READ AUTHOR NOTE!!!!
A/N: Most of the below chapter are edited versions of another fan-fic which I wrote a few years back - called: Freedom, Truth, Beauty, Love . . . Harry Potter? So it is not copied off anything, if it seems familiar, that is why!
Hermione was crouching in front of the bookcase in their Common Room, when none other than Harry Potter's own voice called her name.
She panicked, jumped and hit her head under the shelf of the bookcase.
'See?' said Harry. 'Too jumpy.'
Hermione forced a smile and sat down. Harry sat down next to her and watched as she opened a book and carefully began writing in her impossibly neat and tiny handwriting. The Common Room was empty. Hannah had gone to the library and Malfoy was heaven knows where, so only Harry and Hermione remained in the silent room.
Hermione usually enjoyed times like these; where Harry was not distracted by other people and they discussed numerous items of interest. After that interesting revelation the night before, Hermione found herself in a predicament. But still, she managed to be her usual quick-witted self. Harry too, she noticed keenly, was the same. He still teased her in the usual friendly/flirty way, sometimes stumbling on words when she fixed her eyes on him. Everything seemed to stay exactly the same.
Exactly the same.
Hermione kept writing, but she was acutely aware of an intense green-eyed gaze which was placed on her. The bell soon rang and they headed down to Potions.
Yuck. Potions with Snape. What could possibly be worse?
Pansy Parkinson approached them swiftly.
Damn. That was a dumb question which tempted fate.
'Look, Granger. Two Muggles have died in a football game. Wonder who's next, huh?' she cackled turning that infamous pug nose up in the air. Hermione snatched the newspaper away from her briskly and saw the photographic Dark Mark waving in the sky.
Harry too peered at it, but his face remained impassive. Wordlessly, he handed it back. He paled at little, but did not say a word until they were sitting in Snape's Potion class, as orderly and silent as new Dewert pencils in a tin.
'Hermione?' he said, voice breaking slightly, 'I think I'll just go, OK?' he nodded to Ron and left as Snape opened his mouth to take further points off Gryffindor for Potter's incontrollable insubordination.
Hermione turned in her seat to watch Harry disappear down the softly lit stone corridors, but was firmly brought back to attention by a certain greasy-haired Professor.
Hermione gulped and concentrated on the slimy heart of a goat, which they were to dissect.
'And what, Miss Granger, are we looking at here?'
His oily voice irritated her and she looked up to see him pointing to a particularly gruesome looking bit. She rolled her eyes significantly and said in a clear voice, 'The aorta.' This she said knowing quite well that it wasn't and shut her eyes to the immediate out break of whispers and Snape's shocked face.
Fools, she thought.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
'What are you doing?'
'Studying.' Came a voice from behind a wall of books.
'Surprise, surprise.'
'Well, you asked.' She shot back swiftly as Ron sat down next to her. He banged his book down and sent a shower of dust over both of them, and Hermione sneezed loudly and decidedly ungracefully.
'I came to tell you something.' He said urgently. 'I shouldn't, but I have to. I mean, your best friend can't always be your - your love advisor, yeah?'
'Yes?' Said Hermione blankly.
Ron licked his lips nervously. 'Man, he's gonna kill me. Hermione, Harry l -'
'Anything going on behind the books?'
Hermione and Ron peered guiltily over the pile off books.
'Hi, Harry.' Said Hermione. 'Ron was just saying -'
'- What a great day it is, right Harry?'
Harry narrowed his eyes and looked at Ron. Ron turned a interesting shade of red and examined his quill as if he was fascinated by it.
Hermione was confused by this by-play and looked between them swiftly. 'C'mon, what's going on?'
Harry looked at Ron. 'Nothing, right?'
Ron swallowed. 'Yeah. Nothing.'
Hermione shrugged. 'Anyway, guess what.' She said.
Harry and Ron looked at her and blinked.
She rolled her eyes. 'Well, I found out you can make a Potion with research that could kill You-Know-Who. Like an antidote or something. Only, it'll take a fair amount of work and I'm not sure an unqualified witch can do it.'
Harry grinned in a tired sort of way. 'Well if any unqualified witch can do it, it'll be you.' He sat on the other side of Ron, hidden too by the books.
Ron made a gagging sound.
'Harry, what is Dumbledore making you -' started Hermione but was interrupted by a young male voice.
'But think about cruel that is!' it said.
'Cruel? Nah, mate. Funny is the word. The Most Unlikely Couple in love!' the other giggled.
'Will it work?'
'Sure. I have the strand of hair, too.'
'I'd like to see Ron's face.' Spoke up a girl.
'Nah, Harry's! He's the one who-'
Hermione stood up at that point, followed by Harry and Ron. They saw three small Gryffindor; two boys and one girl. Hermione smiled. She was reminded of themselves at age eleven. The girl blushed, and the three of the scampered away swiftly.
'What do you reckon they're trying to pull off?' said Ron with a grin.
'Whatever it is, let's just take it and let them have their satisfaction.' Said Harry.
Simple words spoken all too soon.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The giggling first year enticed a fellow classmate in Slytherin into their plan. This small Slytherin happened to dislike a certain older one by the pit of her small heart and agreed by way of receiving a much prized desk ornament.
Slipping a concealed love-heart shaped chocolate into pumpkin pie - thanks to Fred and George's latest Weasley Wizard Wheezes branch in Hogsmeade - they sat back at their places at the lunch table.
Oblivious and silent, Malfoy took a bite of a nice piece of pumpkin pie which was his favourite. Not noticing four pair of bright eyes watching him intently, he took a bite.
Hermione was peacefully eating, sitting in her usual spot and talking animatedly to Lavender and Ginny. She was disturbed by a voice near her.
'Hermione.'
Hermione turned to see none other than Draco Malfoy, the very King of Unkindness, holding out a bunch of roses. He smiled sheepishly and held them out.
'Hermione.'
Hermione gave him an incredulous look and turned back to her conversation. The Gryffindors around them gave each other disgusted looks, and did the same.
'Hermione.' He said yet again in the same tone.
'What?' said Hermione, very impatiently.
'I love you Hermione Granger.' He said, holding the roses out.
Absolute hysteria.
Ron burst into a fit of laughter while Harry watched Malfoy suspiciously as he gave Hermione roses. Pansy burst into tears while another Slytherin consoled her. Crabbe and Goyle looked like stunned mullets, but they usually did so they was at least a little normalcy.
Hermione refused to take the flowers. It was probably a dare or something equally hideous. She didn't take them and was astounded to see Malfoy's lower lip trembling and his eyes cloud with tears. Hermione felt very guilty and took them from him bracing herself for the worst.
But nothing happened.
Out of the whole school, only Ron and Ginny and the four little ones knew what was going on. Ron and Ginny knew about the product, but was sworn to secrecy. One of the three little Gryffindors knew because he won a competition at WWW, where he won a sackful of tricks. He told his two best friends, and they told the one Slytherin they needed to plant it. They all were sworn to secrecy as well.
'Leave her alone Malfoy!' yelled Harry. 'Save it for Pansy.'
Malfoy reared at him, 'How dare you!' he screeched. 'How dare you tell me what to do! Hermione is my love, and mine only. How many chances have you had with her? You're so far up yourself, I can't see your damn head!'
Hermione bit her lip and looked down, embarrassed. Harry coloured a brilliant shade of red.
Hermione shot Ron a terrified look and Ginny, smiling sweetly at her, pulled her out of the hall, much to Malfoy's dismay.
'Ginny! What is going on?' shrieked Hermione, tossing the flowers aside.
'It's - it's - well . . . Fred and George invented then.' She said, laughing. 'It's a milder version of the illegal Love Potion spell concealed in a chocolate. But it in itself is not illegal, because it is not of the same strength.'
'The same strength?' said Hermione. 'It needs to be damn strong for Malfoy to fall in love with me!'
'You poor thing, it's made specifically for you. With a strand of hair.' said Ginny struggling to look sympathetic; but failing. 'You'll have to go along with it for about a day.'
'What!' said Hermione in horror. 'I can't - I . . . what will Harry think?'
Ginny immediately sobered. 'Harry, huh?' a smile snaked on her face, 'Why should you care?'
Bad move. 'I - er - I . . . well, naturally he'd be worried because I'm his friend and -'
'You fell in love with him?'
'No!' said Hermione quickly. 'Yes - OK, fine. Yes, all right? Are you happy?'
'You don't want him to - well, get depressed or start drinking himself to death because his only love hates him?'
'Well, no, but -'
'And besides,' said Ginny triumphantly. 'A little jealousy never hurt anyone.'
And thus with words not of Cupid and not Shakespeare, Ginny left. She left leaving Hermione to gathered what scattered courage she had and walk briskly into the Transfiguration classroom. Much to her disgust, she found that she had brought the wrong books. Harry of course, immediately offered the use of his, but Hermione really felt that she could not bear to even think about looking at him without feeling exceedingly guilty.
Malfoy too tripped merrily into the classroom, looking most unlike himself, by wearing a goofy grin instead of his usual sultry smirk. Placing himself beside Hermione, he continued to stare at her as if she were a goddess in mortal clothing, occasionally scribbling down a note or two.
Professor McGonagall, being the shrewd one she was, noticed a certain absence on one side of the room, next to Crabbe and Goyle and the pained expressions of Harry and Ron's faces. She also noticed Malfoy - between staring at Hermione - was writing furiously.
One and one and one make three.
'Mr. Malfoy, would you kindly read your notes out to the rest of the class?' she said crisply.
Malfoy licked his lips nervously. 'Notes?'
'Yes, notes. The notes you have been writing so diligently this lesson.' She said sharply. Getting no intelligent answer, she walked over and noticed various line of love-hearts and Hermione Granger's written over and over. She frowned at the cowering Malfoy. 'Detention, tomorrow afternoon. And sit back in your seat, please.'
'Idiot!' hissed Harry.
Hermione heaved a sigh of relief. She wished Harry would stop giving her such fugitive looks. How on earth did he make his eyes so endearing, so pleading . . . so hurt? She crumpled a piece of parchment by way of venting her feelings and threw it away. And to her surprise, it floated very neatly to the bin.
'Harry, you know it's just a lo-'
But Ron shook his head vigorously at her. This was after all, meant to be top secret. Hermione scowled at Ron. She suspected that he was enjoying seeing Malfoy make an idiot of himself.
Harry looked enquiringly at her.
'A long time until the class ends.' Amended Hermione, feeling like a prize fool. Harry gave her a half-hearted, half-smile and returned to his work.
Hermione sighed, and she too got back to work.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Harry and Ron were preparing for their Quidditch game that afternoon. Hermione loitered around the area, wanting to wish good luck. Malfoy rounded a corner.
Hermione groaned.
'What's that my sweet?' he said sweetly smiling at her.
Hermione forced a smile.
'Tonight, I will play my best. I will play, not for Slytherin - but for you. My own dear Hermione, the true love of my life. My victory is yours!' he proclaimed.
'Well, go ahead . . . with your victory.' She couldn't help but smile to herself. He was quite nice - although kind of soppy - when he was infatuated. If only his own blighted affection were cast on someone else, she could perhaps enjoy his current state of mind.
While pondering all this, she felt two lips press against hers. Still reeling from revulsion, she turned her head gently; but did not kiss him back. Not caring, or perhaps not knowing, he skipped lightly down the stairs. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw the locker room open and close.
She saw a raven-haired boy slipping into the room and pressed her hand to her forehead. Harry Potter saw it all.
Running to the locker room, she knocked furiously at it until Tom, a sixth year, opened it wearing only a pair of pants. Blushing brightly when he saw Hermione, he went to get Harry.
Hermione sat down on the locked chest which contained the balls used in the game and looked up when Harry approached.
She stood up hesitantly, and cleared her throat. 'Harry.'
'I don't have anything to say.' He said, shoving his hands in his pockets. 'I mean, I wouldn't have picked Malfoy for sure, but . . . how could you let him paw you like that, it's -'
'Harry?' she said, walking closer. She could hear him breathe a little faster, and raised her eyes to him. Secret or no secret, he had to know. And, being a prime investor, of course the twins wouldn't mind. 'Love spell.' She said.
Harry's brow furrowed. 'For Malfoy?' He said, confused.
'No!' said Hermione hurriedly. 'Some kid must have done it as a practical joke. It's a new product in the Weasley line.'
'And I don't know about it?' said Harry cracking a smile. 'I prided myself on knowing every product.'
Hermione shrugged. 'Top secret. Apparently only Ginny and Ron know.'
'Ginny? And - Ron?' said Harry, aghast. 'And they didn't tell me . . . Ron . . .' he mused to himself. 'Must've been those kids we heard in the library.'
Light dawned. 'Yeah, makes sense.' Said Hermione.
'I just want you to know,' said Harry inching closer. 'You don't need Love spells.' He ran a gentle hand down her face.
Hermione shivered at the light touch and put a hand on his. She hoped he meant what she wanted him to. Harry suddenly took his hand away and looked as if he were ashamed of himself. Hermione tilted her head as he coloured and kicked herself for letting herself think that maybe - just maybe -
A loud cough interrupted them, and they turned to see a silver-haired boy looking at Harry with deepest loathing.
Hermione turned back to Harry. 'I'll just get a seat in the stands.' She said quietly.
Harry closed his eyes as she left, and sat on the chest with the balls. He held his head in his hands. Hermione looked at him one last time, to see him groan to himself before leaving.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
'Whoa, would you look at Malfoy!' said Lavender. 'Tailing Harry, or something.'
Ginny paled considerably. Grabbing Hermione's Omiculars, she focused in on Malfoy who was indeed behaving very oddly. 'Oh no.' she murmured.
'Oh no, what?' said Hermione sharply, but instead of an answer she saw Malfoy ram his broom into Harry, and send him plummeting to the ground. 'Harry!' she screamed and ran down to the ground, just and Malfoy landed neatly next to him.
'Arrest him!' he roared, like a lunatic. Harry inched away, but his leg or something was obviously broken. 'He stole MY HERMIONE!'
Hermione sat down next to Harry and pointed her wand at Malfoy, 'Stupfey!' she yelled, as he fell just before Professor Snape as he came to the scene.
'Enervate.' He said crisply.
Malfoy stirred and sat up. 'What the hell?' he muttered.
'You did it!' said Ginny happily. 'You figured out how to stop the Love Chocolates! I have to tell Fred and George, that was the only reason that they wouldn't sell it properly, and they gave a competition to find who could figure it out an you won, I -'
'She won?' squealed an angry first year, 'It was our idea to plant the chocolate because we knew Hermione would - figure - it - o - out. . .' he faltered under Snape's icy face.
'Love Chocolate?' he said.
'Trust a damn Weasley,' he said, before being kicked by Ron, who was also there.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
'Broken rib, sprained wrist and dislocated knee-cap.' Said Harry to Hannah in a matter-of-fact tone. 'No biggie.'
He grinned broadly at Hermione who felt herself blush. Turning quickly, she walked away, only to dash right back and kiss him soundly on the cheek. Then, wondering how she managed it, she ran up to her bedroom.
And had a well-deserved long, hot bath.
A/N: Hope you liked! REVIEW, please! Next chappie will have a little more Voldie-matters. Should be up within a next or so. Enjoy, and leave a review : )