Ch. 6 Everyone Wears Green

In two weeks the first game of Quidditch would begin and it was the Gryffindors turn to practice. Hermione sat under a tree as they all flew around on their brooms. Even now, she still hadn't mastered riding. For someone who grounded their existence in logic being on a broom and flying hundreds of feet in the air was not a pleasant thought. Harry and Ron had both offered to give her lessons many times before and she'd always declined. Riding was just not for her.

Estrella was sitting beside her with her eyes permanently glued on Harry. Hermione wondered when they would officially go out because it seemed only a matter of time before they did. She sat the book she'd been reading aside for a moment and gazed upward. They were all so high everyone looked like blurs in the afternoon sky.

She squinted her eyes against the sun trying to make out just where everyone was. The only one who seemed to be still at the moment was Harry and that was because he was searching around for the snitch. Hermione glanced at Estrella and saw how her eyes watched Harry unblinkingly her eyes wide and focused. She turned back to Harry and saw that he was looking at Estrella as well. Something flitted by Harry's face and still he remained smiling at Estrella who was smiling back.

All of a sudden there was a lot of shouting and a whistle being blown. Withing minutes everyone had stopped what they were doing and were slowly lowering themselves to the ground. She stood up wondering if they were planning on cutting practice short. She saw Ron getting off of his broom looking agitated and Ginny who was right beside him landing hard on the ground, livid. Everyone else looked annoyed and Harry who landed next, a few feet from Ron, looked puzzled.

"Why was the whistle blown?" he asked.

Ron was about to say something when Ginny strode over to him her fists balled.

"You are the reason why, Harry."

Harry gazed at everyone pointing to himself.

"Me?"

Ginny's fist tightened, "Yes, you! If you weren't so busy making moon eyes at Estrella you would have noticed that you missed the snitch."

Realization dawned on his face and he looked embarrassed.

"Err, sorry. I was-"

"You were just being an idiot!" Ginny yelled angrily.

Harry grew angry, "I didn't see you exactly top notch out there!"

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"You didn't see anything but her," she pointed at Estrella who began to blush profusely.

Ron nodded in acquiesce, "You've been distracted every practice, mate. If you keep playing like this we'll definitely lose first match."

Harry looked as if everyone was turning on him and Hermione found herself staring in silence at the situation before her. Estrella stepped forward, head slightly down.

"I'm sorry if I've been too distracting maybe I just won't come to anymore practices," the girl offered in a meek voice.

"You shouldn't come to any games either since loverboy can't concentrate," Ginny bit out.

"She can come to whatever she likes," Harry spoke his words short and filled with anger, "You've been in a pissy mood all day Ginny, no need to take it out on Estrella," he turned to Ron, "And I'm not distracted. I'll play fine at the match."

Ron looked extremely uncomfortable. He gulped and looked at Estrella, "Not to offend, but it would probably be a good idea if you didn't come to any practices or games."

Estrella's eyes widened slightly and Hermione could see they were filling with tears.

"That's bullocks!" Harry yelled.

Ginny pressed her lips tightly together as if she wanted to say something else other than, "He is the captain."

"But he can't dictate who can come to games," Harry sputtered.

"I just asked, I wasn't telling her," Ron defended himself, "I just think it would be better since you two can't take your eyes off of each other."

Harry and Estrella both looked at each other shyly.

"It's okay Harry. I'm not much interested in Quidditch anyway."

Estrella gave everyone one last petrified look and practically ran off. Hermione opened her mouth to call after the girl and closed it deciding that she would probably want to be alone. Harry looked at Ron and Ginny furiously. The other players were shrugging and walking off.

"I can't believe you two just did that," Harry said amazed.

Ron looked uncomfortable and Ginny was indignant, crossing her arms.

"It was for the best Harry. She'll get over it."

Hermione stared in shock at Ginny wondering why she was so uncaring for the girl. She knew that Ginny was jealous and wanted Harry for herself but this was just being plain mean.

"Maybe you should go talk to her, Harry," Hermione offered.

He looked at Hermione and nodded. Giving Ron and Ginny one last dirty look he hurried off in the direction that Estrella had went. Ron shrugged and followed behind. Hermione bent down to get her book and gave Ginny a questioning look.

"What was that about?"

Ginny shrugged and then her angry expression fell and she looked sheepish and a bit guilty. They began walking back to the castle and Ginny gave a heavy sigh beside her.

"I don't know, Hermione. It's like all they ever do is stare at each other and I hate it! Harry can't even focus on finding the snitch because all he wants to do is smirk at her!"

"They like each other," Hermione said pathetically.

Ginny shook her head, "No. This isn't just like. It's an obsession. Me and Dean were pretty hot and heavy last year but we weren't completely oblivious to everyone else," she said exasperatedly.

"It is kind of odd," Hermione conceded, "I wonder why Harry hasn't asked her out yet."

"I'm sure he's working up to it," Ginny said bitterly.

Hermione smiled knowingly.

"You like Harry, don't you?"

Ginny scoffed, "What's to like? He's such a dunce. Besides it's not like he'd ever see me as anything other than Ron's little sister," her cheeks were red.

"It's killing you isn't it?" Hermione asked softly.

Ginny nodded a tear spilling down her face before she angrily wiped it away.

"I hate that I want him!" she gazed at Hermione pitifully, "Is it that obvious?"

"Not really but it's obvious to me."

"He'll never look at me as a girl. A real girl. Especially with Estrella around," she mimicked the name.

"You never know. I thought Harry would never get over his crush for Cho but he did. Maybe he just needs time."

"He's had almost seven years," Ginny said wryly then sighing, "It's okay Hermione, you don't have to try to cheer me up. I think I'll feel better being angry anyway. It's better than feeling sad."

They entered Hogwarts and headed off towards the Gryffindor common When they got to the common room they found Harry and Ron whispering heatedly to each other over by the fireplace. Ginny gazed at Harry angrily before heading to the Girl's room. Hermione went over to Harry and Ron who looked up at her expectantly.

"Are you two still arguing or is it safe?" she said plopping down on the ornate couch.

Ron quickly shook his head and sat down next to her.

"Tell her Harry."

She looked to Harry who looked as if he was concentrating on the wall far behind her.

"Tell me what?"

"I don't even know how to explain it," Harry said running his hands through his messy hair.

He sat down on the coffee table in front of them.

"Harry's been hearing a voice at night."

"A voice?" she asked confused.

Harry's face seemed to pale in remembrance.

"It's not every night," he sighed, "It started off really faint. I thought I was just hearing someone in the common room who had woken up in the middle of the night. I'd get up to check and no one was there."

Hermione's felt herself becoming chilled with each word.

"Then what?" she asked her voice steady despite the fact that she was on the edge of her seat in anxiousness.

"Then I'd go back to sleep. Ever since last week I've been hearing singing and I feel like I know where the voice is coming but I never find it," he drew in a ragged breath, "It's like it's begging me to come wherever it is. I want too but I can't. I woke Ron up last night and asked if he could hear it too but he couldn't."

"This doesn't sound good. What if it's you-know-who?" Ron asked fearfully.

Hermione had been thinking those exact thoughts and it terrified her. Harry's eyes looked haunted.

"I like Estrella. She takes my mind off of......everything..She's sweet and nice and...."

Ron smirked at Hermione, "The chap is completely head over heels in love."

Hermione seemed to understand then Harry's feelings for the girl. Estrella was someone who didn't remind him of his stature in the wizarding world or the past few years where he'd come perilously close to death. With Estrella Harry could forget, if only for a moment, the burden that rested on his shoulders.

"Ahem."

They all turned towards whoever was trying to get their attention and were all shocked to find Dumbledore standing behind them. They all immediately stood completely thrown off by his presence.

"H-Headmaster?" Ron stuttered.

The old man smiled warmly at them.

"I did not mean to startle but I would like it very much if you all accompanied me to my office."

He said nothing else and strode out with them following closely behind. They all looked at each other questioningly, equally curious. They continued on wordlessly until they reached a portrait of a stormy field.

"Popgigglehook," Dumbledore spoke.

The portrait swung open and they entered his office uneasy. Dumbledore motioned for them to sit on a two seater couch that magically expanded to hold one more person. Dumbledore sat behind his desk and clasped his hands together watching them. His face looked as if it had aged from their walk from the commons to here. Somehow Hermione knew that whatever was going to be said was not going to be good.

"Is this about the Order?" Harry asked alert.

Dumbledore removed his glasses to rub his eyes before putting them back on.

"Not directly, no."

"Is someone hurt?" Hermione asked.

Dumbledore sighed and she feared the worst. Had one of their loved ones.......? She was terrified to even think it. Ron seemed to have the exact same thoughts as her because he seemed rooted to the spot holding his breath.

"I apologize for worrying you. No one that we know personally has been hurt."

Ron let out a relieved sigh.

"But someone has been hurt?" Harry inquired.

Dumbledore nodded and Hermione felt her stomach drop.

"Who?" she barely got out.

"Many muggles have been.......brutally murdered or disappeared."

"When?" Harry's voice was ragged and drawn.

"Ten this summer and five these past couple of months."

They all gasped.

"Why didn't we know about this?" Harry proclaimed angrily, "No one in the Order told us. None of the papers have said anything."

Dumbledore nodded his eyes seeming to age before them.

"The Ministry has decided to keep anything of the sort from the public."

Ron was incredulous, "So they're not going to let people know what's going on?"

Dumbledore let out a heavy breath, "They think it is best if people don't go in a panic. People are afraid enough."

"Do you agree with them?" Harry asked almost dreading the answer.

Dumbledore shook his head tiredly.

"I have fought them vigorously on this issue but many more influential people have been backing them in their actions. They feel they are making the best decision for us all."

Hermione grew angry, "Who gave them the right to make decisions for us? People deserve to know if Voldemort is getting stronger and bolder. They're in more danger not knowing!"

Dumbledore eyed her wearily, approving of her outburst, "I agree Ms. Granger but I fear that only too late will they realize it."

They all sat in a stunned silence taking everything in. She knew things were too good to be true. Voldemort had been going around finding people to torture after all. She couldn't believe the Ministry was keeping the truth from everyone. Did they want people to be caught unaware by Voldemort?

"I opted to tell you all because you are members of the Order and I trust this information will not be divulged elsewhere. What has been spoken here shall remain."

"Do my parents know?" Ron asked.

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes they do Mr. Weasley," his eyes perused them all, "Please be careful wherever you are even in this school."

They all nodded and stood to leave their hearts heavy. Harry and Ron had exited the portrait and Hermione was swinging her leg over when Dumbledore called her name.

"Ms. Granger?"

She turned back.

"Yes, Headmaster?"

Despite his somberness he smiled at her a twinkle in his eye.

"Some things that appear black may be white. Compassion and friendship are the sturdiest foundations."

She stared at him oddly.

"Pardon, Professor?

He only nodded with a secret smile on his face.

"You and young Malfoy can pass on patrolling tonight. I will do it myself."

"Thank you."

She turned and exited the portrait Dumbledore's words echoing in her mind. What did he mean? She caught up with Ron and Harry in the hall and they all walked in silence each deep in their own thoughts. Hermione suddenly remembered the chat she'd been dying to have with them.

"Do you mind if we all go to my dorm? I have something to tell you."

They both nodded and followed her down the long halls. She entered into her and Malfoy's common area hoping that he wasn't here. She eyed the slithering snake on his door and strained to hear anything. All was silent and she beckoned Harry and Ron to the couch.

"I hope this isn't more bad news Hermione," Ron said dreading whatever it was that she was about to say, "I don't know if I can take so much in one day."

She agreed but she'd been waiting to tell them this for almost a week. If anytime was a good time it was now.

"I don't know if it's bad news but I guess it isn't good news either."

"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked.

She watched him closely wondering what he would think about what she was going to say.

"It's about Estrella."

Harry's eyes were unblinking.

"What is it?" Harry said slowly unsure about her reply.

"Me and Malfoy were patrolling one night-"

"What did he do?" Ron asked angrily, "Did he hurt you? Did he hurt Estrella?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Will you let me explain Ron?" she exclaimed, growing impatient.

He closed his mouth and slumped down into the couch.

"Go ahead."

She turned her eyes back to Harry.

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, me and Malfoy were patrolling one night last week and when we were patrolling the Gryffindor area we found Estrella in the halls."

Ron and Harry looked confused.

"She was in the halls?" Harry finally said.

Hermione nodded.

"She was..........sleepwalking."

Ron looked quizzically at them both.

"What's.....sleepwalking?"

"It's when you're asleep and move and around doing things you'd normally do while you're awake except you're....well....asleep."

Ron nodded but she could tell he didn't quite understand.

"She was singing and dancing in the halls and her eyes were closed. Malfoy tried to wake her up and she just started screaming. I thought everyone in the castle was going to come running it was so loud. Then she fell to the floor and slept normally, I guess."

Harry seemed to be weighing every word she said while Ron continued to look confused.

"She started screaming? I didn't hear anything."

"Me either," Harry said.

"Apparently no one did which is a good thing. She would've been incredibly embarrassed," they nodded at her in agreement, "Malfoy carried her back to her room and-"

"Malfoy?" Harry and Ron said incredulously.

She nodded again, "Yes. Malfoy. He carried her back to her room and was actually, considering what a toad he is, nice about it."

She could tell they were both finding it hard to think of Malfoy carrying anyone let alone a Gryffindor back to their room.

"You should have come and woke me. I would've carried her back to her room," Harry sounded distinctly jealous.

"You wanted us to leave her lying in the hall just so I could go get you to do it?"

Harry exclaimed sheepishly, "It's better than Malfoy laying a hand on her."

She ignored his comment.

"I didn't know if I should tell Dumbledore or not. She could end up hurting herself. If me and Malfoy hadn't found her that night I don't know what could have happened."

"I'll talk to her about it," Harry said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Maybe I should tell Dumbledore after all," her eyes widened remembering, "And you should tell him about your problem at night."

"Geez, 'Mione, you make it sound like I wet myself."

"Sorry, but you should. Maybe he can figure out if Voldemort is trying to lure you into a trap or something."

They all seemed to be in agreement about telling Dumbledore and fell in a comfortable silence taking everything in.

"I can't believe the Ministry is lying to everyone," Ron broke the silence.

"Considering who's over it, I'm not surprised," Harry said bitterly.

"I keep wondering if we'll be able to complete our seventh year if things get really bad. I keep wondering about my parents too," Hermione confessed.

The other day she'd been rifling through her things when she found a picture of her family when she was five years old. Her parents had been beaming in the picture ecstatic about their only child. It had hit her then that her friends in the wizarding world weren't the only thing she had to worry about. She could definitely see her parents as prime targets for Voldemort's sadistic machinations. It had worried her so much that she'd sent an owl to them to just to make sure they were okay. They immediately sent one back and her fears were only slightly lessened. They were still out there completely unprotected and unable to fend for themselves while Voldemort was gathering his army and apparently killing people for practice.

Harry reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Don't worry Hermione, they'll be fine."

She didn't believe him but smiled anyway.

"Thanks Harry."

"Um, you can let go of each others hands now," Ron said staring pointedly at their enclosed hands.

She let go of Harry's hands giving Ron an irritated look.

"Grow up Ron."

"That would be impossible for him to do. He's perpetually a child."

They all turned towards Malfoy who was striding into the room with Blaise Zabini behind him. Hermione tried to ignore the shiver that went down her back looking at him but it was futile. Her body seemed to always respond to his presence whether she'd intended it to or not.

"I'll perpetually rearrange your face, Malfoy" Ron spit out standing from his position and shooting daggers at the two boys.

Blaise rolled his eyes looking bored with the interlude. Malfoy only smirked.

"Perpetually is a big word for you Weasley, maybe you want to lie down after giving your brain so much exercise."

Blaise chuckled beside him and Harry stood up next to Ron.

"Have you nothing better to do than annoy everyone, ferret?" Harry groused.

"Considering this is my dorm, I think I can do whatever I damn well please. You and Weasley can be leaving at any moment. I won't miss you."

Hermione noticed Blaise looking at her his eyes traveling over the contours of her body. She'd never really seen a guy look at her in such a blatant way and didn't really know how to react. Ron seemed to notice as well because he took a step in Blaise's direction his face fierce.

"What are you looking at Zabini?"

Blaise licked his mouth his eyes trained solely on Hermione.

"Not you Weasley. I wanted to ask Hermione a question."

She watched Malfoy eye Blaise coolly. He looked as if he was becoming angry with his friend.

"What could you possibly have to ask Hermione?" Harry spit out moving to stand in front of her feeling an unconscionable need to protect the girl he saw as a little sister.

Blaise was looking as if he wanted to eat Hermione for lunch and Harry would rather kill him first. The thought of her being in this room among what he considered to be a pack of wolves was enough to warrant his protection. Ron was equally as angry and for similar reasons but also because he thought of Hermione as his even though he'd never actually asked her out or treated her as anything other than a friend. He just assumed that naturally they would end up together without him having to do much of anything. But now, watching Blaise eye her hungrily, he wondered if he would indeed have to approach the topic soon.

Hermione stepped around Harry and eyed Blaise wearily expecting to hear a snide insult.

"What do you have to ask me, Blaise?"

Blaise took a step towards her and Ron took a step towards him. He backed up his hands in the air in mock defeat. Malfoy continued to look at him as if he'd just sprouted a second head.

"I wanted to ask Hermione to tutor me."

Everyone stared dumbly at him. Tutor? 'He wants me to tutor him?' Hermione thought to herself. The look on his face seemed to imply much more than tutoring and as if he realized this his expression became cool and he shrugged.

"I'm struggling a bit in Potions and the Defense Against the Dark Arts. I was wondering if you could help me, Hermione."

They all looked at him suspiciously. Malfoy gave him a disgusted look.

"You can't be serious. You want Granger to tutor you?"

Hermione became angry that he seemed to be, to her ears, implying that she couldn't tutor someone.

"Is there a problem with that Malfoy?"

He turned to her looking slightly astonished then he turned back to Blaise looking for some reason as if he wanted to choke him. She felt herself become more heated. He hated her so much that not only did he have nothing but disdain for her but he wanted his friends to feel the exact way he did.

"What are you doing Blaise?" Malfoy asked him his face a mask of cool but his eyes murderous.

Blaise gave them an innocent look.

"I just want help in class. Is it really such a big deal?"

"I know what you want help with. You want my fist in your face," Ron said advancing on him.

Harry grabbed him still eying the two boys suspiciously.

"I wouldn't trust them as far as I see them Hermione," Harry said to her.

Blaise was giving her an innocent look, which she knew he was faking, and Malfoy seemed preoccupied with trying to not hurting his friend.

"No reason to be suspicious. I just need a little help but if me being a slytherin is a problem, it's okay."

He turned to go his shoulders slumped.

"Blaise," she called to him, "Maybe you could meet me here in the afternoons. I'll see if I can help you."

His face lit up.

"Thanks Hermione. I'll see you tomorrow then," he grinned at them all, his mouth widening at Malfoy, then leaving through the wooden door.

She felt everyone's eyes on her and blushed.

"What?"

Harry shook his head, "He's up to no good, Hermione."

"If he is, I'll found out why."

Ron was still sending death glares to Malfoy who was still looking at the door as if he expected Blaise to stroll back through and scream, 'gotcha'.

"You can't really be thinking of tutoring that git," Ron was disbelieving.

"I'll help him if he's serious. If not," she shrugged letting the thought hang.

Malfoy growled and then strode into his room and slammed the door behind him. They all looked at each other puzzled.

Draco was spitting mad. He couldn't believe that Blaise had asked Granger to tutor him. He scoffed. Tutor him. He knew the last thing Blaise expected to do was sit and read with Granger. He had something completely different in mind. He could just imagine Blaise sweet talking her and doing some of the things he'd described lewdly. Granger was so naive she couldn't see through his pathetic farce.

The fact that she'd referred to Blaise in first name didn't go unnoticed by him either. He'd felt like someone punched him in the gut when she'd spoken the name softly. It'd made him feel small and invisible. Why could she call Blaise by his first name and not him? It wasn't fair. He shared a dorm with her. He patrolled with her every night. He was her match in every way.

He stopped pacing his room and ran his hands through his hair. This is Granger. This is Granger. He repeated the mantra in his head hoping that it'd turn his feelings to one of disgust but his frustration didn't go away.

He realized that he was mostly angry with himself. He had been an ass to her all these years because of her being a muggle born and her association with Potter. Now as he was nearly a man he'd admitted to himself that he found her supremely attractive but he'd refused to do anything about it because she was a mudblood. Blaise on the other hand obviously didn't care, he wanted Granger and he was obviously going to go about it nefariously to have her. Well, damn him, there was no way that Draco was going to let Blaise have her in any way.

From now on Hermione Granger was property of Draco Malfoy and no one else. Zabini, Weasley, Longbottom, and anyone else who was quietly standing by hoping she noticed them had better focus their attentions elsewhere if they knew what was good for them. What Draco Malfoy wanted Draco Malfoy got and what Draco Malfoy owned no one touched.