I am tremendously sorry that I haven't updated in so long! I'm such a lazy
bum, oh well, no sense rambling when a chapter is about to unfold!
Ah, yes, and thanks to: Dracoisahottie13, Bride of Malfoy, Parody-of-an- Angel, Luna Gypsy, Riku's Heartless Angel, Midnightdreaming, NewSecretRose, and Arien Avathar.
Curtain Opens TA DA! Hermione's POV
The past few weeks flew by in a blur. I barely noticed the new headmistress when she surveyed our classes. You could only pinpoint her in the halls when her bright robes stood out among the Hogwarts students' traditional robes of black. And then suddenly, before I could even realize it, it was the dinner of Dumbledore's goodbye speech. Everyone was there. And I mean EVERYONE. Parents of the students, to people of the Ministry who couldn't believe until they actually saw for themselves that Dumbledore was... RETIRING.
I couldn't believe it myself, to tell you the truth. Despite Dumbledore's truth of words that Voldemort had indeed been banished, or that he WAS growing very old even in today's standards, I was still shocked that he thought this was a perfect time to retire. If I had an ounce less respect, I would've thought the man was absolutely mad. And you think I was taking it the wrong way? Harry, who was seated opposite of my on the dining table looked as if he needed a tranquilizer shot. I would've gladly gave him one if it was legal, since he just WOULDN'T SHUT UP about the whole ordeal.
"Harry, dear..." Ginny sighed from beside him. "Would you shut up? It's no use rambling about it when you know it won't go away. Just accept it in stride and let it eventually pass and get on with your life. It's not a life or death situation, Christ!"
My thoughts exactly.
He gave her a dirty look, but shut up nonetheless. Now that he had stopped talking like some Energizer Bunny with no off button, I now realized how quiet the hall actually was. Only a few students were speaking, but in hushed, low voices. The adults gathered around the sides of the room were the ones who made up most of the noise, whispering to each other about how they had to take time off and miss a spa appointment to attend this meeting, if any of it were true, anyhow.
Well at least that's what Della Parkinson, Pansy's mother was chatting endlessly about behind me. "Oh, Della darling! How dreadfully awful! At least my schedule was semi-clear..." And that scratchy voice belonged none other than to Narcissa Malfoy, dear lord spare me, who was also behind me.
Thank god when Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands to silence them all. "Now, thank you for taking time off to attend this very important meeting with all of us. I want to welcome all the parents, and the Ministry workers. Now, I'll get to the point. I AM retiring..." Simultaneous gasps filled the hall. This time, not by students, but by the adults themselves. "Yes, yes, well... I wanted to inform you..."
Draco's POV
I honestly don't know who the hell was listening to the goddamned speech. I honestly don't think any sane person cared. Well at least I didn't. Although, I didn't fail to notice when Dumbledore introduced the new headmistress to us once again, and when he raised a toast to his soon-to-be relaxing retirement years. I raised my cup halfheartedly, from my laziness. I finally realized that his speech was over when the plates of food appeared and the man stopped talking, thank god, I was about to drop dead from boredom. I ate dinner in silence, as the parents exited into the quidditch field outside for refreshments, since the Great Hall itself was too small.
I waved off Crabbe's tries to start a conversation, and eventually he stopped talking. Then on, I only heard dirty comments about Professor Rue from a seventh year boy, Marc, and the captain of Slytherin Quidditch team. Snide giggles were also heard from Pansy and them as they glowed in pleasure over Dumbledore's soon absence. My ears eventually blended all the noise together making one low buzz, as my eyes, with a mind of themselves, roamed the hall in search of something interesting.
I suddenly settled for looking at Hermione Granger. She was looking especially attractive this evening, wearing a wrap skirt with a white t- shirt, since we didn't have to wear our black robes because it was a special occasion. She suddenly looked up, feeling my gray eyes on her.
Hermione's POV
You know that feeling you get when your being watched? That's how I felt then, and I looked up meeting Malfoy's steely gray eyes. Our eyes locked for about a second at the most but I was captivated by the intensity of his gaze. He gave me a smug smirk and then looked down at his food, as if he had caught ME looking at him rather than HIM being the one staring at me.
He was one infuriating prat.
After that little encounter, dinner passed by in a blur, and soon I was back out in the hallway walking back to my sleeping quarters. That's when it hit me. Dumnbledore was leaving TOMORROW. After that thought, I practically stumbled into the common room and slumped on the couch. But since a certain two people were already seated on it, my head was on Seamus' lap, while my feet were propped haphazardly on Dean's. "Rough day, eh, m'dear?" Dean chuckled as I shifted position to acquire a more comfortable stance. "Dumbledore's going to be gone tomorrow. GONE." I muttered, throwing my hands wide dramatically, and narrowly missing hitting Seamus in the face.
"Calm down, Hermione. It's not the end of the world, you should've listened to Gin reprimand her brother about being depressed and giving a bad example to the first-years." Seamus said. I laughed slightly. "Plus, it's not like we're never going to see him again. Weren't you paying attention when he said he's going to pay us a visit this Christmas?" Dean added as he gave me a funny look when I shook my head. After more comforting words from the two of them, since my best friends couldn't be counted on seeing they were probably moping around in the kitchen with a snack at hand, I climbed the staircase up to the girl's dormitories and fell right to bed in my clothes from exhaustion.
The Next Morning
I was sniffling as we stood around the front entrance to the castle to bid Dumbledore our final goodbyes. Can you believe it? I certainly couldn't, but it was true. Dumbledore had been like a father to us, and now he was gone. Away. Forever... Or at least until Christmas. I voiced my opinion to Ginny.
"You're being too dramatic. You almost remind me of Harry and Ron." I gave her a pointed look.
"But you're crying yourself!" I said defensively. She gave me a cheeky grin through the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. "But, I'm not the one exclaiming like it's the end of the world, making people stare at us." A low voice that belonged to Malfoy intruded behind us. "Listen to the girl, Granger. It's quite embarrassing if you would look up and see." I did actually look up, and several people WERE staring. I whipped around angrily. "And aren't YOU happy that Dumbledore's retiring." I accused, pointing my finger at his chest.
"Honestly? Yes. It's time for a change around here. It was getting too old and stale, but I suppose you like it this way... seeing as though you have the personality that matches." Purposely provoking me seemed like his very goal in life. I stood up on my very tiptoes and hissed in his ear. "I hate you." He smiled faintly at me. "I wouldn't have it any other way, love." I gave him a look that clearly said,
"Well then, thank god." I answered smiling at him.
Dumbledore's booming voice gave me a start as I wheeled around to face the front.
"Well..." He announced over the slight din of the students. "I guess... this is goodbye for now. But remember, the light is always near, as I, and look forward to the future. I expect grand things from all of you in the years to come." He started to leave, but then suddenly turned back around. "Oh, yes! And see you this Christmas!" Then he was gone, in his little traditional muggle yellow taxi, off to the West Hamptons or wherever hell he said his summerhouse was.
No amount of previous warning could've prepared me for the changes that were about to occur.
Ah, yes, and thanks to: Dracoisahottie13, Bride of Malfoy, Parody-of-an- Angel, Luna Gypsy, Riku's Heartless Angel, Midnightdreaming, NewSecretRose, and Arien Avathar.
Curtain Opens TA DA! Hermione's POV
The past few weeks flew by in a blur. I barely noticed the new headmistress when she surveyed our classes. You could only pinpoint her in the halls when her bright robes stood out among the Hogwarts students' traditional robes of black. And then suddenly, before I could even realize it, it was the dinner of Dumbledore's goodbye speech. Everyone was there. And I mean EVERYONE. Parents of the students, to people of the Ministry who couldn't believe until they actually saw for themselves that Dumbledore was... RETIRING.
I couldn't believe it myself, to tell you the truth. Despite Dumbledore's truth of words that Voldemort had indeed been banished, or that he WAS growing very old even in today's standards, I was still shocked that he thought this was a perfect time to retire. If I had an ounce less respect, I would've thought the man was absolutely mad. And you think I was taking it the wrong way? Harry, who was seated opposite of my on the dining table looked as if he needed a tranquilizer shot. I would've gladly gave him one if it was legal, since he just WOULDN'T SHUT UP about the whole ordeal.
"Harry, dear..." Ginny sighed from beside him. "Would you shut up? It's no use rambling about it when you know it won't go away. Just accept it in stride and let it eventually pass and get on with your life. It's not a life or death situation, Christ!"
My thoughts exactly.
He gave her a dirty look, but shut up nonetheless. Now that he had stopped talking like some Energizer Bunny with no off button, I now realized how quiet the hall actually was. Only a few students were speaking, but in hushed, low voices. The adults gathered around the sides of the room were the ones who made up most of the noise, whispering to each other about how they had to take time off and miss a spa appointment to attend this meeting, if any of it were true, anyhow.
Well at least that's what Della Parkinson, Pansy's mother was chatting endlessly about behind me. "Oh, Della darling! How dreadfully awful! At least my schedule was semi-clear..." And that scratchy voice belonged none other than to Narcissa Malfoy, dear lord spare me, who was also behind me.
Thank god when Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands to silence them all. "Now, thank you for taking time off to attend this very important meeting with all of us. I want to welcome all the parents, and the Ministry workers. Now, I'll get to the point. I AM retiring..." Simultaneous gasps filled the hall. This time, not by students, but by the adults themselves. "Yes, yes, well... I wanted to inform you..."
Draco's POV
I honestly don't know who the hell was listening to the goddamned speech. I honestly don't think any sane person cared. Well at least I didn't. Although, I didn't fail to notice when Dumbledore introduced the new headmistress to us once again, and when he raised a toast to his soon-to-be relaxing retirement years. I raised my cup halfheartedly, from my laziness. I finally realized that his speech was over when the plates of food appeared and the man stopped talking, thank god, I was about to drop dead from boredom. I ate dinner in silence, as the parents exited into the quidditch field outside for refreshments, since the Great Hall itself was too small.
I waved off Crabbe's tries to start a conversation, and eventually he stopped talking. Then on, I only heard dirty comments about Professor Rue from a seventh year boy, Marc, and the captain of Slytherin Quidditch team. Snide giggles were also heard from Pansy and them as they glowed in pleasure over Dumbledore's soon absence. My ears eventually blended all the noise together making one low buzz, as my eyes, with a mind of themselves, roamed the hall in search of something interesting.
I suddenly settled for looking at Hermione Granger. She was looking especially attractive this evening, wearing a wrap skirt with a white t- shirt, since we didn't have to wear our black robes because it was a special occasion. She suddenly looked up, feeling my gray eyes on her.
Hermione's POV
You know that feeling you get when your being watched? That's how I felt then, and I looked up meeting Malfoy's steely gray eyes. Our eyes locked for about a second at the most but I was captivated by the intensity of his gaze. He gave me a smug smirk and then looked down at his food, as if he had caught ME looking at him rather than HIM being the one staring at me.
He was one infuriating prat.
After that little encounter, dinner passed by in a blur, and soon I was back out in the hallway walking back to my sleeping quarters. That's when it hit me. Dumnbledore was leaving TOMORROW. After that thought, I practically stumbled into the common room and slumped on the couch. But since a certain two people were already seated on it, my head was on Seamus' lap, while my feet were propped haphazardly on Dean's. "Rough day, eh, m'dear?" Dean chuckled as I shifted position to acquire a more comfortable stance. "Dumbledore's going to be gone tomorrow. GONE." I muttered, throwing my hands wide dramatically, and narrowly missing hitting Seamus in the face.
"Calm down, Hermione. It's not the end of the world, you should've listened to Gin reprimand her brother about being depressed and giving a bad example to the first-years." Seamus said. I laughed slightly. "Plus, it's not like we're never going to see him again. Weren't you paying attention when he said he's going to pay us a visit this Christmas?" Dean added as he gave me a funny look when I shook my head. After more comforting words from the two of them, since my best friends couldn't be counted on seeing they were probably moping around in the kitchen with a snack at hand, I climbed the staircase up to the girl's dormitories and fell right to bed in my clothes from exhaustion.
The Next Morning
I was sniffling as we stood around the front entrance to the castle to bid Dumbledore our final goodbyes. Can you believe it? I certainly couldn't, but it was true. Dumbledore had been like a father to us, and now he was gone. Away. Forever... Or at least until Christmas. I voiced my opinion to Ginny.
"You're being too dramatic. You almost remind me of Harry and Ron." I gave her a pointed look.
"But you're crying yourself!" I said defensively. She gave me a cheeky grin through the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. "But, I'm not the one exclaiming like it's the end of the world, making people stare at us." A low voice that belonged to Malfoy intruded behind us. "Listen to the girl, Granger. It's quite embarrassing if you would look up and see." I did actually look up, and several people WERE staring. I whipped around angrily. "And aren't YOU happy that Dumbledore's retiring." I accused, pointing my finger at his chest.
"Honestly? Yes. It's time for a change around here. It was getting too old and stale, but I suppose you like it this way... seeing as though you have the personality that matches." Purposely provoking me seemed like his very goal in life. I stood up on my very tiptoes and hissed in his ear. "I hate you." He smiled faintly at me. "I wouldn't have it any other way, love." I gave him a look that clearly said,
"Well then, thank god." I answered smiling at him.
Dumbledore's booming voice gave me a start as I wheeled around to face the front.
"Well..." He announced over the slight din of the students. "I guess... this is goodbye for now. But remember, the light is always near, as I, and look forward to the future. I expect grand things from all of you in the years to come." He started to leave, but then suddenly turned back around. "Oh, yes! And see you this Christmas!" Then he was gone, in his little traditional muggle yellow taxi, off to the West Hamptons or wherever hell he said his summerhouse was.
No amount of previous warning could've prepared me for the changes that were about to occur.