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Chapter 6

It was midnight when they came back. Hermione enjoyed a dreamless sleep until she was woken by a melodic voice. Her heavy eyelids heaved open and a blurry blonde girl was craning over her.

"Luna?" her voice came slow and groggy.

"Yes, it's me, Hermione. Hurry and get dressed. It's seven something and McGonagall wants us in her office at nine."

"Why did you wake me up now," Hermione groaned, burying her head in her pillow. I had such a good sleep."

"Well that's not what Draco said." Luna began pacing around the bed. "Maybe he's lying, but he said you had a nightmare last night."

"What else did he say?"

"He said that Blaise and I must have huge wads of wax in our ears because we didn't hear."

"Ah, well he's not lying. I did have a nightmare. A horrible nightmare. It was about him."

Luna laughed and walked to the door to the bathroom.

"Did you come through there?"

"No. Henrietta let me in. You forgot to think up a password. But I can see how this door is a nuisance. I can put a locking charm on it if you want."

"No, its okay. I'll do it myself later. Get out, Luna."

"Ugh, so rude," Luna muttered playfully and left into the bathroom. Hermione then heard her scream at Blaise, but just laughed to herself and got out of bed.

Light poured in through the curtained windows. She pushed away the thick red curtains and was blasted with warm golden sun. She let in a gentle breeze and then was fully woken, sharp and ready to tackle the day.

She suspected the day would get warmer and uniform might not be required. After all, there weren't any classes that day. She had been looking forward to the first day of learning, but realized a day to take the glory of school and the perils of an even busier year would be perfect. What bad would a little vacation do?

She dressed normally, sporting black jeans and a thin white ruffled shirt. She decided to wear the same flats from last night. After tying her hair in a ribbon and lightly glossing her lips, she was ready to go. Looks didn't matter so much to her. As long as she was decent there were no worries.

She was on her way to Luna's room when she heard a noise. It was then when she remembered her second pet: the dove. It flapped up to the top of his little cage, hanging from a stand in the corner of her room, squawking at something from below. When she checked, a bushy, ginger-colored cat turned its attention to her. It was Crookshanks, trodding towards her excitedly. She first let the dove out the window, not having much care for it, and then scooped Crookshanks into her arms. She cradled him as she went to Luna's room.

Apparently, Luna wasn't as easy going as Hermione thought. She generously made Luna's bed for and let out her eagle. Luna was busy frantically rummaging through her jewelry boxes.

"Luna, do you really have to accesorize today?"

"Of course I do! These things were expensive and it'd be a real big waste if I don't --- oh, Hermione! These earrings would look great on you!"

Hermione shook her head. "No thanks. I don't need anything and neither do you. Let's go, Luna."

"You don't know anything about accessorizing or how it affects your look."

"I don't and don't care."

Luna rolled her eyes and picked several matching pieces. She patted her hair, smiled at herself, frowned, and started all over again.

Hermione groaned and told Luna she'd be in the common room.

She gasped in surprise when she got there. It didn't even look like the old one. Everything was green and silver and black. All tassels were eliminated. The portraits were rearranged. The suits of armor were turned either silver or black. And there even were less of them. Some cases now displayed assorted arrays of cruel looking weapons. There was only one explanation for this.

"What do you think?" a voice said from behind her. She turned to stare at a grinning Draco sided with Blaise.

"Better." Blaise stated.

"Much, much better." Draco chuckled.

"It's disgusting, if you ask me," Hermione spat, pulling out her wand.

"I thought you didn't need it," Draco said.

Hermione ignored him and raised her arm. He stopped it and pushed it down. Hermione groaned in frustration. He chuckled. "I'm not afraid to hex you."

"And I never was to do the same to you," she retorted.

"What's going on here?" Luna was confused when she walked in to see Draco and Hermione so close to each other. Blaise, on the other hand, seemed entertained.

"There's going to be a duel," Blaise replied.

"Oh, for the love of ---" Luna wedged herself between both of them, facing Draco. He smirked at her. "Malfoy, you are impossible!"

"Just leave him alone, Luna. He's not worth any of it," Hermione sighed. "And call him Draco."

"Draco?!" Luna uttered in shock.

"That's my name, honey buns," Draco said wryly. He and Blaise burst out laughing and headed out.

"Why are you calling him Draco now?" Luna asked while they followed behind.

"It's silly to call each other by our last names. I mean, we'll be spending so much time together."

"True, but that doesn't mean we'll be doing it as friends. And I thought you wanted to avoid…Draco." She grimaced at his name. Her face contorted as if she had tasted yucky medicine.

"I figured that he was inevitable. We might as well give that up."

"You're right."

They both walked in silence, both thinking about the horror of trying to be friends with Draco. And then all they could think about was Draco.

Luna, unlike Hermione, was able to get back to reality. She came up with something to start a conversation. "I heard he's entering in the Tournament."

"Hm? What?"

"Draco, he's going to enter."

Hermione glanced at Draco. He and Blaise were arguing.

"Draco," she started. He and Blaise instantly shut up. Blaise nudged Draco's side, grinning.

"What?"

"I was just wondering…"

"Well then wonder somewhere else. You interrupted a very important conversation."

"Are you entering the Universal Wizard Tournament?"

"Yes, I am."

"You'll get yourself killed!"

"I thought you'd like that."

"…You have a point."

"I always do. Now, Hermione, if you will leave me alone, I, unlike you, will successfully talk someone out of entering themselves."

"Blaise?"

"I've got some family honor to restore!" Blaise said. "I lost another dad. My mom nearly out of self-esteem!"

"There are loads of women like your mother out there. You think just because you get into the Tournament people will see her differently?" Draco said.

"What do you mean 'women like my mother'? My mum's innocent! She had nothing to do with Terrence's death, or Hugh's or Tom's or Nate's. She's never killed anyone!"

"Sure, Blaise. Sure."

"I'm being honest!"

"My family's in even bigger trouble."

"That's because they're guilty. You, your dad, your mum ---"

"My mum has a clean cut conscience!"

"Well so does mine!"

Luna and Hermione exchanged uneasy glances and took a different path to McGonagall's, though they were nearly there.

"Well, I'm surprised," said Hermione. "I thought he wanted to go to impress everyone. Who would have thought he was doing it for his family?"

"He is doing it to impress people, so they won't hate him for his father. I mean, why else would he do it? The ghosts would have scared off the Yinderlings, so he can't feel that way."

"Maybe it is the Yinderlings," Hermione said sarcastically.

"Oh no, I'd better tell my dad!"

"I think I've had enough family talk, Luna."

"If it bother's you so much, why not just get your parents back. Can't you modify their minds back or something?"

"That spell was… No, I can't," she uttered sadly with a sigh. She really missed not having anyone to write to. She missed how her dad used to encourage her about school and such. She missed girl talks with her mom. She missed being loved.

Ron's family wasn't the same. The fact that Harry was parentless too didn't help. Knowledge that her parents were safe and happy didn't overshadow the regret.

At last they made it to McGonagall's office. Draco and Blaise were waiting at the door, now talking about quidditch.

"How am I supposed to know whether or not Jacoby Siphu is coming. I've never even heard of a school in Africa."

"But he's nineteen and I heard Ommannebabwe keeps their students for nine years."

"You just can't assume he goes there."

"What else would he do?"

"You don't know how much quidditch takes up your schedule."

"What about Viktor Krum?"

"Ahem," Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. The boys looked up… or down, since they were so tall.

"Oh, hello, professor," Blaise uttered, taking a step back.

"Why hello, Mr. Zabini," Professor McGonagall replied. "Come in." She moved aside to let them into her office.

The room wasn't much of a surprise. Everything was organized, old-fashioned contraptions lined up on shelves, and neatly stacked papers nearly reached the ceiling. It wasn't like Hermione or Draco had never been there before.

"I'm afraid you won't be spending your day like the rest of the students," said McGonagall, levitating over a tray of teacups and a teapot. "Draco, Hermione, you'll be showing Professor Isilee around and helping her understand how it goes around here. Maybe you can help her set up her classroom. After all, she just came yesterday. Like I told you before, make her feel welcome."

Hermione nodded, sipping her tea quietly. Draco swung his head back, groaning in loathing.

"Blaise, Luna," McGonagall said, ignoring Draco, "I have some lists of dates so you can help Draco and Hermione with their schedule. After that you're free."

They nodded.

"Oh, but before you all do anything, I need you to hand out some things." She got up to fetch a large stack of papers. Three more floated behind her.

"Hermione," she said, dropping the stack in her arms. "These belong to Gryffindors." She sat down, watching the stacks float to the others. "Draco take those to your Slytherin friends and Blaise, yours go to Hufflepuffs. Luna dear, I trust you know where yours are going." Professor McGonagall relaxed in her seat and pulled out her pocket watch.

"It won't be so hard. Those are only for sixth and seventh years. Everyone's probably still at breakfast, too, so get yourselves something to eat. I don't want any slacking off."

"No, ma'am," Blaise said. He was the only one paying attention. Draco, Hermione, and Luna were busy reading the packets in their stacks.

"What do they say?" Blaise asked Draco when they were on their way to the Great Hall.

"They're class schedules and school calendars. There's going to be six field trips, but I don't know where to. There's a letter for our parents along with a field trip form, but I can't read them. They're blank."

"Hermione?" Luna asked. She and Hermione were taking a different route.

"Yes?"

"Do you think there's a spell that'll let us read the parents' letters?"

"I don't think so. But whatever is in those letters probably isn't our business."

"Hm," Luna sighed. "I guess I won't be seeing the thestrals after all."

"Don't worry, Luna. You just give me that list and I'll fix my schedule myself."

"Really?"

"Yes, you have fun with Neville." Hermione paused to think. "Hey, are you…?"

"Oh no, Hermione," Luna laughed nervously. "We're just good friends."

"I'll take your word for it," Hermione said, not believing her. "Bye."

Luna waved before they both went to their tables. Harry and Ron had saved her a seat.

"Morning, 'Mione," greeted Ron, his mouth full of food. He shoved it down with some pumpkin juice. "Where were you?"

"I was with Draco, the rest, and McGonagall," she replied.

"Draco?" Ginny asked with a small smile.

"Draco Malfoy, yes. We have to give these out." She pointed to her stack on the table. "Yours is in there, Gin."

Ginny anxiously searched through the papers. She found a packet with her name on it.

"What's that?" Lavender Brown asked.

"There's one in there for you, Lav." Ginny replied, preoccupied with reading.

"Guys," Hermione said, gathering the pile, "I've got to do this. You just eat."

She was offered help, but shook her head and started walking back and forth the table, passing the packets to their rightful owners.

"Hello, Hermione," said Georgie Isilee, stopping Hermione from running back down the isle to give a packet to Seamus. "What are those?"

"These? I'm not entirely sure." She actually was pretty sure what they were, but didn't want to make Georgie or any of the younger ones around her jealous. "They go to certain people. If I get yours I'll give it to you right away. Ta."

When she was done, she sat to read her own packet. She had all the classes she asked for, including Muggle Studies. On the page with all her classes was a diagram with three columns. One column listed just the subject, the next just listed the class times. The third column was blank. She didn't worry about that much, since she knew she would find out soon. The next page was a list of important dates. Six Fridays were labeled "7th Year Field Trip". The Saturday following the first field trip was labeled "First Task" and the same with the second Saturday, but with a different number task.

The First Task took place two weeks after the Champion Selection Ceremony, which occurred on October 27.

"You want those eggs?" Ron asked.

"Let her eat, Ron, you pig," Ginny said, shoving his stomach with her elbow.

"Just a tiny bit?" Ron plead. Ginny instinctively hit him in the back of his head.

"Alright," Harry said. He read ahead of Hermione in his packet. "Field trip! I don't know where, but hey, still getting out of school."

"Hm, letter's blank. Maybe Fred or George could help us with this." Ginny said thoughtfully. "And there are strange questions on the permission slip."

"Is your child reactive to mold, insect feces, and any one of a variety of aging and or decaying bacterium allergens?" Hermione read aloud.

"Who are you going to give the letter to?" asked Ginny.

"I don't know. Remus and Dora have sort of acted like Harry and my guardians, so them, probably."

"Good idea," said Harry, recalling the recent summer he spent at Remus and Nymphadora Lupin's house with Hermione. He especially remembered babysitting Teddy, Remus and Dora's year old son. Though Hermione did most of the babysitting. Harry was just entertaining him and being a bad influence.

"Or you could give it to my mum," suggested Ron. "She's been complaining about how boring it is at home lately. With dad's business trip and all..."

"Oh right, you're dad went to Hong Kong for the ministry."

"Yep." Ron nodded. "He's been promoted to Head Muggle Artifact Investigator. He told me he really grew to like traveling. You should've seen him when he got home that one time, after his first plane ride."

"I remember that," Ginny said grimly, revisiting the time her dad kept her and her brothers up a whole night talking about how incredible the motor was and how cool it was to use headphones. He even saw a man with an electric nose hair trimmer and was ecstatic.

Hermione had barely finished half of her food when Draco came over. He dodged a fight with Harry and dragged Hermione out the Great Hall.

"Why can't you just wait until I'm ready to go?" Hermione asked, jogging along Draco up a flight of stairs.

"Because you'd take forever." he replied. "And I don't think to waste any patience with you and your lot."

"My lot?"

"You, Potter, the weasels, and the rest of your mushy Gryffindor family."

"Why don't you call them by their first names?"

"Because that'd just be one step closer to turning into one of them. I'm in deep trouble with my lot, you know. Blaise went on and ratted on me for calling you Hermione."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You Slytherins and respect issues…"

"Respect is a big thing for us, it's the key to power."

"Is that all you think about? Respect and power?"

"Is all you think about love and family?"

"No."

"Then, no, for me, too."

"Okay then."

"Granger, you can't possibly be comfortable with me calling you Hermione."

"I like my name, thank you."

"But don't you think your friends will get the wrong idea?"

"What idea? That idea? No way!" Hermione huffed. "They know me much better than that."

"And what if we were?"

"Then Harry and Ron'll kill us both and it will all be your fault."

"It'll be your fault." Draco protested.

"That means you'd think I'd… Like hell, that'll happen, Malfoy!" she hissed. She was offended.

"It is possible, being as devilishly good-looking as I am…"

"It's not possible for me. I'm not one of those girls who falls head over heals for good looks and money. I can see past that, Malfoy."

"Oh yay! We're back on a last name basis. Aren't I great?"

"No. And I guess last names are better since we could never be friends. All that happens with us is strictly business, Malfoy."

"Fine. Didn't think first names meant much anyway. I'll try to ignore all the gossip."

"Gossip. Ha. I shouldn't be surprised."

"I wouldn't give you the details, but I'm pretty sure you know where I'd go."

"Change the subject, quick!"

"Okay… er, what do you think of the African Quidditch team?"

"Oh no," Hermione sighed, exasperated. "Don't. I hate quidditch."

"Well, I don't want to talk about school."

"Ah well, there's nothing else to have normal conversations about, you and I being just business partners."

"I would have been perfectly fine with quidditch, Granger."

"Well, I wouldn't. I'm not a boy."

"What makes you think girls don't like quidditch? The captain of the Mexican team is female and so is the seeker for China."

"I'd rather talk about school."

"I'm sorry, I can't help you there. I'm just going to shut up the whole time. You're doing all the talking." They stopped in front of the Muggle Studies classroom. Hermione knocked.