Heirarchy of Love (Previously Claim for Life)

Disclaimer: I don't own this and am not making money

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Chapter 5

Hermione didn’t stop to talk with anyone or even look around at those who tried to get her attention as she made a beeline for her dorm. When she got there she found Ginny already there, sitting on the burgundy sofa in the common room.

“Nice place, I guess I finally see why you’ve wanted to be Head Girl for so long.” Ginny joked, her keen eyes never leaving Hermione’s face, waiting for the curly haired brunette to start talking. “Did the spell I put on your hickey work?” She asked.

Hermione nodded, “No one said anything so I assume it worked,” she dropped her bag on the floor and plopped down on the sofa beside Ginny. She sat there silently for a few minutes, trying to put what happened into words.

Finally Ginny couldn’t take it anymore, “So are you going to tell me who you let close enough to you, for long enough to give you that hickey?”

Hermione sighed, and muttered Blaise’s name quietly, Ginny wasn’t satisfied, “What was that?” she pressed.

“Blaise Zabini.” Hermione stated.

Ginny gasped, and then shrieked with glee, “So, was he good?”

Hermione was shocked, “Ginny, I tell you I got accosted by a Slytherin and you ask if he was any good?”

“Number one, you didn’t say he accosted you, you said he gave you a hickey, and I hardly doubt he would be able to get anywhere remotely close enough to you to do that without your permission. And two, it’s the question that is on every Gryffindor girl’s mind, and you, our not so innocent Head Girl, have the answer!” Ginny exclaimed, “So tell me what happened. Did he use smooth words to sweep you off your feet, or did he ask to join spew?”

“Not funny, Ginny!” Hermione scolded, before blushing, “Well, umm…I was in the library looking for books on lust potions, then the next thing I know I hear him whisper ‘Hello Hermione’ into my ear, and I jumped around to face him, and the next thing I know his lips are on my and his tongue is in my mouth and I couldn’t stop myself!” Hermione wailed.

Ginny looked concerned, “Do you really think that they are doing something?”

“I don’t know, but all the evidence points to yes.” Hermione responded.

“Well what happened next?” Ginny asked.

“What do you mean next?” Hermione asked, confused.

Ginny gave an exasperated sigh, before saying “Well you didn’t get a hickey on your neck from having his tongue in your mouth, give me details!”

Hermione blushed again, and began to tell the entire tale that she could remember, up until Blaise left her in the library as silently as he had arrived, Ginny milking details where Hermione was vague. When Hermione was finished talking Ginny sat back silently while she processed everything Hermione had just told her. She wasn’t surprised that Hermione had her first orgasm in the library, actually that seemed quite fitting, what she couldn’t wrap her head around was Blaise Zabini. What was he playing at, and where was Malfoy?

“Were they in any of your classes this afternoon?”

Hermione nodded, blushing slightly again. Ginny leaned in closer, “Did anything happen then.”

Hermione shook her head, “Not really, the only seat left in Arithmancy was beside Blaise, Malfoy was sitting beside him, but he didn’t say anything. Blaise smiled at me when I sat down, but he didn’t try to kiss me or touch me or distract me throughout the entire class.” Hermione stopped herself when she realized she sounded like she was whining.

“And is that a bad thing, or were you distracted anyway and that’s why you are upset?” Ginny asked, smartly.

Hermione blushed again, “Ever since the library I haven’t been able to get him out of my head, I had to use all my will to not jump him in class.”

“Was there any sign of Malfoy in the library?” Ginny inquired.

Hermione shook her head, “Nothing, then in class he didn’t say anything, no insults, no comments on my blood or my intelligence. They just watched me until the lesson started.”

“Did they watch you during class?”

“I d..don’t think so.” Hermione stuttered.

“You know think so or you don’t know?” Ginny asked, eyebrows raised.

“Well I tried to avoid watching them during the class.”

“Uh huh.”

“Oh, Gin, what am I going to do? If Harry and Ron find out they’ll freak. What if Blaise is just after me for the chase, the conquest and that’s why Malfoy won’t say anything, what if this is truly sinister?” Uncertainty and disappointment laced Hermione’s words, causing Ginny to raise her eyebrows again.

“Do you want it to be something real?” She asked, studying the older girl’s reaction.

Hermione raised her head and looked Ginny in the eye. She was at a loss. “I don’t know Ginny. What I do know is when he was kissing me I felt happier than I have ever felt in my life, and when he was doing other things,” she stopped and blushed again before continuing, “when he did those other things it just felt right, like it was meant to be, do you understand?” she implored.

Ginny regarded her levelly for a moment, “I understand, I get the same way every time I kiss Harry. But this is a Slytherin, who you suspect of using some sort of lust potion on you. You have to think logically Mione.” Hermione nodded, knowing in her head it was the truth, though she wanted nothing more than to run and find Blaise and pledge her eternal love.

Ginny thought for another few minutes, Hermione was obviously distraught and confused as to what she was thinking and where the thoughts were coming from. “Do you know of any spells or potions that could block a lust potion? If we can eliminate variables then we can find out what they are doing and then gain the upper hand, and best case scenario he didn’t do anything and you can freely scratch that itch of yours,” she laughed.

Hermione looked back at her and smiled, “Thanks Gin, I knew I could count on you. And not a word to Ron and Harry.”

“Hey, no issues there, they are both likely to kill the messenger before going on a rampage to kill your little hottie. Even if he turns out to be an ass, at least you got a taste of him, and from what you said it sounds like he’s pretty much a perfect kisser.” The girls shared a smile, before dissolving into giggles.

“I honestly never knew a kiss could be like that before. At least I know for sure now I made the right choice in dumping Ron, he…” Hermione began.

“Don’t worry about it ‘Mione. Anyone with two brain cells could see that a relationship between you and my brother wasn’t going to work on, and of course the only one who couldn’t see that was my brother.” Ginny laughed.

“Thanks again, Gin. So, should be head to the library and try and find an antidote to whatever I may be been influenced by?” Hermione asked.

Ginny looked at her skeptically, before an eager glint came to her eyes that made Hermione wary, “Only if you show me were Blaise, um, accosted you.” She said with a devious smirk.

Hermione blushed again, causing Ginny to laugh out loud, “Honestly Hermione, you blush way to easily. If you are going to step up and tackle that pretty boy you had better be able to throw a few curve balls of your own.”

“Did you just use a muggle phrase?” Hermione asked.

“Don’t get your knickers in a knot, yes it’s a muggle term, but it also is wizard, there are techniques will curve the path of a quaffle on the field without magic.” Ginny defended, “And besides, I’ve been friends with you long enough, I know plenty of muggle phrases.”

Hermione raised her hands up in mock defeat, “All right, all right. You can teach me to ‘throw a couple of curve balls’ as long as Pavarti and Lavender have nothing to do with it.”

“Do you really think I would ask those two sluts to teach you to flirt. Hermione? You’re class, they’re trash, that’s only one step or two above asking Pansy Parkinson for dating advice.” Ginny shuddered dramatically, causing Hermione to laugh.

“You’re right Ginny, but don’t even tell them, not even a hint of anything; I don’t want to have to put up with them hounding me for details to give to the rumor mill.”

“You don’t even need to ask. Now, first things first, stand up, let’s do a few small things.” Ginny commanded.

Hermione stood up warily, “What are you planning on doing Ginny?” she asked as Ginny scrutinized her appearance.

“For dinner, do you want to keep on your uniform, or change into something sexier?” Ginny asked.

“Ginny! What are you talking about, why do I need to be sexy to go to dinner.” Hermione protested.

Ginny ignored her, “Uniform it is then,” she muttered before pulling out her wand, “Hermione, we have to hit him hard and soon, up the challenge, keep his eyes on your more physical assets until we can figure out what’s going through his head. Basic diversionary tactics, and besides you need to learn to flirt, leave the next encounter with him on your terms, show him there’s more to you than he sees!” Ginny declared, and without another word Ginny flicked her wand and shrunk Hermione’s shirt slightly, spelling open the top few buttons to show a bit of cleavage. She then flicked her wand once again and Hermione’s skirt shortened a few inches from the dress code sanctioned length it was originally, though it was no were nearly as short as Lavender, Pavarti’s or especially Pansy’s skirt.

Hermione glanced down at her clothes and yelped out a protest, “Ginny, no! Change it back, its way too small.”

Ginny just shook her head and replaced her wand. “Don’t think about altering it either, I put on a spell that prevents just that. You have a nice body Hermione, show it off, you’d be surprised what people would give to look as good as you do. Now let’s get to the library and maybe you can fill me on a few more of the details that conveniently slipped your mind, then we can head to dinner and plan our next move.” Ginny smirked, turning to the entrance of the room. Hermione smoothed her skirt and pulled her robe closed over her shrunken clothing as she followed Ginny out of the room.

The entire walk to the library Ginny was fighting with Hermione, trying to get her to open her robes, but Hermione remained stubborn. When they passed Lavender and Pavarti the two Gryffindor’s jumped to Ginny’s aid, and between the three of them they managed to wrestle the robe off of Hermione’s shoulders, and all it took was a well aimed and well time impedimenta on behalf of Ginny, who then shrunk the robe and pocketed it, leaving Hermione exposed. Both Lavender and Pavarti complimented Hermione’s looks which caused her to blush and look else where, only to realize that a large group of students had formed to watch their struggle. She shot Ginny a dirty look, before marching off towards the library ignoring the cat calls that followed her. Ginny ran after her, sending threatening looks at a Ravenclaw who yelled a few fairly lewd comments at the Head Girl. Ginny finally caught up with Hermione at the entrance of the library.

“Sorry about that Hermione, that went a little too far.” Ginny apologized.

“You think?” Hermione bit back sharply, but see the look of sincere repentance in Ginny’s eyes she softened, “I didn’t help the situation by fighting so much. Come on, Gin, it happened over here in the Restricted Section.” Hermione walked into the library leading Ginny to where she had gone earlier that day. Ginny looked around suspiciously, trying to figure out if there had been a way Malfoy could have been hiding and watching if this was a prank. She couldn’t find any reasonable place that could fit a person of Malfoy’s size. She could have hidden in some of the places, but not Malfoy. When she completed her inspection, she rejoined Hermione who had begun pulling books off the shelf and flipping through them to see if they may have any relevant information before either adding them to a pile she had in her one arm, or returning it to the shelf. After a few more minutes they took their huge pile of books to the table at the very back of the Restricted Section and set them down. As Hermione settled herself down in one of the chairs she caught the faint scent of Blaise’s cologne, and that other combination she smelt during Arithmancy. She paused for a second and savored the scent. Hermione took in a deep breathe through her mouth and was surprised to discover if she concentrated she could taste the scents on her tongue. She looked up to Ginny who was eyeing her curiously over the table.

“Reliving pleasant memories?” She asked with a smirk.

“If Blaise Zabini got you off in the library, wouldn’t you?” Hermione countered, causing Ginny to burst out laughing, lowering her voice as soon as she caught Hermione’s scandalized glare for disturbing the silence of the library. This only served to cause her to roll over in a fit of silent giggles. Hermione rolled her eyes and began reading the first book in the pile, So, You Can’t Control Yourself, Lust Potion or Hormones? She was well into the third chapter when Ginny broke her concentration.

“Umm, Hermione, you don’t intend to read these all now, do you?” She asked.

“Why not?” Hermione countered.

“Well, dinner is in 10 minutes, and I for one don’t intend to miss it.” Ginny explained.

“Well I can’t take these books out, and I want to know what I’m dealing with before I have to see them again.” Hermione asserted.

“I thought you had an unlimited pass to the restricted section as Head Girl?” Ginny asked confused.

“Yes, as long as I can provide an academic reason for my interest in the book. How am I going to make requesting books on illegal lust potions and spells scholarly?” Hermione queried, lapsing into thought.

Ginny thought for a moment, eyeing the text in front of her as if it was hiding the answer from her when Hermione broke her concentration by jumping up and grabbing a selection of the books from the pile. Ginny eyed her curiously and Hermione simply stated, “I figured out how. Now come on, I want to drop these off before we go do dinner.”

Ginny jumped up, following Hermione closely, wondering what her ingenious plan was to get the books. Ginny held back slightly as Hermione strutted up to Mme. Pince’s desk and placed the books on the old woman’s desk. Mme. Pince looked up at Hermione for a second, awarding her a rare smile before pulling the books towards her and reading the titles. The smile left her face as she titled her head to make eye contact with Hermione again.

“I assume you have an academic reason for requesting these books, Miss Granger. I wouldn’t want you to be abusing your library privileges on the first day of school?” The woman’s fierce eyes regarded Hermione coldly now.

“Well, it is scholarly, though not related directly to school.” Hermione began. She quickly continued after seeing the disapproving frown on the librarians face deepen, “I don’t know if you read Witch Weekly, Mme. Pince,” the woman’s eyes lit up with interest, and Hermione knew she had her where she wanted her, “but over the summer I read a slightly disturbing article on the benefits of lust potions and spells, and how they should be taken off the restricted spells and potions lists. I wanted to write an article debating these facts to send into the magazine, but I want to do the appropriate research before begin.”

Mme. Pince regarded Hermione levelly before shifting her gaze to Ginny who was standing a few paces behind Hermione watching the interaction avidly, “And does Miss Weasley having any part of this?” she asked.

“Oh, yes!” Hermione stated, “It was actually Ginny who showed me the article initially, she was as appalled as I was.”

Ginny tried to keep a serious face as Mme. Pince stared her down, in search of a lie, apparently Ginny passed the test.

“Very well Miss Granger, have these books back in two weeks. Miss Weasley, if you wish to pick up a few more books on this subject over the next couple of days, feel free to do so. I read the article in question and found it immoral and tasteless. I look forward to reading your rebuttal.” She handed Hermione the books, eyeing the Head Girl’s appearance for a moment, but before she could say anything Ginny snatched Hermione away waving a cheerful good bye to the dour old, librarian.

As soon as they were out the doors, Ginny began laughing.

“Merlin, Hermione. That was brilliant. Though I’m not too sure about writing this article.” Ginny laughed whole heartedly.

Hermione just smile, “Well it was the only way I could think to get the books, and I’m sure you remember that article. Mme. Pince was right, it was immoral and tasteless.”

“Uh huh, oh well, it would be nice to see our names printed as an author of an article instead of being written about for once, wouldn’t it?” Ginny joked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, “You’re telling me. But let’s drop these off and then go eat. We can regroup in my common room after and start researching.”

They started walking, Hermione catching boys leering at her as they passed. She pulled the books closer. They made it to the Head Girl Room without incident, and once they dropped off the books Ginny pulled Hermione’s shrunken robe out of her pocket, enlarged it, but did not give it to Hermione.

She looked at her friend squarely, “Ok Hermione, I will give this back to you ONLY if you agree to not use it to completely cover your front, it says unbuttoned, alright?” Hermione started to protest, but Ginny cut her off, “Alright?”

Hermione sighed, defeated, “Alright.”

Ginny passed the robe back with a smirk. Hermione gave her a soft glare before slipping one of the books into her pocket and leading the way to dinner.

***
When they arrived the Great Hall all eyes were on Hermione. The rumor mill out did it self once again. News of Hermione’s scuffle with Ginny, Lavender and Parvati in the hall, the ended up revealing a sexy, Hermione wearing clothes that hugged her curves but still left plenty to the imagination. Whether they had believed it or not, the entire school was waiting on the edge of their seats for Hermione to appear and settle the rumors for once and for all. They were not disappointed. After a moment of silence after seeing the Head Girl the volume of the Great Hall increased ten-fold as people discussed this development. Ginny smirked, and muttered to Hermione, “Walk tall and proud, they’ll be calling you the hottest girl in school by morning.” Hermione rolled her eyes disbelievingly and let her gaze slip towards the Slytherin table, seeking out the distinct presence of the two Slytherin Princes, but they were no where to be found. Their regular seats remained empty as the table gossiped and shot glares at her, the upstart Mudblood. Hermione rolled her eyes at the Slytherin’s and turned her attention to her own house table which they were quickly approaching. They walked up to the center of the table where Ron, Harry and a few more of their friends were saving seats for the two girls.

Ron’s mouth was literally hanging open, staring at Hermione as she took a seat across from him, facing the Slytherin table, but Harry merely raised his eyebrows and looked at his own girlfriend questioningly. Ginny shrugged and smirked, but she knew she would have some questions to answer later if Hermione didn’t explain herself first.

“Is this what Ginny wanted to talk to you about after class Hermione?” Ron asked incredulously, “You brushed off hanging out with us to make yourself look like a slut?!”

There was a collective gasp from everyone within a 10 foot radius of Ron. There rest of the hall went silent at the sound and peered over at the Gryffindor table where Ron’s face was as red as his hair and he didn’t seem to notice the sudden change in volume in the room. Whispers began to litter the room, letting people know what Ron had said.

Hermione had tears in her eyes, but before she could say anything Harry jumped in, “Ron, how the hell can you say something like that. Hermione does not look like a slut! How could you ever think that she would? What the hell is wrong with you?!” he demanded in a harsh tone. Ron looked at Harry shocked. Then looked around at the scandalized faces of his housemates, and then into the pools of Hermione’s eyes, which threatened to spill over with tears, his face remained tinged, but now it was from shame rather than anger. “I’m sorry Hermione, I didn’t mean that.”

Hermione clenched her teeth and closed her eyes for a second before opening to stare emotionlessly at the redhead, “I’m not going to say that didn’t hurt Ron, or that all is forgiven already. That was the meanest thing you have ever said to me, and as I have said before, my business is not necessarily your business, when I want your opinion I will ask for it. Got it?” She demanded imperiously, Ron nodded mutely, his eyes downcast. Hermione prepared to say more when the doors of the Great Hall burst open to admit the two Slytherin Princes, taking the attention off the Golden Trio, though many people continued to glance back throughout dinner to look for more gossip worthy facts.

When Blaise entered the Great Hall his attention went immediately to Hermione, he had felt some disturbing emotions through his link with her and was curious to see the state of her. When his gaze landed on her he narrowed his eyes. Her eyes were puffy and watery; waves of sadness were wafting off her, though she fought to keep her face neutral. He saw her face melt into an almost imperceptible smile as she recognized him. He gave her an equally hidden smile as he took his seat next to Draco who was surveying the rest of the room, and quietly barking questions and commands at Crabbe, Goyle and a few other seventh years. Slowly, the volume in the hall became normal again.

Blaise turned to his classmate, Theodore Nott, and nodded towards the Gryffindor table, “Trouble in paradise, Nott?”

Nott laughed, “Apparently Weasel told her she looked like a slut, after she walked in here showing off her body. Who would have guessed she was hiding such a hot body under those shapeless robes, eh Zabini?” Nott motioned over to where Hermione was sitting, conversing with Harry and Ginny, Ron wisely staying silent. Blaise let his eyes peruse Hermione as she interacted with her friends. He notices she shirt was tighter and the top few buttons on her shirt were undone. When had she done that? He had been intending to change her wardrobe to closer to what she was wearing now, but now that he had seen her in public that way he wasn’t so sure anymore. He noticed Potter wasn’t paying attention to his mates body, always looking her in the eye when they spoke, Weasel was staring too much for his liking, especially since the stupid pauper had supposedly called his and Draco’s mate a slut. The Weasel would pay. He glanced around the room next, and seeing about half the male population drooling over the head girl made his blood boil. Blaise frowned and turned to an equally perturbed Draco who acknowledged Blaise’s look before turning his attention back to Hermione, Blaise returned his attention to Nott, who had begun talking again. “From what I hear, about an hour or so ago she was attacked by a couple of her fellow Gryffindor’s in the hall and they literally wrestled her robe off her and shrunk her clothes. Wish I could have seen that, might have added a spell or two of my own to have the mudblood flashing half the school.” Nott finished with a laugh, until he caught the death stare in Blaise’s eye. Blaise leaned over to Nott and in a deathly whisper said clearly into his ear, “Listen up Nott, if I ever hear you say anything like that about Granger again I will tear you limb from limb. You know what I am, you’re one of the few. Some things cannot be helped, but I will defend what’s mine, and be assured, Hermione Granger is mine. And I don’t think I need to remind you that you should never divulge that information, even upon threat of death, understand?” Nott gulped and looked nervously at Blaise, desperately seeking a joke hidden underneath the words. When he saw the true rage reflected in Blaise’s eyes he bowed out gracefully and quietly muttered an apology to the dark Veela.

Blaise turned to Draco and gave him a significant look. They were going to try to speed up this process as fast as possible so soon everyone would know who Hermione belonged to and was protected by.

Blaise looked across the hall one more time, catching Hermione’s eye and giving her wink that had her blushing slightly, a fact that went unnoticed by most of her housemates, except Ron Weasley, who turned to see who was making Hermione blush. But by the time the dimwit had turned Blaise had already lowered his gaze. Ron turned back to glare questioningly at Hermione, but she was to wrapped up in a quiet conversation with Ginny and it wasn’t long before they were excusing themselves from the table, promising to meet up with them in the common room later.

Draco and Blaise watched the two Gryffindor’s leave before turning to glare at the hot tempered red head who’s face was slowly turning magenta once again as Harry Potter grilled him on his awful behavior towards their friend.