A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews. I'll be expecting more ,though ,so don't just stop. I really appreciate them. A lot. Thank you!
Theodore Nott was a good student. He didn't love to study but he knew that any hard work he put in now did pay off later. He was used to spending 2-3 hours a day in the library studying and doing homework. It was a good solace from the world around him and helped him concentrate. He relied on the library very much and so far, it had done its job, but, for some fathomless reason, it couldn't tell him anything useful about Hermione Granger. Slamming his head on the table, Theo groaned in frustration. She was an award-winning author goddamnit. Lifting his head up for the millionth time, he pursued his frustatingly short list on what he'd figured out.
-She's written 4 books about Charms
-Known to be the brightest witch of her age
-Had a big part in the French part of the second wizarding war
-A prophecy was made about her
-Supposedly gone missing
-Is studying at Hogwarts, as a boy
It was hardly anything to go on. The prophecy could be a fake, as an excuse for her disappearance, so there was nothing concrete. And what did Ginny Weasley have anything to do with this. At the thought of the Gryffindor, Theo's stomach did a backflip.
Yes, he had a crush on Ginny Weasley.
Popping a Fizzing Whizbee into his mouth, Theo let his forehead rest on the table, just as a voice disturbed his thoughts.
"Hey, Theo"
Hermes.
Shit.
Slipping his list smoothly into his pocket, Theo looked up at the concerned face of Hermione Granger. With her face looming so close to his own, he noticed how feminine her features were and wondered how he hadn't noticed it before.
"Theo" she repeated.
"Yeah," he nodded.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course," He smiled at her in a reassuring manner.
"Are you sure? You're spending hours in the library. You aren't struggling on anything, are you?" Hermione shot him a toothless smile. "You know you can always ask me for help?"
'I'm alright' he repeated, nodding.
"Ok" Hermione sighed, still not satisfied with his answer. Theo had been acting unusual around her and she had caught him staring with a small frown on his usually cheerful features at her more than once. 'You know you can tell me anything, right?'
Theo nodded silently.
"Okay then. Do you want to come to the common room? If you're done studying, of course' Hermione asked, trying to fathom exactly what had been troubling her friend these past few days and why he wouldn't tell.
Waving his wand in response, causing the books on the table to return to their place on the shelves he looked back at her with a smile "Let's go, then!"
"The others have been worrying loads, you know?' Hermione said, looking uncertainly at Theo as they left the library. "You haven't been acting yourself." He stayed silent "You know that the library isn't healthy in large quantities?'"
"Look who's talking," he said mockingly.
"I don't overdo it" Hermione shook her head.
"Says only you" Theo laughed.
"I don't" Hermione insisted, but she laughed albeit herself.
Soon enough they reached the Slytherin dungeons and the moment Theo entered, laughing heartily to something Hermione had said, Pansy launched herself upon him.
"You're back!" She cried.
"I was always here" Theo chuckled warmly.
"Not really, mate" Blaise shook his head, standing up from where he was sitting with Draco "For the past few days you've been acting all weird and secretive."
"We were all quite unsure what to do," Draco added.
"I didn't notice" Theo lied smoothly "Oh well, I'm back"
"Must have been work nerves" Hermione thought aloud "It happened to me once in third year. I couldn't sleep either..."
The other three zoned Hermione out and rolled their eyes at her. Typical Hermione. Only Draco noticed that Theo was staring at their latest student with confusion and intrigue in his expression. Hermes Orion had something to do with Theo's change of attitude and he was going to find out what. He wasn't going to be unfair, though. He'd give his friend time to speak.
'This is going to be soooooooo fun!' Pansy squealed. She was jumping on the balls of her feet like a young girl, as if unable to walk in a straight line, urging her friends to move faster on their way down to Hogsmeade. 'So what do you want to be, Hermes?' She asked once they were in the wizarding village.
'Ummm' Hermione said, unable to concentrate as she watched Pansy jump up and down.
"How about a vampire?" Pansy suggested. "Draco, Blaise and Theo are dressing up as ones too. You'll look really good in it, as well"
Hermione looked at the other two boys in question.
'We've always dressed as vampires' Blaise shrugged.
'Ever since we became friends' Draco added.
'It goes with our dashing complexions' Theo winked.
"Well, I won't break the tradition" Hermione smiled at Pansy, who was looking most sweetly anxious for her response. "Count me in"
"I can't wait!" Pansy squealed 'Follow me! We are going to have so much fun!'
"As if we have a choice" Blaise muttered, following an equally apprehensive Hermione into Twilfit and Tatters.
"Miss Parkinson!" a chirpy woman, whose face was heavily coated in make-up rushed up towards Pansy the moment she walked in. The Parkinsons were obviously regular customers. "What are you looking for today?"
"A vampire costume. The plain kind we usually ask for." Pansy demanded in a rather business-like voice. "For my friend" She pushed Hermione forward.
'Ahhh,' the woman hummed under her breath as she scanned her eyes over Hermione "You've got a rather petite body, you have. Almost like a girl." Theo's eyes snapped towards Hermione at that moment. A girl. Well that's what you are, right?
"Umm, it's not that...it's just...well, my mum was...she" Hermione stuttered, unsure what to say, looking down at her feet, scared that she was caught.
'Well, never mind' the lady waved it away, summoning a tape measure to take Hermione's measurements.
Hermione took a deep breath as she watched the tape measure do its work. For a moment there, she thought she was dead meat.
Draco's eyes wandered towards Theo, who was still staring quizzically at Hermione a strange expression on his face. Things were getting weirder. What is this secret he is hiding?
"Is there anything else you want?" the lady asked, looking appreciatively at Pansy.
"No thanks," Pansy said "We would like the costume delivered before nightfall" The tape measure fell to the ground at that moment and the five of them headed towards the door.
"I've got these new costume accessories" the woman hurried up behind them "There are these really nice ones that would suit you perfectly, Mr Zabini"
"Not interested" Draco held up his hand in denial, leaving the store and taking a deep breath once outside "I hate that woman" he muttered as an afterthought.
'I know right, mate' Blaise nodded "Such a pain. I don't know why we have to go in there every single year"
"She has good quality fabric and is much cheaper than the other stores over here, so don't complain or all your costumes would've ripped halfway through the dance" Pansy reprimanded "What would you have done then?"
The boys fell silent at that.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked as they entered some sort of jewellery store "I thought we had my costume."
'That?' Pansy asked. Hermione nodded. "That was just the base of your costume. You're going to need accessories. If you go into the ball in that, you'd be laughed at. No. We need to make you look fabulous and dashing. You'll find everything you need in this store. It's nice enough and has an amazing variety."
"Just go along with it" Blaise whispered into her ear "We all do"
Hermione could do nothing but nod.
'Ooooh,' Pansy gasped as she inspected a floor-length cape with stiff, high collars. "Look at this. Hermes, this is beautiful. You have to get this."
Hermione smiled affectionately as she fingered the cloak. Pansy did have good taste, whether she was a bit overexcited or not.
After about three hours of shopping in Hogsmeade, the five walked towards the Three Broomsticks with their pockets considerably lighter, but their shopping bags overflowing with sugary sweets, costume accessories and Zonko's pranks.
'This is your first time in Hogsmeade, isn't it?' Theo asked as they took a seat at a table seating five.
"Yep. It's really nice. I didn't believe any school would allow students to take leave of school to buy pranking material. Teachers do know what shops are here, right?"
"Yes, they do" Draco chuckled.
They were about to order drinks when Ginny turned up.
"Hey, how are you guys?" she greeted.
"We're doing good" Theo replied, smiling at Ginny.
"Well, I'm going to have to steal Hermes for a little errand" Ginny replied apologetically.
"Of course. Take him" Theo replied, though his eyes narrowed suspiciously when she turned her back to leave.
"What is it?" Hermione asked once they were outside "Did something happen?"
"No, it's nothing like that. Nothing big. I only wanted to show you-" Ginny waved her hand, speeding her pace as she headed towards a particular shop. "I'll tell you when I get there"
Ginny led Hermione to a store where ready-made costumes were up for sale.
"Are you looking for a costume?" Hermione asked.
'Well, to be honest, I found one' Ginny said, pointing towards an already unwrapped devil's costume, which was essentially a short red and black dress, accompanied with devil's horns and a tiny cloak, which hardly reached your bum.
"It looks beautiful" Hermione gasped, her eyes trailing across the glass beads on the seams. "Have you tried it on?"
Ginny shook her head "I wanted to wait for you"
"Well, go on then" Hermione urged. Ginny went into a changing room and a few minutes later she emerged, looking glamorous.
"Oh ,Ginny. It's amazing!" Hermione squealed, almost Pansy-like "You have to get it!"
"That's the problem" Ginny held up the tag with a sullen expression on her face. 'I only have twenty galleons. I was wondering-"
'Don't fret' Hermione held up her hand, smiling. "I'll pay the rest. Consider it an early Halloween present" She handed ginny a heft sum of galleons.
"Oh, Hermione, you're the best" she hugged the other girl tightly "I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you, though"
"I told you. It's a gift." Hermione insisted.
After paying for the costume and leaving the store, the two girls ambled past the stores, chatting with ease and laughing at intervals.
"Woah!" Hermione uttered a slight way ahead. Ginny looked over to see what had caught her friend's eye and gasped as well. It was a breathtaking, exquisite, breathtaking dress.
"Come on!" Ginny pulled Hermione's arm towards the shop door.
"But there's no point" Hermione resisted "It's probably too expensive and I-"
"We'll just try it on. It looks so nice." Ginny insisted.
"All right" Hermione agreed "But I'm only trying it on"
"Yes, yes" Ginny waved her hand, pulling Hermione through the door.
"Excuse me, can we try on that dress that's in the shop window," Ginny asked the lady inside.
"Of course" the lady replied. She had a sweet, kind voice and soft features. "I've got one right here" She disappeared behind the counter for a moment before reappearing a second later. "You can try it on, miss, but I'm afraid to say that the colour would clash terribly with your hair" She directed her attention to Ginny, who frowned before replying.
"It's alright. I'll have a try"
The two girls walked towards the changing rooms in silence.
"You try it on" Ginny shoved the dress into Hermione's hands "The lady's right. This dress won't suit me."
"But-" Hermione argued.
"Not buts" Ginny smiled, shaking her head. "Change back into a girl and try it on. I'll be waiting outside."
After slipping the dress over her head, Hermione glanced at the full-length mirror. The dress really was spectacular. No wonder it was so expensive.
"Ginny" she called, trying not to be too loud.
No answer.
"Ginny" she tried again.
No answer.
Confused, Hermione peeked her head through the changing room curtains.
Ginny wasn't there.
She checked for the shopkeeper, but it seemed she had gone downstairs to the storeroom. Emerging fully from the changing rooms, the dress's fabric swishing upon her thighs, Hermione wondered where Ginny could've gone. She wondered this when a familiar face caught sight of her through the shop window and with a smile proceeded to enter the store.
Oh no. Not him.
Draco.
Draco Malfoy.
"Hey!" he greeted. "How's your ankle?"
'M-Much better' Hermione stuttered, looking down at her feet.
Silence.
"You look really nice in that dress" Draco smiled at the now blushing Hermione "Are you going to buy it?"
"Um, well, it's a bit out of my budget" she admitted.
"Let me see" Before Hermione could protest, Draco was standing in front of her and had the price tag in his hands.
'Quite a lot, isn't it?' Hermione asked, looking up at his face for any signs of recognition. None.
"Not for me" He shook his head, meeting her eyes and smiling "I'll buy it for you"
"But it for me?" Hermione gasped, eyes widening in shock.
"Yeah, consider it a Halloween present" Draco shrugged, as he walked towards the counter.
'But-' Hermione protested.
"No buts, little missy" Draco wagged his finger with a small smile "I'm buying it for you" A small giggle escaped Hermione's mouth at that. He looked so sweet.
"You are?" she smiled.
"I am" he smiled back, a glint of some unknown emotion in his eyes as he locked them with Hermione's. It was only when the lady working there asked him whether he was buying the dress or not that they both snapped out of their little world.
Blushing slightly, Hermione looked at her feet as Draco went to settle the vault transaction. She had no idea why Draco was having such an effect on her, but she wasn't going to deny that she liked it very much.
"So are you going to the Halloween ball?" Draco asked, snapping Hermione out of her reverie.
"Uhh...yeah...I might" Hermione replied, stumbling on her words.
"I'll be there," Draco suggested, taking a deep breath before carrying on "and" He gulped "I was wondering if you'd be my date"
There was a pause.
"I would love to, Draco," Hermione said with an apologetic tone, genuinely meaning it, as she internally panicked "but this year, me and my friends, we're going single for the ball." Hermione looked down at her feet "I'm sorry"
"It's alright," Draco said after a short pause. "I understand."
There was a few moments of awkward silence before Draco spoke up.
"You'll be there, though, won't you?" he asked.
"I'll try"
"Try hard" he smiled.
"Give me a reason to" A mischievous grin slipping onto Hermione's face.
"I'll be there"
"And?"
"I'll be doing a small performance"
Hermione paused. She hadn't heard of Draco doing a performance
"A song" he continued.
"You sing?" Hermione looked surprised.
"Yeah, quite well, actually" Draco grinned "Do you?"
"I'm average" Hermione shrugged.
"Really," Draco said with interest. "So you'd sing in front of a crowd if you wanted to?'
"I guess"
"Good" Draco nodded as if an idea was forming in his head. "Very good"
A few minutes later, Ginny found Hermione standing in the exact place Draco had left her, feeling a bit out of place, her head in her hands.
'What happened?' Ginny asked.
'Nothing' Hermione shook her head 'Nothing' she repeated, clearing her head 'Where did you go?'
"Toilet" Ginny replied. 'Sorry, but this shop didn't have a toilet, so I had to find one. Sorry, it took so long. Where's the dress?"
'Bought it' Hermione muttered.
'What?' Ginny asked, utterly confused.
"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks. I'll explain on the way"
A/N: How did you like it? A nice long one? Please review. The next chapter is going to be even better ,I hope. Unless I need to postpone my favourite bit a bit longer. Can't wait to write more. Really sorry for the late update. I still need a beta. Anyone? Don't forget to review!
A little snippet of the next chapter:
'So our Hermes is actually a girl ,who is none other than the author of our charms textbook ,Hermione Granger?' Draco asked. Theo nodded silently.
'Yep, that's the gist'