Disclaimer: *Worships Gods* Do you think the God would worship the God? No, because I'm NOT the God.
Thanks so much for the reviews guys :33
-Huff x
"That little git! How dare he talk to Hermione that way." Fred muttered, as George scurried along after him.
"Fred, leave your love alone and this year will be fine"
"Do you think she's kissed anyone?" Fred asked, not listening to George
"Yeah, Viktor Krum right?"
"Bloody square shouldered, duck footed, ugly, unworthy –"
"Git?"
"Yes!"
"Well… I need to get to Herbology now." George muttered, patting Fred on the back
"Transfiguration for me." Fred mumbled
"Meet me up in the common room afterwards." George whispered
"Yeah, we need to figure that thing out."
Ron, Hermione and Harry once out of sight of the scene started to talk again, though Ron had not let go off Hermione's hand
"Stupid Malfoy…" Ron muttered
"Ron, your brother was so sweet." Hermione smiled her usual breath taking smile. Ron literally melted before it before realising what she had said
"He probably only said that because he knows Malloy's a foul git."
"I suppose."
"He shouldn't have talked to you like that. I swear next time I see him –"
"Guys! We're late for Defence against the dark arts!" Harry shouted, sure enough the halls were empty apart from them. They ran forwards, Ron finally letting go of Hermione's hand. They skidded to a halt and managed to shoot through the door, being just on time. They sat down in their usual seats at the back.
"Potter! Weasley! Granger! You're late." Snape yelled. Annabeth quickly shot through the door and was far later than Harry, Ron or Hermione yet Snape ignored him.
"We were just on time!" Harry yelled back
"Fifty points from Gryffindor. Each." Snape's lip curved into a smile yet not very noticeable. Harry wanted to resort but Hermione kicked his leg. The room was darker then usual. Pictures of people in pain and being tortured and many disturbing images littered the walls. The curtains had been draw so the only light source was the few candles along the walls and upon the ceiling.
"I wish to speak to you. And I will have your full attention," He said staring at Harry "You have had five teachers in this subject I believe?" He counted on his fingers five, "I am very surprised to see so many of you managed to scrap an O.W.L. I shall be even more surprised if any of you manage to keep up with N.E.W.T work, which shall be far more advanced.
Snape set off around the edge of the room, speaking now in a lower voice; the class craned their necks to keep him in view. The Dark Arts," said Snape, "are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, and indestructible."
Harry stared at Snape. It was surely one thing to respect the
Dark Arts as a dangerous enemy, another to speak of them, as Snape was doing, with a loving caress in his voice?
"Your defences," said Snape, a little louder, "must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures - he indicated a few of them as he swept past - "give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse" - he waved a hand toward a witch who was clearly shrieking in agony - "feel the Dementor's Kiss" - a wizard lying huddled and blank-eyed, slumped against a wall - "or provoke the aggression of the Inferius" - a bloody mass upon ground.
"Has an Inferius been seen, then?" said Parvati Patil in a high pitched voice. "Is it definite, is he using them?"
"The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past," said Snape, "which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now. . . "
He set off again around the other side of the classroom toward his desk, and again, they watched him as he walked, his dark robes billowing behind him. ,
". . . You are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spell. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?"
Hermione's hand punched the air yet again. But Snape took his time looking for somebody else until he gave up and pointed to Hermione who was almost out of her seat.
"Miss Granger?"
Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform," said Hermione, "which gives you a split-second advantage."
"An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six," said Snape dismissively (over in the corner, Malfoy sniggered), "but correct in essentials. Yes, those who progress in using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some" -
his gaze lingered maliciously upon Harry once more – "lack." Harry was sure Snape was thinking of the Occlumency lessons they had had last year.
He refused to drop his gaze, but glowered at Snape until Snape looked away.
"You will now divide," Snape went on, "into pairs. One partner will attempt jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on."
Although Snape did not know it, Harry had taught at least half the class (everyone who had been a member of the D.A.) how to perform a Shield Charm the previous year. None of them had ever cast the charm without speaking, however. A reasonable amount of cheating ensued; many people were merely whispering the incantation instead of saying it aloud. Typically, ten minutes into the lesson Hermione managed to repel Neville's muttered Jelly-Legs Jinx without uttering a single word, a feat that would surely have earned her twenty points for Gryffindor from any reasonable teacher, thought Harry bitterly, but which Snape ignored. He
swept between them as they practiced, looking just as much like an overgrown bat as ever, lingering to watch Harry and Ron struggling with the task.
Ron, who was supposed to be jinxing Harry, was purple in the face, his lips tightly compressed to save himself from the temptation of muttering the incantation. Harry had his wand raised, waiting
on tenterhooks to repel a jinx that seemed unlikely ever to come.
"Pathetic, Weasley," said Snape, after a while. "Here - let me show you -"
His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off-balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked around and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling.
"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?"
"Yes," said Harry stiffly.
"Yes, sir."
"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor." The words had escaped him before he knew what he was saying. Several people gasped, including Hermione. Behind Snape, however, Ron, Dean, Seamus, Percy and Tom grinned appreciatively.
"Detention, Saturday night, my office," said Snape. "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter . . . not even 'the Chosen One.' "
"That was brilliant Harry!" Ron said very enthusiastically as they walked out of Snape's torture zone.
"Harry, you shouldn't have said that!" Hermione frowned at Ron "So spit it out! Why on earth did you?"
"He tried to jinx me! What's Dumbledore playing at, anyway, letting him teach Defence? Did you hear him talking about the Dark Arts? He loves them! All that unfixed, destructible stuff!" Harry said
"Well… I though he sounded a bit like you." Hermione muttered
"What?" Harry asked, anger rising
"When you were telling us what it's like to face Voldemort. You said it wasn't just memorizing a bunch of spells, you said it was just you and your brains and your guts - well, wasn't that what Snape was saying? That it really comes down to being brave and quick-thinking?"
Harry was so disarmed that she had thought his words as well worth memorizing as The Standard Book of Spells that he did not argue.
"Hey, Harry, HARRY!" Someone yelled behind him
"Yeah Perce?" Harry asked turning round
"When's the Quidditch try outs for Gryffindor?" Percy asked, stopping in front of Harry
"Erm, haven't really thought about it. I think it'll be this Sunday though. Could you pass that around?" Harry enquired
"Sure mate, oh and, good work in there. Snape sound like a blithering dung bat." Percy laughed and walked away hands in his pockets
.
The days went on. Finally after masses amount of homework it was the day Ron and Fred were going to set their plans into action.
Ron and Harry were sitting down in the Common Room in one of their free periods while Hermione was in Arithmacy with Annabeth. The two boys were meant to be doing their Potions Essay.
"So how shall I ask her?" Ron asked lying down on the floor trying to figure out how to ask Hermione to go to Hogsmeade with him.
"Just ask her. It's not that hard is it? Hermione, want to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend? It's not exactly Rocket Science."
"Whats Rocket Science?" Ron asked
"Never mind."
"Okay, so ill go up to her, and ask her if she wants to go with me. Simple." Ron said
"Yep."
"Can you be Hermione?" Ron asked sitting up. When Harry simply stared at the ginger Ron said "For me to practise."
"Oh…right…" Harry stood up off the armchair. Ron got to his feet and faced Harry.
"Hi Hermione –"
"This is not going to work for me."
"Me either." They both slumped back down, Harry into the armchair and Ron onto the floor.
"You'll do fine mate. Stop worrying." Hermione just then walked through the portrait hole.
Fred and George were sitting up in their empty Dormitory. They heard the portrait door open and George rushed down the stairs to see who it was. He ran back up to get Fred as it was Hermione. They stood at the bottom of the stairs having a quick discussion.
"You sure you want to do this?" George asked
"I can do this." Fred hopped up and down on the spot warming up
"You sure mate?"
"I can do this."
"It could turn bad.
"I can do this."
"You positive."
"I can do this."
"Go ask her then.
"I can't do this."
"You were all for it a second ago." George said
"Yeah but what if it does go wrong and she says no."
"Just do it you twit." George pushed Fred forwards and gave him the thumbs up and a approving smile. Fred walked forward to Hermione
"So Hermione I have something to ask you…" Fred could hear Ron saying
"Sorry, can I just have a quick word with you Hermione?" Fred asked
"Sure Fred, Ron can you ask me in a second please?" Hermione walked off to the corner of the Common Room with Fred.
"Hermione, if you're not going with anyone. Do you want to go to Hogsmeade this weekend with me?" Fred stuttered
"Sure Fred." She smiled.
"Great!" He said a bit to over enthusiastically. He walked away back to George and wore a massive grin.
"If I can get Hermione Granger to go on a date with me Fred Weasley. I can do anything." They both walked up the stairs laughing and Hermione couldn't help but let her eyes follow them. She walked back over to Ron still a bit flushed and asked him to continue
"So, er. Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"
"Oh im sorry Ron. Fred just asked me. Why don't you go with Harry instead?"
"Oh… Okay…" Ron muttered and walked up the stairs to his Dormitory where Harry had retreated with Ginny. He was expecting to find them snogging up their but they were both sitting on Harry's bed cross legged and in the middle of a conversation.
"We're agreed then. If she said no we'll slip her a love potion." Harry whispered
"Slip who a love potion." Ron asked, walking in
"Er, Luna. We're trying to get her and Neville together?" Ginny said, thinking quickly
"So what did Hermione say?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject
"Fred already asked her and she said yes."
"WHAT?" Harry and Ginny both yelled in union.
"I am going to go talk to him. Right. Now!" Ginny yelled in disgust. She stalked out of the door slamming it behind her and they could hear heavy footsteps walking up the stairs.
Ginny stormed up the stares, her face as red as her hair. How on earth could Fred ask Hermione out when Ron his little brother fancies her? She banged open their door and started yelling at him.
"HOW COULD YOU FRED? YOU LITTLE –"
"Er, Ginny. Wrong dorm." Percy said
"Oh, sorry about that." Ginny apologized looking at Percy then to Tom
"No problem, so why are you trying to destroy the staircase?" Tom asked. They were both lying on their beds though they had sat up when Ginny had burst in.
"Never mind. I thought this was Fred and George's dormitory." Ginny said
"Nope."
"Hey Ginny, whats the best broom?" Percy asked, tilting his head
"A Firebolt, Harry has one."
"How much are they?" Tom asked, sitting a bit straighter at the mention of brooms.
"I don't know, I never really looked." She said quite truthfully
"Im either going to get a Firebolt or a Nimbus 2001, going to send a letter to Quality Quidditch Supplies now so we have good brooms for the Gryffindor tryouts." Percy smiled, his teeth were very white and even and momentarily dazed Ginny until he stood up and walked over to his trunk. He lifted up the lid and pulled out a piece of parchment, ink and a quill. He sat back down and scribbled on the parchment while Tom carried on talking to Ginny.
"So what's your position on the team?" He asked
"Chaser and a reserve in case Harry can't be seeker."
"Nice, me and Percy are going to try out for the other two Chasers!" Tom said enthusiastically
"Cool, but isn't Angelina one of the Chasers?"
"No, she decided she didn't want to take part this year."
"Oh okay. Well I best go see Fred and George. Bye."
"Bye Ginny!" Percy said not looking up from the paper and reminding her far too much of Hermione.
"Later Ginny." Tom said, lying back down on his bed. Ginny couldn't help but notice how handsome Tom was. The way his white blonde hair fell over his sharp face and his grey eyes. He was as handsome as Harry in a way. But thinking that Tom was handsome, was like thinking Malfoy was handsome. But Tom did have the gorgeous Scottish accent… Enough of these weird thoughts. The ginger walked out the door and stormed up another flight of stairs. She burst open another door to find Fred and George smiling to each other and laughing their heads off at some joke probably.
"OI WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING?" Ginny yelled, slamming the door behind her and walking over to go hit her dear brother Fredrick.
"GINNY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING JUST WALKING INTO OUR DORMITORY?" George shouted. George ended up having to pull Ginny off Fred who was on the floor.
"Calm down Gin!" George yelled, holding onto her so she couldn't murder his twin. Ginny breathed in and out a few times and finally said
"Why on earth did you ask Hermione out when you know Ron fancies her?" George let her go and went to sit back down on his bed. Ginny sank onto the floor and stared at Fred expecting a answer
"Fred, you're going to have to tell her." George muttered
"I know…"
"Tell me what?" Ginny asked curiously
"I like Hermione." Fred whispered
"Oh don't be an idiot, you don't like her. You love her." Mocked George. Ginny didn't fully comprehend what had been said though she was staring at Fred with her mouth in a perfect O.
"You – Hermione – Love – Well when did this happen?" She asked
"Since my fifth year. But – in my fifth year I just knew I liked her a bit more. Last year I started to realise just how much and this year well. This year it's just snowballed."
"So let me get this straight. You and Ron both love Hermione?"
"Yes."
"Well, this is not good at all."
"How could it be good?" George muttered
"Ginny please don't say anything!" Fred pleaded
"I won't. Okay this is how we're going to do it. Fred, im going to pull you down the stairs into Ron and Harry's room. Im going to slap you and George you need to burst in and pull Fred out okay?"
"You're going to what?" Fred asked but too late. Ginny had grabbed Fred by the ear and was yanking him down the stairs. Before they knew it Ginny and Fred were standing in front of Ron and Harry.
"HOW COULD YOU?" Ginny yelled at her brother, she gave Fred a very hard, real slap across the face. Fred was just staring at her in shock but he was being pulled out by George.
"Bloody hell Ginny! What was that about?" Ron asked in awe
"You know!" Ginny stormed over and sat down on Harry's lap. Ron stared at the couple though Ginny didn't move but Harry looked awkward.
"Would you please - ?" Ron asked
"No, if you don't like me sitting on Harry's lap go snog Hermione or something."
"Fine! I will!" Ron stormed out of the room. The pair of them howled with laughter at him.
"So, what happened up there?" Harry finally asked, wiping the tears of laughter away from his eyes.
"Nothing really."
"Sure."
Ron had stormed down the stairs and he saw Hermione reading a book snuggled up in her favourite arm chair. All his anger melted away when he saw her looking so perfect. He decided he would talk to later when he was calmer and walked out of the portrait hole for a walk. He sat down under the large oak tree his best friends and he had sat under so many times. Ron sat there staring at the castle, trying to clear his mind. The wind blew in his ginger hair, the sun was setting, and Ron felt all the warmth leave his body.
"Ron?" A voice asked. Ron looked up and saw Percy staring down at him.
"Hey, you want to sit down?" Ron asked, running his hand through his flaming red hair. Percy sat down at Ron's side and simply said
"I know."
"You know what?" Ron enquired, turning around to look at Percy.
"How you feel."
"How?"
"I know that it's probably the most painful thing in the world when the woman you love might not love you back."
"You – Me – Hermione?"
"Yeah, you're not very good at keeping secrets." Percy joked though Ron didn't smile back.
"But if she doesn't love me back then our whole friendship is ruined. And I can't risk that."
"Whats life without a bit of risk? And mate, if she does love you back? Stop thinking about the negative and try think about the positive. If she does love you back, then you'll feel like you own the world."
"Thanks mate." Ron said
"No problem, but there is something bothering me here."
"What?"
"Have you forgiven me yet for Grover hexing Hermione?"
"Yes, I know he didn't mean it." Ron smiled half heartedly
"Good, because I would like for us to be friends."
"I would too mate." They both smiled at each other when they heard another person approaching. George Weasley soon came into focus.
"C'mon you two! Filch knows you guys are out, we need to get back to the common room now." Percy's mind suddenly flashed and he was just by a forest. He was staring at three figures in the distance, with a large castle in the background. Percy's mind cleared and he balanced himself. No one gathered that anything had happened apart from Percy.
"Percy come on!" Ron whispered, he had already stood up and was trying to get Percy to do the same.
"You guys go on ahead. I need to check something. Ill find my own way back."
"You sure?" George asked
"Yeah, you guys just get back." Percy was staring into the Forbidden Forest where he could have sworn he saw a pair of eyes look at him. Ron and George ran back into the castle just as it started to rain. The cold drops of water ran down Percy's skin as he walked over to the dark forest. He put his hand in his pocket, not holding his wand, holding his pen Riptide. As Percy reached the edge of the trees his hair was plastered to his face. He was soaked through to the skin and the wind was rustling his robes out behind him. He walked deeper and deeper into the forest until he heard a voice
"Perseus Jackson." The voice whispered. It didn't come from any direction, it was just there. Percy froze. He heard a twig crack on his left and he spun around. But there was just a large tree there. He heard a snarl from behind him and he spun around again. Nothing there. He then heard a growl on his right. He spun around and saw a Werewolf. Yet not the type of werewolf you get in the wizarding world. This was clearly a Greek Werewolf. The wolf man walked towards him. His face was that of a man who wore a snarl and had very wolfish features, though his body was man it was obscured by brown hair, his chest was about half covered though his legs and feet were just a mass of brown fur. His eyes were glowing golden and staring at Percy, who had clenched his pen more tightly.
"Why are you here?" Percy whispered. Nothing could be heard apart from the rustle of leaves as the wind rushed through the trees and drabbles of water falling through the cracks where you could see the sky above.
"I simply wanted," He licked his lips "A feast."
"Well you're not getting one tonight." Percy whispered. He pulled his pen out of his pocket and clicked it. A celestial bronze sword grew in his hands. He charged at the werewolf. He raised his sword and swiped at the wolfs head yet the wolf ducked and laughed.
"You think it will be that easy Jackson? Think again!" Percy charged him again yet missed causing the Werewolf the howl with laughter. Literally. Percy then swung his sword at the wolf's arm, the wolf was to busy laughing to notice what Percy was doing. The Werewolf growled in anger and leapt onto Percy. Riptide was thrown across the dirt. The Werewolf sat on top of Percy clenching his neck and he took a swipe at his cheek causing it to bleed. Percy focused all of his energy onto the rain falling above them. Suddenly he felt pull in his stomach and a release from his neck, he jumped up and ran over to his sword, picked it up and looked around for the wolf. He was lying on the ground spitting out water. The Demi God ran over to the wolf and severed his head.
"Take that." Percy muttered. His forehead was beaded with a mixture of sweat and rain plastering his hair to his face. He breathed in and out heavily as his cheek stinged with blood. He walked away out of the forest, back across the grounds and into the castle. He had almost forgotten about Filch on the hunt. Almost. The lights in the hallway were dimly lit, only with a few candles lining the walls. Before he turned a corner Percy would look around and make sure it was empty. He ran up the moving stairs though he stopped when he heard a voice above him.
"What are you doing out of bed little kiddie wink?" Peeves smiled down at Percy. Percy ran up the stairs and into the Gryffindor common room. Tom was lying on the couch waiting for Percy to come back.
"What happened?" Tom stared wide eyed at Percy who was covered in blood, sweat and water. Percy sat down onto the couch next to Tom and told him what had happened. They went to bed early that night, Tom repairing Percy wounds so no one got suspicious. In the morning they re accounted the story to Annabeth and Grover who got very scared of the fact that there were Greek monsters still after them.
Saturday finally arrived after mountains of homework for the sixth years. Fred was getting ready to take Hermione to Hogsmeade while his twin, George encouraged him. Ron had asked Harry and Ginny if he could go with them, so Ginny, reluctantly said he could. Yet nothing could change Ron's mood. The fact that his brother was taking Hermione to Hogsmeade made Ron feel a bit sick.
"Okay you ready mate?" George asked after Fred had finished getting dressed
"Better be now before I throw up," Fred mumbled "Hey, are you even going to Hogsmeade?"
"Nah, me and Lee are going to prank some Slytherins."
"Without me?" Fred asked, offended
"Would you rather be pranking Malfoy or on a date with Hermione?"
"That is a tough one…"
"Just go before I hex you."
"See you mate." Fred grinned then walked out of the door. As he walked down the stairs he bumped into the one and only, Ron Weasley.
"Hey Ron." Fred smiled at his little brother
"Hi…" Ron muttered
"Whats up?"
"Why did you ask Hermione to Hogsmeade with you?" Ron blurted out
"Just wanted to get to know her better." Fred lied, though his ears turned red.
"You do know I wanted to ask her."
"You did? Oh im so sorry mate."
"Its okay I guess. See you." Ron walked past Fred and up the stairs. Fred couldn't help but feel a bit bad for asking her out now. Never the less he carried on walked down stairs and looked up at the girl's stairs. He had arranged to meet Hermione there though he would prefer to meet her at the top this had nothing to do with the slide… So Fred did the only thing he could think of. He put one leg onto each railing and shuffled up. Soon he was at the top, with a very large desire to go down the slide that would appear if he stepped on one of the steps below. Yet he restrained himself. Hermione soon opened the door and almost knocked into Fred.
"Oh hello." Fred stared at her. She looked beautiful. She was just wearing a simple grey coat but looked amazingly perfect.
"Fred?" Hermione asked, waving a hand in front of his face that turned pink as he came back to earth.
"Hi, so you want to get going then?"
"Sure, how did you get up here anyway?"
"Railings." Fred stepped onto the stairs and sled head first down them. Hermione came down after and was helped up by Fred. They walked out of the portrait hole and down the stairs, Fred jumping a few of course. They were signed out by Filch (Sniffing Fred), and then walked out into the coldness of the grounds as they walked away from the castle and into Hogsmeade.
"So, nice sleep?" Fred asked
"Yes, how about you?"
"Very. So where do you want to go first?" Fred asked.
"Well, I need a new quill."
"Then we shall go there first!" Fred said dramatically causing Hermione to laugh. They walked into Hogsmeade, talking about classes, and Fred's latest prank. They were soon walking through the door to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. It was warm inside and smelt of hot chocolate. Hermione scrolled her eyes along the shelves, occasionally asking Fred his opinion on one. She finally chose an eagle feather quill, paid the man and they left.
"Honeydukes?" Fred asked. It was starting to rain now so they skidded into the over crowded Honeydukes. The bright wrappers littered the walls. As they were walking along, they both noticed the last Sugar Quill on the shelf. They both reached their hands out for it but touched each others in stead. Fred felt a slight spark as his hand closed over Hermione's and Hermione felt the same. They both blushed red and let go, Fred insisting Hermione take the Quill.
"So… How about a Butterbeer?" Fred said to skate over the awkward moment.
"Okay." They turned their collars up and ran to the Three Broomsticks (Fred trying to shelter Hermione, making them both laugh). They sat down opposite each other in a booth near the back.
"Ill get them." Said Fred cheerily. He got up to and walked the to the bar, trying to dodge people. When he got up to Madam Rosmerta's bar he noticed Angelina talking to her friends. It looked like they were having an argument. Fred decided he would go and ask what was up, even though it was none of his business. As he said "Hello" Angelina spun around and snogged him. Fred, completely taken by surprise kissed her back. The only thought in Fred's mind at the moment was: This doesn't feel right.
"There you see!" Angelina spun back round to her friends. "Oh sorry about the Fred, just proving a point you know?"
"Yeah-er-no problem…" Fred walked away, and bought the drinks, still in shock about what had happened. As he walked back to the booth he noticed Hermione had gone. He turned around to the door and noticed it just closing, so he put the Butterbeers onto the closest table and ran out of the door after her. He saw her bobbing away down the street.
"HERMIONE!" Fred yelled. The figure turned around, but carried on walking when she saw who it was. Fred slid after her and caught her around the waste. Fred said nothing but wore a puzzled look on his face as he looked down at the most beautiful girl in the world.
"Fred, you shouldn't leave Angelina waiting." She laughed.
"Im here with you not Angelina."
"I know that, but Fred, I saw you two kiss, go on. Shes waiting on you." She smiled.
"She was just proving a point."
"Well honestly, it doesn't matter. You might as well stay since I'm heading back to the castle. I want to check out a book."
"Ill come with you!" Fred said hastily.
"Alright." Hermione smiled, she took Fred's hand and together they walked back up to the castle.
Two words to sum up my day? Totally Awesome. I ran through the halls looking for her. As I was sitting in the Common Room something clicked in my head. I loved her. I loved Annabeth Chase. And no one, not even the Gods could do anything about it. I hadn't even thought about the fact that she might not like me. But hey, do it while you have some nerve right? My first choice to look for her was the Library where I soon saw a mass of curly blonde hair. I crept behind her, planning to ambush. Simple tactic. And since her Mom was Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Tactics she should have seen this coming. Yet she did not. I silently counted down in my head. Three… Two… One… I grasped my hand over her mouth so she wouldn't scream. We didn't need Madam Pince to come running at us like a like Snape with Shampoo at the moment did we? She soon saw it was me and silently gestured for me to take my hand away.
"So… whats wrong with a Hello?" She asked. Gods she was beautiful.
"Annabeth, I was wondering…" I started to feel a bit queasy now as what I was about to do sunk in. Annabeth snapped her fingers in front of my face, obviously I had looked distant. In another world.
"I don't really know how to say it." I looked down, grinning to myself, laughing quietly. Me, Percy Jackson, killer of Kronos, Leader of Camp-Half-blood scared of telling my best friend I have feelings for her.
"Well get it out Seaweed Brain."
"I- Er –Annabeth – I –"
"Get it out!"
"I love you." I rushed. After I said it I immediately blushed.
"What?" She asked, clearly not believing what I had said.
"I love you. I love everything about you. A list? Your eyes," I started ticking things off on my fingers "Your personality, your laugh," I grinned to myself, remembering the first time I had heard that laugh. It gave me courage to do stupid things that saved the world. When I heard her laugh… all my worries would leave me. That laugh was amazing, "Your voice, your smile," Her smile. Her perfect teeth would shine when she smiled; it made me so happy to know that she was. And when she smiled at me? I felt like I owned the world, "Your –"
"My turn Seaweed Brain. Your eyes, you have the most amazing sea green eyes that mesmerize me. Your personality and the way you act so stupid at times. Your voice, your laughter, your will to do good even when your own life's at risk, the way you care more about your friends then anyone. Gallantry -"
"What?" I asked.
"Bravery."
She smiled at me, her usual breath taking smile. That smile gave me the courage to lean in for a kiss. Until Madam Pince caught us. Oh how we love her. She chased us out of the Library, yelling about how the Library is to read and not to make out. By the sounds of it our confessions came out a bit too loud. Soon we stood in the empty entrance hall, locked in an embrace. She leaned her forehead against mine and smiled, grey eyes locked with green.
"Forever?" She asked
"Forever." I agreed. And my night ended in a kiss that gave me the courage to kill Gaia herself. Hopefully I won't have to though. And Mother Earth is meant to be nice right? Hopefully…
"Hermione…" I murmured in my sleep. I'd been dreaming about that girl for a few weeks now. But not because im utterly in love with her, I felt like she was in danger and she needed my protection. Of course, since Harry, Hermione and I were always off on adventures it wasn't a new feeling. Fred had been acting weird lately, whenever the three of us went into a room Fred would stare at us, blush then turn around and walk away. I had no idea what was going on. I had got over Fred taking Hermione to Hogsmeade though, I had to didn't I? But I guess since im going out with Lavender again I can't do much about my little crush. But it's more then that… I think I love her. I was in love with that girl since five years ago on the Hogwarts express when she asked me "Has anyone seen a toad?" At first I just thought she was a bossy know it all. But I was only 11, I had an excuse. I got to know her… and I realised I loved her because she was a bossy know it all. But this is how my dream went.
I was in a dark room. And I mean a dark room. It was pitch black and strangely quiet. I tried to move my hands but they were tied together. The rope was rubbing against my wrists hard, though I couldn't do anything about it. I soon realised I was sitting on a chair with engravings on it. Just names. But one name in particular, in huge writing was carved a lot. It read: Hermione Jean Granger. Other names surrounded them like: Ginny Molly Weasley, Harry James Potter, and Lavender Brown (Only once, quite small mind…) and more. People I cared about. Suddenly the chair transformed into a long red couch. I turned my head and recognised the Gryffindor common room, my legs propped up on the chair. A girl grabbed me by the arm and pulled my up telling me something I didn't quite catch. I looked more closely at her and realised it was my little sister Ginny.
"Ron! Some boy slipped Hermione one of Fred and George's love potions, we've checked the label. Nothing. We've asked Fred and George and they said there's only three ways to get her back to normal," We were rushing down the moving staircase now, " The counter potion. But if Slughorn found out she was slipped he would go mental and tell Dumbledore since they're banned. The other, we could wait for it to wear off. But she would do something stupid probably in that time. The third is true loves kiss." We had stopped outside an empty classroom.
"Im sorry what?" I asked, "How the bloody hell does this have anything to do with me? Im her friend but that's it."
"Don't be thick Ron. You love her. And im positive she loves you. You're her prince charming despite how thick you act. Give her a bloody kiss and she'll wake up!"
"Wake up?" I asked
"She collapsed." But I was already walking through the door. She lay there looking as perfect as ever. Her hair was spread out on the desk making her look like she was floating. Harry was watching her intently, clutching her hand, muttering words. He spun around when the door slammed shut. I then noticed Fred and George standing in the corner staring at me.
"Mate, it's the sleeping beauty charm." George muttered
"Only her true love can wake her up." Fred said, taking a step forward out of the shadows.
"When the potion infuses itself into the system it'll cause you to collapse. The only way to wake you up then is true loves kiss." I nodded, walking up to her side. I ran my hand over her fair skinned cheek. So soft and smooth... I leaned forward and touched her lips lightly with mine. A chill ran down my spine, and I felt her shiver beneath me. Her eyes fluttered open; she saw what was happening and deepened the kiss.
"Okay guys, you can get off each other now." A distant voice laughed. I came back to earth, my legs almost collapsing. I held onto Hermione's hand even though she was safely backed in our world.
And then I woke up from my dream.
"RON, C'MON, QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS!" Harry yelled, pulling me up out of my bed. It felt like I was in a whirl wind as I got dressed. I couldn't concentrate on Quidditch at the moment. My mind was too far gone on Hermione. Harry dragged me down into the common room where the girl of my dreams stood talking to Fred.
"Cool. Ill sees you tomorrow then. Quidditch tryouts and all, I best be off." Fred smiled; he kissed Hermione on the cheek and walked out of the Common Room door. Hermione turned around looking quite pleased with herself. My mood shattered as if I had been punched in the face.
"See you've got yourself a boyfriend. Just so happens to be my brother doesn't it." I sneered
"Ron –"Hermione began
"Save it." I walked out of the common room door, leaving behind a flustered looking Hermione and Harry, staring at me as if there was nothing to worry about. Everything seemed to click in my head as I strolled into the grounds. Fred fancied Hermione. No wonder he'd been acting strange whenever we came about. Scratch that. Whenever she came about. I sat down at the side of the lake and saw Fred skipping stones at the other end. I got up and walked over to talk to my dear brother.
Ron walked over to Fred who was still skipping stones over the Lake.
"Hello Ron." Fred said cheerfully, not looking at his little brother but upon the Lake.
"Hello, so what was that with Hermione?"
"Oh…" Fred thought quickly, "She's going to help me with my homework."
"You fancy her." Ron said quietly. Fred turned around to look at Ron's serious expression.
"Yeah, sure." Fred said sarcastically
"Don't lie."
"Im not."
"I've seen the way you look at her. The way you blush whenever she comes near you. Was that the reason you stunned Malfoy? He insulted your little crush? –"
"I don't fancy her!" Fred yelled, "I love her." He whispered, starting to walk away. Ron ran up to him and spun him around.
"You – You love her?" Ron muttered.
"With all my heart. Im sorry Ron but I can't help it!" A slight tear was running down Fred's cheek, Ron ran his hand through his flaming hair.
"She must never know!" The younger brother yelled.
"What if I want to tell her?" The older brother shouted back.
"Well then you'll lose a brother won't you?" Ron put his hands in his pockets and walked away leaving his older brother alone with his mind and too much time to think.
"But I love her." Fred whispered.
Quidditch practise was a nightmare.
Harry and Ginny had had a row, Ron had found out about Fred and was in a foul mood, Fred was extremely upset though he was doing a great job at hiding it, and to top it all off: Not just Gryffindors were turning up for the Try outs. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs turned up for the Gryffindor Try outs, annoying Harry. Malfoy was sitting up in the stands near where Hermione was sitting.
"Granger." He nodded
"Why are you talking to me Malfoy?" She asked, rolling her eyes and huffing
"Sorry for being polite."
"You're not usually polite to a horrible Mudblood like me."
"Back fired potion. Some girl tried to slip me a Love Potion that wasn't brewed correctly. So it's made me quite… happy." He smiled
"Ill make the most of it then." Hermione said, though she didn't return the smile.
"So, are you going to confund McLaggen or am I?" He asked
"What?"
"Weasel King isn't doing great." Draco pointed towards Ron who had just missed the Quaffle and it shot into the hoop.
"Ill do it." She withdrew her wand and muttered Confundo in McLaggen's direction, making him miss the upcoming Quaffle.
"Nice job Granger. So, what do you want to do?" he asked politely
"Why don't we play a game?" Hermione asked, shifting in her seat to face him.
"What do you want to play?"
"What about the game: Truth or Dare?"
"Never heard of it. Explain." As Hermione explained his eyes grew wider.
"Truth or Dare?" He asked
"Er… Truth." She responded
"Do you fancy a Weasley?"
"What?"
"Well?"
"Yes," She huffed, "Truth or Dare?"
"Ill be bold and go with dare." He chuckled. Hermione couldn't help but think he was quite handsome when he wasn't taunting her.
"I dare you to stop taunting me about my blood."
"Granger," he shifted his position so his face was closer to hers though not enough to make her uncomfortable, "I don't truly believe you're beneath me. But wouldn't it be strange if I were to suddenly be nice to you? But I never truly mean what I say." He smiled
"Alright, fair enough. Your go."
"Truth or Dare?"
"Dare." She smiled at him.
"I dare you to… give me a kiss."
"No." she laughed
"You have to." He returned the laugh
"Don't you dare tell anyone."
"Or what?"
"Ill hex you into –"Malfoy leaned forward and locked lips with the bushy haired bookworm. The kiss didn't start out deep just a quick peck, but it got deeper until Hermione pulled back. The kiss had only lasted a few seconds but it felt quite long to the two.
"Well I feel this potion wearing off. Nice talking Granger." He stood up and turned to walk away.
"You're quite nice when you're not being a bully." She smiled
"Thanks." He didn't turn around but kept on walking till he was out of sight. Hermione smiled to herself.
The team had been picked now. Ron was Keeper, Fred and George were the Beaters, Ginny, Percy and Tom were Chasers and Harry Potter was the Seeker. All in all, the team look pretty good.