Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. But for Christmas I wish for Draco Malfoy, so Santa I have been a VERY GOOD girl.
Chapter 3: Set The Challenge
Laughter erupted from behind them. Three Slytherin boys approached them, the only one they recognized was being Blaise Zabini. Anything Blaise did, the other two followed his lead, but they looked like they had no idea why they were laughing at Harry and Hermione. Blaise dropped his laugh and looked menacing at them. "I don't believe it! Scarhead, letting the mudblood on a broom! What's the matter, Potter, Gryffindor try outs not much of a turn out anymore?"
"Mind your business, Zabini!" Harry warned, stepping in front of Hermione.
"I don't think he should, Potter." a voice drawled from behind a nearby tree. Then the full form of Draco Malfoy stepped out into the open.
Hermione groaned, burying her head into Harry's back.
"Having Granger on your side only works when she's in the stands, not on the field." Blaise shot out.
Malfoy gave an amused laugh. "Granger! On the field? She'd never make it..."
Hermione whipped around, cutting him off. "Haven't you learned yet, ferret? I make it through EVERYTHING..."
Blaise cut her off. "Why, Draco, I do believe that miss girlie here wants to play broomsticks with the big boys!"
All the Slytherin's howled with laughter. It was their laughter that alerted Ron and Ginny to their friends surrounded by green cloaks and they sped down to the ground. They appeared next the the circle of people as Malfoy spoke.
"You know Granger, if you really want to play, how about you play with a real...".
Hermione whipped out her wand so fast that no one saw her reach for it. She stayed rooted in her spot, wand raised, and really looking like she could do alot of damage to anyone, including a deadly hippogriff, who provoked her. "Finish that statement Malfoy. I really want you to." Hermione snarled. She jerker her head towards Zambini. "Because then you and your boytoy can walk away now, or walk away in pink poofy dresses, doing the chicken dance, and singing showtunes!"
Harry quickly yanked Hermione's wand from her hand, while Ginny grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her out of the center of the circle. It took all Ginny had to drag the growling girl away from the boys, only fearing that Hermione would resort to using muggle tatics (since Harry had her wand) like biting to get Ginny to release her, only to rush back delivering a drop kick to Malfoy's head. Aside from looking like a three year old whose lollipop was taken away, Hermione was down right pissed.
"Potter, you are not seriously thinking of letting her on the field, are you? That's almost as funny as her playing quidditch for Slytherin!" Blaise laughed so hard that he began to snort.
Before Ron thought of what he said, he angerly shot back, "Well of course! We'll let Hermione play for you." He nudged Harry. "Bloody brilliant, that is! So Malfoy, you can take Hermione and we'll take one of your players." he laughed and turned away to help Ginny, who was struggling with an angry Hermione across the field.
Harry shot the Slytherins a look of disgust as he followed Ron. The words of his friend had not sunk in, and it was not likely that Malfoy would really take the idea seriously.
Malfoy, on the other hand, was pratically blinded by the light bulb that went off over his head. A wicked smile made it's way across his face. The cunning mind of a Slytherin was always up for a challenge, and a challenge which one Ronald Weasley had unknowingly set.
Minerva McGonagoll ran from the Quidditch pitch to the castle in her tabby cat form, transforming back to human form as she reached the Gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office. Despite the fact that she was gasping for air and clutching her side, she barged into Dumbledore's office wearing a huge smile. It had not surprised her that he too was wearing a rather large smile.
It had been Dumbledore over the summer, who had chose the two Head students, it was he who had noticed the behavior between the two Head students on their first meeting, it had been he who told McGonagoll that he believed that these two students would be likely to flip the Wizarding world upside down if they put their minds to it and actually worked together. Even though both Professors believed that Draco Malfoy was a boy not to be ignored, Hermione Granger was doing just that to the fullest extent.
"Albus, I believe that some events we did not plan for have been pressed upon, causing our assumptions of the Head Boy and Girl's behavior to change abit sooner than we planned for."
Dumbledore let out a hearty chuckle. "Minerva, if you a referring to Mr. Weasley's challenge, then yes. This was most unexpected.
However, we both know that House's are not allowed to switch team players. I dare say that it would be quite a scandal." His blue eyes twinkling brightly.
Professor McGonagoll faked shock, dramatically raising a hand to her heart. "Albus! I hope that you aren't suggesting..."
A knock at the door caused both scheming Professors to jump. Severus Snape poked his head through the door, his face set in sheer determination. Dumbledore dismissed McGonagoll, stating that he owed Professor Snape a private conversation. When the transfiguration teacher closed the door behind her, Snape folded his arms over his chest. A very intimadating look spread across his face. The younger wizard began to tap his foot, waiting for his employer to come up with an explanation as to why they had not been able to have this conversation that Severus Snape was no longer willing to let go unsaid.
"Well?"
"Severus, good to see you." Dumbledore motioned for him to sit in a chair, which was denied. "Lemon drop?"
"I want to know, Headmaster, and I want to know now!" Snape sneered. "Why you seem to think that finding out on my own will help me, I don't know. But I do know that you have kept something that belongs to me a secret. I have searched all summer, now tell me. I want to know who and where my daughter is!"
"Very well, Severus. I came across some news after the war about your daughter. I felt that the blow would come easier if you found out on your own. I know how hard you have search this summer for the daughter you never knew exsisted, and I promised that if you had no luck with every lead I gave you, then I would tell you."
"I believe that I have an idea, but no proof and it is utterly absurd." Severus said. "Now WHO?"
"Sit down, Severus. This will surely knock you off your rocker..."
"Quit stalling." Snape warned.
Dumbldore rubbed his temples, knowing that he would have a headache before Professor Snape left. And Snape would probably need a trip to the Infirmary. "Okay Severus, okay. Your daughter is here at Hogwart's."
A/N: I am so sorry that I have taken forever posting. As for those who sent messages saying that they would like to be a Beta or co-writer, I haven't been online much so I haven't had the time to get in touch with anyone. I'm looking for 1 beta and 1or 2 possible co-writers for another story, including the sequel to this story.
Love, Deranged