Let's break traditions ((Hermione))

[dana]

((Glad to hear I'm suitable for testing characters. ))

Dana looked at the pile of parchments and books on her bed and sighed. Next time she planned escaping form somewhere – she’d pick a time when teachers weren’t making tests that would require piles of make-up work form her later! Even if Spain had been so good for her. Dana had even managed to acquire a nice tan from it and her shoulder through which Kris had shot had healed perfectly, even if Dana had decided to let the small half-circle scar that remained stay on her shoulder for all eternity or until it would remain naturally. But thinking fondly back to the cabin on the seashore in Spain where she had stayed wouldn’t make all her work and essays disappear. Dana sighed and seated herself on the edge of her bed, knowing that she would have to take a trip to the library to get all this done. She currently didn’t have the required books for Arithmancy with her and it would take far too long to have them sent to her from France this time. Shame. Dana didn’t like the Hogwarts library so she didn’t tend to frequent there, preferring to either having the books she needed owled to her from France or buying them from Hogsmeade. But going to the library wouldn’t kill her, especially as Pince seemed to think that Ravenclaws treated books better than other houses and thereby favoured Ravenclaws.

Sorting through the parchments on her bed Dana picked out Arithmancy and Transfiguration. She would need Kris’s help with Potions and the mythology topic in History of Magic she knew well enough to write the whole essay by heart. Besides even with the two subjects she would be busy for an hour or two – as there were two essays to be done in Transfiguration – and afterwards she needed to practice some spells as well. At least there wasn’t much to do for Hardy and Foxie. Dana had heard that the name had even stuck somewhat. Cleo was using it now and Dana had heard some younger students use it too. Sevvy wouldn’t though. Snape would never tolerate that and most students were afraid to death by the Potions master. Not Dana though. Sevvy would rather get a restricting order about Dana approaching him as all of Dana’s friends from some reason seemed to find it amusing to give Dana dares that involved Snape during T&D games. So far Dana had recited poetry to him, invited him out and decleared her undying love for the professor in public. At least she hadn’t been dared to kiss Snape just yet. That would probably result in Snape forcefeeding Dana sleeping potion to get her out off his neck for the next century or so. Snickering quietly at the idea Dana pulled on a pair of white tennis shoes before glancing in the mirror. Her short white dress with blue streaks coming down the sides wasn’t very fancy but it was appropriate enough, the skirt ending not too high above Dana’s knees. Besides it was sporty and comfortable enough. Gathering her hair into a pony-tail with a white bobble Dana grabbed the things she had picked out as well as a quill and headed towards the Hogwarts library with a light spring in her step. If she was dressed a bit sportily, then she might as well act the part after all. All that was missing was a tennis-racket from Dana’s hand.

Reaching the library was easy enough. Luckily it wasn’t even packed with students which was good. Selecting a table for herself Dana occupied it quickly only to discover now that she had left her inkwell behind. The trouble of not frequently coming to library and thereby not knowing all the things she would need. Dana pursued her lips not feeling like going back to the common room when she noticed a familiar face. “Oy, Gaenor!” Dana stated in a loud whisper jumping up and catching up with the 7th year SLytherin, ”Be a dear and borrow me an inkwell will you? I forgot mine back in the common room and I’m rather desperate? Pretty please?” Dana pushed her bottom lip out and tilted her head while raising one leg a little. A true epitome of a young confused girl. How could anyone resist? Come one, tell me I’m cute and give me an ink well now Dana mentally told Gaenor who chuckled and patted the top of her head while fishing in his bag for a moment before handing Dana a full inkwell: “How could I not at such an impression. Will you now roll a little bit too?” Dana dropped the act and poked Gaenor in the stomach making Gaenor raise the ink-well above his head as well as resulting in a stern look from madam Pince. Dana grimaced towards Gaenor with her back turned to madam Pince making the SLytehrin smirk as he dropped the ink-well into Dana’s outreached hand and left he library while Dana took the ink-well to her table.

Now all she needed was the book of advanced Arithmancy. She knew the library had a copy. Dana turned and scanned the shelves only to come out with nothing. Frowning Dana went to madam Pince to question and of course. Just her luck, wasn’t it? Especially as Hermione Granger currently had the book. Dana didn’t know the Gryffindor personally. But who hadn’t heard the stories. Hopefully she would be in a sharing mood. Dana located Granger’s table – which wasn’t even that far from her own and throwing her head up walked over, quietly wondering where the rest of the Golden Trio was. “Hi, can I borrow the Arithmancy book?” Dana asked as she stopped at the table, noticing that the book she was seeking was closed on the table. Dana waited a moment but didn’t receive an answer. Was she really that busy reading about… magical beasts? COMC was a class Dana had dropped. She didn’t like the teacher and if she needed to hear about animals she’d go and ask Kris. “Oy, Granger! Can I take the Arithmancy book? I can do my essay at the table if you’re afraid I’ll take it and walk away with it,” Dana questioned as she reached out one of her hands and snapped her fingers before Hermione’s face while the nail of her index finger – that was painted light blue to match the blue stripes on the dress – of the other hand tapped expectantly on the cover of the book Dana wanted to borrow. Arching an eye-brow towards the girl Dana waited for an answer as she leaned one of her hips comfortably against the table.

[Hermione Granger]

((Well, you tested Colin as well and that didn't go too well. And as I read over this post... this one might not either. ))

Hermione felt a tremendous weight on her shoulders as she proceeded to the Library. Things had been gradually getting better for her; there weren't as many stares directed at her, she wasn't afraid and most certainly, she was being her usual self again. Every once in a while she would get a little jumpy but that could be expected after what she had been through all these years. Yes, every single year at Hogwarts something had to happen. She knew that being a friend with Harry directed most of his... uh... enemies to her and Ron as well, just so they could get at Harry. It had been the same year after year. Hermione had held on to a desperate hope that maybe her seventh year would be more pleasurable then any other since it was, after all, her last time at Hogwarts. After recovering and being sent back to school, Hermione hadn't realized to the full extent how much she had missed on her school work. And now that N.E.W.T.'s were coming up, she was sent into a studying frenzy.

There was so much to do and so little time to do it. Not only were N.E.W.T.'s one of the most important tests ever taken at Hogwarts, she had to catch up on her late homework assignments and do the assignments that had been given out the last few days. Due to these frequent headaches, Hermione became irritable and snapped at everyone who interrupted her or became a nuisance. She spent most of her time either in the dorm, common room, or library. Especially the library, considering it was more quiet then any other room could possibly be and it had all Hermione ever needed when in doubt. Not that she was in doubt often, but still. These were among the many reasons she felt a burden had been put on her back. Even though the stares had stopped, a few courages but idiotic people continued to step up and ask her questions about the kidnapping. Hermione usually brushed them away, always stopping the temptation to use Silencio against them. It was against the rules though, so she would never ever stoop that low.

After finding all the correct books (there was probably one for every subject) Hermione carried them all to her deserted table and made a pile. She would first start with Potions, since it was obviously her least favorite class. Perhaps if someone else taught it besides Snape she would enjoy it more, seeing as it was quite interesting. Honestly, she wouldn't doubt that most everyone else would like it as well if it wasn't for Snape. She bit her lip as her stack of books wobbled precariously when she nudged it accidentally with her elbow. If those were to fall, not only would it cause a ruckus or harm the book, but all attention would be on her. Weaving her hand around to the other side, she steadied the books and let out a sigh of relief. Back to studying now... after an hour of scribbling away she finished a late essay for Snape and now moved on to Care of Magical Creatures. It wasn't one of her favorite classes to say the most and to be honest she attended it mostly for Hagrid. Not that it wasn't interesting... She flipped to page 44 and began reading up on certain magical creatures. It only took a while for a disturbance to happen in the library. Someone who obviously felt they were better then everyone else, interrupting all the studying just for attention... Hermione grumbled under her breath and continued reading, her eyes absorbing every word... she heard her name called and not in a gracious manner either. It was the same voice she had heard before as well. Not bothering to look up, Hermione continued with her reading, hoping that the nuisance would go bug someone else. But no, the girl had to keep on pester her. It got to the point where she snapped her fingers in front of Hermione's face. Now that was enough to get her riled.

Snapping the book shut so hard that it made a loud crack, Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously as she looked up at the girl, who was a sixth year but obviously had no respect. "I don't know if you've realized this yet, but there might just be another book on the shelf that you could have taken," Hermione stated. "They usually have more the one copy of each book, but I'm sure you knew that already." She looked down at the book the girl wanted - Arithmancy. It was the one she would have done next, seeing as it was on top of her pile. Pursing her lips, Hermione took a deep breath and nodded. "You can go ahead and take it. I don't know you, but I don't think you'll just walk away with it. Or at least I'd hope not. But you can work here - I'll need that book and, by the way this is going, I'll be here the whole day."

((Mine turned out to be long too... didn't bother to count the words though. ))

[dana]

((You’ll get plenty of sweet and happy posts where Hermione can be the admired know-it-all. But how many posts will you get where someone will happily pick on her if tempted enough?))

Dana looked at the top of Granger’s bowed head and couldn’t help but wonder. She was the top students in her class – if not in the whole school – didn’t she ever get tired of all the studying? Didn’t she want to have a real life outside books? There were book smarts and life smarts and Dana was rather guessing that Granger tended to be book smart. Sure, she had been thrown into tight situations as well – happened when you hung around Wonder-kid – but Dana was still a bit doubtful of her abilities. In some ways Granger seemed so stuck in her own way of thinking and doing everything that it irked Dana just a little bit. Then again Wonder-kid and the whole Golden Trio irked her and Dana admitted to herself quietly that it resulted in her being prejudiced against pretty much the whole Gryffindor house. Dana had 3 friends in Gryffindor and 2 sort-of acquaintances who might become friends one day, but in general Dana tended to rather see Gryffindors as reckless hotheads not the heroes and bravest people of the mankind. Maybe it was unfair from Dana’s part to prejudice a whole house because of only a few students, but who ever said life was supposed to be fair? Dana knew from personal experience that it wasn’t.

Dana arched an eye-brow as Granger snapped the book closed and glared at her. “Temper, temper,” Dana answered rather cheekily before tilting her head towards madam Pince and smirking at Hermione, “True, there were two other copies of that particular book in the library. But one of the copies was destroyed accidentally by some younger year who was testing out a spell. And professor Vector currently has taken out the second copy. So this is the only book I could currently use as I don’t have the time to have the book owled to be from back home before I have to hand in the essay.” Dana smirked lazily at Granger. Did she really think Dana hadn’t asked for other copies form madam Pince if she hadn’t been able to locate them on the shelves herself? Not that Dana knew very much about the way Hogwarts library was built up. She hated public libraries and Hogwarts school library was a public one. She didn’t like sharing a table Granger either – luckily Dana was almost always put on prefect duties with Slytherins because she actually got by friendlily with them so she hadn’t had to talk to Granger previously not even in prefect meetings - but at current moment Dana didn’t have a choice so she just turned and brought her things over from the table she had previously occupied. “How kind of you to share the libraries book,” Dana commented lowly before arching an eye-brow, “The whole day? I know you most likely have make-up work to do as well after your another kidnapping, but don’t you think camping in the library is a bit extreme?”

Sitting down on the other side of the table from Granger – why irritate both of them more than absolutely necessary? – Dana reached out her left hand to take the Arithmancy book. She almost dropped it however when a flash of pain went through her wounded shoulder. Magical potions did wonders, but there were things only time could heal. And madam P had warned Dana not to put very much pressure of her shoulder suddenly, but rather work up gradually. Biting down on her lower lip Dana pulled the book to herself massaging her left shoulder gingerly with the fingers of her right hand. Glancing at the title of the essay she was supposed to write Dana opened the book and leafed through it in search of the right place. Throwing open her own a bit lighter book – good for conclusions and introduction ideas for different Arithmancy topics – Dana skimmed the pages of both books before finally deciding she knew enough to begin. Picking up her quill Dana tired to uncork the inkwell only to discover that it just didn’t open. Trying again Dana sighed and fished out her wand: “Paranoid Slyths.” Dana pointed her new wand – it was still weird for her to watch her wand now being light instead of the old brown – towards the ink-well and muttered a spell only to lean back sharply in her chair as Slytherin green letters – “Remember your manners now!” jumped up in the air for a moment before gathering to a snake that bit made a threatening move towards Dana before disappearing. Smiling at the snake Dana tapped her wand to her lips in thought. Manners? Was Gaenor expecting her to say please? Simple enough so that might just be why Gaenor hadn’t warned her. Scribbling the word ‘please’ in the air Dana pushed the words to the inkwell, that didn’t change. True, maybe English was too easy. Please backwards? Doubtful. Maybe some other language. Gaenor spoke French too while it was more private as most students here didn’t. Dana scribbled ‘s´il wvous plais’ ((please in French)) and pushed the words in the inkwell that jumped open on it’s won this time. Lettin gout a quiet chuckle Dana touched her quill to the black ink before drawing a big K with a swirl in the beginning before she started to write her essay. Dana didn’t bother with writing her name down first as a friend – in Slytherin as who else was that vain – had given her a writing kit with 1000 parchments that all had her full name Dana Gayle Cynthia Coran pressed into the top of the paper.

[Hermione Granger]

((Yes, I look forward to being admired. Being picked on is just as fun though OOC, but I don't think Hermione IC will like it much.))

Hermione closed her eyes to rid herself of anger as the girl managed to give her a cheeky response. She was younger then Hermione and really, she could give this girl a piece of her mind if she so saw fit. It wasn't her favorite thing to do and as it was, they were in a library and it would be out-right rude to interrupt everyone, let alone get Madam Pince angry and lose House Points. Anyways, she told herself firmly, it wasn't worth it. Some people were - well, they were annoying. And this girl was extremely so. She nodded expectantly as the girl told her she had looked for another book. "Well, that's good. I figured you just came over here to bother me. It wouldn't be the first time that happened. Honestly, you'd think people could tell when someone wants to be left alone." she pointedly said, giving the girl a frown. She was glad to hear that she hadn't even wanted to come here in the first place; as it seemed by her explanation she had thought of almost everything before coming over here to irritate Hermione. Ah well, that soothed her frothing mind a little bit.

She raised her brows as the girl made a remark that hit home. "To share the libraries book?" Hermione repeated, glaring. "I had it and was obviously busy with it, you're lucky I even shared it. I could have made you wait." She sighed. Hermione honestly doubted whether she would do that to anyone, especially when she hadn't been using the book in the first place. It had been sitting in her pile this whole time, waiting to be used. Sure, she would have used it next, but still. She didn't try to deprive a person of finishing their work purposely. She shrugged as the girl mentioned her "camping out" in the library. "I believe you made it out to be extreme. I am not going to be sleeping in here, nor will I be in here all night. NEWT's are just so important, and they're worth a whole day stuck in the library. I've missed so many days where I could have been studying, so I need to catch up on that, not only on missing homework and homework that has been assigned in the last week I've been back." she explained with a faint smile. She had been anticipating the NEWT's all year; she even started skimming through study material as early as March. Well, before she was kidnapped anyway. When the girl went to get the book, she had to pause for a second as if in pain. Hermione's eyes widened; "Are you alright?" she asked uncertainly, but the moment seemed to pass and the girl was naturally fine. Hermione had to wonder what had been wrong, but she didn't dare intrude upon this girl's personal life. She would probably be back-slapped with a remark again, and did she ever hate those remarks!

Realizing she had missed out on a few minutes of reading through sparse conversation, Hermione instantly went back to her book, flipping to the page she had been on before being so rudely interrupted. Ah yes, there it was... keeping her concentration on her book was harder then she had thought it would be with company. Glancing up at the girl, who seemed to be having a battle with her ink bottle, Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Paranoid Slyths?" she repeated under her breath, wondering what she meant. It proved apparent when big green letters shot out when she tried to open it. It caught everyone's attention and no matter how much Hermione tried to ignore the others around her, she squirmed because of it. She was used to attention, but ever since the kidnapping it had grown even more sour. She watched the whole scenario unfold as the girl repeatedly attempted to open it until it finally worked with a French word. "You speak French!" Hermione couldn't help but ask with excitement. "Wow, that's really impressive. Most people here don't bother to learn other languages - in fact I haven't met anyone who was fluent in any language other then English." she said, giving the girl a smile. She liked people who took time to learn something out of the ordinary and she had obviously done just that. Looking down at the parchment as she began to write, Hermione say her name. Dana Gayle Cynthia Coran. Dana Coran to put it more simply. Hermione closed her eyes for a second, trying to remember. "Aren't you a Prefect?" she finally managed to ask. Yes, that's where she knew the girl, from Prefect sessions. The fact that they had never conversed on duty was probably the reason she hadn't any idea what her name was until seeing it written.

[dana]

Dana snorted. Come over to bother her? Please, who did the girl think she was! Dana didn’t like the Golden Trio. And she most certainly didn’t want Granger to help her with her homework! Sure, she might have been smart, but Dana always took care to do her work alone. And if her work wasn’t good enough and she failed – at least then she failed on her own. And if she handed in an impeccable work – which did happen from time to time in the subjects she liked – then she would be the only one she would have to thank for the grade. Ravenclaw pride and all that. It did work. The houses you were sorted into told more about one’s character than most people cared to admit. “You’d think that, but I can assure you that I won’t be asking for your autograph nor your help with my work,” Dana replied calmly as she looked at Granger. But she had a point. Dana had came to her to ask for the book, so she would have to be polite to an extent. If Granger decided to pick on the quiet sting that could be read out of her words – then that was her problem already.

Dana tapped excess ink off from her quill as she listened to Granger’s words. She knew that she had been kidnapped – with the way the Daily Prophet had gone on about it for days made sure that everyone knew that. And it must have been nerve wrecking and hard for her. Yet the one thing she thought about were NEWTs? Dana twirled her quill for a moment as she looked at Granger. With her grades she most likely didn’t even need the revision, yet in some level Dana respected that desire for knowledge. Dana understood it and even shared the same passion, even if she didn’t go as far as Granger did. Dana placed her quill on the appropriate place on the inkwell before leaning her arms on the table and looking calmly at Granger. “Yes, the kidnapping. Everyone read about in from the Daily Prophet,” Dana said with a slight shrug pausing and catching Granger’s eyes and holding her gaze before continuing, “It must have been hard for you, no one denies that. But you aren’t the only one who has suffered because of the Death Eaters. You should rather consider yourself lucky because you got away with all your senses and limbs because not everyone have. And this is exactly the reason why I don’t like the Golden Trio. The perfect Gryffindors. You put out the image of reckless hotheads to bystanders who get into trouble that causes the rescue parties to die when they come to fish you out. Even if you might think this is prejudice talking in me – you guys appear egoistical. Guess why other countries haven’t sent help: supplies, aurors? With some help form the world, from Europe and things would be fine. You are part of the Golden Trio – good for you. My loyalty rather lies with the Slytherins. Mind you – NOT Death Eaters, but Slytherins. Yes, I do like some Gryffs too – Melody, Nasser, Dare, Gin – Ginny sounds childish and silly so I refuse to call her that - but my loyalties lie mainly in Slytherin.”

Dana paused and gathered her thoughts for a moment. Maybe Hermione would take this offensively. Well, Dana hadn’t meant to flatter her. But she didn’t want Granger thinking of her as of a friend either, because Dana was far from being a friend. She was a non-hostile acquaintance at the most, and the hostile part was till negotiable. After the Imperio Dana didn’t fear any hex Granger might throw her way either. “If you can accept that – you can call me Dana. If you can’t, then I’m Coran. Feel free to add the title miss,” Dana stated with a lowly calm tone which would have clearly carried a warning for her friends, “But I figured I should let you know about that. So the question is – will we make polite small-talk as we are forced to share a table or will we work in hostile and strained silence? The choice is yours. I’m willing to make the same deal with you as I have with Gin and my other Gryffindor friends. You keep quiet about most Slytherins – I rather enjoyed the dance I had with Vince during Beltane, so about Crabbe and Goyle as well – and I keep quiet about Gryffindors and the rest of the Golden Trio. ” Dana picked up her quill again to continue her essay before simply looking at the older girl for a moment.

“Yes, I’m a prefect. And I’m born French so naturally I speak the language. Italian, German and the tiniest bit of Russian too. Comes with the family,” Dana shrugged easily, “Pureblood with quite a wide family-tree so I have to know how to be able to talk at the family-tree gatherings. I’m lousy compared to my brother – cousin – though. He speaks about 7 languages fluently. Then again he’s a Slyth too so I doubt he’ll ever bother to demonstrate his skills to you. I know a number of people who speak at least one other foreign language. They are mostly Slyths though – socializing and at some cases languages are part of the classes everyone is put through before we get our wands and come to Hogwarts and during summers,” Dana replied as she looked at Granger. Purebloods were trained since birth. It was a fact no muggle-born could ever fully comprehend or understand and these lessons were demanding. Just like no pureblood would never fully comprehend muggles and some of the habits of muggle-borns that stuck with them.

[Hermione Granger]

((I'm really sorry for the late reply. *hugs* I do enjoy this post but I had some trouble thinking of a reply that was Hermione-ish. ))


Hermione raised an eyebrow. Autograph? Autograph! For some reason that sounded extremely amusing. No one had ever asked for her autograph, though help on homework had been quoted by many people. Honestly, you'd think people could help themselves when it came to work. It wasn't that hard! Study like you're supposed to and then you'll be fine. Hermione knew that and that was why she was so successful. Besides, playing around didn't appeal to her as much as good grades. She shook her head, bushy hair swinging about. "I think you'll do fine on your homework yourself, or I hope so. You are a Ravenclaw after all and that usually explains something," she reminded. "As for an autograph, I'm really not that vain to believe people will walk up and ask for one. It's not in my agenda to take care of fans. No, I've got much more important things to do." She frowned. "I wasn't even thinking that anyway. I was referring to how people don't seem to be able to see what's right in front of them. I was busy and wanted to be left alone." Hopefully this time Dana would catch the hint hidden there as last time she hadn't. Ah well.

She was hit by surprise when Dana began to recite how much she disliked the "Golden Trio" and how she didn't like Gryffs much either. Hermione was silenced by her words. A few times she opened her mouth to speak but shut it immediately. She was used to this in a way. She was known as the infamous know-it-all show-off. A friend of Harry and Ron's. All these labels. The Golden Trio was a new one but it didn't surprise her as much as how blunt Dana was. She felt hurt and at the same time angry with how much prejudice the world held. She glared at Dana but resisted speaking until she had finished her rant. "Egoistical," she repeated with disbelief. "Egoistical! Why do you think we go on those escapades? To kill people? It really shows how much you know. Do you think we relish in knowing that it's our fault someone got killed? Or death was a result of our actions? You are truly ignorant if you think that," Hermione grimaced. "We are not perfect, nor do we put off the image. I think you've been socializing with Slytherins too much. We've been through more hardships than you can imagine. There is a little luck thrown into things, I admit, but we aren't perfect. Perfection is far from attainable, surely you know that?

"I don't want to fight with you... Dana. You may disagree with the things we do to try to make things better; well I heartily dislike Slytherins on all perspectives. And even though you say your loyalties lie with Slytherins, not Death Eaters - what do you think Slytherins become when they're older? Their heritage is enough to answer that question. Haven't you noticed that nearly all Death Eaters come from Slytherin? Isn't that enough to show the truth? That most of their parents are Death Eaters; that most of them carry the dream of supporting Voldemort?" she sighed. "Like I said before, I don't wish to fight with you. I don't think you want to be friends either which is fine - I'm not exactly sure how that would ever work out. But I can take the deal you offered. I won't talk about Slytherins if you don't mention the... er... Gold - ah, this is ridiculous! Harry, Ron, and all the other Gryffindors," she finished. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the mention of Dana's dance with Vincent Crabbe; wouldn't she be stepped on a lot? Not only that... it was just... disturbing! Hermione didn't comment though since the deal prohibited it and nodded with interest as Dana went into detail about the speech.

"Oh," she sniffed when Dana said most purebloods knew many languages. She was surprised to learn that Dana was born French. "So French is your first language? Or were you taught French along with English?" she questioned, extremely interested. "Yes, I doubt your cousin will ever show me his skills. Slytherins don't like me much..." she refrained from commenting how she didn't like them either and instead said, "maybe someday that will change. Yes... I know it's a ridiculous thought but you never really know, do you? I'm not sure if I would like to meet this brother... cousin, sorry. You did say cousin, right? Anyway, I'm not sure if I would like to meet him. Is his name... Kris Graas? I've seen you with him and... well, he's had some fame as well, though - like Harry's - it isn't wanted." she paused, tilting her head as if waiting to hear Dana remark about that bitterly. "And I'd much rather prefer polite small-talk then hostile silence," she added with a small smile, not expecting Dana to return it. "So... do you mind if I ask how you know Ginny? Or how you came to know her?" Hermione asked curiously. She had trouble imagining Dana and Ginny getting along well, unless the deal had stopped all arguments. She hoped it was the same with her and Dana, but being friends didn't exactly appeal to Hermione and after hearing Dana talk, it was the same with her.

[dana]

Dana let out a snort of laughter. Not take care of fans due to more important things to do? If that wasn’t arrogance, then Dana didn’t know what was. Sending an amused glance towards Hermione Dana decided to be polite and not comment however. Maybe it was just a very clumsy use of words. “No need to bring out the heavy cavalry,” Dana replied with some amusement flashing from her eyes, “I talk from the view-point on a by-stander. And quite frankly you three appear egoistical. I know you guys have the world to save and at some level I’m quite grateful for it, but you three always go on your own excluding everyone else who might and could help. You could pretty much always have more people to back you up, people supporting with money – heck even I could live with departing with a few thousand galleons if it lets me through one more disaster safely as well as meeting, regrouping and storage spaces and people’s homes. You didn’t kill yourselves, but you could have done something to prevent those deaths.” Dana peered at Hermione wondering whether to add something or not before deciding she might as well. Might get at least Hermione thinking and maybe get all this trouble over with quicker. “I had – still have – a quite close look-hole into the world politics thanks to relatives. He-who-must-not-be-named hasn’t been successful the least bit in other countries and while Fudge is too stupid to admit that the local Ministry can’t handle things. Why couldn’t you three took some time from your crusade, deal a little bit with PR and ask for help from other countries? The aurors there are quite capable, I know that and it wouldn’t hurt to take some time to get enough man-power to simply over-throw Death Eater forces.”

Dana raised her eyes looking coldly at Hermione for a moment at her words. She sounded almost childish. Sure, Dana wasn’t much of a grown-up yet either. Yet Hermione’s words stroked Dana the wrong way. “And because you have had hard times that doesn’t mean anyone else hasn’t suffered? What about the Diggory’s parents? The Patil family? My own for that matter! Kris was blinded in the train at the beginning of the year because he chose to shield me instead of protecting himself! We were both there when the Diagon Alley was attacked,” Dana sharply pulled down the dress from her left shoulder showing the painfully red scar that would never completely fade from to Hermione with a sneer, “I have a bullet-wound through my shoulder from the last attack. Don’t you think that’s enough to not put Death Eaters on the list of my favourite people?” Dana sighed and rubbed her temples before fixing the fabric of the dress so that it covered the scar on her shoulder again. While Dana wasn’t ashamed of it, she preferred to keep it covered up until the swelling the bright red colour eased up a little bit to avoid awkward questions. Sighing Dana looked up at Hermione wondering if she didn’t know how prejudiced her own words sounded as well. This was exactly the kind of attitude that didn’t help Slytherins pull themselves further away.

“And how many Slytherins do you know from personal experience?” Dana asked Hermione before closing her eyes, “I have the same heritage as Slytherins, even better than some. What do you suppose stops me from becoming a Death Eater? Do you think Kris will join the ranks now that Death Eaters took their eye-sights? The boy who owns this inkwell would be killed by his own grandfather should he ever join and they aren’t the only ones. Do you think it’s easy for the Slytherins to turn away from the parents, siblings and come to people who – like you – think they are only the spawn of evil and should be eradicated? They as well as their loved ones are either killed or they keep up the pretence of following. Do you think it’s easy for them? What would you do in that position? A wrong word could cost them their lives every minute. But we agreed to not talk about houses, didn’t we?”

Dana looked at her essay feeling the desire to work more on it pouring out of her. Why were people so blind! The world wasn’t merely black and white, there were thousands of spectre-colours in between. If Hermione wanted to get rid of prejudices and make the world a fairer place (really now, SPEW?) then she would have to get over herself as well. “Yes, French is my first language. English was second. Meredith and Julien bought a big apartment in London when I turned 10 and lived there for a year working as embassadors from France before returning to home when I was accepted and then Julien was elected to his job.” Julien had been working for the second run and things had gone only uphill towards his reign because Julien knew how to ask for help. He trusted the words of specialties of their own fields and that’s what made Julien a good leader. He knew how to gather the correct people and put them to work at what they did best. “Kris is the best,” Dana smiled at the thought of Kris the sadness in her eyes that had gathered when she was thinking of her grandparents – them dieing still hurt – and shook her head a little, “And he’s a cousin but considering that we have been raised together we are as close as brother and sister or closer. He’s my best friend and luckily I’m good friends with his wife too. He married on the 13th June. Most people don’t tend to bother him as they don’t know his stories though. I don’t even know every secret stored in his head.”

“Gin? We met last year during Christmas shopping. We ran into each other in Hogsmeade. Afterwards we discovered we meet quite regularly. On the quidditch field even though I was absent from the last game, we’ve had snowball fights, played Truth and Dare even though I sincerely hope I won’t be dared to do anything with Sevvy anymore cause I’m afraid he’ll ban me from the dungeons and I’m not good enough in Potions to handle the subject alone. Classes, random run-ins in the hallways, we both know Luna. We get along well enough even though I wouldn’t call ourselves the very best friends. Gin’s a smart girl,” Dana stated with a small smile adding one more word to her essay and adding a dot to the end finishing the sentence.