Hermione Has Met Her Match
Fanfiction by Kitsunedajfox based on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter
Authors Note: Moving away from Hermione just a tad. I would like to start building some characterization of my own characters. Hopefully Hermione isn't too OOC. Enjoy!
Part 2
The Yule Ball was nothing like Hermione had expected; Hogwarts seemed to dazzle and glow. Every student Hogwarts and foreigners alike, all in pristine formal robes, flowed into the main hall. She walked down the moving staircase quickly, carefully holding her robes to keep from stumbling. Another embarrassing moment wouldn't be the end of her, but it certainly wouldn't help her either. She paused in front of a small framed mirror hanging on the adjacent wall. She twirled her finger through a loose strand hanging from her eloquently pulled back due. The particular strand refused to curl and Hermione just sighed. She couldn't help but think about how long it would take to get the all of potion out of her hair; the once fluffy burnet bundle would have its revenge. Lost in thought about how she looked she failed to notice Krum standing at the bottom of the hall patiently waiting. Almost falling into him as the staircase abruptly moved from underneath her, Hermione not-so-gracefully stumbled from the last step to the ground. Viktor, with a patronizing sigh, took her hand in his.
"Shall we go?" he said quietly in a way he hoped no one would notice. Hermione mentally slapped herself, why was it, that she normally wasn't clumsy but yet when ever someone like… no, thoughts like these are useless information that shouldn't be left to clutter her brain. Too bad there were no books or classes on how to appear attractive to someone whom made you feel so awkward. The two of them didn't speak a word as they walked across the grounds. It seemed like minutes turned into seconds as the two of them approached the main hall.
"Look its Harry!" Hermione whispered into Krum's ear. He turned to stare at her, frowned and steered her right pass the dark haired boy. She flushed rose as she hastily passed Harry by. He stood stunned, standing next to the red head Weasley boy Ron who had his mouth open and gaping at her. She felt herself turn gracefully to her dearest Krum and pretend to act interested in him. He simply looked back at her while his face asked, w'at is 'here some'hing wrong? She had to admit this was the perfect way to rub it in Ron and Harry's noses that she could be just as well off as them. She wasn't the one with the self esteem problem; they had no right to regard her as a last resort to their social issues. How dare they.
After entering the main hall and plainly being swept off her feet on the dance floor she gave Krum's hand a squeeze to gain his attention. He turned to her and was about to speak but was rudely interrupted by someone accidentally bumping into him. A familiar Gryffindor student stood between them and quickly apologized,
"Oh forgive me, must watch my feet while I'm dancing. No harm done?" Hermione knew this older boy. Yes, a sixth year and he was that nasty Slytherin girl's brother.
"No, our fault, you must be Fulke!" Hermione cheerfully spoke. At least he wasn't down right rude, "I've seen you in the common room every now and then… where do you," she started again.
"You should see my sister, hot mad seeing you actually have a date," he laughed. Hermione's face was reddening; maybe he was just as bad. Why did no one believe she would never get a date to such an important event? Krum boldly rapped his arm around hers and turned her away from the dark haired boy.
"Are all Hogwarts students so…? No manners…" he began, desperately trying to condolence her. Hermione raised his hands, patted them lightly and said,
"Thank you Viktor, I can fight my own battles, if you would excuse me."
"But 'he dance," he said but Hermione had already made her way over to where Ron and Harry were sulking.
"So much for making friends Fulke," Alana said to her older sibling as they paced the long halls of a dimmed Hogwarts.
"It really was an accident; I didn't mean to bump into them. I'm trying to keep my distance and interact as little as possible. However you don't seem to be doing your part either," He said annoyed.
"Hush, It's not my fault that Granger girl is such a book-bimbo. If I had it my way, she would never raise her hand in Potions class and she would never be found in the Library," she snapped back, "but you don't know Granger. She has a knack for showing up at the wrong times, you know."
"Humph, be more careful," he bluntly replied, "Only idiots get caught." He was about to go on but a soft tapping silenced him. Both siblings pressed their backs to the wall and crouched to see who might be coming at such an untimely hour. Not surprisingly they discovered Professor Snape in his full glory and greasy hair strutting down the corridor. No doubt probably scowling for wandering students of whom he could harshly punish. Scaring little students was his favorite pass time. He paused not far from the two in complete bewilderment. The Archcrests had made no attempt to hide, only to move out of his upcoming way.
"And what would you two students be doing at this hour? Wandering the halls?" he spoke an eyebrow arching.
"Professor Snape, fancy meeting you here. Thought I would have a private conversation with my brother if you don't mind. Our houses are different so…" Alana innocently began. Why did she seemingly remind of him of a smarter brighter Draco Malfoy? Surely he wouldn't take away points from his own house for such a trivial brakeage of rules?
"Mmm, very well. Ms. Archcrest I want you returning to the dungeons by eleven o'clock sharp, do you understand? And Mr. Archcrest if I catch you in these halls unaccompanied by your younger counterpart, I'll take fifty points from Gryffindor. Got it boy?" he firmly ordered. Fulke only rolled his eyes and Alana blew a sweet smile at the dark robed man.
"Understood," they both respectfully replied. Snape continued on past them, his robes flipping behind him, his mind on other things. Fulke took a hand and slammed it on the wall inches away from Alana's face.
"How can you act so sugary to that foul man?" he gritted.
"How can I not? Be more like him and maybe you'll get somewhere Fulke darling," she teased.
"I tire of your child's play. Good night," he said loudly to her. A loud ahem was heard down the hall as a nearby Snape reminded them of the hour. Didn't he have anything better to do than eavesdrop on one of his own students? Alana spun around allowing her dress robes to glide around her. She consciously stomped her feet as she walked off, giving clear indication she wasn't giving into her brother's whims of disapproval. As she turned the corner to head down the stairs she stopped abruptly next to a waiting Snape.
"Sir?" she asked.
"Fulke darling?" he ragged. She only glared at him and continued walking. He was onto her. She felt his presence following her all the way down into the dungeons where he made sure she had successfully entered their own Slytherin common room.
"No more wandering tonight Ms. Archcrest, and keep your socializing to those of your own demeanor. That Gryffindor boy, besides being of family relation, isn't worth your superior attention," he commented noticing Malfoy still awake and lounging lazily on a nearby sofa. "Go to bed Malfoy, I'm not your nanny." It was highly odd to hear Snape undermining his own students, Alana only could figure he was having a bad day. Malfoy looked rather shocked as well, surprised his worshiped Professor had mouthed off to him. After Snape departed for his office, Malfoy gaped at Alana,
"Archcrest, what was that all about?" Alana only rolled her eyes at him,
"Go to bed Malfoy, I'm not your nanny."
Crabbe perked up from another sofa in confusion, which had been dragged awake by the disturbance looking around for his plump partner. Golye was no where to be found and he spoke to Malfoy glazed,
"What's going on Draco? Did I miss breakfast?" Alana shot an emphasizing look to Malfoy saying, I'm so sorry hehas to be your friend.
"Oh shut up Crabbe, and come along," he said irritated. Even Malfoy couldn't win in a words battle between an unhappy Archcrest. Tomorrow would be another day to attempt gaining his position as the Professor's favorite student back. Maybe actually reading the assigned books would help. But, then again, snickering had always obtained acceptance before. The two peculiar boys stumbled away, sleep driven, down into the boys' dormitory leaving Alana alone with her thoughts.