Revenge of the Bookworm

A/N: For those of you waiting for Jane and John Doe, it might be a while before I post again, I have a plot issue and it's taking me awhile to sort it out. I don't want to post any more so I don't screw up big time and contradict myself. I plan on completing the whole series over Christmas break. This little story will completed this weekend, only four or five chapters long. I hope you enjoy it! Don't forget to leave a review!

Snow was falling softly outside the common room window. The big, warm fire illuminated the Gryffindor common room showing three, tired seventh year students hunched over their books. One was a girl who had bushy brown hair, she was scribbling furiously and would only stop to peer into a book to check her facts. She sat a wooden table in a standard wooden chair. The other two who accompanied her were both boys. One had hair that was as black as raven, brilliant green eyes, and a funny lightning shaped scar on his forehead. The other was tall with bright orange hair and freckles. They sat on a couch, bent over a coffee table in front of the fire. The two boys were on the brink of falling asleep. Harry, the dark haired one, had his head in both hands looking down on a book about Centaurs. Ron, the red haired one, was leaning back on the couch. Every so often, his head would droop forward and he start and sit up, only for his head to fall forward again a few moments later.

Hermione, the girl, took a break from her studying and said to the boys,

“I'll be back, I'm just going to the washroom,” she said. Ron grunted in acknowledgement and Harry said,

“What?” She clucked her tongue and walked out the room. The moment she had left, however, the atmosphere changed. Both boys sat up quickly, Ron wearing a wicked grin on his face.

“You know, I hate to sound like a stiff, but I really don't think this is a good idea,” Harry said warily to his friend.

“Why not? I think it's brilliant, she needs to loosen up, especially on Easter Break!” Ron replied, pulling out a couple normal looking quills.

“Okay Ron, it's your funeral,” Harry said turning back to his work to pack his things up. Ron turned around and stared at Harry who was gathering up his parchment and books.

“Where are you going?” Ron asked.

“To bed. I don't want to be involved. I don't want to find out what the wrath of Hermione is, especially a few months before NEWT's. I might end up permanently damaged.” He said making his way to the staircase.

“I'm still going to do it anyways, she needs a bit of laughter,” Ron said as he took all of Hermione's quills and replaced them with the quills that he had pulled from his bag. After that, he quickly gathered his things and ran upstairs after Harry.

Not a moment later, Hermione came back from the lavatory and noticed the empty couch.

“What slackers...” She muttered under her breath. She sat down at her books, picked up her quill, and began working where she had left off with her essay for Potions. She was reading about antidotes to various harmful poisons.

“The bezoar is an effective antidote for most poisons, however, it will not have any effect against the Gut Wrenching Potion and Dehydrating Draught…” Hermione was writing. She continued until the fire had become glowing red coals and her eyes burned from the lack of light. Hermione packed up her books and quills and went upstairs to bed.

Hermione woke up the next morning feeling tired.

“I knew I shouldn't have stayed up so late last night,” she thought. She got dressed at a leisurely pace and then went downstairs to eat breakfast. Harry and Ron were either still sleeping, or in the Great hall eating breakfast. The latter was unlikely, as it was the Easter Holidays. She planned on eating breakfast and then going to library to complete her potions essay. She was surprised to find Harry and Ron already eating at the Gryffindor table.

“How come you two are up so early?” She asked as she sat down across from them. Ron had a weird look on his face while Harry just looked at his food.

“We both wanted to get a good start on our revision again today.” Ron said sincerely. Hermione raised her eyebrows. She was clearly impressed.

“That's different. It seems that no amount of pestering or anything will get you two to do homework on time,” she said.

“Well, I guess you're starting to rub off on us, Hermione, and that's a good thing,” Ron said.

“You're not up to something, are you, Ron?” Hermione asked.

“No, how could I be up to something when there are NEWT's to study for?” he said, then taking a rather large bite of his toast. Harry still sat rather glumly, eating porridge.

“Are you alright Harry?” she asked.

“Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit tired. You know, all that studying last night.” Harry briefly glanced at Ron who grinned widely back.

“Yes, it was brilliant. We did get a lot done,” he agreed.

“You two are acting oddly this morning,” Hermione noted, a little suspicious of her two best friends. “I'm going to the library to study, you're welcome to join me if you want.”

“You know what Hermione? I think we will!” Ron said with too much energy for a person who woke up not too long ago.

“Ron, you are starting to scare me a little,” Hermione said, shaking her head. She finished her breakfast and then made her way out of the Great Hall.

“Are you two coming?” she turned around and asked. Ron was about to speak but Harry cut him off saying,

“Yeah, we'll be there in a second. We're just waiting for Dean who… err…” he looked over at Ron.

“Who wanted to show us his new comic strip that he's doing for the new school paper.” Ron finished.

Hermione shook her head again and muttered something that sounded like, “Boys…” and walked out of the Great Hall.

Ron and Harry watched her retreating back and once she was out of earshot Harry said to Ron.

“I'm still maintaining that this is a stupid idea. And you need to cool it! I'm surprised she hasn't hexed you already.” He said picking up his book bag.

“I know. I just couldn't help it. The words were streaming out of my mouth and I couldn't stop them. But Harry, this is an opportunity too good to pass up on. We're still following through with our plan.” He stated.

“Our plan? It's your plan and you're better not forget that. If Hermione finds out it was you—do not drag me into this.”

“Fine, but I think you're being a wuss,” Ron said as he got up from the bench and walked to the library with Harry.

They found Hermione in the part of the library where most of the tables were. A group of third year Hufflepuffs were sitting to her right and some seventh year Ravenclaws on her left. Not far away at another table, looking like they were trying to do homework but failing miserably was Lavender and Parvati.

Harry and Ron sat down at the table that Hermione had saved for them.

“What are you working on?” Harry asked.

“Potions,” she replied without looking up. Ron pulled out his books and Harry did the same.

“Have you two even started that antidote essay?” she asked.

“Actually, we've both finished it.” Ron said. Hermione sat up so quickly she got a crick in her neck.

“What?” She asked incredulously, rubbing her neck.

“We finished it. Quidditch Cup finals are coming and we just wanted to stay on top so we could still play Quidditch, you know Snape, he's going to look for any reason so that we can't play.” Ron said.

“To say that I'm not impressed would be lying,” Hermione said. She turned back to her work, occasionally rubbing her neck.

Harry stole a look at Ron and mouthed,

“You are lucky.” Ro nodded fervently wide eyes. They both knew Quidditch was Ron's only good excuse for anything.

Hermione was putting the finishing touches on her essay while Harry and Ron continued their revision for History of Magic. They continued working until Ron felt that the gnawing hunger in his stomach could no longer go ignored.

“I'm starving. I'm going for lunch, anyone else?” he asked his two friends.

“Yes, I've finished this essay!” Hermione exclaimed. She stowed it safely away in her book bag.

“You're not going to check it over?” Ron asked.

“No, I used an auto correcting quill for any little mistakes I might have made. I wrote it very carefully anyways. Why do you ask?” she asked looking at Ron. Ron felt as though her polite question was boring into him.

“Oh, no reason.” Was it just Ron, or was his voice higher than normal? Harry kicked Ron quietly as he could under the table. Ron stood up and said,

“So, are you two coming?”

“Yeah,” Harry replied.

“Of course,” said Hermione.

They followed Ron out of the library and down to the Great Hall. It was partially filled with students. Some doing studious work while others ate leisurely and enjoyed a game of wizard's chess on their last free day before classes started again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table close to Ginny, who was eating and reading a textbook at the same time.

“Hi Ginny,” Hermione said taking a seat next to her.

“Hey,” she replied without looking up. “I'm going to fail NEWT potions next year,” she said miserably. Hermione looked at her with compassion and said,

“No you won't, Ginny, you're a smart girl. I'm sure you'll do fine,” said Hermione. She looked over at Ron, obviously to try and get him to say something to help his sister feel better.

“Hey, no worries if you do though Gin, you'll just be joining the Weasley Club of Failing Potions. Fred and George are the founders, I'm the president, and then you can be the secretary slash treasurer.” Ginny groaned and starting banging her head against the table.

“Oh, well done, Ron!” Hermione snapped.

“What?” he asked looking over at Harry, who shrugged. Hermione looked over pleadingly at Harry.

“She's not my sister!” Hermione made a clicking noise with her tongue and went back to try and console Ginny.

“Ginny, I could help you out if you like, tutoring, if you want it,” she said. Ginny sat up straight.

“Really?”

“Only if you want me too, for one night a week how about?”

“That sounds great! What relief. Then I'd probably have more time for Quidditch practice with you doing my—I mean, helping me with my Potions,” she said quickly. Harry and Ron laughed. Hermione scowled.

“Helping you, not working for you. There's a big difference,” she said.

“Too right there is,” Ginny said packing up her stuff and walking away toward the common room. Hermione sighed.

“She is way too much of a Weasley.” Harry laughed at the stunned expression on Ron's face that slowly changed to anger.

“What do you mean by that?” Ron practically shouted while he stood up quickly.

“Absolutely nothing Ron. Now sit down before you make a scene.” Ron sat down but fumed silently while Harry tried to suppress his laughter.

They ate in silence for a while. Hermione was eating her lunch, chewing thoughtfully and looking off into the unseen distance. She began to feel that prickly feeling when she felt eyes were upon her. She looked at Harry and Ron who were both eating, now on their seconds. She stared at them for second and then realized that Harry looked rather heated in the face. She only wondered about it for second, then she returned to her lunch.

“Harry, there's that pick up game of Quidditch going on, us and the Hufflepuffs versus some Slytherins and Ravenclaws. Are you in?”

“I don't know Ron, I really should do more History of Magic. I didn't accomplish too much this morning.” He glanced at Hermione, who smiled at him. She was clearly pleased with the company.

“But you were studying all morning!” Ron exclaimed, clearly baffled by his friend's lack of interest in more Quidditch. “Come on, it'll do you good, relieve some stress, it will,” Ron persisted.

“Oh, alright,” Harry gave in and Hermione looked slightly disappointed.

“Have fun,” she said.

“Oh, we will,” replied Ron. “We're going to get those Slytherins real messed up before their match against Ravenclaw next week.”

“Good tactic Ron, I'm sure you're the only person to have thought of it before. Who organised this anyways?”

“I don't know, Terry Boot told me about it, must have been the Ravenclaws then,” Ron said shrugging. He turned to Harry and said, “let's go get our stuff. `Bye Hermione.”

“`Bye,” Hermione responded.

Ron and Harry walked out of the Great Hall to grab their Quidditch things while Hermione finished her lunch in solitude.

When she had finished, she left the Great Hall for the Gryffindor common room, perhaps to knit some more elf hats. She sat down in one of the squashy armchairs in front of the fire and pulled out her knitting. She was really please with her work so far. Her hats were actually looking like hats, and not like “woolly bladders” any more. Hermione must have been knitting for about twenty minutes when she finished the one she was working on. She decided to add some tassels to the top of it and was doing so and concentrating very hard that she didn't hear someone come in the common room. She didn't even notice that Harry had plunked himself down in the armchair beside her until he poked her in the side.

“Ah!” Hermione yelped as she jumped. Harry laughed.

“Don't do that, Harry! I wasn't expecting you back for at least another hour or so. Why are you back so early?” she questioned.

“The game was mostly Gryffindor versus Slytherin and scoring was based upon the amount of injuries you caused the other team, and I decided that I'd like to remain alive for the rest of term,” Harry said.

“That was probably a wise choice,” said Hermione, looking at him appraisingly. “Do you want to help me with these hats? Look at this one! It even has tassels!” She said showing Harry her newly made hat excitedly. Harry took it and looked at it up close.

“Wow, Hermione, you're actually getting pretty good at this. I would even wear this hat,” he said sincerely. Hermione smiled widely.

“Thanks Harry. Maybe I'll make you one,” she said. He looked up her smiling face and smiled back. Hermione picked up her knitting bag and started to rummage through it. She pulled out another pair of knitting needles and some red yarn. These she passed to Harry who looked at them incredulously.

“You're seriously expecting me to knit, are you?” He asked.

“Why not? You can start with a scarf, that's simple enough. And who knows? You might just enjoy it Harry,” Hermione replied, passing the needles and yarn to Harry.

“Okay…” he said warily.

“First things first then, you definitely can't knit holding the needles like that. You're not going to stab the yearn, hold them like you would if you were cutting something very carefully.” She placed her hands over his to show him how to do it properly. Harry felt a tingle go up his arm and goose bumps appeared on his arms. Hermione noticed.

“Are you cold Harry?” Hermione asked.

“Actually no, it's quite warm in here, don't you think?” His voice cracked on the last word and he felt his face turn red.

“But you have goose bumps,” Hermione pointed out. She began rubbing his arms to make them go down again, but she didn't get very far before Harry pulled away,

“That's okay Hermione, I'm alright,” he said.

“Alright, well here's how you start,” She started threading the yarn around the needles and did a couple of example stitches. She coached Harry through the first row and after that he began to get the hang of it. He was slow, but sure of himself as he completed row after row. Hermione had started on another hat and looked over at Harry every so often offering words of encouragement while Harry blushed and smiled back.

He really got into his scarf and for another two hours he sat in his chair not looking up. He didn't even notice that Hermione had drifted off to sleep in mid-stitch. The scarf was around three feet long when Ron finally returned from the Quidditch game.

“Oi, lover boy!” Ron said to Harry.

“Harry whipped around looking angrily at Ron, but then noticed Hermione was asleep and didn't hear Ron.

“What if she was awake and heard you?” Harry said.

“Then finally, she would know,” said Ron.

“I don't want her to know, you dolt!” Harry snapped.

“Fine, but I think you should tell her.”

“I can't.”

“That's `cause you're a wuss.” Harry rolled his eyes.

“What time is it anyways?” Harry asked.

“Supper time, are you coming?”

“Yeah I'm coming, just let me finish this row.”

“You're knitting? Ron exclaimed once he saw what Harry was doing. “Oh my, it must be love!” he said before running out of the common room to save himself from Harry's anger. Harry scowled and looked over at Hermione to check that she was still sleeping. Her chest was slowly rising and falling in time with her breathing. Her hair was falling in front of her face and every time she breathed out, it fluttered away, and then came back again as she breathed in. Harry smiled and brushed the hair off her face.

He finished his scarf and debated whether he should wake Hermione up. He figured she could grab something from the kitchens if she really got hungry later. He wrapped his newly made scarf around her and left the common room.

A/N: Please review and let me know what you thought! :)

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