Sold-Chapter 32-Two Hermiones are Better Than One

By Marmalade Fever

A: Original Hermione and Draco from CMG.

B: The new ones from Sold.

Both Hermiones headed upstairs to bed while Draco A and Harry decided what to do with Malfoy B. They ended up sticking him in Evander's old room with a few wards to prevent him from escaping. At long last, all five were snuggled safely in bed and the rather eventful Saturday ended, to be replaced by Sunday, a new week that promised a new beginning.

As Hermione B rested in what had been Lily's room, her head was abuzz with thought. Malfoy B was throwing her for a loop. On Friday, he'd been tolerable. They'd started the day out in the dungeon with him tied to a chair. He'd been moody once they reached the other dimension. Upon arrival at the manor, they'd had a spat and he'd kissed her. Later at the dinner party they'd both been named God-parents. This morning he'd sent their other halves to this dimension and tried to force her into pretending to be his wife, followed by his brash proposal. After the whole Love Muffin fiasco, he'd had the nerve to show her that book and then kiss her… again! But when he'd said good-bye to Evander… he'd seemed perfectly agreeable again. What was wrong with him? Was he completely bi-polar? She rolled over and snuggled against a pillow, thoughts still on the man in the next room.

The morning dawned with its usual lack of sunshine and the first thought that entered Hermione B's head upon opening her eyes was that her pajamas were red. The day before, they had been a pale lilac. Odd… Hermione A had loaned them to her Friday night, and she still hadn't had the chance to change. Not that she was particularly used to changing clothes from day to day… but still.

There was a knock at her door and she called her consent to her visitor. It was Malfoy. Which Malfoy, though… she could only assume him to be A. "Ah," he said, smirking, "now that brings back memories!"

She frowned. "Hmm?"

Draco laughed. "Those pajamas! I wasn't sure if they were the same ones."

"Again, hmm?" she asked.

"Oh, right. You see, they're Herms'. She had them while we were courting." Hermione raised a disapproving eyebrow. "I used to pop in to see her in the mornings," he added quickly.

"I see."

"They change color every Sunday. Quite frankly, I'm surprised the charm hasn't worn off."

Hermione nodded. "Must be extra strong." There was an uncomfortable pause.

"Well," he said, "the elves insisted on making breakfast, so we might as well go and eat it." He offered an arm and she took it. When they entered the kitchen, they found Harry and Malfoy B staring daggers at one another. Malfoy B's mood did not seem to improve one bit when he noticed that Hermione B and Draco A's arms were linked.

"Well, isn't this lovely," he scoffed, breaking eye contact with Harry.

"Oh, put a sock in it," his counterpart countered, withdrawing his arm from Hermione B's. He went to sit down at the counter with his wife, who was already consuming a large stack of pancakes. "Eating for two, eh Love?" he said, kissing the side of her head.

Hermione B turned her head away from them, a small pang of jealousy rising up in her. Kobby the house-elf bobbed forward. "Would Miss like a pancake?" he asked, solemnly.

"Why, yes, I would. Thank you," she replied, sitting down. "You know, Kobby, you are free. You don't have to get us anything."

Kobby looked affronted. "It is Kobby's pleasure, Miss."

She nodded. "If you insist." She had to admit those little house-elves looked really cute in their outfits. She took some pride in Evander's transfiguration abilities, though Lily had probably done most of the spell-casting.

"Well, then," Draco A began, as the lot of them finished breakfast, "what now?"

"Maybe you should go home," his counterpart suggested, hunched over the table with his arms crossed, scowling. Hermione A rolled her eyes at him.

"Any other suggestions?" Draco A continued, ignoring B altogether.

Harry tugged at his collar, uncomfortably. Hermione B watched him carefully. "Do you think," he began cautiously, "that maybe I could take you up on your offer from yesterday?"

"You want me to cut your hair?" Draco A asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Harry coughed into his hand. "Well, that, too… But I meant…"

"Relax, Harry," Hermione A cut in, "we'd love to help you save the world." She flashed him a smile.

"Hold the phone," Draco A started, causing Hermione B to shake her head in wonder at his use of muggle phrases. "I don't think you should be doing anything dangerous, 'Mione! It's out of the question."

"Excuse me?" she asked, her voice challenging. Draco A took it in stride.

"You're pregnant. I'll not have you endanger our daughter while off gallivanting around. Besides," he jerked his hand toward Hermione B, "we've already got one of you lovely geniuses."

"Two Hermiones are better than one," his wife bit back. "But… I suppose you're right."

"Good, we'll station you somewhere safe, then," her husband said, heaving a sigh of relief.

"So we are saving the world, then?" Harry asked, looking as if he dared not believe his own luck.

"Of course," the couple said in unison.

"Harry," Hermione B said, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples before looking at him, "I've been trying to figure out… what's the difference between the two worlds? What was that minor change in decision? I tried to figure it out with Lily… but we couldn't narrow it down."

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment. "Malfoy," he said, turning to B, "do you have a pensieve?"

"Yeah…"

"I want to compare memories," Harry said.

"Compare memories?" Hermione A asked, also looking thoughtful. She looked to her counterpart. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I think so," she replied. "And if we can do it, then we might save this dimension yet."

"What are they talking about?" Malfoy B asked A.

"I'm not sure… but you can be sure that whatever it is… it's brilliant. Put those two together, and they can solve anything."

"Don't I know it," Malfoy B said, staring at a certain brunette in awe.

A.N.: I now officially have the same number of chapters as Courting Miss Granger. Rest assured, there are several more to come. I finally figured out what's going to happen. (I thought I knew, but then the characters decided they didn't like it and took matters into their own hands.) Again, updates will be erratic, be it in a good way or bad. In the words of cute, little Harry in Sorcerer's Stone, "Happy Christmas!"