It should be illegal! That's right! It should be! It should be illegal for me to write, because I just get tons of ideas, and then I fail at writing them, and completing them! So here is another on the list of failures! GRRRR!
Chapter one: Yule Invites
Hermione was tired of this. She was tired of Malfoy teasing her, she was tired of people calling her a slut and a prude in the same sentence, and she was tired of not fighting back. Her Gryffindor pride told her to let it go, and be above it, but her Gryffondor bravery told her she could easily take them all. She silently fumed as Malfoy tossed insults at her. She kept telling herself to keep it together, but her stomach was in turmoil with anger and nerves. She was saved from any more torture however, as two of the scariest people known to Slytherins walked their way.
"Oi, you got a problem that needs to be taken care of Granger?" Fred asked cracking his knuckles. She giggled lightly at how intimidating they looked, identical looks of protective anger gracing their faces.
"So you've got two more Weasleys behind you do ya? The things you must do to get that family of all boys to like you..." He trailed off, before smirking. "Well, let's just say I wouldn't mind seeing for myself. Just think of it boys." He addressed Crab and Goyle. "Sweet little Gryffindor princess, perfect prefect Granger on her hands and knees. Course they probably put something over her ghastly face befo-" He was cut off by an incredibly painful punch in the nose that felt like a bludger had just hit him square on. He moaned and reached for his nose, which was bleeding profusely.
"Don't you dare insult Hermione like that you slimy Slytherin scum!" George stood fuming, his fist clenched tightly, and covered slightly in Malfoy's blood.
"If we ever hear about you so much as looking at her the wrong way, we'll break a lot more than just your nose you ferret!" Fred added, his eyes full of rage.
"Now." George smirked, but quickly turned the glare back on as he looked Malfoy directly in the eye. "Tell Hermione - without looking at her you tosser, didn't you hear us! - that she is the most beautiful girl in world, and that you are just jealous that she would never give you a second glance, and that you are lucky to be graced by her brilliance in every class." Draco looked at him like he was insane, but when Fred growled under his breath, the Slytherin quickly repeated the words.
"Louder, I don't think she heard you." Fred growled.
"It's okay Fred." Hermione said timidly, placing a soothing hand on his shoulder. He immediately relaxed at the contact. She bent low down to Malfoy, who flinched.
"I accept your apology." She said with a smile. He gave her a weird look. "I know they forced you." She answered the unspoken question. "Still, thank you, I accept." With that she walked quickly down the corridors, leaving five confused boys in her wake.
"She sure is something, ain't she Forge?" Fred said wistfully.
"You can say that again Gred, you can say that again."
With one last well placed kick to Malfoy each, they left the Slytherins, and made their way to the kitchens.
Hermione had gone the rest of the week with no trouble from Slytherins, and was now enjoying a nice Saturday afternoon. She sat snuggled up on the couch in front of the fire, a big book in her hand. She wore baggy sweat pants and an over sized sweater of Ron's, but she didn't care about her appearance. She was lying on her side, her elbow resting on the arm of the couch, and her legs were lightly curled into her, but only turned the pages wistfully, glad to be done with homework, and even happier to be able to lounge about and read a book for fun.
She was so engrossed in her book, that Hermione didn't notice the weight dip in the couch.
She looked cute in a frumpy way. He didn't really know how to think about Hermione. He knew what he thought of her of course, but when he thought about the hows of it all, he got sort of squeamish.
"Hey Hermione." He started, startling her out of her revere. After she shook off the shock, she smiled up at him. "Hey Ron. Do you need something?" She added when he didn't seem to be doing anything but fidgeting.
"Er..." There were those nerves again. Finally he let out a defeated sigh. "Er, yeah, I need help on my Potions essay." He mumbled. Damn he sucked. He had been doing this for the entire year! He kept thinking maybe he should ask her out, but then came the oh so familiar question of how? So he just kept asking for help on essays or spells, after all that wasn't out of the ordinary.
"Oh, alright, why don't you bring me the essay, and I'll answer any questions you have." Her smile was so warm, Ron could feel his cheeks growing pink.
"Er, right, sure thing, I'll be right back." He ran up the stairs as quickly as possible. Damn his cowardice! Where was his Gryffindor courage? With one last defeated sigh, he grabbed his Potions stuff, and went down stairs.
"So, Granger..." George trailed off, waving his hands about as if looking for the rest of his sentence.
"Yes George?" She replied with her usual smile, only a hint of suspicion in her eyes (as there always was around the Twins).
"The Yule Ball is c- Wait? How did you know it was me?" He frowned. She always got it right! He had to admit, it did make her all the more appealing that she knew who he was not who they were. She let out the most adorable giggle he had ever heard, and he felt his face turn to puddy, as his eyes grew soft and caring as he looked down at her. She was so small and warm, like a little ball of light in the dark world they were living in. It was amazing to think that this girl in front of him, so pretty, and small, was the brightest (and scariest) witch of her age. It was unbelievable that this little fairy of a girl could hex a Death Eater from Hogwartz to Azkaban. That thought made him falter in his admiring of her. He would never be brave enough to face her! What was he thinking trying to ask her out all casually? He couldn't use his usual charms on Hermione "Gryffindor Princess" Granger!
"It's easy when you really look." She said cryptically, a knowing smile peaking on her lips. He let out an inaudible sigh at how damn adorable she was when she was being mischievous! He cleared his throat.
"You mean it's easy to see that I'm the better looking Twin." He said roguishly, with an exaggerated wink. She let out a laugh that made him falter in his movements and just stare at her. Her laugh came from her belly, but it was tinkling and beautiful, like snow melting instead of ice shattering. He cleared his throat again, this time a blush lighting up his ears.
"I'll, um, see you later." He mumbled as he made to leave.
"Weren't you going to ask me something?" She looked a bit disappointed.
"Oh um, I was just going to ask you if you could tell Katie to meet me outside later today, she's uh, in the dorms , and you know with me being a boy and such..." He trailed off from his ramblings and scratched his head awkwardly. Hermione let out a laugh at his nerves, but he could swear it was different from her last laugh, which made him cringe.
"Of course." She said, and made her way up the stairs, all her stuff in hand. George let out a defeated sigh after she left. What was he thinking? Asking Hermione to the Ball would be the dumbest thing he could do. She wouldn't say yes to him, she liked Ron...
"George?" Katie asked.
"Er, yeah, want to go for a walk around the lake?" He asked her.
"Sure." She beamed. Yeah, ask Katie, she likes you, and she's a nice pretty bird.
"You come here all the time." Hermione jumped and turned around quickly.
"Oh!" She exclaimed, falling out of her seat as she saw the Victor Krum standing behind her with a curious expression on his handsome face. She recovered quickly, smoothing out her skirt as she stood. "Um, yes I come here a lot." She mumbled, a blush creeping up her neck onto her cheeks.
"I have been, how you say, watching you?" She had to laugh at that, and with that noise, went her nerves.
"Have you now? Well usually I would find that odd, but I'll let it slide." She giggled. She was glad to be having inter-school communication, it seemed that no one was picking up on the point of this horrid tournament. He didn't really seem to get the joke, so she continued. "Is there any reason you have been 'watching me'?" She questioned with a warm smile.
"Ah yes, there is!" He nodded fiercely. A very determined look came over him, as he looked her in the eyes. All her joking persona had gone into hiding, replaced by nerves like she'd never felt. "I was wondering if you would do me the honor of going with me to the Yule Ball?" He asked. Hermione's eyes went wide with shock, but soon after, her smile matched.
"Of course! I'm so glad someone asked me, thank you, I'd love to go!" As soon as the giddy words had left her mouth, Victor was smiling. Also as soon as those giddy words left her mouth, all of her giddiness was quickly vaporized, replaced by the feeling that maybe this wasn't real. She began to analyze, realizing while she did that a world renowned Quidditch star wasn't likely to ask her out, and that he was the only boy who had asked her. She began to fidget.
"Great!" He exclaimed happily. "Well, until another day Herm-own-ninny." He tried pronouncing her name. She couldn't help but revert back to affection. He was like a big teddy bear. "It's Hermoine." She giggled. "But that's okay." She added with her warm smile. He left, and she couldn't help but let out an excited squeal. She was going to the Ball after all! She quickly packed her things up and raced back to the common room, smiling the whole way.
Hermione came barreling through the portrait hole, tumbling into the common room, her excited smile still in place. Now would be a perfect time to ask her! She's in a good mood. Neville quickly approached her.
"Hermione?" He asked tentatively. "Can I talk to you for a second?" He inquired.
"Of course, what can I do for you Neville?" She asked brightly. He blushed.
"You can let me take you to the Yule Ball." He blurted. Both Gryffindors' eyes went wide.
"Oh, I'm sorry Neville, someone asked me not ten minutes ago, and I said yes. If only you'd asked me at breakfast I would have said yes." She smiled lightly.
"Oh right, course." He smiled back, while Inner Neville slammed his head against a wall and chanted 'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' over and over. "Well I'm sure whoever it he is, he's special."
Hermione's smile faltered in that moment. Krum was special to everyone else, but was he special to her? He was nice, and she did like him, but maybe...? She shook herself mentally. She was happy to be going with Krum. Besides, she told herself with more confidence, I'm trying to support inter school unity.
"Yeah, he is." She smiled again. "I hate to leave, but I really must find Ginny, see you tomorrow Neville." And with that she left the disappointed boy in the common room, as she zoomed up the dormitory stairs at top speed, her smile back in full.
Well I think that'll be enough. So I sort of went off kilter with this, but I think it'll keep it's theme in the end... Please review!