The Apprentice Piece
by Jardyn39
Part One of "The Apprentice Piece"
Chapter 22: Did Peeves win?
"This is better," said Hermione as they walked outside into the cool evening air.
"Do you want to see the end of the Challenge?"
"Okay, but let's walk the long way round"
"Why?"
"I just saw a sparkling red dress being chased into those bushes."
"Long way round it is then!"
They walked slowly down towards the lake.
"Hermione, I thought you'd be more upset with Ron," said Harry after a while. "What I'm trying to say is, it's okay to be upset. I'm getting pretty used to girl's crying all over me …"
Hermione slapped his arm gently and when she saw he was grinning at her she grinned back at him.
"I'm not upset about Ron. I found out what he did with Luna and I suppose I've been waiting for him to come to his senses. I would've turned him down when he invited me except after the Quidditch thing I didn't want to push him away."
"I hope Ron knows what a special friend you are, Hermione."
Hermione put her hand in his and they walked slowly around past the lake. Gradually the noise from the castle began to get quieter. When they heard the first distant bang from the challenge area, Harry stopped to delay their arrival.
"You look really beautiful, Hermione."
"Thanks, Harry. How are you feeling?"
"I was dreading this evening. I think I only asked Myrtle because there was a good chance she would have a tantrum and spend the whole time in her bathroom."
"She looked so happy tonight."
"Yes, and I managed not to be shown off to those dignitaries. I wonder where they were tonight?"
"Didn't you know? Dumbledore was the first to put his name down as a volunteer. He put all their names down too. I think they all joined in the food fight instead of coming to the dance!"
They heard a distant gong followed by a crowd cheering.
"It's midnight. I wonder who won?"
"It's a food fight, Hermione. Peeves couldn't loose."
"Do you want to go to the fireworks?" she asked. He realised he had been staring at her and thought he should to look away. He couldn't though.
"I was so angry with Ron. First he asks you before I had a chance, then he dumps Luna and then, just to cap it all off, he just leaves you sitting there." He was speaking quietly and calmly.
"He thought he had feelings for me. He was just confused. Don't be angry with him."
"I'm not. Just disappointed. Er, where was I? You've distracted me again!"
"Talking about distractions," Hermione said, her eyes narrowing, "what was that look between you and Pansy Parkinson about?"
"It wasn't a look," Harry responded indignantly, "we just met during the summer holidays and I helped her out, that's all."
Hermione raised her eyebrows and said, "I'm surprised you didn't ask her to dance then."
"We were interrupted by Malfoy. Have you finished distracting me yet?"
"I asked Neville what your worst fear was," said Hermione, "but when he found out I might put it in the simulation he refused to say."
"As I was saying," interrupted Harry, "You are really beautiful, Hermione."
"You said that already."
"I like saying it. You're not making this easy, are you, Hermione?"
She smiled mischievously and shrugged her shoulders as a flash of light lit up the castle.
"The reason I wasn't listening to Professor McGonagall when she told us about the ball was, well, I couldn't stop thinking about …" he paused to draw breath. "Well, I just wanted to take you. Thank you for dancing with me tonight, Hermione. You made a dream come true."
Hermione smiled and then her expression grew serious. Suddenly she rushed forward and kissed him. Their lips bumped together only momentarily before she quickly broke away.
She looked like she was shocked by her own daring and clearly about to run as she said, "Happy Harry Potter Day, Harry." Harry quickly reached out and gently grabbed her arm.
"No, that won't do at all. Your kisses were much better than that in my dreams." He waited a moment in case she wanted to punch him. "And thanks to Myrtle's charm this evening I now know we can do better."
"Really?"
"Mmm." He edged closer and leaned towards her. He brushed his cheek against hers and whispered "This is Harry Potter Day, after all," as he wound his arms around her waist.
She giggled and he felt Hermione bring her arms up to his shoulders.
"That was yesterday," she breathed onto his neck.
Harry heard himself groan quietly in frustration. He was finding coherent thought difficult at this point but was determined not to give up just yet. Hermione continued to run her fingers through the back of his hair.
"Well, we're going to need as much practice as possible if we are going to get to the required standard in time for next year. In fact it would be irresponsible to waste any time …"
He was silenced as Hermione pulled his head down into a kiss.
*
"What's that Harry?"
"Well, Ron. Hermione wanted to fit in some extra practise and I thought I'd draw up a schedule for her. She always does revision timetables for us so I thought I'd return the favour."
"That looks like a lot of practise. Maybe you should ask for the time-turner back."
A red faced Hermione grabbed the schedule and tore it up as Harry grinned at her.
"Morning, Harry."
"Morning, Myrtle. Have a good time last night?"
"It was wonderful. Thank you - for everything."
Harry watched Myrtle float off with a dreamy look on her face. He still had a smile on his face when he caught Hermione's eye sitting next to him at the breakfast table.
She was watching him with a shrewd look.
"What is it?" Harry asked quietly.
"You did only kiss Myrtle, didn't you?" she asked in a whisper.
"Hermione, I was a perfect gentleman."
"What are you looking so pleased about, Neville?" asked Ron, who hadn't been listening.
"I lost fifty points last night," said Neville who couldn't stop smiling. "And Snape gave us detention" he added proudly.
"Good for you, Neville. When you have it perhaps you can loose some more."
"We intend to, don't worry," said Susan sitting down as they all laughed.
END OF PART ONE
Summary of Part Two: The Crucible
Just after Halloween during his Sixth Year, Harry looks forward to Christmas at Grimmauld Place. Before then he contends with a challenge in the Auror tent, upsetting Hermione and learning of a charm placed upon him as an infant. After being attacked by a school visitor, Hermione sets out to break the charm, enlisting a number of co-conspirators including her mother. Christmas is interrupted by Voldemort. After Harry dives into falling debris to protect Hermione, she takes the opportunity to finally try and break the Crucible. Completed.
Summary of Part Three: The Dragon
Just after Christmas during his Sixth Year, Hermione sets about researching the origins of Harry's Apprentice Piece. A Death Eater attack interrupts her telling of the story, but Harry intervenes and Ron gets a chance to earn his Prefect Badge back. Later, Voldemort attacks again during a Quidditch match. Although prepared for a Death Eater attack, the DA is helpless against Voldemort's new pet. Harry knows this is a trap but rushes to the aid of Dumbledore, standing alone in the middle of the Quidditch pitch facing The Dragon. Completed.
Summary of Part Four: The Sword of Light
After the battle, the dragon named Kales returns to Harry and introduces him to a new way of travelling undetected. This leads to a shocking discovery that not even the attentions of First Aid Club members and Snape can distract him from. Battling his own conscience, Harry needs a weapon to fight Voldemort's unseen agents from the shadows. After Harry is stabbed and poisoned, the DA battles to protect Dumbledore and Hermione. At the same time in another world Harry stands alone, fighting the creatures coming out of the darkness to attack his friends as they fight and fall. Completed.
Summary of Part Five: The Accord
Two unwelcome visitors arrive at the school and announce that a wizard will arrive shortly to challenge Flamel, the eldest member of a group of sorcerers that guard Hogwarts' greatest secret. Can Hermione cope with any more House disunity, Crookshanks' new look and Harry's determination to fight the charismatic challenger in place of the ailing Flamel? Completed.