A/N: Hi friends, I was so thrilled with the response that I got for Ron's Last Case that I figured why not just one more multi-chapter story which I will try my best to conclude either by Christmas or by the New Year. Unlike my other story, I will try to limit my words to like 3000-5000 words per chapter as I've been told that's the ideal length. At any rate, this time, I thought I would focus on another very popular genre. Romance.
I'm using Tracey Davis as one of my protagonists because even though I am part of the Daphne Greengrass is a Slytherin goddess and Ice Queen bandwagon, I figured why not use Tracey? She takes on a very interesting character trait in my story. Now just for some context in case, anyone is confused. This is an AU where Voldemort did exist but died in the First Wizarding War. Furthermore, I'm pushing the timeline from 1991-1998 to 2011-2018. This is to avoid any anachronisms that I might accidentally put into the story. Also, some characters will be OOC but then again, it is an AU.
Without further ado, onwards we go and please do review if you can. Love you all: ]
Disclaimer: It ain't mine.
WHAT'S LOVE, GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Chapter 1: Introduction to Love
If there was one word to describe what Tracey was feeling, that word was flabbergasted. She had worked hard on her Muggle Studies essay, a subject that she had been forced to take and despite her tumultuous attitude during class, she always believed that Professor Charity Burbage was, at the very least, a reasonable woman who could distinguish an Outstanding Essay from the other pieces of tripe that Tracey's other classmates constantly fed to her in class.
"Miss Davis, I simply cannot bump your grade any higher." Professor Burbage sighed as she handed the parchment over to Tracey.
"Exceeding Expectations?! Do I look like Pansy Parkinson to you?" Tracey sighed as Professor Burbage gave her a frown.
"Miss Davis, judging by your topic on why we should eliminate Sorting in Hogwarts so that we can follow the Muggle way of progress with the times, don't you find your comparison to Miss Parkinson whom you have on a number of occasions, insulted to be quite frankly, hypocritical?"
"I just don't see how come I only got an EE!" Tracey grumbled as she ignored her professor. "This essay is some of my best work. I dare you to find something wrong about it."
"Well, the biggest issue that I have with your essay, Miss Davis, is that you are too wrapped up in your own view that you wouldn't even consider other viewpoints. You criticise the system without pointing out anything positive about it."
"Some would call that being direct and driven." Tracey retorted.
"Some would call it being stubborn and blinded!" Burbage snapped before softening her expression. "Look, Miss Davis, I like you. You are indeed the very definition of a determined and strong-willed individual but in order to make a good argumentative essay, you need to evaluate your viewpoints rather than put forth an argument that simply bashes the system and whitewashes over all the good. Weigh the good versus the bad. Show me how sorting should be abolished and not what's wrong with it."
"Sorting should be abolished because it brings about a plethora of detrimental effects, the worst being that anyone who is put in Slytherin is unfairly labelled as being a pureblood supremacist or an evil sorcerer. It also forces us to become what the house wants us to become rather than allow us to develop our own identity. Godric! Rowena! Helga! Salazar! They founded this school over a thousand years ago; a time where marrying a fourteen-year-old was commonplace! Now, we call that pedophilia! And you want us to follow such a system?!" Tracey cried hotly as she folded her arms across her chest.
Professor Burbage sighed. "I'm not saying that I don't agree with some of your points because I do, Tracey, but the problem with you is that you're too brash. Too negative. You rather bash something for its flaws rather than evaluate the issue dispassionately. Maybe what you needed, after all, was a partner."
"Oh no," Tracey said, stomping her foot. "I'm not working with anyone."
"But what about…"
"No. Not anyone."
"Well, then take the grade." Professor Burbage said as she turned around. "I was going to give you another chance but if you insist…"
"Wait," Tracey said as Burbage turned around to smirk at her. If there was one thing everyone knew about Tracey Davis, it's that she was a grade whore. "Okay, fine. Just no one from MY house."
"Excellent. I have someone in mind."
"Who?" Tracey asked but Professor Burbage shook her head.
"Not so fast. First, the assignment. What I would want you to do, Miss Davis is for you and your partner to write an essay NO longer than three feet in length. The essay can be in a variety of forms for your choosing. You can write an argumentative essay, a discourse, a discussion, a reflective essay, whatever suits your cup of tea. The only rule I have is that you need to use Muggle sources or examples in your essay. For the purposes of my experiment, you and your partner will be excused from your NEWT exams and your essay will be the only form of grading I will do. You and your partner may be excused from classes to work on the topic. Now, here's the kicker. You can either choose your partner or choose your topic. What will it be, Miss Davis?"
Tracey thought for a moment. Any topic was easy enough for her to approach and she knew that whatever Miss Burbage had in store for her, she was more than up to the task. A partner, however, was a different story. Tracey wasn't what you would describe as a sociable girl. Slytherins were very much disliked by the other houses and Tracey Davis did herself no favours with her brash and cynical attitude. She never saw the need to make friends with people you only knew for seven years before never seeing them again. She wasn't like Pansy, who would do anything for attention, or Daphne, who was gorgeous and often the girl of many male wanking fantasies. Tracey was just Tracey and in this case, choosing a partner she could ,at the very least, tolerate was crucial to her success.
"You pick the topic. I'll choose my partner."
As soon as Professor Burbage uttered the topic, Tracey Davis only had a single response in mind.
Fuck.
….
"So, Ron, do I have your permission?" Seamus said as the five boys entered the dormitory after dinner. Ron gave Seamus a confused look.
"Permission for what?"
"Weren't you listening?" Seamus sighed as he placed an arm around Ron. "I asked you if you would mind if I asked Lavender out."
"Why do you want to ask out Lavender?" Neville cringed before noticing Ron stare at him. "Sorry, I didn't mean any offense."
"Trust me, Neville. None taken." Ron said as he threw his books on his bed. "But Longbottom has a point. Why do you want to go out with my ex?"
"Dean!" Seamus called out to his mate who was busy putting up his new West Ham poster. "How did Ron describe his relationship with Lavender?"
"Nothing but tits and shagging," Dean replied as he smirked at Ron who groaned as Neville cringed once more.
"Exactly. And my little Finnigan here could use some exercise." Seamus replied gleefully to which Neville responded. "You're a pig, Seamus."
"An honest pig," Seamus said as he turned his attention to Ron. "So, mate, do I have your blessing?"
"Bloody hell, what do you need my blessing for?" Ron grumbled as he tried to put out all thought of Lavender Brown out of his head. "Just go for her, mate."
"No can do, mate," Seamus replied, sounding serious. "This is the bro code." Dean groaned out loud as Neville gave Seamus a puzzled look. "Bro code?"
"I thought the first rule of this bro code is bros before hoes?" Dean said as he smirked at Seamus who glared at him. "And I believe, the second rule is no sex with your bro's ex."
"This is why we refer to the amendment," Seamus said as Neville still looked confused. "The amendment clearly states that if you intend to date with your bro's ex-mate, you need to wait at least a month and have your bro's clear permission to do so which I'm asking for."
"So are all of us bounded by these rules?" Neville asked as Seamus nodded before turning to Ron. "So, Ron, what do you say?"
"Huh… what?" Ron replied, not paying attention as he wafted through the latest edition of Seeker Weekly.
"Ron, do I or do I not have your permission…"
"YES! GO FOR IT!" Ron roared as he turned his attention back to the magazine. "Merlin, if you want Lavender, you have my blessing."
"YOU HEARD IT!" Seamus said as he pointed to a puzzled Neville and Dean who rolled his eyes. " I have approval!"
"Wait, back up a bit," Neville said. "What other rules of the Bro Code are there and why do I have to live by them?"
"Because you're our bro, Neville, yeesh," Seamus replied as he shook his head. "There are several rules that you need to acquaint yourself with, Neville, if you want us as your bros. In fact, another rule of mine applies to Harry here…Harry?"
All four boys, including Ron who had just thrown the magazine away in disgust on yet another disparaging article on the Chudley Cannons, turned to Harry who had flocked to his bed with a smile on his face. His eyes were shut though one could see that Harry was clearly in a state of pure bliss. Giving the others a wicked grin, Seamus tiptoed towards his friend before conjuring up a slug into his right ear.
"Mmhmmm that feels goooodddd….wait…what the…" Harry said as his eyes flew open and he turned his head around. "WHAT THE HELL!" Harry roared as he launched himself away from the slug, rubbing his ear frantically while the other boys were howling in laughter. "That was not funny, guys!"
"Serves you right for dozing off in your bed while we're having a conversation, Harry." Seamus replied. "You know the rules. No wanking off when your mates are awake."
"So you guys wank off when I'm asleep?" Neville cried in horror.
"What's up with you anyways?" Ron asked as he turned his attention to his best friend who was glaring daggers at Seamus.
"Nothing." Harry snapped as he flipped Seamus off. "Just thinking."
"About Hermione Granger." Dean chuckled as Harry turned his glare over to him.
"What about Hermione?" Ron asked.
"You didn't know? She's single. Broke up with Krum during the summer." Seamus said as he looked at Ron quizzically. "What kind of a best friend are you?"
"Why didn't she tell me?! Did you know, Harry?" Ron said as Harry began to blush red.
"She didn't want many people to know, Ron. You know how overprotective you can be…" Harry said to which Ron gave a snort.
"Please! That's only to Ginny and you know it!" Ron roared ."Why didn't she tell me? Am I not her best friend as well?"
"She didn't want to draw too much attention to herself," Harry said as he sat next to Ron, hoping to pacify him. "Besides, I didn't even know until I accidentally overheard her talk to Ginny and she swore me to secrecy, mate. What was I to do?"
"Tell me, you prat!"
"Bro code rules, Harry," Seamus said as Harry glared at him. "Now you got to do something for Ron."
"Ron, I'm really sorry…" Harry started to apologise only for Ron to raise his hand.
"Give me the Cloak and we call it even. I want to go smoke a fag tonight." Ron said as Harry nodded his head.
"Okay, now back to these rules," Neville said as he turned to Seamus. "What does this have to do with Harry?"
"Well, Mr. Longbottom," Seamus said as he cleared his throat, before speaking in his best impression of a smug professor. "Another rule concerning the bro code is that once a bro calls dibs on someone, you have to abide by it. Basically, we all know that Harry here has had a hard-on for Hermione ever since the fifth year and if any one of us wants a go at her, well, that's not allowed."
"That's dragon dung," Ron said as he shook his head. "Hermione is not Harry's girlfriend."
"True," Seamus said. "But how would you feel if someone went for your crush? I mean, let's face it. Hermione Granger is one of the finest girls in the school, a close second to the great Daphne Greengrass herself so it's natural that right now, all the boys in this school are on full alert to cash in on her recent breakup."
"To be a rebound," Dean replied as he rolled his eyes once more. "Any guy who goes after Hermione now would be no more than a rebound."
"Normally, I would agree with you, Thomas." Seamus grinned. "But there are two factors you haven't considered. The first is that Hermione and Krum broke up over the summer so there were at least two months for her to get over her boy toy. The second is that this is our seventh year, our final year in Hogwarts. The year where romance blooms. Love prevails. Crushes turned into love partners. Hermione may be driven, she may be motivated by work, she may be focused on other things but I assure you, mates, she is looking for love. Or a fuck, I don't judge."
Dean, Ron, and Neville flinched at Seamus last line though Harry appeared to be deep in thought. "Seamus, what do you mean the boys are on full alert?"
"Well, I'm thinking that because it is Hermione Granger," Seamus explained. "Lots of boys are going to try our luck, not to mention our nasty, ferrety Casanova, Draco Malfoy."
Ron snorted as Harry turned green at the mention of Malfoy. "Hermione hates Draco! She won't go for him."
"Mate, I'm not Draco's friend and I hate the bloke's guts but you got to admit, he's already attained quite the number of gals on his list. Trust me, blokes like Malfoy relish a challenge and Hermione Granger is fair game."
"She won't fall for him, right, Harry?" Ron said as he turned to Harry, only to see the wizard pining up his Prefect's badge. "Harry, where are you heading to?"
"To the Head Girl's room," Harry said as he pinned his badge. "I think that Hermione and I should start patrolling a little earlier."
"This has nothing to do with the fact that Draco's Head Boy now, would it?" Seamus sniggered as Harry shot him a dirty look before disappearing from the dorms. Ron turned to glare at Seamus.
"Bloody hell, mate, lay off him," Ron growled before throwing himself onto his bed.
"I'm just looking out for him," Seamus said as he shrugged his shoulders. "Love can be a bitch."
….
"So, did you hear the news?" Pansy said as she made a face. "Granger is apparently single again."
"Granger's single?" Crabbe and Goyle cried in unison, earning a glare from Pansy.
"Yes and why anyone would want to date that trollop of a witch is beyond me," Pansy said in a loud voice, causing Tracey to roll her eyes. It was obvious to their little group that Pansy was only saying it to get a reaction from Draco. What surprised Tracey was Draco's reaction.
"She's not too bad," Draco said as everyone in the group stopped in their tracks.
"Not too bad?" Daphne said as Blaise cocked his eyebrow at Draco. "You do recall that she slapped your face back in our third year."
"That…was a lifetime ago," Draco said nonchalantly while shrugging his shoulders. "She's not too bad to work with and even I have to admit, Granger does look good."
"She does," Blaise said as Pansy let out a derisive scoff. "But you don't stand a chance with her."
"Is that a challenge, Blaise?" Draco said as he smirked at him. "Because last I checked, the last two birds you said I couldn't handle ended up in my bed."
"I admit I underestimated you, Malfoy," Blaise said as he sneered at him. "But we're talking about Hermione Granger here. Queen of the Gryffindors. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley's best friend. And let's not forget, she hates your bleeding guts. Can't say I blame her, what's with all the Mudblood remarks you've called her over the years."
"I've stopped calling people that." Draco snapped.
"You haven't stopped insulting Potter or Weasley." Blaise countered.
"That's because Potter's an arrogant arse and Weasley's just an imbecile," Draco said as he grinned at his group. "Watch me, I'll get Hermione Granger before we graduate."
"Do I smell a wager, Draco?" Blaise asked as all eyes turned to Draco who looked momentarily stunned before fixing Blaise one of his famous sneers. "What's the wager, then?"
"If you win, you'll get that classic one-of-a-kind Firebolt 90s series broom of mine, courtesy of one of my mother's jilted lovers. I believe it will be a perfect gift for daddy dearest?" Blaise replied as Draco gave a slight gulp. The broom was one his father had sought after very much and such a gift would aid Draco in inheriting his family's fortune much sooner than expected. "And if you win?"
"One hundred Galleons," Blaise exclaimed, earning gasps of awe at the amount. "Such are the stakes."
"Done," Draco said immediately as the boys shook hands. Throughout the group came a series of differing reactions to Pansy moaning at Draco's choice, Daphne rolling her eyes at what she believed was another testament to male ego while Crabbe and Goyle howled in approval. Tracey, however, was observing the situation with mild interest, a thought brewing in her head.
"I have to go. I'll see you all later." Tracey replied as Daphne raised her eyebrow. "Bur- bag full of shite gave me another assignment. I need to go think."
"Watch out for prefects," Draco said to which Tracey rolled her eyes. "Please, why do you think I keep you around, Head Boy?" With that, Tracey headed towards her favourite spot in the castle as Pansy's annoying voice called out to her, drowning as she turned the corner.
"Don't forget about Millicent's party! You need to bring…"
….
Tracey Davis was cursing the day she decided to take up Muggle studies. Unfortunately, the subject was a necessary evil. Ever since she was young, Tracey wanted to become a journalist and writer. Her parents were her biggest fans with her father even saying that Tracey Davis was such a journalistic name. Rita Skeeter, despite her occasional nonsensical and obviously biased articles, was her hero, a woman who paved the way for young witches like herself to take her place in an otherwise male-dominated field. Yet the Daily Prophet had some harsh NEWT requirements and a good grade in Muggle Studies was mandatory. Of course, an EE was more than good enough but Tracey, like Daphne and Hermione, was a perfectionist. Nothing would stop her from being the best, a trait she attested to the reason for her being placed in Slytherin.
As she walked up the Astronomy Tower, Tracey gave a sigh of contention as she felt the cold breeze of the Scottish Highlands hit her right in the face. The air was like a fresh bucket of ice-cold water being splashed across her face, giving her a renewed sense of strength and determination to pursue her goals. She disliked the cold dampness of the dungeons and the thought of Slytherins being forced to live underground while the rest of the houses were soared to lofty heights was another form of discrimination she would abolish with her new role as executive editor of the Daily Prophet. For now, she had to settle her expectations as Tracey frowned at the sight that stood before her.
On her favourite balcony, sitting leisurely as if he owned the place was a person she wished would just disappear or perhaps, even topple over the ledge. Bracing herself for an argument and readying herself for an unpleasant encounter, Tracey strode over to the balcony, not even glancing at the boy's face as she sat across from him while pulling out a cigarette of her own.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Ron snarled as the redhead narrowed his eyes upon her.
Tracy ignored him , of course, her face was a mask of indifference as she tuned out the irritating voice of the Weasley boy. Her mind was solely focused on her task at hand and the topic that Burbage had given her. It was somewhat fitting, that in her final year of Hogwarts, Tracey Davis was forced to confront the very subject that for the longest time, had haunted her.
Love
….