Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia or Harry Potter. Boo, it'd be so cool if I could have a country or a wizard as a friend. Or more than a friend.. *coughRoddycough* A/N at the end as usual. :3

~This chapter written by B.

I watched the other students' presentations in Magic Around the World class, completely disinterested since all of their topics were not original or I've already heard them. As they desperately rambled about magic used in past battles, I ran through my own speech in my head. I was confident that I would get the best grade as usual, regardless of Arthur's surprisingly detailed explanation of dark magic attempts used in World War II. I had long since tuned out after the first few speeches, only concerned about making my own as polished as possible. I snapped out of my daze just as Roderich was finishing up.

"And so, as you can see, there is sufficient evidence to support the use of magic by composers in the sixteenth century." The class gave some pathetic applause as he gave a quick bow and returned to his seat.

I knew I was next. Professor Beilschmidt was picking students in alphabetical order and no one had a last name with an 'F.'

"Hermione Granger."

I nodded and stood up. I attempted to be confident and rolled my shoulders back, chin held high. Everyone rolled their eyes as this was nothing new, but I didn't care. This new teacher hadn't been around for long and I needed to make an impression. I smiled a little to myself as I noticed Roderich's eyes were following me to the front of the class. He was watching me at my best, so I flipped my hair back, took a breath and—

No words came out.

I gulped and tried again, fumbling over every word. "Have you ever- wait, no." I shook my head. That was later in the presentation. "I have always been curious about whether or not magic has influenced alliances and the people behind all the wars, rather than just the battles." My eyes flicked over at Roderich yet again and found him watching me curiously, hands clasped on his desk. His posture said he was interested, but his expression was vacant. He was just trying to be respectful. I looked away immediately, only to forget my next line.

The professor furrowed his brows. I looked out at the rows of students. The foreign students just gave me a sympathetic glance and looked down at their pages, but the regular Hogwarts students were starting to look very concerned. Of course they were; they had never seen me choke during any of my presentations. "It is all right, Miss Granger, everyone gets nervous. Start again," I heard Professor Beilschmidt say. But I don't, I thought, panicking.

I nodded and complied. The second attempt went better, but I fumbled over most words and stood at the front awkwardly the entire time. Eventually I covered everything I had researched and all I had left to do was give a closing statement. I just had to sum everything up. I couldn't help but give one last glance at the student I inexplicably admired. Roderich was leaning forward in his chair with his hand on his chin. His eyes were closed with a thoughtful expression. My stomach did a backflip at the thought he might be silently judging me, but I trudged on. "So, after extensive research, it's plain to see that both Hitler and Mussolini were under the influence of the same wizard. This explains why the alliance was formed and also demonstrates the possibility of an intimate relationship between the German and Italian dictators."

There was the typical silence followed by weak clapping, but the atmosphere changed greatly throughout the course of my speech. My regular peers at Hogwarts were still giving me odd stares, while the foreign students were either blushing or snickering. The professor looked like he was going to be sick. Did I really do that badly? I felt my face heat up and scurried back to my seat.

As the remainder of the students continued on with their topics, I felt nauseous. That…that was horrible. The more I thought about how ridiculous I must have looked, the more tears threatened to fall down my burning cheeks. I can't cry, they'll just laugh more, they won't understand.

Harry and Ron came jogging up to me when classes were over for the day. I was on my way to the common room when they stopped me in the corridor. I looked at them with a smile, trying to hide my lingering disappointment from before.

"Hey Hermione, how are you?" Harry asked. I mumbled something and turned to walk away before he grabbed me and pulled me to a stop. "Are you alright?" I tore my arm away.

"We heard you choked."

Harry smiled apologetically and smacked Ron on the shoulder without looking away from me. "Way to be subtle, Ron… Anyway, we wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Yes, I'm fine. I wish that had never happened, so let's just pretend it didn't. I… I don't know what I was thinking." I'm supposed to be the one who doesn't mess up, impress the teachers and do everything right. People just expect that everything I do will be great. What'll happen to that reputation now?

"We don't think any less of you just because you messed up one presentation, Hermione, I hope you know that," said Harry, as if reading my thoughts. Ron nodded in agreement and gave me a grin. I grinned back—they knew me too well. Some new students I recognized as Arthur and Alfred called out to the boys. "Gotta go," they both said. Harry gave me a little wave and Ron patted me once on the shoulder before they ran off to the two blondes.

My mood picked up a bit after talking to my friends. Sighing, I continued through the corridors. "That girl… she's done it again. I give it a month before we're forced to get back together by our bosses…" muttered someone from around the corner and as I turned, I bumped into none other than Roderich.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I cried immediately as he tumbled to the ground.

"Nonsense, I wasn't paying attention. I should be apologizing to you." He felt around for his fallen glasses and placed them on his nose. With a little grunt of disgust, he brushed the dirt off of his uniform. I held out a hand to help him up and he gladly accepted, thanking me and giving a bow. I insisted it was nothing and smiled, a little embarrassed to have run into him at all, especially after what happened in Magic Around the World class. Before I turned to scurry away I was interrupted. "Ah…" I turned. "Would you happen to know where I could find a music room?"

Never have I regretted the lack of music rooms in Hogwarts so much. "I-I don't think so… We have a choir but they practice in the Great Hall."

He looks at me quizzically. "Hmm, I didn't see a piano."

"No, there isn't one." I look at my feet. I didn't even understand why I felt so ashamed. "Sorry…"

"I see. Well thank you anyway. I suppose I'll be off," he said, lightly stepping past me.

Then I remembered something and it was my turn to stop him. "Wait!" I called. "If it's a piano you need, I think I know a place. Not too far from here, actually…"

Roderich looked surprised. "Well, if you're sure." With a polite smile, he gestured in front of him. "Why don't you lead the way?"

"Alright, so this should work. We're approaching the Room of Requirement, also known as the 'Come and Go' room."

"Are you sure? I've been down the seventh floor corridor enough times, and I didn't see any special rooms."

"Exactly, and that's what makes it special. It only appears to those who really need it. My guess is you'd be happy to have a nice open music room with a grand piano, correct? Think about that scene and hopefully the Room will be kind enough to show up."

Roderich looked slightly confused, but nodded. Crossing my fingers, I wished for the piano room as well, not keen on the idea of letting him down. I looked back to see him closing his eyes in thought, merely following the sound of my footsteps. With one last look at Roderich, I stepped where there was usually just a plain wall.

"Perfect, here it is."

"Hmm?" he said, looking up. "Oh, this certainly wasn't here before. And this should now be a music room?"

"If you require any room it appears so yes. Shall we?"

He nodded and gestured again for me to go first. With a shy grin I stepped in to see a dimly lit room with a small stage and a piano. "Wow, it's beautiful! So I hope this works well enough-" He didn't need to answer. I didn't even think he heard me as he immediately made a beeline for the large black piano placed in the centre of the stage. Roderich sat down at the bench, smoothing down his robe. He placed his fingers on the keys and they began to fly. The room was filled with an angry melody, quick and dramatic; I was sure I'd heard it once or twice before.

"Chopin?" I asked. He nodded almost imperceptibly along with the rhythm.

I knew I should have left him alone at that point, but I couldn't bring myself to walk away. I was utterly entranced by his beautiful playing and I watched as his whole body slowly relaxed. The song got quieter and ended with a low, dark chord. It lingered in the air, leaving behind a heavy feeling. He leaned back a bit, folding his hands in his lap. "Thank you for showing me this room. It's exactly what I needed," he said softly, but with an element of finality. I took this as a dismissal and backed up towards the door.

"It's no trouble, don't worry about it. I'll leave you to it then," I said, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice. He didn't seem to notice at first, but then saw me reaching for the door handle.

"If you'd rather stay, you're welcome to. Unless you have another appointment, that is." He kept a level tone of voice, but his eyes were hopeful.

"If it's alright with you," I said, a bit surprised. "I finished all my homework in my other classes and the Magic Around the World speech is over with." I approached him again with a proud gait, the mistakes almost completely forgotten.

"And a fine speech it was, Miss Granger." A mischievous smile passed over his face, an expression I never thought I'd see on him.

I blushed at his formality. "Hermione," I corrected. "And thank you. I didn't think it went all that well, though." He gave me an odd look at that. Shrugging, he returned his gaze to the piano and began a haunting piano refrain. I looked around for somewhere to sit, but had no such luck. The room was made for him, even though I had wanted it as well. Not wanting to interrupt him, I sat down cross-legged on the carpet a few feet away. After a moment, I saw him take a deep breath and slide over a fraction.

"Don't be silly, the floor is probably filthy," he said without skipping a beat. He nodded at the space beside him on the piano bench. I carefully got up and complied. I could feel my face getting hot at our closeness. The soft notes and light melody continued, gradually getting more dramatic. After a few more songs, he played a pleasant melody as softly as the instrument allowed.

The lack of conversation was starting to make me uncomfortable. "So, I noticed earlier you mentioned going down this corridor often. Are you in the Arithmancy class?

"Hm? Oh, yes. I think there's more than one class. I needed to choose another subject and it sounded interesting enough."

"Well, I think so. It's my favourite class after all."

"Really? I didn't take you for the type interested in predicting the future. You seem more linear-minded than that." I didn't know whether to be offended at the simple description of me.

"I'll have you know Arithmancy isn't frivolous guesswork like Divination is. It takes numerology skills and logic to make rational predictions. Numbers don't lie, unlike staring mindlessly at someone's teacup," I spat.

Roderich chuckled at this. "Yes, it does seem silly, doesn't it? Professor Trelawney seems nice enough, but she comes off as a complete nutcase." He sighed. "I must thank you again for bringing me here. I definitely needed it," he said, rubbing his temples. I assumed he wouldn't tell me and sat in curious silence, though I figured it had something to do with his earlier muttering. "Music certainly lifts the spirits after a day of frustration."

I couldn't stand not knowing any longer. "Um… may I ask what's bothering you? I'm sorry; it's really none of my business. You don't have to say if you don't want to."

He shook his head at that. "No, it's alright." He angled himself towards me and folded his hands in his lap, heaving a sigh. "Well, it starts with my arranged marriage to Elizaveta Héderváry."

A/N:

/DIES/ Okay, that was the longer chapter I've ever written. It was actually supposed to be longer, but M figured it'd be best if I cut it short. Meh, cliffhangers are fun so why not? :3

-I still feel like they're OOC. She's not as bad as last chapter though, I think. I'm sorry if they both sound really formal, but I believe Austria is usually like this and Hermione, well.. I figure she might act more formal around him to mirror the way he acts and also I know when I speak formally it saves me from saying stupid stuff around guys I like.

-I'm sorry that took so long, honestly. I've had so much stuff to do lately with school and all.. These past weeks have been so hectic. Also, if you're following How Do You Know? I HAVE started the chapter, and you will get your Franada date. Eventually. /shot/

Anyways, review! Please! I love you guys but I love you more when you review. Reviews are motivation. They seriously help. Like it doesn't even take that long you can-((okay I'll shut up now.))

~B.