Name: Chamber of Destinies

Author: Sweet-calmness

Genre: Romance/Action/Angst

Disclaimer: I own the plot, nothing more

Chapter 6

'WHAT?' Draco jumped up. He did not expect that. Hermione knew she was losing control, she need to calm him down, fast, or else someone will hear them.

'Please Draco! Listen to me!' Looking at his companion's pleading eyes, he settled and went back to his seat.

'If what you're saying is true, then who's your father? How are we related?' Draco asked.

'My mother was Gwen Katherine Gryffindor.'

Draco started with the knowledge. All the 6th years have been taught the history of the four founders and Merlin by Professor Binns (as boring as that sounds) and all knew the basic knowledge of the – who was thought to have been – the last heir to Gryffindor and Merlin. All that Draco knows is that Gwen died mysteriously 15 years ago. There were no records of any heir ever being born. Sensing what the boy was thinking, Hermione quickly answered his mind's question.

'My mother was Gwen Katherine Gryffindor, and my father, is Sirius Black'

There was a sharp intake of breath.

'Sirius Black is a murderer.' Draco nearly spat. Hermione was losing him again.

'No! Sirius Black is a good man. It is Peter Pettigrew that was the traitor of the Potters.'

'Peter Pettigrew? Peter and Sirius Black were in on it together. They killed Lily and James Potter!'

'No he didn't! Do you want me to tell you the whole story or not?!'

Almost as if scared by her temper, the Slytherin closed his mouth. He listened intently for the rest of the tale, barely blinking once as Hermione went through the past events in detail. It seems unreal, to have someone, who, for all those years, seemed to be a mudb......muggle-born. The blond boy folded up his arms, and his gray eyes cast over his new found relative, almost in a protective manner. It seems to Hermione that he was convinced.

'So.....that's about the whole story.' Hermione finished, looking quite relieved to take a break from her long tirade.

It was an unexpected blow when Draco got up, and encircled his arm around Hermione's arms, pulling her close into a friendly hug. Hermione stood there shocked, unsure about the attentions that Draco held in this close contact. She returned the hug, when Draco said something that Hermione wished to hear for a long time.

'Nice to meet you - cousin.'

Hermione was in the library, once again going through To Hermione with vigor. She was still having the worst trouble with hiding her eye color. It seemed alright under moonlight now, but randomly changes depending upon her emotions, she soon find out after having a fight with Ron.

It wasn't anything that really got Hermione angry. Ron was just going over the edge, saying that Vicky won't be there for her to take her to the dance. Normally she wouldn't mind, but Harry being there, let's just say it ended in a rather embarrassing situation.

To cut the long story short, Ron ended up in the hospital wing and Hermione was landed on with a detention with the new DADA professor. His name is Atticus Finch, the new "craze" of the female population of Hogwarts. Hermione admit him to be rather cute, but she wasn't as innocent or foolish enough to have a crush on him as she did with Lockhart in her second year.

Unlike Lockhart, Professor Finch does not have an arrogant personality. He seemed to be a cross between Professor Lupin and Moody, which is definitely a plus. During the time when she served her punishment, he sat a rather interesting task of marking the third year's test papers, and as boring as it sounded, the punishment turned out quite enjoyable.

Turning the pages of her book delicately, she thought about some other things. A few more days until the Oriental ball goes abroad and almost everyone in school has got a partner. Not Hermione though, no not Hermione, as she plans to just skip the whole occasion (bad bad girl). She did not know that almost every guy of Hogwarts has been trying to get her attention, had it not been a green eyed best friend.

Harry slowly sneaked up behind Hermione's sitting form. It took several seconds for Hermione to realize that she was pounced over and tickled thoroughly, and by then she was stiff with laughter.

'Harry!'

Hermione smiled, looking up into her friend's emerald bright eyes. They were beautiful, and reminding her off the colors from the first day of spring. She could smell the sweet scent of pumpkin juice and the familiar cologne that Harry always used. Mmmmmmmmmm....

Sounding footsteps approached the two, and they quickly rolled aside behind the shelves to see Madame Pinch looking almost murderously over at the spot they previously inhabited. They watched her walk away, grumbling something under her breath (to think they have any manners at all, kids these days...) and tried to stifle their laughter. Both Harry and Hermione got up. One glance and they busted out laughing again.

'What are you doing here Harry?' She asked. Not that she minded of course.

'To visit you, why else would I come here?'

'True.' Harry smiled.

'Well, I better get back to work...I still have...umm...a few things to do.' She said, and started to walk away. She was stopped suddenly when Harry grabbed her arm, and she turned back with a frown.

'Harry?'

For a moment Harry stopped moving. He looked quite pale, and then slowly turned pink, and last to a full scarlet that resembled Ron's hair. Hermione was getting worried.

'Harry, you ok?' Harry just looked at her. It seems like he is sweating.

'Um...Mione...I want to ask you something...' He stuttered.

Errr......

'Canyoubemypartnertotheorientalball?'

'Harry slow down, what did you say?'

'Can you be my partner to the oriental ball?' He said again, much slower and much more flushed.

Oh Merlin Grandpa....he asked me!!!!

Hermione was flabbergasted, before she broke out into a full grin. Harry just asked her to the ball! She threw her arms around the startled boy, and whispered softly in his ear.

'I would love to go.'

Harry quickly pull out of the hug, and had both hands on Hermione's shoulders, holding her at arm-length. A look of disbelief was written over his face, and Hermione could not help but laugh.

'You really want to go with me? After all those boys that were dying for you to be their date for the ball...'

Hermione frowned. 'What boys?'

'Err...nothing...Hehehe...I think I better get going...I err...still have the charm essay to do, I'll see you later Hermione!' Harry blabbered, leaving Hermione standing there, amusement and bewilderment danced in her eyes.

Author's message: Third time's the charm, they always say!