0 Hours : 45 Minutes : 10 Seconds
(Hermione Granger)
Harry and Hermione stare openmouthed at Hermione as she arrives in the otherwise empty Commom Room. She smiles shyly, embarrased at their open attention. However, it doesn't last long. Hermione knows what has been on their minds, and she already knows that they have a plan. It both sickens and impresses her, their ability to plot so quickly. Ron opens his mouth, and Hermione almost wants to scream at him. Why can't they go to the Yule Ball now and just ignore Malfoy? But it's too late. She has to hear all about their plans.
Ron says, with a wicked glint in his eyes that scares her, " We thought of something good." Harry chimes in, also looking gleeful. " Really good." Hermione takes a step backward, a little alarmed. " I hope it doesn't involve anything illegal! " She is suprised at the slight quaver in her voice. Was she feeling pity for Malfoy, of all people? She wants to slap herself. To make up for it, she forces her face into a grin, though her feet are already being pinched by those shoes, and she just wants to get to the damn ball already. And yes, though she would never admit it, she does feel something like pity for Draco Malfoy. " Tell me," she says, hoping to sound convincing and not overly enthusiastic.
Harry says, " You do that talking Patronus thingy." Hermione rolls her eyes, but her pulse quickenes. She already doesn't like the way things are going here. Ron says, " You tell him how much you love him, and that you can't wait to see him , when we get there, you completly blow him off. Make it as theatrical as you please. We think some tears and yelling would be nice. Make him look like a total git." They stand back, triumphant, as if they expect her to do cartwheels in response to their brilliant plan.
Hermione, stung by their harsh words, feels the exact opposite way. She says nothing at first, but her mind is reeling. If it was indeed a trick ( now she isn't so sure) then it would serve him right, the stupid prat. But...she can't supress the feeling that what she's about to do is vile, cruel and mean. Without permission her mind gave her a small vision of Draco Malfoy, humming as he picked out his best suit, fixing his hair, his grey eyes glinting, smiling and thinking to himself about the date he was in store for. And would never get. Hermione reminds herself that this was Malfoy she was talking about. She was getting too soft! Though it breaks her heart, she whispers, " I'll do it."