Chapter Two – DECLAN KENNEDY

"You look flustered, Granger" a voice behind her spoke quietly as Hermione sat down, late for her contemporary magical history lecture. Turning around she saw her friend Declan Kennedy smiling at her and handing over the parchment that contained the notes he had taken so far.

"You would be, too, if you lived with Harry and Ron. Thanks, Dec" she replied, smiling and accepting the parchment. She rapidly copied the notes he had handed over and had begun to take out a fresh piece of parchment and new quill from her satchel when she noticed that Declan had climbed over the seat next to her, and was planting himself in it.

"Don't know why you room with those two. It does nothing but stress you." He said, knowing the hell that Ron and Harry put Hermione through.

"They're my best friends, Dec. I've accepted their laziness for eight years now, what's another few?" she replied while they both continued to copy down notes from their professor.

This particular professor, Professor Hobson, was one of Hermione's favourites. When talking about the re-emergence of Voldemort, he had damned the ministry for not believing Harry. Hermione liked that about him. So many people were afraid of speaking negatively about the ministry, but this professor told it like it was. Hermione had been doing well in his class, and he had said on more than one occasion that her future and potential were boundless. If she had been into older men, Hermione thought she might have fancied him. But knowing that he was in the same Hogwarts graduating class as Lupin, Snape, and Harry's parents kind of made that a little weird.

"So, how did the date with Ethan go the other night?" Declan asked as soon as their professor had ended the class.

"Awful of course. I would have thought you knew me better by now." Hermione replied as she folded up her parchment and put it in her bag.

"I could have told you he wasn't right for you" Declan said as he stood and walked with Hermione out of the lecture room. "He is boring as hell. You need someone with spark, Hermione."

"You take all the boys with spark, Dec. There's simply none left over for me." She replied. Declan had dated most of the attractive and intelligent boys at Hogford. Well, all of the attractive, intelligent gay ones anyway.

"What about Ron Weasley?" Declan said.

"I don't think he likes boys, Dec, but if I see any evidence to the contrary, you'll be the first to know." Hermione replied, linking her arm in Declan's.

"You know I meant for you, Granger. I've always thought that you two would be such a great couple." Declan suggested, looking down at the girl who had been the first to accept him for who he was.

"And here I was thinking you were a genius. Quite clearly, Kennedy, you have NO idea." Hermione stated emphatically.

"Genius doesn't come into it. You're a genius and you've got no idea. And while yes, I admit my own genius, at least I have a clue when it comes to boys." He answered, poking fun at his friend.

Their friendship was an unusual one. Declan had sought her out in classes, knowing she was the greatest threat to his desire to come first in all his classes. Knowing she was brilliant, and quite likely to have the same hopes, he had approached her and decided that a friendship was the best way to keep an eye on what work she was doing and what he needed to do to beat her. The plan had, naturally, failed miserably. He had insincere intentions but discovered her to be a wonderful young woman, and he liked her as much in one week as he did anyone else he had met. They pushed one another scholastically, often researched together in the library, proof-read one another's assignments, and generally picked on one another's love lives or lack thereof. Declan found himself with his first ever best friend, and it wasn't a stretch of the truth to say he loved Hermione. He wasn't in love with her, the idea of being in love with a woman was beyond his understanding, but he loved her.

"So, what are we doing for lunch today?" Declan asked Hermione.

"I was thinking Thai" she responded, knowing that they both had a great respect for Thai food.

"So you ARE still a genius?" Declan said with good humour as he and Hermione headed in the direction of the small Thai restaurant that he and Hermione frequented at least once a week.

The walk took them past the Quidditch practice venue, and Hermione was horrified to see Harry and Ron on the pitch.

"They've both got assignments to do." She said, rolling her eyes at them.

Declan let out a laugh and said "You know that eventually they'll end up playing Quidditch professionally. And Hogford will still be here when their careers are over."

"You're on their side?" Hermione asked, exasperated that Declan would be in favour of anyone not making the most of their education.

"No. I'm on the side of people doing what makes them happy. And if playing Quidditch makes them happy, let them do it." He replied.

Declan and Hermione ate heartily. They talked about all sorts of things, including how Hermione needed a new wardrobe, and Declan's date the following evening. But nothing seemed out of the ordinary until Declan changed the subject.

"Liam is visiting next week." Declan said quietly.

"Liam? As in Liam Kennedy? As in your twin brother Liam Kennedy?" Hermione asked, not believing what she had heard.

"Yeah. Apparently he needed a break from New York, so he's coming home tomorrow. He's coming down on Wednesday." Declan didn't sound very impressed. "I think he broke up with Sarah."

"That's excellent news. Not that he broke up with Sarah, because that's awful, but good that you'll get to see him, and spend some time with him." Hermione said, taking Declan's hand.

"Yeah. Excellent. It'll just be another reason to make me feel bad about myself. Liam is the golden child, Hermione. Brilliant job at the US ministry straight out of school, always the nicest girlfriends, captain of every Quidditch team he's ever played on." Declan sounded dejected.

"But he's not nearly half the man you are, Dec. Nor half the woman. I'm sure he's not that bad." Hermione said, trying to make Declan feel better.

"No, he's not that bad. He's worse. Will you come to dinner with us? I don't think I'll cope if it's just him and me. Having you there will make everything easier." Declan asked, hoping Hermione would agree.

"Of course. But promise me you two will have some alone time?" She replied, smiling.

"Deal. Now let's get going. I need to shop." Declan said, taking Hermione's hand and heading off to the boutiques just off campus.