Disclaimer: Again I do not own Harry Potter, thats JKR's. I just borrowed her characters and aspects of her story for my own twisted story.
Thank you all for reviewing! I love em. Glad you like how the story is proceeding. Not sure whats to happen next. Ride the rollercoaster with me! Lol. Happy Reading!
Chapter 7:
Double Dates
Draco had talked to Blaise, and Hermione with Ginny. They had set up a 'Double Date' for Saturday, a trip to Hogsmeade was scheduled. They all thought a trip in public would keep unfortunate things from transpiring.
So as it was Saturday, Ginny and Hermione were at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall eating breakfast discussing what had transpired a week and a half ago.
"I just don't understand Hermione, he looked at me like I was a leper, and you and Malfoy expect me to believe its just because he's shy. I'm sorry but that just seems unlikely to me." Ginny wasn't buying the shy story they had come up with.
"Well I'm just told you what Draco told me." She didn't want to tell the girl the truth. She hated to give Ginny an ego when it came to dominating. She was quite scarey when it came to telling others what to do. And if Blaise was scared of her, that was his business. "Maybe when we meet with them today, you will understand better. So if he acts a little strange please keep in mind he is shy, and that's why he hardly speaks to anyone."
Ginny nodded letting Hermoine know she was acknoledging what she'd said.
They had finished breakfast and were just waiting for time to go.
A half hour later the girls got up from the table, and were exiting the Great Hall, when Hermione caught sight of Draco. She waved a small wave and he raised a hand in responce.
She grabbed Ginny's wrist and pulled her forward to walk beside her. They approached Malfoy as Zabini was joining him.
They all greeted each other politely and then walked in silence to the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade. No one really spoke as they rode, just keeping an odd but surprisingly non-tense silence.
As they exited the carriage upon arrival, Hermione and Draco had to stay behind to make sure the younger students made it correctly to certain destinations. They agreed to meet Ginny and Blaise at the Three Broomsticks when they were finished.
Hermione decided to speak to Draco while walking to their meeting place with the others. "Draco, how do you think things are going with Ginny and Blaise?"
He chuckled slightly. Remembering the way he had to coax and prod Blaise into this. "Well I'm not exactly sure, but I'm sure we will find out soon enough."
They entered the Three Broomsticks to see it crowded as usual, and scanned the room looking for those they were supposed to meet. Seeing them seated at a long table in the back with Pansy, Ron, Harry and Luna they approached them.
"Well don't you all look cozy. Seems everyones getting on ok." Draco said in observance.
Hermione rolled her eyes, and took the seat next to Ginny and Draco followed her lead and took the seat next to her. Hermione leaned in and asked Ginny how things were going. Ginny just shrugged and shook her head.
Hermione decided to engage Blaise in conversation, "So Zabini, how are you doing? We've never really spoken before but Draco explained thats because you are a little shy. I'm please to meet you." She held out her hand for him to shake. He took it and gripped it firmly and shook twice. Hermione was pleased and smiled at him.
"It's not that I'm really shy, it's just that when you don't know someone it's hard to know how to engage them in conversation. You know what I'm sayin?" Blaise returned as a responce to Hermione.
She nodded that she understood, "Yes well I completely understand. If Draco here hadn't taken to insulting me all these years, we probably never would have spoken at all. So yes I understand." She smiled again.
"Oi, Hermione! That's not exactly fair, I do recall a few times I didn't insult you. I would insult Potter or Weasley and you would immediately respond for them. I wondered for a long time if they forgot how to speak for themselves. But then I realized its not they don't know how to speak, but you just can't keep your mouth shut." He said this as a joke and Hermione took it upon herself to jab him in the ribs with her elbow.
Harry and Ron sat shocked at the passing between them, along with just about everyone else at the table. How did they go from mortal enemies to being so comfortable around each other. Oh yes, the kiss that was very plainly exposed for all of the school to see.
The banter continued and eventually they were all engaged in laughter, each taking turns jokingly making fun of one another. Draco and Hermione observed as Ginny and Blaise slowly began relaxing and engaging each other in conversation about this or that. And before they left Hogsmeade everyone seemed on good terms.
When they all returned to Hogwarts, the decided to eat dinner together at the end of the Slytherin table, this shocked onlookers, but none of them noticed. They continued on with their joyous banter and conversations. All through dinner they laughed and joked. Sometimes reminicing about past arguements and the like.
Just as most students were about half way through dinner, the Head-mistress stood up and tinkled a glass with a spoon to get everyones attention.
"Excuse me students for interrupting your meal. But the other teachers and myself have come up with a way for some of you to get to know each other a little better. We have decided that tomorrow after breakfast, you will all be placed into groups and assigned an empty classroom. In each group you will be given approximately three hours to talk, laugh, argue, whatever takes your fansy. Within reason that is. This is going to be a 'Get-to-know-my-match session. Along with others you may not know. Groups will be up to ten people and you will be notified in the morning with whom you are grouped and where to take yourselves. Now everyone please continue enjoying your meal. And sleep well, tomorrow could be stressful for some. But no use pro-longing the inevitable."
With that she resumed her seat, and everyone began talking at once. Those seated at the end of the Slytherin table weren't really worried they had already begun to get to know their mates.
The next morning close to the end of breakfast, McGonagall stood up. Everyone turned to her, most students still groggy, not quite awake yet.
"Please give me your attention," she waited for everyone to quiet.
"In light of the fact that most of you are not morning people we have decided to post-pone the session, until this evening. Please forgive us for setting an unlikely time for you to get to know your mates. We hadn't realized what an inconvenience it would be for you all on a Sunday morning. So go on about your business and we will resume the grouping this evening." McGonagall having completed her speech sat again.
Sighs of relief were heard all through the Great Hall. Everyone readily agreed this evening would be a better time. She was right most students were not morning people.
Throughout the day there were alot of discussions about the impending meeting of the mates, and what could possibly happen, but most everyone was comfortable with being able to post-pone it. Many students continued like normal, studying and getting their work done for tomorrow morning.
Well thats if for this chapter. Next will have the meeting of groups! Will be up soon, I promise.
Thanks for reading and please review. I know this chapter was kinda OOC for everyone, and a little boring but we are leading up to the good stuff. :)
