Well, its another story from me and my last. So for this I'm just going for a natural femslash love story. Another new, fresh OC with OC's from other stories making appearances. There's no Voldemort, its normal school life for wizards and witches.
But this will not be one of those stories where wizarding society just accept homosexuality. It's not outlawed, but you can't marry, raise children or publicise your relationship. There will be sympathisers in this story, but they have no power and are very sparce.
The muggle society is more accepting than the wizarding one, and Sweden's even more so. So do not fret, there is a happy ending for this pairing.
I disclaim the rights to Harry Potter and all characters and settings associated. I claim the rights to all original characters, even if they aren't exactly copyrighted. They are mine and you can't have them.
Lets begin...
Speed dating...at Hogwarts?
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What am I doing here?
What was I expecting exactly?
Why did I give in?
That Charms essay is due TOMORROW.
Well, yes I have completed it but I was going to go over it tonight. I can't believe a SCHOOL is forcing me to NOT do my work.
I suppose forced is a strong word, I walked into this hall and to my chair of my own free will. I didn't one hundred percent like it, and I still don't, but that is the fact of the matter.
But I couldn't really decline the invitation. Professor McGonagall tricked me. She knew she was my favourite teacher, which may be revised after all this, and knew I was single.
Oh that's right, you don't know what I'm talking about. You'll be glad you're not sitting here when I tell you.
It was Valentine's week, and school romances were thriving. I have vacated very good seats in the library because of the snogging couple's groupie, sitting around a table directly in my eyeline from across the room.
But according to the professors all of that was at an all-time low apparently. And so the school stepped in. Every day this week, single third year girls and above have sat in the Great Hall on separate tables like the one I'm at now.
And then a flood of single boys come in, engaging in conversation with the girls. After five minutes they moved to the next one.
Yes, can you believe it, Hogwarts is running designated speed dating sessions.
A girl can choose a partner to go on a date with immediately if they so choose. They can wait until the end of the session and choose then. And, Merlin thank you, you don't have to choose anyone. That's certainly my plan.
Like I said, McGonagall tricked me. I'm not a popular girl, so this is apparently the most likeliest way I'll get a boys attention for five minutes. Of course she didn't say that, but she knows that's what I'm interpreting from her. She knows I'm a Gryffindor and won't let myself be beaten by a silly Valentines event.
She tricked me because she knows me too well. Ron and Harry would laugh at me...they will, you don't know them like I do. They don't have to go because they're boys, and get (imaginary) girls all the time.
But bookworms don't care, they really don't. School is for learning, adulthood is for relationships. I mean is any couple at Hogwarts really going to last until graduation. Most of them won't even make it through the year.
I don't even like anybody.
I did. I do. Sort of.
I like Ron but I can't see much of a relationship there. We argue like a married couple maybe, but if that's the only thing going for it then you can forget it.
We have nothing in common. Except we're Gryffindors. We're different enough to be friends, but can we really be a couple? Do opposites attract?
Now I've gone off topic. So speed dating, what an atrocious idea. I should just go now, I've been blanking this guy opposite me for four minutes now. He just goes on and on, about nothing of real worth.
I'm saved by the bell. I politely say goodbye and let him leave. He wasn't ugly exactly, but his personality was off-putting. There's been nobody to relate to on anything so far.
There's very few bookworms in this school, even Ravenclaws have lives outside studying that I can't connect with. And if my next guest is anything to go by, that pattern will definitely continue. Not that he'd be complaining.
"Well well, Granger, finally become desperate in that freakish world of yours. Judging by the looks of all the empty tables around you, I'd say your luck isn't in." Malfoy, oh how I need you to add to my problems.
"Maybe I don't see anything dateable, especially for the ferret sitting opposite me now."
"As wounded as that makes me, I'm not single anyhow. Got a very satisfied girlfriend waiting for me in the Slytherin common room. Thought I'd have a gander at your progress on my way down there. Well, your lack of progress obviously."
"Then run along, I don't want to speak to you for one minute let alone five. Pansy really must be missing you spout off about yourself."
"We'll be doing more than talking Granger" Did it need a wink, I got the hint the first time. "I'll be seeing you around."
"Hopefully in hell" Finally he was gone.
This is rather pathetic though. Even though it's the girls picking the boys, not the other way around, being one of the last girls here is embarrassing.
The only other two is Millicent Bulstrode and...who is that? Have I seen her before? I must've she looks about fifth year to me. She is a Hufflepuff and they do tend to be anonymous for most students of the other houses.
And her potential date is causing her grief it seems. She's flat-out ignoring the whole exchange and he really takes offense to it. Well, I've got nothing better to do.
"Hey, is there a problem, if so take it up with a professor" I say when I get to their table, more at the guy than the girl.
"This girl is refusing to play by the rules. She won't speak to me properly, what's the point of coming to this if you ain't gonna talk?"
The girl looks more amused than upset by this. Turning back to the boy "do you see a board of rules anywhere?"
"No"
"Then can we assume they either are non-existent or completely unenforced."
"Bu-"
Don't dare interrupt my tirade you pig "so this girl is entitled not to speak to someone who displeases her. If you don't like that suck it up and move on."
He isn't willing to take on two girls at once. Good riddance.
"Thank you, but honestly it was three idiots too late" woah, she has a foreign accent. Not many students at Hogwarts are from overseas, interesting.
"I get it. Idiots galore, this whole idea is idiotic."
Her chuckle is all bubbly, like popping candy "you're telling me. Well, thanks again for saving me, it seems we've scared off the last of them."
Why haven't I noticed her before, she's pretty? Pretty girls do not go missing like that for five years. Her white blonde hair would make boys faces drop on its own.
"Are you okay there?"
I've been staring, probably freaking her out right now. "Sorry, just trying to place your accent."
"Always with the accent, that's how I get them. I'm Swedish."
Well duh, it makes perfect sense now, look how gorgeous she is. Although that brings up another question "how are you single?"
There's that laugh again "good question, I'll take that compliment as well."
What am I saying, why am I being so weird right now? What kind of question is that to ask somebody? "I'm sorry, that was quite rude, it's none of my business."
"There's no question too big for me to answer, you come to learn that when you become a friend of mine."
"You want me to be your friend? You do know who I am don't you?"
"No actually. I mean I've seen you around sure, but your name slips my mind."
I'm not offended as such, I didn't know who she was either. But...really, who's forgetting my name, or even one of my 'glorious' nicknames.
"Does Granger ring a bell?"
"I'm pulling your leg you silly goon"
Oh gosh, that's embarrassing. This is failing harder and harder. "Oh, yeah of course."
"Yes, Hermione, I know who you are. I'm Ilena."
"Ilena?"
"If you can't spell it, I shouldn't say it."
Hello again, Hermione Granger, book extraordinaire. "Try me."
"Fine, Ilena Ljömberg"
"Spelt L-J-O-M--"
"You don't actually have to spell it"
That is a relief, I think the O is actually an Ö. Different letters in the Swedish alphabet.
"I'm sorry, again. You must think I'm so weird, I'm never normally like this."
"Socially awkward is not weird. All my friends are like that, we're a club of socially awkward people."
"I don't know about that." Oh, I so am, this is proof.
"Actually, why don't you tag along with me for a while, we have a free afternoon after this." She's offering to hang out with me, maybe this speed dating wasn't a bad idea after all. Not for the dating part obviously, but it did earn me a friend.
"I'd love to." That Charms essay can wait a bit longer I suppose, or maybe we can study whilst getting to know each other.
They should rename it as speed friendship.
More to come, hope you're enjoying it so far. As you can see it's laid back and laced with humour, or my attempts at it at least. Thanks for reading and to be continued...
