Sandboxes and HayBales

Sandboxes and Hay Bales

by: GLEH

Many students watched as the twenty something bales of hay were thrown out into the rain that was falling upon Hogwarts grounds. Some watched from windows, some watched from open doorways, some watched from a sheltering tree beside the lake, and yet others weren't watching at all, but most important, were the two students standing near to where the heavy bales smashed down to the soggy hillside.

Their hands tightly intertwined together, the two stood close together, watching the bales roll by them down the hill, where at the bottom a couple would hit unnaturally large rocks, ripping the strings open and spreading the bright yellow stalks all about. The male counterpart of the two involved pointed to a piece floating around, barely missing the heavy raindrops. The girl reached out and snatched it in the air and shoved it towards the boy, who twitched away. Reaching his hands up to check the state of his blonde hair, he playfully pushed the girl who giggled and ran away from him and the hurling hay bales.

The handsome blonde bloke chased after the girl, although his feet slipped in the muddy grounds. As his foot slipped out from under him, he just reached the girl and tugged on the back of her cloak, causing her to unfortunately lose her already unstable footing on the grounds. She fell to the ground, falling into her 'playmate.' The two rolled in the mud as they attempted to stand up again.

"Ahem."

From above them there came a rather annoyed cough, and the two craned their necks up to see Professor Severus Snape standing regally over them, in his bright yellow rain coat, with his bright yellow galoshes, and his bright yellow pants, complete with a bright yellow rain hat. The two muffled their giggles and slowly, very carefully, stood up to face Professor Snape, their clothes muddy through and through.

"Granger, Draco," the Professor barked. "May I ask what you two are doing, cavorting about on the grounds . . . in the mud and rain?"

"Oh, Professor," Hermione began timidly. "We lost our footing in the mud; the ground is rather slippery today, what with the rain and everything."

Severus looked at Hermione scathingly, but he happened to glance behind them to where the last of the numerous bales of hay were being tossed upon the grounds. His jaw dropped and he pushed past them to run to where the hay bales were either sitting contentedly or rolling violently down the hill. Dashing and slipping across the grounds in his bright yellow outfit, his hat flowing behind him and his slimy black hair just barely visible against the yellow, Severus was quite a sight to see.

"Oh, that is just perfect," said Draco while sniggering amusedly. "I wonder where Snape got the outfit."

Hermione looked at Draco and back at Severus, who was standing dejectedly at the edge of the bales, and burst out laughing. She collapsed against Draco, throwing her arms around his neck. Draco responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her on her muddy cheek. Hermione ceased her giggling and buried her face in Draco's rather muddy chest, but, out of the corner of her eye, she snuck a look at Severus aruguing with the hay bales, she began laughing hysterically again.

Severus glared back at her and Draco snorted. Draco pulled his arms off of Hermione's waist and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the sanctuary of Hogwarts. Hermione stumbled along behind him and attempted laughter control, but failing very miserably. Draco gently and lovingly pushed her back against the wall and she promptly slid to the ground in her fits of humor.

Draco crouched in front of her and stared, hoping that her laughter would end soon. He had to go but he didn't want to leave her in the state she was. Heaven knows that she would fall down the stairs at the memory of Severus' galoshes.

*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****

Hermione stumbled into the Gryffindor Common room and tried to move to the chair closest to the fire, but was halted by Harry calling out her name.

"Hermione," Harry said slowly, obviously amused. "As tired as you must be, I think it would be best if you went and changed and showered before sitting in that there chair..."

Glancing down at her mud splattered body, Hermione sighed and muttered under her breath, and the mud slowly evaporated.

"Or not."

Hermione collapsed into the chair, and she quickly sunk comfortably down into the puffy chair. Moments later, a faint snore could be heard from Hermione, surefire proof that she was asleep.

*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****

The next three days were full of the "liquid sunshine" that had been expected, but on the fourth, a timid sun broke through the clouds. Draco planned to take advantage of the decent weather to try and find the shirt that he had stashed in one of the trees that lined the lake. Draco couldn't remember why he had left the shirt in there...something to do with the weather. Damn weather, so unpredictable...

While Draco mused, he reached the tree that held the shirt. Draco snorted and reached inside the tree, pulling it out. He looked at the shirt and smiled, remembrance reverberating in his brain. Suddenly, Draco heard a shrieking unlike anything he had heard before. A big, black and brown, fur ball barreled out of the hole of the tree, heading straight towards Draco.

"Aieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" screeched the ball of fur, heading straight towards Draco's face.

Throwing his hands in front of his face, Draco cowered away from the obviously insane creature. Draco chanced a glance at the attacking animal and saw a foamy liquid dripping from the mouth, the fangs apparent against the sopping black fur. Careful of the shirt, Draco tried to pull away from the beast, planning to run like all hell was loose. The creature looked straight at Draco and both of the boys froze, Draco and the animal. Draco felt the terror from the top of his perfect hairdo all the way down to his perfectly arched feet. Opening its mouth in an almost cruel manner, the creature lowered his bared teeth to the soft fabric of the shirt.

Draco shrieked outraged, and his face screwed up into a childish expression. He yanked the shirt away, trying to keep the sharp little teeth from snagging upon the fabric. In the creatures eyes there was a panicked expression that Draco secretly relished. As a last attempt to keep the shirt of its own control, the creature clamped its teeth around a lonely little button. Tugging the shirt v-e-r-y carefully, Draco tried to ease the shirt away, but the animal would just not let go.

"Damn you, you foul fiend!" Draco yelled, very like he was on stage and acting for an audience.

After all of his patience was long gone, Draco finally just ripped the shirt away, causing that one little button to go flying.

Seeing the button go flying, Draco leapt through the air towards the free falling ivory colored piece of plastic. But, alas, the button hit the ground and rolled bumpily down into the lake. Draco himself tumbled down the bank of the lake and splashed into the water.

He sat up mournfully in the shallow water of the lake and looked out at the lake, to see the giant squid dive into the water and resurface soon after. Finally standing up, Draco turned back to the tree to see the little furry thing curled up inside the shirt at the foot of the tree. Draco's rage expanded, but then the little tyke roll over and it was so darling looking, that Draco felt his heart soften . . . if only a little bit. Giving a weary smile, he trudged back up to the castle, feeling very mixed up.

And shirtless.

The squid propelled himself across the lake, toying around with a little round thing, which was getting stuck obnoxiously. Crying out a little as the button stuck itself once again, the squid dove under the surface to the Merpeople, maybe they could take the pesky thing off for him.

*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****

Hermione dug through her trunk, looking for her hairbrush. She knew it was in there and by gum; she was going to find it. Increasing the search for the brush, she began to pull everything out of the trunk and deposit on the floor. As she was yanking everything out, she felt her fingers brush something . . . papery. While she was sifting through her possessions, Lavender entered the room and watched Hermione curiously.

Leaning against the doorway, Lavender surveyed the objects strewn across the floor. Something caught her eye and she stooped to the ground.

"Ooh, Hermione!" Lavender cooed, picking up the fan. "This is pretty!"

She flicked the Chinese fan, trying to will it to open. A few of the folds undid themselves, but the entire fan would not open for her.

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" she cursed emotionally at the thing. And finally, she pulled the pretty thing open with her fingers.

The open fan revealed several pretty Chinese flowers sprawled across the front. Lavender pulled a demure expression and fluttered the fan in front of her face.

"Does it fit me, Hermione, does it fit me?"

Hermione stopped her foraging and looked at Lavender. And she sighed almost jealously. The truth was, it did fit Lavender perfectly. Lavender had enough of a cutesy look that she didn't look completely ridiculous with something as foreign as a Chinese fan. Hermione looked ridiculous when she held it. Especially near her face.

She just didn't look like someone who went well with the fan. Hermione had no idea what her parents had been thinking when they bought her it. They knew she didn't like frilly things like that. Hermione had decided either one or both had been intoxicated, but she never approached them about it. Only accepted the fan as graciously as possible.

"We thought you would like it, dearie," her mother had slurred to her, handing the fan over clumsily.

Hermione had never heard her mother say the word 'dearie' before, and it was kind of shocking, and very scary. But Hermione had only nodded and scuttled away to her room.

"You can keep it, Lavender," Hermione said, waving her hand noncommittally and going back to her search.

"Ooh, thanks, Hermione!"

She ran her fingers over it before snapping it shut officially.

"You're never going to find it, Hermione," Lavender noted after a few minutes. "Go ahead . . . use mine," she said, motioning to the hairbrush laying on her bedside table.

"Oh, thank you, Lavender," Hermione said as she stood from the ground.

She shoved her things back into her trunk, wincing as she did so. It would be fixed later, she would have to see to that. Just not now, when she was in such a rush. Running Lavender's hairbrush through her locks hurriedly, she watched as Lavender left the room, walking down the stairs. She called out a second thanks, and Hermione saw Lavender wave her hand, dismissing the thanks, too enthralled with the pretty fan. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, Hermione checked her appearance in the mirror before dashing out of the room.

*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****

Hermione composed herself as she walked towards the main entrance of Hogwarts. Draco said he would meet her there in . . . Hermione checked her watch . . . two minutes. Hermione reached the doors and pushed them open, stepping out to the steps, and letting the sunshine dance across her skin. She sat down on the stairs, and leaned her head back against the banister, closing her eyes.

"Ahhh," she sighed happily, basking in the sun.

"BOO!"

"AHHH!"

"Hehehe, I got you!"

"You . . . *gasp* . . . BAS! . . . KET, Draco Malfoy, you basket!"

"GASP!"

"Humph. You deserve it."

"Tee hee," Draco giggled at her before kissing her lightly.

She mock frowned at him, pouting out her lower lip. Draco stuck his tongue out in response.

Standing, Draco reached out for Hermione's hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Come on, we've got things to do!" he called excitedly.

"Like what, Draco?"

"Fun things, that is what," he answered happily. "Things most people got to do as kids, but I never got to, so we're doing it now."

"Uhm . . . okay . . . ?"

"Come on! Come on!" he called, racing along the grass, pulling Hermione happily along behind. "Faster!"

They reached the lake and Draco jumped with glee. "I don't know why I haven't thought of it until now . . ."

Hermione watched Draco curiously; she had never seen him this excited about anything. Actually, until recently, she had barely ever seen him excited like this at all. Excited like a little kid, rather than his old vicious excitement. The excitement he got from destruction and . . . evil things.

In his hand, Draco had a bucket, and little miniature shovels. Hermione furrowed her brow for a moment, until she smiled.

"You've never made a sand castle before?" she asked incredulously.

"Actually," Draco answered, "I have never even played in sand before."

"Well, this is a perfect time and place, then!" Hermione said, eager to play as well. "It's been ages since I have!"

The two played in the sand the rest of the afternoon. They built several sand castles, castles fit for any royal, and had a jolly good time as well. By the time they were heading back to the school, sand had caught in every place imaginable. Both had it in their hair, their ears, underneath their fingernails, and some even in their mouth. Before the two had left the beach, Draco had filled the bucket with sand one last time and was carrying it now.

"Draco?" Hermione began and Draco looked at her. "Why are you carrying that bucket full of sand?"

"Why not?"

"Well . . . what are you going to do with it?"

"Nothing," he grinned evilly.

"O . . . kay," she said slowly. "Just to be safe, I am going to go walk over here."

"Hey!" he called at her. "I'm glad to know my girlfriend can trust me!"

"Bwahaha!" she said back, hanging her tongue out at him.

"Just for that, it is going in your bed," he said indignantly, lifting his chin into the air.

"Right," Hermione said, laughing. "I'd like to see you try! You know the rules."

"Rules? A Malfoy doesn't follow rules!" And with that, he raced off towards the castle, clutching the bucket close to his stomach.

"Hey! Draco! STOP!" Hermione stood bewildered for a moment. Did he not know about the slide thing that happens when a boy tries to go into the girl dormitory? But she did not stand thinking long; she began to race after Draco as fast she could.

*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****

"MALFOY?!"

Draco stopped for a second inside the Gryffindor common room, completely terrifying the second years that had opened the portrait door. Looking at Ron, he crossed his eyes for a moment before giving a big cheesy, little kid smile. Ron furrowed his brow in confusion for a moment, then scratched his forehead in further thought.

"Well, that was weird," Ron said, still a little topsy-turvy. He paused a moment. "Did he just have a little blue sand bucket in his hand . . . was he covered in sand?!"

During Ron's pondering, Draco raced towards the stairway to the girl's rooms.

"Malfoy!!!! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Ron yelled, seemingly in slow motion, but he was too late . . . Draco had already reached the stairs and was stepping onto them.

Ron shut his eyes and cringed away, waiting for the inevitable to happen. And it did.

In fact, Hermione reached the common room just as Draco was sliding down the staircase-turned-slide. He reached the bottom and the bucket of sand smacked against the ground and the sand showered into the air.

Draco was sitting up when the sand began wafting down unto his already sand covered body.

"Well . . . that didn't really work out very well at all."

Hermione stood at the open doorway with her mouth caught wide open with silent laughter. She finally made a loud gagging sound and took a huge breath before she could laugh hysterically properly. The laughter racked her body, and her stomach was aching so badly, but she couldn't stop.

Crossing his arms, Draco made a mock pout face, and sat on the Gryffindor common room floor while Hermione laughed and laughed and laughed.

*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****-_-*****

It was yet another sunny weekend, and outside the sun bore down upon the students unyieldingly. Everyone was sick of the sun; this wasn't the frickin' Bahamas, you know. Draco and Hermione were walking through the stifling castle on this weekend, merely exploring the niches and hiding spots in the building; trying to find someplace different.

When they were cavorting through the halls, they walked by a painting of a woman in a library. As they passed, the woman called out to them.

The two back tracked and the woman smiled. She opened her mouth to speak, but then stopped.

Hermione raised her eyebrows appealingly to the woman. "Yes?"

"A bird does not sing because it has an answer -- it sings because it has a song," she said, her eyes serious.

"Oh . . ." Hermione began. "That is very . . . very thought provoking."

She looked expectantly at Draco who hemmed and hawed his agreement.
"Thank you," Hermione said, edging away.

The woman ignored her. "Our character is shaped as much by our failures as it is by our successes."

"I'm sure it is!" Draco said, as the two of them began walking away.

"Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart!" the painting called to them as they began to disappear around the corner.

"Well, isn't that sweet?" Draco whispered in Hermione's ear before kissing her cheek.

Hermione blushed momentarily before she noticed the door in front of them.

"Ooh!" she began, her eyes widening. "Look, Draco!"

The door was green with a hint of gold and when Hermione rubbed her fingers along it, pieces flaked off on her fingers.

"Draco! It's more sand!" she said teasingly.

Draco rolled his eyes before reaching for the knob, a piece of a ornate silver material, twisted into the shape of a snake . . . except for when you looked at it from a different angle, it looked to be a lion's tale.

Two of Hermione's emotions battled against each other as Draco reached for the door; curiosity and caution. She bit her upper lip as his fingers neared closer and closer to the door. Curiosity won and Draco gripped the door handle and pulled.

Nothing happened.

"Hey!" he called indignantly. "What? Oh, It's locked! This is absurd. Who locks doors in the middle of nowhere?!"

Draco continued grumbling as Hermione pulled out her wand and whispered "Alohomora" and pulled on the door knob.

Hermione sucked in her breath as the scene unfolded before them.

"Holy . . ." Draco began. "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto."

She didn't answer, but stared into the room closer, her eyes wide. Never before had she seen this room, but it seemed to fit her exactly somehow.

"Look at those colors," Draco said casually. "They completely clash."

"Oh no, Draco. They're perfect!" Hermione said, pulling Draco into the gold-silver-green-scarlet room. "It fits us. Don't you see?"

Draco looked around, and he saw both insignias; the lion and the serpent curled up next to each other. "This is too weird."

Hermione looked up at Draco with big eyes. "Please, can't you see? It was made for us."

Smiling, Draco bent down to kiss Hermione and she smiled before their lips touched. Reaching her arms around Draco's neck, she wondered if they would ever lose this room. The room that seemed to be made for them.

"Hey!" Draco called out excitedly. "There's a sandbox in the corner!"