Here's chapter 7 guys, thanks for all the reads and nice reviews so far, I hope you like this new update!
I don't own Harry Potter btw:)
Chapter 7
Hermione said the password and entered the eighth-year Common room. She saw Pansy had gathered everyone in a circle like they had talked at lunch.
"Sorry I'm late, I was in the Owlery and Peeves came."
"And he didn't do anything to you?" Anthony asked disbelievingly.
"Oh, he tried to shower me with ink" Hermione shrugged. "Basic Umbrella charm did the trick."
"Okay, that's enough bragging, Granger, let's tell everyone why they're here" Pansy interjected.
"Yeah, I have homework to do, you know?" Seamus piped in.
"Yes, but me and Pansy had an idea that's much funnier than homework" Hermione said.
"Never thought I'd hear you say it, Hermione" Blaise sniggered.
"Me neither," Hermione continued, "but my point is – it's Saturday night. Let's do something together."
"What thing?" Draco asked, as though dreading the answer already.
"Truth or Dare" Hermione announced, waiting for their reactions. Most people looked surprised. Susan and Hannah were smiling. Anthony shared a look with Terry. Draco groaned and Seamus outright laughed.
"No way" he shook his head. "If you think I'm playing this game with the Slytherins-"
"Hey c'mon, it might be fun" Ron said. Seamus looked at him disbelievingly.
"Since when are you thinking that hanging out with Slytherins is fun?"
"Since I've grown up" Ron said, looking Seamus full in the face. "Anything else?"
"...No" the boy said, looking at Hermione. "So how do we play?"
She was momentarily dazed at how easy it had been to convince them, then quickly addressed all of them.
"Right. Well it's easy – we spin the bottle and whoever it lands on is asked Truth or Dare."
"And if he doesn't want to do the Dare?" Draco asked grumpily.
"He's out" Pansy said simply.
"Don't worry, you won't run to the nearest Muggle town" Hermione consoled him. "We'd break the Statute of Secrecy."
"Wow thanks, I'm relieved" he said sarcastically.
"So let's play" Blaise prompted.
"Anyone has a bottle?" Ernie asked, but Hermione just took out her wand, gave it a wave, and a small plastic bottle materialized in front of her.
"Who wants to spin first?" she asked.
"Well, it was your idea to gather all of us" Pansy said. "You're first."
Hermione smiled, not even knowing why and sat down, spinning the bottle on the ground. It needed a few seconds only to stop spinning, landing on Seamus.
"Truth or Dare, Seamus?"
"Truth" he said.
"Why don't you like the Slytherins?" Hermione asked at once. He stared at her.
"Why-I-because they're so... slithery!" he stuttered.
"Seriously?" Terry turned to him.
"It's not like they've done anything wrong now" Hermione countered.
"Yeah, but – seven years – oh, OK, forget the past, yeah" Seamus closed his eyes. "They're not so bad, I guess" he gritted out.
"Spin the bottle, Seamus" the bushy-haired girl beamed. He sighed dramatically, but reached forward, spinning it. This time it pointed to Susan.
"Dare" she said at once.
"A daring Hufflepuff, that's something" Theo smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Well, let's hear it, Seamus."
"Go sneak us something from the kitchens" the boy grinned.
"Great idea!" Theo said.
"Be right back" Susan answered, already opening the door. When she left Harry gaped.
"I wouldn't have done without making sure they couldn't see me" he said.
"That's your Gryffindor bravery, Potter" Draco smirked.
"What bravery?" Ron laughed. "He couldn't ask a girl out for a month, knowing she liked him."
"Hey!"
"Because being frightened of a ghoul is much better" Hermione said.
"You don't know how angry he was about being locked out of the attic!" Ron turned to her. "Mum said he's still whining at night, banging on the walls, keeping them awake."
Suddenly the door opened and Susan came in, levitating a tray of cupcakes and cookies, a milk jug, and thirteen glasses.
"Cheers, Susan" Theo said, standing up to help her.
"My turn to spin" she said happily while Ron and Seamus attacked the food. "Truth or Dare, Blaise?"
"Let's hear a good Dare" the dark-skinned boy said.
"Dance."
"Pardon?"
"Dance" Susan repeated. "With someone else if you want to."
Pansy and Draco roared with laughter and Theo smirked quietly beside them. Seamus was on the ground, tears of laughter streaming down his face.
"You're dancing with me, Parkinson" Blaise said through tightly gritted teeth.
"Nah, you can do a nice solo" Pansy shrieked, continuing to laugh. He growled but stood in the centre of their circle and did a few nice moves, finishing with a back flip. Everyone applauded him, and he gave a curt bow.
"I'm so getting you back" he told Pansy as he sat down.
"Spin the bottle, Zabini" she told him, barely containing her laughter. He did, and it landed on Ron. He stopped laughing.
"Truth or Dare?"
"Dare" Ron said.
"Sing 'Weasley is our King'."
Ron's face contorted, and Pansy shoved Blaise in the ribs.
"Damn it, Zabini, we were going to be civil!"
"I never said the Slytherin type" he said. "Sing it how you Gryffindors changed it, but you've got to make a duet."
Ron's face and posture relaxed a little.
"With whom?" he asked.
"Potter" Blaise smirked. Harry laughed and stood up at once.
"Just to apologize beforehand because I can't sing to save my life" he said. "C'mon mate."
Ron sniggered.
"You'll wish you never made us do this, Zabini."
And they sang a very slow and false version of 'Weasley is our King', finishing it with a very long, low note. They also got applause, mainly because they stopped singing.
"Do remind me not to let you sing, ever again" Blaise said, removing his hands from his ears.
"Hey, they weren't that bad" Hermione smiled. Ron smiled back at her and reached forward to spin the bottle.
"Truth or Dare, Anthony?"
"Dare."
"Kiss the floor."
The boy scrunched up his face but bent down and did it. The bottle was spun again, and it landed on Pansy.
"Truth or Dare?" Anthony said, looking at her.
"Dare" Pansy answered.
"I dare you to yell 'I love Malfoy' out the window" Anthony grinned at her.
Pansy laughed.
"You could've done better, Goldstein."
She stood up and walked over to the window, opening it.
"I LOVE DRACO MALFOY!" After a few seconds of consideration, she added "HE'S AN IDIOT BY THE WAY!"
The raven-haired girl turned around, snickering, and looked at Draco who was scowling at her.
"Would you close the window, please?" Susan asked. "It's cold."
Hermione looked at the fireplace and noticed the wood had long since burnt away. She also felt the chilly night air reach her skin.
"I suggest to have one last turn and go to bed, it's gotten really cold" she said.
The bottle landed on her.
"Truth or Dare, Granger?" Pansy asked, a mocking smile dancing on her lips.
"Let's hear your Dare, Parkinson" Hermione answered the challenge with a confident smile of her own.
"Get in detention."
"Now?"
"No, you can do it next year" Pansy said sarcastically.
"How am I supposed to get in detention now?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"I have a pretty good idea how" Ron said.
"I'm disgusted" Harry said in an admiring imitation of Professor McGonagall's angry voice. "Four students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before!"
"Are you two suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Hermione grinned, thinking about her first year at Hogwarts and the particular situation that Harry was referring to.
"I mean, she has heard it before, she'll be prepared now" Harry said.
"And I missed out last time" Ron added.
"But you two will get in detention, too!" Hermione countered.
"Pansy didn't say it has to be only you" Harry argued back.
"Just what are you three talking about?" Anthony asked. The trio looked at each other and three identical, mad grins appeared on their faces.
"You'll see" they said together and stood up.
"Let's do this" Harry said and the three of them exited the Common room, ignoring the questions thrown at them by the others. They were soon on the run through the castle, walking in and out of hidden tunnels, passing through secret passages they knew by heart after six years of mischief. They didn't bother to keep their voices down as they actually wanted to be seen, but did walk carefully away from patrolling teachers because they wanted to be caught in the Tower.
Hermione hadn't felt that free in a very long time. She had thought she wouldn't miss being in trouble after everything they went through this and last year, but running around the castle with her boys, careless and happy, she discovered she had missed it quite a lot.
The three of them reached the top of the Astronomy Tower quickly thanks to the shortcuts they used, and leaned against the wall, breathing in the fresh air.
"How long until Filch finds us, what d'you reckon?" Ron asked.
"Ten minutes" Harry responded calmly.
"Mm, last time it was more" Hermione said. They laughed.
"Wow, the view here is something" Ron said in awe. "You sure had a great time here while dropping off Norberta."
"Yeah" Harry agreed.
"There was only the minor mood killer that Norberta was illegal" Hermione laughed.
"Ah, I forgot that part" Ron said.
They stood there, watching the night sky, occasionally reminiscing quietly, for about fifteen minutes before they heard footsteps coming from the bottom of the staircase.
"Finally" Harry yawned.
"I hope it's Filch" Hermione said eagerly.
"That's the only time I'm letting you say that, Hermione" Ron looked at her as if she were ill.
"I know you're there," they heard the caretaker's voice say, "I can hear your voices. I will know who you are, you have nowhere to run."
"You'd think he'd recognize a Disillusionment charm, the way he's talking" Harry rolled his eyes.
"You'd think he'd recognize our voices" Ron said. Hermione grinned. Any moment now...
"Aha!" Filch jumped at the last step, nearly falling, but steadying himself, looking at the three of them victoriously. "I see you three don't learn from your mistakes. You can grin at me all you want, Potter, but I'm sure you won't be as happy to see the Headmistress, would you? Follow me now, and don't try to run, or it's going to get worse for you."
A part of Hermione was worried about making her favourite Professor angry with her but it was quickly overruled by her reckless self. As they walked behind Filch on the way to the Headmistress's office, she looked from Harry to Ron, smiling wickedly at them. She was quite happy to be breaking rules without having to care about three-headed dogs, dragons, snake-eyed blood supremacists, and psychotic killers. She even gave a small squeak of eagerness when Filch said the password and the stone gargoyles let them through. The old man turned around and looked at her questioningly, his jowls quivering with anger.
"Think that's funny, Granger? Let's see you in front of the Headmistress. Mind you, I thought you were smarter than those two but I guess I was wrong."
Ron made an angry sound and opened his mouth to say something but Hermione stepped on his foot. He swallowed his words, and Filch looked pleased with himself.
"Wise, Weasley." And he turned his back on them, reaching for the brass doorknocker and knocking twice. Hermione had a moment of panic that they would just wake the old witch up for nothing, but an energetic enough voice answered from inside.
"Come in."
Filch wasted no time and literally ran into the office. The three of them hesitated.
"Mr Filch?" said Professor McGonagall's voice. "To what do I owe this late visit?"
"Students out of bed, Professor. Up in the Astronomy Tower."
"At this time?" the Headmistress asked. Hermione sensed disbelief in her voice, and did a quick charm to check the time. One o'clock. Well, this was going to be interesting.
"Yes, Professor. They're waiting outside."
"They?" A sigh. "Go let them in, thank you, Mr Filch."
"Alright" the caretaker grunted, and walked to them, looking gleeful. "In you go now. Should've thought before taking walks around the castle after midnight, hm?"
And he stepped onto the spiraling staircase, looking over his shoulder once more.
"When I see his twisted cat..." Ron muttered.
"We'll give her a good kick, yes" Hermione whispered. "Let's go in."
The boys nodded and Harry led the way inside, Hermione following him, and Ron closing the door as last to come in. Professor McGonagall raised her eyes from the letter she was writing.
"Sit down, please" she said with an even tone. Hermione couldn't catch any emotion in her voice. The three of them moved to her desk. There was only one chair. With a flick of her wand, Hermione conjured two more and sat in the middle, and the boys sat down on either side of her.
"Why do I feel like I'm having a déjà vu?" the Headmistress asked, looking at the three of them questioningly.
"Not exactly, Professor" Ron said.
"Pardon me, Mr Weasley" McGonagall turned to him. "So should I take this as your way to relive your adventure, this time including Mr Weasley?" she asked, looking at Harry and Hermione now.
"Yes, Professor, he did miss out on that one" Hermione said in a rush of hotheadedness.
"My, Miss Granger, I hadn't expected it of you" the Headmistress said faking shock. "I suppose this was staged? Don't tell me you three can't prowl around the castle unseen."
"Knew it," Harry said, "you were bound to catch us."
"It was kind of obvious" Ron added.
"Obviously not for Filch" Hermione murmured.
"Well, brilliant execution of the plan. But have you thought about what happens after you're caught?" Professor McGonagall asked curiously.
"Well, we did have a hope we'd get in detention..." Harry answered.
"A hope?"
"It started with a game of Truth or Dare, Professor" Hermione elaborated.
"Ah, I see" the old witch said. She considered them for a moment, then said: "Detention it is, then. I will tell you tomorrow what you're going to do, and when. And no more childish displays like this. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Professor" they chorused.
"Off to bed now, and pray I never find out who dared you to get in detention."
"Of course, Professor" Hermione said. "Goodnight."
When they got to the Common room, they said the password, and walked in, laughing heartily. Hermione noticed some people had gone up to bed and others were sleeping on the floor. Pansy, Theo, Seamus, and Susan, however, were waiting for them to come back.
"You took your time" Seamus said.
"Did you do it?" Pansy asked.
"Yeah" Ron said.
"We relived our first adventure, you two" Harry beamed at his best friends.
"Yes! I owe you one, Pansy" Hermione grinned.
"Ah, yeah, for sure" Seamus said. "Let's go to bed now, tomorrow is homework day."
"Goodnight" Hermione said to the others and walked up to the dormitory, quickly changing into her pyjamas. She was just getting into bed when the door opened and closed.
"Hey" Pansy's voice whispered.
"Hey" Hermione said.
"So how did it go? Who found you?" Pansy asked, sitting on her bed, looking at Hermione.
"Filch. Just like in our first year" Hermione smiled fondly at the memory. "Were we gone for long?"
"Not that much."
"Hey, where's Susan" the brunette noticed the Hufflepuff was the only girl that wasn't in the dormitory.
"Downstairs with Theo" Pansy said. "He asked her whether she wanted to share the last few cookies. Quite insistently."
"Aww, is the Slytherin falling in love?" Hermione lay down in bed. "I hope this works out."
A few minutes of silence passed between them, and Hermione had begun to doze off when Pansy tried to start a conversation again.
"So, will you tell me about that first adventure of yours? That was when you lost a hundred and fifty points in one night, right?"
"Mhm, yeah" Hermione murmured. "I'll tell you another time though, Seamus was right – we have to study tomorrow."
With these words, she fell asleep, unaware of the sad expression on the other girl's face.