Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me

AH HA! Finally managed to post a chapter that doesn't begin with me apologizing for being late again! But yeah, have been crazy busy trying to find a job these days and nothing other than retail and fast food seems to come up. BUT, it's also good in that it gives me way more time to write so please enjoy!

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Chapter 7

Hermione shivered, stuffing her mittened hands in the deep pockets of her great overcoat. It was the end of October, the afternoon air crisp and nipping with the promise of winter right around the corner. The sky was a dull white, like a vast dome shrouding the sight of Hogsmeade from the prying eyes of the sun.

"Hurry up, girls! They're unveiling the newest Silver Arrow 430 and we want to beat the crowd!"

Rolling her eyes, Allegra hooked her arm through Hermione's, tugging her brilliant orange wool cap lower on her head.

"Go on ahead then, you gits! We'll catch up with you in a bit at the Three Broomsticks, okay?"

Nodding, the boys jogged off towards the end of the street, laughing and jostling each other the entire way.

"Is this the first time you've been to Hogsmeade, Hermione?"

Mae gestured absently, narrowly avoiding a group of Ravenclaws as they made their way down the village street gradually filling with chattering Hogwarts students. Hermione nodded, easily making the little white lie.

"I've read about it though, of course. Largest wizarding village in Britain. I've always wanted to visit here."

"Then we've got to show you around! The boys can wait."

Laughing as the girls enthusiastically dragged her into an already very crowded Honeydukes, Hermione paused near a shelf loaded with pyramids of gooey toffee and spinning Crystal Ores that changed colour. The cheerful aqua shop was very much as she remembered; in fact, from what she had seen, most of Hogsmeade looked like it would fifty years later. The village was just as charmingly quaint and old-fashioned, the very air humming with centuries-worth of magic.

Picking out a bagful of sugar-spun quills, she passed them over to Allegra, who was already standing in line with a large armful of various chocolates. It seemed as though the red-haired Weasley shared the same fondness for sweets as Ron.

"I'll wait for you guys outside, alright? I need some fresh air."

Waving back to them, Hermione slipped out the door, gingerly leaning back against the dusty store-front window. Students chattered excitedly as they passed her, a few familiar faces stopping to say hello to the Head Girl. Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes.

Ever since that time in the Headmaster's office, the situation with Riddle had not changed much. There had been no more outbursts on her part and the Slytherin had made no mention of it since. Instead, whenever their paths happened to cross outside the classroom, such as when she finally decided that he wouldn't stop her from studying in the Head Common Room, he simply ignored her as before. However, there were times when Hermione had the odd sense that his cold glances disconcertingly speculative rather then dismissive. He never said anything other than the usual perfunctory greeting but the nagging feeling disturbed her just the same.

"What the…?"

Hermione opened her eyes curiously, looking around her with interest. A strangely intriguing scent wafted to her nose, beckoning her with its temptingly warm sweetness.

I know that smell.

Pushing herself off the glass, she took a few steps forward, trying to locate the source of the smell. The jangle of the store door opening had her turning around as the rest of the girls almost fell out of the store. Allegra handed her the striped bag of quills.

"Here, 'Mione. Took forever in there; we're actually pretty lucky to get out so fast."

"Thanks, I'll pay you back later. Actually, do you guys know what that smell is?"

"Hmm?"

The little group paused in the street, sniffing the air in surprise.

"Oh, that's coming from the Three Broomsticks. Mr. Arochoot's famous for his spiced cider – it's one of the best around."

"We might as well head on over; the boys should be finished with their little Quidditch orgy by now."

Hermione stopped dead, heedless of the high squeak Mae gave when she bumped into her.

"Cider? As in apple cider?"

"Yeah, of course. Why, you don't like it?"

"Ah…no, it's not that. Just reminded me of something."

No wonder it smells familiar.

Shaking her head and pasting on a bright smile, Hermione followed them down the road into the darkened shop. The boys were already there, packing together a couple of the small wooden tables near the window.

"Took you all long enough, ladies. So what did you get me?"

Stealthily swiping a bag from Matilda, Wills grinned in response to her exasperated poke in the shoulder as she plopped down next to him.

"Nothing, you cheeky bugger. You still owe me a fortune on Dungbombs, remember?"

"Hey, I used those to save you from being cornered by old Toggs the other time! But if you insist, I'll buy you a drink, love."

The two of them started up a mock argument about the value of that particular rescue. Squeezing herself into an empty seat, Hermione found herself smiling up at Gideon.

"So how'd you find your first trip to Hogsmeade, Granger?"

She shrugged, pulling off her scarf.

"It was fun. It's nice to get away from school, you know?"

"Yeah, you work too hard as it is."

Grinning as he gave her bag of quills a pointed look, the boy nonchalantly flipped Byron off when the stocky fellow waggled his eyebrows at the two of them suggestively. A plump old man made his way over to the crowded table, smiling pleasantly.

"So wha' kin I get everyone?"

A chorus of Butterbeers sounded from around the table.

"Oh, 'Mione, did you want to try that cider then?"

Blinking as the rest of them waited expectantly for her answer, Hermione fought down the urge to grimace.

"No, no thanks. I'll just stick to Butterbeer too, I think."

Great, now you've ruined cider for me forever, Riddle.

As the owner shuffled off, the conversation launched into another topic rapidly gaining in interest among the older students.

"So 'Mione, is it true that we're going to have a Christmas ball during the break?"

Hermione nodded. She had actually been the one to come up with the suggestion after considering Megs' comments. The others had pretty much jumped on board, even the Slytherin prefects had put up their token resistance.

"Yeah, we decided at the last prefect meeting that we'll be changing the usual Valentine's Day ball to Christmas. We haven't got all the details sorted out yet but it should be on Christmas Eve."

Clinking his bottle with Hermione's, Wills let out a raucous shout, leaning across the table to chuck her under the chin playfully.

"Thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous farce of a party! You definitely deserve a reward so pucker up, love."

"Hey, mate! Stop bugging her for a kiss already!"

The chestnut-haired boy smirked over at Gideon, whom Hermione peered up at in mild amusement. He laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in somewhat uncomfortably. The girls giggled before Monessa finally took pity on the now flushed Quidditch captain.

"So are you and Tom in charge of planning it, Hermione?"

She nodded again, taking a long sip. That was one situation she hadn't been able to come up with a way to weasel out of without seeming like a complete nutcase. As it was, Hermione was already dreading all the extra time she would have to spend with the Dark lord.

"Hey, does that mean the two of you have to go together too?"

This time, it was Matilda who perched forward, emerald eyes sparkling in excitement. Starting, Hermione shook her head vehemently. Just the thought was triggering her hurl reflex.

"No! We just have to do the planning and set up together. Other than that, I don't have to do anything with him."

"I bet someone's glad to hear that."

Snickers ran around the table, Allegra in particular giving the boy sitting next to Hermione a rather obvious kick under the table. Glaring at her, Gideon glanced over at Hermione, the flush on his cheeks deepening. Laughing a bit in embarrassment, he rumpled her hair as he stood.

"Give us a minute, girls. Want to go over and chat with some guys from the Ravenclaw team."

He gestured to the far corner of the room where a bunch of Hogswart students were sprawled out. The other boys followed, slapping some other people they knew on the back along the way. Halfway there, he turned to grin back at them.

"Oh and Red, you might want to go easy on the ton of sweets you've got in your lap. Wouldn't want you to bust the seams on your dress robes now, would we?"

Sticking out her tongue, Allegra huffed before popping another Chocolate Frog in her mouth.

"He's just embarrassed that I called him on it, the big lump. Bust my seams…ha, that'll be the day!"

"Embarrassed? Nervous is more like it."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow.

"Nervous?"

Matilda giggled, her long hazel ringlets dancing about her face gleefully.

"Of course he is! I reckon all the guys are nervous about asking a girl out; it took Dan forever to just get the words out of his mouth. He kept stuttering so much I was actually worried he would spit on me!"

They all laughed at that. Even Hermione had known that the brawny Muggle-born had such a huge crush on the popular girl that he was often rendered speechless around her.

"But really, Gideon's probably extra nervous because you seem so grown-up. I mean, you're so worldly and composed, all the guys have a bit of a crush on our mysterious new Head Girl."

That's because I am older than you. And because I've seen so much…it's a miracle I haven't got worry lines already.

Modestly waving off the girl's last remark, Hermione took another sip of Butterbeer, the thick, butterscotch sweetness as comfortingly memorable as warm socks in winter. Letting the others chatter away in excitement over the upcoming ball, she let her mind drift as she stared out the window.

It almost seems too calm, too … simplistic. I must be missing something but what?

"Hermione? Daydreaming again?"

A slight nudge in her side caught her by surprise. Gasping as her arm slipped off the edge of the table, Hermione just barely managed to catch the bottle in her hand from completely crashing on to the floor. To her horror however, the robes of the person sitting behind her was not so lucky; a dark stain was spreading across the dark fabric.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm a bit clumsy."

"Obviously."

The rolling sneer in his voice was so deliberately obvious, Hermione actually wondered for a moment if the owner of that flawlessly clipped accent had consciously spent time perfecting it. Straightening, the flash of white sent a familiar, sinking feeling into her stomach. Cringing inwardly, she lifted her eyes to meet the haughty pale blue stare she knew she would.

Is there no end to the Malfoy line? No, make that the Malfoy curse.

Not surprisingly, his loosely tied silver-blond hair was impeccably groomed, pulled back to show off a chiselled face worthy of being compared to that of an angel. Except for the barely visible wet patch on his cloak, his black and white uniform was superbly tailored and crisp. All in all, he looked exactly like an even more physically faultless version of Draco.

Why are all the evil ones unbelievably good-looking? There really is no justice in this world!

Sighing, Hermione slowly withdrew the napkin she had intended to offer whomever it was she had accidentally spilled on. His gaze flickered down to catch the movement before rising again to fix on hers, scorn apparent in the curl of his lip and the sniff of his aristocratic nose.

The boy sitting next to him burped loudly at the silently glaring pair. The end of his rumpled grey scarf trailed into some left-over gravy on his plate, which Hermione noted with disgust that he simply sucked off like an animal. It was Barron, the same Slytherin who had kicked her chair that day after her breakdown in the Great Hall.

"Anything interesting, Malfoy?"

"Not at all. Our new, oh-so-talented Head Girl just tried to get my attention by pouring her drink all over me."

Crueller and even more egotistical than Draco. I didn't think that was humanly possible.

Hermione bristled. Shoving her chair back until it bumped deliberately against his, she stood glaring down at him, a similar expression of distaste crossing her face.

"Well, if you mean trying to call attention to the fact that it's amazing how you manage to sit up straight considering how big-headed you are, then yes, I suppose I was."

Sneering openly now, the Malfoy pushed himself to his feet as well. To her dismay, he towered over her by nearly half a foot.

"Well, well, well, I finally get to meet the psychotic little Gryffindor who managed to somehow squirm her way into the Head Girl position. What did you do? Offer yourself to old Dippet in return? Although what he would find appealing is beyond me."

"How dare you?"

Eyes flashing, Hermione's fist tightened. The other Slytherins let out loud, appreciative guffaws.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione could see the boys hurrying over to form a solid wall next to her, hackles immediately up at the sight of one of their own apparently being threatened. As they approached, the rest of Malfoy's group stood as well, flanking him on either side.

"Hermione? You alright?"

Gideon shouldered his way in to her right, standing protectively in front of her but Hermione determinedly edged him aside.

"I'm fine. It takes more than a pathetic little mama's boy to get me down."

The Slytherin chuckled, the sound distinctly nasty.

"Really, now? I'd say it'd take much less to get you down anywhere."

"Fuck off, Malfoy!"

Angry shouts and taunts erupted from both sides. Patrons at nearby tables cautiously inched away, all the while watching them avidly.

The sudden feel of a wand digging into her side had Hermione snapping her mouth shut. Malfoy smirked as he gave her a sharp poke with the wand hidden in the folds of his cloak. He bent down until he was almost level with her ear, ignoring the heavy hand Gideon clamped on his shoulder.

"Getting a bit ahead of ourselves, aren't we, Mudblo…"

He was interrupted as another quiet, precise voice cut in from behind him.

"Abraxas."

She knew that voice.

Tom Riddle was watching the scene unfold impassively, swirling a half-empty glass of mulled wine in his hand. If Malfoy was an exhibit of perfection in white, then Riddle was the flip side in black. Hermione was disconcerted to find that those fathomless pools of inky black were fixed unwaveringly on hers. That head-pounding sense of suffocation was back again, as it always seemed to be whenever their gazes locked.

Argh, does this happen to everyone or just me?

The single word apparently conveyed enough meaning to Malfoy that he stiffened momentarily before he managed to erase the slight crease from his forehead. The wand in her side disappeared as he straightened. The boys shot each other confused glances as Tom stood and started walking out. Shrugging, the rest of the Slytherins followed suit, effectively dropping the rising argument without another thought.

En route to the door, he paused and slid Malfoy a sharp look.

"Let's go. Don't even bother with those people."

The endless black flickered briefly over her before he turned away and slid out the door. Sniffing, Abraxas Malfoy swept out after him wordlessly, not even pausing to make a parting comment.

Draping a strong arm over her shoulders, Gideon steered Hermione back into her seat. The girls crowded around her sympathetically while the rest of the customers settled down, mildly disappointed murmurs rising up around them.

"You sure you're alright there? What was all that about anyways?"

Nodding wearily, Hermione gratefully gulped down the rest of the Butterbeer Mae pressed on her.

"Something stupid. I spilled some Butterbeer on his robes by accident and things just sort of escalated from there, I guess. Sorry about that, you guys."

"Don't apologize! It's not your fault Malfoy likes to keep his wand up his arse."

Patting her arm affectionately, Allegra groaned as Wills started praising his own rescue skills.

"Is that supposed to cheer her up, Wills? Really, you've got a twisted sense of humour."

"Ah, but you love it, remember? And no need to get jealous, Weasley; plenty of me to go around."

Chuckling as she threw a napkin in his face, his face momentarily grew grim.

"But seriously, love, it's not a good idea to get involved with that lot. Dangerous bunch of buggers, they are, especially Dolohov."

Hermione's lips thinned. She recognized that name.

"Dolohov? Antonin Dolohov?"

"Yeah, that's the one. Damn cheat on the Quidditch field and has no sense of remorse whatsoever. You'd best steer clear of him and Malfoy too. He holds a grudge like no other."

Promising to heed his warning, Hermione's mind swirled with this new information. So Riddle had already gathered his future Death Eaters. That was one nagging concern she had not been able to determine how to handle. It was hardly possible for her to go around forbidding Riddle to make friends with certain people.

Great. Here for two months and I've already messed up.

A gentle nudge against her foot shook her out of her reverie. Gideon smiled at her from across the table, apparently mistaking her solemnness as about what just occurred.

"Don't worry about it, Granger. No harm done so don't give it another thought."

Smiling back at him in reassurance, Hermione took note of the conversation around her.

"That was weird though."

"Yeah it was, wasn't it, mate? Riddle usually doesn't interfere."

"What do you mean?"

Callum shrugged, resting his chin on Monessa's shoulder as she assumed her regular position perched on his knee.

"Just that it's not really his thing. He doesn't join in when the rest of them are taking the mickey but he doesn't stop them either. Reckon he thinks it's too much of a risk to his perfect little swot image."

The other guys snorted and turned the conversation to more interesting topics, namely, various strategies for the upcoming Gryffindor and Slytherin match. Hermione on the other hand, could not focus as one single thought kept circling in her head like a flashing beacon.

If that's the case, then why did he stop Malfoy this time?

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A/N: Well, that turned out way different from what I'd originally intended. This story is proving rather difficult to write but in any case, I'm having fun. Wills in particular is quickly becoming one of my favs - it's like he's this nagging little imp trying to get me to give him more air time.

But yeah, thanks for reading and please do review! I'll try to update every fortnight from now on...