The Death Eater and the Heroine

Chapter 13

"Hermione! I cant believe you didn't tell me! How could you keep something like this from me? Are you sure you didn't hallucinate, Malfoy hates you and thinks you're scum!" Ron ranted, pacing up and down next to the table, while munching on a bacon toastie, so naturally, he sprayed crumbs of bread and unchewed bacon everywhere.

Hermione wiped the crumbs off her face. "Ron, people change! He's grown up now! Seriously! Which is much more than I can say for you, when will you learn not to talk and eat at the same time?"

Ron swallowed the last of his toastie and grinned sheepishly at Hermione. "Sorry, 'Mione, but they're just so delicious and this topic is so urgent!" He reached over to the plate and grabbed 2, one was bacon, cheese and potato, the other was mushroom garlic bread. He shoved the bacon one in Hermione's mouth and ate the other one with gusto. "Here, try one!!" He said, spraying crumbs again.

Hermione choked on the snack. "Ronald Bilius Weasley! Don't you dare call me Mione or shove food in my mouth without my consent!!" She paused, chewing slowly. "Mmmm... This is good!!"

Ron smiled smugly. "Told you." Then he was knocked onto the sofa by a blur of brown. He was pinned down by Hermione. "But that doesn't explain your dreadful behavior!!!"

Harry and Ginny finally stopped their kiss-fest. "Alright, lovebirds, break it up." Harry marched over and pulled Hermione and Ron apart. They grinned sheepishly.

Ginny walked over to Hermione and shook her. "How could you not tell us something so important?"

Hermione glared at Harry. "I thought you said you could make her forget!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh please, he isn't that good of a kisser! Now spill!"

Hermione sighed. "Well, it all started when we were in the forbidden forest..."

****************

"And then the trial happened." Hermione finished.

Ginny gasped, then her face contorted into a frown. "How could you not tell us?"

Hermione frowned. "I told Harry! I thought he would tell you guys!"

Everyone stared at Harry. Grinning sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Ummm..."

They were interrupted by the screech of an owl. A barn owl swooped in and dropped the Daily Prophet onto Harry's lap, and waited for the payment. Harry searched in his pockets for a couple of knuts, and froze when he spotted the front page. He stared at it, ignoring the impatient screech of the owl, only coming out of the trance when the owl nipped him sharply on the wrist. He put the knuts into the pouch, and stroked it, letting it fly away, all the while never letting his eyes float away from the paper. Ginny walked up to him and shook him lightly, worriedly. "Harry? Harry, are you all right?"

Without a word, Harry passed the newspaper to Ginny. She let out a gasp and dropped it. Hermione picked it up, and she pressed her hands to her mouth.

Golden Trio saves Malfoys at trial!

In the trial yesterday, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger stood up in defense of Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Black, claiming they had saved them. Are the Malfoys really innocent? Or are they manipulators who are tricking the Golden Trio into helping? Read on page 5 for more!

And below that, there was a small column of words:

Malfoys and Golden Trio: Whats the real deal?

Details: Potter and Narcissa? Granger and Malfoy? Read on for juicy gossip details!

By Rita Skeeter.

Hermione rolled her eyes. No matter what happened, it was certain that Rita Skeeter would have a say.

Ron fumed. "This is a bunch of hippogriff poop! How... how dare they!!"

Mrs Weasley rushed downstairs just in time to hear that comment. "RONALD WEASLEY!! I BETTER NOT BE HEARING YOU SAY THAT LANGUAGE!!" Ron scowled and blushed.
"Anyway Hermione congrats for defending Malfoy, I'm sure you did the right thing. Now, we're going shopping in Diagon Alley, so go get ready to Floo!"