Disclaimer: I still own nothing but a laptop, an imagination that is
currently on holiday and some cheese triangles... But now with some
reviewers who are telling me to update my other story mentioning no names *
cough * ProwlingKitKat * cough *.
Hi! It's me again! I'm trying to update this story as fast as possible. I'm just overloaded with evil homework.... EVIL MATHS TEACHERS!!!!
Cliché'Brat: Thank you!
ArgentumRosa: Thank you for reviewing!!! I really appreciate what you said!
Fairylightbabe89: Ill try and update more, but its hard because I have to balance my social stuff too!
Person: Kay... I'll try to write more
Sexy: I try my best!
Miss Wright: Tell me who you think it is!! I'm open to suggestions!! I'm not really sure how to make the person sound without revealing it... But thanks for the review!
THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter Two: Dagon Alley
The soft sound of beeping could be heard, gradually ascending to a higher pitch, getting louder and echoing off the walls of the bedroom.
Hermione sat up in her bed, only to fall back down into it again in hopes of more sleep in her comfy retreat. The soft bedspread was warm and cosy, great for a morning in bed. The sun was filtering through metallic styled material curtains, reflecting it through the small room. Twisting and turning, she buried her head and then looked upwards at the alarm. And jumped.
In bright red digital lettering, were the numbers 10:30, and she had set the alarm for 8:30 so she could reach Diagon Alley early before the Saturday morning crowds, no such luck anymore. She must have slept right through the alarm, it would have been going for two solid hours.
Stretching and giving a yawn, she was tired after yesterdays 'exercise' on the way home, she gradually made her way out of the refines of her bed, moaning gently and muttering obscenities about stupid alarm clocks, before slamming her hand on top of the said objects plastic case, shutting it off.
Hermione's room was like any other teenagers, save the magical objects strewn about here and there. The walls were pale purple and laden with posters of quiddich teams, via Ron, who, when he and Harry had come to pick her up in the summer of 6th year, had decided it was too boring, and Hermione, although opposed to the idea, grew to like them. They moved around, zipping on broomsticks around their quiddich pitch. The curtains were shimmering purple material, with miniscule designs of stars printed on in certain places.
The rest of her room was just full of her normal things. Her bed, with its front end next to the massive window that had views of miles around, a bookcase, that was almost falling apart from the sheer weight and amount of books, her wardrobe and lastly her trunk which contained items from her school, Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.
* * *
The streets of Diagon Alley were busy, even for a Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining and to Hermione it seemed as though all of the wizarding world had decided to pay a visit to the sunny London street.
Lifting her sunglasses up so they rested atop her shiny brown hair, she looked down at the Hogwarts supplies list in her fist. There were the usual books for seventh year, some to help with the tests at the end of the year and dress robes for the leaving dance, as well as graduation.
Graduation. That was one thing she didn't think about very much. She didn't know what she would do then. Probably get a job and just work her behind off until she was a known and respected member of the wizarding community.
Shaking of the feeling of sadness that washed over her at the thought of leaving her beloved Hogwarts, she scanned the streets in search of any familiar faces that might know her.
In the far distance, she could see Neville Longbottom being dragged around the women's shops by his grandma, her hideous eagle hat perched on her head. She could make out Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas looking through the window of the quidditch supplies store, faces pressed against the glass staring in wonder at some new racing broom. Pavarti Patil and her twin, Padma were looking in some beauty salon, false nails were apparently in this season. The ones they were looking at longingly were particularly long and looked as though they could rip through flesh easily, and Hermione shuddered at that thought.
Not bothering to go up to any of them and talk, she walked into Flourish and Blotts, her list infront of her as she heard the little entry bell ding overhead. It was busy inside the store, what she assumed to be first years were crowded around a bookshelf of 'Magic made easy- One Hundred Simple Steps To Success' trying to grab a copy from the sales assistant who was fending them off, his crisp blue uniform ruffled.
Making her way to the seventh year section at the back, she saw a tall young blonde man almost growling at a pug- faced girl clung to his arm. Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson, she thought with a look of distain. Veering off to the right, without looking where she was going, she walked straight into someone, sending her straight to the ground.
Looking up and rubbing her head, she let out a small moan. Blaise Zabini, one of Malfoy's 'crew'. But instead of sneering and walking away, he straightened himself up and offered her a hand with a small smile, if that were possible of a Slytherin.
"Sorry, I didn't notice you there. Can I catch the name of such a beautiful young lady?"
He doesn't remember me... I haven't changed...maybe being in Slytherin does something to his brain, Hermione thought, laughing inside at her own joke.
"Thanks, I wasn't looking where I was going," she said with a grin, and purposely avoiding telling him her name.
He seemed to give her the once over, thinking she wasn't looking and then grinned back. He didn't notice that she had with-held her name from him, so much intelligence in teenagers these days...
"Why don't you let me make it up to you by buying you lunch?" He told her with a grin, smoothing his dark hair with a swipe of his hand.
Slimy git, Hermione thought, barely being able to hide her disgust. Slytherins were all the same. Just looks and then they'd probably propose to you! Beauty was only meant to be skin deep...
Maybe this could be fun...Hermione thought, hiding the slight smirk that was creeping to her pink lips. She pushed it down just in time, before he registered it in his thick skull.
"I would simply adore to be escorted to luncheon with such an attractive man as yourself... Wherever shall we be going?" Hermione answered, her lips drawn into a smile and her voice dropping a few octaves into a sultry, dark whisper.
"Gallitinos, of course. A fine young woman deserves a fine place to eat. Shall we?" Blaise replied, offering her his arm. He was obviously drinking in all this rubbish she fed him, and Hermione almost pinched herself that he could be so, so, so stupid!?
Hermione was, most of all, shocked. Gallitinos was undoubtedly the best resturaunt in the whole of Diagon Alley, and it took forever to get a table even if you had to book. It was full of posh snobs really, and Hermione swore she saw Rita Skeeter in there once, flitting about the tables of the rich and famous, looking for gossip that she could put into some scandalous story in Witch Weekly.
Despite that, it amazed her that Blaise would just invite her for lunch like that. He didn't even know her name for Merlin's sake! She could be a mass murderer on the run from the ministry for all he knew! She was glad he didn't question her though, and obligingly hooked her bare arm through his looped robed one, and he started off. He started, but did not even get past the next isle before a voice cut through their small talk.
"Ah, Blaise. What a pleasant surprise seeing you here. I overheard that you and your fine friend are lunching, may I," He stopped here as Pansy, who was attached to his arm like a leach, stepped on his foot and glared at him, "We, join you?" Draco Malfoy stood in front of them both, having wheeled around at the sound of Blaise's name.
He was much taller now, rather than he was before the holiday. He must have shot up, because instead of the 5"11 boy, he was around 6"2, yet he seemed a little taller than Ron had. His hair wasn't slicked back in the tight gel, but more rugged, tied at the nape of his neck in some sort of leather string, with strands of hair poking out. He had muscles, Hermione noted, and had a rather nice physique. All in all, he was very handsome, but Hermione was very reluctant to say anything.
"Draco, what a pleasant surprise. We were just on our way to Gallitinos for a spot of lunch, as you know. We'd be delighted for you and Pansy to join us, wouldn't we darling?" Her turned to her, as if to pin everything on her to stop him having to make the embarrassing choice whether or not they were joined by a ferret and a run of the mill dog to dinner.
"Yes, we'd love it. Shall we get going?"
It seemed to Hermione that, despite everything she'd told herself, she had changed, very much in fact. So maybe she was slimmer, hair a little tamer, skin creamier, and definitely a little taller. Was it really that big of a difference? Even Miss Park-In-Other-Peoples-Business hadn't noticed her change, and she virtually catalogued all the girls in the school, looking for any possible Draco- competitors, even though she herself wasn't in the running.
"I'm sorry, Miss, but I didn't catch your name," Draco said, eyeing her with distinct interest, knowing that he never asked for her name in the first place.
"You never asked... Draco," she replied, playing his little game, and shocking him yet aggravating him.
"What I meant was, what is your name?" He shot back, causing Blaise to turn to her.
"Yes, what is your name? I didn't get it before either, and I asked," Blaise asked, making sure she didn't use the same trick she'd used on the young Mr Malfoy.
All three pairs of Slytherin eyes were on her now, mysterious greyish blue ones, dull brown ones and hazel ones that burned with interest like their owner. She quickly though, and a name just popped into her head, without further thinking.
"Marin. Marin Arabella Silver."
"Marin, you say? What a lovely name," The suave voice of Malfoy spoke, unlike his usual sneers and jeers. He was complimenting her, or Marin.
Without anymore talking, Blaise steered her towards the exit of the shop, past the grabbing first years. The brass bell jingled as the group left Flourish and Blotts but no attention was payed to the Slytherins and the mysterious young woman who was stationed at ones arm, smiling as he joked around.
It was busy out in the street, bright midday sun glittering and illuminating the quaint little shops down side alleys and along the main path, the jewellery in ' Glittering Gold: Magic and Sparkle on your wrist, neck and fingers!' was shining brilliantly and she could see Padma and Pavarti pointing at the exquisite magical pieces in the window display.
Gallitinos was at the end of the alley, down at turn right at the top. Hermione couldn't wait to get there, yet still wondered how Blaise would achive getting a table at this time of day. Inside, her insides were twisting a little. They were being so nice to her, and she had deceived them. It was just a little harmless fun though, nothing more, nothing less.
When the troupe passed the beauty salon, Pansy squealed and darted to the display , almost knocking Hermione over as she was chattering to her about some gossip that Hermione has zoned out during, just nodding and smiling in false interest. She steadied herself and walked over, being nice couldn't harm. But really, Pansy was a rather spiteful cow, as she had found out when she informed her of Millicent Bulstrode's rather 'delicately' placed moles...
The nails in the window, in Hermione's opinion, were quite grotesque. Most of them were hideously long and seemed to be able to pierce cans like steel tongues. The were of all colours, a particular pair of long sickly puce pink ones seemed to be interesting Pansy, as they had Pansies on them.
"Oh Draco! Draco, I have got to have them! They are fabulous! Don't you agree? Blaise? What do you think? Marin, aren't they just fab?!" She squealed in her horrible high pitched tone, her piggish nose pointing in the air and her dull eyes shining.
How materialistic can you get???? Hermione thought, looking at Pansy blankly as she turned to her to ask for her opinion as Blaise just gave her a slightly shifty thumbs up and Draco just turned away, uninterested.
"I'm sure they'd look great on you, um, just your colour!" Hermione said casually, with a shifty smile that she knew Draco could see right through as he had turned back to the conversation when she was asked.
Draco Malfoy, despite all rumours that he was as 'thick as two short planks', was actually a very clever young man. He came second only to Hermione at school and was a very perceptive person. Hermione knew he could see through her false smiles and fake interest, for when he turned around whilst they were crossing the cobbled street he had asked her opinion on Pansy's speech and given her raised eyebrows when she said, without knowledge, that toothbrushes should be used to apply foundation when one has a terrible outbreak of warts, spots or something worse.
"Why don't you two get some after lunch? You could get the same ones, wouldn't that be lovely Pansy?" Draco told the two teen girls, one of whom looked as though she could kiss him to death for his 'wonderful idea' and one of whom looked as though she would like to run over him in a very large monster truck, if he knew what one was.
* * *
After the brief 'episode' outside the beauty salon, the four of them had finally got to lunch- half an hour late. It seemed that having money could get you anywhere these days, as when the guy manning the door saw Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson, had immediately let them go to the front of the queue and even given them tables on the very top floor, overlooking the busy streets below.
Inside, the place was a marvel to look at. Fish tanks full of tropical aquatic creatures lined the wall over posh marble décor and the carpets were glass, with some sort of spell to make them shatter and scratch resistant. The tables were spaced far away from each other and they managed to get one nearest to the edge near the glass and metal barrier.
A waiter in a red tuxedo and crisp white shirt came to pass them the lunch menu and let them order drinks, which, Hermione noted, all contained alcohol.
"I'll just have a brandy please."
"One bloody mary, and speed it up, I'm parched!"
"A glass of white wine."
"Um... Er... I'll have... Um...I think I'll have a glass of white wine as well, Thank you."
(AN: I'll let you ponder who chose what. One is pretty obvious. I wasn't sure whether to give them more adventurous ones but it was midday, and who drinks heavily at midday? First person who gets 'em all right gets a vague update list and a Draco cookie!!! YUM!!)
After a starter, which consisted of a prawn salad with lashings of rich sauce. It was very filling and Hermione was sure that she wouldn't have been able to eat the main dish if she had eaten everything. She left just under half of it, whilst Pansy just stuffed it all down.
They small talked for a while. The conversation changed from fashion to relationships to quiddich and many things. When they had almost run out of topics, for the main dishes were taking a rather long time. When they were talking about school and moaning about the particularly hard work that McGonagall had set them over the holidays, Pansy changed the conversation to her knew favourite topic. As you may have already guessed, Hermione, or Marin.
"So Marin... What school do you go to? What year are you in? What do your parents do? Are you rich? Of what blood are you? How did you come to meet Blaise here? What were you doing in Diagon Alley? Are you staying here? Did you here that story about Harry Potter in Witch Weekly today?" Pansy rambled on, whilst Draco and Blaise started talking about the forthcoming quiddich league, and Hermione would rather take part in their conversation at the moment.
How blunt can you be? If one is so rich then one can surely have some sense... I suppose that doesn't apply to her though. What do your parents do? Are you rich? Of what blood are you? Blah-de-blady-blah? I should tell her right where to stick that story about Harry, because no doubt its horrendous. But how can she be so blunt? What a cow... Hermione thought, looking blankly at Pansy.
Blaise and Draco had turned back to them now, having heard Pansy's rambling and wanting to see what she would answer with, and Hermione really did want to answer with a gesture rather than words.
"Well, I go to Beauxbatons, I'll be in my seventh year in September, my parents both work for the Ministry over in France, I'd say my families financial status is none of your business, I bumped into Blaise in Flourish and Blotts, literally, I'm shopping around for supplies, I am staying here, but just tonight and no, I didn't read it, you wouldn't happen to have a copy would you?" Hermione answered her in record time, and was quite astonished at her ability to lie so easily. She was overjoyed inside though, she had virtually told Parkinsnob to shove it!
What a wonderful day, she mused to herself, a small smile on her face.
The reactions to her little speech were quite different. Blaise looked quite shocked but when she turned to look at him, he looked away and ordered more drinks rather than facing her. He seemed quite perturbed now. Draco, on the other hand, was looking at her with one eyebrow lifted. She had been all 'chummy' with Pansy a mere few seconds ago and now she was talking to her in a tone that suggested she was some kind of nemesis, which in all fairness, she was.
Pansy however, was rifling through her pink leather handbag with a very disgruntled expression on her piggish face, foraging through everything in the back with exempt vigour and occasionally slamming things on the table. Hermione could see she was rather miffed at her. Finally she pulled the magazine out of her handbag, the glossy cover rather screwed up, but still plausible.
Adorning the cover were several pictures of Harry and Ginny. The were centred just under the headline: 'POTTER AND WEASLY, JUST GOOD FRIENDS?' Harry was blushing beet red and merrily waving at the camera with Ginny who was almost as red as her own hair. Ron was next to them, on Harry's left, with an expression that Pansy had worn only seconds ago when she was looking for the magazine.
Flicking through the pictures, Hermione came to the article in the centre of the mag. It seemed as though Witch Weekly had gotten hold of pictures of Harry and Ginny shopping in wizarding London, the rather expensive part as well.
Hermione's name was mentioned many times, and Witch Weekly was even daring enough to compare her to Ginny! It seemed Hermione was by far a better date, as the writer had avidly expressed that she thought Hermione had turned into a blossoming young woman, yet they could get hold of no wizarding photos that had been recently taken. Also, there was a small paragraph at the bottom concerning the Golden Trio. It appeared that Witch Weekly thought that Hermione had been kicked out and replaced by Ginny, even though she knew it wasn't so. Where did they get this stuff from?
"Have you read it? I was like 'Oh My Merlin!' Can you believe Potter and the Weasle's sister? Dating? Can you imagine what their kids would look like? I can't believe they said that about Granger either! I can't wait to see her when we gat back to school, I bet she hasn't changed a bit!"
Draco had by now read the article and passed it over to Blaise and was listening to their conversation in a very interested manner.
"Well, I wish them all the best and believe that they will make a wonderful couple. I bet Miss Granger is a lovely young lady too," Hermione answered with an air of finality, daring Pansy to oppose her, which she did not.
The table was silent for a moment, and Hermione knew that the Slytherins didn't exactly favour her, Harry or any of the Weasleys. Draco just looked blank like a canvas awaiting a painter, Blaise yet again tried to ignore the fued and Pansy just looked dumbstruck.
"Does anyone know where the restrooms are? I need to freshen up a little," Hermione asked, trying to break the tension but only succeeded in doing it in a manner someone would break glass, jaggedly, roughly and forwardly.
"Down that isle to the right," Draco replied, casually waving his hand as he spoke the directions.
Hermione hurried away, pushing the white wooden door when she reached it, heaving a sigh as she entered, glad to be free of the three Slytherins. The bathroom was gorgeous, with white marble floors and walls, lined with mirrors above hand basins along one side, the other lined with cubicles. Walking to a stall, Hermione closed the door.
Just as Hermione was about to flush the toilet, she heard a noise, a creak. Itt seemed like one of the cubicle doors, but Hermione was sure that no-one had been in when she entered and no-one had entered.
Slowly creeping out the door, Hermione looked around. One of the cubicle doors was shaking slightly, as if it had just been opened. Drawing her trusty wand, she pushed open the door, yet found nothing. Then, she knew it.
This cannot be happening. Not here, not now. No way. This is not real. Not here, not here, not...Hermione repeated herself over in her head, already feeling her blood begin to pound.
" I know you're here, you can come out now. I'm not scared of you anymore! Why can't you just leave me alone? Just go! Why me? Why?" Hermione spoke, feeling tears prick at her eyes, though she would not allow them to fall.
Mustering up at her Gryffindor courage, she steadied herself, wiping away the tears with her hand. Slowly, she began to push the stall doors open, one by one, each time not finding anything. Until she came to the last one on the row.
Inhaling sharply, she looked around, then, using the tip of her wand pushed the door. Feeling as though it were her last moment, she placed her hand over her heart and wished that she would be alright. The wooden creaked slightly and opened to reveal...
End of chapter 2!!
AN: Okay, I admit that was cruel, very cruel. This chapter would have been up earlier, but due to my computer being an ass, it wasn't up.
I'm really sorry that I haven't updated in absolutely agggggges, but I've been really busy with school, my birthday, and various holidays. I will try and update faster, so please bare with me!
Also, if anyone wants to guess who it is, give it a go! I'm open to suggestions!
Please R+R, you know you want to!
Luv, ~*Cereza*~
Hi! It's me again! I'm trying to update this story as fast as possible. I'm just overloaded with evil homework.... EVIL MATHS TEACHERS!!!!
Cliché'Brat: Thank you!
ArgentumRosa: Thank you for reviewing!!! I really appreciate what you said!
Fairylightbabe89: Ill try and update more, but its hard because I have to balance my social stuff too!
Person: Kay... I'll try to write more
Sexy: I try my best!
Miss Wright: Tell me who you think it is!! I'm open to suggestions!! I'm not really sure how to make the person sound without revealing it... But thanks for the review!
THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter Two: Dagon Alley
The soft sound of beeping could be heard, gradually ascending to a higher pitch, getting louder and echoing off the walls of the bedroom.
Hermione sat up in her bed, only to fall back down into it again in hopes of more sleep in her comfy retreat. The soft bedspread was warm and cosy, great for a morning in bed. The sun was filtering through metallic styled material curtains, reflecting it through the small room. Twisting and turning, she buried her head and then looked upwards at the alarm. And jumped.
In bright red digital lettering, were the numbers 10:30, and she had set the alarm for 8:30 so she could reach Diagon Alley early before the Saturday morning crowds, no such luck anymore. She must have slept right through the alarm, it would have been going for two solid hours.
Stretching and giving a yawn, she was tired after yesterdays 'exercise' on the way home, she gradually made her way out of the refines of her bed, moaning gently and muttering obscenities about stupid alarm clocks, before slamming her hand on top of the said objects plastic case, shutting it off.
Hermione's room was like any other teenagers, save the magical objects strewn about here and there. The walls were pale purple and laden with posters of quiddich teams, via Ron, who, when he and Harry had come to pick her up in the summer of 6th year, had decided it was too boring, and Hermione, although opposed to the idea, grew to like them. They moved around, zipping on broomsticks around their quiddich pitch. The curtains were shimmering purple material, with miniscule designs of stars printed on in certain places.
The rest of her room was just full of her normal things. Her bed, with its front end next to the massive window that had views of miles around, a bookcase, that was almost falling apart from the sheer weight and amount of books, her wardrobe and lastly her trunk which contained items from her school, Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.
* * *
The streets of Diagon Alley were busy, even for a Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining and to Hermione it seemed as though all of the wizarding world had decided to pay a visit to the sunny London street.
Lifting her sunglasses up so they rested atop her shiny brown hair, she looked down at the Hogwarts supplies list in her fist. There were the usual books for seventh year, some to help with the tests at the end of the year and dress robes for the leaving dance, as well as graduation.
Graduation. That was one thing she didn't think about very much. She didn't know what she would do then. Probably get a job and just work her behind off until she was a known and respected member of the wizarding community.
Shaking of the feeling of sadness that washed over her at the thought of leaving her beloved Hogwarts, she scanned the streets in search of any familiar faces that might know her.
In the far distance, she could see Neville Longbottom being dragged around the women's shops by his grandma, her hideous eagle hat perched on her head. She could make out Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas looking through the window of the quidditch supplies store, faces pressed against the glass staring in wonder at some new racing broom. Pavarti Patil and her twin, Padma were looking in some beauty salon, false nails were apparently in this season. The ones they were looking at longingly were particularly long and looked as though they could rip through flesh easily, and Hermione shuddered at that thought.
Not bothering to go up to any of them and talk, she walked into Flourish and Blotts, her list infront of her as she heard the little entry bell ding overhead. It was busy inside the store, what she assumed to be first years were crowded around a bookshelf of 'Magic made easy- One Hundred Simple Steps To Success' trying to grab a copy from the sales assistant who was fending them off, his crisp blue uniform ruffled.
Making her way to the seventh year section at the back, she saw a tall young blonde man almost growling at a pug- faced girl clung to his arm. Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson, she thought with a look of distain. Veering off to the right, without looking where she was going, she walked straight into someone, sending her straight to the ground.
Looking up and rubbing her head, she let out a small moan. Blaise Zabini, one of Malfoy's 'crew'. But instead of sneering and walking away, he straightened himself up and offered her a hand with a small smile, if that were possible of a Slytherin.
"Sorry, I didn't notice you there. Can I catch the name of such a beautiful young lady?"
He doesn't remember me... I haven't changed...maybe being in Slytherin does something to his brain, Hermione thought, laughing inside at her own joke.
"Thanks, I wasn't looking where I was going," she said with a grin, and purposely avoiding telling him her name.
He seemed to give her the once over, thinking she wasn't looking and then grinned back. He didn't notice that she had with-held her name from him, so much intelligence in teenagers these days...
"Why don't you let me make it up to you by buying you lunch?" He told her with a grin, smoothing his dark hair with a swipe of his hand.
Slimy git, Hermione thought, barely being able to hide her disgust. Slytherins were all the same. Just looks and then they'd probably propose to you! Beauty was only meant to be skin deep...
Maybe this could be fun...Hermione thought, hiding the slight smirk that was creeping to her pink lips. She pushed it down just in time, before he registered it in his thick skull.
"I would simply adore to be escorted to luncheon with such an attractive man as yourself... Wherever shall we be going?" Hermione answered, her lips drawn into a smile and her voice dropping a few octaves into a sultry, dark whisper.
"Gallitinos, of course. A fine young woman deserves a fine place to eat. Shall we?" Blaise replied, offering her his arm. He was obviously drinking in all this rubbish she fed him, and Hermione almost pinched herself that he could be so, so, so stupid!?
Hermione was, most of all, shocked. Gallitinos was undoubtedly the best resturaunt in the whole of Diagon Alley, and it took forever to get a table even if you had to book. It was full of posh snobs really, and Hermione swore she saw Rita Skeeter in there once, flitting about the tables of the rich and famous, looking for gossip that she could put into some scandalous story in Witch Weekly.
Despite that, it amazed her that Blaise would just invite her for lunch like that. He didn't even know her name for Merlin's sake! She could be a mass murderer on the run from the ministry for all he knew! She was glad he didn't question her though, and obligingly hooked her bare arm through his looped robed one, and he started off. He started, but did not even get past the next isle before a voice cut through their small talk.
"Ah, Blaise. What a pleasant surprise seeing you here. I overheard that you and your fine friend are lunching, may I," He stopped here as Pansy, who was attached to his arm like a leach, stepped on his foot and glared at him, "We, join you?" Draco Malfoy stood in front of them both, having wheeled around at the sound of Blaise's name.
He was much taller now, rather than he was before the holiday. He must have shot up, because instead of the 5"11 boy, he was around 6"2, yet he seemed a little taller than Ron had. His hair wasn't slicked back in the tight gel, but more rugged, tied at the nape of his neck in some sort of leather string, with strands of hair poking out. He had muscles, Hermione noted, and had a rather nice physique. All in all, he was very handsome, but Hermione was very reluctant to say anything.
"Draco, what a pleasant surprise. We were just on our way to Gallitinos for a spot of lunch, as you know. We'd be delighted for you and Pansy to join us, wouldn't we darling?" Her turned to her, as if to pin everything on her to stop him having to make the embarrassing choice whether or not they were joined by a ferret and a run of the mill dog to dinner.
"Yes, we'd love it. Shall we get going?"
It seemed to Hermione that, despite everything she'd told herself, she had changed, very much in fact. So maybe she was slimmer, hair a little tamer, skin creamier, and definitely a little taller. Was it really that big of a difference? Even Miss Park-In-Other-Peoples-Business hadn't noticed her change, and she virtually catalogued all the girls in the school, looking for any possible Draco- competitors, even though she herself wasn't in the running.
"I'm sorry, Miss, but I didn't catch your name," Draco said, eyeing her with distinct interest, knowing that he never asked for her name in the first place.
"You never asked... Draco," she replied, playing his little game, and shocking him yet aggravating him.
"What I meant was, what is your name?" He shot back, causing Blaise to turn to her.
"Yes, what is your name? I didn't get it before either, and I asked," Blaise asked, making sure she didn't use the same trick she'd used on the young Mr Malfoy.
All three pairs of Slytherin eyes were on her now, mysterious greyish blue ones, dull brown ones and hazel ones that burned with interest like their owner. She quickly though, and a name just popped into her head, without further thinking.
"Marin. Marin Arabella Silver."
"Marin, you say? What a lovely name," The suave voice of Malfoy spoke, unlike his usual sneers and jeers. He was complimenting her, or Marin.
Without anymore talking, Blaise steered her towards the exit of the shop, past the grabbing first years. The brass bell jingled as the group left Flourish and Blotts but no attention was payed to the Slytherins and the mysterious young woman who was stationed at ones arm, smiling as he joked around.
It was busy out in the street, bright midday sun glittering and illuminating the quaint little shops down side alleys and along the main path, the jewellery in ' Glittering Gold: Magic and Sparkle on your wrist, neck and fingers!' was shining brilliantly and she could see Padma and Pavarti pointing at the exquisite magical pieces in the window display.
Gallitinos was at the end of the alley, down at turn right at the top. Hermione couldn't wait to get there, yet still wondered how Blaise would achive getting a table at this time of day. Inside, her insides were twisting a little. They were being so nice to her, and she had deceived them. It was just a little harmless fun though, nothing more, nothing less.
When the troupe passed the beauty salon, Pansy squealed and darted to the display , almost knocking Hermione over as she was chattering to her about some gossip that Hermione has zoned out during, just nodding and smiling in false interest. She steadied herself and walked over, being nice couldn't harm. But really, Pansy was a rather spiteful cow, as she had found out when she informed her of Millicent Bulstrode's rather 'delicately' placed moles...
The nails in the window, in Hermione's opinion, were quite grotesque. Most of them were hideously long and seemed to be able to pierce cans like steel tongues. The were of all colours, a particular pair of long sickly puce pink ones seemed to be interesting Pansy, as they had Pansies on them.
"Oh Draco! Draco, I have got to have them! They are fabulous! Don't you agree? Blaise? What do you think? Marin, aren't they just fab?!" She squealed in her horrible high pitched tone, her piggish nose pointing in the air and her dull eyes shining.
How materialistic can you get???? Hermione thought, looking at Pansy blankly as she turned to her to ask for her opinion as Blaise just gave her a slightly shifty thumbs up and Draco just turned away, uninterested.
"I'm sure they'd look great on you, um, just your colour!" Hermione said casually, with a shifty smile that she knew Draco could see right through as he had turned back to the conversation when she was asked.
Draco Malfoy, despite all rumours that he was as 'thick as two short planks', was actually a very clever young man. He came second only to Hermione at school and was a very perceptive person. Hermione knew he could see through her false smiles and fake interest, for when he turned around whilst they were crossing the cobbled street he had asked her opinion on Pansy's speech and given her raised eyebrows when she said, without knowledge, that toothbrushes should be used to apply foundation when one has a terrible outbreak of warts, spots or something worse.
"Why don't you two get some after lunch? You could get the same ones, wouldn't that be lovely Pansy?" Draco told the two teen girls, one of whom looked as though she could kiss him to death for his 'wonderful idea' and one of whom looked as though she would like to run over him in a very large monster truck, if he knew what one was.
* * *
After the brief 'episode' outside the beauty salon, the four of them had finally got to lunch- half an hour late. It seemed that having money could get you anywhere these days, as when the guy manning the door saw Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson, had immediately let them go to the front of the queue and even given them tables on the very top floor, overlooking the busy streets below.
Inside, the place was a marvel to look at. Fish tanks full of tropical aquatic creatures lined the wall over posh marble décor and the carpets were glass, with some sort of spell to make them shatter and scratch resistant. The tables were spaced far away from each other and they managed to get one nearest to the edge near the glass and metal barrier.
A waiter in a red tuxedo and crisp white shirt came to pass them the lunch menu and let them order drinks, which, Hermione noted, all contained alcohol.
"I'll just have a brandy please."
"One bloody mary, and speed it up, I'm parched!"
"A glass of white wine."
"Um... Er... I'll have... Um...I think I'll have a glass of white wine as well, Thank you."
(AN: I'll let you ponder who chose what. One is pretty obvious. I wasn't sure whether to give them more adventurous ones but it was midday, and who drinks heavily at midday? First person who gets 'em all right gets a vague update list and a Draco cookie!!! YUM!!)
After a starter, which consisted of a prawn salad with lashings of rich sauce. It was very filling and Hermione was sure that she wouldn't have been able to eat the main dish if she had eaten everything. She left just under half of it, whilst Pansy just stuffed it all down.
They small talked for a while. The conversation changed from fashion to relationships to quiddich and many things. When they had almost run out of topics, for the main dishes were taking a rather long time. When they were talking about school and moaning about the particularly hard work that McGonagall had set them over the holidays, Pansy changed the conversation to her knew favourite topic. As you may have already guessed, Hermione, or Marin.
"So Marin... What school do you go to? What year are you in? What do your parents do? Are you rich? Of what blood are you? How did you come to meet Blaise here? What were you doing in Diagon Alley? Are you staying here? Did you here that story about Harry Potter in Witch Weekly today?" Pansy rambled on, whilst Draco and Blaise started talking about the forthcoming quiddich league, and Hermione would rather take part in their conversation at the moment.
How blunt can you be? If one is so rich then one can surely have some sense... I suppose that doesn't apply to her though. What do your parents do? Are you rich? Of what blood are you? Blah-de-blady-blah? I should tell her right where to stick that story about Harry, because no doubt its horrendous. But how can she be so blunt? What a cow... Hermione thought, looking blankly at Pansy.
Blaise and Draco had turned back to them now, having heard Pansy's rambling and wanting to see what she would answer with, and Hermione really did want to answer with a gesture rather than words.
"Well, I go to Beauxbatons, I'll be in my seventh year in September, my parents both work for the Ministry over in France, I'd say my families financial status is none of your business, I bumped into Blaise in Flourish and Blotts, literally, I'm shopping around for supplies, I am staying here, but just tonight and no, I didn't read it, you wouldn't happen to have a copy would you?" Hermione answered her in record time, and was quite astonished at her ability to lie so easily. She was overjoyed inside though, she had virtually told Parkinsnob to shove it!
What a wonderful day, she mused to herself, a small smile on her face.
The reactions to her little speech were quite different. Blaise looked quite shocked but when she turned to look at him, he looked away and ordered more drinks rather than facing her. He seemed quite perturbed now. Draco, on the other hand, was looking at her with one eyebrow lifted. She had been all 'chummy' with Pansy a mere few seconds ago and now she was talking to her in a tone that suggested she was some kind of nemesis, which in all fairness, she was.
Pansy however, was rifling through her pink leather handbag with a very disgruntled expression on her piggish face, foraging through everything in the back with exempt vigour and occasionally slamming things on the table. Hermione could see she was rather miffed at her. Finally she pulled the magazine out of her handbag, the glossy cover rather screwed up, but still plausible.
Adorning the cover were several pictures of Harry and Ginny. The were centred just under the headline: 'POTTER AND WEASLY, JUST GOOD FRIENDS?' Harry was blushing beet red and merrily waving at the camera with Ginny who was almost as red as her own hair. Ron was next to them, on Harry's left, with an expression that Pansy had worn only seconds ago when she was looking for the magazine.
Flicking through the pictures, Hermione came to the article in the centre of the mag. It seemed as though Witch Weekly had gotten hold of pictures of Harry and Ginny shopping in wizarding London, the rather expensive part as well.
Hermione's name was mentioned many times, and Witch Weekly was even daring enough to compare her to Ginny! It seemed Hermione was by far a better date, as the writer had avidly expressed that she thought Hermione had turned into a blossoming young woman, yet they could get hold of no wizarding photos that had been recently taken. Also, there was a small paragraph at the bottom concerning the Golden Trio. It appeared that Witch Weekly thought that Hermione had been kicked out and replaced by Ginny, even though she knew it wasn't so. Where did they get this stuff from?
"Have you read it? I was like 'Oh My Merlin!' Can you believe Potter and the Weasle's sister? Dating? Can you imagine what their kids would look like? I can't believe they said that about Granger either! I can't wait to see her when we gat back to school, I bet she hasn't changed a bit!"
Draco had by now read the article and passed it over to Blaise and was listening to their conversation in a very interested manner.
"Well, I wish them all the best and believe that they will make a wonderful couple. I bet Miss Granger is a lovely young lady too," Hermione answered with an air of finality, daring Pansy to oppose her, which she did not.
The table was silent for a moment, and Hermione knew that the Slytherins didn't exactly favour her, Harry or any of the Weasleys. Draco just looked blank like a canvas awaiting a painter, Blaise yet again tried to ignore the fued and Pansy just looked dumbstruck.
"Does anyone know where the restrooms are? I need to freshen up a little," Hermione asked, trying to break the tension but only succeeded in doing it in a manner someone would break glass, jaggedly, roughly and forwardly.
"Down that isle to the right," Draco replied, casually waving his hand as he spoke the directions.
Hermione hurried away, pushing the white wooden door when she reached it, heaving a sigh as she entered, glad to be free of the three Slytherins. The bathroom was gorgeous, with white marble floors and walls, lined with mirrors above hand basins along one side, the other lined with cubicles. Walking to a stall, Hermione closed the door.
Just as Hermione was about to flush the toilet, she heard a noise, a creak. Itt seemed like one of the cubicle doors, but Hermione was sure that no-one had been in when she entered and no-one had entered.
Slowly creeping out the door, Hermione looked around. One of the cubicle doors was shaking slightly, as if it had just been opened. Drawing her trusty wand, she pushed open the door, yet found nothing. Then, she knew it.
This cannot be happening. Not here, not now. No way. This is not real. Not here, not here, not...Hermione repeated herself over in her head, already feeling her blood begin to pound.
" I know you're here, you can come out now. I'm not scared of you anymore! Why can't you just leave me alone? Just go! Why me? Why?" Hermione spoke, feeling tears prick at her eyes, though she would not allow them to fall.
Mustering up at her Gryffindor courage, she steadied herself, wiping away the tears with her hand. Slowly, she began to push the stall doors open, one by one, each time not finding anything. Until she came to the last one on the row.
Inhaling sharply, she looked around, then, using the tip of her wand pushed the door. Feeling as though it were her last moment, she placed her hand over her heart and wished that she would be alright. The wooden creaked slightly and opened to reveal...
End of chapter 2!!
AN: Okay, I admit that was cruel, very cruel. This chapter would have been up earlier, but due to my computer being an ass, it wasn't up.
I'm really sorry that I haven't updated in absolutely agggggges, but I've been really busy with school, my birthday, and various holidays. I will try and update faster, so please bare with me!
Also, if anyone wants to guess who it is, give it a go! I'm open to suggestions!
Please R+R, you know you want to!
Luv, ~*Cereza*~