"Here it is." Hermione motions with a small wave of her hand. Daphne takes in the area, impressed, although it is exactly what she knew she should expect from seeing the office before and meeting Hermione's parents. But it was still challenging for her to connect Hermione's wealth and class to the cozyness of her homelife, as it is such a difference to what she was taught as the norm.
The seating room was homey, yet regal. There's a fireplace as the main focal point of the room, with a luxurious rug laying in the middle. Two large and plush recliners face the fireplace at an angle, and look as though they are made of clouds as does the love seat that could clearly seat two people with room to spare. The leather of all the seats looked used but there was obviously care put into retaining their life.
Hermione walks over to one of the recliners and Daphne walks over towards the other recliner. Daphne suddenly stops though and frowns, a memory playing in her head.
Daphne was starting to get annoyed with Draco. The stupid prat would not stop staring at her with that infuriating half-smirk-thing he's been trying to do. She knows he's trying to be like his father,she's even told him so, but he denies it every time, making her roll her eyes at his idiocy. She was trying to talk to Pansy about the latest rumor involving a broom closet, a 5th year and a 6th year - both in Slytherin, obviously- and that they got caught by Peeves. But she kept fading in and out because she kept being distracted by Draco- he obviously wants something
"What is it that you want?" Daphne finally snaps at the annoying blonde.
"Pansy?" Draco asked.
Pansy immediately perked up, her crush on the boy visible. "Yes Draco?"
"Could you just give Daphne and I a second?"
Pansy's eyebrows furrow but she nods enthusiastically, gives a quick wave to Daphne, flutters her eyelashes at Draco and flounces off. Daphne sighs at Pansy, she never listens to her,but she's said her piece, no reason for her to keep trying to use a broken wand.
"What is it Malfoy."
Draco smirks once more, or at least attempts to, and Daphne just stares at her ridiculous friend.
"You're not really friends with that filth." Daphne gives him a dead look, and decides he doesn't need an answer.
His look just grows to look even superior than he already feels like he is. "I told Theo you weren't friends with that thing and he said you are. I can't wait to rub it in his face that he was wrong."
Daphne turns her lip and scrunches her nose at him. "You're right Draco. I'm not friends with filth, I'm friends with Hermione."
"No you're not."
Daphne rolls her eyes. She knows Draco will do this all day, so she decides to cut it short. "I'm done with you. I'm going to my room."
Draco tries to chuckle but it comes more across like he's giggling, Daphne glares at him. "It's great. Seeing things that you don't. That thing isn't your friend. You know who you're friends are. It's Pansy, Blaize, Theo and me -"
"And Hermione."
"What's Pansy's favorite color?"
"Purple, she likes that it accents her eyes."
"Blaize?"
"Red." Daphne couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Cause it's the color of passion. The prat hasn't even kissed a girls hand properly."
"Theo?"
"Blue. He likes that it's calm."
"Me?"
"Green, because you have a hard time detaching yourself from your father."
Draco glares at her, but continues. "That thing. Does it have a favorite color?"
"Her name is Hermione, and she is a she not an it as for her favorite color it's…" Daphne paused and looked to the side, her brows furrowed as she tries to remember what Hermione's favorite color is.
Draco smirks in triumph. He gets up from the plush reading chair and swaggers over to Daphne. He gets really close to her, his grey eyes cutting into Daphne's blue.
"Told you." He said matter-of-factly, and swaggered off again.
Daphne didn't acknowledge Draco's parting as she stared in front of her. Realizing that she really couldn't call herself a friend because she knows absolutely nothing about the bookworm. Daphne frowns further.
This has to change.
Daphne shakes herself mentally out of her mind and grabs for Hermione's hand before the bookworm could decide to sit in the single seat.
"Daphne?" Hermione looks towards her friend.
"Come." Daphne says as she lets go of Hermione's hand, and sits on part of the love seat. "Sit next to me." Daphne finishes with a pat to the empty cushion next to her. Hermione blinks but smiles and gives a quick nod and sits herself primly right next to Daphne.
Daphne smiles at the girl and then sighs. "Hermione, I've been unfair and I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. I've been saying for awhile now that we are friends and it's unfortunately been brought to my attention by a certain bright, blonde prat that we are only friends when it's convenient. I have not once stood up for you or even with you. I'm sorry for not realizing it sooner."
Hermione looks at Daphne her gaze unwavering, the penetrating gaze almost making Daphne squirm. She instead put the uneasy energy into a small smile and grabbing Hermione's hand. "What brought this on Daphne?" Hermione asks, her gaze softening into worry.
Daphne purses her lips, she knows it's improper but its somewhat comforting for her to do with all the nervous energy rushing through her. She knows what Hermione will say to her. But there is still that nagging in the back of her head that Draco might have actually been right about this. "I don't know your favorite color Hermione, how can I say your my friend when I don't even know something as simple as that?"
Hermione's penetrative gaze is back. But a smile breaks her face quickly. Daphne could feel all her anxiety melt away.
"Daphne, I'm so glad we are friends. Just because I don't know your favorite color doesn't mean anything. I know that you hate getting up without a cup of tea and that painting relaxes you. I know you. That's what's important to me. Not some trivial thing." Hermione squeezes Daphne's hand. "I've never had a true friend before, I've waited all year for you to turn away from me and you haven't. I don't need someone to stand up for me. Just knowing I have you with me is enough."
Daphne gives Hermione a genuine smile, her eyes sparkling, and not being able to help herself she wraps Hermione up in a hug and squeezes her tightly.
"I'm so glad I met you Hermione."
Hermione squeezes her friend back. Thankful as well. With all of Daphne's worries -as well as Hermione's- gone the two decide to stay in the quiet office and library area to get to know each other even better.
Before either one of them realizes the time there is a knock on the door and Jackson enters soon after.
"Forgive me for interrupting little lady but it is time for Miss Greengrass to leave." Jackson said, his right hand in front of him to do a quick bow as the apology rolled off his tongue.
Hermione pouted but nodded and stood up, Daphne doing the same. "Come on Daphne, I'll help walk you out."
Daphne smiles at Hermione and loops her arm into hers. The two now walking in sync.
The girls hug once they reach the entrance. "I promise to write first. This way I can give you access to an owl that won't be seen by muggles." Daphne says as she releases Hermione from the long hug.
Hermione nods with a smile. "Good. I'll be waiting for it!"
Hermione sighs as she walks onto platform 9 ¾. She loves being a witch but she hates that she can't practice the new spells she has found during her own studying during the rest of the break. There is this truly interesting spell she wants to learn where it shrinks the size of objects. She can't help but think how useful that would be when it comes to bringing more books with her to and from home and Hogwarts. But of course minors aren't allowed to do any sort of magic outside of school grounds.
Sighing herself out of her thoughts she starts turning her head to see if Daphne has arrived yet. Hermione is hoping that if she and Daphne get in quick enough they can avoid sharing a cabin with Malfoy. Frowning when she realizes she can't see her friend she purses her lips then decides to grab out her book, flipping through to a certain bookmarked - never doggy eared that was blasphemy. You don't desecrate books like that- page. Reading the spell and how the movement is supposed to go she mimics it a few times before she closes the book and points her wand at her trunk.
"Reducio." Hermione says her movements sharp and precise. A purple light blasts from her wand and onto her trunk causing the large luggage to shake and rattle until it starts to shrink. Not letting her gaze waver from it nor her wand she waits til the trunk is at the proper size to be able to fit in her school robes. Once that was done she picks up the now small trunk and pockets it.
Hermione continues her trek to the train not realizing that she drew a few curious gazes.
Hermione jumps on the train. Trying very hard to keep the excitement she was feeling in. She did it! And on her first try too! She couldn't believe it. She really can't wait to find Daphne. She's really hoping her friend is already on the train.
She purses her lips when she's checked every compartment with an opened door. Now she's going to have to try and make nice with some people that hate her guts.
Turning back around she's just about to knock on the closed door right in front of the last opened door she was at when she hears a voice that is hard to dismiss. Dropping her fist she decides to make her way towards the irritating voice. Maybe Daphne is with that inane twit. They are close friends after all.
If someone came up to Hermione just now and asked what Malfoy was talking about so loudly she would turn to them and say, "I don't know." But since the word dragon just left the young heir's mouth Hermione is a lot more interested in what nonsense he's spitting now.
Hermione enrage stomps towards the open cart. Her hands in tiny fists at her side.
"- see how upset that giant oaf is going to be when my father comes with the board and shows the dragon to everyone and reviles how dangerous that Monstrous thing is. My father will have that thing killed in no time."
Hermione knocks on the door to Malfoy's compartment three times. Loud rough knocks that almost make Hermione want to cradle them into her chest but she fights through it. She's gritting her teeth hard and her face is set in a harsh glare. She's just about to open her mouth when she sees various people just watching her, and waiting to see her explode.
Taking a deep breath in and out she smothers her hands down her shirt making sure her sweater is over everything comfortably and then she smothers her skirt down dusting out the imaginary wrinkles. With that done she corrects her posture smiles at everybody like everything is ok, walks into the compartment and then shuts the door.
Hermione is back to glaring at the pale blonde as soon as the door is closed.
"If you even try to utter anymore about this poor creature I will come for you Malfoy. This dragon needs to be protected, how dare you come from a background with such magnificent creatures and treat them this way." Draco gets up in Hermione's face they both are glaring at each other.
"You can't do anything filth." He sneered and looked her up and down, trying to look menacing.
Hermione rolls her eyes and crosses her arms with her hip cocked. "Do you lot honestly know nothing more than just three bloody things to call me? Filth, mudblood, and idiot. Are really all I hear. This house is prized on their tongues and you say I put this house to shame. I'm the top of the class. I'm the one leading the house in points. And you say I'm the idiot? You need to look in the mirror. All of you lot." Hermione paused and looks Daphne right in her eyes. "Except for Daphne, obviously." Daphne giggles in her hand. Hermione having said her piece turns around. Only to have to stop dead when a person grabs onto her arm.
Hermione jerks back in response, she snaps her head back ready to give a lashing but she only sighs when she sees who it is, Pansy and some brunette Hermione doesn't know. Rolling her eyes she jerks her arm out and then immediately crosses them across her chest.
"I don't want to be here, you don't want me to be here. Just let me walk out and we can continue pretending-." Hermione stops midway blinking in surprise at the hand being held up in her face. Taking a step back at the rudeness Hermione looks at the dark haired brat.
"How dare you speak to Draco that way! You shouldn't even be allowed in the same room as us Purebloods. You stink up the air-"
"I shower regularly thank you." Hermione quips back. Daphne can't help but giggle, and she notices that Draco has to smother a smirk as well.
Pansy rolls her eyes and scoffs. "You're the lowest of the lowest. I'm not going to stand here-"
"Technically you're sitting." Hermione mumbled. Daphne giggles again and Draco this time can't hold back his laugh either.
Pansy huffs and stands up, her friend standing as well. "I'm not going to sit here another minute breathing the same air as you. Let's go." Pansy huffs as she a angrily stands up. Hermione purposefully stands right in front of her. "Out of my way mudblood." Pansy tries to glare, but it only makes her look as though she is squinting. Hermione opens her mouth to say something sarcastic once more but before she can get anything out Pansy pushes her out of the way just as the train starts to leave. Causing Hermione to hit her head horadly hard making the girl pass out.
"Hermione!" Daphne screeches as she hurries to the knocked out girl. Theo and Blaise rush towards the two girls to try and help, ignoring Pansy stomping out of the compartment, she stops at Draco.
"Come on Draco let's go."
Draco gives her a bland look. "Blaise and Theo are here."
Pansy pouts and just walks out of the compartment. The brunette following as well.
"Hermione!" Daphne says, her voice shaking. She could see she was breathing but that was it. She wasn't responding.
Daphne turned to the boys. "Quick! Go get someone!" That's when Draco stood up.
"We can't!"
Daphne stared right into Draco's soul. "What." Blaise and Theo just looked between the two.
Before Draco even opened his mouth Hermione groans awake. Daphne gasps in shock and grabs onto Hermione's hand.
"Please be careful Hermione." Daphne says as she moves in closer helping Hermione to sit up.
"Malfoy is right Daphne." Hermione says her hand cradling her forehead. Her brown eyes closed tight. "We can't get anyone, if we do it could end up being a whole big mess. I'll just get even with her."
Daphne begins to argue but Hermione just waves her off as she opens her eyes. "It's fine, honestly. I just have a bit of a headache, I just won't sleep tonight."
"That doesn't sound much better Hermione!" Daphne exclaims. Hermione frowns and then realization hits her.
"It's a muggle thing, I'll be fine I promise."
Daphne sighs but nods, knowing she isn't going to win this one. Daphne helps Hermione get up from the floor and she watches Hermione carefully as she sits. Hermione smiles at Daphne to show that she really is ok, Daphne pursing her lips begins to rut through her bag.
Hermione turns her gaze out to the window. Watching, but not paying attention, she notices in the reflection of the mirror Malfoy staring at her.
Almost cold silver eyes met warm and curious brown.
Hermione is surprised to see his gaze, curious as to why he's held it for so long with her. His eyes drifted towards the crown of her head.
Oh.
Hermione blinks when his gaze meets with hers once more. He's frowning she notices. And not in his normal way either. Not really understanding why, Hermione gives him a small genuine smile to try to show him she is ok.
Malfoy's eyes widen at the look and he quickly, with a sneer goes back to studying the fast moving trees. Hermione rolls her eyes but turns back to Daphne.
"I have a book!" Daphne exclaims. Theo groans.
"Bloody hell Daphne you sound exactly like Granger." Theo says through a groan causing the tension still hanging around to lessen immensely. Daphne merely rolls her eyes and grabs the book from her trunk.
"I actually lied, I have a few books to give you. The first two are on etiquette and customs and the last one is a rather obscure book my father actually found for me. It's a book about a muggleborn-" Daphne shoots a glare at Malfoy causing the boy to roll his eyes and Blaise snicker. "Being taken in by a pure blood family and teaching them all about being in said family!"
Hermione blinks at the three books that have suddenly taken up residence on her lap. She then clutches them to her chest and smiles at Daphne. "Oh Daphne! This is amazing. Thank you so much!"
Hermione sighs as she settles into her bed after a long first day back. Her body is tired, she can feel it but her mind is buzzing. Professor Snape talked to her today. He went over all of her work and even the extra credit work he assigned her (that was simply because he got tired of her knocking on his door during his hours and asking him for advanced work because she was bored already and no other professor would, except for Professor McGonagall, she didn't tell him that though. She didn't want to lose a chance to study with one of the greatest Potion Masters. It took a little while but he grudgingly gave her more advanced work.)
He was impressed with how thorough her work was and he decided to continue on with her advance studies. But only if she could keep up her marks in the rest of her classes. Having agreed to his terms Hermione happily took the new book he was to be teaching her from as well as the first assignment. She was to read the first two chapters and then give him a 4 foot essay on why and how the same ingredients can form two separate potions, one that heals burns and one that can cause burns.
When she told Daphne about the extra lessons, Daphne shook her head and laughed. Fondly calling her a book worm, but also asked earlier to start studying with her already in the library.
Hermione sighs as she focus back up to the top of her canopy, she sinks into the bed a little bit but pops up to throw her night stand drawer open grabs her thin book on the myth Hercules. Closing her drapes to her bed she settles in and continues to read.
A few hours later Hermione puts her book back into the night stand. This happens to be the fourth time she's read the myth this year alone. She's usually not one to reread books too often since she can retain information so quickly now with all of her reading but something seems to keep bringing her back to this particular book. It's not even her favorite.
The tale of Persephone happens to be her current favorite at the moment. She's also always had a fondness for Hades. He was so misunderstood, well at least she thought so. Hermione rolled her eyes at her thoughts. Deciding that it was time to force herself to sleep, she angrily sat up and turned around so that way she was laying on her stomach and could throw the pillow over her head.
Her mind was focusing too much on this. She wasn't going to be able to sleep at this rate.
Hades.
Underworld.
Cerberus.
Hermione suddenly bolted straight out of her bed. "Yes!"
"Shut up Hermione!" Daphne mumbles and throws a pillow at the bookworm.
"Sorry!" Hermione whisper yells back. She then starts giggling in her hand and snuggles back into her covers. So she's finally figured out that mystery. Somewhere in this castle there is a three headed dog guarding a door to something.
Now she just has to figure out what.
And fast.
