A Sirens Song

Chapter 19

Friday November 23rd.

The school was abuzz with activity, and excitement. Today ways Friday, and classes were cut short as the first task was tomorrow.

Hermione had a look about her that had everyone wondering what she was up to. Only four people knew that she had something grand planned for after dinner. The Gryffindor house couldn't figure out how she had come to be in such a good mood.

She was laughing loudly at something George said to her in the great hall at breakfast. The Slytherin Trio had a bet going about when her Prank would take place, whether or not she would get detention or not, and what it would be. Draco knew something was going on with her, as he'd never seen her so happy before today.

Harry and Ron were eying her strangely, both wanting to know what she was up to. They knew she was happy because she was seeing four boys who were all older than her, but that had been going on for over two months. Hermione Granger, Know-It-All, Exrtordinair was up to something.

The day seemed to pass quickly with classes shortened, and Hermione found herself walking towards the Great Hall for lunch sooner than expected.

"The shortened classes have really thrown me off," she confessed to Ginny, whom she was sitting across from.

"I know what you mean," Ginny replied, "but I can't say that I hate it."

"Me either," Neville admitted reaching for a roll, "the less time we spend in Snape's class the better."

"Oh Neville," Hermione said comfortingly, "he's really not that bad."

"That's because your Mother asked him to keep an eye on you," Ginny whispered across the table in hushed tones so only the three of them could hear."

"I'm sure that's not the only reason," Hermione said, "but if it makes you feel better I'll be glad when classes are over for today. I've a book waiting for me in the library."

"You always have a book waiting for you in the library," Ginny groused, "Is the Title Viktor Krum or Cedric Diggery today?"

"I don't know about all that," Hermione said hiding a blush, "but there is a set of twins that promised me a walk around the lake this afternoon."

"Of course," Ginny said, "I forgot about them."

Hermione grinned at Ginny, she really was having a good day. She couldn't wait to go over the prank one more time with them. She had planned to stop by Charms after classes were over, she was meeting with the Professors involved in the prank after classes today, and she wanted to be sure that everything went well. She was so excited.

She knew her father was part of the legendary Marauder's; so that must have been where she got the gene from. The pranking gene she called it, plus Sirius black was her uncle, quite literally, so she could have gotten it from him. If only they could be there to see it, would they be proud of her. She wandered silently, the smile slipping from her face at the thought of them being unhappy with her. She would ask Professor McGonagall about it when she saw her later.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Neville asked pulling her attention away from her thoughts.

"Oh, Yes, I'm fine," she said grinning back at him, "I was just lost in thought is all."

"Parish the thought," Harry said as he sat next to Neville, "Hermione Granger lost in thought? Impossible, we all know she keeps a map of her mind somewhere. Did you lose your map Hermione?"

Ginny and Neville laughed at the joke, Hermione mock glared at him before laughing. "You're very funny Harry," she said trying to calm herself, "you should be a stand up comedian."

Harry laughed, "You think I could use that as a fall back career if the whole savior thing falls through?"

"Of course," she said happily, "but I doubt that it will ever come to that Harry. I'm sure that you'll be training up little heroes by the time we graduate."

Lunch when on like that for sometime before Fred, George and Lee showed up. Hermione had their plates prepared before they were at the table.

"Hello princess," George said kissing her lightly on the cheek.

Fred too kissed her on the cheek after sitting down, "What would we do without you, love?"

"I'm sure you could get on without me if you had to," Hermione supplied grinning.

"I don't think we could," George said.

"You've spoiled us rotten," Fred continued.

"I"m sure you're exaggerating," Hermione said with a wistful smile. "I think I'm the one who should be asking you that question. What would I do without the two of you?"

"You'd still be in the library wasting all your free time on books," Ginny said butting into their conversation.

"You'd be miserable," Harry supplied.

"I would," Hermione said looking from one twin to the other, "I think I would be very miserable."

"We love you too Princess," Fred said kissing her knuckles. She couldn't remember when he'd taken her hand. They were becoming more and more a part of her life, what would she do without them when they left school next year?

As the day passed on Hermione became a bit anxious. The last class had ended around 2 pm, she was sitting in the headmasters office going over the finer details. McGonagall was in charge or transfiguring the roses and paint brushes. Flitwick was in charge of the charm for making all of Gryffindor sing, and he was in charge of getting the boys to sing their lines. Dumbledore was in charge of the piano. The only thing Snape had to do was sit back and watch. He thought of a potion that could help but they decided that they didn't really need it. The hardest part was to get Ron to come into the Great Hall at the exact moment, to say his one line.

After the prank was over, Snape was to make a remark to Hermione in the Great Hall, and hand out punishment or retract points to keep face. Of course any time spent in detention would be with Snape and he fully intended to have her do something constructive, like plan another prank on the lesser beings in Gryffindor house depending on how tonight's prank was taken. He really couldn't wait to see what she had planned.

The time from the after class meeting till dinner went rather slowly. Hermione couldn't help but silently usher time to go just a bit faster, because it was going so slowly. She spent time walking around the lake with Fred and George who attempted to distract her from her thoughts. However she was so nervous about the up coming prank that her hands were shaking a bit.

At about 5 she said goodbye to the twins before heading off to the library, where she ran into Cedric Diggery. They talked about books, and hobbies until about 6, when Cedric had to leave to see his head of house before heading off to Dinner.

She was then greeted by Viktor Krum, while he didn't say much, they talked about what going to Durmstrang was like. It was then that she thought of what she could ask him for, although he would have offered if she had just asked.

"Viktor," she said her voice low, "i was wondering about your ship."

"What about it luv?" he asked.

"I was wondering if you could tell me about it?" she asked, "perhaps I could take a tour. I'm very interested in how it can go underwater without springing a leak. It's all very fascinating."

"It's a Magical ship..." he said in a low voice so only she could hear him. Somewhere in the telling and the listening about the Drumstrang ship, Hermione stopped listening to what he was saying. She found his voice was deep and soothing. She was no longer paying attention. She watched his lips entranced as he spoke.

He called her name once or twice and when she didn't respond, he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. The kiss was short and light, and not long enough; but it snapped Hermione out of her thoughts and back to reality.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she blushed bowing her head slightly.

"Was talking bothering you?" he asked slightly confused.

"No, no," she assured him, "I became captivated by the sound of your voice. You really do have a very soothing voice."

"Thank you," he said standing up, pulling her along, "It is time to head for dinner, if you are ready."

"Oh," she sighed, it wasn't that she wasn't ready for dinner, it was that she wanted to listen to his deep voice wash over her. She wanted to, she didn't really know what she wanted; but she knew she wanted to stay in the library with him. Breaking from his thoughts again, she smiled up at him, "I'm ready."

They walked hand in hand to the entrance of the Great Hall. He had every intention of walking her to the Gryffindor table; but first he wanted to hold her close. Seeing that there wasn't anyone around he pulled her into the entrance hall, and out into the court yard.

He pulled her into him so that her head was resting against his chest. Her arms wrapped around his waist, his cheek rested against the top of her hair. After a moment she looked up at him, he looked down at her. He leaned down and kissed her lips lightly. It was a chaste kiss, their lips moved against each others. After a few moments he pulled away and looked down at her. Her eyes were closed lightly, and her mouth was still slightly open, her lips swollen and red from kissing. He bent down again kissing her again lightly before resting his forehead against hers.

I love you, he said to her silently in his mind, not a whisper was heard from his lips as he chanted the phrase in his head.

They pulled apart, she smiled up at him with the sweetest smile a boy could receive from a girl. She blushed lightly before she pulled him back into the entrance hall and into the Great Hall. She escorted him over the the Slytherin table, before kissing him on the cheek. She blushed slightly before turning and walking over the the Gryffindor table.

Viktor stared after her, he just stood there a bit dumb founded. Should it have been the other way round? Viktor scratched his head before turning around to see a table full of knowing looks.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," the Slytherin trio said at the same time. However his friend Nikola was looking at him a bit odd.

"You let a girl escort you to the table," Nikola said, "have you lost your mind?"

"Possibly," Viktor said.

Draco and some of the other boys laughed at this, "there is no possibly about it," Nikola said in an affirming tone, "you have lost it."

Viktor just smacked his hand on the back in a friendly manner and sat down next to him, and Draco Malfoy.

"Did you hear about the bet we've going?" Draco asked, full well knowing that he did.

"Da," Viktor said, as he filled his plate with food.

"Do you want in?" knowing that he had to have something to do with the prank that Granger was going to pull and when.

"No," Viktor said, "it vould not be fair to you."

"I guess not as you spend time with her and all," Draco said taking a drink of his pumpkin juice. "But can you tell me if it's limited to just Gryffindor house or are others involved?"

Viktor smirked, "Just vait, it von't be long," was all he said before he decided to concentrate on his food.

After the longest half hour that Draco had ever experienced he saw Gryffindor's golden girl stand up and leave the great hall. He couldn't hear what was said; however he could tell she was grinning from ear to ear.

Not more than a moment after she left did several things start to happen.

Harry was sitting in between Neville and Fred, when Hermione announced to the table very loudly that she needed to visit the Loo. She had the biggest grin on her face as she left. Looking around he noticed that Fred and George were smiling too. They were up to something. There was no question about it, the three of them were very much up to something.

A moment or two after she left, several things started to happen, all the watter classes were changed into White Roses. Looking around he noticed that it was just something happening at the Gryffindor table. Suddenly his fork turned into a paint brush, he suddenly had a bad feeling about it.

Then suddenly he felt the urge to pick up this paint brush, he noticed that it had red paint on the bristles. Suddenly he was reminded about the only other time he'd seen white roses and red paint. He couldn't help but smirk as he felt the urge 'to paint the roses red', and he did, he started painting his rose red, just like all the other boys at the table.

Then suddenly, Dean, Seamus and Neville stood, and started to sing.

"Painting the roses red

We're painting the roses red"

It started off low, as they repeated the first two lines a couple of times before they actually started singing the song.

"We dare not stop
Or waste a drop
So let the paint be spread"

it was at this point that he saw Hermione come back into the Great Hall, she was smiling like the Cheshire cat. As she walked up towards the head table. It was then that he saw a Piano appear. She stood in front of it where the bench had been and sat down. Quickly picking up the tune. Music fill the Great Hall, as she played the song for the boys who were singing.

"We're painting the roses red
We're painting the roses red

Oh, painting the roses red
And many a tear we shed
Because we know
They'll cease to grow
In fact, they'll soon be dead
And yet we go ahead
Painting the roses red

Painting the roses red
We're painting the roses red"

Suddenly the boys voice lowered and Hermione's could be heard above theirs. Harry knew she had a beautiful voice but he hadn't heard her sing accompanied by the piano before.

"Oh, pardon me
But Mister Three
Why must you paint them red?"

It was now that he suddenly had the urge to start singing the line like the rest of the boys at the table. 'Painting the roses red, painting the roses red.'It was Dean that answered her.

"Huh? Oh! Well, the fact is, Miss
We planted the white roses by mistake
And..."

The Three boys started singing again to answer her.

"The Queen she likes 'em red
If she saw white instead
She'd raise a fuss
And each of us
Would quickly lose his head"

"Goodness," Hermione/ Alice said.

"Since this is the part we dread
We're painting the roses red"

"Oh, Dear! Then let me help you," Hermione said. Before she too started singing while she played.

"Painting the roses red
We're painting the roses red
Don't tell the Queen what you have seen
Or say that's what we said
But we're painting the roses red
Yes, painting the roses red
Not pink, sang Dean
Not green, Sang Neville
Not aquamarine, Sang Hermione
We're painting the roses red!"

Song finished with a bang and before anyone could say anything, about what had happened, Ron stood up and for some reason he couldn't explain shouted, "Whats the big idea, painting my roses red?" Ron said loudly, before he finished in his best shrill voice, "Off With Your Head!"

"HERMIONE!," Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Ron yelled, standing up from the table.

"Now might be a good time to run," Flitwick said across the table.

Harry and the twins watched as she stood from the piano bench. She was trying to figure out if she should make a run for it or defend herself. She watched as the doors to the Great Hall opened, this distracted the boys from her, allowing her to make a run for it.

She sprinted past them and out the doors. After she was out through the doors, they shut behind her.

"I would think twice before you get even boys," Dumbledore said loudly. Neville sat back down next to Ginny and watched as the rose he was painting magically changed into a Red and white butterfly along with the rest of the roses sitting in the hands of the Gryffindor boys hands. Suddenly the four boys weren't angry anymore. Had she planned the flowers to turn into something else after the prank was over.

Looking up at the head table, Neville and the majority of the older students saw the surprised looks of the teachers, their head of house especially.

The doors to the Great Hall opened as the butterflies rose off the table, with a flick of her wrist, the butterflies changed back into red and white flower petals before falling gracefully onto the Gryffindor table.

"While I was walking to the Piano," she started as she walked to the table, "I charmed the Roses so that when the song was over they would change into butterflies, I was hoping to distract you all from getting revenge for the prank."

When no one answered, she continued on, "Professor McGonagall transfigured the Cups into Roses, and the Forks into Paint Brushes for me." she glanced up at the Heads table silently thanking her Head of House. "Professor Flitwick did the charm for only the boys to sing the song." she tanked Professor Flitwick again for his help. "Headmaster Dumbledore, Provided me with the piano," she said thanking him, with a smile.

"Professor Snape," she said boldly, "he didn't really do anything, except he promised not to give me detention till after the first task tomorrow. He didn't want to take away from the glory of the competition."

Professor Snape did something totally unexpected, he smiled at her, "Miss Granger if there was ever a time to misuse your Genius," he said, pausing for effect, "it would be right this moment."

All Hermione heard was Genius, she beamed up at him. He shrugged, "I expect to see you Monday evening for detention."

"Yes, sir," she said trying to frown slightly. In reality she was just to happy to see that her stunt had gone over so well. Sitting back down at the table next to Fred and George, she expected scolding.

"I can't believe you pulled a prank," was all Ron could say to her. Lavender was holding his hand, "and why may I ask was I screaming off your head?"

"It's part of the story," Hermione said, "It's from a book,well a movie actually, called 'Alice in Wonderland' the song you guys sang was from the animated film. And Ron said the red queen's line, I figured that since you were being the Queen prat that it would be fine."

Ron bristled, "what was the point of all that?" Seamus asked, "I thought it was pretty cool, after all you embarrassed yourself in front of everyone too so why should we be mad."

"The 'Point' was that you would realize that your all being prats," Hermione said, "Gryffindor should be sticking together to support Harry instead of treating him cruelly. That and the prank wouldn't have worked if it was only Seamus Dean and Ron. Besides I misused my genius on you, you should feel privileged."

Most of Gryffindor laughed at that, there were some younger students who hadn't understood what was going on; but most of the students got what she said.

"I can't believe you got the teachers involved," Harry said, "how did you manage that?"

"Oh well I said I wanted to teach all you prats a lesson for not believing in my Harry, that I had to ask them for help."

"Not that she couldn't have pulled it off without their help," Fred said.

"Yea most brilliant witch of her age and all," George said.

"Wouldn't expect anything else from her really," They said together.

"Thanks," she said giving them both a kiss on the cheek.

"How long have you been playing the piano?" Neville asked.

"Since I was 5 I believe," Hermione said, "mum thought that it would be good for me. I was already reading when I was 4, most children's books were boring for me, so mum thought that learning music would help my creative genius. It's all I do when I'm at home, if I'm not reading I'm playing. Dads always bringing home new pieces for me to play."

"Gram thought that I could use something structured to do with my time," Neville said, "I can play the piano fairly well."

They talked for a while longer before going back to their dorms. Hermione said good night to the boys and then watched as the boys trudged up the steps towards the boys dorms. Harry stayed behind because he wanted to practice a bit more on the summoning charm.

He'd perfected it already, with thanks to Hermione; but he wanted to be sure that he could master it alone, or without help at least. After practicing alone, for nearly 30 minutes, he too headed to bed.

Tomorrow was sure to be an exciting day, he was scared out of his mind. Somehow he drifted off to sleep right after laying down. He must not have been as scared as he thought he was.

A/N: I know it's a bit shorter than I normal but only by 300 words or so. It seemed like a good place to stop.

Dear Guests who review and expect some sort of reply, perhaps you should get an account or log in so that i can reply to your reviews.

Dear MrsH: i realise that you will probably not read this chapter as you have said 'You have wasted enough time on this story.' i am sorry that my horrible grammar has ruined for you what you claim 'Could be a good story' but as you can see I don't much care. one can only do so much when one doesn't have a reliable person to check grammar, and if you were to say read further into the story you may be able to tell that my writing and maybe my grammar have improved. however i don't much appreciate hateful remarks and reviews from a GUEST when i can't reply to them. As for being poorly educated well that remains to be seen. Have a nice time not reading my stories.

I apologize to anyone who might be offended by my previous remarks. i hope that those of you reading this for the first time will still continue on.

Those of you asking for a Draco/Hermione Pairing, I'm afraid that after thinking about it I can't add Draco to Hermione's group. One because he's her first cousin in this story, and that would be incest. And although it happens with many pure-blood families, I highly doubt that Draco would want to be involved with a first cousin. So there will be no Draco/Hermione pairing for this story. I do however have plans for yet another story, that I haven't begun to think about yet. If I can work out the kinks I'll make a Draco/Hermione pairing then. Sorry if I led you on.

On another note, I should be updating my other two Harry potter stories with in the next day or so. I've been working on all the fics these past two weeks and I find myself nearly done with the other two.

Once again I am sorry for taking so long to update.

P.S. I don't own Harry Potter