Chapter Ten – We Lay Our Scene Part I
'For one kiss – everything. Yes, I'd do anything...
anything for you.'
- Oliver The Musical (From the Song: 'I'd Do Anything')
Hermione Delacour is wedged in between Terry Boot and Michael Corner in her Transfiguration class. It has been a few weeks since the Champions for the Triwizard tournament had begun; they were set to compete in their First task any day now. Hermione is angry at herself for still not being able to get Draco Malfoy alone without his cronies; but lately he's never been without Zabini. If those boys didn't have certain reputations, you'd think that they're in love! Hermione thinks.
'Miss Delacour! Are you listening? I am about to make an exciting announcement before you and your classmates leave this room. One in which I'm sure you will be interested in.' McGonagall snapped. Although McGonagall wasn't very expressive in her facial expression, Hermione knew by the older witch's slight stare that she was mad at her for daydreaming.
'Yes, Professor.' Hermione answered and focused now. A feminine tut was heard from behind her as McGonagall always seemed to "forget" to take house points from Hermione, for anything. Hermione Delacour was McGonagall's favourite pupil after all and it's a well-known fact to everyone that the older witch, who gave Hermione the title of "Brightest Witch of Her Age", is disappointed that Hermione was Sorted in Ravenclaw rather than Gryffindor.
'Good. As I was about to say, it was suggested by a fellow student who wishes to remain anonymous that the school should have a special celebration to mark not only the end of the year but also to celebrate the completion of the Triwizard tournament….' Yeah because the only good thing that will come out of the Triwizard tournament is when it ends, and we never have to think about it again. This particular student suggested we put on a play, for not only our school, but for Beauxbatons and St. Drumstrang students as well, to celebrate their coming to Hogwarts and show them how truly great we are. All students not taking part in the tournament may audition regardless of their year group. All years of Hogwarts students can audition, yes Miss Delacour?' McGonagall stops as she sees Hermione's hand rise.
Hermione lowers her hand as she starts speaking: 'Excuse me, Professor McGonagall, but what play would we be performing?'
'A very appropriate question, as always, Miss Delacour. Fifteen points to Ravenclaw.' McGonagall says with a kind smile directed at Hermione.
'She gives Delacour points for literally anything.' Hannah Abbott mutters to Susan Bones and Ernie MacMillan from the seats behind Hermione. Whilst Susan Bones said nothing, Ernie just looked at her like she was being ridiculous.
'She is the Brightest Witch of Our Age, Hannah.' Ernie objects in Hermione's defensive. Hermione smiles at him kindly which causes Ernie to turn pink.
'To answer your question: the play we shall be performing at the end of the year is William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I sincerely hope you will audition for the main role Miss Delacour. Professor Burbage will be around in Muggle Studies should anyone have anymore questions. Now please, go to your next classes before you're late!' McGonagall dismissed them and Hermione had never felt more excited. McGonagall also handed them copies of Shakespeare's play on their way out of the classroom.
The play that taught me English to be performed at Hogwarts! Oh wow, I can't wait to tell Angelica; she'll be so happy for me. Screw the Triwizard Tournament, this is my time to shine! Hermione thinks as she skips down the hallways.
'Woah, slow down Mione!' Terry says from behind her, he and Michael jogging to keep up. Hermione beams as she sees Theo approach her. She practically floats into Theo's warm embrace.
'Oh Theo, have you heard? It's so wonderful!' Hermione says as she tightens her arms around his tanned neck.
'Heard what, beloved?' Theo asks.
'About the play, oh I'm ever so excited! We are doing Romeo & Juliet at the end of the year! Oh, please Precious Theo, please, please, please say you'll be my Romeo?'
'I wish to be whatever you want me to me, my dove, but I am no actor.' Theo says to her. Disappointment washes over Hermione's face.
'But Theo won't you do this? For me?' Hermione asks. Theo kisses her softly: it felt like warm water on Hermione's lips.
'I'll do anything you ask of me, beloved.' Theo tells her honestly. 'But right now, please forgive me, but I must get to class.' Hermione leans in to give him a more prolonged kiss, thinking rightly that he couldn't and more importantly wouldn't resist her.
'Thank you, Theo.' Hermione says, and he brushes his lips to hers once more before dashing off.
'Thank God that's over. One more minute of watching that idiot slobber all over your lovely face and I would have -' Michael couldn't finish his sentence as Terry elbowed him to shut him up.
Hermione just give a lilting golden sort of laugh: 'Oh Michael. There's no need to be jealous. I still care for you.' She tells him and kisses both of Michael's cheeks. Michael grins at her and she grins back.
'Hey Hermione, hey guys.' Harry says as he walks past.
'What do you want, Potter?' Michael demands.
'Mikey! There's no reason to be like that towards Harry!' Hermione chastises and embraces Harry. He returns her embrace by placing his head in the crook of her neck. 'Harry, sweet, sweet, Harry, do you have a class now?' Hermione asks, laying the compliments on thicker than usual, to get what she wants.
'No, why?'
'Please, pretty please, will you rehearse Romeo and Juliet with me?' Hermione almost pleads. She tries to mould her face into that of an adorable abandoned kitten.
Harry thinks for a mere second: 'Of course, Mione. Anything for you. I mean – no one wants to hang out with me anymore besides you anyway.' Hermione's eyes and lips smile up at him as she hugs him again.
'It won't always be like this Harry – after this stupid tournament – people will love you again, just like I do.'
'Of course, Mione. Anything for you.'
Harry Potter suddenly couldn't think of a more idiotic thing he'd ever said to Hermione. He had just accomplished his biggest fear and blurted out how he felt about his best friend. He's in the library reciting the most romantic verses in muggle history and she's completely oblivious to how its affecting him. It's everything Harry wants and everything he doesn't want all at the same time. He wants her to look at him like she looks at Theodore every day now, but he doesn't want to go right ahead and ruin everything they've ever had together.
They were fast friends from the minute he had stood up to Malfoy and defended Hermione Delacour and Terry Boot. She always made him smile and Harry would like to think that there were times when he made her smile too. Hermione and their friends were the only family Harry Potter had ever loved and known. Merlin knows, his Aunt and Uncle weren't there for him. Yet despite all of that, he was happy. With Hermione Delacour, he was the happiest person in the whole wide world.
When these feelings came to him is a bit more unclear for Harry. He supposed he realised it in second year when he saw Hermione petrified. He was so afraid that she'd never wake up, that he'd never see that beautiful warm light in her honey-brown doe-like eyes again. That they'd never laugh, or play, or even get in trouble with Snape again. That Hermione Delacour would be gone permanently from his life forever. Just like his parents.
Harry had cried himself to sleep at the very sight of the angel that was Hermione Delacour looking so frozen due to that Basilisk eyes. It petrified him to no end. He knew then that he adored her and would defeat that huge snake if only to save only her. The relief when she awoke and pulled him into a hug had warmed his heart and soul.
She was heaven on earth and she was perfect. Unfortunately Harry Potter knew that he was far from the only person who thought of Hermione Delacour did - every other boy in the school saw Hermione Delacour that way. Of that, Harry Potter was certain.
Like a frightened child, Harry runs away from his heart and dismisses himself to go to class after two mere hours of heartfelt alone him with Hermione Delacour. Only to return an hour later to find Hermione has doxed off by the library window.
Harry smiled at her as he walked towards her. Only when he saw the remnants of tears adorning her angelic features did he frown. It must have been the play, Harry thought. He tapped her arm, but she didn't so much as stir. He repeated her name over and over, but she didn't so much as stir. He shook her arms and she didn't so much as stir. It left him with only one option as Harry had to lift her up into his arms to carry her out of the library.
The feel off her supple body and her silky-smooth curls against his forearms was almost too much for Harry. This was everything in he wanted and worst of all it ended too quickly, thanks to Terry Boot.
'Hermione? O thank Merlin Harry. I've been looking everywhere for her – Harry? Aren't you going to put her down?' Terry Boot said as soon as Harry was half way towards the Ravenclaw common room. Suddenly, a small white dove makes a sound, and Harry turns to see it watching the scene from outside a window. Hermione suddenly starts to stir then, and her eyes fluttered open sleepily. Reluctantly but quickly, Harry set Hermione on her feet, and, for a brief second, he thought the dove gave him a look of approval. Terry took Hermione's hand and led her to their common room. The dove flew away.
'I saw you fell asleep, while you were reading, pages on your face,
You had been weeping'
-Sleeperstar (From the Song: 'I was wrong')
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