Disclaimer:
Me: Dear Diary...
(Giggle)
Me: I plan to steal the characters by...
(Gasp)
Me: (walking towards bed)
Making...
(Intake of Breath)
Me: (Pulls covers up)
AH ha!!!! I got you! I got you!
JK: Umm...hi?
Police Squad: So, now that we listened in...can we have our doughnuts?
Me: OUT!
JK and Police Squad: (Scurrying)
My plan hasn't been initiated, so no characters. Please look for me on the six o'clock news for the crime I will commit (jk, no crime k? It is just part of the disclaimer gag I put in every chapter...). Some curses were taken from death curse.com- The Curse that All Began.
............................................................................................................
Thank you for the lovely reviews! I can't believe I got more than five reviews in just two days. I know some authors get like 100 every chapter, but I usually have enough trouble getting three! Frifri, I will take your request into consideration. No more nicknames, except when Ron whines, but I won't use the forbidden name. And as much as I want to tell you, Anigan (because your review was wonderful), I can't tell you who the next person is. I'm sorry to say it won't be a Slytherin or Ravenclaw. There, only two Houses to choose from. Raevin, loved the cookies line. I will now steal it for my reviews. TheAmber, your review was absolutely great! It was my favorite this chapter. In the mind talking scenes, however, I don't write who says what because it ruins the flow of the little quips they exchange with each other. Karana and flamingo, you two are always there! And because I have lovely reviewers, I updated faster!
If you still haven't read the fifth book, slight OOTP spoilers.
............................................................................................................
Last Week of October, Friday
I loathed the ferret! I absolutely dislike him with a passion! Blaise hadn't talked to me since the day he pulled me into the classroom, and Malfoy already was working his so called charm on Victoria. Filthy pervert! And the howler that I got, when I was in the middle of my eggs, wasn't helping too much. Ron, Harry, and I were currently staring at it.
'Might as well open it Hermione.'
'Why, Ron? Can't I wait till I'm on the farthest end of the castle where no one can hear me?'
'You remember what happened to me when mom sent me that howler for the flying car incident? Do you want that to happen to you?"
'Hermione, just open it.'
'Fine.'
I took a deep breath and opened the seal.
"HERMIONE GRANGER YOU LITTLE-!"
I'm sure that the next word would be along the lines of whore. I think it's I love Harry but hate you mail.
"I CAN"T BELIVE YOU DID-!"
Wait. That last sentence sounded way to strained.
"YOU FILTHY-!"
That was way to pitchy to be a girl voice. What if it isn't a girl voice? Well, it's worth a shot. I pointed my wand towards the howler and said, "Reveal Voice."
Suddenly, the voice got way deeper. Then, it got slimier and nastier and had a certain drawl. Everyone in the Great Hall new it had to be Draco Malfoy. Thank the goodness of this Earth that I was smart.
"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO STEAL HIM? HUH?! YOU ARE DIRT!! I LOVE HARRY!!!! AND YOU, BEING THE INCONSIDERATE JERK THAT YOU ARE, STOLE HIM!!!!!!! I'M SURE YOU WILL BURN!!!!!!"
The letter blew up in flames. Silence shortly followed. Everyone was either staring at me, Harry, or the parts of Malfoy that weren't hiding under the table. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling madly, and Snape was shaking his head in shame while handing money grudgingly over to McGonagall. This reminded me of our bet, which reminded me of the revenge I wanted, which made me...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"
Harry and Ron joined in simultaneously. Then, the rest of the Gryffindors were in an uproar. Soon, the Hufflepuffs, who were tortured by the Slytherins, joined in on the fun followed shortly by the giggling Ravenclaw table. The Slytherins were about to die from holding in their laughter until Goyle said something along the lines of being hungry. It wasn't about Malfoy, but Goyle was the first to speak at their table, which broke the tension. And yet, Malfoy managed to gracefully walk out.
Meanwhile, my newfound admirers were patting me on the shoulder. Harry and Ron decided to be my entourage and push people out of the way. I caught a quick glance at Blaise. I flashed him an impish grin and a questioning eyebrow. He raised his eyebrows in return. We both understood that he wouldn't be in Potions today.
..........................................................................................................
Potions
Since we started on our Animigus Potions, we had to let them turn a sort of teal color. And that wouldn't happen until the next full moon, so Snape decided to make us make plant-rejuvenating Potions for Professor Sprout. Easy Fourth Year potion if you ask me. I was currently stirring my Potion. Just three more stirs before I had nothing else to do. Maybe I could read, or talk the Potion through with Harry and Ron. They would surely need help. Unfortunately, my thinking was cut short. Blaise had sent me a note.
'Has Malfoy given you a deadline yet?' -Vicious Dragon Killer (for now).
'No. Although we should seriously consider starting to drop hints about US.' –The More Good Looking Dragon Killer.
'I'm starting to talk about you in a nice way in front of my BFF, as you girls call it. If anyone asks, we have talked in the past two weeks. A lot! You are not more good looking!' –The Real Good Looking Dragon Killer.
'I haven't done anything. We should seriously start considering being seen in public. You are being nice to me way to easily, might I add. And, fine, I will use a different nickname.' –One Who Slays Dragons.
'You're stupid for not mentioning me in some good light. Potty and Weasel might want to be eased into the whole thing. And, you should know that I am half-blood. Don't you remember that day last year that Pansy spread my real past in that horrible rumor? I have to prove myself more. And that stupid idiot obviously doesn't like me. He gave me to you after all. Your nickname sucks. Why not be Supposedly Beautiful?' –Best Looking Dragon Killer.
'I'm sorry, ok! I didn't know how to bring it up to anyone. I didn't know you would be considerate of Harry and Ron. I am beautiful thank you. Not supposedly. This will all happen IF Victoria falls for him.' –Lovely Partner in Crime.
'Yes, if Victoria falls for him. But you still should put them under a pretense of us POSSIBLY becoming friends. I'm not considerate of those two. It's advice to you. We need to pull this off right. The git is good at seeing through fake acting unless it's realistic enough. I say we make an appearance at dinner. Nice name, by the way. You should, however, rethink the lovely part.' –Best Looking Dragon Killer.
'Fine, Appearance at Dinner. Snape, keep note.' Partner in Cri...
"Miss Granger, please tell me who that note was to. I'm sure the rest of the class deserves to know since they've been working so hard," drawled Snape.
I'm sure Blaise would have made the note into something less revealing by now. He is tenth in our year after all. "To Blaise Zambini sir."
Ron looked at me in horror while Harry stared questioningly. The rest of the class was gaping in horror. "Mr. Zambini?"
I nodded.
"I don't believe you Miss Granger. Lying is not tolerable in my class. Twenty-five points from Gryffindor. Oh, and please do check on Mr. Malfoy during break. I want a letter on how he is. Class dismissed!"
Relief spread through me. I lost twenty-five points, but I protected something more important than that.
"Were you really passing notes with that...thing?" asked Ron.
'Yes.'
"Stop thinking, Hermione. Were you really?" asked Harry.
"Yes," I said clearly out loud. A couple of the Slytherins gasped.
Blaise passed by mouthing something along the lines of, 'Way to ease them into the whole thing.'
I just picked up the pace to get to the workroom faster.
............................................................................................................
Work Room
Just when I walked in I heard a growl followed by a 'you're stupid.'
"Now, if I was, I wouldn't have solved that stunt you pulled in the Great Hall. You're stupid for trying. What was that supposed to do anyways? I get mail like that all the time ever since Rita Skeeter started writing for the Quibbler."
"It wasn't supposed to do anything that drastic. It was merely for morning enjoyment. You, you stupid wench, turned it into something more. You are going to lose with this one Granger. And I hope you do burn."
"Feelings mutual. My advice would be to stop trying to embarrass me. It will always backfire."
"Whatever. I don't have time for you. Why don't you go make another Weasley or something?" he said with his voice dripping with nastiness and sarcasm.
Slap!
"Don't ever say that again. We aren't like that!" I screamed.
"So what did you come up here to talk to me for? Why did you come to see me here Granger?! What is so important that you need-?"
"SNAPE told me to come. I have to send him a note saying your fine now. I personally don't care. Oh, and when's my deadline anyway?"
"End of November. Now can you take your bossy ass out of here."
"End of November?" I haven't talked to Blaise in like forever. Victoria hasn't even cheated on him yet. If he doesn't agree to help me, I'm most likely screwed."
"Yes, Granger. You might want to touch up on your hearing," he said glaring at me.
I sneered back. I was in the middle of taking my parchment and ink out. My mistake was glancing at him. I'm sure I gave him a big blow to his ego. His stubbornness reminded me of Ron. Although, when Malfoy was mad, he had his lips in a sort of pout. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration, and he always seemed to cross his arms if he was angry and sitting on something.
My little angel was dying to get out. I took a look at his hands, which were poking holes through MY sofa. My angel was whispering for me to be nice and consider what would have happened if I had been in his place. The good, caring me that came out when I'm with people I CARE about had given sympathy to some one else. And that some one was him. I'm sure no one can consider me being a mean person anymore.
My parchment read:
Professor Snape,
Mr. Malfoy is not feeling quite well. Mr. Zambini will come and take his work later on.
Miss Granger
I looked at it one last time and muttered my transporter spell. All I had to do was walk away saying he didn't have to attend any classes today. But the angel in me made me walk until I was standing right in front of him and not the exit wall.
I looked him in the eye. He looked away from me and held his gaze towards the fire. "Malfoy, if you don't embarrass me anymore, then I won't embarrass you anymore. Deal?"
I didn't get an answer for at least a minute and a half. He finally decided to mutter a fine. I nodded and proceeded out of the door. I shouldn't state it that leisurely. I was more running out of the door. Break was almost over, and I had to get to Care of Magical Creatures, which was all the way at Hagrid's hut. My pocket was burning, literally. I reached in to see what was causing it. I felt a round shape, which was slowly beginning to cool as I picked it up.
It was our DA coins from fifth year. We had a meeting tonight exactly thirty minutes after dinner. And since Ron patrols Friday and Saturday, we were good to go. Harry must have finally decided to act without help... again.
............................................................................................................
Blaise and I were in an empty classroom close to the Great Hall.
"So how do we plan our entrance?" I asked.
"Well, Granger. Victoria greet Draco with hugs now, in front of me."
"I did that with Ron an Harry when they had girlfriends."
"And how long did they stay together?"
"I see your point."
"Exactly."
I started to pace. "We aren't hugging yet."
Blaise nodded. "It would make it too obvious."
"We could just come in laughing with each other," I suggested.
"No, people could confuse that. I'm sure that pug can twist it into you actually making fun of me."
"Shaking hands?"
"Mistaken as making a deal, which we are. But we don't want people asking about what our deal is."
"A pat on the shoulder?"
"There you go. Cookies to you, Granger."
"Cookies to me? Lets go make our entrance now. I want my dessert."
............................................................................................................
Great Hall
"You sure you're ready?"
"Yes Blaise. Now can you move from that spot?"
"It's just, I worked so hard to get them to think I AM part of Slytherin. This would just ruin it."
"Revenge is a complicated thing my friend."
"Friend?"
"Business partner would sound so wrong in that phrase. If you don't consider us friends, than fine, I won't either. Now come on," I said pulling on his arm and opening the door.
He had no time to think. We smiled at each other. Then it hit me. We hadn't decided which one of us would pat the other on the shoulder. We had to do something before our faces permanently stuck that way. He glanced at the Slytherin table and hesitated. He and I both new people were watching. I rolled my eyes inwardly and patted him gently. He turned to look at me, and then left for his table.
I looked at their table also. Malfoy quirked an eyebrow at Blaise and than at me. Why does he always do that with his eyebrows? I'm supposed to be the person who quirks their eyebrows. I inwardly called him an eyebrow movement stealer. When I sat down at by Harry, I realized how childish my thinking was a moment ago.
Meanwhile, Ron was talking to me while brutally murdering his sandwich. "You and Zambini, friends?"
"Not really. We just have an understanding," I said nonchalantly. Ooooo, hint hint guys.
"But-."
"Did you two get my message?" Harry interrupted. I knew he hated hearing us fighting, and it was a mistake doing it in front of him. He had way more on his mind than I could ever imagine.
"Yeah, Harry. We'll be there, mate," answered Ron.
I nodded my head to emphasize our point.
'I need something to do tonight. I don't want to start on anything hard since it is the first meeting.'
'Why don't you start with a schedule of when we can meet? Then you could ask them to bring trusted friends and believers to our DA meetings. We could start with warm up Charms and Spells. Then we, meaning Harry and me, will demonstrate a duel.'
'Just a simple duel wont-.'
'Not a simple duel Harry. We will show them a duel that Death Eaters will hesitate not to give.'
'Hermione, that means Unforgivable Curses!'
'We will show them a counter curse for Cruciatus and resistance to Imperius. Than we can practice on bugs or something for that...those...dreadful curse.'
'I'm guessing no children under the ages of fifteen?'
'Yes Ron.'
'No Ron.'
'What do you mean no Ron, Hermione?'
'If they ever planned an attack on Hogwarts, the younger ones need to learn spells third year and up to distract the Death Eaters enough to run away from them. However, fifth year and up will have to learn those curses. ONLY for self defense.'
'How are we supposed to teach all the years though?'
'Well, Ron can take the younger ones. I'm sure Ginny would want to help later on as well.'
'That's great Hermione. I was about to have a nervous breakdown planning the whole thing.'
'You're welcome Harry.'
............................................................................................................
DA Room
"We will meet every weekend. The actual date is not specific. It depends on prefect patrol hours, Quidditch, and the amount of work everyone else has to do. Also, please bring any LOYAL friends to our meetings. All years may be invited, so if any younger year idolizes, stalks, or creeps you out in any way, invite them. Please proceed with caution, however. We don't want another... incident."
Harry really was doing a great job. I'm just happy that everyone was kind enough to carry their coin around just in case.
"Now, we will start with simple charms at first. Then, we will proceed until we can conjure our Patronus. Hermione and I will then demonstrate a real duel."
Zacharias let out a small yeah. Rude much?
"Now, lets start with Impedimenta. Please get a partner and try to shoot one at each other. Try to dodge the attack, because a Death Eater will surely not let you attack them."
Everyone cringed at this thought. The final battle was coming, and we might just be a factor in whether we win or lose. Everything, as Harry once said, isn't about killing. Everything has to be kept to almost perfection to not be killed or irrational. The only killing has to be done by him and him alone. The prophecy must be fulfilled.
I stole a glance at Harry as he was helping a fifth year that joined us last year. He was so poetic about our lives and deaths. He cared a lot more than most of these people would know. I just wondered why he kept it all bottled up inside.
"Uh, Hermione?"
I snapped my head around. "Yes Ron."
"These fifth year Ravenclaw students want to see your Patronus."
"Why me?"
"Don't you know about your fan club? Geez, Hermione," said Ron a little exasperated. He never really liked Ravenclaws after Cho tried to lead him on to get Harry jealous.
I started thinking about the surprise birthday party I was given last year. It was one of those months where I was more depressed than ever. That day helped me through it. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Out of my wand came the otter that I have grown fond of. It took me a while, but I can now produce it in battle.
"An otter. Why an otter?" asked one of the girls I was showing it to.
"I honestly don't know," I answered. The girl next to her gasped. I rolled my eyes inwardly to keep myself from snapping.
Harry came over to my side of the room. "Do you want to start now?"
I nodded in response. Harry turned his back to me and thought about what he wanted. Suddenly, the room changed into a dueling arena. I got up on one side of the stage while he got on the other. We bowed to each other. I grinned evilly at Harry. "Bombardo!"
A red light shot out of my wand and started making bomb-like explosions once it the ground towards Harry's feet.
He cast a simple Flipendo spell, which I easily repelled with Protego. Why did he use something so simple? I than used Windgardium Leviosa to put him into the air. Then, I tried stunning him, but he dodged every one of them. And he was still in the air! I let him down violently. That still didn't keep him from trying to use Impedimenta to slow my wand hand down. I dodged and cast Expelliarmus, but he dodged it. We went on like this for a few more minutes.
I got caught off guard and got knocked off my feet. We were both sweating madly. It felt like we've been dueling for at least five hours. Dodging things was really a work out. He cast the Bombardo spell at me, and I got up as quickly as I could. I shouted Immobulus and got him straight in the chest. Unfortunately, he got me with the same spell on my forehead.
Ron and Neville were quick to take us out of or immobilized state. Harry turned towards the audience. "Now that duel is considered a tie. There will be no ties in a real duel. If you ever do immobilize some one, don't forget to break their wand. Now, you are free to go back to your House. Please choose a partner or SMALL group to exit with. Line up, and let me check my map."
Harry started digging for it in his pocket. "Harry, maybe Ron and I could be the last ones to leave. It's his patrol night, so we have an excuse." Harry nodded and handed the map over to me.
I took a quick glance at the map. Malfoy and Victoria were comfortably stationed in the trophy room. Blaise seemed like he was pacing on the fifth floor. 'This might be it,' I thought to myself.
Ron and I waited for everyone to leave before we went through the wall ourselves. When we got to the entrance of our Common Room after nearly escaping Filch, I pretended to look through my bag. "I think I forgot something, Ron. I'll be right back."
"Wait, Hermione, before you leave I have to tell you something."
"What is it, Ron," I asked impatiently.
"I...ummm...umm... I wanted to say....ummm.....I have a secret." He ran into the common room after that. Couldn't he have told me? What could possibly be so hard to tell me? But there was absolutely no time to dwell. Blaise could find them himself. I had to see what Malfoy and Victoria were doing.
............................................................................................................
Trophy Room
Getting to the room quickly was not a problem. The fact that the panting I was doing had to be kept to a minimum was kind of hard though. Malfoy and Victoria were currently talking.
"What do you want me to do about it Vicky?" Vicky. Wow, affectionate much.
"I don't know, tell him to meet me somewhere? Tell him for me. I just don't know how to do it, so you might as well do it for me," she said in a rushed voice.
"Always so blunt. Fine, I'll do it. But what would make you think that he won't see through it. Almost any Slytherin with a brain can see through that kind of an act."
"Than act better than usual. I lost interest in him. I don't want to-."
"Be with him anymore, I know. Can you stop being dramatic, Vicky?" He walked towards her and cupped her face. This gave me a strange feeling. I wanted my face to be cupped. Not by him, but still. And it has to be real. That is the one factor that I want to be completely there. The realness.
"Why should I? It's not like I wanted to be with him in the first place. Hermione Granger was stupid to put him with me on patrol night. I couldn't say no to him. I-."
"Victoria. Some one might hear-."
I couldn't hear the rest because a hand was placed over my mouth. I was being carelessly dragged into an empty classroom. Of course it was Blaise. I expected him to pop up around that time.
"Can you stop treating me like your damn hostage," I asked sarcastically.
"Sorry," he said gruffly. "But Victoria went to far. My other friends told me not to go out with any one from another house. But no, I thought she was cute, and I asked her out."
"Calm down Blaise. You'll get your revenge, and I'll get my bet. We could be really public with our relationship. What do you think?"
"Yes, public. Tomorrow, she will receive a howler stating that I'm dumping her. Than we can start with the disgusting Public Displays of Affection."
Perfect. She will not get away with insulting me. "It's going to be nice to work with you Best Looking Dragon Killer."
"You too Partner In Crime."
"You do realize we need to kiss in public right? And hug. And all the other couplely stuff."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. It won't be that bad," he said grinning way too mischievously.
"Wow, I'm surprised that you don't think kissing ugly me is that bad," I said smiling brightly.
"Granger," he said patting me on the head. "You are so unaware."
"Of what?"
He shook my hand. "We're hugging tomorrow."
I nodded, and he left after waving to me. The second bet is in the bag. Malfoy is so going down. ............................................................................................................
Chapter explanation: Ok, I'm sure you've figured out by now, that I update after getting a certain amount of reviews. This chapter was harder to write, because my ideas weren't coming to me like they usually do. So, Victoria was mean all along. This could be interesting.
Next Chapter Preview: Hermione and Blaise start to make themselves believable. Draco becomes way suspicious. Victoria gets dumped! Possible DADA.
Me: Dear Diary...
(Giggle)
Me: I plan to steal the characters by...
(Gasp)
Me: (walking towards bed)
Making...
(Intake of Breath)
Me: (Pulls covers up)
AH ha!!!! I got you! I got you!
JK: Umm...hi?
Police Squad: So, now that we listened in...can we have our doughnuts?
Me: OUT!
JK and Police Squad: (Scurrying)
My plan hasn't been initiated, so no characters. Please look for me on the six o'clock news for the crime I will commit (jk, no crime k? It is just part of the disclaimer gag I put in every chapter...). Some curses were taken from death curse.com- The Curse that All Began.
............................................................................................................
Thank you for the lovely reviews! I can't believe I got more than five reviews in just two days. I know some authors get like 100 every chapter, but I usually have enough trouble getting three! Frifri, I will take your request into consideration. No more nicknames, except when Ron whines, but I won't use the forbidden name. And as much as I want to tell you, Anigan (because your review was wonderful), I can't tell you who the next person is. I'm sorry to say it won't be a Slytherin or Ravenclaw. There, only two Houses to choose from. Raevin, loved the cookies line. I will now steal it for my reviews. TheAmber, your review was absolutely great! It was my favorite this chapter. In the mind talking scenes, however, I don't write who says what because it ruins the flow of the little quips they exchange with each other. Karana and flamingo, you two are always there! And because I have lovely reviewers, I updated faster!
If you still haven't read the fifth book, slight OOTP spoilers.
............................................................................................................
Last Week of October, Friday
I loathed the ferret! I absolutely dislike him with a passion! Blaise hadn't talked to me since the day he pulled me into the classroom, and Malfoy already was working his so called charm on Victoria. Filthy pervert! And the howler that I got, when I was in the middle of my eggs, wasn't helping too much. Ron, Harry, and I were currently staring at it.
'Might as well open it Hermione.'
'Why, Ron? Can't I wait till I'm on the farthest end of the castle where no one can hear me?'
'You remember what happened to me when mom sent me that howler for the flying car incident? Do you want that to happen to you?"
'Hermione, just open it.'
'Fine.'
I took a deep breath and opened the seal.
"HERMIONE GRANGER YOU LITTLE-!"
I'm sure that the next word would be along the lines of whore. I think it's I love Harry but hate you mail.
"I CAN"T BELIVE YOU DID-!"
Wait. That last sentence sounded way to strained.
"YOU FILTHY-!"
That was way to pitchy to be a girl voice. What if it isn't a girl voice? Well, it's worth a shot. I pointed my wand towards the howler and said, "Reveal Voice."
Suddenly, the voice got way deeper. Then, it got slimier and nastier and had a certain drawl. Everyone in the Great Hall new it had to be Draco Malfoy. Thank the goodness of this Earth that I was smart.
"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO STEAL HIM? HUH?! YOU ARE DIRT!! I LOVE HARRY!!!! AND YOU, BEING THE INCONSIDERATE JERK THAT YOU ARE, STOLE HIM!!!!!!! I'M SURE YOU WILL BURN!!!!!!"
The letter blew up in flames. Silence shortly followed. Everyone was either staring at me, Harry, or the parts of Malfoy that weren't hiding under the table. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling madly, and Snape was shaking his head in shame while handing money grudgingly over to McGonagall. This reminded me of our bet, which reminded me of the revenge I wanted, which made me...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"
Harry and Ron joined in simultaneously. Then, the rest of the Gryffindors were in an uproar. Soon, the Hufflepuffs, who were tortured by the Slytherins, joined in on the fun followed shortly by the giggling Ravenclaw table. The Slytherins were about to die from holding in their laughter until Goyle said something along the lines of being hungry. It wasn't about Malfoy, but Goyle was the first to speak at their table, which broke the tension. And yet, Malfoy managed to gracefully walk out.
Meanwhile, my newfound admirers were patting me on the shoulder. Harry and Ron decided to be my entourage and push people out of the way. I caught a quick glance at Blaise. I flashed him an impish grin and a questioning eyebrow. He raised his eyebrows in return. We both understood that he wouldn't be in Potions today.
..........................................................................................................
Potions
Since we started on our Animigus Potions, we had to let them turn a sort of teal color. And that wouldn't happen until the next full moon, so Snape decided to make us make plant-rejuvenating Potions for Professor Sprout. Easy Fourth Year potion if you ask me. I was currently stirring my Potion. Just three more stirs before I had nothing else to do. Maybe I could read, or talk the Potion through with Harry and Ron. They would surely need help. Unfortunately, my thinking was cut short. Blaise had sent me a note.
'Has Malfoy given you a deadline yet?' -Vicious Dragon Killer (for now).
'No. Although we should seriously consider starting to drop hints about US.' –The More Good Looking Dragon Killer.
'I'm starting to talk about you in a nice way in front of my BFF, as you girls call it. If anyone asks, we have talked in the past two weeks. A lot! You are not more good looking!' –The Real Good Looking Dragon Killer.
'I haven't done anything. We should seriously start considering being seen in public. You are being nice to me way to easily, might I add. And, fine, I will use a different nickname.' –One Who Slays Dragons.
'You're stupid for not mentioning me in some good light. Potty and Weasel might want to be eased into the whole thing. And, you should know that I am half-blood. Don't you remember that day last year that Pansy spread my real past in that horrible rumor? I have to prove myself more. And that stupid idiot obviously doesn't like me. He gave me to you after all. Your nickname sucks. Why not be Supposedly Beautiful?' –Best Looking Dragon Killer.
'I'm sorry, ok! I didn't know how to bring it up to anyone. I didn't know you would be considerate of Harry and Ron. I am beautiful thank you. Not supposedly. This will all happen IF Victoria falls for him.' –Lovely Partner in Crime.
'Yes, if Victoria falls for him. But you still should put them under a pretense of us POSSIBLY becoming friends. I'm not considerate of those two. It's advice to you. We need to pull this off right. The git is good at seeing through fake acting unless it's realistic enough. I say we make an appearance at dinner. Nice name, by the way. You should, however, rethink the lovely part.' –Best Looking Dragon Killer.
'Fine, Appearance at Dinner. Snape, keep note.' Partner in Cri...
"Miss Granger, please tell me who that note was to. I'm sure the rest of the class deserves to know since they've been working so hard," drawled Snape.
I'm sure Blaise would have made the note into something less revealing by now. He is tenth in our year after all. "To Blaise Zambini sir."
Ron looked at me in horror while Harry stared questioningly. The rest of the class was gaping in horror. "Mr. Zambini?"
I nodded.
"I don't believe you Miss Granger. Lying is not tolerable in my class. Twenty-five points from Gryffindor. Oh, and please do check on Mr. Malfoy during break. I want a letter on how he is. Class dismissed!"
Relief spread through me. I lost twenty-five points, but I protected something more important than that.
"Were you really passing notes with that...thing?" asked Ron.
'Yes.'
"Stop thinking, Hermione. Were you really?" asked Harry.
"Yes," I said clearly out loud. A couple of the Slytherins gasped.
Blaise passed by mouthing something along the lines of, 'Way to ease them into the whole thing.'
I just picked up the pace to get to the workroom faster.
............................................................................................................
Work Room
Just when I walked in I heard a growl followed by a 'you're stupid.'
"Now, if I was, I wouldn't have solved that stunt you pulled in the Great Hall. You're stupid for trying. What was that supposed to do anyways? I get mail like that all the time ever since Rita Skeeter started writing for the Quibbler."
"It wasn't supposed to do anything that drastic. It was merely for morning enjoyment. You, you stupid wench, turned it into something more. You are going to lose with this one Granger. And I hope you do burn."
"Feelings mutual. My advice would be to stop trying to embarrass me. It will always backfire."
"Whatever. I don't have time for you. Why don't you go make another Weasley or something?" he said with his voice dripping with nastiness and sarcasm.
Slap!
"Don't ever say that again. We aren't like that!" I screamed.
"So what did you come up here to talk to me for? Why did you come to see me here Granger?! What is so important that you need-?"
"SNAPE told me to come. I have to send him a note saying your fine now. I personally don't care. Oh, and when's my deadline anyway?"
"End of November. Now can you take your bossy ass out of here."
"End of November?" I haven't talked to Blaise in like forever. Victoria hasn't even cheated on him yet. If he doesn't agree to help me, I'm most likely screwed."
"Yes, Granger. You might want to touch up on your hearing," he said glaring at me.
I sneered back. I was in the middle of taking my parchment and ink out. My mistake was glancing at him. I'm sure I gave him a big blow to his ego. His stubbornness reminded me of Ron. Although, when Malfoy was mad, he had his lips in a sort of pout. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration, and he always seemed to cross his arms if he was angry and sitting on something.
My little angel was dying to get out. I took a look at his hands, which were poking holes through MY sofa. My angel was whispering for me to be nice and consider what would have happened if I had been in his place. The good, caring me that came out when I'm with people I CARE about had given sympathy to some one else. And that some one was him. I'm sure no one can consider me being a mean person anymore.
My parchment read:
Professor Snape,
Mr. Malfoy is not feeling quite well. Mr. Zambini will come and take his work later on.
Miss Granger
I looked at it one last time and muttered my transporter spell. All I had to do was walk away saying he didn't have to attend any classes today. But the angel in me made me walk until I was standing right in front of him and not the exit wall.
I looked him in the eye. He looked away from me and held his gaze towards the fire. "Malfoy, if you don't embarrass me anymore, then I won't embarrass you anymore. Deal?"
I didn't get an answer for at least a minute and a half. He finally decided to mutter a fine. I nodded and proceeded out of the door. I shouldn't state it that leisurely. I was more running out of the door. Break was almost over, and I had to get to Care of Magical Creatures, which was all the way at Hagrid's hut. My pocket was burning, literally. I reached in to see what was causing it. I felt a round shape, which was slowly beginning to cool as I picked it up.
It was our DA coins from fifth year. We had a meeting tonight exactly thirty minutes after dinner. And since Ron patrols Friday and Saturday, we were good to go. Harry must have finally decided to act without help... again.
............................................................................................................
Blaise and I were in an empty classroom close to the Great Hall.
"So how do we plan our entrance?" I asked.
"Well, Granger. Victoria greet Draco with hugs now, in front of me."
"I did that with Ron an Harry when they had girlfriends."
"And how long did they stay together?"
"I see your point."
"Exactly."
I started to pace. "We aren't hugging yet."
Blaise nodded. "It would make it too obvious."
"We could just come in laughing with each other," I suggested.
"No, people could confuse that. I'm sure that pug can twist it into you actually making fun of me."
"Shaking hands?"
"Mistaken as making a deal, which we are. But we don't want people asking about what our deal is."
"A pat on the shoulder?"
"There you go. Cookies to you, Granger."
"Cookies to me? Lets go make our entrance now. I want my dessert."
............................................................................................................
Great Hall
"You sure you're ready?"
"Yes Blaise. Now can you move from that spot?"
"It's just, I worked so hard to get them to think I AM part of Slytherin. This would just ruin it."
"Revenge is a complicated thing my friend."
"Friend?"
"Business partner would sound so wrong in that phrase. If you don't consider us friends, than fine, I won't either. Now come on," I said pulling on his arm and opening the door.
He had no time to think. We smiled at each other. Then it hit me. We hadn't decided which one of us would pat the other on the shoulder. We had to do something before our faces permanently stuck that way. He glanced at the Slytherin table and hesitated. He and I both new people were watching. I rolled my eyes inwardly and patted him gently. He turned to look at me, and then left for his table.
I looked at their table also. Malfoy quirked an eyebrow at Blaise and than at me. Why does he always do that with his eyebrows? I'm supposed to be the person who quirks their eyebrows. I inwardly called him an eyebrow movement stealer. When I sat down at by Harry, I realized how childish my thinking was a moment ago.
Meanwhile, Ron was talking to me while brutally murdering his sandwich. "You and Zambini, friends?"
"Not really. We just have an understanding," I said nonchalantly. Ooooo, hint hint guys.
"But-."
"Did you two get my message?" Harry interrupted. I knew he hated hearing us fighting, and it was a mistake doing it in front of him. He had way more on his mind than I could ever imagine.
"Yeah, Harry. We'll be there, mate," answered Ron.
I nodded my head to emphasize our point.
'I need something to do tonight. I don't want to start on anything hard since it is the first meeting.'
'Why don't you start with a schedule of when we can meet? Then you could ask them to bring trusted friends and believers to our DA meetings. We could start with warm up Charms and Spells. Then we, meaning Harry and me, will demonstrate a duel.'
'Just a simple duel wont-.'
'Not a simple duel Harry. We will show them a duel that Death Eaters will hesitate not to give.'
'Hermione, that means Unforgivable Curses!'
'We will show them a counter curse for Cruciatus and resistance to Imperius. Than we can practice on bugs or something for that...those...dreadful curse.'
'I'm guessing no children under the ages of fifteen?'
'Yes Ron.'
'No Ron.'
'What do you mean no Ron, Hermione?'
'If they ever planned an attack on Hogwarts, the younger ones need to learn spells third year and up to distract the Death Eaters enough to run away from them. However, fifth year and up will have to learn those curses. ONLY for self defense.'
'How are we supposed to teach all the years though?'
'Well, Ron can take the younger ones. I'm sure Ginny would want to help later on as well.'
'That's great Hermione. I was about to have a nervous breakdown planning the whole thing.'
'You're welcome Harry.'
............................................................................................................
DA Room
"We will meet every weekend. The actual date is not specific. It depends on prefect patrol hours, Quidditch, and the amount of work everyone else has to do. Also, please bring any LOYAL friends to our meetings. All years may be invited, so if any younger year idolizes, stalks, or creeps you out in any way, invite them. Please proceed with caution, however. We don't want another... incident."
Harry really was doing a great job. I'm just happy that everyone was kind enough to carry their coin around just in case.
"Now, we will start with simple charms at first. Then, we will proceed until we can conjure our Patronus. Hermione and I will then demonstrate a real duel."
Zacharias let out a small yeah. Rude much?
"Now, lets start with Impedimenta. Please get a partner and try to shoot one at each other. Try to dodge the attack, because a Death Eater will surely not let you attack them."
Everyone cringed at this thought. The final battle was coming, and we might just be a factor in whether we win or lose. Everything, as Harry once said, isn't about killing. Everything has to be kept to almost perfection to not be killed or irrational. The only killing has to be done by him and him alone. The prophecy must be fulfilled.
I stole a glance at Harry as he was helping a fifth year that joined us last year. He was so poetic about our lives and deaths. He cared a lot more than most of these people would know. I just wondered why he kept it all bottled up inside.
"Uh, Hermione?"
I snapped my head around. "Yes Ron."
"These fifth year Ravenclaw students want to see your Patronus."
"Why me?"
"Don't you know about your fan club? Geez, Hermione," said Ron a little exasperated. He never really liked Ravenclaws after Cho tried to lead him on to get Harry jealous.
I started thinking about the surprise birthday party I was given last year. It was one of those months where I was more depressed than ever. That day helped me through it. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Out of my wand came the otter that I have grown fond of. It took me a while, but I can now produce it in battle.
"An otter. Why an otter?" asked one of the girls I was showing it to.
"I honestly don't know," I answered. The girl next to her gasped. I rolled my eyes inwardly to keep myself from snapping.
Harry came over to my side of the room. "Do you want to start now?"
I nodded in response. Harry turned his back to me and thought about what he wanted. Suddenly, the room changed into a dueling arena. I got up on one side of the stage while he got on the other. We bowed to each other. I grinned evilly at Harry. "Bombardo!"
A red light shot out of my wand and started making bomb-like explosions once it the ground towards Harry's feet.
He cast a simple Flipendo spell, which I easily repelled with Protego. Why did he use something so simple? I than used Windgardium Leviosa to put him into the air. Then, I tried stunning him, but he dodged every one of them. And he was still in the air! I let him down violently. That still didn't keep him from trying to use Impedimenta to slow my wand hand down. I dodged and cast Expelliarmus, but he dodged it. We went on like this for a few more minutes.
I got caught off guard and got knocked off my feet. We were both sweating madly. It felt like we've been dueling for at least five hours. Dodging things was really a work out. He cast the Bombardo spell at me, and I got up as quickly as I could. I shouted Immobulus and got him straight in the chest. Unfortunately, he got me with the same spell on my forehead.
Ron and Neville were quick to take us out of or immobilized state. Harry turned towards the audience. "Now that duel is considered a tie. There will be no ties in a real duel. If you ever do immobilize some one, don't forget to break their wand. Now, you are free to go back to your House. Please choose a partner or SMALL group to exit with. Line up, and let me check my map."
Harry started digging for it in his pocket. "Harry, maybe Ron and I could be the last ones to leave. It's his patrol night, so we have an excuse." Harry nodded and handed the map over to me.
I took a quick glance at the map. Malfoy and Victoria were comfortably stationed in the trophy room. Blaise seemed like he was pacing on the fifth floor. 'This might be it,' I thought to myself.
Ron and I waited for everyone to leave before we went through the wall ourselves. When we got to the entrance of our Common Room after nearly escaping Filch, I pretended to look through my bag. "I think I forgot something, Ron. I'll be right back."
"Wait, Hermione, before you leave I have to tell you something."
"What is it, Ron," I asked impatiently.
"I...ummm...umm... I wanted to say....ummm.....I have a secret." He ran into the common room after that. Couldn't he have told me? What could possibly be so hard to tell me? But there was absolutely no time to dwell. Blaise could find them himself. I had to see what Malfoy and Victoria were doing.
............................................................................................................
Trophy Room
Getting to the room quickly was not a problem. The fact that the panting I was doing had to be kept to a minimum was kind of hard though. Malfoy and Victoria were currently talking.
"What do you want me to do about it Vicky?" Vicky. Wow, affectionate much.
"I don't know, tell him to meet me somewhere? Tell him for me. I just don't know how to do it, so you might as well do it for me," she said in a rushed voice.
"Always so blunt. Fine, I'll do it. But what would make you think that he won't see through it. Almost any Slytherin with a brain can see through that kind of an act."
"Than act better than usual. I lost interest in him. I don't want to-."
"Be with him anymore, I know. Can you stop being dramatic, Vicky?" He walked towards her and cupped her face. This gave me a strange feeling. I wanted my face to be cupped. Not by him, but still. And it has to be real. That is the one factor that I want to be completely there. The realness.
"Why should I? It's not like I wanted to be with him in the first place. Hermione Granger was stupid to put him with me on patrol night. I couldn't say no to him. I-."
"Victoria. Some one might hear-."
I couldn't hear the rest because a hand was placed over my mouth. I was being carelessly dragged into an empty classroom. Of course it was Blaise. I expected him to pop up around that time.
"Can you stop treating me like your damn hostage," I asked sarcastically.
"Sorry," he said gruffly. "But Victoria went to far. My other friends told me not to go out with any one from another house. But no, I thought she was cute, and I asked her out."
"Calm down Blaise. You'll get your revenge, and I'll get my bet. We could be really public with our relationship. What do you think?"
"Yes, public. Tomorrow, she will receive a howler stating that I'm dumping her. Than we can start with the disgusting Public Displays of Affection."
Perfect. She will not get away with insulting me. "It's going to be nice to work with you Best Looking Dragon Killer."
"You too Partner In Crime."
"You do realize we need to kiss in public right? And hug. And all the other couplely stuff."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. It won't be that bad," he said grinning way too mischievously.
"Wow, I'm surprised that you don't think kissing ugly me is that bad," I said smiling brightly.
"Granger," he said patting me on the head. "You are so unaware."
"Of what?"
He shook my hand. "We're hugging tomorrow."
I nodded, and he left after waving to me. The second bet is in the bag. Malfoy is so going down. ............................................................................................................
Chapter explanation: Ok, I'm sure you've figured out by now, that I update after getting a certain amount of reviews. This chapter was harder to write, because my ideas weren't coming to me like they usually do. So, Victoria was mean all along. This could be interesting.
Next Chapter Preview: Hermione and Blaise start to make themselves believable. Draco becomes way suspicious. Victoria gets dumped! Possible DADA.