Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter content .. all belongs to J.K Rowling.
A/N- PLEASE REVIEW! it will give me a lot of motivation too keep updating ever week! also thank you to Fortheloveofglitter , your review really put a smile on my face :D please keep reading... and just because I have been enjoying writing this so much I decided to treat you but updating this chapter early as well! ENJOY!
It was Saturday morning when Hermione woke up, her body felt heavy and ached all over. How the hell could I have been so stupid?! Not only letting Malfoy affect me but also to forget about the troll! She thought to herself as she raised her hand to her forehead, attempting to soothe the headache she had gained. Pulling out a set of emerald robes, which her mother had bought her, she went and got dressed. Sitting in front of the mirror, Hermione brushed her slightly frizzy yet controlled, long blonde hair and admired her face. A large bruise had developed on her forehead and she had grazed her cheek, but over all it could have been worse.
When Hermione arrived at the Great Hall, she made her was over to Blaise who was sitting opposite Crabbe and Goyle.
"Hermione! Good morning! I hope you are feeling better!" Blaise said, getting up to help her to her seat. Hermione smiled gently and sat down next to him.
"Yeah thanks, I'm fine... have you seen Malfoy at all?" Hermione asked but Blaise simply shook his head, while stuffing himself with a bacon sandwich.
"Whoa, 'Mione...what happened to your face!?" Crabbe asked, both boys staring at her with wide eyes. Hermione instantly turned her gaze to the table. Was it really that noticeable? she thought.
"Hey, guys I told you not to mention anything, she's probably very self conscious as it is." Hermione heard Blaise whisper, a thankful smile crept across her lips. Just then, as Hermione made to pour some pumpkin juice, Malfoy strutted in. She lifted her gaze to see the familiar smirk plastered across the boys face. He was wearing his Quiditch uniform and carrying a very expensive looking broom.
"Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle...Granger" he said bluntly as the three boys oohed and aahed over his broom.
"Wow, mate you really did it? I can't believe you managed to become seeker for the house Quiditch team, I mean we are still only in first year!" Blaise said, his eyes and mouth wide in excitement.
"You what?" Hermione asked, confused and slightly annoyed.
"That's right Granger, your little friend over there in Gryffindor wasn't the only one who became a seeker...I suppose you can do a lot with a bit of money, besides why wouldn't I accept..it isn't like I'm going anywhere anytime soon..." Draco said, his smirk still there. Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed, deciding to ignore his remark, at least he was talking to her, that was a start.
"Why are you in Quiditch gear anyway?" Hermione asked
"We have practise of course..." Draco said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"WAIT!" Hermione started, standing up from the table. How dare he forget! Does he just want to stay here forever?! "What about our meeting?"
"Oh, yeah. Don't worry Granger, we finish at noon, I promise I will be no later than ten minuets. The astronomy tower right?" Draco asked, sitting opposite her and Blaise. wow, so he did remember...maybe I have him wrong she thought as she moved to sit back down in her seat. "Oh yeah, by the way don't forget its the game of Slytherin against Gryffindor in two weeks. I can't wait to see your support Hermione, after all, it is practically seen as a sin for a Slytherin not to be supporting their house..." Draco said smugly, while digging into his toast.
Oh Merlin. How am I going to do that...there is no way I can support both teams and to be honest unless I am supporting Harry I don't really want to go, I mean Slytherin only cheat and I don't even like the sport that much...but if what he says is true...not turning up could do more harm than good. They sat together, eating breakfast and then Hermione decided to go and find Harry. After all, time was moving quicker than expected and remembering back, she was sure they would have already have seen fluffy by this time...she had to talk with him, alone, and discuss what they already know.
Hermione looked down at her watch, 10:17am why are boys taking so long to get ready she thought, but just then Harry and Ron appeared from the fat lady portrait.
"Hermione! What's up?" Harry asked, while the ginger stood behind him with his arms crossed.
"Hey, Harry...Ronald. Erm I need to speak to you guys in private. It's important." she said gently. The two boys looked at her, confused, then looked at each other as if understanding something. Harry nodded and suggested they go down near the forbidden forest, out of the way of other students.
When they arrived, Hermione sat down on a large rock that faced Hagrids hut. The other two boys sat next to her, facing the same direction.
"So what is it you want to talk to us about Granger?" Ron asked, but not as bitter as usual. Hermione glanced at Harry and then looked forward.
"I know you know about Gringott's. About the vault that got Broken into. Harry... I know you know what was in that vault." Hermione put it bluntly. Turning to her right she noticed Harry had gone extremely pale.
"How do you-" he started but decided to give in. "You're right. I trust you Hermione...but I'm not too sure what it was. All I know is that it was some type of stone and it was obviously worth a lot. I mean who ever broke in was looking for that particular stone, not gold. Why are you telling us this anyway?"
Hermione thought for a moment what should I say..;
"Well, it is just... I came across this thing. It looked like a dog but with three heads-" Hermione started I have to be careful.
"HEY! We came across that too! Didn't we Harry! Bloody mental if you ask me, leaving a thing like that in the castle..." Ron said. Hermione couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah we did, I explained to Ron how the dog was sitting on top of a trap door. I assumed it must be guarding something, you don't think-" Harry asked, trailing off in thought.
"That is exactly what I think." Hermione replied this might become easier than I thought.
"Why are you telling us? Not to sound rude or anything, but why don't you go and talk to your Slytherin friends." Ron asked. Hermione would have gotten defensive, but Ron didn't seem to say it in a harsh way. Hermione shook her head and then looked at them.
"I don't have many friends in Slytherin. Nor do I trust many of them. I trust you two. You have been the nicest people out of any of them and I don't think anyone would really want to help me. But, I heard two of my room mates talking, one of them was explaining how she over heard her father talking about a stone called the sorcerer's stone. He said it was dangerous and I think he means if it falls into the wrong hands. I know no one else will listen to me, I even tried talking to Dumbledore but he told me to not mention it again and not to worry myself over small things like these. But Harry, I just know that fluffy is guarding it. I am certain."
The two boys stared at her until Harry spoke. "I believe you. It seems to all add up. But, why would fluffy be guarding it and what's so dangerous about it?" He asked.
"Fluffy?! That thing has a name?" Ron said, staring of into the distance. Hermione gave a small laugh.
"Yes it has a name and that's exactly what we need to find out, before it is too late. The problem I have, is that I checked the library and there were no books on it. I assume it is in the restricted section, but there is NO way we would be allowed in there, until we find a way, I don't know what we can do." Hermione said Well, at least they seem to trust me more than I thought.
"Okay Hermione, well I think it is best to keep it between the three of us. How about we meet here again next week at the same time? until then, lets keep trying." Harry said, smiling towards her. Hermione returned the smile and nodded eagerly. Is it actually possible that I got my friends back? Maybe this wont be as bad as I thought.
With that, the trio stood up and made their way back to the castle. Checking her watch, Hermione explained how she had some work she needed to do and that she would see them in class on Monday. She made her way to the astronomy tower and arrived on the dot of 12:00. Perfect timing. Deciding to sit down by the railing she watched over the horizon. This place sure is beautiful. she thought as the cool breeze played with her hair.
Exactly ten minutes passed when Hermione heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She spun round and there he was, still in his uniform, Draco stood.
"Well, you didn't seem to disappoint." Hermione said jokingly. Draco smirked towards her and moved to the railing next to her, looking out to where she had done earlier.
"I never disappoint Granger, you should know that by now." He replied simply. "Now, regarding this potion we both took. Have you found any information on it yet?"
"How did you know that's what I wanted to talk about?"
"Well you made it very obvious." Hermione looked at the side of Draco's head for a bit and then let out a sigh.
"No I haven't, but we also have a bigger situation. It looks like McGonagall has a lot in store for us, as far as I have gathered, all the events are going to be played out like they did in the 'real' world. That means one thing..."
"Voldemort. Draco said bluntly through clenched teeth. Hermione stepped back in slight shock. He just said his name, "what? shocked are you? come on Granger, surely you don't go along with that petty nickname.."
"No..it just surprised me that you don't either." Hermione whispered, watching Draco's expression curiously.
"well I am a lot older than I look." Draco laughed darkly. Hermione moved forward against the railing again and simply nodded.
"How about we call a truce? There is no point fighting over this, while we have Voldemort to deal with as well." Hermione asked, avoiding Draco's gaze and biting her lip while waiting for an answer.
"Sure. You tell me what you know and I will tell you what I do. That goes for the potion and the events this year. If Voldemort is coming back, i'm not going to just sit here and be a naive little boy like I once was." Draco stated bluntly in a low voice. Hermione nodded
"Deal."
"Good." An awkward silence crept between them until Draco pushed away from the railing and turned to walk down the steps. Hermione spun round watching him. Suddenly he froze on the top step and without turning he said. "This doesn't make us friends Granger." Something in his voice made Hermione smile.
"Good. I mean, why would I want to be friends with a stuck up snake?" Hermione retorted light heartedly. Draco laughed lightly in response.
"'Cause you would be missing out." And with that Draco disappeared down the steps and out of sight.