Today is it. Today is the day I, Hermione Jane Granger, will go on my first real date. Ever.
That's right, folks. I've never been asked out on an actual date before. And my first real date will be with Ernie Macmillan. Ugh.
Don't get me wrong. I actually like the guy. He's sweet and kind. It's just that, well, I envisioned my first date being with someone who would whisk me away in some dramatic, yet hopelessly romantic sort of way. Ernie hardly seems like the type.
But, I do like Ernie. We have so much in common. Reading, education, things of the like. We're both Heads, so that must count for something, right?
When he asked me out, it only seemed logical I say yes, and so I did. And now, I'm scared shitless. I think I needed the involvement of one meddling, fire-haired friend of mine. I needed Ginny.
But I made a silent promise to myself that I wouldn't involve her. But that was when it first happened, and I felt like I had no support from her. I was just being too harsh on the poor girl. She deserved to be with me for this huge milestone in my life.
Which was why I was standing outside the Gryffindor common room, talking nervously with the fat lady. I didn't want to go in there because I knew how Ginny would react. She'd squeal with delight, clap her hands excitedly, and rant forever about how she always wanted to give me a makeover. And I was dreading it.
After enough time was wasted, I mumbled the password to the fat lady and gained entrance. I spotted Ginny conversing with Neville by the fire and immediately sauntered over to her.
"Sorry to interrupt," I said to the two, "but I really need to talk to you, Ginny," I directed the last part towards the girl.
She looked at me contemplatively for a moment before she finally said, "I was wondering when you were going to ask me."
And with that, she grabbed my hand silently ushered me up the girls' dormitory stairs. As soon as she opened the door, she scrambled about the room, grabbing random objects from the oddest places.
"When are you meeting him?" she asked distractedly.
"Errr… at 7:00 outside the front gates. We're going to Hogsmeade. He got us special permission from Dumbledore."
"What?!" Ginny exclaimed, hand outstretched under the bed. "But, 'Mione! It's only 5:30!"
"Plenty of time, right?" I asked tentatively.
"For you? Certainly not!"
"And what's that supposed to mean?!" I asked angrily.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut it! I didn't mean it like that!"
She pushed me down onto her bed so that I was sitting on the edge. She stared at me for a moment before concluding, "I've got some work cut out for me."
At precisely 6:45, Ginny made some last-minute touch-ups to my makeup before stepping back a little. I watched nervously as she tilted her head slightly and scrutinized my appearance. Finally, she nodded her approval and said, "Malfoy won't know what hit him."
I gaped at her confused. "Malfoy?" I asked. "No. I'm meeting Ernie Macmillan. We have a date tonight."
"What?! How come you never told me this?!"
I shrugged. "You never asked." I paused, unsure. "Why would you think all this was for Malfoy?"
Ginny grinned wickedly. "Just something that happened yesterday. Besides, I just see something you don't, that's all." Did whatever happen yesterday be the reason why I couldn't find her? I asked myself. I shrugged it off. There were bigger fish to fry!
If she was thinking I like Malfoy, she was surely mistaken. Well, okay, she wasn't. But, I was going for the whole denial thing.
"I haven't given you any reason whatsoever to assume I like Malfoy!"
Her grin broadened. "I didn't say you did."
"You implied it!"
"I didn't mean to. That's not what I meant, anyway."
"Well then, exactly what did you mean?!"
"Nothing," she chuckled, "nothing at all. Have fun on your date!" she then proceeded to shove me from the room.
From there on out, I was on my own. And I was nervous as hell. As I stumbled my way through the corridors, my stomach twisted and constricted itself into knots.
I shouldn't have been that nervous. It was just Ernie, right? It should have been a piece of cake.
I tried to compose myself as I walked across the grounds. I could already see Ernie's outline by the gates. As I got closer, I realized his back was facing me and the hood of his cloak was pulled up, blocking the cold wind.
I thought he noticed my presence because his body went rigid, so I figured I'd make myself known.
"Uh, hi," I said lamely.
He turned around, and because of the cloak, and the darkness, all I could see was his silver orbs staring back at me.
Does Ernie have gray eyes? I haven't noticed before, I thought to myself.
"Evening, mudblood," he commented harshly. I gasped. Thoughts of cruel pranks flashed in my mind before I realized Ernie would never call me that.
"M-Malfoy?" I questioned. It had to be. Who else casually calls me mudblood? But… what was he doing out here?
"In the flesh. So, what?" he lifted his hood and threw it back, sneering. "Finally giving up on Hogwarts? Decided to leave forever, did you?"
"Never," I breathed. "And it's none of your business what I'm doing out here!"
Just as I got heated up, glaring daggers at Malfoy, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to come face to face with Ernie.
"Hey," I said shyly.
"Hello, Miss Granger," Ernie replied formally, shaking my hand. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah," I said meekly, and silently, we left Malfoy in our wake as we walked towards Hogsmeade.
"Fine evening," Ernie said conversationally as we walked side by side.
"It's a bit chilly," I said, hugging my cloak closer to myself.
"Well, I love the cold," Ernie said, adjusting his cloak so a breeze went through it. Why doesn't he just give the cloak to me then? Do guys even do that still? I wondered.
And just like that, we had nothing to say.
Luckily, we reached our destination shortly afterwards. It was a cute, little restaurant, nothing too fancy. It had a reputation for being a "couples only" facility, though. So, naturally, I've never stepped foot inside the establishment before.
We removed or cloaks and put them in the cloakroom on the side of the entrance.
"Reservations for two," Ernie told the hostess, "under the name Macmillan comma Ernest."
The hostess, whose nametag read Melody, scrolled her bony finger down a list in front of her. After a moment, she stiffened, stuck her nose in the air, and squeaked, "Right this way."
She led us to a quaint table where we sat across from each other and looked at the menu in awkward silence. Melody returned to her post by the door, leaving the two of us alone.
"Have you been here before?" I asked.
"Yes, plenty of times." Sure, I thought sarcastically, rub it in my face.
But, instead, I asked, "What do you recommend?"
"No worries," he began, "I shall order for us both."
I didn't know what to think. I mean, I always thought men ordering for women was controlling and sexist. But, it was my first date. Ever.
So, I decided to let it slide. When our waiter came over, who was rather fine by the way, Ernie ordered himself a steak with mashed potatoes and me, a Cesar salad.
Did I mention I hate lettuce? Go figure. I asked the waiter for lemon pepper salmon instead.
He walked away and Ernie rounded on me. "I thought I said I'd order." He wasn't angry, just surprised, I guess.
"I hate lettuce," I said, laughing lightly.
He laughed too. I glanced around the room and realized every single table was full.
Popular place, I decided.
Ernie and I made small talk for a moment before Melody came to stand by our table. "I hate to interrupt," she said, though I knew she didn't care either way, "but we somehow had a mix-up with reservations." She shifted her eyes and I immediately knew she was lying. "And your table seems big enough, and we double booked. So," she hesitated, "so, would it be alright if another couple joined you this evening?"
I opened my mouth to tell her no, when Ernie beat me to it. "Of course, it's fine." He smiled slightly and winked at Melody.
My eyes narrowed.
"Great!" she once again returned to her post. I watched her walk away for a moment before rounding on Ernie.
"Are you insane?" I whisper. "What about our privacy? It's our first date, after all."
Ernie's smile disappeared. "Relax, 'Mione. It'll be fine. You won't even know they're there."
"Don't call me 'Mione," I said rather harshly. He threw his arms up in surrender. "Sorry," I began, "I was angry. I didn't mean to be cruel."
"It's okay," he smiled at me, one in which I returned.
Just then, Melody returned to our table and set two more chairs down. After some rearranging, Ernie and I were side by side. It was a good thing too because the hunkalicious waiter returned with our food. And I was starving.
We tucked in, awkwardly smiling at one another while chewing. Why does this seem so forced? I wondered.
"So…" I began.
"Oh, don't tell me!" Ernie threw his hands in the air. Needless to say, I was confused.
"What?" I asked.
"Guess who's joining us," Ernie said loathingly while staring behind me.
"Who?" I turned around.
"We meet again, mudblood," Draco Malfoy smirked before pulling out the chair beside Ernie for his date, Romilda Vane.
I glared, but only because I just then realized Ernie didn't do that for me. And then secondly, I realized just why Melody seemed to be lying. Malfoy probably just paid her under the table to squeeze them in because he didn't make a reservation. Typical.
Malfoy sat between Romilda and me, instantly putting his arm around her. She scooted her chair closer and snuggled into the crook of his arm.
I chose to ignore them. After all, I was on my first date. Ever. Remember? I turned my back on Malfoy and looked at Ernie expectantly.
"Have you read Hogwarts, A History yet?" he asked.
My eyes lit up and we immersed into a lengthy conversation about the books we have read. I knew there was a reason I say yes to this date.
"And at the end of Dangerous Disasters of Dennis Dunn, the author not only makes two grammatical errors, but he ends the books with 'nucking futz!' What does that mean?" he chuckled good naturedly, and I laughed along with him, not wanting to ruin the moment by pointing out that the author probably did it on purpose.
Things were going good, not great, but good until I heard an odd sound from behind me. At first, I ignored it, but when it continued, I gave in to my curiosity, and I turned around.
Malfoy was swapping spit with Romilda. I didn't even recall hearing them say one word to each other!
"Ugh. I've lost my appetite. Care to join me in a walk?" I asked Ernie.
"Sure. I'm full anyway." We got up to pay Melody for our meal.
As Ernie was paying, I took a glance at our table.
Malfoy was still kissing Romilda. Only, his eyes were open and were staring right at me. He smirked and brought Romilda even closer to him. I rolled my eyes and walked straight out the door to wait for Ernie outside. He appeared a moment later.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied, and then, "No. I forgot my cloak."
"I will wait for you." I looked at him pleadingly. I was vaguely aware of the fact that he had his cloak on already. "What?" he asked in indignation.
I sighed. "Nothing. I'll be right back." I headed inside the restaurant and quickly headed to the cloakroom. I grabbed mine and turned to leave, but I couldn't help but look at the table again.
And what did I see?
Malfoy was literally pushing Romilda away from him as she desperately tried to cling to him. He looked so disgusted with her, it made me all warm inside. I told myself it was just because it served Malfoy right for leading Romilda on like that.
I headed towards the door, and for a reason unbeknownst to me, I was smiling like a mad banshee.
