Welcome to the third chapter, we hope you enjoy your stay, Keep your seat belt on at all times, please refrain from stealing the towels and replacing the Vodka in the mini bar with water because it's not a very nice thing to do. – The Management

Disclaimer: More stuff belonging to the legendary JKR, am not about to pretend names etc are mine, only plot is mine. Please enjoy.

Thankyou to Madame Padfoot for first and only Review. I need more !! PLEASE!!!

Chapter 3: One enchanted evening

The enchanted ceiling was starry and clear, the celestial diamonds enthralling all those in the enormous cavern of a room. The tables had disappeared by the time the girls appeared at the entrance, and the new wizarding band, the Hogsmeade howlers were singing a fast paced, throbbing number, and they sounded great. Ginny and Hermione had spent the afternoon in her suite, getting ready like muggles (although they did discover a very effective manicure and pedicure spell in Witch Weekly, and had cheated a bit on makeup as well). Ginny ended up in an emerald green heavy satin dress, with a boned bodice and full skirt. Hermione couldn't resist putting on her favourite scarlet dress again.

'Gee that band is good; we'll have to visit after they finish the set.' Said Ginny

'I wonder if any of them are cute. Not just cute-cute, I mean, shaggable cute, like Ewan McGregor cute.' smiled Hermione (AN: sorry people, couldn't help self, will refrain from shameless plugs in future).

'Hermione Granger! Honestly!' exclaimed Ginny

'Well you know you were thinking it, I just had the bollocks to actually say it.'

They both giggled their way over to the group containing all of the other 6th and 7th year Gryffindor's who were chatting away happily, oblivious to the immense noise of the loud speakers. Harry and Ron were telling the Ron- spurting-butterbeer-through-nose-whilst-thinking-of-Draco-and-Pansy- Shagging-in-bath anecdote for the 400th time, so Hermione and Ginny wandered up towards the temporary podium where the band was playing, waiting for them to finish their song. Whoever was singing the vocals, (Hermione thought it sounded like a young man) had an amazing voice. But Hermione couldn't see his face because all of the band members were wearing their robes with their hoods on…

Hermione approached the stage alone after the number had finished, since Ginny said she needed some of Dobby's famous party punch. As per Harry's constant advice, she decided to 'live a little', so feeling bold as brass she walked straight up to the lead singer and said to the cloaked figure…

'You were amazing, 100 times better than the weird sisters or anyone! I've never heard a wizarding singer like you.'

'Why thankyou Hermione, I like to think I do OK,' replied a distinctive Scottish Burr.

'Oliver!' exclaimed Hermione as the former Quidditch captain lifted his hood to reveal his friendly face and smiling eyes. 'I had no idea; I thought that your sole passion was Quidditch'.

'Well there's more to Oliver Wood than Quidditch, just as I suspect there is more to Hermione Granger than books. God it's been a long time. I think I last saw when you were in what, was it? Third year?' She thought she caught a certain glint in his eyes.

'Yes, third year.' she whispered.

'Those were the days, weren't they? Such good days' he muttered, looking a little depressed. Oliver had fought in the war, and had lost his elder bother, Archie, who Hermione had never met because of the age gap, but had heard he was a good man and just as charming and charismatic as the younger wood boy. He had been Head boy and Captain of the Quidditch team; it was generally acknowledged that he would be sadly missed.

'I'm sorry Oliver. It makes me feel so guilty that I got to live when someone just as nice as me if not nicer didn't. I never knew him personally, but if he was anything like you I can understand the immensity of the hole he left.'

'Thanks Hermione, I really appreciate that, I mean after all of the sympathetic treatment I get from people who didn't know him, its good to hear someone being honest for a change. Nice to hear from someone who understands what it's like losing a brother. I'm sorry about Jamie. Dumbledore told me.' Oliver murmured, seeing the mutual pain in her eyes, observing the watering of the now dark brown pools. An inky black tear ran down the side of her face, rolling over her cheek bones and down past her jaw.

'I think I need to go to the bathroom, so I guess I'll be seeing you' sniffed Hermione, striding of in the direction of the exit.

'Oh shit' said Oliver to himself as he ran after her, regretting his words and trying to think of something to make her pain go away, something so that she could make his pain go away. Oliver reached the exit of the great hall and looked both ways. It was empty, and he thought that he heard the light swoosh of silk to his right. From memory, there was an old girls bathroom down there, and he ran as fast as his legs could carry him, hoping that he'd reach her before she actually went in.

Hermione pushed into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror, looking at the person staring back.

'Jamie' she sighed, reaching out and running her hand down one side of the mirror. Her parents had always boasted how much their youngest daughter was practically a female carbon copy of their son, but it was particularly obvious now. Hermione's Lipstick had worn off and her mascara had smudged under her Eyes, creating deathly black dark circles under her eyes. She looked like Jamie just before he…. God, she couldn't even think about it without her very skull feeling as if it was going to explode. Her head began to throb and all she could think of was that sickly green light and Jamie's scream. In her minds eye she saw him fall, and she fell with him, hitting the cold bathroom floor with a dull thud.

Draco watched Wood sprint after Granger, and she had a really pained look on her face. Poor thing, he'd better go see what was wrong. Not that he cared or anything, it was just decent. After all he had to work with her, so it would just be the right thing for him to do. Yes, he would go now, as head boy, purely professional. Draco sprinted after Wood, catching him just outside the girls bathroom.

'What happened?' he asked, panting.

'I think I may have said too much' said Wood, looking pained

Together they pushed the door open. Hermione was lying on the floor. She wasn't moving.



Short, I know, but I was in a hurry. Nice little cliff hanger though, eh ?