Round 1, Challenge 4: Drabbles
Behind the cut are this challenges drabbles, and the voting.
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Drabble #1:
Title: Proof
Rating: K
Warnings: none
Summary: After a year of watching her from afar, he's come to a conclusion.
Pairing: Hermione/Theodore Nott (sort of)
Word Count: 287
~*~*~
She wasn't a Gryffindor.
Oh, he knew that the colors of the tie she was already wearing said otherwise, but he'd watched her - all last year - and she wasn't a Gryffindor.
Gryffindors were rash, impetuous creatures that cared more about popularity and the glory of the moment than planning and setting long term goals.
Gryffindors lacked ambition and the cunning it took to make their dreams reality.
Hermione Granger was not a Gryffindor.
She was Muggle-born, yes, which was probably the only thing that kept her from being sorted into his own house. Merlin knew she had the intelligence and the drive that Slytherins were known for. He suspected her of being a bit underhanded - and unrepentant about it as well - but couldn't know for sure until the right situation presented itself.
He sighed.
Why couldn't she have been put in Ravenclaw?
She should have been, really. If not Slytherin, for one inanely prejudiced reason, then at least Ravenclaw so he could have a civil conversation with her without classmates on both sides of the bloody house war jumping in to stop it.
He would like to hear her opinion on everything they'd learned so far - on everything they had yet to learn that she'd already undoubtedly familiarized herself with, just like he had.
It really would be...interesting, if nothing else; to have a meeting of the minds with someone who actually had one.
He watched as she boarded the train, just as alone in the crowd as he was.
That alone proved to him that the conclusion he'd reached after many hours of observation was the correct one.
She wasn't a Gryffindor.
And after six more years, she really wouldn't be.
He could wait.
~end~
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Drabble #2:
Title: Alone Anymore
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: The compartment was so big, sitting there all alone.
Pairing: None
Word Count: 324
Alone Anymore
Hermione stared out the window as beautiful English scenery blurred her vision. Rolling green hills, beautiful old trees, a grey-blue sky that stretched for miles. Her eyes saw all this and yet her mind didn’t process it.
What happened to them?
The compartment was so big, sitting there all alone. She could hear the chattering and laughter of the students in the compartments either side of her, plus the sound of students roaming the passage in search of their friends. But in the cacoon of her room all was still and silent. No Harry and Ron talking and laughing and rolling their eyes at the schoolbook on her lap.
Were they not coming back?
Hermione was used to being alone. She was an only child and had never had many friends. But the friendship she formed with Harry and Ron seemed so deep and instantaneous that she was honestly terrified of what would happen if she never saw them again. Now that she had felt that kinship could she go back to a life of solitude?
They had to come back.
She shook her head. She was just tired from the days packing and travel, exhaustion making her over-emotional. Of course they were coming back to school. How could they not come back? There was no reason for them not to come back. She would get to school and they would be there, grinning at her, and when she would tell them of her fears Ron would laugh good-naturedly while Harry would briefly put a hand to her arm and smile reassuring, and they would walk back to the common room together.
It will be fine. Really.
Hermione took a deep breath. The train ride would be over soon and she would arrive at Hogwarts and they would be there and, after yelling at them for making her worry, she would hug them and everything would be right again. She wouldn’t be alone anymore.
**********
Drabble #3:
Title: The Train Ride
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: Hermione has a chat with Ginny
Pairing: -----
Word Count: 498
Where were Harry and Ron? Hermione wondered.
They were supposed to meet her. She’d already checked all the other compartments and they were no where to be found.
She was rather bored, but she refused to go searching for the two again, especially after Malfoy’s hurtful comments. She was expecting this sooner or later, but she’d been hoping later rather than sooner.
She’d already decided she wouldn’t tell Harry and Ron about Malfoy’s name-calling-it would only stir up trouble, and she’d also decided not to dwell on it, but yet she still did.
But, even though she’d vowed not to think about his words, she still heard Mudblood after she bumped into him, literally, in the small hallway of the car, every time she closed her eyes.
Roughly, Hermione pushed the thoughts away from her mind as she felt the beginnings of tears prickle her eyes.
She looked around the compartment, annoyed that Ron and Harry deserted her to God knows where.
Resolutely, she picked up Hogwarts: A History. She’d been rereading it all summer, looking for clues about the mysterious castle and what it was about, and if she read continuously during the remainder of the train ride, she was sure to at least finish three chapters, if not the book itself.
Two chapters later, the compartment door opened and Ginny stepped in.
“Hello Ginny,” Hermione said, glancing up momentarially to see who was invading her peace.
“Hi, Hermione,” Ginny replied, sitting down and opening the bag she’d brought with her.
“Have you seen Harry and Ron?” Hermione asked. “They were supposed to meet me.”
“No. Mum was angry,” Ginny said, grinning. “Ron and Harry didn’t go through the passageway to Platform 9 3/4 on time. Ron’s going to get in so much trouble.” She grinned rather wickedly and Hermione frowned, wondering how siblings could wish ill on one another.
“And Harry?”
Ginny sobered immediately, and she blushed. “Not sure.”
Hermione eyes landed on the book in Ginny’s lap, the pages blank, and Ginny’s quill poised to write.
“What that?” Hermione asked curiously.
Ginny shrugged. “Just a diary.”
“Oh.” Hermione often wondered why girls needed such things. She’d never found use for one, and they could get rather annoying, especially when someone was nosy enough to peek into the private book and read your thoughts.
“Hermione?”
Hermione sighed in exasperation. She really wanted to finish this chapter of Hogwarts: A History. “Yes?”
“Is it scary? When you get sorted? The Sorting Hat can read your thoughts, yeah?”
“Yes, it can. It’s not terrible. Except for the waiting, on my part. It’s kind of like waiting to see what a birthday present is, only you don’t know if you’re going to like it.” Hermione paused. “I’m going to get back to my reading now, alright?”
Ginny looked a little downhearted, but replied, “Yeah, okay. Sorry to interrupt.”
Happy, but still wondering about Ron and Harry, Hermione continued reading the rather fascinating chapter on the Ghosts of Hogwarts.
**********
Drabble #4:
Title:- In like Weasley
Summary:- She wouldn't, would she? She couldn't, could she?
Word Count:- 498
Warnings:- Devious!Twins One rude word!
Rating:- So PG it hurt my brain to write it :D
“Come on-“
“-Granger you know you want to.”
Hermione huffed and glared up at the two red head boys that were grinning at her mischievously. “You can see that I’m reading right?”
“You’re the only witch that is smart enough to help us.” Fred have her a wink and chuckled when she blushed prettily.
“I don’t want to help you,” She hissed and slammed her book shut with a bang. “I am waiting for Harry and Ronald.”
“They aren’t on-“
“-the train.”
“What do you mean they aren’t on the train?”
“Don’t know,” George replied with a shrug. “Ginny’s been sobbing her little heart out to anyone who’ll listen about her precious Potty.” The twins sniggered and took seats on either side of Hermione.
“Why do you need my help?” She asked, changing the subject.
“Because we trust-“
“-none other like you Miss Granger.”
Hermione let out an inelegant snort. “What do you want me to do?”
The twins grinned wickedly and leaned in to her ear, each whispering instructions, Hermione’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I can’t do that!”
*~*~*~*~
“Last compartment-“
“-on the left.”
“I don’t know if I can do this,” She whispered frantically.
“Sure you can-“
“-love, it’ll be easy.”
Fred gave her a little push and she stumbled forwards towards the end of the train where the snake insignia was writhing proudly. A strange kinship had erupted the year before with the twins and it was easier to give in and help them with potions and spells, easier to pretend to everyone else that she thought them childish and silly when in actuality she found them quick witted, intelligent and if she was being honest with herself she would admit to a teensy crush on George.
So now she was walking directly into the snake pit, a Muggleborn witch about to delve into the world of Pureblood and blood purity and she was a little frightened.
Summoning her Gryffindor courage, she pulled back the sliding door and strode in, making her way to an empty seat by the window, ignoring their shocked faces, she opened her book, Hogwarts a History and acted if being in the Slytherin compartment was the most normal thing in the world.
“Granger what the bleeding hell are you doing in here?” Malfoy spat, sending the young witch a disgusted sneer.
“No seats in Gryffindor,” She murmured and turned the page absently.
She yelped when the book was yanked from her hand and tossed to the floor, four wands pressed against her temple by four very angry Slytherins.
“Get out filth!” Malfoy bellowed.
The day would go down in history as not only having Harry and Ron almost destroy the Whomping Willow with a flying car but four Slytherins entering the sorting feast, covered in red and gold paint, courtesy of one exploding Hogwarts a History, a three day sticking charm, two bottles of magical paint and a young Muggleborn Witch who earned the respect of two very naughty twins.
**********
Drabble #5:
Title: Boys Be Damned
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: Hermione seems to lose two friends, but makes a new one.
Pairing: None
Word Count: 368
Looking down at the new watch that her parents had given her for an early birthday present, wondering again where Harry and Ron were.
Time was fast running out, if they were going to make it they had to be coming through the barrier ten minutes ago. She had found a compartment for them, placed her trunk in it. She was now standing next to the train, she could see the Weasley's saying goodbye to their young daughter who looked terrified, but excited at the same time. Hermione knew exactly what she was going through, having felt the same the year before.
The whistle sounded ominously in her ears, the train was going to leave, and she didn't know where Harry and Ron where. Maybe they were already on the train, and they hadn't sought her out. Maybe a girl wasn't part of their plans. It didn't sound right to her, but it wouldn't surprise her. With one last look out the door to make sure they weren't rushing through the barrier; she starting making her way to the compartment, looking in all the ones she passed to see if they were in any of them.
Hermione didn't see them in any by the time she got to her compartment, squaring her shoulders, she didn't let it get her down. If they didn't want to sit with her that was fine, she had plenty of books to read. Boys be damned. She entered the compartment, but it wasn't empty and it wasn't Harry and Ron. It was his sister, the newest Weasley to go to Hogwarts.
"Hello," she said quietly, "You don't mind me sitting her do you? I couldn't find Ron."
"No it's fine," Hermione smiled. "I couldn't find him either."
"Probably off on some adventure with Harry," she giggled.
And, they didn't include me, she thought to herself. "Are you excited about going to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, and..."
"Terrified?"
Ginny just nodded, and blushed a little.
"There's nothing to be frightened of really," Hermione said, "You'll be fine."
"Really?"
"Absolutely! I'll help you, and all your brothers will," she smiled, "There is nothing to be frightened off at Hogwarts."
"Really?" She asked again.
"Not a thing."
**********
Drabble #6:
Title: Reading
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: Hermione explains what she did on the train to Hogwarts second year.
Pairing: (If relevant) D/Hr, H/P, R/L
Prompt: What was Hermione doing while Harry and Ron were flying to school?
Word Count: 499
Reading
“You read?” cried Ron incredulously.
Draco, Pansy, Luna and Hermione laughed; Harry and Ron did not laugh.
“Yes, of course, Ron,” said Hermione. “What did you expect I would do?”
“Well… look for us at least,” said Harry, looking slightly cross.
“Oh, I did, a bit. But news quickly spread that you two weren’t on the train. I figured there was a good reason and didn’t bother worrying.”
Ron’s jaw dropped. “You? Didn’t worry?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “If I had known, Ron, that in a few short years Voldemort would be after Harry once again, I might have worried. As it was, I was more concerned with getting through all of Lockhart’s ridiculous books before classes started.”
Ron looked at Draco, sitting beside Hermione with a possessive arm around her chair. “She fancied him, you know.”
“Oh, shut up!” Hermione cried, grabbing a handful of nuts and throwing them at him.
“Hey!” he exclaimed, covering his head.
“Well, Ron fancied Rosmerta,” Hermione said to Luna.
“Yes, I know,” she replied loftily. “Ronald and I share everything.”
Ron reddened and stuck his tongue out at Hermione.
Draco rolled his eyes. “Ooh, very mature, Weasley.”
Harry was anxious to return to the topic at hand. “So what did people say?” he asked. “When we weren’t there?”
“Uhm, well…” Hermione started.
“I was elated, Potter,” said Draco with a smirk. “Thought maybe Christmas had come early and I wouldn’t have to look at with your ugly face ever again.”
“You were just hoping for a chance at the Snitch,” Harry returned.
Draco quirked an eyebrow. “Touché.”
Hermione continued. “People were…concerned, Harry, but no one panicked.”
Pansy squeezed Harry’s hand. “I didn’t even notice, love.”
Hermione giggled.
“But…you just read?” Ron asked, still frowning. “In your compartment?”
“Yes, Ron.”
“What about the feast? Didn’t anyone wonder where we were?” Harry asked.
“Sure,” said Hermione. “But Ron’s parents had already Owled Dumbledore, so all the teachers knew, and they weren’t worried. I trusted the teachers.”
“But…still. You weren’t worried? At all?” Ron said.
Hermione considered the question. “Yes, a bit, I suppose. But truly, at the time, it was hard to imagine all the things that could have gone wrong. I mean, think about it. We were twelve. We had no idea the dangers ahead of us. I thought my exams were the scariest thing I’d have to face second year. Now, I know so much more…” She chuckled. “The older we get, it seems the more we know and the more we have to be afraid of.”
Draco gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.
Everyone was silent.
“We’re lucky,” said Luna finally.
Then Ron started talking about the Quidditch playoffs. Hermione relaxed into Draco’s arms and watched her friends. They really were lucky. They could sit in a restaurant, in Diagon Alley, and laugh about the hard times they’d been through.
Pansy quickly moved the conversation away from Quidditch to the upcoming reopening of Hogwarts and Hermione leaned in to join it.
**********
Drabble #7:
Title: Riding Alone
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Pairings: None. But this drabble features Neville.
Word Count: 493
Summary: Hermione is alone on the train and rather annoyed.
Hermione didn't panic until the train started to move. Up until that moment, there was a chance Harry and Ron would suddenly appear. She shouted for Ron when she saw one of the twins walk past the compartment she'd reserved for the three of them. Instead Fred turned and poked his tongue out at her and kept walking.
She chased after Fred. "Have you seen Ron and Harry?"
Fred stopped. "They were behind us when we were walking onto the platform." He shrugged. "I'm sure they're just off doing devious boy things. You have to admit it, Hermione, you do know how to stop the fun from happening. Just go back to your books. They'll turn up."
Hermione swallowed her anger and exhaled harshly. "Thanks," she bit out, before turning on her heel and marching to her compartment.
Much to Hermione's annoyance, she didn't get any reading accomplished during the train ride. Every set of footsteps in the corridor, every stray laugh, every imagined utterance of Harry's name, made Hermione lift her head and look out into the corridor. She had a niggling suspicion that something horrible had happened to Harry - especially after the ordeal with Voldemort last year.
But, there was no one she could talk to until they reached Hogsmeade. She checked her watch: three hours yet.
"First, I'm going to hug them," she said to herself, snapping her book closed with a hollow clap. "Then I'm going to strangle them for making me worry!" Hermione had really wanted to read Hogwarts, A History during the train ride. And, though she'd be hard pressed to admit it, she enjoyed listening to Ron and Harry play that barbaric game: Wizard's Chess. They'd ruined a tradition before it began!
As the countryside whizzed by, Hermione imagined the various ways Ron and Harry had died: poison - neither of them being studious enough to remember the lesson about the bezoar, hexes and curses - neither of them remembering to keep their wands about their person, or simple clumsiness that boys seemed to suffer eternally. Either that or Fred and George blew them up somehow; Hermione didn't trust those boys at all.
Hermione was startled by a knock at the door. It was Neville. "Dean and Seamus kicked me out. Is it alright if I stay here?" He glanced at her book. "I'll be quiet. I promise."
Hermoine set the book to the side. "I wasn't reading anyway."
Neville noticed her glance at the two empty spaces in the compartment.
"You're right to worry. Those two get themselves in all sorts of trouble. The only thing we can do now is hope Snape doesn't find them first!"
"That's not helping, Neville," Hermione said, smiling."
The two shared the rest of the ride in companionable silence. Each one wondering what horrible fate had befallen their friends. Each one secretly hoped Snape would meet them; it was a fair price for all the worry they'd caused.
-The End
**********
Drabble #8:
Title: Pleasant daydreams
Rating: G
Pairing: Um, Hermione/Lockhart, kind of
Warning: none
Wordcount: 479
Hermione took one last look along the platform, checking that neither black-haired nor freckled ginger boys had reappeared, grasped her trunk, said her polite farewells, and climbed into the nearest compartment. Perhaps she’d be able to read Year with the Yeti, after all. She slid the new book out of her satchel and allowed herself a brief moment to smile back at Gilderoy Lockhart. He’d been even more impressive in real life, she thought, closing her eyes and remembering their meeting at Flourish and Blotts.
…Hermione gave a pathetic little sigh and allowed herself to fall limp in the strong arms of the tall, handsome wizard who had plucked her out of the path of the stampeding yaks. His piercing blue gaze met her own and she could see a hint of a smile forming at the corner of his lips…
‘Hey, budge up Granger!’
‘Look, Fred, she’s drooling!’
The twins made identical fake noises of disgust as they seated themselves on either side of Hermione.
One of them nudged her hard. ‘Were you dreaming about me, Granger?’
‘In your dreams, George!’
Hoping they couldn’t see the heat in her cheeks, Hermione elbowed them both simultaneously. ‘Stop talking such nonsense!’ She picked up her book which had slid off her lap and determinedly ignored the cover this time. ‘Can’t you see I’m reading?’
‘Oh fine,’ one of them told her in mock indignation. ‘We can see when we’re not wanted, can’t we George?’
‘Sure thing, Fred. You might have thought that she would be pleased to have some company…’
‘…who just wanted to make sure she wasn’t worrying…’
‘…about ickle Ronniekins…’
‘…not to mention, the great Harry Potter…’
‘…but no, we were obviously wrong about that.’
‘Doesn’t care at all, does she?’
‘Stop it!’ Goaded beyond all irritation Hermione stood up and turned to face the twins, hands on hips, eyes blazing. ‘They’re fine. Of course, they’re fine. Your parents…’ She bit her lip and glanced out of the window. ‘No one’s going to let them get into trouble again.’
The twins exchanged a glance, then without a word, got up and hugged her hard, and left the compartment before she’d even been able to catch her breath.
Quivering slightly, and not certain quite why, she slid down onto the uncomfortable seat and picked up the book once more.
…a lock of blonde curly hair had fallen across his forehead as he leaned down to chide her for her folly. She breathed in the manly scent of lemon and pepper and sighed once more as he pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. How could she ever tell him that she’d only come to the Himalayas in the hope that his chivalrous instincts would force him to follow her and that once he saw her in danger he might come to realise his true feelings for her…
**********
Drabble #9:
Title: Games
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild Cursing
Summary: We've been playing this game since that time on the train my second year.
Pairing: Hermione/Fred/George
Word Count: 499 on the nose.
"What are you doing in here all by yourself, Granger?"
"I'm knitting a sweater," I said putting down my book and looking up into the blue eyes of the red haired wizard in front of me. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"I would say it looks like you are sitting her reading something quite dreary and dull." Fred answered popping his head in the door.
"You are as always the master of the obvious, Forge." His brother quipped.
"Before the two of you start in on each other," she interrupted. "Would you kindly tell me what it is the two of you want?"
"You." They replied together.
I waited for them to continue, normally this statement was followed by some mundane task they were asking me to help with. We've been playing this game since that time on the train my second year. Though even then the words had thrilled a little part of me I hadn't understood.
"What are you doing in here all by yourself, Granger?"
"I'm juggling nifflers," I said shutting my book. "What does it look like?"
"It looks to me as though you are reading something very dreary and dull." George said.
"This is actually a quite fascinating tome on Arithmancy." I replied.
"Arithmancy?" George asked. "Merlin's Beard Hermione, you don't start taking your elective classes until next year."
"Be that as it may, is there something you wanted?"
"You." They replied together.
"What?"
"We want you.." George started.
"to watch Ginny for us." Fred finished. "We can't seem to find Ron and Harry, and Ron was supposed to keep an eye on Ginny since this is her first year."
"so... we figured we'd ask you if you'd help."
"You want me..." I prompted them waiting for their answer.
"No, that's it. We want you." Fred replied as the two of them moved into the room and sat on the couch with me between them.
"Pardon?" My voice seemed breathy and strangled to my ears.
"We want you, Hermione."
I stared at them, confused. My mind moved a mile a minute. Merlin, this can't be happening to me? Things like this do not happen to people like me. I must be imagining things, they really don't mean what I think they do, do they? This must be another joke. Please, don't let it be a joke.
"Hermione, I know we've probably managed to confuse the shit out of you. But, courting isn't our strong suit, and we figured even if we tried it with you, you would probably think it was some kind of sick joke." George said "We just wanted to let you know how we felt. The rest is up to you."
I looked back and forth between them, trying desperately to read the truth in their eyes. My eyes cruised over their bodies, as I read the passion and love in their eyes. I smiled slowly, letting my eyes and my smile say what my words could not.
Yes.
***********
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Poll Round 1, Challenge 5 Voting
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Drabble #1:
Title: Proof
Rating: K
Warnings: none
Summary: After a year of watching her from afar, he's come to a conclusion.
Pairing: Hermione/Theodore Nott (sort of)
Word Count: 287
~*~*~
She wasn't a Gryffindor.
Oh, he knew that the colors of the tie she was already wearing said otherwise, but he'd watched her - all last year - and she wasn't a Gryffindor.
Gryffindors were rash, impetuous creatures that cared more about popularity and the glory of the moment than planning and setting long term goals.
Gryffindors lacked ambition and the cunning it took to make their dreams reality.
Hermione Granger was not a Gryffindor.
She was Muggle-born, yes, which was probably the only thing that kept her from being sorted into his own house. Merlin knew she had the intelligence and the drive that Slytherins were known for. He suspected her of being a bit underhanded - and unrepentant about it as well - but couldn't know for sure until the right situation presented itself.
He sighed.
Why couldn't she have been put in Ravenclaw?
She should have been, really. If not Slytherin, for one inanely prejudiced reason, then at least Ravenclaw so he could have a civil conversation with her without classmates on both sides of the bloody house war jumping in to stop it.
He would like to hear her opinion on everything they'd learned so far - on everything they had yet to learn that she'd already undoubtedly familiarized herself with, just like he had.
It really would be...interesting, if nothing else; to have a meeting of the minds with someone who actually had one.
He watched as she boarded the train, just as alone in the crowd as he was.
That alone proved to him that the conclusion he'd reached after many hours of observation was the correct one.
She wasn't a Gryffindor.
And after six more years, she really wouldn't be.
He could wait.
~end~
**********
Drabble #2:
Title: Alone Anymore
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: The compartment was so big, sitting there all alone.
Pairing: None
Word Count: 324
Alone Anymore
Hermione stared out the window as beautiful English scenery blurred her vision. Rolling green hills, beautiful old trees, a grey-blue sky that stretched for miles. Her eyes saw all this and yet her mind didn’t process it.
What happened to them?
The compartment was so big, sitting there all alone. She could hear the chattering and laughter of the students in the compartments either side of her, plus the sound of students roaming the passage in search of their friends. But in the cacoon of her room all was still and silent. No Harry and Ron talking and laughing and rolling their eyes at the schoolbook on her lap.
Were they not coming back?
Hermione was used to being alone. She was an only child and had never had many friends. But the friendship she formed with Harry and Ron seemed so deep and instantaneous that she was honestly terrified of what would happen if she never saw them again. Now that she had felt that kinship could she go back to a life of solitude?
They had to come back.
She shook her head. She was just tired from the days packing and travel, exhaustion making her over-emotional. Of course they were coming back to school. How could they not come back? There was no reason for them not to come back. She would get to school and they would be there, grinning at her, and when she would tell them of her fears Ron would laugh good-naturedly while Harry would briefly put a hand to her arm and smile reassuring, and they would walk back to the common room together.
It will be fine. Really.
Hermione took a deep breath. The train ride would be over soon and she would arrive at Hogwarts and they would be there and, after yelling at them for making her worry, she would hug them and everything would be right again. She wouldn’t be alone anymore.
**********
Drabble #3:
Title: The Train Ride
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: Hermione has a chat with Ginny
Pairing: -----
Word Count: 498
Where were Harry and Ron? Hermione wondered.
They were supposed to meet her. She’d already checked all the other compartments and they were no where to be found.
She was rather bored, but she refused to go searching for the two again, especially after Malfoy’s hurtful comments. She was expecting this sooner or later, but she’d been hoping later rather than sooner.
She’d already decided she wouldn’t tell Harry and Ron about Malfoy’s name-calling-it would only stir up trouble, and she’d also decided not to dwell on it, but yet she still did.
But, even though she’d vowed not to think about his words, she still heard Mudblood after she bumped into him, literally, in the small hallway of the car, every time she closed her eyes.
Roughly, Hermione pushed the thoughts away from her mind as she felt the beginnings of tears prickle her eyes.
She looked around the compartment, annoyed that Ron and Harry deserted her to God knows where.
Resolutely, she picked up Hogwarts: A History. She’d been rereading it all summer, looking for clues about the mysterious castle and what it was about, and if she read continuously during the remainder of the train ride, she was sure to at least finish three chapters, if not the book itself.
Two chapters later, the compartment door opened and Ginny stepped in.
“Hello Ginny,” Hermione said, glancing up momentarially to see who was invading her peace.
“Hi, Hermione,” Ginny replied, sitting down and opening the bag she’d brought with her.
“Have you seen Harry and Ron?” Hermione asked. “They were supposed to meet me.”
“No. Mum was angry,” Ginny said, grinning. “Ron and Harry didn’t go through the passageway to Platform 9 3/4 on time. Ron’s going to get in so much trouble.” She grinned rather wickedly and Hermione frowned, wondering how siblings could wish ill on one another.
“And Harry?”
Ginny sobered immediately, and she blushed. “Not sure.”
Hermione eyes landed on the book in Ginny’s lap, the pages blank, and Ginny’s quill poised to write.
“What that?” Hermione asked curiously.
Ginny shrugged. “Just a diary.”
“Oh.” Hermione often wondered why girls needed such things. She’d never found use for one, and they could get rather annoying, especially when someone was nosy enough to peek into the private book and read your thoughts.
“Hermione?”
Hermione sighed in exasperation. She really wanted to finish this chapter of Hogwarts: A History. “Yes?”
“Is it scary? When you get sorted? The Sorting Hat can read your thoughts, yeah?”
“Yes, it can. It’s not terrible. Except for the waiting, on my part. It’s kind of like waiting to see what a birthday present is, only you don’t know if you’re going to like it.” Hermione paused. “I’m going to get back to my reading now, alright?”
Ginny looked a little downhearted, but replied, “Yeah, okay. Sorry to interrupt.”
Happy, but still wondering about Ron and Harry, Hermione continued reading the rather fascinating chapter on the Ghosts of Hogwarts.
**********
Drabble #4:
Title:- In like Weasley
Summary:- She wouldn't, would she? She couldn't, could she?
Word Count:- 498
Warnings:- Devious!Twins One rude word!
Rating:- So PG it hurt my brain to write it :D
“Come on-“
“-Granger you know you want to.”
Hermione huffed and glared up at the two red head boys that were grinning at her mischievously. “You can see that I’m reading right?”
“You’re the only witch that is smart enough to help us.” Fred have her a wink and chuckled when she blushed prettily.
“I don’t want to help you,” She hissed and slammed her book shut with a bang. “I am waiting for Harry and Ronald.”
“They aren’t on-“
“-the train.”
“What do you mean they aren’t on the train?”
“Don’t know,” George replied with a shrug. “Ginny’s been sobbing her little heart out to anyone who’ll listen about her precious Potty.” The twins sniggered and took seats on either side of Hermione.
“Why do you need my help?” She asked, changing the subject.
“Because we trust-“
“-none other like you Miss Granger.”
Hermione let out an inelegant snort. “What do you want me to do?”
The twins grinned wickedly and leaned in to her ear, each whispering instructions, Hermione’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I can’t do that!”
*~*~*~*~
“Last compartment-“
“-on the left.”
“I don’t know if I can do this,” She whispered frantically.
“Sure you can-“
“-love, it’ll be easy.”
Fred gave her a little push and she stumbled forwards towards the end of the train where the snake insignia was writhing proudly. A strange kinship had erupted the year before with the twins and it was easier to give in and help them with potions and spells, easier to pretend to everyone else that she thought them childish and silly when in actuality she found them quick witted, intelligent and if she was being honest with herself she would admit to a teensy crush on George.
So now she was walking directly into the snake pit, a Muggleborn witch about to delve into the world of Pureblood and blood purity and she was a little frightened.
Summoning her Gryffindor courage, she pulled back the sliding door and strode in, making her way to an empty seat by the window, ignoring their shocked faces, she opened her book, Hogwarts a History and acted if being in the Slytherin compartment was the most normal thing in the world.
“Granger what the bleeding hell are you doing in here?” Malfoy spat, sending the young witch a disgusted sneer.
“No seats in Gryffindor,” She murmured and turned the page absently.
She yelped when the book was yanked from her hand and tossed to the floor, four wands pressed against her temple by four very angry Slytherins.
“Get out filth!” Malfoy bellowed.
The day would go down in history as not only having Harry and Ron almost destroy the Whomping Willow with a flying car but four Slytherins entering the sorting feast, covered in red and gold paint, courtesy of one exploding Hogwarts a History, a three day sticking charm, two bottles of magical paint and a young Muggleborn Witch who earned the respect of two very naughty twins.
**********
Drabble #5:
Title: Boys Be Damned
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: Hermione seems to lose two friends, but makes a new one.
Pairing: None
Word Count: 368
Looking down at the new watch that her parents had given her for an early birthday present, wondering again where Harry and Ron were.
Time was fast running out, if they were going to make it they had to be coming through the barrier ten minutes ago. She had found a compartment for them, placed her trunk in it. She was now standing next to the train, she could see the Weasley's saying goodbye to their young daughter who looked terrified, but excited at the same time. Hermione knew exactly what she was going through, having felt the same the year before.
The whistle sounded ominously in her ears, the train was going to leave, and she didn't know where Harry and Ron where. Maybe they were already on the train, and they hadn't sought her out. Maybe a girl wasn't part of their plans. It didn't sound right to her, but it wouldn't surprise her. With one last look out the door to make sure they weren't rushing through the barrier; she starting making her way to the compartment, looking in all the ones she passed to see if they were in any of them.
Hermione didn't see them in any by the time she got to her compartment, squaring her shoulders, she didn't let it get her down. If they didn't want to sit with her that was fine, she had plenty of books to read. Boys be damned. She entered the compartment, but it wasn't empty and it wasn't Harry and Ron. It was his sister, the newest Weasley to go to Hogwarts.
"Hello," she said quietly, "You don't mind me sitting her do you? I couldn't find Ron."
"No it's fine," Hermione smiled. "I couldn't find him either."
"Probably off on some adventure with Harry," she giggled.
And, they didn't include me, she thought to herself. "Are you excited about going to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, and..."
"Terrified?"
Ginny just nodded, and blushed a little.
"There's nothing to be frightened of really," Hermione said, "You'll be fine."
"Really?"
"Absolutely! I'll help you, and all your brothers will," she smiled, "There is nothing to be frightened off at Hogwarts."
"Really?" She asked again.
"Not a thing."
**********
Drabble #6:
Title: Reading
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: Hermione explains what she did on the train to Hogwarts second year.
Pairing: (If relevant) D/Hr, H/P, R/L
Prompt: What was Hermione doing while Harry and Ron were flying to school?
Word Count: 499
Reading
“You read?” cried Ron incredulously.
Draco, Pansy, Luna and Hermione laughed; Harry and Ron did not laugh.
“Yes, of course, Ron,” said Hermione. “What did you expect I would do?”
“Well… look for us at least,” said Harry, looking slightly cross.
“Oh, I did, a bit. But news quickly spread that you two weren’t on the train. I figured there was a good reason and didn’t bother worrying.”
Ron’s jaw dropped. “You? Didn’t worry?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “If I had known, Ron, that in a few short years Voldemort would be after Harry once again, I might have worried. As it was, I was more concerned with getting through all of Lockhart’s ridiculous books before classes started.”
Ron looked at Draco, sitting beside Hermione with a possessive arm around her chair. “She fancied him, you know.”
“Oh, shut up!” Hermione cried, grabbing a handful of nuts and throwing them at him.
“Hey!” he exclaimed, covering his head.
“Well, Ron fancied Rosmerta,” Hermione said to Luna.
“Yes, I know,” she replied loftily. “Ronald and I share everything.”
Ron reddened and stuck his tongue out at Hermione.
Draco rolled his eyes. “Ooh, very mature, Weasley.”
Harry was anxious to return to the topic at hand. “So what did people say?” he asked. “When we weren’t there?”
“Uhm, well…” Hermione started.
“I was elated, Potter,” said Draco with a smirk. “Thought maybe Christmas had come early and I wouldn’t have to look at with your ugly face ever again.”
“You were just hoping for a chance at the Snitch,” Harry returned.
Draco quirked an eyebrow. “Touché.”
Hermione continued. “People were…concerned, Harry, but no one panicked.”
Pansy squeezed Harry’s hand. “I didn’t even notice, love.”
Hermione giggled.
“But…you just read?” Ron asked, still frowning. “In your compartment?”
“Yes, Ron.”
“What about the feast? Didn’t anyone wonder where we were?” Harry asked.
“Sure,” said Hermione. “But Ron’s parents had already Owled Dumbledore, so all the teachers knew, and they weren’t worried. I trusted the teachers.”
“But…still. You weren’t worried? At all?” Ron said.
Hermione considered the question. “Yes, a bit, I suppose. But truly, at the time, it was hard to imagine all the things that could have gone wrong. I mean, think about it. We were twelve. We had no idea the dangers ahead of us. I thought my exams were the scariest thing I’d have to face second year. Now, I know so much more…” She chuckled. “The older we get, it seems the more we know and the more we have to be afraid of.”
Draco gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.
Everyone was silent.
“We’re lucky,” said Luna finally.
Then Ron started talking about the Quidditch playoffs. Hermione relaxed into Draco’s arms and watched her friends. They really were lucky. They could sit in a restaurant, in Diagon Alley, and laugh about the hard times they’d been through.
Pansy quickly moved the conversation away from Quidditch to the upcoming reopening of Hogwarts and Hermione leaned in to join it.
**********
Drabble #7:
Title: Riding Alone
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Pairings: None. But this drabble features Neville.
Word Count: 493
Summary: Hermione is alone on the train and rather annoyed.
Hermione didn't panic until the train started to move. Up until that moment, there was a chance Harry and Ron would suddenly appear. She shouted for Ron when she saw one of the twins walk past the compartment she'd reserved for the three of them. Instead Fred turned and poked his tongue out at her and kept walking.
She chased after Fred. "Have you seen Ron and Harry?"
Fred stopped. "They were behind us when we were walking onto the platform." He shrugged. "I'm sure they're just off doing devious boy things. You have to admit it, Hermione, you do know how to stop the fun from happening. Just go back to your books. They'll turn up."
Hermione swallowed her anger and exhaled harshly. "Thanks," she bit out, before turning on her heel and marching to her compartment.
Much to Hermione's annoyance, she didn't get any reading accomplished during the train ride. Every set of footsteps in the corridor, every stray laugh, every imagined utterance of Harry's name, made Hermione lift her head and look out into the corridor. She had a niggling suspicion that something horrible had happened to Harry - especially after the ordeal with Voldemort last year.
But, there was no one she could talk to until they reached Hogsmeade. She checked her watch: three hours yet.
"First, I'm going to hug them," she said to herself, snapping her book closed with a hollow clap. "Then I'm going to strangle them for making me worry!" Hermione had really wanted to read Hogwarts, A History during the train ride. And, though she'd be hard pressed to admit it, she enjoyed listening to Ron and Harry play that barbaric game: Wizard's Chess. They'd ruined a tradition before it began!
As the countryside whizzed by, Hermione imagined the various ways Ron and Harry had died: poison - neither of them being studious enough to remember the lesson about the bezoar, hexes and curses - neither of them remembering to keep their wands about their person, or simple clumsiness that boys seemed to suffer eternally. Either that or Fred and George blew them up somehow; Hermione didn't trust those boys at all.
Hermione was startled by a knock at the door. It was Neville. "Dean and Seamus kicked me out. Is it alright if I stay here?" He glanced at her book. "I'll be quiet. I promise."
Hermoine set the book to the side. "I wasn't reading anyway."
Neville noticed her glance at the two empty spaces in the compartment.
"You're right to worry. Those two get themselves in all sorts of trouble. The only thing we can do now is hope Snape doesn't find them first!"
"That's not helping, Neville," Hermione said, smiling."
The two shared the rest of the ride in companionable silence. Each one wondering what horrible fate had befallen their friends. Each one secretly hoped Snape would meet them; it was a fair price for all the worry they'd caused.
-The End
**********
Drabble #8:
Title: Pleasant daydreams
Rating: G
Pairing: Um, Hermione/Lockhart, kind of
Warning: none
Wordcount: 479
Hermione took one last look along the platform, checking that neither black-haired nor freckled ginger boys had reappeared, grasped her trunk, said her polite farewells, and climbed into the nearest compartment. Perhaps she’d be able to read Year with the Yeti, after all. She slid the new book out of her satchel and allowed herself a brief moment to smile back at Gilderoy Lockhart. He’d been even more impressive in real life, she thought, closing her eyes and remembering their meeting at Flourish and Blotts.
…Hermione gave a pathetic little sigh and allowed herself to fall limp in the strong arms of the tall, handsome wizard who had plucked her out of the path of the stampeding yaks. His piercing blue gaze met her own and she could see a hint of a smile forming at the corner of his lips…
‘Hey, budge up Granger!’
‘Look, Fred, she’s drooling!’
The twins made identical fake noises of disgust as they seated themselves on either side of Hermione.
One of them nudged her hard. ‘Were you dreaming about me, Granger?’
‘In your dreams, George!’
Hoping they couldn’t see the heat in her cheeks, Hermione elbowed them both simultaneously. ‘Stop talking such nonsense!’ She picked up her book which had slid off her lap and determinedly ignored the cover this time. ‘Can’t you see I’m reading?’
‘Oh fine,’ one of them told her in mock indignation. ‘We can see when we’re not wanted, can’t we George?’
‘Sure thing, Fred. You might have thought that she would be pleased to have some company…’
‘…who just wanted to make sure she wasn’t worrying…’
‘…about ickle Ronniekins…’
‘…not to mention, the great Harry Potter…’
‘…but no, we were obviously wrong about that.’
‘Doesn’t care at all, does she?’
‘Stop it!’ Goaded beyond all irritation Hermione stood up and turned to face the twins, hands on hips, eyes blazing. ‘They’re fine. Of course, they’re fine. Your parents…’ She bit her lip and glanced out of the window. ‘No one’s going to let them get into trouble again.’
The twins exchanged a glance, then without a word, got up and hugged her hard, and left the compartment before she’d even been able to catch her breath.
Quivering slightly, and not certain quite why, she slid down onto the uncomfortable seat and picked up the book once more.
…a lock of blonde curly hair had fallen across his forehead as he leaned down to chide her for her folly. She breathed in the manly scent of lemon and pepper and sighed once more as he pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. How could she ever tell him that she’d only come to the Himalayas in the hope that his chivalrous instincts would force him to follow her and that once he saw her in danger he might come to realise his true feelings for her…
**********
Drabble #9:
Title: Games
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild Cursing
Summary: We've been playing this game since that time on the train my second year.
Pairing: Hermione/Fred/George
Word Count: 499 on the nose.
"What are you doing in here all by yourself, Granger?"
"I'm knitting a sweater," I said putting down my book and looking up into the blue eyes of the red haired wizard in front of me. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"I would say it looks like you are sitting her reading something quite dreary and dull." Fred answered popping his head in the door.
"You are as always the master of the obvious, Forge." His brother quipped.
"Before the two of you start in on each other," she interrupted. "Would you kindly tell me what it is the two of you want?"
"You." They replied together.
I waited for them to continue, normally this statement was followed by some mundane task they were asking me to help with. We've been playing this game since that time on the train my second year. Though even then the words had thrilled a little part of me I hadn't understood.
"What are you doing in here all by yourself, Granger?"
"I'm juggling nifflers," I said shutting my book. "What does it look like?"
"It looks to me as though you are reading something very dreary and dull." George said.
"This is actually a quite fascinating tome on Arithmancy." I replied.
"Arithmancy?" George asked. "Merlin's Beard Hermione, you don't start taking your elective classes until next year."
"Be that as it may, is there something you wanted?"
"You." They replied together.
"What?"
"We want you.." George started.
"to watch Ginny for us." Fred finished. "We can't seem to find Ron and Harry, and Ron was supposed to keep an eye on Ginny since this is her first year."
"so... we figured we'd ask you if you'd help."
"You want me..." I prompted them waiting for their answer.
"No, that's it. We want you." Fred replied as the two of them moved into the room and sat on the couch with me between them.
"Pardon?" My voice seemed breathy and strangled to my ears.
"We want you, Hermione."
I stared at them, confused. My mind moved a mile a minute. Merlin, this can't be happening to me? Things like this do not happen to people like me. I must be imagining things, they really don't mean what I think they do, do they? This must be another joke. Please, don't let it be a joke.
"Hermione, I know we've probably managed to confuse the shit out of you. But, courting isn't our strong suit, and we figured even if we tried it with you, you would probably think it was some kind of sick joke." George said "We just wanted to let you know how we felt. The rest is up to you."
I looked back and forth between them, trying desperately to read the truth in their eyes. My eyes cruised over their bodies, as I read the passion and love in their eyes. I smiled slowly, letting my eyes and my smile say what my words could not.
Yes.
***********
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