CARPE NOCTEM / ABOUT DELPHINI / CH. 12
Hermione's widened eyes stared after Narcissa strutting her way back to the main hall, amply satisfied with the fashion she had handled the argument with. That infamous patience of hers was balancing during the entire evening and Bellatrix, the veteran of hitting a raw nerve, should have known better than treading on thin ice like that.
The young witch wondered whether these sore feelings between the sisters truly grew from her own hands or it was just the perception itself, planting guilt to her excessively emotional self as usual. It wouldn't have been the first time she'd taken the blame for someone else's disordered values and even though her presence caused nothing but conflicts, she had to remind herself it was actually the hostility and a lack of tolerance which had brought the whole family to the current state.
Yes, this theory seemed pretty accurate and would apply quite efficiently, had it been not for the absolutely furious Bellatrix standing behind her, shaking with suppressed anger. Hermione's eyes strayed aside, sensing the intensity of the witch's gaze on her shoulders. She took a shaky breath, not even daring to look at the woman.
Stupid ball! And stupid Hermione! She should've never listened to the blond boy. Her intuition had it clear from the very beginning this fiasco wouldn't end with sappy feelings.
A faint cracking sound interrupted the moment of anxiety, making the girl turn towards the mirror on the left side of the anteroom.
Oh Merlin!
The perfectly smooth looking glass she had seen upon her arrival suddenly lost all of its previous glamour. The entire surface scintillated with criss-cross splits, threatening to fall out of the frame at any moment.
There was another crack, much louder, that caught the attention of the nearby standing wizards, making them swiftly jump aside and thus attract the majority of the looks. The whole room erupted with surprised gasps and whispers, trying to detect what was happening.
Hermione, however, didn't need to guess twice whose work of art that was. She gave the witch a furtive look, catching her glaring right back at her and clenching her jaw quite virulently.
The girl gulped.
"Excuse me!" A plummy voice resonated through the air when an elderly wizard tried to worm his way through the crowd of people, unwilling to cooperate. "Excuse me, sir!" He squeezed through the tiny space between the pair of wizards. "Please, carry on, everything is under control!"
Bellatrix's eyes followed the man for a short span of time before they returned to Hermione's face, blazing with nothing but pure anguish. There was a tiny shard of a moment which left the girl trembling that those blood-red lips would part and spit the most painful curses at her, but none of that happened.
The mouth quivered, fighting the urge to make a scene, to yell, destroy, but however angry, the woman didn't say a single word. Instead, she spun around, pushing past the young wizard standing in her way, hitting his shoulder with hers. Taken aback, the boy frowned, looking after her, but did not make any comment, just rubbed the pained spot.
Hermione stood like a stone, forlorn, not knowing what to do. Was she supposed to run after the witch or stand here until the ball was over? She found it rather unappealing having to chase her like a little puppy when clearly the woman had no desire to keep her company.
Hermione would give up the world to have the same sentiments but unfortunately, couldn't help feeling upset. It was hard to admit but she'd really grown into admiring the woman despite her unparalleled personality and wayward behaviour.
There was no denying she was insanely talented. The power of magic Bellatrix manipulated with made the girl uncharacteristically tongue-tied. She'd never seen anyone use spells of such power without even touching their wand—and damn it, if not for her persona, Hermione looked up to her simply because of this little fact.
"Excuse me." A young brunette pulled the girl out of her thoughts.
Hermione turned around, realising she was blocking the way. „Sorry," she murmured, stepping aside, letting the girl walk past her and vanish in the mass of robes.
Savvying there was no other choice but to move along, Hermione anxiously gripped her upper arm. She peered through the crowd, trying to spot a familiar face, secretly hoping for Draco's or his mother's, but didn't have much luck. Thinking it would be for the best to get back to the tables, she ambled forward, keeping her head down, aiming to limit the unnecessary attention.
"Would you like a glass of wine, miss?" Hermione looked up, locking her eyes with a young waiter, clearly intrigued by her appearance.
"No, she wouldn't." Bellatrix's cold voice came from behind the startled girl, whose head moved too abruptly, a burning sensation overpowering her neck.
'When did she come back?!'
"Clearly, the person responsible for hiring you emphasised enough that offering alcohol to minors is illegal."
The boy widened his irises, genuinely trying to apologise. "I'm sorry, madame! I didn't realise—"
"What makes you think you can talk to me?" The witch raised her eyebrows, her voice clear and haughty. „I don't remember asking for an explanation."
Hermione's forehead formed a tiny wrinkle. How on Earth can someone talk to a fellow human being with such venom? How?!
"It's easy to forget your place, isn't it?" Bellatrix went on, scanning his frame with a look full of disgust. "If you need any help remembering, I—"
'I'm not letting her insult him like this!'
Anger slipped into Hermione's veins. She'd hardly ever fight for herself but witnessing someone being bullied pumped up her blood. She knew she'd regret this stupid act of bravery in a very short span of time but couldn't just stand there and do nothing.
"Oh please, auntie," her voice trembled as she spoke over the woman, "not this again, you sound just like great-grandmother Cressida. Her views too got stuck in the Stone age." The girl rolled her eyes and with her heart threatening to explode, marched away from the scene, already feeling the death herself breathing on her neck.
'And the Darwin Award for the stupidest death goes to, the imaginary person inside her head announced dramatically, doing a drum roll, yes, Hermione, it's you! Bravo! Being choked by Bellatrix Lestrange at the ball, representing a new chapter of life, for the lack of common sense and restrictedness is really something! Once again, unique idea! Also, congratulations to Madame Lestrange…'
Hermione shook her head to stop the voice from rambling. She'd really done it this time, registering too late she was no Narcissa Malfoy to get away with insulting the woman like this.
'Run, Muddy, because I cannot guarantee what I do once I get my hands on you!' Hermione jumped upon hearing an alien voice inside her own head. She turned around, meeting Bellatrix's dark eyes just mere steps away from her.
She stumbled but managed to keep her balance. The woman was approaching and the girl had no chance to escape.
"For God's sake. Get a grip," she hissed quietly, once close enough, "you've got yourself into a fine mess, but you've already realised that, haven't you?"
"I'm sor—"
"Shut it, muddy! Not interested!"
"I..."
"You know what I think?" The woman's face slowly lit up with a menacing smile, scaring the hell out of Hermione. "We should take a walk. Just you and I. There is a beautiful backyard out there." She spoke with the charm of a skilled theatrical actress. "Let me tell you, if I ever had to make a death wish, it would be seeing that magnificent garden no one really knows about, at least one more time," she finished, giving the girl a quick eyebrow flash.
Desperate Hermione tore her eyes from the witch, searching for any help, but people passing by were too wrapped up in their own little realms to notice anything unusual happening.
"Please, ma'am, let me explain," the girl whispered, clutching at her snowy dress, "I didn't mean to..."
"After you," Bellatrix smirked, nodding towards the end of the hall, where a double-winged door led to the resting place of Hermione's soon-to-be-dead body.
The young witch took an erratic breath. "N-No, I don't want to..."
"Oh." Bellatrix tilted her head, curling the corners of her lips down. "You don't?"
Hermione shook her head, swallowing painfully.
"Well, I'm not asking," Bellatrix hissed, leaning in.
To Hermione's horror, the noble room swirled, her whole body experiencing the same uncomfortable sensation it did half an hour ago. She was apparating.
Her feet touched the ground much sooner and softer than before, but this time she wasn't so well-composed. Tumbling, she hit her knee, the palms of her hands gripping the dirt from the wet lawn.
"Get up!" Hermione heard above her. She angled her head to get a better view, seeing Bellatrix's hand leaving the white fabric of her dress.
With her heart trying to dig its way out of her chest, she scarcely got to her feet, looking around. They appeared in the middle of a garden full of purple fluorescent plants that swayed in a warm summer breeze and emitted tiny particles of light, which slowly evaporated in the air. Hermione would normally gasp upon seeing such splendour but the recent events had somehow taken away from her perception of aesthetics. The only thing she could think about was the soggy skirt sticking to her legs and those ominous eyes gleaming in the dark.
"I told you once," Bellatrix started quietly, "don't test my limits unless you're willing to face the consequences." She took a step forward. "So I am wondering when you got the nerve to talk to me the way you did, is the day here already?"
"Ma'am." Hermione gulped, backing away. "I'm sorry I..."
BANG!
The girl yipped when a sudden explosive sound echoed through the air, a few feet away from her. Bellatrix was holding a wand.
"What are you sorry for?!" She raised her voice, shutting Hermione up quite efficiently. "Where should I start? Are you sorry for calling me your auntie?" BOOM! "Or comparing me to your dear great-grandmother?" The third blast detonated, much closer than the previous one.
At this point, the poor girl was so frightened her eyes started to pour tears shamelessly, without any suppression.
"You've just humiliated me in front of a goddamn mudblood!" Bellatrix barked, her wand sending a red flash of light hitting the wall right over Hermione's left shoulder. The young witch screamed, jumping aside, protecting her head. "I didn't mean to humiliate you!" she cried in horror.
"I don't give a damn what you did or didn't mean!" Bellatrix was blasting one spell after another, each getting closer and closer to Hermione.
"Please, STOP!" The girl yelled in between the sobs. "I... I... let me explain!" she tried but the woman had no intention to listen.
She had no other choice. Trembling, the girl shoved her hand through the layers of her skirt, gripping the wand hidden in a sunken pocket. She clumsily took out the wooden stick, pointing it at Bellatrix and deflecting her spell.
The woman hesitated. Her lips parted, letting out a surprised snicker. "My, my, aren't we getting our claws out?"
Hermione was shifting on her feet, awaiting another attack. There was no way she would initiate another wave of fighting on her own. She was perfectly aware she'd just broken the rule of using spells outside the school but judging by the circumstances, the loop about using magic when in danger suited this situation quite accurately.
Bellatrix was prowling closer and closer, her deathly aura almost tangible. A moment of silence passed too quickly because the woman struck again, sending a blue flash straight towards Hermione's face.
Bending her knees, she almost tripped, silently cursing the beautiful dress, for it did not make the duelling any easier. Her breath became shallow as she blocked another spell.
The witch, on the other hand, looked more alive than ever. Her attacks became swifter and no longer intentionally aimed off its target. She was sending spell after spell, making Hermione sob harder.
"What's up with you, little muddy? Are we getting scared? I've always known you were just a little..." She mocked, firing one more flash, but finally managed to hit the nerve.
Bellatrix knew without a doubt the girl was too Goody-Goody to fight back but the next action made her anticipations crumble like a house of cards. Hermione lurched forwards, firing the first curse out of her wand.
The noises stopped and Bellatrix gasped.
She was holding a hand to her face, gazing at the young girl with eyes full of shock. "You've split my lip!" She pulled her palm away from her face, revealing drops of blood emerging from the swollen mouth.
Hermione widened her eyes, too stunned to even talk.
"You did, you little animal!" The woman let out and suddenly burst out laughing maniacally. The girl thought she was either dreaming or the entire world had gone mad—or maybe just one woman in particular. She was standing stupidly in front of the laughing witch, breathing hard, tears still falling down her cheeks, her appearance a mess. She had absolutely no idea what was going on.
If anything, firing a spell at the woman left Hermione thinking it would be the last thing she'd do before the witch would beat her senseless, but instead, she found herself in this ridiculous scenario.
"I am sorry," she let out, still trembling. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Bellatrix made a gagging sound, leaning back. "Just when I was starting to think there is something in you, after all," she curled her lips down, "you ruin it with your pathetic apology!"
The breath in Hermione's lungs got knocked out. "Excuse me?"
"Excuse me?" The woman mocked, wiping the blood off with her wrist. "Clean yourself up, we need to get back there," Bellatrix added, completely off topic.
Taken aback, the young girl couldn't believe her ears. Was the woman schizophrenic?
"What?" The dark witch tilted her head as if having no clue why was Hermione hugging her torso, sobbing.
"You attacked me!"
"And you attacked me." Bellatrix brushed her index finger across her lip, smirking.
"But." Hermione tried to stop the new flood of tears. "I was just defending myself! I thought you were going to kill me!" She gasped, wiping her cheeks.
The witch rolled her eyes. "Oh please, don't be dramatic, I've hardly even touched you."
"Dramatic?! You physically attacked me because I dared to stick up for someone who is as much of a human as any pureblood! Who's done nothing but offered a drink to me. Isn't that classified as overreacting more than me thinking you were about to put me to death?!" Hermione was spitting the words like hot lava.
"You don't force your morals upon me, girl!" Bellatrix barked. "Save it for the Ministry, I'm sure there's already an envelope coming your way."
Hermione, feeling slightly braver after speaking her mind, only shook her head. "I don't think so. There are far too many underaged witches and wizards to track the right person."
Parting her lips, the witch raised her eyebrow. "My, aren't you a clever little one."
„I want to go home." Hermione wiped the last traces of her tears off. "I can't go back in there." Not looking like this.
"Fine, if you know how, I'm not against the idea," Bellatrix shrugged. "But since you're still just a fifteen-year-old brat, I don't suppose you'd be able to apparate on your own, wouldn't you?" She finished, smirking triumphantly.
"I see," Hermione gritted, catching the drift. "So, I am to walk back, all smiles, pretending this never happened, right?"
"I'm glad we're speaking the same language."
"But I can't! I am no actress," Hermione frowned, maintaining eye contact. Long gone were the times she was worried about looking at the witch.
Bellatrix coughed out a laugh. "Well, my advice is to quickly become one then," she moved towards the girl, who swiftly tried to lurch back, but the witch stepped on the white dress, keeping her in place. "Because you have no other choice... Look at you, we need to fix that mess."
Before Hermione could react, the dark witch raised her wand, casting a spell, making the girl yelp. She was awaiting a curse coming her way but it never arrived. Bellatrix stepped off of her skirts, letting magic do its work.
Hating herself for her betraying feelings, Hermione couldn't help but felt a wave of awe upon seeing the dress all fixed. "How did you do it?" she gasped. "Mr D'Avalos said it's impossible to mend once it's ruined."
"Oh, the poor Italian doesn't know a thing," Bellatrix shook her head as she waved her wand one more time, making Hermione's hair neat again. "Now, suck those tears in, we cannot afford any unnecessary attention," she ordered and before Hermione could drop any objections, grabbed the white fabric once again, apparating back inside.
Hermione coughed, trying to steady herself as they appeared in the main hall, right next to the tables abundant with privacy. Bellatrix was standing beside, her lips all fixed. She was adjusting her dress's fabric, revealing much more than appropriate. The young witch averted her gaze, her cheeks reddening.
"You stay right here, I'll—" Bellatrix began but the rest of her sentence got swallowed in Draco's fuming voice.
"Where the hell have you been, Granger?! I was looking for you all this time. Been here twice and when I ask the first person if he hasn't seen a girl of your fresh new appearance—by the way, thanks a lot, Auntie Bella—he looks at me as if I am an idiot and points right in..."
Glad to see the boy, someone who truly cares, Hermione ignored all of his words, throwing her arms around him, making him stumble backwards.
"I don't consider this a proper apology, but it's close enough," he murmured. "What happened?"
"Nothing," she let go of him, aware of Bellatrix's eyes on her back.
"You hugged me for no reason, then?" Draco questioned with suspicion.
"I don't know, maybe."
"Hm..." A mischievous smile slowly spread across his face. "Don't tell me you are starting to realise you're losing me," he whispered only for her to hear.
Feeling the tension falling off, Hermione only smiled, softly hitting his arm.
"Draco, there you are!" The trio turned at the voice. A young witch with cerulean eyes and dark blonde hair hurried towards them with a happy smile plastered upon her face. "I was looking for you! Is this your cousin, Delphini?" She stopped in front of Hermione, holding out her hand. The girl hesitated but took it, returning the smile.
"I am Astoria Greengrass, nice to meet you!"
"You too," Hermione replied, flinging a glance behind her.
"Greengrass? You must belong to the Crouch family then, am I right?" Bellatrix approached the girl, stopping beside Draco.
"Yes, Madame Lestrange." The girl nodded her head enthusiastically, making Bellatrix tilt her head in confusion.
"Pardon me, " Astoria took a deep breath. "But I simply must tell! I was dying to see you! My uncle talks about you all the time! I," she closed her eyes for a second before opening them, smiling even wider, "I cannot express how honoured I am to finally meet you!"
"How charming!" Bellatrix smiled warmly, surprising Hermione to the moon. The woman had never looked at her that way. But sure, if it's a pureblood, she's suddenly a sweetheart, the social butterfly.
"I'm sure that whatever he said, he was just exaggerating." Bellatrix winked, hooking her arm into Astoria's. "Deary, why don't you tell me how's dear Barty doing?" She stepped forward, trying to get the Crouch's heiress away as far as she could.
Hermione knew what she was up to; however, it did not stop her from frowning upon seeing how differently the woman acted towards Astoria compared to her.
"It would be my pleasure, ma'am!"
"Oh please, call me Bellatrix!"
Hermione's jaw tensed as she turned to Draco, shaking her head. Oh yeah, saint Bellatrix. She was the absolute devil in disguise.
"Thank Merlin! She was so annoying," the boy whispered, looking after Astoria and Bellatrix. "I shall never forgive you for leaving me with her all alone!"
"Like I had a choice, right?! At least you were talking. I had to witness the argument between your mother and your sweet auntie. It wasn't pretty," Hermione confessed, intentionally leaving the garden moment out of the conversation. No matter how evil the witch was, Hermione would never come in between her and the boy.
Draco raised his eyebrows. "You know, I could tell mother looked somehow off, but that clinger kept me occupied so I didn't really have a chance to ask her what was going on."
Hermione explained briefly the whole point of the quarell, completely avoiding the fight, saying that she was with Bellatrix the entire time in the anteroom, discussing the details of her disguise.
"My mother is a badass! Who would have known?!" Draco was looking into the distance with widened eyes. "I mean, I cannot blame aunt Bella for flipping out either. Delphini was the name chosen for her daughter. That is, if she had any."
Hermione gasped and despite her anger towards the woman, felt a slight sting of guilt hit her guts. It was the amount of empathy she possessed, which made her realise how mad the woman must have really felt when Narcissa had abused the name. It wasn't that long ago the dark which was a mudblood hater, par excellence—well, still was, as Hermione had had a chance to experience, but... She needed time. Draco, too, hadn't changed overnight.
'Why are you always justifying even the most horrible behaviours of hers, Hermione?' The inner voice began innocently. 'Is it because...?'
The girl placed her palms over her face. She couldn't possibly be thinking about such stuff. The ridiculous suspicion hiding in the back of her mind was slowly trying to creep out into awareness itself, but she was doing whatever was in her power to push it back down like complete nonsense.
"Crap! Granger, wake up, I say!" Draco was gripping her wrist. "Crouch's coming."
Hermione let her hands down, trying to come up with a plan. She wasn't supposed to talk to anyone and Draco—well, he just didn't want to talk, but it was already too late.
"Delphini, hello, we meet again!" He bowed his head, flashing his white smile, making Hermione return the gesture. "Draco." He turned to the blond boy. "Have you seen, by any chance, my lovely niece, Astoria? I was looking for her, it is the first waltz of the season, she cannot miss that."
"I'm afraid I ha..."
"Uncle Barty!" Astoria's voice called from a good few tables away from them. Hermione looked behind, seeing the girl take Bellatrix's hand into her own and pull her towards their table.
What a ray of sunshine, that one, Hermione said to herself venomously, averting her gaze from the handholding to the curly-haired man instead.
Oho.
The whole room suddenly seemed to be on fire from the expression on Barty Crouch's face when his eyes fell upon Bellatrix. Hermione exchanged looks with Draco, demanding a silent explanation, but he only rolled his eyes.
"Bellatrix," he choked out of him, absolutely mesmerised.
"Long time no see, hm?" the woman replied, smirking, visibly aware of the effect she had on him.
"Uncle! She's as charming as you described! Maybe even more!" Astoria shined, smiling at both of them.
'Maybe even more...blah blah blah.' The inner voice in Hermione's head was starting to get a little too annoying, not letting her think objectively.
"Bellatrix!"
Well, this is getting ridiculous. Hermione thought. Whenever there was a conversation about to start, there was always someone coming, ready to interrupt.
Everyone turned towards Rodolphus, who finally caught up with his wife, his face as angry as Barty's surprised. Recovered pretty quickly, he reached out his hand. "Rodolphus, my friend! How do you do? I was just about to ask your dear wife to dance with me!"
Bellatrix's husband flashed a smile for the first time. "Maybe later, Barty. She has to dance with me first."
"Love to, but I have to keep.. eh... Delphini a company," Bellatrix explained, tensing. Hermione saw the struggle behind the name, feeling her anger drop a level lower.
"Who?" Rodolphus asked stupidly, earning a nasty look from his wife. "Oh, the girl!" He tried to save the situation but only added more fuel to the fire.
"The girl? Your niece, you meant to say." Barty frowned, forcing out a laugh. "And not to worry, I'll gladly dance with her if Draco here dances with my Astoria. He promised, after all."
Hermione would laugh so hard but had to do everything she could not to. The look on Draco's face was just too priceless.
"That's settled then. It's about to get started. My dear—" Rodolphus offered an arm to Bellatrix who didn't have any other choice but to collaborate. She gave Hermione a stealthy look and as she walked past her, pressed a finger to her lips, emphasising Hermione was to keep quiet.
"May I?" Barty's playful eyes glistened, making Hermione feel soft tingles inside her belly.
"Of course," she agreed shyly, putting her hand into his warm one. She looked behind, seeing Draco scowl when offering his palm to Astoria. She had to quickly look back to save herself from embarrassment, id est lying down and rolling with laughter.
Barty led her to the dance floor, occasionally sending a smile here and there. Stopping, he turned towards Hermione, putting a hand on her shoulder blade.
The music started off abruptly, leaving Hermione speechless, for the sound was absolutely magnificent. The young wizard was moving elegantly, smiling too sweetly to not make the whole room swirl even when dancing slowly.
Hermione was so hypnotised she'd almost forgotten about Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Almost. Her eyes left Barty's, looking for the couple. She didn't have to search for long. There was a very uncomfortable-looking Draco on the left and right next to him was the goddess herself, the most elegantly moving of them all.
Hermione gasped when Barty swirled her so quickly she lost the sight of the witch. It was his turn to look. The swirls repeated a few more times until they were standing next to the Lestrange couple.
Letting go of Hermione's hand, the man smiled, making her turn again. The young witch giggled, unable to hold onto her vexation any longer.
Paying good attention to the movements, Barty waited for the right moment. "Exchange!" He announced, moving even closer to the couple, and freed Hermione's palm to take Bellatrix's instead. Stunned Rodolphus was in too much of a shock to react quickly enough, for the man was already dancing his way away from them.
Not to make it more awkward, Rodolphus quickly grabbed Hermione's hand, who couldn't feel any worse. The man's dancing skills weren't bad at all, but he lacked the charm of the young man who seemed to live for attention.
After a few embarrassing minutes, it was all over and Rodolphus immediately let go.
"Come on!" It was Draco grabbing her wrist, trying to get away from Astoria, who however jogged after them.
"You are a great dancer!" She braked at the punch bowl next to the annoyed boy and the amused Hermione. "And look at my uncle with your aunt. Aren't they just beautiful?" she proclaimed romantically, making the boy secretly roll his eyes.
Hermione, however, did look, seeing the pair still dancing with such glamour they outshined everyone on the dance floor, even Narcissa, who looked almost as stunning dancing with Lucius on the other side of the hall.
"Well, hello, Malfoy!"
"Parkinson... having good fun?" The boy sneered at Hermione's nemesis who appeared out of nowhere. Since they had become friends, Pansy hated the girl with a passion.
"You have no idea. Won't you introduce me to your friends?"
"Why? Don't you have any?" Draco laughed, earning a nudge to his ribs. Pansy furrowed her brows. She'd seen this somewhere.
"I am Astoria Greengrass." The blonde stuck out her hand.
"Pansy Parkinson."
"Hello." The girl smiled charmingly.
"What about you? We've met briefly, but you've never said what your name was. You kinda look familiar."
"Oh, that's just my friend. Her name's Pansy Dontaskstupidquestions," Draco pointed casually, making Pansy clench her fists.
"I wasn't asking you, muggle-lover! Apropos, where's your girlfriend Granger?" Pansy turned to Astoria. "He loves mudbloods, you know. So much that he started dating one."
"Shut up! Granger's not my girlfriend!"
"Yeah, just because she doesn't want to, haha!"
"What's wrong with having a non-pureblood friend?" Astoria joined the conversation. "I'd like to make friends among them, too!"
"Shut it, do you want anyone to hear you?" Pansy hissed.
"I think I should go somewhere else then, where no one can hear me." Astoria suddenly stuck out her chin, giving Pansy a defiant look.
"Idiots," the Slytherin girl barked, turning on her heel and marching away.
Suddenly, Astoria seemed quite all right to Hermione. Amazing, actually.
"Hey, do you wanna see something?" She turned to them, not even waiting for an answer and grabbing Hermione's hand. She was pulling her towards the door the girl hadn't even noticed.
"Where are we going?!" Draco called, jogging after them.
Astoria stopped, facing the duo. "Do you know what this place actually is?"
Both Draco and Hermione shook their heads, Hermione a little too reluctantly. She hated not knowing.
"It's a small muggle club—and I... well, I've read all about it on the intranet—"
"Internet." Hermione corrected. "But how..?"
"I may have one muggle friend after all." Astoria smiled with hesitation but the other girl's look assured her she wasn't about to get scolded.
"Unbelievable. Does your family know?" Draco asked with a risen eyebrow.
"My parents do, they raised me with love and compassion. Muggle-borns, half-bloods, I don't think there is a difference."
"Your parents seem lovely." Hermione smiled sincerely.
"They are."
"Okay, okay." Draco's got enough of the sentiments. "Now tell us about that intramet."
"Internet!" Hermione corrected for the second time, giggling.
"That's what I said!"
"Well, there is a simple way to get down there, if anyone's interested?"
Hermione hesitated, thinking about the consequences first. "I don't know."
"Oh, come on, Granger!" The blond boy threw a hand into the air, realising his mistake too late.
"Granger?" Astoria asked, confused, her eyes jumping from one kid to the other.
"I meant, Delphini."
"No, you didn't."
"All right Astoria, get us to the club, I'll explain!" Hermione decided, exhaling loudly.
All I want to say is I am so grateful! The last review made me write this little chapter much faster than I normally would. So thank you, kind fellow, I have so much love for you, you don't even know!
Also thanks to all of you who reviewed as well, you have no idea how much my heart is jumping seeing you leave something beautiful regarding this story. Love you so so much!
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'm so pumped to read what you think!