64 reviews! Fizzing Whizbees! I'd like to thank the following wonderful guys and gals who left such inspiring comments on Chapter 18: Katie, SafetyXPins, sailorstarryeyes, True Slytherin Witch, kArlITaLUna, Lucy, lenadeansgrl13, ShadowHexx771, hermione256, Blackness Angel,Sailor Piglet, FairyKisses, kitotterkat, Nina-del-rio, Kitty Weasley KW, prettigurl7, Lucy The Rat, whatevs, suckr4romance, Darkmoonfang, Sing-my-heart-out, Hayls21, xox.Annie Potter.xox, Elise, laura truewood, rainydyz07, -TheSinging Blob-, weasleyandmoneylover, goblin monkey, Ron Lover 2005, Liz, Fidelian, rgluvr13, waterfaerie15, unknownspecies, doublelily, skysongscry, Cassondra, ThePhantomIt14, Things-One-and-Two, NicciBubbles, ladyro7, Katie, Huggles4All, the-insufferable-know-it-all, AshEllie, blackrose713, Endless Potentail, nycegurl, hermione256, Eowyn Organa, RandomSmirf13, aishteru, TrueBluePotterFan, gryffinquill94, xPussyWillowKittenx, dancerrdw, EponineWeasley, quiddithgirl13, Rachel, and last, but CERTAINLY not least, Lumos2000.
I really do apologize for posting this close to 8 hours later than I normally do (winces). I had a busy week and basically had to try to finish this chapter this morning, but I worked at my school district's used instrument sale from 9 until 12 and I wasn't completely done with Chapter 19 by 9 and I really didn't want tojust hastily scribble a few lines to finish itoff, so I had to wait until I got home from the sale,eating out with my parents, and shopping for a dress for Homecoming (haha..what an interesting experience! My first time ever buying a "real" dress...do you realize how hard it is to find a MODEST dress? Ridiculously! ) until I could post. So I am sincerely sorry- next week I should be posting more around a normal time.
Thank you VERY much for the awesome feedback! The majority of reviewers either said the teachers' journals or "Redheaded Love," so I think I'll go with either of those- probably with the former!
Now, without further ado, I present you Chapter 19! Read, review, and, above all else, ENJOY:-)
"He was completely all over her," I miserably informed the petite redhead.
Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, I simply must've misheard you. Did you say "he? Because the last time I checked, my brother wasn't the most aggressive of blokes."
"Well, he could be- at times," I said sadly, my cheeks reddening as I remembered some of our more passionate snogging sessions.
"Where there any clothes removed?"
"No, thank MERLIN!" I sighed. "But they looked like they were bloody close to it. And worst of all, they were on MY BED!"
"You can sleep in here tonight," Ginny suggested kindly. "I can conjure a cot up for you or something. The other girls won't mind- honestly!"
"Thanks, Gin," I said with no small relief.
"Eh, don't mention it," she grinned. "After all, what are friends for?"
I winced.
"I do need to apologize for something," I said morosely. "I really haven't been a great friend to either you or Harry these past few weeks."
"Well, you HAVE been rather distracted," Ginny said delicately, scrunching up her nose as she removed a moldy sandwich from underneath her four-poster bed. "Ick, where did THIS come from?"
"This is the first time you've cleaned under your bed since school started?" I asked her incredulously.
"Yes," the youngest Weasley said rather defensively, vanishing the disease-carrying organism with a flick of her wand. "Unlike SOME people, I'm not cleanliness and organizationally obsessive!"
"I haven't had much else to occupy my time with," I said quietly. "Seeing as my wonderful snogging partner has purposely walked out of my life."
"Oh, Hermione," Ginny said softly, "You really do need to stop dwelling on that so much and just GO ON with life!"
"Just go on?" I snapped, my temper rising. "Would you just "go on" with life if Harry dumped you for a twit like Cassandra? I highly doubt that, Gin. I REALLY do."
"Well, NO," she admitted, "But you do realize that you ARE partially to blame for the break-up."
"Yes, there really is a DIRE need for me to hear that, especially since that particular thought runs through my mind EVERY SINGLE TIME I SEE THOSE TWO TOGETHER!" I said, my voice laced with heavy sarcasm.
"I'm sorry," Ginny apologized. "And, honestly, Hermione, if it wouldn't get me thrown in Azkaban, I'd Avada Kedavra Cassandra in a split-second."
"Eh, you can murder her, here at Hogwarts. TRUST ME, Dumbledore will NOT care in the least. It's obvious that he doesn't think too highly of her. Neither does McGonagall. And the Ministry has MUCH more important things to worry about than suspicious death of a bloody slaggy bimbo," I said darkly.
"You certainly are violent, Hermione. I never knew this side of you before Cassandra entered the picture!"
"You sure as heck haven't seen the last of it, dear."
"A BALL?" My mouth dropped open. "You have GOT to be kidding me."
Professor McGonagall had dropped the bombshell at the end of our twelfth mentoring session.
"Hermione, do I ever lie?" She sighed. "I just heard it from Albus today. He feels that it will promote inter-house unity."
"Well, no offense, Professor, but he is right out of his mind!" I informed her boldly. "A Christmas Ball, helping the inter-house unity? Phpt. It's more likely to increase the animosity between the Slytherins and us..."
"Headmaster Dumbledore ALWAYS has a reason behind his madness," Professor McGonagall said fondly. "However, you did not allow me to finish what I was saying! It will be an EXTREMELY formal ball, and you girls are allowed to, if you choose, wear Muggle dress."
"Oh, that makes it even BETTER," I said dismally, imagining the incredibly sexy and immodest slinky red little number that Cassandra would choose to wear and how Ron would be mentally undressing her with his eyes...and perhaps physically with his hands. Ick.
"I do understand why you're not too thrilled about this, Hermione," McGonagall said knowledgeably. "But really, dear, you will have to try to put that out of your mind and just enjoy the evening!"
"ENJOY the evening?" I stared at her incredulously. "You know the kind of girl Cassandra Valet is, Professor. And you KNOW how she will dress. Do you really think I'd fancy watching Ron- who still happens to be the LOVE OF MY LIFE- have to physically restrain himself from ravishing her on the dance floor?"
"That is QUITE enough, Hermione," my favorite teacher said sternly. "Since when did strong, independent Hermione let a WIZARD rule HER life?"
"Since she fell in love. Six and half years ago."
"Many, many years ago," McGonagall began in a dreamy voice, "when I first started teaching at Hogwarts, I fell head-over-heels for a certain member of the staff..."
"Dumbledore," I suggested. Her nod confirmed my beliefs.
"Oh, how I loved Albus, once upon a time. I knew every minute of his schedule, how he ate treacle tarts (the last time I checked, there really was only ONE way, but I didn't feel like pointing that out), even at what times he visited the loo!"
"If you'll excuse me for saying this, Professor," I began hesitantly, "That's a smidgen pathetic."
"Love can certainly make even the most sensible women slightly pathetic," she agreed. "Anyway, as you know, Albus Dumbledore is- and always was- quite in-tune to the world around him and can sense things that few can. Well, I can't be giving him TOO much credit- I certainly did not conceal my feelings that well, because after all, I was a naïve 25 year old, falling in love for the very first time. However, one evening he pulled me aside...
"I cannot give you what you seek, Minerva," he toldme gently. "We must just remain friends- and nothing more."
"How did you EVER go on with life?" I asked, imagining if Ron- Ron who I still loved more than life itself- would've told me that summer between fifth and sixth year that we could never pursue a romantic relationship. Heck, I'd be feeling a thousand times worse than I did right now- and that was certainly saying something!
My wise mentor sighed.
"I just did, Hermione. Somehow, somewhere within me I found a pool of strength that I never even knew existed that enabled me to continue living. Oh, I was devastated for quite some time, but eventually I began to smile again and chuckle."
"But you don't understand, Professor- I've loved Ron with a passion ever since I laid eyes on him that first fateful time on the Hogwarts Express! I dreamt about him every night for five years, until he finally got up the guts to admit his feelings to me! Whenever I picture my future, there is absolutely NO other man than Ronald Weasley walking up the aisle with me. I imagine waking up in the morning in his embrace- our little bushy-red-haired children running into our bedroom, asking what's for breakfast..." I, with no little embarrassment, accepted the handkerchief that Professor McGonagall handed me and dabbed at my eyes. "Don't you see? I can't just "go on" with life! It's impossible!" My heart belongs to Ronald Weasley and Ronald Weasley alone!"
"I never said that you have to stop loving him," McGonagall corrected me quietly. "I still held love for Albus, in the deepest chamber of my heart, until I met Murdo. I'm just saying that you can't let this ruin your life. Hermione, if Ron truly is your one-and-only, you two WILL be together again. It may be 3 months, may be five years."
"Thank you, Professor," I managed to crack a weak grin in the direction of my mentor, who in turn did something quite uncharacteristic for her normally stoic personality. She pulled me into a quick hug and whispered, "I will be quite disturbed if I'm not invited to the wedding."
"We can go to the ball together!" Draco informed me.
"Why, isn't that most exciting!" I chirped. "Whatever happened? If I can recall, at the beginning of the year you said that we simply could NOT be seen together at ANY TIME. So, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Perhaps I would just like to go to the Christmas Ball with you," Draco said huskily.
"Uh-uh. I'm not going to buy that line," I laughed. "There's a reason for this, isn't there?"
"Yes- but it's very complicated and I- I can't tell you," he stammered, now looking quite uncomfortable.
"Yes you can! It's not too difficult- you simply open up your mouth..." I trailed off, watching Draco's face grow paler and paler.
"I can't tell you, Hermione," he said shakily. "Honestly, if I could I would..."
It was as though a light bulb had gone off in my head.
"Voldemort," I breathed. "This has something to do with Voldemort, doesn't it?"
The sexy Slytherin flinched but did not answer me.
"I'll see you at the ball," he muttered, before fading back into the shadows of the Dungeon hallway.
"You look- there is no other word for it- HOT, Hermione," Ginny said approvingly as she did a final touch-up on my hair and makeup.
"I reckon I do." I stole a glance at my reflection in the mirror of the dormitory and what quite pleased by the beautiful young woman I saw. She was wearing a delicate deep blue Muggle dress with spaghetti straps . Her normally bushy, rebellious hair was tamed into an attractive bun with two curly tendrils left out. A bit of lipstick and eye shadow, and her look was complete. "But you look even better. Harry is going to be quite pleased with what he sees." Ginny was clad in a slightly risquésilky purple strapless Muggle dress. Her fiery hair flowed in beautiful waves down her back.
"He better bloody be," she winked. "After all, this dress did NOT come cheap."
"Well, Gin, are we ready to make some jaws drop?"
"You betcha."
Some jaws certainly did drop as we made our way down the Girl's staircase. Harry's, obviously. He pulled Ginny into his arms and gave her quite the passionate kiss the second he saw her.
"Harry, you ruined my lipstick," she fake-pouted.
Ron's mouth fell wide open too. I allowed myself a small smirk as I walked gracefully past him.
"You're looking particularly spiffy today," I whispered. All Ron did was give a slight nod, the tips of his ears turning a bright red.
'HA! Victory!' I thought triumphantly. However, I deduced five seconds later that it wasn't my appearance that made the object-of-my-affections turn a becoming shade of red- it was seeing his girlfriend walk seductively down the staircase, clad in my absolute worst nightmare- a VERY skimpy, sparkly red Muggle dress.
"Oh RONALD!" You look SO HANDSOME!" She cooed, swiveling her hips and engaging him in quite the furious kiss.
I turned to Parvati.
"I think I'm going to vomit," I confided. I'm sure Parvati would have answered, but I had chosen the most inopportune moment to talk to her, seeing as Dean was currently devouring her lips.
"I think I'm going to vomit," I tried to tell Lavender, but she was sucking face with a rather arrogant sixth year bloke.
Out of desperation, I turned to Ashley. "I think I'm going to vomit." Ashley, however- 12 year old Ashley!- was snogging her current boyfriend. Well, it was just on the cheek. But still...kissing was kissing.
This was going to be one heck of a night.
"You're an excellent dancer," I sighed, leaning my head against Draco's incredibly muscular chest.
"As are you," he smiled. "That has to be the reason why everyone's staring at us.They're obviously in awe of our brilliant talent at moving in small circles while holding on to each other.As you know, it takes SO much skill!"
"Nah," I giggled, trying desperately NOT to look over at the Cassandra-who-physically-could-not-be-pressed-up-any-closer-to-Ron's-body. "They're just all in shock about how Hermione Granger, bookworm extraordinaire, got the sexiest bloke at Hogwarts as a date!"
"Or, perhaps WHY the most clever witch at Hogwarts is choosing to dance with the biggest bleep bleep bleep bleep in the world," Harry said stiffly."May I cut in?" Even though Harry had grudgingly accepted my secret friendship with Draco, he still loathed the bloke with a passion.
"Only if I'm allowed to dance with your Weaslette," Draco smirked."She's looking delicious this fine evening."
"Why, you little..." Harry snapped, sneering. "I take back my offer."
"You do that, Potter. That way I have Hermione all to myself," he said suggestively, tracing my lips with one slender finger. "And, oh, the things I'm going to do with her..." The Boy-Who-Lived was simultaneously turning green around the gills and a bright red in the face, so I shut Draco up the only way I knew to- with a kiss.
"Well, don't you look SWEET," Cassandra said with a tinkling laugh, interrupting our lovely- and loveless-little kiss. "That dress really is divine- where did you buy it?"
I simply couldn't help myself.
"I'd ask YOU the same question about your absolutely adorable dress, but I know that you purchased it at a shop specifically aimed towards prostitutes." I resumed my kiss with Draco, noticing with a bit of satisfaction that Ron was going more than a bit red in the face. The shade of red that was SO cute on him- and always had occured during our raging rows, especially those involving a certain Bulgarian with the initials V. K.
"He's JEALOUS!" I whispered excitedly to Draco when the two were out of earshot.
"I noticed," the dead sexy bloke said in a strained voice. "Now, are we going to dance more, or what?"
"Ron and Cassandra! They're GONE!" I said with dread an hour later, wringing my hands. "Where do you think they went?"
"It's not where I think they went," Draco said grimly. "It's where I know they went. Hermione, follow me. We have a search-and-rescue mission to complete."
"Search-and-rescue?" I stared at him, my blood suddenly running cold.
"Yes, search-and-rescue. And please keep your voice down. And follow EVERY single instruction I give you. And I mean EVERY. Do I make myself crystal clear?"
"Draco, what's going on?" I asked in confusion.
"Plenty. And none of it's good. In fact, there is a chance that neither of us will ever see Hogwarts again in life."
Ooooh...cliffhanger! We're quickly approaching the climax of the story, where the plot is unraveled and you learn everything! Please stick around- I know this chapter wasn't terribly exciting, but it was essential!
Coming up next Saturday morning..the third or fourth to last chapter!