A/N: The second chapter! Mackenzie Anderson, you can't have Marilyn but you can borrow her! Tho that will cost… a chocolate cookie! ^_~

Dark Angel

Venturing Out to the Unknown Grounds

To call or not to call, that was the big question in Hermione's life at this moment. It had been two days and all she had managed was to get was a headache and a feeling of desperation for any solution at all creeping up on her. For a second she had even considered writing a list to weigh the pros and cons, but god-forbid that she'd ever do anything so Parvati and Lavender.

Hermione was lying on her bed, her nails were pinching the now mildly sore flesh around her navel, as always it helped her calm down. Should she call? She was the first to admit that Marilyn was attractive but the girl was just so different from what she was used to. Her mind ran to her first crush and the reason she finally admitted that she was gay. Cho Chang. That's how she liked girls; gracious, ambitious, brave and wise. Marilyn was probably a few of those things but Hermione suspected that she also was many others; which none of them would be found on Hermione's top 10 of good traits in person. When she thought about it, there probably wasn't even one among the first hundred.

Or maybe I should for once stop over-analysing and make the damn call! I've managed potions with I-Wish-Didn't-Know-Who for 6 years; I'm not going to end up in St Mungo's over something so ridiculous as this!

Before Hermione could change her mind she rushed to the phone and dialled the number that after only two days knew as well as her own. Her heart was trying to pound out of her body; the noise was so loud she almost couldn't hear the ringing.

"The Anchor's psychic ward, Jane speaking."

So this is how it feels when your head explodes and your heart bounces out and splashes against the wall.

"Um, I'm sorry. Wrong number."

"I'm sorry, just don't hang up! It's me, Marilyn! I'm so glad you finally called. I've been answering like this for two days. I managed to scare away a phone salesman but mom's been complaining some."

Oh. It was like she had ended up in another dimension; gone were the rules and the sense of belonging. She was stranded and completely lost. Marilyn was reaching out her hand, but not to show her the way back. Not yet anyway. Hermione was beginning to believe she didn't mind, and that scared the hell out of her.

"Earth to... whatever your name is."

"Hermione."

"Shit, that's a cool name. So, Hermione, are you free tonight?"

So soon. "Yes."

"Good, can you be at the bench where we met at eight?"

"It's a bit late but I suppose I can."

"I suggest you tell your rents that you're sleeping over at a friends house."

Hermione didn't have any friends outside Hogwart's, but she wasn't about to tell Marilyn that. Her parents were visiting some friends and wouldn't come back for two more days so coming home late wouldn't be a problem.

"I'm home alone for a few days."

"Even better. I have to go now, see you tonight."

Before Hermione had time to say anything the girl had hung up. Well, that went well!

**TBC**