Dare You To Move: Chapter Two
By: Teenlaunch
perfectlyfakereality- I know it is very confusing at first. The thing is mainly that Harry is being a guy and being very insensitive, mainly. The silverware and everything else happened because she lost control of her emotions. I hope that helps. Read the other questions and responses for more hints.
redglitternailpolish- I tried with the Bible verse, honest. I'll try harder next time.
khk- I tried not to make it too ooc, I think I did a pretty good job on Draco and Hermione, better than Harry anyway, but I thought it would match the story better.
reallynotfaith- I feel your pain!
Lux- I think that's a little pitiful the way many people change Draco too quickly. I am trying to think of a way to make the change more…drawn out. Sorry if I can't. Thanks anyway. Keep in touch.
mrsbillehboyd- I know that she is a bit confusing and seems like an extra wheel, but the fact is that it all really has to do with her. Her part won't fully be explained until later. If you can guess what's wrong and why Hermione doesn't like her, maybe I'll do a favor for you…maybe.
Janangel- Thanks for that. I really like those kind of stories too. It's really funny if you think about it.
NitenGale- No, I do not have anything against Harry. I thought it would make a good twist, and I think she's really closer to Harry than Ron, so…yeah. And yes, you better keep reading.
Dementer, Goddess of Protection- Well, as I've told others, she is very important. Actually, she's the main problem. Just keep reading.
cammy77- Thanks, and that's the one main feature of my stories. So, I guess you got that wish. Keep reading.
a/n: Thanks for the reviews! I am happy to hear you like my new story. Others will be coming out soon. Before I forget, the title to this fanfic came from Switchfoot, whose song fit this story perfectly. I'll be putting the chorus at the beginning of every chapter if I can remember. Well, second installment!
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before
"Hey, Hermione, come on! I can't wait any longer!" Ron yelled up the stairs to the girls' dormitory. It was Halloween and Hogwarts was having a special party and trick-or-treat route for the children of Hogsmead. Ron, who was suffering from malnutrition, was impatiently tapping his foot on the bottom stair. "It's a masquerade party! How long do you need?"
"I'm coming! You're not going to starve!" Hermione walked down the stairs slowly so she didn't trip. Ron's mouth gaped. "What?" Hermione asked self-consciously.
"I thought you were going as a nymph."
"I changed my mind. Women are allowed to do that. I'm an elemental fairy. Can you guess which one?"
"Um…fire?"
"Brilliant Sherlock. If you hadn't gotten that I would have sent you straight to the hospital wing." Ron gazed at her mask which covered the right side of her face where her bruise was still prominent. Her dress looked like real flames when she walked.
"Well, if you wanted to know, I'm that one Spanish guy."
"That's a clever name. Come up with it all by yourself?" Hermione giggled at the indignant look on his face. "I know, you're Zorro."
"Yeah, that's the guy. What do they call him? The Fox, isn't it?"
"Yes, I'm surprised you know that."
"Hey, are you insulting me?"
"No!" Hermione answered sarcastically as she climbed out of the portrait hole, followed closely by Ron.
Her sarcasm was lost on him for he simply replied, "Good!"
The Great Hall was full when Ron and Hermione reached it. Both received odd glances and whispers because their third part was missing. Hermione and Ron ignored them all and headed for a table at the side of the hall. As Hermione sat down and became comfortable, Ron ambled off to collect drinks and probably talk animatedly with a few scattered Ravenclaws about the next Quidditch match. Hermione sighed as she looked around. This party, or whatever you wanted to call it, was really just a socializing event outside of classes. Hermione had immersed herself in her 'people watching' when Draco strode over with a flamboyant air so startling that Hermione found herself gaping at him.
"Well, well. Little Mudblood has the fiery passion attitude going, huh? Who's the unlucky guy?"
"Just leave me alone, Malfoy."
"Is that any way to treat Prince Charming?" Draco was indeed dressed as a prince, complete with a cape and family crest on a long chain around his neck.
Hermione snorted. "I don't see any Prince Charming. If you do, tell him to come look me up."
"Aw," Draco held a hand to his heart, feigning a pained expression. "That hurt."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"
"Nothing really. I was hoping to catch up to Potty and Weasel King to have a good old fashioned fight, or the like."
"Then why are you turned the wrong way?" Ron's voice came from behind Draco. Draco whirled around, looking mildly surprised.
Draco shrugged. "Evening Weasley. I was wondering how the Golden Trio's night is going. I take it that it's not going well."
"No, it's not, although it is not any of your business. Now, if you won't be needing anything else, I suggest you leave, Malfoy."
"It will be my pleasure, Weasel King. Make sure you don't scare the kids too badly."
Ron growled at his retreating back. "I wish I could just…"
Hermione shushed him as Dumbledore stood up. "Now, now, students. As you all know, we are hosting a special event tonight. The children from Hogsmead will be arriving soon. I suggest you all make your way to your trick-or-treating posts. Enjoy this night of frights!" Dumbledore waved them out. Hermione sighed when she reached her post. "Stuck in the dungeons again," she groaned. Soon, children started to wander through the dungeon corridor, many with parents in tow. Hermione gladly handed out her treats and laughed at the many happy children. Almost an hour into her shift, a small girl came along, dragging a familiar blond after her. She smiled at Hermione and said, "Trick-or-Treat!" Hermione chuckled as Malfoy gave her a sinister look of mock indignation.
As Hermione handed the child her candy, she whispered fervently. "Got stuck as a guide, huh? Or did this girl volunteer you for it?"
Draco glared at her and growled. The girl dragged Draco on, not noticing that he was not enjoying himself. Hermione was relieved of her post almost an hour later by Colin Creevy. She was almost out of the dungeons when she caught sight of Harry. His back was to her. As she moved closer, she realized that he was with Rane and her heart skipped a beat as she realized just why they were so close together. Her mind raced with thoughts at Harry's betrayal and insensitivity. Hermione's eyes flooded with tears as the two continued to snog, unaware of her presence.
"You jerk!" Hermione yelled. She ran past them and stopped in the entrance hall. Footsteps behind her made her turn around.
"Hey, Granger. You've got it backwards. Water quenches fire. It doesn't feed it." Draco smirked.
"Get lost, Malfoy. I don't want to fight with you right now."
"Why should-"
"Draco! Where did you go?" A young girl's voice reverberated around the hall.
"Crap!" Draco sprinted off and around a corner as the girl came up the stairs. Hermione pointed the way Draco had gone without looking at her and she ran off happily. Hermione was about to walk away when someone grabbed the crook of her arm. She wheeled.
"You! What do you want, backstabber?" Hermione hissed at Harry.
"You just want the same attention, don't you?" Harry slammed her against the wall. He kissed her with brute force. Hermione slapped him. Harry broke away, but didn't move. "How dare you?" Hermione gasped in pain as he backhanded her on the side of the face where her mask was. Her mask split in half but stayed on her face. Hermione took off running before he could hit her again.
Tears ran down her face. They blinded her and she stumbled a few times. Someone called to her. She slowed and looked up. Slytherin was standing in front of the open portrait. "Come in, Mud- Hermione."
"Th-thank you." Hermione sobbed. She sat on the couch and Gryffindor sat beside her. Slytherin shrank back into the shadows.
"Hermione, what has happened? Did something go wrong?" Gryffindor asked.
"I think that's obvious," Slytherin said.
"Please stay out of this, Salazar. Now, what happened?"
"Nothing. I just had an accident."
Slytherin snorted. "Accident? I can't believe you! That was no accident. Godric, take off her mask."
"What? NO! Please don't!" Hermione gasped.
"Nonsense! Something has to be done, girl!" Slytherin yelled.
"Hermione, please let me see behind your mask." Gryffindor whispered. Hermione slowly pulled off her mask. "Dear Lord!" Gryffindor yelped. "What happened?" A bruise was quickly forming around Hermione's original one, which had almost disappeared. It covered the entire right half of her face.
"H-Harry happened." Hermione sobbed again.
"There, there child. You can stay here for tonight. I suggest you don't go to class tomorrow."
"What? No! I have to go!"
"You will do as you are told. Salazar, inform Dumbledore she will be missing classes tomorrow." Slytherin nodded and left. "Now, get some sleep. You look dead on your feet. Use the middle door. It will lead to a bedroom with a change of clothes." Hermione left silently. She changed and climbed into bed, but not before saying her prayers.
"Alright! Here's what I'll do! That door," Gryffindor pointed, "leads to a room where you can imagine where you want to be and it puts you there, but no one can see you. When you first go in, it will show you what is happening in your first class."
"Sort of like a pensive?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, except it shows the present. Now, go, if you must."
"Thanks, I'll be out in no time." Hermione opened the door and stepped in the room. It turned into the grounds outside Hogwarts.
"All right! Everyone gather round my house." Hagrid's voice boomed. Hermione jumped. She was standing in the middle of her Care of magical Creatures class. Hagrid was standing in the door. He looked around. "Now, today I have a very special treat." A shrill note sounded above Hagrid. Fawkes came soaring out and lighted on Harry's arm. "This here is Fawkes the phoenix, Dumbledore's bird.
"The phoenix is a magnificent, swan-sized, scarlet bird with a long golden tail, beak, and talons. It nests on mountain peaks. It is found in Egypt, India, and China. The phoenix lives to an immense age as it can regenerate, bursting into flames when its body begins to fail and rising again from the ashes as a chick. The phoenix is a gentle creature that has never been known to kill and eats only herbs. Like the Diricawl, it can disappear and reappear at will. Phoenix song in magical; it is reputed to increase the courage of the pure of heart and to strike fear into the hearts of the impure. Phoenix tears have powerful healing properties." (Quoted from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander)
Hermione gazed around the class, unusually bored. Her eyes lingered on Harry. He was frowning slightly. Hermione realized he was standing beside Draco. Draco lifted his head and looked straight at Hermione. He squinted. A chill ran down Hermione's back. He blinked and looked away.
Hermione stayed in the room for most of the day. She was about to leave when she changed her mind. Her thoughts strayed to Harry and Ron. Suddenly, she was standing between them.
"Where do you think she is?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. Why ask me?" Harry snapped.
"I," Ron hesitated. "I heard Malfoy talking to Parkinson. He said we're breaking up."
Harry shrugged. "He's just a git, Ron. You can't believe everything he says. Just ignore him."
"You don't care, do you? Hermione hasn't been seen all day and all you can say is, 'I don't know'?"
"Well, I don't!"
"I bet you have an idea." Ron stopped. Harry did too. "You have the map with you. I saw it in your hand. You were looking for someone. I find it hard to believe you didn't see her."
"Well, I didn't. I only saw her for a couple seconds and then, poof! She was gone."
"Where was she? Tell me!"
"Yes, Potter! Tell us!" Harry and Ron wheeled around. Draco strode up to them.
"How long have you been there?" Ron asked.
"Long enough to hear that Potter knows where his girlfriend is."
"What? Girlfriend?"
"She is not!" Harry protested.
"Oh yeah. That's right. I honestly don't blame the little Mudblood after what you did to her the other night."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't deny it. I saw everything. The walls have eyes and ears, Potter. No secret is safe." Draco's eyes darted behind Harry. His mouth fell open.
Hermione gasped as Draco's eyes locked with hers. Harry lunged at Draco. Ron stood there, not knowing what to do. Hermione was dragged from the room by Gryffindor.
"Hermione, are you alright? I couldn't find you. It took me so long." He led her to the room she had stayed in the last night. She sat on the bed in a daze. Gryffindor left silently. Hermione sat there thinking. Her thoughts were interrupted by loud voices in the common room. She crept to the door and cracked it open. Gryffindor had his back to her.
"You have gone too far, Salazar!" Gryffindor roared.
"He passed the test! He stated his name and house! He is eligible to be here!" Slytherin hissed.
"He's a Slytherin!"
"She's a Gryffindor! What's the difference?"
"What's going on?" The voice was Hufflepuff's.
"It's nothing, Helga," Salazar muttered.
"It is not! We can hear you all the way tour rooms!" Hermione recognized the next voice as Ravenclaw's.
"This dimwit has let in a Slytherin boy!" Gryffindor turned to Rowena.
"So?" Ravenclaw asked.
"So! That's all you can say? You know more about him than I do! What do you think she will say if we allow him to stay here?" Gryffindor gesticulated wildly.
"I can not throw him out. He came here for a reason."
"So did Hermione, Rowena."
"I was right." A new voice entered. "She is here."
"Where do you think you're going?" Gryffindor snapped.
"I'm going to talk to the little Mudblood."
"I do not tolerate that kind of language here."
"Understood," the student answered. He started to move toward the door of her room. Hermione gasped and closed her door. The footsteps grew quicker. Hermione searched for somewhere to hide. A door caught her eyes. She raced to it, opened it, and dove into the next room.
"Oh my gosh!" Hermione gasped. She was in a massive study. It was too dim to see. Hermione ran her fingers over dusty volumes, walking in between rows. The door opened with a creak. Hermione scrambled to get away. A light erupted from the fireplace behind her. She felt like a deer caught in headlights. Hermione ran and her pursuer gave chase. She heard him stumble a few times.
Hermione suddenly found her heart racing wildly. She was in a study. There was probably no way out except the way she had gotten in. A small patch of light was on the wall ahead of her. Hermione reached the wall and felt around. Her hand encountered cold metal. Hermione grasped the object and turned it. A door slid outwards. She slipped through it quickly but put on her brakes.
She was on a balcony. It was large. A couch, desk, reading lamp, and table were a few objects scattered around. The moon and stars were shining bright above her. She was trapped.
The door opened slowly. Some one walked onto the balcony and closed the door. He was slightly out of breath. Hermione was rooted to the spot. There was nowhere to run.
"Well, well, well, running now, are we, Granger?" a husky voice asked from a few feet behind her.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
-1 John 3:18
There you are! Please review! Thanks for all reviews! Until next time!
Teenlaunch