Title

Among the Serpents

Chapter 6

By

Adrienne Black

A month came and went, and before anyone knew it, it was the day before Halloween. The atmosphere in Hogwarts was thick was anticipation, for the Halloween feast was only surpassed by the Christmas feast, and more than one house was planning on having a party. But Hermione, well she was a different story. She positively despised Halloween. Considering it an obnoxiously barbaric holiday. She was only looking forward to one thing, and that was her date with Draco.

Hermione felt silly, but she was excited. Draco was going to take her into Hogsmead for the day, which meant (hopefully) a romantic evening without fighting. Romantic? On Halloween? Well, she had to admit Halloween isn't the best night for romance, but she had to take what she could get.

It was 9:00 am when Hermione started to get ready, thankful for a day when she could dress normally. She threw on a dusty rose colored blazer with three brown buttons going down the bottom, under which she wore medium green tank top with a faint flower design on the side, which was, unfortunately, covered by the blazer and a pair of tightly fitting blue jeans. She looked in the mirror, this doesn't look right at all. Her appearance was positively dark. Needless to say it didn't coincide with her outfit. She sighed, she loved these clothes, but how would she explain her peppy outfit to, well, anyone?

She heaved another sigh as she threw herself onto her bed. How ridiculous was this? She couldn't even wear what she wanted to wear! There was a knock at her door. Before she could even answer it was sliding open, standing behind it was Potter. Hermione glared at him.

"Tell me, Wonder boy, what's the point of knocking if you aren't even going to wait for a reply?" She scowled at him, realizing he would probably ask her about her clothes.
"Ah, you know, manners and such….what are you wearing?" He was chuckling slightly and Hermione couldn't help but feel annoyed.

"Clothes Potter. That is what these-" she pulled on her shirt "-are called.

"I know what clothes are Granger, I am asking why are you wearing pink?"

"Why are you here? I'm busy."

"Yeah you look it." He said sardonically. "Anyway, McGonagall wants to see you."

"Aww. Playing messenger boy, how cute."

"I know you think I'm cute." He smirked and walked out of the room, leaving a glaring Hermione behind.

Hermione got off her bed, glancing in the mirror one last time, she looked so good. But she supposed this was only acceptable in front of her muggle… 'friends', for lack of a better word. She pulled the blazer and shirt off, putting on a simple charcoal gray sweater and a sliver necklace in their place. She grabbed her bag and trudged out of her room, avoiding eye contact with Potter as she walked out the portrait hole.

Walking down the corridor, taking a left, two rights then finally another left, Hermione wondered what McGonagall could possibly want. She stopped in front of the big oak door leading into the Professor's office, butterflies whirling around in her stomach. She had no idea why, but every time she talked to a professor she got nervous. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door, only having to wait a few seconds before the door swung open.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, glad you could make it. Tea?"

"Uh, no thank you Professor, I'm just on my way to Hogsmead, so I should save an appetite." She smiled, confused, McGonagall wasn't one to beat around the bush, and she was being awfully kind.

"Of course, of course. Well I suppose your wondering why you've been called to my office?"

"Well, yes, Professor."

Draco was in the front entrance, irritably pacing as numerous couples came and left the castle. He felt himself getting more and more aggravated. What in Merlin's name was taking her so long? His mind immediately jumped to Potter, and it is then when he cannot help but to think his entire relationship is a waste of time. But, alas, 'to fail is not to be a Malfoy' as his father often told him.

"Oh Draco! I'm so glad I caught you, I wanted to give you this! I do hope you like it, it took me such a long time to find, where's Hermione? She won't mind that I'm giving this to you I hope? Well of course she won't! Hehe" Came Pansy's annoying voice from behind him, so sudden he almost jumped. She thrust a seasonally decorated package in his arms, speaking with a speed that would match Pavarti's.

"Yeah. Thanks." Draco replied, stuffing the relatively small parcel into his coat pocket. "You do know it's not tradition to give gifts on Halloween? Right?"

"Hehe, of course I know that silly!" she squealed flirtatiously, placing a hand on his arm, which he shook off. "I just saw this and it screamed Draco, so I thought I'd pick it up for you."

"Ehm, Parkinson, I wonder how my boyfriend can help you? Perhaps you were hoping he could direct you to the nearest whore house?" Came Hermione's cold voice from the top of the stairwell. Pansy jumped and scampered away from Draco.

"N-no, no I was just k-keeping him company until you arrived." Pansy stammered nervously.

"Of course you were. But I'm here now. So, you can leave." Replied Hermione's callously.

Pansy nodded and scurried away, knocking a few third years down on her way down the hall. Hermione watched her go, then turned her gaze back to Draco. Normally this is when she would yell at him, screaming about Pansy and how he should have done that by himself, so as if by habit, Draco clenched.

But to his surprise, she didn't. She jogged down the steps, her feet light, indicating she was in a pleasant mood, and kissed him on the cheek. She smiled up at him almost girlishly.

"Why, your in a delightful mood."

"Of course I am, I'm excited for our date." She lied.

"Well so am I." He wrapped his arm around her, and began to steer her down the path to Hogsmead. Draco desperately wanted to ask her why she was so late, but didn't want to spoil her mood, so he let it go. These were the moments when he loved her, these moments were the basis of their relationship, as pathetic as that sounds.

"So where are we going? I'm not underdressed am I?"

"No, you look wonderful. Actually, we're going to The Veneficus."

"You dreadful liar! I am so underdressed. Let me run back up to the castle to change, I'll just be a quick moment."

"There's no need for that."

"Of course there is! I'm in a sweater and jeans! The Veneficus is a dress robes and gowns place! Your not even dressed properly. Wait. Since when is The Veneficus open in the morning hours?" She asked, Draco only smirked.

"Oh, right yes, it's not. But, well I forgot to mention-" they stopped and Draco turned to face her. "-they'll be open for us, considering I bought the place for two hours."

A huge smile lit up Hermione's face as she brought her lips to Draco's. He knew she would love this.

"Oh, Draco, that's amazing. Your amazing."

They worked there way to the far end of town, away from Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop and the Shrieking Shack to the polished end of Hogsmead, where most of the students couldn't afford to look in the windows.

They entered The Veneficus, greeted by the manager in the most respectful tones. "Good morning Master Malfoy. Please sit anywhere you'd like, a waiter will be with you in a few moments." Draco nodded and looked around, the place was nice, but not overly magnificent. It had white walls adorned with many priceless paintings. As soon as you walked in a large, widening, marble staircase commanded you attention, leading up to the V.I.P. lounge and the balcony tables. The hostesses stand, which stood next to the staircase, was empty for tonight as there was no need for her with only two costumers. Draco and Hermione handed their coats to a waiter and turned into the main dinning area. It was brilliantly illuminated by the morning sun, giving it a fresh feel. The table linen changes ever meal and this morning they were a fresh yellow, with a cream runner going down the center. Each table has a array of flowers, which were constantly fresh and were set with silver utensils, porcelain plates and crystal glasses filled with juice. Looking up the ceiling was painted as a gorgeous representation of the creation of the earth that would give the Sistine Chapel a run for it's money.

Draco turned to Hermione, offering his arm, and leading her to the best table in the house, right next to the huge windows. He pulled her chair out for her, receiving a slight disapproving sound from her. She never did like his chivalrous attitude that had been burned into his upbringing by his mother. "You, unlike your father, will learn to respect women if it costs me my wand." she would always say to him in those sharp tones that made him flinch.

He took his seat and grabbed a menu, Hermione did the same. They were silent for a while, until the waiter came over asking them for their order. Hermione had decided on the Banana Cream Frittata and Draco went with the Baked Pecan French Toast. The waiter shuffled away for what felt like moments and returned with their dishes.

"So what was Parkinson bothering you about?"

"Oh you know, pining for me as usual. She got me some Halloween present."

Hermione glared. "Oh? And what was it?"

"I've no idea, haven't opened it yet."

"And you won't. Give it here."

Draco knew better than to argue with her, she would win, of course. So he plunged his hand into his pocket and retrieved the package, handing it to her, wondering if she was planning on destroying it.

Hermione grabbed it and immediately began to open it. It was obviously wrapped by magic because she soon found she couldn't get the damn paper off. She glared at the package. "That bitch" she muttered to herself. She looked up at Draco, who was apparently too busy eating his dragon to notice what was going on with her. "Draco" she snapped. "Apparently your girlfriend decided to wrap it so only you could open it."

Draco shook his head. Despite being the biggest flirt in the castle Hermione was notoriously jealous, even where she didn't have to be, and she wasn't taking it upon herself to hide it tonight.

"She isn't me girlfriend Hermione, you are. Well do you want me to open it? Or throw it away?"

She thrust the package back to him. "I don't care." She went back to eating her meal, and he shook his head at her again.

"Hermione, don't be ridiculous, let's have a good night."

She smiled at him and nodded. They finished their breakfast and walked back out onto the street. Draco was surprised at how well she was behaving, normally they couldn't be together for even a few minutes before they got to arguing. This was refreshing, and he wished she could behave like this in front of Blaise, so he could see how she really was.

But it was this attitude of hers that sincerely confused him. She was usually such a cold hearted, well, Slytherin, how could she make a total transformation into what she was now? She didn't seem like a Slytherin now, she wasn't like anyone he ever knew. Slytherins didn't interest him, a bunch of manipulative whores wasn't what he wanted, and Hermione wasn't one half the time, and was the other half. He laughed to himself, he was having a meaningful relationship with half a person, how odd!

They got to the common sections of Hogsmead soon enough, encountering jealous stares as they pushed their way through to Honeydukes. Their date was officially over when the met Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle at the candy shop's entrance. Blaise looked from Draco's arm around Hermione's waste to her ridiculously sincere smile and Draco could tell his mind was flushed with disapproval.

"Blaise, is something troubling you? You look positively awkward." Hermione asked politely.

Before Blaise could answer Draco swerved in to run interference. It wasn't often he had a good day with Hermione and he wasn't going to let his idiot friends ruin it.

"Why don't we go inside, I'm sure Crabbe and Goyle can't wait to eat."

They walked into Honeydukes and Hermione let out a gasp of shock. Draco looked around, trying to find what had surprised her and could find nothing that would matter to her. He shrugged and took his arm off of her as he picked up a humungous Caramel Pumpkin that needed all his strength to lift.

Hermione left Draco's side, striding over to what had made her gasp. There, directly ahead of her were Harry Potter and Pavarti Patil, looking as though they were about to have sex right there in the store. Hermione glared as Pavarti picked up some purring chocolate cats, squealing over their cuteness, and marching up to the register to pay for them. Hermione took this opportunity to push her way to Harry's side, nonchalantly pretending to look at some candy quills. Quite to her satisfaction Harry seemed to take notice of her almost immediately and smirked.

"You don't seem the type who would chew on candy quills." He said playfully.

"And you don't seem the type to date Pavarti Patil." she replied.

"Oh and you know my taste in women?"

"And you know my taste in candy?"

"Ha, be careful Hermione, you're beginning to sound as if you care." He said in her ear as he looked at the candy on the other side of her.

"Don't call me Hermione."

"That's your name. What else should I call you? Satan?"

"I prefer to be called "ruler of all things evil" actually." She turned to face him, aggravation bubbling up inside of her. She didn't even know why she was getting so angry, it wasn't as if she cared. Or did she?

"I'm sure you do--" but he got cut off by Pavarti who was calling for him by the register. She seemed to be a little upset that he hadn't offered to pay but, in any case, was ready to leave. He nodded to Hermione in a cocky manner and left with his arm draped around Pavarti's side.

Hermione let out an angry breath and found Draco, she had been having such a good day. That very morning McGonagall had given her the best of news and now, well she felt like she had been cheated on or something. Which was just preposterous. She would have to be dating, or in the very least she would have to like Harry to warrant having these feelings and she did neither!

"Everything okay babe?" Draco asked, genuinely concerned.

"Fine"

She would not have been 'fine' however, had she noticed Blaise watching her and Harry from a secluded corner where there entire conversation was audible. She would not have been 'fine' if she had seen the smirk plastered on his face, a smirk that could only be saying "I got you.