Chapter 8

Jingle Bells, Balls, and Unpleasant Surprises

            December

            Christmas is bullshit to me. I hate it, I can't even remember a time when I liked it. Father used to hire famous designers to decorate our Manor for Christmas. He had Balls and parties every year, he still does. To past my time I would wander down the halls. Once I bumped into a young girl looking for the bathroom. I pointed it out, and waited until she came out to attack her. Her name was Melinda, sweet girl she was. She was about…12? 11? I didn't care, I was bored. Now, there is nothing about Hogwarts to make feel different about the Holidays.

            I was walking to the Great Hall for lunch, when I saw her. Her long red hair, pretty curves, long legs and freckles was not hard to miss. Miss. Weasley, I felt her eyes on me, I looked into them as I passed her…was it lust? Why in the hell would she stare at me like that? I smiled at her, she blushed. There is defiantly something about her; I'll have to look into that. I sat down at the Slytherian table, Crabbe and Goyle murmured a hello to me, their mouths were filled with food. Pansy was sitting across from me; she kept her eyes averted from mine. I thought about a game.

"Pansy, what's wrong with you? You look…troubled." I said impishly.

"Wha…what? What the fuck are you talking about?" she said, anger rising into her eyes.

"Uh…you look dreadful, has something happened to you?" I smiled

"No."

"Well, I thought maybe something happened." Her eyes were wild as I said this. She looked around to see if anyone was listening. I leaned forward.

"I hope you like the dark." I laughed, her eyes were wide with fear, I said the same thing to her when I fucked her. She got up and ran out of the Hall, no one noticed or maybe they just didn't care.

I looked across at the Gryffindor table. Granger was talking to Brown. Lavender looked different somehow. I couldn't put my finger on it. She had a glow about her face. I dismissed it. My attention turned to Miss. Weasley, she was looking at me. We kept eye contact for almost five minutes. I don't know why but I felt drawn to her. Not like how I felt with Granger, I wanted her because she was sexy and was with fuckin' Potter. But Weasley, she was…an enticement. I felt a strange stir inside. I looked at Granger again. She had her hair in a bun, her robes covering her lovely figure. I realized that Potter had his arm around her shoulder, like she was his trophy, bloody Potter, I'll get her. He thinks he's so great because of his Qudditch fame, and that goddess hanging off of his arm. I looked back at Weasley. Well, I do need a date for the Ball coming up. She'll be okay for that role. Maybe I'll have fun with her. I looked down at my plate, picked up a chicken leg and bit into it.

***

            It was the day for another Hogsmead trip. It was snowing, so I wrapped myself up with as many scarves, sweaters and socks I could find. Lavender looked like a balloon in her winters wear. We were in our dorm.

"I gotta be warm for the both of us." She said pulling on some gloves. We went downstairs to leave with Ron and Harry. Harry was dressed in a simple black robe and cloak with a green scarf. Ron the same, but only his scarf was a lavender color. Lavender saw this and smile.

"Hey…where are you in there?" Ron said, pulling down one of her many scarves to kiss her.

We left and went straight to a new robe shop to find an outfit for the Yule Ball that was a week away. Harry excused himself saying that he would be back soon, he took Ron with him.

"Oooo…this looks pretty, what do you think it's made of?" Lavender was sitting in a chair next to the fitting room. She was holding a dress made of liquid? She handed the dress to me, I was in awe. The dress felt so good on my arms, it looked as if it would come up to my mid thigh, I blew air between my teeth. Look at the price, 21 galleons? I don't think so.

"I know, the price is terrible, but it wouldn't hurt to try it on." Lavender said with excitement.

"You're right, let me try it on." I said laughing.

When I came back out Lavender gasped.

"Hermione…"

"What? It's terrible isn't it? I knew it!"

"No…it's, beautiful, you're beautiful. Oh my gosh, you have to get it!!!" she said clapping her hands together. I looked in the mirror. The unknown fabric stretched over every curve on my body. The green of the dress gave it that Christmas sort of feeling. The bottom of the dress was flared out. I twirled. If I got the dress, I'd have to wear a strapless bra.

"But it's so much money." I said, sounding discouraged.

"I know."

Harry and Ron walked back in the shop, they stopped.

"My god! Hermione! Wha…what are you wearing, you look magnificent." Ron said he bent down to kiss Lavender on the cheek.

"Yes…Hermione, you look beautiful, I mean….Wow." He leaned forward to say something in my ear.

"If Ron and Lavender wasn't here I think maybe I might explode, you look gorgeous," He said in a whisper. "Gorgeous!!!"

I laughed and tried to flatten his hair down for some reason. I kissed him on the lips.

"So, are you going to get it?" Lavender said.

"I don't know, it cost too much."

"Do you like it?" Harry asked.

"I love it."

"Well, give it to me, I'm gonna get it for you." I looked up at him, he was smiling.

"Oh Harry, you don't have to…" I didn't continue, well, couldn't, he put his lips on mine.

"Its ok." He said leading me back to the fitting room.

I helped Lavender find a beautiful Maternity dress, she looked great in it. Ron was all over her about it.

When we left we went to The Three Broomsticks and ordered lunch. Afterwards we went to get chocolate from Honeydukes.

When we came back to the common room Ginny was there. She looked as if she was going to explode with happiness.

"Wow, aren't you happy about somethin'!" I said stripping off my many layers of clothes, I sat next her. Lavender sat on her other side. "What is it?"

"I gotta date for the Ball!" Ginny said. Ron ears perked up, and his eyes narrowed.

"That's great!"

"Yeah"

"Mmm…"

"Who is he?"

"Draco Malfoy asked me!" She had a huge grin on her face.

Lavender and I gasped. Ron stood up.

"What the hell? Ginny what is wrong with you!? There is NO way in hell that I'll let you go to the Yule Ball with that asshole!" Ron's whole face was red, he was practically spitting out fire.

"WHAT? YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO ANYMORE RON!!! I'M 15 YEARS OLD!!! NOT 11!!! I CAN MAKE MY OWN DESCISIONS!!! AND I WANNA GO WITH DRACO!!! I LIKE HIM A LOT!!!! WHY CAN'T YOU TRUST ME???" Ginny screamed at him in his face. She began to cry.

"I'M GOING TO THE BALL WITH HIM RON!!! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK!!!" she said this and ran to her dorm, slamming the door.

"What am I gonna do? She's going to be in a lot of trouble." Ron said quietly, sitting back down. Harry nodded.

"Well, you'll just have to trust her." Harry said.

I didn't say anything. I looked at Lavender. She was rubbing her belly, talking at it softly. She looked sad and on the verge of tears. Ron saw her.

"Oh Honey, I'm sorry if I upset you by yelling," He wrapped his arm around her. He bent to kiss her belly and then her lips. "I'm sorry."

Lavender looked up at him, her large brown eyes filling with tears.

"I Love you so much Ron."

"I love you too Baby, and baby." He said patting her belly. He wiped away her tears.

I felt Harry reach his hand out to me. I put my hand in his; he tightened his grip a little.