Chapter 13: truth or dare!

After classes Cherie got to thinking, which if you know her is a very dangerous thing. If Draco hadn't realized he was totally head over heels for Hermione then Cherie just knew that Hermione would never allow herself to fall for him, or to even openly admit that she liked him back. All that bickering was a poor cover for the sexual tension between them.

Slowly making her way down to Snape's private store room she picked the lock and "borrowed" a beaker. Snape wouldn't mind… much. As insurance Cherie left half a dozen of her (now) famous chocolate chip cookies.

Later that evening she put her plan into action. Gathering the necessary people she led them to the room of requirement. The small group of teens had no clue what she was doing or what she wanted from them. The only one who even knew where they were was Hermione and she still was in the dark as to why they were there. After walking past the door three times Cherie yanked the door open and motioned for them to enter.

Leif Erickson, Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, and Hermione Granger and stood looking about this immensely plush room with contemplation. After closing the door and throwing the dead bolt across it, Cherie muttered a spell. "Please, everyone sit." She said her voice so honeyed that everyone was immediately afraid to disobey her.

Lowering themselves to the various couches and chairs they waited. The silence was deafening. No one said a word and many held their breath. Slowly, Cherie began to explain, "I am sure you are all wondering why exactly I have brought you here." She paused for a moment only to be greeted with expectant stares. "You are here to join me in a little muggle game called 'truth or dare'. However, as I am certain that some of you may try to wiggle your way out I have placed a charm on this room so that the door will not open until I ask a specific question. Also there will be a twist which you will find out about latter." An evil smirk rested on her face. "Any questions?"

"Yes actually, I was wondering what Loony Lovegood is doing here?" Draco inquired contemptuously. Cheries smirk fell away and left her glaring at her relative. "Draco, Luna is here because I asked her to be. What I am starting to wonder is how Narcissus can stand having such a terrible boar for a son. But, let us not start off on a sour note. .Draco because of your biased and mean comment you can go first. Choose, truth or dare?"

"Dare"

Cherie regained her smirk. "Draco, I dare you that when we leave this room you must go up to Harry and say in a valley girl accent 'Harry I like totally LOVE you and so totally like wanna jump your bones!'" "What! No! I am not saying that to that self-centered she-man!" all eyebrows in the room were raised at that point. "self-centered?" came one retort "she-man?" came another. Then Cherie piped in "sorry Drakie-poo but all dares are binding. From the moment you leave this room you are bound to do that. There is NO way out."

Draco glared at his distant relative. "Fine….I suppose it is my turn now?" at Cheries nod he began to think. "Leif…truth or dare?" after a moment's pause Leif wisely chose truth. "That was kind of a sissy choice." Leif just shrugged and waited for Draco to ask his question. "Alright then, who do you like?"

Leif thought for a second then raised his hand and began counting off. "Cherie, Meghan, Rebecca, Hannah, Suzanne, and Julie." "Oh!" gasped Cherie "you like me?" "ya well you're a pretty cool chick…" "that's so sweet!" Cherie glowed. Blaise glared at leif as though predicting his imminent death. After that Leif asked Luna who then asked Hermione who asked Blaise, who chose dare. "I dare you to honestly propose marriage to one of the women in this room." "umm… alright? Do I get to choose who it is?" "well of course you can!"

Moving over to Cherie, Blaise dropped down to one knee and pulled a spiny ring off of his index finger and held it in his left hand as he grasped her hand in his right. "Cherie Black, you are the most talented, funny, beautiful, and amazing woman I have ever met. With or with out this dare every thing I'm saying now is true." His intense blue eyes locked with hers, "you have captured me heart and soul. Since the moment I saw you on the train there has been no one else but you. Will you marry me?" breaking eye contact with him and sending a fervent glace at Hermione for help Cherie swallowed before trying to formulate words. "Umm…do I have to answer this?" Hermione picking up on her friends distress jumped in, "no, you don't he just had to propose."

Blushing slightly Blaise asked Cherie and she took dare before moving on and asking Hermione. "truth," she choose knowing full well that if she said 'dare' nothing good could come of it. "Who do you fancy?" Hermione blushed and began trying to say no one, however just as she opened her mouth the words "Draco Malfoy." Popped out. A look of intense shock came over her face. "Compulsion spell," Cherie shrugged, "you can't lie in here. That's why I asked you to clarify the terms of your dare."

Hermione hid her head afraid to look up, this wasn't what she planned. "You like me?" Draco asked. "Hey! It isn't your turn! Hermione gets to ask the next question! And we already established that she fancies you! Dolt!" Cherie intervened forcing the game back on track. "Draco….. Truth or dare?" Hermione quietly inquired. Draco had a moment of in decision. "truth." He finally stated. "Who do you like?"

Draco looked directly at Hermione and it looked like he was warring with himself finally after a few long moments of silence he got up and knelt down beside Hermione. "Hermione Granger." He stated simple and waited for her to look up at him. The two of them stared at eachother searching for any signs of a lie and finally breaking out into toothy smiles.

"Finally! Okay! Draco, will you go out with Hermione?" Cherie asked ecstatic about the turn of events. "yes." Draco breathed staring at Hermione. The door to the room of requirements swung open.