away from this world and hurled into the next.
Unlike the previous times, Hermione didn't wake to find herself in a strange bed. She came to in a crowded room instead. The first thing that hit her was the horrible stench that seemed to be rising from everything. Hermione blinked and looked to her right, Harry was still there, blinking with the same confusion. He looked at her for a moment and seemed about to speak but then someone beat him to the punch.
"Sister, you are looking lovely tonight," Said a strongly feminine voice from Hermione's left.
She turned hoping against hope that this person was a part of her normal world and not these alternate universes she kept finding herself in. Ginny Weasley looked back at Hermione, winked and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Hermione, this game is fun, but I'm not sure I want to stay here forever."
"Oh, Gin!" Hermione cried throwing her arms around the younger girl.
"Ginny, what do you know about this place," Harry asked giving her a quick hug as well.
"Well, I'm a princess, Hermione's sister to be exact and you are her fiance, Harry. You are
actually supposed to be getting married tomorrow, and this is a grand party in your honor. Oh yes, and my royal guard happens to be Malfoy. Crafty little bugger, got into my room and told me everything that's been going on," Ginny said, rubbing her upper arm where he'd grabbed her and pinned her against her bedroom chamber wall.
"He didn't hurt you, did he," Harry said sounding concerned and Ginny smirked.
"Not as much as I hurt him," She replied coyly.
Harry didn't get the chance to press her for more information, as a robust man with greying hair
stood at that moment and a hush fell over the room.
"Ye all know why we're here. We are celebrating the union between my daughter, Anne Princess of Wales and King Henry of France. So drink and be merry," He said in a jovially way that precluded to some heavy drinking done on his part.
A loud cheer went up and many people lifted their glasses in toast. Hermione couldn't help blushing as hundreds of eyes turned her way. As soon as everyone went back to their own conversations she turned to Ginny. But Ginny wasn't there any longer, and neither was Harry.
Hermione, puzzled looked towards the door and saw Ginny's skirt sweeping out the door.
Being careful not to trod on anybody, Hermione made it to the door and looked into the hall. She could just make out Ginny and Harry, hand in hand, walking swiftly away. Hermione understood that perhaps they wanted some private time, but she also had thought they'd stick together given the circumstances. She looked back into the crowded room and deciding that she didn't want to take part in the festivities, crept out into the quiet hall.
It wasn't well lit, only having a few candles in small niches in the wall every few feet. The cold stone walls didn't reflect much light either. Hermione gathered her rather bothersome skirts and walked slowly down the hall, hoping to find something of interest. She got her wish as she rounded a corner and was drug behind a grey stone pillar. The person holding her had covered her mouth, but Hermione was quiet when he let her go.
"Draco, you scared me half to death," Hermione whispered.
"I'm not in a very good mood right now, Granger, so don't push me," Draco hissed coldly and Hermione only looked amused.
"Why's that, Malfoy," She asked although she had an inclination.
"I met you're little friend, Jenny, or whatever it is. When I was trying to be nice and tell her the situation she kneed me in the groin," Draco said sourly.
Hermione couldn't help cracking a smile at the thought.
"She always was a fighter," She said shrugging.
"You're engaged to Potter, I hear," Draco said and Hermione sighed.
"Yes."
"Well where is he then," Draco said peering around as if Harry was hiding in her voluminous skirt.
"He ran off with Ginny only a few minutes ago," Hermione explained and Draco smirked.
"Ahh, ditched the nagging best friend I see, how very rude. But I suppose it is to my advantage, you and I need to talk."
"Isn't that what we're doing right now," Hermione queried sarcastically.
"Shut up," Draco growled, but Hermione only gave him a haughty look.
"Don't take that tone with me, Malfoy," Hermione said a little too loudly. Draco didn't respond, but covered her mouth with his hand again.
They weren't the only ones in the hall. Draco pressed himself closer to Hermione and they listened to the swishing of skirts and a few giggles.
"Maids," Draco whispered and Hermione looked up at him.
"If they should find us, together, it would not be good," Hermione said her breath rushing out of her even though she fought for control of herself.
Draco had his hands on either sides of her shoulders, and they were very close, but not touching. His silver eyes reflected her interest, but he pulled away from her at her words.
The snickering died down, and Hermione could only guess that the women had moved on. She peered cautiously around the pillar. There was no one in the hall. She pulled Draco, by his large and voluminous sleeve and they crept around the pillar and up the hall to where there were several doors.
"Which one to choose?" Hermione asked, but Draco was already grasping the handle of the door farthest left.
"This is the way to Jenny's suite. At least there we won't be bothered," Draco said and Hermione detected a slight amusement in his tone.
"It's Ginny," Hermione said as he opened the door and went through.
"What?"
"Her name isn't Jenny, it's Ginny," Hermione said pushing him through the door and shutting it tightly behind her.
"Oh, maybe that's why she was so violent with me," Draco joked as they strode up another hallway, this one far better lit.
"No, she just doesn't like you," Hermione said bluntly.
"And you do?"
"No, but you do seem to be quite interesting. In your own special way, of course," Hermione explained and Draco smirked at her.
"For a moment there, Granger, I thought you were going to confess your undying love for me."
"You wish," Hermione said lightly as they came to a door at the end of the line.
"Hmm...another damn door, do tell me this is the last hallway," Hermione said turning to Draco.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but there is one more hallway, a long and winding staircase and then one more hallway, before we arrive in your dear friend's rooms. I never said her suite was near, just private," Draco said grinning.
"This place must be bloody huge," Hermione said then made a funny face as they stepped reached the middle of the hallway, "Forget I said that, it's a bloody castle and I'm an idiot."
"And you talk so ever much," Draco said not turning around to see her look put out.
Hermione kept quiet after that, meekly following Draco as they made their way up the stairs. She felt dizzy and certainly a bit fearful as they went further and further up and around.
"Why a spiral staircase, why!" Hermione suddenly wailed and her cry bounced off the heavy stone walls around them.
"Do you feel a bit sick, as well? You don't fancy a break, do you," Draco and he did in fact look a little green himself.
"Sure," Hermione said and not waiting for further invitation she plopped herself down and leaned against the wall.
"You're ruining your dress," Draco said from where he stood, a few steps of her, resting his shoulder against the curved wall.
Hermione looked down at herself. She was wearing a beautiful gown, a dark pink, with small white flowers here and there and down the front a strip of dark red. Her bosom was showing much more than she was accustomed to and Hermione crossed her arms over herself and looked up at Draco scornfully.
"And you don't you look whimsical, in your tight pants and you're poofy shirt," Hermione mocked and Draco shook one of his white sleeves at her.
"You like my tight pants, although I have to admit this shirt is a bit much. What you want me to rip it off for you, Your Highness," Draco taunted and Hermione stood her ground glaring at him.
"You're not attractive to me in the slightest, so why would I want you unclothed? So I can feel sicker," Hermione asked her voice shrilling on the final word. Draco just chuckled to himself and turned to start walking again.
Hermione wanted to complain that she hadn't had a proper rest yet, but Draco was already feet up and she didn't want to look weak in his eyes, so she stood shook out her full skirt and put her foot on the step above her. That's when she heard the scream and then Draco's shout, but it was too late. Hermione was knocked off her feet. She and the person who had hit her went tumbling down the stairs in a heap.