Chapter 12 – up up and away!
2 days left…
"Harry, remember to take down notes for me, or I'll be doomed for the upcoming quiz. Ron, please help me make sure he does not doze off. Harry look at me, I'm talking to you." Hermione reminded her two best friends constantly.
"Why don't I help you take notes instead?" Ron suggested.
"No, I don't think so. Your attention span is shorter than Harry's." Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
Ron frowned as if some statement that Hermione made did not make sense but he could not remember what it was.
"So I guess I'll see you later. Bye! " Hermione waved goodbye to her friends before rushing off in the direction of the Great Hall. Harry and Ron turned as they headed for their Herbology lesson.
There are only 2 more days before the Grand Ball. For the past few days, Ian and Crystal have been following Draco and Hermione around for classes. During breaks, they were brought around the castle compound. On the second day of their visit, they were given the Hogwarts uniform. Crystal was rather disappointed that she could not wear the boys' uniform that she claimed, made her movement around the place much more convenient.
Today is the day that they make their visit to Hogsmeade. As planned, they were given special permission to leave the school and bring the two of them around. Malfoy was elated and Hermione was devastated. They were supposed to meet at the Great Hall at eleven o'clock before they set off. Hermione ran into the Great Hall and stopped midway as she took in what she saw.
Empty.
Empty.
EMPTY!
"Goodness gracious me. It's eleven o'clock sharp! Where have they gone to? What's up with their sense of urgency." Hermione looked around desperately but could not see any sign of them. She sat down and opened up her book of "Historical Ghosts and Ghouls" and started reading.
30 minutes later….
Hermione slammed her book shut with a face of satisfaction and took a glance at her watch.
11.30.
11.30!
She jumped out of her seat and glanced around. There was still not a single sign of Malfoy, Ian or Crystal. A group of giggling girls walked past her and she called for one of them who happened to be Pansy Parkinson.
"Pansy!"
Pansy turned around and gave Hermione a disgusted look. She stopped in her tracks and crossed her arms, giving Hermione a very impatient glare.
Hermione made her way to Pansy and asked urgently, "Have you seen Malfoy? Or the renaissance head boy and girl?"
"I thought you stick to them 24/7? How would I know?" Pansy replied with a very annoyed look.
"Pansy. Please. This is urgent."
Pansy rolled her eyes and turned to go.
"Pansy!" Hermione shouted.
"They're playing quidditch!" Pansy shouted back without turning her head.
"Thank you!" Hermione said before rushing to the practice ground. Sure enough, she saw three broomsticks flying around above her head. They were not playing quidditch, it was more like a game of chase, with Crystal as the target. Hermione screamed as loud as she could to get the attention of the three but her attempts were futile, they were too engrossed in their game.
She stood there like an idiot, trying to catch their attention, jumping up and down in frustration and finally stopping when she saw all three brooms heading for her. Her feet was rooted to the ground as she tried to make some sense of what was happening.
Crystal whizzed pass her, "Hi 'Mione!"
Hermione had no chance to reply as Malfoy's broom headed straight for her. She ducked just in time and could even feel the strong wind due to the great speed he was traveling in.
"Malfoy! You come back here right now!" Hermione screamed after him. As she regained her balance, she had a bad feeling of what was going to happen. She turned around, to see Ian heading straight for her. Eyes bulging, she dropped all her books in shock and had no time to escape. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried muttering some spell. Before she could finish her spell, she felt herself being lifted up. Opening her eyes slightly, she nearly fainted.
"Hi." Ian greeted her from behind simply.
"What.. What… What the… Get me down on solid ground right now!" Hermione requested as she desperately tried to hold on to Ian's broom. Both of them were traveling on the same broom and she could see blurred figures of Crystal and Malfoy ahead.
"Later." Ian replied.
"No. Now. What if the broom breaks? Can it support two people's weight? No no, you better get me down right now. IAN!" Hermione begged while still holding on for dear life.
"Watch out!" Ian warned.
Hermione looked ahead and saw that she was heading for a metal hoop. She ducked just in time and regained her posture later, gasping for air as if she had stopped breathing for minutes.
"That was close." Ian commented.
"Get me down." Hermione said.
On the grass patch, Crystal had already gotten off her broom and so had Malfoy. They looked up at Ian and Hermione with a look of bewilderment.
"Hold on tight!" Ian warned briefly before heading down in a sharp angle. Hermione did as she was told. She shut her eyes until she felt her feet touch ground. She got off Ian's broom and said, "Thanks Ian, " before turning to face Malfoy and giving him a killing glare.
"What do you think you're doing? Bringing them here? It's not even part of our schedule today! Draco Malfoy, you better give me an acceptable reason or I'll never forgive you for life. Besides, what was that for? You almost killed me! Lucky I was versatile and agile enough to duck in time. If not….but anyway. I demand an explanation. Right now." Hermione stared up at Malfoy with rage.
"What's the matter. We're going to Hogsmeade now." Malfoy could not be bothered more and started walking away.
"Draco Mal-" Hermione attempted to call him back.
"Come on Hermione, let's go. Just forgive him, it's not as if he meant any harm. By the way, did you know that your quidditch field is so huge? I've never had so much fun riding a broom before in my life! " Crystal patted Hermione's shoulder as she pulled her along after Malfoy.
I'm so sorry. It always take me so long to update. There's currently so many things happening at one go for me. I've got competition, overseas exchange programme and tests all at the same period. Amazing I'm still alive. Lolx. Hopefully this chapter is more satisfactory? Comments please! )
