Disclaimer: Hermione, Ginny and the other HP characters belong to JKR, not me. Jack and Will from PotC belong to Disney.
A/N: I just want to apologize for not updating sooner. I've been incredibly busy, going through rush and joining a sorority, starting college, homework, etc. But I haven't forgotten this story, don't worry. But the updates will be a bit more infrequent.
Rcaqua: I'm glad you liked the part with Balian. ;) I just had to put that in there, for the die hard Orlando fans. Thanks for the idea, I'm seriously considering it if my readers agree.
Tears-that-fall: Okay, that's another person who wants them to come back to Hogwarts! Haha, you just can't compare Won-won to Will, the delicious looking pirate. You are too funny! Thanks for making me smile.
InwePirate-Elf: Well, this chapter isn't as long but after ch. six, I don't feel so bad. Thankfully, it's not storming because it's dangerous for her to be around Will. Do you think I would do that to you?
SenatorSolo: Don't worry, they aren't going to rescue Elizabeth. I'll explain more about that later.
Legolover: Yep, Hermione's gonna do her best to make Ron notice her. But even the best laid plans go astray… Thanks so much for the review…Tally ho the fox, indeed!
Avchocholic and Captain-Ammie: Thanks.
WillsOneLove: Yay! I'm glad you liked it…I had fun writing it too. Yeah, as much fun as it would be to be rescued by Will, I also try to have the heroine do her share of the rescuing. ;) Hey, I'm just glad you went back and reviewed me; that was so nice of you!
Jellemegg: I'm glad the story kept your interest! Keep reading, I'll try not to disappoint.
LighteningExperience: Your shining review made my day! Seriously. Are you trying to inflate my ego? ;) Haha. Yes I did feel that everyone's questions were important enough to be answered as part of the story. I think it makes the plot more believable. You hit the head on the nail…one of the side effects of the daydream charms is that the weather will be affected by the mood/feelings of the caster. Yes indeed, her emotions are mixed-up/chaotic, resulting in a tumultuous storm. Poor Will had to suffer the consequences! It's a bit like occulemency really, next time she needs to clear her mind and calm down before casting the charm.
Ch. 7: Revelations and Accusations
Hermione grinned; she had just figured out the perfect plan to make Ron notice her. It was the evening of Slughorn's Christmas party – the best time to put her plan into action. All afternoon, she and Parvati had gone over the details of what to say. Right now, Parvati was acting her part beautifully, innocently carrying out a conversation with Harry. Ron wasn't paying attention; he ignored his best friend when Lavender had thrown her arms around his neck.
"Hi Harry," said Parvati, looking embarrassed at Lavender's public display of affection.
"Hi," said Harry. "How're you? You're staying at Hogwarts then? I heard your parents wanted you to leave."
"I managed to talk them out of it for the time being," said Parvati. "Padma and I would've been absolutely devastated if we had to go…Oh hi, Hermione!" Parvati positively beamed as Hermione walked downstairs into the common room. Hermione beamed back, possibly even more brightly.
"Hi, Parvati," said Hermione, ignoring Ron and Lavender completely. "Are you going to Professor Slughorn's party tonight?"
"No invite," said Parvati gloomily. "I'd love to go though, it sounds like it's going to be really fun…You're going, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm meeting Cormac at eight, and we're –" Ron pulled away from Lavender's embrace in surprise. Excellent, my plan is working! Hermione continued as if nothing had happened. "We're going to the party together."
"Cormac?" said Parvati. "You mean Cormac McLaggen, that super-hot seventh year?"
"That's right," said Hermione sweetly. "The one who almost became the Gryffindor Keeper."
"Are you going out with him, then?" asked Parvati, wide-eyed.
"Oh – yes – didn't you know?" said Hermione, giggling in a falsetto voice.
"No!" said Parvati. "Wow, you like your Quidditch players, don't you? First Viktor Krum, then McLaggen…"
"I like really good Quidditch players," Hermione corrected her, still smiling. "Well, see you…got to go and get ready for the party." After noting that Ron looked strangely blank, a smirking Hermione left the room. Yes! It worked. Ron is totally jealous…now on to phase two.
Hermione fixed her hair and pulled on her best set of dress robes, bright crimson for the festive occasion. Once she was satisfied that her looks were going to knock Cormac dead (and hopefully Ron for that matter), did she retreat downstairs. Cormac was waiting for her in the common room, and, as she predicted, was completely flabbergasted.
"Hermione, you look, er," he fidgeted nervously, "very nice."
"Thank you, Cormac," she said, her voice raised a bit more than usual. "You too look very dashing in your dress robes. Are they new?" As soon as the seventh year began his long-winded response, Hermione scanned the room for Ron. Her heart sank – Lavender had obviously noticed when she came downstairs. Ron's back was to her for he was in deep discussion with his girlfriend. Well, the best I can do now to get Ron's attention is when Cormac and I return from the party.
"Shall we go, then?" Cormac dashed her thoughts. She smiled at him, flashing her perfectly straightened teeth.
"Fine with me." They left for Slughorn's office along with Ginny, Dean, and Harry (who met Luna along the way). When the group reached Slughorn's, the party was in full swing. Slughorn greeted them cheerfully and welcomed them inside. Cormac headed directly for the refreshments and Hermione had no choice but to directly follow, leaving her friends behind.
"Eggnog?" He offered her.
"No thanks, Cormac. I'm still underage, remember?" The quidditch player rolled his eyes at her.
"Hermione, Hermione…couldn't you just let your hair down for once? Bend the rules a little? It wouldn't kill you - you might actually enjoy it." She shook her head no.
"I am a prefect; I don't feel comfortable going against the rules when I'm one who helps to enforce them," she told him firmly.
"Hey, whatever." He held up his hands in defense. "You don't have to be so defensive about it." He ran his fingers through his hair, oozing self-confidence. "Did I ever tell you about the time I caught the last quaffle, winning the match for…" Ugh this guy should hear himself. Hermione zoned out as Cormac treated her to several stories about how certain Quidditch matches were won due to his spectacular saves. Her thoughts drifted to Will Turner instead. Hm, I wonder how Will would look without his shirt?
"…meet my friends?" Hermione blinked, embarrassed at where her train of thoughts were heading. Cormac stared at her expectantly.
"Of course, I'd love to meet them," she answered automatically. He grinned and led her through the crowd, coming to an abrupt stop. Hermione looked at him quizzically, but before she could ask, he pointed to the ceiling. She and Cormac were standing directly under the mistletoe. Before she had a chance to protest, he swooped down and captured her lips with a big, wet, sloppy kiss. Hermione inwardly cringed the entire time. This is nothing like when Will snogs me. He always savors the moment by taking his time, whereas Cormac is sucking my face off! After what seemed like forever, he pulled away, allowing Hermione to breathe.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"I…" she stammered weakly, not wanting to hurt his feelings. He smirked at her, interpreting her silence for breathlessness. "Er, Cormac, I'd like to return to the common room now."
"Of course." He held out his hand and she reluctantly took it. Soon they'd left the merry hubbub of the party behind, and an odd hush fell over the corridors as Hermione and Cormac headed for Gryffindor tower.
"Finally," he growled and pushed her into a hidden alcove. McLaggen muffled Hermione's startled cry, kissing her roughly. He tore off her outer robe and began to grope her breasts. Okay, just stay calm. Non-verbal spells…I know! With all her might, Hermione concentrated on the spell for the full-body bind - Petrificus totalus. Suddenly McLaggen flew away from her, and landed on the floor with a resounding thump, his entire being frozen. Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, she backed away from her attacker. Oh Merlin, that pervert violated me! She was so upset, she didn't want to talk to anyone yet, not even Ginny. I have to go someplace where I'll be left alone so I can sort out my thoughts.
Hiccupping through her sobs, the young witch raced down the mostly deserted corridors. Several students gave her concerned glances but she never noticed or cared. Tears blinded her vision, but she knew these twists and turns like the back of her hand. Finally she reached her dreary destination.
"Oh, it's you. Hello," said a gloomy voice.
"Hi Myrtle," sniffled Hermione, who had calmed down somewhat by this time. "How have you been?"
"What a dreadful thing to ask!" blubbered the teenage ghost. "I'm dead and lonely; how would you be?"
"I'm sorry, Myrtle," Hermione said sincerely.
"You never come to visit me anymore; I missed that." The young witch gulped, as she didn't know how to answer without hurting Myrtle's feelings. The only reason why she, Harry, and Ron had ever gone to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom was to work on the Polyjuice potion in their second year.
"Well, you see…" The ghost interrupted her.
"But I do have a regular visitor. He's such a nice boy, about your age. The poor thing is always so upset, and the least I can do is try to comfort him." Hermione frowned.
"Myrtle, who…" The bathroom door was flung open revealing a teary-eyed boy, startling them both. Hermione gasped in surprise. Myrtle's frequent visitor was none other than…
"Draco?" Hermione asked tentatively. "Are you alright?" Malfoy's expression instantly hardened.
"Since when do you care, Mudblood?" Hermione saw directly through his arrogant front. The most common thing that made students cry these days was when a family member had been murdered by the Death Eaters.
"Draco, did something happen to your family?" His eyes grew haunted and he quickly sat down, but refused to answer.
"Don't be so stubborn, Draco. Tell her," urged Myrtle. Why Malfoy decided to confide in her, Hermione could never guess. Perhaps he needed to vent to someone who was actually human.
"It's my father. You know how he's in Azkaban?" Hermione nodded and he continued. "Well, he's slowly being poisoned, I just got a letter from Mum today that he's slowly getting worse each day."
"It's not your fault," said Hermione, doing her best to console him.
"Yes it is, you don't understand," he said miserably. "I know you met him once, and you can't see why I care about him, but he's my father. There are times when he isn't completely concerned with his job or his wealth. Those times are few, but I have glimpsed what he really is, deep down. And for that reason, I must save him."
"But you can't do anything, Draco," Hermione gently reminded him. You can't just march into Azkaban and demand his release! Sometimes things happen that we have no control over."
"But I can." He refused to meet her eyes, and she sighed. "You must swear not to repeat to anyone what you've just heard in this bathroom."
"I swear; your secret is safe with me," Hermione promised.
"Out of curiosity, not that I care mind you, what made you so upset?" Hermione shook her head.
"It wasn't anything too terrible. I'm going to bed. I do hope your father will be alright." Draco curtly nodded at her, which was as much of a thank you as his pride would allow.
Hermione raced back to the common room, where she found an irritated Harry being ignored once again by Ron and Lavender.
"Hi Harry," she greeted him, flopping down on a couch.
"Hermione, boy am I ever glad to see you! Ron won't talk to me." She rolled her eyes.
"What else is new?"
"Listen, this is very important." Hermione nodded seriously and gave him her full attention. "Remember how I kept telling you that Malfoy is a Death Eater? Now I'm positive." Harry told her how he'd followed Malfoy after he left the party and overheard his discussion with Snape.
"I'm telling you, he practically admitted to poisoning Katie Bell. He mentioned some sort of mission that he had to complete, but that it was giving him problems. Whatever he's up to, it can't be good," Harry concluded.
"I believe you, Harry." He stared at her incredulously.
"You do?" She sighed.
"Yes. I just came from Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where Malfoy had been crying."
"What? Malfoy? Yeah right," Harry scoffed.
"It's true! Now you have to promise not to tell anyone, okay?" Harry promised and she continued.
"His father is being slowly poisoned in Azkaban." Harry let out a low whistle as she explained that Draco thought it was his fault that his father was dying.
"What are the odds?" Harry rested his chin on his elbow as he thought for a few moments. "I think that whoever assigned the mysterious mission to Malfoy is trying to make him work faster by poisoning his father."
"Now that I've heard your story, I think so too," Hermione agreed. "But what can we do about it? After all you've already told your suspicions to Dumbledore…" Clearly eaves-dropping, Lavender abruptly cut her off mid-sentence.
"My my, Hermione. You sure do get around. First Cormac and now Malfoy all in one night? Even I didn't think that you'd stoop so low to be with a Slytherin." Ron turned toward Hermione, looking slightly repulsed.
"I didn't"! "She didn't!" Hermione and Harry simultaneously protested.
"But weren't you alone with Malfoy in the bathroom?" Lavender asked with a mean glint in her eye.
"Well, yes but…"
"Aha!" Lavender crowed. "You admit it!"
"Moaning Myrtle was there," Hermione pointed out lamely. Lavender smirked,
"Well then I guess that makes it alright for you to snog Malfoy since a ghost was present."
"Ron, I did not snog Malfoy! You do believe me, don't you?" Ron just stared at her with a faintly hurt expression. Harry tried to convince him otherwise, but to no avail since he did not see what took place in the bathroom.
"I'm going up to bed," announced Ron, in a strange high-pitched voice. "I hope everyone has a happy Christmas." And then he raced up the stairs as if he couldn't stand to be in Hermione's presence for one more second.
"Good night Harry, Hermione," Lavender said sweetly, nodding to them in turn. As soon as Lavender's back had faded out of sight, Hermione exploded.
"That girl is going to get it one of these days! Can you believe her!" Harry shook his head.
"I don't know what Ron sees in her."
"Harry, why didn't Ron believe me?" The boy-who-lived sighed.
"Maybe Ron doesn't know what to believe right now. He seems to have lost the ability to think for himself. But don't worry about it, I know you and Malfoy didn't, you know…"
"Thanks Harry," she said, gratefully. "Are you staying with him over the holiday?"
"Yes. I'll try to knock some sense into him. When he goes home at least Lavender won't be around to distract him. But I know that eventually Ron will realize that you are still as virtuous as ever." Hermione gave him a small smile. I'm lucky to have a true friend like Harry. She made a mental note to tell Ginny how Harry had stuck up for her. She'd like to know that.
Just then Dean and Ginny burst through the portrait hole. And they were arguing, again. This is the second time this week! Their relationship is becoming rockier by the day. Harry, she was pleased to note, seemed to perk up a bit when he noticed their fight.
"Harry, mate, would you mind coming upstairs? I've got something I want to discuss with you," Dean asked. No, demanded was more like it.
"Sure," Harry said, in a non-committal tone. "Good-night, everybody." As soon as they left, Hermione rushed over to Ginny to find out what was wrong.
"It's nothing," Ginny waved her hand in the air. "Dean just wants to get more serious and I don't. That's all."
"That's rough," Hermione said, sympathetically. "Boys are stupid." Ginny smiled wryly. "But Harry was really something today…" She told the redhead how he'd defended her and Ginny absolutely glowed.
"My brother is a moron; I'm so glad Harry stood up for you." Hermione still looked glum so Ginny decided to tell her an idea that'd been festering in her head for awhile.
"When we come back to school, what'd you say we plan our daydreams at the exact same time? Then Jack, Will, you and I can have an adventure together!" Hermione squealed,
"Oh Gin, that'd be prefect! I only wish I'd thought of it." Ginny grinned, happy to see her friend's good spirits return.
"Hey, you can't be a genius all the time." Hermione bopped her in the arm good-naturedly.
"I'm so looking forward to it. Well, I hope you have a grant holiday, and get lots of presents."
"Same to you," Ginny replied. "Sleep well!"
The girls headed off to their separate suites to get ready for bed. In the morning, they would travel by floo to their holiday destination (in Hermione's case, muggle London) where they could spend time with their families. That night, Hermione looked forward to seeing her parents and spending a nice, quiet holiday away from the threats of the wizarding world. She fell asleep to Crookshanks' soft purring and Parvati's gentle snores.
End Ch. 7
Who wants to have Will and Jack accidentally end up in Hogwarts? Tell me in your reviews if you like that idea or not…