If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Dusty Cellar (Incomplete Fanfiction)The cellar holds unfinished confections of storytelling, giving readers a glimpse into creative ideas that may one day be revived.
Feeling so fly like a D-Criss| Jess's NOM | GERONIMO | Part Hobbit | Victimised by Moffat
Is it wrong I laughed, like a lot
CHARLIE, CHARLIE, CHARLIE THE CREEEEEEEPER
PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS
__________________
everytime i think i had enough, i start heading for the door-------------------------------------------
there's a very strange vibration, that pierces me right to the core--------------------------- ----------------------------------samantha joan star - seventh year - hufflepuff
"Captain, get over here this instant!" I grumbled, following the gray duck down the stairs. I was home alone and someone was at the door, so obviously I was the one the that needed to answer it. Flinging the door open I was greeted by the most unusual sight. "Darren?!" I jumped a mile in surprise. "Darren?" My best friend, from when I was younger, was standing at my door, and his side was bleeding. "DARREN!"
"Hey Hermione." He said casually, smiling. My mouth was hanging open as I stared at him, he was BLEEDING on MY doorstep. "I wanted to tell you that-" Before he could finish speaking he collapsed to the ground.
First I flung my hand over my mouth and masked my scream and then with my other hand, I grabbed my wand and levitated Darren into the house, upstairs and onto the couch in my bedroom. I would have put him on the couch in the living room but my parents might suspect something if there was blood all over that couch. After tending to his wound I sat down on my bed to stare at him until he woke up on his own will, I felt like a creepy stalker.
Finally, after what seemed endless hours, and probably was, because the sun was already beginning to go down, leaving everything with a nice reddish orange glow, Darren began to stir slightly and then his eyes opened. "Where am I?" He mumbled, staring at the ceiling and the walls, which were a dark midnight blue, and then he rolled over, wincing in pain, onto his uninjured side and saw, me. "Hermione? How did I get here? Where is here?"
"Yes, I'm Hermione, and uh, you showed up at my house, and that's here." I responded meekly, not sure if I should laugh or cry, at the moment it felt as if I was about to do both. But then I would look like an insane maniac and I'd creep Darren out even more.
"Hermione," He started then stopped, and he kept staring at me in shock. I was at the point of strangling him unless he spoke up again, when he finally opened his mouth. "Hermione, you've grown up." Well, yippee, smartest sentence of the year goes to Darren, not. "You've grown up a lot, you're so different now."
"And you haven't aged a day, your still that strange, wacko, nine year old." I laughed a little bit, to mask my tears, hopefully.
"I heard what happened to your parents, I'm sorry for your loss." Darren said softly, and my smile died down immediately, he had to mention my parents? That insensitive git, oh great I'm sobbing now. "I'm sorry, Hermione, I didn't mean to." He jumped up, winced slightly and sat down next to me. "I, I shouldn't have said that Hermione, I'm so sorry, please, forgive me."
I nodded, not able to speak at the moment, so I just sobbed harder onto his shoulder. It was such a cliche moment, that thought made me let out a dry laugh that sounded more like a cough then an actual laugh. Finally I sobered up and hiccuped slightly, meaning I was done crying, thankfully.
"It's not your fault," I mumbled weakly, and I looked him up and down. "You've grown up a lot too." I commented, Darren nodded, accepting my sudden change of subject with a complaint. "By the way, my parents and my sister are out eating at the, er, a small pub in London." I nearly hit myself for my slip up, Darren didn't know anything about magic as far as I knew.
"Ah, what's your sisters name?" Darren asked, with his genuine curiosity that normally got him in trouble, but not today.
"Astoria, she's a little angel. Her sister, Daphne passed away around the time my parents did, and then Astoria's parents replaced Daphne with me, it's horrid." I gulped slightly, wondering what would have happened if my parents survived and I died, would they have replaced me like Mr and Mrs Greengrass did with Daphne?
"Your parents would have never replaced you Hermione." I looked up shocked, I hadn't voiced my thoughts had I, how did Darren know what I was thinking?
"I, uh, what?" I blinked, still shocked.
"I could see what you were thinking on your face, it's alright, it's not like I read your mind." Darren said quickly, and I nodded my head slightly.
"Yea, that makes sense, I guess." I muttered, and then got up. "You need to take a shower, you smell disgusting and your covered in blood. Let me get some spare clothes for you, one second." I headed over to my closet, took out a backpack laying in the back and then tossed it to Darren. "Those are Amadeus's, they should fit you, you can use my bathroom it's right over there, and I'll be downstairs."
I began to cook up some fish, I remembered that when we were young, Darren and I would always beg our parents for fish, we were obsessed with it when we were kids. Right after I closed the oven after I placed the fish inside of it, someone tapped on my shoulder. Jumping in surprise I quickly covered my mouth to muffle my scream.
"Git!" I hit Darren with the oven mitt I was holding. "You scared me, don't ever do that again." I nearly hit him again, but I noticed from the look on his face that he didn't intend to scare me. "Ugh, sorry about that, but you really freaked me out."
"Yea, sorry, my fault." He muttered, rolling his eyes at me. "You're so jumpy, I forgot that."
"Ha, yup." I chuckled a little bit, and then my cellphone rang (don't ask me how long it took for me to persuade my "parents" to get me a cellphone). "One sec, let me answer this." I quickly said to Darren. "Hello?"
"HI!" Oh dear Merlin no, this is impossible.
"Um, hi?" I squeezed my eyes shut hoping this was a nightmare.
"Sorry, I'm not even sure really how to use this stupid muggle thing." Yup, that was definitely Draco, but how the HECK did he get a phone?
"Um, Draco, how did you...?" I trailed off not wanting to say much more.
"You know how my dad is, and um, he thinks it's brilliant that Harry and I are friends so I told him I wanted to hang with Harry tonight and he was like whatever and the Dursley's were out for his fat uncles birthday so I dropped by to see Harry." Draco said, sounding super excited.
"So then you two decided to call me?" I sighed, knowing something like that was bound to happen eventually.
"YEA! Aren't I brilliant?" Draco exclaimed, and then I heard a clatter. "Er, sorry, dropped the phone, anyway."
"Can I speak with Harry please?" I asked in the most polite and patient voice I could.
"Hi Hermione," thank you Merlin, someone with at least half a brain.
"Why did you two call me?"
"Draco wanted to go swimming."
"Swimming?"
"Yea, swimming, he's insane."
"Swimming?" He's got to be insane, all of them, my friends are insane.
"Um, Hermione, you're just repeating 'swimming' over and over again, are you alright?" And that included Darren as well.
"Oh shut up Darren!" I snapped at him, forgetting I was on the phone with Harry.
"Who's Darren?" Harry immediately queried.
"Who's Darren?" I heard Draco echo in the background.
"He's a friend, and fine we'll go swimming, but I'm going to eat first. Also, where are we going swimming?" I could hardly believe that I was giving into this stupid, stupid, stupid idea.
"Hey Draco, she agreed!" I barely heard Harry say and then he put the phone back up to his mouth. "We won't be going there for about another two hours, but go to the local beach and say your there for the private party."
"Yea, what ever." I mumbled and then hung up. "Um Darren, you want to go swimming in two hours with two, maybe more friends of mine?"
"I'm not going to actually go swimming, but I'll tag along for sure, it would be great to meet some of your new friends." Darren laughed a little bit. "Is that salmon I smell?"
"Yea, it should be done right about now." I ran over to the oven (things cook faster in wizard ovens) and took out the fish, yum.
The two of us ate in semi silence and then two hours after the call happened, I quickly changed into my bathing suit, and scribbled a note for my parents explaining that I was going swimming with Harry and Draco (made sure not to mention anything about Darren, they'd freak out if they knew about him). I grabbed my trench coat (for when it got colder) and my pink camera, stuffing that stuff and more into my bag, which had been magically enlarged on the inside, I was all set.
"You ready Darren?" I asked arriving at the bottom of the stairs and slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"Yup, are you?" He responded with his own rather joking question.
"Haha, come on let's go, we're gonna walk to the beach." I told him and we began our way there, it took about fifteen-twenty minutes and the whole entire time Darren and I were talking about our childhood, it was kind of fun, you know, getting to know my best friend all over again. And then we found someone in charge and told them that we were there for the private party.
"Name?" The man asked, sounding a bit bored.
"Uh, Hermione Greengrass?" I mumbled, he nodded in response and told me where to go, it didn't take long to get there thankfully, and when we did, I saw Harry, Draco and Ginny I think, wait, what was Ginny doing here? Well anyway, other then them, the beach was empty.
"HERMIONE!" Ouch, I just literally got tackled to the ground by Draco. "You made it!"
“Um, heya Drake, can you get off me please?” I squeaked, and Draco nodded, mumbling an apology. “Hey Draco this is Darren, Darren this is-” I was half surprisingly cut off, but for the reason I least expected.
“DARREN GRATE!” Draco yelped jumping onto his feet, I blinked in shock. I saw the two of them hug and that was the final line for me.
“You two know each other?” I could maybe get Darren and Harry, but Draco? He doesn't consort with muggles, wait that meant. “WAIT YOUR A WIZARD?” Freak out moment for me. “We've been friends for the past thirteen years and you never happened to mention that you can use magic!”
“I, uh, I didn't know that you could know. Uh, sorry?” Darren mumbled, slightly confused.
“Wait, how did Darren not know that you were a witch?” Draco blurted out, “you are a Greengrass after all, one of the most known wizarding families.”
“I-” I trailed off, my eyes widening, I had no idea what to say to them, it wasn't like I could tell them I was adopted, it wasn't like I couldn't. I bit my tongue and was quiet for about two minutes, finally I decided I couldn't lie to my friends anymore about me. “My real parents died almost four years ago, I'm adopted, I'm a muggleborn and my real last name is Granger.” The three other wizards stared at me in shock and disbelief.
“You're a muggleborn?” Draco's mouth was still gaping, after all I said there, that's all he got out of it? Stupid, obnoxious, idiotic git.
“Draco shut your mouth, Hermione, I'm so sorry, I never knew.” Harry slapped Draco upside the head, but didn't put any force into it, he stared at me with pitying eyes as well.
“I can't say that I didn't know.” Ginny said in a quiet voice, and all of us turned to face her. “My first year, I overheard you talking to Tori, and I wrote to the diary and that's why the basilisk attacked you, I'm so sorry Hermione, please, please, please forgive me.”
“I thought you knew.” I gave her a warm smile, letting her know I wouldn't hold a grudge.
“YOU'RE A MUGGLEBORN?” Draco blurted out once again. “I can't believe it, my bestfriend is a muggleborn, you are a muggleborn, this isn't good, imagine what my dad would say, oh Merlin, I can't be friends with a muggleborn.” He continued on muttering to himself, I should have thought this is what would have happened when he found out, it wasn't as if I could keep it as a secret from them forever.
“Draco shut your mouth, the rest of the Weasley's are here.” Harry snapped under his breath, waving slightly to the new arrivals. “It took me awhile to persuade him to let them come, I promised him that no one would see him in public with them and he didn't need to really mingle with them at all.”
“Ah, by the way, Astoria might be dropping by later.” I said, now partly understanding why Ginny was here.
“HEY! Harry!” Ron yelled running over and hugging Harry, I shook his hand briefly not sure what to say. “Who's the guy arguing with Malfoy?”
“Huh?” I spun around and noticing that Darren and Draco seemed to be having a heated discussion. “Oh that's my best friend from when I was a kid, Darren Grate.”
“Oh, he's cool.” Ron said offhandedly.
“Your only saying that because he's biting off Draco's head.” Harry chuckled and I couldn't help but join in.
“Hey Hermione,” I looked around and saw Charlie, ooh, the creeper Charlie, er, never mind.
“Heya Charlie! Congratulations, I never actually got to say that, it must be great, graduating Hogwarts and all.” I grinned at him.
“Yeah, it's all so surreal, also, did you hear, I got a job in Romania with dragons.” My jaw dropped at that.
“CONGRATULATIONS!” Flying tackle hug, whoops, I heard laughter coming from all around me. “Ha ha, sorry about that, so excited for you.” I blushed a little bit, and Draco was staring at me in shock. “So, who's going swimming?” Change the subject time.
“ME!” Shouted Ron excitedly, and then he dashes into the water.
“Well, that settles it, I'm going swimming.” There was an evil glint in Draco's eye when he announced that.
“Have you ever gone swimming Draco?” Harry asked in all seriousness. “I mean, it is a muggle thing after all, isn't it?”
“Oh shut up Harry, wizards swim too, it's like a second nature to me, just like quidditch.” I laughed so hard at Draco's response, and then I joined him, Ron and Harry in the water.
Soon more of the Weasley's joined us and we were having lots of fun, that was until and Draco grabbed my arm and dragged me off away from the rest of the group. “Hermione, I need to talk to you.”
“Draco, what the heck!” I yelped in shock when he finally took his hand off my mouth.
“Why didn't you trust me?” He said angrily, I should have known this was coming.
“Draco, I didn't tell anyone, no one knew.” I spoke pleadingly, hoping that maybe he wouldn't hate me forever.
“You're a muggleborn, you knew that you were, you betrayed me!” Draco snapped.
“Draco that's not fair!” I tried to hide my tears that were beginning to come. “That's not fair, I was told to not let anyone know, no one knew.”
“Ginny knew,” Draco pointed out, oh my gosh, he is an idiot.
“Ginny knew by overhearing Tori and I talking! It wasn't like I told her!” I wanted to slap him so hard right about now.
“But she still knew!” Draco nearly yelled.
“It wasn't my fault, I didn't even know that she knew until TODAY!” I almost screamed back at him.
“So?” I slapped him right then and there.
“What do you mean by “so” Draco? I couldn't have controlled that at all. And you know what else, my supposed parents forced me to not tell anyone, they'd murder me if they found out that anyone else knew that I was a muggleborn.” I was now starting to cry, stupid, stupid tears.
“What is it with you slapping me over and over again?”
“Maybe because you deserve it. I can't believe that after all these years of being friends, you'd stop being mine just because I'm not a pureblood, just because my parents weren't wizards.”
“I never said I wouldn't be your friend.”
“Well that's what you've made it sound like.”
"I didn't mean to make it sound like that."
"So we are still friends?"
"Yes, but things will be different between us for quite some time."
"Drake, I'm so sorry, I know I should have told you."
"Damn right you should have."
"Let's just go back to the rest of the group." I mumbled, couldn't he have just accepted my apology? Ugh, he is so hard to deal with at times.
Gahh, been working on the new chapter. I can't decide if I should include the yule ball with it, or if I should make that a separate chapter itself.
But here's a spoiler, sorry, it's kind of fail.
SPOILER!!: Chapter Six
Finally we made it back to Hogwarts and there was some big thing happening, I was so irritated with people not telling me what it was that I left the main group early to get on the train, I found a nearly empty compartment that someone I believed to be named Cho Chang was sitting in, literally two seconds after I sat down, Draco walked in. I was about to get up and hug him, but I remembered everything that had happened this Summer and restrained myself, instead I gave him a weak hello and smile that was equally as weak. He nodded, half returning my smile. For some reason he looked paler and more stressed out, and I felt wretched, not being able to sit next to him (he pointedly sat next to Cho) and comfort him, make him feel better.
The next person to enter was Harry, and he was making owl eyes at Cho, sitting on the other side of Draco, so I was all alone on my side until Ron showed up and sat next to me. Not the best company, but certainly better then some, not sure about none. Ginny appeared not much later and sat between Ron and I thankfully. So I was across from Cho by the window, Ginny was across from Draco, Harry and Ron were sitting closest to the door and already playing a game of wizarding chess. There was a silence, between us other four, that felt kind of awkward, and it remained like that until we arrived at Hogwarts and all went to our separate houses, Cho and I to Ravenclaw, Draco and Harry to Slytherin and the Weasley's to the Gryffindor table.
And then it was announced, the tri-wizard tournament, everyone was talking about it, they were so excited and curious as to who would enter. And of course there was the meeting the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. I had to admit I was curious to meet them a heck of a lot. I was also in the library a lot, reading about the tri-wizard tournament, the more I read about it the happier I was that there was an age limit. Not even I could enter, turning fifteen not two weeks after school started, seventeen year old's on up. And finally the blessed day came, October 30th, the day before Halloween and the day that the foreign students got here. I noticed some girls like Lavender Brown, drastically dressed up. And as for me? I was wearing my school robes, looking like it was nothing other then a normal day at Hogwarts, we were all lined up outside waiting for the students to arrive, and somehow I ended up standing next to Draco.
First there was the quidditch world cup, and let me tell you, from someone who doesn't like quidditch, it was BREATHTAKING! No joke, seeing it was amazing, if you have never gone, you need to go, or at least see it somehow! After the game the actual players came up to the box where we were sitting, wow, that was amazing. But the funniest part of the whole trip, and creepiest, was when the seeker for Bulgaria, was shamelessly flirting with me, I'm not even kidding, I could tell there was at least one person glaring at him, no idea who it was though. It was funny, but I'd never meet him again, so it didn't really mean anything to me. He did seem impress that I wasn't throwing myself at his feet like most every other girl he'd met before hand, poor bloke.
That night we were having the time of our lives (the Weasley's, Harry, Astoria and I) joking around and celebrating, the Bulgarian seeker, I forget his name, caught the snitch, but Ireland won! Charlie and I snuck away partway through the party because it was getting to loud, I didn't even notice he did till I bumped into him outside, we were kind of bored and began to play Truth or Dare, but it was actually more like, Truth.
"What's your favorite color?" Charlie asked after I finally stopped laughing at his answer for my previous question, his worst fear about Hogwarts, apparently he thought he was going to be sorted into both Hufflepuff and Slytherin at the same time and they'd split him in two.
"Blue," I answered not even pausing to think about that answer. "Who was your first kiss?" Where did that question come from?
Charlie blushed a little bit and mumbled something under his breath, I raised my eyebrows not hearing him. "Never had one." He finally admitted, and I burst into laughter again, he joined, thankfully, at least I wasn't being completely rude.
"Sorry, that was a bit out of my place to ask." I said, sobering up finally.
"Nah, it's all right, it means I can ask you the same question." Charlie teased, and it was my turn to blush.
"Darren, but we were three, and I'm pretty sure it was only on the cheek." I quickly added the last part so Charlie didn't jump to any conclusions. "It was a horrible memory mind you, but both of parents thought it was cute, they had even snapped a photo of it, my mom had the framed and it was always in her locket..." I stopped and trailed off, why did I always do that when I accidentally brought up my parents? It was so irritating, especially because people thought I was like, a fragile person who would break at any moment. "Anyway, what's your favorite quidditch team?"
Thankfully Charlie didn't say anything about er, anything I said other then my question. "Puddlemere United actually, it's a pretty good team." Charlie seemed to be relieved to be off the whole subject from before. I smiled nodding in agreement with his answer for my most recent question, Puddlemere United was a rather darned good quidditch team.
"Good, you're not like Ron and obsessed with the Chuddley Cannons, silly kid." I began to laugh a little bit, remembering my few conversations with Ron, and somehow they always ended up being about the Cannons or food, or both at the same time.
"I believe it is my turn to ask you a question now?" Charlie queried and I nodded again. "What is karaoke?" I nearly burst into laughter, but Charlie sounded completely serious in his question. "Honestly, Fred and George keep talking about it and they won't tell me what it is."
"Basically, you would sing a popular song into a microphone, it's a lot of fun." I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing, because that would have been really rude.
"Oh, that's really all it is? They were making it sound like you had to juggle a troll that was playing quidditch!" Charlie groaned, and I bit my lip harder, the mental images that came with those words.
"There you two are!" Bill exclaimed, surprising Charlie and I, we both jumped and reached for our wands. "What are you two doing out here by yourselves?" Wow, somehow the eldest Weasley sibling made this situation sound a million times worse. "We were all wondering where you guys disappeared to, what have you been talking about?"
"In all honesty, we've been playing Truth or Dare, well really, Truth." I explained, if I hadn't taken out the dare it looked like Bill would have made this even worse then it already was.
"Ooh! Can we join?" Typical question from the twins, I shrugged, not sure what else to do. "Hey, Ron, Harry, Gin, we are playing Truth!"
"Well this will be fun, and Hermione, it's your turn to ask." Charlie chuckled to himself, I nodded.
"Um, Bill, why do you always make situations to be worse then they are?" I asked him, really curious, plus it was the first thing that came to mind.
The game continued on for about half an hour and then Mr. Weasley made us go to bed, thank goodness, Ron had just asked me who my first crush was.
I had finally fallen asleep when I was awoken by screams and shouts, apparently some Death Eaters were having the time of their lives that night. We managed to get away, had a run in with Theodore Nott in the woods and then there was a huge morsmordre fiasco, involving Harry's missing wand, a house-elf and the dark mark. It was all very ugly and not pleasant.
Finally we made it back to Hogwarts and there was some big thing happening, I was so irritated with people not telling me what it was that I left the main group early to get on the train, I found a nearly empty compartment that someone I believed to be named Cho Chang was sitting in, literally two seconds after I sat down, Draco walked in. I was about to get up and hug him, but I remembered everything that had happened this Summer and restrained myself, instead I gave him a weak hello and smile that was equally as weak. He nodded, half returning my smile. For some reason he looked paler and more stressed out, and I felt wretched, not being able to sit next to him (he pointedly sat next to Cho) and comfort him, make him feel better.
The next person to enter was Harry, and he was making owl eyes at Cho, sitting on the other side of Draco, so I was all alone on my side until Ron showed up and sat next to me. Not the best company, but certainly better then some, not sure about none. Ginny appeared not much later and sat between Ron and I thankfully. So I was across from Cho by the window, Ginny was across from Draco, Harry and Ron were sitting closest to the door and already playing a game of wizarding chess. There was a silence, between us other four, that felt kind of awkward, and it remained like that until we arrived at Hogwarts and all went to our separate houses, Cho, Ginny and I to Ravenclaw, Draco and Harry to Slytherin and then finally Ron to the Gryffindor table.
And then it was announced, the tri-wizard tournament, everyone was talking about it, they were so excited and curious as to who would enter. And of course there was the meeting the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. I had to admit I was curious to meet them a heck of a lot. I was also in the library a lot, reading about the tri-wizard tournament, the more I read about it the happier I was that there was an age limit. Not even I could enter, turning fifteen not two weeks after school started, seventeen year old's on up. And finally the blessed day came, October 30th, the day before Halloween and the day that the foreign students got here. I noticed some girls like Lavender Brown, drastically dressed up. And as for me? I was wearing my school robes, looking like it was nothing other then a normal day at Hogwarts, we were all lined up outside waiting for the students to arrive, and somehow I ended up standing next to Draco.
"Hey Drake," I mumbled looking down at my feet, he looked mildly surprised, not noticing me at first.
"Hi Hermione," he replied, clearly not quite sure what to say.
"Want to play with the grass?" I suggested lamely, but then again, that was what I had been staring at for a little bit now.
"Yea," I was shocked that he agreed but didn't say anything, the two of us sat down on the ground and ignored the others around us, we were joking with each other and making grass chains and necklaces, it was hysterical, to think that a pureblooded, prejudiced, Slytherin, nearly ex-friend was doing this with me. We had been like this for who knows how long only to be interrupted by the last person in the world I expected to be interrupted by, okay fine, there were two people interrupting us.
"Hermy-own-nee!" Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Mental relapse, I jumped up and spun around, reaching for my wand but I relaxed.
"I, uh, Viktor?" Krum, the Bulgarian seeker that was flirting with me, here, what?
"HERMIONE DARLING!" Before I could comprehend Viktor being there, Darren had literally tackled me, and I fell back onto Draco who looked suspicious and confused. "Sorry Drake, but wow, wait, did you say, you know Viktor?"
"Um, kind of, hey Viktor." I held out my hand politely, still shocked, what was up with people shocking me today?
"Ve meet again Hermy-own-nee." Viktor Krum took my hand and kissed it, well, I did mean for him to shake it but whatever, I turned a vibrant red, oh brilliant.
"When did you guys meet?" Darren asked looking between us two, completely ignoring poor squashed Draco, well we did get off him.
"Quidditch world cup." Draco responded before I could, I almost forgot that he and his parents were sitting there in the top box as well.
"Yea, but what are you guys doing here?" I demanded not to nicely, I also noted that all the other students disappeared.
"Er, ve're Durmstrang students." Viktor answered that.
"It looks like it's going to rain, let's go eat!" Darren quickly suggested and the four of us made our way inside, and the two of them went to sit with Draco at the Slytherin table, somehow I got dragged along with them and sat there as well, feeling completely wretched for missing the foreign students arrive, but then again, I was finally having fun with Draco again, that was good.
"Attention students, I would like to welcome Madame Maxime and the students of Beauxbatons." Dumbledore paused and there was loud clapping that went around the hall. "And Professor Karkaroff and the students of Durmstrang." Another pause, and this time the applause was much louder, apparently it was a well known fact that Viktor Krum was here. "I hope you will treat them with the utmost respect and the guests of honor that they are." He went on to explain about the goblet of fire, which was brought out and he then explained more about how to enter, and that it was strictly forbidden to enter a younger students name, and other such rules, also that this was not to be taken lightly, if the goblet chose you, there was no backing out, and there had been times in the past where competitors and even spectators were killed, but there had been extra precautions taken this year. That really didn't help me feel any safer.
After dinner I gratefully went to my bed and fell fast asleep. When I awoke the next day whole school was buzzing like a swarm of bees about who entered and what not, I watched doubtfully as Fred and George sprouted white beards and unsuccessfully entered the tournament. It did give quite a few of us a laugh which lightened the strange glumness of the day considerably. I did know that Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff entered, a couple Slytherins did, and Angelina Johnson, a Gryffindor entered, I also heard her best friend Alicia entered as well, again a Gryffindor. I wasn't exactly sure which Ravenclaw's did, but I did hear something about Albert Dur entering, if he did, I really hoped that he wasn't the champion, I didn't like him.
"Hey Hermione," I was surprised to be greeted by Draco, he had nearly ignored me completely the first month, saying hi occasionally, basically treating me like he treated Pansy Parkinson, roughly and not really noticing me. "I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for how I've been treating you, Harry talked to me about it and stuff, and so did Darren. I guess, I guess I can get over the fact that you're a muggleborn, besides, we are friends, and nothing should be able to interfere with that." My jaw nearly dropped, and next thing I knew I was hugging Draco so tightly I don't think he would have been able to breath, I heard someone shout 'about time' and lots of laughter from the other students, I glanced up and noticed that it was one of the twins who shouted, clearly they had their beards removed.
"You're right Draco, and I'm sorry for not telling you that I was one." I said after I finally let go of him, he grinned widely and shrugged, not really caring. "Come on, I'll sit with you at double-Transfiguration, let's go." And before I knew it we were running off to attend classes, not to mention the fact that we were both grinning like maniac idiots. Transfiguration was amazing, but near the end of class McGonagall asked to see me after class, I immediately consented, not wanting to get in trouble with a professor, especially this early in the year. "You guys continue on to dinner, I'll catch up with you in a bit." I told Harry and Draco who reluctantly left me there. "Yes, Professor McGonagall?" I asked her politely, hoping this would be quick, my stomach was wanting food really badly.
"I know that I am not your head of house, but I couldn't help but notice that today in my class you exceeded your abilities that I have ever seen before, it's almost as if something had been holding back on your magic and not letting you use it to it's full extent." Minerva McGonagall paused briefly. "I also noticed that you seemed to have reconciled with Mr. Malfoy, and that may have been it. But if you ever need someone to talk to and Filius is not available, do not hesitate to come to me for any advice, or just someone to talk to." I blinked in surprise, was it really that obvious that I was upset over the fact that Draco and I weren't talking? Well, I probably was, because we were like best friends after all.
I nodded and then returned to the great hall, excited for the announcement of the contestants after dinner, but I was also excited for the feast. Sitting down at the Slytherin table (I know, bad me), I noticed that I was getting several glares from people and skeptical looks from several of those in my house. "Hey Draco, Harry, Darren and Viktor." Why was it that I had to know the two most famous people in, a thousand mile radios of Hogwarts? That may have contributed to the glares I was getting from nearly every female student in Hogwarts. The boys greeted me, but couldn't say anymore, because Dumbledore made a small speech and then everyone began to eat, I saw that most of the students were eating at top speed hoping that the contestants would be chosen sooner, but I noticed that Dumbledore was eating at his normal pace and we obviously had to wait until he was finished.
Finally after everyone was finished eating, the contestants were being drawn, from Beauxbatons there was a pretty girl sitting at the Ravenclaw table named Fleur Delacour picked, for Durmstrang Viktor was chosen, no surprises there. And then for Hogwarts, Cedric Diggory was chosen, I think I clapped the loudest out of my group, Harry and Draco groaned, and Darren just raised his eyebrows skeptically at Cedric. I could barely hear myself think over the sound of the Hufflepuff's cheering, it was, insane. And then the fire lit again, the Great Hall silenced immediately. Dumbledore stared at the parchment in his hand for a good minute before speaking again.
"Harry Potter."
"WHAT!" That was the loud yell throughout the whole room, I stared at Harry in shock, he was the one who yelled the loudest. "I didn't enter." He mumbled looking at Draco, Darren and I with pleading eyes. I nodded, completely believing him, Draco looked to shocked to say anything, and Darren followed what I did, probably not sure what to say. "Why, why is it always me?" Harry mumbled, standing up, realizing that was what he was supposed to do, it looked like he could feel the glares of all the Huflepuffs boring into his skull as he followed the footsteps of the other three contestants. Dumbledore's expression was a mixture of confusion and displeasure, not exactly who he was displeased with, but it didn't really look like it was Harry, he didn't have a reason to anyway.
As soon as Harry disappeared from view muttering all around the hall started. "He didn't enter himself, you know that right Draco?" That came out more forcefully then I thought it would, but Draco couldn't possibly believe that Harry did that. Draco finally nodded, looking as if he was unable to speak for the time being. "I just want to know who entered him, and why!" I nearly screamed. Why was it that every year someone was out to get Harry? Why was it that he had the worst luck of anyone that I ever met? That poor, poor kid. Finally McGonagall instructed us all to return to our common rooms. And I had to say goodbye to Draco and Darren, by the looks of it Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students had to stay in the Great Hall. But Darren tried to follow me anyway, that was until McGonagall told him to seat back down and stop following me.
I couldn't sleep at all, worrying about Harry so much, I had to know what was going on with him. So I finally decided that I was going to find the Slytherin rooms and ask Harry what he knew about this. I hadn't thought this plan completely through, don't ask me how I was going to find the room, much less even get in to the dormitories. Grabbing a fluffy blue bed-robe, I quickly slipped it over my shoulders, tied the sash and then nearly bolted down the stairs and out of the common room, and then I headed towards the dungeons, there was one way which happened to go by the potions room. I just hoped that Snape hadn't decided to stay up late, grading papers.
When I was tip toeing down the hall way I turned a sharp corner and bumped straight into someone. "Eeek!" I whispered sounding high pitched, before someone quickly muffled me. Which made me freak out even more, finally the person removed their hand when I bit it. "Who are you, why attacking me?" Um, yea, there goes the one of the dumbest questions to ever leave my mouth. There was a little snicker that sounded familiar, and then the person quietly cleared their throat, clearly trying not to laugh at me. That was a bit touching, at least they had some manners, maybe?
"Hermione, calm down!" Fred, or George, I have no idea, said, and I sighed. Of all the people to run into, it was another Weasley, why did I run into Weasley's? "What are you doing up, actually I probably don't want to know."
"Fred, no wait, George, no, I don't care at this moment, I need your help." Did I just honestly ask for help from a Weasley twin? The world must be ending, or something equally as drastic. Raising their eyebrows, the red head remained silent, waiting for me to continue. "I don't know how, nor do I want to know how you know. But, where is the Slytherin house room? And I know you know." Next thing I knew they were grinning evilly. "Oh just shut up, or else I'll tell McGonagall what you were doing with Angelina Johnson when you two were skipping out on Transfiguration." The chance of this being the right twin was, fifty-fifty actually. Oh this is just pathetic.
"Bloody, Hermione, never thought you'd be the one for black mail, the Slytherin house room is actually just down this corridor and on the left, then take the second right, down fifty yards and you're there. The password is 'Parseltongue' and you didn't hear this from George." Winking, George stuck his hands in his pockets and continued down the hallway, whistling softly. Not even bothering to think, I followed his directions completely and arrived at a bare stretch of wall, muttering the password, I saw the wall peel back and their was a staircase dimly light by glowing green lights, rather eerie and creepy in my opinion.
As I reached the center of the common room, I noticed that someone was entering the room, from a different door. I couldn't move, I was stuck like a deer in the headlights. Finally the person appeared and I recognized it as Blaise Zabini, I'd never met him, but I had heard he was a pretty okay chap, other then the fact that he was incredibly biased, it's a shame. "Greengrass?" He questioned in shock, mouth hanging open and staring at me from head to toe. "What in the blazes are you doing here, this is, Slytherin, but you're here?" Blaise was completely confused and lost, just like me.
"Uh, hi," I finally managed to mumble, still feeling shocked. "Is uh, Harry or Draco up?" I had to ask, that's why I was here anyway, Blaise can freak out at a later time, well maybe not, seeing as he was staring at me as if I was an alien. "Er, Blaise, hullo?"
"What's going on down- Hermione!" Ah, finally someone I knew, Harry was staring at me with wide green eyes, his hand halfway through his hair and in his pj's. "What, how did you get in here?" He paused for a little bit, thinking about what he said before continuing. "Let me rephrase that, how did you find here?"
"I, I just wanted to make sure you were alright and all, after someone entering you in the contest and making sure that you'd get in." I quickly shot out, and Harry looked immensely relieved, probably to hear that someone believed him. As everyone should, Harry didn't go around purposefully looking for trouble, I knew that if he could, he would be a normal person, like Ron, Neville, Ernie or even Cedric, but not Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, defeater of who-know-who.
"Thanks Hermione, and I'm not even going to ask how you got here, I probably don't want to know." Harry chuckled and hugged me, I noticed Blaise sneak away into the shadows, obviously feeling slightly awkward. "Now you should go back to your dormitories, again thanks." He kissed the top of my head and a wave of relief washed through me. "See you in the morning at breakfast." I nodded and stumbled off towards my common room.
So much happened so quickly, the first task came and went, and it was dragons. Of all bloody things out there, they had to choose dragons. Not even being able to stomach thinking about breakfast I skipped it completely and I headed towards where the dragons were being kept, just to see them. When I was half way there someone stopped me. "Hey, you can't head - Hermione!" I was surprised to hear Charlie, I grinned at the familiar voice and hugged him tightly. "It's good to see you, how have things been going on with you recently?" He asked, and we talked for quite a while, it was really neat. But then I had to get to the stands and watch the contestants.
The first three went by in a blur and then Harry came out, I sincerely hoped he remembered what he was supposed to be doing, the accio charm, oh dear I hoped it worked! Thankfully it did and he successfully achieved the golden egg from where the dragon was guarding it. Immediately after he finished I charged off towards the tent where they were being taken care of, I noticed that I wasn't the only one there, Ginny was. She was fretting over Harry almost as much as Madame Pompfrey was, it was hysterical, but I was still suspicious as to why she was here. As I waited for them to finish talking I sat down in between Cedric and Viktor, unintentionally, I wasn't paying attention.
"It's Hermione Greengrass, right, the wicked smart Ravenclaw?" Cedric turned to face me and I nearly jumped. "I've heard about you from Cho." Oh, Chang, the girl in the year ahead of me that I think Harry thought was cute, she's the Ravenclaw seeker, anyway, random brain fact overload. I accepted Cedric's hand and I shook it. "Oh yea, I'm Cedric, Cedric Diggroy, sorry about that." I blinked, wow, he didn't immediately assume that everyone knew who he was, that was, interesting.
"Yea, that's me, Hermione, but I'm not sure about the smart part." I mumbled, blushing a bit. I continued to talk with Cedric, and Viktor, they were both quite amusing and then I remembered why I was there. And that was when I noticed Harry watching me, half smirking, my gosh, he spent to much time with Draco, way to much time. "Oh, heey, Harry, let's go get food. Nice chatting with you two." I waved to Viktor and Cedric, even though I was most likely going to see the former at dinner, he had taken to sitting with the Slytherin's, where I happened to sit a lot, not intentionally of course.
Dinner came and went fast, and then the next morning started, and when I entered the great hall I felt dozens of glares. Oh great, what did I do now? Not wanting to cause too much of a scene, I decided to sit at the Ravenclaw table with Astoria, Ginny and their new friend Luna. "Okay, what is up, why is everyone acting like, I, brought you-know-who back or something?" I finally demanded of them when I noticed Cho glaring daggers at me. There was a bit of stuttering and mumbling and finally someone handed me the Daily Prophet.
On the front of it was a big picture of, me? What? And below it read "Hermione Greengrass, The Rich Boy Magnet" I gagged on my pumpkin juice here, and looked around. But Ginny told me to continue reading. It had something about me dating Harry, Draco, Viktor and what the heck, Cedric? Not at the same time thankfully. Finally when I finished reading, I saw who it was written by, non other then Rita Skeeter, the trash talker of everyone except the people she likes, and that's pretty much no one, other then the ministry.
"So basically, she thinks I was dating Draco, cause he's from two of the riches families ever, and then I dated Harry for his fortune and fame after I fell through with Draco, and then I got bored with Harry and wanted someone better, Viktor. And then because I was talking with Cedric in the tent while I waited for a certain red head to finish talking with Harry," I paused and Ginny turned a vibrant red. "I apparently hooked up with him too. Well, clearly I must have a lot of time on my hand to snag all of these boys, help Harry with the tournament, do school, homework, take notes for the dunce Draco and even do some of his homework."
"I'll be back." Standing up angrily, I marched over to the Slytherin table, Ginny trailing behind me. "Darren, why are you looking at me like that, you don't honestly believe the prophet do you?" I asked shrilly, glaring at him, gulping he shook his head and turned to put ketchup on his rashers. "Hi Drake, Harry, Viktor." I half smiled at all of them. "Don't worry, people will stop whispering and pointing eventually." I said mock soothingly to Draco, who had looked incredibly worried ever since he saw me enter the Great Hall.
"No, we weren't worrying about us, we were worrying about you." Harry and Draco said in unison, and then by the looks of it, mentally high fived, not wanting to be totally rude. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "We are dead serious Hermione, you better watch all of your mail from now on, and if anything happens to you in or out of mail, I will personally request that Filius go through all of your mail to make sure nothing else happens to you." Harry said firmly, and my look of amusement disappeared. "Trust me, I've talked to Viktor and Draco about this, you really should."
I nodded and ever since that day, I'd been getting ton of hate mail, I was nearly hexed once somehow and Harry kept his word and talked with Filius about it. But things eventually calmed down by the time that the Yule Ball was announced. I was super excited for it. By the time dinner passed I knew at least a few people had dates. But I doubted the people I knew did. Right as I was in the middle of dessert a blushing, ecstatic Ginny showed up. Her 'you'll never believe what just happened' was that Harry asked her to go to the Yule Ball with him, but apparently he said they were going as just friends, ha, yea right. Now I was just stuck waiting for someone to ask me, I doubt anyone would, that would be bad.
Life has been REALLY hectic, sorry, I just started on the chapter, plus I had to figure out who Hermione was going to the Yule Ball with. Finally got that all figured out, so now I can begin to write!
"Hey, Hermione." I heard a voice call out my name as I was on my way to Charms, turning I saw Cedric waving at me.
"I'll be just a moment, go on ahead." I told Hannah Abbott who I was walking with and then turned to head over to Cedric. "Ced, what's up?"
"Sorry, don't mean to make you late for class or anything, but I didn't know what other time to talk to you." He said taking a deep breath, and I was even more confused, what had I done? "Cho and I had a big fight and apparently she believes the prophet, which is really dumb, because I certainly don't, none of it, but I don't have a date for the Yule and I really don't know any other girls..." Cedric trailed off with a nervous look on his face.
I just stared at him in shock, was I honestly just asked the yule ball, by Cedric Diggory? Never thought I'd see this day. "Cedric, you're a great guy and everything, but I really, it, you and me, there, there is no us." Well this was certainly awkward from my point of view.
Cedric turned a bright red and he quickly began to talk once again. "Oh no, I didn't mean it that way, I only meant as friends, really, honestly, so sorry for the confusion."
I turned a shade of crimson as well, how dumb of me to jump to conclusions. "Wow, um sorry a, yea, I'll go with you." I nodded, and Cedric relaxed a bit.
"Again, sorry for making you late for class!" He waved one last time then jogged off, probably to go attend his own class. Chuckling a bit to myself, I ran back to Charms, thankfully arriving not to late, I took my seat next to Hannah and then the class began.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Hey Hermione, I've got a brilliant idea!" Draco announced as he tossed some sort of glass ball between his hands, he, Darren and Harry were all with me as I tried to study in the library. Draco was the worst and sitting on my desk.
Not even bothering to look up, I responded. "I'm sure it is brilliant Draco." Too immersed in my studies to even really care what it was, knowing him, it wouldn't be that brilliant.
"It is really, look Hermione, why don't you and me go to the ball together?" He half announced, half asked, presumably putting the ball down, I guessed as much because he cupped my face in his hands and jerked it up so that I would actually be able to see him. From his expression, I could tell that he was dead serious. I opened and closed my mouth several times, probably resembling some sort of fish. "Come on Hermione, it can't be that bad." Draco pleaded, I heard spluttering, most likely from Darren, being the only one that had a drink with him, Madame Pince would have his head.
"It's nothing against you Draco, but, I can't, I already said yes to someone else." I finally managed to weakly say, I knew that it would devastate Draco because he acted like it was more then a joke, I think, I dear, I think Draco likes me. That was one of the last things I wanted to happen, ever, Draco was-is a great guy and all, but he was just my best friend, I didn't want to take it past that, ever, and we just got through that big fight and all, does the drama in my life never end?
"Oh, right, yea." Draco mumbled, dropping his hands into his pockets and sliding off the desk, his expression much harder now then it had been a few seconds ago. I glanced around helplessly and noticed that Darren had completely dropped his water, mouth hanging open and eyes wide, Harry merely raised his eyebrows, half smirking. "So um, if you don't mind me asking, who is talking you to the Yule Ball?" Draco then asked, trying to appear as if he didn't care, but I could tell he did, it was all in his silvery eyes, they betrayed him at times like this.
I had opened my mouth respond but Viktor Krum had just walked over, quickly I shut my mouth and looked at him, he cleared his throat a bit and the other three boys all looked at him, Draco looked a bit reluctant to.
"Mvay I please speak to Herm-Own-Ninny alone?" He asked, sending a half glower at Harry, Darren and Draco. Draco seemed to be almost dragged away by Harry and Darren, but they left us some privacy, though I'm not sure if I liked the thought of this. "Vould you like to go to the ball vith me?"
Why was everyone asking me to the Yule Ball? Honestly, I don't understand this in the slightest. "I would love too, but, I already have a date, I'm sorry." Why me, as far as I could tell, no one knew me or cared about me, I wasn't even one of the pretty girls! I was now beginning to despise the thought of the ball, it didn't comfort me that I had to go dress shopping.
"Very vell, thank you then." Viktor nodded curtly then exited the library. A few seconds later, the other three boys darted back in, all staring at me, wanting to know what Viktor was asking me, in private.
"What?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer, I was just given looks that meant 'you-know-what', typical idiotic male friends. "He wanted to go to the yule ball with me, and I obviously declined, because I am going with C- someone else." I took a deep breath and relaxed, thankful for the fact that the C in Cedric was a soft one.
"I guessed as much, but who is this someone else, we're your friends, we have to approve of him!" Darren questioned, my reply was whacking him on the head with a book, I didn't want their approval, it wasn't like I was going to be going out with Cedric, we weren't even going as a date, we were going as just friends.
"May we please change the subject?" Harry sighed, sounding a bit frustrated over this long tirade to find out who I was going to the Yule Ball. "Hermione, can you go dress shopping with Ginny? She's getting a tad to overwhelmed and you can get a dress if you want to when you're there."
I glanced up at Harry, thinking about his idea, it wasn't bad, but I still didn't like the prospect of getting a dress, I do not and probably never will like fancy stuff, except for at my wedding, and that is the only exception and not what I will be thinking about right at this moment. “Sure, I think we can do that next Hogsmeade trip, which is actually this weekend, and no, before any of you guys ask, you can't come with us.”
“Why do you always have to ruin my fun?” Darren pouted, it was him I really directed the last bit at, noticing the amusement, glee and mischievousness arising in his face.
“Come on, lets go get lunch, I'm starved.” Harry quickly suggested as his stomach began rumbling.
“You're always starved Harry.” Draco laughed, clapping the green eyed hero on the back.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
“Since we are going dress shopping together, you have got to tell me who you are going with! It's obviously not Draco, Viktor or one of my insane brothers, I did a round about check on all of them, Fred is going with Angelina, George is going with a Slytherin named Serena Locket, Ron is dateless, as expected. So who?” Ginny pressured me as we boarded the carriage to Hogsmeade.
“Wow, you are desperate to know.” Astoria joked, taking a seat beside Ginny, and Luna was next to me.
“If it really matters that much to you, Cedric Diggory, and we are only going as friends.” I emphasized the friends part so they didn't get any ideas.
“Only as friends, hmm. You know, for once I actually believe someone when they say that.” Luna marvelled, and all three of us turned to face her. “Isn't it obvious? She likes someone else.”
“Ooh, tell us!” Astoria said gleefully, clapping her hands.
“Um, I have no idea what she's talking about.” I said, for some reason I felt like I was lying through my teeth, but then again, I really didn't think I liked anyone else at the moment.
“Don't be such a fun ruiner Hermione.” Ginny said jokingly, we all laughed, and the rest of the conversation was extremely light hearted.
We arrived at Hogsmeade with a sudden jolt and then clambered out into the blizzard like snow storm that was unfurling quickly before us. I ushered the younger three girls into Madame Malkin's branch in Hogsmeade, grateful to be out of of snow. Brushing our coats off and then hanging them up, we began to stroll through the racks looking at all the dresses, Ginny and Astoria headed off towards the green ones (Ginny wanting to match Harry's eyes and Astoria was going with Draco). Luna and I looked at random ones.
“HERMIONE!” I heard a shriek and looked around, expecting to see someone murdered, but came to face Astoria holding up a rather gorgeous red dress. “You have GOT to try this on!” She grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the dressing room, I didn't protest, still being in shock. “Go on in, and then let us see, I bet you will look beautiful.”
I quickly and carefully changed into the dress then came out to show all of the girls, there was a collective gasp as they saw me.
“Bloody hell Hermione, you have got to get that dress, you will knock all of the guys off their feet!” Ginny exclaimed, being the first to recover from the surprise.
“I agree, you are quite unique in it,” Luna nodded.
I glanced at Astoria and she gave me the silent thumbs up from approval. Others may not understand, but I didn't need the gushing words of adoration from Tori, I just needed her amazing thumbs up. “Alright, I'll get it, but I better not be knocking guys off their feet, if I was that would incline I was a horrible dancer.” I went back into the changing room and put my jeans and jumper back on, carrying the dress gently, I came out to see Astoria going in a different one with an array of green dresses.
She tried on dress after dress, but they never seemed to do anything for her, she was on her second to last one when we stumbled across the perfect one for her, it was a medium green with a gold lining, it was strapless, but floor length. I definitely approved of it.
During that time, Luna had been trying on random crazy dresses, and finally found one. It was a richer and brighter red then the one I had, but still quite beautiful. It was a v-neck and went to her mid calves, but had a slit going up to a little above her knees and had just the right touch of ruffles.
Ginny took the longest to find a dress for, she was hell bent on a green dress, but none of them looked right for her. It was the assistant who found the one for her though, it was a rich aqua shade, again v-neck, floor length and nearly backless, it also had a beaded sash that matched everything adorably.
From there, we went to the shoes, which took forever. Luna, Astoria and I all went with matching black heels, they looked crazy to walk in, but really pretty. Ginny went with silver heels that resembled ours a bit, but were probably much cuter (and higher, honestly, that woman has no practicalness). After the endless hours of shopping we stopped by The Three Broomsticks to get some drinks and rest, and there we bumped into a few familiar faces.
“Hey ladies, care to join us?” Harry asked cheekily, inviting us to the table that seated him, Ron, Charlie and Draco. Ginny sat next to Harry, Astoria sat with Draco, Luna sat with Ron, leaving me to sit with Charlie (not that I was complaining, he is a brilliant and really nice guy). “So how did the dress shopping go, do we get to see them yet?”
“No not until the ball, silly.” Ginny whacked Harry's shoulder softly, and laughing a bit, I noticed Ron's eyes narrow and Charlie's eyebrows shoot up as she did this.
“Are you two going together or something?” Ron nearly demanded.
“Yes we are, but as just friends.” Harry said smoothly, and Ron seemed to calm down a bit, but not considerably. “What about you Ron, have you got a date?”
“Um, no.” He mumbled under his breath. “Wait, Luna, isn't it?”
“Yes, that is my name.” Luna looked at him with her large grey eyes, and he scooted a bit away.
“Do you wanna go to the ball with me?” He then asked.
“I'd be delighted, as long as there aren't any nargles around.” She smiled sweetly at him. Oh great, that meant everybody was sitting with their date except for me, brilliant.
“What about you Hermione?” Charlie then questioned in a friendly way.
“She's supposedly going with somebody, but she refuses to tell anyone who.” Harry piped up, and I had the sudden urge to smack him, but that was Ginny's job. I got to smack everybody else though. “And since I am the greatest conspirator around, I think she's going with Dumbledore, though doesn't want to admit it.”
I stared blankly at Harry for a few seconds before realizing that he was joking, then I burst into laughter as did everyone else at the table. I have the best friends in the whole entire world, wizarding or muggle, and you can't deny it. But imagine their faces if I really was going with Dumbledore, that would be completely priceless.
The rest of the day went by beautifully, a mixture of laughter and jokes. All of us, excluding Charlie, headed back to the carriages with grins on our faces and our tummies full, at about seven in the evening. I personally had an amazing time, especially when we went to Zonko's and bumped into the twins briefly (who were no doubt buying supplies for their next prank). We also saw Cedric, but thankfully we didn't go near him, I had a feeling that that would have been really awkward, for me at least.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
I got dressed and then Astoria forced me to wear make up (what is wrong with this girl?). She was nearly done when I happened to catch sight of the clock in the room.
“Oh dear Merlin, I've got to go so I won't be late for meeting him!” I exclaimed, Astoria paused, looked at the clock, then hurried up with putting the lip-gloss on.
“Go have fun with Ceddy!” Ginny said cheerfully as I began to walk out.
“Um, Gin, you've got to come with me, the champions and their dates have got to go see Professor McGonagall.” I called up the stairway as soon as I reached the bottom, remembering that she was going with Harry, and what Cedric had told me the other day.
“Oh, right!” Grabbing her shoes which she didn't want to put on quite yet, she ran down the stairs tripped on the rug and nearly fell on top of me, thankfully some Ravenclaw guy grabbed her shoulders and steadied her. “Oh Merlin, thanks Timmy!” She sighed in relief, and grinned at the guy.
Then the two of us made our way to where Cedric told us to meet, on our way, we found Harry, and brought him along with us. The walk was pretty quiet, Harry and Ginny whispering with each other and me thinking over what Luna had said the other day on our way to Hogsmeade. She had always been pretty strange, but for some reason, I felt as if she had her own way of knowing things. But the fact that I liked a guy, and I didn't know? That was laughable, unless I was in denial and hadn't even noticed. Who in the world did she even think I liked?
“Hey guys!” I was shaken out of my thoughts by Harry who had stopped dead in his tracks. “If we are going to where the champions are, then why is Hermione coming with us?”
“Um,” Ginny cast a wary glance in my direction.
“You'll see,” was all I managed to say, I knew he was going to start coming up with the craziest ideas.
“Aha! So you really are going with Dumbledore!” He cried in triumph, honestly, where did I get my friends? “Either that, or you're going with Fleur, huh, that would be different.”
I couldn't help, I started laughing hysterically, Harry is the absolute best.
By the time we had actually arrived at the small room (which I believe is where we went right before the sorting, since it did have an excellent entrance to the Great Hall), I had finished laughing, but it took the whole entire rest of the trip to actually be able to stop.
“Hermione!” Cedric greeted me with a hug. “Wow, you look amazing!”
“Thanks Ced,” I went a faint red.
“Amazing doesn't cover it, she's probably the most beautiful girl out there tonight.” Ginny cut in, and I went even redder.
“I don't think that.” I heard Harry mutter. “You're more beautiful.”
I doubt he intended for Ginny to hear that, but she did, and she kissed his cheek quickly, ah, young love. I swear that they are the cutest couple I've ever come across.
“So um, does that mean you're going with Cedric, not Fleur or Dumbledore?” Harry then asked me.
“Yes, that does mean I'm not going with Fleur or Dumbledore.” I laughed at him, especially because he sound a bit let down over that fact.
“I probably don't want to know, you guys ready?” Cedric shook his head in disbelief at us.
“Yea I think so.” Harry said, becoming more serious suddenly.
I nodded and looked around, Fleur was going with the Ravenclaw, Roger Davies, I heard him bragging about it for the past several weeks, and Viktor was going with a Gryffindor, if I'm not mistaken, Katie Bell. I noticed that she was waving at me, so I waved back. Professor McGonagall entered not long after, ran us through everything, I had forgotten that I'd be doing the opening dance, not just me though, all of the other champions and their dates. Then we were told to go out in some order, I'd say it was random, but it probably wasn't, and I was too worried to actually think of it.
Gulping, I took the arm that Cedric was offering me and lined up behind Fleur and Roger (Viktor and Katie being in the front, Harry and Ginny directly behind us).
“You nervous?” Cedric asked me quietly, I couldn't say anything, so I just nodded. “I am sure that everything will be fine, I'm almost positive.”
“But what if I mess up with the dance steps?” I mumbled in response, finally finding my voice.
“You won't, you'll do fine, just follow my lead.” He reassured me with a quiet chuckle.
I was stunned at how the Great Hall looked, ornately ordained and all around beautiful. There was also a lot of people there, pretty much everyone fourth year and up (as well as a few third years, a couple second years and maybe, maybe a first year), not to mention the staff and people helping coordinate the tournament.
Then the dance began, I think despite all of my worries, that it went by perfectly fine. I didn't step on anyone's feet and no one stepped on mine. I glanced over at Harry and Ginny, they were doing wonderfully, and they couldn't take their eyes off of each other, it was adorable, though I'm betting that her brothers didn't think that in the slightest.
“Hey, I'm going to go get us drinks, why don't you find us a table?” Cedric told me as he led me off the dance-floor. I nodded, thinking it was a brilliant idea, these shoes were killing me. I then began to look around the room for a good place to sit, finally I saw a familiar face and the table was completely empty besides him, so I walked over and sat down, I don't think they'd mind.
“Hey Charlie,” I greeted him warmly as I took off the horrible, evil and killer heels.
“Oh, hey Mimi, turns out that Dumbledore wasn't your date, bummer, that would have been amusing.” He joked, and I couldn't help but laugh. We then fell into a comfortable silence. “So Mimi, are you enjoying yourself tonight?” Charlie asked as I watched the dancers twirl around the floor, I also nearly jumped in fright, forgetting that I was sitting with Charlie.
“A bit, yea.” I said with a slight smile, averting my eyes from the dance-floor and to him. “Actually more then a bit, this has been a really, really great night so far.”
“I heard a rumour from Fred that you had quite a few guys ask you here.” He then commented.
“Surprisingly yes, it was kind of scary, but at least they weren't flocking to me like they were to Fleur, I have no idea how she puts up with it.” I laughed at the memory of finding Fleur surrounded by at least eight boys.
“That must be a definite relief. I still don't know how Roger Davies got to go with her, he always did seem a bit thick, but then again, she seems really stuck up. Who knows, maybe their the perfect match for each other.” Charlie chuckled a bit as well.
“Apparently she asked George before she agreed to go with Roger, but he said no. I think he really wanted to go with Serena.” I noted casually.
“The twins never struck me as the type to go with a girl just because of her looks, and for some reason people always assume that they're like that. Change of subject, but I do wonder how he met Serena.” Charlie nodded in agreement.
“I think that they were paired up together in some class, for a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, they do get along rather splendidly.” I suggested as I watched the said couple spin around the dance-floor.
“That makes sense, and they do.” Charlie agreed once again.
“Excuse me, but you seem to be stealing my date.” Cedric interrupted us with a joking tone.
“Hello Ced,” I greeted him cheerfully. “I'm betting that you already know Charlie.”
“Oh, hey Charlie, almost didn't recognize you there.” Cedric held out his hand to Charlie, who took it and shook, I guessed correctly, they seemed to know each other quite well.
“I remember playing quidditch against you when you were a little second year, and beating you.” Charlie reminisced, grinning.
“Aye, but didn't you injure yourself against the Slytherins later on in the year?” Cedric shot back in the same tone.
“Then little Potter replaced me the next year, that was also when I realized I would rather spend more time studying dragons then play quidditch.” Charlie continued on with the story, and hopefully finished it, I also hoped that this meant an end to all this quidditch talk, I honestly didn't know a thing about it.
“I remember you were always in the library after that, and constantly begging McGonagall for permission slips to the restricted section so you could delve even deeper about them. By the way, have you found anyone that comes close to knowing as much as you about dragons?” Cedric queried curiously.
“Actually, yes, I have. Hermione is quite knowledgeable, and might even know more then me.” Charlie gestured to me rather proudly. “And speaking of which, mind if I steal her for a dance?”
“Not at all, feel free too.”
“Also, Mimi, you wouldn't mind?”
“Nope, I don't mind.”
We then went up onto the dance-floor, and it ended up being a slow waltz that played, just my luck. As I put my arms around Charlie's neck (please, don't remind how cliché this is), I realized that he had grown quite a bit, or maybe it was because I took my heels off, which ever, he was definitely taller then me.
“So how have you been?” I asked, hoping that this wasn't awkward.
“Pretty good for the most part, things have been rocky here and there, and then the danger of having to deal with dragons and such.” Charlie shrugged a bit. “But what about you? We haven't really stayed in contact.”
“I-I'm, it's complicated really. I just miss my parents, a lot.” I whispered softly.
“Everything will be okay.” He responded and kissed my forehead.
x4
I had so much fun writing that part!
draco goes swimming and yet remains to be prejudicial... 
