Chapter 3: Potion Research
"Why do you need me to make a love potion?" asked Hermione, "why not make one yourself? Or why not buy one form Weasleys wizarding wonders?"
Pansy looked annoyed by this question. It looked as though she had too much pride to answer it. But after a moment of clinching her jaw she finally did
"The Weasley twins wouldn't serve me in their shop, nor let me order by their owl service. Besides those potions only last a few days, I need something that will last forever. And as for making one myself well I can't. But you can. You could probably make a love potion that last forever if you wanted too."
Hermione was shocked by this answer; she'd never thought that Pansy Parkinson would admit to such inferiority in herself. Let alone hold a Muggle born in such high regards. She wanted to tell Pansy that she could do it, but she had to be honest with her.
"No, I can't" said Hermione, "love potions don't last forever because they don't create actual love."
"I don't care!" Pansy said in a outburst "I just want my parents back together!" she was almost close to tears. Hermione had never seen Pansy in such a vonrable state. Something strange happened when she saw this. Hermione felt something for Pansy besides hatred, she felt empathy; despite all her meanness, all her vindictiveness Pansy was just a girl who wanted her parents back together, and that was something Hermione could relate too. She couldn't believe what she was about to do.
"Ok I'll do it. I'll try and make a love potion that lasts"
"You will?" Said Pansy unable to contain her joy, "I mean you will!" she said again in a more demanding tone trying to cover up her moment of gratitude.
"Yes but I want my letters back. And if I find out that you have shown them to anyone else. So help me I'll…"
"Oh don't worry about that!" Said Pansy back to her aggressive self "Just as long as I get what I want" she then gave back the letter that she had just read out loud.
"You'll get the rest of your letters when I get my potion"
"Agreed" said Hermione, and with that the girl shuck hands on the deal, and parted ways.
Over the next three weeks Hermione spent every free moment she had in the restricted section of the library. As head girl Hermione now had full access to all the books in the library without teacher's permission. She figured if there was a love potion that did last forever it would be in the restricted section. But it was no use. She had read every book twice on potion making and the best she could find was a love potion that lasted a year.
She was feeling tired, so she put her head down on the book she was reading and fell asleep.
Her dreams were filled with images of giant love potion bottles chasing her down a hallway. She then came to a giant size version of the letter she had gotten back from Pansy. The letter then folded itself into a giant howler and spoke in Pansy's voice. Once it was done reading it's self it began to laugh. Then all of a sudden the whole school surrounded her and began to laugh with the Pansy voiced howler. Hermione felt so embarrassed. A student then walked up behind her and began tapping her on the shoulder.
"Wake up Hermione. Wake up." Suddenly, she was jolted awake.
Ron had been tapping her on the shoulder in order to wake her.
"Oh, Ron" she said once she was awake, she looked out the nearest window and it was night-time. She wondered what time it was.
"Blimey Hermione I know you take study's seriously but when you start falling asleep while reading it's time to take a break. What are you studding anyway?" Ron said as he picked up the book Hermione had been using as a pillow.
"A Year lasting love potion." Ron looked as though he had found the answer he was looking for.
"This is it. This has got to be what Parkinson is using on your mum. Come on we've got to tell Dumbledore."
Ron was all set to run to Dumbledore's office and show him this evidence. Hermione's heart began to flutter, she couldn't help but admire his determination to help her and her mother. The only problem was this wasn't evidence against Pansy's father it was evidence that she was planning on making a love potion. She couldn't let Dumbledore find out.
"Ron, wait. Pansy's father isn't using a love potion. Everything Dumbledore said was true."
Ron stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to Hermione.
"Oh, then why are you reading up on them?" asked Ron.
"Because you never know what will be on the final exam." Hermione replied.
Ron seemed to believe her. He then helped her pack up her bag, and walked with her back to the Gryffindor common room
"So have you heard anything from your mum lately?" Ron asked once they were on the changing staircases
"Yes. She's been writing to me to tell me that she misses me and that she and Arnold hope we can work out our differences."
"What did you write back?"
"Nothing, I really don't know what to say to that."
"I do," said Ron, "tell her as long as that bastard is there you won't be."
"Ron, are you seriously suggesting I disown my own mother?"
"Well not exactly."
They had come to the portrait of the fat lady.
"Patronus" said Hermione, and the fat lady let her and Ron through. The common room was empty. Everyone must have been a sleep by now.
"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." said Hermione as she headed to the girls dormitory.
"Hermione wait. There's something I have to ask you" Said Ron.
Hermione stopped and turned around. "What is it Ron?" she asked.
"Well… you know the seventh year only Halloween ball is next month right?"
"Of course yes" said Hermione.
Ron looked so nervous; Almost like he was about to face a giant spider.
"Well… I wanted to ask you… if you wanted to go with me?"
Hermione couldn't believe it. Ron had finally asked her to a ball and not as a last result. There was only one answer to that question she could give.
"Yes!" she said with a big smile on her face.
"Great" said Ron, he looked as though he had never been so happy.
They then shared their first kiss together, and went to their separate dorm rooms. That night for the first time since her mother had started dating Pansy's father, Hermione fell asleep smiling.