Chapter 4: Dances, Hogsmeade, Misunderstandings
Chapter 3 recap:
"Hey Megan," Ron greeted. They were outside near the lake.
"Hey," Megan greeted back.
A few yards away, Harry and Ginny were watching them.
A day earlier…
Wednesday, November 23-
Right before breakfast started, Dumbledore made a speech.
"As you all know, Christmas is coming and some of your fellow classmates will be leaving for Christmas vacation. But before you all go, I would like to host our annual Winter Wonderland Dance," Dumbledore said. Everyone became excited as he continued his speech.
"Now this dance is not anything formal. So you all may wear anything appropriate. I will cancel all your classes for Tomorrow and every Friday until the dance so you may all go to Hogsmeade to buy all that you need for the dance. The upcoming dance will be on December 4th so you have a lot of time for Hogsmeade. Now enjoy your breakfast," Dumbledore finished and sat down as food appeared on the tables.
Harry was on his way to the Gryffindor Tower while Ginny was on her way to her History of Magic class. Harry wasn't watching where he was going and accidentally bumped into Ginny and Ginny dropped her books.
"Oh, uhm. I-uh. I'm sorry, G-Ginny. I wasn't watching where I was going. It was an accident," Harry apologized while he helped Ginny pick up her books. After she collected all her books, they stood and Ginny smiled.
"It's okay," Ginny said. They had an awkward silence.
"Well, I better go. I'll be late for my class," Ginny began walking.
"Wait, Ginny," Harry said and Ginny stopped and looked at him.
"Yea?" Ginny asked.
"I uh- wanted to know if-if you wanted to go to the uh- Win-Winter Wonderland D-dance with-with me. Unless you're going with someone else. I mean I'd understand. I mean, who wouldn't want to go with you? You're a really-really pretty and kind person. So uh- I'd understand. You don't have to feel sorry for me or anyth-" Harry babbled until Ginny interrupted him.
"Harry! Harry, stop! You're babbling," Ginny told him.
"Oh, right. Uh- sorry 'bout that. I kinda get nervous a lot and stuff. I mean it really isn't my fault. It's just my nerves coming to me. So don't mind me really. I-" Harry babbled yet again.
"Harry," Ginny called. But he continued to talk.
"Harry!" Ginny called again, a bit louder. But Harry yet again, kept babbling.
"HARRY! I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO THE DANCE WITH YOU!" Ginny yelled. Harry finally shut up and everyone that was walking stopped and stared at them. Ron was part of the crowd and tried to break it up.
"Okay people! Nothing to see here! Move along!" Ron said loudly to the crowd.
"Really?" Harry said.
"Yes. As long as you don't babble like that." Ginny said. They both laughed.
"Okay," Harry said while their laughing died down, "Hey Ginny, are you busy tomorrow?"
"No, why?" Ginny asked.
"Well, uh- I was thinking that you and me could go to Hogsmeade together and have lunch and stuff. But if you don't want to, I'll understand. It's really fine with me if you say yes or no. So if you say yes then we'll have lunch tomorrow but if you say no, then it's still okay. I'll get over it. So really. It doesn't matter much-" Harry babbled again.
"Harry!" Ginny said and Harry shut up yet again. "No if you're gonna keep babbling like that."
"Uh…" Harry said.
"Look Harry, I was just joking. Of course I would go lunch with you," Ginny said.
"Really! Great!" Harry said and was about to babble when Ginny stopped him.
"I better stop you now before you start to babble." Ginny joked. "I gotta go anyway."
"Uh, yeah. Well I'll meet you at the common room at 12:15," Harry said.
"That sounds great. So it's a date?" Ginny said.
"Uh….yeah, um, a-a date," Harry smiled.
"I'm glad you didn't babble," Ginny joked again.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye," Harry said and hugged Ginny goodbye.
Draco walked into the Heads' common and found Hermione crying on the couch.
'Great. This just makes my day. What am I supposed to do with her? I can't just leave her there.' Draco thought when he saw Hermione. Hermione hadn't noticed he came in.
"Uh… G-granger? I mean Hermione?" Draco began. He wasn't really sure what to say. He walked over to the couch, but didn't sit down. "Uh, why are crying, um- Grang-Hermi- uh. Why are you crying?" Draco said. He wasn't sure what to call her.
"Since when did you care?" Hermione said selfishly, but didn't look up at him.
'Geez, I ask her what's wrong and she gives me an attitude? Oh, that mudblood bitch!' Draco thought. He was getting pissed off at her.
"Fine! You know what, I don't know why I even cared for one second," Draco yelled slightly. He began walking away, but then Hermione felt guilt and stopped him.
"Mal- I mean Dr-Draco, wait," Hermione said and looked up. Draco stopped and looked at her. Her eyes were bloodshot red from crying so much and she still had tears coming down her cheeks. Draco sighed and sat down next to her.
"You wanna tell me why you're crying?" Draco said…kindly and looked at in her eyes.
'What am I supposed to tell him? The truth? But why would I do that? He's a…jerk.' Hermione thought.
"Uh-my um, cat died," Hermione lied. Just then, Crookshanks appeared. Draco became confused but then soon realized, she was lying.
"Uh-huh. And your cat, his name is Crookshanks, has tannish/orange fur and is in this room this moment. Am I right?" Draco said.
'Great, he caught me.' Hermione thought. Hermione sighed.
"Come on, tell me why your really crying," Draco said. Hermione put her head down on her knees and muttered, "My dad died exactly one year ago." Draco didn't hear her clearly.
"Your dad what? I didn't hear you," Draco said. Hermione sighed again and picked her head up. She looked at him.
"My dad died last year," Hermione said sadly. She bit her bottom lip and tried to look at anything but him.
"Oh," Draco breathed, "I-I'm sorry." Hermione didn't say anything.
"H-how'd he die?" Draco asked.
"Uhm, I-I don't think you'd want to know," Hermione stuttered. Draco sighed this time.
"Fine you don't wanna tell me? Okay then. I'll go to my room then," Draco said. He was about to get up when Hermione stopped him again.
"Draco fine. I'll tell you," Hermione said. He sat back down.
"Okay. I'm listening," Draco said.
"You wanna know the real reason your dad went to Azkaban?" Hermione asked.
"Wait, how'd you know my dad went to-" Draco said but realized that Hermione was a muggle-born. "Oh," Draco swallowed hard, "My dad kil-" He was cut off by Hermione.
"Killed my dad," Hermione finished.
"Grang-Hermione, I'm s-sorry. I didn't know my dad-" Draco was again cut off by Hermione.
"Look Draco. It wasn't your fault. You weren't there when it happened. It's not like you planned it or something," Hermione said. He really shouldn't be blamed for something he didn't do.
"But my father..." Draco didn't know what else to say. Hermione sniffed and tried hard to stop the tears from falling from her eyes.
"Just forget it," Hermione said, "Just leave me here crying. You don't have to worry about me."
"Look Hermione, I-I don't want to see your cry like this," Draco muttered so low, she barely heard him. But just barely. Hermione chuckled a bit.
"You aren't really the caring type of person, Draco," Hermione joked.
"Well, thanks." Draco joked back. They both laughed.
"Draco, um. I just wanted to say th-thanks. You know, for listening and stuff. Usually, I'd be with Ron and Harry but they're um- off with Ginny and Megan. I'm not sure if you know Megan. She's the new girl in Ravenclaw. She's friends with Ginny." Hermione explained.
"Potthead and Weasel off with girls? How surprising." Draco joked.
Hermione chuckled.
"So-uh do you wanna go to the disused bathroom?" Draco said. Hermione took this the wrong way and blush bright red. Draco laughed at this. "I meant to check on our potion. Not go there to snog," Draco explained.
"Oh, right the potion. Yeah sure. Let's go." Hermione said. They got up and left.
"So, uh Megan. Are you going to the Dance with anyone?" Ron asked. Megan shook her head no.
"No," Megan answered. Ron and Megan were sitting down on a bench near the Quidditch pitch, talking.
"Oh," Ron said.
"Do you?" Megan asked.
"No. I-I don't have a date I mean- anyone to go to the dance with," Ron said, nervously.
"Uhm, hey listen Ron. Is it okay if we talk later? I uh- promised my friend that I would hang out with her today," Megan said as she got up. Ron got up too.
"Oh. Okay. I'll um- see you tomorrow or something then," Ron said.
"Yea. You're going to Hogsmeade tomorrow, right?" Megan asked.
"Uh, yea. Are you?" Ron said.
"Yeah, I guess I'll be seeing you there?" Megan said hopefully. Ron nodded his head.
"Yea, sure. I'll see you tomorrow," Ron said.
"Okay, then. Bye!" Megan said. Ron hugged Megan goodbye.
"Bye," Ron said and Megan left.
The next day, Harry and Ginny met in the common as they said they would, at 12:15 P.M.
Harry was at the Common Room first. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a dark gray v-neck sweater. A few moments later, Ginny came down wearing a white and light pink striped skirt and a light pink shirt with a ribbon near her left shoulder.
"Uh- H-hi, Ginny," Harry greeted as soon as Ginny was in front of him, "You look really beautiful," Harry complimented.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Ginny complimented back.
"Uh, you wanna go now?" Harry asked.
"Yea, I guess that would be a good thing to do," Ginny joked. They both chuckled. They both walked out of the room, holding hands.
"Aw, how sweet was that?" Pavarti said to Lavender. They were both near a dark corner watching Harry and Ginny.
"Yeah," Lavender said dreamily.
After she finished her lunch, Hermione went to the Grand staircase to go to the Heads common Room. She was going to get ready to go to Hogsmeade to do a little shopping for the Dance. Until she heard someone calling her.
"Hey, Granger!" The voice called, "Granger!" Hermione turned around and saw Draco Malfoy running after her.
"I uh- wanted to talk to you," Draco said to Hermione as soon as he got to her.
"Okay. What's up?" Hermione said.
"Um- about yesterday…" Draco began.
"Oh right, the potion? We can start the essay today if you'd like. I mean it's up to you really. 'Cus we still have until Winter break starts," Hermione said.
"No uh- I meant about what happened in the Common Room," Draco said low so no one would hear.
"Oh," Hermione muttered. "Um- follow me." Hermione said and began walking to an empty classroom, since she realized that Draco wanted to talk privately. As soon as she found one, she led them both inside and closed the door, casting a silencing charm on it. She turned and looked at Draco, waiting for him to talk.
"Uh- Listen, Hermione about yesterday…" Draco began.
'Why does he only call me by my first name when no one's around? Is he embarrassed or something?' Hermione thought.
"Draco, can I ask you something?" Hermione asked.
"Uh, yea sure. What is it?" Draco answered.
"Are you embarrassed by me?" Hermione asked.
"What?" Draco said. 'What is she talking about?' Draco thought, confused.
"I mean, there really isn't anything wrong with me. I mean sure I'm muggle-born but are you that embarrassed to be seen with me?" Hermione asked again.
"Hermione, what are you talking about?" Draco asked.
"You call me by my first name when we're alone but you go back to calling me 'Granger' when we're not. Why?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione, I-I didn't mean to. I just-" Draco began but was cut off by Hermione.
"Draco I don't want to hear it," And with that Hermione turned around and left.
Harry and Ginny went to the Three Broomsticks for their date. They were just finishing laughing from a joke Harry told Ginny.
"So Ginny, I see you're really close friends with Megan." Harry said.
"Uh-yeah I guess, why?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
"Um, I just wanted to know 'cus you know Ron…" Harry said.
"Oh! Yeah I told you likes Ron right?" Ginny stated.
"Oh yeah, you know ahem- Ron like her too?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. I kinda thought that. You know… I uh- have an idea for um- hooking them up." Ginny said.
"Really? What is it? Harry asked.
"Well, I was thinking that we should play match-maker. You think you could help me?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"That's not such a bad idea. Sure!" Harry said.
Right after they finished eating, they decided to walk around for a little bit. While they were walking, they bumped into Megan and Ron.
"Oh, hey guys!" Ginny greeted Megan and Ron.
"Ginny! Harry!" Ron said. He was surprised to see them both together.
"Hey, I have an idea," Harry said. Ginny looked at him suspiciously.
"We should hang out tonight….by the lake." Harry said. Ginny smiled and realized where he was going with this.
"Yeah. We should. What do you guys think?" Ginny asked them.
"Yeah! I think that's a great idea." Megan agreed.
"Uh-sure. By the lake tonight at umm- 7:15 pm?" Ron asked.
"Sure. 7:15." Ginny agreed.
"Okay then. See you guys tonight then." Harry said. "At least we'll be seeing you there tonight." Harry said when Megan and Ron left. Ginny laughed at this and then sighed.
"My boyfriend is so sneaky." Ginny said mistakenly. Harry was surprised at this and they stopped walking.
"Boyfriend?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Uh- I mean-" Ginny tried to find an excuse, but was cut off by Harry.
"Uh-I don't really mind us being girlfriend and boyfriend but if you want sure. But then again it really doesn't matter to me. Really. It's your choice. We don't have to be- boyfriend and…girlfriend. It doesn't really matter to me. You can be my girlfriend, but if you don't want to, we could just be friends. But then again, it's you choice really.We don't-" Harry was babbling yet again.
"Harry!" Ginny yelled. Harry stopped and looked into her eyes.
"Uh…" Harry said.
"Harry, yes. I would love to be your girlfriend." Ginny said smiling.
"Really? Great. That is so great. I'm really happy. I mean you really don't know how much this means to me. Are you sure? 'Cus I mean, it really really really doesn't matter. I mean yea-" Harry babbled once again until Ginny cut him off.
"Harry!" Ginny yelled out and as soon as she got his attention, she says, "Are you ever gonna learn how to stop babbling? 'Cus if your not, I don't think I wanna be your girlfriend." Ginny joked.
"Oh, uh- sorry about that. So you're my uh- gir-girlfriend?" Harry asked, nervously. Ginny smiled at him.
"Yea, I guess so." Ginny sighed happily. Harry smiled back and took a step closer to her. Harry bent his head down and kissed her.
"Hey Megan," Ron greeted. They were outside near the lake.
"Hey," Megan greeted back.
A few yards away, Harry and Ginny were watching them.
"So uh- you see Harry and Ginny anywhere?" Ron asked, looking around for them.
"Nope, not yet. They probably got lost in track of time. They should be on their way here," Megan said.
"Right," Ron agreed.
"Hey Ron, I wanted to tell you something…" Megan began, nervously.
"Okay, what is it?" Ron asked, looking at her.
"I- uh. Kind of been having a cru-" Megan was cut off by Ron.
"MeganIlikeyou," Ron said quickly. But Megan heard him clearly.
"Ron, I…" Megan began.
"You heard it? Oh no. Why couldn't you just be like Harry and not have understood me? Oh great," Ron complained.
"Ron, I like you too," Megan said. Suddenly Ron bent down and kissed her.
A/N: DundundunDun... cliffhanger! Buahahhahaaa :cough cough: Okay! Anyway, we'll post chapter 5 ONLY IF you guy review! Come on, keep em coming! You know you want to know what happens next! D