A/N: As ever, thank you all so much for reading and supporting this story.
Apologies in advance for the lack of originality with Pansy. At first I started trying to think of over-complex schemes but got nowhere with it really. In a way the obvious route worked well for the situation of her character; she isn't the brightest witch there is at the best of times, and with the panic and unknown time constraints, she was bound to go for something simple and foolproof.
Enjoy :)
The Library
8 days until the Yule Ball - Part 3
The remainder of the hour dragged on painfully slowly, for Draco at least. He hated it when he wasn't in control of a situation, so having to trust Pansy knew what she was doing and could pull off whatever it was she had planned was stretching Draco's strength of character and faith to the limit. He regretted not taking the opportunity to ask what her plan was, because then he would know for certain if it involved Viktor or not.
His unease meant that today, he didn't have to pretend to do the spells wrong. He wasn't focused at all, and Hermione's attempt to help by holding his wrist and guiding him through the correct movements certainly wasn't improving the situation. Draco didn't know if it was his imagination, but there seemed to be a weird connection between them when their hands touched. He told himself that he just wasn't used to having physical interaction with Hermione that didn't end with him being in pain, but Draco knew deep down that he was bullshitting himself – if that was even possible.
Every time Hermione had to guide him in such a manner, she always acted all shy and awkward afterwards, like she was embarrassed. Draco had caught her blushing on one occasion, and he couldn't help but wonder if she felt something too. He would have questioned her about this if he didn't know how stubborn she was. She would be in denial too, though Draco was unable to pinpoint just what he was in denial about. Whatever it was, he knew he didn't like it.
Eventually the hour came to an end and Draco couldn't get away fast enough. He made a point of reminding Hermione to go to the library and sauntered off when her back was turned. He wanted to avoid any awkward goodbyes, so running away seemed the best option.
Hermione gathered her belongings and shook her head when she realised that Draco had slunk away without announcing his departure, let alone thanking her for helping him again. She was surprised to not be feeling annoyed about his actions like she usually was. Then again, she had been out of sorts since Draco had asked her to the Ball so she didn't read too much into it.
She arrived at the library in no time, and couldn't help but wonder if Viktor was planning on asking her to the Ball. If he did, Hermione would feel inclined to go with him and not Draco. Viktor had the reputation whereas Draco apparently didn't; however the Durmstrang student seemed a safe option. Draco was giving her a headache with his unpredictable moods and actions, and she had to take into account how Harry and Ron would react.
Overall, Viktor seemed to be the wise choice.
With that in mind, Hermione felt assured and confident as she sought him out around the shelves of the library. Eventually her eyes fell on his tall, broad figure, at the end of an aisle that separated two bookshelves and she headed towards him. He had his back to her so she reached out to tap his shoulder, but she soon stopped herself.
It was fairly gloomy in the library even on the brightest of summer days. It was now pitch black outside, so the lighting was restricted inside the room. This was why Hermione didn't notice it straight away – 'it' being the pair of arms that were draped around Viktor's neck. The arms obviously belonged to a Hogwarts student, because this was the only school that had black robes as part of the uniform, and the material of the robes blended almost seamlessly into the fabric of Viktor's woollen sweater, which was also black.
As Hermione's eyes adjusted to the light, she could see that Viktor's head was bowed slightly, and that one of his hands was holding the waist of the other person, whose face was obscured by Viktor's body. Hermione may not be an expert in such departments, but she could tell that Viktor was having a rather heated snogging session with someone in the school library. It was almost sacrilege!
Hermione instantly felt her stomach twist in knots. She felt a mixture of things: hurt, anger, and maybe a little jealousy, though she realised that she didn't really have any right to feel those things. Viktor never had actually asked her to the Ball, but just the principle of the fact that he had been about to ask her and couldn't wait a day to ask her properly seemed shallow and narcissistic, and made Hermione feel vastly less special than she had done the previous night. She had been stunned that such a popular and handsome boy could be interested in her, but now she felt small and unimportant… maybe it was a good thing that she had never been interested in boys, at least, where her self-esteem was concerned.
The article from Seeker & Snitch telling of Viktor's reputation was apparently accurate, though Hermione didn't really believe it after last night when the Bulgarian seemed so sweet and shy. But now, proof was staring her in the face. He may not be technically cheating on her, but Hermione felt some degree of betrayal because of how he had requested to see her here (presumably to ask her out) and had apparently forgotten about her now that someone better had come along. It did cross Hermione's mind that Viktor's ego had been dented by last night and the rumour, but that still didn't make it right in her opinion.
Well if Viktor wanted to see me, I suppose I should make my presence known, Hermione thought. She straightened her back and lifted her chin. She cleared her throat purposefully, almost like a mother would to a child who had just been caught taking a cookie from the jar before dinner.
The pair tensed and the mystery girl jumped back. She sighed in annoyance as Viktor started to turn. A clawed hand dug possessively into his shoulder, stopping his movements and a familiar voice spoke.
"Who's there?" the snappy, unfriendly tone addressed Hermione.
"Parkinson?!" she spluttered in disbelief.
Pansy smirked unpleasantly, unable to hide her glee and relief that her plan was succeeding. Hermione didn't notice this though, because Viktor had spun around to face her as he recognised her voice. He frowned, but didn't seem too embarrassed or ashamed at being caught.
"Hermione, vhat are you doing here?"
The Gryffindor ignored the fact that he had, at last, pronounced her name correctly.
"What do you mean? You asked to see me, though I cant imagine what for as you seemed rather pre-occupied there," she said haughtily.
Before Viktor could deny this, Pansy spoke up, "Why so ruffled, Granger? It's not my fault that you were too stupid to agree to go to the Ball with Viktor."
"He never asked me,' Hermione replied.
"Oh, so you're just jealous that he wants me instead of a plain, ugly Mudblood like you," the girl cackled. Pansy had half a mind to rub salt in the wound and inform Hermione of how good a kisser Viktor was, in regards to the deal she had made with Weaslette, but that would let on that she knew about it, so Pansy held her tongue on this jibe.
She thought of a better way to turn the screw, "Besides I thought you and Draco were going to the Ball together."
"Yes, Pansy says this is true thing," Viktor said slowly, "the blonde witch who vas studying with you yesterday told me it vas just a rumour, but Pansy then told me the girl vas lying because she has crush on Malfoy and did not accept that he vould go to the Ball with you," he seemed considerably impressed with himself at remembering all of these details, and smiled proudly.
Part of Hermione felt relieved that she now wasn't going to consider Viktor as an option for the Ball any longer; Draco's comment about the Bulgarian's amount of brain cells didn't seem like such a gross exaggeration now. She had always been a firm believer that everything happened for a reason, so she took this situation as a sign that she and Viktor just weren't meant to be together – even if it was just for a school dance. The Durmstrang Champion may have been under the impression that the rumour was true, but that didn't change the fact that they just weren't a compatible match.
Hermione was just about to retort when she heard the nearby scraping of a chair and loud footsteps approaching. For a second she thought the person to be Madam Pince, but it turned out to be Daphne Greengrass. The blonde girl rounded the corner and headed towards them.
Pansy groaned, "Ugh, go away Greengrass! You're about as meddlesome as Granger here."
"Hey!" Hermione and Daphne said simultaneously to the dark-haired witch.
"I'm sorry, Parkinson," Daphne hissed, "forgive me for coming over to refute that bullshit Viktor just spouted."
"Vhat vas wrong with vhat I said?" Viktor looked thoroughly confused. Hermione began to wonder if all this time his mysterious-brooding-bad boy image had just been mistaken for his expression for confusion.
"I do not, never have done and never will have a crush on Malfoy. If anything that whole being jealous crap would be about you, Parkinson. And for the record, it's funny you mention meddling because from my view you're the most sneaky underhanded one of all," Daphne glared at her housemate. Both Slytherins knew she was referring to Pansy's ploy to boost Draco's chances of winning the bet by manipulating Viktor.
Hermione could see the knowing look the girls exchanged, and it was her turn to become confused, so now Pansy's had a blow-up with Daphne as well as Draco? The plot thickens…
"Oh how you flatter me, Greengrass," Pansy said in a nasal drawl, "but it's a free country – no-one said I couldn't be underhanded and sneaky."
If Daphne had the option to make it blindingly obvious to Hermione that a bet was going on, she would take it, but it was just too risky. Binding spells were tricky things, so although she and Draco had never specified a rule where they couldn't tell Granger or Potter about the bet, there was bound to be some kind of clause in the spell that would enable the punishment. It was basically a forfeit if she spilled the beans, so Daphne decided not to risk it.
"Maybe so, but you and I both know that the rumour is a lie," Daphne addressed Pansy. This too, was a risky thing to say because Hermione was witnessing this whole conversation – only she would know the truth (or untruth) of the rumour.
Fairly certain that her plan had worked, Pansy boldly replied, "Hmm I don't know, but there's one person here who does," she turned her gaze to Hermione. The Gryffindor started, not really wanting to get involved with the confrontation.
"What's the rumour got to do with anything?" Something in Hermione's gut told her right off the bat last Thursday that something fishy was going on with the Slytherins, and she couldn't help but link this bizarre Viktor situation with whatever had happened with the Snakes. It had been bothering her that Viktor clearly believed the rumour, but still wanted to speak to her about something, and even now he didn't seem to remember making this request.
"It's our business Granger, no need to go into detail," Pansy sighed.
"What's this bloody rumour got to do with your problems?" Hermione reiterated. The only reason she could think of was that Daphne actually did have feelings for Draco – that would explain the tension she had with him and Pansy and would make the rumour a relevant topic. But that still didn't clear up the Viktor thing.
Both Pansy and Daphne froze; this was dangerous ground they were treading.
"Look Granger, you're all gung-ho for justice and fair outcomes and all that nobility crap, right?" Pansy asked.
Hermione didn't answer so Pansy continued, "this is your chance to settle this bit of tension between Daphne and I. You're like the star of the rumour, so tell us if you're going to the Ball with Draco or not."
"Er," Hermione said. This was awkward; she didn't even know how to respond. Now that Viktor was out of the picture, Draco seemed like her only option. But how could she say she was going with him when she hadn't even agreed to it yet? It'd be just as weird to deny it now, only to end up going with him anyway.
Another theory crossed her mind and she mused it aloud, using it as a way to avoid answering the question, "are you two just jealous because of this rumour that I'm going with Draco and you two don't even have dates yet?" It seemed to make sense, all things considered, even regarding Viktor. It was logical that Pansy set the whole thing up to prove that she could get a date if Mudblood-Granger could.
Daphne cleared her throat and fiddled with the earpieces of her glasses, "dream on Granger, I already have a date," she declared.
Pansy snorted and narrowed her eyes, "Who?" she challenged.
"Potter," the blonde girl smirked knowingly toward Pansy, relishing her dumbfounded reaction. Daphne had been caught off guard when Harry had asked her, and initially thought it to be a cruel twist of fate of the universe mocking her about her penalty for the bet. However she soon embraced the idea when she realised the beauty of it. It would show Pansy that her taunts about Harry weren't affecting her, and perhaps make her back off a little. It was a matter of convenience for Daphne, nothing more.
Both Pansy and Hermione were taken aback by Daphne's response. Pansy had no idea if the girl was bluffing or not, whilst Hermione was simply having trouble processing the idea of Harry and Daphne as a couple. Then again, she supposed the idea of her going to the Ball with Draco would seem just as mad to Harry. Just the idea of two well-known enemies going to a dance was strange, but Hermione had more insight to it now as she and Draco now knew each other slightly better. It didn't seem quite as mad to her anymore, so she felt like she could accept Daphne and Harry. She just worried that Harry wouldn't be quite as understanding about Draco.
"You're bluffing," Pansy glowered at Daphne. The sudden declaration drew Hermione's attention from her thoughts.
"No she isn't," Harry's voice came from the other side of a tall shelf of books. He rounded the same corner Daphne had done and shuffled awkwardly towards the group. He glanced up to Hermione and nodded slightly in acknowledgement, but otherwise kept his gaze on the floor.
"Hello Harry," Viktor gave a little bow. He seemed oblivious to the rising tension around the girls.
"Viktor." Harry responded.
"Well isn't this cosy," Pansy commented dryly. There were now five of them huddled within the cramped aisle, and you could cut the tension with a knife. It was like a Muggle soap opera where everyone had some sort of hidden agenda that no one else knew about.
"Still think I'm bluffing, Parkinson?" Daphne smirked.
Pansy wanted to scream in annoyance, and would have done if they weren't in the library. After all her hard work to ensure Daphne would be humiliated by having to kiss Potter, she was now going to the Ball with him?! Pansy didn't know if Daphne was seriously into him or if she was doing this to mess with her, but whatever the case, Pansy refused to back down. She'd find out what Daphne's game was as soon as the Yule Ball was over, and the winner of the bet was decided.
"Well played, Greengrass. But we'll soon see if you're bluffing or not won't we?" she said cryptically, barging her way through the small group, "Viktor," she beckoned when she reached the end of the aisle.
Viktor blinked a couple of times but followed Pansy without question, and the two of them disappeared from sight. Both Harry and Hermione had no idea what on earth Pansy's words meant, but Daphne did, and she scowled at the floor. She hadn't thought as far ahead as the outcome of the bet, but she hoped Pansy would leave her alone until then.
Daphne sighed and turned to Harry, "sorry about that, Pansy's just really been winding me up lately. Do you want to finish up on that last spell or shall we call it a night?"
Harry momentarily glanced at Hermione and saw the curiosity on her face. Her eyebrows were raised and she was smirking in amusement. Harry could tell she was bursting to know what had gone on with Daphne, so he told the blonde that they could work on it another night. She simply nodded and strode away to gather her belongings. A moment later the Gryffindors saw her walk past the aisle once more as she headed for the exit, leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
Silence surrounded them and eventually Hermione suggested that they start heading up to the common room. The two friends left the library and started the journey up to Gryffindor Tower, both of them lost in their thoughts.
"So…you and Daphne," Hermione broke the silence as they emerged from the third floor corridor and started ascending the Grand Staircase.
"Yeah, looks like you're not the only one who's going to the Ball with a Snake," Harry commented without emotion.
Hermione chewed her lip, once again not knowing how to respond. Harry seemed to take her silence as a sign that he had offended her by the way his words had come across, being unaware that Hermione already knew about the talk he had had with Ron that morning.
"Look Mione, I'm not happy about this you and Malfoy thing. I don't know for sure if this rumour is actually true or not, but I'm presuming it is."
"What makes you say that?"
"I'm not deaf or blind Hermione, I saw what was going on last night. Frankly I have no idea how you and Malfoy went from hating each other to whatever the hell that was in such a short time."
Hermione blushed at the memory, "you must think I'm crazy."
"No. I mean, I just asked Daphne Greengrass to the Ball. I'm just as crazy as you," Harry grinned, "but it did worry me a little how Malfoy was suddenly being nice to you. I don't trust him."
"I don't know, Harry, he does seem to be taking this truce thing seriously though. And if you think about it, it was all his idea and he apologised to me last week. I just kind of think he might have grown up a bit," Hermione shrugged.
"I thought the same thing but then you two were giving each other death glares in Charms this morning."
"Come on, Harry. It's me and Malfoy; even with a truce we just aren't automatically going to stop fighting. Besides we've settled that disagreement now."
"I suppose so, but-"
"Harry, I know you're looking out for me, and I'm trying to look out for you with Daphne. Both of us are kind of in the same boat here, so I can see why you might have seen a different side to Daphne. She has been rather civil to you over this last week I have to admit, so can you understand that it's the same situation for Draco and I?" Hermione asked. She found it massively comforting that she and Harry were going through the same thing; it made her feel more accepting about what was going on with Draco.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione's proposal had pretty much mirrored what he had discussed with Ron. He was glad that he and Hermione could confide into each other about the Slytherins because they were really the only two people who were experiencing what Harry could only describe as a hormone-induced crush, and a bloody ironic one at that.
"Yeah I can, weirdly enough," he laughed.
"Oh Harry, I'm so glad," Hermione stopped walking momentarily to give her best friend a hug. Her main worry about going to the Ball with Draco had been Harry and Ron's reactions, but now she knew that Harry, at least, wouldn't give her a hard time about it.
"Mione?"
"Yeah?" Hermione's voice was muffled as her face was buried in Harry's shoulder.
"Just promise me that the first time Malfoy steps out of line – like properly steps out of line, you'll hex him into the middle of next week. Or better yet, give him one of your right-hooks again."
Hermione pulled away from him, "Frankly Harry I'm a little insulted that you imply I wouldn't do those things anyway. I thought you knew me better than that," she joked.
"I do know you better than that. That's why I made you promise," Harry replied seriously.
"Okay it's happened: you've officially lost me," Hermione frowned in confusion as the pair started walking again.
"Really? Allow me a few seconds to cherish this moment," Harry paused and walked up the next few stairs with a smug grin on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes beside him and waited for her friend to continue, "okay, so I made you promise, Hermione, because I know how you always try to see the good in people. The deeper you get into seeing this 'new side' to someone, the more you get mixed up with who they actually are and who you want them to be. You're dealing with Malfoy now, so I just don't want you to let your guard down and get hurt. That git's hurt you enough."
They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, and Hermione smiled at her friend.
"Okay I stand corrected, you do know me well. I'll keep that promise if you make the same one to me about Daphne."
"She's never really been much of a nuisance to us," Harry frowned.
"I know Harry but please, for my peace of mind?"
"All right, I promise," said Harry.
Hermione nodded and the two friends entered the Gryffindor common room. A small crowd was gathered around one of the squashy sofas. Harry and Hermione inched closer until they could see what, or rather whom, everyone was fussing over.
"Ron?" Hermione gasped, "What happened?"
Ron looked deathly pale, bar his ears, which were bright scarlet. He was clutching a cushion and rocking back and forth in his seat. Hermione was confused as to why most of the onlookers seemed to be laughing or in Ginny's case, rolling her eyes.
"My genius of a brother decided it'd be a good idea to ask Fleur Delacour to the Yule Ball," she supplied. A ripple of laughter sounded around the crowd and Ron groaned.
"Oh bloody hell what was I thinking?" he muttered quietly to no one in particular.
"Well mate, I don't know whether to think that move was bloody brave or just plain stupid," Harry said lightly.
He pushed through the crowd to sit next to Ron. The redhead turned to Harry and almost whimpered, "it's the way they walk Harry, that's how they get you…like Veela those Beauxbatons lot are. They just prance around in that tight uniform so your eyes just go straight to their ar-"
"RONALD!" Hermione scolded, and laughter rang out again.
Ron ignored her and carried on talking to Harry, "oh Merlin it was awful. Please tell me you still haven't got a date either."
"Wish I could, mate," Harry sighed.
Ron groaned again and his eyes darted between his two best friends, "Oh great so I'm the only one who still hasn't. Who are you two going with?"
Harry and Hermione locked eyes, and seemed to come to a silent agreement that they should tell him. Hermione felt like she couldn't beat around the bush any longer even though she hadn't officially said 'yes' yet. But Harry, and the rest of the school seemed to believe it anyway so-
"Draco," Hermione said hurriedly in the hope that it would soften the blow a little.
"Daphne," Harry said at the same time.
The crowd went silent and Ron seemed to get paler still.
"Come again?" he asked.
After spending half an hour in the boy's dormitories trying to explain themselves to Ron without sounding like they'd lost their minds, Harry and Hermione managed to calm their friend down and he began to accept their decisions a little. They didn't celebrate though, because Ron had had a rather traumatic day, and so would possibly wake the next morning with a fresh opinion on the situation.
Hermione left the room and made her way to the girls dormitories, but was stopped by Ginny.
"So, going to thank me yet?" she winked, "I take it my plan worked?"
Hermione laughed, "yes it did, and thank you," she said, "at least I can stop worrying about this date business now and just relax until the Ball."
"Hmm, maybe you just need to worry about which lipstick to use," Ginny smirked.
"What?"
"I can't believe you've forgotten! You still have your end of our little deal to uphold. I never thought this far ahead when I spread that rumour, but it's pretty genius that you're going to kiss Malfoy to prove your point to Parkinson."
"Come again?" Hermione asked. A few moments ago she was feeling the most relaxed she had felt in days, and now her stomach was twisting in knots.
To be continued...
A/N: I know some of you probably thought this would go right up until the day before the Ball before Hermione said yes, but I thought that was too cliche so I'm mixing things up a bit. The chapter after next will be the Hogsmeade trip so there'll be a nice breather from the stress from the bet coming up :)
Hope you're enjoying this so far!