Embarassment Beyond Belief

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters they belong to J.K (sniffs). Only the plot is mine.

A/N: -Thoughts in italics, lyrics in bold and centre. Okay, heres the deal . . . There will be a coupling up and a breaking up before Christmas! After Christmas time will move alot faster by the way! Enjoy!

Let's Roll. . .

When they push when they pull, tell me you can hold on

When they say you should change can you lift your head high and stay strong

…

"Pardon?"

"Err. . . you. You're the person who helps me transform"

"Really?"

Oh, please no…why aren't the books falling off the shelves? Does this mean he's teling the truth? That's kinda weird, why me?

". . .Oh. . ."

"Is there anything else you can say?"

"Like what? How am I supposed to reply to that?"

"I dunno. . .something better that "Oh" at least", Hermione looked absolutley shocked she was expecting it to be someone like Luna and that's why he was so reluctant. She sat there motionless for what seemed like an age but was actually only two minutes.

"So. . .why me? I mean up until your stupid promise thing with Merlin I was "A Filthy Mudblood". How come everything has to get complicated for me?"

"Hermione, I don't know why it's you. I was hoping that you could help me research it in the library before dinner but I have to leave at eight."

Will you give up, give in, when your hearts crying out that it's wrong

Will you love you for you at the end of it all

"Okay, I'll help you but I want to know something first. Did you only befriend me because you don't want what you cherish most taken away from you?" Draco looked as if he'd been slapped.

"Is that what you think?"

"Yeah, it is. I mean come on why in the world would you like me out of choice?" Draco thought for awhile and then answered.

"I befriended you because I was finally able to. For years, my father trained me to be another minion of Voldemorts, but thats not who I am. So thankfully he's dead and I'm able to be me. Although you'll have to bear with me for a while because it's strange being me so I might be a bit of a pig for a few months!"

"You're glad he's dead?"

"Why shouldn't I be?"

"He's your dad!"

"He couldn't have been a dad if his life depended on it. Voldemort always came first and that's the way he died, fighting for some loony with no nose." Hermione snorted with laughter.

In life there's gonna be times when you're feeling low

And in your mind insecurity seems to take control

"So, Draco. . .why do you have to leave at eight? Quidditch practise?"

"Nope. I've, err, got a date-"

He's got a date? Well, that's good I suppose. But. . .he's got a date? Hermione tried to ignore the feeling that her insides had been turned inside out.

"With who?"

"I can't tell you"

"Why?"

"I just can't. Come on, I've got to get to class we've been in here for all of lunch."

"I don't have class - free period"

"Lucky you"

"I'll go check out about the metamorphosis thing okay?"

"You don't have to use you're free period to do it"

"I want to, I feel like I haven't researched anything in ages!"

"Okay let's go"

"What class do you have by the way, Draco?"

"Muggle Studies"

"YOU? Muggle studies?"

"I find it amazing how they can do everything we do without magic, okay?"

"Okay" Hermione sniggered behind him as they left the Room of Requirement.

We start to look outside ourselves for acceptance and approval

We keep forgettin' that the one thing we should know is

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Crowds of people were filling the Entrance hall as they headed back to class.

"See you later Draco"

"Bye!"

Hermione set off towards the library. She manouvered her way through the throngs of people and got on her way. Rounding the corner of the corridor that led to the library and her dorm, Hermione bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My fault I wasn't look-" Hermione stopped apologising when she saw it was Harry. "What do you want?"

"I- well- I - I've been jerk 'Mione"

"Try a huge jerk" Hermine mumbled angrily.

"I've been a huge jerk"

"A huge, giant of a jerk with an olive on top - Harry, if that is your real name"

God he's so. . . he beter not try those puppy eyes, I'm useless against them.

"Yes, I've been a huge, giant of a jerk with an olive on top and Centure manure sprinkled on too" An awkward silence forms some sort of bubble around them.

"What do you want Harry?"

"For you to forgive me?"

Don't be scared to fly alone, find a path that is your own

Love will open every door it's in your hands, the world is yours

"Why should I? You beat Seamus to a pulp - literally - he couldn't walk and then when he finally faught back it was only because YOU hit ME. You're only apologising because all of your punishments have made you feel guilty."

"No, I felt guilty-"

"WHEN? When you were beating Seamus up? When you were hitting me? OR when you were being a total ass to Ron and Draco? Tell me one reson why I should forgive you"

"Because when you and Ron were fighting about Crookshanks in third year I helped you, In fourth year I helped you with S.P.E.W, in-"

"Playing the guilt card Harry?"

"What do you want Seamus?" Harry growled at the irish man who towered above him.

"For you to accept that you were totally in the wrong and to apologise PROPERLY, to Hermione"

"That's what I was doing right before you butted your big head in. You're nothing but-"

"GUYS STOP!" They didn't pay any attention to Hermione.

"-a pig headed, jerk who's just with Ginny for sex. She deserves so much better than you. You're probably a dung beetle in a past life. You-" Harry didn't get to finish his sentence though because Hermione punched him in the nose, just like she'd hit Draco in their third year.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER-don't you EVER speak to me again. EVER!" Hermione ran into the library. Harry stared after her, blood pumping from his nose. Seamus stepped right infront of Harry his eyes gleaming with anger.

"That, Potter, is the least you deserve" Harry turned on his heel and walked back down the corridor turning left at the end. Seamus waited until he heard his footsteps die away. Then he followed Hermione into the library. He searched for over half an hour. He found her at the very back in the corner curled up in an armchair with a fire blazing infront of her.

"'Mione, you okay?" Hermione raised her head and he saw her eyes were sparkling with tears.

"Semaus, what's happened to Harry, it's like someone is controlling him, some mainiac. He's totally different than the Harry I remember. The Harry I used know would only start a fight if there was a real reason...more than likley with Malfoy. It's like the two of them have swapped bodies!"

"If you ask me...they might of"

"What?" Seamus sat on the arm of the chair and Hermione rested her head on his lap.

"Isin't it possible for two wizards who hate each other, intenionally or unintentionally swap bodies you know, to live the other persons life?"

"It's possible...but don't you think it's a little far fetched?"

"Wasn't getting an enrolement letter from Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry a little far fetched too? Isin't it worth a try to look it up? Before dinner?"

"Oh, I can't, I'm busy before dinner. But I'm free after eight if thats okay with you?"

"Yeah eight is perfect. Come on", he said wiping the tears from her eyes, "I'll walk you to class" Seamus tugged her out of her seat playfully, then picked up her books and led her towards her next class.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hermione was researching books about metamorphosis in the library, Draco was twenty minutes late and dinner started in half an hour. Hermine was beginnig to wonder whether she should leave when in came Draco out of breath with a smile on his face. Hermiones heart skipped a beat.

"Hey 'Mione find anything?"

"Not really it's all about metamorpmagi. Not becoming one, thanks to Merlin! Where were you anyway?"

"Oh, I was. . .talking to my date for later actually" His eyes lit up with longing. Hermione flet a stab of jealousy.

I wish I could make his eyes do that.

"I'm not you're slave or house-elf you know", Hermione snapped at him, "Help me would you?" Draco looked taken back but quickly regained his composure.

"Yeah, sure. Pass me those books" Hermione shoved the books into his arms and climbed off the stool she'd been standing on to reach the books. They sat down at the table. Hermione started researching immediatley but could feel Draco's eyes on her. She looked up and he looked down. This carried on for ten minutes. Finally Hermione had had enough.

"What?"

"Huh?"

"You've been staring at me for ages. Why?"

"I just wanted to see if I could morph into something" Hermione didn't believe him.

"Metamorphmagi don'thave to look at people to morph. Even you should know that"

"What's up with you?"

"I don't know what you mean"

"Oh, I think you do, you've been weird since I got here. Did I do something?"

"No. I'm fine"

"I gotta go-"

"Yeah you go on your date and I'll just stay here researching for you. Why don't you and your date do some research?"

"I - are you jealous?" Draco asked uncertainly.

"No, I just don't want to waste my time helping you when you and your date - whoever she is - could be here researching"

"Why would I spent my free time in the library? It's a dorky place"

"I spend my free time in the library"

"Aw, come on Hermsy, you know what I mean"

"No, I don't actually. And don't call me Hermsy"

"You're my friend, you should hep me out with stuff"

"You're not Harry, or Ron or any real freind of mine so why should I do work for you?" Hermine hadn't meant to say those words. Draco stared at her. An awkward silence came upon them.

"I thought we were past all that"

"Well, we're not. I was you're worst enemy for five years. I was the butt of every joke. I was you're torturing fix everyday and just because you've no other friends now, you expect me to be yours, because you 'saved' me?"

"Well, if that's the way you feel. . ." Draco turned to leave when he heard Hermione let out a sob.

"I'm sorry, don't leave. I've been a terrible freind, and yes - we are past all of the fighting. I just feel something I shouldn't be feeling, and it's been making me very snappy. And the visits from Harry have just topped it all of. He's totally after transforming."

"I don't care what you think I think Potty, sorry, Potter had it in him all along to be evil, and he's proven me right."

"You're just saying that because you hate him"

"So. . .??? And what's this thing you shouldn't be feeling?"

"I - I - I can't say it"

"Sure you can...come on, it's me"

"That's the problem"

"Huh?"

"I-I" Hermione couldn't describe what she was feeling so put it into practise. She leaned in and kissed him. Draco pushed her off.

"What was that?"

"I like you" Hermione said simply

Draco was stunned. He gulped in air like a fish. Then came to his senses.

"Hermione, I like you too-"

"Really-"

"As a friend. A good friend. A sister-y friend. You understand?" Hermione paled and her eyes dropped to the floor.

"Yeah, I guess it was just me being so emotional. Sorry if I freaked you out." Draco let out a sigh of relief.

"So,we're good then? You and me, 'Mione?" Hermione drew her eyes up from the floor.

"Yeah", she said plastering a fake smile on her face, "We're great, best of friends"

"Cool, are you coming to dinner?"

"What? No, I've got homework to do and the NEWTS, I've got to study for them. They're in six months!"

"See you tomorrow then."

"See you. Have fun on your date"

"Will do!" Draco left the library with a spring in his step. Hermione collapsed onto the floor into a pile of books.

"Oh My God, I just embarassed myself beyond belief. But now it's obvious, he doesn't like me. I've been chasing a headless chicken" She murmered to herself . I need help. How can I have done that? I'm so stupid to have thought, he liked me back. Hermione let the tears fall. She sat there for over an hour then looking at her watch saw it was five past eight. Ah, study with Seamus! She grabbed her bag and went to run to the library only to realise she was there already. she headed towards the front and found Semaus sitting on a desk, swinging his legs and whistling to himself.

"Hey 'Mione! I've got to leave soon, Ginny wants help with her potions essay"

"Hey" Hermione said half heartedly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing"

"I, well. It's a long story"

"I've all the time in the world for you Minne, you know that?"

"But you just said you had to go meet up with Ginny for dinner"

"You come first - I mean, she won't mind, it's not that hard anyway."

"Thanks…can we go somewhere private?" Seamus and Hermione walk up to the astronomy tower. Sitting down on one of the benches they sit close for warmth. Staring at the November sky, Hermione wills herself to tell him.

Don't hold back and always know, all the answers will unfold

What are you waiting for, spread your wings and soar

"It all started on the train back in September. You know, when I fainted?"

"How could I forget?"

Anyway when I was unconcious…" Hermione and Seamus move closer together as the night gets steadily colder, the stars and moon starts to shine and the story keeps continuing on. Hermione tells the whole story even the bits about Erickson which no one else knows about except for Draco nad how she just embarassed herself infront of him. When she said it she felt Seamus stiffen. He put an arm around her shoulders to pull her close as if to make sure she was safe. It was around nine when she finally finished.

"Well that is quite an epic tale Min, you should write a book!"

"I was hoping for some advice 'oh wise one', not a joke!"

"Hey, you finally realised my true potential! Seriously? You need to get over Draco - cool guy but a major player. Then you can sort out his metamorphosis stuff"

"Yeah, that kind of drew me to him. His bad boy image you know? But on the inside he's funny and witty and everything!"

"And he doesn't like you? Okay, it's his loss. But his 'Bad boy' image made you like him?"

"Yeah, is that a problem?"

"It's not. . .I just - trust me, he's a major player - stay clear, okay? You can still be friends with him. It happened Dean last year with Ginny"

The boy who wonders is he good enough for them

Keeps tryin' to please 'em all but he just never seems to fit in

"Is he, you know…okay with you two?"

"Not really, he acts like he doesn't care but I can tell he does. He was so bummed out last week I even considered breaking it off because I'm not going to ruin a friendship over some girl"

Except for your friendship with Harry over Hermione…A little voice said in his head.

"See, Seamus the thing is, I really like him but he doesn't like me, so I've decided to become a nun when I finish school. I mean first there was Viktor, then Ron - we had a short thing it didn't work -but we're past that now, then Erikson, Harry and now Draco. I'm done with boys!"

"So what? You've had a few bad relationships but that's no reason to give up, is it?"

"Yes, it is. I've had more boy drama in the past five months than the amount of catfights in Mean Girls! That's reason enough for me"

"So you're going to become a nun? You think you've had boy trouble? Girlfriend, have you seen Paris Hilton lately? Different guy every week!"

"You know-"

"You're not the only muggle-born here you know! And my cousin is obsessed with Paris Hilton!"

"Yeah but - Why are you trying to change my mind about boys?!" Hermione gave him a suspicous look.

Think Seamus, think! Why are you though? Because you want to be her boyfrie-

"NO, I don't! I mean. . .I've got. . .a friend you might like, he's kind and funny." She furrowed her eyebrows, as if she was thinking about his answer.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm off boys starting. . .now!"

How am I supposed to woo her now? Eh, you can't - Ginny remember??? Can't stop me dreaming though can it?!

Then there's the girl who thinks she'll never be good enough for him

Keeps tryin' to change and that's a game she'll never win

Seamus wraps his arms around Hermione and holds her close for warmth.

"You are an amazing girl, you know that?" He whispered into her hair as she dropped off to sleep. She was drained from crying and everything that'd happened today. He leans his head on her head and stares out at the stars. He dozed off too, after awhile. Dreaming a dream about him being a frog and finding his soulmate in an otter, having the time of his life and he and the otter lived happily in a life of bliss for the rest of their days. Meanwhile Hermione was dreaming about Draco and how she had embarassed herself but just as she kissed him he changed to some blurry figure. She couldn't see his face...

A/N: The song is Soar – Christina Aguilera. I hope that you liked it! I'm going to get the relationship moving in the next chapter. If there are loads of spelling mistakes – SO SORRY – my grammar checking thing isn't working at the 'mo and I'm a bit lost! Thanks to my reviewers. You guys are awesome. Thanks to b-ballgurl2, ellemay, MiKaYgIrL andwickedenchantresshpbookfan.

Love,

FireboltPheonix

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