Their class ended and thankfully, nothing happened. Hermione was just thinking of ways how to get the pick up truck off that tree without using magic. She considered telling Harry and Ron, but thought against it. The youngest male Weasley would probably have a fit and wouldn't keep his mouth shut. Harry on the other hand, might share it with Ginny. And that female Weasley is worse than her brother at keeping secrets. Well, she'll have to just wing it.
Luckily, Hermione's next class was only with Blaise. History of Magic. Draco, Theo, and Padma had free period. She didn't know where Luna went. But why would she wonder where she is? The only thing Hermione should worry right now was how to tell Mr. Weasley how the car ended up on a tree. Oh, she hopes he forgives her.
This isn't so bad. Hermione thought. For all the people she gets to be stuck with, Blaise was the least bungle-some one of the bunch. He was formal, courteous and respectful. She won't have a hard time sitting next to him in class.
"Hi, Zabini." she says, settling down on the seat beside him. "How are you?"
Blaise raised an eyebrow at her casual tone but didn't say anything rude. "Granger. I'm absolutely perfect today, you?"
"Splendid." both shared a smile. Hermione was glad that Blaise didn't bring up what had happened last night, even though he wanted to. He really was a gentleman. Unlike some people.
As the class went on, Blaise and Hermione found themselves incredibly bored. Hermione tapping her right foot, copying notes but not really understanding them. Blaise pretending to listen and jotting down information when he actually was doodling on the margin of his parchment.
"Pst. Granger," the Italian Slytherin whispered beside her. "I have a plan. What do you say about breaking the rules for once?"
"Shh," she hushed, not looking at him. "stop talking or Professor Binns might hear you." she added, muttering under her breath.
"That old ghost couldn't hear me even if I shouted at the top of my lungs. Come on, golden girl. This is a once in a lifetime oppor-"
"Shh!" this time she turned to face him, making sure Binns wasn't looking at them, she hissed, "Let's talk about this later."
"This couldn't wait, Granger." looking around and making sure no one was listening, Blaise opened his mouth to speak. "You see," he mumbled, scooting closer. And Hermione instinctively leaned in. "this plan involves escaping from class."
Hermione recoiled, as if being burned. "What?!" she exclaimed silently. "Are you mad?!"
Ignoring her reaction Blaise started explaining his plan. "At the back of this classroom, there's a door. We barely use it," he pointed to the side, where a key was hung. "I'm going to use that key to unlock it, but I have to be subtle about it." Hermione still sat there, mouth hanging open. "so when I open the door, no one should notice me. That's where you come in."
"What-"
"You distract Professor Binns and everyone else here by asking a question. You'd stand in front of the classroom, voicing your confusion like a monologue."
"I'm not-"
"So, if you did that, it would be easy for me to put our bags outside and put the key back."
"Are you seriously-"
"That door leads to a secret hallway where I'm sure no one would be able to see us."
"Zabini-"
"So when you finished asking, I am going to wait for you to sit back down and watch the entire class expect Binns to answer. Your question should be really interesting and really hard so their entire attention should be focused on him. And as we wait for the class to fall asleep, Professor still explicating your question, we get up and get the hell outta here."
"How on-"
"Did you understand everything?"
"Blaise!" she hissed, clearly not impressed. Both not noticing the use of his given name. "You do realize this could get us into trouble if we get caught, right?!"
"We won't."
"What if-"
"Don't think about the what if's, Hermione." again, both didn't realize the name slip. "Don't you find this exciting? Breaking the rules and not get caught?"
Still, Hermione wasn't impressed. But this got her thinking. The other Gryffindors would stop calling her a killjoy if she shared this. People would say she was the only Gryffindor who's uptight and unadventurous. And looking into the future, she might actually want to say 'I can't believe I did that.' rather than 'I wish I did that.' weighing the pros and cons, Hermione considered Blaise's proposal.
"So," holding out his hand, Blaise smiled encouragingly at her. "What do you say?"
Twenty minutes later, Blaise and Hermione found themselves laughing while running in the secret hallway.
"That was awesome, Hermione!" he had to stop and take a breath because of too much laughing. "'To you, sir. What is the difference between an Elf, and a Goblin?' it wasn't part of the lesson but that made the old fool fumble in his book for answers." taking another deep inhale, he burst into another round of loud laughter. Hermione doing the same beside him. "'Yes, but sir, Goblins and Elves have the same skin. They are greenish and kinda stretchable. How can we differentiate them? And have you heard about Middle-earth, Professor? I heard they have good-looking Elves. But their Goblins look basically the same. Do you reckon it's because of the gold, sir?'"
"Shut up!" Hermione scolded, now sitting on the floor because of too much laughter. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I said that! Our classmates must think I've lost my marbles."
"They do." Blaise chuckled, sobering up. He held out his hand to help Hermione up, "Now come on, let's go to the Great Hall."
Taking his offered hand, Hermione stood up. "This has been.. interesting. I haven't had fun like this since after the war."
"Me too,Granger. Me too."
Suddenly, someone cleared their throat. Both whipped their heads to the sound and two pairs of eyes widened comically.
There, stood in front of them, was Professor McGonagall. Looking at them in disappointment. "Mr. Zabini, Ms. Granger. Why are you here?"
"We-"
"Professor-"
"You know it is against the rules to cut classes. The only way to get inside this corridor was through where I came from and through that door. And I know you both have History of Magic right now. You know what this means?"
"Yes, Professor." both of them answered in unison.
"Twenty points from Slytherin and Gryffindor. Both of you earned yourselves detention. See you later in my office at seven pm sharp. Good day."
When McGonagall left, the two of them looked at each other and promptly burst out in loud guffaws.
Hermione haven't seen this side of Blaise before. She usually sees the prim and proper Blaise. The chivalrous and gentlemanly Blaise. The formal even in casual clothing Blaise. But this Blaise, was funny and carefree. Cunning and Sly. She knew there had to be a reason he was sorted into Slytherin.
Blaise was also thinking the same thing. He hasn't seen Hermione this outgoing and fun before. He always sees the Hermione who scolds her fellow Gryffindors. The Hermione berating Weasley and Potter almost everyday. Seeing her like this makes her look.. human.
"Later, Granger." he says, saluting at her. Forgetting about going to the great hall.
"See ya, Zabini."
Theodore Nott has never felt something like this before. He was so mad he could kill everyone in the room. Why was he so furious, anyway? And about something stupid, no less? Glaring at someone one table away. He just wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face when he made her laugh. SHE was HIS girl. HE should be making HER laugh.
"Theo, are you even listening to me?" his murderous thoughts were cut off by the voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Uhm," he stammers, scratching his head. "what were you saying?" he added, smiling sheepishly.
Draco rolled his eyes and said, "I'm sorry about last night. I-"
"Don't worry about it."
"Really? Then why do you look like you want to slaughter someone?"
"Nah," he waved Draco off. "don't worry it's not you I want to massacre." Draco noticed his friend across him wasn't looking at his person. But someone behind him.
"Then who-" the blonde turned around to look who Theo was glaring bullets at.
Oh.
He was watching, who Draco assumed was Michael Corner, sitting too close beside Padma Patil. By Merlin! Theo was jealous! He never saw his friend getting jealous before! Sure, he was openly showing his interest towards the Ravenclaw beauty but he wasn't easily envious with her other suitors! Bloody hell. Theo must have it bad.
"Wow, mate. Never knew you were the jealous type."
"Me neither."
"You want me to get rid of him?"
"No." Theo shook his head. "Just leave them be." at the exact same time Theo finished his sentence, Micheal threw his arm around Padma's shoulders. Sensing the angry heat behind him, Draco instantly knew Theo was going to cause trouble. But before he knew it, he heard Theo shouting, "Incoming!" and a club sandwich kept speeding towards the Ravenclaw table. Only, it hit the wrong target.
"What the fuck?!" Padma screeched, horrified. The whole Great Hall went incredibly quiet and all of them turned to look at her.
As fast as he could, Theo shot up from his seat and ran towards Padma. Trying to clean the mess he made on her back. "I'm sorry! It wasn't meant for you! It was inteded to h-"
"Not meant for me?! It seems like it was for me considering it landed all over MY back!"
"Padma, I'm really sorry."
Snickering from his seat, Draco tried to enjoy the show. Despite feeling bad for his friend. It's painful to see you struggle, man. Oh, young love. He cringed at the last part. Very well aware he was in one.
"Stop touching me!"
"I'm only trying to help."
"Well, you've done enough!" despite Padma's protests against Theo helping her, the Slytherin boy won't take the hint. Grabbing her pumpkin juice, she poured it over his head, bottom up. "Now we're even!"
"Bloody Hell! I told you it wasn't for you and I was sorry!" trying to embarrass Michael, Theo grabbed a bowl of cold soup but in his haste, he accidentally hit Luna's pumpkin juice, spilling it all over her lap.
"Eeeep!" Luna screamed, instantly standing up. "That was a mean thing to do, Theo!"
"Shit. Sorry, Lovegood!"
The adolescent Nott raised his hands. Looking like he wanted to surrender. Luna grabbed an egg pie from the other Ravenclaw's plate and aimed for the guy who started it all. He dodged it and the pie hit Pansy instead.
"Ahh! My hair!" the Slytherin princess threw her yogurt at the small blonde girl. Apparently, Luna ducked. It hit an unlucky girl walking by. Then someone shouted,
"FOOD FIGHT!" hearing this, Luna, Theo, and Padma crawled under the table to avoid getting hit by stray food. Draco though, was unfortunate. Someone's pie hit him square in the face. Muttering curses, he knelt and looked for cover.
"Hey, ladies." Theo says. "Fancy meeting you here." it earned a glare from the girls. It was unusual to see anger on their faces. Padma was calm and quiet. Rarely getting angry. Luna was.. well, Luna. If you managed to piss Luna Lovegood off, then you're a total asshole. Only Theo can manage to anger both of them. "Oh-kay..."
"Aggggh! What have you done, DUNDER HEAD?!" Padma pulled Theo's shirt collar. Finding this all his fault that they're under the table taking cover.
"What? It wasn't for you! I swear!" Theo, obviously afraid of Padma, raised both his hands up just like he did earlier. Looking like he really wanted to surrender. Padma let go of his shirt, sat back calmly and sighed. Luna chuckled. Theo and Padma looked at her in wonder.
"Why are you laughing?" Padma asked, but Luna just kept on laughing.
"Is, is she okay?" the only guy beside them inquired. Padma just glared at him. Still, Luna kept on giggling. Finally, she stopped.
"Are you done?" Padma questioned, clearly annoyed.
"Yes." the dark-haired girl looked at her as if saying 'THEN?' "I was laughing because we're under a table." Padma raised an eyebrow.
"You gotta admit, Padma. This whole damn thing is pretty funny." Theo chuckled and Luna giggled again. Padma still kept quiet and glared at the two. Luna nudged her teasingly, and eventually, Padma did laugh.
Moments later, Professor McGonagall came into the Great Hall.
"What's going on?!" the students became silent when their Transfiguration professor boomed loudly. "Who started this mess?!" all the kids pointed at the spot in the Ravenclaw table where Luna, Theo, and Padma are under. Professor McGonagall came over to see who was or WERE rather, the suspects. She waved her wand to set the table slightly aside. Then it revealed the trouble-makers.
"Hello Professor." the three of them said in unison, with sheepish grins on their faces.
"Sixty points from Ravenclaw, and 30 points from Slytherin!"
"You look good today, Professor." it was Theo, of course. "Did you shampoo your hair this morning?"
"DETENTION!"
"Great going, Nott." Padma muttered beside him. The three stood up awkwardly and looked at their shoes, they couldn't look at their Headmistress in the eye.
"I am so disappointed in you, Ms. Patil." Padma cringed and still didn't look up. McGonagall's eyes turned to Luna, "you too, Ms. Lovegood."
"What about me?" Theo, the dunderhead asks.
"Especially you, Mr. Nott. I thought you already learned that causing trouble in this school is horrible. You disappoint me the most."
"Wow, that hurt more than it should have."
Draco, having cast a silencing and shielding charm around himself, and scourgified his person, couldn't take the hiding anymore. Taking off the charms, he stood up, not looking around him, grabbed a bowl of chocolate pudding from their table and threw it at the direction Theo disappeared to. Realizing the food fight was over a second too late, the pudding hit McGonagall directly on the head. The bowl resting on her hair, fitting snugly as though it were a hat. The students were still all eerily quiet.
"Oh, shit."
McGonagall turned to look at him at a terrifyingly slow pace, and was finally able to face him fully. "Mr. Malfoy. 50 points from Slytherin." with a surprisingly poised turn, she went to go out the Hall. "Oh, yes. I almost forgot," she stopped and stared at him just at the doors of the Great Hall. "DETENTION!"