ERASED
Chapter Four-Dance
We all stood, stunned as Hermione left.
"Go get your friend," Professor Marris said.
I flew out of the room and after Hermione, who was on all fours walking down the corridor.
"Hermione, you're lucky you weren't expelled! Suppose Professor Marris decides to expel you?" I whispered.
Hermione just continued walking.
I walked in front of her. She stopped walking and sat on her haunches. She was studying me.
"Listen, I suggest just doing our work in there. She's obviously a miserable bat," I replied, glad to be free of the dungeon. I was able to talk freely now without worrying if Marris heard me.
Hermione just blinked.
"Please, just try and calm down," I continued.
Hermione got up on all fours again and came closer. She gently pushed her head against my abdomen. At that point, Ron came hurrying down the corridor.
"Harry!" he said.
He skidded to a halt and eyed Hermione warily.
"She won't hurt you," I said.
Ron slowly approached me. Hermione's eyes were locked on Ron as he approached.
"Bloody hell," Ron whispered. "Why hadn't she told me about this?"
"Because she was scared," I replied. I looked down at Hermione. "You'd better explain it to him."
Hermione stood up on two legs and then changed back into her human self, dressed fully in her uniform and robe.
"I was scared to tell you because I was afraid you'd abandon me as a friend," Hermione said, slowly.
"Hermione, we're best friends. I would never do that. You have to trust me," Ron said gently.
Hermione nodded.
"Now, what are we going to do about Marris?" I asked.
"I don't know, but she's a bloody menace," Ron replied. "I couldn't believe she grabbed you by your throat."
"I know," Hermione replied. "She was much stronger than I was."
"Well, what do we do now?" I asked.
"I say go back to class and keep our mouths shut," Hermione said.
We nodded and walked back to class.
The Gryffindors and Slytherins were now sitting down in their seats. When Ron, Hermione and I entered the class, they all looked up.
"Well well, look who's back," Professor Marris said, smiling. "Will you be behaving yourself now?"
We nodded and took our seats.
We finished the rest of the class without incident.
After that class, we had a lunch break which, was when Professor Dumbledore had an announcement.
He arose from his seat and that silence filtered across like a wave.
"I have a little surprise for all of you," Professor Dumbledore said smiling at everyone.
Everyone waited eagerly and expectantly for him to continue.
"I've decided that there will be a dance next month." Professor Dumbledore continued.
Murmurs, groans and giggles went around next.
"What for? Next month is February," Ron asked.
I grinned.
"Valentines Day,"
Hermione went pink and kept her eyes on her food.
"That's just mushy stuff," Ron said, frowning.
"Yeah, but look at the bright side," I began. "It gets us out of classes early."
Ron grinned.
HERMIONE.
I felt a little stung by Harry's words. I guess I started to like him…I mean like him.
He was certainly different than what I expected from a Slytherin. He seemed more like a…Gryffindor. I didn't know what changed him, but I was starting to be glad he did change.
I sat, picking at my food now; my appetite suddenly vanished.
I thought that maybe he was different. But I see he only cared about getting out of classes with Ron.
Ron was a different story. He may say he hates classes, but deep down I think he likes them and he may also put on a brave face at times of sadness, but again, deep down he hurts.
Harry turned his eyes onto me.
"Hermione? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I've just lost my appetite," I muttered.
Harry studied me for a moment before realizing what I was upset about.
"Oh. Hermione, I didn't mean that about getting out of classes. A Valentine's Day dance would be nice," Harry said, cottoning on.
"Who're you going to ask?" I asked, casually.
Harry frowned. "I don't know yet. Ron? What about you?"
"I dunno, mate. I've got to find a pretty girl," Ron replied, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.
I bristled.
"Why does she have to be pretty? What about having a nice personality, being funny and caring?"
Ron shrugged. "Those things are important too. But face it, Hermione. I wouldn't want to go to the dance with say…Kate Powell,"
I got even more annoyed. I didn't know that my eyes were starting to turn jaundice. I mostly change when I get really angry. Harry saw them.
"Kate is a nice girl! So what if she has a bit of acne? Most teenagers will go through that!" I growled.
"Ron? That's enough. Just find someone you get along with and don't worry about the looks okay mate?" Harry interjected meaningfully.
Ron shrugged. I began calming down slightly.
After lunch, we headed to Charms. We were learning the Calming Charm. This was to be used only in emergencies if the witch or wizard goes into hysterics.
"One…two…three…Fedenel!" Professor Flitwick said, waving his wand a certain way.
We imitated him carefully.
We got done early enough that Professor Flitwick allowed us the last half-hour to talk amongst ourselves.
Most of the talk was about the upcoming dance. Lavender and Parvati were talking energetically to each other. I laid down my wand and leaned back against my seat.
"Have you any idea on who to take yet?" I asked Ron.
"Yeah. I reckon I might ask Amanda Dates," Ron replied.
"She's a really nice girl," I said, nodding. "She's got a great personality."
"How do you know?" Harry asked, in a teasing voice.
"We worked together on a project for Transfiguration one time. She told me that her mother died when she was young. It's just her and her father now. For a bit, she had to take a muggle job to pay for her school supplies when she transferred the muggle money over to ours," I replied, frowning. "And to put your mind from being in the gutter, I don't go that way, thank you."
"I was just teasing," Harry said, grinning, but then his grin faded. "That's hard on her. What did her mother die of?"
"She was shot,"
"Shot?" Ron asked, tilting his head.
"Yes Ron. Honestly…if your father loves Muggles so much, doesn't he explain what being 'shot' means?" I asked, exasperated.
"Yeah, but mum doesn't like that part of the Muggles," Ron said, sheepishly.
"It means that she was shot by someone with a gun," Harry explained. "You do know what a gun is right?"
"A wand that Muggles use to hurt one another?" Ron said.
Harry and I nodded.
"God…that's horrible," Ron said, slowly.
He looked down the Gryffindor table at Amanda. She had shoulder length light brown hair and blue eyes. She was talking to Neville.
"What about you, 'Arry?" Ron asked, turning to him.
Harry glanced at me before moving his eyes back to Ron.
"I have a pretty good idea who I'm going to ask," he said, grinning coyly.
Ron grinned back and then went back to his lunch.
I pretended I didn't see it and continued eating.
After lunch, we headed to Transfiguration. We learned how to change a hamster into a guinea pig.
After that, it was History of Magic, and then dinnertime. Ron was hungry again.
"I swear you have a bottomless pit," Harry laughed.
"Yeah," Ron said, between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes.
TWO WEEKS LATER.
The Great Hall was going to be decorated in pink, red and white decorations. There were going to be pink, red and white paper hearts floating near the ceiling, along with crepe paper. There were supposed to be about 50 tables, each holding three couples.
Professor Dumbledore got a band to play called "The Charmed Ones"
(A/N: I took that from the TV show, Charmed)
They were really good. It was a day before Valentines' Day and no one had asked me yet. Ron had asked Amanda. She said yes. He was thrilled and I could see he was excited about going. The first time I've seen him excited about going to a dance.
Harry still hadn't asked anyone yet. I wondered what happened to the person that he had a pretty good idea about asking. Either she was going with someone already or she just flat out refused.
It was our break. I was sitting outside on one of the stone benches near a fountain in the courtyard.
I was reading a book on wolves called "The Moonlight". It was cool out and the wind was blowing my hair around. I had the Gryffindor scarf around my neck and I had tightened the robe to keep warm.
I looked up. Harry and Ron were approaching. Ron suddenly spied Amanda and went off with her leaving Harry and I alone. Harry sat next to me.
"Whatcha reading?" he asked, intrigued.
I showed him the cover.
"Ron certainly seems happy," I said, closing the book and just enjoying the warm sunshine and the air hitting me in the face.
"Yeah I know. They just clicked," Harry said, as Ron and Amanda began walking toward the Quidditch pitch.
"So, have you asked anyone yet?" I asked, putting my book away back in my school bag.
"No," Harry said.
I nodded, pretending I wasn't hurt that he didn't ask me yet.
"You?"
I shook my head.
"Listen, erm…why don't we go together?" Harry suggested.
Finally. I thought.
"What? Am I a last resort?" I demanded.
"No!" Harry said, feverishly. "I wasn't sure if you wanted to go with me."
"Why not? Why wouldn't I not want to go?" I asked.
Harry shrugged.
"Did we ever go to a dance together?" I asked.
Harry shook his head.
"I wanted to ask you in our fourth year, but I didn't know how,"
I nodded.
"Well, I'd be delighted to go with you," I said, grinning.
Harry grinned back.
So, it was set.
HARRY
THE NEXT DAY.
VALENTINES DAY.
Ron and I got dressed in our dress Robes. Ron had a spare one he lent me.
I was finally glad I asked Hermione to the dance. I had wanted to ask her for so long, but I was nervous about how she'd take it.
Ron and I were going to meet Hermione and Amanda in the common room before heading down to the Great Hall.
We got finished with dressing and then headed to the common room. As soon as I laid eyes on Hermione, I knew I began to fall in love with her.
She had a beautiful light pink dress robe on and her hair was straight now pulled into an elegant French twist. She had even applied light pink eye shadow and clear lipgloss.
Amanda was dressed in a pale purple robe. Her hair was curled slightly. They both looked lovely.
"Wow…Hermione…you look wonderful," I said, beaming.
Hermione grinned and blushed slightly.
"You too, Amanda," Ron said.
"Thank you," Amanda said.
"We'd better get down to the Hall," I said as Hermione and I linked arms. Ron and Amanda did too. We headed down to the Hall.
The decorations were already up and we found a table and sat down. Sitting with us was Neville and a Ravenclaw named Ashley Harbor. She was quiet like Neville and had blond hair and blue eyes.
"Hermione, you look nice," Neville said, smiling.
"Why Thank you, Neville," Hermione said, kindly.
"What band did Dumbledore get?" Ron asked, peering at an erected stage where there were musical instruments such as a keyboard, guitar and drum set were resting.
"The Charmed Ones," Amanda said. "They're really good. I've got their CD at home."
"CD?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. It's what the Muggles listen to for their music, only they can't buy The Charmed Ones' CD in any store. They only carry it in Diagon Alley," Amanda replied.
"Wow," I said, impressed.
I scanned the Hall. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had managed to find dates.
"Check it out," I whispered, nudging Hermione. "Moe, Larry and Curly managed to find dates."
Ron snorted with laughter and so did Amanda, Neville and Ashley.
"Did they pay them?" Ron mused.
"Maybe," I said thoughtfully. "Or threatened them somehow."
Hermione smacked me on the arm.
"That's terrible," she scolded.
"What?" I said, innocently. "That's probably the truth!"
Hermione just shook her head.
The teachers were also dressed up for the dance. Professor Dumbledore was wearing sapphire blue robes. He stood up and addressed the Hall.
"First, I'd like to thank all of you for coming. Secondly, we'll eat first, then dance!"
Cheers went around.
"Tuck in!"
Food appeared magically on our plates. We began eating.
Once that was over, the band arrived and began playing. Amanda was right. They were better. Better than the "Weird Sisters" in our fourth year, but naturally Hermione and Ron wouldn't remember that.
Hermione and I slow danced. I was holding her right hand in my left and her left hand was on my shoulder. I had my right hand on her hip as we rotated in the spot.
"I'm really glad you decided to ask me," Hermione said, softly.
"So am I," I replied.
"I'm really sorry I didn't believe you sooner. We're going to have to figure out a way to help you," she continued.
"I know," I replied. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
She nodded and we walked side-by-side out of the Hall. We sat on one of the stone bench's and looked up at the midnight blue sky. A full moonlight hung casting a silvery glow over the grounds and stars twinkled merrily.
"Aren't you going to change?" I asked, suddenly alarmed.
Hermione shook her head.
"I can change whenever I want to. That's why they're also called 'shape shifters',"
She looked at me and smiled, the stars reflecting in her honey brown eyes. "I don't feel much like changing now."
Just then, there was thundering near Hagrid's hut. We jumped up as the Arybix's had broken loose and all 12 of them were galloping straight for us.
