Author's Note: Thanks to all who read the last chapter... Anyway, here's the 8th chapter... I've been very busy with schoolwork so it has really been a long time. Enjoy! )
"I can't believe this is happening!" I said. "This is so not me!"
"Not you?" I heard Harry.
"I need to calm down. No need to worry. No need to panic." I said, continuously.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked.
"I forgot all about it!" I blurted out. "I don't have a partner! No partner, no trip. That's what I heard from Professor McGonagall. What am I gonna do? Help me, guys"
Chapter 8
Ron broke out with laughter after what Hermione just said. He probably thought Hermione was kidding around. Hermione wished she was but unfortunately, she was dead serious and it took Ron a minute before he got the picture and stopped laughing.
"Ahem," Ron said. "I thought you were... well... uhmmm... anyway, sorry."
Tears came flowing down Hermione's cheeks from her troubled eyes. Surely, Ron had to admit Hermione was a bit overreacting. But hey, he wouldn't know what he'd do if he's in Hermione's feet. He tried to comfort Hermione but to no avail, and as expected, he failed.
"Don't worry Hermione, we'll find someone." Ron assured her.
"After all, we still have an hour before our Transfiguration class. One hour's more than enough to find you a partner, right? We'll help you. Don't worry." Harry said. "Any specifications you want with your partner?"
"Anyone available. If anyone would be..." Hermione said. "I'm so stupid!"
"No Hermione, you're not. You're one of the smartest witch I have ever known. This could happen to anyone. Right, Ron?" Harry said, waiting for Ron to back him up.
"Yeah, 'Mione. This could've happened to anyone." Ron said, a little uneasy. Okay, so hold the little. Ron was too uneasy he couldn't make a fly believe what he just said. And with that, Hermione felt even more down. She loathed the fact that she failed to do something important. She felt even more stupid than before and cried even more. She was now getting attention from other students around them. Hermione didn't give a damn about what other people thought.
"Don't worry. We'll help you. But first, let's get you to the rest room." Ron said. "Fix yourself."
When Hermione got out of the rest room, she already stopped crying.
"Okay, so now that you're fixed, let's get you a partner." Harry said.
The three started with the group of 7th year Gryffindor walking along the corridor. They asked each one of them if they already have partners for the upcoming trip. Seamus already had one. Lavender and Parvati were partners. Even Neville had a partner. Hermione was now losing hope. But of course, Harry and Ron didn't give up. They went inside the Gryffindor common room. They asked each and every 7th year Gryffindor they saw. They all answered the same thing. They all had a partner. Hermione asked the last Gryffindor in sight. But no, she already had a partner. Hermione flopped onto one of the couches. Clearly, Hermione lost all hope. But Harry and Ron cheered her up. They persuaded Hermione not to give up. They then tried other 7th years from other houses. They tried Lisa from Ravenclaw along with Terry who both had partners already. They also tried some of their good friends from Hufflepuff. They tried Hannah and Susan. They also tried Justin. They all had partners already. Hermione, Ron and Harry were all exhausted. Hermione plainly gave up, thanking Harry and Ron for their utmost help. A group of Slytherin students passed by. The three looked at each other.
"Nah... Slytherin's not an option." Hermione blurted out.
"We're sorry 'Mione. There's no time left to find your partner. It's already Transfiguration. In fact, I don't think we'll even make there on time. I'm sure we're late." Ron said.
"Really, Hermione. Sorry." Harry said. Hermione knew both his best friends felt bad about the incident but no one in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would feel worse than Hermione Granger. Yes, she's Muggle born and she's used to the environment. But the feeling's different when you're with your friends.
"But look on the bright side." Ron blurted out. "At least you won't have to deal with a person like me for a whole week."
Obviously, Ron was trying to cheer Hermione up. But Hermione was having a hard time processing Ron's jest. She continued walking until she reached her class.
Hermione's mind was traveling the whole Transfiguration period. She was playing with her now tamed hair. Before she knew it, the class was over. The paper Professor McGonagall gave them to write down their partner last seminar was still on Hermione's hand. All the students, except for Hermione, already left. She stayed. That is so she can talk to Professor McGonagall about her little problem.
"Professor..." Hermione started as she drew near Professor McGonagall. "I have this problem with regards to the exposure trip. Is there, by any chance, a way for a student to be allowed to join the exposure trip if he or she doesn't have a partner?"
"Rules are rules, Granger. I see no possibility." Professor McGonagall said. "Why do you ask?"
"I think you already know, Professor." Hermione muttered.
Professor McGonagall already got Hermione's point. "I'm sorry Ms. Granger."
"So does this mean I can't go to the trip?"
"Only if you don't get a partner until the day of the exposure trip. But if, in any way, you get yourself a partner, you're still welcome to join."
"But I've already asked every person I know. They all had partners already." Hermione answered back.
"Does your partner have to be someone you know?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Are you going to be picky with your partner? 'Cause I could help you get a partner, if you want."
"Really? Are you sure? I promise I won't be picky. Anyone's fine. As long as I could come to the trip, anyone's fine. Thanks professor." Hermione grinned with a gleam of hope on her face.
"I don't want you expecting good news from me, okay? But I'll definitely try my best to find your lucky partner."
Hermione couldn't stop smiling. She had hope. And for now, that's good enough to make her happy. "Thanks again, Professor. Thanks."
Hermione left the room and went straight to her room in the special common room. She changed her robes into her usual shirt and shorts outfit that she usually wear at home. She looked through her schedule. She stared at the mark that said 'Trip'.
'It's tomorrow?' Hermione said to herself. 'Didn't realize that... I have to be calm. Professor's helping me out. I have faith in her...'
She wrote a quick note to Harry and had an owl send it for her. There she wrote:
Harry,
Professor McGonagall's helping me find a partner. I now have a possibility to join the trip. I'm sensing Professor already found me a partner. Do pray for me. Thanks!
Mione
PS- Tell Ron about it too.
Hermione thought of things to bring in the trip in case she gets to have a partner. She listed everything up in a piece of paper and muttered a charm that packed all the things for her. In less than a minute, a bag was placed in front of her full of the things she'd need for the exposure trip. Hermione really is expecting good news from Professor McGonagall.
After all that, Hermione went out of her room. And the same time she headed out, Draco did the same thing. They almost crashed onto each other.
"Watch out Granger!" Draco shouted.
"You watch out!" Hermione said, the same level as Draco's voice.
Draco didn't say anything but pushed Hermione aside.
"How rude!" Hermione bellowed. "So much YOU!"
"Yeah, like I care." Draco said, walking away. He looked like he was in a hurry.
Hermione didn't try to answer back. He wouldn't be listening anyway... That person. She never loathed anyone as much as him before. She never even knew a person of those characteristics would ever exist.
She went straight to the sofa near the fireplace. She wondered when was the last time she fancied the beauty of that special common room.
'It's all because of that stupid ferret.' Hermione thought. 'He drained out all the beauty and turned it into something ugliculous. Ugliculous... I don't even know what that means. I'm not even sure if there's a word such as that. But I imagine that's exactly what he turned this common room to be.'
- - - -
- Hermione's POV -
When I woke up, the first thing I saw was the fireplace. I figured I fell asleep at the sofa. I closed my eyes once again. I still am craving for a good night's sleep. I heard footsteps coming from somewhere near me, I just wasn't sure exactly where. Then, I smelled a manly scent. Like that of Malfoy's. Urgh! Hate that smell! Well, not actually the smell... 'Cause it smells good. But having to smell that would mean he's near me. That's why I hate it! I slowly opened my eyes. Everything's still a bit of a blur but I saw Malfoy's figure a bit clearer with every second that passed by.
"Now awake?" he said, smiling.
I know he's up to something. 'What could it be?' I asked myself.
I just gave him a back-off stare. He also stared back at me. Well, not exactly at me. I followed his stare and realized he was looking at my legs! Take note: with a mocking smile on his face! Urgh! I fell asleep on the sofa with just the shirt and shorts on me!
"Fair enough..." he started. "They look nice..."
Was it just me or did he really managed to make his voice even more irritating than the usual? I immediately stood up and went to my room. I took a shower and did my daily routine. It's just that now, I didn't wear my robes... Nor the shirt and short thingy... I wore casual clothes. Shirt, jeans and sweater. I went down the stairs and saw Malfoy was still there. He flashed me a smile.
"No kidding, they really look good..." he said, mockingly.
"Thanks." I muttered sarcastically, heading towards the door that would lead me outside the common room. At whatever time, really, that Malfoy never runs out of something to say. I hate him! I hate him to the core!
Anyway, today's the day. The Muggle Exposure Trip. I went straight to Professor McGonagall's office.
"Good morning, Professor. Any news?"
"I see you're expecting good news?" she said.
"You can tell?" I said.
"By your clothing, yes." she answered. "You prepared for this trip already? Even though you're not sure if you're going to be able to join?"
"Uhmm... You know, just in case..." I said, with a sheepish smile.
"That's good. Because you do have a partner. I go one for you. Frankly, I didn't think I'd find one but here I am telling you you do have a partner." Professor McGonagall said, smiling. "Actually, it wasn't me who found you a partner. It was Snape. But it doesn't matter. Anyway, we'll just have to wait for his presence for Snape told him to come here first thing in the morning so the two of you could meet. Snape didn't know you were the one who didn't have a partner so he wasn't able to tell his student who his partner will be."
Just a few seconds after Professor said that, the door opened and guess what?
"Good morning, Professor." Malfoy said.
Author's Note: I know many people are complaining with my tenses. I'm really sorry if I have mistakes. I'm really trying my best to improve. Well, anyway, thanks for the comments and I do hope you still read and review this chapter... Thanks a lot!
