AN; I have no excuses for the lengthy amount of time it took for me to update this fic. I lost my hp mojo so haven't really been motivated. As of right now it's a tie between Hermione & Daphne (I think.) Oh well, if you're still following this, thank you (: I'm focusing more on character development and Naruto meeting and interacting with his possible other for the next couple of chapters before I start moving on with the plot. Just saying.
OVO
"'Mione."
"What?"
"'Mione."
The witch looked back exasperatedly, biting her lip in frustration she glared at the tall teen lagging behind her. "What Naruto?"
The blond answered her with an innocent smile. "Well… are we there yet?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "Have we stopped moving yet?"
He smirked. "No."
"Then that's your answer. Besides we've only got a little bit to go before we get there."
"And 'there' is where exactly?"
She huffed. "There is where no one can eavesdrop on us, in the owlery."
"Aw if you wanted to get me all alone, all you had to do was ask." The blonde teased, a slight flush appearing on his cheeks as various… perverted situations played through his mind.
Hermione stopped, leveling a glare at the prat walking beside her she pursed her lips. "I did not… ugh you're insufferable."
Naruto snickered at the tinge of pink on her cheeks. "I know I am, but that's all part of my charm."
"If that's your charm then I dread seeing you get fresh with the ladies." She claimed in exasperation.
"Why? You gonna be jealous or something?" He teased.
Hermione sent him a withering glare, her eyes rolling for the umpteenth time at the boy behind her, "I refuse to dignify that statement with a response." She muttered shortly.
Naruto chuckled, "But it wasn't a statement, 'Mione, it was a question."
Huffing in exasperation, she marched up the final steps of the owlery, practically tearing the door down in her irritation she did a quick scan through to make sure it was empty before turning back at the insufferable boy. "Well?" She questioned as she tapped her foot impatiently.
"Well what?" He asked.
"Well ask me whatever it is that's boggling your mind." She snipped.
Naruto held his hands up to the irate girl, grinning at her widely he took a step closer and smiled as she sucked in a breath at his proximity. "Well, what are you doing this weekend?"
Hermione looked at the boy oddly, cheeks flushing a little at the blonde's possible motive behind that question. "Um… Well I was going to go to Hogsmeade with Ron-" She noticed the disappointed look on his face briefly before he covered it up with his usual lazy grin, "And Harry if he manages to get that waiver signed." She blurted out quickly.
The blonde's brows lifted marginally as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Oh… well maybe next time then." He shrugged.
The witch raised a brow inquisitively despite the healthy flush on her cheeks, "Next time for what, Naruto?"
"Maybe we'll hang out next time." He answered.
"But we already do…"
'Denied.'
Naruto supplied the Kyuubi with a mental scowl, 'Shut up.'
"I meant… Nevermind." He mumbled awkwardly as he felt his cheeks flush from irritation at his tenant and embarrassment. "Anyways, I was wondering how you can be in two places at once."
And of course Naruto should've remembered just to whom he was talking to, Hermione never lets anything go. "What did you mean Naruto?" She asked with a slight hitch in her tone.
The blonde's already flushed cheeks reddened to a ridiculous scarlet, "I-uh-er… it's nothing." He stuttered out, chuckling nervously his hand scratched the back of his head sheepishly on instinct.
Her brows furrowed, "Oh, alright." She sighed, I should've known he didn't mean anything by it.
Naruto's eyes widened at the crestfallen look on his friend's face, a panicked expression settling on his face. "Hermione, uh, I meant…" He cleared his throat, did my voice really just crack? "I meant, hang out with just the two of us…" The blonde grinned nervously.
Hermione's fading blush came back with a vengeance, her mouth dropping slightly at the unexpected but not completely unwanted answer from the tall teen. "Like a date?" She questioned apprehensively.
"Uh no!" He spluttered out nervously
Her face fell.
"I mean, not unless you wanted it to be!" The blonde hastily added.
And now she frowned.
"Gah, I'm not saying I don't want to go on a date you 'cause it'll be nice and everything! But I didn't want to assume and uh… You know what nevermind, I'm going to shut up now." He claimed defeated.
Hermione pursed her lips at the blonde, "Good idea."
'Good going Crassanova.' The fox chimed in, cackling madly at his tenant's social awkwardness.
A blonde brow twitched, 'It's CASANOVA baka kitsune!'
Kurama harrumphed, 'Should've known you'd be too intellectually deficient to get the joke.'
'What?'
No response.
'Damn fox.' Naruto spat back, shaking a mental fist at his tenant.
The tall blonde coughed awkwardly, "So… Finally gonna tell me what the deal is with ancient runes and div?"
Her brow quirked at him as she gave him the look, she huffed in exasperation, should've known maturity and emotional know how weren't contained on the Y chromosome. She loosened her tie and popped the first button, rolling her eyes at the other teen's slightly pink cheeks. "This is a time turner." She motioned towards the loose necklace she fished out from her shirt.
"I'm guessing from the name that you turn back time to go to the classes that clash with each other." Naruto said sagely, though it wasn't really that hard to figure out. "Smart, so how many classes are you taking?"
Hermione smirked and answered her usual to that question. "A fair few. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a class to get to. I'll see you in DADA then?"
The blonde grinned crookedly, "Maybe."
"Naruto." She gasped, scandalized. "You're not planning on ditching are you?" She whispered as if they were in a room full of people. "And the class your father teaches too… how distasteful."
He chortled at the girl's dedication to her schooling, "Miss me?" He teased.
The brunette snorted, "As if." She winked, "I'll see you at DADA." Hermione added sternly, before she turned from the blonde ninja.
Humming to himself, he watched the gentle sway of the girl's hips as she walked away. Naruto took a moment to himself as he debated on chastising himself for the pervert he's become/becoming but shook his head instead, no use fighting against the inevitable. Shoving his hands in his pocket he made his way out of the owlery with no particular destination in mind, he figured anywhere but class would do.
XO
"You've got to be kidding me…" He muttered under his breath. "Shouldn't you be in DADA right now?" Naruto asked, halfway between annoyed and amused.
A delicate blonde brow quirked at him in response, "Shouldn't you?" She retorted icily.
"Ooh frosty." Naruto jested, the teasing grin on his face dropped once he noticed her rigid posture and tear stained cheeks. "What's wrong?" He asked softly.
Daphne bristled at his soft tone, did he think to pity her? It didn't matter how bleak her situation was or how trapped she felt, Daphne Greengrass does not take anyone's pity. She was a proud Slytherin for a reason. "Nothing." She hissed snidely.
Naruto's lips slipped into a scowl momentarily, "Geez I was just asking, no need to get all hissy over it."
Amber eyes glared at him though the effect was dulled from the unmistakable shine of unshed tears, "Leave." She commanded.
"I don't see your name on the astronomy tower anywhere. This place is big enough to hide the both of us." He shrugged casually, blue eyes narrowing in concern.
She stared at him icily before flipping her hair in a snooty manner, "Do what you want."
The blonde flashed her a mischievous smile, "Okay." He took a few long strides towards her, his exterior was a picture of calm carelessness though internally he was praying to Kami and every deity he knew to keep the family jewels safe. Naruto stood in front of her, blue eyes met amber and he pulled her tense form into his arms awkwardly.
Daphne's jaw dropped at the bold move, too surprised to push him away she settled for calmly asking what he thought he was doing. "W-what the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!" Okay, scratch calm. Let's go for indignant instead.
Naruto sighed in relief that she hasn't hit him. Yet. "I don't know." He answered back, confused. "But what I do know is that it feels good to be held when you're sad."
Her brows furrowed, she meant to push him away but what he said rang true. It did feel good to be held, she knew that he knew nothing of her predicament but it felt too good to pretend that he did. It felt good to pretend that someone cared and understood her, for now she'd relish her moment of weakness. "I-"
"Shhh you don't have to say anything alright? Just let me comfort you, Daphne." He rumbled out, a light blush dusted his cheeks at the feel of her breasts against his torso.
She didn't speak for the longest time, her arms wound around him tightly as his settled comfortably on her waist. Daphne meant to say something but her teasing words morphed into choked sobs as her desperation crashed down on her.
Naruto's eyes bugged out as she cried, he was sailing in uncharted territory now. He figured she'd take comfort from their brief embrace and go back to her default snobby aristocratic self but he didn't expect her to grasp at him desperately and let loose.
'Oh man, oh man, oh man. What do I do…'
"Pet her, you moron." Kurama sniped as he lashed his tails out against the walls of his host's mind; an equivalent to a hard slap to the head.
'Ow! Dammit fox, she's not an animal. You don't just pet humans!' He thought back in exasperation.
The bijuu suppressed the urge to give his host a migraine, "Her hair. Pet her hair." He grouched.
The blonde's eyes lit up like the proverbial light bulb. 'Good idea.' His hand went up to stroke her hair hesitantly and it seemed like she didn't mind judging by the way she burrowed her head in his chest.
Naruto looked out at the setting sun, a sudden sense of calm washed over him at the onset of darkness. His father might've treated the night like a curse but he saw it as a sanctuary, though it wasn't really a surprise considering his previous profession. The darkness was practically his home. He glanced at the shaking girl in his arms, something really badmust've happened to rock the stoic Slytherin. He held her tighter on instinct and lifted her off her feet, "Relax, I'm just sitting us down." He reassured when he felt her tense up.
She nodded weakly, her face flushing at her cradled position on her fellow blonde's lap. Her hands retreated from his back to rest on his chest and she clutched his shirt lightly as she took a few calming breaths.
The blonde dangled his long legs off the ledge, leaning back slightly to avoid crushing the girl between him and the railing he nudged her with his head, "Look at that princess." He murmured.
Daphne lifted her head of his chest and cocked a brow at him in question.
Naruto grinned at her not-so-depressed state which he'd like to think was partly due to him. "Over there." He motioned at the sunset.
Daphne twisted slightly in her fellow blonde's arms. Her breath caught at the spectacular view of the sun setting just beyond the hills and the black lake, "Beautiful." She sighed wistfully.
"Mhmm." He agreed, eyes still locked on the fading orange ball. "Life can be harsh, it can be unfair and it sure as hell will kick you when you're down. But it always helps to look at something beautiful and unwavering, darkness may approach but the sun, the stars or the moon are never that far behind. There's light in even the darkest of darkness, we just can't give up before we see it." The teen spoke sagely, his voice carrying experience and wisdom unfitting for his youth.
They sat there in companionable silence, both relishing the view and each other's company as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. "We should go, if we move fast enough we'll still be able to catch the good bits for dinner." He grinned.
Daphne rolled her eyes at the tall teen playfully. "Boys." She scoffed, "All you lot think about is food and…" She drifted off, a teasing smirk on her lips.
"And?" He prodded.
"And… sex." She whispered, grinding on him 'accidentally' as she rose from his lap.
Naruto blushed profusely and clenched the railing as he held back a groan, damn bloody tease, he thought with a shit-eating grin. He knew there was a reason he liked her.
"Are you going to sit there all night? Or are you going to be a gentleman and walk me to the great hall?" She goaded, the haughtiness back in her tone.
"Geez calm down, my legs are still numb from your heavy arse." Naruto teased.
"What. Did. You. Say." She bit out.
The blonde immediately took a step back, his hand rubbing the back of his head sheepishly as he chuckled nervously. "I said… we better get your fine arse to the great hall." He amended.
The fox snorted, 'Smooth.'
'You bet.' He retorted proudly.
'And you're obviously not well acquainted with sarcasm.'
Naruto grunted, 'Go to sleep furball.'
Daphne smirked at his submissiveness, crooking her finger at him in a come hither motion she turned from the blonde and sauntered away, making sure to put an extra sway in her step to tease the tall teen.
OVO
The two reached the great hall in no time, both in a slightly flushed and ruffled state due to the constant bickering between them. Naruto paused in front of the door to look at the petite blonde beside him.
"Why don't you snap a picture? It'll last longer."
Naruto grunted and squinted at her, "Just making sure you're alright."
Daphne's visage softened at the concern, "I'm okay now." She said softly, grabbing his forearm gently, "What happened in the astronomy tower never happened," She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the boy's slightly hurt expression, must boys be so sensitive? "Slytherin's don't cry." The Slytherin continued, hoping he'd understand that she didn't mind being held and the comfort he supplied.
"Sure, sure." He replied breezily and smiled at her widely.
"We don't." She reaffirmed, blatant denial on her face. "And thank you."
"No problem princess. Shall we?" He motioned towards the great hall.
A haughty expression settled on her face. "Well you don't expect me to open the door do you? You're the one with the pecker here."
Naruto chortled at the Slytherin's vulgar mouth. He honestly didn't think he had it in her but apparently; crying in someone's arms can really loosen someone up.
'I like her kit.' Kurama rumbled out.
'Me too.'
The tall teen opened the doors to the great hall, the chattering quieting slowly as the students went to stare at the late arrivals. "After you princess."
"What a gentleman." She mock swooned, batting her eyelashes at him in an exaggerated manner.
The Gryffindor played along and laid a hand on his heart, "Oh stop it, you flatter me."
Daphne giggled at the teen, she ran her fingers on his chest playfully, smoothing the creases on his shirt she tip toed up to his level, face so close she could feel his breath fanning on her lips. "I'll see you later then." She whispered alluringly before sauntering off to the Slytherin table.
Naruto stood there in a daze; Her scent, which was already alluring in it's own right, was downright rousing in close quarters and it took everything in him to not let his more feral side out to play.
He swallowed thickly, blue eyes tracking the girl's lithe movements. "Damn." Blinking back the momentary fog that clouded his focus, he swaggered off to the Gryffindor table.
"What are you lot looking at?"
The gaping Gryffindor's went back to their meal immediately at the teen's imposing presence.
Shrugging to himself, Naruto plopped down the bench in the space between Hermione and a redheaded girl across from Ron and Harry. "You alright there mate? You look like you've just seen a dementor."
"He did, more like a boggart but it turned into a dementor. You would know that if you went to class." Hermione said heatedly.
Naruto cringed at her tone and in sympathy for the scarred wizard. "Sorry mate and I was a bit too preoccupied with other… things." He explained awkwardly.
Ron's eyes narrowed at the blonde. "Like snogging a Slytherin?"
"What?" Naruto bit out around a chicken leg.
Hermione scowled, for more reasons than one. "Honestly, would it hurt you boys to swallow before you speak?"
"You heard me! You're fraternizing with the enemy."
A blonde brow quirked in confusion, "Enemy? I wasn't aware we're fighting a war here."
The ginger slammed a fist on the table, smiling sheepishly at Harry when he almost knocked his pumpkin juice over. "We are. We're fighting for the house cup!" Ron was definitely too enthusiastic about this.
"Huh?"
"The house with the most points at the end of the year gets the award, or rather the house cup." The redhead from beside him explained timidly.
Naruto turned to the small girl, smiling at her in thanks he held his hand out, "So that's what those points are for." He said a bit thickly. "I don't believe we've met, Naruto Uzumaki-Lupin."
"Ginny Weasley." She shook his hand shyly, her cheeks reddening at the older boy's attention.
"Woah, another one." Was his awed response.
The redhead giggled, "Yes, another one. There's four of us here right now but all together there's seven of us."
Golden brows rose in surprise, "Woah, that sounds like a party." He grinned.
Ron gaped at his sister and the blonde at their exchange, ears reddening rapidly when his little sister started giggling like she does when she talks to Dean.
"Easy there mate." Harry clasped his shoulder, green eyes shining in mirth at his best mate's predicament.
Naturally he didn't listen to him. "Oi! Stop flirting with my sister!"
Naruto held his hands up in surrender, "It wasn't me." He smirked.
"Ron!" Ginny chastised, embarrassed beyond belief as the entire Gryffindor table chuckled and shifted their focus on the rowdy group.
Hermione threw her hands up in exasperation, "Can't we all have one civilized dinner conversation?" She asked rhetorically.
"No." They all chorused back.
She sighed, a small smile playing on her lips at her house's rambunctiousness. "You never did confirm nor deny Ron's presumption." She prodded at the blonde, glancing at him discreetly from the corner of her eye.
"What?" His brows dipped in confusion.
"That you were snogging a Slytherin, and not just any Slytherin at that, Daphne Greengrass to be more precise." Seamus supplied from two Gryffs down.
Naruto deadpanned at the Irish, bang goes the avoidance tactic.
"But she's a fit bird, I'll give you that." He smiled widely, extending a congratulatory fist at the blonde.
The tall teen laughed and pounded his fist in retaliation. "In all honesty though, I wasn't. She's my… friend." Was she? Oh well, if she weren't then he'd just have to convince her to be his friend.
Hermione sighed in relief.
"Friend?! But she's a Slytherin!" Ron exclaimed, hands gesturing wildly.
Naruto smirked, "I'm friends with you aren't I?"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" He asked defensively.
Naruto's smirk extended to a full-blown grin. "You're a ginger." He explained simply, "At least she has a soul!" He jested, laughing uproariously with the rest of his housemates.
"OI!"
XO
Hope you enjoyed it folks!