Today's the day. The day when all the giggling girl's hard work pays off and the day where the sun was intense and the sky was cloudless. The day when there was definite thrill in the air, like some sort of wind tunnel. The day when everything was chaotic and exciting. The day when Hermione Granger planned to stay in her dorm for all eternity… or until the Anika Ball was over.
A ball was simply no reason to get all excited for. It's just a bit of sparkling dust and lights, nothing more. Just a bit of music and dancing. You could go anywhere to do that. But Hermione couldn't help but wake up, get dressed and hurry down to the Grand Hall. Who wanted to hear Lavender and Parvati's incessant shrieks of excitement whenever they'd show each other's dress?
Harry and Ron were sitting at the Hogwart's table, playing chess. Ron was winning, as usual, and it showed. His face was flushing with triumph, and when Hermione approached, he leapt to his feet, and roared, "CHECK MATE! HA!"
"Good morning to you too," said Hermione spitefully as she sat down next to Harry.
"Uh… morning?" said Harry, as he smiled brightly, his eyes glistening, "Don't know if it helped."
Hermione huffed, and crossed her arms, finding it immensely hard to keep a straight face. Harry seemed extra endearing today…
"Did you find a partner yet?" Ron asked Hermione as he dumped the chess pieces into a worn-out drawstring bag.
Hermione huffed again, this time finding it easier to frown, and said, quite curtly, "No."
"Harry hasn't either," said Ron with a smirk on his freckled face, "I'm sure you'll both find partners."
Hermione wanted to slap him. He obviously knew Hermione wanted to go with Harry.
"Have you?" asked Hermione strictly, and Ron scowled, "That's what I thought."
Ron flushed in embarrassment. He could have only looked the way he did know when he asked Fleur Delacour to the Yule Ball in front of her girlish friends last year. He had ran up to his dorm and complained to Harry, who had came back to be turned down by Cho, but it was more peaceful. She was going with Cedric, at the time. Harry wasn't as brainless as some desperate people would be.
"Oh, really?" said Ron, "What about Krum? Are you going to ask him to come all the way from Durmstrang to go with you?"
"Shut up," said Harry sternly, "I know where this is going."
Ron's ears turned red.
"D'you want to go see Hagrid?" suggested Harry, trying to get off topic, "Siamoen told me he'd be outside."
Hermione realized how many things they needed to tell him; about the Tournament, the other champions, and most of all, the next task. Perhaps Hagrid knew a little more than either of them did.
"Sure," agreed Hermione eagerly, "We can ask him a few things."
They stood, and left the Grand Hall.
Today was almost certainly the finest day of all since Hermione had been at Dryconderoga. The sky was cloudless and the grass seemed greener than the other day. A few odd looking birds, that resembled peacocks more that anything, were grazing beneath a tall oak tree, feathering their long tails with fondness. Then Hermione had a small glimpse in her mind of what Fred and George would do if they saw them; she wanted to laugh with mirth, thinking that any fascinating bird that looked award winning and valuable would never leave the grounds with all their feathers intact.
Ron and Hermione followed Harry, since they didn't know where Hagrid would be, down a slopping lawn, past a vine covered stone wall, and they found themselves at the edge of a long stretch of grass. Hermione's mouth fell open in incredulity.
Hermione knew Hagrid loved dragons profoundly, but she never would have predicted this. Hagrid was holding a thick, long chain that eventually led to the same Hungarian Horntail that brought them to Dryconderoga. It was a very pleasant sight; Hagrid looked happier than Hermione had ever seen him. He roared with laughter, waving his arms around, as the enormous Horntail tried to snap at him, smoke bellowing from its nose. He didn't seem to catch the fact that the Horntail only saw him as a very annoying fly.
"Hi, Hagrid!" called Harry, who had seemed to notice this too, "What're you doing?"
They walked further up to him, cautiously watching as Hagrid turned his back on the Horntail to see them, which, Hermione thought, was not a very good idea. Hagrid dropped the chain, which almost made the ground shudder, and met up with them.
"Ah, what a beaut, eh?" he said tearfully to Harry, Ron and Hermione, "She needs someone teh play with. I'm gonna give 'em some of me bedtime stories I cooked up when I had Norbert."
Being Norbert was a baby dragon, and Hagrid was offered it at a pub. Hermione didn't see how he could manage to read this Hungarian Horntail a story without being burnt to a crisp.
"Well, don't get too close," said Ron, "You still have to teach classes at Hogwarts."
Hagrid smiled.
"Hagrid, we've got some things to ask you," said Harry eagerly, "Have you heard anything about Whin breaking some record my dad set?"
It seemed as though someone had erased Hagrid's happiness; he frowned bitterly.
"Yeah, I asked Dumbledore 'bout it," he said, "Somethin' like a speed record. Dunno what that means… but the bloke broke it, an' all. Ruined everythin'. Not everyone was pleased, I'll tell yeh. Yer father was famous, remember."
Harry sighed, his face near a boiling red. He looked furious. Ron looked past him at Hermione, a look of concern on his face, and nodded ever so slightly to Harry. Hermione got the point.
"You'll teach him, Harry," she said quietly, "He's just an interference. Don't let him bug you."
She reached up and, knowing Ron's eyes were watching as if he was daring her, latched her arm through his and patted his shoulder. Score! Eat that, Ron Weasley, her mind shouted.
"Don' worry, Harry, you'll get em' back fer it," said Hagrid reassuringly, "in the next task."
He stopped, looking furious with himself for saying too much. Ron eyed him suspiciously.
"Do you know something we don't, Hagrid?" he asked Hagrid, trying to look him in the eyes, but Hagrid grunted and turned around.
"I've got ter go an'… fetch the flobber worms fer feedin time," he said, then he hurried back to the Horntail, cursing to himself. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other.
"He's not exactly good at keeping things quiet, is he?" said Harry as they wandered around the grounds. Hermione snickered.
"Not exactly," she said, swooping down to pick up an interesting flower, "Wonder what he meant by that. I doubt he even brought his flobber worms."
Ron laughed, but Hermione could tell he was slightly appalled.
"Flobber worms… urgh! And what about that Dragon? He'll bloody well be happy if the damn thing bit his arm off! He'd think it just wanted to play. Have him for dinner, more like it…"
They found a place under a willow tree, just across from the castle, and lazily sat under it. Hermione almost thought she had slipped into her dreams; it was like something you'd see when you were sleeping. The willow had owls, ravens, and some of those beautiful birds she had seen earlier sitting in its branches. Even the stream that flowed nearby had some sort of a misty glow to it. There were many butterflies fluttering around, and the leaves blew in the gentle wind.
"You know, we should be finding partners for the ball right now," said Harry, "I'll be looking pretty stupid, opening the ball by myself."
Hermione didn't want to look over at his face, which was most likely panic stricken. She closed her eyes, leaning against the tree as if it was her pillow.
"I bet Hermione wouldn't mind if she accompanies you to the opening," said Ron, "Would you, Hermione?"
Hermione said nothing, but her face burned in humiliation, and Harry was silent, so Ron dropped his attempt of being downright annoying.
"I honestly don't care," said Ron (no change there, thought Hermione savagely,) who was sitting cross-legged against the tree beside Harry, "There's only one girl I'd like to go with, but I reckon she's already going with someone else."
"Marindernia, I bet," said Hermione cleverly, "Why don't you ask her?"
Hermione heard a huff, then the sound of a stone being thrown into the stream.
"She'd never go for me. She's got all those other boys in her school who'd ask her in a second. I'm just Ron Weasley, pal of the famous Harry Potter and his brainy friend… no offense," said Ron, "And like you said last year, Hermione. 'You only like girls who are gorgeous'."
Hermione felt slightly offended. It was true, she did say that, but it was only because she hadn't found a partner either. He kept turned down the 'ugly' girls who asked to go with him, and he ended up with a girl Harry fixed him up with. But Hermione had never heard Ron speak of a girl like the way he did a moment ago.
"Ron, you sound pretty sincere," said Harry, as though he had read Hermione's mind, "Even though she does look like a Veela, you seriously like her… don't you?"
If Ron had nodded, Hermione wouldn't have seen it. She felt this sensation that Harry was smiling very widely.
"Let's change the subject… what about the next task?" said Ron uneasily, "D'you think it involves Quidditch, Harry?"
Harry chuckled.
"Your not one for changing subjects, Ron," he said, "I really don't know… I hope so. I'd like to get back on my broom… without interference with Whin, of course."
Hermione wasn't able to hang on their words any longer. The conversation switched from the second task to Quidditch. I haven't a clue how that could have happened, Hermione thought to herself. But really; since when did Ron get so profound about girls? He'd normally be seen goggling at girls as they passed last year, but where did all this seriousness come from? He certainly did sound hurt when he realized that Marindernia had a variety of boys to chose to be her partner. And Harry didn't seem as much upset as he did, and he was opening the ball.
Was this the only time Hermione was going to feel genuinely sorry from Ron in her life? That big shinning moment that she would never see again? She knew Harry had the makings of getting a partner for the ball, as much as it embarrassed Hermione to admit it. His vivid green eyes, his chaotic black hair, his firmly muscular- whoa. Where'd that come from?
"Herm! Wake up!"
Hermione found herself being shaken awake by someone somewhere in front of her. She opened her eyes, and tried her hardest to prevent herself from blurting out something stupid, for it was Harry.
"Sorry," she said, getting to her feet "Must have dozed off."
"We'd better get to the castle," said Ron, looking at his watch, "The ball starts in an hour."
"WHAT?" screamed Hermione in horror, "Come on, I've got to get ready!"
She grabbed each of Harry and Ron's arms, and hauled them away from the comfort of the willow tree to the castle.
"Oh, why d'you need so long to get into a dress?" said Ron in repulsion as he tried to pull away, but when Hermione was this fervent, she could kill, "We only need a few minutes!"
"Yeah, well, girls are different, Ron," said Hermione.
They ran all the way back to the castle, wrenched the door open to the Grand Hall, and came face to face with Marindernia. As soon as Harry, Ron and Hermione caught their breath, they looked up at her. Ron whimpered.
"I was going to go out and look for you three," said Marindernia pleasantly, "but now you've found me!"
"What's up, Marindernia?" asked Harry with a vigilant side-glance at Ron. Marindernia smiled.
"Harry, can I speck with you… alone?" she asked him, her eyelashes fluttering.
Hermione frowned, thinking of bad things that could happen to her. Perhaps a potion incident? Or maybe rampaging hippogriffs? She was going to ask Harry to the ball, she knew it. Ron seemed to think this too; he looked as though he'd burst into tears.
Harry nodded, and he and Marindernia both walked to the side where they couldn't be overheard. They started talking, Marindernia tottering back and forth on the balls of her heels, and Harry nodding. Ron sighed heavily, watching them.
"There goes my chance," he said forlornly, and Hermione definitely felt a sensation of sympathy towards him.
"Oh, you'll get another chance, Ron," she said, patting his back, "Maybe Fleur'll pop by and dance with you."
Hermione watched as Marindernia giggled, and Harry nod, while laughing also - then they did some sort of a hug, but more sociable. Hermione didn't care; her face burned with fury and she swore she could hear steam blowing from her ears. As they hurried back to Ron and Hermione, Marindernia said, "Ron, I'd like to ask you something."
Harry was grinning so widely beside her that Hermione thought it was in danger of falling off his face. Ron looked up, obviously not realizing that Marindernia was in front of him.
"It'd be an honor if you could accept my invitation of being my partner to the ball," said Marindernia, staring at Ron's freckled face. Hermione beamed.
"O-okay! I mean… of c-c-course!" gasped Ron, and finally, he smiled. He smiled like he had won a million galleons.
"Perfect!" giggled Marindernia, clapping her hands together, "See you at the ball then!"
And she skipped away, up the staircase, then down a corridor, her hair flowing behind her. Ron hadn't noticed his mouth hanging open.
"Close your mouth, Ron, it's bee season," said Harry jokingly, "Are you happy now?"
Ron, out of all people who were inconsiderate and rude, howled, and lunged at Harry.
"Am I?" he roared, hugging Harry's arm, "I've got to tell Dean and Seamus!"
Hermione stared as Ron skipped to the corridor that led to the Gryffindor dorms, noticing the strange similarity between him and Marindernia's ecstatic departure. Harry rubbed his arm where Ron nearly ripped it off, but he was smiling nevertheless.
"That'll shut him up for a bit," he said.
Hermione stared at him in astonishment. She really doubted what she just saw, but if it was real, that was an awfully considerate gesture. She had never seen this side of Harry, and it almost scared her to think that she liked it… a lot.
"You're such a great friend, Harry," said Hermione, and before she could stop herself, she closed the space between them, and hugged him, a little longer than briefly. Oh, smooth move, Hermione thought. She almost let go, planning to cower in her dorm, but she found Harry's arms casually wrap around her waist. She shivered with delight.
"Not yet," he said in her ear, "I've got something to ask you. How are my chances of me going to the ball with you?"
Hermione's heart leapt, and she found it hard to breath. Maybe she was dreaming? But no. Her head was resting on- his chest? She inhaled his scent, like pines in a forest. He felt like those fluffy white clouds you'd have in a dream.
"They're at an all time high, Harry," she replied, thanking the stars that the Hall was empty, with the exception of a few Dryconderoga first years at their table.
"Well," sighed Harry as he tucked a few of Hermione's curls behind her ear, "That sounds awfully tempting."
Hermione smiled. This was it. The moment Hermione had been waiting for. She held her breath, and crossed her fingers behind his back.
"Herm, will you go to the ball with me?" Harry asked at last.
Hermione was so caught up in the amazement of him asking that she didn't answer right away, but she could tell Harry knew better than to think that she didn't want to accept. It was absolutely obvious that she was dieing to go with him.
"Yes, of course, Harry," Hermione answered.
So Hermione blissfully pranced to her dorm once she and Harry bid each other goodbye, hoping beyond hope that nothing could spoil her mood. Not even Lavender and Parvati or Malfoy. As she danced past squeaking suits of armor and paintings of whispering witches, she waved at everyone who passed, and skidded into the common room. She had only one thought clearly launched in her mind- I'm going to the ball with Harry Potter!
…~'*'~…
A/N: I'm not going to bore you this time. I just wanna say "WELCOME, LAVENDER WEASLEY, TO FF.NET!" She's one of my best friends, and she's also got Chris Rankins (Percy Weasley) on her contact list for MSN! (no, I didn't become her friend so I could chat with him! *smiles deviously* But seriously. We've been friends since kindergarten, and I felt like promoting her, even though she had no stories up yet.) Also, a hint for my next chapter -- the word 'Anika', which is actually a name, means 'beautiful' in Latin, or something. Well, since this author's note is too short for my liking, I'll put some pointless mumbo-jumbo up. Well, actually, it's a commercial promoting the new movie Zoolander, which is really funny!
Ben- Well, I guess the real challenge of playing someone like Dereck is, you know, everybody knows him. I mean, he's probably the most famous male super model in the world.
Derek- Probably? Probably?
Ben-Ummm… I mean, definitely… definitely.
Derek- Definitely? What's with all the fancy lingo, Stiller? Just because you went to…*atmospheric fingers* 'high school'…
Ben- Alright! Okay, enough.
Derek- Enough? Now we're just making words…