Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters mentioned in this story, and I do not own the Easter egg-making company either!
A/N: Well, here's my first fanfiction entry. As such, it's probably a little rough, but I hope you guys like it. The idea for the plot came into my head while eating (you guessed it) an Easter egg! This little story is just one chapter for now, I will soon update for Chapter 2. It takes place in Hermione's fourth year, soon after she chastises Harry for leaving his golden egg clue to the last minute. I don't really remember what the timing is for each task at what time during the year, so I'm just saying the second task isaround Easter. Well, enjoy!
Hermione loved chocolate. Sadly, not many people knew about this interesting fact. So, the only time she could have her precious chocolate was at Easter time. Not aware of the fact she liked something that had nothing to do with education, people bought her all sorts of books and quills and parchment and other bookwormy-type things for her birthday. But for one memorable birthday, she actually got a chocolateEaster egg! A rather peculiar thing to get for one's birthday in June, but to Hermione and the person who discovered her fanatic chocoholic side, it made perfect sense.
As a child, Hermione's parents (being dentists) didn't keep many sugary treats around the house. But when Easter rolled around every year, they would arrange an Easter egg hunt; they would hide all sorts of colourful chocolate eggs and assorted candy around the house. They would always try their hardest to hide the best candy of all in a hard-to-get place - the special Milk Chocolate Egg, with the pretty little sugar flower on top, could always be found out-of-sight on top of the kitchen cupboard, or perhaps in a sticky drawer down in the cellar.
Unfortunately, this delicious tradition became impossible to continue when Hermione came to Hogwarts; instead, they always sent her that special egg every year for Easter. Now that it was that time of year again, she eagerly anticipated the treat.
After finishing breakfast, she hastily said goodbye to Ron and disregarded Harry's half-hearted farewell, since he was still miffed at her for pestering him about his golden egg. Then she rushed up to the Owlery.
Not wanting to damage her hard-earned reputation by going crazy over some chocolate confection, Hermione always asked her parents to send the owl straight to the Owlery and not with the morning post; she preferred to eat her egg in private. And of course, what is more private than the library?
She walked down the Owlery stairs, making sure the egg was hidden behind her back. She made it to the Gryffindor dormitories without being seen; once in her room, she grabbed her book bag, stuffed in her egg, and quickly rushed back out.
On her way out the portrait hole, she passed Harry and Ron coming in. Harry didn't say anything to her, just went inside. But when Ron spied her book bag, he couldn't believe it.
"And where are you off to? The library again? Come on, 'Mione, it's the weekend! You shouldn't be studying!"
"As a matter of fact, Ron, I've finished all my studying for the next week - I'm going to the library to do some more research for S.P.E.W." She knew he would hightail it out of there at the very mention of her elf-rights movement. And he did.
"Oh, well, sorry for stopping you, Hermione - uh, I'll get out of your way now. I've got to finish that Potions essay anyway. See you later!" He closed the portrait behind him.
Mission accomplished.
Pushing the library doors open, she casually nodded at Madame Pince, then quickly walked in the other direction. Madame Pince could smell an illegal substance better than any police dog or magical detector, and she didn't want her to discover that Hermione, of all people, was smuggling in chocolate! After all, she didn't allow any food or drink in the library for fear some stray bit of food might somehow break loose and damage one of her precious books.
Once out of sniffing range, she slowed her pace and headed toward her special spot at the back of the library. It was a beautiful place for reading, complete with cushions; it was also completely hidden from anyone who passed by with an elaborate tapestry - perfect for privacy.
As she rounded the Ancient Runes bookshelf, she spied the tapestry up ahead. She made a beeline for it, pushed the cloth aside, and set herself down on the cushions. As the tapestry fell back in place, the alcove was thrown into shadow.
Sitting up, she fumbled with her book bag flap, and then finally withdrew her precious egg. Anticipating the wonderful taste of chocolate, she brought it up to her nose and sniffed. Oh, the heavenly smell of chocolate!
She was just about to sink her teeth into the candy when a voice frightened her.
"Excuse me, but would you mind getting off my lap?" Startled, she dropped the egg and whirled around, coming face-to-face with none other than Cedric Diggory.
Whose lap she was most comfortably settled into.