*Yawn* well at least we remembered to update on time ;) Don't forget, next Saturday we'll be starting Last Dance back up, and also, please check out What I Like About You for a fun read!
Thanks so much for all your reviews- we've been slacking off lately in responses but both of us have been extremely busy with RL duties. And Grey's Anatomy of course!
Ginny gasped in surprise but found herself responding.
He pulled her even closer, liking the feel of her in his arms. He had thought his secret was safe, but somehow that crazy Lovegood had figured it out.
Ginny kissed him back for several moments before pulling away. "Wait..."
"What?" he asked not ready to let her go. "What's wrong?"
"Neville," Ginny answered, shrugging out of his arms.
"Longbottom?" Draco asked. "Come on..."
"No," Ginny said. "He's a nice guy."
"He's boring," Draco said reaching for her again. "You'll never be satisfied with him."
Ginny stepped back towards the stairs. "No."
"Fine," Draco said laughing. "Lie to yourself all you want, but you kissed me back just them. You ever been kissed like that before?"
"None of your business," Ginny snapped.
Draco leaned in. "I'll be in the Astronomy Tower tonight at eight. If you wanted to join me...."
"No," Ginny said quickly.
"Just think about it," he whispered.
Ginny shook her head but he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers again for a moment before walking away.
Ginny stood there in a daze. What had just happened?
*** *** ***
Because of her early morning research, Hermione just barely made it to her class on time. She struggled to catch her breath as she made her way to the desk she shared with Harry. Not surprisingly, he was leaning back in the chair, his eyes closed.
"You're never going to believe what I found," she whispered to him.
"Huh?" he asked, cracking an eye open.
Hermione pulled her History of Magic text out along with the book she'd borrowed from his library. "I found out the name of the wizard who used the Draught of the Living Death to try and harvest souls," she whispered back.
"You what?" Harry asked loudly.
A few of their classmates turned around to see what was going on and Hermione sunk lower in her chair. Harry waited a few moments before he asked her again.
"You what?" he asked in a quieter tone.
"I found out his name," she said in a low whisper. "Malcolm Alderton, born in 1734."
"What else did you find out about him?" Harry whispered back.
"Nothing yet," Hermione said. "I came here soon as I saw his name."
"Alderton," Harry said thoughtfully. "I've heard that name somewhere before..."
"Now that we know, we can send the name to Sirius and look up some more information on him," Hermione said eagerly.
He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Good work, Granger."
"Thanks," she blushed.
"I'm sorry about earlier," he whispered.
"What?" she asked in surprise.
"This morning," he said. "I should have been...well, I could have been a little more understanding about you not wanting the others to know you were in there with me."
"I didn't mean to overreact--" Hermione began.
"You didn't," Harry interjected. "I was being an arse to you. I'm sorry..."
"It's okay," Hermione reached for his hand and squeezed it.
He'd thought a lot about what she'd said to him last night and it did scare the hell out of him. But, despite his efforts to pull away, whenever he was with her, he couldn't help himself. "So, does this mean you're not going to be back tonight?" he asked flirtatiously.
Hermione shook her head but her lips were turned up. "You're incorrigible."
"It's your fault," he whispered back. "I told you that you ruined me."
"I think it's the other way around," Hermione looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"I've ruined you?" he asked. "How?"
Hermione bit her lower lip to keep from grinning. "Now I won't be a virgin on my wedding night."
Harry chuckled. "I'm not sorry about that. Are you?"
"Hardly," Hermione moved her chair a bit closer as she stuck the library book into her bag.
Harry stretched his arm around her chair and smiled at her.
She flipped her page on her History of Magic text and grinned when she felt Harry peer over her shoulder. "Are you actually listening to the lecture, Potter?"
"Yeah, every single word," Harry said innocently.
"Right," Hermione said, settling back.
"We still on for rounds tonight?" Harry asked her.
"Every night," Hermione nodded.
"It's been awhile now since someone was attacked," Harry said. "But I hardly think our culprit has given up."
"They're probably just biding their time," Hermione agreed quietly.
"The Quidditch match this weekend would be a prime opportunity," Harry commented.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully then reached for her quill and wrote that down. "We should tell Dumbledore what we suspect."
Harry nodded. "He told me this morning when I spoke to him that Aurors will be patrolling the grounds at the match."
"Wow," Hermione said softly. "I'll um... I'll need to send an owl to Sirius with the name I found."
Harry nodded. "And you'll need to be patrolling the grounds as well during the match. I doubt you'll have to watch out for the Slytherins since none of them have been attacked."
"What about you?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately, I have to play in the bloody match," Harry said. "But I'll have a good view of everything on my broom."
"Oh," Hermione replied. "Well um... would it be okay then if I borrowed your cloak?"
"Sure," Harry replied. "Good idea."
"Thanks," Hermione said. "That'll help."
Harry knew she wanted to get back to the lecture and he leaned back in his chair looking as if he was paying attention. He wished he had his cloak with him now. He'd snuggle underneath it with Hermione. Just the thought of it made him grin.
He wasn't aware that she was watching him. "What?" she poked him in the side.
"Nothing," he said trying to steady his chair.
"You shouldn't be so afraid of learning something," Hermione told him.
"I have learned plenty since I've been here," he said.
"I'm sure you have," she whispered dryly.
"I have," Harry said touching her leg underneath the desk. "Like, certain prefects like it when I do...this..."
Hermione sucked in her breath sharply.
Harry looked to the front of the classroom to make sure Binns was preoccupied before he moved his hand higher up on her thigh.
"Harry..." she whimpered softly.
"Yes, Hermione?" he asked impishly.
"You're awful," she answered, placing her hand on top of his.
"It's a good thing you can't read my mind right now," he whispered in her ear.
"Harry!" she said, a bit louder than she meant to.
"Miss Granger?" Professor Binns called on her. "Is something wrong?"
"No sir," Hermione said her face so red it was nearly purple.
"Mr. Potter, how about you?" Professor Binns asked. "Can you tell me why the Goblin Revolt of 1774 failed?"
"Um..." Harry straightened up as he was put into the spotlight.
"Perhaps you and Miss Granger would like to write an essay on it for me," Professor Binns said angrily. "Two feet of parchment on that very topic."
"Yes sir," Harry muttered.
"Sir," Hermione said raising her hand. "The Goblin Revolt failed when Eargit the Ugly told the Wizarding Council about the planned attack."
Professor Binns softened. "Well... since Miss Granger knows the answer..."
"No essay?" Hermione asked.
"Don't pursue it," Harry muttered.
"This time," Professor Binns answered. "Mr. Potter, I hope that next time you will be more prepared for the class."
"Of course sir," Harry said sarcastically.
If Professor Binns noticed his tone, he didn't let on as he continued his lecture.
"I'm sorry," Hermione scribbled on a piece of parchment.
"For what?" Harry asked, stretching back out.
Hermione smiled at him. She'd thought he'd be mad at her, but again, he surprised her. "Nothing," she said before returning her attention to the lecture.
Harry restrained himself from doing anything else that might get them caught during class time.
Hermione quickly scribbled a note with the information she'd found out about Malcolm Alderton. She had some time before her next class and she wanted to get this to Sirius as soon as possible. "I'm going to go to the Owlery," she told Harry once class was dismissed.
"I'll go with you," he said, staying by her side.
"Okay," Hermione said reaching for his hand.
"What did you write?" Harry asked curiously.
"It's to Sirius," Hermione replied. "I told him about Malcolm and what I found out."
"Oh," Harry nodded. "That's right. He'll pass along the information to Remus."
"I figured the sooner, the better," Hermione said.
He grinned at her. "It's good to have a brain around," he teased.
Hermione beamed at him. "Can I use Hedwig?"
"Sure," Harry answered. "Use her whenever you want to send something."
"Thanks," Hermione said leading the way up the stairs.
He followed her up, thinking it might be nice to see his pet. Since coming to the school, he hadn't been up to visit her once and he was sure he'd be paying for it. "You don't happen to have any sort of crackers or something do you?"
"I have some sugar free sweets in my bag," Hermione said.
"I was thinking of treats for my owl," Harry said sheepishly. "I don't think she'd like those."
"Don't worry," she reassured him. "There's always something up there."
"Okay," he said, taking her hand again as they climbed the last few steps.
Harry's snowy white owl was easy to spot and Hermione picked up a couple of crackers in the basket just outside. "Here we are."
"Thanks," he said, turning to Hedwig. "Hey girl," he said softly. "I've missed you."
Hedwig pecked at Harry's hand. Hermione stifled a laugh. "She didn't like being ignored."
"She never does," Harry said wryly, offering up one of the crackers.
"She's beautiful," Hermione said.
Hedwig let out a hoot and flew over to Hermione's shoulder.
Hermione smiled at the owl. "So, you're the other woman in his life, eh?"
Harry laughed. "I think you've won her approval."
"I'm in," Hermione said grinning at him.
"You sure are," Harry gave her a kiss.
"I feel so guilty for being so happy right now," Hermione said softly.
"You shouldn't," Harry said as she attached her letter to Hedwig's leg.
"I know, but still," Hermione said. "Because of this case, you came into my life."
Harry nodded. "You're the only really good thing about this place."
"Enough to make you stay?" Hermione couldn't resist asking.
"Until the end of the year?" Harry asked. "I don't know if they'll let me."
"You could ask," Hermione said. "Dumbledore would let you. I'm sure of it."
"I'm not so sure what Sirius or Kingsley would say," Harry replied. "I'm already an Auror, Hermione."
"It was just an idea," Hermione said quietly.
He had to admit the idea of spending the rest of the year with her was tempting. "I'll see what I can do..."
"Harry," Hermione said happily.
"What?" he asked, staggering back as she threw her arms around him.
"I just like the idea of you being here all year," Hermione said.
"You like the idea of sneaking into my bed all year," Harry corrected.
"There's definitely that," Hermione said laughing. "But I just...can't imagine being here without you now. I know it's strange..."
"Since I've only been here what... three weeks?"
Hermione blushed. "I told you it was strange."
"I don't mind it," Harry slid his arms around her.
"I've never felt this way before," Hermione admitted. "This is all so new to me."
"Me too," Harry said. "I... I don't normally let myself get close to people."
"Why me?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.
"There's something different about you," Harry replied.
"That's me," Hermione said. "Different, old Hermione Jane Granger."
"It's good to be different," Harry traced over the curve of her cheek.
"That's what my parents always tell me," Hermione said softly.
"They were right," Harry leaned in and kissed her again.
Hermione kissed him back, feeling more in love with him than ever. When he was like this, she couldn't help herself.
He ran his hands up under her robes. It was growing heated quite fast.
"We're already late for class," Hermione said putting up a weak protest.
"Does it really matter?" Harry asked, kissing her neck.
"Not...at...the...um....moment," Hermione managed to say.
He set her on top of a ledge, running his hands under her jumper.
She couldn't believe they were doing this here, but she didn't do one thing to stop him. If she was being honest, the chance they'd be caught was such a turn-on.
"I want you right now," Harry said in her ear.
"I want you too, "Hermione said reaching for his belt.
"Someone might walk in on us," he said.
"They're all in class," Hermione said nipping at his bottom lip.
"Right," he said, pushing her behind some boxes.
Hermione giggled. "It is cold up here though."
"We can take care of that," Harry said with a wicked smile.
"Yeah?" Hermione asked. "How?'
"By getting naked," he answered mischievously.
Hermione smiled. "Body heat..."
"Right," he said, pushing her robes off.
"You have the best ideas," Hermione said before he kissed her again.
"I try," he answered, lifting up her jumper.
Hermione heard footsteps on the staircase and she froze.
"We shouldn't be meeting here," someone said in a harried voice. "If anyone finds out..."
"No one's going to find out," a familiar voice answered. "We've covered everything."
Hermione peered over the boxes and was shocked to see Justin Finch-Fletchley and Susan Bones.
"Shh..." Harry said, straightening out his shirt and trousers as Hermione yanked her jumper on.
"We're in too deep," Susan said running a hand nervously through her hair. "I knew this was a bad idea."
"No way," Justin caught her hand in his.
"Justin," Susan said. "We can't. Ernie..."
"What about him?" Justin asked. "He's with Hannah now isn't he?"
"Yes, but--he was going to leave her," Susan said wiping at her eyes. "Until he was...until he was attacked!"
"It's all going to be okay," Justin said.
"I know you and Ernie were fighting," Susan said. "Please tell me you didn't have anything to do with this."
"Of course I didn't," Justin said angrily. "Susan how can you say that?"
"You said you were glad it happened," Susan said quietly. "I just thought---"
"Well I didn't hurt anyone," Justin backed away from her.
Susan reached out to him. "I'm sorry. I know that."
Justin nodded. "Okay."
Susan leaned in and kissed him. "I'm sorry, Justin."
"No more of that Susie," Justin told her.
"I promise," Susan said. "I'll never doubt you again."
"We should go," Justin said. "I don't know why we came up here in the first place."
"Right," Susan agreed.
Harry and Hermione let out a sigh of relief as Justin and Susan left. "I thought we were goners," he admitted.
"Justin would LOVE to catch me in a situation like this," Hermione rolled her eyes. "He was in the running for Head Boy but lost out. For some reason he thinks it's my fault. I think he's been talking to Ron."
"I'm amazed he was up here with a girl," Harry mused. "I thought he was gay."
Hermione burst out laughing.
"No more of that, Susie," Harry said laughing.
"You make me laugh," Hermione put her robe back on. "That's why I--" she stopped mid sentence.
"Why you what?" Harry asked.
"Nothing," she blushed, straightening her clothes out.
"So much for our little rendezvous," Harry said grabbing her school bag and slinging it over his shoulder.
"I know," she agreed, sneaking in one more kiss.
"Raincheck?" he asked.
"Until tonight," she touched his cheek affectionately.
"It's a date," he said. "So what should we do? Go to class?"
"Better late than never," she answered. "When do you think we'll get a reply from Sirius?"
"Probably tonight," Harry replied. "He's usually pretty good at getting back to me. And with something like this..."
Hermione nodded. "I can't wait to dig up more information on this guy."
"You'll do well during your official training," Harry said thoughtfully. "The first year you do a lot of fact finding..."
"How did you get to become an Auror so young?" she asked as he held the door open for her.
"Well, I spent all those years planning and training to take on Voldemort," Harry explained. "The Ministry practically offered it to me the minute the final battle was through. And so, Sirius trained me and here I am.."
"I guess I'm just surprised you never came here to Hogwarts," Hermione said.
"I told you," Harry said with a shrug. "I had the best teacher in the world. I didn't need to waste my time with this place."
"It wouldn't have been wasting your time," Hermione argued. "I certainly don't view it as a waste of my time."
"Well, I think you and I are different," he countered. "You like this stuff, I don't."
"But learning is important," Hermione insisted. "I've no doubt about Sirius's abilities to teach you, but there's so much that I'm sure even he doesn't know."
"That's where Remus came in," Harry said defensively. "Look, it's not a big deal."
Hermione was silent.
"Don't be like this," Harry said reaching for her hand. "Come on. Who's to say that this would have happened if I'd been here all along?"
"I don't know," she said quietly. "But I guess I just feel as if you think everything about me is foolish, since I love it here."
Harry stared at her. "I've never said that about you, Hermione. You're twisting my words around..."
She only shrugged.
"I don't think you're foolish," he said tilting her chin up to look at him. "Maybe, if things were different and I'd started here when I was 11, I'd like the place. But I wasn't. But I am glad that I'm here now and you know the reason for that."
His words made her soften. "I'm sorry," Hermione apologised.
He tickled her side. "Quit saying that. You were being honest. That's one of your best qualities, Hermione."
She slapped his hand away. "What my other good qualities?" she asked with a grin.
"How much time do we have?" he countered. "Because I'd be here for awhile listing them all."
She laughed. "You're good, Potter."
"I know," he smirked.
"But now we're really late," she continued.
"I could race you," Harry said with a grin.
"I'm a Prefect," Hermione reminded him. "Who is breaking enough rules these days as it is."
"Because she's crazy about a certain new student," Harry said.
"Quite," she agreed.
"It's okay if you're afraid I'd beat you," Harry said.
"Please," Hermione scoffed.
"Oh," Harry said grinning at her. "You actually think you could beat me?"
"If I wanted to," Hermione said.
"Can you back that up?" Harry challenged. "Don't worry---I won't tell the other prefects that their leader was being a bad girl.":
"I am NOT racing you," Hermione informed him.
"Chicken," Harry countered.
"I'm not racing you," Hermione said firmly.
Harry made some clucking sounds.
"Sticks and stones," Hermione said calmly.
"Yeah, yeah," Harry said walking backwards in front of her.
"I'm not racing you," Hermione looked right back at him. "But if you'd like me to kick your arse, I'd be happy to do it in the Room of Requirement later."
Harry laughed. "You? Wait...wait...you are going to kick who's arse?"
"Now who's chicken?" Hermione asked smugly.
"There's no way," Harry said still laughing. "Hermione...I've trained for years."
"Goody for you," Hermione answered pertly.
"Okay," Harry said. "I'm intrigued. I'd love to see what you've got. I promise to go easy on you."
"Don't hold back," Hermione gave him a sly look.
Harry decided to humour her. "Okay. After our rounds, you can take me to the Room of Requirement and kick my arse all over the place."
"That's the spirit," she said dryly.
"What excuse are we going to use this time?" Harry asked as they approached the classroom. "We certainly can't tell the professor what we were really doing."
"We'll say we were in a meeting with Dumbledore," Hermione replied. "You know he'll back us up."
Harry gave her a kiss. "To tide us over until afterwards."
She grinned at him before pushing the door open. They quickly got in their seats before Professor Flitwick could say anything.
Harry wrote down some notes about Justin Finch-Fletchley. Although he probably wasn't the person behind these attacks, it'd be a good idea to have a talk with him and see what he could find out.
For what seemed to be the first time in her life, Hermione tuned out the lecture for that day and also began writing down some things about everyone who was attacked so far- their houses, where they had been found. She also wrote down that they'd found a quill and some soot in the library from when Ernie was attacked.
The one thing that kept sticking out was the fact that no Slytherins had been attacked. But, Slytherins would never talk to her or Harry. There had to be some way to find out if one of them was involved.
"At dinner we should really watch the Slytherin table," Hermione whispered to Harry. "I keep coming back to how none of them are attacked."
Harry nodded. "Could be someone in Slytherin or someone who has ties to Slytherin. That's where we should concentrate our efforts."
Hermione nodded her agreement.
"Apparently Ron got into it with Malfoy earlier," Harry whispered back. "In the Great Hall."
"Really?" Hermione was surprised. "Over what?"
"Luna apparently tried to psychoanalyze him and he wasn't a willing subject," Harry explained. "And then somehow Ginny got thrown into things and it all went downhill from there. Ron's still chuffed about it."
Hermione stifled a giggle. "Wish I'd been there to see it."
Harry looked toward the front of the class where Draco Malfoy was seated next to Crabbe.
"I still can't help but wonder if he's got something to do with all this," Hermione had followed his gaze. "I mean... it does quite fit his personality. But I don't know if even he would stoop as low as to steal someone's soul."
"Could be working for someone who required him to do the dirty work," Harry said aloud.
"That's a distinct possibility," Hermione wrote that down.
"Old Malcolm could be his great-great-great grandfather or something," Harry said thoughtfully.
"All I could find out so far was his name," Hermione said. "I hope Sirius or Mr. Lupin can dig something up."
"They will," Harry assured her. "Lupin's like a dog with a bone over things like this. Reminds me of you, actually."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good or bad thing?"
"A very good thing," Harry said smiling at her.
Hermione blushed a bit but returned to her notes, now listing down everyone they suspected so far.
"See if you can talk to Susan Bones at lunch," Harry told her.
"I'll try," Hermione said. "She's a nice girl. I don't know why she's caught up with the likes of Justin."
"He could be using her," Harry said.
"No one really knew this," Hermione lowered her voice even further. "But Susan and Ernie were secretly seeing each other. I caught them one night while patrolling, but I never said anything."
"The plot thickens," Harry said quietly.
"Tell me about it," Hermione's hand was growing cramped.
"We'll figure it out," Harry said taking the quill from her and continuing the notes. The gesture made her almost want to melt.
Hermione nodded as she turned towards Flitwick.
Harry looked sideways at her feeling a twinge of guilt. She didn't know what his true plans were after this case was solved. He'd been working his arse off to prove himself to Kingsley and the others and this case would help him get to the ultimate goal. But when the time came to leave, he wondered how Hermione would take it.
He wished now he hadn't told her he would try to stick around. Despite his growing feelings for her, he still had no intentions of staying here afterwards. But perhaps once she was finished...
He wasn't supposed to be thinking like this. It wasn't fair to her, but looking at her now, he wasn't ready to let her go. They would figure something out, he told himself. They had to.