I Own Nothing! With thanks to Da Squirell for the last chapter, Hermionewiz, SincerleyChris, Aurora Borealis for their ideas, thanks again for reviewing!
As Molly, Arthur and Poppy left to get food, the rest of the room crowded around in a circle.
"So…What should we do now?" George asked, a grin already unfurling. This only grew as the people around him shrugged, and he jumped out of his seat, and into the middle of the circle.
"How about we play a game of truth or dare?" This was met with mixed reactions, and both Slughorn and Minerva loudly opted out. They were soon joined by a pink Sprout and Filius, retreating after a comment from George. Others were unsure.
"What kind of game…" Asked a hesitant Hermione. She knew of the muggle version, but was unsure what the wizarding twist would be. Ron explained the rules to her stating that there was no possible way to lie, and that it was impossible to opt out. You were stuck with the truth or the dare no matter what.
"I don't know George…" Hermione started to walk over to where her Professors were sitting, intent on making sure the game stayed in control. She was stopped by the sound of a cockerel. Turning around slowly she saw that Ron was grinning at her, mouthing 'chicken'. Her eyes narrowed, and she turned, dragging a retreating Neville back with her. Loudly she announced that she was no coward, but missed the traded expressions of glee between George and Rolanda.
Sitting down Harry was getting increasingly nervous, especially as Bill asked the first question to George. "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare. Bring it on brother."
A look of intense satisfaction overcame Bill's face and he took no time to come up with the question. "I dare you… to prank Mum when she comes back into the room, with one of your new donkey delights!" George paled, but nodded all the same. He took a purple tile out from one of his pockets, and enlarged it, before writing something on the surface and placing it in front of the door. Then he surveyed the group for his next victim.
"Ronald. Ronald Weasley. Truth or dare?" The tone in which he said it made Ron shiver.
"Uhh…Truth?" George looked thoughtful for a moment.
"What is the funniest thing Harry, Hermione or you have ever done?" Ron didn't have to think for long, and the answer slipped out of his mouth and to his utter embarrassment, when he tried to stop saying it, his voice increased in volume.
"I ASKED FLUER TO THE YULE BALL AND MADE AN IDIOT OUT OF MYSELF, HARRY HAD A DISASTER DATE WITH CHO AND MADE HER CRY AND HERMIONE HIT MALFOY IN THE FACE!" He clapped his hands over his mouth, whilst Harry and Hermione glared at him.
A round of laughter bubbled up, and Ron shrank in his seat. Luckily, his moment was already well-known.
"You had a date with Cho? And you made her cry! You're education is severely lacking my brother, and if you're going to date my sister it must be solved!" Bill clapped a red faced Harry on the back, and Harry blushed further as Rolanda patted his cheeks and told him how cute it was that he was clueless. Dimly he heard Neville stating that not even he was that bad with girls. Hermione merely sighed in relief.
"Wait…repeat that last bit- about Hermione." She froze, and inched back slowly.
"Hermione slapped Malfoy and had to be restrained by Ron in our third year." There was a moment of disbelief before George seized Hermione and gave her a hug!
"I always wanted to do that! YES! You have guts!"
"Hermione! You never told me that!"
"I was so cool, she was gonna curse him…"
"You three get away with so much more than I did!" Eventually Hermione stopped receiving hugs and retreated backwards, only to fall into her head of house, who at that moment looked very foreboding. She leapt up at once, streaming apologies coming from her mouth.
"Miss Granger." Hermione was again quivering. "Am I correct in hearing that you assaulted Mr Malfoy on school grounds in you third year?" Hermione nodded the affirmative. "May I ask why?"
"H-he was insulting Hagrid, calling him a buffoon for crying over Buckbeak. That year he'd called us all sort of things like 'mudblood', 'filth' and he'd even insulted Harry because of the dementors…I guess I'd had enough." The older woman frowned.
"As a teacher I cannot commend behaviour like that Hermione, no matter how deserved it was." Hermione felt two feet tall. Suddenly Rolanda popped up behind the older woman, engulfing her in a warm hug that the esteemed headmistress tried to wriggle out of.
"And in Minerva language that translates to: Well done I wish I could've seen it too!" Ignoring the older woman's futile protests and unbelievable splutters she continued with a wink. "Our Minnie had quite the few fights in her time too Hermione, and if you'll believe it she was quite like you until she met me! You just need to get to know her to understand what she's saying- believe me I've had loads of practice. But, I digress; we need to continue the game!" And with that, she led a shocked Hermione back to her seat, leaving a smirking, bemused Minerva behind.
"Right, my turn. And I pick…Harry." Ron grinned. Harry gaped.
"I thought we were mates!"
"Unfortunately that doesn't matter to this. Truth or dare?"
Harry gulped visibly. "Dar-Tru-ARGH! Okay…I pick truth!" He then closed his eyes and waited.
"Who wants to pick his question?" Harry's eyes snapped open and he wailed a distraught 'NOOOO!' Rolanda was bouncing in her seat, and she waved her hand frantically. "Uh…Madame Hooch?"
"Alright Potter. How did you survive the triwizard tournament? Because I know for a fact that fourth years don't know about accio at all, unless they're Ravenclaws or Hermione." Harry felt quite happy with the question, because he could finally get rid of some of his undeserved credit.
"Well Hagrid told me about the dragons in the first task, Moody told me to use my broom, and Hermione helped me with accio. For the second task Cedric hinted about the water, and Neville told me about the gillyweed, which he convinced Dobby to get me. The third task I practiced with Hermione and Ron every day." He smiled when finishing this, and looked around at the shocked faces."
"Naughty, naughty Harry. Some would call that cheating! But, you weren't caught so…"
"Neville Longbottom! Am I correct in hearing that you told a house elf to steal gillyweed?" Professor Sprout gave him a look.
"Uh…Maybe?" She glared a little harder. "Okay, but it was for Harry!"
"Minerva, it seems that it wasn't only those three who got away with murder whilst at school. Please add Neville to your list." Her lips were pursed, and she looked very unhappy, and not at all like herself. "Stealing is not something I ever condone." Neville bowed his head, and she seemed to crack. "But I love you anyway!" And gave him an enormous hug.
"Pomona! How are the children supposed to learn if you pamper them? Mr Longbottom you will need to receive a punishment for this, I am sure. " Filius cried.
"I did punish him, and it'll do no good if he thinks I hate him!" She pushed Neville back towards his friends. "Go on dear… besides, he was so upset, bless him! I couldn't stay mad!" Minerva sighed.
"We are not their parents Pomona, and they know that we don't hate them. They'll think they can get away with anything if we all act the way you do. You're Puffs may take heed, but my cubs, Horace's snakes and Filius's hatchlings don't work that way."
"Well I don't care. I bet, if you went right up to Mr Longbottom, and gave him a hug Minerva, he would have a heart attack and die of shock."
"Deal."
"No! Not Neville!"
"Who then?"
"Well i suppose those four are asking for a punishment…."
"Cruel Filius. But true. Not Neville."
"Mr Potter has been through too many hardships in his life. That leaves Granger or Weasley."
"Hugging a student is not a punishment, now which one?"
"I like Granger, she's smart."
"Agreed. Weasley?" A nod from Filius.
"Alright, go and hug Weasley, and if he doesn't die you can hug the other three as well. If they scream, or faint we'll know my methods are better."
Minerva nodded briskly, and called the four over. Neville looked like he'd just swallowed dragon dung…which was probable. First the older woman checked that the others were engrossed in their game, before turning to the children.
"It has been pointed out to me that I may not be the most….emotional head of house to my Gryffindors, and I realised that I may have left a few things unsaid to you four." The four were now squirming uncomfortably, and inching away from the awkward moment. "Weasley first then….I was highly impressed when I heard that you defeated my chess set in your first year, and you have continued to impress me with your bravery in times of need. You may not be my brightest student, but I suppose I should tell you that your steadfastness and tenacity if something I have always admired." With this said, she wrapped her arms around him in an awkward hug, before shooing him off to re-join the game. "Longbottom. You…I don't think I ever told you how proud of you I was in your seventh year. You were a true leader, and you have become a magnificent wizard. No matter what anyone says." Neville was a bit more prepared for his hug, and he gracefully accepted it and ran away. "Potter I was always and always will be very proud of you. You've truly made your parents proud, and you have become so much more than the-boy-who-lived." She gave him a small smile and Harry patted her on the back. "Miss Granger without your help I doubt the boys would've made it as far as they did, and I doubt you'd have turned into the outstanding witch you are today without them. I am so very proud of all of you. Well done." Minerva wasn't sure if the tears she saw in Hermione's eyes were real or imagined, but she was sure that the girl held on a bit longer than the others, which made her feel strangely better. She walked back to the teachers with a smug smile.
"None of them fainted. I believe I win." The others collapsed laughing, earning a few weird looks from the younger people.
"What do you think they're laughing about?" George asked curiously.
"You don't want to know. I never do when Horace is involved. But back to my turn! Hermione, truth or dare?" Hermione winced imagined what questions Rolanda would asked and went for the easier option.
"Dare." A loud 'oooohhh' was emitted by the others, and the quidditch instructor's smile grew wicked.
"I like a challenge. Okay, I want you to…." Hermione crossed her fingers. "I want you to prank those four's food." Rolanda gestured to the four staff members. "Consult George about what you'll be doing but it must be BIG!" Rolanda clapped her hands in delight. Hermione grimaced, but smiled at her next victim.
"Bill, tr-"
"Dare."
"Confess you love for McGonagall."
"What!"
"Do it, or forfeit, which will be wearing your mother's clothes for a week." Bill took a while to weigh his options, before sighing and pulling out his wand. Instantly he was dressed in a pink flowery dress robe and was scowling."
It was at this moment that a breathless Molly came in with three dozen trays of food being levitated.
"Eat up! You could all do with a bi of meat on you- BILL!" A sigh followed. "I thought we'd discussed this habit…" Bill's forehead was immediately red.
"MUM! It was a dare!" Meanwhile the others were wildly discussing Molly's words behind his back, and Bill groaned before burying his face in his hands. Molly's lips twitched and she put the trays down. Unfortunately she missed Hermione's wand move over the food, and the occupants of the room before being safely hidden again.
"Harry dear, would you mind stepping outside with me for a moment? You two as well please." She left with a confused Hermione and Harry, and a scared Ron.
Once outside they noted that Madame Pomfrey was also present. Molly conjured some armchairs, whilst the medi-witch silenced the room, before they both simultaneously turned to them.
"I think we need to talk Harry."
So, any ideas for what Hermione did? This chapter I'm again worried about, but I wanted something to make it seem lighter. I may go back and edit this later, but not until I'm finished with the story. :)