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: Hey! I finished my reviews and vacation started so I'm able to upload this chapter! I hope you like it! Thanks to my reviewers:
crystal369- Hi my most faithful reviewer! LOL! Thanks for supporting my concepts and Draco's in this chapter. You can count on it!
Rinaula- Thanks for wishing me well on my exams! I could use all the luck I need! Justin Finch-Fletchley personality is actually based on a real person. I have never seen him sad at all---it's amazing! He's a very optimistic person.
Venus725- Thank you so so much! I'm glad you actually took your time to read my other stories and I'm happy that you love this story!
everything4nothing and Angelsparkle006- I'm grateful that you're still reading my story! Enjoy this chapter and R/R!
If there ever comes a day when
we can't be together,
keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever. . .
Winnie The Pooh
After the trip to Hogsmeade, the rest of the weekend went by rather uneventfully, and soon Monday morning rolled along. Hermione was not in higher spirits since Friday, her friends did not even notice she never turned up, but at least she had her classes and work to keep her mind of her problems. The intellectual loved learning; she always considered it refreshing for her mind and body (Ron, of course, considered it a headache), and that's probably what made her different from most other seventeen-year olds. She looked at her beautiful wooden-carved full-length mirror. She straightened her Gryffindor tie then closed the door behind her and went down the steps to the Head Common Room.
Justin was already gathering his books for his first class. "Shall we?" He asked Hermione.
"Sure. What's first on the time table?" Hermione asked.
"Muggle Studies," Justin groaned. "Tell me why did I let you convince me to take this hideously boring class?"
"Oh come on," Hermione said, crossing her arms. "Muggle Studies isn't that bad. Besides, it couldn't hurt to keep up with the Muggle world."
"For your information, we both grew up in the Muggle world, or at least your parents and mine are Muggles. That class is bloody easy!" Justin said.
"Well, it's enriching to see it from a wizard's point of view," Hermione said.
"Didn't you just say it was good to keep up with the Muggle world?" Justin raised an eyebrow.
Hermione sighed. "Look, if you don't need that class, why don't you take Arithmancy? There is so much you can learn and it's a whole lot better than Divination."
"Ugh, no thank you," Justin replied. "I happen to value my free time. And Advance Arithmancy is such a complex subject."
"Then why are you complaining about Muggle Studies?" Hermione asked. She raised an eyebrow at her friend. "What are we arguing about?"
Justin suddenly grinned. "Nothing at all. Shall we?" He replied gesturing to the common room exit. Hermione sighed exasperatedly but nodded her head. The Head Boy and Head Girl descended down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Breakfast in the Great Hall went as usual. Hermione took her seat between her two friends. Harry was doing some last minute studying for their Divination exam they were to have in their third period and Ron did his customary whining:
"I hate this class!" He cried and dropped his head on his bowl of Muesli. Hermione muttered "honestly" as she grabbed Ron's chin and started cleaning his face with tissue.
"Yes, Ron. That's the sixth time you said it," said Harry, rather annoyed. He turned a page of the advanced edition of Unfogging The Future. "Why don't you start studying now? You won't have enough time between classes." Ron glared at him; he sounded a lot like Hermione.
Fed up, Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at Ron's face and said "Scourgify! " She looked at Harry and Ron pointedly. "I still don't understand why you two signed up for it, then. Don't you remember Professor McGonagall telling us that 'Divination is one of the most imprecise branches of magic'?" Hermione said, helping herself to some fried tomatoes. "Besides Professor Trelawney is no where near a Seer."
"She's right, you know," said a voice behind Ron, causing him to jump a few inches above his seat. "True Seers are very rare, after all," said Luna dreamily, she had come towards them from the Ravenclaw table. "However I think there is still some vital information you can learn from Divination."
"Yeah, yeah," Ron said. "You didn't have to sneak up from behind and scare the living daylights out of me."
Luna's eyes shifted to Ron, "Sorry Ronald, but that was not my intention. Is Ginny around?"
"Uh yeah, she's over there," Ron cocked his head towards his sister, looking slightly confused. Luna left the trio. "I hate it when she calls me Ronald." Ron said.
"Anyway, as I was about to tell you," Hermione said trying to grab back the attention of Harry and Ron. "You should have taken Arithmancy."
"Forget it, 'Mione. I was never really good at numbers. Much less decoding them," Harry said.
"You know if I wanted your opinion on how to waste my time, Hermione. I'd ask for it," Ron said and shoved a sausage in his mouth.
Hermione glared at him. "Well, sorry for wasting your time Ronald. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to meet up with Justin and head down to the Muggle Studies classroom." She stood up and caught sight of Parvati. "By the way, Ron, your girlfriend is coming over, someone more worthwhile of your time I presume."
She turned away from them and ran to meet the Head Boy at the doors of the Great Hall.
After breakfast ended Padma joined Parvati and Lavender as they walked to their next class.
"I got what I wanted without your help," Padma told them. Parvati and Lavender's heads snapped towards her.
"Justin---" Lavender started.
"Uh huh," Padma answered beaming.
"Oh, wow!" Exclaimed Lavender.
"Oh my god! Why didn't you tell us earlier?" said Parvati.
Padma shrugged. "Guess it was payback for what you two were about to do. But it doesn't matter. Justin is such a sweetheart and a great guy! I just hope I didn't make a fool out of myself and sounded too ecstatic when he asked me," Padma's face reddened.
"If there was one person who'd be thrilled," Parvati said, "that would be him, dear."
Padma blushed even more. "Who knows? Have you two already picked out---"
Parvati cleared her throat. "Prince Charming at 12 o'clock."
"Isn't that your boy, now?" Lavender said to Padma, pointing straight down the hall.
Sure enough, Justin came around the corner grinning (a/n: This guy sure likes grinning a lot, doesn't he?) and Hermione was laughing at something he said while hitting him playfully on the shoulder. Justin smirked and held out his arm for Hermione and she mockingly curtsied and took it, and they disappeared from Padma, Parvati, and Lavender's view.
"I see . . ." Lavender muttered.
Padma's head sharply turned to Lavender. "You see what exactly?"
"Well, in case you didn't observe that little scene displayed before us a minute ago," Parvati told her sister as she turned to look at her, "I do believe they acted almost like---no, exactly like a couple. Either Justin, who's such a 'great guy' is being unfaithful to you or Hermione's stealing your boyfriend."
Padma scoffed skeptically. "Parvati, Justin cannot be unfaithful to me since we are not actually 'going out' and he is not officially my boyfriend. And that scene you observed a while ago was just friendship, purely platonic."
"I don't know, Padma," Lavender put in. "That's how Parvati and Ron behave and Seamus and I act. Besides, there are rumors stating that Hermione has a 'thing' for the Head Boy. Looks like she's making some moves on Justin."
"I'd have to agree with Lavender on that, Padma," Parvati said.
Padma rolled her eyes. She knew these two were undergoing wishful thinking; they just loved gossip. "Justin and Hermione are just really good friends. Nothing beyond that. And this 'thing' as you two so eloquently put it, that she has for Justin correlates with the phrase that I like to call 'just friends'. Honestly, there is nothing going on between the two, even Justin says that. Besides, Hermione is not the kind of person that would do such a thing."
"You don't know Hermione that well," Parvati said. "It's a known fact that she's brilliant in academics, but that doesn't mean she isn't good in developing schemes. She maybe right now wickedly planning something to break you two up and seduce Justin."
Parvati's last sentence caused Padma to burst out laughing.
"I can't believe you two! You're being ridiculous!" She said, trying to recover from laughing at the girls' silliness. "I may only have met Hermione from Prefect duties last year but I know her well enough to verify that she will by no means ever get involved in something like that and transform into the 'scarlet woman'. Anyway, no offense to you and Lavender, but that's something you two are more likely to do. And what's the matter with the both of you? I thought Hermione was your friend. Why are you making up all this intrigues about her?" Padma said.
"Things change, Padma," Lavender said. "And we're not making this up. It was clearly seen in broad daylight."
"Well it doesn't matter. I like Hermione, she's a nice girl, and I trust Justin so there's no way I could believe you two," Padma told them.
"We're not saying you have to, Padma," Parvati told her. "We're just saying be careful. Hermione may not be the girl you think she is. Sooner or later you'll see it yourself."
Padma didn't believe a single word from Parvati. However, as much as she wanted to shut out what she had said, the words of Parvati and Lavender stayed with her slowly filling her with doubt. But Padma would not easily give in.
Similar to Advanced Arithmancy, seventh year Muggle Studies was a single class. Justin and Hermione were the only two Muggle-born who signed up for the subject (a/n: Or so they thought . . .I'm foreshadowing something. Dun! Dun! Dun!), the Patil twins, Lavender, Lucinda, and Seamus Finnigan were also part of the lot. Surely, you would think that under normal circumstances, there would be not a single Slytherin a mile from that class. Au contraire, my friend. As mentioned before: Draco took that class. So did Don and Pansy Parkinson.
Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" The Muggle Studies professor said.
"Professor, excuse me, but in this particular question about uses of an automobile, do we have to write down a description of the actual object?" Hermione asked, pointing at question number fourteen.
"No, just its function," the Professor answered, smiling down at her. "Are you finished with the test, Hermione?"
"Yes, I'm done," She said handing the test paper (a/n: parchment . . .whatever) to her Professor. The class stared at her. Hermione usually finishes before everyone else, so it was no surprise, but they only started the test a few minutes ago.
"What a swot!" Lavender muttered loud enough for Hermione to hear. Parvati snickered.
"Well you can't expect her to do anything else but bury her nose in a book and study. It's not like she has a life worth living," Parvati said back to her friend with contemptuous mirth.
Hermione stiffened upon hearing them and Justin who sat beside her noticed her discomfort and turned around and shot a look at the two girls. They shut up immediately.
As Justin's attention went back to his test paper, Hermione sighed quietly and rested her chin on her right hand. She surveyed the classroom; the cold granite walls and the long metal poles (a/n: I don't know what they are really called) situated at every corner of the room with a lighted candle hovering a few inches above it. She gazed outside and saw the beautiful, falling crystallized embroidery called 'snowflakes' through the extensive glass windows that were shut to keep out the icy, frigid wind. It was getting much colder lately, she realized. Justin and her would light the fireplace every night and have the windows closed at all times in their Common Room. As she looked out the window, she could see the frozen lake and the verdant, foliage-bordered entrance to the Dark Forest covered with snow, the trees forming arches letting no light through its canopy. However, she noticed a small hill that was adjacent to the edge of the forest but it was not quite out of bounds. The hill was carpeted with snow, but it seemed comfortable enough and looked like a nice, quiet spot where she could read or relax if she ever had time.
Hermione's eyes once again studied the concrete walls of her classroom. Then her gaze fell on someone's silvery-blonde hair. Hermione eyes drifted to his face and noticed that he was staring at the paper, but his mind seemed to be somewhere else---somewhere far away. She could tell that there was something wrong . . . there was definitely something that was troubling his mind. In that moment, she couldn't tear her eyes away from his profile. There was just something that made her feel ill at ease when she looked at him but yet she did not turn away. Why she even bothered, she did not know. They basically ignored each other in sixth year and she was perfectly content with continually regarding him as non-existent in her seventh year as well.
Though she knew she couldn't. Not now.
Then his head snapped up all of a sudden. He turned his head around and his glare told Hermione that he had felt her eyes on his back. He knew she was watching him. Hermione let out a stifled gasp and averted her eyes hastily. (a/n: not that it made any difference, of course.)
Hermione felt slightly embarrassed. God, what he must be thinking now. I hope he didn't notice I was staring at him, but I guess it's too late for that. But I'm still curious. What was he thinking of before he discovered I was watching him?
Draco wondered why she was staring at him. What the hell is she looking at me for--- wait a second, she didn't even glare at me. What is she thinking? Did she notice that my train of thought wasn't on the bloody test?
Draco Malfoy entered the library at exactly five minutes after four. She was already there---punctual as always. She was wearing her usual Gryffindor school robes holding her schoolbooks to her side, but her hair was tied back into a ponytail. Draco unconsciously clenched his jaw. Man, this is total humiliation. It will be even been worse if any Slytherin found out. Especially, if Blaise, that son of a ---
He stopped as he heard her humming that same song when he first asked for her help. "Granger," he said.
She turned around, not in the least surprise to see him. "Hi," She said, without any identifiable expression.
She was about to say something, when Draco cut her off. "Let's skip the pleasantries and formalities and get this over and done with."
She frowned at him. "All right," She said and sat down at the nearest table.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "What do you think you're doing, Granger?"
"What does it look like? I'm sitting down. You said you wanted to get started, so lets get started," She said, waiting impatiently for him to take the seat across from her.
Draco tilted his head slightly to the far end of the Hogwarts library.
"There? Why?" Granger asked.
"Why not?" Draco countered.
"Well, I suppose there's no reason other than it's at a dark and cold corner of the library, out of everyone's normal view range, and lacks a certain amount of light," Granger told him, still refusing to get up from where she sat.
"Oh, come on. There is a window after all and it's private. What, scared of being alone with me, Granger?" Draco smirked.
She stood up and picked up her books. "Never. Fine, let's go where you seem comfortable." She followed him to the far end of the library and waited until he sat down to slip into a seat herself. She looked at her surroundings a bit apprehensively and set her books on the table.
She turned to Draco. "Well, I. . .er," she cleared her throat. This was so odd. She tutoring Malfoy, that is. She did not have any idea how to go about it. "I thought we should start with Potions, since that's what you're best at."
Draco leaned back on his chair and crossed his arms. "Whatever you say, Mud---I mean, Hermione," he said remembering his promise but exaggerating the pronunciation of her name.
Hermione looked at him a bit startled, but caught herself quickly. "It's Her-my-oh-nee, not Her-my-yoah-nee," She told him.
"And not Herm-own-ninny, I presume. Did Krum ever get your name right, Hermione?" Draco asked her, stressing her name even more. He just loved irritating her.
Hermione glared at him annoyed, "Her-my-oh-nee." She sighed exasperatedly. "You know if you're not going to say my name correctly, just stick to Granger, please."
"Sure thing, Hermione," He said again, smirking at her. Well, if he was going to be in this torture chamber for a while, with Miss I-Know-Everything, he might as well make the best of it.
Hermione chose to ignore Draco's incorrect pronunciation of her name. "Okay, let's just review what we've learned in Potions so far." She took out her textbook and flipped to a certain page.
"Question one," She said. "What are the three main ingredients for the Speculum potion?"
"Excuse me," Draco said.
"The Speculum potion?" Hermione told him. "The drinker can duplicate himself."
"Well all you need is someone's spit and lock of hair to get someone's DNA," Draco drawled with heavy sarcasm.
"Er. . .no that's not it," Hermione said. "Let's move on. Question 2: What does the Medicor solution contain that promotes the healing of burns and abrasions?"
"It's not like I spend my free time in the infirmary, discussing with Madam Pomfrey the best way to treat cuts and gashes. Though I guess you can count on Potter to know that. He's always finding some way to injure himself and land in the hospital wing," Draco said sounding more hostile than he intended.
He turned to look out the window. He hated this. He truly did. He hated sitting across from this particular Mudblood, and having to hide in a secluded spot in the damn Hogwarts Library just to not be seen by anyone, mainly a Slytherin. He was not grateful for her help at all. There she was having the time of life thinking she was above him, while he had to endure the pain of not knowing more than she did. This was total torture. He hated Granger. He hated her for agreeing to tutor him, he hated her for always besting him, he hated her for being a know-it-all Muggle-born, he hated her for being Potter's best friend, and he hated her for the plain reason of her existence. Why does this have to happen to me?
Draco was no longer listening to her stupid Potions questions. He just wanted to leave the library and hang out with his friends in the Slytherin common room or plan some random new prank on some unsuspecting person. He just started blocking out Hermione's words and stared absentmindedly at her frustrated expression.
"After heating the Laetatio potion in the laboratory, where then do you place it to simmer 'til it turns translucent?"
"Somewhere else? How the hell should I know?" Draco drawled lazily.
That was the last straw. Hermione slammed the book down on the table. "Look Malfoy, if you cannot cooperate with me, I can't help you," She told him heatedly. Her angry voice surprised Draco slightly and he snapped out of his train of random thoughts. "You know I don't have to be here, I don't have to spend my free time with you, and I did not have to say yes when you asked for my help and now I don't even know why I agreed to it. You obviously have no intention of helping yourself improve so I don't even know why I bothered. Don't tell me to come here if you only intend to waste my time. I'm Head Girl, I have things to do, Malfoy. I understand that you don't want to be tutored by me but you could at least exert some effort and try to respect me for once."
She stood up from where she sat and picked up her books. Draco was still too stunned to say anything. "You figure out when you want to start studying and taking these things seriously. Until then, goodnight and goodbye!"
Hermione strode out of the massive library doors leaving a bewildered Draco staring after her.
A/N: Here it is! So how was it? Thank you once again for everybody who reviewed Chapter 7. Well in case your wondering about my final exams: World Literature was easy for once, Psychology wasn't too bad, Biology was hell, Math was simple (it's amazing), and US History was probably the other side of hell. I wish I took European History, it sounds more interesting. Well I'm only good when it comes to Ancient Civilizations--I have this fascination about Ancient Egypt. Who knows? I was probably an Egyptian in my past life. Okay, well enough about that. The part with Lavender, Parvati, and Padma was actually based on a true experience. Actually, it just happened a week ago, when my friend told me about it, so I just went back and wrote it in. I'm sorry it took this long to post the chapter and this is the last chapter until early in August because I'm going on my summer vacay. But I promise that I will get the next chapter out by August, so watch for it. I hope I don't lose any readers! Anyway watch Harry Potter 3 The Prisoner of Azkaban! Comments on POA:
Overall: Although the beginning dragged a bit I really enjoyed the movie, especially the time turner part and it was nice to see Hermione kick ass, but no offense to the Alfonso Cuaron the ending was too abrupt and lacked closure. The firebolt that came with a feather of Buckbeak was a nice touch, though. Sean Biggerstaff, who plays Oliver Wood and the only really hot guy in the movie, was no longer casted! WAAAAH! Well, I expected that much. I don't know if it was just me but I think before Harry zoomed away on the firebolt, I caught a glimpse of him in the background. Well, watch carefully so you can tell me if its just wishful thinking or not. But it was a great movie so don't miss it especially when Hermione punches Malfoy on the nose!
Daniel Radcliffe: He was not bad and acted fairly well during the crying part. Unlike most child or teenage actors, there were no big sobs or a mountain of tears rolling down his face. He actually looked like he was fighting the tears. He was more heroic in Chamber of Secrets but more matured in Prisoner of Azkaban. Great Patronus, by the way!
Rupert Grint: This boy was born to be Ron. He is just so adorable when he acts clueless! Need I say more?
Emma Watson: In Chamber she didn't act much, but in POA as Hermione Granger she was more of a hero than Harry, especially when she punched Malfoy, it was better than just slapping him! Though Harry saved everybody in the end as usual, Hermione still came up with the brilliant ideas. "You really are the brightest witch of the age." -Sirius Black
Tom Felton: He made me laugh even more than Ron. Come on admit it guys. Though Draco Malfoy may be hot, he was such a wimp in POA. It was hilarious! When Buckbeak slashed his arm he fell down and in high-pitch voice started screaming "It killed me! It killed me!" He even pleaded for mercy when Hermione was about to hex him with her wand! LOL! He did the eyebrow thing again too!
Gary Oldman and David Thewlis: Gary Oldman really impressed me with his potrayal of Sirius, he acted the way I imagined him. David Thewlis as Remus Lupin, who happens to be my fave character in the whole HP series, really brought him to life. They were both great!
So all my great and wonderful readers please review my story and watch out in August for the next update! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Mjade