Take my Hand- Chapter 1- Thoughts
Everything's white. The windowsills in the library are speckled with the snow crystals from the bitter winter outside. Hermione glances at her book but can't seem to focus on the words. It was almost winter break, the dance was coming up, and the Triwizard tournament (which Harry was in) was in a few days. How could she focus anyway? She had plenty diversions in her life that drew her away from her book. And of those distractions was the beautiful Fleur Delacour who was going to sweep the gents off their feet. Hermione dreamed to be exactly like Fleur so many times, just to get one person's attention.
All Hogwarts students gathered in the hall for a brief tutorial on how you should dance at the ball. Professor McGonagall was cheerful and bubbly today, ready to dance.
"You will need to know how to properly dance before you may attend the party." She began, "I will demonstrate with one student... ah yes, Mr. Longbottom, please come join me to show our pupils how to gracefully move across the dance floor."
Neville was frozen just like the ice on the moat. He was so charming when he blushed, his cheeks turning a fiery, cherry red. He stood up on his quivering legs and began to walk towards the Professor.
"Now take my hand and lay your right hand on my waist." McGonagall responded impatiently.
Neville did as what was asked of him and they began to glide across the dance floor. Ginny Weasley sat quietly in the crowd of teens glancing at Hermione every now and then. Hermione was wide eyed and in awe of the way he danced. Ginny wanted to be in McGonagall's place and have someone dance with her. She then peeked at Harry, like a statue. Maybe he could.
Hermione and Ginny briskly returned to their sleeping commons where they were to tuck in for the night. Ginny couldn't seem to sleep; there was too much disruptions to even think straight.
"Hermione?" Ginny whispered to the metal bed next to hers. "Are you still awake?"
"Ginny? Yes, I'm awake." Hermione replied softly.
"Can we talk?" Ginny questioned.
"Not at all. What's on your mind?" Hermione rolled over to face Ginny.
"Oh not much." Ginny lied. There was so much filling her brain she was getting headaches. "Just, oh there's so much coming up and I…"
"It's about the dance?" Hermione cut Ginny off abruptly.
"Well, yes. It is." she answered, embarrassed. "You see Ron has been teasing me that I… I feel like Harry is more than just a friend."
"Ginny, please, Harry is just a friend and…"
"To you," Ginny spat out.
Hermione felt the anger rising between them but decided to end it before it got worse. "Ginny please, I need to go to sleep. You should too. Good night Ginny."