Chapter 4
Monday 10pm:
Well what do I write and in what order, I can't believe it all my dreams have come true.
After Ginny dragged me off to Muggle studies all I could think about was "our" look, was I imagining it? I don't think so as Ginny saw something too. Maybe I'm reading too much into a look, but I thought we had a connection, maybe my feelings weren't as one sided as I had imagined.
As we were putting away our books Ginny leaned over to me.
"Well" said Ginny raising her eyebrows.
"What?"
"You know, the look" "Aren't we going to talk about it" She frowned.
"I don't know what to say to you Ginny", I replied looking down to my books, although I did have a wry smile on my face.
But up to this point I hadn't told anyone about my feelings and I wasn't sure if I could trust Ginny not to let it slip to Ron or even Harry in an intimate moment.
"Ginny, can I trust you not to say anything to Harry or Ron" I asked with what I hope was a stern look on my face. "I don't want anything I tell you getting back to them you know how they feel about "him" Gin".
"Omg Hermione, you do like him I knew it! You've been looking at him for weeks now, that I've noticed, and of course I won't say anything to them, you can trust me, I promise"
"Phew" I sighed, "I thought I could Gin, but I had to make sure, it's not like we are talking about a boy here you know" I smiled.
Smiling "I know He's alllll man, ha"
I smiled in return, and then frowned "Earlier did you think he was looking at me Ginny? It's just I have thought it before and then rejected it as improbable, I mean I know how I feel and before you say it Gin, it's not a crush, I love "him""
Now at this point I want to point it out that I am the only person I know that has rendered Ginny mute – I know! Impossible you say, but nope there she was standing in front of me with her mouth open and staring at me in shock.
And I know what you're thinking - that at 17 I can't possibly be in love and know for certain - but I assure you I can and I am.
Ginny knows this and looks to be in shock.
Waving my hands in front of her face, "Ginny, Ginnnnnnyyyy" Nothing.
"Ginevra Weasley" I barked at her in the tone of a certain Molly Weasley even going as far as putting my hands on my hips.
Ginny jumped.
"Wow Hermione you're going to get married" Ginny whispered finally coming too.
I laughed at this, "Gin I don't think Severus will want to marry me, don't get me wrong if he was on bended knee in front of me now I'd say yes in a heartbeat, but I'm not holding my breath"
Now as we left Professor Burbage's room, Ginny was trailing behind me trying to stuff everything into her bags, and frankly I wasn't looking where I was going either.
Oohmp I collided with something hard and black ….
I can't describe how it felt to be suddenly standing in "his" arms. As we'd collided he'd reached and grasped my arms to prevent me from falling onto the floor.
"Miss Granger", he drawled, with that one perfect eyebrow pointing to the roof.
"Professor, I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going"
"Evidently"
Now I tried to find some of that renowned Gryffindor courage that I purported to have, but I couldn't seem to find it.
I willed myself to look up and make eye contact, but I just couldn't do it and found my eyes were fixed on the buttons leading up his neck under his chin - which let me tell you is a rather nice place to be looking, not as nice as into his lovely eyes I grant you but a lovely view none the less.
"Miss Granger do I have something on my waistcoat?" (Still holding onto my arms)
"No Sir", I squeaked
I could feel Ginny hovering in the door way, not sure what to do, but then she suddenly wheeled round and muttered about forgetting something, I think I love her for that!
By this time, I found a little courage to curl my hands around his upper arms to keep from straining my back so much. (Let me tell you there is nothing scrawny about this man).
"Look at me Miss Granger"
I shook my head, it was all too much.
"Please"
Just one word and my courage came roaring back.
I looked up and up and then there he was, just looking down at me, honestly I could hardly breathe.
When we had eye contact I did that stupid, crazy thing I did earlier, (Why don't I learn). But it was involuntary; I was happy, happy to be in "his" arms and to be this close to him.
I smiled.
His hands tightened on me for a split second and then he softly let me go all the while still staring at me. "Have you entered the competition Miss Granger?"
I nodded, still smiling at him. "Good Luck, let's hope that the sorting hat has some sense tonight and picks the right person for the right house" inclining his head, he then stalked away; with I swear a small smile on his face.
"Omg, Hermione, he didn't take any points off you or give you detention – it must be love" Ginny laughed, grabbing my arm and pulling me off to the common room.
I don't remember much about the evening leading up to the announcement, as I was reliving being held in "his" arms over and over again. When the time did arrive for us all to go down to the hall I again was dragged down with Ginny.
By this time I was having serious doubts, Will I even be picked there could be a Kelly Clarkson among us, who is stunning and loves to wear green.
By the time we were all seated I had convinced myself I had no chance so sat with my head down and prepared for the worst.
"Good evening and welcome to Hogwarts got talent" Boomed Dumbledore.
"Now I know everyone's eager to find out the contestants lucky enough to be picked, and I'm told by the sorting hat that there were some quite interesting entries. I would like to say that the first half of the evening will involve calling out all the names of the entries that have selected to take part, we will then take a short break, where hot chocolate and Jam tarts will be served and then we shall divide people up into the houses they have been sorted to represent – just to keep the suspense going as long as possible. Now without further ado I give you the sorting hat"
I won't go into details about the song the hat sang, trust me if was horrific I swear it needs to retire...
All you need to know is - I WAS PICKED – OMG, OMG!
I couldn't believe it, yes I'd hoped but I never dared dream….
My name was called out about a third of the way through, I then had to take up a seat just in front of the teachers table and chairs that the elves had helpfully put out, I of course selected to sit as far away from "him" as I could, (darn courage, comes and goes when it feels like it).
I did try to take a sneak peak at him but Colin Creavey was in the way taking blasted pictures for the school newspaper, my photo will have everyone think I'm constipated.
After all the refreshments had disappeared and we were all seated again Dumbledore called the four heads of house to the front. "When your name is called you will stand with the head of house you will be representing. Heads of house will you then take a note of the names of your representatives, as you will be organising the practise sessions amongst yourselves hopefully starting right away".
It was the moment of truth: I was sitting trying to smile at Luna, when the sorting hat shouted out "Hermione Granger", I stood I swear it felt like my legs had turned to jelly, As I walked over to stand beside the hat, it shouted out, "Slytherin"
I couldn't help it I just looked straight over to him, making it obvious to the whole bloody hall probably but at that moment I couldn't have cared less. He met my eyes, and with a little shove from Dumbledore I was beside him.
"Welcome to Slytherin Miss Granger" He purred.
