Disclaimer: It's J.K. Rowling's. I borrowed her characters to make my own story

This is the third chapter of WEST COAST.

I, personally, find it hard to write this one since I have to edit many things, making it as make sense as it is. Then, voila, allow me to present this humble chapter, without further ado.

Chapter 3

Lie

Hermione opened her eyes and certain feeling floated in her mind. She's grateful. So grateful that she didn't have that familiar pain in her head. There was no pounding sound that always awaken her. There was no urge to crawl to her bathroom and throw everything up. She's back to the old her. Awake and sober. In a way, she's feeling like she's a new person, being rebirth after spending strange nights. Strange enough to make her frowned when she thought about it. And then, Hermione let big huff. That's it, she didn't have to think about it. Now, she had another issue in her mind.

She got up from her bed while peeking the clock on her side. It's 6.42. A bit late from her usual waking schedule, but it's still early. She opened her curtain. It's still dark outside. And freezing, she thought. She's taking her comforter, wrapping it around her body, and going out from her bedroom. She marched to her kitchen, preparing something to drink. Then, after some minutes, she's sitting in her sofa, holding a glass of hot chocolate.

"...Should tell mum."

Hermione had promised to Harry that she would attend the wedding, which was meant that she should tell her mother that she couldn't make it again, spending Christmas with her parents. Couldn't make it. Again. After she had told her mother that this year she would come to Australia, visiting them. Hermione closed her eyes, remembering the voice of her mother when she had told her that she would come for Christmas. Her mother sounded very happy and excited. Then, she imagined what her mother's voice would be if she told her that she cancelled the visit.

"Probably it was a bad idea, after all."

Hermione tried to re-think about her decision. Going to Ron's wedding meant that she had to tell her mother that she wouldn't be there in Christmas, which wasn't good thing because her mother must be sad about it. The other thing, she hasn't told about it with Lindsay. She didn't know what Lindsay would say to her after she told her. On the top of that, she wanted Lindsay to accompany her. Hermione wasn't really thrilled about the idea of going to the wedding alone. She needed Lindsay.

Then, she took another sip. Her mind wandered to the meeting last night. Her promise with Harry slowly changed into a burden in her shoulder. She didn't understand why she could think that she would attend the wedding. She wondered if her change of heart was also caused by Harry's story about Ron. Ron's hardship after she had left him, only with a piece of paper. No, no, stop thinking about it! Hermione shook her head. Thinking about the past didn't help to solve the situation. Now, she has to decide if she should attend the wedding or just go to Australia, meeting her parents. Before she could decide anything, her telephone was suddenly ringing, interrupting her train of thought. Hermione put her glass in the table before taking the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Morning, dear."

Hermione blinked. It was her mother. Well, mostly it's only her mother or father who called her phone; but she couldn't hide her surprise.

"Mum?"

"Yes. Did you just wake up?"

There was a bit of concern in her mother's voice. Hermione realized about that and she tried to answer it normally, though she didn't expect her mother would call her in such moment.

"Yes, just several minutes ago."

"Oh, okay. I thought there's something happened, dear."

Yes, it is, mum. Something did happened.

"Hmm...no, there isn't anything, mum."

Hermione bit her lower lip. Lying to her mother fresh in the morning wasn't her thing but, she did it today.

"Good. Now, you haven't told us about your flight. What time wil you arrive from there?"

Hermione could sense her head pounding. Not as hard as the one she had when she had her hangover. But, it was there, beating her head.

"It's..."

"Yes, darling?"

"I...Can I spend my Christmas in here?"

Those words escaped from her mouth casually. She didn't think about what those words were implied until few seconds away. She tried to form another sentences for my mother, to dogde or even to take back those words. But, she couldn't think anything. Her head was empty. So, in the end, she's just staying in silence.

"Is it work?"

Is it work? she repeated the question in her head. That question reminded of her excuse that she always used when her mother had told her to come to Australia in Christmas. Well, she never used that excuse until the break up happened. There was a sole reason why she didn't want to spend Christmas in Australia and she just rolled her eyes when she had realized that the reason could be considered as a stupid reason. Really stupid. During that time, she had this wishful imagination that Ron would come to her in Christmas and make up everthing. Now, that imagination was proven as a wrong one.

"No, it's not about work, mum."

"Friend?"

Took a minute for Hermione to decide if she should tell the real reason why she wanted to stay here for Christmas. Eventually, she's unprepared to tell her mother that she was going to Ron's wedding.

"Um...yes, mum."

She lied again. Hermione didn't like to tell lies to her mother. She preferred to tell her the truth or just went silent, than to give her wrong information. But, on the second thought, Hermione might not be lying to her mother. She and Ron used to be friends and maybe, later they will be, again. Maybe.

There was no continued response from her mother. Hermione was waiting for another reply from her mother, but there was none. She imagined her mother's disappointing look when she heard about the news.

"Is it okay, mum?"

No, it isn't okay. Look, Hermione! You knew that your mum sad and you're just asking her about it like you didn't know what her feeling-

"If you think that it's important for you to stay in there, it's okay, then."

Then, Hermione stopped her internal scolding. She knew her mother sad right now, but she couldn't think any comforting words for her mother. All she wanted to do is to apologize to her mother, that she cancelled the trip.

"Hermione? Dear?"

Her mother's voice awaken her and she stopped her wandering mind.

"I'm sorry, mum."

Hermione heard her mother huffed over the phone before answering her.

"Now you have to promise me that you'll come here in Easter."

She could go there in Easter. Easter's perfect. She made another mental promise while nodding frantically,

"I promise! I'll go there!"

"Good, it's a promise. Now, I want to know what is your plan tonight. You're going to celebrate Christmas Eve with Lindsay?"

"Yes, mum."

Another lie. She didn't really know if Lindsay could celebrate it with her. But, she didn't want to make her mother worried by saying that she had no plan for Christmas Eve.

"Give my greeting to her."

"Yes, mum. I will."

Hermione almost spent for an hour to talk with her mother by phone. She also had a brief talk with her father who ask about her condition. Talking with them like this made her missed her parents so much. In the end of conversation, her mother gave her an advice that she needed to stop thinking about her problem by herself, that her mother would always there to hear out her problems. Hermione felt guilty. She knew she made her mother worried a lot. She made another promise that when the things between her and Ron settled, she would tell her mother about it.

"Wait a minute, just need a coat and bag."

Lindsay wore a red dress with a black tights. In her neck, there was a green cashmere shawl. Hermione wanted to say that Lindsay reminded her of a Christmas tree, but she didn't. Despite of her appearance which resembled Christmas tree, Lindsay looked so beautiful. Well, Lindsay always looked beautiful. She had a tall and slender figure, supported by a pair of attractive eyes and plump lips. The first time she met Lindsay, she thought Lindsay could be a Veela or had Veela blood.

"Okay, I'm ready now. You're sure that you won't borrow my dress, Hermione?"

She shrugged her shoulder. She thought a dark brown turtleneck, shawl, jeans, and a coat was enough for her. She's not a fan of dress, anyway. She just wore dress for emergency special occasion.

"Okay, suit yourself."

Lindsay dragged her into the fireplace and they're floo-ing to Anthonio's restaurant. In no time, Hermione could hear some people's speaking Italian. She wondered if she and Lindsay are the only ones who were not Italian in this place.

"Amore mio!"

A man with bright smile came to them. He hugged and kissed Lindsay. It was Anthonio.

"Granger!"

He called Hermione in his accent and as usual, it always made her chuckled. Then, he kissed her cheeks while hugging her.

"Thank you for inviting me, Anthonio."

"It was nothing! You're always welcome here. Now, let me escort you and questa bella signora to join the party."

Lindsay and Anthonio led the way. Hermione was behind them, observing the place. She barely could recognize the face of wizards and witches gathered in this place. She might knew one or two familiar faces, but the rest was unknown for her. In the back of her mind. she's amazed that she could be here. She had told her mother that she would celebrate the Christmas Eve with Lindsay. but she didn't expect that Lindsay would really come to her flat, inviting her to Anthonio's restaurant.

"Here! Sit here, dear. I will bring you something!"

Anthonio showed them a table facing the glass window. There was a 'reserved' note on it. Apparently, Anthonio saved the table for them. Hermione and Lindsay sat in their table and was looking around.

"Most of them are Anthonio's family and friends. They always gather here in Christmas, this place is like a rendezvous for them."

"Hmm..."

Hermione's still looking around. She had been in Anthonio's restaurant for several times, but this place looked different in Christmas. It's...bigger. On the second thought, she ensured the place is bigger than usual. She looked at Lindsay, wanting to ask a question. But, before she did, Lindsay had initiated the conversation,

"It's nice to be in here, isn't it?"

"Yes...These people, they look nice."

"They are...I've met some of them last year."

"Last year? I thought you're going home last year?"

"I am. I mean before Christmas. I meet them occasionally."

"Oh."

"Well, this will be my first Christmas with Anthonio and I'm so glad that you're here, Hermione. Without work."

Hermione snorted, hearing Lindsay's words. Then, they both giggled before fell into silence. Lindsay seemed to be in a deep thought. Then, she looked at Hermione with that look. Hermione knew what look it was. It was the look when Lindsay wanted her to tell about something. Recently, Hermione succeeded to avoid that look. She managed to keep everything in her head, didn't tell Lindsay anything about it. However, she had to tell Lindsay about it tonight. Besides, she had the wedding-promise story that would involve Lindsay later on.

"How's the thing with Potter?"

It wasn't the question that Hermione's expecting to be. But, she knew why Lindsay would ask about it first.

"Good. He's been a good friend, again."

"Great."

"Yes, great."

"And you two talk about him?"

Lindsay used a different tone while she's referring to Ron, as if she wanted to emphasize that 'him' was the source of Hermione's problem. In Lindsay's opinion, he obviously was the problem. She was the one who saw Hermione being different after the invitation came. She still remembered seeing Hermione crying in her bed yesterday.

"We did."

Then, Anthonio came, levitated a big plate of pasta. Lindsay and Hermione decided to stop their conversation and both of them were flashing smiles to Anthonio when he took a seat beside Lindsay.

"Fire on the pasta? What is this? Firewhiskey pasta?"

Hermione looked at the dish in awe. Anthonio always had his way in cooking and she hadn't known about this recipe yet.

"It's good, Hermione. You should taste it."

Her eyes couldn't stop to survey the pasta and the fire on it. Then, she muttered something,

"This is amazing, Anthonio."

"Thank you, Granger! Now, eat up! It's extremely good when it's hot."

Hermione took two spoonful of the pasta and put it in her plate. Then, the pasta was slowly transported to her mouth. In no time, she could feel the burning sensation in her mouth, followed by the sweet and sour tomato sauce and the smell of basil spreaded in her mouth. The taste was nostalgic but, in the same time, it brought a new feeling. Hermione felt like radiated, in the strange way.

"How is it, Granger?"

Hermione gave him a surprised look and couldn't say anything until she took for another bite.

"How could you do that?"

Anthonio looked proud of his pasta and winked to Lindsay before answering the question,

"It's secret."

Then, he grinned. Hermione just rolled her eyes and laughed, followed by Lindsay who's also laughing after seeing Hermione rolled her eyes. After that, they chatted about things. Mostly about the gossip around the Diagon Alley. Anthonio also mentioned something about Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, that the place was always full of Hogwarts' students during holiday. It wasn't surprising, though. The place's surely interesting, specifically for the students. Then, her thought was trailed into the Weasleys. Tomorrow's Ron's wedding and now everyone must be gathered in The Burrows. No, stop making yourself depressed, Hermione!

Hermione peeked at Anthonio and Lindsay. They're whispering and giggling together, they looked like a happy couple. Unconsciously, Hermione bit her lower lip. She didn't envy them. She stole another glimpse to them. Well, she did envy. But, it wasn't that much. Just a little. And stop looking at them, you bloody fool!, Hermione wanted to slap her own face, then tried to adjust her focus back to her pasta.

"What are you going to do for tomorrow, Hermione? I guess you have no work for tomorrow, right?"

"No. No work."

But, I have another plan for tomorrow, she whispered in her head. She just remembered that she haven't told anything to Lindsay about her tomorrow plan. She couldn't imagine standing in the wedding alone while all the guests were frowning at her. Definitely not. She needed someone at her side. She needed Lindsay.

"Good! Now, you can join us!"

"Join?"

Hermione was a bit uneasy. A suspicion popped in her brain.

"Anthonio wanted to see London, so I think it's the best time to mingle with Muggles, don't you think?

A slight of panic attack crept in the back of her mind. She couldn't think clearly. So, they have their own plan for tomorrow, why haven't I thought about it?

"What's the matter? You look worried, Hermione."

She was. She's definitely worried. The wedding's tomorrow and no Lindsay.

"Don't worry, Granger! It isn't a date! There are bunches of people with us. Well, apparently, there are some wizards and witches in here, dying to see London. And if it's too much, you can be our guide. Well, if you don't mind."

No, I'm not worry because of that and it's not like I mind about it. The timing is just...wrong. Hermione wrinkled her forehead, making Lindsay and Anthonio exchange glances for a while. Eventually, Lindsay shrugged her shoulder and then, she's asking Anthonio for bringing firewhiskey for them. As soon as Anthonio left them, Lindsay initiated to start another conversation with Hermione,

"Uhm...Hermione?"

The brunette was still in trance, making Lindsay more eager to earn her attention. She patted Hermione's hand while called her once again.

"Hermione?"

Hermione gasped in sudden and blurted something,

"I'm going to Ron's wedding tomorrow!"

"Wait, what?"

Hermione widened her eyes immediately. She didn't mean to say it aloud but Lindsay's pat made her so.

"So, you're going there tomorrow?"

Lindsay narrowed her eyes to Hermione, making Hermione huffed before she nodded, confirming Lindsay's question.

"How? Why? What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Lindsay. I'd just...I had promised to Harry that I come for the wedding."

"What for, Hermione? What do you want to achieve by doing that?"

"Nothing, Lindsay. Really. But, when Harry told me about Ron, I-"

"So, it's about Weasley."

That tone. When Lindsay used that I-know-I'm-right tone, Hermione always felt her shoulder dropped.

"Yeah. I guess."

"Then, Harry came to you yesterday, for Weasley."

"Yes, in a way. But, we talked many things other than that."

"Including coming to Weasley's wedding?"

"Lindsay, I-"

"No, Hermione. It won't be a good thing to do. You can come in there and-"

"Yes, yes, I know. That's why..."

Hermione went silent. She didn't know if she should tell it to Lindsay.

"What is it, Hermione?"

"I want you to come with me, at first. But, it seems you have another plan with Anthonio."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Hermione amazed on how fast Lindsay decided to join with her. But, Lindsay couldn't go with her, she had had a plan with Christmas.

"No! You can't, Lindsay! You have a plan with Anthonio!"

"Yes, I can. I'll go with you."

"No, it's okay, Lindsay. I'll go by myself."

"No, I'll go with-"

"No, Lindsay! I'm going alone!"

This time, Hermione say it rather aloud and some people turned their heads to see whose voice it was. Embarassed, Hermione glanced down, trying to hide her face. Then, she heard soft chuckle from Lindsay.

"What is this, Lindsay? What's wrong with Hermione?"

Great. Now, it's Anthonio.

Hermione peeked a bit when Anthonio put a glass of firewhiskey in front of her, but she kept her head down.

"Now, care to tell me something?"

The next thing was Hermione let Lindsay explained everything to Anthonio and soon after the story ended, Anthonio just gave the same response with Lindsay,

"Well, Lindsay can go with you!"

"No, Anthonio."

Hermione shook her head. Now, that Anthonio shared the same opinion with Lindsay, she eventually wavered a bit. But, he couldn't ruin her friends' plan, she couldn't afford to be a selfish git.

"Hermione..."

"No, Anthonio. I can't...you want to see London, right?"

"That can wait. But the wedding is just for tomorrow."

She hesitated. Anthonio got the point. The wedding is just one time, tomorrow. Should I take up the offer or...

"No, Anthonio. I can't... Look, I'm going to find another person to accompany me and-"

"Who, Hermione? Your mother?"

Hermione scowled at Lindsay's retort. She knew plenty candidates besides her mother. It's Lindsay and...Harry?

"Right, I can see it in your face, Hermione. You have no other people except me and I'll keep pestering you about it!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. Sometimes, Lindsay could be more stubborn than her.

"No, Lindsay. It's okay. I can go alone."

"Come on, Hermione. Stop being this self-sacrificing creature! I can go with you and Anthonio is clearly okay with that."

"I'm not self-sacrifing!"

She said it under her gritted teeth.

"Okay, okay, ladies. It seems this conversation can last not in a good way. So, I will offer you another option that can resolve the problem."

"What is it, Anthonio? Make sure you don't come up with something stupid."

"Why dear! You don't believe me? This will be the best problem-solver of this issue."

"Okay, tell us."

"Wait here, I'll come back for a second."

Anthonio left them hastily. A grin plastered in his face, making Hermione and Lindsay confused.

"Why do he grin like that?"

"No idea, Hermione. Just hope it won't be a stupid idea."

Hermione held her breath. Lindsay's comment didn't make her any better. Then, Anthonio came back in rush. A grin still decorated his face, making Hermione more uneasy than before.

"Well, Anthonio..."

"Okay, ladies! This is our problem-solver!"

Anthonio pulled someone to his side. A man. Who looked surprised to see Hermione. And a short after that, Hermione also did the same thing.

"You know him, right? Of course you do, you're in the same year back in the Hogwarts!"

"How..."

"He told me and I just remembered about that. Then, he also must know about Weasley. Aren't you?"

Anthonio's tugging the man beside him. He's no longer looking surprised, rather amused.

"Yes, I know Weasley. And you're Lindsay's friend?"

"Y-yes."

Hermione stuttered. This event was just too sudden for her to comprehend. In the other side, the man just chuckled to see Hermione's expression.

"Don't look so distress, Granger. It's nice to see a fellow friend from Hogwarts."

"Friend?"

Hermione watched him in disbelief when the man admitted himself as her friend. She hardly recognized the man as friend.

"Well, if it's not enough to be regarded as friend-friend relationship, I don't mind if we start our relationship with a decent introduction."

"Wha..."

The man offered his hand and smiled back at her.

"My name is Blaise Zabini. Does this lovely lady care to share her name?"

What is this, Hermione nearly puked by his lame introduction. For a moment, she just stared at his hand in disgust until Lindsay poked her side and gestured her to take his hand. Hermione was giving her 'I don't want to' look, but once Lindsay whispered 'Anthonio', Hermione couldn't help but to notice the vanishing grin in Anthonio's face.

Come on, Hermione. Don't be such a bitch. Look at Anthonio! Hermione mentally kicked herself before accepting Blaise's hand

"Hermione Granger."

"Hermione Granger...what an attractive name."

Hermione snorted. She didn't see any attractiveness in her name. Then, she's a bit caught off guard when she felt something warm touching her knuckles. She widened her eyes in horror when she realized Blaise kissing her hand. This git dare to kiss my hand! This pureblooded git!

"Now, what can I do for this...bella signora?"

Hermione didn't believe it. Making this man as company is much more disastrous than having twenty hipogriffs in your room.

Eh? Blaise Zabini? no Draco Malfoy? Yes, no Draco Malfoy. Yet. Like I said before, there is a huge change in plot and I just decided to put Blaise in the story. Then, for the next chapter...I don't sure about how it will be developed into. Well, I'm trying to make it less cliche and more interesting as I can.

Thank you so much for skellyshook for following this story. Please pardon this lame story and writer. At last, thank you all for reading this.