Okay, to my five reviewers, thanks so much! I was so afraid no one would like it. I don't know much about the plot like chapter 10 or 11. All I know is that I want it to have nothing to do with Voldemort and as little as possible Ron and Harry. So if you two have any ideas please tell. I don't care how stupid. :) I'll probably tweak them and make em awesome. And a quick thing, this is primarily a DG story. Don't worry Hr/B will be there to just probably not as often. Now on with the chapter!
Draco woke up around 7. He was an early riser, never sleeping into the double-digits. He took a shower and got dressed. All I have left is my hair. But how do I want to do it? Gel it back or just let it fly? Ugh... I'll worry about it in a few minutes. He went out to the common room and gathered up all his books. Not sure what he'd need since he hadn't received his schedule he knocked on Hermione's door to see if she had gotten hers.
"Yes?"
"Did you get your schedule?"
"No I was getting ready to come ask you. Maybe someone left them outside for us."
"Let's go ask Midnight."
They went to the door, Draco pressed the stone and they stepped outside. Midnight looked please to see the two.
"You were right about him," Hermione said as she began to scratch Midnight right behind the ears, "He is just like a pet."
"Not just a pet, the perfect pet." Draco smiled and he rubbed Midnight's back.
"So big guy, did anyone leave something for us?" Midnight nodded. He stepped back a little from them and opened his mouth and roared.
A small flash of light and their schedules materialized in mid air. Closing his mouth, Midnight looked very pleased with himself. After getting two scratches to the head a pair of thanks he resumed his stony state.
Back inside, Draco and Hermione were looking over their schedules.
"I'm so glad we don't have to take History of Magic this year. It was so boring." Draco said, still peering at the parchment in his hands.
"So am I." After another second of studying the parchment,
"Well it looks like we've got one...two...three...four classes together. Potions, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Yeah, that's half. Let's see, what else have I got? Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration and oh yeah, Astronomy."
"Interesting, the only class different between our schedules is I've got Arithmancy and you've got Astronomy. Cool."
"Study buddy?" Draco then laughed out loud. "Sorry, couldn't resist. Neither of us need it though."
"True, but it'd still be good for tests."
"Good idea. Now what have I got today? Ah. All four with you. Which also means Blaise too."
"Fun. And don't forget Ginny."
"Huh? She's a sixth year."
"Only in some classes. Since she wants to get out when we do, because of the war and everything, she took some classes over the summer. And it happens to be the four we have together. I love it when fate is good to all four of us."
"I think she's turning into you." Hermione scowled. He quickly continued," Not that it's a bad thing, I mean I'm right below you, I couldn't think its bad."
"I'll let it go. This time."
"And speaking of fate, what about our pendants?" He took his out from beneath his robes and held it out. Hermione did as well.
"I don't know. What d'you think?"
"The only difference is that the stones are a little brighter." Hermione shifted her weight from foot to foot. Draco noticed.
"What's up? Even self-absorbed me knows something's up."
"Well I sort of have a question... but I don't want you to blow up at me and-"
"You want to know if I'm a Death Eater or if I'll become one and if I support the Dark Side." Hermione looked at him.
"Yeah basically." She said as she looked away.
"Okay honestly, it's not as big of deal as your making it. And just know you're only the second I've admitted this to. The first of course being Blaise. But," He stretched out the 'u',
"Since this pendant thing, I guess you have a right to know, as does Ginny." He paused.
"I'll put it point-blank. No I'm not a Death Eater, no I don't want to be one, even though I used to and no I don't support the Dark Side. Though I am for trying to keep pure bloods around just to keep us from dying out, killing muggles and muggle-borns isn't going to solve anything. Now are you happy?" He smirked at her.
"Yes. And you have no idea how glad I am to hear that. Now back to the pendants. I do have a person who would know about it."
"Who?"
She sighed. "Who is the greatest wizard at the present moment?"
"Oh right, Dumbledore." He checked the clock on the mantle above the fireplace. 7:45.
"Well, since breakfast doesn't start til eight and classes nine, we could go see if we could ask him now."
"Sounds good, but lets get our things together for classes so we don't have to come back. Ancient Runes is forever away from here."
"Good idea."
They gathered all the books needed for the day and went out the door. After a brief stop to pet Midnight, they rounded the corner to the stairs; only to come face to face with Blaise and Ginny.
"Hey guys, I was wondering if you'd come up." Hermione greeted.
"Hey Blaise," high five "Hey Gin."
"Morning." Ginny said.
"Howdy, I was just receiving the news that Ginny is in the four classes we have together. I'd say boo-yah." Blaise was given raised eyebrows from the two pures, and a laugh from the muggle-born.
"What? It's a muggle term and I visited muggle Spain this summer. The thing they call televison is awesome."
"Yeah, I like TV to."
"Are you two Muggles going to tell us what the hell 'TV' is or keep us in the dark?" That was obviously from Draco.
"Sorry, it's a muggle device that's basically a story, but instead of words, it's a picture."
"Well said. Of course you won't get it until you see it. Now where were you guys heading?"
"Oh, down to Dumbledore's office, to see if he knew anything about our pendants." Draco replied. Blaise gave his a curious look.
"Yes, I told her."
"Oooooooh. Gotcha."
"Told her what?" Ginny asked.
"Oh right, I need to tell Gin too. Let's see how did I say it point blank? I'm not a Death Eater, nor do I want to be one and I don't support the Dark Side. Only a few of their causes. Like trying to preserve purebloods so we don't die out. But not the whole killing muggles and muggle-borns. It's not gonna solve anything."
"Well, not to sound to happy, I'm glad your on the Light Side. And I'm to assume Blaise is like you?"
"Yup." Blaise responded.
"Good. Now are we going to Dumbledore's?"
"Oh right, yeah let's go."
The four headed down the stairs, and decided to take a less used path so not to attract stares. I mean who wouldn't question the presence of two Slyths and Gryffs and no insults?
As they arrived at his office they tried to figure out the password.
"Well its always a candy. So what could it be?"
"Acid Pops."
"Cockroach Clusters."
"Drooble's Bubble Gum."
"Chocolate Bowling Pins."
As the gargoyle leaped aside Ginny was chuckling and being looked upon like a lunatic.
"What is a chocolate bowling pin?" Draco asked incredulously.
"It's a treat my brothers sell at their joke shop. It was just released. Bowling is a muggle sport where you have a solid ball that you roll at 9 pins. The candy is enchanted to knock down as if a real game. You roll a small chocolate ball towards the pins and when you get a strike you can finally eat them."
"A strike?"
"Oh right, its when you knock them all down at the same time."
"Well, as weird as that sounds, I'd buy it, it sounds cool." Draco said.
"Now to Dumbledore."
Blaise knocked on his office door. After hearing a 'come in' the group entered.
"Ah Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy. And Miss Weasley and Mister Zabini. Tell me what could I do for you? It is the first day so I know it nothing to do with classes."
Hermione, who knew Dumbledore the best (though Harry and Ron no less), began to tell the tale.
"Well , Professor, last night when the four of us were in the Head room, Draco came out or his room, and was putting it on. Us three asked him about it and to find out, our four pendants match together as if their a puzzle." Hermione decided to modify the story since flying out of a window to a pond miles away was hardly not breaking a rule.
"Hmmm... I've not heard of anything. May I see the four necklaces?" They each took off their pendants and placed them together, on Dumbledore's desk.
"My, my. I do know what this is. May I ask how each of you came across these?"
"I've had mine the longest. I found mine on December 21st, the winter before last. It was the Winter Solstice. Blaise found his the following year on March 21st, the Spring Equinox. Hermione found her's on June 21st last summer, on the Solstice and Ginny found her's on September 21st last fall on the Autumn Equinox. All of us were born on the day we found them."
"Well, I've heard of these before. I'm certainly surprised to come across them from you four. Seeing as Slytherins don't always get along with Gryffindors." They chuckled and agreed.
"But I'm very pleased to see you four have become friends. I'd hoped this would happen when I appointed the two of you." The last part was directed at Hermione and Draco.
"Now, back to these." Dumbledore gestured to the pendants on his desk.
"They are called the Elementum. They are an ancient artifact. They last surfaced 300 hundred years ago, in the hands of four others. Last time, as far as I've heard, they created more magic, as in the magical current we live on and gave the wearer of each pendant power over a certain element. The four main elements are fire, earth, water and air."
"Okay, so if last time our pendants were used, the four were given special powers over an element will the same happen to us?
"As far as I can tell Mister Zabini that is a yes. I don't know of any other occurrences so you four will have to check the library. If this does come true," He paused and looked at his students, "It will be the biggest happening since then, even bigger than Voldemort. Hopefully, this will help with the war against him. I will give you permission to look in the Restricted Section, trusting you to not abuse this privilege. Now run along to breakfast, it's almost over. If you come across anything please come back and inform me, I would like to now how this situation develops. Good day. " He inclined his head and began scribbling on the parchment on his desk. The students gathered their necklace and headed out the door.
"Well as least we know what these are called now." Ginny said as she was putting on her necklace.
"Yeah. Now onto another more urgent problem. Since we're friends now," Hermione paused, "We have to decide how to act when surrounded by others."
"Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the whole lion snake thing." Blaise responded.
Draco stopped a few corridors from the Great Hall. "How about we head to the kitchens instead and decide there? I'm hungry and would really like some food."
"Much agreed, let's go."
The group went back as few halls and came up to the fruit bowl picture. Ginny reached out and tickled the pear and followed the others inside. They were greeted by the smell of fresh breakfast and a hundred house elves putting food on empty plates appearing on the four tables. When they were filled back up, the plates disappeared.
Dobby, having noticed them enter came over to greet them. "Miss Wheezy! Miss Granger! Have you come for breakfast?" He stopped when he saw Draco and Blaise.
"I'm not my father Dobby and you aren't bound to my family anymore. I'm not going to hurt you." He crouched down and held out hand.
"Friends?" Dobby ran and gave him a big elf-sized hug.
"Dobby was hoping Master Draco would not become his father! No matter how much he looks like him! Friends indeed!"
"I'm glad. Now where can we sit to eat?"
"Oh! Right over here, we'll get you some breakfast." Dobby led them over to the corresponding Slytherin table and scurried off to get some food.
"Well I won't disagree with the choice of table, but I will say I'm glad he isn't scared of me."
"Yeah, wonder what we'll have to eat. And what's up with your hair man? You normally gel it back." Blaise asked.
"Shit! I completely forgot! When we decided to go ask Dumbledore about our amulets I forgot to decide what to do with it. What do think? Gel it or leave it?"
"I think you should do a little of each. I saw it on some dude before and it looked really good. Do you have any gel with you? I'll do it. And don't worry if you hate you can change it. I won't be offended."
"Fine. Just don't permanently hurt it or I'll permanently hurt you."
The surrounding trio laughed. "I won't."
Ginny took some of the hair gel and rubbed a light layer on his whole head. Then she took a little bit on the left and a little on the right a gelled them. So there were two small clumps falling into his face with the rest back. She took a compact mirror out of her bag and handed it to Draco.
"What'd'ya think?"
"Well as opposing as I am to change, I must say I like it. Thanks."
"Welcome. Are you opposed to my making an observation?"
"I guess not... what's it about?" Draco was curious, why was she asking him?
"You."
"Well then do tell." Draco replied.
"That I was wrong about you and your not the ass I thought you were. And that I like this you much better then the other. The other one's annoying."
Draco, Blaise and Hermione all laughed.
"I agree." Hermione said as her laughing subsided.
"Well I guess I should say thanks." He put his hand out, just above the table.
"Friends?" He asked the others.
"Friends." Ginny put her hand on top of his.
"Definitely." Blaise put his on Ginny's.
"Ya know, these pendants are the reason, and if they're gonna cause such an uproar in the Magical community, I'm opted to say," Right as she put her hands on Blaise's,
"Forever."
"Agreed." echoed twice. Right then about six elves climbed onto the benches and places plates of food on the table. Then Dobby came up with the eating plates.
"Thanks Dobby."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Most welcome sirs! Please come back to visit! Dobby must go back to cooking, Good Bye!" As Dobby scampered off, the group piled food onto their plates.
Among their choices were eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, kippers, grits, bagels, toast, milk, coffee, orange juice, apple juice and chocolate milk.
"Is there anything we didn't get?"
"Doesn't look like it. Now let's dig in."
For the next few moments all that was heard was the shifting of plates and rattles of silverware. Mid way through eating Blaise broke the silence.
"So what do we do in public? Cause Slyths and Gryffs just don't get along."
"Well we act quote 'normal' as in insults back and forth, but obviously knowing that we mean none of it. We don't want to blow our cover and become outcasts. At least not until we find out what the Elementum is."
"Yeah, that seems to be the only thing we can do."
"So its said, none of the insults are meant, but we show no inkling that we're friends. Agreed?"
"Yes."
"Yup."
"Sounds good."
"Now. Remember when Dumbledore said each of us would most likely be given a power over a certain element in nature?"
"Yeah." x3
"Well who do think will get what?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure that Hermione will get fire. Don't you guys think so, I mean she found her amulet in the summer and summer is really hot."
They all laughed. "True, I think I'll get fire. So that leaves water, air and earth. Blaise'll get earth cuz he's spring and that when all the plants bloom."
"All's left is water and air. I guess I'll get water since it always snows in winter. And it's always sort of cool in autumn so Ginny gets air."
"Sounds believable. But one problem. What the hell will we do with the powers? I mean what good will they serve?" Ginny asked.
"I'm not sure. I guess we'll just have to wait til we got to the library. How 'bout we scope out the Restricted Section after classes since less people will be there and the regular part around midnight. We can get some books and take them back to you guy's room." Blaise asked Hermione and Draco.
"Sure." He looked at his watch.
"Shit we've got five minutes to get to class. Come on let's get to Ancient Runes."
They quickly gathered their bags, shouted thanks over their shoulders to the elves and dashed up to the sixth floor. Hermione and Ginny went in first and 15 seconds later Draco and Blaise. If they entered at the same time things would get suspicious.
Ancient Runes went pretty fast, the only homework was to research the Rune of the Sun and write 8 inches on its magical qualities. After that they had Potions down in the Dungeons. Potions, in retrospect to Ancient Runes seemed to go on forever. This was probably due to the fact that they were making an incredibly tedious potion, the Power Revealing Potion.
"This potion class, will show what field of magic a certain person excels at or fails at. It should now be a bubbling black color."
The four students we're keeping up with all had done their potions correctly.
"Split the potion into two equal amounts, add a piece of your hair to the flask and swirl it counter-clockwise until the colors stop changing. Your potions book should have a list telling what color means what."
Hermione and Ginny stopped swirling their flasks. Hermione had a jumbled up red orange yellow part and then a small bubble gum pink part.
"The pink means I'm good at charms. But their no listing for the other. I wonder what it could mean. What's yours?"
"Well most of it is a clear steaming color, see. It's actually making a steamy smoke, the other is a light green which means... I'm good at Transfiguration."
Snape cleared his throat to get the class' attention. "Now, you should've decoded your potion by now. Bottle it and I want 12 inches on what the colors you found mean." Snape then swept into his office.
"What are we supposed to do? We don't know what ours means."
"We'll have to ask him I guess. Wait a minute..." Both girls looked up across the room to Draco and Blaise. They were staring back with a gaze of confusion and dawning. Ginny looked down for a moment and noticed a yellow light through her robes- right where her pendant should be. She looked down at her's and saw red. Turning her head at the boys she saw green and white.
"All of us are like this. Hermione, it's our pendants! Look there glowing brighter!" She gestured at her neck. By now the rest of the class had filed out, so Ginny beckoned the guys over.
"What's up with or pendants?"
"We don't know take them off let me see them." Hermione asked.
Everyone took off their amulets and placed them on the table. Being within two inches, they started shaking and then zoomed together as if magnetized together.
"Whoa what's up with them?" Blaise asked.
"Not sure, look, the engravings are starting to glow green!" Ginny exclaimed.
Just then the sound of a chair sliding out was heard through Snape's office door. Ginny seized the fused pendants and hid them in her robe pocket.
"Why are you four still here! I told you your homework! What do you need?" Professor Snape boomed.
Draco, knowing how to talk to the Potions Master, explained. "Sir, we all had difficulties deciphering our potions. The greater part of color wasn't in our textbooks."
"What do you mean? Let me see them." Snape asked, annoyed.
The two boys went to retrieve theirs while Snape inspected Hermione and Ginny's.
"Well I must admit I have only read about this. These colors surfaced last 300 years ago." Just then Draco and Blaise returned.
"Here, sir."
"Here you go, sir."
"The same goes for you two. The last time these colors surfaced in a Power Revealing Potion was 300 years ago. I have no idea why they would turn up for you four."
The four in question all looked at each other.
"Sir, would you be referring to the last time the Elementum were found?" Ginny asked politely.
"How would you four know about-" He broke off as he caught sight of what Ginny was now holding out.
"The Elementum? How in the world did you four come across these?"
"All by accident, sir. We were each taking a walk on our birthdays and happened to find them."
"Have you spoken to Dumbledore about this?"
"Yes, during breakfast."
"Well, as astounded as I am to see these, I'll leave that to Dumbledore. Now as for your potions, each of these colors aren't typically found, so they weren't listed in your books. Mr. Malfoy's a clear-blue color, representing Water. The purple of course means Potions." Snape returned Draco's flask to him.
"Mr. Zabini's here is a mix of tan, yellow, pink and green; signifying Earth. The yellow means that he doesn't excel in practical but, in theoretical things. Otherwise, mental strength not physical."
"Miss Granger's swirl of red, orange and yellow is the most obvious, Fire. The pink refers to Charms."
"Miss Weasley's clear-like color means Air. The green pointing to Transfiguration."
Thank you was echoed thrice.
"Well, now that you understand what your potions mean, head to your next class."
They left to the Great Hall for lunch, coming in at different times but promising to meet in the library in 15 minutes. Since Harry and Ron were engaged in a Quidditch spiel, the girls ate quickly, signaled to Draco and Blaise and headed for the library. About three minutes later the guys showed up.
"Well, let's go ahead and go to the Restricted Section, we've got about and hour and fifteen minutes." Lunch was 45 and break was 45.
They went up to Madam Pince who showed them about 15 books that could help them. Levitating them, (as they were to heavy to carry between the four of them), they headed off towards Midnight.
The first few books gave them nothing, and when 6 had been gone over, it was time for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Followed by Care of Magical Creatures. After being assigned an essay on advanced jinxes and compiling basic facts for Griffins, they were back in the Head room.
"I'd say we should get our homework done before researching those books, homework is due tomorrow."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
The next few hours flew by. Since they were all in the same classes, they could talk about it if a question arose and basically just have fun instead of stressing. When Ginny glanced around the room her eyes landed on the clock placed on top of the mantle. 8.45.
"Dude! We've fifteen minutes left to eat dinner!"
"No worries, we can have an elf bring something up."
They spent the rest of the night eating and skimming through old texts. When the time came to bid Ginny and Blaise good night, Blaise and Hermione headed on out, and Draco and Ginny stayed behind.
"Night Gin."
Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a searing good night kiss, he responded instantly and pulled her flush up against him. After a few moments Ginny said through the kisses, "I really should get going."
"Mmmm... Not yet." Draco murmured. Quite few seconds later they broke apart. Pendants having come together again, they broke them apart and Ginny said,
"I'll see you tomorrow morning, even though I'd much rather stay here." He swung her bag over her shoulder and pressed the stone.
"Night my Angel." And with that the door shut.
go back to when Hermione and Blaise just the left the room
"Well, my Hermione, we are all alone. What shall we make of these few moments?"
"How about this." She came up to him and began to kiss him to the best of her ability. He pushed her against the wall behind her and responded ardently. Suddenly they heard a soft roar. They broke apart, though still embracing, to look at Midnight. A moment later Ginny walked out.
"Night 'Mione, Night Ginny and thanks Midnight." He paused to scratch Midnight before heading down the corridor.
"Night Hermione, see ya in the morning." Ginny said as she walked away, Hermione going back in..
"Well I must say that was probably the best five minutes of my life."
"I must agree." They both laughed.
"Night Draco."
"Night Hermione."
A/N : Well there's chp 2. And for those special people who haven't read HBP which ROCKS OUT LOUD, I won't comment on it, besides of course saying it rocks. I read it in 9 hours. :D so anyways, be a really kewl person and click the nice button lower on the screen. And put any ideas you'd like to see in the story, I'll probably put them in. And thanks to MsHellFire2005 for beta-ing and helping out with the chap.