A Sirens Song

Chapter 4

Hermione looked at the clock, Madam Pince had been gone exactly 40 minutes, she would be returning soon. Hermione stood and did a once over, there was no one to be found. She was completely alone minus the book that sat on the shelves.

After she sat back down she resumed the research on house elves only to be distracted by memories. She couldn't help but wonder if the boy from the World Cup had gotten away. She kept going over the memories and she couldn't get over how he looked even in the near darkness. He was tall, he had broad shoulders, she couldn't see his face, but from what she could tell he had very short hair, hardly any at all. Oh if only she had seen his face, she might be able to tell if it was someone here at Hogwarts.

Hermione broke from her thoughts to look at the clock once more. Madam Pince had been gone 45 minutes, she would be back soon. Once again she got up from her table and walked the library once over again and once again she was alone, minus the books on the shelves around her.

She looked over towards the door, waiting for someone to walk in and ruin her peace; but no one came. It was now a quarter to 9 and Madam Pince should be returning soon. Hermione would need to start for Gryffindor tower soon if she was going to make it before curfew. There was no telling if she would run into Filch or not, and she'd rather not take the chance. Filch would walk her to Professor McGonagall's office weather or not she had a note from Madam Pince.

She started to wonder what was taking the librarian so long to return, when someone walked into the library. It was head boy, he was a nice boy from Ravenclaw, "what are you still doing here," he asked, "You should be headed to your common room."

"Madam Pince asked me to watch over the library while she stepped out," Hermione said, "she should be returning shortly."

"In that case I'll send a prefect to walk you back to your common room," he said, "stay put; you should walk the halls alone at night."

"Ok," she said, "but you shouldn't go through all that trouble, I'm sure she'll be returning any minute."

"Still, I would feel better if you had someone to walk with you," he said.

"Alright if you insist," she said.

"If she returns before I've sent a prefect to collect you, stay put until one does," he said.

"I wouldn't dream of moving from this spot," she said, a little annoyed. She understood the dangers of walking the corridors alone at night, really she did; but she was a bit annoyed that he wouldn't stop pushing the issue.

"See that you don't," he said, "someone will be along shortly to collect you."

"I promise," she said trying to keep the annoyance from her voice, "I will stay here until someone comes to walk me back to Gryffindor Tower."

With a curt nod, he turned and left her standing in the library alone staring after him. She returned to her seat and looked at her watch; it was now 5 minutes to 9. If Madam Pince returned when she said she would, she could be returning any minute. Hermione packed up her things, and sat her bag on the seat next to her.

Having to wait like this was torture; she started to think about everything that had happened since arriving back at Hogwarts. Some of the older boys were acting a bit odd around her. The Weasley twins in particular were acting out of character. Not that she didn't enjoy their company at odd times during the day; after all they were only a year or so older than her. Had she been born but a month or two earlier they would be in the same year, and them being around her wouldn't sound so odd to everyone else.

Cedric on the other hand was odd; they had never spoken before the Quidditch World Cup. Somehow they had managed to become acquaintances of sorts. He would throw her smiles and kind gestures from across the room, or make off handed comments about pretty fourth years, like he did just a little while ago. Maybe she would get lucky and the Head Boy would send Cedric to fetch her; wouldn't that be nice? Oh, it would be nice, without a doubt.

She sighed, looking at her watch again; it had only been a couple of minutes since she had last looked. 'What is taking so long,' she thought to herself. At that exact moment, Madam Pince and a Prefect from Gryffindor walked into the library.

"The Head Boy asked me to come walk you back to the tower," the boy said, "are you ready?"

"Yes all ready," Hermione said, "is it alright if I leave Madam Pince?"

"Yes, of course," Madam Pince said, "go ahead; did you have any trouble while I was gone?"

"None at all," Hermione said, "I took a few turns around the place to see if anyone was still here, and it was just me. No one has come since The Head Boy stopped by."

"Thank you for watching the place for me," Madam Pince said, "you can never be too careful when it comes to books."

"Oh yes," Hermione said, "I completely agree."

The Gryffindor prefect and Hermione walked back to the Gryffindor common room in silence. He didn't ask or tell her anything, and Hermione was at odds on whether she should say something or if she should remain silent. Upon arriving at the portrait after he spoke the password. She thanked him for taking the time to walk her back. He said it wasn't a problem and that it was what he was there for.

"Still you took the time to come and walk me back," she said.

"Don't worry," he said, "what are house mates for."

Shortly after walking through the portrait, she was bombarded by question from Fred and George. "Oh the head boy thought it was a bad idea to walk the corridors alone at night, and had a prefect walk me back," she said.

"Oh," George said putting his arm around her shoulders, "holed up in the library again?"

"Where else would I be?" she asked in a tone that mocked annoyance.

"I have no idea," Fred said from the other side of her as he wrapped his arm around her waist, "Quidditch pitch?"

"Not on your life," Hermione said looking back and forth in between the two of them, "but nice try."

"Aren't you going to ask what we've been up to this evening?" Fred asked.

"Hmm let me guess," she said, as she stepped away from the two of them. She turned around and sat in on the arm of the chair. "You were trying to come up with a way to enter the Tournament?"

"Yes," George said, "among other things."

"Really?" Hermione said with a smirk," do tell."

"Another time," Fred said, "we believe you've some friends waiting to discuss tomorrow's homework assignments."

"Tomorrow then," Hermione said, as she smiled up at them.

Fred and George reluctantly said their good byes, and turned around and walked away.

"Since when do you hang with Fred and George?" Ron asked.

"Since I arrived at your house this summer," Hermione said, "is that a problem?"

"Why would it be a problem?" Ron asked, "I just thought maybe you had lost your mind or something."

"Why would you think that?" Hermione asked, she was starting to get a bit irritated, just what was he trying to imply?

"Well maybe they're using you for an experiment or something," Ron said, "or they need your book smarts for something."

"Is that all you think I'm good for Ronald?" she asked, the question erupted from her mouth with a hiss of exasperation. Harry and Neville flinched at the tone in her voice. You could always tell when Hermione was getting annoyed. Right now her eyes were alight with anger, and her skin glowed with an unearthly shimmer.

"We'll why else would Fred and George want to hang and talk with you?" Ron asked, in the same annoyed tone.

That was stupid, Neville thought, he obviously couldn't see how much different Hermione looked since she returned to the magical world. Neville would give the majority of his body parts to have a witch like Hermione give him the time of day; and here Ron was messing it up by being stupid.

"Is doing your homework all I'm good for Ronald?" she said in a cool calm voice that would scare even Professor Snape into hiding behind a couch somewhere out of hexing range. "If that's what you really think Ronald then I think that you can just stay the Hell away from me, until you can say otherwise. After all I'm sure that you can find someone else to help you with your ruddy assignments."

Without giving Ron a chance to say anything in his defense, she turned on her heels and started to leave the room. She stopped and turned to Neville and Harry, "good night, Neville, Harry," she said, "I'm suddenly tired and wish to go to bed. See you at breakfast?"

"Yes, of course," both boys said at the same time, "good night, Hermione."

"Good night," she said with a sad smile.

They turned and watched her walk up the steps to the girl's dorms. Shortly after Ginny came over and tucked her arm in Harry's "where did Hermione go?" she asked, "I wanted to talk to her about something."

"She went to bed," Neville said, speaking for Harry who was still staring in disbelief over what had happened. "She and Ron had a bit of a falling out, I don't think there is any getting out of it this time."

"What did he say?" Ginny asked.

"In short he told her that the only reason that your brothers would be talking to her is because they are using her for an experiment or need use of her brain."

"My god," Ginny groused, "you really put your foot in it this time. I can't believe I have such an idiot as a brother."

"That's about enough of that," Ron said, "it's true why else would two older boys want to spend time with a book worm a year younger than them?"

"Perhaps it's because she's nice, and she's a good friend," Neville said butting in, "perhaps it's because she brilliant and they want some of her wisdom and knowledge to rub off on them. Or perhaps it's because they like her, and want to get to know her better. Besides she's only a few months younger than them."

"Well said Neville," Ginny said, giving him a heartwarming smile, and turning back to scowl at her brother.

"Ron I think you need to apologize to her," Harry said, "that is unless you want her to stop talking to you altogether."

"I don't really see what's so bad about what I said," Ron said.

Fred and George couldn't help but overhear the conversation between Harry and Ron. So Ron thought that they had an ulterior motive to being around Hermione, did he. Well they would have to talk to her tomorrow to make sure she understood that they saw more in her than just a book-worm. They thought she was beautiful and charming. Even though she was a little younger than them, the distance wasn't all that great.

Fred and George looked at each other, they seemed to be thinking the same thoughts, so with a nod they adjourned to the dorm to think of a plan. We have to prove to her that we want to be around her for more than her smarts, George thought.

We have to prove that we like her for all that she is, Fred thought, on the way up to their dorm room.

x.X.x.

The next morning a very irate Hermione trudged to the Great Hall for breakfast with Ginny. Ginny hadn't tried to talk Hermione down from the night before, so the silence between them was very deafening. Ginny thought to put her hand on Hermione's shoulder to offer her some comfort; but decided against it. Sometimes one had need to be upset, before they could get out of a horrible mood. Hermione was no different than anyone else, in that regard.

After they sat down, at the Gryffindor table, Ginny greeted Harry and Neville; but Hermione remained silent. "Don't mind her," Ginny said, "she's still a bit upset from last night. What Ron said really cut to the heart."

"Hermione," Neville tried, "don't worry, we think too much of you to be upset with you being quiet today."

Hermione looked up and smiled a small sad smile, she then went back to taking small bites of the food off her plate. Harry nudged Neville with his elbow and gave him a gallant smile. It seemed that Neville was able to offer her some comfort .

"You should have heard him last night Hermione," Harry said, "Neville here laid right into him for saying those things last night."

"Really?" she asked lifting her head.

"Really," Neville said, "I honestly don't think you should be upset over Ron. He's got the emotional range of a teaspoon."

Hermione and Ginny laughed at that, "true," Hermione said, "but still if he expects me to help him after all the things he said last night then he's got another thing coming."

As they were finishing their breakfast there was a ruckus in the hall, bouts of yelling spread from the hall in through the doorway. It sounded like a bunch of bickering Weasley's.

"What do you suppose they're up to now?" Harry asked.

Harry had started to stand to see what was going on when an irate set of twins burst through the doorway dragging one Ronald Weasley behind them. They stopped in front of Hermione and dropped him to the floor. "Ronald has something he would like to say," George said, "don't you?"

Ron went to stand, when he was pushed back down to a kneeling position, "when offering an apology to someone whom you consider a friend whom you've hurt and insulted, one should grovel."

"What is all this?" Hermione asked standing up so she could turn around.

"Ron has something he would like to say," Fred said.

"Oh, well then by all means do tell me what it is you wish to say Ronald," Hermione said.

"I'm sorry," he said, only loud enough for her and the twins to hear.

"What was that?" Hermione asked, "I couldn't really hear you."

"I'M SORRY!" He yelled out.

"What are you sorry for?" she asked in a motherly tone.

"I'm sorry for the things I said last night," Ron said louder than his first attempt but quieter than his last, "I was a right git, but I shouldn't have said that the only reason Fred and George would want to hang with you is because they were using you for an experiment."

"That's not the only thing that you said Ron," George said, "apologize right."

"I'm sorry that i said the only reason that they would want to be around you is for an experiment or because they needed your smarts," Ron said, "I'm also sorry that i said you weren't pretty, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."

"Oh, well," Hermione said, "I'm not interested in your apology unless you mean it Ronald. So unless you're seriously sorry about the things you said last night I don't want to talk to you."

"I'm serious and sincere," Ron said, "I promise that I won't say those things again, I'm sorry I hurt your feeling."

"Alright I forgive you," she said, "but you still have to do your own assignments."

"Alright," Ron said, "so can I sit here?"

"Sure," she said, "I was just finishing up anyways."

The twins scurried to the other side of the table to sit down. "You know I appreciate the apology you dragged out of him," Hermione said, "but next time I think it would be better for him to realize his mistakes on his own."

"You think there will be a next time?" George asked.

"Oh, yes," Hermione said, "I'm sure that it will happen several more times before they year is out."

"Why do you let him get to you?" Fred asked.

"Well you see he said something no girl likes or wants to hear," Hermione said, "no girl likes to hear that the only reason two older handsome boys are hanging around is because they're using her for her smarts or her ability to find information in the library. Basically he said I wasn't pretty enough to be around. It kind of hurts."

"I have to agree with Hermione," Ginny said, "no girl likes to hear that they're not pretty enough to be around; but that they really only wanted something from her."

"Oh well," George said, "we promise that we don't want anything from you other than you company and your wit, and maybe your affection."

"Well," Hermione said, her cheeks reddened from embarrassment, "I can give you those if it's what you wish. Well time to head for class, catch you later." She leaned put her arm about Ginny giving her a hug. She then put a hand on George's and Fred's hands and gave a light squeeze.

As she left the hall she was followed by not only her friend's eyes but the eyes of several professors. Professor Snape and Madam Pince exchanged looks, the Weasley twins had obviously noticed the change in Miss Granger, and they were doing everything they could to keep her friendship or were they starting one? Perhaps if anyone could help keep them in line it would be her; but then things could go horribly wrong were they to learn the truth as to why they were attracted to her.

To Professor Dumbledore things hadn't become all that serious yet, it seemed that only a few select members of the student body had noticed the change in her. He hadn't the complete list on whom yet but he believed Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom to be among the few that noticed.

Professor Moody was too caught up thinking about the next part of his plan with Harry that he totally missed anything that was happening around him. If he had been paying attention he would have noticed the display with the twins and the Granger girl, he would have noticed the eye contact between the teachers. He might have even found something fascinating about Miss Granger. But as he wasn't paying attention he missed everything. One could only hope that he was always distracted to miss the goings on around them. Otherwise he might report back to Lord Voldemort about a very attractive fourth year that was friends with The-Boy-Who-Lived.

x.X.x.

Later that day after classes had ended, Hermione found herself out by the lake. She sat and read enjoying her solitude, when her favorite Slytherin walked past.

"Oh look," Malfoy said, "if it isn't the Mud blood."

"Do you want something Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

"Why would I want anything from you," Malfoy said, "I might get germs."

"That would be horrible wouldn't it?" Hermione said snippily, "you obviously don't have anything better to do than to bug me. What is it you want?"

"My father," Malfoy said, "wrote me a letter, and he mentioned you."

"Oh?" Hermione said with a shiver, "should I be worried?"

"No I don't think so," Malfoy said, "he just wondered if you were still besting me in my classes."

"What did you tell him?" Hermione asked.

"I asked why he was so interested in a stupid Mud blood like you for," Malfoy said, "ugh I still can't believe he would like a girl my age, it's just disgusting."

"You can say that again," Hermione said, "I think I'm going to be sick."

"I don't think you'll have to worry much," Malfoy said, "I don't think he'll come to any of the tournament events but I would be careful come Hogsmeade Weekends. I wouldn't go out alone."

"Thanks for the warning," Hermione said, "you better go before someone comes and accuses you of being nice."

"Hah," Malfoy said, "not on your life. Later Mud blood."

Hermione looked around, she was indeed alone. What was the world coming to? First the twins and Cedric take up a friendship with her, next she gets semi-friendly warnings from her worst enemy. What's next tea with Professor Snape, 'God I hope not,' she thought to herself.

She stood up and stretched, then proceeded to pack her belongings. She walked back to the castle to put her things away in her dorm so she could head to dinner. She met Ginny on the way back to the common room and she shared with her the discussion she had with Malfoy.

"Hermione," Ginny said, after hearing what Malfoy said, "Do you think maybe you should inform a teacher? I know that father knows what was said at the World Cup but perhaps we should tell Dumbledore or even Professor McGonagall."

"I think they would just tell us it was our imagination," Hermione said, "and how would we do even tell them something like that without getting Malfoy involved. I think the only reason he said anything was because he worries about what his mother would think."

"It's possible I guess," Ginny said, "he could also just be worried that his father would do something stupid to land him in Azkaban."

"True," Hermione said, "perhaps you could write your father. He would know what to do, right?"

"Alright," Ginny said, "we'll compose a letter tonight, asking for his advice. Let's go to dinner and try not to think about it."

"Alright," Hermione said, "let's go eat before everyone comes looking for us."

They walked to the great hall with speed and diligence, it wasn't because they were hungry, it was because they wanted to get something to eat before Ron ate it all. You think he would have learned his lesson over the summer about eating everything on the table. The boy seemed to think that if it could be eaten then it needed to be shoved into his mouth.

Hermione took her usual seat between Fred and George. It may not have been normal before; but the deeper they got into the school year the more normal it became. "You're a bit late," George said, "no matter, we saved you some food."

They put some food down on the plate in front of her and instructed her to eat, "you look a little tired," Fred said, "long day?"

"I was down by the lake for a bit," Hermione said, "wanted some peace and quiet before the other students arrive."

"It's understandable," George said.

"Maybe you and Ginny should turn in early," Fred said, "you both look a bit tired."

"Maybe we should Ginny," Hermione said turning and looking at her friend.

"Alright," Ginny said, "just let me finish eating and we'll head out."

Fred rubbed Hermione's back while she finished eating, and George supplied her with more pumpkin juice to help wash down the rest of her meal. He also refilled Ginny's cup as well, he couldn't show favoritism between the two, Ginny was after all his little sister. Her happiness meant a lot to him.

Ginny and Hermione shared a look; it was as if they could tell something was bothering them. Although they didn't mind the comfort they were getting from the twins. "Alright," Ginny said, "I'm finished, you ready Hermione?"

"Yes," she said, "well boys it was nice eating with you. We'll see you in the morning, good night."

"Good night," they chorused together.

Hermione and Ginny retreated to the Common room and then to their dorm, where they started a letter to Ginny's father, it read as:

Dear Father,

Please don't be alarmed, none of the boys have done anything but be bothersome over protective brothers that you would be proud of. Hermione received a bit of a warning from Draco Malfoy about something his father said at the Quidditch World Cup. Not a bad sort of warning that you'd want to kill the messenger for but, he warned her that his father had been asking about her. And he doesn't think that Mr. Malfoy will be at the events for the Tri-Wizard Tournament but he suggested that she not go into Hogsmeade alone, because Mr. Malfoy might be there.

We're writing because we're not sure what to do, I wanted to tell either Professor McGonagall or Professor Dumbledore. But she wasn't sure that they would believe her and thought it best contact you first. Our first Hogsmeade weekend isn't for another month or so. What should we do?

Your daughter

Ginny

"Do you think that's enough information?" Ginny asked.

"I think its fine," Hermione said, "but you might want to write that you love and miss him and your mother. They might like that."

"I know they would," Ginny said. Ginny amended the note with an, I love and miss you both. And they walked to the owlery and sent the note with a school owl.

Now all they had to do was wait for a reply, and hope that they didn't get a howler from Mrs. Weasley for not asking for advice sooner.

A/N: that was a bit of doozy to write. I hope you liked it, please let me know what you think. I'm posting this today instead of tomorrow because i wanted to be able to concentrate on Even If..

Again I do not, and certainly never shall own Harry potter or any of the characters, and I certainly am not making any money from this either.

Drop me a line, lemme know how you liked it. Was the apology over the top? I tried to keep Malfoy in character but I think his disgust with his father out plays his disgust for Hermione.