A/N: First i want to say I'm sorry for not updating sooner than this. I've been busy, and all that. i've been feeling lazy also which is most likely why it took me so long. so so very sorry. forgive me?
I do not own Harry Potter, nor shall i ever make any money from this story.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive
A Siren's Song
Chapter 16
Previously the Slytherin trio followed and spied on one Hermione Granger.
Same day as last chapter, around the time that the Weasley twins track down Hermione and walk her back to the castle.
Hermione was laying on her blanket looking at the sky, contemplating weather or not she wanted to get up and walk back to the school for dinner. She was rather comfortable laying where she was, she didn't really want to budge. That was until two very tall, very red headed Weasley twins came into her view.
"Miss Granger," Fred said, "what on earth are you doing?"
"I was relaxing," she said tilting her head back to stare up at them, "is something the matter?"
"Normally I would applaud your getting away for some peace, but things have been in an uproar in the Common Room since you left."
Sitting up a bit to quickly she asked in a concerned voice, "is something the matter?"
"Let's gather your things," George said, "we'll tell you along the way."
As Hermione gathered her things, it didn't cross her mind that it was actually something that was totally ridiculous as people being idiots.
As they walked towards the castle, Fred carrying her bag, George carrying her blanket. They started to talk as best they could, "When we returned to the common room, no one was sure where you had gone," George said, "so us along with Harry walked to your usual secret hiding place to see if you had perhaps gone to the library. Madam Pince said that you have come and gone. She mentioned that you stopped to see if anyone was around, and when you couldn't find anyone, you said you were going to check the Great Hall."
"so we walked to the Great Hall," Fred said, "Parvati mentioned you stopping in, said you looked around as if looking for someone. She said you had a blanked so perhaps you were going to the lake to read."
"But that's no half of it," George said, "we ran into Seamus and Dean in the hall on the way to the court yard, we thought that perhaps you had stepped in there. Seamus said he'd seen you walking alone towards the lake. That's when Ron stepped in, saying some pretty rude things, about Harry."
"Among other things he said, 'It's not bad enough that Hermione betrays you but now she's gone and abandoned you. Whats wrong Harry are you going to cry because you can't find your book worm?"
"Oh first I'm betraying him," Hermione said angrily, "and because I go outside for a few hours for some peace and quiet to get some assignments done I'm suddenly abandoning him. What's next are they going to say I'm smothering him? Is your brother going to say that I've mutated from best friend into mother of the year? Ugh, I hate to admit it but your brother is grating on my nerves."
The Weasley twins couldn't help it, they busted up into bouts of hysterical laugher, "guys, it wasn't that funny," she said trying to hold back a smile, at the twins antics.
"I dare you to say that loud enough for everyone to hear when we enter the Great Hall," George said as he tried to control his laughter.
"And if I do?" Hermione said with a smile, "what do I get?"
"What would you like?" he asked gathering her up with his free arm.
"Mmm you have to go a whole week with out pranking someone," she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"And what do we get if you don't?" Fred asked.
"What would you like?" Hermione asked cheekily.
"You have to help us pull a prank," Fred said, "you choose the person."
"Your on," she said, kissing Fred on the cheek just to be fair to the both of them. She was suddenly thinking about losing the dare just so she could pull a prank on some of the boys in her class. That would teach them to say things that weren't true. Yes, perhaps thats what I'll do.
As the three headed towards the castle, the Slytherin trio were sniggering behind the bush. They had heard the whole conversation about the dare. They desperately wanted to be in the Great Hall to see what would happen. Draco was putting all his money on her losing the dare to get back at some of her classmates. In fact the Slytherin three made a bet on it.
…
When Hermione walked into the Great Hall on the arm of Fred and George, the majority of the Gryffindor 4th years became quiet. Sitting down at the table Hermione didn't say a word to anyone. Harry smiled at Hermione, "Welcome back," Harry said, "were you able to get any work done?"
"Most of it," Hermione said, "I didn't really want to come back, I was thinking about just taking a nap. I looked for you and Neville before I headed off, I couldn't find either of you."
"I know," Harry said with a smile, "Ron is just being Ron."
"I know Harry," Hermione said, "so what are your plans for tonight? Want to come with me to the library?"
"And chance upon you and Cedric?" Harry asked, "no thanks."
Hermione laughed, "OK," she said "but you never know, it could be worth seeing, I mean how many people do you know that get to kiss Cedric Diggery?"
"Well I can think of one off the top of my head," Harry said with a grin, "she also happens to be very close to a pair of mischievous twins from Gryffindor and Viktor Krum a national Quidditch Hero."
Ginny and Neville laughed as Hermione blushed, "Oh I was wondering," Harry asked, "what favor are you going to ask him for?"
"Haven't thought of it yet," Hermione said, "I just don't know."
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Harry said, "you always do."
"Thanks Harry," Hermione said, looking at Ginny and Neville, "are the two of you planning on joining me in the library this evening?"
"We were thinking of going to the green house Neville promised to help me with Herbology."
"What better place to study Herbology than where the plants are," Neville said.
Hermione gave the two of them a brilliant smile as she continued eating her dinner. It seemed today was going to be a pleasant day after all.
"So Hermione," Fred said, "do you have something to say to Ron?"
"Nope," Hermione said, "I've nothing."
"You sure," George asked looking her in the eye.
"I'm very sure," Hermione replied while keeping eye contact.
"Well then we expect you to meet us in the library tomorrow evening promptly after dinner," George said.
"So clear your schedule," Fred said with a wink.
Hermione laughed, her musical laughter could be heard through out the Great Hall. No one in any of the other houses really paid attention to it, they were getting used to hearing the Gryffindor Know-It-All laugh during meal times with no prompt. Cedric sighed before he continued eating, Luna Lovegood smiled at the sight, it wasn't odd to see the older boy sigh when the Miss Hermione laughed.
Draco Malfoy was smiling smugly at the fact that she didn't pull through with the dare. Which meant that someone was going to feel the wrath of Hermione The Mudblood Granger. Oh he couldn't wait, he secretly hoped that it was one of her very own house mates. Although he knew she would never prank her friends, she may very well prank anyone not supportive to Harry The Boy-Who-Just-Wouldn't-Die Potter.
Draco could see from the display from a few weeks ago when The Drumstrang students arrived at Hogwarts that Krum thought the world of the Granger girl, why he couldn't figure out. As Draco watched Krum watch the girl from his seat a little further down the table, he wondered what was so great that so many older boys wanted to be around her so much.
From the way the Weasley twins acted around her, one would think they were trying to court her. Wasn't she a bit young for that? I mean she was what 14 or 15, it was something to look into. Since he had made it his business to follow her around he might as well find out as much as he could about her. Perhaps his Godfather/ Head of House would know something about it.
Viktor couldn't get the girl out of her head, she was just to stunning. He was looking forward to Hogsmeade weekend, it was his turn to escort her, not that they were trying to keep her attention from the other boys, but there just wasn't enough of her to go around. It was something they would have to discuss between them. After this school year was over who know when he would get the chance to see her again. Chances were that if he went away she would forget about his, what would he do then; his heart hurt just thinking about it. Of course he'd only know her a short while, was it a bit soon to feel so much for a girl he just met? He sighed before continuing on with his dinner.
"Are you alright my friend?" one of Viktor's classmates asked, "you sigh to much."
"I don't know what I'm thinking, Nikola," Viktor said, "Is it too soon to have feeling for a witchling three years younger than I?"
"Think of her as a blossoming flower," Nikola said putting his arm around his friend, "she is a very pretty girl, but one day in the next few years she will be a woman and will inspire many a man to feel such feeling. You must make your move, leave your mark, else she'll forget about you when we've sailed away. You must do something to make her remember you."
"I do not think that this will be necessary," Viktor said, "I think that perhaps she will have a hard time choosing between the four suiters that she already has. I do not wish to pressure her."
"You must introduce us my friend," Nikola said, "I would like to talk to the English flower that has stolen your heart."
When Viktor didn't reply Nikola just laughed in as manly a way as possible, "You have it bad my friend."
Viktor looked at his friend and smile, "Da," Viktor said, "I wait for the day the same happens to you, then you'll be sorry."
"Oh Viktor how you tease." Nikola said.
…
Hermione finished her meal, after which she stood up, "well I'm off to the library," she said, "anyone want to join me? I wouldn't want anyone to get the impression that I'm Abandoning them."
Half of the table sputtered as they were drinking and coughed, everyone else just gaped at her, while Harry and the Twins laughed.
"I'll take that as, 'No, Hermione we shall not be joining you in the library,'" Hermione said smirking, "alright then, have a good evening." as she turned to leave, she leaned over the table speaking only low enough that Ron, Seamus, and Dean could hear her. "If you think for one moment that you're off the hook for saying such nasty things, you've another thing coming. If I were you I'd watch my back."
"Is that a treat," Ron asked stupidly, a frightening look on his face.
"No, Ronald," she glared, "that's a promise."
Without another word she turned on her heel and walked from the Great Hall. There was an air of awe about her as she walked out, the twins wanted nothing more than to follow her out into the hall and kiss her within an inch of her life. However that wouldn't be possible as they had things to do after dinner, it would have to wait for another time.
Cedric Diggery on the other hand, didn't plan on waiting for later to catch up with the witch. He had asked her to meet him in the library later, so surely he would be rewarded for his attendance with a kiss that would render her unconscious. Well maybe not unconscious, he thought, just in a daze enough to lose her train of thought. Although there is the fact that Professor Snape could be keeping an eye on her so perhaps it should only be a little kiss. Oh hell, who am I kidding, it has to be awe inspiring or nothing.
Meanwhile up at the head table, Dumbledore's eyes were tinkling, "Minerva," Dumbledore said, "how about a stroll through the halls."
"And where Albus would we be strolling to?" she asked skeptically.
"I was thinking the library," Dumbledore said trying to maintain eye contact.
"Albus," she said a hint of warning in her voice, "what pray tell is in the library. Don't tell me that you've some free time and you feel the need to spy on students?"
"Of course not Minnie," Dumbledore said twinkle still in his eye, "although I'm sure that they'll be having their own entertainment, I was thinking that perhaps its time I showed you my favorite corner of the library?"
Professor McGonagall made a scoffing sound that came out something between a giggle and a harrumphing noise, which in turn sounded much like a cat hacking up a fur ball.
Albus picked up a cup of water, "Need a drink Minnie?" he asked concerned.
"Yes," she coughed, "thank you."
"So about that hiding place," Albus said standing from his seat at the Heads Table. She sat back in her chair, before smirking and throwing down her napkin onto her empty plate. What the heck, she thought as she stood from her seat and followed him from the table and out into the hall. He offered her is arm, and they walked to the library in slow relative silence. Bother were smirking; but neither muttered a word as Dumbledore ushered her to the library to show her his favorite nook. Hopefully it wasn't already taken by a couple of students.
…
Hermione couldn't believe her luck, she was able to get the table at the back of the library where many of the girls like to sit and stare, at certain popular boys. She giggled to herself and shook her head as she pull out a chair and plopped down into it.
Something had to be terribly wrong with her if she was scheming with her house mates against her own house mates. Oh well, she thought pulling out her notes to finish the assignments that she hadn't been able to finish when she was down by the lake.
She couldn't have been sitting down for more than 10 or even 15 minutes when a grinning boy by the name of Cedric Diggery walked into the library and plopped down in the chair across from her.
"So tell me," he leaned across the table with a whisper, "what was it that made you laugh at dinner?"
"The twins dared me to do something when I entered the Great Hall," Hermione said with a smile, "if I didn't I had to pull a prank with the twins, I get to pick the person."
"So you decided to forgo the dare and go right to pranking?" Cedric asked just to clarify.
"Sounds about right," Hermione said her eyes twinkled much like the head masters did when he knew something that no one else knew; his own private joke.
"Really what was it you were going to say?" Cedric asked.
"Well Fred and George said that when they and Harry were looking for me. Ron said some mean things. Long story short according to Ron, first I betray Harry and then I abandoned him. So I said something to the twins on the way back to the castle about it. I would say it was more like ranting I said 'What's next are they going to say I'm smothering him? Is your brother going to say that I've mutated from best friend into mother of the year?'"
Cedric looked at her strange for a minute before he caught on to what she was saying, Mother of the year? He thought, Mother of the year? (repeat twice more)
suddenly he laughed, she hadn't expected him to actually laugh, "thats funny," he said repeating, "Mother of the Year. I remember Mr Weasley talking once about Muggle traditions. Do they really have a mother of the year award?"
"Oh yes," she said, "Most countries have a Mother of the Year award. Although you usually have to be entered into the contest by a family member. Dad and I thought of entering Mum a few times."
"Perhaps we should adopt the custom,"Cedric said, "my Mum is pretty wonderful."
"Oh yes it would give us something to think about other than Blood Purity," she said.
"That it would," Cedric said flashing her a smile. She watched him over her book as he pulled out his work from his bag and spread his things out over the table top.
"Do you have a lot of assignments?" she asked resting her chin upon her hand.
Looking up at her, he could help the but smile at the vision. He had always been interested in Muggle Fiction. Shakespeare was one of his many favorites, he was suddenly reminded of Romeo and Juliet. Oh to be a glove upon that hand; that I might touch that cheek. Or chin in this case.
"what are you thinking?" she asked him, and he was suddenly pulled away from his thoughts.
"I was thinking about something I read once," Cedric said, "they way you lean upon your hand, suddenly I'm thinking in Shakespeare."
"Oh?" she asked sounding intrigued, with twinkling eyes she continued, "prey tell me what lines I've inspired you to recite in your mind."
He looked at her in a bit confused before he caught onto her meaning. Deciding not to go into the whole 25 lines in which Romeo speaks of his lady love, "See how she leans her cheek up her hand, oh to be a glove upon that hand' that I might touch that cheek."
She blushed, while still leaning her chin upon her hand. She reached out with a free hand and pulled his hand across the table. "There is no need to by a glove," she said sweetly, "all you have to do is reach a little. I should think that should be enough."
As his hand touched the soft skin of her cheek, she leaned her face to the side, resting her face gently in the palm of his hand. They stayed like that for a few minutes before he reluctantly pulled his hand away. With a sigh he pulled our his quill and ink bottle.
"Did you need help finding a book?" she asked curiously.
"Yes," he said, "but it can wait till I finish Transfiguration."
She smiled at him before continuing on with her potions essay. Cedric watched as she searched through her reference books. He watched as she stood, and stretched before walking into the stacks. Leaning across the table he saw the potion she was reporting on. Professor didn't really care about essays as long as you put in what he asked for. Her paper already looked to be as long as he asked, 10 inches. Why was she giving him more than what he asked for?
Standing up he followed her into the stacks, she was glancing through a potions book, soaking up information. "Hermione," Cedric whispered from behind her, "are you finished with you essay for potions?"
"It's the required length, with the required points answered, reading through it though it feels as if it's missing something. I'm looking for the missing facts before I deem it finished," she said.
"Does the professor give you a decent grade for going up and beyond?" Cedric asked?
"Not usually no," Hermione said, "he says I'm an over achieving know-it-all swot."
Cedric laughed, "Hmm I think maybe he just can't show you favoritism because your not one of his snakes."
She laughed, "you might be right," she said, I bet if my mother were here she would kick him around for not giving me the credit I deserve.
Cedric pulled the book from her hands and placed it back on the shelf where she took it from. "I'm sure that you've heard this before," Cedric said pulling her towards him. After all they were in a hidden nook, and the library was nearly empty. "that you're very bright. You shouldn't over think things. I can tell from what I read of your essay that it was very well thought out, and very well written. Perhaps a bit straight forward, there's no waxing over of facts. There's no nonsense about it, I think perhaps that you should quit following along with the text and just put things down in your own words."
Before speaking she thought about what he had said. Professor Snape had said something similar hadn't he? Perhaps that was why he couldn't stand reading her work. It just sounded so text book. Really who liked reading from a text book. "Alright," she said carefully, "but I'm not rewriting my essay, the advice you give will be put towards all future homework."
"That was more that I expected," he said pulling her into him, "now if I could just convince you to never leave my side."
Hermione giggled nervously, as she looked up into his eyes. He really did have pretty eyes, they were a very rich golden brown color. As he leaned down towards her, he pulled her further into his arms than she had been. She couldn't resist the urge to stand on her tippy toes. They're lips made contact and all thought left her head, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. As far as kisses go, it was a relatively chaste kiss.
His lips were soft against hers, and she couldn't help the small gasp that escaped her lips as he pulled her closer. His lips moved against her, and it took all his effort not to devour her. After a minute or two they reluctantly pulled apart.
Cedric looked down at the girl in his arms, he couldn't help but smile at her. She was still flush from the kiss. The only problem was that if things went on a they were, it was going to prove to be a difficult year, and it was only November. Which brought him onto another thought, when were they going to find about the first task. It would be soon, or perhaps they were going to keep it a surprise. He hoped not.
"Come," Cedric said taking her hand in his, "we should get back to work."
"Are you upset with me?" she asked.
"Why on earth would you think that?" he asked kindly.
"Well I can't imagine that its been easy for you, knowing you have to compete not only for your life but," before she could finish he cut her off with another chaste kiss.
"I can hardly be upset with you for being you," Cedric said, "you have no control over who you attract and who you don't. And it's not like were dating. Think of me more as a friend who likes to steel kisses from you, when ever he gets the chance. One day you'll have to make a choice, and I'm sure it won't be easy. For now lets just enjoy life as it comes. OK?"
"OK," she said leaning into him and giving him a small kiss on the cheek. Well that was her intention anyway, but he turned his head at the last minute and stole another kiss from her. She giggled nervously, before following him back tot the table.
…
Unbeknown st to them, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall saw the entire exchange. She looked at Dumbledore with a smirk.
"It seems you nook isn't a hidden as it would seem," she said.
"So it would seem," he said.
"I'm surprised they didn't see us," she said, "I'm sure you've a reasonable explanation as to why."
"Of course," Dumbledore said returning a smirk to his lady love, "But what was that you said the other day? Oh yes, thats for me to know and for you to wait eons and eons to find out."
Professor McGonagall laughed at him, and started to walk away from him and out of the little hiding spot that they were hiding in. however before she could get away, Dumbledore grasped her and and pulled her to him, copying the moves of a student; he stole a kiss.
Minerva had told her self a long time ago that she would give him a chance to win her over. That had to have been more than 10 years ago. She wanted to berate him and ask him why he was taking so long. At the moment though it didn't matter, she gave herself over to the kisses of the Albus Dumbledore. She could yell at him later; and she would, mostly to ask what took him so long.
