I haven't written in a long time, so here's a new chapter. I'm really sorry about not writing. There are 3 chapters left, maybe a sequel, if I ever feel the need. But yeah, 3 chapters to look forward to. So please review at the end, especially if you want more. Boosting of the ego and such.
A Rabbit
"Where have you been?" Ginny said upon Hermione's entry into the Gryffindor common room. Ginny Wealsy was a spitting image of her mother standing there hands on her hips and face smattered with concern and anger.
"Why are you limping?" Ginny said switching tones as soon as she saw Hermione was limping.
Hermione's face contorted in pain every time she put pressure on it. "I," she paused, "tripped on the," she sucked in air from the pain, "stairs last night. I was," Hermione paused again, "in the infirmary."
"Oh Hermione," Ginny said rushing forward to help her.
The two ambled over to the couch. It took much effort, but they made it.
"She back yet?" Ron asked coming down the stairs with Harry.
"Yes," Ginny answered.
At the sight of Hermione the two boys smiled and came to sit with her.
"Hello Ron, Harry," Hermione gave a weak smile.
"Will you be alright?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, supposedly it's better, but it hurts, a lot," Hermione told Ginny.
"At least it's not swollen," Harry commented as he inspected her ankle, "when I was younger I sprained my ankle, had no magical help, no help at all actually."
Ginny humphed, "imagine, the Dursleys ever caring for anyone aside from themselves."
Hermione felt fatigued and all she wanted to do was go to sleep. If she could she wouldn't go to any classes today. The three asked her questions, but Hermione couldn't keep up. She stood up and started to limp toward the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked.
"To my room, maybe to take a small nap," she answered.
"But we've got class," Ron told her.
"I'll just get my things," Hermione said before embarking on her trip up the stairs.
It took ages and a great amount of effort before Hermione made it to her room. She nearly gave up twice. She thought she would collapse half way up the stairs. Then the second time she was two thirds done, deciding that going back down and asking Ginny to get her things would take longer than just going the rest of the way she continued on.
Slowly but surely, Hermione Granger made it to her room. Hermione sat down on her bed. After a few moments of looking around her room, she laid down with a sigh. She turned her head to the right at stared past her outstretched hand, past her books that lay on her table to her full length mirror. Watching herself in the mirror she felt her eyelids grow heavy.
"Just, for a little while," she told herself.
"Miss Granger, I'd hope you have a good explanation for this," Professor McGonagall said upon Hermione's late entrance into her N.E.W.T.s Transfiguration class.
"Professor McGonagall I'm terribly sorry," Hermione started to apologize.
"Tell me after class, we were just in the middle of something," Professor McGonagall told her then turned to continue with the lesson.
Hermione took her seat in front of Ron and Harry. Ron leaned forward and tapped her on the shoulder. "Where were you Mione?"
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Hermione she whispered glaring at the two.
"You said you were going to get your books," Ron said, "so we left."
"Some friends you are," Hermione humphed and turned around to pay attention to the lesson.
After a chat with Professor McGonagall Hermione was off to Potions with Snape and the Slytherins. The dungeon, just where I'd love to be right, she thought with a sigh. Walking down stairs to the dungeon she wasn't surprised to see Crabbe and Goyle escorting Pansy to class. What surprised Hermione though was that Draco was missing.
The two boys walked toward Hermione on their way from escorting Pansy to the N.E.W.T.s Potions class. The two passed, giving her a look. Crabbe whispered to Goyle who laughed and shook his head. Hermione a little unsettled by this was going to say something but was distracted by two Hufflepuffs in a spat with each other.
"That is not funny," the girl yelled at the boy.
He was doubled up laughing, "yes, yes it was."
"Ever heard that it's really not that funny if no one else is laughing?" she told him, "I'm not laughing."
"If there were other people around, they'd be laughing," he said to her.
She smacked him, "Oh sod off!"
"Stop it!" Hermione yelled at the two, her frustration was obvious.
The two Hufflepuffs looked at her with wide eyes. "Sorry," they said in unison.
"Honestly now," Hermione said, "you're making quite the racket! I don't know what is wrong with both of you but 5 points each from Hufflepuff. Now go on, you better get to class." She'd had falling outs with Ron much like that, but she was on her last nerve. "First years," she mumbled under her breath.
Hermione was so caught up in chastising the two she had forgotten she was on her way to class, and now she was late. "Damn it," she cursed and started off down the corridor.
"Coming through, watch your selves," someone yelled as he came down the narrow corridor. The warnings were accompanied by the steady rhythm of feet against stone floor.
The voice came closer and closer toward Hermione, not that she cared. In her mind she was already preparing to turn around and order 20 points be taken from whichever house the young man came from for running through the school and being late.
"Do you mind moving?" he said.
Hermione turned round recognizing the voice, she cocked her head to the side and stood there. Unblinking and unmoving she stared Draco Malfoy down.
"What?" he asked her, "do I have something on my face?"
Hermione arched an eyebrow and continued to give Draco the same look.
Arching his eyebrows and flashing her a classic Malfoy smirk, "late for class are we?"
Hermione humphed and promptly turned on her heel and headed for potions.
What is up her arse? Draco wondered trailing behind her. As they reached the door Draco decided to say something. Stopping her from knocking he spoke up. "So," Draco said, "your ankle, it's better?"
"Oh, you're trying to master small talk or something Malfoy?" Hermione said turning to face him.
"Granger, I asked you a question," Draco told her. He leaned over her, imposing on her personal space.
"Like you really care," she humphed.
"I know, it's crazy right? Just humor me, because for once in my life I did one nice thing and you go round acting so ungratefully," Draco told her, "don't muggle mummies and daddies teach their kids to be polite?"
"Now you listen to me Malfoy," Hermione said pointing a finger in his face, "don't you go saying a word about my parents, your parents don't exactly qualify for the parents of the year award."
To this Draco smirked, he'd hit a button. This made Hermione even more aggravated.
Draco shrugged, "at least I'm well bred."
"You've got a lot of balls," Hermione yelled as Professor Snape opened the door to the dungeon.
"Thank you for joining us," Professor Snape said, what could have been a smile was on his face. He was mildly amused by Miss Granger's statement.
"For saying that..." Hermione whispered the end of her sentence. Looking past Snape she saw the class staring at her. Lavender and Parvati were whispering to each other. Harry looked very confused. Pansy Parkinson looked absolutely livid. It could have been because they were paired together since their partners showed up late, or the statement. Hermione couldn't be sure. Most of the class was whispering. Both shocked and terribly embarrassed Hermione turned scarlet.
Draco didn't have the same reaction, he smirked, "Yes, Granger, I do, don't I?"
Hermione hid her face in her hand. She was thinking of better, newer, more interesting ways to kill Draco Malfoy.
"Well, we've already begun," Professor Snape explained, "so you have the pleasure, or displeasure, I'm not sure which, of being paired together. Try to keep things civil." Snape knew just as much as anyone that this was an explosive combination. It didn't take the scene at the door to tell him that.
Hermione thanked Merlin that today wasn't a double block of N.E.W.T.s Potions class. She passed Harry and mouthed sorry. Which she truly was, Hermione would have rather been stuck with a dementor than Draco Malfoy.
Pansy Parkinson's hand shot up, "Professor! Oh Professor, can't I just start over with Draco?"
"Yeah, can't she?" Harry agreed. This would probably be the only one time in life he would ever agree with Pansy Parkinson.
"Miss Parkinson, I know that their being paired together is more terrible than any punishment I could give," Snape said with an evil little smile on his face.
"But why must I be punished?" Pansy asked referring the pairing of her and that horrible Harry Potter.
"You'll just have to make sure your partner is not late next time," Professor Snape answered, "now, get on with it."
Pansy thoroughly angered crossed her arms and glared at Hermione. Harry sighed and went back to making his potion.
Hermione lay her book down on the table. With a flick of her wand the book flipped open, page after page turned until it finally stopped on page 600. "Now, we need," Hermione started.
"Done," Draco said.
"What?" Hermione asked looking up.
"I got everything," he told her.
"Oh," was all she said. Hermione watched Draco as he one by one added each ingredient. He stopped only to flip the page once.
"Granger, does that look like burnt umber to you?" Draco asked.
"Hmm?" Hermione answered.
"Burnt umber, is that burnt umber?" Draco said.
"Oh," Hermione said getting up to look at the potion. She looked over the edge of the cauldron. "No, it looks more like a mahogany to me."
"What? Do you carry round colour swatches or something?" Draco remarked.
"No," Hermione said a bit put off, "did you forget to add something?"
"Not that I know of," Draco said looking at the empty desk where the ingredients had been.
"Did you," Hermione looked over the instructions, "stir three times?"
"Yes," Draco said.
"To the right or left?"
"Left," he answered, "why?"
"You stir right," Hermione answered.
"What?" Draco asked a little confused. Did she mean I did I right or I'm supposed to stir to the right? He thought.
"Right," Hermione repeated.
"I did it right?" Draco asked befuddled.
"No! Wrong! Right," she answered.
"Wait," Draco paused, "I'm supposed to stir right?"
"Right," Hermione confirmed.
"No need to shout at me," Draco shook his head.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I was saying right as in correct."
"So I did it correctly?" He asked making sure.
"No! For the last time, you stir three to the right. Not the left but the right." Hermione answered fed up with this stupid little game he was playing, "You got that Malfoy?"
"Yeah, okay," Draco said pouring out the contents of the cauldron, "I'll just start again."
"No, I'll do it alright?" Hermione said taking over. This time Hermione took each ingredient and checked after adding each one. It was now Draco's turn to sit and watch as Hermione meticulously followed the steps and added ingredients to their cauldron.
"There," Hermione said smiling to herself, "that is burnt umber." She encouraged Malfoy to take a look at it.
"You sure?" Draco asked.
"Have I ever been wrong?" Hermione turned to him. She stood questioningly with her hands on her hips.
"Well," Draco stopped to give it a thought.
Hermione didn't even give him a chance to answer. She knew the answer was no. "Hand it in, I just want to leave," she told him.
"Fine," he answered ladling the concoction in a flask. While he did this Hermione started to gather her books. She was ready to go by the time Draco came back from handing in their potion. Harry came over, waiting while she pushed in her chair.
"Granger, remember, 7 tonight, and don't be late," Draco told her as she was leaving.
"I know," she told him more than a little testy.
Waiting until after they were out of the dungeons Harry asked Hermione, "7 tonight? Hermione what's going on?"
"What?" Hermione asked puzzled by Harry's inquiry.
"Malfoy said something about 7 tonight," Harry prodded.
"It's just the usual Head Girl and Boy duties Harry," she answered. Giving it no more thought Harry and Hermione went on their way.
He looked over his shoulder scrutinizing the area. The seventh floor, a place he did not like very much. It made him feel uneasy. Coming to a painting he stopped. There he stood for a moment, in front of the Fat Lady. From his cloak he took a box, setting it on the floor he turned to leave.
"Wait! What's this?" the Fat Lady stopped him.
Turning back to her he answered "a present."
"Of what sorts?" she asked.
"The usual kind," he told her and walked off.
"Who's it for? Don't leave this here!" she called after him. With frustration she gathered the skirt of her pink dress and headed off, "well I'm not looking after it."
Ginny saw the flicker of pink satin in one frame then another and groaned. "What is it?" Hermione asked.
"The Fat Lady's left her painting," Ginny explained.
"How do you figure?" Hermione asked.
"I just saw her," she pointed in the direction she saw her leave.
As the stairs shifted Hermione looked over the edge. She could see the Fat Lady heading for the Great Hall, most likely to the antechamber to see Violet, her friend. With a sigh she moved past Ginny to the next set of stairs to get back on track. The two waited on this set of stairs, turning upside down to go back down a level.
Now standing at the entrance the two stood there looking up at the empty painting until Ginny broke the silence "what do we do now?"
"We could go back down, or to the library," Hermione suggested.
"I guess," Ginny agreed.
"Well then, I'm library you're Great Hall," Hermione held out her fist in challenge of rock paper scissors, "best out of three."
The two stood there mumbling "rock, paper, scissors." Hermione won the first time, Ginny the second. They were on their third try, just as they said "rock" the two noticed the box on the floor. It had moved, and was now moving down the corridor. Exchanging questioning looks the two followed the strange package.
"What on earth?" Hermione whispered.
The box was now at the end of the corridor, it repeatedly bumped against the door trying to go onward. Hermione and Ginny both took their wands out expecting the worst. Many strange things have happened before, it wouldn't be a surprise if a giant animal were to leap out from inside the box.
"Hermione," Ginny said looking down at the package, "it's for you."
"What?" Hermione asked surprised.
Ginny picked up the package, "it's got your name on it." She pointed out Hermione's name on the top.
"Strange," Hermione said taking it from Ginny.
"The Great Hall?" Ginny asked, Hermione nodded and the two went off.
Hermione looked up from her package with excitement. "Oh, you two are the best!" she exclaimed. Getting up from the table she hugged the two boys and gave each a kiss. Harry and Ron exchanged looks of confusion. Hermione lifted the rabbit from it's box. It was snow white with the most amazing gray eyes. "I just love her," Hermione said. "Thanks again" she said before running off.
"Good call on your part," Ron told Harry.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Getting her that rabbit to get her mind off of that damned cat of hers," he replied.
"I thought you got her the rabbit," Harry said confused.
"What?" Ron said turning his head to see Hermione walking out the doors of the Great Hall.
He stood there against the stone wall - waiting. He could see her coming up the stairs, still with a bit of a limp. Strange, you can fix broken bones or a sprained ankle, but you can't take away the pain, he thought.
"You look like you're in better spirits than earlier Granger," Draco greeted her.
"Yes, I'm much," Hermione told him, "always another day and all that." She was smiling, she had her new rabbit in her arms.
Draco grinned and shook his head. His silvery blond hair fell onto his forehead.
"What?" Hermione asked him.
"Nothing Granger, nothing," he told her before opening the door to the Prefect's lounge.
How nice, she thought before he entered ahead of her. Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes I spoke too soon she thought following him in.
"Lot's of work to do Granger," Draco announced flopping down on the couch. He spread out across it, his long limbs going from one end to the other. He watched with his head behind his head, as Hermione set her new pet on a table.
"Well then get up off your arse and help me Malfoy," Hermione told him giving him a playful whack. Draco instead took his time lounging across the couch. Hermione went to the shelf and pulled from it the Book of Records for the year. It kept track of all the Prefects shifts, and any other on goings in the school.
"Malfoy, you said it yourself," Hermione reminded him, "there's work to be done." She pushed his feet off of the couch and sat down. Hermione opened the large book across her lap.
"New pet Granger?" Draco asked putting his feet up again, this time across the Book of Records.
"Don't," she said pushing his feet off the book. Hermione's new rabbit had bounced over and was now sitting on the coffee table in front of the two. Draco sat up to pet the rabbit.
"Yes, if you must know," Hermione said, "Harry and Ron got her for me."
Draco looked up mischievously. So Potty and Weasel took credit for this? "It's a him," he told her.
She looked up skeptically from the book, "and how would you know?"
"Just," Draco paused, "take my word for it."
"As if your word counts for much," Hermione scoffed.
"Granger, I'm hurt," Draco put his hands to his heart. "When have I ever lied to you?" Draco asked her.
"Well..." Hermione thought about it. He was devious, and deceitful but he'd never actually lied to her, not that he wouldn't.
"See, never," Draco said, "you can't think of one time where I have told you an untruth."
"That doesn't mean you can't," Hermione pointed out.
"True," Draco agreed, "but tell me, where'd you find your new friend?"
"Why?" Hermione asked a little uneasy.
"Oh, I was just wondering," Draco said picking up the rabbit, "they pulled it out of a hat? Maybe, left a package for you?"
"How did you know that?" Hermione asked surprised.
Draco got up and headed for the door, "so... you're saying you're not sure who gave it to you?"
"No.. I never said that," Hermione said, then noticed Malfoy was leaving, "wait where are you going?"
"Granger, you always end up doing the book anyway, I don't know why I even bother showing up," Draco explained and left.
Hermione sat there bewildered. Malfoy? He couldn't have, he wouldn't have, she thought as she stared at her new furry friend.
Draco popped his head back in a second later, "Oh Granger, be a dear and give me Friday off, I've got some things to take care of with the old lady." With that he shut the door and left.
"So," Hermione leaned in, now eye to eye with the rabbit, "what should I name you?"