Disclaimer: None of the characters that you recognize belong to be. They belong to Ms. J K Rowlings and not me or else I wouldn't have to worry about paying for college in one and a half years!
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone that read and/or reviewed! It means the world to me! And I hope everyone had a good holiday season and 2003 is a great year for all!
I've decided to take an anonymous reviewer's suggestion and make shorter chapters that come out more frequently! Thanks!
Chapter 16
Two Weeks LaterHermione sighed as she entered The Ballroom with Ron and Harry. For the past two weeks since getting their sweats at The Magical World of Muggle Clothing, Hermione had been fortunate enough to have Harry as her dance partner. She had not been worried about making a fool of herself since it was just Harry. Now, however, the tables would be turned. Today was the day they got new partners and frankly, Hermione would rather be in Divintion.
"Well, Hermione, it's been a pleasure working with you," Harry said glumly as they lined up along the huge mirrors lining the walls.
"Same here," Hermione responded with a small smile. She honestly didn't believe her luck was that good to be paired with a fellow Gryffindor. No, Hermione had the sinking feeling she would be plagued by someone whose mascot was the snake.
"Ok, you know what today is!" Professor Starr announced in a sing-song voice. "I must say, these last two weeks have gone smashingly." A few seconds past and a couple students coughed. "Ok, well, these past weeks have gone adequately," Professor Starr corrected.
Hermione thought 'adequate' was a bit strong of a word. Oh sure, all the students certainly looked the part of the dedicated dancer with their warm up clothes. In reality, most of the class had two left feet. Parvati had shown Hermione and Lavender her feet after five days of class and they had been so horrified they personally escorted her to the Infirmary. All her toes were black and blue from Goyle's constant mistake of thinking Parvati's feet was the hardwood floor. Parvarti had been exempted for the remaining week and Professor Starr was forced to personally give Goyle his dance lessons and even she seemed wary of getting to close.
Hermione honestly didn't know how anyone had survived the Yule Ball with the dancing skill portrayed in the Ballroom. Perhaps everyone had been too nervous actually being with a date so no one had said anything when their feet were stomped on. Hermione felt especially sorry for Neville, whose partner Blaise felt it necessary to scream out in agony every time his feet even got three inches from hers. As a result, poor Neville danced looking downward the entire time and wincing whenever Blaise said a snide comment as a fellow Slytherin waltzed past.
In the past two weeks they had mainly concentrated on the waltz. Hermione had a feeling Professor Starr had hoped to move on after three days but changed all her lesson plans to include some leeway for the dance handicapped fifth years.
"Here we go!" Professor Starr began. The entire class collectively took a breath and held it as their fate was called out. "Group One is Parvati and Harry, Group Two is Ron and Lavender."
Hermione gave an encouraging smile to her two best friends as they went off to meet their dance partners. Well, at least two of them would be happy.
"Group Three is Seamus and Millicent, Group Four is Hermione and Draco."
Hermione's ears stopped working after that. Hermione and Draco? She would be forced to work with that.. that… that ferret? Had she really been that bad? What did she do to deserve this? She knew she should have returned that library book on time.
Hermione took a deep breath and walked to the center of the room and as she went past her friends they all passed her sympathetic looks. She stood as far away from him as possible and Harry and Ron looked at her with horror and pity. She saw Ron hold up a fist to Malfoy and couldn't help smile at how protective they were of her. Honestly, you'd think she was six the way they looked out for her.
Professor Starr finished grouping the class up and several people came over to her and Malfoy. First, Ron and Harry came charging over with death glares shooting out at Malfoy.
"Malfoy, you touch her at all and you're dead," Ron threatened.
Malfoy smirked. "And just how are we supposed to dance if I can't touch her, Weasel?"
Ron looked so taken aback Harry felt it necessary to jump in. "Just don't try anything. We'll be watching your every move."
Hermione felt her heart swell, as she knew she had to have the two best friends in the world. But, as noble as their intentions were, she didn't need them watching her all the time. She was just about to voice her opinion when a shriek was heard.
"Draco! How terrible!"
Hermione saw Malfoy wince as none other than Millicent can running towards them, her arms out stretched.
"How are you going to survive working with that pathetic know-it-all? We were such a great team! I know we were the best!" Millicent raved. Now, Hermione knew just from being a simply onlooker that Malfoy and Millicent still had quite a few kinks to work out before the word 'great' would be included in a sentence with 'dance,' 'Malfoy,' and 'Millicent.'
"I'm sure I'll survive just fine," Draco said, inching slightly away from Millicent and her rather short soffes. Hermione almost felt sorry for the Slytherin boy as it was obvious to the entire school Millicent would do anything for him. Hermione had to give the girl credit though; she sure tried hard. She doused herself in the most expensive perfume money could buy. She wore all the designer clothing and Hermione had yet to see an outfit, besides the Hogwarts robes, worn twice. Her hair always looked like she spent either a great deal of time, Galleons, or both on it and yet Malfoy barely gave her a second glance.
Luckily before any more insults flew, Professor Starr called the class to attention. "Let's review the waltz just so you can get comfortable with your new partner. Okay, ready? And go!"
Hermione stared at Malfoy who stared back just as defiantly. His eyes were so void of anything it was downright scary. They awkwardly got in the correct dancing position but the only difference between dancing with Malfoy and Harry was the four feet gap between their bodies. Hermione's arms were practically straight as they both tried to dance as partners with having the least amount of skin touch each other.
"Stop the music!" Professor Starr's shrill voice halted everyone in mid-step. "Now, what exactly do you two think you are doing?" she demanded, coming over to Hermione and Malfoy.
"Sorry, Professor Starr," Hermione mumbled. "We just don't particularly care for one another."
"I see. Well, in the class, you must learn to put House rivalries behind you. In here you are all equal so DANCE CORRECTLY!" she shouted the last part and Hermione and Malfoy jumped closer together. Professor Starr nodded approvingly before cueing the music again.
Hermione could feel Malfoy's breath on her as she took each step. She could feel Ron's eyes on her as she danced so it wasn't exactly the most comfortable situation as she counted the minutes until freesom.
* * * * *
"I am so glad that is over," Hermione said as they left Professor Starr's class.
"I can't believe she paired you with him," Ron said with a shudder.
"How's Malfoy as a dancer? Better than me?" Harry questioned with a smile, yet his eyes held a very curious look.
Hermione laughed. "Of course not," she answered. In reality, yes, Malfoy was an excellent dancer but there was no one she would ever tell that to anyone. He danced with a certain grace about him and never once had a misstep. In all honesty, however, she liked Harry's dancing much better as it was more real. Malfoy acted like he was just performing an everyday chore while Harry fought hard for every correct step.
"Oh! I almost forgot! Tonight I'm going to be researching late so can I borrow your Cloak, Harry? I just need to pick up a couple books from the Library," Hermione explained.
"Sure, you know you can have it whenever you want, but what are you researching? We just finished turning in a bunch of papers so nothing is due for a while," Harry said.
"I want to look a little more into the Frosticine Poison," Hermione stated simply.
"We'll help," Ron said immediately.
Hermione smiled. "It's okay, Ron. You have a big Quidditch game tomorrow and need all the sleep you can get. I won't stay up too long anyways."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
* * * * *
Hermione all of a sudden wasn't feeling to happy with her decision to go to the Library alone. She had quickly collected three books from the Restricted Section, which had gone easily enough. Now, however, she was backed up against the wall as Filch patrolled the hallway she was currently in. If that stupid cat hadn't meowed, everything would have been fine.
Hermione was soon able to release the breath she had been holding as Filch and Mrs. Norris moved on and she quickly scurried away.
"Snowflakes," Hermione whispered to the Fat Lady as she walked up to her.
"A bit late isn't it, dear?" the Fat Lady questioned while opening up the portrait hole.
Hermione made it to her room in a record time, her heart beating ten times its normal pace. She didn't know why she was feeling so jumpy all of a sudden. Nonetheless, Hermione decided to just go to sleep and get up extra early to research instead of staying up late.
She turned to get her pajamas and she saw a figure standing right in front of her, cast in shadows. Hermione gasped and opened her mouth to scream as something heavy was aimed directly at her head, but nothing came out. Everything went hazy and then nothing.
~
Wow! I sure got that out fast! And there was a cliffhanger! I didn't even expect that. Please take a moment to tell me what you think! Thank you!
In Chapter 17: What happened to Hermione? We'll finally find out about the mysterious house-elf too!