A/N: Hey I'm back don't worry I haven't died. I've just been loaded with so much school work! I know many people use this excuse and a lot of people think it's a rubbish one but trust me it really is true!! If anyone would like 2 offer 2 do my homework for me please don't hesitate to contact me! But anyway I've made time for this and here is the result – chapter 9!
Disclaimer: All recognised hp characters belong to JK Rowling! Only the plot is mine.
Chapter 9
But Hermione wasn't in the girl's dorm; it was completely empty. Harry quickly scanned the room, looking for any clues as to where she was. He found nothing. Then he saw something which made his heart sink.
On Hermione's bedside table was a picture of him and her. Harry remembered it as Christmas last year. Ron had visited Charlie in Romania over Christmas but Hermione had stayed at Hogwarts to keep Harry company. In the picture they were standing in front of the large Christmas tree in the Great Hall. Harry's arm was around her shoulders and they were both waving frantically at the camera. Then out of nowhere a piece of mistletoe came hovering above their heads. Harry saw himself notice it and he gave Hermione a quick kiss on the cheek. He smiled slightly as he saw Hermione blush.
He felt like killing himself there and now. He knew that he had totally blown it with her and his chances of making it up to her were really slim. But he had to try. He prayed that one day he would let him hold her like that again. He missed it so much already ...
Harry quickly snapped out of his gaze and ran into the fifth year girl's dormitory. If she wasn't there he would check the fourth year's room. He had to find her, even if he had to search the entire school.
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Feeling extremely pleased with herself, Cho made her way to the Ball. She felt as if she had every right to be pleased - everything had seemed to fit perfectly: Hermione's timing and her and Harry's reactions. Of course it would have been better if Harry hadn't seen the real note but the important thing was that the damage was done, even if Harry now hated her. 'Just be really nice to him the next few days. With Granger gone, he will be at my feet' she thought.
She saw Draco waiting at the bottom of the staircase. Taking a moment to fix herself, she gracefully swept down the stairs (hoping over the false one). It was obvious that Draco had noticed her as his eyes bulged out slightly and he couldn't keep his eyes off her.
"Wow, that just proves it then," he smirked s he gave her a swift kiss on the cheek.
"Proves what?" she asked.
"That Ravenclaw's really can clean up for a special occasion."
Cho chose to ignore that last comment and smiled at him and fluttered her eyelashes.
"What are you so happy about?" he asked.
"Oh nothing," she said dreamily.
"Hmph. Come on what have you done?" he asked. Cho didn't answer but then Draco suddenly remembered something. "Has this by any chance got something to do with that note for the Mudblood that you so secretly kept to yourself today?"
"Maybe yes............but maybe no,"
Draco was now becoming a little annoyed with her. "Look do you want a date for the ball tonight or not? Imagine...Cho Chang - the most attractive girl at Hogwarts without a date."
Draco knew that he had struck a nerve as Cho put on a 'you wouldn't' type of face.
"Fine you got me," said Cho. She dragged Draco to a corner of the entrance hall so they wouldn't be overheard.
She then told him everything. She began with telling him about the initial incident between Harry and Hermione.
"So Potter actually hit Granger?! Ha! He finally had some sense knocked into him then!"
Cho nodded in agreement. At the corner of her eye she saw Hermione's friend Lavender coming down the stairs. She quickly pulled herself and Draco further into the corner so they were completely covered in shadow.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"Never mind," said Cho absently. She waited until Lavender was inside the great hall. She then continued her story. After about five minutes or so she finished by describing the look on Hermione's face when she saw them.
"It was a picture," laughed Cho. "I honestly wished that I had a camera then. She looked like her world had come crashing down! Then she burst into tears – so pathetic!"
"Awwww I wish I could have seen that – so I could laugh myself to sleep every night."
"Now's your chance," said Cho. "Don't let her see me though."
Cho crouched down and hid in the shadowy corner. A very confused Draco turned round and took a few steps forward. And there she was: the Mudblood Granger, running towards him at a terribly high speed, her face red and drenched in tears. He side-stepped to the left a bit so he blocked her path.
"Well look what we have here – Granger actually trying to look presentable in an ickle pwetty dwess with no date!"
Hermione topped just in front of him and shot him a piercing glare through her puffy eyes. She tried to dodge him by stepping to the side but once again he blocked her path.
"Awwww you didn't think that Potter really did like youdid you? Oh you did! That's so sweet!"
This made Hermione feel even worse than she already was if that was possible. Ever since the "Mudblood" incident in second year she had learned to ignore Malfoy's comments but this time he had gone too far - she was struggling to ignore what he had said. What if it was true?
"Just get lost Malfoy," she whispered. Malfoy just chuckled to himself. She heard him mutter one single word under his breath 'pathetic.'
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!" With all he strength she could muster she shoved Malfoy as hard as she could out of the way and ran towards the main entrance and was soon out of sight.
Draco only just managed to keep his balance. He normally wouldn't have let her just do that but she was already too far away for him to get back at her. He decided to let her off just once; he seriously doubted if he could make her more upset anyway.
"Is she gone?" asked Cho. Draco nodded and she stood up from her hiding spot.
"Poor Granger," she said hardy sounding like she meant it. Draco smiled at her proudly.
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Meanwhile Ron was waiting impatiently for Lavender by the buffet table in the Great Hall. (A/N Typical Ron lol) She said she would meet him ten minutes ago and there was still no sign of her. It was becoming more and more difficult by the minute for him to find her as the Great Hall was becoming very busy with people coming for the Ball. He had to admit though, that the hall did look fantastic: it was decorated with each of the four house colours and the bewitched sky was a clear night dotted with thousands of brightly shining stars. At the top of the Hall The Weird Sisters were playing a very fast and loud jazz tune. The middle of the Hall was filled with couples dancing and laughing together. Those who weren't dancing were talking very loudly so the could hear each other been impossible for him to shout on her. He was just starting to get a headache as finally everyone quietened down to his delight as a new slower (and quieter) song began.
Then finally through the crowds he saw Lavender walking towards him. Yet again that night he felt his jaw drop although this time he didn't feel guilty about it.
"Bloody hell.......you look amazing" said Ron as he took Lavender into his arms and gave her a peck on the lips. He then handed over his rose for her.
"Aww thank you," she said. She slid the flower into her hair so it rested just above her ear. "You don't look so bad yourself."
"You took your time," said Ron sarcastically.
"Sorry I just had to go to the Owelry first to send an owl to my parents. I wanted to thank them for the money for my dress."
"Oh right no problem," said Ron. "The dress is stunning by the way."
Lavender blushed "Thanks." She then took a moment to scan the Hall. "Where are Hermione and Harry?"
Ron sighed. "I have no idea where Hermione is but right now Harry is in our dormitory in a right state."
"What? What happened?" she asked.
"I was actually hoping that you would tell me," said Ron impatiently. "Why didn't you tell me that Hermione didn't want to go with him in the first place?"
Lavender was now slightly annoyed as well as confused. "What on earth are you on about Ronald Weasley? She was going with Harry! I even left her outside your dormitory where she was going to meet him."
"Well then explain this...why did Harry get a note from Hermione saying that she wasn't going with him?"
"What? But-"
"And then Hermione went on to say all these horrible and disrespectable things about Harry's Godfather even though she knows today is a year since he died!"
"Look calm down. Please believe me Ron. She told me that she wrote a note to Harry saying yes! She was so excited and did nothing but talk about it all day!"
"Look, something's going on Lav. I was there when Harry got that note."
"Hold on," said Lavender "Who gave him the note?"
"Cho Chang," answered Ron. He saw Lavender gasp. "Why?"
"She hates Hermione! Ever since she broke up with Harry last year she blamed it on her. I overheard her in the library once talking to her friends saying how it was all Hermione's fault."
"Huh? Wait a minute............you don't think?"
"I hope not," said Lavender. "Come on!"
She grabbed hold of Ron's hand and they both raced out of the hall. They didn't get very far and they saw Malfoy and Cho at the bottom of the stairs with their arms around each other.
"You!" shouted Lavender. "What have you done to Harry and Hermione?"
"Why I haven't done anything," said Cho innocently. Draco smirked. "All I did was give Harry the correct note."
Draco burst out laughing from behind Cho.
"You bitch!" yelled Lavender.
"How dare you talk to her like that!" shouted Malfoy. He made a threatening move towards her but Ron grabbed him by the collar and thrust him up against the wall. Malfoy got quite a shock at Ron's strength.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" screamed Ron. Malfoy - instead of shouting back - simply smirked.
"You know what Weasley? You're right...she's not worth it anyway. Just like you actually. You and your pathetic, poor, begging group of weasels you call your family."
In all of his six years of pure hatred towards Malfoy, Ron had never felt so angry in all of his life and he had finally reached boiling point. With all of the strength that he could find he punched Malfoy hard on the nose and he triumphantly felt Malfoy's nose break beneath his fist. Malfoy collapsed on to the ground and Cho screamed in Shock and bent down to comfort him.
Ron wrapped his arm protectively around Lavenders waist. "NOBODY TALKS ABOUT LAVENDER OR ABOUT MY FAMILY LIKE THAT!"
Both Lavender and Ron could have stayed there for ages admiring the scene and Lavender had never felt so proud of Ron in her life. Ron was shaking his right arm – obviously from the pain.
"Wow!!" said Lavender. She gave Ron a huge kiss on the lips.
"Well that git deserved it," said Ron through a huge grin.
Lavender smiled at him while rubbing his sore hand. "Come on we need to find Harry and Hermione."
Just like the ferret day, Ron was trying to imprint this image of Malfoy into his mind so he would never forget it. He felt Lavender tug on his arm.
"Right," he said. He quickly followed Lavender up the stairs towards the Gryffindor common room.
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About five minutes later Ron and Lavender made it to the Common Room. It was completely empty.
"I'll check and see if Harry is still in our dorm," said Ron.
Then suddenly they heard movement coming from above them and then screams.
"No, wait a minute," said Lavender as she held onto Ron's arm.
A second later Harry appeared at the foot of the steps holding his Firebolt and looking very distressed.
"What was that all about?" asked Ron.
"Eh...I think I might have given a few second year girls quite a fright," said Harry, trying to conceal a blush.
"You were in the girls dorms?" said Ron. Then he smiled mischievously. "Cool! Find anything good?"
"Ron!" shouted Lavender angrily. "Why were you in there anyway?"
Harry suddenly remembered and he felt himself become very depressed yet again. "Looking for Hermione," he sighed.
"What happened?" asked Lavender timidly.
Harry would have rather took that information with him to the grave but by the glaring looks of Ron and Lavender, they didn't look like they were going to give up without a fight. And besides, they wouldn't understand otherwise. Harry took a very deep breath and sighed.
"Hermione....er...kinda...walked in on...meandChokissing," he rushed.
"WHAT?" yelled Ron. "YOU BLOODY IDIOT!"
Ron made a threatening move towards Harry but Lavender managed to stop him, she had had enough violence for one night.
"Harry...how could you do that to Hermione?"
"That's all I've been asking myself!! I don't need you two to lecture me as well. I already feel like a complete asshole." Harry paused. "I dunno I was just so upset and angry with myself...Cho was there and I wasn't thinking straight and-"
"But Harry that note wasn't Hermione's Cho made it up and-"
"Yeah know I found the real note and I kicked Cho out. I'm sorry guys but right now I don't really care if you're angry with me, I need to find Hermione and apologise."
"Well we didn't see her downstairs," said Lavender. "We'll help you though.
"Thanks," muttered Harry.
"Eh Harry what's that?" asked Ron. He pointed to Harry's favourite chair beside the fire. On it was a note with what looked like a muggle cassette tape next to it.
A part of Harry wanted it to have something to do with Hermione but unusually another part of him wished that it wasn't. Upon closer inspection Harry noticed that the note had its name on it in handwriting Harry immediately noticed as Hermione's. Lavender began to inspect the cassette as Harry unfolded the parchment and read to himself.
Harry,
You will be pleased to know that probably by the time you read this, I will be gone. I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt anything and I hope I didn't cause too much trouble.
But all I want to know Harry is why? Why? Why could you do this too me. I thought you cared for me. Now I realise that I should've taken the hint from last night. I'm so stupid!
Even though you probably don't want to hear this I need to tell you. I was going to tell you tonight...but...well. Anyway, I love you Harry. There were too many reasons why for me to write down here. Again this is stupid but by asking me to the ball I thought you may have felt the same way. Silly I know but now I know that you don't feel the same way so...I'm sorry again. And God knows why but I still love you even after this...but hopefully it will soon all be in the past.
Even though we have been best friends for six years I don't know how we can continue after this. I'm sorry but I just...can't.
Oh and I hope you liked the album, I was going to give you it for your birthday but I thought today was right. You may have noticed that about a quarter of it is empty. That is for you Harry - to put your own future pictures in. Pictures that will provide you with the fondest of memories for years to come, even in the darkest of times.
I wish you all the best for you and Cho or whoever you end up with. All I wanted was for you to be happy. And could you please tell my parents, family friends etc that I love them and that I'm sorry.
Love always,
Hermione xx
PS That song o the tape is one of my favourites. It reminds me of us I think - well, my feelings for you anyway. If you really, really want to know where I am (although you probably don't) just listen to it.
Harry's hands were shaking. That was it. Right there and then, his life had ended,
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"H-h-hermione's gone," stuttered Harry. He could feel a huge lump in his throat appear and his eyes burning up with tears.
"Gone?" asked Lavender. She took the note from Harry and skimmed it quickly, only taking in what was necessary. Ron was frozen on the spot.
"We need to find her, "Ron blurted out.
"What's the point?" asked Harry. "She's probably long gone by now and she pretty much said that she doesn't want me to find her."
"God Harry wake up!!! You love her and if that isn't worth fighting over I don't know what the hell is!!"
"The tape,"whispered Lavender.
"Huh?"
"The tape," she repeated. "What's on the tape?"
"I dunno," said Harry. He picked it up and examined it.
"What the hell is that?" asked Ron.
"A muggle music device," said Harry. He had no idea what to do. Then he remembered Hermione plying some of her tapes. Imitating her, he picked up his wand. "Crescendus"
Suddenly the Room was filled with very chilling but incredibly beautiful piano music. This was soon followed by a woman's voice.
Notice me
Take my hand
Why are we
Strangers when
Our love is strong?
Why carry on without me?
Everytime I try, to fly
I fall without my wings
I feel so small
I guess I need you baby,
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face
It's haunting me
I guess I need you baby.
Harry had never heard the song in his life, but it was beautiful, so innocent, so loving, and just like Hermione. Was this really how Hermione felt towards him? Was that what she meant? To notice her and that she needed him.
"What do you suppose it means?" asked Ron
"Dunno," said Harry. He turned to Lavender who looked quite shocked. "What about you?"
"Yeah, it's one of Hermione's favourites. During last summer I remember I went round to Hermione's and we both watched the vidow for it. "
"Video you mean?" asked Harry.
"What the hell is a video?" asked Ron.
"Never mind," said Lavender. "Yeah video sorry. Anyway it was so sad, the girl has a fight with her boyfriend, gets injured somehow and dies and then-"
"She dies!?" shouted Harry.
"Yeah," answered Lavender. "How why do you...OH MY GOD SHE WOULDN'T!!"
"I bloody hope not." said Harry. "Oh my God what have I done?"
"Are you saying that Hermione has kil-"
"SHUT UP RON!" screamed Lavender. "We don't know that yet."
"I need to find her," said Harry quickly. He ran to the portrait of the fat Lady and turned to face Ron and Lavender. "Find Professor Dumbledore, find Hagrid hell even find Snape. Get them to help. I'm gonna look for Hermione."
Without a second glance at the pair of them Harry ran out of common room faster than he had ever done in his life. On his way out he heard line last part of song; it was without a doubt the worst part yet.
I may have made it rain
Please forgive me
My weakness caused you pain
And this song is my sorry................
A/N - Hope you all liked that. Sorry I know it's a cliffy but this chapter was getting to long and I'm keepin the next part for chapter 10 which will hopefully be up soon! Thanks again for all the support and please review! No flames please!
Stephy xx