Title: Dare You To Move
Author: Mjade
Summary: My third Draco/Mione fic. Hermione Granger is feeling left out by the people she once called friends . . . but her dreams are all about to come true.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter but the idea of this story, the two Slytherins: Mason Deimos and Don Gears, and the Gryffindor: Lucinda Lucent, are mine.
Rating: PG-13/Romance
Author's Note: I know it's been a long time, a few weeks...fine, it was more like a month, my apologies. My seventeenth birthday came around and after celebrating it with my friends I went out of town to celebrate it with my relatives but none of them had internet. Thanx for everyone's review: Remorseful Passion-Yes,I'll try to work on avoiding cliches, KeWlGaL8tH-Thanks for reviewing and there's no doubt that I'll keep writing!australian gurl- I promise it will get interesting. Please bare with me, Katie-Thanx for the encouragement! crystal369-Blaise is such a hateable character, isn't he?LOL! jg cola-As one of your fave cousins I have to say you talk too much! And we all know Oliver's hot! J/k! Thanks for reviewing.
flames929-Why does everyone keep asking me this question? See Chapter 2 a/n.
No sooner met but they looked;
No sooner looked but they loved;
No sooner loved but they sighed;
No sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason;
No sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy . . .
William Shakespeare
By Monday, next week, every Hogwarts student including first, second, and third years knew about the upcoming Christmas ball. The notice pinned in every common room went something like this:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Christmas Ball
Where: Great Hall
When: Friday, 12th December
Time: From 9:00 p.m. to 12 midnight
Theme: International Famous People through the Ages (Muggle or Wizard)
All years from 4 to 7 must attend ball.
Any student(s) who plays a prank or causes an explosion (intentionally) during the ball will receive detention.
If there are any inquiries or comments, owl Head Boy or Head Girl.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Lavender, Parvati, her twin Padma, and Hermione who was following behind them, exited their History of Magic classroom. Hermione opened her book and began reading as the three girls conversed.
"So Padma, is there anybody in particular you want to ask to the Christmas ball?" Parvati said, grinning. Lavender giggled.
"Oh, for the love of god," said Padma irritably. "Have I not answered that question? I told you and Lavender already. Can't you get over the fact that I fancy him? Is it that amusing?"
"You know," Lavender grinned widely. "He is in our next class, Herbology. Want us to make him ask you?"
Padma sent her a death glare.
"Don't ---you---DARE!" Padma said dangerously. She looked---well---scary, and Parvati and Lavender practically cowered in fear. "I fancy Justin Finch-Fletchley and I'd love to go to the ball with him---yes! But if that means you two ignoramuses involved in forcing or persuading him to ask me to the dance, my answer would be no! And I would probably get the initiative to ask Ron or Seamus instead!" Padma said angrily, knowing very well whom the other two girls liked.
Padma Patil grinned as she walked away with Parvati and Lavender gaping and staring after her.
Hermione couldn't help smiling herself.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry said to his friend during Herbology, coming to the table to stand beside her. Professor Sprout started handing out tools, which oddly enough looked like eating utensils, to the class to repot an overly hypersensitive plant that seemed to let out a wail everytime it was touched.
"I'm fine, Harry," Hermione replied, without looking up.
"You sure?" Harry persisted.
Hermione looked at him, slightly perplexed as to why he was asking her these questions. "Positive. Is there something bothering you?"
"Ron and I are a bit concerned. You haven't been acting yourself lately," Harry said.
How would you know? You barely spend anytime with me anymore . . .Wait a minute! Where did that thought come from? Hermione shook her head. "I haven't?" She said instead.
"Well for one thing, that day in Potions, you stood up for Malfoy. You actually saved him from detention. You even prevented the golden possibility of Snape taking at least ten points off of Slytherin," Harry said. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Harry continued before she could say anything. "I know you were lying, Hermione. Besides, we never saw you two working together after Malfoy was kicked off the program. So why'd you do it?"
To tell the truth, Hermione had no good answer and no good reason. 'Saving Malfoy from detention?' It sounded so absurd. "I don't know yet, Harry. But I feel fine, don't worry," Hermione assured him, concluding their discussion as she reached for a new pot.
From the Journal of Hermione Granger:
12/04
Draco Malfoy isn't exactly my most favourite person in the world; so then why did I help him get out of trouble? I guess I felt like I had to do it. However, I cannot blame Harry or what the others think. After all, Malfoy has been our rival for the past six years, and with all these verbal duels---no there were physical: I had slapped him in third year and he had made my teeth grow in fourth, but I can't help feeling that preventing him from detention was the right thing to do even if my friends do not approve of it. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I just feel that whenever I do something good to my friends or help them in any problems they may have, they overlook it. And when I do something my friend's dislike, it seems like that's the only time they take notice of me, even if they are scolding or giving me another pointless lecture. Then there's that matter with Malfoy. It's not like I'm befriending Draco or anything, I just agreed to help him. The reason I decided I would tutor him was probably because I sensed some vulnerability, if you could call it that, in his persona when he asked me. But then Malfoy has always been that rude, conceited, aggravating git! I could make believe Draco was born in a family with parents who neglected him or he was born in a family where honor and reputation is everything and the word love wasn't even in his vocabulary. And maybe that was how he was brought up. But that may not be necessarily true. I just hope this whole thing is not a joke he chose to play on me, but who knows? He could be the best con man you could ever come across.
It was nearing the end of the week and Hermione still did not find a date to the Christmas Ball. Even Neville, who was a close friend of Hermione, had a date with a fourth year named Emma Dobbs. Ginny had tried to set her up with someone from her year but she declined the offer. Hermione decided there was no harm in waiting.
The Gryffindor Common room had the usual traffic it had for the past week. Parvati, Lavender, and Hermione were both in the seventh year dorm, seeking a little bit of privacy. Ginny followed suit shortly after, and sat beside her friend on Parvati's bed.
"Hermione, maybe you should take a break from reading," Ginny suggested.
"Hi Gin, nice to see you too," Hermione muttered, and engrossed herself once again reading her book on Magical Theory.
Is this all she does on her spare time? Ginny thought. I mean I know she is head girl and all and Hermione's always had her nose in a book since the first time I met her, but this excessive studying is getting out of hand. She should be doing something better with her time. She's seventeen and nothing has happened.
"Hermione, I'm your friend and can I be perfectly honest with you?" Ginny said.
Hermione looked up from her book. "What is it, Ginny?
"Don't you think you've been studying and reading to the point that if you're brain absorbs anymore information, it'll explode?" Ginny said.
"What are you trying to say?" Hermione asked.
"You're seventeen, Hermione. It's about time you start doing something different. Do you realize what people say about you? 'That Hermione hasn't changed one bit,' and 'Oh, there she goes, off to the library again,' and 'I know she's Head Girl but carrying a dozen books is very unattractive.' I've tried to defend you countless times, but I'm beginning to think what people say---what they say about you is true," Ginny finished.
"Ginny's right, Hermione," Parvati said. "And this is practically the only time I see you other than classes or mealtimes. You're either in the library again or in the Head's dorm, studying for a test that has not even been announced yet."
"So, I study hard. Big deal," Hermione said.
"I hate to be the one to break this to you but," Parvati didn't even hesitate. "You're boring, Hermione. Utterly dull. Everyone knows you as the teacher's pet or the bookworm. Boys don't even take a second look at you."
Hermione glared at Parvati. "I can't help the fact that I'm Head Girl. Besides, who has the time to do anything?"
"Almost everybody who's normal and has a social life . . ." Lavender said.
Hermione ignored her and went back to reading.
Parvati sighed exasperatedly and turned to Ginny. "So Ginny, who are you going to the Christmas Ball with?"
"I was actually hoping Harry would ask me but he's already going with Lucinda," Ginny said.
Parvati, Lavender, and even Hermione's head snapped up at this.
Lavender squealed. "Oh, I knew something was going on when I saw those two walking by the lake. It's so cute that there going to the ball together. They seem perfect for each other---no offense, Ginny," Lavender added as an afterthought.
"None taken. It's all right, someone else has already asked me," Ginny said.
"Oh, who?" Lavender asked Ginny curiously.
"Hang on a minute," Hermione interrupted before Ginny could reply. "Lucinda is going with Harry? When did he ask her?"
"Harry asked her on Monday, the day the notice was posted. How can you not know? It's already Thursday," Ginny said.
"Harry did not say anything involving what I've just heard," Hermione said.
"Then you should have heard it from Ron," Parvati said. "Oh, did he tell you we're also going together?"
"What? Where was I when all this happened?" Hermione said, suddenly feeling like Sleeping Beauty or Rip Van Winkle haven just woken up from years upon years of sleep.
"I don't know. Probably in the Head dorm, shutting the rest of the world out," Parvati said.
"I don't shut the world out, Parvati," Hermione said slowly.
"I wish I could believe you, Hermione," Parvati said. "By the way, about the ball, I hope you don't have to go with Justin because Padma---"
"I'm not going with Justin," Hermione said.
"But isn't it tradition for the Head Boy and Girl to go together to school events?" Lavender questioned.
"No," Hermione said. "Professor Dumbledore never said it was required."
"Well then that means you're not going with anyone. No one has asked you to the ball yet," Parvati pointed out.
"How would you know?" Hermione said defensively. Am I that transparent?
"Come on, Hermione. It's very obvious---"
That was the last straw. Hermione shut her book with such force that made everyone in the dormitory jump. She stood up and yelled, "I can't stand this conversation any longer! I'm leaving!" Before she turned away she added, "And no, I'm not going to the library for your information!"
Hermione stormed out the door, ignoring Ginny's calls for her to come back.
When Hermione reached the entrance to the Head's common room, she practically growled the password at the stone gargoyle. After it moved aside and after she marched up the spiral staircase, she stomped inside and suddenly had a powerful urge to slam a door. But unfortunately, Hogwarts didn't use doors for entrances to common rooms.
Frustrated, Hermione sat down on the couch still fuming, barely missing Crookshanks, her cat, who jumped away from being crushed at the last second. She didn't even notice Justin, who stared at her with a puzzled and slightly awed expression on his face.
"Are you all right?" asked Justin cautiously.
"FINE!" Hermione snapped.
"Whoa. Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," Justin said, slightly take aback. After gathering enough courage, he sat beside Hermione and bravely put an arm around her. He sighed in relief when he felt Hermione relax. Crookshanks came out from under the table and jumped in Hermione's lap and curled into a ball.
"Sorry, Justin," She said, stroking Crookshanks fur. "I just had an argument with Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny. They keep telling me I should be like this or I should do that. I mean, I'm content with the way I am, why should I change? They all think they know me better than I do," Hermione explained.
"I understand," Justin nodded. "But you know what?"
"What?"
He grinned. "I reckon I know you better than they do. I'm sure some hot chocolate will cheer you up. Want me to call for some?"
Justin must have been the most considerate guy Hermione ever met and she was grateful to have him as her friend. However, she suddenly remembered her appointment with Malfoy.
"I'd love one but," Hermione said. "I have a previous engagement that I just can't miss."
Hermione felt awkward going to the library--- well, not the prospect of going there but the prospect of going there to meet the infamous Draco Malfoy. Malfoy after all was her enemy, rival, opponent, adversary, foe ---she couldn't think of any more words to categorize him.
She had left the common room early but then realized it was a stupid thing to do. What if Malfoy's plan was to keep her waiting for over an hour? What if he came late---or worse, what if he didn't come at all? What are you doing, Hermione?
As she turned a corner, she came towards the extensive oak doors of Hogwarts' library. Even though she was seventeen, standing 5 feet 8 inches, the doors appeared as massive as they were when she was eleven years of age.
Pushing the wide doors open, she entered and immediately scanned the part of the library she could see. There were quite a few Hufflepuffs, several Ravenclaws around a large table, and some third year Gryffindors holding long rolls of parchment, probably constructing a dream chart for Divination. Hermione sighed. She was glad she dropped out; she never did like that class.
Not surprisingly, there wasn't a single indication that a Slytherin was present. Which meant that Draco wasn't in, either. They're probably too busy kissing up to Malfoy and his wealth to be bothered to visit the library once in their lifetimes, Hermione thought bitterly.
As she came around some of the desks, she spotted Hannah Abbott, whom she knew through Justin, immersed in a discussion with her fellow Hufflepuffs. Hermione did not want to disturb them, but she had to ask someone if they've seen Malfoy around.
Just as she was about to tap Hannah on the shoulder, a powerful hand seized her arm and she was pulled behind a bookshelf.
"If scaring me half to death is your way of saying hello, Draco Malfoy, you better find yourself a different tutor!" Hermione said angrily, holding a hand over her chest.
"Shush, not so loud," Draco hissed.
"Why, what's the matter?" Hermione inquired. "Do you mind telling me why we are sneaking around the library?"
Instead of answering her, Draco simply said, "You said you wanted to talk, so start talking."
"Oh, right," Hermione said. She cleared her throat. "First and foremost, you cannot call me Mudblood under any circumstances ever again, or this deal is off. Understood?"
"What am I supposed to call you then?" Draco said, smirking.
Hermione glared at him. "Well, I don't mind if you call me Granger," her features softened. "But then there's always my name, Hermione."
When Draco didn't answer, she continued. "Anyway, the reason I came here is about our schedules."
"Yeah, well?" Draco said, rather impatiently.
"I was thinking Mondays and Wednesdays," Hermione said.
"Don't you think Wednesdays are a bit too crowded?" Draco said.
"Excuse me?"
"Wednesdays are the weekdays when people cram for tests. The Slytherins would be here studying as well and they may be a bit distracting. After all, I am very popular," Draco said smugly. Hermione rolled her eyes.
Draco continued, "Most students come to library at the middle of the week and the place is packed. Don't you think it would be a bit inconvenient to be surrounded by people?" Draco said. He prayed to the gods that Hermione would agree with him, because the real reason was that he didn't want the Slytherins to see him with her. Like I said before, it would ruin his 'reputation'.
"Since when did you become claustrophobic?" Hermione raised her eyebrows at Draco. "All right, fine, what day then?"
"Fridays," Draco stated. It was common knowledge that the library, during Fridays, was the least crowded.
"Okay---oh no, wait, I can't. I have bi-weekly meetings with the Head Boy and prefects during Friday at 2:00 p.m." Hermione said.
"Who said tutorials are at two?" Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. Three."
"Five."
"Four then."
"Done. 4:00 p.m. it is," Draco said satisfied. "Is that all? There's somewhere I have to be."
"One more thing," Hermione hesitated. "Just promise me that---that this whole thing isn't some joke you're playing on me."
"What?" Draco said incredulously.
"I mean, you needing my help. Is it all for real?" Hermione asked him.
Is this what she thinks of me? She thinks I'm playing games? Draco thought.
"You know, Granger, for being a know-it-all you're quite clueless. It was torture to ask for your help. Did you even stop to think how humiliating that was? I practically embarrassed my self in front of you and you still have the nerve to think this is some kind of joke," Draco said, glaring at her.
The two just stared at each other. Part of Hermione wanted to trust Draco but she didn't dare take any chances. It was just as strange as Voldemort asking help from Dumbledore. She gazed at Draco for a minute longer, trying to detect an emotion through his handsome expressionless face. That's when she began to look at him. To really look at him. He was rather tall and he had always towered over her. His light-blonde hair was slicked back as usual but Hermione suddenly noticed a loose hair and realized he actually had bangs. Her gaze went up to his silver-gray eyes and she found that he was looking at her the same way she was looking at him---
They both gasped inwardly and snapped out of their trances.
"I guess I have no choice but to take your word for it," Hermione said. "All right, we start next week Monday, at four o'clock. Don't be late."
Draco headed out the library door without looking back.
A/N: Just to let you know that the journals are just excerpts from an entry. It is not the actual whole entry. As I said I am terribly sorry that I couldn't get this chapter out earlier. I got stuck on several parts many times. Now as to when my next chapter will be up might take just as long because to tell the truth I haven't started it yet grins sheepishly heh heh. But please be patient and bare with me, keep your reviews coming because that is what keeps me writing. All your comments, encouragements, and constructive criticism are appreciated. By the way, HAPPY EASTER!
Mjade