Who Would've Thought?

Chapter 4

The following week was kind of boring, in Hermione's opinion. Most of the teachers went easy on the students as they geared up for the holidays, except for McGonagall and Snape. They were piling more work on them than ever.

"What is she playing at?" Ron asked furiously, after the last Transfiguration lesson of the term. All the students were looking forward to a nice, easy lesson, but were instead given a huge heap of homework that would most likely take hours to do.

"Now, Ron," Hermione began rationally.

"Because of her and Snape we'll be writing essays on Christmas morning instead of opening presents," he interrupted angrily.

"She's just trying to prepare us."

"Prepare us for what?"

"The NEWTs of course."

"Hermione! The NEWTs are ages away!"

"Yes, I know that, Ron," she said impatiently. "But it can't hurt to start studying a little early. You can never have too much preparation for them."

"A little early? Hermione, they're a bloody year and a half from now. Isn't this a little extreme? We have plenty of time!" Ron looked towards Harry, who was walking on the other side of Hermione. The three of them were heading towards the Great Hall, and lunch. "Come on, back me up, Harry!"

Harry hesitated, looking back and forth between his two best friends. "Guys, I don't want to take sides here..."

Hermione turned to Ron, exasperated. "Ron, I'm sure once you start doing the homework, you'll realize that it really isn't that much after all. And I'm sure you'll be thanking yourself once we do take the NEWTs. They'll be here before we know it."

Ron looked put out. "Well, maybe..." he grumbled.

"Good. Let's just drop this, then, and eat lunch in peace."

Ron nodded as they entered the Great Hall and sat down in their usual seats.

"So what's everybody's plans for Christmas?" Seamus asked them. He was sitting next to Harry.

Ron helped himself to some sausages and answered, "Ginny and I are going home this year. Percy, Fred, and George were able to take a vacation from work so we're all going up to Romania to visit Charlie. Except for Bill. He's in the middle of breaking a new curse that was discovered and he couldn't get any time off."

"So are you two staying at Hogwarts, then?" Seamus asked Hermioine and Harry.

"Yeah," Harry answered for them, as Hermione just started a conversation about the Hogsmeade visit the next day with Parvati.

"Yep. Harry and Hermione are staying here," Ron lowered his voice so only Seamus and Harry could hear. "All by themselves. All alone in Gryffindor Tower except for a couple first and second years," he continued with a suggestive wink at Harry, who promptly choked on his potato salad.

Seamus looked at Harry with raised eyebrows as Harry took a long drink from his goblet. "You mean..."

Ron nodded once in affirmation before Harry set his goblet down with a clank, and punched his friend's shoulder none too gently. "Ron!" he hissed.

"Ow, Harry! That hurt," he winced as he rubbed his arm.

Hermione looked up from Parvati. "What are you two fighting about now?"

"Nothing, Hermione," Harry said quickly with a meaningful look directed at Ron and Seamus that plainly stated, 'you'd better shut your traps right now if you know what's good for you.'

Hermione frowned at both of them, still looking slightly suspicious. "I don't like secrets being kept from me."

"Secret? There's no secret, Hermione, don't be ridiculous," Harry said nervously. "Say, we have the last class of the term after lunch, don't we? Care of Magical Creatures, right?"

"Yeah, with the Slytherins," Seamus said with a scowl. "And in this weather, too," he added darkly, looking up at the snow elegantly falling from the enchanted ceiling.

"Oh well. Just look on the bright side," Hermione said. "In an hour, we'll be free."

* * *

A long hour it was. Hagrid continued his lesson about welkers, paying no attention to the blizzard that forced all of the Gryffindors and Slytherins to cover most of their faces with their scarves. And Malfoy was doing nothing to mask his distaste with the situation.

"Doesn't the great big oaf realize that we all don't have a bulging hulk of flesh to keep us warm like he does?" Malfoy commented loudly.

"Can't you live Hagrid alone? Even for one class?" Harry asked him irritably, pulling his cloak tight around him to keep warm.

"Of course not, Potter, he's far too much fun to harass... much like you, in fact."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm so glad that you get so much pleasure out of harassing people. I don't think Hagrid can hear you, anyway, so just shut up for once, you prat."

Because the welker doesn't like crowds, Hagrid had separated the class into five groups and was bringing each group up separately to the welker. Currently, Hagrid was 20 feet away with a group of students, well out of hearing range, explaining about the eating habits of the welker. "Now don' get too close to 'is teeth, now. Unless yeh wanna lose a couple fingers, that is."

The students backed away fearfully.

Harry and Hermione were unfortunately stuck in Malfoy's group with Crabbe and Goyle, while Ron was off with Neville, Dean, Millicent, and Pansy.

Hermione rubbed her hands together, her teeth chattering. "C-can't you t-two get through one day without arguing?"

"No," Harry and Malfoy snapped together.

"Obviously," Harry continued, glaring at Malfoy, "the only pleasure he gets out of his pathetic life is to make mine miserable."

"Don't flatter yourself, Potter. There are plenty of things that I'd much rather be doing."

"Then why don't you go do them?" he snapped furiously.

"Geez, Potter, are you daft? We still have a half hour more of this bloody class."

"I didn't mean right now, you stupid-"

"Enough!" Hermione broke in. "Malfoy, just... just shut up!"

"Why should I?" he sneered.

"You're forgetting that I know a secret of yours, Malfoy. One that I'm sure you would like nobody else to know."

"What?" Harry gasped. He turned to Hermione. "What are you talking about? How do you know something about him?"

But Hermione was still glowering at Malfoy, her arms crossed. Crabbe and Goyle were leering at her unpleasantly and cracking their huge knuckles, expecting a fight. However, to everyone's surprise, Malfoy just burst out laughing. "Why, Granger, blackmail? I'm impressed. I never would've thought you had it in you."

"Hermione! What secret?" Harry persisted.

Now she turned her glare on him. "Oh, no, you don't. You don't tell me your secret, I won't tell you mine."

Malfoy looked on interestedly while Harry winced and looked at the snow covered ground. "Hermione... listen, I'm sorry, but I just can't-"

"Can't what, Harry?" she suddenly looked tired. "Can't tell one of your best friends something? It looks like I'm the odd one out yet again, since this seems to be something just between the guys."

Harry looked at her guiltily. "I'm sorry, Hermione... you're right, I shouldn't keep things from you. I'll... I'll tell you over the break, okay?"

She nodded. "Fine," she agreed.

Malfoy looked disappointed that the argument between them has ended. "Just when it was getting good," he muttered to himself.

Just then, a big gust of wind swept over them, tousling Hermione's bushy hair. Harry automatically reached and smoothed it down, earning an odd glance from both Hermione and Malfoy. Harry looked away, embarrassed, as a light blush tinged his cheeks.

"I am perfectly capable of fixing my own hair, Harry," Hermione said softly.

Malfoy snorted. "I don't know about that, Granger. Looks like you need all the help you can get with that big bushy head of yours."

"Malfoy-" Hermione began angrily.

"Sod off, Malfoy! Just leave us alone!" Harry interrupted her.

"Oi! You lot over there!" Hagrid called over to their group, preventing Malfoy from retorting. Hagrid waved them on, "It's yer turn!"

Hermione nodded. "You three go on ahead," she told Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.

Malfoy looked at Hermione and Harry suspiciously for a minute. "Right. Let's go," he said and walked away, with Crabbe and Goyle dutifully following him.

Once they were far enough away, Hermione looked at Harry. "I'm also capable of defending myself, Harry," she told him.

"I know, Hermione, but I..." he trailed off.

Hermione waited for him to continue but then said impatiently, "Well?"

"Nothing."

"Well let's go, then," she said sullenly. More secrets, she thought. "Hagrid's waiting for us."

* * *

Harry, Hermione, and Ron trooped down the main staircase the next morning with the other Gryffindors to meet up with the rest of the school for the trip to Hogsmeade. Ron was busy reeling off the names of things he was planning to buy.

"First we need to restock our dungbomb and Filibuster Firework supply."

"I know, we're almost out," Harry agreed.

"Then we can go to Honeydukes, and buy Chocolate Frogs, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Sugar Quills, Levitating Sherbet Balls..." Ron continued dreamily.

"Too bad your parent's aren't dentists, Ron. You'll need one after you finish eating all of that," Hermione laughed.

"No I won't," he said, rolling his eyes. "Muggles are way behind wizards in the teeth department. We've had spells to get rid of cavities since long before Muggles invented Novorod

Hermione looked at him curiously. "Novo-what?"

Harry chuckled. "I believe he means Novocain."

"Same thing," Ron said dismissively before continuing. "Then we can head on to Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer..."

Ron continued like this for the whole walk down to Hogsmeade, with Hermione and Harry occasionally interrupting with something he forgot. When they finally reached the village, Hermione looked around happily. "So, where to first?"

"Honeydukes," Harry said instantly.

"Zonko's," Ron said at the same time. They looked at each other. "Harry, I kind of want to buy some useful things before I waste all my money on sweets."

"But I've been dying to get into Honeydukes since Halloween. Ever since they announced that they had a new kind of fudge, remember?"

"But I heard that Zonko's just stocked a new kind of invention," Ron said. He sighed. "We're wasting valuable time by standing here and arguing."

"Oh, honestly you two. Just pick one already," Hermione said impatiently, crossing her arms.

"Alright, alright," Harry said. "We'll go to Zonko's. I've waited two months to taste that new fudge, I guess another few minutes won't hurt."

"I'm glad to see that somebody here is able to be reasonable," Hermione said, smiling warmly at Harry.

"Er... th-thanks, Hermione," he stuttered, not meeting her eyes. "Let's be off, then, shall we?"

Hermione nodded and they started making their way through a throng of people towards Zonko's.

"Nice move, there, mate," Ron said as he winked at Harry behind Hermione's back.

Harry glared at him for a second as they passed the post office. "Oh, wait," he called as he came to a halt. Hermione, stopped and looked back, puzzled. "What is it?"

"I just remembered that I have a letter to Sirius I have to mail."

Ron frowned. "Why didn't you send it along with Hedwig before we left?"

Harry opened his mouth, but Hermione spoke up first. "Because I borrowed Hedwig to send a letter to my parents and she hasn't come back yet." She smiled apologetically at Harry. "Sorry."

"It's okay, I'll just be a minute." He walked to the front door of the post office, but turned to look back at them before he opened it. "You two can go on ahead."

Hermione nodded. "Okay," she said, and she and Ron started towards Zonko's again.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Hermione spoke. "I wonder what's the matter with Harry lately. He's been acting kind of weird."

Ron groaned inwardly. Great. Here I go covering up for him again. "I'm sure it's just a phase or something he's going through."

She nodded, still looking unsure. "I hope so. Has he been having any more dreams? About You-Know-Who?"

He shook his head. "Not that I know of."

"Hmm..." she mused thoughtfully.

"Oh, look, we're here," Ron said nervously as they reached the joke shop. They went inside and Ron made his way over to the 'New Additions' part of the store.

"Hey, Ron! Look at this," Hermione said in astonishment as she picked up an oddly shaped package labeled 'Canary Creams.' Ron came over curiously and his eyes widened, his nervousness about Hermione finding out Harry's secret all but forgotten.

"Fred and George never told me that they were actually able to market this stuff!" he said indignantly. His eyes travelled further down the shelf. "Look, there's more!" He and Hermione began moving down the aisle, picking up various objects and reading off the names.

"Mindless mints... makes your mind go blissfully blank..."

"Ring O'Color... a ring that makes you change color every ten minutes..."

"Ton-Tongue Toffee..."

"Shock Chocolate... gives you a shock when you bite into it..."

"Lisp Crisp... chocolate with crisped rice that gives you a speech impediment..."

"I can't believe it!" Ron said, thunderstruck. "Look at all of these! Exactly when were they planning to tell us about this?"

"Ron..." Hermione began.

"I mean, it must've taken them ages to come up with all this stuff! Mum will be furious when she finds out... especially with all she's been going on about..." Ron's voice trailed off as he reached the end of the aisle and picked up a Fake Wand, which instantly turned into a rubber chicken.

"Ron-"

"Sure, she might've let them do this if they had talked to her about it before just going off and doing whatever they pleased. We all thought that they were hard at work inventing useful things for a change. But no, they lied to us ever since they graduated from Hogwarts! 'No, Mum, of course we aren't really starting a joke shop, don't be ridiculous,' they said. 'We're going to put our talents to use, inventing practical things.'" Ron mimicked. "No, they couldn't trust their family with this. They had to go behind our backs. They would've had our support if they had just explained what they were planning to do! And-"

"Ron," Hermione cut in, her tone rather harsh. "Ron, you're babbling. Just control yourself, it's really not that bad."

"Not that bad? Of course it isn't, to people like you, Hermione. You don't understand! You don't understand what it's like to be pressured." He took a deep breath and continued. "Mum has been pushing us, now more than ever, to make something of ourselves. To be successful in life. When she finds out that Fred and George have been inventing jokes, she'll flip on all of us, but mostly Ginny and I. She'll try to make up for what the twins did by pressuring us to concentrate even harder on our studies, and to get top marks in every class. She keeps telling us that we have to get good jobs, that we have to make good money."

"Ron, I do understand. Everybody pressures me everyday whether they realize it or not," she said quietly. "I-"

"You don't have to struggle in every class," he interrupted bitterly, glaring at her. "Everything comes easy to you, doesn't it? Because you're Miss Perfect Hermione Granger."

"Ron," she said icily, and Ron winced at her cold tone. "Don't even presume to know what I go through every day."

"But it's true isn't it?" Ron pressed. "You've accomplished every single thing that you have set out to do. You aren't even the slightest big phased about that load of homework we got. But that's because it hardly takes you any effort to come up on top of everything, doesn't it."

"Ronald Weasley!" she yelled angrily. Ron, and a number of other patrons around them fell silent at her shout. "That is quite enough from you," she continued sharply, slightly hysterical. "I don't have to stand here and take this! You obviously have no idea how hard I work! You think everything comes easy to me, do you? Well let me tell you something. I struggle to prove myself day after day! I get good marks because I constantly study. You think it's easy being me, eh?" she gave a short laugh. "Well I'd like to see you try one of these days."

"Hermione..." Ron started weakly.

"I don't want to hear anymore. I'm leaving. I'll see you back up at Hogwarts. Or maybe I won't, since I'll probably be too busy studying in my room!" she said angrily as she stormed out of the shop, slamming the door behind her.

Hermione took two steps... and walked straight into Draco Malfoy.

"Ouch!" he complained, rubbing his head. "Dammit, Granger, that's the third time this week you've crashed into me. I know my body is very endearing to girls, but why do you always end up hurting me when you're attracted to it?"

"First of all, Malfoy," she fumed, "You're body is anything but endearing to me. And I'm not intentionally hurting you, you big baby. Now sod off, I'm in no mood to argue today."

He snorted. "So? You can never put up a good fight. Why should today be any different?"

"For the last time, Malfoy, sod off. I am not going to say it again," she seethed and angrily brushed past him.

"Oh no you don't, Granger," Draco said, following her. "Nobody tells me what to do."

She spun around. "I'm not telling you what to do. I just want you to leave me alone."

"Bloody hell, Granger, what's the matter with you anyway? Have a fight with Potty and the Weasel?"

"It's really none of you're business," Hermione said as she continued walking down the main street, weaving in and out of the crowd.

"Well I'm making it my business," he said as he trailed after her. "What's wrong, Granger?"

"What do you care, anyway?" she asked. "What does it matter?"

"Malfoys are strict about repaying their debts. You helped me with Transfiguration, and I have to come up with some way to help you." He made a face. "As unwilling as I am. But I've decided that now is as good a time as any."

"But you don't really want to hear about my problems, so why should I confide in you?"

"You ask way to many questions, you know that? Can't you just accept a bit of help when it's offered to you?" he asked, throwing her words back at her.

Her shoulders slumped. "If I tell you, then will you leave me alone afterwords?"

"Of course, Granger. Why would I stick around after I paid my debt?"

Hermione sighed heavily, trying to release some tension. "Remind me again why I'm doing this?"

"Because-"

"Oh shut up," she snapped. And much to her surprise, he did. "I need a butterbeer," she said suddenly.

He looked at her disbelievingly. "You're joking. I do not want to be seen in the Three Broomsticks with you."

She smiled at him, somewhat nastily. "I want a butterbeer, and I am going to get a butterbeer. Either you come with me and we talk in there, or I'll just have to think up some other way for you to repay me." She fingered her prefect badge. "Serving a detention might be nice. Right now, I can think of a whole bunch of chores for you to do during an hour or so. Imagine what I could come up with if I thought about over the break."

Draco smirked. "You're not allowed to give someone detention just because you feel like it."

Her smile broadened. "Watch me."

His smirk faltered. He'd never seen her like this before. Her hair was disheveled (although it usually was), and she had a wild look in her eyes. That must've been some argument the Dream Team had. Maybe if I find out enough details, I'll find some way to use it against them. This might be worth spending an afternoon in the Three Broomsticks with the Mudblood.

"Alright, alright," he said grudgingly. "I'll come with you."

* * *

"What do you mean she left?" Harry said fiercely. Ron was still standing in shock by the Weasley Wizard Wheezes shelf when Harry walked into Zonkos after mailing his letter, minutes after Hermione left. Harry immediately asked what happened, and Ron had explained.

Ron winced. "She just... left. Just like that. I've never seen her like that before. I'm sorry, mate, I guess I lost my temper."

"That's the understatement of the century," Harry muttered. He heaved a sigh and said, "Well, we'd better go find her. She said she was going back to Hogwarts, right?"

Ron nodded silently.

"Well, let's go. I'll just have to skip Honeydukes this time," Harry said ruefully.

Ron swallowed, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. Look, we'll pass the Three Broomsticks on the way to the castle. I'll buy you a quick butterbeer on the way there. It's the least I can do."

Harry gave a short nod as they left the shop.

* * *

"So are you going to tell me what happened, or are you just going to sit there staring at the wall like you have been doing for the past 5 minutes? I'd kind of like to make it back to Hogwarts before Crabbe and Goyle find and eat my hidden supply of sweets," Draco said irritably. The two of them were sitting at a table towards the back, but he was still warily gazing around the crowded pub for anyone he knew. In case one of his friends did come inside, he was ready to duck under the table.

Hermione jumped slightly. "What? Oh, right. Sorry." She took a sip of her butterbeer and then frowned in confusion. "Wait, you keep a secret stash of candy?"

He shrugged and answered as though it was obvious. "Crabbe and Goyle eat anything that they can get their big grubby hands on. I can't have them constantly eating the sweets sent from home, can I?"

"Oh. Right."

"Now are you going to let me repay you or not?"

"Sorry," she said before continuing. "It's really no big deal, I guess. Ron and I were in Zonkos, and he said some things that got me angry. That's all."

Draco actually looked disappointed. "That's it? Potter wasn't there? There weren't any fists involved?"

Hermione frowned again. "Of course not."

"Then what's the problem? That's nothing compared to the fights I've been in. So what if Weasley said some things? Knowing you, you'll probably be old friends again by tomorrow."

"But it seems like we're always fighting lately. If it's not Ron that's mad at me for some reason, it's Harry. Or both of them gang up against me. And besides, you didn't hear what he said," she sighed. "It made me wonder about things."

Draco waited for a minute before asking her impatiently, "Well are you going to tell me what he said or not?"

"Fine," she snapped at him. "He basically said that everything comes so easy to me that I barely have to try. That I'm so perfect I can do anything without even bothering to lift a finger. But he doesn't understand what I go through. I'm under so much strain. If I don't continue to get top marks, everyone will be disappointed in me. Every day, I'm up studying well into the night and I'm constantly doing homework or research. I work hard for every one of my grades, and when he said that stuff, it made me wonder whether everybody sees me like that. I'm wondering now, whether they all presume that everything is so easy for me."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Granger, stop being so melodramatic. Everyone has to work hard for their marks, at one point or another, and most people probably feel the same pressure you do."

Hermione looked up at him. "Including yourself?"

Draco hesitated before replying. "Of course. My father puts tremendous pressure on me."

"I thought you said that he was a good father."

"He is. He just does this because he's trying to make me the best person I could possibly be."

Hermione nodded, but was gazing at him thoughtfully. "What, exactly, does he make you do?"

* * *

"Thanks, Ron," Harry said as Ron handed him a pint of butterbeer. He took a swig waiting for Ron's response, but he wasn't saying anything. Harry looked at him closely. He was staring at a far corner of the small pub, his eyes wide. Harry followed his gaze and saw...

"Ron," he said in a choked voice. "Is that-?"

"I'm not sure." Ron started forward and peered closely at the dark table. He looked back towards Harry and nodded grimly. "It's Hermione, alright. But she's sitting with... Malfoy."

"I don't understand," Harry said in confusion.

"Neither do I. But I'm going to find out," Ron said determinedly. He walked purposefully towards their table, with Harry following after him. As he neared, he caught snatches of their conversation:

"He... because... best person...be."

"What...you do?"

Draco started to say something in response, but Ron got there first. Draco and Hermione looked up in surprise, right before Ron grabbed Draco by the collar and unceremoniously hauled him out of his seat. "What are you doing with Hermione?" He yelled in his face.

"Ron!" Hermione stood up in astonishment. "What are you doing? Let him go!"

"Is this git bothering you?" Harry asked Hermione.

She stared. "What? No, of course he wasn't."

Draco, meanwhile, was sputtering indignantly. "We were having a civilized conversation, Weasley. Now, I know you don't understand what that means, but-"

"Shut up," growled Ron menacingly. "Or I'll knock you into next Tuesday."

Draco scowled. "Can it be next Wednesday instead? I hate Tuesdays."

Ron glowered at him. "You little-"

"Ron!" Hermione cut in sharply. All three of the boys jerked their heads up and stared at her. "Put him down right this instant!" she continued in a tone of voice that sounded very much like McGonagall.

Ron looked back and forth between her and Draco. "But Hermione," he started weakly.

"Save it, Ron," she snapped. "We were in the middle of a conversation and you have no business coming in here and interrupting us. Even if it is Malfoy. Now put him down."

Ron slowly let go of Draco's collar, who immediately began straightening it, glaring at the trio. "This is the reward I get for trying to help out?" he muttered, almost incoherently, before storming out of the pub.

"Hermione..." Ron began

"What are you doing here, Ron?" Hermione said, suddenly feeling drained. "Came to insult me some more, did you?"

He shook his head. "No, I..."

"Well I'll save you the trouble. I'm going back up to the castle. I just want you to leave me alone. I'll see you after the break. Happy Christmas," she said bitterly before exiting.

Ron turned wearily to Harry. "I guess I've really done it this time, haven't I?"

Harry nodded darkly. "And I think that you should go apologize to her. None of us will have a happy Christmas with this hanging over our heads."

* * *

That's all for chapter 4! Before I get to the reviews, I just want to thank the people on the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes thread on fictionalley.org for helping me to come up with the names of Fred and George's products.

Now, then, big thanks to: Skate Girl, Danielle Florence, (I can't see Tom acting nice either!) Khalida, (Hope this chapter is more eventful to you!) AquilisRose, (Thanks, I'm trying really hard to make this story believable) Lisse Granger, (uh... that was chapter 3, not 2) couch-potato, draconas, (I don't like Harry/Hermione either, but I'm adding it in to spice up the story!) unregistered, softlips, SpilledInk, (Sorry. I'm trying hard to keep them in character) another unregistered (wow, thanks for the compliments!)