Disclaimer: I own Sam in this story. Please contact JK, and tell her I want to trade for Draco Malfoy.
A.N. Read, review, you know the drill. Well, you ought to, being such bright and wonderful readers as to get to the twentieth chapter! I started out intending maybe five, if I did well. Amazing how things develop. :)
Oh, and to clear up a little confusion, no, Ron and Hermione aren't changing back next week. They were only stealing the ingredients for the potion this week, it takes a month for the potion to develop. Plenty more confusified misunderstandings to come!
Neither Ron nor Hermione spoke directly to the other during lunch, leaving poor Harry to keep up a strained conversation. 'So, Hermione' he said brightly 'How come you came to divination with me and Ron instead of Arithmancy? Isn't that your favourite class? Must have been something you felt strongly about that could make you miss it'. 'Yeah' Hermione agreed quietly, adding so only Ron could hear 'He is'. Ron glanced at her, and treated Hermione to a quick smile.
After that, they seemed to have signed an unofficial truce, which was just as well, because Harry spotted Ginny and rushed off with her to get a little quality time before the end of lunch. The 'couple' dumped their books in the Gryffindor common room, and set off a bit early to go down to the dungeons where Hermione took muggle studies, not wanting to bump into Snape again.
They were just a few rooms away from the classroom when Draco Malfoy slipped out of a shadow in the corridor they were going down, blocking their way. 'Shift, Malfoy' growled Ron, furious that he had dared to threaten Hermione. Malfoy raised an eyebrow and chuckled humourlessly. 'Now, now, Granger, you know you're in no position to negotiate' he clicked his fingers and Crabbe and Goyle loomed up behind him.
Ron glared, and shifted his weight slightly so he blocked as much of Hermione from view as his petite frame would allow. Hermione demanded 'What do you want, Malfoy? Just tell us so we can get to class, we don't have time for this'. Malfoy smirked, pleased. 'Good attitude, Weasel, all this 'WE' business. Well, basically, my end of the bargain, as you seem to be holding up yours, is this: my father is holding a meeting later in the month, around New Year. Stay away from here then, ok? Get out of the country. That's all I can say.' Hermione nodded solemnly.
Apparently Malfoy was more decent than he would ever admit to. 'Oh, and Weasel?' he called, walking away. Ron and Hermione turned. 'I'm sorry you have to pretend to date the Mudblood. You're a pureblood, even a poor excuse for one. You ever get tired of her, just drop me an owl, I'll take her off your hands. I could think of…interesting ways to get rid of her'. Hermione had to lift Ron bodily over her shoulder to stop him attacking Malfoy with his bare hands.
Once Malfoy and his cronies were safely around the corner, Hermione set Ron gently back on his feet. 'Look, I didn't want you leaving my body bruised and with broken bones. I'm used to him calling me a mudblood, and threatening me. At least he warned us. We can still spend Christmas with your family; we just have to think of something else to do for New Year, that's all. Imagine if he hadn't' Hermione shuddered. 'Gods know what he and his evil father might have done to my parents. And me' she added as an afterthought.
Ron scowled thoughtfully. 'There's always your parents. They're skiing in the Alps, aren't they? Couldn't you just go to them?'. Hermione groaned. 'Of course! Ron, I really don't give you enough credit. The only problem is you're going to have to come with me. Not only would I go insane if you didn't, but my parents would be a bit confused if I went in your body.' Ron nodded carefully 'I'll just have to tell my parents where I'm going. They won't object. My mum might actually have a heart attack from joy if I told her I was going to meet your parents'. Hermione smiled at him. 'Maybe if I bring you along, my parents won't set me up again'.
Ron growled possessively 'Damn straight! You're my, uh, 'boyfriend' now, and I don't want any other guys coming within ten feet of you. I shall wrap you in bubblewrap for the rest of your life, only unwrapping you when I'm the only one to see'. Hermione giggled. 'Let's get to Muggle Studies, we'll be late by now'. They hurried into the nearby classroom.
They apologised to Professor Merryhope, who had already begun the lesson. Hermione slid into her usual seat, dragging Ron behind her. 'Now' began the Professor 'As I was saying, we were studying the habits and courtships of muggles in their natural habitat. Hermione, dear, you're going to have to catch up these notes after class. Mister Weasley, is it?' Ron nodded, and the Professor smiled. 'Very glad to have a pureblood in the class. You could learn so much, my boy. Come along with Hermione any time, dearest'. Ron blushed. Professor Merryhope seemed to have heard the results of the pool, too.
'We were just about to do a little role-play, dearies. I think we'll call on our two late-comers to demonstrate!' she said, rubbing her hands together. Ron whispered' 'Role-play?' incredulously to Hermione as they made their way down to the front of the class. Hermione had the grace to blush. 'That's lovely, you two. You look so sweet! I would like you to just act out a little scene for us here. The muggle couple are engaged in an ancient muggle custom known as 'ballroom dancing'.'
Professor Merryhope happily put on a record on a record player in the corner of the room. Old-fashioned dance music began to play. 'Now, usually the muggle male would approach the female with his hand outstretched in a gesture of request' Hermione obediently stuck her hand out towards Ron. Ron stared at it, unsure what he was supposed to do. 'Next, the female, if she accepts the male's invitation to 'dance', she would place her hand in the male's.'
Blushing, Ron extended his hand to grasp Hermione's. 'The male and female grasp each other by the right hand. The male's hand is placed on the female's waist' Hermione slid her hand down to Ron's hipbone 'And the female places her hand on the male's waist' Ron copied Hermione's gesture, so they were in the dancing pose. 'Very good, darlings. The couple sway their bodies to the music' Ron and Hermione gulped nervously.
Professor Merryhope was smiling at them expectantly. They couldn't politely get out of this; after all, if they seemed reluctant to even stand close to each other, their cover would be blown, and Hermione would be in extreme danger from a certain Slytherin. They shifted their weight towards each other, and began to sway in time to the soft beat. Several students in the 'audience' began to nudge each other, smirking knowingly.
'A little closer, dears, I think' reproved the professor. Ron and Hermione blushed, and scooted so their bodies were barely an inch apart. Hermione could feel the heat from Ron's blush on her own cheeks. 'Excellent! Now, Miss Granger, as a muggleborn, can I assume you have a certain area of expertise in this area?' Ron was frantically trying to shake his head without rubbing his face against Hermione's Quidditch-toned chest and neck, which were now, due to her new height, level with his head.
'What am I saying?' asked the professor, laughing 'As if you're not an expert on anything I could ask! Would you care to speed the dance up a notch, sweetie?'. Ron glanced up at Hermione desperately. Hermione glanced down at him, and winked. Ron's expression became one of panicked confusion, as Hermione started leading him in a quick waltz. Ron struggled to keep up, and was wincing almost every second, sure she was about crush his toes, but it never came.
After a short time, Ron began to enjoy himself, allowing Hermione to spin him across the floor of the classroom, dipping him and twirling him under her arm. Hermione knew the music, and just before it ended she threw Ron slightly from his feet and caught him safely in her arms, dipping him for a short peck. The classroom burst into applause.
'Mister Weasley! We seem to have a new star! Take twenty points to Gryffindor each for that amazing demonstration. I hope you were taking notes, class. Homework is to find a dance tutor over Christmas and learn a few simple steps. Class dismissed'. The assembled students cast admiring looks at the flushed pair as they left. 'Oh, and one more thing, Miss Granger' called Professor Merryhope, with a conspirital look 'Don't ever let him go' she told Ron confidentially 'A man who can dance is the most valuable asset you can find. Trust me' she winked, and Ron shuddered, hurrying after an amused Hermione.
'You hear that, Ron? Looks like I'll be your 'boyfriend' for a good while yet! Better make sure Lavender doesn't get wind of my talents!' she smirked. Ron glared at her. 'Don't joke about it. If Malfoy got wind that you might 'dump' me, you know he's gonna go after your parents. How did you learn to dance like that, anyway?'. Hermione seemed immediately less willing to talk. She mumbled something indistinguishable, and stared at her shoes.
'What was that, 'Mione? I couldn't quite hear you' Ron asked with cold politeness. Hermione blushed and said louder 'I said: Sam taught me over the break. You know, that guy my parents were trying to set up as a suitable match for me'. Ron's lips tightened furiously. 'Yes, I think you might have mentioned him once or twice'. 'Look, I'm sorry Ron, he just offered, and our parents were there, and he was such a gentleman I couldn't refuse. I swear it was nothing, we only danced'. Hermione said, trying to prevent the argument she saw looming ahead of them.
Ron sneered 'Well, perhaps you should get this useless bloody muggle to keep Draco Malfoy from attacking you and murdering your parents, if he's such a gentleman and your parents approve. The Death Eaters will run quivering from his terrible tango, cowed by his protective polka! Go on, get him to help you out. If he's got something to teach you, then he must be a sodding genius, he'll think of something'. Ron said murderously, and turned on his heel to stalk away, leaving a confused and angry Hermione alone in the dungeons.
A.N. I love to make him jealous! I didn't start this story intending on creating any new characters, just perhaps embellishing on the existing ones, but I needed someone for Ron to be jealous of. Sorry. It's all in a good cause. Also, as a special treat, when I reach 200 reviews I will post TWO chapters at once. If that isn't an incentive to review, I don't know what is!