14.

Hermione turned her head back and forth as she admired her coif in the mirror. It had taken many, many pins to keep the locks piled up just so. She thought her neck looked quite pretty and the small tendrils framing her face were worth the effort.

She stood and brushed her hands down the front of her dark green velvety dress, smoothing the fabric and removing lint. She debated wearing jewelry, but didn't want to overdo her first day as a real lady.

And that's exactly how she felt. Ever since she woke that morning and prepared for her outing with Lockhart. She had agonized over every little thing - her hot bath, her choice of perfume, the dress, the shoes, her hair and the cosmetics. Ginny had helped her choose a few items from the Wonder Witch collection, but staring at all those tubes and bottles made Hermione swimmy with confusion. She settled on a simple smear of gloss across her lips.

Their morning trip had been glorious. Lockhart walked her all about Diagon Alley as they each shopped for Christmas gifts. He had chatted amiably and continuously with stories of adventure and peril. She had clung to Lockhart's every word as much as she'd held on to his arm.

He proved a gentleman, allowing her opportunities to interject with praises and admiration - for him, of course. He lauded each of her purchases and gave advice when asked. Sometimes, even before she asked.

She, in turn, noted his selections tended to be flamboyant, extravagant and... youthful.

After shrinking their gifts to fit into their pockets, they ate at the restaurant he had mentioned. It was a smallish and intimate place where the food was not quite so Persian as English. And no, Hermione never felt herself in grave danger - not once!

She hadn't minded paying her share of the bill either. Although she didn't think the tab should have been split quite so evenly as he ate a full dinner whilst she had a soup and sandwich.

Regardless, Hermione enjoyed her day and the stares of the passersby. At nearly every turn, Lockhart was accosted for signatures and snaps. She goggled at his ability to be so ingenuous amid the fawning crowds.

When he left her at her door, he had asked if he could kiss her. No matter that his lips missed her face completely, planting themselves in her hair, but it was enough to make her glow.

And her she was now, all donned and primped. And waiting.

He'd said he would come for her at 6. That would allow them time for a leisurely stroll before dinner at 7. At 6:10 she began chewing her lip. At 6:15 she sent an owl. At 6:25 she panicked.

She noted she was very alone in the school. Only a handful of students remained, either unable or unwilling to venture home for the holidays. Most of the professors were on well-deserved breaks having kept to a rigorous rebuilding schedule since the fall of Voldemort.

Hermione considered whether Dumbledore's portrait would be of help. She discarded Flitwick because he couldn't leave the remaining students unattended simply because her date hadn't shown. She chewed her lip a moment longer and resignedly gave in to the solution.

***

She rapped her knuckles very hard and very long on the wood door of Snape's home. She called out his name several times and listened for sounds within. She uneasily surveyed the buzzards hanging about. They eyed her in a way that was vaguely familiar. The large pile of letters and packages on the stoop were disquieting.

***

Mrs. Weasley opened the front door of her home.

"Why, Hermione! My dear, come in, come in." Molly leaned over the banister and bellowed up the stairwell, "Ron! Hermione's here!"

A pack of Weasleys alighted from seemingly nowhere on a mortified Granger. Everyone was all smiles and coppery and questioning her sudden appearance.

Mr. Weasley parted the crowd as he tried to take her elbow. "Come sit down and have a bit of dinner. Come now, Ron should be down any moment."

"Uh, no thank you, Mr. Weasley. I really haven't the time."

Ginny asked, "I thought you were going to the Malfoys tonight?"

"I am. I'm trying to. That's kinda why I'm here."

Mrs. Weasley gave Hermione a knowing wink. "I knew you didn't mean to slight Ronnie. When Ginny told me you were going with that Lockhart, well I said to myself, that doesn't sound like our Hermione, no, not at all." Molly turned to yell up the stairs again, but startled to see Ron standing just there on the steps. He was very still as he stood and watched Hermione.

Mrs. Weasley patted her son's chest, "Ron, go upstairs and put on your best now and don't be keeping Hermione awaiting. She musn't be late." Ron turned to go.

"No!," shouted Hermione. Everyone went silent. All their eyes were upon her, but she avoided Ron's stare. "I mean, I didn't... I-I thought Harry was here." Hermione was blushing furiously.

Ginny cocked her eyebrow and her lips became thinner.

"I'm here," came Harry's voice quietly. He was standing a few risers above Ron.

"Harry, I need to talk to you."

The Weasleys each looked at each other. Hermione tried not to notice Mrs. Weasley disappointment... or Ron's lack of any expression.

Harry edged around Ron as he came down the steps, then he led Hermione into a closed room.

"What's up?"

"He didn't show, Harry."

"I told ya. Ya shoulda listened to me."

"Let's fight about it later, okay? Right now I need you to come with me to the Malfoys. You're my date."

"You're joking!"

"No, I'm not and stop being so stupid." Hermione was wringing her hands. "Please, Harry. I've already accepted the invitation. Mr. Malfoy has his post back with the Ministry. If I don't show it'll be embarrassing to me, them and the governors."

"So what?! It's the Malfoys. It's not like they don't deserve to be humiliated. As much as possible I say. They can only be up to no good anyhow."

"Oh, Harry! You can't keep mistrusting people! Things would have been different if you'd only listened to Dumbledore!"

Harry was instantly mad.

"I-I shouldn't of said that... I'm so sorry, Harry."

"No, Hermione, you're right. I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at myself. I do keep thinking the worse of people." He waited a moment then tilted his head towards the door. "He's going to be rightfully pissed."

Hermione heaved a sigh. "I know. We had a row the other day. Did he tell you he proposed to me... again!" She shook her head, "I can't make myself fall in love. I wish I could, but I can't."

Harry nodded, "I know, Hermione. But I'm the one in the middle, ya know? Hey, I'll be only a minute."

"Thanks, Harry," she gave him a quick hug. They both looked knowingly at each other before he opened the door and they went back into the hall.