A/N: I've added a new character to my story that really is irrelevant but is relevant to Ron. I had gotten my story from the user piggly wiggly …. I think….. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter 9 – Introductions and Rage
Recap:
"Do you like me?" Draco asked.
"Well, that was pretty sudden," Hermione said, turning towards him.
"It's a question, just like the answer I'm going to give you,"
"Oh?" Hermione replied. "And what would that be?" she said, leaning toward him, not noticing how his hand was on her hip.
Without any restrain he cupped her face and pulled her in. There lips touched just slightly and brushed against each others face. When he let go, he sighed and said, "You're a good kisser,"
"Um…thanks. I guess. But wait-"But he left the room and was gone.
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That whole night, Hermione sat up. Her feelings were mixed and spluttered all over the place. "What did I do?" she asked herself. She'd gotten up and quickly put on a white plain T-shirt and faded jeans. She covered herself with a yellow see-through sweater. Over that she put on her black robe. Rushing out she looked around but found the room empty. There was a bowl of leftover cereal and the ruffle of papers on the ground from the night before but other than that, the place had looked extra ordinary.
You would think that a night like that would change my perspective. Hermione thought to herself. She grabbed the piece of rolled up paper on the desk that she had written two nights before and left.
She walked down to the Great Hall to find Harry and Ron sitting together with Ginny and another girl Hermione didn't recognize. There was also a very large cat that seemed to be next to them which confused Hermione just as much. She also had seen Malfoy in the Slytherin table with a group of guys. He saw and gave her a wink and went back to his conversation.
Hermione's faced flushed to a deep red as she hurried toward her friends.
"Hey Hermione," Harry replied. He turned around and stared awkwardly. "Hermione, what happened to your face?" he asked.
"Nothing," Hermione answered quickly. "What's going on with you guys?"
"Hermione, meet Quincy. She's from Griffindor," Ron introduced. The girl that Ron introduced had hair that was dirty blond with a friendly face and she was patting, Hermione assumed, was her cat.
"I haven't seen you around before. Have we met?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, I was home-schooled until now," Quincy answered.
"I see,"
"Hermione, you look awful, what happened?" Harry asked.
"Do you really want to know Harry?" Hermione replied in a tired voice.
"No, I don't think so. Not anymore," Harry said quickly.
"Quincy is brilliant I tell you! She knows how to do all sorts of stuff don't you!" Ron said, ignoring Harry.
"Really Ron, it's nothing. Hermione Granger, it's an honor to meet you," Quincy replied, standing up to shake Hermione's hand.
Harry seemed to take quite shock but still managed to say, "Congrats to you Hermione,"
"Oh, um Quincy, you don't have to do this," Hermione answered. Quincy immediately interrupted her.
"Oh but really I do. It's not everyday you meet the smartest girl in Hogwarts," Quincy said.
"Really, that's nice of you. But who's this?" Hermione asked, pointing to the large cat standing next to Quincy.
"Oh, him? This is Jif," Quincy replied, tapping Jif on the head.
"That bloody cat nearly scared the hell out of me!" Ron cried, pointing at the cat.
"Oy!" the cat said. Hermione jumped a little but never less was impressed.
"I see that he's got a unique way of greeting people," Hermione observed, laughing.
Quincy laughed. "Yes, but Ron nearly had his pants fall down when he first heard Jif.
"That's so like Ron," Hermione said.
"Oh, I really should be thanking you right now…really Hermione, it's an honor,"
"Thank you. I really wish I could stay longer, but I have Head Girl duties with the headmaster," Hermione said, still blushing furiously and holding up the piece of parchment she had in her hand. "Nice to meet you Quincy. Harry, Ginny, Ron, I'd better be going," Hermione said and rushed out.
She went up the stairs and when she came to the statue she answered "Candy snappers," The statue twirled and led to a long stair way in which she came across Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah, Miss. Granger, do you have the speech prepared for me?" he asked. She nodded and handed a rolled up parchment that was in her hand. Briskly reading the speech he nodded in approval. "Very good Miss. Granger, very good indeed,"
"Professor, do you know anyone in our year that goes by the name of Quincy?" Hermione asked.
Dumbledore looked up from the parchment and nodded. "Yes, she's certainly one that we don't have in Hogwarts everyday," he replied, tucking the speech in his robe.
Just then Malfoy had opened the door and walked in.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. Good of you to join us. We were just talking about your third cousin. Quincy, I believe her name is. Twice removed I believe," Dumbledore said politely.
"What do you mean Professor?" Hermione asked, shocked.
"Quincy's here!" Malfoy demanded to know.
"Yes, we need her here for some important business,"
"And what business is that?" Malfoy asked, gritting his teeth hardly.
"That doesn't really matter now, right Professor?" Hermione replied,
"Yes, yes, very true. Now, Mr. Malfoy, do you have any idea on why you were summoned here?" he asked.
Malfoy shook his head. Dumbledore walked up to a draw and pulled out two different socks and raised them up to Draco. "I want a theme. Do you think that I could wear my orange and black socks or the pumpkin ones?" Dumbledore asked, rising up two different socks.
They both looked at each other with one eyebrow raised. "Well Professor," Hermione started with slight hesitation, "The orange and black ones suit the occasion, yet keep in with your position,"
"Are you sure this is the only topic that you wanted to discuss sir?" Malfoy asked, and Dumbledore looked up from his multicolored socks,"
"Yes, actually, I want you to head back to your dorms. It's a Saturday, both of you two need a rest," Dumbledore answered. "Thank you for the suggestion Miss. Granger. Your taste is really excellent,"
When both had left the room Professor McGonagall walked in.
"Albus, what were they doing here?" she asked.
"I'm just trying to spark something," he replied
"And did it work?" she asked
"I don't know. Mr. Malfoy didn't say a word. I could feel it though, can't you?"
"I don't know Albus, but I'm sure whatever you do will be the right decision,"
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While heading back Malfoy ruffled his hair. "That old bag only wanted our opinion on what socks to wear!"
"He's very fond of socks," Hermione replied.
"Yes, but really Granger, that man has gone mad,"
"It was kind of him to ask us on advice. I mean, he's very old and we're only 17!" Hermione assured.
Both were silent until they came up to the portrait where they entered. "Black lilies," they said and walked in.
"So, what happened the other day?" Hermione asked, flipping through her notebook and started writing something.
"You tell me," Draco replied plainly, sitting on the scarlet sofa.
Hermione put the quill down, set it aside and walked up to him. "How am I supposed to tell you if I can hardly remember anything?" she said.
"I remember it very clearly,"
"Why are you like this? It's very frustrating I must say,"
"For your information, when I want something, I do for it. I don't think and do the calculations like some people I know," Draco answered
"You don't know me," Hermione stated quietly.
Draco had stood up suddenly, "If we're not going to talk about this anymore, I have someone to meet," he said angrily.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe to my dear cousin Quincy," Malfoy replied in a sarcastic sweet tone.
He left and Hermione had followed him.
What is he going to do? She wondered. They're probably in the Griffindor common room or on the Quidditch field. Yeah, Quidditch. Harry mentioned the game. She hurried outside and found Quincy and Malfoy in a heated discussion.
"Well, maybe you should have stay in your little house of yours and kept your snobby nose out of my life," Malfoy sputtered out.
Quincy slapped him hard with a thwack and replied, "How dare you! I can't believe that you would come and look for me to say that. I wouldn't even want to see your smug little face! It was the Headmaster that wanted to see me."
"Calling yourself a Malfoy, it's pathetic," he answered
"You know what's pathetic? You, still listening to your father! 'How's the dark side?' he would say. And what would you say? How about a 'lovely father'," Quincy mocked back.
"Go away Malfoy," Ron warned, stepping in between them.
"Oh? Now your telling me to go away from your other girlfriend? How many do you have weasel?" Draco yelled back.
"Stop it Ron. You too Malfoy. This is ridiculous. Fighting again like last year?" Hermione asked, stepping between Ron and Malfoy.
"So your taking his side?" Ron asked furiously.
"I don't think that you two fighting in the middle of the field like this. Do you want to get yourself into detention like last year?" Hermione asked sternly.
"Hermione's right Ron. We should leave. Better for us anyway not to be seen with him," Quincy replied.
The arrangement of the group was an odd one that everyone had looked up. Harry and Ginny were in the corner, holding hands and standing as far as they could to avoid any fingers while Ron and Quincy were standing side by side. Hermione and Draco had been opposite them but never less, next to each other.
"Why don't we leave?" Hermione suggested to Malfoy and she started to turn but Malfoy stayed put.
"Why don't you just go with her?" Harry urged to him. He looked up at Harry who was giving him an eye and for some reason, he obeyed.
"Yeah, just listen to Harry," Hermione gestured.
They turned and Draco muttered, "You want to make her furious?"
"Who?" she asked.
"I don't know. All of them," Draco suddenly grabbed her hand gently and they walked out.
When they were unseen in their common room, he let go.
"What was that for?" she asked. "Now I want answers. Right now. I can't understand this. What's happening?"
"Potter told me that you liked me," Draco answered.
"What! That man is going to die one day," she cried out.
"No, Granger for god sake, can you let me finish?" Draco asked impatiently. She became silent at once. "Thank you. Truth be told, I had feelings for you too," he paused but he started again. "It's very hard. Do you understand Granger? I don't do this everyday,"
"I get it Malfoy," Hermione said and sat next to him on the couch. "You like me," she was quiet for a minute and continued. "You don't have to say it twice,"
This time, it was Hermione who pulled him in. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and touched his lips. His arms were around her hips and they were lying on each other. Hermione let go and smiled. "You liked that, right?" He asked. She nodded, still smiling. It was a moment that both of them wouldn't forget.
A/N: Hope you liked it!
