Disclaimer: Ms. Rowling owns Harry Potter and all related things.
Madeleine L'Engle owns herself and A Wrinkle in Time.
Chapter 6- The Day After
****In Hermione's Dream Pictures were flashing by, making her eyes hurt. She saw herself up on stage, performing at the Competition. She saw her friends and enemies in the crowd looking at her with shocked eyes. She saw her parents talking to her before she left for Hogwarts. She remembered exactly what they said, "Honey, I'm sure you'll do everything perfectly. You always do and always will. You're perfect." Her parents didn't realize that those words would haunt her. She couldn't disappoint her parents. She had to be perfect, she had to- End Dream Sequence****
Hermione bolted up in bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked at her watch, it read 8:15. Breakfast had already started. She reluctantly heaved herself out of bed, she was extremely tired, but also very hungry! She saw Lavender and Parvati leave, both wearing muggle clothes, so she decided to do the same thing. Hermione had bought a new wardrobe over the summer, and makeup. She grabbed a black leather skirt, her leather ankle boots and a hot pink tank top. She whispered a spell to add hot pink highlights to her midnight black hair. She put on a bit of makeup, and headed to the Great Hall.
She reached the Great Hall to find the doors shut, meaning everyone was already there. She opened them with a bang. Everyone turned to see whom it was. She ignored the stares she was getting, and headed to the Gryffindor table, to where Harry and Ron were sitting. She sat down opposite them. Most people had stopped staring at her, and started talking again. Some of the boys however, were still drooling over her. Harry and Ron were starring at her to, open-mouthed. Ron spoke first, "What the hell are you doing, looking like that? Look at all those guys, checking you out!" he said angrily. This just made Hermione mad. "Urg, you are so overprotective. I can look how ever I want!" "Fine", Ron mumbled. He began to start at Lavender. Hermione noticed this and said, "Oh, does Ron have a crush on someone?" she asked in a teasing voice. "No", said Ron, annoyed at her for saying something like that. "Yes you do!" she argued, again playfully.
But, this just got Ron madder. He blurted out, very loudly, "So? Harry is in love with you!!" Hermione's face totally changed at this. It became expressionless. After and awkward silence of the whole hall, who had heard the fight, Hermione said, "Ron, don't say such lies." She then got up and walked swiftly out of the hall. Everyone was starring at Harry and Ron, so no one noticed a certain Slytherin slip out after her.
Hermione ran out, extremely confused. Why didn't Harry tell her if he loved her? Hermione felt someone grab her from behind and pull her off to any empty hallway. She didn't fight the person, assuming it was Harry. When the person stopped she said, "Harry.", as turning around to face the person she thought was Harry. But instead of looking into his familiar green eyes, she was looking into blue-grey ones. It was Draco Malfoy.
She looked at him for a moment, surprised. "What do you want", she asked in an impatient voice. She thought back over the year. Malfoy had actually been civil to Harry, Ron and her. She didn't remember him insulting any of them once. "I want to talk to you alone. Will you come outside with me?" he asked her, his voice hinting hopefulness. She bit her lip, thinking. She didn't exactly trust him, but he seemed different this year. Maybe it was because his father was now in Azkaban, under the charge of being a Death Eater. "Fine", she said, hoping she wouldn't regret it.
Hermione followed him outside. He led her to some benches by the lake. He made her sit down. He began talking. "Look", he began, not sure of what to say, "I'm in love with you." Hermione asked, quite sure she had heard wrong, "Pardon?" "I am in love with you." he said very slowly and clearly. "You don't have to say anything now, can you meet me here today at dinner?" "Sure", Hermione answered before she could stop herself. She had a crush on Harry since forever, but Draco had a bad boy type attitude and was very hot. She couldn't help being drawn to him. And the whole incident this morning, she wasn't sure what was going on with Harry anymore. He started to get up, and asked her, "Are you coming?" "No", she answered, "I'm going to stay out here for a bit longer." He left, and Hermione watched him till she saw the door to the Entrance Hall close behind him.
She sat there for a long time. People started coming outside, since it was nice out. She didn't notice them, lost in thought. But the face of Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, startled her out of her thoughts. "Hi", Ginny said, "Can I sit?" she asked, gesturing to the bench. "Whatever", was Hermione's flat, dull answer. Ginny was not put off so easily, though. "Come on, tell me what's wrong, please?!?!?", she half asked, half demanded. "Everything is wrong!" Hermione screamed, her voice echoing throughout the grounds. "Do you want to talk about it?" Ginny asked softly, taken back. "No, but thanks for offering", Hermione said, giving her a half smile. "No problem, that's what friends are for." Ginny told her smiling. Ginny gave her a hug, and they walked back to the castle together in silence.
********
Hermione bid Ginny good-bye be for heading to the kitchens. She was starving, she couldn't remember the last time she ate. She got to the painting of the fruit and tickled the pear. She entered the kitchens to see a bunch of smiling house-elves. Dobby came over to her and asked, "Does Miss. want some food?" "Yes, that'd be great, I missed breakfast." At these words a few elves scampered off and came back with tons of food. They seated her at a table and she dug in, starved, realizing she hadn't eaten since the night before the Competition (a/n: and so did the author! Sorry Hermione!)
********
She left the kitchens shortly after and decided to go to the library to read. She grabbed her favourite book, Hogwarts: A History, and when to her favourite corner where no one would disturb her. She barely saw what she was reading, she was really just thinking. Two boys supposedly were in love with her. She had no idea what to do. But she couldn't ask anyone for advice, because if word got out that Malf- er umm Draco loved her, she didn't even want to think about what would happen. Harry and Ron's reactions and the whole school's would be dreadful. She was so confused that she started to cry. She sat there, crying for awhile until she made herself stop. "No", she thought, "This isn't the old or new me, sitting and crying over my problems. I have to do something.." With that thought she left the library, her mind, like yesterday set on doing her task.
*********
Hermione set out, looking for Harry. She found him a few minutes later, at the Quidditch Field. He wasn't flying very high, and when he saw her, he came down. She grabbed his arm, and led him towards the stands, and they sat down. "Harry, what happened at breakfast today? Why did Ron say that?" she asked him, slowly, trying to find the right words. "He said it because it's true. I'm in love with you Hermione." he answered. "Oh", she said her emotionless voice returning to her. "Oh", he said at the tone of her voice, thinking she didn't like him. Her voice returned to normal as she said, "Oh, Harry I didn't mean it like that. I'm just really confused right now, I need some time to think, okay?" "Sure, take as much time as you need." he told her, and she thought, "That's why I'm in love with him." She got up and walked away in a daze. She had missed lunch while she was crying in the library and it would be dinner time soon. She headed to the benches by the lake.
*********
She reached the benches and sat down, thinking of what she was going to say to Draco. She was caught up in thought (a/n: she seems to do that a lot, doesn't she?) and didn't notice Draco until he sat down next to her.
"Hey", she said. "Hi". Then with out warning, he brought his lips to hers and kissed her. It was the best kiss she had ever had in her life. When they pulled away, Hermione said, "I'm sorry er, Draco, I just need some more time to think, I'm really confused right now." "That's okay, I figured you would. Tell me whenever you can." He left and she thought, "Aww, he's sweet to, and he kissed me. He's a really good kisser." She stumbled up to the castle and into the Great Hall. She sat down in time to here an announcement from Professor Dumbledore.
"Students, it is my pleasure to announce that this Halloween, which is only a week away, we will be having a Masquerade Ball. The ball will be held 3 days before Halloween, on this Friday night. For those who don't know, you come to this ball in a costume and a mask, so people won't know who you are. Please don't show anyone else your costume, or they will know. The ball if for 4th years and above only. A feast will be included. There will be prizes for costumes. There will be no classes this week. Wednesday and Thursday will be Hogesmade days so you can get your costume. Please be creative when choosing. Oh, and since you are not allowed to know who anyone is, please don't ask a date to the ball. The ball will have a special game to play for pairing people up." He sat down again and everyone started talking about the ball. Everyone that is except the "Dream Team". They ate in silence. Hermione got up first and left, heading to her dorm. She began to think about what she should wear for the Ball. She decided she'd just see what they had in Hogesmade, instead of thinking about another issue in her life. She got out a Muggle book she had brought, called A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle. She loved the book, and read it when she wanted to get away from the world. After an hour of reading, she changed into her pajamas and went to sleep. She feel asleep quite soon, this day wore her out. To bad for Hermione, she was going to have another day like this one tomorrow..
A/n: Here's the next chapter for you guys! I took me awhile to write, but I got it out in the end. There will be at least 5 other chapters in this story. It might take me awhile to get the next one up, I'll try hard to get it out as soon as possible. Oh, A Wrinkle in Time is a great book, if you want to read it. This chapters longer than the last, yahoo! Thanks so much reviewers!
Sfklgdnsdfhk: Here's some Draco/Hermione for you. Thank you for your opinion, you really got your point across.
Draco'GoodGirl721: Sorry, no song in this one. I'm glad you think its great. Yes, I've heard of the site but never been there. What's your story about? Thanx for your review!
Michaela: Thank you for reviewing my fic! No problem on writing this fic. I regret that I couldn't fit a song in this chapter, there should be one in the next. Thank you for the huge compliment, perfect, I'm starting to feel like Hermione! Lolz.
Magster: I can't believe you think my fic is one of the best, that is such an honor, thank you. Thanks for reading and reviewing my fic since the beginning, it means a lot to me.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Pretty please, with sugar on top review! Thanks to all who did.
-Eliza
Chapter 6- The Day After
****In Hermione's Dream Pictures were flashing by, making her eyes hurt. She saw herself up on stage, performing at the Competition. She saw her friends and enemies in the crowd looking at her with shocked eyes. She saw her parents talking to her before she left for Hogwarts. She remembered exactly what they said, "Honey, I'm sure you'll do everything perfectly. You always do and always will. You're perfect." Her parents didn't realize that those words would haunt her. She couldn't disappoint her parents. She had to be perfect, she had to- End Dream Sequence****
Hermione bolted up in bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked at her watch, it read 8:15. Breakfast had already started. She reluctantly heaved herself out of bed, she was extremely tired, but also very hungry! She saw Lavender and Parvati leave, both wearing muggle clothes, so she decided to do the same thing. Hermione had bought a new wardrobe over the summer, and makeup. She grabbed a black leather skirt, her leather ankle boots and a hot pink tank top. She whispered a spell to add hot pink highlights to her midnight black hair. She put on a bit of makeup, and headed to the Great Hall.
She reached the Great Hall to find the doors shut, meaning everyone was already there. She opened them with a bang. Everyone turned to see whom it was. She ignored the stares she was getting, and headed to the Gryffindor table, to where Harry and Ron were sitting. She sat down opposite them. Most people had stopped staring at her, and started talking again. Some of the boys however, were still drooling over her. Harry and Ron were starring at her to, open-mouthed. Ron spoke first, "What the hell are you doing, looking like that? Look at all those guys, checking you out!" he said angrily. This just made Hermione mad. "Urg, you are so overprotective. I can look how ever I want!" "Fine", Ron mumbled. He began to start at Lavender. Hermione noticed this and said, "Oh, does Ron have a crush on someone?" she asked in a teasing voice. "No", said Ron, annoyed at her for saying something like that. "Yes you do!" she argued, again playfully.
But, this just got Ron madder. He blurted out, very loudly, "So? Harry is in love with you!!" Hermione's face totally changed at this. It became expressionless. After and awkward silence of the whole hall, who had heard the fight, Hermione said, "Ron, don't say such lies." She then got up and walked swiftly out of the hall. Everyone was starring at Harry and Ron, so no one noticed a certain Slytherin slip out after her.
Hermione ran out, extremely confused. Why didn't Harry tell her if he loved her? Hermione felt someone grab her from behind and pull her off to any empty hallway. She didn't fight the person, assuming it was Harry. When the person stopped she said, "Harry.", as turning around to face the person she thought was Harry. But instead of looking into his familiar green eyes, she was looking into blue-grey ones. It was Draco Malfoy.
She looked at him for a moment, surprised. "What do you want", she asked in an impatient voice. She thought back over the year. Malfoy had actually been civil to Harry, Ron and her. She didn't remember him insulting any of them once. "I want to talk to you alone. Will you come outside with me?" he asked her, his voice hinting hopefulness. She bit her lip, thinking. She didn't exactly trust him, but he seemed different this year. Maybe it was because his father was now in Azkaban, under the charge of being a Death Eater. "Fine", she said, hoping she wouldn't regret it.
Hermione followed him outside. He led her to some benches by the lake. He made her sit down. He began talking. "Look", he began, not sure of what to say, "I'm in love with you." Hermione asked, quite sure she had heard wrong, "Pardon?" "I am in love with you." he said very slowly and clearly. "You don't have to say anything now, can you meet me here today at dinner?" "Sure", Hermione answered before she could stop herself. She had a crush on Harry since forever, but Draco had a bad boy type attitude and was very hot. She couldn't help being drawn to him. And the whole incident this morning, she wasn't sure what was going on with Harry anymore. He started to get up, and asked her, "Are you coming?" "No", she answered, "I'm going to stay out here for a bit longer." He left, and Hermione watched him till she saw the door to the Entrance Hall close behind him.
She sat there for a long time. People started coming outside, since it was nice out. She didn't notice them, lost in thought. But the face of Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, startled her out of her thoughts. "Hi", Ginny said, "Can I sit?" she asked, gesturing to the bench. "Whatever", was Hermione's flat, dull answer. Ginny was not put off so easily, though. "Come on, tell me what's wrong, please?!?!?", she half asked, half demanded. "Everything is wrong!" Hermione screamed, her voice echoing throughout the grounds. "Do you want to talk about it?" Ginny asked softly, taken back. "No, but thanks for offering", Hermione said, giving her a half smile. "No problem, that's what friends are for." Ginny told her smiling. Ginny gave her a hug, and they walked back to the castle together in silence.
********
Hermione bid Ginny good-bye be for heading to the kitchens. She was starving, she couldn't remember the last time she ate. She got to the painting of the fruit and tickled the pear. She entered the kitchens to see a bunch of smiling house-elves. Dobby came over to her and asked, "Does Miss. want some food?" "Yes, that'd be great, I missed breakfast." At these words a few elves scampered off and came back with tons of food. They seated her at a table and she dug in, starved, realizing she hadn't eaten since the night before the Competition (a/n: and so did the author! Sorry Hermione!)
********
She left the kitchens shortly after and decided to go to the library to read. She grabbed her favourite book, Hogwarts: A History, and when to her favourite corner where no one would disturb her. She barely saw what she was reading, she was really just thinking. Two boys supposedly were in love with her. She had no idea what to do. But she couldn't ask anyone for advice, because if word got out that Malf- er umm Draco loved her, she didn't even want to think about what would happen. Harry and Ron's reactions and the whole school's would be dreadful. She was so confused that she started to cry. She sat there, crying for awhile until she made herself stop. "No", she thought, "This isn't the old or new me, sitting and crying over my problems. I have to do something.." With that thought she left the library, her mind, like yesterday set on doing her task.
*********
Hermione set out, looking for Harry. She found him a few minutes later, at the Quidditch Field. He wasn't flying very high, and when he saw her, he came down. She grabbed his arm, and led him towards the stands, and they sat down. "Harry, what happened at breakfast today? Why did Ron say that?" she asked him, slowly, trying to find the right words. "He said it because it's true. I'm in love with you Hermione." he answered. "Oh", she said her emotionless voice returning to her. "Oh", he said at the tone of her voice, thinking she didn't like him. Her voice returned to normal as she said, "Oh, Harry I didn't mean it like that. I'm just really confused right now, I need some time to think, okay?" "Sure, take as much time as you need." he told her, and she thought, "That's why I'm in love with him." She got up and walked away in a daze. She had missed lunch while she was crying in the library and it would be dinner time soon. She headed to the benches by the lake.
*********
She reached the benches and sat down, thinking of what she was going to say to Draco. She was caught up in thought (a/n: she seems to do that a lot, doesn't she?) and didn't notice Draco until he sat down next to her.
"Hey", she said. "Hi". Then with out warning, he brought his lips to hers and kissed her. It was the best kiss she had ever had in her life. When they pulled away, Hermione said, "I'm sorry er, Draco, I just need some more time to think, I'm really confused right now." "That's okay, I figured you would. Tell me whenever you can." He left and she thought, "Aww, he's sweet to, and he kissed me. He's a really good kisser." She stumbled up to the castle and into the Great Hall. She sat down in time to here an announcement from Professor Dumbledore.
"Students, it is my pleasure to announce that this Halloween, which is only a week away, we will be having a Masquerade Ball. The ball will be held 3 days before Halloween, on this Friday night. For those who don't know, you come to this ball in a costume and a mask, so people won't know who you are. Please don't show anyone else your costume, or they will know. The ball if for 4th years and above only. A feast will be included. There will be prizes for costumes. There will be no classes this week. Wednesday and Thursday will be Hogesmade days so you can get your costume. Please be creative when choosing. Oh, and since you are not allowed to know who anyone is, please don't ask a date to the ball. The ball will have a special game to play for pairing people up." He sat down again and everyone started talking about the ball. Everyone that is except the "Dream Team". They ate in silence. Hermione got up first and left, heading to her dorm. She began to think about what she should wear for the Ball. She decided she'd just see what they had in Hogesmade, instead of thinking about another issue in her life. She got out a Muggle book she had brought, called A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle. She loved the book, and read it when she wanted to get away from the world. After an hour of reading, she changed into her pajamas and went to sleep. She feel asleep quite soon, this day wore her out. To bad for Hermione, she was going to have another day like this one tomorrow..
A/n: Here's the next chapter for you guys! I took me awhile to write, but I got it out in the end. There will be at least 5 other chapters in this story. It might take me awhile to get the next one up, I'll try hard to get it out as soon as possible. Oh, A Wrinkle in Time is a great book, if you want to read it. This chapters longer than the last, yahoo! Thanks so much reviewers!
Sfklgdnsdfhk: Here's some Draco/Hermione for you. Thank you for your opinion, you really got your point across.
Draco'GoodGirl721: Sorry, no song in this one. I'm glad you think its great. Yes, I've heard of the site but never been there. What's your story about? Thanx for your review!
Michaela: Thank you for reviewing my fic! No problem on writing this fic. I regret that I couldn't fit a song in this chapter, there should be one in the next. Thank you for the huge compliment, perfect, I'm starting to feel like Hermione! Lolz.
Magster: I can't believe you think my fic is one of the best, that is such an honor, thank you. Thanks for reading and reviewing my fic since the beginning, it means a lot to me.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Pretty please, with sugar on top review! Thanks to all who did.
-Eliza
