A/N: This is my first Fanfic and I'm so excited to share it with you guys. Its a Dramione love story inspired and influenced by the 80's classic movie, "Sixteen Candles". Hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Also I clearly do not own the rights to either HP or Sixteen Candles. Enjoy!
A loud banging, followed by raucous laughter awoke Hermione from her slumber. There was always something crazy happening in the Weasley house, especially just before big events. The house was brimming full of family members and guests. Today they would go back to Hogwarts for orientation, then a back to school ball. Tomorrow they would return to the Burrows for Fleur and Bill's wedding. Hermione figured that with the death of Dumbledore at the hands of Snape, the ball must be McGonagall's attempt at starting off the school year in as positive a light as she could. Having taken Dumbledore's position, she was no doubt under a lot of stress and not oblivious to the general feel of uneasiness this year. Many families had been forced into hiding, others unsure of whether Hogwarts would even be safe for their kids this year. Hermione, Ron and Harry were focused solely on hunting Horcruxes and weren't sure if they would return to Hogwarts after the wedding. But they would go to the orientation and the ball, so they could keep up appearances as long as possible, after all there were a lot of eyes on them lately.
Hermione climbed out of bed, nervous and eager to start the day. It was finally her seventeenth birthday and she actually looked forward to the celebrations Molly had no doubt planned. Hermione had been feeling a little down lately, it was her first birthday without hearing from her parents, having obliviated all memories of herself from their memories. They were in Australia now, a childless couple living life to the fullest. She knew she could use the birthday pick me up today.
She pulled a clean shirt on and her favorite jeans. After trying and failing to tame her hair, she decided it was time to head down to the kitchen, she could hear that everyone had already started their days and didn't want to hold them up much longer.
It was quite the scene downstairs. Ginny was attempting to wrestle a dress away from an enchanted sewing machine that looked like it was trying to eat the bottom of the dress. Bill and Fleur were having a heated discussion about a last minute wedding detail and look as if they were seconds away from hexing each other right there on the couch. Arthur was trying his best to get to the coffee maker, in obvious need of caffeine. Unfortunately it was blocked by Ron, who had a bowl of cereal in his hand. Ron couldn't hear his father asking him to move because he and Harry were in a loud row over an obscure Quidditch rule. Fred and George were just outside in the garden, attempting to get rid of the gnomes before relatives began showing up for the wedding, which explained the loud bangs and laughter. Molly was in the middle of everything, looking very frazzled and busy. Her wand was out as she attempted to clean the house, cook breakfast, move furniture, and release Ginny's dress from the rouge sewing machine.
"Good morning everyone." Hermione started, trying not to sound overeager.
"Oh Hermione, dear, eat your breakfast. There's lots to do today. After you eat I need you to do one last fitting for your bridesmaid dress. Oh! Go ahead and put on your back to school ball dress. Might as well make sure it fits. Don't forget, we have to catch the train at 3 so get a move on dear." Clearly Molly had a lot on her plate, Hermione figured the birthday stuff would wait until they were about to leave for the train.
Harry and Ron barely grunted out a hello as Hermione sat at the kitchen table to eat. Arthur had finally made it to the coffee pot and was head outside to nurse his cup of coffee. No one else had even noticed her presence.
Hermione would spend the rest of the day reassuring herself that there was no everyone had forgotten her birthday. After her dresses had been approved by Molly, all her things packed that she would need at Hogwarts tonight,she had been put to work preparing for the wedding tomorrow. It was long, hard work; and before she knew it, they were being herded to the car to get to the train station. It began to dawn on Hermione that maybe everyone had forgotten her birthday.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny settled into an empty compartment on the train. It felt odd to be heading to Hogwarts so early. They had never had an orientation before, but the Ministry felt it necessary. There were many new rules and protocol that needed to be gone over with the students and staff.
Hermione immediately noticed that the number of students at the station was significantly less than years before. There was also a somber, quiet atmosphere to the families. They had not had to dodge groups of people and piles of luggage as they had years previous. It was clear that many families weren't convinced it would be safe for their children that year, Hermione couldn't blame them.
The train had finally begun its trip to Hogwarts when Neville and Luna appeared at their compartment door. They were almost vibrating with excitement which felt odd given the gloomy mood the entire train seemed to carry. Finally Hermione took the bait. "You two seem awfully happy. What's going on?"
Neville and Luna exchanged a glance and Hermione thought she saw a brief flash of trepidation in their eyes. Almost like they didn't want to tell her. But their excitement won out over their uneasiness.
"I'm Head Boy, and Luna is Head Girl!" Neville announced.
All eyes turned to Hermione as their mouths dropped open. Why hadn't Hermione been made Head Girl? She had forgotten all about it actually.
Finally Hermione stood, knowing no one would make a move until they knew what her reaction would be. She threw her arms first around Luna, then around Neville. "Congratulations! You two are perfect for the job." At this the compartment erupted in well wishes and congrats for the pair. Hermione sat down, now that the attention was on someone else she decided to let the frustration of today wash over her. What a lousy birthday this was turning into.
After their arrival to Hogwarts they were immediately ushered to the Great Hall for orientation. The house tables, usually full of students, were now barely over half full, the lack of students even more apparent now. Looking around Hermione noted that neither of the Patil twins had returned, nor had the Creevey brothers. As she scanned the room she noticed the Slytherin table was the most populated. "Figures" she muttered. Then her eyes met Draco Malfoy's. She quickly narrowed her eyes at him, then turned and sat down with Ginny. Why had her stomach fluttered a bit at the sight of him? She'd long harbored a secret crush on him, but she would never admit it. He was vile, even if she though there was another side of him under his pretentious, pure-blood exterior.
McGonagall welcomed them all, and apologized for their early arrival. Then she began discussing the new Ministry rules. Most of the students were already ignoring her. Hermione had listened as far as learning that students were to implement a buddy system, no one leaving their dorms or classes alone. There would also be strict curfews and restricted access to the grounds.
Then McGonagall made the announcement about Head Boy and Girl. As soon as she announced Luna's name, every eye in the Hall had turned toward Hermione. The collective gasp was painfully audible. Everyone had assumed Hermione would get Head Girl, they had known it would be her. Hermione refused to acknowledge the shock, keeping her chin up and eyes trained on the Head table. She wouldn't fuel the gossip fire by reacting. Ginny slid a sheet of parchment to Hermione.
"What's this?" Hermione whispered. Glad for the distraction, feeling the eyes of her peers slowly move away from her.
"Some silly questionnaire that Lavender has passed to all the girls. It's quite personal but it'll be anonymous so who cares?" Ginny answered already answering the first few questions on her own parchment.
Hermione looked down and began to read hers.
Have you got a date to the ball? Hermione checked -No.
If yes, do you fancy your date? -No date.
How far do you plan on going with your date? -Still no date.
How far have you gone before? Hermione though for a moment before writing in Never been snogged.
"This is bloody depressing." she murmured to Ginny who only giggled at her without looking up. Hermione continued answering silly sex questions without giving it much thought. AFterall, she didn't have much experience to write about. Then she came to the last question:
Who do you fancy most at Hogwarts? She knew immediately what her answer would be, and without realizing it, her eyes shot to Draco. Once again locking onto his grey eyes. Why was he staring at her so much? Probably his idea of intimidation her. She quickly went back to her questionnaire. It was anonymous after all, and Lavender would probably assume it was filled out by a little Slytherin girl. They all seemed to fancy Draco.
Who do you fancy most at Hogwarts? Draco Malfoy
"Hermione." Harry said, startling Hermione.
"Oh, yeah Harry?" She said, folding her questionnaire up so he couldn't see read it.
"We've been dismissed, it's time to go to the common room to get ready for the ball. You seem distracted." He had his head cocked to the side and she knew he wouldn't let it go without an explanation.
"I was just thinking about the mission for the you-know-whats." She answered smoothly. She knew Harry would buy her excuse. Afterall, hunting Horcruxes was the most important thing they would need to do, and she was the brains of the operation. Harry only nodded and began to file out of the Great Hall. Hermione tried to quickly stash her questionnaire in her bag as they left. However, she didn't notice when it slipped out of her hand and fell to floor. Nor did she notice when it was scooped up by the boyt with grey eyes.
"Blaise, did you hear what I said?" Draco asked his best friend. Blaise was the only person Draco felt he could really talk to. Blaise didn't have any real blood prejudice and would be the last person to sell Malfoy out to anyone.
"Of course I did Draco. I just don't know what you want me to say. So what if Hermione Granger fancies you? We both know there isn't anything you can do about it. Besides you've got Pansy. What more could you want?"
Draco shook his head but didn't answer. He wanted more though. More than Pansy. Sure on the outside Pansy seemed perfect enough. His parents approved and there had always been an unspoken assumption that the two would end up together. But she had become too needy for Draco. Too much drama. Hermione though, she was mature and smart and unconventionally beautiful.
Blaise watched Draco get lost in his own thoughts. He shook his head, knowing Draco was going to go through a lot this year, and he only hoped his friend would make it out okay.
Later as they prepared for the ball, Hermione found herself alone with Luna. Being Head Girl, and not at all close to the other Ravenclaws, Luna had joined them in the Gryffindor Girls' Dorm to get ready for the ball with them.
"Hermione? Is something wrong? It's the wrackspurts isn't it?" Luna inquired, studying Hermione's face. "You know, the get into your brain through your ears, and make your brain go fuzzy. It seems like you have a fuzzy brain."
Hermione smiled sadly, appreciative that Luna was making an effort, even if it was in her own weird way. "It's just, today is my birthday Luna, and no one even remembered. Not Harry or Ron or even Ginny. I know it's a hard year on everyone and with the Dark Lord being a serious threat, I just feel silly that I'm getting upset over a birthday." Hermione had to stop, wiping tears from her face. She was a little embarrassed to have spilled the beans like that.
"Oh, Hermione. Why don't you just remind them? They'll feel terrible, and they'll want to make it up to you." Luna suggested, trying to be helpful.
Hermione thought on it, "No could be one of the last days that they get to enjoy and I don't want them to spend it feeling guilty. Actually talking to you has been enough to make me feel better. Thank you Luna."
Hermione started to head for the bathroom to finish getting ready but spun back to face Luna. "Hey Lyuna, congratulations on getting Head Girl again. You are going to be brilliant and they couldn't have picked a better girl for the job."
Luna's genuine grin made Hermione feel loads better about the days events. "Happy Birthday Hermione." Luna said, just as the girls went their separate way for the night.
Hermione picked her way down the stairs to the Great Hall, most of her friends having given up on her turtle pace and gone on in. The combination of elegant dress, and high heels made her nervous. She didn't want to fall and ruin the gown, it had been the last thing her parents had given her. She would have rather just camped out in the Common Room but her parents had been so excited for the ball, she owed it to them to go.
Her dress was made from silver silk, it was a halter neck that dipped dangerously low in the front. It hugged her body all the way down, flaring out slightly at the bottom. She accessorized with a small silver locket that contained pictures of her parents, and silver heels that her mom had spent hours picking out. Her hair was tamed into sleek curls, cascading down her 'd kept her makeup minimal as usual, but Ginny had convinced her to use a little bit of silver body glitter, making her look like she shimmered when she moved.
She ignored the heads of fellow students turning to gaze at her, she was used to it. You got watched a lot when you were Harry Potter's smart friend these days. She just kept her head up, why was everyone so interested in her today? She finally reached the bottom of the steps, quickly making her way into the Great Hall.
It was beautiful inside, decorated in lots of greenery and earth tones. Branches were hanging from the ceiling, the ceiling itself was bewitched to look like clearest night sky. When you looked up, it appears as though you were looking at the sky through the trees in a forest somewhere. Hermione loved it, it was a good way to hang on to the summer just a little longer.
She gazed around again, starting to relax. It was nice to see everyone taking advantage of the light hearted atmosphere, if only for the night.
Draco had spotted her the moment she walked through the doors. Against the forest decorations, which moments ago he had hated, she looked like a full moon, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. At that moment she locked eyes with him. Again.
They both stood still for a moment, taking each other in. Draco felt his breath catch in his throat. Hermione felt her stomach flutter. Then Pansy was pulling Draco to the dance floor and Neville was getting Hermione's attention, and the moment was gone.
"Hermione-" Neville almost whispered her name. "Wow, you look.. Really good."
"Thanks, Neville." Hermione said, not paying him much attention as she watched Pansy pulling Draco over to dance. She had felt something significant when their eyes locked. Sure, they had been locking eyes all day, but it was somehow different just now. Or at least she thought so.
Neville was still stuttering on, trying to get around to asking Hermione to dance when she turned and walked off, looking dazed. Neville was hurt. He had noticed last year how pretty Hermione was becoming and had decided over the summer that he would make his move tonight. But she was too distracted to even notice him. He debated on what to do next, but remembered that he had resolved to be braver this year. He was just about to follow her when Draco Malfoy intercepted her.
"Longbottom." he stated.
"What, Malfoy?" Neville was too distracted, watching Hermione's retreating figure, to even snap at Draco like he normally would. Hermione was drawing a lot of stares and Neville wanted to follow her.
"I need to ask you something, its private though." Something in Draco's voice had gotten Neville's attention. He'd never seen Draco look so… vulnerable. He nodded at Draco, signaling Draco to continue.
"Just.. are Granger and Weasley together?" Draco muttered.
Neville was shocked, where had that come from. But years of weathering Draco's bullying ways had taught him not to push his buttons too much. "No, Malfoy. From what I understand they are only friends."
Draco gave a curt nod, and walked away before Neville could see him start to smile.