Chapter 10: Rolling Out the Welcome Mat
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything! And by the way I want to thank all my reviewers! Thanks so much, guys for hanging in there while I had writer's block and all that good stuff! Here's the newest!
A/N: Sorry for the confusion: in this chappie Hermione is in her 2nd year at Hogwarts.
"See you later Ced" Hermione smiled as she gave him a hug. This of course drew the attention of most of the students and staff in the hall. "Hello everyone" Hermione smiled and waved giving Cedric a sideways look. He looked shocked! "Ced, you alright?" Hermione asked for good measure. He nodded and stalked quickly towards his house table, where his friends were waiting. Hermione smiled and walked over to where Harry and Draco were sitting with the twins, Lee, and Ron. "So Hermione, you and Cedric huh?" Lee asked with raised eyebrows. Hermione just smiled and nodded. "Well good job, he's nice enough for you" Lee whispered in her ear. "Thanks Lee" Hermione smiled.
"Before we begin our feast let us welcome our new first years" Dumbledore began and waved to where all the small first years were standing off to the side being soothed by Professor McGonagall. "Up first…" McGonagall began and by that time Hermione tuned her out until she heard the name Weasley. "Last Ginerva Weasley" McGonagall called causing Hermione to wolf-whistle. "Ms. Black please" McGonagall pleaded. "Sorry Professor" Hermione smiled dazzlingly making the older witch smile. Ginny smiled at the exchange and walked slowly up the stairs. "Another Weasley?! Tell me dear girl are you the last? Please I ask of you! Now, now down to business. You dearest girl are brave at heart but weak on the surface. You rely heavily on those around you, and try to act like what your not. You will stop at nothing to protect those you love, and those they love. I shall place you in… GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat cried through the echoing hall. The cheer that erupted out of the Gryffindor's was lead by none other than Hermione Black. Gin smirked, relieved, and skipped towards the awaiting seat beside her best friend. "Congrats Gin" Hermione whispered as she embraced the younger girl. "Thanks" Ginny whispered back and turned her attention towards Dumbledore as he cleared his throat to speak of the feast. "Oh Ginny I knew you'd be in Gryffindor!" Elise hollered as she ran over and jumped on both Ginny and Hermione as they walked into the Common Room. "Elise! I missed you so much! Where have you been?" Hermione asked as she held Elise at an arms length to inspect her changes. "Hermione you saw me a month ago!" Elise laughed. "I know but where have you been?! You look fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed as she squeezed her friend again. "Well I went on vacation with my mum and we went on a cruise around to the American border and well I think you can guess the rest!" Elise laughed. "Oh Merlin! You look absolutely AMAZING!" Hermione all but screamed. "No now I look like somebody who's pretty enough to hang out with you" Elise said with her eyes downcast. "Elise, you know that's not true. You are the nicest and quite frankly the prettiest girl I've ever met! So if anybody ever tries to tell you differently you just tell me and I'll beat them to a pulp!" Hermione exclaimed as she hugged Elise again. "Thanks Hermione" Elise sighed as she, Ginny and Hermione walked over to the couch in the now deserted common room and started talking. "Hey guys, sorry Cedric said he had prefect duties tonight and asked if I wanted to come with him, so I gotta go" Hermione exclaimed as she jumped off the couch. "Okay just be prepared to tell us everything" Elise said with a knowing smirk. "Yeah, yeah" Hermione waved it off as she hopped out of the portrait hole and into the darkness of the cold stone walls. "Cedric?" She whispered breaking the eerie silence. "Hey baby" He whispered as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "What are we doing tonight?" Hermione asked as she kissed his cheek. "Well I wanted some company while I walked around checking to make sure all the students were in bed" Cedric answered with a shrug. "Okay, but wouldn't we be breaking the rules?" Hermione asked with a smirk. "Yes, but I love a girl who breaks the rules" He whispered making her shiver. "Come on lover boy let's patrol the halls" She said with sarcasm dripping off her tone.
When Hermione finally got back into her dorm it was almost 12:30. "Bloody hell" She muttered as she changed into her pajamas. After she was all tucked in nice and warm she began to wonder about her day as she drifted towards lala land. After she finished patrolling the halls with Ced she came back to the rude awakening of telling Elise and Ginny every small thing in excruciating detail. "Can't wait for the other things to describe" she muttered to herself as she lost consciousness.
The next day was, thankfully, Saturday. "Hermione, Hermione GET UP!" Elise exclaimed as she shook Hermione. "WHAT?!" Hermione snapped in the general direction of Elise. "Cedric's waiting in the Common Room for you, Fred and George let him in" Elise explained. "That's nice, TELL HIM TO GO AWAY!" Hermione screamed into her pillow. "No, now get up and get dressed!" Elise sighed as she yanked her friend out of bed. Hermione grumbled and muttered all the way down to the common room.
"Hermione!" Cedric's face lit up as he saw the little witch stumble down the stairs. He jumped up and hugged her tightly. "Lousy git" She muttered as she plopped down on an overstuffed chair, eyes threatening to close once again. "So 'Mione what do you want for your birthday this year?" Draco asked. "Mmhm" Hermione groaned waving her hand in a flopping motion. "Hermione?" Harry asked. There was no response from the small witch. "Hermione?" He tried again only a little louder. Still no response. "She's asleep, shall we get breakfast?" Cedric asked knowing Hermione would likely kill the next person to wake her up. The boys and Ginny and Elise all nodded and walked towards the portrait hole. They stopped suddenly as it flew open to reveal…
A/N: Sorry it's short and for the cliffie! I'll update if I get enough reviews! I mean, I'll update anyways but I'll update sooner if you guys review!