Hermione's Rival
Chapter 3: What will be remembered as the October dance disaster
The fortnight quickly flew by, and between schoolwork, homework, and Quidditch practice, the dance was finally organised. The Gryffindors got the day of the dance (Friday) off. The hall was been decorated, and the students got lunch and dinner in their house rooms. By morning break, the hall tables were set out. After break, the decorations went up. There were older students with free periods who came down to help.
"Need a hand, Michelle? " said a voice. She whipped round, and saw Oliver Wood grinning at her. "Yeah, thanks. Could you give me a boost to reach up there? I need to hang this up." Michelle was holding a Stars and stripes flag. She stood on his shoulders and was pinning it up with drawing pins. "Are you all dancing tonight?'' Wood asked her. "Yup. Are you coming?'' "Just about everyone from third year up is.''
Over by the door, Hermione sat. Next to her, Harry, Ron, Dean, and Seamus were all painting banners, and Hermione's charms made the paint flash different colours.
She had her plan worked out, and it was going to put her back in the light……
That night, everybody streamed out of their common rooms and down to the great hall. Michelle, Tiffany, Shira, and Jessica all wore square dancing dresses, which fell to just below their knees. Michelle's was red, Tiffany's orange, Jessica's purple, and Shira's green. Christian, Spencer, Brandon, and Toby were all in cowboy gear.
They got into their places with the rest of the school watching. "Turkey In The Straw" began playing and everybody clapped and cheered. The Americans danced like they had in the common room.
Before they knew it the music came to an end. Toby was on one knee, with Jessica sitting on his knee, Spencer had spun Tiffany around coming to a stop just in time, Shira was on Brandon's shoulder, and Michelle was on Christian's back. The girls lifted the boys' cowboy hats into the air.
Suddenly, there was a yell, and something flew through the air. The cheers became screams, which were dying down in fear. It landed at Christian's feet and exploded. There was purple smoke filling the hall. It cleared to show, Hermione, in her turquoise dress, very pale faced, and Michelle, blood streaming from a cut on her head. If Hermione was pale, it was nothing to how Michelle was. She was very unsteady on her feet. "Wh-what the hell was that?" Michelle stammered. She said no more. Christian ran to support her, as with an arm around him, Michelle collapsed, to the horror of all the watching pupils.