Iceskaters Insight: Okay, so the last chapter kinda falls under the chategory of OVERUSED THEMES - ya know what I say -TOUGH LUCK ! LIVE WITH IT! MWahahahahahahaha! (In the words of Rachel and Stephanie!) ok - so anyway, this chapter kinda makes things well - fairy tale ish ...again...and I HOPE I can try to put more humor back into this. so - hope you enjoy reading ch 12 - the announcement. Sorry for taking so long t post the last chapter
September 24 - Ginny - 8:46 A. M.
I am sitting here in Divination class listening to crack-pot Trelawney. I don't know whyI continued this odd class. Well, let's see. What all has happened today? Or yesterday. Ok, this morning, when I went into the common room, to meet Harry before breakfast I noticed something new posted on the bulliten board. It read:
ATTENTION ALL SEVENTH YEARS
THE FIFTY NINTH ANNUAL START OF TERM SEVENTH - YEAR BALL WILL BE HELD IN TWO DAYS. IT WILL BE AT THE ANNEX BY THE THREE BROOMSTICKS - FOR SEVENTH YEARS AND THEIR DATES ONLY! IF YOU WISH TO HELP DECORATE OR PLAN PLEASE CONTACT PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL BY SEPTEMBER 25.
Just then Harry wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me from behind.
"Hullo love, are you ready for breakfast."He whispered in my ear. \
WHOA. SINCE WHEN DID HARRY CALL ME 'LOVE'. INFACT, SINCE WHEN DID HARRY HAVE A SPECIAL NICKNAME FOR ME. I wonder. Well, I went ahead and asked. "Excuse me mister I'm-in-a-romantic-mood-and-give-Ginny-a-new-nickname. Since when do you call me love?"
"I never did. I just thought it would surprise you in a sweet way" His face fell. DAMN. I hate it when his face falls.
"Harry," I said in the sweetest voice I could muster "It's ok. I was SHOKCED. You know I hate nicknames. Don't be...erm...troubled."
He hugged me again and put his chin on my shoulder. I have no clue how he manages to do that. Seriously, he's like four or five inches taller than me, so how can he manage to lower his head enough to rest on my shoulder, and still have his arms wrapped around my waits without bending his knees. "Hmmmmmmmmmm." he said after reading it "Wanna go to the seventh year ball with me Ginny?"
"I am a seventh year you know," I said plainly. I felt the weight of his chin lift from my shoulder and he crooked his neck to look at me. HOW DOES HE DO THAT. GRR.
"And a sixth year" he added "who knows which one McGonagall considers you as."
"True" I said simply "Now, I'm hungry. Are you coming to breakfast or not?"
"Sure." He grabbed my hand, and turned me under his arm, I'm sure he was ready to go.
"I wanna help." I said
"Help with what?"
"The ball. I want to help"
Harry sighed "If you must. I was going to plan a special pre-date -"
"Make it a post- date" I gave him a kiss and off we went to the Great Hall. It was an amazing breakfast too. The house elves made strawberry and streusel pancakes with Canadian maple syrup. Yum. Then I had to come to class. I wonder whether McGonigall considers me a sixth year or a seventh year. I am in the seventh year divination class, which consists of me, Lavender, and Parvarti. Let me tell you, that's not much really. Lavender and Parvarti believe everything they are told. Oh my goodness. Well, the crazy bat is coming over here.
Ginny
24 September- Ron - 11:16 A.M.
Wow. Well, I found out the PERFECT way to propose to Hermione. Hmm...I wonder. Can I call her My Mione again? Are we even a couple again? HMM. I am gonna go ask her.
Minutes later
Bad idea. Gosh, she is sooooo angry at me.Why does asking a girl if you can call her her old nickname again make her so mad. Oops - what if she thought I was calling her a know-it-all again. I understand she's mad, but still, it happened, there's not really much I can do or say. Anyway, I asked her to the Seventh year ball and she about melted with joy and said yes. Girls.Hmm, I think I am going to talk to Harry. Hmm. I wonder what he's gonna do. Gotta go.
Ron
Hermione - September 24 - 11:24 A.M.
Oh my good- golly- gosh Ron is such a prat. But he's a sweet prat. In fact, he's taking me to the prom/ball thingie. Isn't that so sweet? Well, anyway Ginny, Luna, and I are going to get our dresses tonight. Luna, apparently, is going with the prat Micheal Corner. Parvarti and Padma are going with Justin Finch-Fletchly and Ernie McMillan. Lavender asked Ron, who told her he was going with me. I beamed with joy as she pointed at Ron and said:
"Merlin Ron! You would rather go to the Seventh - year Ball with HER than me. She's such a know-it-all and a prude and a - never mind," she turned on me, fingers switching so she was doing a rather rude hand gesture "and you...don't even ASK for advice on make up."
I couldn't help it...it was bursting to come out, so as Lavender turned on her heel, I simply stated "Well, Lavender I am glad to know what you REALLY think of me when you aren't trying to get me to do your homework for you. And I wouldn't want a home - wrecking, gold - digging slut like you to help me anyway."
Every eye in the Great Hall watched as Lavender teared up and ran, wailing, from the Hall. Ron and Ginny looked at me funny. I sat down on Ron's lap and grabbed a brown Cinamon and sugar poptart. I warmed it up with my wand before saying
"Mhmmm! I just remembere. I need to tell McGonagall I want to help with Ball prep."
"Hermione," Ginny whispered leaning accross the table "You're pregnant. Helping out with the dance will probably involve alot of lifting things.You shouldn't be doing that if you want to keep you baby."
"Excuse me" I stood up "You can't tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Merlin Ginny! Come on. I can levitate things you know." I turned to Ron "I'll see you later Ron, I am going to have a talk with McGonigall, OH BY THE WAY, Ginny I don't plan on her knowing either. Or anybody knowing for that matter." And with that not-so-great-great-line, I left the hall. I heard footsteps approaching behind me.
"Hermione" I recognized that voice."Hermione" it said, and I felt a hand grab my elbow, pulling me backward, but I didn't WANT to go backward. I WANTED to go forward, so I continued to attempt to walk forward, but I was just walking in place. I heard laughter and recognized it. The laugh was Harry's.
"What Harry, I really REALLY want to go talk to McGonigall, she SHOULD be in her office."
"Hermione" he laughed "We need to talk. You're not in trouble." I guess I made a look fo sudden fear. I don't really know, I usually don't control the looks of my face " Come on, follow me, I found an empty classroom not far from here."
"Fine," I caved. Even though he's one of my best mate's I still felt like telling McGonigall that I wanted to help. We turned into the classroom minutes later, Harry cast a silencing and sealing charm on the door.
"Hermione," he said
"Will you stop saying my name like its the only word you know." I snapped. Harry laughed. the NERVE of him. "It isn't funny."
"I know. Now" he straightened up " We need to talk."
"Gosh, the last time I heard those word from you, lets see, hmm, oh yeah - you were basically telling me that I might have a baby becasue I got drunk and woke up next to Ron."
"ANYWAY" he said slowly " You know very well you need to take things slow. Come on. You of all people know you can't lift heavy things or over - exert yourself. AND you also know you have to tell Professor McGonigall. I, as much as you, know what problems this will cause." He hugged me.
"Harry. I am NOT telling McGonagall that I am pregnant. I have hard enough time believing it myself, and telling her would make it final. Obviously, I know what problems it will cause. Come on, If I tell her I am pregant, she will know I had sex, and want to know why in the world I let myself go, which would lead to me saying that I abused my Head Girl privleges by going to Hogsmeade and getting firewhiskey. I know I have to take things slow, but I am only like one week pregnant. Ok, so it's okay if I lift things. Most women don't even know they are pregnant until one month in. Now, I have 15 minutes before Ginny and I go to Hogsmeade to get our dresses. McGonagall organized schedules for all the girls to go to the three broomsticks annexe where the ball will be to get dress robes from Madame Malkin . OK? I have to go put my bag in my room and grab about 50 galleons." I grabbed for my bag. Harry grabbed my arm, and picked up my bag for me.
"You CAN'T carry your bag everywhere. Come on, I'll carry it."
"Harry, it's my bag. All it has in it is a quill, a bottle of ink, some spare parchment, and my books."
"Hermione, do you realize just how many books you have?"
I glanced at my bag "That doesn't matter right now."
"Come on, or I'll levitate you back to the Common Room."
"Damn you Harry, but I will only let you carry my bag this once."
An hour later
I just got back from our trip to the annexe. Oh My goodgollygosh the place is FILLED with dress robes. I guess Madame Malkin made millions of dresses. Ginny and I weren't the only girls there: there was another girl. She had waist legnth blonde hair and striking green eyes - much like Harry's. I recognized her as that exchange student from Detroit in the United States. Her skin was fair and the only mark on her perfect complexion was a mole just above her right lower jawbone. All the boys went crazy over her. But she isn't all that good, she supplied me with my alcohol...of course no one knows that. Oh my gosh, you think I drink a lot...whew! She was wearing Muggle clothes - apparently they wear muggle clothes at her school. And she always wears them around Hogwarts, even though McGonagall told her not too. She was wearing black fishnet hoes, red mid - calf length high top shoes, I think she called them something like Chucks, or Chutes, a black cut off tank top that revealed her size 5 figure, she has a black tattoo of barbed wire on her upper arm, and she was wearing a cut - off denim mini-skirt. Ginny looked shocked when I walked up to her and said
"Hey!"
She looked at me - a weird look on her face..it was kinda like a half mad-half questioning look. It was a very...erm...for lack of better description...gangsta look.
"Waddaya want?" she raised her fists, then lowered them"...oh - it's you. Want some more firewhiskey? I have an order of beer being shipped here from Michigan tommorrow. It's only 2 galleons a bottle."
"Not today Missy. Ginny and I are here to get our dress robes for the dance."
"Psht! Dress robes suck! But, I am gonna wear them for...well, my date" She said the last 3 words in a polar opposite voice, one very different from her tough - harsh frank voice and her hand flew to her covered upper back,as if she were making sure her shirt covered it. "Anyway" she continued her voice back from normal " Who the hell are you?" she pointed to Ginny.
"Ginny Weasley -"
"Oh - the Potter punk's fiancee and the wimp who sucks at Quidditch's sister. Say no more bitch."
"What was that-"
"Ginny" I whispered "Don't get on the wrong side of Missy. She isn't one to mess with."
"Weasley, Ginevra - please come to the back so I can get you some dress robes" Madame Malkin screamed.
"Be back A.S.A.P. Hermione!" Ginny said cheerfully and skipped to the door leading to the back room.
A few minutes later Ginny came walking back out, a GEORGOUS dress slumped over her arm.
"Nelson, Melissa"
"The name's Missy old freak!" and with that Missy slumped past the door, slamming it behind her.
"Hermione, how do you know that, that, that Missy girl I think her name is?"
"Erm...I erm..gotmyfirewhiskeyfromher." I said quickly.
"MY GOSH HERMIONE! Don't tell me you plan on drinking that rubbish now that your pregnant."
" No I won't I am NOT that stupid Ginny. Will no one in the freaking world let me ignore the fact that -"
"Get your damn wand away from there!" Missy screamed from behind the door. Ginny and I laughed.
"You know" - Ginny continued " You'll have to tell Madame Malkin you're pregnant so that she can get you a maternity dress."
"I haven't even gained any weight yet!" I protested. "...have I?"
"Not really"
"Not really. How much is not really?"
Ginny suttered for words as I sat up as straight as I could running my hand over my stomach. I felt the smallest of extra bulge, it felt like a hard, large role of fat.
"Merlin I hope it won't show."
Missy came out of the room, a green dress over her arm -
"Don't let her near you with her wand, it'll end up in your ass." With that Missy proceeded out the door of the annexe and I watched her enter the Three Broomsticks, probably to buy more firewhiskey.
"Granger, Hermione" I walked through the door and saw a room piled sky high with dresses. Madame Malkin gestured me towards a raised platform in the middle of the room." On here so I can get your measurements." She lifted her wand and a tape measurer appeared, wrapping itself here and there taking my measurements. "How far along are you dear?"
"How far along - what?"
"How long have you been pregnant?"
"How do you know that?"
"Sweetheart, I can tell someone who has been pregnant for a day. I have just measured so many dresses, it's a talent."
"Well, don't tell anyone."
"Do you really think it's my place to inform anyone? Though you should tell the father, and Minerva, Madame Pomphery, and of course your friends."
"All of them know...accept for Professor McGonnagal and Madame Pomphrey"
"Poppy will need to know" Malkin was now walking to a large stack of dresses and accio-ed about 25 dresses down "you need a healer to help you and make sure the baby will be healty, as well as you. Now, what colors do you think look nice on you?"
"Erm, I don't exactly know. I mean, I just wear whatever."
"Pink, white, peach, brown, and black."
"What?"
"Those colors will be nice on you dear. Oh by the way, will you please tell me how far along you are?"
"A week, Just so you know. Can I try on that one" I pointed to a peach one hovering infront of me, it tied like a halter top and had ruffles from the waist to the toes and the top was a single peach piece of silk.
"Of course, model for me once it's on - you can change over there" she pointed to a little corner and a wall about 5 feet from the wall with a dark red curtain infront of it.
I went into the room and put it on.
"It's too big in the chest - so much that I can't model it for you."
"Ok - so maybe you weren't as educated as I thought. Ok dear, try this one" she handed a pale magenta dress over the curtain it had pale pink and white flowers sewn into the spare bit of mesh making an apron-like circle down to the kneecaps and had mesh sewn into the hymn. It was strapless and had two small white stripes around the top of the chestline. I tried it on and it was a perfect fit. I moved the curtain aside and walked up to the plaform on which I had standing about 5 minutes previously.
"What do you think Madame Malkins?"
"Perfect, it just needs a pair of magenta gloves. Here put these ones on. Now - are you comfortable in it?"
"Well, it's a bit loose at the gut but other than that it's perfect."
"If you want it, it's fourteen galleons"
"Why so cheap?"
"Consider it a maternity discount. Just come to me when you need maternity robes."
"Deal, here's the money." I gave her the 14 galleons and put the dress over my arm, and left the room"Ready to go?" I asked Ginny, who was chatting with the now present Patil twins and Lavender."Oh" I told Ginny " I see the bastard wanna-be is here."
"Come on Hermione - lets go" Ginny said and off we went back to the castle. On our way, we saw Missy leaving the Three Broomsticks, a bag full of butterbeer and firwhiskey.
"Yo Granger- are you sure you don't want any right now? I just bought some fresh."
"I'm sure. In fact, I probably shouldn't be needing anymore any time soon. I still have a ton from the last time."
"Fine bitch. You know where to find me if you need anything."
"Ok Missy." I grabbed Ginny's arm as Missy strode up to the school. "Stay away from her if you value your head. Seriously. She's physically beat up 25 students in the 6th through 2nd year and hexed about 57 percent of the student body. She is so brutally honest. And she skips class all the time."
Ginny stared at me for a second "Hermione what the fuck were you thinking hanging out with her. And why the hell did you tell us you were sneaking to Hogsmeade to get firewhiskey when you got it from her!"
"She needs a friend Ginny."
"Let her be friends with the ghosts"
"Ok. But only if YOU live her life. Ok. If ya don't like her - ignore her, but I happen to like her - ok?"
"Whatever- lets go hang up our dresses"
And now here I am writing everything to you. I wonder why Missy acted so weird when she mentioned her date. I wonder...
Hermione