It was 8pm on May the 2nd. The weather was cool and Hermione and Ginny were getting ready for The Finita. The two Gryffindor girls were excited, as well as their other Gryffindor roommates. Carmin Ullman, Destiny Rogers, and Ayla Howard were giggling excitedly. Hermione had to admit, everyone looked stunning. Their dresses dragged the ground as the the girls complimented each other's beauties. Hermione got out of the bathroom and her three roommates gasped at her shining rose gold dress.
"Woah! That dress is- beautiful!" Destiny said in awe. She was, the most popular girl in their year, so that flattered Hermione very much.
"Thank you, Destiny." Hermione replied with a smile. "You all look absolutely stunning."
"Hermione," Carmin started. "Who's the lucky boy you're going with? I heard you turned down Aidan last week."
"Oh, I'm not going with anyone." Hermione smiled. "I'm fully capable of dancing on my own."
"What a queen," Ayla clapped.
"That's pretty badass." Destiny joined in with a smirk. Hermione chuckled and looked around the circular dorm.
"Say... do you guys know where Ginevra is?" she asked curiously. The girls shook their heads and looked around in concern.
"I think I saw her going into the bathroom down stairs." Carmin said. "She must be changing- oh, wow, Ginny!" Ginny had just entered the room in her dress. Her dress was golden and silky, and had little details of printed gold flowers on it. Her hair was made into a beautiful bun and she wore a silver necklace around her neck to top it all off. Hermione put a hand to her heart and felt her eyes tear up. Ginny beamed happily and spun on her spot.
"What do you think?" she asked them.
"What do we-? Oh, Ginny, it's beautiful." said Destiny breathlessly.
"The flower designs... woah!" Ayla examined the patterns of Ginny's dress carefully. Ginny then turned to Hermione.
"Mione, you look beautiful," Ginny smiled. Hermione laughed and shook her head.
"Your dress..." Hermione whispered, stepping closer to Ginny to get a clear look of her dress. "Is it- is it the one-?"
"That Fred gave me, yes." Ginny smiled, not a single tear was visible on her face. She looked happy. Her Gryffindor friends rushed towards her and hugged their redhead friend tightly. They've all been through a lot of ups and downs, but they appreciated it like an experience. Ginny chuckled and checked the clock on the wall.
"You guys better do your hair and make up. The ball's starting soon." she winked and sat down on her bed. The other four Gryffindors went back to finish up their hair and make up. Hermione had decided she would use Fleamont Potter's sleek hair solution like she did last time. She applied the potion to her hair, which made it silky and no longer bushy. She then clipped on a diamond barrette to finish off her hair look. She applied some lipgloss and put on a pair of heels, and she was ready.
"Let's go, Gin." she said to Ginny happily. Ginny got up and linked her arm with Hermione's. The two walked down to the Gryffindor common room, where several heads turned to their direction. Several people gaped at them in awe and some looked at them in jealousy.
The two, then, walked to the Great Hall nervously to see that the hall was crowded with chattering students, teachers and graduates. The Hall was star-themed and was decorated with bright lights. The ceiling was a galaxy full of stars and there were dozens of fairy lights everywhere. There were fountains of chocolate fondu and rows of food. The tables were also glowing, and were floating several inches above the ground. It kind of reminded Hermione of a themed muggle prom. Apart from the floating tables, obviously.
"This is incredible." Ginny gaped at the galaxy ceiling. Hermione simply nodded in agreement. A group of Ravenclaw had just walked passed them, gaping at Ginny and Hermione admiringly.
"Ginny!" Hermione gasped, nudging Ginny's shoulder. "It's Ron and Harry!" she pointed to the two wizards across the hall. Sure enough, it was Harry and Ron, in sleek black dress robes. They, too, had spotted Ginny and Hermione and were beaming happily. Ginny's face lit up and she took off. She ran across the hall like a goddess and into Harry's arms. She chuckled into his shoulder joyfully.
"Hello? It's me, your brother." Ron said, as the couple hugged. A smiling Hermione walked to him and threw her arms around his neck.
"Well, I chose to hug you first." she laughed. Ron chuckled and hugged her back. They pulled apart and stared at each other. They both knew that they were meant for each other- as friends. There was no awkward tension, since the both of them knew they loved each other as friends and nothing more.
"You look wonderful." Ron complimented. "The Yule Ball wasn't enough for you, huh?"
"Oh, shut up." Hermione shook her head and smiled and hugged Harry tightly.
"How are you guys?" Ginny asked. "How's being a- what do you call yourselves? Auror-in-training?" Hermione giggled at Ginny's tease.
"Well," Harry started, putting an arm around his girlfriend. "Let's just say it's better than being a nerdy 7th year."
"I object," Hermione said, making the four of them laugh.
It was just like the old times... just completely different. First off, they didn't have to worry about an evil killer-wizard no longer. Second off, they all looked and acted more grown up.
The amount of people who attended the ball was much more than the last ball, surprisingly. The four saw many familiar faces: Neville, Dean, Seamus, Aberforth, Cho, Oliver Wood, the Weasley family, Viktor Krum, Fleur and Bill, and many many more. They all greeted the four friends happily and talked to each other about their lives after the war.
"Oh, Merlin, is that- Luna?" Ron exclaimed, pointing to the entrance of the Great Hall. Indeed, it was Luna Lovegood. She was wearing a long poofy white dress, decorated with blooming yellow flowers. Her hair was braided loosely and she wore a giant flower crown. In other words, she looked like Mother Nature. She was holding hands with a beaming Rolf Scamander, who seemed to not mind at all how different Luna looked from the others. In the contrary, he looked proud and happy with his date.
"Yep, that's our girl." Ginny said, waving for Luna to come and join them. The Ravenclaw couple floated across the hall and greeted the four.
"Hello, Harry. Hello, Ron." Luna smiled hugged Harry and Ron.
"Hello, Luna." Harry and Ron chorused back.
"I love your dress." Ron said, looking at the girl's unusual dress.
"Thanks," Luna said in her small voice.
"And she painted the flowers herself." Rolf added proudly. "Rolf Scamander, by the way. You must be Harry and Ron?" he shook hands with Harry and Ron enthusiastically.
"And you must be Luna's-?" Ron cocked an eyebrow. The two Ravenclaw chuckled.
"Yes, we're official." Rolf said happily. Harry congratulated them and asked them about their last year at Hogwarts. Rolf and Luna were both really chatty, so that got Harry busy for a while. Turns out, Rolf's father worked at the same department as Harry and Ron. Then, harry was approached by a group of 3rd year girls. They seemed nervous as they asked him for his autograph. Harry, being the awkward wizard he was, signed his name wrong two times, before the group of girls burst into giggles. He flushed red and sighed his name once again.
"Idiot," Ginny muttered, as the group of girls left.
"Who, me or the girls?" Harry asked with a grin.
"You, of course!" Ginny said with a smirk. Hermione chuckled and shook her head. She still remembered the little Harry Potter fangirl Ginny was, not more than 5 years ago. Now, she was a bold girlfriend and an amazing friend. It was bittersweet seeing her friend grow up right before her eyes.
Suddenly, someone tapped Hermione's shoulder gently. Hermione turned to see Luna smiling at her brightly.
"What is it, Luna?" she asked with a frown. Luna jerked her head towards the entrance of the Great Hall. Hermione turned to check the crowd of people at the door. She immediately saw, standing frozen in his spot, a pale platinum-haired wizard in deep grey dress robes- Draco Malfoy. He was also staring at her, his eyes dazed and his lips slightly parted. Draco's mind was blank, and his expression was slightly dumb. The two locked eyes and stared at each other across the hall. Even Hermione couldn't deny that Draco looked good. She then shook her head and looked away, Draco quickly looking away after.
"What is it, Luna?" Hermione repeated, her cheeks blushing pink. Luna smiled warmly.
"He's so interested in you." Luna said. Perhaps it was her and Rolf's relationship that made her so eager to find love for Hermione. "Hermione, I think you ought to go talk to him. I don't think your relationship to end this way." she put a hand on her shoulder softly.
"I- he- I dunno." Hermione stuttered, "We didn't even have a relationship. It was all fake, and just him being selfish." she whispered, not looking back at Draco's direction.
"But then, how would you know?" Luna asked. "It wouldn't hurt to just talk to him, Mione."
"What's going on?" Ron asked the two girls. Luna smiled,
"Oh, it's just Hermione questioning Draco-" Hermione clapped her hand around Luna's mouth. Ron frowned slightly.
"Nothing! It's nothing, girl stuff, you know. Luna, you shouldn't be telling the boys our stuff." Hermione laughed nervously. Ron and Luna were not amused. Ron shrugged and went to greet Neville and Dean at one of the chocolate fountains. Luna gave her a Mrs. Weasley-like look. Hermione sighed and turned back to her Ravenclaw friend seriously, grabbing both her shoulders.
"Luna, you have to stop." she said in a serious tone. "I don't need him in my life anymore."
"'anymore'? So you did have feelings for him." Luna said in her dreamy voice.
"Alright, I did!" Hermione said irritatingly. "But he clearly doesn't. Didn't. So I don't have to worry about him anymore." she glanced across the room to see Draco hugging Pansy Parkinson. They were talking excitedly and Pansy was laughing happily. Hermione didn't see Draco's face but he was probably having a good time too. And so, Hermione turned away, feeling suddenly sick. Luna bit her lip lightly and gave Hermione a warm smile.
"C'mon, let's grab some drinks." She said softly, pulling Hermione's arm.
"I- I don't think- don't think I want a drink right now. Need to get some air." Hermione said quietly. "I feel dizzy."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Luna asked kindly.
"No. You stay with Rolf." Hermione said firmly. Luna nodded and gave Hermione another smile. Hermione didn't even attempt to give one back, it was almost impossible for her at the moment. She hurried from the group and pushed past the crowd of 15-year-olds. She didn't know why seeing Draco laughing with Pansy would make her feel so... uncomfortable. She hurried faster as her breathing became faster. She crashed into a tall brunette wizard.
"Hermione! Hey, there," Hermione had ran into Neville Longbottom, her old friend. "Long time no see! I was just going to- Hermione, are you OK?"
"I'm fine Neville, it's nice to see you." Hermione said, avoiding his eye contact. "I just need the toilet, real quick. I'll see you." She took off and ran towards the door.
"Hey! Hermione!" Neville called after her, slightly confused. Hermione didn't look back, but ran out of the Great Hall, past a concerned Professor McGonagall in a beautiful emerald green dress.
"Hermione, are you alright?" The Headmistress asked, putting down her cocktail drink. But Hermione was already gone.
She ran through the guests and students, her heels clicking loudly through the hall ways. Several people called after her, and some tried to grab her arm in worry. Hermione escaped the packed halls and into the wide and empty Hogwarts grounds. It was quiet, since everyone was in the castle, partying. She looked around and ran towards the black lake before slumping down onto her usual study rock. Her favourite place to study. The sky was pitch black, and not a star was seen. But the one moon shone brightly, reflecting onto the Great Lake. Everything looked empty and dark. Even Hagrid's hut, which was always brightly lit, sat in the dark. Hagrid was probably at the ball, Hermione thought.
She took several deep breaths before burying her face into her hands. She didn't feel like crying, but she also wanted to let out a river of tears.
"Never again." she half whispered half laughed. But the laugh was hollow.
It wasn't like in the muggle movies where the sky was filled with stars and the place was filled with fireflies, while the main character cried. It was an ugly night; dark and cold. And Hermione wasn't going to cry. Everything was silent and depressing and ugly. Except for her mother's dress, of course. Moonlight reflected on it perfectly, making it shine even more than usual. Hermione let out a weak smile and shook her head.
It wasn't hard to deny anymore- she did have feelings for Draco Malfoy. Since the day Professor McGonagall asked her to tutor him, she knew at the back of her mind. She remembered the feeling she had in her stomach that day. It wasn't hate or disgust, but it was the excitement to finally get to know him, without Harry or Ron stopping her. It was weird because she had tried so hard to deny it. Because Draco was only using her for his own purpose, and didn't feel the same way.
But what if Luna's theory was right? That he was doing all of this because of his father? Was he misunderstood?
Hermione shook her head and the thought away. Even if Luna was right, Draco chose to do what his father wanted him to do. The decision was already made. Hermione silently wished to the moon, since there were no stars, that he would realise what he chose was wrong. But it was just a stupid muggle saying that you could wish upon a star.
"I'm just a desperate Mudblood." Hermione muttered to herself. She rolled her eyes and stared down at her silver heels, chuckling to her stupidity.
"No you're not." someone whispered. Hermione let out a tiny shriek, jumping from her rock. She put a hand on her chest, shaking slightly. She looked up and her heart raced 10 times faster. It was Draco Malfoy, all alone, no Pansy, no anyone with him. He was watching her from a tall apple tree near her their study rocks. Hermione blinked several times to convince herself she wasn't hallucinating. Draco's face wasn't plastered with a smirk or a sneer like usual. It was blank. He looked emotionless and slightly guilty. Hermione quickly pulled out her wand and pointed it directly at his chest. She breathed heavily.
"I don't want to see you." she said firmly. "Go, before I hex you!"
"You're not going to do that." Draco said, a little too confidently. Hermione wasn't having it.
"Impedimenta!" she bellowed, not hesitating at all. Draco blocked the spell with his own wand quickly, looking slightly taken back. Hermione didn't give up. She pointed her wand at Draco's chest once again. "Stupefy! Petrificus Totalus! Levicorpus!" But Draco blocked all of her spells. His eyes were wide and he looked slightly hurt. Hermione didn't care. She threw her wand away and lunged forward, shoving the blonde boy with all her might. "Go. Away." she hissed. Draco lost his balance but didn't fall.
"I'm not going anywhere." he said quietly.
"The hell do you want?" Hermione said, almost breathlessly.
"To talk." Draco simply said.
"Like that's going to happen." Hermione breathed, shaking her head. She picked up her wand and pointed it at him once again.
"I've made a mistake, Granger. Hermione..." Draco looked down at his feet.
"Don't you dare say my name." Hermione hissed angrily.
"I don't think we've started off right." Draco said, slightly pained."I think we should start all over again."
"It doesn't work like that, Malfoy!" Hermione yelled. Draco shrank back slightly. "Not everything will go the way you want it to go. You can't just start over again if you've made a mistake. This is not some simulation that you can just re-spawn whenever you want to!"
"I know," Draco said shamefully. "You have all the rights to hate me. I've made my decisions out of arrogance instead of my feelings-"
"I don't give a damn!" Hermione said, hating herself every moment. She knew right away that Luna's theory was correct, but she was still hurt. "You've chosen. It's too late, now."
"Well, that's wrong." Draco said, looking at her in the eye. "It's not too late. It's never too late. You can hate me, Hermione. But I can't just leave without you not knowing the truth... lower your wand, and I can explain."
"I don't want to hear anything from you." Hermione said firmly. "What you did was selfish. You don't deserve a redemption."
"I don't." Draco said. "But you deserve an explanation." He slowly moved forwards, but Hermione didn't lower her wand. She looked at Draco's grey eyes stubbornly, the tip of her wand poking his collar. "Please, Hermione." Draco whispered. He slowly but steadily grabbed her wand and pulled it out of her hand. Hermione found herself letting go and obeying his words. Draco placed her wand on her studying rock and looked back at the frustrated Hermione.
"I don't want- don't want you-" Hermione stuttered.
"Just listen. Listen, and you can hate me after, I don't care." said Draco sadly. Hermione rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"If you don't start talking now-"
"I'm going to talk." Draco said firmly. "Let me talk, OK? Thank you. I have a lot of explaining to do..."
Author's notes: Double updating today. The next chapter is already posted, enjoy!