Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of his friends. I do own Lily O'Neill as I made her up. LOL I am not making any money with this, it is only for entertainment purposes. Actually, it's for my entertainment and anyone who is reading this.
A/N: Ok, so this is my chapter. I've been writing all the odd number chapters. Trying to keep everyone in character but sometimes it's hard. Doing our best. Much love goes out to those who have reviewed. Thank you.
CHAPTER SEVENFriendships Rekindled
Ginny looked over to Hermione who had stopped eating. She was staring dreamy-eyed in the direction of the teacher's table. Ginny scanned the area for any students she thought was worth Hermione Granger's time. Following the other girls line vision she landed on Professor Snape. No, that couldn't be right. There was no way her best friend, a Gryffindor, was in love with Snape… the head of the Slytherin. She watched as Hermione's eyes followed him as he walked over to Draco. "Careful Hermione," she whispered into the other girl's ear, "Drool doesn't do well with potions."
Hermione shook her head and stared at the redhead. "Well, neither do weasels and ferrets," Hermione retorted turning beat red. Ginny just threw her head back and laughed.
Hermione quickly looked down at the table. Damn! She thought. Ginny knows? I have to be more careful. Ginny's laugh echoed in her ears as she willed herself not to blush. It was then that she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"No worries, Hermione," Ginny said. "Looks like we both have our own snakes to charm."
Hermione looked at her friend in shock. "What? I… I don't…"
"I'm not dumb. I just don't understand. Why him?"
Hermione placed her head in her hands and sighed. "I don't understand it either. During my detention with him we talked. I can't explain it."
Ginny patted her back. "He's your intellectual equal. No student here could ever stimulate you brain like he could. That's just who you are."
"But, Gin… he's old enough to be my father!"
"That just means he's mature… more… experienced."
"Ginny!" Hermione said, no… practically screamed, as she hit her friend on the arm.
"Ok… ok…" Ginny laughed as she rubbed her arm. "But I could see it happening. Anyway… are you going to Hogsmeade?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Of course. I need to go and get a dress for the ball."
"Could I go with you? I need one as well."
Hermione turned to look at her friend. "But I thought this was only for 7th years. How are you going?"
Ginny looked down at the table and blushed. "Well, there's a certain reason I want to go and I asked Neville if he'd take me. He said sure because there is this Ravenclaw girl that he really wanted to ask out but he's too nervous to do so. I told him I'd help him talk to her at the ball. But… I need a favor from you."
"What's that?" Hermione asked nervously. It was really nice of Ginny to help Neville but how could she help the redhead?
"I need you to make sure Draco goes. I'm not asking you to take him… just make sure he shows up. Please?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I do see him tonight for our rounds. I can ask him."
"Just… don't make it sound suspicious."
Hermione placed her hand on her heart and mustered a fake look of hurt in her eyes. "I would never make him suspicious," she said sarcastically. Then she placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be cool about it." Then she looked down at her watch. "I better go. I have rounds in about 15 minutes. Catch you later?"
"Sure. And… thanks, Hermione," Ginny said, smiling.
"What are friends for?" Hermione hugged her friend, got up, packed up her stuff, and headed out of the Great Hall. She would drop off her stuff and meet up with Malfoy in a few minutes. Great! Now how was she going to get him to the ball without bringing up Ginny's name?
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Hermione waited by the Great Hall for Draco so they could start their rounds after she had dropped everything off in her room. Some students were still in the Hall finishing dinner and she noticed Ron and Harry sitting with Ginny… talking. She waited impatiently for Malfoy, shifting from foot to foot. He was running late and, after waiting 20 more minutes, she was just about to leave when he rounded the corner… casually striding up the hall. "It's about time, Malfoy," she stated crossing her arms over her chest.
"I had some things to take care of, Granger," he replied. "You here by yourself?" he asked as he looked around the hallway.
Hermione looked at him strangely. "I am. Why do you ask?"
Draco ran a hand through his long blonde hair and sighed. "It's just… nothing." Hermione could have sworn she saw him sniff the air. "New perfume?" he asked as he moved in a little closer.
"What? No… it's shower gel. I ran out of mine yesterday so I borrowed Ginny's," Hermione answered, backing away. She could see a slight smile spread across his lips but it vanished instantly. They started walking down the hall. "So, Malfoy… are you going to the ball?" she asked as they headed toward the Hufflepuff hallway. Way to come right out and ask, Hermione. No beating around this bush.
Draco shrugged his shoulders. "Why? You asking me?"
Hermione, shocked, looked at him… then she realized he had a smirk on his face. She huffed and kept walking, checking dark corners for curfew-breaking students. "No. I have better taste in men," she sneered.
"Oh? Like Weasel?"
Hermione rounded on him and pointed a finger. "That's none of your damn business."
"So… the rumors are true then? You and him are over?"
Hermione flipped her hair and continued walking. "Yeah. So, anyway, are you going?"
"I don't know."
Hermione needed him to go for Ginny but how could she get him to without raising suspicion. "Well, you have to go."
"Why?"
What's with the short answers tonight? She asked herself. "Because… you… well, you're Head Boy, that's why." Gee, Hermione, great excuse. She told herself sarcastically.
Draco stopped and looked at her, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "If I knew you, Granger… which I don't… I would have said you had an ulterior motive for getting me to the ball."
"Your problem is that you are too suspicious. You need to lighten up a little." Hermione walked by him, trying desperately not to look into his eyes. She was afraid if she did, he would know she was up to something.
Draco sighed and caught up with her. He took hold of her wrist to get her to stop. When she felt his hand, she froze. "Granger, when you've walked in my shoes than you can tell me what to do." His voice came out a little harsher than he would have liked. Hermione turned to face him and forced herself to look at him. She could see the pain etched across his features and unshed tears in his gray eyes. She pushed his hair behind his ear and he let go of her wrist quickly… like he had been burnt. "Don't look at me like that," he said through gritted teeth.
"Like what?" Hermione whispered. I just want to see what Ginny sees. She thought.
"I don't need your pity or your sympathy." Draco started backing away.
"Draco wait…" she started. When did I start using his given name?
"Just… leave me alone!" Draco turned a corner and walked away.
"I'm just trying to understand for Ginny's sake," she said as he was out of view.
She continued her rounds, checking most of the hallways that led to the common rooms of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. She didn't spot any students out and about and was growing bored… not to mention extremely tired. She only had one more hallway to check and then she could go back to her room, crawl under her covers, and sleep away the night until tomorrow's Hogsmeade trip. She descended the stairs and made her way down the hallway toward Slytherin territory. Not seeing anyone (or anything out of the ordinary), she decided to call it a night. She turned around and came face to chest with Professor Snape. Her heart rate sped up and she had a hard time remembering how to breathe. Ok, she knew how to breathe but it was becoming hard.
"Sorry, Sir," she said, looking down at the floor. "I didn't hear you."
Snape crossed his arms across his chest and looked down his nose at Hermione. "Miss Granger, why are you down here so late?" he asked.
"Just doing my rounds, Sir," she replied, still not looking at him.
"Aren't you supposed to be doing your rounds with Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Then may I inquire as to where he is?"
"We kind of got into an argument and he left. I don't know where he is but I had to finish the rounds. I was just heading back to my room, Sir." Why couldn't she just look up? Was it that hard to look into his eyes? Yes… it was, she thought. She heard Snape sigh and chanced a glance up. She could see him run his hand down the length of his face. "Is there a problem, Sir?" she cautiously asked.
"Not that it's any of your concern but Mr. Malfoy was to help me with some potions after his rounds." She noticed that after he said this, he looked back down at her. She quickly glanced down at the floor again. "Miss Granger… I can only presume that you were just going back to your room to read again so, would you like to make a change in your routine and follow me into the classroom?" He made a sweeping gesture towards the open door of the room.
Hermione couldn't believe her luck. After that first day of her detention when she helped him with brewing… she had longed to do that again. She smiled, sweetly, and followed him into the room. There was only one cauldron placed on the professor's table with some ingredients scattered about. She turned to Snape, confusion in her eyes. "Um, Sir?"
"Yes, Miss Granger?" he sighed.
"There's only one cauldron."
"Brilliant observation," he mocked. "I only need to brew one but I'm having some trouble with it."
Hermione couldn't believe that Snape had actually told her that he was having trouble. "What is the potion, Sir?"
"Well, I need to create a potion that will extract lost memories and be able to hold onto them while they are looked upon."
"Like a pensieve?" She questioned.
"Almost. A pensieve holds onto memories that we already know about that we need removed to create more space. This potion must be able to break past barriers that we put up to block bad memories so we don't have to remember them. Then, after the memories are retrieved, the rest of the potion will serve as a sort of pensieve so that we may view them. The only problem is, I can get it to hold memories but not retrieve them."
Hermione studied the ingredients on the table. She saw all the things one needed for memory, like Jobberknoll feathers, but that was about it. "Um, Sir? What if you added some ingredients to induce a sense of peace or euphoria? Maybe, if the drinker could feel some sense of calm, then the barriers might weaken. It might make it easier to reach the blocked memories so one could extract them and set them into the rest of the potion." She hoped she sounded smart and not too conceded. She waited with baited breath as Professor Snape thought it over.
After a few minutes, Snape looked up and walked over to his private office. He emerged later with moonstone, hellebore, and peppermint. He set them carefully on the table and stepped back. "Well, take that mortal and pestle and start crushing the moonstone. Make sure it's in a fine powder and then crush up the peppermint. But only after you have thoroughly cleaned out the mortar. I'll start on the hellebore."
Hermione was only too happy to start. She eagerly started on the moonstone, taking extra care to make a fine powder. Then she carefully poured the powder into a cup, took the mortar and pestle to the water pump, and cleaned them out completely. After she had done the same to the peppermint, she cleaned her area and put the mortar and pestle in the sink. It started to get hot in the room so she twisted her hair into a bun and put her wand through it to keep it in place. She didn't notice that Snape watched her out of the corner of his eyes. Why did I have to ask her to help me? He asked himself. It's bad enough that she haunts my dreams.
After about a half hour, the simmering potion was turning a pale shade of lavender… definitely something that looked calming. Another 10 minutes and Snape extinguished the flame. "Well, there's only one way to see if your observations were correct," he said as he went to retrieve a glass.
Hermione's eyes grew wide in concern. "Sir? You don't intend for me to try this… do you?" She was becoming quite scared at the thought.
"You silly girl," he admonished. "I would never let a student try an unknown potion." He scooped some of the potion into the glass and then poured a little into a bowl. He drank the potion and waited. After a few short minutes, he put his wand to his head and extracted a silvery wisp. He put this in the bowl and swirled it a few times. He looked into the bowl and smiled. "Miss Granger, you seem to have been correct. This potion is perfect."
Hermione smiled and blushed. She looked down at the floor and scuffed her shoe. "Thank you, Sir." Just then, she noticed that Snape put his hand to his head and started to tremble. "Sir? Are you alright?" She ran over to him and helped him sit in a nearby chair. Then she rushed over to the sink, wet a cloth with cool water, and made her way back to him. She put the cloth on his forehead as he leaned back in the chair, his head resting on her breast. Her breath caught in her throat at the closeness and she shivered. "Um… Sir?"
Snape moaned and then he sat back up quickly… causing a hiss to escape his lips. "I'm fine, Miss Granger. I guess it's just one of the side effects. I'll have to note that. You are excused. I have taken up too much of your time."
"It was nothing, Sir. I was just going to go to bed anyway." She didn't really want this night to end… just like her detention.
Snape looked up at the clock… it was midnight. "It is late. If you are intercepted on your way back to Gryffindor, take this…" he said as he quickly scratched a note on parchment. "Now, I need to bottle the rest of this potion and write our findings down. If I receive any royalties from this… I will be sure to contact you." To Hermione, it sounded like he was joking around. Did they actually just invent a new potion? No… it couldn't be true.
Hermione took the note from Snape… their fingers brushing lightly. Hermione shivered as she felt a strange presence invade her mind. But before she could register what it was, the presence vanished. She saw Snape turn his head and she sighed inwardly. She headed towards the door and opened it. She turned and looked over at him as he started to bottle up the potion. "Goodnight, Sir," she said quietly.
"Goodnight… Miss Granger," he replied, not looking up.
Hermione shook her head and left the dungeon area. She made her way to Gryffindor quickly… almost running the whole way back. She climbed through the portrait hole and ran up the stairs to her room. Once there, she changed into a pair of sweats, took her wand out of her hair (causing her hair to fall around her shoulders), and pulled back the covers. She pointed her wand at the door, warded it, and fell asleep quickly. She finally had a much-needed uninterrupted sleep.
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Hermione woke up the next day, refreshed and ready for the Hogsmeade trip. She was supposed to meet Ginny by the lake near the trail to the village so they wouldn't have to run into the boys. She quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a purple jumper. She put on her trainers and then went into the bathroom. She brushed her hair out and pulled it into a tight ponytail. Then she grabbed her coat, hat, gloves, and scarf… it was December and she didn't want to freeze while waiting. She quietly made her way out of Gryffindor and the castle itself and made her way down to the lake… avoiding the other students waiting in the courtyard. When she got to the desired location, Ginny was already waiting for her. She walked up to her friend and hugged her. "Hey, Ginny. Hope you weren't waiting too long."
"Nah… just got here. Come on, let's go." She grabbed Hermione's hand and led her towards the village. They got there before anyone else and made their way down the street. "So, where do we go and look for dresses?"
Hermione studied the many different stores, her finger pursed on her lips. It was then that she spotted a store with beautiful dresses in the window. "I think this is the place. Glad we're here early. That way, we can look around before all the other students swarm the place." The girls walked in and were soon browsing all the colorful gowns.
Ginny wanted a simple dress yet one that would catch a certain boy's eyes and make him drool. She spotted one and instantly knew that she had to have it. It came to right above her knee but flared out from the waist. Material wrapped around the waist giving her the hourglass shape she worked so hard to maintain. The material on the waist rose up to just under her breasts. The dress came up over her top and wrapped around her neck… leaving her entire upper back exposed. Three little chains of crystals crossed her breasts so the neckline plunged to the top of the waisted material. Ginny tried it on and twirled, making the skirt flair out. The silver color made her skin tone shimmer and after donning jade earrings and a bracelet, her outfit was complete. Her brother, George, gave her money to buy something for the ball and this dress was priced just right.
Hermione looked at Ginny. "Wow, Gin," Hermione sighed. "You look breath-taking."
Ginny smiled. "Thanks. Now… let's find something for you." Ginny went back into the dressing room while Hermione looked around yet again. She just couldn't find anything that she liked… or that a certain professor might find stunning.
Hermione spent hours, it seemed, searching for that perfect dress. She wanted something a little more mature than what she wore at the Yule Ball her fourth year. It was then that the shop owner brought out the perfect dress and helped Hermione try it on while Ginny waited anxiously. It needed to be hemmed, she could tell right away, as it was long and came down past her feet. She would definitely need heels, as she was only about 5'4". The neckline dipped slightly and gathered so that she had ample cleavage and wouldn't need a bra. The straps were a little thicker than spaghetti straps and crossed her back. The back of the dress bunched at her arse, hugging her shapely figure. The lavender color complimented her honey-brown eyes. She would have her hair up so she also decided on short dangly amethyst earrings and a small amethyst necklace.
"You look mature and absolutely stunning," Ginny stated.
Hermione blushed and turned back towards the dressing room. "It's a little more money than I would have liked to have spent," she started.
"But you've got to buy it. It's so you… and it's perfect."
Hermione laughed. "Alright, alright… just let me get changed and we'll make our purchases. Afterwards, we'll have to go and get our masks."
Ginny put a finger to her lips and tapped them lightly. "I think the masks should be simple ones. We don't want to take away from the dresses."
"You're right," Hermione called from the dressing room. "I think I'm just going to get a plain gold one and I think you should get a green one."
"Green?" Ginny questioned.
Hermione stepped out of the dressing room and handed her dress to the sales lady. "Yes, green. It's the perfect color for that dress and your hair. Not to mention the colors of a certain someone." She said this last with a wink.
Ginny rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "Fine. Green it is. Come on… let's go so we can get something at the Three Broomsticks. I'm thirsty from all this shopping."
After they got their dresses and masks, they shrunk the packages so they could put them in their pockets. Then the two girls made their way to the tavern for a couple of butterbeers and just relax. They entered, ordered their drinks, and found a table near the corner of the back. For the first few minutes, they sat in silence… just enjoying each other's company. Hermione was the first to speak, startling Ginny as she was just staring out of the far window. "Ginny, I've got a dress but I don't have anyone to go with. I really don't feel like showing up alone."
Ginny looked at her friend and knew instantly what to say. "Why don't you ask Harry? I don't think he's got anyone to go with yet either."
Hermione looked up and a smirk played at the corners of her lips. "Why do I have the feeling you're telling me this for a reason?"
Ginny sighed and pushed a strand of red hair behind her ear. "Ok… I need him to be distracted, alright?"
"Why?" Hermione thought she knew why but she wanted to hear it from Ginny.
"I know you aren't that dumb." Ginny sighed in frustration. Then her eyes widened. "You want me to say it, don't you?" Hermione nodded her head. "Fine. It's so I can make a move on a certain blonde," she said through gritted teeth.
Hermione smiled mischievously. "Now that I know the reason, I will ask Harry. I will do my best to keep him occupied so he doesn't see you 'flirt' with his worst enemy."
"Draco is not Harry's worst enemy," Ginny stated. "They just don't like each other very much."
"It's Draco now? Since when are you on a first name basis?"
"Come off it, Hermione. I like him, that's why I use his name. Oh no…" Ginny groaned, putting her head on the table.
Hermione looked over by the door and noticed Harry and Ron walking in. She really didn't want to see them right now but they really couldn't hide either. And escaping out the door would only lead them right in their path. She sighed… knowing the inevitable. "Breathe, Ginny," she whispered to the redhead. "And pick your head up… they are coming this way."
Ginny raised her head and put on a smile for the boys. Hermione could tell it was faked but Ron and Harry were oblivious. "Hello, ladies," Harry said as he sat down next to Ginny.
Ginny forced herself to look at Harry. "Hi," she said… almost muttered.
Harry leaned towards her and spoke so softly that Hermione almost didn't hear him. "Let's go somewhere a little more private. I think your brother needs to talk to Hermione."
Ginny sighed and looked at her friend… her eyes pleading. Hermione just smiled. "It's ok, Gin. I'll catch up with you later."
Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand. "We'll just be over at another table… not too far." Hermione nodded her head. Ginny stood up; ignoring Harry's outstretched hand, and wandered over to a table only two away. Hermione mentally shook her head and then looked at Ron… who had never sat down.
"Ron, please sit. You're making me nervous," she stated as she pointed to a chair next to her. Ron sat but looked down at his hands. He just couldn't bring himself to look in her eyes. Hermione sighed. "Do you need a drink?" she asked, trying to make the uncomfortable silence go away.
"N… no. I'm fine. Look, Hermione, we really need to talk."
"Yes, we do and I'm ready now."
Ron released a breath that he had been holding. "Well, I've been doing a lot of thinking since our breakup. At first, I really didn't understand why. I mean, I thought we were doing great. And then I realized that, maybe I needed to change so you'd like me again."
Hermione placed her hands on his. "But I don't want you to change."
"And I'm glad for that. But that thought was fleeting… I mean… I knew you wouldn't want me to change so I've come up with the only fair solution for the both of us."
Hermione held her breath… she didn't like the sound of that. Where was he going with this? "What's that?"
At this time, Ron did look up and she could see that his eyes were shining again… not with tears but with happiness. "I now know that we need to move on." Hermione quietly let out the breath… relieved. Ron laid his hand gently on her cheek and she leaned into the gesture. "I do love you, but more like a great friend."
"Oh, Ron… I am sorry. I know I should have talked to you about my feelings before but I was just so scared of hurting you. I guess not saying anything hurt more. Can you forgive me?"
Ron didn't say anything. Instead, he reached forward and pulled her into a hug. "There's no need for forgiveness. I just want my friend back."
Hermione hugged him in return… tears sliding down her cheeks. She hadn't felt this happy in a long time. "That's all I want as well." They separated and she wiped the tears from her face. She laughed and then took a deep breath. She was so relieved. "Well, now that that's over… who are you taking to the ball?"
"Well… I don't know. I mean, I really haven't thought about that."
"I might just have an idea. Why don't you ask Luna?"
"Luna?" he questioned. "Why her?"
"Well, she can't go to the ball herself because she's not a seventh year. It could also help out Ginny as the two of them are friends."
"Ginny? Why would Ginny be going?"
"Oh… she's going with Neville because he really likes this Ravenclaw girl but is too shy to ask her to go with him. So, he asked Ginny and she's going to help him get up the courage to ask this girl to at least dance with him."
"Um… ok… so, who are you going with?"
"Ginny asked me to ask Harry."
"Well, why doesn't Ginny just go with Harry and you go with Neville?"
That was a reasonable question… considering that Ron had no clue about Malfoy. How was she going to answer this? She had to think fast. "Well, she wants to surprise Harry. You know… meet him at the ball and 'steal' him away from me. Sort of like a mysterious stranger. She doesn't want Harry to know that she's going so it will be a surprise to him. So… you CAN'T tell him about this. Promise?" Whew… that was a quick one. I hope he buys it.
Ron looked at her in bewilderment. Just when Hermione thought that she had failed in her explanation, Ron spoke. "No prob. I won't say a thing."
"Oh, thank you. Ginny would kill me if her surprise were ruined. So… will you ask Luna? You never know… you two might just have something in common."
Ron rolled his eyes and laughed. "Yeah… I guess. At least I've got money from George to get something decent to wear this time."
Hermione patted his shoulder. "You'll have a great time… I promise. Now, let's get over to Harry and Ginny. They really shouldn't be left alone for too long."
Ron scrunched up his face in horror. "Eww… that's my baby sister. Please tell me they haven't…" Ron stopped… not able to continue with that thought.
"No, Ron… you're sister is still virtuous," Hermione smirked. "But I wouldn't be surprised if they were playing footsies or snogging right about now."
"What?" he nearly screamed as he made his way over to the table. Hermione shook her head and laughed to herself. If only he knew what his sister had going on in her mind… and which boy haunted her daydreams. If Ron acted this way when he thought Ginny and Harry were together, how would he react to Draco being the boy of her affections? Hermione shuddered at that thought but quickly pushed it away. She was just glad to have her friend back and she was going to enjoy the rest of her day. She was finally surrounded by people she loved… just the way it should be. At least she'd have a quiet Christmas break. Ron and Harry were going to visit Charlie in Romania and Ginny was spending a quiet break with her mom. Yep, just Hermione… by herself, reading and just relaxing.
A/N: Well, that's chapter seven. I hope you enjoyed it. And thanks for the one review we got from the last time. If you are reading this and haven't reviewed… please take a few minutes to drop us a line. We would greatly appreciate any and all feedback. This is my friend's first fanfic but I've been doing this for a while. I love opening my email to see a review. I write reviews for all the stories I read and would appreciate a few in return. Again, thanks for reading.