A/N: Hey guys. So, it's been a crazy 9 months. I have just finished my exams and I am sick of coming up with ideas for this story and completely neglecting it. I have read all your lovely comments and I know some of you have been wanting to see more of this. Guaranteed you have forgotten what has happened in this story so far, I hope you will refresh your memory and join be on this journey. Here is a little taster of what is to come. Enjoy! S xx
The Ceremony
Ginny and Harry were placed together by the goblet just as Draco was unceremoniously dragged into the Great Hall by Theo and Blaise. No eye contact was made between the former pair, although she did get as small smile from Blaise. Hermione was distraught at the sight of him, obviously in so much pain, yet she kept a straight face. She had to, for his sake.
Draco was placed in between Pansy and Daphne as a way of distracting him, Hermione supposed. But she supposed wrong, since as soon as he had sat down, they both thought it would be a marvellous to smack him on the back of his head. The face he made after was not pleasantly surprised but surprised all the same. It seemed to knock some sense into him. He looked at both ladies in turn both preceding to place his forehead on the table.
Theo was called up to goblet. Hermione saw in the way that he walked that he was clearly nervous. She knew from the many nights she had spent in Slytherin tower talking and laughing at his and Blaise's antics. Hermione saw him glance back towards Daphne before he reached the goblet. She could only imagine how he felt in that moment, leaving the love of his life behind. Then she realised, she didn't need to imagine it. It was happening to her. So, caught up in her thoughts she didn't see the fleeting image of Daphne's chocolate brown hair race up to the stage at the front of the Great Hall. I was such a beautiful moment to witness. The way that Theo pulled her into his arms and buried his head into her shoulder to hide his tears. Cheers could be heard from all sides of the room apart from Hermione's side. The Gryffindors just watched. And this is when Hermione realised just how petty this Slytherin vs. Gryffindor feud really was. It should have been put to bed, probably hundreds of years ago. The audible scoff from Ron to her left made her want to punch him. How could he witness a loving and intimate moment and dismiss it like it is nothing? And to think she had once liked him.
It's almost half an hour later when Blaise is called to the front. He has always had the reputation of an eligible bachelor: pure-blooded, lots of money and very well-endowed... or so she had heard. In her two years of being with Draco and being friends with Blaise she had never known him to be in a relationship for more than about 2 weeks. Probably less than that. Blaise called Pansy's name when he reached the goblet. She could almost feel the shock that rippled through the Slytherin table at the opposite side of the hall. Draco finally lifted his off the table, immediately turning his attention to an equally and completely shocked Pansy. No one was expecting that. Hermione, personally, had always thought they would make a nice couple. Pansy refused to meet him on the stage; Hermione knew she would. Theo took his place opposite her, taking her hand in his and kissing the back of it. To which Pansy rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile could be seen on her ever-glowering face.
Then Kingsley called Draco to come up to the front.
Hermione felt her heart rise from her chest, right to the back of her throat. She wanted to cry and scream all at the same time. She kept her same straight face despite feeling sweat dripping down her back. Her heart racing, she ducked her head so no one would see her eyes well up with tears. She didn't let the tears fall though.
No until she heard Draco call her name.