Hello everyone! Here's Chapter 4, took me a while to type, but oh well.
Hope you enjoy this chapter, it's a bit weird.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed
Chapter 4
Friday finally rolled around and all anyone talked about was the Ball.
Classes finished at three forty-five as usual, and Hermione and Erin went straight back to their dorm to get ready.
Hermione had bought new dress robes as her ones from last year were now too small. Erin, however, was much smaller and slimmer than Hermione, and fit beautifully into the periwinkle blue ones she had worn the year before. Hermione then magically tried to straighten Erin's hair, but it proved to be much too thick. She did succeed, however in leaving the shortish curls in rippling locks that just reached her shoulders.
They finished her off with silver drop earrings and slightly heeled sandals the colour of the ocean.
Erin done, the girls moved onto Hermione. Her new robes were a shining cornflower blue threaded with silver threads and hemmed with silver ribbon. They were cut shallow but wide around the neck, sleeveless and made of a lovely, clinging silk, and showed off the figure Hermione had managed to obtain by eating healthily and exercising compulsively ever since Voldemort had come back.
Erin managed to straighten Hermione's hair with greater effect than Hermione had had on Erin's. When Erin had finished on Hermione's hair, Hermione had gasped.
It was pulled up into a high-ish ponytail, sleek and meek, Hermione's fringe lighting her eyes, a silver ribbon tied into it and a large white flower peeking from behind one ear. They also added silver drop earrings and heels and stood back to admire the effect.
"Wow." Said Hermione softly.
Erin grinned, and the pair headed for the dormitory door. It was time to meet Harry and Ron and head on down to the Great Hall. Cho and James had agreed to meet them in the Entrance Hall.
Harry and Ron were waiting in the common room. Hermione was pleased to hear them both gasp as she and Erin descended the stairs.
"Hermione? Is that really you?" asked Harry.
Hermione poked her tongue at him and the four climbed carefully through the portrait hole and made their way down to the Entrance Hall. Ron took Erin's arm, but merely gaped at her stunning appearance.
James and Cho were chatting amiably as the four entered the Entrance Hall. Cho was in robes of a crimson, James in ocean green-blue.
Harry winked at Hermione as he headed for Cho, and James turned to Hermione, gaped, recovered and bowed slightly to her.
Hermione took his offered arm and they swept into the Great Hall.
"You look absolutely stunning," he murmured to her.
"You don't look half bad yourself."
He grinned at her, the same grin that always made her want to melt.
"Would you like to dance?"
"Sure."
And for the first time, Hermione stepped out onto the dance floor with her dream guy.
They danced, a little apart at first, the only parts in contact being James hand on her hip, hers on his shoulder and their other hands together.
But Hermione relaxed almost immediately, and with each step they took, she felt herself moving closer and closer to him, until she had her head rested gently on his shoulder.
The music washed over her like a hypnotic watch, and she was taken to a place where only she and James existed, forever caught in the sway of the music.
Of course, it didn't last. Minutes later, Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, to find Erin and Ron. Erin grinned impishly.
"I promised James I'd save a dance for him."
Hermione held back a smile, grinned at James, then turned and followed Ron to the table where Harry and Cho were seated. Ron, after a permission- seeking glance at Harry, took Cho off for a dance, so Harry and Hermione were left alone.
"I was wondering for a while if we'd be able to un-stick the two of you for a while there."
Hermione grinned and offered her hand to him for a dance.
The pair whirled elegantly on the dance floor.
"So you really like him?"
Hermione was feeling too content to get annoyed, "yes, Harry. I really like him. How's Cho?"
"She's fine. She said to say you look gorgeous," he smiled slightly, "and she's right. You do look nice."
Hermione blushed slightly, "thanks, Harry. That's sweet of you."
Harry bit his lip slightly, "do you think you could do a bit of ... information gathering for me?"
Hermione began to chuckle slightly, "you want to know whether or not she wants you to kiss her at the end of the night?"
It was Harry's turn to blush, "well ... I mean ... "
"Alright. You'll owe me, though."
He grinned, "sure. Don't walk up to her and say 'Harry wants to know if he can kiss you' or something like that, though."
Hermione just gave him a mischievous smile and thanked him for the dance.
She weaved her way through the crowd, looking for Cho, when she saw something that made her mouth go slightly dry.
She had found Cho. And Ron.
She turned, heading back towards Harry, but Harry was right behind her, and he had also seen what she had seen.
Harry's mouth dropped slightly open. A look of confusion crossed his face, followed by hurt, and he turned and walked quickly, half running, towards the door.
"Harry!" called Hermione after him, but he didn't turn or look back.
Ron, hearing Hermione's shout, and pried his lips away from Cho's and turned to Hermione. A look of realisation crossed his face, and he pulled from Cho's grasp, horror in his eyes. He turned to run after Harry, but Hermione blocked him.
"Don't," she said softly, "I'll go."
Ron sank into a chair, a look of disbelief across his face.
Hermione headed towards the door, when she noticed James coming towards her.
"Would you like another dance?"
Hermione was filled suddenly and painfully with indecision. She shook her head regretfully and motioned for him to follow her.
Walking fast, headed for Gryffindor Tower, she filled James in on what had happened.
"Oh."
Reaching the corridor ending in the Fat Lady, she turned to him.
"I have to see if he's ok. I don't know if I'll come back down."
James nodded, "I know. Thanks for being my date." He turned to leave, and Hermione was filled with sadness, he'll fall in love with someone else at the dance tonight. I've lost my only chance, she thought.
But suddenly, he was back before her, his lips pressed tightly to hers. After a moment of shock, Hermione returned his sweet kiss, melting in his arms. He drew away regretfully, his eyes boring into hers. She pulled him back for a second, then waved him goodbye.
***
Hermione climbed the stairs to the boys' dorms slowly. She was so happy she thought she would burst, but she also knew Harry needed support just now.
He was curled up on the windowsill, watching the snow as it drifted past the window.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to her, and she saw tears in his eyes, tears he was fighting not to spill.
She couldn't think of anything to say. She simply held out her arms and let him crawl into them, and she held on tight as he stopped fighting and began to cry. He cried until Hermione's shoulder was soaked and his throat was raw, and through it all, Hermione held onto him.
Finally, what seemed like hours later, he pulled back. Neither of them spoke. There was nothing to say. Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, gave him a comforting smile, and left.
Looking at her watch, she saw that the Ball still had an hour to go. Quickly performing a charm to neaten her dress robes, she went back down to the Hall.
She found James quickly, sitting with an arm around a hurt looking Erin. Hermione gave him a little, painful smile and went to find the other person she needed to talk to.
Ron was sitting outside, looking confused.
"Ron?"
He looked up at her.
"Is he ok?"
She didn't answer, and he looked back down.
"I don't know what happened, Hermione. I don't even like Cho in that way. I like Erin. But...something just - "
"Shhh. It's ok, Ron. You don't need to explain."
"I do. You don't understand; it's like I was under a spell. I don't even remember starting to kiss her, I just remember dancing with her, then suddenly, I was breaking off the...kiss."
Hermione didn't believe him, but she kept her mouth shut.
"Is Erin ok?"
"Ron ... I don't mean to be ... Well, I mean, you kissed Harry's date. Don't you think Erin and Harry have a right to feel hurt just now?"
"But I didn't mean to!"
"What, someone put a spell on you? Someone made you kiss Cho? Or could it just be that you're jealous of Harry?"
Ron looked angry, "You were the one who set me up with Erin in the first place! Why? Because you knew I liked her! Why would I do something like that if I like Erin?"
"I don't know Ron, you're the one who kissed her, not me."
"You know Hermione, just because you think Harry's the victim - "
"And Erin,"
"You think that I'm the bully."
"Give me another explanation, Ron. Harry - you'll be lucky if Harry even so much as looks at you again. And don't even think Erin will come crawling back when things are over with Cho."
"I'M NOT WITH CHO!"
"I don't want to hear a lie, Ron. Look me in the eye and tell me the truth, and I'll believe you, but I'm not going to back you up against Harry, or Erin."
Ron sat down, looking like he was trying to wake himself from a nightmare.
He looked Hermione straight in the eye, "I didn't intentionally kiss Cho, I'm not with her and I would rather die than hurt Harry or Erin in the ways I have hurt them tonight."
Hermione nodded, "That's all I needed to hear."
"Oh, did the mudblood make things all better again?" drawled and unwelcome voice from behind them.
"Go away Malfoy."
"Is little Potter blubbering in is dormitory? Has Weasley destroyed everything?"
"Yes. It is all Ron's fault. Happy? Now go away."
The smirk was wiped from Malfoy's face, "it wasn't entirely Weasley's fault. He can't get barely any of the credit, in fact. You see, Granger, I happen to know that when you almost kissed Colonel at that spell off thing, he hit you with a hex that makes you act out your last thought. I performed the same spell on Weasley. It appears, he was thinking about kissing Potter's little girlfriend, so Potter will still blame him, even though you now know it was me."
He slunk off looking pleased.
Hermione sighed.
***
James was still sitting with Erin when Hermione and Ron came to sit with them. James scowled slightly at Ron.
"Erin, could I talk to you?" Ron asked in a tentative voice.
"Just go away, Ron."
"No, it's alright, James." Erin lifted a closed face to Ron.
Hermione pulled James up by the arm, and dragged him over to the drinks table, explaining the new situation.
"James, I know he hurt Erin, but I also know he'd never try to hurt Harry, or Erin. He genuinely likes her."
James sighed and reached out for a hug. Encased in his warm embrace, Hermione's cool front suddenly disappeared and she buried her face into his shoulder.
Pulling her into the Entrance Hall, James leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
"It'll be OK. Harry will forgive Ron, Erin will forgive Ron, and everyone will be happy again."
"What about Harry and Cho?"
"Harry will forgive Cho."
"But...She didn't exactly look as though she wasn't enjoying it."
"Why don't you go ask her?"
Hermione sighed and James linked arms with her, setting back off into the Great Hall.
***
Cho was found outside, gazing at the stars.
"Cho? Do you mind if I talk to you for a second?"
Cho turned a tear-streaked face to her.
"I swear I didn't mean to kiss him. I was thinking about kissing Harry, and suddenly I was kissing Ron."
A light flashed on in Hermione's brain. A memory from breakfast several days before came flashing back.
"The opposite hex is where the hex takes the last thought of the victim and grants the opposite."
Draco hadn't performed the Desire hex; it had been an Opposite hex. He had aimed it at Ron, perhaps it had hit Cho, who had been forced to act out her desire in an opposite way: kissing Ron instead of Harry.
It all made sense.
Hermione thanked Cho and hurried back to Ron. She explained what had happened to Erin.
Erin grinned, "we just worked out the same thing."
Ron smiled also, "I'll go talk to Harry."
At that moment, Dumbledore stood, "That was the final dance. You may all now proceed to your dormitories. Breakfast will run until midday for the late starters. Goodnight."
Erin also stood, "I'll come with you to Gryffindor Tower."
She winked at Hermione as they left.
Hermione glanced around and found James. He was standing across the room staring into space, a slight smile on his face.
Hermione snuck around the edges of the room and crept up behind him, sliding an arm around his waist. He grinned down at her, and they walked in silence towards the Entrance Hall.
Stopping once more at the corridor ending in the fat lady's portrait, Hermione turned to James with a smile, "I feel like we did this already."
James grinned also, "How did it turn out?"
"Oh, I dunno, I think it went ok."
"Is that so?"
"Mmm-hmm. I wonder if it will turn out the same as last time."
"Is that what you want?"
Hermione just grinned.
***
Well, that's Chapter 4 from me. Hope you enjoyed it, please review if you have the time, I looove getting reviews. Any ideas on improvements etc, are a big help. I don't honestly know how long it will take me to get Chapter 5 up, I'm a bit unsure as to where I'm going next with this story, but I'll try to be as quick as possible. Thanks!
Chapter 4
Friday finally rolled around and all anyone talked about was the Ball.
Classes finished at three forty-five as usual, and Hermione and Erin went straight back to their dorm to get ready.
Hermione had bought new dress robes as her ones from last year were now too small. Erin, however, was much smaller and slimmer than Hermione, and fit beautifully into the periwinkle blue ones she had worn the year before. Hermione then magically tried to straighten Erin's hair, but it proved to be much too thick. She did succeed, however in leaving the shortish curls in rippling locks that just reached her shoulders.
They finished her off with silver drop earrings and slightly heeled sandals the colour of the ocean.
Erin done, the girls moved onto Hermione. Her new robes were a shining cornflower blue threaded with silver threads and hemmed with silver ribbon. They were cut shallow but wide around the neck, sleeveless and made of a lovely, clinging silk, and showed off the figure Hermione had managed to obtain by eating healthily and exercising compulsively ever since Voldemort had come back.
Erin managed to straighten Hermione's hair with greater effect than Hermione had had on Erin's. When Erin had finished on Hermione's hair, Hermione had gasped.
It was pulled up into a high-ish ponytail, sleek and meek, Hermione's fringe lighting her eyes, a silver ribbon tied into it and a large white flower peeking from behind one ear. They also added silver drop earrings and heels and stood back to admire the effect.
"Wow." Said Hermione softly.
Erin grinned, and the pair headed for the dormitory door. It was time to meet Harry and Ron and head on down to the Great Hall. Cho and James had agreed to meet them in the Entrance Hall.
Harry and Ron were waiting in the common room. Hermione was pleased to hear them both gasp as she and Erin descended the stairs.
"Hermione? Is that really you?" asked Harry.
Hermione poked her tongue at him and the four climbed carefully through the portrait hole and made their way down to the Entrance Hall. Ron took Erin's arm, but merely gaped at her stunning appearance.
James and Cho were chatting amiably as the four entered the Entrance Hall. Cho was in robes of a crimson, James in ocean green-blue.
Harry winked at Hermione as he headed for Cho, and James turned to Hermione, gaped, recovered and bowed slightly to her.
Hermione took his offered arm and they swept into the Great Hall.
"You look absolutely stunning," he murmured to her.
"You don't look half bad yourself."
He grinned at her, the same grin that always made her want to melt.
"Would you like to dance?"
"Sure."
And for the first time, Hermione stepped out onto the dance floor with her dream guy.
They danced, a little apart at first, the only parts in contact being James hand on her hip, hers on his shoulder and their other hands together.
But Hermione relaxed almost immediately, and with each step they took, she felt herself moving closer and closer to him, until she had her head rested gently on his shoulder.
The music washed over her like a hypnotic watch, and she was taken to a place where only she and James existed, forever caught in the sway of the music.
Of course, it didn't last. Minutes later, Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, to find Erin and Ron. Erin grinned impishly.
"I promised James I'd save a dance for him."
Hermione held back a smile, grinned at James, then turned and followed Ron to the table where Harry and Cho were seated. Ron, after a permission- seeking glance at Harry, took Cho off for a dance, so Harry and Hermione were left alone.
"I was wondering for a while if we'd be able to un-stick the two of you for a while there."
Hermione grinned and offered her hand to him for a dance.
The pair whirled elegantly on the dance floor.
"So you really like him?"
Hermione was feeling too content to get annoyed, "yes, Harry. I really like him. How's Cho?"
"She's fine. She said to say you look gorgeous," he smiled slightly, "and she's right. You do look nice."
Hermione blushed slightly, "thanks, Harry. That's sweet of you."
Harry bit his lip slightly, "do you think you could do a bit of ... information gathering for me?"
Hermione began to chuckle slightly, "you want to know whether or not she wants you to kiss her at the end of the night?"
It was Harry's turn to blush, "well ... I mean ... "
"Alright. You'll owe me, though."
He grinned, "sure. Don't walk up to her and say 'Harry wants to know if he can kiss you' or something like that, though."
Hermione just gave him a mischievous smile and thanked him for the dance.
She weaved her way through the crowd, looking for Cho, when she saw something that made her mouth go slightly dry.
She had found Cho. And Ron.
She turned, heading back towards Harry, but Harry was right behind her, and he had also seen what she had seen.
Harry's mouth dropped slightly open. A look of confusion crossed his face, followed by hurt, and he turned and walked quickly, half running, towards the door.
"Harry!" called Hermione after him, but he didn't turn or look back.
Ron, hearing Hermione's shout, and pried his lips away from Cho's and turned to Hermione. A look of realisation crossed his face, and he pulled from Cho's grasp, horror in his eyes. He turned to run after Harry, but Hermione blocked him.
"Don't," she said softly, "I'll go."
Ron sank into a chair, a look of disbelief across his face.
Hermione headed towards the door, when she noticed James coming towards her.
"Would you like another dance?"
Hermione was filled suddenly and painfully with indecision. She shook her head regretfully and motioned for him to follow her.
Walking fast, headed for Gryffindor Tower, she filled James in on what had happened.
"Oh."
Reaching the corridor ending in the Fat Lady, she turned to him.
"I have to see if he's ok. I don't know if I'll come back down."
James nodded, "I know. Thanks for being my date." He turned to leave, and Hermione was filled with sadness, he'll fall in love with someone else at the dance tonight. I've lost my only chance, she thought.
But suddenly, he was back before her, his lips pressed tightly to hers. After a moment of shock, Hermione returned his sweet kiss, melting in his arms. He drew away regretfully, his eyes boring into hers. She pulled him back for a second, then waved him goodbye.
***
Hermione climbed the stairs to the boys' dorms slowly. She was so happy she thought she would burst, but she also knew Harry needed support just now.
He was curled up on the windowsill, watching the snow as it drifted past the window.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to her, and she saw tears in his eyes, tears he was fighting not to spill.
She couldn't think of anything to say. She simply held out her arms and let him crawl into them, and she held on tight as he stopped fighting and began to cry. He cried until Hermione's shoulder was soaked and his throat was raw, and through it all, Hermione held onto him.
Finally, what seemed like hours later, he pulled back. Neither of them spoke. There was nothing to say. Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, gave him a comforting smile, and left.
Looking at her watch, she saw that the Ball still had an hour to go. Quickly performing a charm to neaten her dress robes, she went back down to the Hall.
She found James quickly, sitting with an arm around a hurt looking Erin. Hermione gave him a little, painful smile and went to find the other person she needed to talk to.
Ron was sitting outside, looking confused.
"Ron?"
He looked up at her.
"Is he ok?"
She didn't answer, and he looked back down.
"I don't know what happened, Hermione. I don't even like Cho in that way. I like Erin. But...something just - "
"Shhh. It's ok, Ron. You don't need to explain."
"I do. You don't understand; it's like I was under a spell. I don't even remember starting to kiss her, I just remember dancing with her, then suddenly, I was breaking off the...kiss."
Hermione didn't believe him, but she kept her mouth shut.
"Is Erin ok?"
"Ron ... I don't mean to be ... Well, I mean, you kissed Harry's date. Don't you think Erin and Harry have a right to feel hurt just now?"
"But I didn't mean to!"
"What, someone put a spell on you? Someone made you kiss Cho? Or could it just be that you're jealous of Harry?"
Ron looked angry, "You were the one who set me up with Erin in the first place! Why? Because you knew I liked her! Why would I do something like that if I like Erin?"
"I don't know Ron, you're the one who kissed her, not me."
"You know Hermione, just because you think Harry's the victim - "
"And Erin,"
"You think that I'm the bully."
"Give me another explanation, Ron. Harry - you'll be lucky if Harry even so much as looks at you again. And don't even think Erin will come crawling back when things are over with Cho."
"I'M NOT WITH CHO!"
"I don't want to hear a lie, Ron. Look me in the eye and tell me the truth, and I'll believe you, but I'm not going to back you up against Harry, or Erin."
Ron sat down, looking like he was trying to wake himself from a nightmare.
He looked Hermione straight in the eye, "I didn't intentionally kiss Cho, I'm not with her and I would rather die than hurt Harry or Erin in the ways I have hurt them tonight."
Hermione nodded, "That's all I needed to hear."
"Oh, did the mudblood make things all better again?" drawled and unwelcome voice from behind them.
"Go away Malfoy."
"Is little Potter blubbering in is dormitory? Has Weasley destroyed everything?"
"Yes. It is all Ron's fault. Happy? Now go away."
The smirk was wiped from Malfoy's face, "it wasn't entirely Weasley's fault. He can't get barely any of the credit, in fact. You see, Granger, I happen to know that when you almost kissed Colonel at that spell off thing, he hit you with a hex that makes you act out your last thought. I performed the same spell on Weasley. It appears, he was thinking about kissing Potter's little girlfriend, so Potter will still blame him, even though you now know it was me."
He slunk off looking pleased.
Hermione sighed.
***
James was still sitting with Erin when Hermione and Ron came to sit with them. James scowled slightly at Ron.
"Erin, could I talk to you?" Ron asked in a tentative voice.
"Just go away, Ron."
"No, it's alright, James." Erin lifted a closed face to Ron.
Hermione pulled James up by the arm, and dragged him over to the drinks table, explaining the new situation.
"James, I know he hurt Erin, but I also know he'd never try to hurt Harry, or Erin. He genuinely likes her."
James sighed and reached out for a hug. Encased in his warm embrace, Hermione's cool front suddenly disappeared and she buried her face into his shoulder.
Pulling her into the Entrance Hall, James leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
"It'll be OK. Harry will forgive Ron, Erin will forgive Ron, and everyone will be happy again."
"What about Harry and Cho?"
"Harry will forgive Cho."
"But...She didn't exactly look as though she wasn't enjoying it."
"Why don't you go ask her?"
Hermione sighed and James linked arms with her, setting back off into the Great Hall.
***
Cho was found outside, gazing at the stars.
"Cho? Do you mind if I talk to you for a second?"
Cho turned a tear-streaked face to her.
"I swear I didn't mean to kiss him. I was thinking about kissing Harry, and suddenly I was kissing Ron."
A light flashed on in Hermione's brain. A memory from breakfast several days before came flashing back.
"The opposite hex is where the hex takes the last thought of the victim and grants the opposite."
Draco hadn't performed the Desire hex; it had been an Opposite hex. He had aimed it at Ron, perhaps it had hit Cho, who had been forced to act out her desire in an opposite way: kissing Ron instead of Harry.
It all made sense.
Hermione thanked Cho and hurried back to Ron. She explained what had happened to Erin.
Erin grinned, "we just worked out the same thing."
Ron smiled also, "I'll go talk to Harry."
At that moment, Dumbledore stood, "That was the final dance. You may all now proceed to your dormitories. Breakfast will run until midday for the late starters. Goodnight."
Erin also stood, "I'll come with you to Gryffindor Tower."
She winked at Hermione as they left.
Hermione glanced around and found James. He was standing across the room staring into space, a slight smile on his face.
Hermione snuck around the edges of the room and crept up behind him, sliding an arm around his waist. He grinned down at her, and they walked in silence towards the Entrance Hall.
Stopping once more at the corridor ending in the fat lady's portrait, Hermione turned to James with a smile, "I feel like we did this already."
James grinned also, "How did it turn out?"
"Oh, I dunno, I think it went ok."
"Is that so?"
"Mmm-hmm. I wonder if it will turn out the same as last time."
"Is that what you want?"
Hermione just grinned.
***
Well, that's Chapter 4 from me. Hope you enjoyed it, please review if you have the time, I looove getting reviews. Any ideas on improvements etc, are a big help. I don't honestly know how long it will take me to get Chapter 5 up, I'm a bit unsure as to where I'm going next with this story, but I'll try to be as quick as possible. Thanks!