I apologize for taking so long in posting this. It's been done, waiting cheerfully in my computer's hard drive for me
to post it. However... I recently discovered the joys of Diablo II on battlenet, so... I have been playing it virtually
non-stop. Thus I named the chapter in homage of this. Please read and review!

Their Room

by aleximoon
 
 

Chapter 11
Diablo
 

"Ron"

"Ron?"

Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and poked Ron in the side with her fork.

"Wh...what?" Ron jumped nearly half a foot and broke his gaze away from the Hufflepuff table where he had been
ogling Susan Bones ever since she had come into the great hall for supper.

"Honestly Ron," Hermione said with a hint of annoyance, "all it takes is a pretty face with you."

"Well you didn't have to attack me!" Ron grumbled while gingerly rubbing his side.

"Ron," Fred said to his brother, "it's time that you knew the truth about out dear little Hermione."

"Sorry Hermione, we can't keep your secret any longer, it's time Ron knew the torrid truth." George added.

Fred leaned towards Ron and Hermione and whispered "you see Ron, Hermione is actually a fork wielding maniac!"

Fred voice had risen in volume and many Gryffindors were now watching the four with a mild degree of interest.

"Now really. Ron could you..." but Hermione was cut off by George.

"She's crazy Ron, crazy..." George gave a maniacal laugh.

"Ron," Hermione interjected again, "could you please pass me the kidney pie?"

"Wh...what pie?" He asked while not looking at her. The twins were putting on quite a show as they tried to fork
each other in some strange medieval duel.

"The one by your hand Ron."

Hermione tapped Ron on the shoulder but he had gone completely still as the pretty Hufflepuff that he had become
very interested in the last few days walked by.

"Oh never mind then," she snapped and pulled out her wand.

"accio pie"

The kidney pie whisked past Ron, missing the tip of his nose by a few mere millimeters and landed neatly in
Hermione's outstretched hands.

"Show-off," he muttered darkly.

Hermione had just begun to cut herself a piece of the pie when Harry slipped into the seat next to her.

"Hullo Harry, where have you been?" She asked as she passed him the pie.

"Thought you weren't going to make it to dinner." Ron told him, finally able to have a normal conversation now that
Susan had left the hall.

"Well, I was talking to Hagrid outside the library, I had to return a book, and he told me that Dumbledore has
decided..." but at that moment, Dumbledore himself stood up at the staff table.

Professor Dumbledore waited patiently for the hall to quiet down. The hush spread quickly as every student in the
hall turned to watch the tall man in vibrant, purple robes.

"I do hope that you all will pardon me for interrupting our truly delicious dinner but there is an announcement that
I wanted to make."

Hermione glanced at Harry and knew immediately that whatever it was that he had been about to tell them, it had
something to do with this. Harry watched the headmaster with interested expectation.

"Last year's Yule Ball was such a success that we have decided to hold it again this Christmas." Dumbledore beamed
as a ripple of chatter followed his words.

"And," Dumbledore continued, "since we all had such a delightful time last year, I have decided to open the ball to
everyone. All years will be allowed to attend."

The hall listened on in amazed silence. The younger years had never been allowed to attend a Yule Ball.

"Now, I think that I have prolonged your supper for long enough, thank you for your patience." Dumbledore smiled
at them again and sat back down.

The noise that followed Dumbledore's last words were near deafening. Ron, Harry, and Hermione leaned in together
to whisper to each other as fellow students talked excitedly around them.

"But I thought that the Yule Ball was a Triwizard tradition?" Ron asked.

"It is," Hermione replied, her brow crinkling as she thought. "According to Hogwarts A History, the Yule Ball is held
only during a tournament year. I don't understand why they would change that."

"And what about letting the first, second, and third years go?" Ron asked her. Hermione only shrugged.

"I know," Harry said softly as he glanced around to see if anyone was listening.

"The Yule Ball is only supposed be every three years. But do you remember how most people stayed at Hogwarts
last Christmas because of it?"

Hermione and Ron nodded.

"Dumbledore wants to keep as many students at Hogwarts as possible due to Voldemort." Harry said.

Ron looked shocked as he tried not to flinch when Harry said Voldemort. "Hagrid told you that?"

"You know how Hagrid is, he let it slip. He told me that I wouldn't be bored this Christmas because everyone would
be here for the ball. He told me that it was the best way to keep an eye on everyone."

"Things must be getting really bad if Dumbledore wants to keep all the students here during the holidays. It's funny
though, there hasn't been any mention of dark activity in the Daily Prophet." Hermione told them quietly.

"The Ministry is probably trying to keep it quiet." Ron agreed.

"Yeah," Harry muttered, "they'll try and pretend that it isn't happening until the day that Voldemort comes knocking
on their door."

"Would you please not say the name?" Ron pleaded.

"What Weasley, going through a list of names, trying to see who you and Potter can bribe into going with you to the
ball?"

Hermione stiffened when Malfoy's drawl cut through their conversation. Before she could even swivel in her seat
Harry and Ron were on their feet. Malfoy was standing right behind them, wearing his usual smirk, his handsome
features twisted in malice. Crabbe and Goyle stood a few feet behind him.

"Potter, at least, has a bit of money, but Weasley I don't know how you'll manage. Maybe you can convince some
girl to accompany you out of pity." Malfoy's said amusedly.

Ron dove for Malfoy and managed to land one solid punch before Harry joined the fray. Whether Harry was trying
to pull Ron back or hold Malfoy down, Hermione couldn't tell, Snape got there first.

"Potter! Weasley! What do you think you're doing?!" Snape growled as he pulled the boys off of Malfoy.

"Malfoy started it!" Ron snapped, his face angry and red.

"Professor Snape, I only came over to here to give Granger a book for out Arithmancy project." Malfoy pulled an
old tome from his bag and held it out to Hermione. "And then Potter and Weasley just attacked me."

"Detention Potter, you too Weasley. Fighting is against the rules, as you well know!" Snape glowered down at them.

Hermione realized that Malfoy was still holding the book out to her. She recognized it to be one of the O'Leary books.

"Take it Granger, there is something that you really aught to see in there."

Hermione glanced up from the book and met Malfoy's eyes. The dark slate seemed to look right into her. She felt
herself begin to blush and she looked away. But Hermione did take the book from him. He gave her one more
piercing look before leaving.

Hermione turned back around in her seat and started to flip through the book. She was trying hard not to listen to
Ron who was currently comparing Malfoy and Snape to something exceedingly unpleasant. As she delicately flipped
through the yellowing pages, a folded piece of parchment fluttered to the ground. Picking it up, she realized that it
was a note.

"Library, after supper." Was written across it in a neat script that she knew belonged to Malfoy.

Hermione felt her breath catch for a second and she quickly placed the note back into the book. She casually turned
to look at the Slytherin table. Malfoy had his head tilted back while a simpering Pansy was holding something to his
bruised cheek. He seemed to become aware of Hermione's gaze. Malfoy tilted his head back down and met her eyes.
Hermione felt herself nod quickly at him and then she turned back to listen to Ron telling Harry what he'd like to do
to Malfoy.
 
 

Hermione walked up the silent stairs away from the Great Hall. The excited chatter faded as she turned down one
darkened hall after another. Not for the last time, Hermione wondered what in the world was she thinking. She had
actually agreed to meet Malfoy in a secluded place. Hermione felt a butterfly flutter aimlessly around in her stomach.

"Stupid Malfoy," she muttered under breath.

Even though Hermione dreaded being alone with Malfoy, she knew that there was no way she could turn him down.
No matter how many times that she told herself that she couldn't care less about what happened to the Slytherin boy,
she could ignore the overwhelming sense of dread that she felt when she thought of him leaving Hogwarts. Malfoy
hadn't told her what happened in Hogsmeade with his father. But Hermione was a clever girl and the expression of
rage that Lucius Malfoy had on his face as he searched for his son had made her blood run cold.

"If he hasn't talked to Dumbledore yet, I'll just have to make him go!" She said firmly to herself.

Hermione knew that Malfoy didn't want to go to Lucius; she knew that he didn't want to be a Death Eater. This
surprised Hermione more than anything else. Well, not everything else, once again Hermione had to force back the
sensations that she had felt when Malfoy had touched her cheek, when he pulled her close, when he...

"Stop it! Stop thinking about it," Hermione scolded herself as she turned down another corridor on her way to the
library.

It wasn't that she liked what Malfoy had done, what she had done as well, she just couldn't get it out of her mind.
And as Hermione reached the library doors she was able to convince herself, and not for the last time, that she
didn't like Malfoy, didn't like him at all.
 
 

Hermione paused before their room, taking a deep, steadying breath she opened the door. A warm fire was burning
cheerfully in the grate and Malfoy was sitting in a chair at the large desk. He glanced up at her and for a moment
Hermione saw something flash in his gray eyes, something warm and inviting, but just as suddenly as it had appeared
it was gone and Hermione found herself looking at the same Draco Malfoy that she had always despised.

"Wasn't sure if you were going to show Granger. I figured that Potter and Weasley were going to keep you there
forever." Malfoy told her in his usual drawl.

"You know, you didn't have to get them detention just to pass me a note Malfoy." Hermione responded as she pulled
the door shut behind her.

"True, but why pass up such a wonderful opportunity?" Malfoy smirked at her.

"You know Malfoy, you are such a prat sometimes!" Hermione snapped.

Hermione stiffly sat down in the chair across from him, she was rather thankful that a whole desk separated them.
He watched her silently now, a lock of his light blonde hair falling over his face, Hermione had to fight down the urge
to lean over and brush it back over his head. She shivered slightly as she thought about her fingers running through
his silvery-gold hair.

The silence lingered in the room for several minutes as Hermione sat uncomfortably while Malfoy surveyed her quietly.
Her palms were beginning to get clammy and she could feel herself start to flush as Malfoy continued to stare at her.

"Well?" She asked, hoping that she sounded calmer than she felt.

"Well?" Malfoy replied; he seemed lost in thought.

"Well did you talk to Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked, desperately wanting to know the answer, but
dreading it as well.

Malfoy seemed to realize how much she wanted to know and he stretched languidly and glanced out the window.

"Lovely night isn't it? Quite a moon out there, don't you think Granger?" His superior smirk deepened.

"Damn it Malfoy, if you didn't talk to him, I swear I'll drag you there!" Hermione stood up, her eyes flashing.

"Hmm...that could be interesting, don't you think?" Malfoy returned his gaze to her.

Hermione tightened her hands into fists and looked down at the table, she hated that this was so hard for her. She
hated the fact that she was worried, terribly worried, over him.

Malfoy sighed softly and Hermione looked up at him, the cold smirk was gone and she was suddenly reminded of
the lost little boy that she had found in the alley in Hogsmeade.

"I talked to Dumbledore and I'm staying. I don't know what he'll say to Lucius, I know that he'll be furious. But
then, I doubt that Dumbledore will care, he's broken off from the Ministry hasn't he?" Malfoy asked in a soft,
defeated voice.

Hermione nodded at him, "yes he has. Fudge won't accept the fact that Voldemort has returned."

"So, why even bother fighting?" Malfoy ran a hand through his hair and pushed back the lock that had been
bothering Hermione ever since she had entered the room. "If Dumbledore and the Ministry are divided, what
chance does anyone have against Voldemort?"

Hermione's eyes widened as the pushed back lock revealed a black eye. She couldn't fight back the smile that
spread across her face at the sight. Malfoy looked at her curiously.

"What's so funny Granger?" He asked.

"Nothing just pleased to know that you didn't escape unscathed Malfoy." She told him with a warm smile.

"Lucky hit, that's all."

Hermione could almost swear that Malfoy smiled at her.

"You know, you don't always have to be such a prat to everyone." She told him softly.

"Of course I do, someone has to keep Potter and Weasley in line." He told her cheerfully.

"Malfoy, what did he do? Your father, why was he looking for you in Hogsmeade?"

The words tumbled form her mouth before she could stop them. Hermione had wanted to ask him that ever since
it happened, but she hadn't dared. But she felt rather headstrong with relief now that she knew that he wasn't about
to be shipped off to his doom.

"Lucius and I were just having a chat about my future plans." Malfoy told her calmly, his voice emotionless.

"Malfoy..." Hermione murmured softly.

"Look Granger, what do you want me to say? What, do you really want to hear that my father would gladly kill me
if Voldemort told him too? That Lucius will probably kill me anyway despite what your precious headmaster says?
What do you want me to say Granger?" Malfoy's gray eyes darkened dangerously and then he broke off and looked
away from her.

Malfoy ran his hands through his hair again and then rested his face against his palms, elbows propped on the table.
Hermione reached across the desk and gently touched his hand; he jerked up and stared at her. Hermione
immediately pulled her hand back and cringed slightly back into her seat, fighting the blush that was threatening to
creep across her face.

"Malfoy, it'll be all right I think. You're safe in Hogwarts here with Dumbledore." Hermione told him once she had
found her voice.

Malfoy gave a derisive laugh, "oh yes, because Dumbledore has done an excellent job keeping Potter safe!"

Hermione paled, as if she needed reminding of how often Harry was in danger. As if she didn't already spend
most of her free time worrying about him and Ron. Hermione found herself briefly wondering if she was going to be
worrying about Malfoy all the time as well now. Hermione bit her lower lip and studied the intricate carving on the
side of the large table that separated them. Feeling his eyes upon her, Hermione glanced up. The expression that
Malfoy had was quite unreadable, but Hermione felt a flicker of apprehension, and images from their past encounter
flashed through her mind. She bolted up from her seat nearly knocking her chair over.

"The library will be closing soon," she announced, hoping that he didn't pick up on the slightly higher pitch of her voice.

"And you've seemed so opposed to being out after hours before Granger."

"Look, I don't want to get into trouble Malfoy."

Hermione rummaged through a pile of scrolls in a nearby crate and pulled out a few to work on up in the common
room. She walked to the door and turned and looked at him. Malfoy hadn't moved at all, his eyes lingered on hers
and then he looked back into the fire.

"I...I'm glad that you're staying Malfoy." She said softly, surprised that these words could ever come from her.

Malfoy didn't say anything and his eyes never left the dancing flames in the fireplace.
 
 

Hermione pulled her winter cloak tighter around her and wished that she had brought something warm to drink out
with her. She glanced upwards to where the Gryffindor Quidditch team was practicing. Harry waved down to her
from where he hovered high above everyone else as he waited for the snitch to make an appearance. Hermione
generally enjoyed watching the Quidditch practice, but today was a little too cold to be outside for so long. Hermione
rubbed her hands together and exhaled deeply, smiling softly as her breath frosted around her.

"Hello Hermione."

Hermione looked down and saw Dean Thomas climbing the steps towards her.

"Hello Dean, how are you?" she asked cheerfully.

Dean smiled warmly and sat down. He rummaged around in his bag and pulled a muggle thermos out. Hermione
broke into a large grin and huddled closer to him.

"And what do you have there?" She asked with an inquisitive smile.

"Hot cider, the house elves have been brewing it all day down in the kitchens. Seamus and I finally decided that it
was worth a visit down there to get some." Dean poured some of the golden-brown liquid into the small cup that
served as the lid for the thermos and handed it to Hermione.

"Thank you Dean, it really is freezing out here. I don't know why I agreed to come watch them practice, I could be
doing something useful." She told him wistfully.

"What like Arithmancy?" Dean grinned, "Watching Quidditch is better than Arithmancy any day, only thing that could
be better would be a soccer game."

"Why must all my friends be sports fanatics?" Hermione asked in pained tone.

"Well, actually, Hermione. Speaking of friends, I was wondering if you might, well what I mean is, since we're friends
and all," Dean bashfully looked down at their shoes. "I was thinking well, I mean you're probably already going with
Ron or Harry, but if you're not, and since we're friends." Dean paused and looked at Hermione. "Do you want to go
to the ball with me?"

Hermione smiled, "No, I'm not going with Ron or Harry, they decided that if they had to be subjected to yet another
ball, they were going to go without dates."

Dean looked somewhat relieved by this new knowledge.

"I'd like to go with you Dean, it would be very nice." Hermione told him. "Oh look, I think they're done."

Dean turned to look out on the pitch as the Gryffindor team descended to the ground.

"You want to go down and meet them?" He asked her.

"Sure." Hermione stood up and drank the last of her cider, enjoying the blissful warmth that it provided.

Dean packed the thermos away and then stood back, waiting for Hermione to finish packing up her things. She
looked up at him and he gave a warm smile, Hermione could almost swear that he was blushing slightly before he
looked away.

Hermione smiled to herself as she pulled her bag up onto her shoulder, she liked Dean, he was nice.

"Oh yes," a part of her mind whispered, "very nice, safe too."

"So what's wrong with safe?" Hermione asked herself, "I like safe, better than the alternative."

An image of Malfoy suddenly sprang to mind, looking lost and lonely. Malfoy looking at her with that expression
that she didn't understand but made little butterflys flit around her stomach. Dean certainly didn't give her butterflies.

"Why am I thinking about Malfoy again? Maybe Ron's right, maybe I am going crazy." She thought.

"Yeah," the voice piped up again, "you wish that was the reason."

"Oh shut up!" Hermione snapped in annoyance.

Dean glanced back at Hermione over his shoulder. Hermione flushed when she realized that the last bit had been
outloud. She picked up her pace and caught up with Dean and then proceeded down to the field. Silently, she
resolved to not think about Malfoy anymore.
 
 
 

Back to Chapter 10
Chapter 12