A Modern Tale
Prologue: An introduction of and with a misunderstanding
Hermione Granger found herself in a confused torrent of emotions as she sat herself down in a chair, breathing deep breaths as she tried to calmly and rationally compose her thoughts for what seemed a moment's worth. A short and breathless laughter escaped her lips and her dark brown orbs twinkled with amused mirth and mischief. She looked up again and saw the object of her satirical amusing thoughts; Cedric Diggory, seventh year Hufflepuff student standing amidst the crowd, shoulders broad with a stiff still stance and a slight trace of perplexity coloring his facial features.
"Are you quite all right, Hermione?" Ginny Weasley's tone was light and concerned though a smile presented itself her lips. She had been close by to witness the encounter between Hermione and Cedric – an encounter that one, unless with good wit and humorous disposition, would have found to be rather biting and cold. Cedric had unintentionally let it slipped among his friends that he didn't quite think Hermione Granger was worthy of the word 'pretty'. In his own words, "Pretty would be unjustifiable for Granger. She isn't quite what one could possibly term her with such adjective." His friends had chuckled in good nature, teasing him for his apparent high standards for the opposite sex before he could say anymore. Hermione of course, had been within earshot during the exchange, causing an arch to her eyebrow and a quirk to the corner of her lips. Beside her, Ginny shared a similar expression. Feeling her tongue itching to make a reply, Hermione resolutely turned around to avoid doing so lest her action in doing so would imply her of eavesdropping, which of course she wasn't. They walked away without a word until a few minutes later, to both girls' surprise, when Harry Potter walked towards them with Cedric beside him. Harry greeted both girls with a smile, easily slipping next to Hermione to stand beside her as he introduced Cedric to both Gryffindor girls.
"You know Cedric from the Triwizard Cup, don't you?"
"Yes." Ginny answered with a smile, and a faint blush at the close proximity of the tall and good looking Hufflepuff. She turned to Cedric with a smile of acknowledgment to which the latter returned it with a warm smile to mirror her friendly approach.
"I have yet to know the both of you, despite the many encounters we've had over the school years and in particular last year." Cedric said. "I'm sorry we haven't had time to speak."
"It's not the time that does not permit the opportunity of a conversation." Three pairs of curious eyes turned to Hermione. She smiled amicably, "I think – it would it depend on the person, should he or she, be willing to obliged to engage a conversation with one."
A small smirk made its presence on Cedric's lips, "Can I take it that you assume I was simply too haughty to make a conversation with you, Granger, or Miss Weasley?"
"Not as you assume I would have such thoughts about you," Hermione replied nonchalantly. "Your personality is something I couldn't possibly make a comment of seeing as you are, well-loved in the social circle of Hogwarts. It is only because I feel the pleasure of speaking to you would only be entitled to someone who could, perhaps, be of an appropriate adjective to their looks." Her words silenced Cedric as he stared at her. Harry shifted his feet without a word as Ginny looked to Hermione with a discerning gaze. Hermione gave a small smile, "If you would excuse me please, I'm sure I've made myself an uncomfortable presence to be around with." With those words, Hermione took a step backwards and proceeded to turn around, her steps confident and sure as the smile grew on her face and a twinkle of tease colored her dark orbs. Harry excused himself and hurried after Hermione with Ginny following behind him.
"I'm perfectly fine." Hermione answered as she turned to Ginny with a grin.
"That was rather scathing," Ginny commented. "Did you notice the look on Diggory's face at your words?"
"I think he's beyond surprise at Hermione's sudden cold shoulder." Harry answered as he sat himself beside his best friend. Hermione turned to Harry and he smiled at her, despite his lack of comprehension for Hermione's unusual temperament. "Is there something that I should know which earned Diggory those words of yours?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
Harry laughed. "Hermione, the point to this dance was to have the students of the four houses to be on amicable terms instead of the constant rivalry and distaste that we, apparently, occasionally hover within. And you were rather much for it. But I think your words from minutes before quite proved otherwise."
"Well, I don't suppose you are on any more better terms with the Slytherins?" Hermione teased. Harry made a face. Hermione laughed.
"I wonder why did Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout thought of having this dance at this time of the year." Ginny said.
"It's the beginning of the school year, maybe the professors had thought it would serve to be a good idea to have the houses to mingle while everyone's still on their summer mood." Hermione shrugged. Indeed the professors had thought so but more in particularly was Professor Pomona Sprout. The Herbology professor, and head of the Hufflepuff house, had been the one to propose the idea of a dance for the students at the very beginning of the school year – on the basis of uniting the students. She had been going on about the idea for months long before the previous school year had ended, having gained the idea from the Triwizard Tournament when three schools had came together and despite the unexpected ghastly ending to the tournament, friendships between schools were forged and it still received a good commendation from all. Professor McGonagall had been at her wits end before finally relenting and agreeing to the idea, knowing full well Professor Sprout would not stop until the latter had obliged to the idea. And so, on the first day of Harry, Hermione and Ron's fifth year, the trio and the rest of the school were informed of a dance in a week's time and students of all years were to attend and ensure they make the best of it by having enjoying themselves together as a school – not as a house.
"Bloody hell, this dance feels like the Yule Ball all over again." Ron grumbled as he fell into the empty seat on Harry's other side. "The girls are all wanting to dance and it's incredibly intimidating to have them looking at you – expecting you'd ask them for a dance."
"Are you even sure they are looking at you for a dance?"Harry and Hermione laughed at Ron's scowl to Ginny's words.
"Granger, may I have a dance with you?" A smooth masculine voice suddenly chimed into their conversation and Hermione shifted her gaze to the face in front of her with a startled look. Cedric Diggory stood there with his right hand out, offering said hand to the direction of Hermione. Harry discreetly nudged Hermione by the shoulder. "If you don't mind, I would like to prove your previous words wrong therefore, if you could kindly allow me to do so it would be a great deal of pleasure for me."
"A dance just to prove me wrong is rather absurd, wouldn't you think so?" Ginny exchanged a look with Harry as Ron coughed. "Thank you Diggory, but I'd rather not."
"Can it be that you are feeling doubtful of your words and wish to retract them instead?" Cedric replied, almost in a challenge as his steel grey eyes glint with curiosity.
"Positively not." Hermione quickly replied.
"Then a dance would not hurt your pride then."
"My pride?" Hermione answered almost incredulously. She stood up and placed her hand in Cedric's. "I'll have you know that my pride has nothing to do with my absent desire to dance to with you and in saying so, I shall dance with you." A small smiled played upon Cedric's face at her words.
He led her to the middle of the hall where others were dancing and Hermione easily fell into step with Cedric as they began to dance. Her left hand nestled in his right and her right hand rested on his shoulder as his left hand decently held onto the side of her waist. "Can I know of the reason to your words?" Cedric began after a minute in silence had passed between them.
"It's credited to what I have heard."
"I reckon you are not the type who would listen to rumors."
"No, I'm not," Hermione answered. "I heard it with my own ears – the very words uttered by the person himself." Cedric almost reeled back in surprise at her words but refrained himself from doing so by pulling her for a twirl to prevent her dark brown eyes from seeing his shock.
"Maybe it was a misconception?"
Hermione gave a short laugh. "If that makes you feel better, then I reckon thinking so wouldn't hurt."
"Then, would your perception of me, before hearing those words, been any more favorable than they are now?
"Possibly, but I can't say it with complete finality as I hadn't spoken to you within any give opportunity."
Cedric nodded good-naturedly with a smirk of his lips, "Because I did not oblige myself into engaging a conversation with you?"
Hermione couldn't resist the smile forming on her face at his repeat of her own words. "A feasible reason." She said as she twirled again. Cedric chuckled lightly.
"Well, Granger. I'd like to bring myself to prove your words otherwise and if I may, I'd propose you to spend more time in my presence."
"The Golden Boy of Hogwarts wishes for me to spend time with him?" Hermione's brown eyes twinkled in teasing mirth and Cedric noted the sarcasm laced in her tone of voice. The Hufflepuff smiled. She looked at Cedric with a teasing grin, "I'm sorry, but I have to excuse myself before I lose my composure any more than I should. Thank you for the dance, Diggory." Hermione quickly left Cedric's side with a much amused smile as she found her way back to Harry and Ron, leaving the older boy in surprise at her sudden leave and the supposed next words from his mouth unspoken. Harry offered Hermione a goblet of juice when she came closer to them and the latter accepted it gratefully.
"How was the dance with the Golden Boy?"
"Interesting." Hermione answered Ron with a smile.
"Shouldn't you be excited to have danced with the boy all the girls seem to be dying to be in the arms of?"
"I'd rather much be in Harry's arms or yours for that matter."
Harry chuckled. "He doesn't seem to have danced with anyone since the dance began. Except you." He noted thoughtfully.
"I'd have never thought of Diggory as aloof when it comes to dances." Ron commented.
"Pride." Hermione answered simply.
Disclaimer: The wizarding world of Harry Potter and its characters belongs rightfully to Ms. Rowling, while the basis of the idea to this story belongs to the amazingly talented Ms. Austen.
A/N: Hello all, I have to say that I'm awfully sorry for not replying to any reviews (but thank you so much to each and every one of you, really) and for my lack of update in my supposedly ongoing multi-chaptered fic which I was supposed to work on but couldn't seem to bring myself to do so. Yet I couldn't resist but to begin on a fresh slate with something different, hence the arrival of this fanfic. The basis of the familiar story most of us have came to know (and love) is in it but I don't intend on following it too much completely though. This will be...quick and short I suppose, just a few chapters worth :) Thank you for reading and your thoughts are much appreciated :)