Alex Felton- Thanks for reviewing!
When the owls came, Hermione didn't expect any mail. So she was surprised when she got one. It was a rather heavy one, fairly large too. Hermione shrunk it and put it in her pocket unsuspectingly, as it was almost time for classes to begin.
Hermione's first class was Transfiguration. The class was a little noisier then usual as it was a Hogsmade weekend. Students chattering about what they were going to buy...where they were going... Even though they had gone many times, it was fun to go out of school once in a while.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were talking about D.A. It was still active, except that Cho and Marietta didn't attend anymore, and a few others.
"Ahem."
The class was immediately silent. Professor McGonagall entered, staring at each of them. Hermione sighed softly and class began.
Lunch came soon enough. But for Ron, it seemed like ages. He complained about his stomach constantly.
"Honestly Ron! Just keep those complaints to yourself! Goodness!" Hermione shouted frustrated on their way to the Great Hall for lunch.
Several people stopped and looked at them. Luckily, Ginny appeared and dragged Hermione away.
"She's been stressed. Really." Said Ginny before disappearing with Hermione
As the boys were eating, Harry looked at Ron and said, "Do you think Hermione is not telling us something?"
Ron shrugged and continued stuffing his mouth with food.
"Ron!"
"Maybe."
"I'm going to find out no matter what." Said Harry with a glint of determination in his eyes.
Back to the girls...
Ginny had brought Hermione back to Hermione's room.
"Hermione, the boys are beginning to get suspicious. And you're getting hot-tempered." Said Ginny
"Sorry. I'm losing grip." Said Hermione "I can't help it. I'm just getting very worried."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." Replied Ginny "I know you're worried, but if you continue, you'll go crazy!" ended Ginny
Hermione sat down on her bed. The portrait's sharp point jabbed her thigh.
"Oh this." Hermione took it out from her robes and enlarged it to it's original size.
"It's pretty. Where did you get it?" asked Ginny. Hermione looked at it properly for the first time.
"It is pretty. Someone sent it to me this morning." Hermione thought about it for a moment
The girls admired the portrait. They went down and showed Harry and Ron.
Harry spoke up. "Who gave it to you?"
"I don't know."
Harry looked wary of it then.
"It's won't harm me or anything." Hermione said quickly
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Other Gryffindors started crowding around. They oohed and ahhed.
"Just be careful Hermione." Said Harry, before he and Ron left to play chess.
Draco Malfoy was at the Gryffindor Common Room looking disdainfully at the portrait of the Fat Lady. He had seen the portrait Hermione had gotten. Draco recognized it to be from Pansy. No doubt the girl had put a curse on it. But no, the damn Fat Lady wouldn't let him in.
"Just let me in now!" Draco was half-exasperated. "All this trouble for a mud- girl." He thought
Parvarti came out. She glared at Draco.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded
"No-. Could you ask Granger to come out?" he asked. "Next he would be begging." Draco thought lamely to himself.
"No." Parvarti said firmly
"Please?"
"No." and the girl walked away
"Shit." Thought Draco
The next person who came out from the portrait was Neville.
"Longbottom. Ask Granger to come out." Said Draco, feeling impatient
"N-no." stuttered Neville. He had never gotten over Draco binding him in their first year.
"Longbottom..." started Draco menacingly
"F-fine." Said Neville, knowing he'll regret it, and went back into the common room.
"Hermione, s-someone outside w-wants t-to talk to y-you." said Neville, still scared
"Who?" asked Hermione suspiciously
"J-just come out. Please." Begged Neville
"Ok." Said Hermione, leaving her portrait behind and following Neville out.
"Malfoy." Hermione said Hermione quite pleasantly, obviously pretend. Inside, Hermione felt sick actually
"Go now, Longbottom." Said Draco
Neville ran away.
"Why are you here?" asked Hermione
"Where's the portrait?"
"Why do you want it?"
"Pansy hexed it. She out to do something bad to you." said Draco in one breath
"You're lying." Hermione half-believed that
"It's true." Said Draco a little desperately "Bring it out and I'll show you."
"Fine."
Hermione brought it out.
"Apareciumious." Said Draco. Nothing happened. "That Pansy, she must have put a very powerful hex." Thought Draco
Hermione smirked triumphantly at him.
"There's no hexes, curses, charms or anything." Said Hermione
"There is. Just wait." Said Draco, trying to convince Hermione.
Draco walked away. He needed help to convince Hermione. For that, he needed...Harry. The only one who wouldn't be affected by the Enchantas Charm that Pansy had most probably place on it.