Chapter 10

The elation of the Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw victory eased the next day as life got back to normal. Hermione had trouble maintaining her good mood. She actually missed the tournament, even though she hated it when she was there, being back in classes wasn't much better. She couldn't be bothered keeping up with who Ron and Harry were currently dating. The work wasn't engaging her and everyone else seemed to be obsessed with sex. It all just seemed so pointless.

The days passed and settled into this relentless boredom that felt completely suffocating. The girls were beyond annoying with all the giggling and gossiping. It just seemed so inane. She couldn't be bothered with it. She avoided situations where she would be drawn into such useless girly activities. Actually she avoided situations period. She had to muster the energy to answer questions put to her. If it was all the same, she would probably prefer not speaking at all.

Showers were good. They were the saving grace. Warm water washing away the bothers, pains and aches. The only breaks in the monotonous schedule. Although the schedule was everything, it told her when to sleep, eat, sit and stare at a professor, get up and move. The schedule ruled her life at the moment, it told her what to do and she could leave everything to its wisdom.

There was more noise in the populous than normal, it was the run up to the Christmas ball. Gowns, hair, makeup etc. Stuff Hermione couldn't bring herself to care about. She wasn't sure how it happened, but she was going with Reggie Halthorp. Apparently he was a Ravenclaw interested in her and somehow it had ended up that they were going together.

Hermione was a bit surprised by this development, but she didn't question it. Going to the ball was just the thing to do and it would have focused everyone's attention on her if she refused. The last thing she wanted was everyone gathering around and asking how she was. So she would go with Reggie, she would wear either the navy or yellow dress, whichever ended up being Ginny's second preference.

And then when the ball was over, then it was just a few days until Christmas. She wasn't sure how she felt about Christmas. There was a little hope in her that maybe if she was away from here, maybe she would feel better.

The ever moving schedule kept the time moving. She went to class, she went to dinner, she went to bed. Weekends were the worst. She would sneak off and sit on the hill above Hagrid's hut and stare at the other hills, but it was a luxury she couldn't afford for too long or someone would notice. Plus she would get really cold if she stayed there too long. It was just so nice and quiet. And the skin on her hands and face would burn after, when she went inside.

Ball day came. It was mayhem in the girls dorm. Hermione spent most of the day in the library, but she couldn't really focus on the books. She ended up doodling most of the day. Shortly before the ball, she went back to her dorm and put on the navy dress Ginny left behind. Her black pumps didn't quite match, but she didn't care.

Reggie met her outside of portal, like a good little dog. He chatted and Hermione tried to supply the necessary nods and smiles. Harry gave her a wave in the Great Hall, it was lit up brightly with music already playing. Harry was with Romilda Vane, which surprised Hermione. Ron was with some girl Hermione didn't know. It seemed the boys were venturing a little further afield. Whatever.

Reggie brought Hermione to the area where the Ravenclaws were. Hermione didn't mind the Ravenclaws on the whole. They were alright.

"You look lovely, Hermione." Terry Boot said. "That dress really suits you."

"Thanks." Hermione said. She was pretty sure he was clueless because the dress didn't really fit that well. "Congratulations on your clock tower, it was a good tower."

"We're not supposed to talk about the tournament here." Terry warned her.

"I know." She said. "Just saying congratulations."

"Sorry yours didn't work out."

"I'm not." She said with a snort. Terry gave her an odd look then looked around to see if anyone was watching.

"I guess it was difficult to work with the Slytherins."

"It does take some self control not to murder them." Hermione said. "It is just so tempting."

Terry laughed and then clapped her awkwardly on the back before walking off.

The dancing started and Reggie was obviously anxious so Hermione let him lead her onto the dance floor. It was a ball after all, and the schedule of the evening said it was dancing time. Can't go wrong with schedules.

Reggie had clammy hands, which was a bit disconcerting. He was relatively nice otherwise. But it was nice to get away from the clammy hand thing during the switch partner dances. Until things weren't so nice.

"Could have made an effort, Granger." Came the voice she liked the least of all. "Did you get dressed in the dark."

"I was in a hurry." She said. As always, he was immaculately groomed. His dark dress robes were too good to be showy, but there was no doubt that they were expensive and the epitome of taste. Expensive enough to present the wearer very well.

"Did you even bother to brush your hair?" He said with obvious distaste.

"Nope."

"Are you making your slobbiness some kind of statement of principle?" He asked. "Like I am too good to dress properly. Or maybe you think your mind is so impressive, you don't need to bother with such trivial matters."

Hermione didn't bother to answer. She didn't want to explain anything, least of all to him. She wasn't sure she could even if she wanted to. Ever since her first ball in forth year, she had paid meticulous attention to her ball appearance, had loved finding the perfect dress, all the girly things. She didn't generally do very girly things, but a ball was a call to exercise that part of her. But that part was now decidedly missing.

"You know me," she said, "couldn't get it together if I tried. I guess when it comes down to it, we're both guilty of that aren't we? Although for myself, I would rather come through when it actually matters. I suppose that is just how we're different, I guess I am a work horse and you're a show pony." She knew it was a cheap jibe and it certainly hit its mark because his face clouded over. "Call it principle if you like."

"Bitch." He said and gripped her tightly by the elbow, a grip that hurt. Might even leave a bruise. And then it was time to switch partners. Hermione turned away without looking back.

Hermione felt kind of lighter after that. She felt like she had off-loaded some of her awful disposition on him. He certainly didn't like being reminded of his failure. If anyone should be feeling bad, it should be him.

Hermione didn't get a chance to see him again because she left shortly after. And she felt nice and sleepy, even though it was probably only ten o'clock. She wondered if his scowly mood stayed with him. She hoped it ruined his night.

She slept through the after party and judging from the wrecks crawling into bed the next morning, it was a good one. The room smelled like stale alcohol when Hermione woke up at dawn, but it didn't matter, she went back to sleep. She didn't wake up again until lunch time and some of the girls were consoling a crying Parvati.

Obviously something had happened.

"I can't believe he's such an arsehole." One of the girls was saying. "Seriously someone should teach him a lesson."

"If he thinks I am just going to feel used, he is wrong." Parvati was saying through her tears. "Because he's a total shit."

Hermione went to the bathroom and ran into Ginny there.

"Good night?" Ginny said.

"Alright." Hermione said.

"I didn't see you much."

"Kept it pretty low key. What's up with Parvati?" Hermione asked.

"She spent the night with Blaise Zabini." Ginny said. "They... you know. And then he kicked her out."

Hermione nodded as she absorbed the news. "Really, what did she expect?"

"Its a pretty shitty thing to do." Ginny said.

"Since when did Slytherins do thing any other way?"

"True." Ginny said. "But he was laying on the charm last night and he can be very charming when he wants to."

"How could she have been so stupid for fall for it?" Hermione asked.

"She wouldn't be the first." Ginny said. "Probably won't be the last either."

The news of Blaise's conquest was all over the school the next morning. The Slytherins were in high spirits. Even Malfoy was enjoying the house victory. The very public and cruel humiliation of Parvati.

Why does he look so pleased? Hermione thought as she watched Malfoy, he didn't do anything. Since when was humiliating a girl a team sport. Before long, Malfoy noticed her attention and his happy mood seemed to seep away. Hermione hated him, hated all of them. They kept their staring contest up for a while, until Harry plonked himself down in her line of sight.

"I had a fantastic night." Harry said. "You look serious."

"Just thinking about how badly we're going to bitch-slap the Slytherins in the next challenge."

"That's the spirit." Harry said happily.