Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing dealing with Harry Potter or any of the characters that were invented by the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Yes, she is the almighty writer that I would love to get to know. Then again, wouldn't we all?
A/N: I would just like to say that I am sorry for not updating but we go rid of our old computor and now I do not have Microsoft word so hopefully I can still update.
Well, today is the day. Today, I go on my first real life date. And with Ronald Weasly, my best friend since first year. This has got to be so weird and yet so right at the same time. Am I making any sense? I didn't think so. Ah well. I suppose it always feels strange to be on your first date. Okay, Hermione, do not panic, whatever you do. This should be fun.
As I made my way to the Great Hall, I noticed that I was getting many unusual looks from some of the other students I passed. See those Hufflepuff girls over there to my right? I wonder what they are whispering about. All I know is that it's about me because they are looking my way and pointing at me as if I were some strange animal they see at the zoo. And you see that small group over there to the left? The one mixed with a few Ravenclaws, two or three Gryffendors, and a Slytherin? They are doing the same thing. Oh dear. I suppose by now the entire school knows what has happened to me during detention. I am so glad that McGonagall has excused me and Draco from the rest of our weeks worth of detentions. I would not like to be in the halls at night when I could easily be attacked again.
Anyway, I am going to force myself not to think about that today. I am going to Hogsmede with Ron, my new boyfriend. Boyfriend. Wow, that seems so weird to say. I have a boyfriend. I should really send an owl to my mother and father and tell them the good news. They always said they liked him and that I should go out with him.
Oh dear, I had almost forgotten about my parents. No doubt they have heard by now the incredible mess that has happened. I suppose I should expect an owl from them any day now telling me to not socialize with anyone with the exception of Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and perhaps Draco now, since he was the one that had saved my life. That is another thing that I think will take a long time for me to get used to. Draco Malfoy, the incredible bouncing, baby ferret, saved my life. That was something I was definately not expecting from him. I wouldn't have even expected him to give me so much as a band-aid, let alone a trip to the hospital wing. Well, I guess there really is a first time for everything.
Ah, there's Ron, Harry, and Ginny now, sitting in our usual spot at Gryffendor table. I think I shall just go over there and...
"Ahh," I exclaimed as a bright light flashed before my eyes. "Collin! What are you doing?" I asked, not as nicly as I would have liked to sound. Collin Creevy gave me a timid little smile.
"Um, sorry, 'Mione," he said. "I just wanted a picture of you, that's all. I thought that since, well, you know, the whole incident in detention, you never know what might happen. I mean, you could be attacked again any minute and poof, be dead." He stopped instantly when he saw my face begin to grow pale, my lips quivering. "Oops, I mean, I don't think it'll happen any time soon, of coarse. Just looking at you, I can tell that you will live for a long, long time and probably surpass even your eighties. Maybe even your ninties. Um... erm... yeah, well, I-I.... suppose I should.... get going now.... yeah. G'bye, Hermione." And with that, he scampered out of the Great Hall and disappeared around the corner.
"What was that all about?" asked Ron, coming to my side. His face now filled with worry when he saw my face. "Hermione, are you okay? You're as white as a ghost!" Ghost? Did he just say 'ghost'? Oh dear, my life really IS coming to an end, isn't it?
"Ahem, no, Ronald," I managed to get out. I cleared my throat and attempted a smile. "Everything's just fine. Collin was just being his usual excited self again, that's all. Come on, let's eat. I'm starving." Before he could ask another question, I pulled him down into the seat next to me and we began to chat with Harry and Ginny. Honestly, when are those two going to grow up and figure out that they are made for each other?
"So, where would you like to go first, Hermione?" I looked around at the numerous shops that lined Hogsmede. There were so many places that we could go to. But I know Ron and the first place he would want to go to would be,
"Honeydukes?" I suggested. Ron's face instantly brightened up and he nodded. He then proceeded to grab me by the hand and lead me through the crowd of people as if I didn' t know my way around the streets like he does. My, Ron does have a sweet tooth. I think if he continues paying more attention to his stomach than his studies, one day he shall have the ability to eat more chocolate covered frogs than Professor Dumbledore can eat Lemon Drops, and that is indeed a feat in itself, as anyone knows.
"Ah, Honeydukes. This is just the place that I enjoy being around," smiled Ron. His eyes grew wider with every little thing that he saw in it. It was as if he had never set foot in this place before. Then, he looked at me as if he just remembered that I was here.
"Are you sure that you don't mind?" he asked, that trademark scardy cat look plastered all over his face. I smiled. He really is cute when he makes that face, and this time I felt no shame in telling him so. He smiled.
"Thanks, 'Mione," he said. "Okay, but if I should get too carried away, you'll tell me, right?" I nodded and he kissed me on the cheek before walking over to a wall that contained all kinds of gummy treats.
It was only then that I cared to look outside and see that Draco Malfoy was standing outside, his two goons Crabbe and Goyle right beside him. Hmm, I wonder what they are talking about? Draco looks completely P.O.ed. I'll just step outside for a moment, see what they are talking about, and then slip right back in before Ron even notices I've gone. He's too busy drooling over the strawberry flavored gummy tongues to notice, anyway. So I slipped through the door and hid behind a corner to see if I could hear anything. I know, I know, this is so unlike me. I would never do this, only I wonder if he is saying anything about me. I want to know if he is the reason why people are pointing at me in the halls or not. If he is making up stories about how he saved me from tem dementors at one time, I will laugh. That is just the kind of thing for him to say. I remember in our third year when he was trampled by the hippogriff, Buckbeak, and ended up telling everyone that he nearly lost his arm. What a load of you know what.
"Where is Pansy?" he asked, stamping his foot. "Unbelievable. Just like a female, too. She tells me that she needs to tell me something, and when you show up at the precise time she tells you to, she blows you off completely. I knew I should've come an hour late. At least, if she had been on time, she could yell at me, get over it, we'd snog, and get back to life." I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. There was an image I did not want to see. Draco and Pansy... Talk about your all time screw ups! There was disaster waiting to happen. I really do pity the day they have children. More importantly, I pity the other children that have to go to school with their children.
All Crabbe and Goyle did was to grunt in response. I was about to leave when I heard the ever annoying squeal of Pansy. I think she should do something about that voice of hers. Every time she squeals, it sounds like a pig.
"Ohhh, Draky, there you are," she squealed. "Just the guy that I wanted to see."
"Well, I would hope so, considering you asked me to come here," Draco huffed. "What have you been doing for the past hour?"
"So sorry, dear, but I caught up with Millicent, and one thing led to another, and you know how it is," she said, patting his cheek. Does anyone else find her as annoying as I do? I mean, honestly, she's such a drama queen, I swear.
"So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" asked Draco, obviously annoyed with her.
"Listen, I wanted to ask you if it was true?" asked Pansy.
"If what was true?" spat Draco.
"You know, about Hermione," said Pansy. "Is it true that you actually saved her life? I knew that it couldn't possibly be true. She is a filthy little mudblood, after all, and I just wanted to clarify this whole mess up with some of my friends, so-" Did she just call me that foul name? Let me give her one smack...
"But it is true, and don't call her that," said Draco. What? Is he actually defending me? OH this I've GOT to hear. This is like, a once in a lifetime opportunity here. I leaned in closer to hear.
"What did you just say to me?" asked Pansy, sounding very angered.
"You heard me, Pansy," grumbled Draco. "Yes, it's true, I saved her life. So what? I do agree that she is below us purebloods, but there is no need for that kind of language. She is, after all, my friend now." Oh, so close to a great defense, but he slid a little at the end.
"Friends? What do you mean you two are friends?" hissed Pansy.
"What do you think it means?" asked Draco. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to get to the Three Broomsticks before my Hogsmede day is completely lost." With that, Draco and his two goons walked off, leaving a very confused Pansy behid them, looking like a goldfish at a carnival.
"Friends?" I heard Pansy say. I didn't hear anything else that she said because I was at a loss for words as well. Did Draco Malfoy actually stick up for me? I would never have expected that. I must remember to thank him later today when I get the chance to.
I walked back into Honeydukes, completely confused and scratching my head. But my thoughts of what had just happend when Ron walked up to me.
"Where've you been, 'Mione? I've been looking everywhere for you," he said.
"Everywhere?" I smiled. He cast his eyes downward.
"Well, um, maybe not everywhere," he murmered. It was then that I spotted the brown Honeydukes bag that he held and snickered.
"Never mind, I'll tell you about it once we get back to the castle," I told him. "Let's go now, I want to visit the book shop real quick and see if they have the book I ordered a month ago." So I took him by the hand and lead him out of the candy shop that was just bustling with other students, including Gryffindors Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan.