Parselmatch

Chapter 1: After the Battlefield

Synopsis: After the "Final Battle" Hermione and Ron are finishing their 7th year at Hogwarts and are "going steady." But their personalities still clash and burn into each other, like water and fire. During a rage of jealousy and a heated fight, Ron casts a spell in parseltongue that he thinks will make Hermione silent. Too bad Ron has horrible pronunciation and casts the wrong spell, sending her spiraling back through time.

A/N: I've written 23 chapters of this, but they are slowly being updated and edited. Same content, just with some stronger writing and more detail. I started this story five years ago, and I've grown as a writer since my early highschool years. However, this is still my first large written piece of literature and my baby. Hope you all enjoy!

The rain hitting the window fell harder as the thunder crashed and the lightning boomed. But the loud sounds of nature couldn't hold a candle to the sound of Ron, Harry, and Hermione fighting. Their yells echoed throughout the castle, even though they were in the kitchens.

They hadn't always been this way, this violent and unhappy. When the Final Battle ended, Ron and Hermione had decided to start dating. And sure, they had had their little quarrels and tiffs, but they got through it, together. But the knife that had tucked itself between them came in the form of one Draco Malfoy.

On the first day of classes, Professor McGonagall pulled Hermione into her office. "Miss Granger, do you know why I pulled you in here today?" McGonagall asked, hands folded crisply together.

"No Headmistress. I suspect it has something to do with my duties as Head Girl, but I'm not sure."

The Scot took a deep sigh before saying, "My dear, I must ask you the largest favor possible. And I will understand if you do not accept…"

"What is it Professor?" Hermione's eyes widened, not quite sure what the Headmistress was trying to convey.

"The faculty of Hogwarts has taken in a boy that used to attend Hogwarts. Now that his family is in a pitiful state, viewed as traitors to both sides-"

Hermione interrupted, "Professor, if this is what I think it is…"

"Miss Granger, we're hoping you would tutor Mr. Draco Malfoy.".

Hermione's face grew pale and her eyes lost their shine. Draco Malfoy had been the worst part of her years at Hogwarts. He had been so horrible to her- had called her a mudblood, scum; all kinds of dirty names. How could she possibly turn around and forget all the things he had, and help him finish his education?

But Hermione understood that everyone was deserving of an education, even if they were vile and black of heart. If she were to deny helping him, wouldn't she be bringing herself down to his level? Hermione's natural benevolence and need to save others kicked in. She had made her decision.

"I'll do it." McGonagall nodded her head, and a sad smile graced her lips. This girl is going to risk it all to make sure a boy who hated her and tortured her can finish his schooling, the Headmistress thought to herself.

She went on to explain that Draco wished to be taught in private; he couldn't bear the thought of everyone in school hating him. Draco thrived of his followers - without them, he was a scared little boy who was constantly manipulated by his parents. Hermione agreed to his terms, she didn't like the idea of having to tell Ron or Harry; they would have a horcrux if they found out. The tutoring would take place at night in the kitchens.

The first night, Hermione was surprised to find a quiet and polite Draco waiting for her in the kitchens. He obviously still did not like Hermione, but knew she was the only one who would ever show him this kindness. Draco excelled in his studies, he had been second in their year most of the time. He soared not only Potions, but as well in Ancient Runes and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

As their sessions continued, Hermione began to understand the strange and twisted way Draco's mind worked. It seemed he could only repeat what his parents said, and could never form his own opinion, as if he had been brainwashed. Over time, his snide commentary had practically vanished, and she had even gotten him to laugh a few times. They found common ground in wizarding literature and academia, discussing their favorite scholars and authors. Mutually and without words, the pair opted not to discuss the war or politics.

One night in early February, after a grueling session of Herbology, Draco did something unexpected. He suddenly grabbed her hand, and she stiffened at the contact. Despite his firm squeeze, it provided no warmth. But what he said next was even stranger.

"Thank you." He murmured it so quietly that she almost hadn't known he said anything. But he repeated himself. "Thank you. You helped me when no one else would. You should have said no . . . I was so horrible to you in school, but you said yes to all this."

She blanched at this, fluttering her eyes. "Draco, anyone would have done it. Besides, it is my duty as Head Girl to assist my peers. And Hogwarts always gives help to those you need it."

"Hermione, you don't understand. . . I think you are the closest thing I've had to a real friend in all my life." Hermione melted at this and decided to hug him. Now in turn he stiffened, alien to close contact. His family had never been "touchy-feely". But soon he eased into it – Hermione was warm and smelled like books.

Just then, Harry and Ron shed the invisibility cloak in a full rage.

Draco pulled away and exclaimed, "What the . . . !" However, he was cut off by Ron as the ginger punched him in the face.

"Don't you ever touch her again you arse!" Ron shouted at Draco. Hermione stood up in protest.

"Ron! Harry! Stop it!" Harry looked up from where he had been rolling up his sleeves, but Ron simply took this opportunity to start bashing Draco even more.

"Ronald Weasley," Hermione screeched, "stop punching him this instant!" Ron's bloodied fist hovered over Draco's face, and both stared at Hermione in dismay.

"Thanks Hermione," Draco lisped as blood clogged his nose.

"Shut up!" Ron and Harry shouted simultaneously.

Harry turned to her and asked, "What has gotten into your head Hermione?"

Ron was quick to follow. "Why are you helping ferret boy?"

The questions volleyed back to Harry. "Why are you hugging Malfoy?"

But Ron pursued his own line of questioning. "Am I not good enough for you now Hermione? It is because he's richer?"

"He verbally and physically attacked you for years, and his aunt tortured you on the floor of his house!" Harry reminded her.

To Harry, through gritted teeth, Hermione tried to reason. "I know, but-"

Ron cut her off. "Would you rather spend your nights helping this freak than spending time with us? You know, the people who matter most in your life?" His voice grew louder with every word. "The people who love and care for you! The friends who took you in from the brink of isolation! But since you prefer the company of snakes, maybe we should have left you to drown in your own tears!"

"Stop it!" Hermione screamed. Ron sealed his mouth with a knotted pucker, squinting at her through narrowed eyes and knitted brows. "Where has your sense of compassion gone? Everyone deserves a second chance, even those who have hurt you before."

Ron let out a dark laugh at this. "Has Luna's nonsense rubbed off on you or something? Where was this line of thinking when you went after Marietta Edgecombe for betraying the DA?"

"That's different," Hermione insisted.

Ron argued, voice rising again. "No, it's not. You're just saying it is because you always have to be in the right."

Fury flitted over Hermione's face. "I would not be saying such things if I were you Ronald Weasley." She turned to Harry, hoping to rationalize. "Harry, you have Sirius a second chance at the Shrieking Shack our third year." Harry winced at the mention of his beloved godfather's name. Hermione continued, "And Ron, you gave Ginny a second chance after what happened in the Chamber of Secrets in her first year-"

Ron jumped in, "Yes, but one: she is my sister! And two: she was a little girl who has been possessed by the dark lord!" He was bellowing now, "Draco's just an evil git who-"

But Hermione cut him off. "He is not an evil git!" Internally, she gasped at her own words. Had she really just defended Draco Malfoy to her best friends? She realized that she had, and that she genuinely cared about the boy beside her.

She tried a new tactic. "Harry, you and Draco aren't all that different."

Harry huffed. "Don't compare us Hermione, we are nothing alike." He crossed his arms in frustration. He didn't agree with Hermione, but he also recognized that Ron was going too far in his assault. He just wanted it to stop.

"But you are Harry!" Hermione insisted. "You were both unloved children who were manipulated and used as pawns in the war. The only difference between the two of you is that you refused to succumb to the dark side. Draco, on the other hand, only ever knew the dark side." Harry closed his and sighed. Inside, he knew she spoke the truth; he just didn't want to hear it.

"You might as well have just said that he, Voldemort, and I could have been three peas in a pod," Harry noted sternly.

"If the three of you had been raised together, then yes, you would have." Harry snapped his head up to glare at Hermione. Had she really just said that? She of all people knew he had struggled since the Battle, trying to figure out which parts of his personality were uniquely his versus the horcrux. Over the course of time, it seemed much of himself had really been Voldemort's soul nestled inside him like a splinter.

Ron pressed on. "Listen, 'Mione, Draco is just using you! He doesn't care about you!"

"I could say the exact same thing about you Ronald." Her voice had begun to quiver. "All you care about is the stupid Chudley Cannons and food. And once and while, in that microscopic brain of yours, you get jealous of Harry and your brothers and all that they have accomplished." Her eyes had begun to water, and Ron was turning bright red. "And when you're having a really intelligent day, you give me a glance or two. Because I'm not as pretty or affectionate as Lavender was."

"The Chudley Cannons aren't stupid. Also, why is it that you always have to bring my intelligence into this? We get it, you're the brightest witch of our age, but I'm not a rock!"

Draco snorted at this, blood bubbling out of his nose. Ron gave him a good shove as a warning sign.

"And it's not about how Lav looked. It's about how she made me feel loved. She may have been overbearing, but at least she didn't nag me! Maybe, we could plan out future together if you would just shut up for once!"

"Our future?" Hermione scoffed. "Hmm, a carbon-copy of your family. Get married young, have a dozen kids, barely make a living to support ourselves, and spend the rest of our lives arguing? No Ron, I think not."

"See? That's the problem with you Hermione. You think I'm not good enough, that I'm just some hammy-down you inherited and feel obligated to keep!"

"I have never said that Ron!" She shouted back at him.

He fought back. "But it was implied, 'Mione. Everything you just said was so bitter and pessimistic. So, yeah? Am I joining to fantasize about my past relationship instead of this one? Duh! Because Lav never made me feel horrible like you do. She made me feel special, like I meant something and that I wasn't a carbon-copy, whatever that is, of my family!"

"Yes Ron, we all know that you like a dead girl better than me, okay?"

Harry interceded. "Mate, you still have a thing for Lavender?"

"Yeah, I do. Because at least she loved me!"

"Ron, that was lust. All you did was PDA," Harry gently reminded his best friend. But Ron wasn't having it."

"And what you and Ginny is love?" Ron cackled. "Harry, you have no idea how twisted your relationship is with her. You do whatever she says and even let her call you Tom in bed! You have sacrificed every ounce of your pride to make her happy, and now you're miserable."

"Well at least I appreciate what I have with Ginny," Harry countered. "You just trampled over whatever it is you and Hermione had!"

Ron turned his anger on Harry. "I always knew you had a thing for her. You weren't satisfied with having Ginny and every other girl at Hogwarts, but you needed my girl to love you too," Ron seethed.

Hermione shrieked "I am not your girl Ron! I never was! And Harry has nothing to do with it!" Ron and Harry pivoted around to face Hermione with slacked jaws. "We didn't even start to like each other until 4th year Ron! And how dare you speak of me like I am an object! I am a living person, with feelings and emotions! Just because you are an emotionless rock does not give you permission to treat everyone else like so. How could I have ever-"

Ron couldn't take it anymore. All he wanted her to do now was shut up.

"Silence upon those whose tongues and blood run un-pure!" He tried to hiss in parseltongue magic, but the words were still foreign on his tongue. Instead, it came out as: "Time turns for those whose destinies have been tampered by The Fates!"

"No!" Harry cried, understanding all of the exchange. Hermione froze in fright. She had no knowledge of parseltongue magic. Draco leapt from his seat and tackled her, just as the spell hit her square in the chest. Both vanished in a silver haze.

Harry collapsed to the floor, hands raking over his hands and face as he sobbed.

"Why?" He bellowed at Ron.

"I was just trying to get her to be quiet, but then . . ." Ron stammered.

Harry stood up and grabbed Ron by his collar. "Where did you send them?"

"I don't . . ."

"You just sent them spiraling back into time mate. Way to use your head," Harry stated coldly as he released Ron's collar. "What were you thinking? You know that you can't speak parseltongue, let alone use its magic."

"I was . . . I was just thinking about the diary and when you stabbed the horcrux down in the chamber. Hermione was still petrified then, so she couldn't speak."

"Oh no," Harry moaned, wiping a hand over his face.

"Harry, I don't know where or when I sent them," Ron realized with horror.

"By the sound of it, you sent them back to the 40's to pay dear old Tom Riddle a visit."