Chapter Ten:
Maybe
21st of March, 2011. Monday.
After Hermione Granger left the Common Room, I felt a little trapped. I turned to Pansy Parkinson who took it upon herself to sit down on the same couch as me. I had a hard time deciding whether I should move away or not. Point was, I felt odd sitting down next to Parkinson. Then I remembered- why the hell am I acting like this? I sat down on the chair in front of the couch.
Parkinson didn't seem to mind or notice as she gasped, "Merlin. Okay… So, what are you doing?"
I gazed at Parkinson for a while, remembering when I did go out with her. Did she even really like me then? Suffice to say, I didn't care: I never did like her that way anyhow. I swallowed and replied, "Nothing, stupid Gryffindor is getting on my nerves: Freaking know-it-all."
Parkinson grinned and corrected me.
I smirked, gazing behind Parkinson, remembering Hermione's reaction when she learnt that she was in Slytherin. "You're right, Former Gryffindor."
Parkinson smirked back, a habit she gained a long, long time ago. It didn't bother me because Parkinson wasn't a liability to my 'reputation': She'd always copy my smirk. I long ago learnt to deal that she could be smirking to people behind my back. Said female crossed her arms and leaned back on the couch.
Would Parkinson ever change? I wandered the day when I would see a smiling, kind Pansy Parkinson in front of my eyes. I smiled, "You're not as bad as I thought you were, Parkinson."
Parkinson's smile faded and so did mine. I realised that Parkinson still thinks she likes me and she didn't know that I thought she was annoying. Perhaps she did and she was hoping against all odds. I did think I made it obvious that I thought so, but I forgot that Parkinson isn't very observation anyway.
She looked mad. Shit.
"Maybe… and Parkinson, listen to me, Maybe… Maybe we should go to t-the formal… together." I couldn't believe I said that. I didn't want to go to the formal with Parkinson but… maybe we should be friends. And if we do go to the formal together, we could go as friends. Perhaps I just don't know Parkinson as well. Perhaps that was because she was an annoying, stubborn bitch.
Parkinson's face lit up and I groaned at the huge, belly yell "YES!" Parkinson squealed.
23rd of March, 2011. Wednesday.
The weather, despite it having been raining just hours ago, it was cloudy and warm currently. Many people at Hogwarts hated March because it involved a lot of rainy days. Hermione, however, loved Spring. She wouldn't mind being outside somewhere and continue reading the thriller book she'd been reading for a few days at that moment. But Hermione Granger stood in the library, exhaling loudly.
"I'm sorry! I don't get why Muggles need to click a button for some TV to turn on!"
Hermione rubbed her left arm subconsciously, she's been trying to help Ronald Weasley study for a Muggle Study test that was in two days. She was beginning to really regret agreeing to it because she could hardly see him on the other side of the room and keep in her frustrations. She doesn't love Ron… or she doesn't love him anymore. She wasn't sure if it was love, it was obviously something much stronger than 'puppy love'. Despite it all, she still had some soft spot for him- meaning she still felt odd around him.
His attitude at the moment, though, was helping Hermione focus on being frustrated instead of being sentimental. "Because, Ron! If you don't click the button the TV won't work."
Ron looked even more confused, "Why won't it go on? That's a stupid TV!"
Hermione had the urge to throw her arms up in the air. Ronald wasn't listening! "Muggles don't use magic, remember? So they use what's called electricity-"
"What in Merlin's name is Alatricity?" Ron interrupted. He looked like he was told Voldemort was alive still.
"Electricity," Hermione snapped, aiming to correct Ron's pronunciation.
"Hermione… I can't concentrate when you're mad," Ron said, abruptly seeming like the normal one between the two. Hermione stared at him whilst he looked at her with a stern expression.
Hermione blinked, "I'm mad because your not paying attention," Hermione attempted to soften her voice.
The test was how Muggles live and Hermione doubted that she'd be able to explain everything in 2 days.
Hermione was anxious, very nervous and it making her not act like herself. In 2 days time, it wasn't just the test on Muggle Studies she had, but it was also the day when everyone gets the results and see who they will have to marriage.
The Former Gryffindor has read that centuries ago, like Professor McGonagall had explained 3 days ago, the Marriage Law had meant that whoever was paired was to marry that person forever. Nobody was told the exact rules about this new Marriage Law, but everybody expected to hear them the day of the results.
Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley were in the back of the library, near nobody. They were sitting on the floor with three textbooks around them, two of them being Hermione's. She felt awkward- how would it feel if she wouldn't see Ron's name on the list? The list that's supposed to determine who she's going to marriage. She's thought about it before, during their relationship, that it'd never be broken by anything and that they could marry… one day.
"Hermione… the test is two days away… I don't even know what Electricity is! I'm going to fail!" Ronald slammed his pen on the floor in front of him.
They both went quiet.
"Electricity," Hermione continued again, "is charges that cause equipment that are connected by wires sometimes, like the TV, to turn on. Do you understand this?"
"Yeah, I think so…" Ronald said, picking up his pen and writing a note on the paper on his lap. "I've seen them in some places… especially in some shops…"
"It's a bit like science. We learnt about that last lesson."
"We did?" Ronald said, confused.
"Yes, Ron." Hermione sighed.
Ron didn't say anything. Instead, he opened a Muggle Studies textbook and flicked a few pages. Eventually he pointed to a picture of a laptop and said, "Bloody hell! What is that?"
Hermione laughed lightly, wiping her forehead. Maybe she needed a break and drink some water- she was beginning to feel really tired. She answered, "Another electricity device."
"For?"
"Uh…" Hermione paused thinking of how to explain what the laptop was used. "It was used for games… social programmes and the internet."
"Merlin," Ron exclaimed. "I've heard of the internet… Dad's used it heaps before! He does it for business, I think… so what's these social programmes?"
"It's when you can talk to people through the laptop."
"Why wouldn't they just want to see the people face to face?"
Hermione groaned but then her eyes widened when she saw a green eyed nineteen year old walk into the area. "H-Harry! Thank Merlin! Have you studied for the Muggle Studies test?"
Harry stopped in his tracks, "What test?"
Hermione groaned again.
"She's mad because I don't get how Muggles live," Ron explained, taking note of Harry's confused face.
Harry Potter sat down next to Hermione as he was still mad at Ron. He took the textbook and placed it in his lap.
"Oh!" He exclaimed. "The Muggle Studies Test… Yeah, I studied. Muggles are very complex… and did you hear of the internet? Merlin!"
Hermione's head turn to Harry, "you did? Oh, yes, Harry, please, explain to Ron about laptops; He doesn't understand me!"
Harry gave Hermione an odd look.
"Oh please, Harry. He doesn't understand it when I teach it!" Hermione said. She quickly added, "Please… I'm not feeling so up for it-"
"Fine," Harry mumbled. Nonetheless, he avoided going closer to his used to be best friend whilst explaining it all to Ron. As he did so, Hermione leaned forward and grabbed the textbook from Harry's lap.
She flicked a few pages and the studying continued for about an hour later. It would've gone on longer, but the librarian hastily got the remaining students out of the library. Hermione sighed, hugging the textbook, "what's her problem?"
Harry gasped, checking his watch, "It's 8pm!"
"Oh," Hermione said.
Despite being tired, Harry didn't want to go to bed. Ron and Hermione besides him started running. Normally they'd all go to the Gryffindor Common Room, but Ron and Harry were soon left alone as Hermione was in Slytherin. Harry worried about that for a while- does that mean Hermione would become melodramatic and annoying? He was worried that he'd lose another friend and a lot of the time he'd crave to go back into his friendship with Ron.
"Cr-"
Hermione leapt on top of Ron, leaving Harry stunned.
However it was clear at the back of Harry's head the event that happened days ago. Whether or not Ron wanted to put him under the Crucio curse, it didn't matter: Harry doesn't want to feel another betrayal.
Ron got to the door first. As Harry was running he was about to feel mad when he heard his name.
"Ginny!" Harry breathed.
The red-head smiled and stopped in front of him, "Hey, Harry."
Ron moaned, about to cross his arms. Despite it all, he still did not want Harry or Ginny to show their obvious affection for each other.
"Oh, go in!" Harry snapped, his eyes flashing at Ron. Said Gryffindor sighed and disappeared behind the doors of Gryffindor's Common Room.
There was an odd moment of silence where Ginny couldn't stop smiling and Harry couldn't stop looking at her. He's missed her- he's hardly even seen Ginny much since the holidays. He was actually doing all his homework and assignments on his own, til night.
Neville had caught him recently. Harry was worried that he'd start a big argument. But Neville just shrugged it off and said, 'there you are. Maybe this is where you've always gone… No matter, Harry. It's okay- You can be Gryffindor's "Hermione Granger" for the rest of the year'. Regardless of everything, Harry actually laughed.
Ginny finally broke the silence, "C-Can you help me study for Astronomy? I have a test tomorrow and…"
Harry nodded, "Sure! We should go to your Common Room…"
"Alright," Ginny grinned and grabbed Harry's arm. She didn't blush like she would've years ago and no romantic movie pause had happened between the two, but they both grinned like crazy as they ran for Dumbledore's Common Room.
Harry has started helping people with their homework lately- he's helped Neville once with Potions, and then Ron with Muggle Studies just earlier that day. He hoped maybe he could help a lot more people with homework- it was a big advantage as he was trying to avoid away from all his problems. All his worries. He was beginning to agree with himself: Helping Ginny with her homework would be the best, but what Harry still hadn't done, was tell her that he still loves her.
24th of March, 2011. Thursday.
"Blaise; Let go of me!" I grasped my arm back. I was not in a good mood: Blaise woke me up at seven today, about two hours away from actually classes, just to find out who are 'perfect match' is. Maybe I was curious to see what this stupid 'law' has chosen for the most brilliant match for I. But it's probably just all bullshit- and I refuse to marry by force and anytime soon!
And here's Blaise, almost jumping out of his skin in excitement, after he woke me up just one minute ago and dragged me out of bed. It was a fail as well; he made me fall to the ground, twisted in blankets making him trip.
"Doesn't matter, Mate," Blaise Zabini grinned, "We're here!"
"You're acting like a teenage girl, Blaise-"
"Draco Malfoy… THE RESULTS CAME IN EARLY! There's a few papers on each table… your result is probably on the Slytherin Table… Why are you not happy?"
"Why am I not- Why are you happy? Just a year ago you were… dis- disdainful, and now you're acting like you want to get married," I said, with a hint of saddeness behind my voice. I could just imagine every single girl- they've probably been dreaming of getting married since they were twelve years old. Any second now they should be running in-
"I'm gonna let that one slide, cause I accept you as a friend-"
I opened my mouth to correct myself, suddenly feeling guilty. Can you really blame me for not being a morning person? Plus there's homework I didn't do and it's due lessons two…
Blaise shook his head at me, "It's okay, I understand," and then he laughed, "I don't want to get married. But… it's exciting, for years I've thought of doing some test to reveal my future, and now they're showing it to me."
I blinked, "by force."
Blaise nodded slowly, "Well… yeah, by force but- Mate, are you okay? You're looking a little pale-"
Bang!
"Draco!" Blaise exclaimed, kneeing down next to me.
"I- I- I'm fine!" I hissed, covering most my face with my hands.
"You just fainted!" Blaise stated. "I don't think your okay!"
"If I'm talking to you then I'm conscious which means… which means I'm a-alright…"
Blaise didn't get to reply. I didn't see anyone come by, I just felt a body jerk over my shoulder and chest. I was just taking my hands off my face to see who it was when someone screamed, "MALFOY!"
"Bloody hell, Granger," I exclaimed. And rubbed my shoulder where Hermione had kicked.
Blaise had grabbed her arms before letting go of her once she was balanced again. Subsequently, he grabbed my arms and offered to help me up. My shook my head quickly at him and got up myself. Blaise rolled his eyes at me.
"It's not my fault you decided to lay down right in front of the doors," she retorted.
I opened my mouth, ready to defend myself but then closed it: I don't need her to know I collapsed because my legs I felt too weak… I was probably close to fainting then.
"Come on…" Blaise said, pulling my arm.