I think I'm feeling feisty. :) You be the judge I guess. If you wanna see outfits (and check out what I envision everyone looking like, now that the GIRLFRIENDS are up) take a loooooook :) photobucket TheMarriageLaw
Just get rid of the spaces. Thank you for your continued support :) You mean so much to me!
Toodles!
"Hermione, come on! I need to do your hair and makeup!"
Daphne was stamping her mary jane platforms in agitation as Hermione twirled in front of the mirror. She conceded and sat on a chair in front of Daphne to be transformed into the Queen of Hearts. It only took Daphne and her skilled wand a few minutes to complete Hermione's look. She forced her into thigh high stiletto point boots, and then she pushed her to the mirror to admire her handiwork. Hermione was shocked by the sight in front of her. She barely looked like herself! Her hair looked lustrous, big curls piled high on her head with a golden tiara peeking through the middle. Her makeup was even more fantastic. Her pale skin was glowing. Her eyes were made up with dark, dramatic colors, thick black eyeliner, and long black lashes. Daphne had painted a shimmery red heart surrounding Hermione's left eye. Her cheeks her pink and her lips were blood red, making her white teeth show even more when she smiled.
As the rest of her friends finished their costumes, Hermione went into the office to show everyone her costume. Fred's eyes bugged out when he saw the amount of cleavage Hermine was sporting. She giggled and thanked everyone. Dumbledore stepped forward and smiled warmly down at her.
"Hermione, Halloween is a fun holiday, and it's always been my favorite because it's the one night when you can be someone you're not. But this is what I want you to remember for tonight: be yourself. Sure, you're dressed up, but don't be the evil Queen of Hearts. Bring out the Hermione version. And remember how strong you are. We are so proud of you."
Tears pricked her eyes as she blew kisses and exited the room. McGonagall had entered, and approached Hermione with a sad smile to perform the spell on Hermione.
"Headmistress, I'm glad you're doing this. I do feel stronger in my convictions, but I also haven't left this room in two weeks, so I don't know how it will be when I'm with everyone again. So thank you for putting this spell on me."
She hugged McGonagall and turned her head toward the door, hearing hoots and hollers as the rest of her friends showed up. She stood uncertainly at the back of the room as she saw Draco, Blaise, and Theo enter with their dates. Clearly, those girls have been spending much time together, because each of them were dressed as some scandalous version of a fairy. The three boys were dressed as the Three Musketeers (how typical), although it didn't look like they put much effort into their costumes. Harry, Ron, and Justin entered last, both covered head-to-toe in green, carrying fake guns of the same color green. They resembled the army men toys Harry used to play with as a little boy, and the thought made Hermione smile.
McGonagall greeted everyone and exited, leaving Hermione standing alone across the room from her friends. This was the first time she'd been in a room with this many people since her collapse, and her heart was gripped with fear and her confidence zoomed away. She thought back to what Fred had told her the night before, and Dumbledore's words not even 10 minutes earlier. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled demurely. You can do this. Harry was approaching her, having noticed her in the shadows. He shouted with glee when he saw her amazing costume, and the best friends broke into laughter as they embraced.
"You look fantastic, Hermione. Don't tell Gin, but you're rivaling her on the coolest Alice in Wonderland costume. How are you doing? This is probably overwhelming isn't it? I'm sorry if it's weird with the guys and their dates. But you knew it had to happen sometime…"
Hermione smiled and snuggled into his arms as he held her close.
"I'm alright. It is overwhelming, and I feel so out of place, being the only dateless one, but something Fred said to me last night makes me feel a little devious."
She told Harry of her conversation with Fred, and also of his reaction to her costume, and how she thought she might accidentally stir up some trouble for the men in her life. Harry guffawed and grabbed her hand.
"Let's find out shall we? No offense to them, but I would MUCH rather one of them end up with you. Their girlfriends are nice and all, but they don't click as well with all of us. Maybe because we're all secretly rooting for you."
He shrugged and dragged her back to the group, and everyone stared. Ginny, Daphne, and Pansy hugged her and they giggled furiously, proud of their costumes. She gave Justin a huge hug and he reciprocated, as he hadn't been in to see her at all yet. Ron kissed her cheek and told her she looked wonderful, causing her to blush. She turned to face her previous boyfriends, who were all trying their hardest to mask the looks of shock and lust. She smiled sweetly and introduced herself to each of their girlfriends, whose eyes widened when they realized who was speaking to them. Darcie, who seemed the most hostile of the group, sneered at Hermione when she turned away to hug the boys.
"So you're, like, mental now, right? That's why they keep you locked up here. I heard you tried to off yourself, and you spend your time with portraits."
The room was silent, all eyes darting between Draco, Darcie, and Hermione, waiting to see who would attack first. Hermione's eyes narrowed for a split second before her sweet, innocent smile returned. She stepped back toward Darcie, slinking toward her like she was hunting her prey. Darcie had the common sense to take a step back, fear flickering around her eyes. Hermione batted an eyelash at her and leaned in close, nose to nose.
"Be careful what you say, Darcie darling. I can be coerced to craziness if the right buttons are pushed."
Darcie rolled her eyes and leaned even closer, so her lips were close to Hermione's ear.
"You're just jealous because I'm with Draco now. And I intend to have him, every possible way."
A low growl grew in Hermione's throat, but a memory resurfaced and she let out a throaty laugh in Darcie's ear.
"I've already had him."
Darcie shot upright, a look of shock and fury crossing her face. Hermione turned back to her friends, laughing that she got a rise out of this ignorant girl. Draco stood next to Darcie, unsure of what happened or what to do next. Darcie was seething.
"You're nothing but a worthless piece of trash. A common, street-side slag."
There was a flash of red, and Ginny had pinned Darcie to the ground, hands fisted in her hair and Darcie's wails filling the room. Hermione felt her eyes threaten to spill over, but she blinked at the ceiling a few times, willing the tears away. This bitch wasn't going to get the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She was Hermione fucking Granger, and she was stronger than that. Hermione recovered and stepped over to Ginny and lifted her off Darcie. She helped Darcie up and pulled her by her fake hair, leaning so close her lips were almost crushing the girl's ear.
"Just remember this. No matter how skin-tight and skimpy your costume may be, that doesn't make a man attracted to you. It makes you an easy target. So watch who you're calling a street-side slag, because when it's you, no one will have sympathy. They all expect it from you now."
She shoved her roughly back toward Draco, who stopped Darcie from stumbling to the floor. Everyone in the room was trying their hardest to look anywhere but in the direction of the trio near the door. Harry finally cleared his throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"So, who's ready for the Haunted House?"
