A/N: Thanks to everyone who responded to my little thing about no one reading it! It's nice to know there are people out there interested. Now, a few notes about this chapter, it is NOT Harry/Parvati as it may seem, and is definitely not Hermione/Josh. This is all merely part of the plan, okay? And I'm so glad I finally finished this one. I'm home sick so it gives me extra time to work on it, even though I should probably be in school, and going to play practice. But oh well. Hope you all enjoy! Review!
Chapter 5: It Doesn't Matter
Hermione was fuming. How dare he do something like this? And to her! She paced the Gryffindor girl's dormitory, running her hands through her sleek hair. She couldn't believe the nerve of him! It was her decision to meet Josh, and if she wanted to than she should be able to, without Ron acting as her chaperone all the time! She could take care of herself!
"Hermione, you know how many calories you're burning doing all that pacing?" Lavender said, looking up from her toe nail-painting position her bed. "Maybe I should try that sometime, I could lose a few pounds."
Hermione didn't say anything. Is that all they cared about? Boys? Clothes? They were nice, and it was fun to be liked for once, but who would know they were so utterly boring? She had problems here, especially with Ron and Harry, who were hardly talking to her!
"Oh hon, you look a nervous wreck!" Parvati exclaimed, embracing Hermione with a hug. She went over and put her shopping bags on the bed and took off her light jacket. Hermione stopped pacing and looked up at Parvati with questionable eyes.
"Where have you been?" Hermione asked, eyeing the bags that Parvati had laid on the bed.
"Shopping," Parvati said absentmindedly, patting the ends of her hair so the curled under.
"But isn't that not allowed except on Hogsmeade weekends?" Hermione said uneasily. Parvati didn't flinch, but Lavender giggled.
"Oh don't be such a law-abider! We have a few strings pulled! Besides, how do you think we keep our lips soft?" Lavender replied, looking at Hermione as if she were strange.
"How do you not get caught? I mean - Harry and Ron -" Hermione stopped abruptly. Talking about Harry and Ron just made her more upset. Lavender looked up from her pedicure, waiting for more.
"What about Harry and Ron?" Lavender asked, a suspicious look clouding her face.
"Oh, nothing. It's just, never mind."
"If you say so," Lavender shrugged and went back to her third coat of baby blue polish.
"So," Parvati asked offering Hermione her arm in a friendly manner. "Care to join me in the Common Room?"
"Alright," Hermione said. "But what about our homework?"
"We have all night! Come on, it'll be fun!"
Hermione followed Parvati to the Common Room. She was surprised to see that Harry was there alone, lounging in a chair by the fire. He appeared deep in thought. Ginny was sitting on Dean's lap and they appeared to be in a conversation about Exploding Snap. Neville was perched on the end of a table in the corner looking uneasy while Seamus practiced his Charms homework on him.
"Now don't worry Neville, this shouldn't hurt, it's just supposed to make you sound like a chipmunk for a minute or two!" Neville's eyes grew big, and she could see his throat swallow slowly.
Hermione sat next to Parvati on the Common Room couch. Hermione noticed Parvati watching Harry intently, a dreamy look plastered on her face. Hermione laughed inwardly. She didn't think that Harry would date Parvati if he was paid. Just then Parvati turned to Hermione, her lip gloss gleaming in the firelight.
"Isn't Harry a cutie?" She asked dreamily, running a hand through her hair.
"Er-"
"Be honest Hermione, do you think I'd ever have a chance with him?" Parvati looked over at Harry, who appeared to still be deep in thought.
"I - uh -"
"Seamus!" A high-pitched voice said. Hermione jumped to see Neville jumping off of the table as a long, fuzzy tail sprouted out of his back end. "What have you done to me?"
Hermione covered her smile with her hand. Not only did Neville sound like a chipmunk, he looked like one too. Hermione watched as Neville ran out of the Common Room, his hands covering his backside. Poor Neville, Hermione thought sadly. He's always the Guinea Pig.
Hermione looked back at Harry, who appeared unaffected. What possibly could be on his mind? She looked over to Parvati, who was also watching Harry.
"So? Do you think I have a chance?"
"Um, I'm not sure. He doesn't really seem to be your type," Hermione said, feeling slightly guilty.
"Oh. Well I'm going to try anyway. Will you ask him for me? Please?" Parvati begged, her lip in a pout.
Hermione sighed.
"Well, okay. But -"
"Oh thank you Hermione! You're the best!" Parvati pulled Hermione into a tight embrace.
"Heh.. Heh.. Yeah…" Hermione smiled crookedly, thinking of Ron and Josh. She felt her heart yearning for someone. But she couldn't have Ron, not with him being like this. "I'm going to bed… I - uh - have Potions first thing tomorrow."
"Pssst! Harry! Wait up!" Hermione ran after Harry just before he entered the dungeons for Potions the next morning.
"Look, Hermione," Harry started. "I would just like to say that we were just worried about you and Ron had no right-"
"Don't worry Harry, I know it's not your fault." Hermione followed him into the classroom of few, selective students who'd gotten into Snape's OWL Potions class.
Among them were the Potions Master's favorites, Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson all glaring at them from across the room. She and Harry appeared to be the only Gryffindors who had been chosen for the class. They gingerly sat down, wary of the entrance Snape would be making in a few seconds.
Just as they were unloading their bags, Snape barged in the doors, slamming them against the opposite walls. If this were her first year, this would have knocked her off the bench. But now, Hermione sat unaffected. She noticed Harry staring absentmindedly into the bottom of his cauldron. He seemed to not even have registered that Snape had entered the room. She elbowed him lightly and he made a small noise, looking up at the teacher.
"Good morning. This should be an interesting year, should it not?" He began, a lopsided grin plastered on his face. "I can see that some of you -" He paused, glancing at the Slytherin table, "are more than worthy of this class. While others may be just as surprised as I am at how they got into this class. But either way, this is a grueling curriculum, and is not for the soft-hearted. But I think that most of you," He looked again at the Slytherin table, "will complete this course with no regrets. Now, just to test your abilities, I would like you all to get into groups of two, and brew up the simple potion that I have previously written on the board. Or better yet, I think I'll pair you up. Now, Granger, with Malfoy, Potter and Parkinson, and Goyle, you and Crabbe seem to be a good pair."
Hermione groaned. She looked over to Harry, who looked perpetually mortified at just the thought of working with Pansy. She snapped her gum and beckoned him over to her. Hermione patted Harry on the shoulder and leaned to whisper in his ear,
"Meet me after class, okay?"
He nodded, and picked up his cauldron. Hermione looked up to see Malfoy standing next to her. He put his cauldron down less than lightly on the wooden table, causing the inch of dust to rise and billow around them.
"Let's not make a fuss about this, Granger. We'll use my cauldron, seeing it's plain it wasn't bought at some muggle toy store," Malfoy remarked, eyeing Hermione's cauldron. Somewhat hurt, she placed hers on the floor next to her. She wasn't in the mood to argue. Especially with Draco Malfoy. "You almost look normal this year, Granger. I almost didn't recognize you." He leaned against the table, his arms crossed, eyeing Hermione as she unloaded her ingredients.
"Oh," Hermione replied. That was almost a compliment. From Malfoy? What's going on? She changed for Ron but, it was everyone else who seemed to notice! "So-"
"I mean, your hair is actually soft," Malfoy suddenly continued, cutting Hermione off. He reached out to touch her hair, but she pulled away abruptly. "What, scared?"
What was going on? Hermione glared up at Malfoy. How dare he touch her! What a sick, perverted boy!
"Look Malfoy, can we keep at our work? Everyone's ahead. Here, ground these beetles." She passed him a bowl and a few dried insects. He raised his eyebrow and smirked before he did as she said.
"That was hell in a jar!" Harry exclaimed when they had finally exited the dungeons. Hermione giggled at Harry's creative exclamation.
"Yeah," Hermione stopped before the stairs leading up to the Entrance Hall. She grabbed Harry's wrist and pulled him aside, looking at him seriously.
"What's going on Hermione?" Harry asked, shifting his bag on his shoulder.
"I have something very serious to ask of you," Hermione said, looking Harry in the eyes. Harry gave her a confused look. "Would you ever -"
"Look, Hermione, I like you, but as a friend -"
Hermione burst out laughing. She doubled over. Harry watched her, amused. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't believe that Harry thought she was going to ask him out! She began to regain her self-control, grasping the wall for support.
"Not - me!" Hermione gasped, looking at Harry her eyes twinkling. "Parvati!"
Harry looked taken aback. Hermione knew that would be his reaction. He gave her a strange look.
"No way Hermione. Why'd you even ask?"
"I just thought I'd try. I told her I would." Hermione had now stopped laughing and was standing straight. She had expected this reply. "If you don't mind me asking, why not?"
"Why not?" Harry asked, shifting his glasses on his nose. "She is a little to obsessed with that face paint that she seems to think looks good, and besides, she's boring. I couldn't date someone who cared more about make-up than finishing school."
"So I'll tell her that you don't like her that way then," Hermione smiled. Harry smiled back.
"Just tell her she's not my type."
Hermione and Harry started up the steps to the Entrance Hall. Hermione looked to Harry before they went their separate ways.
"Well then who is?"
"Who is what?"
"Your type."
Harry looked thoughtful again. He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Hermione intensely.
"You know what Hermione? I don't know. I really don't know."
"Oh. Well, say hello to Ron for me," Hermione blushed, thinking of Ron. "I'll see you later."
"Sure, see you Hermione."
Hermione sat in the Common Room late that night, trying desperately to start her homework that Parvati and Lavender had been forcing her to put off. Now she had a Potions essay, along with book questions on Arithmancy, and a three page Transfiguration paper to write. It was already nine o'clock, and she'd have to make magic if she wanted to get any sleep tonight. She racked her breain for the words, but they just weren't coming out.
"Heeeermmmmmiooooooone!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and slammed her book shut, turning around, annoyed to see who'd created the disturbance. It was Lavender. She was panting, and ran over to the couch and sat next to Hermione.
"Oh - my - God. You have to come, now!" Lavender panted, pulling on Hermione's arm.
"But Lavender, I have so much homewo-"
"But Hermione, this is sooooooo much more important," Lavender begged, pulling Hermione's quill out of her hand and closing her inkwell. Hermione was in utter annoyance at Lavender's nerve to disturb her study time.
"I highly doubt it. If I have to stay top in my classes-"
"But Hermione," Lavender pushed, putting her lips into a pout and batting her eyes.
"We hardly ever do our homework and we still pass all of our classes!"
"Lavender, I can't just pass, I need to exceed-"
"Lighten up Hermione! It's not like a few assignments can't be a day late! They'll forgive you. Geez Herm, I thought you were cool," Lavender pressed. Hermione felt her stomach drop. What if she didn't go? Would Lavender and Parvati not like her if she didn't go. Lavender knew she'd hit the spot. She pulled again on Hermione's arm. "Come on, he's waiting!"
"H-he? Where are we going Lavender?" Hermione asked, as Lavender dragged her out of the Gryffindor Portrait.
"Oh you'll see," Lavender said, as she dragged Hermione down to the Entrance Hall and out the front doors.
"No! I want to know no-"
"Hey Hermione," A smooth voice of a teenage boy met her ears. She felt her insides turn to mush as she turned to see Josh waiting, leaning against the wall in a seductive manner. His dark hair was mussed up slightly, and she could see his muscle in his forearms. His black shirt was slightly unbuttoned, and he had a soft grin planted on his lips. "I've been waiting for you."
"Uh, hi," Hermione said, feeling slightly stupid.
"I'll be inside waiting for you with Parvati. Don't take too long," Lavender winked and went back inside the castle.
Josh took a step towards Hermione. She could almost feel his warmth, they were so close. He smiled lopsided, so only one dimple was engraved in his cheek. Hermione gazed into his eyes stupidly, speechless. Finally, after a few minutes of an awkward silence, he reached out and took her hand, looking deep into her eyes.
"Hermione, I have something I'd like to ask you," Josh said, slightly stroking her hand with his thumb. She shuddered at his soft touch. "I never really noticed you before this year, but the first time I saw you, I knew you had to be mine. So I was wondering, if you'd like to go with me to Hogsmeade next week?"
Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Josh was asking her out. She, Hermione Granger, was being asked out by a actual boy. Her heart fluttered at the thought. Josh, after all, was very cute. He seemed nice, she hadn't talked to him much, but from what she's seen she'd liked him. But then there was Ron. She still desperately loved him. She wished that he'd give her a chance. She sighed and looked back up to Josh's waiting face.
"I - uh," Hermione stuttered, not knowing exactly what to say. "I'd really like to, but I need a little time to sort out my priorities. Can I get back to you in a few days?"
Josh, looking a bit hurt, nodded.
"I have some homework I have to go finish," Hermione said, blushing. She squeezed Josh's hand lightly. "See you later?"
"Uh, yeah."
She turned and walked inside the Entrance Hall. She heard two loud screeches, and sighed deeply. Lavender and Parvati immediately latched onto Hermione's arm.
"So, what did you say?" Lavender begged, giggling.
"I said that I'd tell him in a few days."
"Why? Do you have any idea who that was?"
"As a matter of fact, I do, but the thing is-"
"What in the world would make you make Josh wait?" Lavender asked, completely puzzled. "Any girl would be dying to be in your place right now!"
"I don't know. I'm just not sure, okay? Stop pestering me about it!"
"Oh by the way Hermione, did you by any chance talk to Harry today?" Parvati asked. Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. She didn't want to tell Parvati about Harry. She didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Uh yeah, I did actually." Hermione stopped in place, wringing her hands. She turned to face Parvati. "He - uh - said he only liked you as a friend. Sorry."
"No, no, it's okay. I'm a bit hungry, I think I'll just… Go to the kitchens." Parvati walked off towards the portrait of fruit, leaving Hermione alone in the hallways with Lavender, who shrugged.
Hermione checked her watch, making a sound of utter annoyance.
"I have to do my homework! I'll never get any sleep at this rate!" She started to walk towards the dormitory at a pace that was quicker than usual.
"Oh don't be silly. Just don't do it! Live a little for once," Lavender stopped Hermione, and looked into her eyes. "Come on, you need your sleep. Try to be more like us. If you stop worrying, you'll find all your problems go away!"
Hermione looked a little puzzled at this idea. She supposed she could lighten up a bit. Harry and Ron always used to make comments about how she was too obsessed with her schoolwork. As a matter of fact, maybe Ron would like her better if she was more like him, more spontaneous. She smiled to herself.
"You know what Lavender? I think you're right." And with that, Hermione walked up to the dormitory, a smile planted on her lips. This plan was going to work.