Hermione wasn't sure if her decision was the right one. She and Blaise had the lust to keep their relationship going, but what if she only thought she loved him? The brunette was unsure of what her next step was going to be. She knew she loved Harry. Her dreams were enough to prove that -but could it be puppy love? Hermione wondered if Blaise was only a distraction, a twist of fate hindering what was meant to be, albeit a very hot one, but quickly shook the thought away. If she and Blaise were so wrong, then why did it feel so right?
She was certain that if she ended up with Harry, she would have the kind of love that would last a lifetime. With Blaise, it was like a supernova, bright and exciting but with a great risk of a huge explosion. The Hufflepuff had to make a decision. Should she go for love or passion?
"Ugh,"she groaned, "I need to sleep on this." It was a torn Hermione who crawled into bed. Her stomach protested that she was skipping dinner. She tried to tell it was only going to be a half hour before she went to bed. Before the absurdity of talking to her stomach hit her, Hermione had dozed off.
When she woke, she had come to the same conclusion as she had when debating whether or not to ask Harry if he liked her. She would wait and see. She simply was not a Gryffindor-she couldn't confront them fearlessly. Maybe the Ball would show her how things were meant to be.
SATURDAY EVENING*-*-"""*-*-"""
Hermione was dressed to the nines in her aqua "princess"outfit "as Blaise called it. Many were gaping at her, including Harry. She smiled at him graciously, pointing to his neglected date.
"You look beautiful, "Blaise whispered in her ear. Hermione blushed. Blaise drifted over to the punch table to chat with his friend Daphne Greengrass. Hermione found herself at Harry's table, where he was sitting with Luna.
"She looks like a Drizsaque!"Luna said to Harry.
"And what is that, Luna? "Hermione asked, trying to show interest. But the blond refused to answer. Harry enlightened his friend.
"A Drizsaque is a relative of the Veela. They are an extremely beautiful race that uses their charm to ensnare other women's men."he winced.
Luna had the decency to look embarrassed as Hermione fixed her with a pointed glare.
"Isn't this a fifth-year ONLY event, Harry?" Her raven-haired friend quickly understood her underlying message. "Luna, I'm afraid she's right,"he said apologetically, "as a fourth-year you'll have to go."
His blond date pouted but exited through the grand doors.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry, I had no idea she'd say that- "Harry started, but Hermione quickly cut him off. "Harry, you're not responisible for Luna's actions. She is, "his beautiful friend told him firmly. When she was in costume, Harry stopped thinking of Hermione as a best friend. He saw her as a beautiful, innocent girl. It was no wonder that he blushed when she lightly pecked his cheek and said, "Go on. Have fun." Hermione turned and walked over to Blaise.
"Hey, "he drunkenly slurred, draining a glass and placing next to the six others that she assumed he had consumed. Hermione was horrified. Someone must have spiked the punch! Blaise shocked her next though, proceeding to force himself on her and sloppily attempt to kiss her.
"Blaise, no, "she pleaded, but her drunk boyfriend didn't listen. Hermione was forced to flee to the safety of Harry's table. Seeing her staring fearfully around the ballroom,
Harry led her out to the courtyard. He hugged her gently. "'Mione,what's the matter?"
he asked, concerned. "Blaise,"she replied, "someone spiked the punch and he's hopelessly drunk. "
"Well, since we both seem to have lost our dates for the night, may I have this dance milady?"Harry asked. Hermione nodded and allowed Harry to take her by the hand back into the noise and light of the Great Hall. The pair found a spot on the dance floor, waltzing together. Just for fun, Harry spun Hermione and her dress billowed out and swirled like a fog. She giggled, kissing him on the lips. The brunette felt no passion, no desire for something more like she did with Blaise. She had always knew she loved Harry, but had not known to which extent. Now Hermione realized it had been an extreme case of puppy love.
As soon as the song ended, Hermione raced over to Blaise, high heels clicking on the parquet floors. She had to remedy his situation if they were both going to enjoy the night. She saw the corner of a festive red-and gold ballgown and raced toward it
"Professor McGonagall?"she asked the nearby professor, "What should I do if someone spiked the punch and my date is drunk?" McGonagall's eyebrows shot up impossibly high and she bustled over to the refreshments table as best she could in her enormous dress. Glimpsing several partygoers tottering around drunk brought her mouth into an angry line.
She reached up her voluminous sleeve and pulled out what looked like a mothball and threw it in the air. Hermione gasped in awe. Her professor had a Time Ball! Those were incredibly rare -allowing you to go back in time and freeze a moment. She quickly clicked over as fast as she could in high heels and latched on to the older woman. Hermione was coming along for the ride. The women were bathed in an icy blue light as shocked dancers watched them disappear.
The brunette felt an odd, dizzy sensation like one would after twirling nonstop for a great deal of time. The room was spinning as she saw fellow partygoers doing reverse waltzes, and seemingly spitting their drinks back into the goblets. Hermione watched, fascinated. This was what going back in time looked like!
McGonagall stepped through the whirling room and closer to the refreshment table. As if satisfied by what she saw, the professor lightly tapped the still-hovering Time Ball. Immediately, everything froze. Hermione thought it was a far cry from the unwavering motion of just moments earlier. The only sound was the click of Professor McGonagall's high heels as she strode purposefully across the slick floors.
The beautiful Hufflepuff followed her teacher's sharp gaze and gasped.
"Malfoy, "she spat, "I will kill you." Sadly, her menacing words were wasted upon the frozen blonde. In his inanimate state, he wasn't capable of listening. Not that her ever was, the slimy git, thought Hermione bitterly. She looked around the room and saw Daphne Greengrass gazing at the Slytherin with a dreamy expression over Blaise's shoulder, not even noticing the Firewhiskey he was pouring into the punch bowl.
"Mr. Malfoy will be punished accordingly, "McGonagall assured the angered teen. The professor was already thinking-making him grade Lilac Brown's atrocious essays for the rest of his time at Hogwarts seemed appropriate. A ghost of a smile appeared on the elderly lady's face as she fantasized. No more wasted Scotch! No more migraines! She motioned for her pupil to grab her arm again as she grabbed the Time Ball and calmly slipped it back up her sleeve. The noiseless scene before them began to spin and move. The pair popped back into the present with a flash of icy blue.
-(Malfoy)""""-(Malfoy)""""-
ONE WEEK LATER
Madam Pomfrey was surprised to see Draco Malfoy stumble into the Hospital Wing, blabbering incoherently. "Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery, "he muttered. The healer wondered what was the matter. "What's wrong?" She asked him, leading the distressed blonde over to a cot and seating him. Draco shook his head, refusing to answer. Madam Pomfrey noticed the paper in his hands and quickly snatched it. Lavender Brown, currently helping the healer out, leaned closer to listen.
"How I Transfiggured an Apple into a Banana, "she read,
"by Lilac Brown."
Lavender facepalmed, moving closer to the witch should she faint of combined confusion and headache. She knew her little sister's writing all too well.
How I Transfiggured an Apple into a Banana
By Lilac Brown
I looked at the apple. It was red. It was roundish. It was shiny. I named it Barry. The apple looked like a boy apple. Barry was a veeeeeeeery nice apple. I was sad I had to turn him into a banana. Barry the Banana. Haha. Heehee. I was not so sad anymore. I pulled out my maple, 8 1/2 inch, phoenix feather core wand. When I waved it, there were sparks. They were Barry-colored.
"Transfiguro Apple to Banana!" I said. Bye bye Barry. Barry turned into a banana. He was a veeeeeeeeery pretty banana. He was yellow. He was long. He was shiny. He wasn't as shiny as when he was an apple. Barry the Banana. Haha. Heehee. Barry made a veeeeeeeeeery nice banana.
I was veeeeeeeeery hungry. Lunch was in two hours. I grabbed Barry and peeled him. Then I took a bite. Barry tasted yucky. I don't like bananas.
I think I liked Barry better as an apple.
Madam Pomfrey rubbed her temples tiredly. This kid gave her a headache. She really felt bad for Minerva. How did she get through this? Madam Pomfrey shrugged her concern away to go tend to a crying first year with purple skin. At least it was an excuse to drink something stronger.
The healer wondered how Severus would fare against the second year's unintentional wrath.