Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K Rolling, but the plot is my own creation :o)
A/N: Hey! I seriously can't believe that it's June already! I'm so0o sorry for not updating this for so long( 5 months eek!)but I have been so incredibly busy, it's hard to believe. Between SATs, AP exams and classes, massive amounts of homework and projects, the school play (Cinderella, where I was a towns-person, a ballroom dancer, and my favorite-a mouse!), the Junior Statesman of America debate team, other after school activities, and getting time to eat and sleep in there, it's been extremely hard to update this! And besides all that I've been to Europe and back! I went to Italy (Rome, Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Verona) and Switzerland (Lucern) during Easter vacation with my school and had the most amazing experiences of my life. Anyway, now that I've filled you in on my stupidly busy life LoL, its about time to get on to the fic! Here is the long awaited(LoL) chapter 12 of The Mistake They Can't Deny!
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I can't be losing sleep over this
No I can't
And now I can not stop pacing
Give me a few hours
I'll have this all sorted out
If my mind would just stop racing
Cause I can not stand still
I can't be this unsturdy
This can not be happening
This is over my head
But underneath my feet
Cause by tomorrow morning I'll have this thing beat
And everything will be back to the way that it was
I wish that it was just that easy
Cause I'm waiting for tonight
Been waiting for tomorrow
I'm somewhere in between
What is real
And just a dream
Would you catch me if I fall out of what I fell in
Don't be surprised if I collapse down at your feet again
I don't want to run away from this
I know that I just don't need this
Cause I can not stand still
I can't be this unsturdy
This can not be happening
Cause I'm waiting for tonight
Been waiting for tomorrow
And I'm somewhere in between
What is real
And just a dream
-Somewhere in Between, Lifehouse
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Chapter 12: A Hogsmeade Trip and Colin's Shocking Pic
Hermione awoke the next day with every intention of forgetting the events of the day before, and it looked like today she would actually get that chance. She was now sitting at breakfast and Harry excitedly informed her that Dumbledore had an announcement for them yet again.
"Let me guess", Hermione replied. "This time Flitwick, Sprout, and Snape took part in a menage a trois and McGonagall is furious with him and wants to put her supposed baby up for adoption unless Snape takes some responsibility."
Her table of friends just stared at her for a minute like she was completely and utterly insane, then shook their heads and continued chatting about what the announcement could really be about, choosing rather to ignore her comment.
"What?", Hermione asked Ron. "You guys are always talking about some silly rumors like that."
"Yeah 'Mione, but that was just plain crazy", he scoffed while shaking his head.
Hermione sighed and prepared to listen in to the Headmaster as he stood up and began to speak.
"Good morning everyone. Now, yesterday the other professors and I decided that since all of you have been so proficient with your studies lately, that you deserve a break. You've all been working so hard lately that we've decided that First to Third years have the day off to spend doing as they please, and the Fourth years and up have a much needed trip to Hogsmeade to pick out their outfits for the Valentine's Ball this weekend. When the mail arrives this morning, with it will be your assigned colors and flowers for that night. Just so you are all aware of this now, a certain charm has been placed so you won't be able to reveal that information to anyone else, it is supposed to be a surprise for that night. Enjoy the day everyone!
Snape had finally seemed to learn his lesson to not interrupt the Headmaster while he was making an important speech, but Dumbledore still had a mischievous glint in his eye and most students couldn't help laughing when he continued with "And thank you Severus for not feeling compelled to serenade us this morning as you did a few days ago."
The students began breakfast with excitement hearing the news for the day. A school owl came to deliver to Hermione a rolled up piece of parchment with her assigned colors and flower on it, as did Hedwig and Pig did to Harry and Ron. Hermione unrolled the parchment and discovered her colors to be black and red, and her flower to be a red rose. As Dumbledore had said, as Ron and Harry foolishly asked each other what they were assigned, they found themselves scratching their heads in wonder, not remembering what they had just said.
'Oh, a memory charm' Hermione thought, as she watched the dazed and confused looks on the boys' faces with amusement. This day would be exactly what she needed....a fun time with her friends to relieve all the stress she had ben feeling lately. She would buy a beautiful dress, and have fun with Ginny, chatting about who they could possibly be paired with. And best of all, if she were with Harry, Ron and Ginny, she could forget all her confusion about Draco Malfoy.
Later that morning, as older students bustled out of the Hogwarts grounds to Hogsmeade, Albus Dumbledore was having an interesting conversation with four ghost-like figures.
"Sir", one of them said, "The spots were an ingenious idea, but I'm sorry to say that even that didn't work."
"Oh, Ro," he replied, "All in good time, you'll see. I'm almost positive that they can be the first ones to get past this silly house rivalry, setting an example for others. They're both smart, persistent, and stubborn enough to not let other people's opinions to get in the way of what they think. And you know we only need one pair from 2 rival houses..."
"To break this curse! Oh, I really hope they are the ones, this curse has been going on for too long now. You do know it can only be people that are truly meant to be together that can break it. If only we had been wiser when we were still alive..."
"Yes, I do know that, and I do have faith in them. We can't be positive that they are the ones, but we'll certainly find out soon."
Hermione was now in Madam Malkins Dress Robes for All Occasions, casually looking through a rack of dress robes made to look like Muggle gowns, while Ginny searched on the other side of the store in the 'contemporary witch-wear' section. As she picked up one particularly nice robe, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see who it was, but oddly when she glanced around, no one was there. However, she noticed there was a small black box on a nearby shelf with the initials H.G. on it. She went over to it, and opened a note that was attached. Written in a neat, girlish handwriting she didn't recognize was: 'Hermione, I thought you might like to keep this.' Her curiosity getting the better of her, she carefully opened the box and gasped when she saw it was a ring- but not just any ring, the ring that had gotten her into the mess she was in, in the first place. It was still the same golden color from when she had last worn it, and the gem was red. But she was so sure she had gotten rid of it. Closing the box, she slipped it into her robes pocket, and decided to just continue browsing the store, not wanting any reminders to lead her thoughts back to Malfoy. Just as she was about to give up, she came upon a beautiful, long, flowing design, made up of exactly the colors she was assigned. The poufy, ruffled skirt was black, made out of tulle and crinoline, and had red rhinestones glimmering all throughout. The top was a meshed red and black scrunched together, and the straps were made out of the same red gems. She instantly fell in love with it, and taking note of the number on it's tag went to the counter in the front of the store. She placed an order to have it delivered to Hogwarts the day of the ball, which students were asked to do, so no one would be able to see what colors were assigned.
'Dumbledore is really serious about this,' she thought. 'I guess he really wants us to be surprised.'
After she had paid for her order, she went outside where she noticed Ginny was standing, making small talk with Ron.
"All set?" she asked the two.
"Yeah, we just need to wait for Harry."
"No need, I'm here," he replied walking up to the trio.
"So where to now?" he questioned.
"Well am feeling a little tired, do you think we should start going back?" Hermione questioned while yawning.
"Go back?" Ron responded indignantly. "But we haven't even eaten yet!"
"Oh Ron," Ginny nudged him, "Is food all you think about?"
Well, I guess we can stop by the Three Broomsticks," Harry suggested, while Ron's stomach rumbled.
"Fine with me," Ginny agreed.
"Definately," replied Ron, stomach growling again.
"Mione?" Harry asked, waiting for a reply.
"Sure, let's go," she said after a minute, starting to head in the direction of the pub. She just hoped a certain Slytherin hadn't decided to come to Hogsmeade today.
Draco Malfoy laid on his bed, not feeling the desire to move. He didn't plan on going to Hogsmeade since he already had new dress robes for the ball...just a few spells and they could be altered to his assigned colors...but who cared about that anyway? He had been up all night, enveloped in the darkness of his room, his mind also clouded with darkness from the confusion of his thoughts. Even under his dark green comforter, he still had chills thinking about what had happened in the last few hours. It had been his thoughts that had kept him awake all night- seeing Lucius every time he dared to close his eyes. He also couldn't stop thinking about what he had said to Hermione, and became even more confused when he tried to figure out why she had been a constant image inside his head for the past few weeks. His thoughts were overwhelming him, and it was starting to get to be more than he could take.
During the night he had become determined to sort out his feelings by morning, but all he had managed to do was to create more turmoil inside his head. He felt like he had an emptiness inside of him- a void that needed to be filled. A void that only a person could fill. At this realization, he thoughts drifted yet again to Hermione. He shuddered, thinking about what might have happened that night if Lucius hadn't been stopped in time, and it was she who had helped. He realized he no longer could tell himself he hated her, because it just wasn't the case anymore, but what exactly he thought of her, he wasn't quite sure of. Maybe she really didn't hate him after all, maybe it was possible to be friendly like they had been. At the same time, he was arguing with himself, believing these things to be ridiculous. His whole night had been spent debating between the side of him that wanted to change and the side that wanted to go back to being how he was-both appearing impossible for him. So he was caught in between, not being able to shut his eyes once, millions of thoughts racing through his mind trying to figure out how to release himself from the slump he was in. Finally, deciding it was useless to just lay there, he got dressed and went to the Great Hall to have something to eat, to keep himself occupied so his thoughts wouldn't wander again.
Hermione walked back toward Hogwarts, Harry by her side, Ron and Ginny a little further ahead, arguing about something or another. They had enjoyed a nice lunch, and to Hermione's relief Draco had indeed not been there. However, she couldn't shake off the odd emotion she was now feeling. Why hadn't he been in Hogsmeade today, she would have had to run into him at some point if he was there. Was he all right? After the night before with what happened with Lucius, she wasn't too sure. 'Hermione, just listen to yourself, you're worrying about Malfoy! Do you think he spends this time thinking about you? Now stop it, this is just silly.'
"Hermione?" Harry broke into the deep reverie the girl next to him seemed to be in. "Are you all right, you seem to be very distracted lately."
"Hmm? Oh, yes well, I guess with this project on top of my schoolwork, it can be stressful. Not to mention having to work with Malfoy...."
"Malfoy? Is that what's got you so stressed out lately? What did he do?"
Hermione hated not telling Harry the truth, but knew if she explained the situation to him, he just wouldn't understand, and knew it was best to just pretend as if nothing at all were bothering her. "Oh, no Harry, he hasn't done anything, well, nothing more extreme than usual. I'm ok, really, there's no need to worry."
They were now heading into the castle doors, and before Harry could question her any further, Ginny interrupted their conversation.
"Hey Hermione, I'm going to go to the library, do you want to come?" the younger girl offered.
"No thanks Ginny, I think I'm just going to go back to my room and relax tonight."
"Whoa!" Ron stated with over-exaggerated shock. "Hermione 'I'll-be-in-the-library' Granger doesn't want to go to the library? What is this world coming to?"
"Well, suite yourself Herm. I'll see you guys later."
Ginny was walking through the halls on her way to the library when someone ran head on into her.
"Oof! Watch it! Oh, Colin? Where are you rushing to?"
"Oh good Ginny!" a very anxious Colin Creevy exclaimed trying to catch his breath. "Where's Harry, I need to find him right away!"
"Oh dear Colin, I thought you were over that by now", Ginny teased while shaking her head.
"Ginny, this is serious! Amazing, shocking, bewildering- I need to get to Harry right away!"
What is it Colin? If its that important can't you tell me?"
"Well..." he trailed off looking reluctant to tell her. "I guess if Harry's going to know, so will you- you're her friend too, after all."
"Who's friend, what's going on?'
"Well-this," the boy stated handing over a photograph to Ginny with a mischievous look on his face.
To say that Ginny was surprised would be a huge understatement. She was utterly speechless at what she was looking at- her brain didn't seem to want to register the information it had received. She blinked a few times before watching the people in the picture again- Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. She held back a gasp as she watched the picture Draco and Hermione quickly peck each other, blush furiously, and avoid eye contact with each other–and she had seen enough.
"Colin, where was this? When was this? What were you doing spying on them? This picture looks like it was taken in the girls bathroom. What were you doing in the girls bathroom?" Ginny had so many questions racing through her mind right now she couldn't even get them all out.
"Well....never mind that, I have to show this to Harry now!"
"NO!" Ginny shouted. She wasn't sure of a lot of things at this moment, but one thing she was positive about- if Harry, or Ron for that matter saw this photo, there would be serious consequences, and she didn't care to find out what they would be. All she knew was that she couldn't allow them to see it.
"Colin, do you think I could keep this picture? I'd like to question Hermione about it."
"But..."
"Colin, please, no one can know about this, you know what type of reaction it would bring. I'm sure there is a perfectly...logical answer to this."
"But..." the persistent boy repeated.
"If you don't tell anyone about this I'll give you one of Harry sweaters."
"Deal." he finally stated, handing the picture back over to her, and heading back from where he came from.
Now Ginny had to hide this picture, and find out some answers to the questions she almost dared not to think of.
Draco, after eating a light lunch was feeling much better, and not as confused as before. He decided he would just have to find Hermione and talk with her, to see how she felt, and knowing her thoughts, would be able to make up his mind once and for all.
He was so caught up in his decision, that he didn't even notice the redheaded person standing in front of him, flailing her arms and waving a photograph in his face.
"Huh? What on earth do you want, Weasley junior? Are you trying to sell something to make money for that poor, disgraceful family of yours? I guess I wouldn't mind sparing a few sickles."
"Malfoy, I don't really think it's such a good idea to insult the friend of a girl you like."
"What in God's name are you going on about?" he asked bewildered.
"This," she replied simply, handing the picture over to him.
He took one look at the picture and Ginny could have sworn his eyes popped out of his head. His eyes suddenly clouded over, and he edged closer to her, asking in a menacing whisper "Where did you get this?"
"I don't think where I got it is as important as explaining to me what's going on between you and Hermione" she answered back, her arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently, waiting for the explanation.
Draco however ignored her, and a little more loudly, and with more force asked again, "I said, where did you get this?"
"Malfoy, I don't know who you think you are to talk to me like that, but you should be thanking me, because that picture almost ended up in the hands of Harry and Ron. Now, I figured you'd rather deal with me than them. So, now are you willing to explain what that picture is about? I think it's obvious that you like her. I just can't fathom, how, or why?"
"I do not like Granger." he stated firmly, Ginny snorting in disbelief.
"Look, it's complicated, and frankly really none of your business. It was a mistake that's over and done with. Besides, Granger doesn't like me anyway."
As he said this, Ginny thought she saw a trace of hurt in his eyes, but thought it best not to question it.
"Well, I guess you'd want to keep this picture then," she said, picking the photograph up off the floor, where he had dropped it in his state of shock.
"Why would I want to keep that?"
"Well, besides for obvious reasons, there is something going on between you two, and you're right for once, I guess it isn't my business, I'm just trying to look out for my friend."
"I don't think she needs people patrolling over her, she's fully capable of taking care of herself. As for this picture, you're going to forget you ever saw it, because it means nothing. It doesn't mean anything for you, it didn't mean anything to Hermione, and it certainly didn't mean anything to me!" Draco had now worked himself up into a fit, and to make his point extra clear, he took the picture out of her hand, and tore it into deliberate forceful pieces, and scattered them across the floor.
"Now leave me alone!" he shouted, trying to get his temper under control, as he watched a nervous Ginny continue to wherever she was going when she confronted him.
However, Ginny was not fully convinced by Draco's rage-filled performance, secretly believing what she saw in that picture meant more to him than he was admitting, and the way he had said her name- Hermione- further increased those suspicions.
Draco, making sure Ginny was now gone, and no one else was around, took out his wand, restored the photograph, and placed it in a pocket in the front of his robes.
A/N: :oD Hi, well, another chapter come and gone. I want to thank each and every reviewer, you're comments are helpful and very much appreciated! I can't believe it will almost be a year since I first started this! There should only be a few more chapters to go, I'm so excited LoL. Please review so I know that people are still interested in this, and just so you know, I have another fic "I'm With You" and it would be very much appreciated if you could take some time to r/r that, and also, I've started another D/Hr fic called "Do You Believe In Magic" which will be my next big project after this one. Thanks once again, and I promise it won't be 5 months until I update again ;o)
~SweetWater~