Story: New Events
Author: LadyLissaLight
Summary: "The Tri-wizard Tournament is to be held again" - "I could get any girl." "Even Granger?" "Yep." "I dare you to seduce her." "Done." - "Hermione, who are you going to the ball with?" "... Draco Malfoy." "WHAT?" Please read!
'All seventh years wishing to put their names down for entry into the Triwizard tournament will please sign the form below. The delegation will leave for Beauxbatons on the 27th of October' said the notice on the Gryffindor noticeboard surrounded by students of all ages, most of them looking disappointed, but some, seventh years, looking thrilled.
Hermione sighed; she really wasn't looking forward to going to Beauxbatons. When the students came back they would be thrown almost straight into NEWTS, and although Hermione was fairly confident in her abilities, she was worried that they would cover material she hadn't learnt yet in the exams for classes like Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes.
Tomorrow was the annual Hogsmeade visit, and unless he decided to enter, it would be the last time she would see Ron alone for over six months. She didn't know how she felt about his. She was going to miss him, and harry, immensely. She was going to be exceedingly lonely without her two closest companions. But another part of her felt that she needed to figure out what she really did feel for Ron, and that a time apart from him would enable her to do this.
She also wanted to get as far away from Draco Malfoy as was possible. She hadn't spoken to him since that evening, and she wasn't planning on it. She'd managed to avoid him in classes, and instead of working in the library, she'd stayed in her dormitory.
She'd felt his eyes on her several times, though, but had refused to look up.
Now, as it was a Friday, and she had no classes with him, and tomorrow she would be in Hogsmeade, she was feeling light and carefree.
As she went down to breakfast she saw Harry, standing in the corner of the common room with Ginny. Ginny was shaking her head, and Harry was looking sad. They looked up and caught her staring. She quickly flashes a smile, and followed Dean Thomas out if the portrait hole.
Arriving at breakfast, she greeted Ron with a large smile, which he returned. "I'm looking forward to Hogsmeade," he said to her.
"Me too... I'm just sad that it's the only time we'll get to spend, well, alone, till I get back from Beauxbatons."
"Whaddyoumean?" He swallowed a mouthful of porridge hastily.
"Well, you aren't entering the tournament are you?"
"What if I am?" he returned.
"But," she gasped, "I would have thought, after everything we've been though, everything that Harry went through...!"
"Yeah, well," Ron turned faintly pink, "a thousand galleons is a lot of money..."
"Oh so it's about the money," she snorted. "Imagine how your mother is going to feel! And personally, I think that we seventh years have too much on our plates to be competing or attending such a time waster!"
Ron rolled his eyes and bit into his toast.
XXXXXX
Arithmancy was boring, and Hermione found herself dwelling ion Ron entering the tournament. Not only would she have company for the next 6 months or so, she would have none of her usual reprieves from him, if she needed them. There would be no comforting Hogwarts library, no visits to Hagrid, no Ginny... Hermione didn't know if she could handle it.
Halfway through Arithmancy, there came a knock on the door. "Excuse me," a first year said timidly.
"Yes?" Hermione's professor looked at the little girl, and raised her eyebrows.
"Um, Professor Dumbledore said that he wants to speak with Hermione Granger in his office now, please," she squeaked.
"Very well, you may go Miss Granger."
Hermione rose, gathering her books, and shrugging at Padma Patil's (who she sat with) questioning look. Wondering what she could have possibly done, she followed the first year down the corridor.
"I know the way to Professor Dumbledore's office. Thankyou." She smiled at the first year, who gave her a small nod and ran off.
Approaching the stone gargoyles that guarded the staircase to Dumbledore's office, she frowned. The first year hadn't told her the password, but Dumbledore usually had sweets as the password, so she tried those first.
"Err... Acid pops?" The Gargoyle didn't move. "Liquorice wand? Cauldron cakes? Pumpkin pasties? Cockroach cluster? Toothflossing Stringmints?"
The Gargoyle jumped aside, and Hermione suppressed a smile. She should have known. Dumbledore knew her parents were dentists, and he'd obviously set the password as a little joke.
Arriving outside his door, she knocked on it carefully, and Dumbledore's voice called out, "Enter."
She did, to see him smiling kindly at her. He gestured for her to take a seat.
"Miss Granger," he said once she was seated, "I am sure you're wondering why you're here," he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Enter," he called again, and Anthony Goldstein walked in.
Dumbledore conjured up a chair and once he was seated, Dumbledore started again.
"As heads, I am sure you have been informed that you will be expected to travel with the delegation to Beauxbatons. This is because, as leaders, you will make a good example of Hogwarts, and will be expected to help the other students with interschool unity."
Hermione and Anthony nodded, and Dumbledore fixed them with his clear, blue gaze.
"Well, as you both remember from 4 years ago, schools tend to make a rather ostentatious show when considering their transportation to other schools..."
Hermione remembered the giant powder blue carriage of Beauxbatons, and the huge, eerie ship of Durmstrang.
"As heads, your input will be valued and you will work with the teachers to devise a method of transportation for the Hogwarts group."
How exciting! Hermione's mind immediately went into action, thinking of spells, charms and enchantments for how they would get there.
Anthony also looked excited, and she knew that as a Ravenclaw he would be thinking along the same lines as she was.
"You will have a meeting with professor McGonagall next Thursday night to discuss possible ideas. Is there any questions?"
Both shook their heads, and Dumbledore smiled at them. "Very well, you may go."
As they descended the spiral staircase, Anthony turned to Hermione excitedly, saying, "Can you believe we get to help!"
"We could get like, a dragon o something..." Anthony's expression turned dreamy, and Hermione made a mental note to inform Hagrid that there was another dragon lover in their midst.
She laughed, "I think they're still illegal, Anthony."
His expression dropped slightly, "Damn."
They continued to discuss ideas as they walked towards the great hall, where lunch had just started. When they arrived, Hermione saw Ron waving to her from the Gryffindor table. She said goodbye to Anthony and walked over to him.
"Hey," he greeted, "why were you hanging out with Goldstein?'
"We just got called to see Dumbledore. Apparently we get to help the teachers decide how we're going to get to Beauxbatons.
"That is so cool!" Ron said to her through a mouthful of pasta.
She looked at him with slight distaste. "Yes, it is rather excellent."
"Not yet..." she laughed, "Anthony wanted a Dragon."
"Idiot," Ron said.
Hermione sighed, suddenly not hungry anymore.
XXXXXX
And then it was Sunday, and Hermione was nervous. She woke Ginny up ay the early time of 6, much to the anger of the redhead. "What Hermione?" Ginny said irritably, pushing her hair out of her eyes.
"I need you to help me find something to wear for my date with Ron!"
Ginny groaned, "Wake me at 8. Go back to sleep." She burrowed her head in her pillow.
Hermione, however, couldn't sleep, so she dedicated her time to researching magical methods of transportation. She couldn't find a single thing that would be helpful. Vanishing cabinets? Definitely not. Thestrals? No way.
She looked at her watch, and realised it was just past 8. Jumping up, she woke Ginny hastily.
The redhead gazed blearily at her before rolling out of bed. "OK," she mumbled, "We want something that looks good, but something that's still... well, you."
Hermione nodded. She had no desire to end up in one of Ginny's dresses.
"Ok, well, are you opposed to a skirt?" Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Because you totally have the legs for it."
Hermione blushed slightly. "Err, as long as it doesn't have frills."
"Right," Ginny muttered. She began pulling out various skirts.
Eventually they dressed Hermione in a high waisted black skirt that came to her knees, and a red blouse. "There. What do you think?" Ginny motioned to her reflection in the mirror.
"I guess I look okay..." Hermione frowned. She didn't look too girl, and she still recognized herself, but she still looked more feminine than usual.
"Ron will love you!" Ginny grinned. "I wish I could wear red. Stupid hair."
Hermione smiled slightly, "I'm sure you could wear red if you wanted t, Ginny..."
"Hermione, you know nothing about fashion," Ginny waved her hand casually.
Hermione grinned ruefully. "True... Well, I think we should go and have breakfast now, I'm hungry."
She rose, but Ginny grabbed her arm. "Don't be ridiculous! You can't go down there! What if Ron's there? He'll see you!"
Hermione wanted to say 'and?' but the look on Ginny's face suggested this wouldn't be a good idea.
"I'll go down and get us some toast." Ginny told her. "Be back soon."
Five minutes later, Ginny came back with a stack of toast. While they were eating it, Hermione said, "So, tell me about you and Harry."
She wasn't expecting the sad and annoyed look that came into Ginny's face. "There's nothing to tell," Ginny said shortly.
"Was it anything to do with yesterday, when I saw you two by the portrait hole?" Hermione asked hesitantly. She hated to appear nosy, but she wanted to find out what was happening with two of her best friends.
"I guess," the other girl said. Then she sighed. "Harry told me he wanted to get back together."
"Wow, that's so great!" Hermione said enthusiastically.
"No it isn't," Ginny said bitterly. "I told him no. He'll just drop me again when things get serious or something. What if he becomes an aurora, and then he dumps me because his work is too dangerous? I can't risk it."
Hermione processed her words. "I don't think that would happen," she said carefully. "I think Harry realised that he made a mistake in... putting you out of harm's way last year. He loves you."
Ginny shook her head. "Well I don't know if I can be with him anymore anyway. ' She cocked her head to the side. "Can you keep a secret?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well, I think I might like someone. Which is weird, because I've loved Harry for years." She shrugged. "Maybe it's just time to move on."
"Ginny! You and harry are perfect! You have to give him another chance! Whoever this other person is, it's just a crush! Harry is perfect for you."
Ginny shook her long red hair and sighed. "Don't you wanna know who it is?"
"No!" Hermione said immediately.
Ginny looked slightly put out. Then she checked her watch. "It's almost 10! Let's get you down to the great hall!"
Hermione and Ginny went downstairs and out the portrait hole. It was two minutes to two when they arrived at the meeting place Ron and Hermione had agreed on.
"Good luck!" Ginny gave her a quick hug before hurrying back off in the direction of the common room. Hermione stood, feeling slightly nervous, before someone cleared their throat behind her.
"Ron!" she spun around, smiling, to see him standing there, in jeans and a blue sweater, looking slightly nervous.
"Hey, 'Mione," he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Shall we go?"
She nodded, and they left the castle, following small groups of students that were down the road to Hogsmeade.
"Where shall we go first?" Ron asked. "Zonkos!" he said, before she had a chance to reply.
"Alright," she nodded, despite her feeling that a joke shop wasn't a very romantic place to go for a date.
So they went to Zonkos, and spent a most boring 20 minutes trying out new trick items, or rather, Hermione watched, while Ron tried them out.
"How about Honeydukes?" Hermione suggested, as they walked out of the joke shop.
Honeydukes was much more enjoyable, in her opinion. They tested out the new sweets range, which included everlasting gum, fudge that changed flavours, and ice cream that didn't melt.
Finally, they headed to the three broomsticks, where Ron went to get them butterbeer, and they huddled together.
"I'm err, really glad you agreed to come today, 'Mione," Ron smiled at her, blushing.
"I am too, Ronald." She smiled back.
He reached over clumsily, and grabbed her hand. His fingers were slightly clammy, and as they squeezed hers, she felt nothing.
"Well, well, isn't this touching?" came a drawling voice, and Hermione winced.
She'd so wanted to avoid him. But she turned, and there he was. Blonde hair slicked back, grey eyes glinting, and a cruel smirk playing around his mouth.
She gulped. She knew that he was not going to be the Malfoy that had said 'thank you' to her, and carried her bag. Because Ron was there. She sighed, and mentally prepared herself for the conflict.
"Malfoy, piss off," Ron's voice was immediately angry.
"Well actually," Malfoy said loudly, "Blaise and I were wondering if we could sit here."
Ron looked ready to explode. He stood up, and whipped out his wand. "Ron!" Hermione hissed. "Sit down. Stop making a scene."
"Yeah, Weasel, listen to Granger. I bet she wouldn't mind us sitting here."
Ron transferred his gaze to Hermione, "Why wouldn't you mind?"
"Let's just say Granger and I sit together a lot," Malfoy's smile was horrible. Hermione wanted to slap him. Ron stared at her, betrayal written all over his face.
"Ron, you don't know what he's talking about, it's nothing..."
"I'll see you around, Hermione." E glared at her and stood up, leaving the three broomsticks.
"Ron wait!" she cried, running after him, but he soon vanished amongst the crowds of people.
She burst into tears. She sat down outside the three broomsticks and cried, not caring that people could see her.
"Granger, don't cry," came a voice. His voice. She looked up. He was squatting beside her; his face full of... was that concern?
"Go away you stupid prick," she snapped. "I can't believe you just did that. I never want to see you in the library again. Stay away from me!" she got up and hurried away u the street.
XXXXXX
"Hermione, are you alright?" It was surprising voice.
She managed a weak smile, "Yes, Anthony, I'm fine."
"You don't look it..." he sat down next to her in the private heads lounge. "Tell me what happened."
She looked at his kind expression, and gave in. "I've kind of become friends with Draco Malfoy, and when he's by himself he kind of normal. But just now he went up to Ron and made out that we'd become really good friends, and were going behind Ron's back. Ron got really upset and angry." She laid her head on her knees.
"So you didn't tell Ron you were friends with Draco?" Anthony asked.
"Well, no, because I wasn't even sure if we were. We just sometimes talk in the library, that's all. It's not like we hang out."
"I see," he frowned. "Maybe Draco likes you, and wants to make Ron think something's going on between the two of you so that you'll break up?" Anthony was incredibly smart, Hermione knew, and if this was anyone but Malfoy, it would have been a plausible idea. But it was Malfoy.
"But I'm a mudblood," she said.
Anthony flinched, "Don't call yourself that!"
"Sorry, but you know what I meant. I mean, he's a Slytherin and I'm a muggle born... we don't exactly mix."
"True, I suppose... Well, maybe he just wants to be your friend, and is jealous of your friendship with Ron?"
That sounded feasible, she frowned, and nodded. "I guess that could be it." She pushed her hair back, "But I don't get why he even cares, he's hated me until now."
Anthony looked suddenly weary, "the war changed everything."
"Yes, it did," she agreed. "Now, what do I do about Ron?"
"There's not much you can do except tell him the truth."
"I suppose. Thanks Anthony, you've been a big help." She smiled warmly at him.
"You're welcome," he returned the smile. "On a different note, have you thought of anything for transport?"
So, I realise that I've been updating every couple of days, which for me is really fast. But I might not update till later next week, because I've been messaged about the Chuck and Blair fic I am supposed to be writing, and haven't been, due to this one. So i'll write a chapter for that, and then publish the next one for this.
Reviews are loved.
Lissa