A/N: Well here I am again. Thanks again for all of the reviews! In this part there will be a lot of Draco (yay!) and Ron and Hermione. Enjoy!
"She seemed to be an air-head," Lavender said knowingly, trying to comfort her friend. Hermione thought that was rich, and had to choke back a derisive snort. "I don't know what Harry would see in her!"
"So you are going with him, aren't you?"
Veronica looked up from her copy of Potent Potions and What They Do (ever since the episode in Snape's class she had taken a fascination to that topic) and blinked. A very flustered Parvati Patil was peering angrily down at her, flanked by her companion Lavender Brown. Veronica looked at them like they belonged in a room with soft walls.
"Wait – can you fill me in on what exactly it is you are talking about?"
"Harry." Parvati folded her arms across her chest. Veronica noted that she would probably be none too happy that her carefully arranged plaited hair was falling out. Her eyes flashed warningly. "The ball. You asked him to go with you, right?"
"Well not exactly. You see actually he asked me to go with him." Veronica tried to keep her voice pleasant. She always found that to be the best defense when people flew off the handle for no apparent reason. She looked up with a mixture of puzzlement and concern. "I'm sorry – is there a problem here?"
Parvati's palms balled up into fists. "You are ever so smug," she tried to say evenly, but her voice was quaking. "No matter." She took a deep breath, and raised her chin. "I am sure you will have a smashing time at the ball," she said airily. "Except I do hope Harry has learned how to dance by now…" Letting her words hang in the air, she spun around and marched off.
Lavender hung back, and looked at Veronica like she was an unpleasant, unidentifiable object that her cat had dragged inside. "That was so low of you," she said, sticking up for her friend. "I hope you're satisfied when you get your picture in the magazines."
Veronica stared back completely flabbergasted. She decided she would try to be diplomatic again. "Honestly, Lavender," She threw up her hands. "I really don't know what you are talking about."
"As if you didn't know," Lavender gave Veronica another dirty look, and made her exit. Veronica just sat their stunned, until Hermione entered the bedroom about five minutes later.
"What's up?" She asked curiously, seeing Veronica's dazed expression. "You look as if you just saw one of those giant man-eating spiders that Ron goes on about."
"Well it was just as unexpected…wait you aren't serious about the spider thing are you? There actually is such a thing?"
Hermione shrugged and Veronica just shook her head. "Whatever…right now I'm too stunned to care." She looked up at Hermione. "Ok maybe you can help me out here…why did Parvati Patil just come in here and practically claw me to death? I mean…was she going out with Harry or something?"
Hermione snorted. "She wishes that she had," she said emphatically. "Don't worry about her 'Nica … honestly. This fascination with Harry is only a very recent development. She only likes him because he is famous."
"And that's another thing." Veronica leaned against the bedpost. "You-only-like-Harry-Potter-because-he-is-famous is definitely the refrain of late. I mean just yesterday I ran into this blonde, pale, rodent-like sort of guy…what was his name…Drago Malboy or something…"
"Draco." Hermione supplied, giggling. "Draco Malfoy."
Veronica rolled her eyes skyward. "Ok…what where his parents thinking?" She snorted. "I mean what a horrible name! Not like he doesn't deserve it. I mean after all he is such a charming, sensitive individual…a right ray of sunshine."
"And you are almost as sarcastic as he is," Hermione pointed out grinning.
"Ouch," Veronica grimaced. "Please don't say that! I only resort to sarcasm when I am pushed beyond the limits of my usual cheery personality."
"Fair enough." Hermione grinned. "Do continue."
"Well in between espousing his xenophobic views, letting me know that he is extremely rich, and elaborating on how big his broom is," Hermione looked appropriately amused. "Uh, well that last thing may bit a bit out of context…well anyway he also mentioned that Harry was famous. Which Lavender also mentioned." Veronica shook her head. "I mean if my date is famous…I would like to know about it!"
Hermione looked puzzled. "Harry never told you?"
"Told me what?" Veronica stared back at Hermione. "I mean what did he do? Break an Olympic record? Invent the cure for cancer? Save the world? Tell me, Hermione!"
Hermione smiled wryly at Veronica's closing comment, which was not far off the mark. "Well," she hesitated. "I don't know why Harry didn't tell you…but maybe you should ask him about it."
"Why? Is it like a really big deal?"
"Yes it is." Hermione suddenly thought of Harry…the way he always looked so uncomfortable when people discovered his identity, and immediately started gawking at his scar. The way that he frequently seemed to make the cover of Teen Witch. The way he attracted attention everywhere he went, people making a fuss over him and shaking their heads behind his back foretelling his imminent doom. And how he was wound up in a destiny that he had no control over, a heavy weight her slight fifteen year-old friend was forced to bear on his shoulders…Hermione was struck suddenly exactly why he liked being with Veronica. People always want what they can't have, she mused.
And in Harry's case, that was to be normal for a change.
"It really is." She said softly. She looked up at Veronica with a distant gaze. "You should really ask him about it."
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Ginny Weasley sat at her desk, as the fifth years trickled in to the classroom. Her transfiguration period had ended about five minutes earlier – but she always hung around far after the bell rung.
Ginny sighed inwardly, slumping her shoulders. I really am pathetic, she thought grinning weakly.
But that self-judgment couldn't change the way she felt. She craned her neck around, to peer intently at the door. At any moment, Harry would walk through those doors. He would amble in, flanked by Ron and Hermione, smiling – he was always smiling Ginny sighed – his green eyes sparkling with their usual genuine sincerity. He was just so beautiful…not in an entirely objective physical sense; he could be a bit taller, maybe a tad less thin, and his hair could be less unruly…but it was all him and together it formed a seamless pattern, a presence so endearing that Ginny found it painful to think of. Ginny had studied him so well…she knew every curve and dent of his hands, every shade his startling eyes took on as they were in different lighting, every tremor and tone of his voice, every expression that passed over his open face.
It was just all him. And she loved him more than she thought it would be possible for someone to love.
Ginny sighed, and shuddered. Wild fantasies flew through her head…she would jump out at him this time as he walked through the door – declaring her undying love, and he would sweep her in his arms like a tide of passion. She longed to touch him, to run her fingers through his soft black hair, to look deep into his green eyes and everything she felt for him reflected back. She yearned to hold him close to her, to feel his bare skin against hers, to take a whiff of his unique odor, which always smelled of grass and rain, to feel her lips pressed softly against hers…
"Are you planning on just sitting there all day?" A drawling voice broke into her reverie. "Because I think they charge you extra for occupying these things overtime."
Ginny's small face darted up in surprise. She blinked up at Draco Malfoy who was standing impatiently by her desk. He was wearing all black as usual, and his pale face was lined with contempt. "A Weasley, aren't you?" He snorted. "Well you had better get up, because I don't think your lot can afford it."
Ginny was taken aback. But before she had time to retort, she noticed that Harry had finally come to class. But instead of being flanked by Ron or Hermione, he was with Veronica. Her face fell. He had picked her up teasingly in the hallway and now she was slung over his shoulder. Red-faced and howling with laughter Veronica was insisting that he put her down. Grunting, Harry sat her on a desk, and she slapped him playfully. The way he looked at her…she lowered her eyes. She had just found out he was going with her to the ball. It was all too painful. Her lower lip trembled and her eyes stung. She hoped desperately that she wouldn't start to cry. They took their seats at the opposite end of the room. He hadn't noticed her as usual.
Draco had noticed the play of emotions that crossed Ginny's face. He glanced up at Harry and Veronica, the scene had occupied so much of Ginny Weasley's attention. Whereupon, he immediately rolled his eyes skyward. "Pardon me, I didn't know I was interrupting a meeting of the Harry Potter fan club." Perhaps the close proximity of Veronica, and his failed attempt at asking her out made him more cutting than usual. "But I really must insist that you stop goggling at him like a sick puppy so that I can sit down."
At "sick puppy" Ginny's head snapped up. She glared at Malfoy, her small pale face livid with rage. Her freckles stood out shockingly against the deathly white background of her skin, and her hair fell about her shoulders in fiery waves. "You must know all about sick puppies, Malfoy," she snarled scathingly. Draco was shocked at the sheer malice in her voice; he didn't think that she was capable of it. "Because I hear that you are taking one to the ball. And in Pansy's case, the metaphor is quite literal."
Draco was too surprised to think of a good comeback. "Would you just move," he said through gritted teeth.
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "I don't see your name on this seat," she said coldly. "So I suggest you find another one."
"Fine then. Stay here throughout transfiguration. And wait – it might even help you have a go at Harry! Maybe if you have McGonagall transform you into a broomstick…"
"YOU BASTARD!" Ginny shrieked jumping out of her chair. "YOU SLIMELY, GIT-FACED, SNOTTY, WEASELLY, SELF-SATISFIED PRAT!" Ginny had accomplished her goal, because Harry was definitely noticing her now. As was the entire class. Ron rushed over, leaping quite acrobatically over some desks, and landed by her side. Harry had to rush after him, and pin his arms to his sides so he wouldn't fly at Draco's throat. Veronica looked bemused. She silently gave Ginny props for telling it like it was.
"What," Ron growled through gritted teeth, struggling unsuccessfully against Harry's stranglehold. "Did you say to her?"
"Nothing she didn't want to hear." Draco said coolly. Ginny didn't consider herself a hateful person. But as she heard that maddeningly drawling voice echo through her head, she knew one thing for certain.
She hated Draco Malfoy. With a passion.
"It's ok, Ron," she said tightly. "No need to get expelled over…him." Her usually kind brown eyes where like daggers as she regarding Draco with a furious stare. He gazed back at her with his steely gray eyes, eyes like ice, eyes that betrayed no emotion. Eyes that the fire of Ginny's wrath could not melt. Gathering her books, she stormed out of the room, every single Gryffindor and Slytherin fifth year watching her leave in stunned silence.
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"I tried asking Harry about the whole being famous deal." Veronica mentioned to Hermione. They were sitting down to breakfast at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. "He didn't really elaborate…said it was a whole lot of fuss about nothing."
"Mmm," Hermione nodded swallowing a piece of toast. "He's being humble. It is a really big deal."
Veronica nodded. She swirled her cereal around; it was starting to get soggy as it sat there in the milk. "I just don't get him sometimes…" She muttered more to herself than anyone. "I mean you would think he is so sincere and open…I mean he isn't shady at all…but then there seems to be so much he doesn't tell anyone…"
Hermione nodded again, and was about to reply, but she was interrupted by a huge tumult of screeching and beating wings. Veronica stared wide-eyed at the multitude of owls that came soaring into the dinning hall, and shrieking actually dived under the table. Hermione clutched her sleeve.
"It's just the owl post," she said. She acted as if Veronica had run screaming from a bunny rabbit.
"I know, I know…" Veronica took her seat a bit shakily. "Sorry. I'm still not completely at ease with having an enormous mass of owls burst unexpectedly into a room."
Harry and Ron joined them. Pigwidgeon (despite being adorable, Veronica still maintained that he was in actually an overgrown hummingbird) buzzed excitedly around Ron's ears, weighed down by a single letter that he gripped in his claw. Hedwig, dropped Harry's mail in his breakfast plate, and nipped his ear affectionately before soaring off. A large barn owl swooped down, dropping a letter in Hermione's lap. She looked at it in curiosity.
"What is it Herm?" Harry asked, distractedly. He was reading his note from Hagrid.
"Oh, its from Victor." Hermione had the air of somebody who was trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. And this was not without reason; at the mention of Victor Ron stiffened and went quite pale. He watched Hermione with hawk eyes, as her eyes skimmed the letter.
"So what is it about?" He asked tightly.
"Nothing," Hermione responded shortly. Veronica felt the tension; it hung in the air. Then suddenly Hermione inhaled sharply. "Oh no." She moaned.
"What?" Ron was clearly on edge. "Well what is it?'
Hermione took a deep breath. "I told Victor he could come visit before – he told me this summer that he has a Quidditch game in London. Only…" She swallowed. "Only I-I didn't know it was on the same day of the ball…"
A rather awkward silence followed.
"Oh so I see how it is," Ron's voice cut in. "Old Vicky comes running back, and we have to go rushing to see him again…"
Hermione stared back at him with a mix of hurt and disbelief. "Oh shut up Ron!" She screeched. "I did not say that I wouldn't go with you to the ball, because of him…I just feel bad that's all…"
"Well if you have to meet with him, by all means go ahead. I understand." His voice was gruff, and there was every indication that he felt the exact opposite.
"Honestly Ron!" Hermione exploded She was annoyed that she had hurt him, and annoyed at how he could be so dense and jump to conclusions so quickly. "You have the classic case of an inferiority complex…"
"I do not think I am inferior!" Ron snapped. Veronica sucked in her breath. Hermione had obviously struck a nerve. "And how modest of you to think that you are and the ball the so damn important that I really care that much…"
"And how mature of you to go off without listening to any logic," Hermione shot back. "And you do care…obviously.
"FINE!" Ron roared. He had a look in his blue eyes that said quite plainly I-will-prove-to-you-that-I-don't-care-if-I-have-to-die-doing-it. "News flash: I don't care if you go with that duck-footed, hulking, Bulgarian prat!" He stood up, pushing his chair in with a hard slam that upset his glass of orange juice.
"MAYBE I WILL!" Hermione yelled back, matching his indignation in the intensity of her flashing dark eyes. "At least I can have an adult conversation with Victor…without him flying of the handle for no reason…" She stood abruptly and stormed off in fury. Ron looked after him, his face very red, and his hands balled up into tight fists. And then, still seething with anger, he marched out of the opposite door.
Veronica looked bemusedly at Harry. "So tell me – this kind of thing…does it happen a lot?"
Harry gave a wry nod of his head. "All of the time," he answered.
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A/N: Ha! So I guess this would be the chapter where
everybody gets really peeved at everyone else…but will it last I ask you? Will
Hermione and Ron make up…or will she really go with Victor? Will Veronica wring
any more information out of Harry? Will Parvati get her revenge? And what is up
with Ginny and Draco? (hehhehehe)! More to come…Draco, Sirius, Snape, and we'll
find out a bit more about Veronica…and the mystery that surrounds her. Ta ta!