Chapter 3: Day Two

Their day started earlier than usual. The goblins were no gentle wake-up callers, using a siren to announce breakfast was ready. Only Neville and Hermione didn't mind getting up early, all the others complained the hell out, for the ungodly hour, the uncomfortable bed and someone's snoring during the night.

Yesterday turned out surprising for everyone. Every pair apart from Blaise and Lavender worked together better than expected. Draco and Hermione returned to a watchful group, who were assessing the duo's mood from afar. They did not rejoice the new victory loud, fearing a wrong word would destabilise the delicate peace.

They ate in a better spirit than the night before, keeping company to their housemates instead of mingling. Before heading to their beds, the group wandered through the fortress until they found a passage overviewing the sea, enjoying the sunset. Nobody spoke, all falling asleep with the last thought on their minds, the other party was not so bad after all.

-oOo-

Blaise and Ron sounded the loudest when their misty eyes registered the simple breakfast, "Shit, man, where are the pancakes? And how old is this bread?"

Pansy whined as well, "Is it too much to ask for some fresh fruit or juice? What a nightmare."

Harry shrugged, "Propels me back to my time at the Dursley's. At least there's jam."

"It could be worse." Neville sighed, and Hermione nodded. "If we only had a toaster…"

Draco asked confused, "What's that for?"

"For some toast, what else? Or if it's the right model, for some grilled cheese."

Blaise blinked, "You know how to make grilled cheese?"

"Duh, you never cooked?"

All the purebloods shook their heads, except Ron, "I saw my mum cook, does that count?"

"You are an idiot." Hermione rolled her eyes. "But I miss my magic."

"Yeah, I miss the tea too," Theo spoke for the first time, now his brain caught up.

Hermione snapped her eyes open, "Why?"

Stretching his arm, Theo showed her the obvious, "Where's the hot water?" The brunette pointed the finger at a kettle. Shrugging his shoulders, the Slytherin offered his palms up, "Should I know what this contraption does?"

She threw her arms in the air, "How many of you want tea?" Nine hands up in the air and she mumbled, "Take away the wand and a wizard is helpless. Oh God, and then all the fuss about the muggles…"

Filling the kettle with enough water for ten, she turned it on and headed to the table to find eight confused faces, ranging from sleepy to curious. She pointed a finger, "Sit and eat! Or do you expect me to make your sandwich as well."

Ron grinned, "Chocolate please?" However, his grin died at her furious gaze, "It was worth a try." They started to make a choice from the offered varieties, which held a selection of French cheeses and cold cuts, two types of jam, butter and chocolate spread. The choice of bread was less extensive, only white and whole grain slices on display.

"I would do anything for one of those brioches from Hogwarts right now."

Lavender's whining worked on Blaise's nerves, "Why don't you flash a boob at to one of those goblins, Lav-Lav?"

She perked up, "Would it help?"

"Really woman? Have you no shame what so ever?" Pansy looked accusingly at her. Flirting with a boyfriend was one thing. Use your body to achieve goals, in this case, a simple type of bread, an entirely different one. Much to her astonishment, the other girl didn't see the problem, waving it away with a hand.

Nine heads turned to Hermione when a shrill came from the kettle. Hermione got up from her seat, shaking her head and brought the boiling kettle to the table, "Who knew you feared of an innocent teakettle?" She chuckled, adding some earl grey into a pot and pouring the warm water over it. "Even you Harry, I thought you would recognise the sound."

Lifting his hand, he admitted, "It's been a while…"

A half-hour after they arrived, Gnarluk motioned to the atrium, and the other goblin chose Harry and Pansy to follow him. "I guess there's no fixed sequence. C'mon Pansy, let's put our body to work. Kill the calories from breakfast."

Pansy snorted, "Which calories, Potter? Not those from some wheat bread with jam lacking sugar?"

Harry agreed with a half smile, "Aren't we spoiled? And before you attack me, I include myself in that comment." Pansy grunted with a nick from her chin.

*Harry and Pansy*

"Today's challenge: Excalibur, the mighty sword. Cut the rope and retrieve the key before it's too late." Harry and Pansy assessed their task at once: Inside, a sword stuck in a wooden stump. They needed to cut the item loose, which dangled from the ceiling, but if it fell into a pit, it became irretrievable.

"Stating the obvious, I cannot cut that rope with the sword, Potter. You'll have to use your muscles for that. I'll ensure we don't lose the key."

Harry side-eyed Pansy, "Speaking of sexism. Let's start this." He grunted loud while he pulled the sword out of his containment and swung it a few times at its target with less effect than desired. In no time he was sweating like a horse, flipping off his tank top when it stood more in his way than he liked.

Pansy whistled, "Oh my, the Golden Boy is quite a pleasure for the eye."

Harry flashed a very annoyed look, "Parkinson, drop it," and continued to cut through the rope as a saw, "Fuck this thing is blunter than a spoon."

"Now I see why Hermione keeps you to herself." Pansy kept licking her lips, Harry was more muscled than she thought, "I would do the same."

Harry stopped his movements, irritated, "Fuck, will you stop? Hermione and I are like brother and sister. She does not look at me that way, and at this very moment, your flirting is working on my nerves. Continue, and you'll be the one cutting this shit." He panted, "Are you done?"

"Okay, I've gotten the message. But you're sexy, and I didn't know it. Now I'll shut up."

"FYI, I'm taken. Ginny and I are together, in case you've missed."

"Shame." She shook under his scrutinising glare and motioned her lips closed. Harry restarted cutting under heavy grunting as it seemed not to improve a thing at this pace.

-oOo Atrium oOo-

Lavender and Tracey whistled loud when they saw on screen how Harry undressed - flashing a well-defined upper body, "Shit girl, Hermione. You kept the goodies to yourself, eh lady?"

Hermione blushed deeply, "He's like a brother to me. I don't pay attention."

"Yeah, yeah, right. We believe you…not."

"It's the truth, he's Harry to me, not a stud."

Blaise intervened, bringing the attention of the women to four annoyed men, "Have mercy on our ego's. We are standing right here, and you are drooling over the boy-who-lived."

Lavender stated with shrugged shoulders, "Can you blame us? That's eye-candy right there. A touch of competition is never bad."

He tried to dismiss it, "Bah, as if there's competition between Potter and me."

"Why are you complaining then?" Tracey objected, "You know what they say, you can watch but not touch. Right, Hermione?"

"What are you implying?"

Lavender didn't hold back, "Haven't you tasted a sample of the goodies?"

Hermione's eyes were spitting fire, "Repeat that last bit?"

Neville intervened, "Calm down, girls. Enjoy the view if you like, but calm down."

"To cross some T's here, while we were in the forest, looking for Horcruxes, Harry and I didn't do anything. He's a brother to me, I don't think of him in any other way." Her temperament took the upper hand. The accusation stung after the big argument between her and Ginny, but also, Harry, and she had quite much trouble convincing Ron nothing had happened in the tent while he was gone. The last thing she needed was a rumour to unleash the seed of doubt once more.

Neville put himself between Hermione and Lavender, holding her both arms, "Hermione, nobody is implying anything, and if they are, then they are idiots. Calm down, please." His intense look at the other two girls told them to drop the subject.

Further away, Theo whispered to Draco, "The swot runs on a short fuse. Good to know."

"Theo, drop it before she hears you. Or she'll pick me as her favourite target practice. Again."

Ron remained silent. On the one hand, he was jealous of the female attention Harry unknowingly received, on the other Hermione's angered reaction awakened his uncertainty, they always told him nothing happened but was it the truth? And, did it matter after all this time?

Neville pushed Hermione to a corner further from the group, rubbing her arms, "You okay Hermione?"

She grumbled.

"Don't let them get to you, it was a dumb remark, meant to be fun. Not to imply a thing. Even if so, it's none of their business."

"But Neville, nothing happened!"

"I believe you and so does Ron. Consider them white noise, what they think shouldn't matter. Not on this subject."

"I don't know about Ron. I don't want him to think we lied."

"Have you?"

"No."

"That's all he needs to know. Now, let us watch Harry and Pansy solve their test."

She hugged him tight, "Thank you, Neville."

"You're welcome, sis."

-oOo Harry/Pansy oOo-

"Fuck, I'm halfway only." He changed between cutting and sawing, the progress minimal despite his efforts.

"I'm enjoying the view here, Potter. Nothing better for female eyes than watch a male sweat torso at work. Especially one with so muscular like yours."

"Will you fucking stop?"

"Why should I? You are eye-candy. Live with it." Pansy gave him a once-over, smiling smugly. His irritation was food for her devilish soul.

He snarled, "I've told you. I'm taken, and I'm not interested."

"I won't tell if you don't, Potter. If you have an itch to scratch, I'm willing to sacrifice. With a body like yours, forget sacrifice at all. I don't know what do first: Touch those pectorals or start licking my way down from your abs." Pansy spoke in a matter-of-factly way, checking her nails.

"Will…you…fucking…stop…I…'m…not…intere-sted!" Harry swung hard with the sword at every word, the last two using such a raw power that the cord snapped in two. "Oh!"

"Shit! Oh! Yes! I have it, Potter! Well done!" She waved the key in front of his face.

He was out of breath and barely acknowledged her pushing him forward towards the exit. The clock had only 30 seconds left. She released her hold on his arm, "You okay?"

"Shut up!"

"I'm sorry, well actually, I'm not sorry. You are eye-candy, full stop. But I was poking the bear, you see. Making you angry made you use more strength. Mission accomplished."

He looked annoyed at her from under his eyebrows, hands still on the knees catching his breath.

"You're okay. I hope Ginny knows how loyal you are. I hope one day a man that respects me this much." He read honesty in her eyes and nodded. Stretching out his body, he motioned her to follow him.

They joined the group, and Harry felt almost immediately that something was off. Rising a questioning eyebrow, he waited until Ron spoke with a low voice, "The girls started to cheer at your naked torso and jabbed at 'Mione, implying that you and she…"

Harry spoke in a loud voice, "I hope no one is such an idiot to think that Hermione and I had a thing and continue to deny it. You know what, fuck you. Hermione and I were single at the time, we don't have to justify ourselves. Nothing happened, and that's the last thing I have to say about it." He wasn't allowing this crap to start its own life, and he killed the matter at its root before it had the chance to grow. He didn't forget the hell he experienced to change Ginny's perception of the issue.

Theo joined him, changing the subject, "Well done, Potter. That sword…" offering a hand.

"Weighed a bitch, believe me, and fucking blunt too. I'm glad we made it." They shook hands.

The break was short. Blaise and Lavender got picked next.

*Blaise and Lavender*

Blaise read, "Haunted Room, find four metal pieces with a number for the code." A glass box trapped their key inside, locked by a numeric padlock. "Haunted? Idiots."

"Are you sure it's safe?" Her scared face made him almost crack.

"Maybe except for you," taunting the witch, "Woman, let us not waste a minute." They entered a room plunged into darkness. Lavender shrieked from the locking sound of the door.

"Woman, my ears!" Blaise navigated forward, arms extended. "Fuck." He bumped his knee against a table leg. The warm breath of Lavender right on his neck, "Woman, what are you doing?"

"This place is scary as hell, Blaise."

"We don't have that much time, search elsewhere, girl."

A drawer opens and closes by itself with a loud bang.

"ARGH!"

He hissed, "Woman, my eardrums!"

"But…but…"

"Search further and shut the hell up." He rummaged on the table surface, knocking off glasses, feeling silverware under his hands but no metal squares. Moving to the right, he kept hovering, closing himself off to all the weird noises.

His companion on the contrary jumped and shrieked at every sound. "Blaise…"

"What now?" In the darkness, she couldn't see him roll his eyes.

"Blaise something touched me." She was terrified by now.

"Seduce him."

Offended, she snarled, "It's dark in here!"

He straightened his back, grabbed her shoulders, turned her around, and pushed her forward, "Search for the damn squares. If something touches you, say hello." Returning to his own surface that became a display cabinet without doors, his fingers groped every space. "Thank Merlin! I have one!" Shoving the square under the waistband of his shorts he moved on to the next.

-oOo Atrium oOo-

Thanks to a night vision camera, the group could follow their proof. Not one was unaffected by the developments, all grabbing their stomachs from laughing aloud, commenting through their laughers.

"Poor Blaise…"

"Lavender is such a chicken shit."

"I bet she'll jump on his back." Draco's comment just left his lips, or the wizard bowed in two, laughing his arse off, a first in a long time.

-oOo Blaise/Lavender oOo-

"AAAARRRRGGGHHHH" searching wild all over the place, Lavender found first his ass, patting her way up to his shoulders. She jumped on his back, legs circling his waist, arms around his neck.

The impact almost threw him against the cabinet, his head hitting hard on a shelf, "What the fuck?" Unhooking her hold on his neck, Blaise growled, "Woman, you are chocking me. I can't breathe, witch!" He shook her away from his body, rather brutally, "Are you fucking insane?"

"But…Blaise…I…felt…a…hand. AND IT WAS NOT YOURS!"

"Stupid witch, there's no such thing as haunted rooms. But I'll turn you into a ghost if you don't grab your wits together and start searching for those pieces. And no more patting my arse." He kept shaking her hands off his body, while Lavender tried to secure a hold on him.

"But…"

"In Salazar's name, you are testing my patience! MOVE!" Why did McGonagall pair me with this moron? I'll end up killing her.

His hand landed on a second piece, which he put away without a sound. Blaise was on the verge of losing it altogether. Yes, he heard the wind, and yes he felt a bony hand on his shoulder. But he knew this was all a setup. After the War horrors, there wasn't much that scared him. Voldemort's face gave me nightmares, not this poorly executed example of a haunted space.

Lavender's hand touched him lightly on the arm, "Is this one of them?"

He snarled, feeling the object on her hand, "Yes."

"Don't thank me, idiot."

He grunted, and while spinning, he found the last piece unintentionally, searching for support on a cabinet when he missed a foot, "Witch, let's get out of here. I have the last one."

They had to blink a few times from the sunlight. Blaise used the four pieces to test a few combinations before the lock opened. Snatching the key, he took off not even looking behind him, to be sure Lavender followed him. One more word and….

At the atrium he watched all his friends and acquaintances' faces control their features, avoiding to laugh. They saw he wasn't in the mood for jokes, while Lavender whined about his treatment, "What an arse, you have the manners of a caveman, Blaise. And here was I, willing to give you a chance to show us what a gentleman you can be."

He snapped, "Have I asked you for it?"

"You told me to seduce whatever touched me." She was still complaining, the sniggers in the background growing louder.

"You had no problem flashing your boobs at the sumo wrestler. And now you're offended because I suggested something similar? Sounds hypocrite to me."

"I did it for a purpose. You were losing." She snapped back with her chin in the air.

"I don't see a difference."

"You are an arsehole."

"And you are a moron." She let an offended huff escape her lips and turned somewhat theatrical away from the group that did nothing to hide their amusement.

Hermione smiled devilish, "Beware of the ghost, Lav-Lav." The brunette was still fuming from their previous quarrel. "Bon-Bon, shouldn't you…?"

"Granger, don't test me…"

"I'm so scared…"

A grunt intervened her pestering, it's was her turn.

*Draco and Hermione*

"Mud wrestling." Draco grinned wide. Different scenarios played out in his mind, all of them very satisfying.

"Why are you grinning?" The thought of mud and her hair gave her the shivers.

"I'll enjoy watching you in a mud catfight." His eyes beamed, "I hope there's a couch and some popcorn. Or if I'm up, great. I could use a punching bag. One way or the other, it will be fun, Granger."

"Git, you're thinking with your brain down below."

"Granger, you only need to ask." He was riling her up and if felt good, "I'll give you a demonstration anytime."

His favourite scenario came to life. This was a female challenge; a busty and athletic blonde awaited Hermione inside a pin, beckoning her with a finger. He leaned against the wall, knee drew up, this will be fun.

Hermione just thought, shit. Gathering her courage, she entered barefooted and braced herself. The blonde was stronger than her, and in a whim, Hermione was covered in mud from several quick attacks. It took a while before she could fight back, grounding her foot as much as possible.

She was a fantastic duellist with her wand, but hand combat was not her strongest suit. Her willpower, however, forced her to fight back, if only to show the ferret she wasn't a sissy. He cheered her bold moves but laughed her out when she took a punch.

"Granger, are you okay?" A well-placed punch made Hermione see stars. Without thinking he entered the pin, placing his hands on her face staring straight into her eyes, checking out for a sign of hidden injuries.

She shoved him brutally away, "Bad seed doesn't die easily, remember? I'm not done." Refocusing on her target with a determined look, she tackled the blonde into the ground, "AAAHH." Using every ounce of strength she possessed, Hermione forced the woman to stand down, blocking arms and legs, keeping the blond's face sideways in the mud. After a minute or two, though to Hermione it seemed hours, the wrestling woman surrendered with a hand in the air.

Puffing heavily, Hermione released the hold, feeling a key shoved into her hands, who in turn passed it on to Draco. "Let's go back." She walked with him slowly while he observed her cautiously, "Malfoy, this feels weird. You've never cared about my wellbeing, don't start now."

"You treated my arm, why can't I worry about you? You cashed in quite a few punches."

"I'm just a mudblood. Not worth to be concerned about."

His hand shot out and forced her to stop, startling her with his gesture, "One. You don't use that word again. Two. You are my partner in this endeavour, and I'll worry about you if I want. Answer me, are you hurting?"

"More pissed off for being so dirty than from any pain. I suspect a bruise on my shoulder. Now is the Slytherin prince pleased?"

"Only your shoulder?"

She admitted reluctantly, "Yes." He nodded and moved on.

At the atrium, she raised a greeting hand and headed straight ahead to her dorm.

"We knew she was a fighter, but man admit, that was hot." Blaise jumped grinning at him, just like Theo, "Yeah Draco, if that sight didn't give you a hard-on then I admire your control."

Draco snorted, rolling his eyes, "Pretty hot until she was almost knocked-out by one of the blonde's punches."

Harry heard that last bit, "Is she okay, Malfoy?"

"I think so, not that she was much forthcoming. Outside she admitted a probable bruise on her shoulder, you know your girl better than me, Potter."

"Our Hermione can take a blow, I'm not worried." Ron shrugged it off, he agreed with the Slytherin, there's nothing sexier than a good catfight in the mud.

Uruk, the goblin they finally discovered the name by interrogating Gnarluk, pointed at Neville and Theo, distracting the group.

"Pansy, do me a favour." Draco had approached the witch stealthily, "Can you go and check on Granger?"

"Are you worried about your witch? We've always known that you had a soft spot for her." Her jab was light, also feeling concerned about the Gryffindor princess.

"Oh fuck it out, Pans. Just check on her. Don't force me to ask one of those bitches over there. She might open up to you more than to me." She didn't push further, assessing his mood. Instead, she nodded and headed to the dorms.

*Neville and Theo*

They read together, "Swaying rock wall." Exchanging looks, they entered to understand better the explanation on the sheet, "Oh hell, this will be fun."

There was giant wedge-shaped wall leaned against the wall, and a working fan on the ceiling, Neville started immediately, "I'll climb this up to retrieve the key hanging on that fan." His first five steps went smoothly but halfway up the wall swayed, and soon Neville learned it was harder than it looked, "Shit you need to keep the balance," barking in laughter literally from pain on his arse.

"Let me try, snakes can slither…"

"Funny, Nott."

Snake or Lion, neither succeeded in climbing up the easily-looking obstacle. The boys fraternised more at every failure than they made progress, both red-faced from exhaustion and laughter. Neville dried a tear away, "Fuck, we can't even do this together to keep the balance. There's not enough support."

"Longbottom, you are smarter than you think. Let me climb first, and when there's enough distance, you jump up after. Maybe we can balance each other." Sharing a high five, Theo reached halfway up before he felt the weight from Neville grounding the wall better. "I can feel it…"

"Let me guess, in your toes."

"Smart ass."

"Slimy snake."

"No need to be rude."

"See that you don't let a fart escape."

"It's a shame I can't do in on command." Theo reached out, "Neville, can you swing a bit to the right, I almost have it."

While the Gryffindor leaned over to the right, Theo got a hold of the key, "Team Nev/Theo for the win buddy!"

-oOo Girl's Dorm oOo-

"Granger, are you finished?" Pansy peeked carefully through the door. A muffled "Almost," came from behind the corner.

"What's up?" Hermione entered the room, wrapped up in a bath towel, her hair swaddled in a bun.

"I wanted to check on you. That battle was quite impressive."

"You came on your own or did Malfoy send you?"

"Both."

"Go back to him, I'm fine."

"Show me your bruise, and I'll leave."

"There's no bruise."

Pansy stared at her, "Lie all you want to your buddies, you don't fool me. Show me your bruise."

"Your prince is a snitch."

The dark-haired witch chewed on a cuticle, "My prince is worried about his girl."

"I start to think someone is polyjuiced as Malfoy."

Pansy rolled eyes, "Why?"

"Since when does Malfoy give a shit about a mudblood?"

"Why can't you accept that he is trying to turn a new leaf? That he might care about you."

"And pigs fly too."

"Turn around, drop the towel enough so I can see your back and shut that mouth of yours. My patience is running out."

"Now I recognise the Parkinson tone." Hermione snapped but did as ask and heard the witch hiss, "That bad?" Turning her head back.

"It's quite big, she kicked you really bad," pressing some fingers gently on the sore looking spot, "It 's not broken I think, how much does this hurt?"

"It's tender if I'm honest."

The Slytherin witch sighed, "I'm no Healer, but I guess some ice might do the trick. Change into dry clothes, I'll hunt for some ice cubes with those grumbling goblins. Meet me in the Atrium."

-oOo Atrium oOo-

By the time Neville and Theo entered the heart of the fortress, sporting huge grins victoriously, Pansy glanced secretly at Draco while she approached Gnarluk, "I need ice in a bag or towel."

"What for?" he barked.

"That's my business, now move!" She waved a commanding finger at the goblin while Draco approached into her sight.

"How is she?"

"There's a beautiful bruise adorning your favourite witches' shoulder blade. I'm no Healer, and we have no wands, so my guess is ice should do." It annoyed her, playing messenger and nurse, was not her favourite pastime.

"Hmm."

"You need to corner her and be honest. If you want a real shot at something more."

"Cut the crap, Pans."

"You cut the crap, Draco. Gather your balls and grab your chance. Now it's a perfect time, she can't hex you into oblivion without a wand," crossing her arms over her chest, "Do you need an official invitation?"

"I need you to back off me. I didn't hire you as my love doctor."

"You can't afford me." She inclined her head, and his answer was cut by the arrival of both goblin and Hermione. Pansy snatched the bag with a humph and headed to the brunette, "Move the hair to the other side," pressing the ice cold bag gently on the wounded shoulder.

Harry lifted Hermione's chin, "You hurt?"

"Pans here is making too much fuss about it. This is not my first rodeo."

"Sit down, 'Mione. You should rest."

"Harry, I've had worse, remember?"

"Too vividly." Giving her the example, he sat legs crossed, followed by all the others who joined in a circle. Harry pointed the finger at the floor, "Do you need help to sit down?"

Ron and Tracey rose under the grunts from Gnarluk, sending looks of solidarity, "'Mione, take care, we'll be right back."

"Toi, Toi, Toi, guys. And Harry, stop mothering me. One Pansy is enough."

He nudged her shoulder, "Don't be mad at okay? But your fight, up there? That was pretty awesome."

"Great, my arse was kicked from here to Tokyo, and you had fun. You're welcome." She broke in hearty laughter followed by all the others. "I hope the dry-cleaning service here works overtime, I'm out of clothes. Damn it, I really miss my wand."

"We all do."

*Ron and Tracey*

"I lose immediately if I have to fight in the mud." Tracey was panting from the long walk.

"I enjoy a good catfight. Plus I think you underestimate yourself, Tracey. Here we are, spin cycle?"

"We have to run inside a drum, to fill a tube with water. I think it will be clear it if I see it, Ron."

Inside the sunny room, a giant drum 'washing machine' waited for them to run like two hamsters. Not wasting time figuring out the specifics, they got the wheel moving and caught up. The wheel brought water and foam to a thick tube, raising the key to the top.

"We need to go faster, at this pace, we'll never make it." They fell into a synchronised pace, the tube filling fast. On the downside, the water and foam sometimes seeped through. In no time they were both soaking wet.

Ron ran a hand over his face, "Thank Merlin it's a warm day, we'll dry immediately."

Tracey had nearly breath left to answer, "I…can't…keep…up…much…longer."

"Yes, you can. I need your help, this wheel will not work if there's only one running. Tracey, push it, babe." The witch, however, fell behind. Keeping up the pace was high demanding due to its weight and size. Faster than expected, Tracey could only step instead of running; the flow of water relapsed. Ron's judgement was on the spot, "C'mon Tracey, don't abandon us." Sweat ran through his back, his face is tomato-red from exertion. "Fuck, Davies, I can't do this alone."

She headed to the tube and tried to grasp the key with her slender fingers, "Ron, just a few more turns, I can almost touch it."

"Witch, I can barely push ahead."

"Use those quads on your legs, Weasley. Push it."

The flow became a dripping stream, driving them both insane a drop at a time, "Weasley, C'mon!"

"Bitch zip it."

She went from supportive to outrage in seconds, "What did you call me?"

"If you can do a better job, take over."

"You are a moron."

He stopped any movement. "I don't care."

"What the hell are you doing? We'll lose!"

"Be my guest, the stage is all yours, bimbo."

The sound of her hand slapping his face echoed, "I'm not Pansy who knows how to bite back thoroughly, but I don't tolerate offensive words from a ginger prick who needs a girl to do his homework, wanker."

-oOo Atrium oOo-

The snakes were fuming; you didn't need sound to understand that Ron went too far. Loyal to their own, their faces promised nothing good when the ginger wizard returned. Then they heard Hermione, "Ron is a bloody idiot. Wait until I lay my hands on him."

Theo looked at her surprised, "Need help? I got a bone to pick with the Weasel boy."

She gestured a thumb behind her, "Line forms after me. Oh, Harry, you stay out of this."

"Ron is my best friend, but I don't agree with his behaviour. I don't think Tracey is this temperamental."

"She's not." Pansy flexed her fists, Tracey was not the average type of Slytherin, more the kind and attentive heart, with zero ounces of evil in her. To make Tracey lose her cool...

"Pansy, I'll have his skin first," Hermione promised nothing good.

"Leave me some crumbles, sister."

The group formed a tunnel as Ron and Tracey made their walk of shame towards the jail. Except for Harry and Neville, the rest didn't hide their anger. Hermione blocked the passage, "Ron, what did you say?"

"Stay out if it, 'Mione."

"Answer her bloody question, Weasel," Theo spoke viciously.

"He name-called me, Granger, bitch and bimbo... Because I couldn't keep up. But I really couldn't, it was too hard."

"Ron, is it true?"

"She's exaggerating."

"I'm NOT!"

With her hands on her hips, Hermione warned him not to play games, "Ronald Weasley?"

"Are you defending snakes now, Hermione? Are you now close buddies with people that belittled you at every chance?" Ron was being Ron.

Hermione's finger pierced his chest at each word, "I defend whoever is mistreated. She wasn't working against you, Ronald. You don't offend someone because they are weaker than you. She deserves an apology."

"Bite my arse, 'Mione. I don't apologise to a snake. It's this bitches' fault… Fuck."

Hermione swung her hand fiercely, striking him entirely in his uninjured cheek. "You deserve to cool off in jail until you regain your senses." Holding Tracey's wrist in a vice hold, Hermione faced Gnarluk, "She stays, he goes."

"Both go." The goblin wasn't taking any orders from a rookie.

"She stays." Hermione put her body between Tracey and the goblin, ready to put up a fight if need be. All Slytherins flanked her, showing a united front together with Harry and Neville.

Ron snarled, "What a friend are you, Harry?"

"Ron, you did this to yourself. I don't agree with your attitude. Wake up first."

Gnarluk grew tired of this display and pushed Ron harshly forward, "You dungeon. Tomorrow you return for breakfast." Ron left with a hateful glare.

"I apologise for Ron's behaviour, Tracey. You did nothing to deserve such a treatment." She spoke calmly though inside she still boiled of anger.

Tracey hugged her, much to her surprise, "Thank you for saving me from a night in the dungeons."

The remaining Slytherins murmured, "Granger just climbed a notch in my book. Draco, that woman wears a pair."

"I agree with Theo, Draco. I know a few purebloods with fewer balls than her."

"Next time Weasel steps out of line, I'll teach him not to mess with a Slytherin." Draco hissed quietly, "But I agree. Granger has balls, and we knew it beforehand. See it happen, in our faces, against the ginger, is a first. One I genuinely enjoyed. Pansy, check on Granger's shoulder before you go to sleep. If you need more ice, come to our dorm, I'll arrange for it."

After dinner they headed to the dorms, exhausted from their day. Tracey rummaged in the first aid box, "Isn't arnica good for bruises?"

Hermione looked up, "I guess, but Neville is the best herbologist between us, he'll know it without a doubt." The Slytherin witch took the ointment jar and knocked on the boy's dorm door. Blaise answered and yelled after Neville, "Longbottom, a late visitor!"

Neville approached her, bare chest with his sleeping pants low on the hips, "Tracey, what can I do for you?"

The witch blushed, "I found a jar of arnica ointment and I thought that Madam Pomfrey said it was good for bruises…"

Draco peeped behind the door, "You have arnica? It is indeed great for healing bruises, right Longbottom?"

The Gryffindor wizard nodded, "Are you hurt, Tracey?"

"It's not for me, I thought it could help Hermione."

Neville bobbed his head, "Take care of my girl, please."

"I owe her one."

"No you don't, that's not my Hermione. She helps from the heart, expecting nothing in return except maybe a thank you. But I appreciate your caring gesture." He kissed her on the cheek, the witch flushing deeper.

Draco winked at her, "Thanks, Davies!"

Tracey ran back to the dorm, unused to all the male attention, "Hermione, can I rub some of this on your shoulder?"

"You don't have to, Tracey."

"Please?"

Moments later, silence fell in the dorm. Burying the events of this day, their batteries recharging for new to come. Some friendships grew stronger; others were at the baby stage.

And a specific ginger-haired wizard finally admitted behaving like a moron. Saying sorry, however, was a difficult nut to crack. I have six hours to get used to it, damn.