Laughter and Loneliness
Here is the long awaited chapter. Sorry for taking so long, I had a cold and then I had a lot of work. But i hope u still enjoy it!
Chapter 7 "What really happened"
2 days later, Hermione sat in the dark silence of her dormitory. All around her, people were asleep. But she did not yet sleep, for she was waiting for someone.
She thought over the past events of the days. I can't believe i did it. I had sex with Draco. She heard the door creak and Ginny came in.
"Finally you're here!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Well, you're the one to talk, where were you yesterday and the day before? We were supposed to talk after classes."
"Sorry, I was in detention," Hermione replied with a disheartened tone.
"Two nights? Wow, you of all people," Ginny said, giving off a low whistle.
"Please, rub it in."
"What was it for?" the other went on.
"Disrespect to the teacher," Hermione said.
"Snape?"
"Jackpot."
"Oww, that must have hurt. You know, Snape is really quite a jerk," Ginny concluded. Her companion nodded and gave a short laugh. And Ginny couldn't help wondering exactly what the perfect little bookworm had done...
"When's your Dark Mansion thing?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, I think it's in about a week. I've already begun to pack."
"I wish I could come," the other sighed. "By the way, up for a game of Showdown (A/N a game I invented not so long ago, here it is a popular game for Hogwarts students lol) tomorrow night? I can arrange for it to be against Slytherins, which you know is the most fun."
"Really? Yeah, I'd love to!" Hermione said.
"Great. Ok, I gotta get some sleep."
"Wait. Ginny?"
"What?" she said groggily.
Hermione paused. Should she know that i'm not a virgin anymore? Should I tell her? But what would she say? I mean, after all, it was Draco Malfoy.
Her redhead friend eyed her impatiently, and turned on a small table light. She grabbed a canned drink, and quickly popped it open. She took a large swig.
"Are you a virgin?" Hermione asked finally.
Ginny began to choke on her drink and cough violently.
"How can I tell you, you're Ron's best friend!?"
"I won't tell him. That means you're not a virgin?"
"Yeah, i'm not. But i'm not a slut or anything, you know."
"Well, duh."
"And you?"
"No, not a virgin," she sighed. Immediately she was sorry for telling her.
"OH MY GOD NO WAY!!! Who did you have sex with? Let me guess, was it in the library?"
"Er, no, not in the library. But I can't tell you with who."
"Why?" came Ginny's irritated reply.
"I just can't."
"Ok, but you watch out, because I'll find out sooner or later." At this remark Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"And you, Ginny, who did you have sex with?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, I can't tell you." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ok, Herm, I really have to get some sleep. See you tomorrow at breakfast," she said.
"Alright, good night," Hermione said, getting up. She left Ginny and went to comb her hair. Doing so, she remembered her detention. She hadn't, of course, told Ginny the whole truth...
FLASHBACK
"Did you?" asked Draco Malfoy somewhat harshly.
"Yes," Hermione guiltily, finally giving in to his interrogations.
"How could you? He's your best friend!"
"I- i didn't want any of my actions to influence my friendship with him. I didn't mean to cast the memory charm on him. I was just playing with the idea. But, I realized he's safer if he doesn't know. I'd rather die than jeopardize Harry's life, he's been through so much already. Too much."
"Maybe you're right ...no one can get anything out of Potter, because he doesn't know. Not that he'd tell, but my father, or worse, the Dark Lord, can't use the Veritaserum, or such, against him. But it really is a shame that you did that." Hermione's face fell.
They walked to Potions, and finally she broke the silence.
"I tried to make a Veritaserum once," said Hermione as she reminisced. "But it exploded in my face (A/N remember 1st chapter?). And not to mention I almost got caught by that repulsive, greasy haired, slimy git, evil Neanderthal Snape. Actually, he can't be Neanderthal, because the true and pure evil are somewhat developed in their knowledge. Not that the Neanderthal existed, because that's all muggle fantasy. Anyway, if there ever was pure evil, it has to be Snape."
"Am I evil? Now that's interesting," Snape said coldly. Hermione gave an enormous start as she realized Snape was right behind them.
END OF FLASHBACK
Hermione then went to sleep, but slept fitfully all night. She had nightmares over and over about Voldemort watching her. Always watching.
In the morning, exhausted, she went to breakfast. Harry and Ron were already there, gobbling bacon, scones, and eggs.
"Hey guys. Good morning," she said with a yawn, sitting down.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Ron between mouthfuls.
"Other than my nasty detentions, which I already told you about, nothing. Oh, I almost forgot! Wanna join us for Showdown tonight? It's with the Slytherins."
"Yeah, I can't wait to humiliate those bloody arses," Ron replied.
Uh! how can he say that? they aren't all like that, thought Hermione
"Sure, Mione. We'll be there," said Harry.
"Lovely," she said, filling her plate with food.
I can't wait till Showdown! she thought. Suddenly she remembered her dream and shuddered. Those horrible red eyes, watching me from the crowd. Suddenly, behind Harry (who was across from her), she saw a pair of red eyes flash. She blinked, but it was gone.
Her heart felt heavy with fear. Had she only imagined it, or had it been really there?
Just then Ginny came up behind her and scared the life out of her, knocking her salad onto Lavender.
"Oh, sorry," Hermione said earnestly, brushing the salad off her head. Lavender gave her an angry stare.
"Hi," said Ginny pleasantly, as if nothing had happened. "Hermione, I've been thinking," continued Ginny in a low voice so that it was only audible to the two of them, "is it Blaise Zabini? The guy you like, I mean. You were seen, by me, talking somewhat in a civil manner with those Slytherins." Hermione froze.
"No," she said finally, laughing a bit at Ginny's disappointed face. Ginny didn't feel like guessing anymore, for she knew she had to observe Hermione's every move first.
"Hermione, I heard you screaming blue murder last night. Are you alright? Bad nightmare?"
"You heard me? As a matter of fact, I did have a nightmare. I didn't swear though, did I? That would be horrid."
"Uh, well, once," but seeing Hermione's expression quickly added, "But they were quite subtle."
Hermione groaned and demanded of Ginny exactly what swear words she had said.
"Ok, if you're sure. 'Bloody fucking shit, what's happening to me?' is what I heard."
Hermione cleared her throat and asked, "Subtle?"
"Those were the only words you spoke. The rest of the time you were just screaming."
"For how long?"
"Well, I only heard you speak right before I left to go somewhere this morning, but you were screaming just for like 5 minutes." Hermione let out a sigh of relief.
"So when do I meet your boyfriend?"
"Ginny, don't push it."
"Why, is it forbidden love? Is that why you can't tell me?" asked Ginny jokingly.
She doesn't know how right she is thought Hermione.
"No, it's not forbidden love, Ginny. Get those romantic novels out of your head." Ginny, obviously, wanted to continue her game, trying to closely examine Hermione's reactions.
"Ok, fine. Just to prove to you that I'm not in love with someone forbidden, I'll tell you who it is after Showdown. Good?"
"Perfect. Can't wait." They got up and left the table, Hermione still filled with boundless curiosity, and fear, of what she had seen earlier right behind Harry.
"How much of it did you hear?" asked Ron.
"I knew it! I heard 'nightmare' and 'screaming blue murder' and 'Showdown,'" Harry informed.
"So...?" asked Ron expectantly.
"Well, it doesn't help us too much, I admit. But think about it. If Showdown isn't related to the earlier words, we are left with nightmare and screaming blue murder. And isn't that exactly what I told you?"
"What, about Hermione having nightmares? I don't think so. I mean, she'd tell us. No, this is all just coincidental."
Harry gave him a disapproving look but did not say anything. They walked to their classes wondering about what was going on.
But Harry knew something was wrong. He could always tell it in his best friends' behaviour.
oh no! poor hermione! now she has Ginny and Harry watching her back! will anyone find out who she is really in love with? ha ha ha u have to wait for the next ch, which i will try to update really soon.
Please review!