Hermione's Final Year

Title: Hermione’s Last Year
Author: Wickedswanz
Disclaimer: Don’t own it.
Rating: N17
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Later that morning, Hermione sat at the table eating a breakfast of fruit and toast. She sipped her coffee and complemented Remus on it’s delightful perfection, earning her a wide grin and a slight blush. Something she had never seen Remus do. She noticed Sirius flicking her amused looks and bit her inner cheek to stop herself from responding.

She did not rush as she ate and spared Professor Snape a brief look when he sat down across from her with his own coffee.

“Nice to see that you’ve managed to find some more fitting attire Miss Granger.” Snape said primly.

Hermione looked up and felt her cheeks flush. “Yes Professor. I apologize for my earlier behavior. I’m afraid that I’m not much of a morning person.”

She glared at Harry and Ron who both snorted.

“Yes well Miss Granger you should still be more careful about what you run around in, this is after all, as you said, a house full of men.”

“Oh please professor, you make it sound like we’re living in the world of Vladimir Nabokov.” She snipped and was shocked to see his eyebrows raise with recognition. Well what do you know? Snape read a muggle book!

“Ah but you Miss Granger are far from a fifteen year old child. You are in fact a nineteen year old woman. ”

Hermione compressed her lips then grinned cheekily. “Does that mean I can call you Severus?”

Hermione had to bite her cheek to hold in the laughter that was quickly bubbling up, and for a moment she was sure that she had actually seen smoke exit his ears. The audible snort from Sirius was almost her undoing.

“Who the bloody hell is Nabokov?” Ron called over the table, his mouth still full.

“Language Mr Weasley!” Snape snapped at him.

Sirius threw a piece of toast at Ron and shook his finger in mock scolding before answering. “He wrote this total waste of space book about a teacher who wants to get it on with a student.”

“What?!” Both Snape and Hermione cried in unison then looked at each other in shock. Hermione was the first to grin.

“The book in question was about a male teacher who falls in love with a student and it slowly starts driving him insane.” Hermione spoke quietly but firmly.

“And not,” Snape continued, “The piece of filthy school room porn you are obviously in want of, Black. How the hell you ever became a Professor is beyond me, but it seems that the reason is becoming clear.”

Both men jumped to their feet, hands on wands, but were interrupted when Malfoy Flooed in through the fireplace.

“Filthy school room porn? Sounds like I got back just in time.” He winked at Hermione and grinned wider when she glared at him.

Both men sat down and Hermione saw this as her chance to escape unscathed from this rather sensitive conversation. She quickly stood up and straitened her knee length school skirt, white blouse and red tie.

“We should get going, it’s nearly 11 O’Clock.” Hermione didn’t look up as she searched her pockets for a hair band and finally found one. “Where have you been, anyway Malfoy.”

Everyone stood up and prepared to go. Remus cleared the table and left the dishes for Kretcher. Sirius pulled his wrinkled tie out of his pocket and fiddled with it around his collar. Snape straitened his robes and glared at Harry and Ron as they did the same.

“Last year’s head called me round for a last minute pow-wow.” he watched as she pulled her long curly hair into a loose knot and held it fast with her hair band. “He sends his regards by the way.” He grinned at her sudden eye contact.

She coughed. “Really? Well that was very nice of him.” She tried to keep her voice nonchalant and pushed away the blush that seemed to be coming along with the memory of that one night that she and Zabini had spent together last year. “How is Mr Zabini?”

Malfoy’s grin widened and his eyes showed that he knew a secret. “Very well.” Was all he said as he brushed by her and out the door. Leaving her glaring after him.

“Wanker.” She muttered and turned to see Sirius still struggling with his tie while the others left to gather their things.

Shaking her head she slapped his hands away and took over. “You know I’ll be getting my own flat after graduation. You’re going to have to learn to do this on your own.” She spoke sternly but couldn’t hold back the smile at his twinkling puppy-dog eyes.

“But you’re so good at it.” he pouted. “You’ll just have to marry me Mione.”

Hermione laughed and pulled out her wand to charm out the wrinkles in the silk. “Oh yeah that would go down well.” She shook her head and adjusted it under his collar. In a voice very like Rita Skeeter she kept going. “Hermione Granger, a plain yet ambitious girl has recently hoodwinked the ex Azkaban convict and popular playboy, Sirius Black, into marriage.”

Sirius laughed, tipping his head back and shuddering. “It’s almost worth doing just to watch her drool.”

They smiled at each other for a moment. Neither was really sure when they had fallen into such an easy friendship but they both enjoyed each other’s company.

“So, are you ready for your first year as the new Dark Arts Professor?” Hermione finished tying and smoothed her hand over her handy-work.

“Scared shitless. Hogwarts DADA professors seem to fall like flies.” Sirius cringed.

“Hmm,” Hermione looked at him thoughtfully and counted off her fingers, “Death eater, Faker, Werewolf, Death eater, Bitch, Snape,” she indicated him, “Ex con.” She chuckled, “You’ll fit right in.”

Sirius leaned forward, “You know you’re not quite right.”

Hermione leaned closer, “This, coming from a man with tattoos on his fingers.”

Hermione felt his breath on her face and realized just how close they were. For a moment she wondered what it would be like if he kissed her. For the hundredth time Sirius wondered the same. His eyes met hers and she watched as they darkened and flicked to her mouth and back up. She parted her lips expectantly and felt her body tremble.

Sirius tipped his face slightly to the side and closed in, “Mi…” But they were interrupted.

“Look Padfoot are we going or not!?” Remus burst into the room to see what was keeping them and entered just in time to see them jump apart.

With a wicked glint in his eye, Sirius reacted quickly with a look of outrage. “Moony! Thank God you’re here.” He pointed fearfully at a rather shocked looking Hermione. “She’s threatening to hold me down and braid my hair.”

She caught on immediately and threw Remus an innocent look before smirking back at Sirius. “Oh come on you know you want it.” Hermione grinned and placed her hands on her hips. “Deep inside every man has a secret need to look pretty, especially a man as vain as you Sirius.”

“Oh no you don’t!” Remus pushed them both out into the hall, “We are not going to miss that train because you two are fighting again.”

~*~*~

After promising to come and find Harry and Ron later, Hermione made her way through the train to the Head compartment. She quickly let herself in and closed the door. For a moment she just stood and looked around the compartment, two long leather seats, I almost kissed Sirius, a small table, Sirius almost kissed me, and a large window. Without thinking she threw open the window and screamed into the wind. Fear, confusion, excitement.

Did she want a relationship with Sirius? More then likely he was doing what he knew. Man see girl want sex. That seemed to be his philosophy most of the time. She compressed her lips and shook her head. Of course that was all it was. Just Sirius being Sirius. She felt slightly relieved, she was by no means a silly child but in all truth she was in no way prepared for a man such as Sirius.

“That’s an interesting little ritual Granger.” The voice of Draco came from behind her and she quickly closed the window and sat down.

“It’s a human thing.” She threw him a smirk, “You wouldn’t understand.”

She watched as his mouth quirked and grinned smugly while he tried to hold back the laugh that was building. He sat down in the seat opposite her, and regained his composure before sneering at her again.

They sat in silence for a while. Hermione read and Draco looked out the window. A few minutes passed. Draco fidgeted. Another five minutes passed. Draco slid a large piece of parchment towards her. She saw him push it towards her but ignored it. Draco coughed. Hermione ignored him.

“Bloody hell Granger! Will you just look at the damn thing already.” He snapped and was greeted by a smug smirk as she looked up.

“What is it?” She flicked the parchment a quick look.

“A game.” Draco sat up straighter. “All the heads, well most of the heads have played for 100s of years.”

He had Hermione’s attention. With an exaggerated yawn she leaned forward and took the parchment.

“It’s a game of dare, as in we dare each other to do things through out the year and we have to do them.” Draco said. “We both sign and then dare each other to do things. It’s supposed to be fun.”

“Ah-Ha.” Hermione looked at him suspiciously.

“Will you just read the thing?” He made an exasperated movement with his hand. “There are a bunch of ground rules, you know we can’t dare each other to perform sexual favours on anyone or each other, and we can’t dare each other to do anything dangerous or anything that could get us expelled.” He tapped the parchment.

Hermione looked at him and raised a single eyebrow. “Why are you so eager to have me do this?”

Draco threw her a lopsided grin, “Ah come on Granger, haven’t you ever wanted to dare me to do anything?”

“Plenty but these ground rules prohibit all of them.”

Draco’s grin widened and his eyes raked over her. “Sweet heart, you don’t have to dare me to…”

“Don’t even, ferret boy.”

He smiled and this time it was real. “Hermione, this is our last year at Hogwarts. You are Head Girl, I am Head Boy. We did it Granger! We made it…alive.”

Hermione laughed and shook her head. “Wait, did you just call me Hermione?”

Draco rolled his eyes and leaned closer. “Last night. We had a pretty good time right?” She nodded and he continued, “Look we can’t really be friends with the whole slitherin, Griffindore rivalry.”

Hermione looked a little shocked but pleased. “Are you saying that you want to be? You know friends?”

“Well yeah. I had a blast last night, and I just thought we could have some real fun with this.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Malfoy?” Hermione narrowed her eyes.

“Just sign the bloody thing Granger. Don’t be such a girl.” Draco sneered.

“Why do I have to sign it?” Hermione was still reading and secretly intrigued by the idea. She loved challenges and this one would be a doozie. Coming up with dares for him to do, watching him squirm. A little smile played on her lips.

“It’s a magical contract to play the game for a year. When one of us say’s I dare you the other HAS to do it or the words “Pansy Ass” will be tattooed on their forehead for the remaining year.”

“That’s just sick Malfoy. No way am I giving you that kind of power over me.”

“Well you’ll have it over me as well. I know for a fact that Blaise played it last year with Lydia.” He leaned forward slightly, “You remember Blaise don’t you?”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed. “How much do you know?” She said knowing that he knew what she was asking.

“I know you’ve seen the Head Boy’s bathroom.” he grinned wider, “I know that you like…”

“Enough!” Hermione didn’t want to know what he knew. It was bad enough knowing that he knew without hearing it. “Alright, I’ll sign.” She pulled out her wand and held it out to him. “But first you will make a wizard promise, never to tell a soul about my umm, indiscretion with Blaise.”

“Indiscretion? Is that what they’re calling it now?” Draco grinned evilly, “I just call it Fu…” He was cut off as Hermione whacked his knuckles with her wand.

“And t hat includes me. I don’t want to know what he told you. The idea of you knowing anything of that nature about me makes my stomach turn.”

Draco placed his hand on her wand, “I promise.” With a smug grin his pushed the contract towards her and watched her grumbling as she signed.

“You are going to regret this Ferret boy.”

“Can’t wait.” Draco sneered, “Ready for your first dare? And remember rule 25: You can‘t tell anyone about the game till after the contract has expired.”

“What!? I didn’t see that.” She snatched up the parchment and read. “Ahh, damn you Malfoy.” She took a deep breath. “Alright give it to me.”

“I dare you,” He leaned forward and smirked as he spoke, “To go find your little buddies carriage, collapse on the chair and say, “Wow! Now that was a work out.” And then refuse to answer any questions about the statement.” His grin widened as her eyes became saucers.

“You! I…You…” She stood with as much dignity as she could muster, “You will pay Ferret.” Hermione slammed the door shut behind her as she left.

~*~*~

Hermione took her time finding Harry and Ron, really not looking forward to performing her dare. As she walked she planned her revenge on Draco that ranged from daring him to sing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” during dinner to winking at Snape. She giggled at the last but knew she could never be that mean to him.

Finally she heard a familiar laugh and grinned as she drew closer. She stopped outside the door and peeked in. Harry and Ron seemed to be alone. After mouthing a silent “Thank you” she threw open the door and whisked in. Hermione sat down next to Harry with a flourish and said the line, “Wow! What a work out.” only to look up and See both Professor Black and Professor Lupin sitting on the seat opposite.

Hermione cringed then gave them both a toothy grin. “Well this day is just getting better isn’t it?”

Ron pushed Harry back so he could look across at her, “Exactly what kind of workout would you get on a train anyway?”

Hermione grinned, “Ask no questions Ron and I won’t have to lie.” She sniffed and turned her face towards Remus. “Professor?”

Remus grinned wolfishly and pulled a piece of chocolate out of his pocket and handed it to her. “That’s quite a sense of smell you have there Miss Granger.” He raised a single eyebrow. “Anything you need to tell us?”

Hermione laughed and held the chocolate under her nose for a moment, enjoying the smell. “Nope, woman not wolf.” She leaned forward with a cheeky smile, “Only three quarters as dangerous.”

The conversation flowed easily and Hermione noticed the Sirius was flicking her expectant looks. But expectant of what? A little smile touched her mouth as she remembered that shared moment in the kitchen and she knew what he was about. He was waiting for her to respond like all the other silly bints he played with. He was waiting for her to blush and moon over him. She looked straight at him and smiled broadly. Sorry Casanova, not this bint.

Hermione smiled at Harry and mussed his hair. “So Cinderella are you planning to ever see that ghastly aunt of yours ever again?”

“No bloody way!” Harry snarled mockingly at her then thought for a second. “Maybe at Christmas, just to screw with their heads a little.” They laughed and Ron looked put out so they both tried to explain the concept of muggle fairy tales.

Harry looked at Hermione and nicked her last piece of chocolate, popping it into his mouth before she could wrestle it back. “So if I’m Cinderella who are you?”

Hermione pursed her lips and then grinned. “I was thinking Little Red Riding Hood. The cabin in the woods, a woman in red, a big bad wolf, a woodsman.” She giggled and took another piece of chocolate from Remus. “You throw in a bowl of chocolate covered cherries and that’s whole weekend mapped out.”

Harry fell against her and laughed and Hermione looked up with pleasure to see that both Remus and Sirius were laughing as well.

“Alright.” Hermione stood up and smiled around at the two professors and her friends. “I’d better get back into character.” She looked at Harry and Ron, “If I don’t get back I’ll see you at dinner.” She looked at the two men. “Professor Lupin, Professor Black.” She leaned closer to Sirius. “Just remember they can smell your fear. Good luck.”

She felt Sirius’ eyes on her as she left and smiled. Now what to do to Draco…