"For those that will be staying here over the holidays, during the next
week, which is the last week before your holidays, there will be special
classes. House teams will not matter, you will be put in classes according
to your year level. You will learn to magically decorate Christmas trees
with Professor Flitwick, create Christmas potions with Professor Snape, and
I will be teaching you how to temporarily transform yourselves into
masquerade characters."
McGonagall's announcement surprised and pleased just about everyone. A few Slytherins however, grimaced and booed at having to join up with the other houses.
Just as Hermione had suspected, there were a lot of people staying for Christmas, a lot of them older students. A multitude of emotions hit her when she didn't see a familiar blonde head. Half of her was glad she wouldn't have to face him and the other half longed for him something fierce. It was like an ache that just wouldn't go away.
McGonagall continued.
"On Christmas eve, a masquerade ball will be held. You will all be able to attend as the character of your choice. No-one, apart from the teachers, will be able to tell who is who. That is, until midnight when the spell will be lifted, and all will be revealed." She smiled at them. "It shall be a wonderful event and is guaranteed to be a marvellous night for all."
*
"Mione, what are you going as?" In the common room after dinner, Ginny could not contain her excitement at McGonagall's announcement. She had rattled off at least a dozen ideas, before finally collapsing into an armchair, befuddled as to what to decide on. Hermione, however, did not share the same ammount of enthusiasm.
"I really don't know Ginny." Hermione stared into the crackling fireplace. She paused for a moment, then suddenly got up and went over to the window. The snow was falling heavily, but Hermione could see the lake and the surrounding landscape. She put her palm up against the cold glass and sighed.
"If you're moping about Malfoy, well...stop moping." Harry came up and put a hand on her shoulder.
"He's not worth it. The sodding git...if only you'd let me deal with him. One good whack around the head should -"
"Harry! Stop it!"
Ginny had come over.
"Harry why do you have to be the hero all the time? Sure, you've saved the world from You-Know-Who continuously, but beating up Malfoy is not going to help..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Hermione, who was silent and motionless.
"Well it's not going to be of help to anyone!" Ginny said finally.
*
"What do you want now? I'm tired." Draco grumbled as Ginny raced up to him.
"Hermione's staying for Christmas!" She whispered excitedly. "She's going to be here for the ball!"
"Your point? Look, my idea of Christmas does not involve getting wholloped by the wonder-duo Pottsy and Weasel. So please, go away, and go be cupid somewhere else."
"Well, I suppose your idea of Christmas doesn't involve Hermione Granger then either, does it?" Ginny looked slyly at Draco.
"Listen, Ginger-"
"Ginny!"
"Whatever. I realise your intentions are good, but that doesn't mean Hermione isn't going to slap me to Hogsmeade and back as soon as she sees me."
"Don't you ever listen to announcements Malfoy?"
"Draco."
"Fine, Draco. Well, she doesn't have to see you. You can be just like that little muggle girl Cinder-slippers or whatever her name is. You've got until midnight to keep your mask on."
"What then? Have her rip me from limb to limb for deceiving her, and then have her hand me over to Voldielocks and the death-eaters?! Honestly, you're like that Cindy girl on that horrid 70's muggle show. Don't you EVER leave me to a moment's peace?"
"Well, perhaps you're not seeing things the way I am. She loves you Draco." Ginny explained, as if she were talking to a small child. "Hermione still loves you. Look, just go to the ball, please?"
"Fine, whatever. But not a word of this to anyone." He hissed. "Not one. You'll keep your mouth shut or I'll tell Cho you're in love with Potter."
Flustered, yet pleased she'd convinced Draco to stay, Ginny ran back to Gryffindor tower.
McGonagall's announcement surprised and pleased just about everyone. A few Slytherins however, grimaced and booed at having to join up with the other houses.
Just as Hermione had suspected, there were a lot of people staying for Christmas, a lot of them older students. A multitude of emotions hit her when she didn't see a familiar blonde head. Half of her was glad she wouldn't have to face him and the other half longed for him something fierce. It was like an ache that just wouldn't go away.
McGonagall continued.
"On Christmas eve, a masquerade ball will be held. You will all be able to attend as the character of your choice. No-one, apart from the teachers, will be able to tell who is who. That is, until midnight when the spell will be lifted, and all will be revealed." She smiled at them. "It shall be a wonderful event and is guaranteed to be a marvellous night for all."
*
"Mione, what are you going as?" In the common room after dinner, Ginny could not contain her excitement at McGonagall's announcement. She had rattled off at least a dozen ideas, before finally collapsing into an armchair, befuddled as to what to decide on. Hermione, however, did not share the same ammount of enthusiasm.
"I really don't know Ginny." Hermione stared into the crackling fireplace. She paused for a moment, then suddenly got up and went over to the window. The snow was falling heavily, but Hermione could see the lake and the surrounding landscape. She put her palm up against the cold glass and sighed.
"If you're moping about Malfoy, well...stop moping." Harry came up and put a hand on her shoulder.
"He's not worth it. The sodding git...if only you'd let me deal with him. One good whack around the head should -"
"Harry! Stop it!"
Ginny had come over.
"Harry why do you have to be the hero all the time? Sure, you've saved the world from You-Know-Who continuously, but beating up Malfoy is not going to help..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Hermione, who was silent and motionless.
"Well it's not going to be of help to anyone!" Ginny said finally.
*
"What do you want now? I'm tired." Draco grumbled as Ginny raced up to him.
"Hermione's staying for Christmas!" She whispered excitedly. "She's going to be here for the ball!"
"Your point? Look, my idea of Christmas does not involve getting wholloped by the wonder-duo Pottsy and Weasel. So please, go away, and go be cupid somewhere else."
"Well, I suppose your idea of Christmas doesn't involve Hermione Granger then either, does it?" Ginny looked slyly at Draco.
"Listen, Ginger-"
"Ginny!"
"Whatever. I realise your intentions are good, but that doesn't mean Hermione isn't going to slap me to Hogsmeade and back as soon as she sees me."
"Don't you ever listen to announcements Malfoy?"
"Draco."
"Fine, Draco. Well, she doesn't have to see you. You can be just like that little muggle girl Cinder-slippers or whatever her name is. You've got until midnight to keep your mask on."
"What then? Have her rip me from limb to limb for deceiving her, and then have her hand me over to Voldielocks and the death-eaters?! Honestly, you're like that Cindy girl on that horrid 70's muggle show. Don't you EVER leave me to a moment's peace?"
"Well, perhaps you're not seeing things the way I am. She loves you Draco." Ginny explained, as if she were talking to a small child. "Hermione still loves you. Look, just go to the ball, please?"
"Fine, whatever. But not a word of this to anyone." He hissed. "Not one. You'll keep your mouth shut or I'll tell Cho you're in love with Potter."
Flustered, yet pleased she'd convinced Draco to stay, Ginny ran back to Gryffindor tower.