Ultimate Hermione Competition II: Hermione doesn't attend Hogwarts.
Drabble Club: Robes (item)
Hermione swept into a curtsy, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Bonjour, Madam." She held back a glare as the headmistress offered her a glance, brushing past her. "As if she'll ever care," she whispered to Antoinette.
"Appearances, 'Ermione." Antoinette pursed her lips as she studied Hermione. "It is all about zee appearances."
"Yeah, right." Hermione sighed and turned away. Antoinette reached out and curled a strand of Hermione's hair around her finger.
"Your 'air is messy today," she said, frowning. "Zen again, it is almost always messy."
Hermione turned around and glared at her. "Do I look like I care?"
"'Ermione, you are a lady. You must act like one." Antoinette placed a hand on her shoulder, and she almost immediately shrugged off.
"Leave me alone."
She hated Beauxbatons.
Hermione curled up on the couch, eyes fixed on the book before her. Her hair was held up in a disheveled bun, a few strands left dangling.
"'Ermione, today is the ball," Antoinette said, snatching the book away from her. She did not waver under Hermione's glower. "You must 'ave a good appearance."
"Appearances, appearances." Hermione took the book back, standing up. "Do you ever think about anything else?"
She made to walk away, but Antoinette grabbed her arm. "Krum is taking you."
"How do you know that?"
Antoinette laughed, a perfect tinkle—just another act to keep up appearances, Hermione noted with disgust. "Do you really zink we did not see?"
"Fine. I'm going with Viktor. So what?"
"Viktor is a champion. You must keep up a worzy appearance," Antoinette said, tucking a strand of gold hair behind her ear. "It will not be good for you to appear unworzy."
"Why do you care?" Hermione snapped back. Antoinette's face took on a pained expression, her eyes weary. "
"You may not know it, but you are like a sister to me. I must take care of you."
"I'm not a baby."
Antoinette's eyes hardened. "Fine. Do what you want." She turned around and strolled away, a certain defeat to her steps.
Hermione stared at her back, unable to pull her gaze away. A tinge of guilt struck her heart.
"Are you really going to go in zose robes?" a girl asked, curling her lip as she scrutinized Hermione's plain, baggy robes. "Disgrace." She tossed her hair over her shoulder before leaving, throwing a look of distaste over her shoulder.
"Appearances," Hermione whispered. "Is that all they care about?"
She hated Beauxbatons.