Note: For those interested, things really start to heat up in the following chapters! Yes, not long for those lovely romantic titbits! There are a few notes for some reviews below, but all those who take the time to post their thoughts are gratefully acknowledged.
Gazy- I read some of Feelings, it's really great, you're a good writer! Thanks about my story- believe me, more Draco/Hermione is in the pipeline for following chapters… this is the only Draco free chapter for a while.
NewSecretRose- It sucks being grounded off the PC- believe me, I've been there. Shocking Draco is so violent isn't it? You'll just have to wait and see if he carries on in this way! My lips are zipped if there's any more …
Danihell- thanks very much! You want to know whether Malfoy will soften up? He might do, he might not… keep reading and you may just find out! Thanks for reviewing all the chapters- you're great!
It was Thursday the 18th of September, and the day before Hermione's birthday. Weeks had passed since the attack, and her bruises and wounds had been healed under the gentle care of Madam Pomfrey, who was rather suspicious but satisfied with Hermione's mumblings of falling down the stairs. She had kept herself busy, studiously revising and working twice as hard as she had ever done in her life. By keeping her head down, she forgot about Malfoy and the "incident"- until she climbed into bed. Then all she could think about was him. She hated him and she felt for him at the same time; whenever she saw him it was like her stomach was a pit of writhing snakes. She was helpless around him, and he knew it.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting near the lake, basking in the morning sunshine. It made her shudder to remember the last time she had been sitting here- that was when Ron made a pass at her. Nowadays Ron barely talked to her, his pride deeply wounded. Harry struggled to create conversation between them, and usually just gave up. He had a pretty good idea of what had happened, but didn't dare ask- his best friends were even moodier than him.
"Your birthday tomorrow," Harry grinned cheerfully. "I hope you like your present!"
"I hope you haven't spent too much on me, Harry, you know I don't like you wasting your money." Hermione was her usual motherly self. "But… you know it wouldn't hurt to tell me…" She nudged him, winking. "Go on, what is it?"
"It's a surprise," Harry insisted. "What have you got her, Ron?"
"Oh… just something little, not anything special," Ron said vaguely, his head bowed. He struggled to speak around Hermione, his shame in himself far too strong. He just wasn't able to look her in the eye anymore.
"I am happy with the thought," Hermione said, and stretched out, leaning on Harry. He laughed, and pushed her onto his lap where she lay, with her eyes closed. Unbeknown to Harry and Hermione, Ron was watching with a mingling of jealousy and longing. Jealous of his best friend in the whole wide world, Harry, and longing- longing to be stroking her hair just like him. It was a battle of his wills not to pull her off Harry there and then.
If only he hadn't told her his feelings! If only he had kept it a secret then Hermione would still treat HIM like that- not with awkward silence and averted eyes. If only he could hug and kiss her and pet her to his heart's content! If only, if only! Ron hated himself intensely, wishing he would go back to when he was affectionaly hugged and mothered...
"Hermione, you know you're having a party?" Harry said lazily, idly flicking a fly from his knee.
"Yes, it's going to be great!"
"Sure it is. Well anyway, people are starting to ask details. I just want to get it all clear in my head. It begins at 9 o` clock in the Great Hall, right? And who should I ask to come?"
"That's right. And goes all the way through the night! As for invitations, well everyone's welcome except the Slytherins. We can't say anything though, because Snape will say we're being unfair, and then we probably won't even be able to throw the party at ALL! So I guess we'll have to make it obvious they're unwelcome, but not actually say it, if you know what I mean."
Harry nodded vigorously. "I agree. It's going to be brilliant- no teachers allowed! I've got loads of ideas for games and stuff, and Seamus has got some funky music planned. Your sixteenth birthday is going to be extremely special, Hermione!"
Hermione smiled. She couldn't wait! Though she had been revising crazily, privately it was boring her intensely and she couldn't wait for a bit of fun again. Hopefully some dancing and gossip, and a chance to put all the bad feelings behind her.
After their break, it was back to lessons. Herbology was a laidback, jokey lesson where Ron, Harry and Hermione would usually have a good time, but today Professor Sprout had a slight cold, so Snape was covering their class instead. The Gryffindors kept to the back of the greenhouse, trying to avoid him. It was well known for Snape to take away points very easily in class, and the Slytherin Professor prowled betweeen the rows, just waiting for any rule breaking.
"You boy! Longbottom!" Snape barked at Neville, his long greasy black hair hanging in clumps in front of his face. Neville cowered next to his tray. "What do you think you are doing to that plant?"
Neville was carefully clipping the edges of a vivacious plant, cutting off all the dead ends in preparation for more growth. Everybody knew that Herbology was his favourite subject, it being the only one he didn't get bawled at in. The tender pride he held for plants was something that the other Gryffindors respected, and seeing it violated by none other than a bully infuriated them.
"N-n-nothing sir," Neville stammered. "Just- trimming the leaves."
"Please sir," Hermione said, waving her hand in the air. "Professor Sprout told Neville to do that last lesson. She always trusts him to trim the leaves sir."
Neville glowed with pride; it was true that Professor Sprout entrusted him with the precocious job of caring for her many plants.
"Very well," Snape snapped. "But nobody asked you, Miss Granger. Five points from Gryffindor. Oh, and about your little party," he sneered, shoving his face up close to Hermione's. She flinched at the stench of his breath. "Personally, I find it quite atrocious that you are allowed a party when so many students this year will be turning seventeen. I know THEY will not be receiving parties in the Great Hall. You may be favoured by the rest of the staff, but I for one know that you are just a particularly unpleasant girl with a tendency to show off."
Harry opened his mouth to protect his friend, but Snape cut him off before he could speak. "Be quiet Mr Potter, or you may spend your evening in detention with me." Harry was feeling so reckless he wouldn't have cared, but Hermione cast him such a warning look he didn't push the subject.
The bell for the end of the lesson couldn't come quickly enough for Hermione, and she rushed up to the Common Room, preparing herself for deep studying, but she just couldn't concentrate. Snape hadn't really got to her, it was just the thought that other people might agree with him- would they really think she was favoured by McGonagall? Would people be jealous? No, she told herself. She was only allowed a party because she was a Prefect, and she'd asked special permission. It was probable all the other Prefects would get birthday parties too- so what did it matter if hers was the first?
"Can't wait for your party tomorrow," Seamus called out, several other Gryffindors also voicing their approval.
"Yeah, I'm bringing along Padma and her friends," Parvati said happily. "It's okay that other Houses are coming along, isn't it? I mean, it's not Gryffindor only is it?"
"No, everyone can come," Hermione assured. Immediately at least ten other voices began questioning her eagerly, and she realised that no more studying would be possible for the rest of the evening.
"Sorry, I'm off to bed," she said loudly. "There's a message on the Notice Board if you want more information. Good night everyone, and see you in the morning!"
Keep reviewing please- you know you want to. *Big wink*
