Here's the next chapter for you! I'll be leaving for DISNEYLAND in a matter of hours. I'm SO EXCITED! (But not so excited about the 13 hours in the car.) So because of my leaving the state (and my computer) it'll be a bit before the next update. Please review!
"I was... it was..." Hermione couldn't think of what to say. You didn't mock a Malfoy and get away with it, that much she knew.
Lucius stepped off the stairs and walked closer to Hermione. She could feel Sirius getting closer to her, as if getting ready to protect her from what ever Malfoy was going to unleash upon her.
Lucius leaned so that he was right in front of Hermione's face. "It's not a smart thing to make fun of a Malfoy. You should know that," he whispered, leaning away, as if being this close to a mudblood would contaminate him. "But, because you're a child, I'll overlook that little slip up. Just don't let it happen again."
Hermione looked down to her feet.
"This isn't your house, Malfoy. You have no right to tell people what they can and can't do. She can let it happen again if she wants to," said Sirius fiercely.
Lucius glared, and without another word swept up the stairs into his room. He knew that he already was causing the little mudblood enough pain... for now anyway.
Hermione turned to Sirius and he saw that her eyes were shining with tears that had not yet left her eyes. He felt awkward as he gathered her into a hug. It was not the fatherly type of hug it should be. It was more on the tender side.
Sirius broke away abruptly, leaving Hermione wide-eyed. This should not be happening.
"I am a little tired. If you'll excuse me," he said, overly formal. He flew up the stairs before Hermione could say anything. She heard a door slam.
Well that went bloody brilliant didn't it, she thought as she trudged to her room. She knew that he didn't care for her at all, especially if he would just leave like that.
She opened the door to her bedroom and plopped down on the bed. She had to get to away from this Sirius thing, and fast.
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The next morning Hermione awoke to an owl pecking at her window. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and moved groggily to the window sill.
She flipped the latch to let the bird in.
"Morning Pig," she sighed as she untied the note from the little owl's leg.
Hello Hermione!
Us here at the Weasley household think that it's right time for you to take a visit! Ron and Harry have been dying to see you! It would be lovely if you could stay the night for a few days. You would be sleeping in Ginny's room, of course. If you're up to it, we will be expecting you tonight. It's a surprise though, so don't tell them that you're coming!
Your's Truly,
Molly Weasley
Hermione smiled and folded the note into her pocket. She went to her trunk to fetch a snack for Pig and then send him on his way with her reply. Of course she would be staying. She needed a break from the Sirius situation, and being away from the Malfoys would also be a plus.
She skipped down to the kitchen as only a happy young witch could. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Draco Malfoy sitting at the table spreading butter on his toast.
"Close your mouth before the bugs fly in, Granger," said Draco without lifting his eyes from his toast.
Hermione rolled her eyes and helped herself to some eggs that were being magically cooked on the grill.
She sat down at the table and tried to ignore Draco's eyes on her. Finally, she gave in. "What is it, Malfoy? Is there something on my face? Oh wait! Is it that my clothes are not made of fine enough fabrics? Am I not using the right sort of fork? Please, by all means, tell me what is wrong, oh great one."
Draco smirked. "Sarcasm noted, Granger. I was just noticing that you don't look half bad today, for a mudblood at least. I'd say you might even pass as decent."
The word mudblood didn't phase her anymore. It was the half compliment that really made her gasp. She shook her head, stood up, and dumped the rest of her food in the sink, suddenly not hungry anymore.
Draco watched her go. She actually did look, well he was surprised he was going to admit it, attractive. There was something different about her, an air that she carried herself with perhaps.
Stop, he thought. There was no way he was going to think like that about her, a mudblood for Merlin's sake. Besides, she obviously fancied Black... unless there was something he could do about it. He grinned into his bite of toast.
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Hermione was standing by the fireplace, her overnight bag in hand. She was excited about seeing her friends again. She hoped that Ginny wouldn't do her hair and makeup again... what she didn't need was another face mauling a la Ron. Hermione laughed out loud at the thought. She had forgiven Ron for the whole kiss incident. Now she just thought of it as a joke. Sure, it was awkward for the first few days, but, him being Ron, he had almost completely forgot about it.
She had left a note for Sirius on the kitchen table about where she would be. He was usually asleep until late in the afternoon these days. Though, she had no idea why.
She heard a woosh and then a whisper. "Hermione, you can come now. They are all upstairs," Mrs. Weasley said and just as quickly as she finished, she was gone.
Hermione grabbed a bit of floo powder and threw it into the fire. "The Burrow!" she exclaimed, stepping into the fire.
Like usual, she closed her eyes until she felt the spinning stop. Molly Weasley was standing there, ready to catch her as she knew about Hermione's un-floo worthy legs.
"There you go," she whispered, steading Hermione. "They're all up in Ron's room," she said as she pushed Hermione to the stairs.
She stealthily climbed up the stairs, bag in arms. Once she got to the appropriate level she tossed open the door to Ron's room, not even bothering to knock. Her eyes fell upon Harry and Ginny, arms entwined and faces smashed against each others. She laughed once at the top of her lungs before closing the door. She sunk to the ground in a fit of vicious giggles.
"Oi, Hermione! What are you doing here?" asked Ron, standing on the landing with a copy of Quidditch Quarterly in his hand.
Hermione had to calm herself down for a minute before she could answer. "Your mum invited me," she panted. Her sides ached with laughter. She was surprised that the door had not opened. Were they really so immersed in their snog-fest that they didn't notice Hermione's outburst?
Ron offered her his hand so she could get up, "So why are you on the floor?"
Hermione just shook her head and opened the door.
"Hey! You're in my room! Do that somewhere else!" shouted Ron. He was okay with the way that Harry and Ginny felt about each other now, but the random kisses caught him off guard sometimes
They broke apart from their death grip on each other. "Oh! Sorry!" exclaimed Ginny. "What are you doing here Hermione?" she asked, dropping her hand to rest in Harry's.
"I was invited! Surprise!" laughed Hermione as she struck a pose. She couldn't restrain herself when another wave of giggles hit her. The look on Harry's face was so priceless that it would be a crime for someone not to laugh at it. It was like a mix between surprise, embarrassment, and anger.
Ginny looked at his face and couldn't help but join the merriment. Harry gave her a look that quickly shut her up.
Ginny looked to Hermione. "Let's go to my room. I have gobs of stories for you," she gushed as she crossed the room. Before Hermione could reply, Ginny had swept her out of the room. Hermione grinned, it was going to be an exciting next few days.
There you go! A million jillion quadrillion thanks to my beta!
:D