AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just noticed I've been spelling "Zabini" as "Zambini"... HOW EMBARRASSING. Forgive me. Also, I don't have a succinct idea of where this story is going yet, though I have a few ideas for plotlines so please stay along for the ride! AND NONE OF YOU ARE SHY TO FAVOURITE/FOLLOW, BUT ARE TOO BASHFUL TO REVIEW. WHAT IS THIS, GUYS, I NEED CRITICISM. Okay, enjoy, my babies :D
CHAPTER FOUR: A BET
Hermione pounded her head lightly on her bedroom door. This was becoming a morning routine, every day before she encountered Malfoy. It appeared he had gone for breakfast by the time she had left her dormitory, however. Hermione brought as many books as she could carry with her to the Great Hall, planning to head to the library with Harry and Ron after breakfast. She sat down in between them.
"Morning," she said a bit grudgingly.
"Hello, hello," Ron said happily, "thought you had forgotten about us."
"Of course not," Hermione said brightly, and helped herself to some scrambled eggs and toast. "We're still on for the library today, right boys?"
Ron's face darkened, "Er…"
"Hermione, we actually have Quidditch practice today," Harry said, looking into her eyes with shame.
"What? But Harry! You're Quidditch captain, you make the training schedule! You know we made plans-we have loads of homework already, Snape-"
"I know, I know," Harry said glumly, "but today's the only day the rest of the team agreed to do it. It shouldn't take too long, and we'll still have time for school work tomorrow," he finished with a small smile.
Hermione nodded and smiled weakly back. She'd go to the library regardless, hoping to avoid Malfoy for as long as possible. It was a tad pathetic, but at least she'd be able to get work done.
IIIII
At the library, Hermione sat at her usual table by the Restricted Section alone, taking breaks from scribbling furiously to stare at the book shelves in front of her. Her stomach grumbled loudly. Muttering to herself, Hermione searched her bag for something to tide her over before dinner (she had missed lunch), and found a chocolate frog. The packet was a bit ruffled but Hermione immediately stuffed it into her mouth, grateful.
A few seconds later, a sharp piece of the chocolate had lodged itself in Hermione's throat, and her eyes began to water. She tried to keep swallowing but the chocolate remained stuck as ever. Now slightly panicking, Hermione turned pink as she attempted to cough out the chocolate.
Zabini appeared from behind the bookshelves. "What the-here drink this," he said, and shoved a silver flask in her hands. Hermione gulped the liquid quickly and finished it, the chocolate melting slightly and dislodging itself from her throat.
"Thank-you!" she said. Zabini grinned excitedly.
"You're…very good looking," Hermione said, a warmth buzzing inside of her and spreading to her fingers and toes.
"I think I want…I want you. Let's go to my room. Blaise, I love you!" Hermione cried, and swung her arms around Blaise's neck. He grinned ecstatically and nuzzled her neck. Hermione swooned and cried with pleasure.
Madam Pince, the librarian, swooped in on them. "What-do-you-think-you-are-doing," she hissed, and pried Hermione off Zabini. "This is a library, not some common brothel! Out! OUT!"
Hermione and Zabini hurried out of the library, Hermione giggling and clutching onto Zabini's hand. They were halfway down the corridor when they ran into Malfoy.
"Blaise, Granger? What-"
"Malfoy listen, this is important," Hermione said urgently, "We need the common room to ourselves tonight, me and Blaise," she shot Blaise a look of utter lust. Malfoy grimaced before looking from Zabini to Hermione and making a little connection.
"Oh, really?" he said calmly, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Blaise?"
Zabini began acting a bit nervous, but tried to cover it up with a strong "It's true," before Hermione screamed, "BLAISE I LOVE YOU. LET'S GO, PLEASE, PLEASE, I CAN'T TAKE IT, I NEED YOU. KISS ME."
Zabini looked a bit horrified as Hermione threw herself at him, tugging at his robes. Malfoy came up to them and discreetly reached into Zabini's robes, pulling out the silver flask.
"Love potion? Really, Blaise?" Malfoy said, with a slight smirk. "Well, I'm sorry mate, but rules are rules and your time is up. Getting that desperate, huh?" Malfoy grinned.
Blaise grinned innocently and shrugged.
"Ugh, next time try using Amortentia, you've got the cheap stuff, just look at her," Malfoy said, gesturing at Hermione. She was now sitting on the floor, drooling open-mouthed, while staring at Zabini.
"Draco, can you do something with her? I don't know my way around antidotes-"
"You know, this is technically your problem," Malfoy said, and then sighed. "Come on Granger, come on, let's go get you ready for your hot date with Blaise tonight."
Hermione squealed. "Why can't Blaise come? He can watch me change, it's no problem," she said, her eyes twinkling over at Blaise. Malfoy snorted and half pulled, half dragged Hermione back into their common room.
IIIII
"Here, drink this," Malfoy said, and handed Hermione a small black flask after several moments of rummaging through his trunk. Hermione sat on his bed and obeyed. When she had finished she looked at Malfoy, her eyes widening slowly.
"What did I? But…how…No, no I didn't…Did you slip Blaise that love potion?" Hermione stuttered, furious as tonight's memories in the library flooded to her.
"No," Malfoy said, truthfully.
"But then, why-"
"Oh, Granger, think. Hm, why would Blaise try to slip you a love potion?" Malfoy asked mockingly, "Who usually does that kind of thing? Maybe someone who's in love and wants the other person to love them back?" Malfoy raised his eyebrows as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Malfoy, please. How daft do you think I am? I'd have to be absolutely thick to believe…." Hermione's voice trailed off. In a matter of seconds she had pulled out her wand and cursed Malfoy, who was now being bound by invisible ropes.
"Wow, Muddie, this is really showcasing a new side to you," Malfoy said, cocking an eyebrow, "though I think one usually takes off a person's clothes before binding them."
Hermione ignored him. "Do you have some kind of bet going on with the Slytherins?" She asked suddenly, clenching her teeth.
"Wha-"
"Of course!" Hermione said loudly, a blur of thoughts colliding, "You told Blaise his time was up, he tried to use a love potion on me, and on the first day he said 'This doesn't change anything' when he found out we'd be sharing a common room." Hermione began to pace back and forth.
"But then…what were you…were you betting on who could shag me?" Hermione whispered hoarsely, her hair curling wildly around her face.
"Er, not exactly.." but Hermione had tightened the ropes around Malfoy.
She snorted. "What's the prize? Let me guess - about ten galleons? You guys are really sick, you know that? Merlin, I can't believe any of you idiots thought you had a chance."
Malfoy tried to say something but Hermione magicked a piece of tape on his mouth.
"Hm. Yes. Yes, well, I'll have to think of something now, haven't I?" Hermione said, mumbling mostly to herself, while Malfoy tried to give her his best bedroom eyes so that she'd untie him.