Thank you for all the follows! Sorry for the long wait!
Hermione was having so much fun. She had eaten her body weight in cake, danced, sung and absolutely smashed it at party games. This was the most silliness she'd ever had at a birthday party and it was brilliant.
It was much later in the evening now and a few kids were sitting on the floor, dozing against the walls. Neville was snoring lightly. Ron was still managing to eat things, laughing as he did it, spraying food everywhere.
Her face ached from all the laughing and smiling she'd been doing.
She had actually been surprised when Draco led her into the room; it looked like all the Gryffindor and Slytherin first years had come together to celebrate her birthday. She hadn't even spoken to many of them before today, but she had vowed to change that and immediately set about chatting to everyone present. The party games were a good icebreaker and enabled her to really connect with some of the other children.
Turns out Pansy had a very dry sense of humour and a competitive streak that rivalled her own. It was odd to speak to her at first; Pansy had given her an oddly appraising look, before challenging her to a game of knock down Gnome.
They might actually become friends, what a thought.
Gazing lazily around the room, her eyes met George's and she blinked sleepily at him.
He was lying on the twister matt eating profiteroles in a daze. His eyes seemed to focus on her slowly, before he swore and jolted up sharply, George agitatedly looked round the room.
"What time is it?" He yelled, eyes wide.
Fred lazily flicked his wand and a ghostly clock hung, mockingly, in front of them.
There was a pause, followed by frantic movement as every student suddenly bolted for the door.
"We've got 5 minutes, go- go- go!"
Curfew had hit.
The race was on.
The Slytherins fled to the dungeons, Draco in the lead, casting 'silencing' and 'notice me not' charms as he fled.
Fred took the lead for the Gryffindors, and they bolted up a small side staircase.
Hermione noticed that Ron and Harry were not behind her and she let out a huff before pausing to wait for them. Turns out Ron had taken the time to grab a slice of apple pie before they left and Harry, being loyal, had waited for him.
"We don't have time for this!" Hermione hissed, grabbing Harry by the arm, she practically dragged him up the stairs.
Ron just shrugged at her as he stuffed the remainder of the pie in his mouth.
They ran silently past the exit for the third corridor and had almost made it to the fourth floor before slamming straight into Neville.
They fell in a graceless heap, letting out curses, yells and, unfortunately, the rest of Ron's apple pie.
Neville anxiously shushed at them, viciously waving his arms, his face pale and tight.
The soft flickering of flames could be heard, echoing in the silence, alongside a slight scuffing and scratching of something against stone.
A wheezing gritty voice slinked down the staircase, they all froze barely breathing.
"Whose down there? Is it student out of bed my sweet?"
Hermione swore viciously, internally of course, the only way to go was down.
Kicking and pushing, Hermione forced the three boys back down the stairs and dragged them out onto the third floor corridor.
"Shitting hell," she hissed, pulling them down the corridor towards Fluffy's door.
Ron had cottoned onto her thinking and ran ahead, yanking on the handle. "It's fucking locked!" He despaired, turning his eyes back to the others in horror.
"Oh move over!" Hermione shoved him out the way, "Alohamora!"
Door open, they bundled into the corridor and Harry slammed it shut behind them. They boys all backed away from it, watching warily.
Hermione, however, had her wand at the ready; she conjured a harp instantly and set it to playing at an almost imperceptible level, imperceptible for humans that it.
Fluffy held eye contact with her for half a second before slumping to the floor with a huff of air.
The three spun on the spot, Neville letting out a scream before Ron slapped a hand across his mouth clamping it shut.
As a unit they shuffled back until they were pressed against the door.
Ron was still holding Neville firmly, with Harry wedged tightly into his side. Hermione held one finger to her lips flicking eye contact between them.
Fluffy's hot breath blasted them with every exhale; thick gloopy saliva dribbling from his three giant jaws, Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust. Fluffy would stay asleep until the harp stopped, so it'd probably be best to wait a few more minutes before trying to make their way past Filch. She needed to check her book to be extra safe but with her fellow Gryffindors peering over her shoulder it'd be a bit tricky.
Harry began frantically tapping at her shoulder and making gestures at the door, his eyes wide and breathing shallow. Ron had not taken his eyes off Fluffy, outwardly he looked calm, but his face was too pale and his grip on Neville too tight, causing the boy in question to wince.
Gently Hermione removed Ron's hand and whispered quietly that if the creature was still asleep after them barging in, that it probably wouldn't wake up now. Slowly she reached around Neville and cracked open the door to peer into the area beyond.
It was pitch black and silent.
Nothing moved in the darkness.
Probably safe.
"Hermione." Harry whispered, "Can we go? Please?" his voice shaky and tense.
She could feel Neville nodding in agreement next to her arm, or that could just be him shaking in general.
"Stay close," quietly slipping from the doorway; Hermione slinked down towards the main staircase. She just needed to keep an eye on Filch to old-fashioned way, no book this time.
With three bodies pressed tightly against her, they moved quickly and quietly through the school.
Every shadow was Filch, every sound Mrs Norris.
Her heart was in her throat, blood pumping loud in her ears, stomach flittering nervously.
Adrenaline was coursing through her body and Hermione was exhilarated. Aware that she was grinning like a maniac, Hermione tried to control her smile as they dashed towards the fat lady.
"More of you?" The Fat Lady exclaimed, "And just where on Earth have you all been?" Her nose was wrinkled as she took in their flushed sweaty faces, crumpled clothing and various crumbs of pie stuck in their hair. They must look a sight.
"Never mind that- Pig snout, pig snout!" Harry gasped at her.
Neville ran forward and began tugging at the frame, desperately.
"Well I never!" The Fat lady cried, as she swung open with a huff.
They piled into the portrait hole, collapsing onto the floor as the frame slammed sharply behind them.
Loud whoops and cheering accosted their ears, causing Hermione to flinch.
Already highly strung, Neville's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he flopped, boneless, into the rug beneath him.
Harry and Ron let out sharp yells, scrambling to their feet.
Fred and George barrelled over, pulling Ron into a crushing hug between them.
"You made it!"
"And Filch didn't get you!"
"Oh Ronnikins we're so proud!"
Ron was swearing at them viciously, wriggling and trying to get away, as the rest of the common room laughed.
Harry was edging around them trying to slip past and into the common room unnoticed, to no avail.
"Harry!" One of the twins' grabbed at the boy and he twisted moving quickly to evade them.
Undeterred, this particular twin released Ron and began chasing Harry, proclaiming how proud he was of him. Before long Harry was laughing and spinning around the room, jumping over the chairs and climbing over people.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione crawled along the floor and leaned over Neville. Poor boy was out cold, probably still shaken from the earlier flying lesson; this little adventure had just tipped him over the edge.
Gently she eased his head up from the floor, quickly summoning and sliding a cushion beneath. He would be fine, just needed some rest. She paused, and possibly some more calming draught, just in case.
"Need a hand getting him to bed?" George, she guessed, had released Ron and was peering down at her, smiling gently.
"Thank you, George?"
He nodded in confirmation, eyes crinkling with mirth. "Got it in one 'Mione." He crouched down sliding his arms under Neville. "Get the legs?"
Nobody paid attention to them, aside from a quick cursory glance, as they slowly meandered their way to the boy's dorms, Neville swinging between them. It was a little tricky getting him up the stairs, Hermione was a little embarrassed to say she nearly dropped him more than once.
They paused at the very top of the spiral staircase, George struggled to balance Neville as he tried to open the door.
"George, let me."
He frowned at her confused for a second, before his eyebrows shot into his hairline. "Holy shit… I totally forgot… yeah, sure go ahead."
Focusing, Hermione pushed open the door with a trickle of wandless magic.
George watched it, grinning lopsidedly, "Huh, neat."
Hoisting Neville up a little more, George backed into the dorm. He paused looking around with hesitantly, "Uh d'ya know which is?"
"Third on the left" Hermione inclined her head, "It's got the toad on it."
"Right you are."
They gently rolled him onto the bed, tucking him in and placing Trevor onto the side table.
With a flick of her wrist, Hermione's bag came zooming up the stairs and into her hand with a clunk. Flipping the top open she summoned a small vial of calming draught, plopping it down next to the toad. Taking a small piece of parchment, she wrote Neville a little note and slid it under the vial.
George poked it and she slapped his hand away sharply. "No touching."
He huffed at her, "Fine. What is it anyway?"
"Calming draught, we had a bit of an incident on the way back and after falling from his broom today…" she sighed heavily, gently stroking Neville's hair. "I just think he might need it is all."
George cleared his throat, eyes darting about the room. "Close are you?"
She hummed lightly, "He's a very good friend. Least I can do is watch out for him, while he needs it anyway."
"He's a lucky chap then." George winked at her.
She laughed, "You're my friend too remember?"
"Lucky me too." He hesitated, "What sort of-"
"What do they think they're doing, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?" Ron screeched, bursting into the dorm with Harry hot on his heels. The door banged loudly against the wall as he barged into the room. "If any dog needs exercise, that- " He pulled sharply to a stop mouth gaping open.
"What are you doing in here?" His eyes darted to his brother then back to her, "This is the boys dorm!" He whispered glancing behind him.
"Oh Ronnikins you sound like a scandalised old witch."
Ron spluttered, his ears turning maroon. "I do not!"
The brothers continued to snark at each other as Harry carefully pushed Ron out the way, "Is Neville okay? He hasn't had the best day, has he?"
"He'll be fine Harry, just the stress. We'll get Madame Pomfrey to check him over in the morning, but he's got a potion to sort him out for now." She patted Harry's arm softly. "You okay?" Ducking her head and looking into Harry's eyes, she smiled at him.
"Can I answer that tomorrow?" He laughed weakly.
"Bit more exciting than you thought school would be huh?"
"Oh my God. It could have eaten us." He rubbed the back of his neck, "lucky it was asleep really."
"Very. Although," She eyed him appraisingly, "not sure you'd make much of a meal."
He laughed, surprised.
"Toothpick maybe." She bumped his shoulder with her own, grinning.
"Hey! I'd make a great dog treat."
"I believe you."
Harry snorted, turning his head away to glance at Neville. He began fiddling with the edge of his sleeves absently, as he watched the chubby boy sleep.
"What even was that thing?" He asked quietly.
"A Cerberus," She answered immediately, the words gushing forwards. "A giant three headed dog native to Greece. Most likely it's the species that inspired the legends about the guardian of the underworld." She cut herself off sharply from launching into an exhaustive explanation about Greek myths and legends. Not really the audience for such a thing.
"Uh, cool? I guess. I mean, it's cool as long as I never have to see it again."
Hermione huffed a laugh, "Sounds good to me."
"I just don't get why Dumbledore would want to keep that dog in the school," He frowned.
"Honestly," Hermione flicked his forehead, "you don't use your eyes do you?" Her tone was soft and she smiled at him fondly, "Didn't you see what it was standing on?"
"The floor?" Harry suggested, drawing the words out sarcastically. "I wasn't looking at it's feet I was too busy with it's heads." He raised his eyebrows at her, a slight smile on his face.
"Not the floor. It was standing on a trapdoor, obviously guarding something if you ask me."
Harry hummed thoughtfully at that, probably thinking about the stone that Hagrid took from Gringotts. Not that Harry knew it was a stone.
Ron and George were animatedly talking behind them, getting louder and louder.
Hermione noted absently that Ron was relaying their night-time adventure to his brother.
Ah. He was just getting to the bit about Fluffy…
"A GIANT THREE HEADED WHAT?"
And on that note, Hermione decided it was time to head to bed.
Draco, on the other hand, had a completely uneventful trip down to the Slytherin dorm. Dashing haphazardly down stairs and sprinting down the corridor, they made good time. Nobody even gave them a second glance as the gaggle of first years came ploughing into the common room.
Congratulating each other happily, on a wonderful escape, the little Slytherins all tottered along to the comfort of their beds.
As Draco lay there, he thought about how cute Hermione had been today. She practically bounced around the room in excitement. He'd never seen her so animated during school, the first time round anyway.
It felt really good to just be a kid again. Neither of them really had much time to enjoy school, what with the immediate return of 'he who has no nose'.
If Hermione and he were able to destroy that slithery bastard as soon as possible, then at least the other children would be able to grow up safe.
Draco set his alarm, and then dropped down happily into bed for a couple of hours of sleep.
"And then, would you believe it, he was coming down the staircase from above!"
"Filch?"
"Bloody Filch!" Hermione let out a screech, shaking her fists. "So, through no effort on my part, we still ended up in the gods damned third floor corridor." She flopped dramatically back into the large squashy armchair, letting out a long sigh.
Draco pursed his lips trying to hold in the laugh that threatened to come forth. He cleared his throat, "and Neville, he just?"
"Oh my goodness, I fear we have scarred him for life." She dropped her head into her hands. "He just went totally boneless, I had to get George to help me carry him to bed."
Draco unintentionally snorted a laugh. Clamping his hands over his mouth he watched Hermione with wide eyes.
She peeked at him through her fingers, shooting him the Granger glare. "Don't you dare."
Draco started shaking with suppressed laughter, snorting through his fingers, tears pooling in his eyes. "I can't," he wheezed. "Oh Merlin, poor bastard but…" Draco couldn't help himself he just started laughing.
"Oh shush" Hermione smacked his head, but she was smiling too. "It's not funny. Stop laughing." She started chuckling whilst shaking her head. "You are incorrigible, honestly."
"Sorry." He said, completely unapologetically, grinning at her.
"No you're not."
"Not even a little bit. I do feel bad for Neville though, it is always him isn't it?"
"Yeah" she said softly. "And now Harry has probably got it in his head that he needs to investigate, because adults can't be trusted to sort this out themselves. Oh Merlin, He is going to start following Professor Snape around all suspicious and stuff."
Draco nodded his head thoughtfully, humming. Although he did agree that Harry would most likely jump on this mystery like a niffler on gold, he didn't think Severus would be the target.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You have that face on. Tell me your thoughts 'oh Great Malfoy.'"
"Whose incorrigible again?"
That got him another smack.
"Alright, alright Minister, so violent."
"You love it."
Draco cleared his throat, turning to give her a deadpan stare. She responded by rolling her head in a 'go on then' motion.
"Right. Well I was just thinking, Harry kind of likes Sev now yeah?"
"Right, so?"
"So maybe he won't fixate on that teacher, he may, in fact, focus on the correct teacher."
"That could put him in danger if Quirrell thinks Harry is on to him."
"Right, yeah, of course but, and please don't hit me for this, but maybe we should let him?"
She had gone very, very still, her face expressionless and cold. "You had better not mean what I think you mean."
Very quickly Draco was on the other side of the room, his hands up and at least two squashy chairs between them. She hadn't drawn her wand or moved, but he wasn't taking any chances.
"You said it yourself, the only way to get rid of the soul fragment…"
"HE IS ELEVEN!" she screeched, rising to her feet. "YOU WOULD SEND A CHILD TO HIS DEATH?"
"I know it's not ideal, but what choice…"
"NOT IDEAL? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF I SAID SCORPIUS HAD TO DIE AT VOLDEMORTS HAND?"
"MY SON IS GONE." Draco screamed back, his voice scratching the inside of his throat. A tight burning began to rise and he tried to swallow it down. "My… My Son is gone and I'll never," inhaling deeply Draco tried to keep the quiver from his voice. "But we know that Harry can survive. We've seen it before. Hermione, we have to believe he can do it again."
Tears dripped down her face as she shook her head violently, "I can't… please." She whispered softly, clamping her eyes shut, fists clenched at her sides. "Not Harry."
"It's okay, it's okay" He moved back to her and pulled her into a tight hug, "I'm sorry, Hermione I'm so sorry."
"I can't let him die." She mumbled into his shoulder. "I just…"
"It's okay, we'll find another way, we've got all the time in the world after all." He clutched her tightly to his body. He knew though, that if they couldn't find a way to remove and destroy the horcrux inside the boy, that they wouldn't have a choice. Harry still might have to die.
