A/N: Here I am! People were asking and I am obliging. Anyway, thanks to those who reviewed a few hours after I posted it and added it to story alert and put in on favorite story. Thanks! This is for you guys!
Chapter Two: Taking It Further
2 WEEKS LATER
Hermione was seated in Potions class. She was seated beside Ron and Ron beside Harry. She was taking notes and occasionally glanced up to see if Professor Snape had finished to find out that she hadn't.
All of a sudden, her diary, which was on her desk, flew open, creating a ruckus in class. Snape glared at her.
"Ms. Granger, would you care to explain why you are disrupting my class?" He drawled.
"I'm—I'm sorry, sir. I won't do it again." She apologized nervously, while pulling the diary to her. Snape was fond of confiscating items from them. She wouldn't dare let her diary get confiscated. It was precious to her now.
"Five points from Gryffindor." He said.
There were a few groans but then they kept quiet when he threatened to take away ten more points. Then, he began discussing again.
Hermione looked at the diary and read the message.
JP2: Are you there?
She rolled her eyes and wrote something down quickly.
MuggleBorn0919: Yes, but I told you, I have classes.
JP2: Is this why you're not answering my messages?
MuggleBorn0919: Yes! But don't worry; I've gotten all of them because of the four disruptions you've made in my classes.
JP2: Sorry, sorry. I'll stop if you want.
Hermione stopped writing and thought about it. Did she want him to stop?
MuggleBorn0919: No, it's fine.
JP2: I knew you'd miss me.
MuggleBorn0919: Would not! If I left, would you?
JP2: You know I would. And don't torture me by leaving. You know I can't stand class.
MuggleBorn0919: I won't. I promise.
JP2: We should really meet each other, you know?
MuggleBorn0919: I agree. But how? I don't exactly want to reveal myself just yet.
JP2: I'm not entirely sure but we will find a way.
*~*~*~*
Hermione leaned back on the Quidditch benches. The game against Hufflepuff and Gryffindor was about to start. She, Ginny and Ron were sitting together to watch Harry.
On Hermione's lap was her diary. She never went anywhere without it now. She always talked to JP2. It was hard not to. He was like her closest friend. Next to Harry, Ginny and Ron, of course.
She scribbled something down. She watched the diary for a while and giggled. Ginny, who was seated beside her, looked at her. "What are you giggling about?" She asked, smiling.
Hermione was always happy now. Her new friend knew how to make her laugh and make her smile brightly. Ginny wasn't surprised when Hermione confessed that she might even be falling for him.
Although, she rarely spent time with her two boy best friends. They both seemed preoccupied with their own business as well.
"Here." Hermione said, showing her the diary.
JP2: I'm nervous. What if we lose to Hufflepuff?
MuggleBorn0919: You won't lose. We've got you on Gryffindor, don't we? What position are you on anyway? Chaser?
JP2: I can't tell you. You'll fine me out too easily. Besides, we're going to meet without revealing ourselves, remember?
MuggleBorn0919: Fine, fine.
JP2: Don't try spotting, all right? That would be unfair to me since there are too many people to look through to find you.
MuggleBorn0919: I won't. I promise. :)
JP2: I'm going out in five minutes. Any words of advice to keep my nervousness down? I am not picturing anyone naked, just to inform you.
Ginny laughed at his comment. "Oh! Can I write something?" She asked, excitedly.
"Sure," Hermione replied, handing her quill. Ginny took it and began scribbling.
MuggleBorn0919: Just think of us in a broom closet. That should help. :)
JP2: …
JP2: Who are you and what have you done to the real MuggleBorn0919?
Ginny and Hermione laughed at his reply. "He knows you so well, 'Mione, it's adorable. Can I just reply one last time?" Ginny said, smiling.
Hermione nodded. "Go ahead."
Ginny bent down once more to write.
MuggleBorn0919: What? I am MuggleBorn0919.
JP2: No. MuggleBorn0919 is kind, sweet, hates snogging, doesn't care about Quidditch and a lot of other good things. She doesn't even complain when I babble about my Quidditch games. You are not the right girl and I demand you put her there.
Hermione blushed lightly and Ginny smirked at her. "Go on. He wants his sweetheart." Ginny said, giving Hermione back her quill.
Hermione took it and began to write.
MuggleBorn0919: Hey, it's me. Sorry, that was just a friend of mine. And I don't have anything to say but good luck. Sorry to disappoint.
JP2: That's alright, I guess. And don't worry. You never disappoint me. Oh, and if you see some lovesick idiot on a broom, that's me. :)
MuggleBorn0919: Lovesick? What are you talking about?
JP2: I have to go now. Wish me luck! :)
*~*~*~*
Harry and his team flew out of the tents and Hermione kept her diary and she and Ginny stood up to cheer him on.
Ginny whispered something into Hermione's ear and sat back down on the benches and pulled out Hermione's black diary out of her carpetbag.
Harry flew by and caught Ginny reading the black diary. A black diary that looked exactly like his. Ginny? Ginny's MuggleBorn0919?
Hermione watched Harry stare their way. She turned to Ginny. "Keep the diary." She mouthed to Ginny.
Ginny nodded and placed it back inside the carpetbag.
Hermione turned back just in time to see a Hufflepuff chaser ram into Harry. She immediately dug her nails into Ron's arm.
"Ow! Bloody hell, 'Mione! He's still alive!" Ron bellowed.
Hermione apologized and sat back on the benches.
"What happened?" Ginny asked.
"Harry. He collided into Hufflepuff's chaser."
*~*~*~*
Harry blinked his eyes open to find himself in the infirmary. "Harry! Thank goodness you're alright!" Hermione exclaimed.
She was seated beside him in his bed. "Yeah. That was a pretty nasty bump." Ron said, rubbing the part of his arm Hermione dug her nails into.
"Yeah, I'll be more careful next time." He said, sheepishly.
"Promise?" Hermione said, holding onto his hand.
Harry grinned at her and squeezed her hand. "I promise."
"Oh, who won the game?" He asked, letting go.
"Harry, you can't honestly think the game could continue when you were knocked out! The game was cancelled for now. Just get some rest." Hermione replied.
"He seems fine. You should go now." Madame Pomfrey said, shooing them out.
"See you later, Harry." Ron said, waving.
"Bye, Harry." Hermione said, smiling worriedly.
"See you, Harry." Ginny said.
Harry waved and looked at Ginny. Behind her folded arms was a black diary.
*~*~*~*
The next week arrived sooner than expected. Hermione and JP2 were still talking daily and Hermione talked to him more than anyone else. She stayed up late at nights to talk to him. Even though she behaved differently, she kept her grades up and didn't fail to miss notes. Not much anyway.
Friday, she was leaving the library and on her way to the Great Hall for dinner.
"Hermione!" Ginny yelled, running down the hall towards her. Hermione closed the library door and faced Ginny. They began to fall in step together as they walked towards the Great Hall.
"Yes?" She asked.
"I have an idea. About how you and JP2 can meet."
"Oh? Why don't you explain it to me at dinner?"
In a while, they entered the Great Hall and sat at the Gryffindor table.
Hermione took out her diary and place it on her lap. Ginny eyed her.
"It's just in case he says something." Hermione said, smiling. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Okay. Anyway, about my idea—"
Hermione's diary opened. "Can I just please check this message?" Hermione pleaded from Ginny. Ginny's arms were crossed over her chest.
"Please, please, please, please, please?" Hermione begged.
"Fine. Go check." Ginny said, smiling.
"Thank you!"
"You know, you two should take a step further. Get to know each other on a personal level."
"Pardon? What was that about taking it further?" Hermione was looking at her lap then she peered at Ginny curiously.
"Nothing, nothing. Go on, now." Ginny said, giving her a dismissive wave.
Hermione looked back down on her lap.
JP2: Hey, can I ask you something?
MuggleBorn0919: Okay, go ahead.
JP2: I mean, you're not busy, are you? Because if you are, I could just—
MuggleBorn0919: I'm not busy. Go ahead and ask already. :)
JP2: Uh, you know how everyone's talking about the three-day traditional masquerade ball, right? You know, the one from Wednesday to Friday?
MuggleBorn0919: Yes, and?
JP2: I was wondering if you could come with me, you know? As my date and—
"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione looked up at her friend sitting across her. "Em, yes?" Hermione asked, innocently.
"You've been talking long enough. Can you please give me a minute to talk to you?"
"Can you wait? For like a little while?" Hermione begged. Ginny glared at her.
"A second? That's all I need. Please?" She asked again.
"What's so important that you need to reply anyway?"
"Um, I think he's asking me to the masquerade ball next week."
"What? Go answer then! You could've told me what he was doing, you git! We are so going shopping for your dresses. They have to be traditional dresses though. Maybe Victorian-style looking. And—"
"Ginny?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I reply now?"
"Yes! Go!"
MuggleBorn0919: What?
JP2: You've already been asked? I mean, someone asked you and maybe you said yes and you're going. Well, obviously you are going but—maybe you've been asked and you've rejected him. Not that I'm saying anything to make you change your mind and I'm starting to sound like a total idiot and—
MuggleBorn0919: No.
JP2: No? You won't go with me?
MuggleBorn0919: No, as in I haven't accepted any invitations. I mean, sure, I've been invited and asked but I declined all of them.
JP2: Is that a yes? Or am I assuming?
MuggleBorn0919: No.
MuggleBorn0919: It's a definitely. :)
*~*~*~*
"You asked her?" Ron asked Harry in their dormitory.
"Who her? There are so many girls in Hogwarts, Ron." Harry said, smiling.
"You know what I mean. That freaky pen pal of yours."
"She's not freaky. She's perfectly normal."
"Right. And I live with unicorns."
"Shut up. I've asked and it's final. She said yes and that's all there is to it."
"Whatever. What are you going to wear? Luna told me that it's traditional attire and Victorian-style."
"I don't know. I'll go looking for some clothes in Hogsmeade tomorrow."
"I'll come. What time should we do it? I don't want any girls catching us shopping."
Harry laughed. "We'll have to distance ourselves from them."
*~*~*~*
"Let's check this shop!" Ginny said. She had two bags in her hand and Hermione had yet to get any at all. They had searched all over Hogsmeade but no dress gave Hermione the feeling that she'd stand out in the ball. She still had to arrange with JP2 how they were going to meet.
Ginny, with her free hand, pulled Hermione by her wrist into the tiny, gray shop.
On the outside, it looked like an old-fashioned shop that hadn't been open for years. There were pretty dresses on display but were an incredibly dull color.
Hermione groaned. "You cannot be serious. We've checked every shop in Hogsmeade, Gin. There just isn't a dress here for me. Maybe I could wear that one I wore to the Yule Ball—"
"That dress? Are you kidding? That was three years ago! You need to keep in fashion, dear. That dress just isn't you now. Besides, there are pretty dresses here. And the sign says it's open."
Ginny pulled Hermione into the shop. They pushed the dusty, graying door and a bell tinkled as they entered.
The inside wasn't what they expected. It looked so vibrant and bright. There were piles of soft, silky cloths. There were patterned, pretty ones and dark, gothic ones. There were ready dresses and made to fit anyone that wore it. There were sparkling dresses and shiny dresses. Some were glittered and some were plain.
There was an old lady behind the counter and smiled brightly at them. "May I help you?" She asked. She was wearing a tattered bandana around her graying hair and had a flower-patterned apron around her waist. She was wearing a maroon colored dress that was fading.
"I love magic." Hermione murmured. Ginny smiled and made her way to the counter.
"We—actually, she—" She began, pointing at Hermione. "Needs three traditional ball gowns and masks that go with it."
"Follow me." The old lady replied, ushering them into a room covered by a curtain.
Once they entered, the room was even bigger than the other one. There were gothic dresses in one place and some Victorian-styled ones.
Ginny squealed and pulled Hermione around to all throwing dresses on her to try out. By the time Ginny was done, Hermione's arms were already getting sore from carrying all of them.
"Is there a dressing room?" Ginny asked the old lady who was smiling amusedly at them.
"Behind that curtain." She replied, gesturing to a black curtain behind them.
"Funny. I didn't notice that before." Ginny mumbled to herself.
"What was that, Gin?" Hermione asked, behind her huge pile of dresses.
"Nothing, nothing. Here, let me help." Ginny took the dresses out of Hermione's arms and laid them on an armchair.
Ginny began searching for a dress for Hermione to try on.
"Um, Gin—" Hermione started.
"Here. Try this one on." Ginny interrupted, throwing a white dress on her face to keep her from talking. She knew Hermione was going to ask how they were going to pay when Ginny's dresses cost a fortune.
Hermione pulled the dress off her head and glared at Ginny before marching into the dressing room.
After she finished, she called for Ginny. Ginny was sitting on the floor absentmindedly picking at her long nails.
"Gin?"
"Yeah, 'Mione?" Ginny asked back in reply.
"Um, can you see if this looks nice on me? There's no mirror here."
"Step out then."
Hermione kept silent for a while. Then she pulled back the black curtain and stepped out.
Ginny's eyes widened at the sight of her. The white dress was plain and sleeveless, but the ruffles protruding from the straps made it look like it had tiny sleeves. The dress hugged her body showing off her small curves. Then it loosened at the middle of her thighs, flowing in all directions and leaving it trail after her a little.
"You look beautiful, 'Mione." Ginny said, slowly.
"Thanks. It looks nice, but it seems expensive."
"Who cares? No one will take his or her eyes off of you, Hermione. And JP2 will melt at your feet."
Hermione blushed. "You think so?"
"Definitely. We'll take this dress. Change out of that one and wear…" She trailed off, searching through the piles. "This one." She finished, handing a lavender gown to her.
"Thank you for not throwing it on me. And about the—"
"The sleds back to Hogwarts will be leaving soon. So you better hurry." Ginny interrupted, pushing her into the black curtains.
After a while, Hermione threw the white gown onto Ginny and stepped out from behind the curtain.
The lavender gown was simple. It was strapless and curved at the bottom. The first part of the dress ended near the shins. Then a lighter shade of lavender flowed out touching the floor. A cloth rose hung at the side of her dress and was made out of the same cloth as the first part of the dress.
"We'll get that too." Ginny said, after giving Hermione a thorough examination.
"Alright." Hermione said, unsure.
"Now, help me. Which dress is better?" She said holding up two dresses.
The first one she held up had a white and black pattern. It was sleeveless and the sides of the dress were black. The center was white with black flower patterns and a black ribbon crisscrossing right below her bust. A white shawl came with it.
The second one she held up was black and gothic. It was off-shoulders and ruffle-y. There was a black ribbon that was supposed to crisscross around her arm. On the dress, there was a shiny corset-like part around the bust. It tightened around her waist and extended around in all directions. Beneath the corset-like part were ruffle of different designs. Some patterns looked like petticoats and some had no patterns at all.
Hermione couldn't decide between the two and just shrugged.
"I'll take both then." Ginny said, turning around to pick up the white gown. She turned back to Hermione. "Time to get out of that dress. We need to pay for this." She said.
Hermione stepped into the dressing room and changed. Once she finished, she stepped out and gave the last dress to Ginny. Ginny turned to the old lady.
"We'll take these." She said, holding up the four dresses.
Hermione opened her mouth to object. But Ginny shut her up.
"Please, Hermione. I know how you look in these dresses and you're beautiful. Except for the last two. We have no time to try them on. I'm willing to pay for these." She said.
The old lady handed her one bag in which Hermione's four dresses were shrunk to fit.
"Any masks?" Ginny asked, just remembering.
"There are masks that go with those dresses. I'll get them.
After she came back, Ginny checked all of them and purchased them as well.
They thanked the old lady and left the shop. When they exited, they expected it to be near sundown. But to their surprise, it was still early afternoon.
Ginny checked her watch. It was still three forty-two. "I don't understand. We took so long in there." Hermione murmured.
"Maybe the old lady did something to the shop. Let's go ask." Ginny stated, turning around to face the store.
Their eyes widened when they saw it.
The display window was broken and the door had been covered with boards. The store looked even dirtier than before. They peered into the broken window to find a dirty counter with a desk bell. There were mannequins lying around and dirty cloths spread around everywhere. The floor was covered with a heavy layer of dust and the curtain to the back was torn and hanging.
At the corner of her eye, Hermione could see the old lady peeping behind the mauled curtain. She jerked her head in the direction to find no one standing there.
"Maybe we should go." Ginny said, softly.
Hermione nodded and looked at the store one last time. There was the flower-patterned apron of the old lady on the floor. Her eyes widened.
She immediately pulled Ginny away and decided to look for McGonagall and go back to Hogwarts.
*~*~*~*
JP2: So you can't find the shop anymore?
It was almost curfew at the Gryffindor tower. Hermione was still awake and in the Common Room. She was supposed to be helping Ron study for Charms. Harry was there as well and he was scribbling in a black… notebook? Hermione wasn't entirely sure.
She had just told JP2 about the store and the old lady. He found it interesting and said that Hogsmeade was always like that.
MuggleBorn0919: Nope. Although, when we checked the dresses, they were fine.
JP2: Ah, so you were buying dresses to impress me?
MuggleBorn0919: No. I just don't have anything to wear.
JP2: I'm looking forward to seeing you.
MuggleBorn0919: About that. Where can we meet?
JP2: I'll be waiting at the entrance for you at eleven.
MuggleBorn0919: Really? You'll know who I am?
JP2: I'll find you. Don't worry. :)
MuggleBorn0919: I wasn't worried about that. Can we reveal our identities on the last night of the ball? Right before midnight would be good.
JP2: Sounds good to me.
MuggleBorn0919: I have to go to bed now. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
JP2: I'll be counting the minutes until then.
*~*~*~*
A/N: That's it for now. I know that you want to find out what happens on the night of the ball, so I'll skip to next week on Wednesday night. Oh, one last thing: Thanks again for those who story alerted it. Over fifteen people have added it to story alert and over ten people added it to their favorite stories. Thank you, once again.
And for those who couldn't picture the dresses, you can go to my profile and scroll to the bottom. The links for how they look like are there. :)
Actually, I could definitely decide between the white and black patterned one and the gothic one. Personally, the gothic one looks really nice. But Hermione wears the black and white one instead. But there is an added bonus so she can wear the black one though… After all, I didn't search evening gown and prom dresses sites for half an hour to just describe the dress. ; -)