It was hard to believe that it was only the second day of term considering so much had happened. Hermione turned over onto her side to face the door. She was so angry with McGonagall for making her do this stupid dance and even worse, she wasn't allowed to tell anyone about it. Not even Harry or Ron. McGonagall had expressed clearly that the house unity dance was to remain a surprise and that in the selecting-basin contract embodied secrecy to the event. A thought had struck her in the night: what about her leg? Surely, she was injured and couldn't take part? Yes, even Hermione admitted that her leg was practically as good as new now and the medicine was only precautionary, but McGonagall didn't know that. She was going to find her this morning and tell her.
It was the very fact that Malfoy was her partner that made her so unhappy to take part. He was so vile and cruel – how was it morally right to place them together – considering what he had called her in the past? But Malfoy's reaction made hers look mediocre. She had never seen such anger, frustration or embarrassment on his face. The second they were allowed to go he shot out of the Great Hall and out of sight. His behaviour was so odd. It had only just struck Hermione that she hated him. She really did. The only person who she could confide in was Neville, and so she did that morning down in the common room before breakfast.
"I can't believe this." She started, sitting down into an armchair.
"I feel sorry for you..." said Neville, looking concerned. "I mean, Malfoy, of all people…"
"Tell me about it. I don't think I can do this Neville. I'm going to speak to McGonagall. Don't look at me like that – you're fine! You're with Hannah!"
"But I thought we were doing this together!" Neville cried.
"Well you aren't partnered with Mr. I-hate-mudbloods-lets-make-Granger's-life-a-misery! So-"
"What's this?" Ron had sat down between them.
"Oh…nothing." Hermione said quietly, anger bubbling within.
"What was that meeting about last night?"
"Extra transfiguration lessons."
"What, just for you two?"
"No – a few others."
This seemed to satisfy Ron as he dropped the subject and suggested they all went to breakfast, which they did. The Great Hall was as packed as ever. Hermione spotted McGonagall at the staff table – she would go and see her after she had eaten something. As she was eating her toast she absent-mindedly scanned the Slytherin table, but Draco wasn't there. Strange. She thought.
With that thought just processing in her brain, she glimpsed McGonagall rise from the table.
"Hey, where are you going!?" Ron called as Hermione slipped out from the bench.
She didn't answer but headed towards McGonagall.
"Professor-" she breathed.
"Miss Granger?"
"Professor, I was thinking, about the meeting yesterday."
"Go on."
Hermione seemed to stumble on her words.
"Well, I was wondering why you chose me to take part. What with my leg and everything-"
"You mean your injured leg?"
"Well…yes."
"Miss Granger I had spoken to Madam Pomfrey beforehand and she assured me that your leg was in good enough condition to dance. In fact, she said that exercise would do it good."
Hermione stood motionless. This is not what she had hoped for.
"Was there anything else?" McGonagall continued, looking bemused.
Hermione shook her head.
"Well, I look forward to seeing you tonight then."
"Tonight, Professor?"
"Yes, didn't you get the message? I asked Longbottom to tell you?"
"No…" she answered. She had a feeling this wasn't going to be good news.
"Well, there is another meeting tonight – well more of a practice really – for the eight of you. In here at six-thirty. No exceptions." And with that, she brushed past Hermione and out of the Great Hall.
Hermione hadn't thought about the actual dancing with Malfoy. But now, her mind made sure it was all she thought about all day. The thought that they had to hold hands and 'waltz' together made her skin crawl. And it was this thought that dominated her mind still as she made her way to the Great Hall once again with Neville that night.
Determined to improve their status with McGonagall, they had arrived twenty minutes early – they were not the only ones: it seemed that Lucinda and Michael had had the same idea.
Professor McGonagall was not alone however: a witch and wizard Hermione didn't recognise accompanied her. They weren't Hogwarts students, nor were they Professors. McGonagall made a point of not giving the slightest hint about their identity until all the students arrived.
Soon after herself and Neville had arrived, Hannah and Nate had joined them, followed by Daphne. Malfoy was no-where to be seen.
With one minute to go, his pale face appeared from behind the doors and he walked into the Great Hall, obviously aware of the many eyes upon him. His gaze remained focused on the floor as McGonagall began to speak.
"Thank you all for being here again this evening. As you are aware, this is the first official dance practice in preparation for the Yule Ball."
Hermione's stomach lurched.
"Now, I would like to introduce you to some friends of mine." She gestured towards the witch and wizard beside her.
"First of all I would like you to meet Laurella Fitz." Laurella stepped forward into the light and Hermione couldn't help by notice how pretty she was. She had long dark hair that lay flat against her back and piercing green eyes. She turned and glanced at Nate, Michael and Neville, who all seemed to be transfixed.
"Hi guys, as Professor McGonagall pointed out, my name is Laurella and I will be helping you all learn to dance." She had a Newcastle accent and her voice echoed beautifully throughout the room.
"I was at Hogwarts myself when I was younger – in Gryffindor – but now I partly own a dance school for young wizards and witches near Diagon Alley." She smiled and stepped back into the shadows as McGonagall beamed and stepped forward to replace her.
"Thank you Laurella – and may I introduce to you all, Jordan Crista."
The second figure stepped forward to reveal Jordan. Hermione saw Daphne Greengrass's eyes almost pop out of her head.
'Thank you Professor." Jordan said. He had thick, blonde hair that was swept back off his face, where his features were distinct and beautiful. His eyes were a brilliant blue. Hermione was fully prepared to admit that he was extremely handsome.
"My name is Jordan and I also came to Hogwarts as a child – I was in Hufflepuff – and now I work as an events manager. Within this job, I organize and choreograph dances and events – such as the Veela display at the Quidditch World Cup. It's a pleasure to be here." He smiled and stepped back to join Laurella.
"Now, if you will find your dance partner, we will begin."
