Dark Harmony

Chapter 2: Challange

Two days later, Hermione still couldn't get the strange incident out of her thoughts, and it was so that she found herself sitting in the sixth year girl's dormitory, sharing the episode with Ginny Weasley.

"Gabriella Zabini," Ginny mused. "I don't really know much about her except that she's a year below me. Draco would know, his family spends a lot of time with the Zabini's apparently. I could ask if you like."

"No, that's alright," Hermione said hastily. She had no doubt in her mind that no matter how infatuated the Slytherin was with Ginny, he wouldn't hesitate to jump at the chance to humiliate one of his most hated nemesis'. She had no desire for Malfoy to know about her slight crush.

"I don't see, if you're so completely obsessed with him, why you don't just make a move," Ginny said, and Hermione winced.

Ok, so maybe it was more then a slight crush. But she definitely wasn't obsessed with him, and she told her friend as much. Ginny arched her brows.

"So you being rendered completely incoherent by him simply walking past can be qualified as normal?" Ginny asked with a smirk and Hermione threw a pillow at her.

"The boy's a bloody furnace," she grumbled and Ginny grinned.

"Oh, I won't argue with you there," she replied, thinking back on the incident that had insinuated Hermione's current dilemma. "That body," she said slyly and was rewarded with Hermione's groan. "You're hopeless," she laughed. "Why don't you just ask Gabriella about it?"

Hermione shivered. She didn't know what it was, but there was something about the younger girl that made her distinctly uncomfortable. She shook her head. She was being silly, and she knew it was the only logical solution to her problem. Otherwise, she was going to go insane.

"Your right, Gin. Thanks."

"I'm not sure that I did much, but you're welcome anyways," Ginny laughed.

She watched Hermione leave thoughtfully. She knew a little more about the Zabini's then she had let on, but if she ever uttered a word of it... she hated to think what would happen. Especially if Draco ever found out, or if anyone found out that he had shared his knowledge with her. But Ginny's curiosity had been piqued. Just what was Gabriella playing at? She rather admired the Zabini witch, but if she was playing games with Hermione... well. That just wouldn't do. She lay back on her pillows tiredly, resolving that in the morning she would get to the bottom of it.

^^^^^

Hermione eyed the dark haired girl nervously. She had found Gabriella in the library, pouring over some ancient volume, and now she was unsure as to how to approach her.

For goodness sakes, Hermione, you're Head Girl. Get a grip! She's only a fifth year! Hermione rebuked herself before taking a deep breath and striding to the table where the youngest Zabini was seated. She cleared her throat and the younger girl spared her a glance before refocusing on her work.

"Gabriella. I was, erm, wondering if we could talk."

The Slytherin sighed and glanced up once again, a spark of annoyance flashing in her eyes.

"As you can see, Granger," she said Hermione's last name with particular relish, "I'm in the middle of something." She suddenly smiled wickedly. "This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with," she glanced a few tables down where a dark head was just visible over a stack of books, "my brother, would it?"

Hermione determinedly did take the girls bait and instead pulled out a seat across from her.

"I was wondering about what you said the other morning," she said, deciding that a direct route was the better one to take.

Gabriella shrugged.

"What about it?"

"Well... it was an odd thing to say," Hermione finished lamely and the other girl lifted a brow.

"Was it?"

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"What did you mean by it?"

"Nothing more or less then I said. Blaise said that you were a brainy one... figure it out," she said in unmistakable challenge.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the girl. She was liking the younger Zabini less and less. Gabriella ignored her and went on.

"Do you even realize how disgustingly obvious your desire is for him? You want him," she drawled, before leaning across the table, "but do you want him enough?"

Hermione shivered and swallowed heavily. Enough? Enough for what, she desperately wanted to ask, but knew full well that she wouldn't get a response. She had the distinct feeling that if she answered that question her life would never be the same again, but she had never backed down from a challenge and she wasn't going to start now. Squaring her shoulders, she looked the other girl straight in the eye.

"What do you think?" she asked rhetorically, and wasn't sure whether or not to be alarmed by Gabriella's sudden, uncharacteristic smile.

"I think that you won't be able to turn down my invitation," she said, the smile gone as suddenly as it had come. She pushed a slip of parchment across the table before resuming her studies, indicating that the meeting was over. Annoyed and curious at the same time, Hermione rose, even more confused then she had been in the beginning. Tucking the parchment in the front of her robes, she spared the younger girl one last glance before striding purposely from the table.

Gabriella watched her go, her eyes sparkling darkly. She had waited a long time for a worthy opponent, and, even though she was a Gryffindor, the girl still had a certain flare about her. She allowed herself a small, satisfied smirk. Things could get interesting.

She was just settling down when someone barged over to her table once more and plopped into the seat across from her. Sighing, she looked up slowly. Ginny Weasley sat across from her, looking suspicious and determined. Gabriella would have groaned had it not been completely un-Zabini like.

"Why am I being continually accosted by Gryffindors," she muttered before slowly closing her book and gazing up at the youngest Weasley expectantly.

Ginny glared at her.

"We need to talk."