Disclaimer: Like I said earlier….
Chapter 2: Declines
(A/n: All their thoughts would be italicized)
What just happened? I need to think. Hermione left the room in such a hurry that she didn't notice a person in front of her. She had a head on collision with him, and fell to the floor. When she picked herself up, she saw Malfoy glaring at her.
"Will you look where you're going mudblood! I don't want your dirt all over me." He said with his usual drawl.
Oh, bloody hell, of all people why did it have to be him. Ugh! She didn't want to waste her time on Malfoy so she just got up and walked away not even giving him a second glance. She needed to get away from people. She needed to think, so she made her way to the lake. The lake was the only place, other than the Forbidden Forest, that people didn't flock. She sat on one of the boulders and thought about what had just happened.
Why do these things happen to me? I'm a nice girl; I don't deserve emotional turmoil at my age. I'm trying to get away from Krum, and now Ron comes in. For goodness sake, I am not even beautiful. Even though she had grown, she was still shorter than her two best friends, who seemed to have experienced severe growth spurts throughout the years. She still had her disturbingly bushy hair, but on the bright side, she finally filled out some of the proper spaces in her wardrobe. Ron had grown eight inches taller and now had a deep voice, which sounded very different from his past squeaky voice, and Harry's passion for quidditch finally paid off, and gave him a strong muscular body enhanced by his boy next door look making him irresistible.
Very yummy! She thought to herself.
What are you thinking of? This is Harry?! Snapped her more rational side.
C'mon Mione, you can do this, it's just those damn over worked hormones that are doing this to you. Get a grip. Think. Although the spirit was willing, the mind wasn't. She noticed the bruise she had gotten from the fall earlier and so once again, her thoughts strayed from her purpose and landed on a particular devastatingly handsome Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, who had been terribly blessed by puberty. His lean and lanky body had transformed itself to a more toned form, since he was also in quidditch. The silvery blonde haired pale boy was still there, but now with a greater sense of arrogance that came from knowing that he was one of the 'hottest' boys around. The difference between Harry and Malfoy was all in the image. Harry was wholesome, boy-next-door handsome while Malfoy was the bad boy, devilishly handsome. Both Harry and Malfoy had basked in the glory of their beauty, having been asked by girls from all houses for either a date or just a plain snog in Malfoy's case.
Would have been yummy, if wasn't such a great prat, git, moron, arse, …. She continued on in her mind, thinking of adjectives to describe her most despised enemy.
Draco just left one of his snog sessions with a Ravenclaw prefect when that damn mudblood ran into him. He was caught a bit off guard but was able to steady himself. The Mudblood, however, had fallen down.
"Will you look where you're going, mudblood! I don't want your dirt all over me," he drawled, accompanied by a glare. He was a bit surprised when this was met with only a retreat, since he had expected a comeback from the smart-ass Gryffindor.
What's her problem? He was about to leave when he noticed a parchment lying on the floor. Curiosity got the best of him and he picked it up and stashed it in the pocket of his robes, he decided to read it later when no one was watching. The owner might see him and retrieve it. He made his way to the Slytherin prefect room and settled comfortably in a green armchair. He took the parchment from his pocket and started reading.
Dear Viktor,
I am glad that you are having fun there. I do
believe it is rather exciting, but like I have said before I
just don't agree with flying.
I'm glad that you feel like I'm the right person
for you but I must decline from your generous offer. I feel
that we have really connected, but I do not see a
relationship beyond what already exists between us.
Also, with all the recent events concerning Voldemort,
I'm sorry I forgot you don't call him by his name, You-
Know-Who I really don't have enough time to get into a
serious relationship. I really like you, but I believe that it
might only be in the form of friendship. I'm terribly
sorry. Hope we can still be friends.
Truly Yours,
Hermione
Draco had just finished reading when a plan spread in his twisted mind. Hell! Granger had enough guts to break up with Viktor Krum, international quidditch player. Bloody Bitch! This will surely make my day. Draco thought as he laughed a sinister laugh that echoed through the walls of the room. Crabbe and Goyle had just entered and looked dubiously at the laughing boy. His laugh sent chills up their spines. Even though they had spent most of their time with him, it always scared them when he laughed like that because it only spelled impending doom to the person he was laughing at.
Hermione was still thinking of several words to describe her most despised enemy when she noticed that the lights in the castle were already being extinguished.
I'll just think about this tomorrow. She made her way back to the Gryffindor prefect common room and saw Ron sleeping quietly on the couch; he had probably been up waiting for her. She summoned a blanket for Ron.
"Accio blanket." A red and gold blanket moved through the air and settled on her hands. She carefully placed it over the sleeping boy and made her way to her room. She threw her robe on the nearest chair and went straight to sleep.
The next morning when Hermione got up, she made her way to the bathroom and took a long hot bath, forgetting her plight for a short while. After she finished, she had walked in front of the table and started brushing her hair. That's when she noticed her robe.
Oh, I forgot to owl my letter to Viktor. I had better send it today. She took her robe and slid her hand in the pocket. When she found no parchment, she searched her whole room with no result. She went out to the common room and thought that it might have fallen when she summoned the blanket. She quietly searched the room, trying not to wake Ron up until she had no choice.
"Ron? Ron, are you awake?" she poked the red head's arm twice. Ron grunted and moved but didn't wake up.
Hermione tried again now with a louder voice. "Ron? Ron? Wake up."
Still Ron just mumbled a few words. "….not yet, mum….I'm still sleepy…..wake Ginny first..." She stifled the laugh that wanted to come out, Ron thought she was his mum. She decided that this was going to take extreme measures. "RONALD WEASLEY, GET UP FROM THAT COUCH," she bellowed in a Mrs. Weasley imitation. Ron's body suddenly jerked up and he was now staring at Hermione's face with utter annoyance.
"You could've wakened me a bit quieter."
"I'm really sorry, Ron, but I can't find the letter I was going to owl Vikt---Krum. I was wondering if I might have left it there on the sofa."
Ron suddenly remembered the whole escapade, and started to have a tinge of pink on his face. "It might be inside my room." She eyed him suspiciously, but before she could utter a word he continued, "Harry placed your bag there so I won't be uncomfortable if I slept here," he now said almost above a whisper "while I was waiting for you."
"Can I please have it back?" she asked.
"Sure, I'm sorry. Harry also insisted on waiting for you so I asked him to sleep in my room." Ron made his way to his room and took the bag out. Hermione rummaged through it, but didn't find the letter.
"Maybe Harry saw the letter? Do you think we should wake him?" she asked.
"Oh, I bet he won't mind." He went back inside his room and then after a while came out with a half awake Harry.
"Good morning," Harry said groggily.
"Harry, have you seen the letter I made for Vikt---Krum?" Hermione asked, desperately.
"No, you took it out with you when you left." Harry answered.
Hermione slumped back on the sofa. Oh, crap! I lost the letter. What if somebody found it? Oh no. I'll have more problems than before. She wanted to scream, cry, anything to release her tension.
"Is there any problem, Mione?" Harry asked, taking a seat next to his friend who looked like she could spontaneously combust any minute.
"No, Harry. I just lost the letter I was going to send Krum, somebody might have found it. I don't know." She said morbidly, looking straight at the fire.
"What? Maybe we can retrace your steps. Do you remember where you went yesterday?" Ron asked, trying to be helpful. Hermione nodded her head.
"Well, where did you go?" Harry asked.
"By the lake, I went there to----clear my mind." Hermione answered.
"Maybe it's still there, I can look for it." Ron offered, trying to sound as gallant as possible.
"I doubt it, it was quite windy yesterday." Hermione answered, drearily.
"Maybe it got blown into the lake. Maybe no one found it." Harry said, trying to make her feel better.
"Maybe. Try to stop worrying, it will be fine. Okay?" Ron asked imploringly.
"You're probably right; I don't know why I got so hyped about it." She answered, snapping out of her stupor.
"Well, I'm really glad everybody's happy, and I hate to be the one to break this to you but—"
"What, Harry?"
"We have double potions and we are already quite late." He finished.
"Oh Crap!" Ron said, grabbing all his books.
"Snape would just love taking points from us. Oh, I can just see it now. Mr. Potter, ten points for being late. Mr.Weasley and Ms.Granger twenty points each, shame on you, being prefects and still being late," Harry imitated in Snape's voice, while he packed his things. Hermione grabbed her bag and was already out of the room.
They were five minutes late, Professor Snape had already started his lesson by the time they got there.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, you're late. Fifty points from Gryffindor. Take a seat please." Snape said, looking pleased. Draco who was sitting beside Parkinson told her to move and sit beside Neville.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I said so." Draco drawled. She glared at him, but soon complied and sat next to Neville. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at the remaining seats. There was a vacant table enough for two and a seat next to the most arrogant boy who ever lived. Harry was already making his way to sit beside Malfoy, so Ron and Hermione could sit together, but Hermione stopped him.
"Harry you better sit with Ron, we don't need anyone losing their tempers and more points. I can handle Malfoy," she said coolly as she slipped into the seat beside Draco.
Draco was watching them carefully trying to read their lips. He caught Weasley saying he would sit beside him but saw Granger stop him. Apparently Granger didn't want to lose any more points for Gryffindor. Granger made her way to his table and sat beside him. Oh, I'm going to have fun with you, mudblood! Just wait. He returned his attention to Snape who apparently wanted them to work in pairs and make a truth potion.
"Oi, Granger. Take down notes. I don't want you ruining my grades." He drawled. Hermione just glared at him, took out her quill and started copying everything Snape said. I wonder when I should do it? Perhaps now? No, later. At the Great Hall. A smile escaped his lips.
Oooh! I want to strangle him! That boy is so obnoxious. I can't stand him any longer and I've been here for what, two minutes. Now what in the world is he smiling about?! What a freak! ,Hermione ranted in her head. She copied everything Snape said about making a truth potion. What did Snape say? Dragon's hide or Dragon's tail? It must be Dragon's hide. As she copied it down his voice drawled back into her ear "It's dragon's tail, Granger."
"What?" she asked confused.
"What are you stupid, I said it's dragon's tail. Can't you even take down a simple potion?"
Did he just call me stupid? I'm gonna hit him!!!! "If you're so good at it, why don't you do it?!" she dared, shoving the parchment in his hands. That guy is a complete MORON. What a great prat!!! "I don't want to use your dirty quill." He said, taking his own quill and elegantly scribbling on the parchment.
Hermione grabbed her quill and glared at him with a look of utter contempt.
"What, mudblood? Do you like what you see? Stare if you want. I know you like it." He said accompanied by his ever-hated smirk.
Hermione just turned her head away trying to fight the urge to hex him with all her strength. Maybe if I ignore the great prat he'll just shut up.
"What? Are you trying to ignore me now?" he asked with an innocent tone.
"Just SHUT UP, Malfoy," she said through gritted teeth.
"Oh, now why would I do that?" He said.
She was just about to snap back at him when Snape told them to prepare the potion.
"Anyone who is unable to make it will fail. All the ingredients are on the table. I suggest you cooperate with your partner." Snape finished.
"C'mon, move it Granger!" Hermione eyed him, eyes turning into slits. Yes, oh great git, sir. I swear if Malfoy doesn't stop bothering me he's going to regret it. She thought as she prepared the ingredients.
Damn Granger so impossible! Stupid mudblood! She'll die with embarrassment! Perfect! He thought as he watched her prepare the ingredients. He was amused at how easily he could get on her nerves. He lived for these moments, pushing the buttons of the Dream Team had become a favorite pastime for him.
"Do it faster, will you?" he commanded. He saw her knuckles turn white at the command, but she didn't do anything but keep on working. This agitated Draco since he wanted a reason to do something to her. After two hours of nonstop snide comments he finally gave up. The girl was plainly not going to budge and class was over anyway. He needed to formulate his plan for later.
Potions was finally over. She didn't know how much longer she could have lasted. She even resorted to spells just to stop herself from hexing that annoying prat. Malfoy annoys me and I go use a calming spell. How pathetic am I? She bit her lower lip, a habit she developed when she was thinking.
"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked.
"Huh? Oh…nothing. Great Slytherin prat just annoyed the hell out of me." She answered.
" I told, you I should've sat next to him." Ron said.
"And what? Get detention for beating him up." Hermione retorted.
"Hey, I was just saying. No need to get all upset about it." Ron answered.
"Sorry, I'm just not having a good day. Between losing the letter, and now the great git it is just too much for one morning."
"Defense Against Dark Arts next, at least we're with Ravenclaws." Harry commented.
"Thank God!" was all she said.
"Finally, the day is over." Ron said, as he dragged his sore feet on the floor.
"I agree." Hermione answered.
"What?! Did I just hear Hermione Granger say that she was happy that classes are over." Harry said in mock tone, "What did you do with the real Hermione?" He was shaking her shoulders.
"Stop it, Harry. I'm just glad that my day went well….no, better." Hermione had just survived the day thanks to the fact that they hardly saw Malfoy and most of the time her two best friends were with her.
"I'm hungry." Ron interrupted.
"Me too. Let's eat." Harry said.
Draco was already itching to spread the news. He had been waiting for the so-called 'Dream Team' for a while and he was already bursting with anticipation when he saw them enter the Great Hall. This is it! He thought. He waited for them to start eating before he began. He slowly stood up and pulled the parchment out.
"Oi people! Listen to this." The Slytherin table became quiet and listened intently.
"Dear Viktor, I am glad that you are having fun there. I do believe it is rather exciting..." he continued. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables soon grew quiet.
"But like I have said before I just don't agree with flying…" Then the Gryffindors finally fell silent.
Ha! Exactly like I expected. He thought as the room fell silent and his voice was the only thing heard.
Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors wondered why their table was the only place issuing noise. They looked around and saw that they were all watching and listening to Draco who was apparently reading something aloud.
"What's he doing?" Harry asked, annoyed at the fact that Malfoy was here talking and everybody else was listening.
"Dunno." Ron answered.
"Shhh…listen." Somebody said.
"I'm glad that you feel like I'm the right person for you, but I must decline from your generous offer." Draco continued.
Hermione who was also listening grew pale and looked livid. My letter! He found my letter. She felt like crying, screaming and hexing Malfoy all at the same time. She started shaking, trying to stop herself from doing anything she might regret.
"Malfoy's being a prick again. Don't listen to him, Mione." Ron looked at Hermione. "Hermione?" he asked. Hermione was still shaking and tears were already welling in her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked. She didn't answer. Ron tapped Harry who looked at Hermione.
"Mione, are you okay?" Harry asked.
"That's my letter." She said in a shaky voice.
Harry looked puzzled. Ron, who understood, suddenly stood up and walked over to the Slytherin table.
"I feel that we have really connected, but I do not see a relationship beyond what already exists between us." Draco was still reading the letter when he saw Weasley stand up. He still continued. "Also with all the recent events concerning Voldemort, I'm sorry I forgot you don't call him by his name, You-Know-Who I really don't have enough time to get into a serious relationship." He noticed people flinched at the mention of His name, some gasped.
Ron who finally reached the table walked in front of Draco. "Give me back that letter." He said.
"Now, why would I do such a thing?" Draco drawled. "I really like you, but I believe that it might only be in the form of friendship. I'm terribly sorry. Hope we can still be friends." He continued.
"Give me that letter." Ron commanded.
Harry, who finally understood, stood up and walked over to the Slytherin table standing beside Ron. "Give that back to us, Malfoy," he said, conveniently spitting the word Malfoy out.
Crabbe and Goyle, who were previously only watching, stood up.
"And what are you going to do about it, POTTER?" Doing exactly what Harry did. "I want to finish my letter, so bugger off." He continued to read. The houses were now terribly excited to know who had written the letter. "Truly yours, HERMIONE."
All of a sudden, whispers broke out from all the tables, some looked at Hermione. Some glared. Some just lowered their heads. A few snickered. Hermione even heard a few words like whore, slut, and bitch…issued from the Slytherin table. She slowly stood up and walked to the Slytherin table.
Harry was trying to stop Ron from pulverizing Malfoy, when he noticed Hermione walk over to them. She was still shaking and tears were already streaming down her face.
"Here is the great celebrity herself. Miss Hermione Granger." Draco clapped.
Hermione looked at his face and felt a surge of anger. She just wanted to run away and talk with Ron and Harry, but he was there provoking her.
"What can you say-" Draco's words were cut short by a painful slap to his face. Hermione had wanted to do that for so long. She grabbed the parchment and went out of the hall.
Everybody was too shocked to do anything, even Draco just stood there with his mouth open. Ron was the first to move, running after Hermione. Murmurs were heard, laughter, snickers, and whispers. When Draco finally got over the shock, he started cursing, "WHAT THE HELL, GRANGER! COME BACK HERE! NOBODY DARES SLAP A MALFOY! GOD DAMN, MUDBLOOD! YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!" He was screaming at the top of his voice.
Harry started to chuckle. "Well, I was going to do something about it, but it turns out all you needed was a slap." He said, as he left the Great Hall to follow his friends.
Hermione was surprised at what she had done. She was usually levelheaded and rational, but that had just been more than she could handle. She went to her room and locked herself in. She was embarrassed, scared and now confused. Why did I do that? I'm going to get into a lot of trouble. She was still crying when she heard a knock on the door.
"Mione, are you okay?" Ron asked.
No answer came.
"I'm going to open the door. Let's talk, okay?" Ron said in a sympathetic voice.
"Just leave." Hermione answered.
"No, you need to talk to somebody, and I'm not going to leave until that somebody is me." Ron replied.
'CLICK' The lock was opened. Ron rushed inside and saw Hermione on the side of her bed trying to muffle her cries. He sat beside her and hugged her. "It's okay. Please stop crying. It's going to be alright."
"Ron, everybody knows." She said.
"Don't mind them. Who cares about those gits? Just stop crying, okay? After a few days everybody's going to forget, and Malfoy can't touch you. I'll be here."
"Now, don't forget about me." Harry added. "I'll hex that git if you want me to." He also sat beside them.
Hermione smiled. She had the best friends in the world, and one of them loved her. She was a really lucky girl. I have people who'll help me and protect me; I'll be able to get over this. What Ron said is true, people will forget.
"Now that you're smiling I have to ask, how did it feel to slap a Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"Oh, it was really exhilarating. My heart was pumping and everything." She answered with pride.
"I wish I was the one who hit him." Ron said, anger flaring in his eyes.
"And let Mione miss the chance of a lifetime." Harry said.
They were all laughing at Harry's comment when Professor McGonagall appeared at the door.
"Professor?" Hermione asked.
"Miss Granger, I'm disappointed in you, such atrocious behavior coming from a Gryffindor prefect," McGonagall said.
They heard a snicker from behind her, it was Malfoy.
"I'm sorry, but I have to take fifty points from Gryffindor, and I'm also giving you detention."
"But Professor, Malfoy was the one who started it." Harry interjected.
"Fifty points will be taken from Slytherin as well and Mr. Malfoy will also serve detention. You will be working in the dungeons. Professor Snape's class had a spill."
They saw Malfoy smirk turn into a frown. "But Professor she slapped me."
"Mr.Malfoy, I would have, too, considering what you have done. You will serve the detention today. Come with me I'm going to take you there." She said, leaving them.
Malfoy walked out and followed McGonagall.
Hermione looked back at Harry and Ron. "It was worth it," she said, a small grin coming to her face
Professor McGonagall took them to the dungeons where the spill had happened. The room stank. "Severus was asking them to make an antidote when a student spilled dragon ordure. You will be cleaning this room without your wands."
"Why does it stink?" Malfoy retorted, getting a whiff of the repulsive smell.
"It's ordure," Hermione said.
"What?" He asked.
"Excrement……feces…..poop." Hermione stated.
"What?! You want us to clean that?" Draco asked.
"Yes," Professor McGonagall said, lifting an eyebrow.
"But…that's punishment." Draco replied.
"Well, of course. That's what detention is, after all. I want to see this room clean when I get back. I'll give you two hours. I'll be back by eight to check on the two of you," she said, leaving the room.
"Damn it, Granger! This is all your fault!" Draco said.
"Whatever! Don't talk to me," Hermione took the bucket and started cleaning.
Malfoy, completely repulsed by the idea of cleaning, sat on one of the stools.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, seeing that he wasn't working at all.
"What do you care? You can clean that yourself." Draco said.
Stupid git! Hope he falls off that stool and lands in this pile of shit! That piece of shit would be right where he belongs! Hermione's mind ranted.
"Your reaction was priceless Granger, tears and everything" Draco said.
"Do you know what I remember Malfoy? I remember my palm on you face," she retorted, calmly.
Draco remembered what she had done. He felt sick, he wanted to hex her but McGonagall had his wand. He looked down and saw the mess she was cleaning. He took a rag and threw it on the ordure near Hermione, on impact the rag spurted Hermione with ordure. It landed on her robes and on her face and Draco started laughing.
Hermione had a surreal look on her face when she felt the ordure. She stood up took her bucket and poured it on Draco's head.
Draco stopped laughing and rage took over. He walked over to the pile, started scooping it up flinging it to Hermione.
Hermione who wasn't to be outdone also scooped poop up and aimed it at Draco.
Several shots were fired and a poop war started.(A/n: Think of it as a snowball fight except for the omission of snow and replacement of ordure.) The ordure stuck on the wall, it hit chairs, tables, boards, bottles and books. They were both covered in filth. This went on for two hours.
They were still cursing each other and throwing ordure when Professor McGonagall arrived. She saw the mess and was appalled by what had happened. "WHAT ARE THE TWO OF YOU DOING?! I TOLD YOU TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS NOT MESS IT SOME MORE."
"Bur Professor, he started it." Hermione interjected.
"I don't care who started it. You are both responsible. Another fifty points from Slytherin and Gryffindor. I want you to clean up this MESS, and you are not leaving until you do so. Mr. Malfoy clean the right side, Miss Granger the left. I'm going to get a prefect to monitor the two of you," she said before walking away.
A while later a Ravenclaw prefect walked in.
"Hi, Divine." Draco said, a sly look on his face.
"Hi, Draco!" she looked dreamily at the blonde who was covered in filth.
"So you're going to monitor us?" he asked, walking closer.
"Uhm…yes." She answered.
"Do you mind cleaning me up?" he asked.
"Uh..No. Here. Ridusdemiente." She muttered.
Draco's robes were spotless; his face was as clean as ever.
"Do you want me to clean you up too?" she asked Hermione.
Hermione was just about to answer when Draco pulled Divine closer to him. "I don't think Granger needs you to do anything for her."
"Yeah, no thanks." She just continued on cleaning the ordure on her side.
Draco whispered to Divine and she took out her wand. "Mobiliarbus Ordure." The ordure on Draco's side rose and dropped into the bucket.
Draco then started snogging Divine as a thanks for the favor she did.
Hermione was disgusted! She looked at the ordure in her hand and aimed it at Draco but of course her rational side reigned and she decided to not do anything stupid since she already cost Gryffindor 120 points. But she didn't back off either she was devising a plan……..revenge.