Just Too Tempting
By Avadne
Chapter 14: Whisper
(A/N: I was out of town for a while, which is why I haven't updated. Many apologies. Happy New Year everyone)
(A/N 2: I recommend you actually read the lyrics to the songs, not just skip over them like I usually do. They have meaning)
Hermione was having a great time so far; a ball like this was every girls dream, she presumed. It was all about buying a beautiful, expensive dress, playing around with your hair and make-up until they were completely perfect and finding a date. The fun was then further increase by the fact that this was hosted by the Marauders, ensuring that there would be extra excitement along the way.
After dancing with Draco and Remus, Hermione had a feeling each of the Marauders would want a dance. Pete was next, it seemed. That meant after him, it was only Sirius… and James.
"Hey, Mi," Pete greeted her casually, grinning and standing next to her with a cup of punch in his hand. His head was turning around and Hermione could only assume that he was scanning the crowd with his eyes, hidden behind the Men In Black sunnies.
"Hi Pete," Hermione replied cheerfully, also looking about. "How's the big party going for you?"
"Pretty good, I'll say. We definitely did a way better job than those idiots who hosted the bash last year," Pete mock-bragged, puffing out his chest in an exaggerated movement of boasting. Hermione had to laugh at his proud expression and amused demeanour.
"So, how many girls have fawned over you tonight?" Hermione asked, grinning down at him. Pete blushed slightly but also smiled at the question.
"None so far, sadly, but I'm still open," he said jokingly
"I'm sure," Hermione replied with a knowing grin. Pete grinned back, this time somewhat shyly.
"Would you like to dance?" Pete asked, nervously running a hand through his spiked hair. He was quick to add, "Friends only of course." Clearly, he didn't want Hermione or James getting the wrong idea.
"Sure," Hermione was slightly doubtful, but accepted Pete's arm anyway; he had been a good friend so far, not doing anything that could have made her break trust... in this time. How bad could one dance be? Hermione only hoped that he was more accomplished on the dance floor than Neville Longbottom had been. Ginny's feet had been sore for weeks, Hermione could remember.
Catch me as I fall
Say you're here and it's all over now
Speaking to the atmosphere
No one's here and I fall into myself
This truth drives me
Into madness
I know I can stop the pain
If I will it all away
The song just had to top it off, didn't it? It started off a bit more rock-ish than the others, but then a heavenly voice began to sing. Hermione felt a natural hesitation in dancing with Pete. Although what he would do in the future, and there was no way of making that up, even this boy had redeemable qualities. Not to mention Hermione had to act as if nothing was up. So she distanced herself as far as possible from him without making it look suspicious.
Don't turn away
(Don't give in to the pain)
Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)
Don't close your eyes
(God knows what lies behind them)
Don't turn out the light
(Never sleep never die)
Back to rock. Calmness, then rock.Hermione was majorly freaked out by the song choices of tonight so far. While dancing with Draco and Remus, the songs had been extremely... relevant. It was as if they were picked out by a peeping-tom DJ that had a bit too much spare time on his hands. Pete was also looking as if deep in thought about something and Hermione could only hope that it did not involve deaths, Death Eaters, betrayal and Voldemort.
I'm frightened by what I see
But somehow I know
That there's much more to come
Immobilized by my fear
And soon to be
Blinded by tears
I can stop the pain
If I will it all away
If I will it all away
Unexpectedly, Pete wasn't such a bad dancer. Maybe one of the other Marauders had taught him or something. But strangely enough, Hermione found herself enjoying this; Pete had done nothing wrong yet, nothing that could have made Hermione hate him. And even though he was a nervous, stuttering mess sometimes, he was a good guy... at the moment, anyway. Not in the future. But this isn't the future, Hermione reminded herself. That's what she had to focus on.
Fallen angels at my feet
Whispered voices at my ear
Death before my eyes
Lying next to me I fear
She beckons me
Shall I give in
Upon my end shall I begin
Forsaking all I've fallen for
I rise to meet my end
Pete grinned at Hermione. He was a bit shorter than her, so it was Hermione that looked down on him. She grinned back and found to her surprise, that the smile wasn't as forced as she originally thought it would be. Pete looked so proud of himself too; Hermione couldn't help it. He had just made some very bad choices. And even though they were unforgivable, no one was perfect. Some just chose better paths than others.
Don't turn away
(Don't give in to the pain)
Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)
Don't close your eyes
(God knows what lies behind them)
Don't turn out the light
(Never sleep never die)
(Song: Whisper by Evanescence from the album Fallen)
"I've been wondering... where did you learn to dance?" Hermione asked mischievously as Pete blushed slightly. He leaned forward so that no one else heard the answer before replying.
"My mum made me take classes when I was a bit younger," he mumbled quietly, but looked rather proud of himself anyway.
"Well, remind me to thank your mum," Hermione joked happily. Tonight was no night for sadness, but definitely one for humour, fun and joking around... even after the rather emotional dance with Draco. But the Marauders tended to set a mood of playfulness and Hermione wasn't about to let it get away.
"Sirius is giving me pointed looks, so..." Pete trailed of, not nearly as nervous as usual. He was still grinning; had dancing with Hermione given him some confidence?
"Thanks for the dance, Pete," Hermione grinned at him. He was quick to return the smile; it hadn't been as bad as either expected. Pete's fear of dancing and Hermione's fear of... well, of Pete had been reduced to a manageable level pretty soon.
"You too, Mi. Now go over there before I'm slaughtered," Pete laughed. Hermione nodded and started towards Sirius. At the same time, Peter was still very happy. His self-esteem was soaring, so he decided to do something for himself. Heading over to a shy-looking, but pretty girl from Ravenclaw, he wished for luck.
--
Don't own the lyrics, obviously. Sorry if they're incorrect; blame it on the internet and its un-reliability. Those are NOT the complete lyrics; I cut out bits, or else it would have dragged on.
Monkeystarz, well, hello ) I'm quite pleased that you kept your promise! Also quite pleased that you liked my story so far, and of course, here is another chapter. Yes, individual chapters for each dancing partner. Can you guess who is next (cough-James-cough)?
Jaid Zaien, well if you really want some, I can always send you a pack of those magic brownies… mmm, magic brownies. They would be fun, wouldn't they? LoL you were close for your guess, but there's still one other person before her dance with James…
megafreak I see I'm not the only one on vacation? Good! LoL I like that YOU like that I'm mixing stuff up. It's quite fun! Anyway I wont keep you, you should go write more chapters yourself (hint, hint!).
Kris-tina4, LoL to you too Kris-tee-nah! Hehehe. No there's only 1 Ay-vah-nee in my class… probably in the whole world, now that you mention it (sigh). It's so hard being different LoL. Anyway, thanks for your review :) have fun chewing down X-mas cake?
Hermione'sgirl, well I do hope you finish and like it!
Blade-Claven, thanks for both of your reviews… Hermione/Lily interaction? Damn! I completely forgot abut that! Looks like there's nothing more until chapter 19. Thank you very much for pointing this out, I am an idiot. As a thanks, have a brownie –although I swear these are safe to eat and wont make you hit on people… (cheeky grin here)-
Monkeys rok my sox, thanks for the long review nonetheless! Wish you good luck if you ever retype your Hermione/James fic, I'll be sure to read it! As for the interludes… guilty as charged; they are actually meant to keep you pondering. However, all will be revealed in the end, I swear. Thanks
Gwynn-Potter, congrats on being the first to review the last chapter! Here is a long awaited update for you!
Avadne