Pansy strutted in followed by her corny group of Slytherin's. Blaise gestured with his head. Really? After everything that had happened with Pansy?
"But what about you guys and y'know?" My eyes flickered to the couch. He shook his head, his cheeks flushed red.
"Hermione, please don't. Draco's just gotten over that. The two of them going to the ball is like them starting over again I guess."
"That makes no sense."
"So if Cedric came back begging you to forgive him, would you?" Blaise muttered.
"Cedric didn't sleep with Cho though." At least I didn't think he had.
"Thanks for the guilt trip Hermione. Really appreciate it."
"Sorry but it's true." I shrugged. We quickly shut up when Pansy invited herself into our space.
"Hi guys!" Pansy screeched. I rolled my eyes and I'm pretty sure she saw.
"Hi." Blaise mumbled.
"So are we all excited for the ball?!" She squeaked. Blaise and I shrugged in unison. "Are you going with Cedric, Hermione?" Pansy asked, concealing a smile.
"You know that he's going with Cho." Blaise said, not looking up. "Don't play dumb, it doesn't suit you." Pansy seemed to just ignore him.
"Well I'm going with Draco." She smirked.
"We know." We chimed in. Her lips curled, clearly not the response she was hoping for. Unable to think of anything witty to say, Pansy flounced off.
"I wish I'd just stayed at Beauxbatons."
"No, you don't." Blaise laughed, closing his book. "Just go and get some sleep, clear your head. You'll feel better for it."
"I'll mess myself up if I sleep during the day. I'll just go for a walk or something. Thanks anyway Blaise." I walked out of the commonroom and straight out of the doors of the Entrance Hall. It was cold outside but the refreshing kind. I walked briskly to the courtyard to find a place to sit down. Once I'd reached benches, I sat down pulling my knees up to my chin. I didn't really care what anyone thought when they walked past – I was beyond caring.
"Are you alright?" I heard a familiar voice ring out. But I kept my head on my knees. Go away, go away, GO AWAY! I felt the bench sink with extra pressure. I should have just went to bed, at least I wouldn't have had any unexpected visitors there.
"Hermione?" I felt a hand on my shoulder and I recoiled, raising my head.
"Don't." I said, shaking my hair out of my eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't-" Cedric cut off.
"Ok." I muttered and we sat in silence.
"What did I do wrong Cedric, at least tell me that." I asked.
"You did nothing wrong Hermione, nothing at all. I'm just too weak-willed when it comes to Cho. I just can't help myself." He shrugged.
"If that's the case then you should have never gotten involved with me."
"I couldn't help myself."
"This is becoming a common excuse for you."
"Hermione please, this is hard enough for me."
"Hard enough for you? Are you kidding me?! You've moved from one girl straight onto the next – please tell me how this situation is hard on you?" I was exasperated.
"Because I miss you." That was it. Getting to my feet, I turned to face him.
"Don't you dare." I turned on my heel and practically ran from the courtyard. I had no respect for someone who couldn't admit their faults and blamed their actions on impulse. I could hear someone calling my name behind me and it made me run faster and faster until I found myself dry heaving in a flowerbed.
"Hermione!" Harry skidded next to me, heaving just as much. "Why did you run?" He questioned me but I was still trying to catch my breath. Harry rubbed my back. I heard more breathing.
"Is she ok?" I heard Cedric say.
"She's fine." Harry said briefly. I didn't look up but I heard Cedric leaving. Once I'd caught my breath, I leant myself against the wall. "You don't have to talk, I get it." Harry said.
"I feel like I'm being stupid – we weren't even together that long."
"You're not. Any rejection hurts."
"Yeah, thanks Harry. For checking on me." I said, as I caught sight of Ron stood looking in our direction. "I'm going to head up to the library anyway, thanks though." I patted him on the shoulder, before heading back the way I'd came and slipping back into the building. Thankfully I didn't run into Cedric, Cho or any other involved parties on my way up to the library. I walked into the library glad for the peace and quiet, hoping that I wouldn't have to deal with any more dramas today. I walked right to the back of the library with the biggest book I could find and curled myself up in the corner. When I started reading, I realised it was a fairytale book – talking about balls, true love and romantic gestures. Needless to say, I closed it. Getting comfortable in my chair, I turned my attention to watching people out of the window. The sky was a deep shade of grey and rain looked on the cards – not that you could tell from the scenes unfolding on the courtyard below. Girls practicing ballroom dances in their little groups, boys nudging each other and egging each other on. It would have been nice to have been part of it. I pulled myself away before I caught sight of Cedric and Cho or even Draco and Pansy. I was safe and out of the way in the library. Maybe I'd spend the ball in here.
"Mione, is that you?" Viktor was stood, peering around the bookshelf.
"Yep, just me." I said, adjusting myself in my seat.
"May I join you?" He asked. I shrugged, nodding. At least he wasn't running from me now. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." I smiled, Viktor looked nervous. "Is something wrong?" He laughed awkwardly.
"Vith me? Nooo." He smiled sheepishly.
"Promise not to laugh?" Viktor was suddenly nervous.
"Ok, I won't." I said, curious. Viktor's eyes flicked left and then right before focussing in on me.
"I like you very much Mione." Viktor said. "I have for long time." I had no idea how I hadn't seen this coming. I had butterflies in my stomach though. "I would like it very much if you would come to the ball vith me. If you vant." I'd never seen him look so nervous and his actions this morning now all made sense. My voice was caught in my throat but I managed a smile and I nodded my head.
"I'd love too."
"You vould?" Viktor looked shocked.
"Yes." I smiled, thrilled.