Operation Humiliation

In a dark passageway, Harry Potter's heart beat wildly and his body froze as it attached to the wall. He was undoubtedly in shock from what he had heard seconds ago through Fred and George Weasley's infamous Extendable Ears, which was Malfoy announcing that playing along with Hermione's flirty stunt was anything but play. Someone, and Harry had a very shrewd idea who, had plans for Harry, Ron, and above all Hermione. And coming from the foul and ruthless mouth of Draco Malfoy, Harry knew instantaneously that this would be anything but good news for him and his friends.

What should I do? He thought desperately. Someone has to know! Ron and Hermione, that's who. Harry sprinted up the stairs and in the direction of Gryffindor Tower with the full intention of informing his friends about what he heard. On passing a window, he automatically glanced out of it, and his eyes fell on an unhappily memorable creature-a thestral.

His feet stopped, but his mind raced. Last time he saw a thestral, he was coursing through the sky, attempting to save his godfather. His stupidity and pride led to the death of Sirius Black at the culmination of last term. At the time, he took a persuasive nightmare too far and over exaggerated the meaning of the dream. Maybe he was wrong again.

Ron and Hermione won't believe me this time. Then, they'll urge me to go to Dumbledore and take some unnecessary drastic action that will conclude in nothing except me feeling stupid and trying to be heroic again. Oh, but I better tell somebody. But who? Who could I confide in that knows as much as them, is smart like them, and I'm comfortable with?

He unknowingly smiled at the thought of his confidante. Noticing this, he mentally swept these musings from mind and continued toward his destination.

* * *

He found her slouching comfortably on one of the lumpy armchairs situated in front of the common room fire. Crookshanks was situated just as comfortably in her lap nuzzling her fingers. She seemed like she was daydreaming, and a sly smile played across her charming face without her knowing that was parallel to her thoughts. Harry figured that Hermione was still up in the dormitory, and Ron was nowhere to be found.

He approached the red-head nervously, yet his anxiety was not rooted in what he was planning to tell her, but more that he was telling her. Again, he wiped his mind clean.

"Ginny, can we talk?" Harry spat out cautiously yet determinedly. She pulled out of her reverie and gazed up at Harry, as if she was surprised, yet delighted to see him in front of her.

Ginny smiled and replied, "Well, besides the fact that we are talking now-" But her pleased expression evaporated and was immediately replaced by a more worried and concerned one, identical to the one Harry wore. "Yeah, of course," Ginny answered, "Let's go over here," as they headed toward a deserted corner of the steadily emptying common room.

Harry was prepared to fill her in, but Ginny interrupted him before he could start.

"Wait, Harry. I think you should be let in on this." Harry was surprised at this, but intrigued all the same.

"You know this whole Hermione acting completely unusual and all girly, and stuff?" asked Ginny reluctantly, and Harry nodded blankly.

"Well, it's like this," she paused, glimpsing around the room and checking to see if anyone was eavesdropping or giving the pair any attention. "Hermione and I came up with this little scheme the other night, to humiliate Malfoy the best way that we can, and we, you know, thought it would take off with a lot more time than this, which makes me kind of suspicious of him." She looked at him questioningly as she told Harry about their plan. "No one's supposed to know this, except me and her, but I guess it is all right is you know, but-"

"Don't tell Ron?" he guessed unexpectedly. "Don't worry, he's in bad enough shape as is. It is almost like the whole Viktor Krum fiasco again." Harry sighed sadly, while Ginny rolled her eyes in agreement.

"Tell me about it. But I keep thinking we should, you know, so he doesn't flip out and attack Malfoy like he is bound to do sooner or later. Hermione and I talked about this extensively, and I think Ron should know," Ginny suggested. She was very excited to be chatting with Harry like this, but wanted her opinion and ideas in.

Harry nodded, almost chuckling at the thought. He had forgotten all about what he had come to tell her he was enjoying himself so much. Then, it all came back.

"Ginny! I was just listening to Malfoy in the common room-"

"What? How?" she interrupted, completely taken aback.

"Never mind that," he implored, "He's got something in for her, and Ron as well," excluding himself from the proposition. "What should we do?"

The fear that had alighted in Ginny Weasley's eyes evaporated instantaneously, so much she started to snicker. "Oh, come one Harry. You actually believe that conceited scumbag? I'd bet my spot on the Quidditch team that he just made that up to cover the fact that Hermione intimidated and charmed him from the biased fool that he normally is to an undiscriminating school boy with a crush on a girl he normally tortured. It's positively normal when someone gets a crush on the least suspected person!" she finished coolly.

You can say that again, Harry thought, but he clearly wasn't convinced.

"Trust me, Harry! He's just ashamed of fancying a girl he never thought he would like, and that she would be nice back. He wasn't even thinking!" Ginny explained wisely.

Harry's heart lightened a little bit, and as he looked at her, an unsuspecting thought suddenly popped into his confused head.

"Something tells me that this will not be the only time we see this from him," Harry hinted.

Ginny smiled coyly and mischievously, saying nothing more.

"Ooh, Ginny!" Harry exclaimed, as Ginny looked at him expectantly. "I see a perfect opportunity to engage in a little matchmaking in the near future. How would like to be my accomplice?" Harry asked excitedly, guiltily wishing he could ask her for more.

Catching on, Ginny smiled comprehensively and answered brightly, "Count me in, Mr. Potter."

* * *

By the following morning, the castle's euphoria and agitation had increased immensely, but the inhabitants had decided to keep their mouths shut and watch instead of provoking their prey.

Since our favorite trio was unfortunate enough to have class with the Slytherins again that afternoon, Charms, they soon were confronted by Malfoy and his comrades.

Hermione looked nothing short of majestic. Different from the day before, but nonetheless ravishing. Ron's ferocity from the night before had vanished entirely and was replaced by misgivings and hopelessness. Harry, on the other hand, was fit to burst. He was constantly pursing his lips to keep from cracking up, which for sure would give everything away, and missing this sight would be an absolute disappointment to all of Hogwarts.

Brandishing her coveted hair once again was virtually unnecessary. Malfoy noticed her and was staring at her the moment he saw her. But strangely, Hermione kept focused on her work, rather than flirty as she did the day before. Malfoy strived to catch her eye, but to of no avail, which unpleasantly surprised him. Ron was surveying him intensely, while Harry was peaking at him out of the corner of his eye. Every individual in the classroom was watching Draco and Hermione on the edge of their seats. But Hermione was utterly oblivious to the fact that she had the attention of the notorious Draco Malfoy, every Gryffindor, every Slytherin, Professor Flitwick and even the toads that they were to enchant in the class. Yet she was a tiny bit aware that Ron was there, watching, gazing, and dejected.

Professor Flitwick called everyone to class, and started on the lesson.

Draco, greatly innerved by Hermione failing to notice him, never took his eyes off her, and Hermione was focused just as intensely on the lesson, naturally.

After the sixth-years were dismissed, Hermione rapidly engaged in conversation with Harry and Ron, making it difficult for Draco to get in a word if he wanted to which totally offended him. He hooded his anger, and made a beeline straight for his suddenly elusive target.

"...We should go visit Hagrid tonight, we haven't seen him in ages! I wonder if he knew that-"

"Um, excuse me? Could I have a moment with you, Hermione?" requested an intimidated Draco, who was also uneasy about this bizarre new feeling plus facing this new interest of his, even though he wouldn't admit that to anyone.

Ron, who was in danger of blowing up, was elbowed in the stomach by an equally dangerous Harry, except he was in danger of blowing up because of imprisoning his amusement, rather than rage and protective affection. This relieved Hermione because it temporarily paralyzed the fuming redhead with shock, allowing Harry to direct him down the hall stuffed to capacity of anxious spectators, and free her of the clouds of apprehension, discomfort, and attentiveness that hovered over her head, which was just how she felt when Ron and Draco were in close range of each other.

"Sure," Hermione replied cheerfully. Draco got in step next to her as she sauntered down the hall after her friends. He chuckled nervously and ruffled his hair in preparation. She gazed at him expectantly, perfectly for making him even more tense and jumpy, more out-of-character than ever. He realized this, and transformed into a more confident, suave, and normal self.

"You know, I don't think I have ever noticed you like I have these past few days. Apparently Mudb-, um, Muggle-borns aren't as bad as I thought they were. Well, you are an exception," Draco flattered smoothly. Good idea, Draco, admit you were wrong and flatter her, girls like that. Act like she's smarter than you are, and that she was right, Malfoy thought miserably. He despised admitting he was wrong.

Hermione's wasn't stupid, or fooled by his phony antics, but she decided to play along, so she smiled proudly.

"Never judge a book by it's cover," she replied musically.

"Or it's blood, I guess," he finished sheepishly, causing Hermione to laugh amusedly.

"Listen, Hermione, would you like to take a little stroll with me? After dinner, maybe? I think I'd like to get to know you a little better. See what you are all about," Malfoy invited softly.

Hermione forced a look that resembled vague temptation, causing Draco to worry slightly, as dogmatic as he could. She smiled at the solicitude that played across his handsome face.

"Why not? Maybe I have misjudged you too," Hermione answered flirtatiously. Immediately after, Draco started to breathe again, causing Hermione to join in with the joviality. "I guess I'll see you then, right? Bye, Draco," Hermione replied coyly as she sauntered down the hall, grinning happily.

Malfoy waved playfully, and thought, What the heck am I doing?

* * *

Hermione burst into the common room, horribly grossed out after her foolish escapade. The inquisitive ears of Gryffindors tuned out of their incomprehensible assignments and petty conversations to 'casually' overhear the report, because they all habitually knew about Draco approaching Hermione after class. Thanks to- well, you know who.

She dropped her bookbag unceremoniously as she collapsed into a vacant armchair beside Ginny, who was chatting with Harry. Ron apparently, was in the library. Likely story. Hermione closed her eyes willingly and sighed audibly.

"That bad, huh?" Ginny sympathized. Hermione shot her a warning look in response to her question.

"It's okay, I know everything," Harry announced wisely, causing Hermione-the-Time-Bomb to ignite as she glared at Ginny.

"Don't worry, don't worry! It's okay, and it's all for the better," Ginny soothed, which didn't entirely comfort Hermione, who opened her mouth to argue.

"Take it easy, Ron doesn't know anything," Harry pacified confidently.

"So what else is new?" Ginny joked tantalizingly, and Hermione shot her a look of reproach, surprising herself, but not Harry or Ginny, who instead snickered.

"Well, we are going for a little stroll after dinner," Hermione admitted wretchedly; even the thought produced major pain and suffering. Ginny and Harry exchanged mischievous glances, putting Hermione on her guard. Those two had something cooking in their minds. "It is really strange how you to have come to remind me of a certain pair of troublemakers that have absent from our mist," Hermione mentioned.

Their grins were mile-wide.

* * *

Dinner that evening was an anticipative affair. Each supposed to meet in the trophy room, giving themselves a chance to clean up and so on.

Malfoy was there early, figuring Hermione would do the same, but she wasn't. He wandered around, hands deep in his pockets, thinking, expectant, and unbeatably nervous. After about fifteen minutes, a footfall came from his right. He turned anxiously, and turned on his charm.

"About time!" Draco chuckled, "I was about ready to lea-"

He paused. His eyes met a stunning girl. But she wasn't who he had been expecting and preparing for.

* * *