The Plays The Thing

The Play´s the Thing (5/?)

***

CHAPTER V

***

Hermione was not sure if Ron had actually seen the bookplate proclaiming the Malfoy family name or not. He probably had seen it before she had slammed the book shut, made an excuse and hurriedly made for her own dorm room. She had no explanation herself for why the book was in her possession, especially when it clearly came from the Malfoy private family library.

In yet another twist Malfoy had slipped the book among her pile in the library and then covered it up by launching back into their reparatory of stock insults.

For some reason, this fascinated her to no end. What an enigma Malfoy was becoming; at times it almost seemed like he was a completely different person than the snarky bully whose antagonism toward her and her friends had lead to him getting hexed on the way home from school last summer.

She had definitely been surprised to discover that he was going to audition for the play and that had turned into horror when the cast list was announced and it was revealed they would be playing opposite each other. And yes, even in that moment one of his flippant comments had caused her to giggle.

And Hermione didn´t giggle very often.

At the time she was sure it had been nerves - she was uptight and strung out as the knowledge of the casting sunk in. She and Malfoy were going to be made into a couple on stage. How was that going to work?

Another part of her knew that she had also simply found Malfoy´s wit at that moment funny. Perhaps it was because, for once, it was not aimed at her or the people she cared about.

She had managed to get through the first rehearsal by telling herself that maybe Malfoy had grown out of the bully tendencies. Sure, he hadn´t jumped up to approach her and practice at that moment, but when she had sat down next to him he had refrained from demeaning her. Instead, one of the most bizarre conversations Hermione had ever had took place. Since when did she discuss writers with anyone besides teachers? She didn´t even have those conversations with Ron or Harry because it would bore them to tears. Their reaction to hearing about Oscar Wilde proved that. But Malfoy talked about him with near enthusiasm. Of course, there was the elitist element - he was thrilled that Hermione had not known the truth behind Oscar Wilde and he also clearly believed Wilde was a fool for subjecting himself to the Muggle world.

And yet, that moment seemed to be unreal. The bubble of illusion had popped soon after when Malfoy had resorted to his usual tactics. She couldn´t stand to look upon him now and the image of his contemptuous look when he had been directed to take her hand and lead a dance was burned into her memory. Chalk one up for hating Malfoy even more. Was that even possible?

Nevertheless, she felt like she couldn´t stop thinking about him. He was such a batch of paradoxes. Were future Death Eaters overly concerned with the merits of literature? Every now and then he would be neutral to her and she could not grasp the motives or reasons behind this contradiction. Was it a game? Who was he fooling?

Hermione could admit to herself that she was a very logical person. That is why she had turned to the basics - Arithmancy - to try to find a logical explanation for all of his erratic behavior. But that had served little purpose and was even beginning to cause her to question her motives.

For some reason, when she had talked to Malfoy at the first rehearsal she felt like she had glimpsed his true personality trying to escape. She began to wonder if he really believed all the crap he spewed at people or if that was merely a cover. She didn´t want to go so far as to say she was concerned about him or believed he needed help. On the contrary, she thought it would be fitting for him to suffer. He had only brought pain and harsh words to the people she loved. Perhaps there was such a thing as karma.

Or maybe she was reading too much into everything. That had been known to happen. And, while Malfoy was apparently a very proficient actor, he definitely seemed to enjoy himself best when he was at his cruelest.

So she wanted to leave the whole Malfoy issue alone. She wanted to get by in the play as best she could and move on. But now he was making it impossible, because he was obviously hoping to elicit some reaction by sending her this book. A book on Oscar Wilde´s many secret lives. It seemed to be a rare first edition. She would never find a more interesting source to brush up on this portion of cultural history. And not only did it seem to be a message about encouraging her to read more on the subject, it was also important that it was a Malfoy family book. He had not simply written down some information or pointed her to titles in the library. He had lent her a book from his family. A family that prided itself on hating people like her.

It seemed there was nothing else to do but examine the book.

Now she sat on the center of her bed, the book open before her, obsessively skimming the passages for some hidden explanation or meaning.

"The Selfish Giant" was one of the first works of Oscar Wilde to catch the attention of the Ministry in London. Critics declared he was revealing too much about giants to Muggles and that it was pro-giant propaganda. His defenders said this claim was ridiculous as there were "other stories of giants in Muggle literature, and Wilde was not the first to introduce the concept to Muggles."

However, the Ministry had already decided to keep an eye on this wizard who lived in the Muggle world, as he was becoming famous not only for his writings but also his flamboyant style. He was again accused of revealing wizarding secrets to the Muggle world with the publishing of his novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, in 1890. While the Muggles saw it as a work of gothic fantasy, it revealed one of the more obscure and dangerous curses known in the wizard world.

The Soul Projection curse is often considered a Dark Arts spell by officials for its usually ominous or even deadly consequences as well as the complications in performing the spell. It involves projecting one´s soul, and therefore negative and positive acts, onto another object, usually a painting or mirror of some sort. Wilde seemed fascinated by this curse and integrated it into his novel where the decadent Dorian Gray discovers he has eternal youth and beauty due to his transgressions being visible only on a portrait of himself.

Once again, Wilde´s critics were quick to denounce him. Who was he to shun our superior way of life, choose life with the Muggles, and then reveal secrets and spells to the public?

Hermione stopped reading, as the line about the "superior" wizarding life reminded her once more of whose book this was. It also reminded her of the many questions she had about this fact.

Why had Malfoy slipped the book in between her research materials in the library? It was a gesture that represented a new and disturbing trend: the occasional civil discussion about Oscar Wilde.

She gave a sigh and stretched out on the bed, the book still open in front of her, and continued reading.

***

Hermione was still thinking about the book as she made her way downstairs to meet Harry and Ron for breakfast and she didn´t notice Harry´s approach.

"Hermione, is everything okay?"

She turned around to find him watching her curiously. She probably appeared a million miles away, and coupled with her sudden departure from the common room last night she could understand Harry´s concern.

"Oh, I´m fine," she smiled faintly. "Why wouldn´t I be?"

"You just seemed so spooked by that book last night - and then you left so abruptly," Harry said.

"Oh, that," Hermione gave a forced laugh.

Harry leaned in closer to her, a serious look on his face. "Is that book really from the Malfoy library?" he whispered. Hermione could see the worry behind his eyes; he was no doubt thinking about the last book from the Malfoy "library" that had suddenly appeared in their lives.

Well, as far as she could tell the Oscar Wilde book wasn´t cursed in any way, nor had she found herself drawn to any characters in it.

"No, yes - well, uh, I think it was a book they donated to the library. Probably when Lucius Malfoy was trying to get back in with the board of governors. I just hadn´t noticed it before," Hermione lied quickly, hoping her explanation would stop Harry´s questions and also his worry. The situation was perplexing, but not dangerous.

Harry was silent for a moment, but he finally nodded in acceptance.

"Okay, I just wanted to make sure."

Hermione smiled faintly at him and then looked around for Ron so she could change the topic of conversation. It was unusual for him to be the last one on the way to breakfast.

She was just about to ask Harry about his absence when Ron bounded down from the staircase looking quite flushed.

"All right, I´m here, I´m here," he remarked, as he caught up with them on their way out of the portrait hole. "Stupid shoe laces," he muttered, indicating the offending trainers as they made their way to the hall.

Hermione glanced down and refrained from tutting at the sad state of the frayed laces.

"Honestly," she asked, pulling out her wand. Ron tried to look miffed while at the same time using his lopsided grin as a plea for her assistance. Without a second thought she pointed her wand, whispered a charm, and watched as the frayed threads wove themselves back together into useful laces. They even tied themselves.

"Brilliant," Ron said, now taking the lead as they entered the hall.

Hermione couldn´t help but scan the hall for Malfoy as she entered. She found him in his usual spot at the Slytherin table, looking rather bored as Blaise Zabini was talking animatedly to him. He didn´t look up as the three Gryffindors walked in and took their seats and Hermione wondered if it had been a conscious decision or not. Surely he was curious if she had discovered the book yet, and would be interested in seeing her reaction to him.

Of course, part of her believed that the idea was absolutely ridiculous; Malfoy went out of his way to either avoid or embarrass her. But the she also reminded herself that he had given her the book, which meant he was trying to get some sort of reaction out of her.

Once again, trying not to think about it, she took her usual seat across from Harry and Ron and commenced pouring herself some pumpkin juice.

"Slytherin or Hufflepuff - what´s your bet?"

Hermione glanced up at the sound of Dean´s voice who was grinning down at Harry and Ron.

"You´re kidding, right?" Seamus stepped up behind Dean and shook his head at his friend. "Much as I´d like to see Slytherin pounded into the dirt, I think we can say the Slytherins are a safe bet."

Harry and Ron nodded in agreement as the two boys took their seats.

"Of course, one should never underestimate Hufflepuff," Harry said with a melancholy pause. "They´ve beaten Gryffindor before."

There was a silent pause at the table as everyone´s mind filled in the silent response.

But that was with Cedric.

Hermione looked up at Harry with concern, but he only met her eyes for an instant. Then he was forced a laugh.

"Well, I am curious to see Malfoy´s latest broom."

"Oh, yeah!" Seamus joined in, glad to move on from the morbid thoughts. "Rumor has it it´s the very latest Firebolt - only been out on the market for a few weeks!"

"I read that it has all these new and improved features - it can corner on a sickle and stop in less than a second..." Ron said eagerly.

"Why is it men always think their fancy broomsticks can make up for a lack of talent?"

All four boys looked up to see Ginny taking her seat next to Hermione. Hermione couldn´t help but smile as the other girl winked at her. Seamus and Dean looked speechless, Harry looked faintly amused and Ron looked like he had swallowed a hippogriff.

"Well, Ginny, nice of you to join us," Hermione said lightly, still amused by the boys reactions. "It´s nice to get another female´s perspective on Quidditch."

"I do what I can," Ginny said, stealing a piece of bacon from her brother´s plate. "And anyway, I still think a fancy and expensive broom can´t automatically mean Malfoy will be the winner."

"I agree," Harry said. "But it certainly gives him an edge."

Ginny conceded a frown and then swiped another piece of bacon.

"Stop that," Ron finally mumbled, snapping out of his daze.

Ginny just grinned sweetly at him.

"Aren´t you always telling her she needs to eat more?" Harry said with a wry laugh.

"Maybe. But she can get her own bacon," Ron grumbled, pulling his plate closer.

Ginny pointedly ignored him and turned to Hermione cheerfully.

"How are you this morning?"

"Oh, splendid," Hermione replied.

"It´s sort of nice to have a break from rehearsal, isn´t it?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, actually, it is," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Though we do have an extra long one tomorrow."

"Between Quidditch practice and this play thing, it´s like I no longer have any free time," Harry commented ruefully.

"Ah, but you´re enjoying both, correct?" Hermione asked.

"Hmmm... for the most part," Harry winked. "I could always do without seeing Malfoy and I´d prefer to have less... contact with Professor Trelawney. She´s a bit much, isn´t she?"

"No comment," Hermione replied, making a face. She figured her opinions on Divination were well known already.

"I´m waiting for all the big interruptions and complications she predicted," Seamus joked, biting into an apple.

"Oh, in any production you´re bound to find some superstition," Dean smiled. "At least she chose Much Ado About Nothing and not Macbeth..."

" `The Scottish Play´, " Seamus muttered, wrinkling his nose.

"Macbeth? Here at Hogwarts? Oh my, can you imagine?" Hermione exclaimed.

"I don´t get it," Ron said.

"I´m not surprised," Ginny replied smugly.

"Don´t you remember, Ron? When we were looking for speeches to audition with?" Seamus asked.

"Exactly. I did my speech as Lady Macbeth," Hermione reminded him.

"Okay, but why would that be so weird at Hogwarts?" Ron asked.

"It´s rather... stereotypical in its portrayal of witches..." Hermione began.

"Ah." Ron nodded.

"Plus, who would be Macbeth?" Seamus asked with a grin.

"Me, because Macbeth gets killed just like the witches´ prophecies, and Trelawney would love to make that point," Harry said ruefully.

"Would that make Ron Banquo?" Ginny asked.

"You´ve read Macbeth?" Ron asked, gaping at her in surprise. She shrugged.

"I try to be cultured, Ron," she pointed out.

"I don´t know - Harry, are you ambitious enough to want to murder Banquo?" Hermione asked sarcastically.

"What?" Ron yelled.

"Maybe Malfoy would be a better Macbeth..." Seamus suggested, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"And Harry as Malcolm?" Hermione continued.

"Sure," Ginny agreed.

"Who´s Lady Macbeth?" Dean inquired. Ginny surveyed the hall briefly and her eyes rested on Hermione.

"You did that speech really well, Hermione..." she suggested.

"Oh great, so even if we were doing Macbeth I´d be paired up with Malfoy?" Hermione exclaimed with more emotion than the others had expected. She paused and looked around a little sheepishly. Of course, none of them knew about the book and the fact that she was finding her actions tangled around those of Malfoy. "I mean, uh, guess there´s no escaping it." She attempted a smile.

"Maybe if we did The Tempest instead..." Dean began.

"Oh, just stop it!" Ron exclaimed. "This is as bad as when we were coming up with speeches."

"I don´t think Ron appreciates fine culture," Ginny said with a bemused look at her brother.

"Quidditch is just as... cultural as Shakespeare," Ron said defensively.

"Of course it is," Harry said with grin as he patted Ron on his back.

Hermione tried not to laugh as she finished off her breakfast and then checked her watch.

"Okay, time for class," she said, attempting a stern tone. "First school, then Quidditch."

"I should be off," Ginny said, rising up from her seat with a muffin in hand. "See you guys at the game."

Harry, Seamus and Dean all nodded and waved good-bye to her while Ron stuck out his tongue. Hermione gave a short wave as she gathered up her book bag.

"Come on, you two," she motioned to Harry and Ron.

With their typical grumbling the two boys got up from the table and grabbed their school items. Hermione had to admit that having potions so soon after a meal could easily cause indigestion but it still didn´t give them any excuse for being late.

***

Hermione wasn´t sure if she was grateful or annoyed that Malfoy sat in the front of the class, allowing her only to stare at the back of his head all period long. Not that she normally wanted to stare at him, but today she was curious what he would do if she caught his attention.

She decided she was quite annoyed at his seating. If she had been able to exchange a glance with him at the beginning of class then she wouldn´t be so unfocused during the lecture. What had Snape been talking about, anyway? She hadn´t been listening. She had been staring at the back of Malfoy´s head.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to re-focus.

"Are you okay?"

It was Harry whispering to her through the side of his mouth.

"Perfect," Hermione muttered back, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. If her intention had been to worry Harry more, she had succeeded. He turned and looked at her directly as Snape turned his back momentarily to write something on the board.

"Seriously, Hermione! What´s wrong?"

"Nothing, Harry. I´ve just been a bit distracted. Don´t worry about..." she trailed off quickly as Snape spun around. She thought for a moment he had heard them or sensed them talking. But his beady eyes just scanned over them and the rest of the class.

"Now, come down and collect your ingredients. Stay focused on this drought; there will be dire consequences if it is mixed incorrectly."

Hermione´s gaze turned back to Malfoy as he rose from his seat to get the ingredients. As Hermione began to rise to go down and join him, Seamus placed a hand on her arm.

"I´ll get them," he said with a carefree wave of his hand as he pushed back his chair and made for the table at the front. Hermione nodded numbly, trying to hide her disappointment. This wouldn´t do at all.

But then, what could she possibly convey to Malfoy in the three seconds that they passed each other getting shriveled plants and dried herbs? She decided she had better chances of confronting him during their Arithmancy class that afternoon. At least then all his Slytherin cronies didn´t surround him, and she didn´t have to worry about Harry or Ron looking over her shoulder.

And, for that class Malfoy didn´t sit all the way in the front, rows ahead of her. In that class they were only a table apart.

***

Hermione noticed Malfoy was absent at lunch. There were a few other Slytherins missing as well, so she figured it had to do with the upcoming Quidditch game. However, she was still confident he would be in Arithmancy class and she could confront him at that point.

She pulled out her text of Much Ado About Nothing to read ahead. She was fairly confident with her lines in the upcoming scenes - where the plan would be put in action to try and bring Benedick and Beatrice together - so she skimmed to the scene she considered the most difficult. She would have to be furiously upset and crying. And then she´d have to declare her love to Benedick.

This would be hard enough, as she never would consider herself a consummate actress. She would have to work on being able to turn on those tears and frustration so easily. This was going to be even harder doing the scene with Malfoy.

Her eyes scanned the page.

Ben. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.

Beat. Do not swear and eat it.

Ben. I will swear by it that you love me; and I will make him eat it that says I love you not.

Beat. Will you not eat your word?

Ben. With no sauce that can be devised to it. I protest I love thee.

Beat. Why, then, God forgive me!

Ben. What offence, sweet Beatrice?

Beat. You have stayed me in a happy hour: I was about to protest I loved you.

Ben. And do it with all thy heart.

Beat. I love you with so much of my heart, that none is left to protest.

Ben. Come, bid me do anything for thee.

Beat. Kill Claudio.

Ben. Ha! Not for the wide world.

Beat. You kill me to deny it. Farewell.

Ben. Tarry, sweet Beatrice.

Beat. I am gone, though I am here: there is no love in you: nay, I pray you, let me go.

Ben. Beatrice, -

Beat. In faith, I will go.

Ben. We´ll be friends first.

"What are you reading?"

Hermione looked up into the curious face of Seamus.

"Act four, scene one," she replied, moving the script out of her way.

"You´re obsessed," Ron said loudly, reaching for his pumpkin juice. "You know your lines perfectly."

"Yes, well," Hermione smiled faintly and trailed off. "There´s always a scene or moment you dread actually having to act out. I was just reading over Beatrice´s big emotional outburst."

"Ah..." Seamus nodded. "I know what you mean there. Is it after the wedding? When I strut out all cool? Because that scene will be horrible to act with Malfoy!"

"Any scene is horrible with Malfoy," Ron said sourly.

"You have to kiss him, don´t you?" Ginny piped up. Ron´s frown deepened and the other boys at the table looked distinctly green.

"That´s not funny," Harry mumbled, with a glance at Hermione.

"You have to kiss Seamus," Fred declared loudly to Ginny from the other side of Seamus. He grinned at their blushing faces. "Won´t that be cute, George?"

"Definitely. But they seemed a bit shy in rehearsal..." George retorted with mock seriousness. "We might have to help them along..."

"... Get the action rolling..."

"... Lighten things up a bit..."

"Oh, stop it," Ginny cut in with irritation. "Honestly, brothers," she muttered, rolling her eyes at Hermione who smiled back sympathetically.

"Ginny and I can stage kiss without getting... fidgety," Seamus said defensively, his cheeks tinged with pink.

"Of course you can, my sweet lovebirds..." Fred smiled. "We´ll just see."

"Anyway, there´s a few other scenes that are going to make me nervous," Seamus continued.

"Such as?" Harry asked.

"Singing, for one," Seamus listed. "And then the scene where Benedick challenges Claudio to a duel."

"Ah, Malfoy in character," Ginny agreed.

"Why does that make you nervous?" Ron asked. "Malfoy basically challenges us Gryffindors to a duel everyday with his snide comments and by generally being a prat."

"That´s true," Harry chimed in. "And, besides, even when he challenges you to a duel, he doesn´t show up." Harry and Ron shared a secret smile before turning back to Seamus.

"Be that as it may..." Seamus answered. "Whereas Hermione is concerned Malfoy won´t be able to act the love declaration with her seriously, I´m afraid he´ll act this challenge with me too perfectly. I mean, it´s basically in the script that he grabs me and slams me into a wall."

The whole table was silent in shock for a second.

"Excuse me?" Dean asked.

"That´s actually sort of true," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Traditionally, in that scene, Benedick grabs Claudio and shoves him into a wall or something. Because he has to show he´s actually serious, since they were best friends up until the wedding fiasco."

"Wow, that´s not good," Ginny said gravely. "Malfoy will really get into that."

"Do any of us get to fight him?" Ron asked indignantly.

"Ron, have you finished reading the play yet?" Hermione asked, sounding exasperated.

"Uh..."

"Benedick is a good guy. You´re the villain. And it´s thanks to your treachery that Claudio acts in a way that makes Benedick challenge him. Benedick is avenging a wrong."

"Good one," Harry said under his breath to Ron, though Hermione caught the amusement in his eyes. Ron looked horrified.

"Damn."

"Yeah, well, I´ll be thinking of your regret as Malfoy takes the opportunity to bash my head in," Seamus said morosely.

"Oh come on," Hermione said. "You´re just being melodramatic. Malfoy´s not that stupid. Plus, he´d only put extra effort into it if it was... Ron... or Harry..." She grabbed her drink and took a sip, her eyes watching her friends´ reactions over her glass. They were both nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, besides being a Gryffindor and honorable and smart and nice, have you done anything to annoy Malfoy?" Harry asked.

"I don´t think so..." Seamus said. "But I have these nightmares, and I think they´re premonitions. He slams me into the wall and I wake up with my head and back throbbing!"

"Seamus, that´s because you keep rolling off the bed," Dean laughed.

"Was that you?" Harry piped up. "I thought I heard a thump."

"No comment," Seamus demurred. Ginny seemed thoroughly amused by this and was giggling.

"See, Seamus? It´s all in your head."

"Exactly," Harry agreed. "Worry about that singing scene instead."

"Or kissing Ginny," Fred said again.

"Gah!" Ginny chucked a roll at him as they all laughed.

Hermione laughed softly and shook her head at their antics. She turned back to the lines and waited for lunch to end and the next wave of classes to begin. Including Arithmancy.

***

"Through various mystic writings and studies by wizards in the Renaissance and early Enlightenment we know about ancient beliefs and ideas about the relationship between certain numbers and letters. Everything has a link back to the wonders of math and numbers. So, when you are analyzing these texts, do more than decipher the codes. You must remember the mystical meaning and the inscriptions that have been hidden in these codes..."

Professor Vector moved around the room lecturing, but Hermione couldn´t stay focused. She kept noticing that her quill had paused above her parchment; her eyes had wandered from Professor Vector to the table next to her, where Malfoy was obviously having no problems keeping his focus. His head was bent over his notes and his left hand moved neatly over the parchment while occasionally he looked up at the professor. His glance never turned towards her.

Normally, this would have pleased her endlessly. Being ignored by Malfoy was all she ever wanted - it wasn´t like he ever had anything more than insults to spew at her.

Until recently.

Ever since they had auditioned for the play he had seemed like two different people. There was the normal Malfoy: spoiled, arrogant and only being obnoxious and rude to her and any of her friends. Then there was the Malfoy who... wasn´t quite courteous towards her, but at least grudgingly spoke to her without the cold malice.

She sighed and tried to turn back her notes. The words stared back at her without meaning or consistency. Her usual diligent dictation of lectures had been interrupted many times and she didn´t seem to have much pertinent information.

Refocusing, she tuned back to Professor Vector and tried to make up for her earlier inattention. She managed to pay attention for the rest of class, but couldn´t help but be relieved when it was over. Usually she enjoyed this class immensely, but right now she was anxious to ask Malfoy about the book. It was almost as if she craved an explanation and closure for this act.

"Tomorrow we shall look into Arithmancy as it played out in certain Muggle theology, such as the Kabbalah and in the writings of wizards like Doctor John Dee," Professor Vector said. "Make sure you keep up with your readings. Class dismissed."

She gathered up her parchment quickly, stuffing it into her bag along with her book, quills and ink and then pushed back her chair. As she turned towards Malfoy´s chair she found it was empty. Her head snapped towards the door where she could just make out his figure rounding the corner in a hurry.

"Well...damn..." Hermione sighed under her breath. It took her a moment to realize that it was more likely that Malfoy had hurried off to get ready for the game, which was starting soon, rather than the idea that he was ignoring her.

Nevertheless, she usually couldn´t get rid of him and couldn´t wait to get away from him if their paths crossed. And now, the one time she wanted to talk with him he kept disappearing.

***

The Ministry understandably became more concerned when Wilde married the Muggle Constance Lloyd on May 24^th, 1884. They had ordered him to keep his wizardry a complete secret, and this was in danger of being compromised by his union with a Muggle in a society completely intolerant of differences, let alone hints of magic.

Nevertheless, Wilde refused to communicate with the Ministry on this matter and they had no way of knowing if he had let any of the Wizarding world´s secrets become common knowledge in his household. The danger increased when he began associating with other men in society, creating a tight circle of friends whom he may have been intimate enough with to feel like he could divulge the truth.

New fears were raised when Constance became pregnant. New research shows that the Ministry might have intervened covertly to ensure that the offspring of Wilde were Squibs. They could not risk any more wizards being born in that family if Wilde refused to relocate them into the Wizarding world and keep them out of the Muggle world.

The problem posed by Wilde´s situation demonstrates the dangers and impossible quandaries that come up when wizards move out of the Wizarding world and isolate themselves in the Muggle world. Every interaction or act of procreation comes with the inherent risk that some act of magic will be noticed by a Muggle or someone will discover the wizards´ secret. This is unacceptable.

"Come on, Hermione, the game will be starting soon!"

Hermione snapped the book shut and placed it back on her bed, under the pillow. She didn´t want any of her roommates getting curious and noticing the Malfoy name in the inside cover.

"Coming!" She yelled back, grabbing her robe on her way out the door. She hurried down the stairs and found herself face to face with Harry and Ron, robes on and looking eager about the game. "Sorry," she said, following them out the door. "I was just putting away my books."

"That´s okay," Harry said with a laugh.

"This game should be a good gauge of how prepared the new teams are," Harry mused aloud. "I´m curious to see the new Hufflepuff Seeker in action..."

"Hey, Harry, remember to keep an eye on Malfoy. He might have come up with some tricks on that new broom," Ron said as they stepped out of Hogwarts and began the trek to the Quidditch pitch. There were students both behind and in front of them, chattering away loudly, also headed for the game.

They passed a group of Slytherin third years and Ron eyed them suspiciously.

"You never know..." he added. Harry gave another laugh.

"I always keep an eye out for new tricks from Malfoy."

"He hasn´t beat you yet," Hermione commented lightly.

"I know. Isn´t it wonderful?" Ron grinned as they approached the bleachers.

"Harry! Ron! Hermione! Up here!"

All three of them looked up to see Dean, Seamus, Fred and George standing up and motioning to empty seats beside them.

"Where do you think we should sit?" Harry asked innocently.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the continuing calls and chants coming from the Weasley twins and started climbing up the bleachers until she reached their row. She sat next to Ginny and Harry and then Ron sat next to her.

"Hello, everyone," she waved, looking across Ginny down the row to the others who were laughing, chattering and waving back. Fred was gesturing madly at her, pointing at Seamus and Ginny.

"Look!" he hollered, cupping his mouth with his hands so it carried. "We got them to sit together - it´s working!"

"Wonderful," Ron said from the other end, wrinkling his nose as he looked at Ginny and Seamus.

Ginny gave an exasperated sigh and turned to Hermione.

"We just happened to sit together," she whispered with a conspiratorial wink.

Seamus leaned across Ginny to whisper to her as well.

"I think I might want to injure one of them soon," he said with a wry smile. He looked up at Ginny. "Anyway, we get along so well in real life it makes the stage friendship a breeze."

"Yes, I guess it is always easier to act romantically involved when you can at least stand each other..." Hermione trailed off thoughtfully, her attention moving to the pitch where the teams were starting to gather. For the hundredth time that day she found her eyes searching out a certain green-cloaked blond.

The Slytherin Quidditch team had just emerged from the locker rooms and now Madame Hooch was calling the Slytherin and Hufflepuff captains to come out on the field and shake hands. Hermione watched fixatedly as Malfoy strode out to the field and accepted the hand of Evan Morgan, a seventh year Hufflepuff. She watched as he pulled his hand away as quickly as possible, still not a fan of actual contact and wondered if Morgan was a half-blood or not. She didn´t know much about him or Jason Fuller, the sixth year who had replaced Cho Chang as the Seeker. Cho had quit the Quidditch team after Cedric´s death and had become rather withdrawn. But Hermione didn´t know any more than the facts. Ron interrupted her thoughts.

"Wait a minute!" he exclaimed, pointing at Malfoy. "That´s not the latest model Firebolt. It´s not even a Firebolt!"

"What?" Harry and Seamus said, squinting themselves to see.

"Teams, mount your brooms!" Madam Hooch called out, placing the whistle in her mouth.

"That looks like his old Nimbus Two-Thousand-and-One!" Harry said, watching as Malfoy straddled his broom and hollered something at his teammates.

"I think you may be right," Ron replied.

"I don´t understand," Seamus declared. "People had sworn they´d seen him with a new broom."

"Maybe they were mistaken," Dean shrugged simply as the whistle was blown and the fourteen players rose in the air.

"Maybe," Harry continued. "But that doesn´t explain why he doesn´t just have his usual Firebolt. Why the Nimbus?"

"Oh, honestly, does it really matter?" Ginny interrupted, exasperated. Hermione laughed and nodded in agreement.

"It might," Ron said defensively. "It depends how good this Jason Fuller is..." He trailed off as one of the Hufflepuff chasers passed the Quaffle and then successfully evaded the Slytherin keeper, scoring a goal.

"Ten to zero, Hufflepuff!" Lee Jordan´s commentary announced gleefully.

Malfoy swooped down and shouted something at the keeper and then flew back up above the players to search for the Snitch, and Hermione found herself concentrating on just him. She wondered briefly if his teammates even liked him, or did they just obey him? He seemed such an enigma and she was having trouble reconciling the snarky brat she had known her first four years at Hogwarts with an intelligent reader and culturally literate gentleman. Why was he so cold and hurtful at moments and then almost cordial to her at others? These questions had been plaguing her ever since the first rehearsal and it annoyed her even more that she was becoming obsessed with trying to figure him out. What did she care about the truth behind Draco Malfoy? Other than the fact she had to act opposite him, she couldn´t care less. Right?

Wrong.

Hermione knew she was a sucker for a conundrum. And Malfoy irritated and confused her to no end. And she couldn´t stand it anymore.

She had awoke this morning hoping to confront him sometime during the day and ask him what was going on and why was he a prick and then why he had lent her the book. But now she realized she would have to do more than that because she needed to know more than that - she had to satisfy her curiosity. Ron, Harry, and everyone else would think she was crazy. Maybe she was. But if she didn´t give this option a chance, how could she complain or be self-righteous later on down the road if she hadn´t at least tried?

She thought of the last few rehearsals, the conversation at lunch today, and then her most recent conversation with Seamus and Ginny about acting opposite people. Maybe he had escaped her confrontation earlier in the day, but she could find him after the game.

Hermione swallowed and impulsively wished the game would last forever.

"Morgan scores again - twenty to zero, Hufflepuff!" Jordan´s commentary broke into her thoughts.

"I don´t believe it, Hufflepuff might have a shot," Harry said in awe.

"Isn´t it wonderful?" Fred hollered loudly and waved his Hufflepuff banner erratically.

"What´s up with the Slytherin chasers?" Ron mused aloud, obviously pleased with their lack of performance.

"Who knows, but what´s up with their defense?" Seamus added. "Their keeper doesn´t seem to be having a good day."

"Wow, Malfoy looks really cross," Ginny declared

Malfoy did look... upset, Hermione decided. Once again he swooped around shouting and motioning to his teammates and then returned to look for the Snitch with a greater sense of urgency.

"Morgan moves the Quaffle - whoa! I guess that´s the famous Zabini version of the Bludger Backbeat - it knocks both Morgan and Woodward off their paths... Baddock grabs the Quaffle... passes to Harker... back to Baddock... Slytherin scores..."

The Slytherin side of the stands erupted in cheers and Fred and George shouted a few things that caused Professor McGonagall to gasp and call them out.

"...twenty to ten, Hufflepuff, and so far no sign of the Snitch..."

Hermione looked around the field for the two Seekers. Malfoy was hovering just outside of the Slytherin goal area and Fuller was circling near him.

"... Hufflepuff chaser Martin grabs the Quaffle from Pritchard... he dodges the bludger from Goyle... hands off to Morgan... Pritchard is closing in...gah! another bludger from Zabini sends Morgan off course... Baddock recovers the Quaffle... another bludger... Martin´s quick to catch the Quaffle... he´s heading for the goal with Pritchard and Baddock on his tail... whoa! duck, Fuller..."

Hermione watched as the Hufflepuff Seeker was forced to veer away from a bludger smacked his way courtesy of Zabini´s club. She could see why he had replaced Crabbe as a Beater. Not that Crabbe was being a very productive Keeper...

"... Martin scores! Thirty to ten, Hufflepuff..."

Hermione clapped along with the rest of the Gryffindors, all the while her attention on Malfoy.

"... Pritchard recovers the Quaffle... it´s dropped to Harker as a bludger heads his way... he´s approaching the Hufflepuff goal... Oh! Slytherin Seeker Malfoy is diving - has he spotted the Snitch?"

Hermione watched, like everyone else, as Malfoy plummeted towards the field, Fuller fast on his tail and gaining on him.

"Bet he wishes he had a Firebolt now," Ron mumbled, holding his breath and obviously hoping Fuller would catch up.

In mid-dive Malfoy suddenly pulled upward and circled back around, leaving Fuller to narrowly avoid crashing into the pitch. Malfoy was now hurling forward on his broom and finally Hermione saw what he was chasing - it was indeed the flickering of the Golden Snitch. In a move reminiscent of Harry, Malfoy slowly rose on his broom, until he was almost standing up on it. In one, swift motion, he extended his left hand out and his fingers seemed to close around something.

"...Pritchard scores...and... Slytherin Seeker Malfoy has caught the Snitch... Slytherin wins eighty to thirty."

The Slytherin fans were screaming and cheering madly right now, a few running out on the field to congratulate Malfoy.

"Noooooooo!" Ron moaned. Harry shook his head and laughed.

"Well, we knew it would happen..."

"Still..." Ron said.

As Malfoy touched down on the pitch and was immediately surrounded by people Hermione realized she too had been holding her breath. But why? Had she been hoping Malfoy would catch the Snitch? It would definitely help her out, as he would be in a good mood. But there was something else... had she been rooting for Malfoy the whole time?

Hermione shook herself from that train of thought and turned to her friends in the stands.

"Well, I guess that´s that," she said calmly.

"I guess we should clear out," Harry said wryly as the students began leaving the stands and making their way back to the castle. The teams were already retreating to the locker rooms to change.

"Okay, let´s go. I´m starved, anyway," Ron said, stepping down.

"Hey, um, you guys go on and... I´ll meet you in the hall in a few minutes," Hermione stammered, cursing that she was such a poor liar.

"Something up, Hermione?" Harry asked, faint concern in his eyes.

"Oh no - no! I just need to, uh, talk to Professor Vector about an assignment, that´s all..."

"Oh. Okay," Harry said, a little reluctantly. "If you´re sure."

"Yes, no need for you guys to wait around. I´ll be along shortly."

"Okay, whatever," Ron said with a shrug. Harry nodded, giving Hermione one last look before walking down the bleachers and heading back to Hogwarts with the other Gryffindors.

"See you in a few minutes," Ginny said with a casual wave as she skipped down in front of Seamus. Hermione waved back and then watched them walk past the pitch. Slowly she climbed a few stairs in the direction of Professor Vector and the staff area until she was sure they were no longer watching her or even in view. Then she made her own way down the bleachers and headed for the locker rooms.

As she approached the building she paused and took a deep breath. What was she going to say? How was she going to say it? How would he react? What if the other Slytherins hung around while she confronted him? What if they warned him she was out here waiting for him? What if...

She shook her head and decided to stand back some so she could keep the door in view. So far no one had exited, they were probably still celebrating madly and changing and...

Three Slytherins walked out, talking loudly as they made their way up to the castle. Hermione recognized two of them as Crabbe and Goyle. She was surprised that Malfoy was not with them, but then what did she know about their relationship? Almost five minutes later another team member exited, and this time she recognized him as the chaser Harker. Graham Pritchard came out a few seconds later, hollered at him to wait, and ran to catch up.

This meant there were only two Slytherins left inside: Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy.

Hermione tried to summon all her reasons and patience and courage and slowly approached the entranceway. As she stood a few feet away she realized she could hear the sound of water running.

Oh God, is he in the shower?

Hermione found herself horrified at the thought of Malfoy taking a shower on just the other side of the wall...

As she closed her eyes in an attempt to keep out any... accompanying images, she suddenly realized the water had stopped. She opened her eyes just in time to see Malfoy strut out of the changing room, backwards, still conversing with Zabini inside.

"In your dreams, Zabini!" Malfoy hollered back into the room with a wry laugh. He turned his head back around and nearly plowed Hermione down.

"Granger!" He sputtered in surprise.

Hermione gaped in surprise at him, and momentarily froze as she noticed how his damp hair fell carelessly in his eyes and cascaded deliciously over his ears. He had definitely just come from the showers.

" `We´ll be friends first,´ " she declared shakily, trying to find her focus again.

"What?" he asked with a mixture of confusion and scorn.

"It´s your line." Hermione said plainly, his disdain helping her remember why she was here and why she couldn´t stand him. " `We´ll be friends first.´ And then I reply `You dare easier be friends with me than fight mine enemy.´ It´s act four, scene one-"

"-What the hell do you want, Mudblood?" Malfoy interrupted with irritation.

"I´m trying to figure you out, Malfoy. You are such a bastard with your foul names, snotty attitude and basic all-round prickishness. But now you´ve suddenly lent me a book. On Oscar Wilde. As an addendum to our only civil conversation so far, I suspect."

Malfoy´s sneer turned into a proud smirk.

"You´ve read it then?"

"Uh, yes," she responded, a bit thrown by his change in attitude.

"Excellent," he finished and started to walk away. Instinctively, Hermione reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

"I´m not finished," she announced edgily, having recovered from his attitude shift. However, she felt her confidence drop a notch as she saw the scowl on his face. He shook her hand off viciously.

"Don´t ever touch me," he hissed.

Hermione suppressed the childish urge to poke him repeatedly.

"I don´t get you, Malfoy," she snapped instead.

"I loathe you," he retorted. "That´s not new."

"True," Hermione replied. "But something has changed."

"And what´s that?" Malfoy challenged haughtily.

"Our relationship."

Malfoy looked like he was choking.

"Excuse me?"

"Only if you´re civil," Hermione quipped before continuing. "You see, now our relationship is that of partners in a play. Despite our witty banter, we´re supposed to get along and eventually fall for each other. Luckily, this is all just acting. However, our real life dislike of each other seems to be marring the performance. This simply won´t do."

"And?" Malfoy questioned in a bored manner.

"And I think we should do something about it. The constant insults aren´t helping matters."

"Insults?" Malfoy shrugged. "It´s not my fault you don´t have a sense of humor."

Hermione took a deep breath and forced out the next sentence.

"I think we should meet up in Hogsmeade on Saturday."

Malfoy´s eyes widened. "I take that back, you do have a sense of humor. And a dreadful one at that."

"I´m serious," Hermione said.

Malfoy was looking at her like she had lost her mind and she was beginning to wonder if maybe he was right.

What was she doing?

"You expect me to hang out with you in Hogsmeade?" Malfoy replied incredulously.

Hermione nodded.

"Not for the whole day - just at the end for dinner or something. If we can be civil to each other for an hour or so, perhaps we can act civil for the play," she explained, warming to her theme. "I think we´re both mature enough to handle this."

"Look, Granger," he enunciated. "Slytherins don´t `hang out´ with Gryffindors, especially people like you."

"Oh come now," Hermione chided, refusing to rise to the bait. "Surely you can forge your own social habits. Anyway, look on it as a challenge."

"A challenge?" Malfoy echoed in disbelief.

"Yes. The Three Broomsticks. Saturday. Six o´clock."

Malfoy stared at her silently as if he still didn´t know what to make of her or the offer.

"You made the first move - lending me the book. I´m returning the gesture. Now it´s again your move."

Hermione tore her attention away from him and looked towards the castle, preparing to walk back. She wasn´t sure how long it would take for him to decide. Perhaps he would inform her at rehearsal tomorrow or just never answer at all.

It didn´t matter though. She´d offered her crazy suggestion, and she´d given civility her best shot.

"Fine."

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and turned back to face Malfoy. His mouth was twitching as though it was suppressing a bemused smile and there was a glint in his eye.

"What?" she asked, stunned that he could have been won over so easily.

"I said fine. I accept. The Three Broomsticks at six o´clock on Saturday."

"Oh. Uh. Okay. Good. Great."

"One condition, though."

"Hm?" She was afraid for what he would ask.

"No Potter or Weasel. Just you."

Hermione stared at him for a moment. Honestly, she hadn´t really considered Harry or Ron in this deal. But, then again, she also didn´t imagine them being there. They would never agree and it would ruin the whole spirit and point of the meeting.

"That´s fine," she replied. "But you have to come alone too. No cronies."

She could have sworn Malfoy laughed.

"Deal."

"Deal."

Malfoy suddenly extended his hand and Hermione took it automatically. For the second time she noticed how long and elegant his fingers were, how soft his skin was, the feel of his palm, the strength behind his handshake..."

"Malfoy!"

Malfoy dropped Hermione´s hand immediately and turned back around to face Blaise Zabini, who had just emerged from the changing room.

He glanced over Malfoy´s shoulder, giving Hermione a curious look, but Malfoy began to stride forward and Zabini followed.

"As I was saying..." Hermione heard Malfoy begin as the two Slytherins walked away from her, Malfoy without a backward glance.

She stood there watching their retreating backs, the touch of Malfoy´s hand still tingling on her own skin, wondering what exactly she had gotten herself into.

****

Thank you to my reviewers: StarWest45, Cedric Diggory, Unregistered, earthquake, Mirth, AVK, Danielle, starshimmer, Unregistered, erased ocard, Trixie, Yueks, Darkmoon, f0xyness39, jords, timid&timbuktu, AgentBlack, Spaz, tnf, magpie whimslebird, aralKlara, kimira, Kiz Malfoy, Fay, Kate aka WD, lulu & aka-chan!

Hey - if you click on "Review" if you´ll find snippets about chapter 6. And since you´re already there...

ALSO: I am currently in search of another permanent beta reader for this fic. Basic guidelines apply - able to catch my grammar and spelling errors, Brit-picking a plus, and you should at least be familiar with "Much Ado About Nothing". J E-mail me or post in the reviews if you are interested!