Hermione, Cho, Parvati, and the rest of the girls entered into the large Hall just a few minutes late. It was what Cho liked to call fashionably late. Once inside, Hermione tugged at her too short white skirt and tried to stretch out her too skimpy pink halter top.
"Will you relax?" Cho complained. "You're making us look bad!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. Oh yes your majesty. Your reputation is oh so very important, isn't it?
When Hermione finally got over her annoyance she got a chance to check out the amazing banquet hall. It looked so beautiful! It was completely dim except for dozens of candles lit all around the dark atmosphere. There were long tables of iced pumpkin juice and snacks with gold table cloths.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Harry and Ron walking into the Banquet Hall, followed by Ginny Weasley.
They saw her and smiled at her. Well, they gave her awfully shocked smiles.
"Hermione! What's that you're wearing?" Ron teased.
"Don't joke with me," Hermione scolded. "I'm not in a very good mood!"
"Were you Cho's little Barbie doll to dress up or did you create this disaster on your own?" Ron joked.
Hermione blushed. "Do I really look that bad?" she asked meekly.
"Of course you don't," Harry cut in before Ron could say anything else. "Ron's just being himself." He switched the topic by lowering his eyes. "Any chance you know where Cho is?"
Hermione internally swore. "Over there flirting with some guys from a new school. You really like her, don't you?"
"She's incredible!" Harry exclaimed with a grin.
"Well, run along puppy. I'm sure she's waiting for you," Hermione replied dryly.
Harry waved at them and ran off towards Cho.
"She's got him on a chain too," Hermione muttered to herself.
Ron smirked and went off to grab some snacks.
Then Ginny turned to Hermione with a frown on her face.
"What?" Hermione asked nervously.
"Hermione Granger! You know perfectly well what! And to think that I worshipped the ground you walked on. What type of a role model suddenly switches to the Dark Side? The flirty side? Huh? Oh, honestly!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Take it easy Ginny! It wasn't my choice. They pushed me down into a chair and ten minutes later I was - well, I was what you see in front of you right now," Hermione explained.
"Well, you do look beautiful! Harry saw right past you though. How could he? He didn't even realize that you were looking your best. He was too hooked up on Cho! How can he be so in love with that brat of a girl?" Ginny pondered angrily.
"That's one question I don't know the answer to. But I wish I did! It's drives as crazy as it drives you! What's she got that I haven't got? That's the question I keep asking myself!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, I'd rather have you going out with Harry than Cho!" Ginnny muttered.
"You like him, don't you?" Hermione said smiling.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm head over heels in love with the guy," Ginny admitted sheepishly.
"Who doesn't like Harry? He's absolutely perfect in every way imaginable. But it would be Cho that would get him, wouldn't it?" Hermione stated defeatedly.
"I guess you're right," Ginny mumbled.
"Hey, let's not mope around. Let's get some pumpkin juice. I'm dying of thirst!" Hermione exclaimed in a feeble attempt to raise both of their spirits.
They walked toward the Pumpkin Juice table where Ron was scarfing down Pumpkin Pasties.
"Having fun?" Hermione asked with a wry smile.
"It's better than being out there. I've got no one to dance with," Ron retorted.
Suddenly a mischevious light shone up in Ginny's eyes. She set down her goblet and put Hermione's hands in Ron's. "You two should dance!" she exclaimed.
"Oh, I don't know..." Hermione mumbled.
"Why not? You guys aren't having fun. Dance! Don't worry about me. It's better that one of us be unhappy rather than all three!" Ginny insisted.
She pushed Hermione and Ron out onto the dancing floor and they ended up right next to Harry and Cho.
The minute they were next to each other Cho have Hermione a very hard and unusual glance.
What? Hermione mouthed back.
Then Cho stopped dancing with Harry and sweetly said with fluttering mascara covered eyelashes, "Oh Harry darling. Don't mind me, but I must show Hermione something exquisite. I'll be right back Harry dear! I promise!"
Then she practically dragged Hermione off the dance floor (where she really didn't want to be anyways) and exclaimed angrily, "If you're going to be one of us then you can't dance with him!"
"What are you talking about Cho? Ron's a really good friend," Hermione snapped back.
"But he isn't our class! Oh, honestly Hermione! Must I explain everything to you? Ron is poor and we are not! We can't allow ourselves to mingle with such lower class!" Cho shrieked.
"I don't get it Cho! How can you be so conceited?" Hermione inquired sharply.
"I am not in the least bit conceited! Bite your tongue!" Cho exclaimed. "I let you borrow my clothes!"
"More like you MADE me borrow your clothes. Anyway, let's just forget it. I don't feel like arguing," Hermione said flatly.
"Okay, whatever. Just don't dance with Ron. I'm going back to dance with Harry," Cho replied.
I know all about your little game Cho Chang. You're only hanging with me to get on your darling little Harry's good side. I hope he's smart enough not to fall for your little act! Hermione thought as she ran to the lady's room.