Thank you all readers! For the reviews and taking me to the 300th mark ! :D
mihika
MaronTodai
anustyles
My Bad Addiction
Daisy Seary
slsilver
n3rdwagg - reviewer no. 300! Woohoo!
cutiepiehp
lil lizzz
audraell
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CHAPTER 34.
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"This is insane Gin! I can't believe you talked me into buying this dress." Hermione wailed as she twirled around trying to catch a 360 of herself in her full length mirror.
"Rubbish Mione." Ginny said absentmindedly as she continued blowing on her nails, trying to dry off her nail paint. "You look absolutely ravishing in that and you know it. Who knows? Maybe you'll find yourself an admirer even."
Hermione looked aghast at Ginny's innocent suggestion.
Ginny saw the look on her face and burst out laughing. "Relax Mione. I'm joking."
"Good then." Hermione said relieved.
"Or not." Ginny said under her breath, her eyes sparkling rather mischievously.
"Did you say something?" Hermione raised her brow.
"Nope. Nothing important." Ginny covered quickly.
"Ginny, I'm really starting to have second thoughts about this dress. Have you even seen the slit? I mean look at all the thigh showing." Hermione huffed worriedly.
"Oh come now Hermione." Ginny said. "It's not that bad. And it's not like you have cellulite all over. You have a good piece of leg and it's not criminal to show some."
Hermione gaped at her friend again. "Ginny Potter! I am so thankful that you are not a boy."
Ginny laughed. "If you have it flaunt it." She shrugged.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her best friend. "But I'm a respected Healer at the hospital Ginny. It doesn't look good showing so much... Leg."
"Please Hermione. It's hardly anything. If you wish we could ask Harry. You know how protective he is of you. If he tells you its fine and he's okay with it then it must be really okay." Ginny reasoned.
Hermione thought about it. What Ginny was saying actually did make sense. Harry would never go out of the way and lose his temper and forbid her to wear anything inappropriate but he would always bring up his brotherly concern or advice in a subtle manner. She could use his discretion over this.
Besides, she really did love the dress. The moment she saw it, she had loved it but when she had put in on, it was like the fabric was caressing her skin and falling in all the right places just as if it was made for her. The colour added life to her look and she felt more alive in it than she had in any of the outfits she had worn lately.
She really did want to wear it to the Ball but she didn't want to come across as indecent. Yes. Harry it is then.
"You're right. We could ask Harry. I'm sure he'll say the right thing." Hermione said. "Unless... You've told him to tell me its okay irrespective." Hermione turned to look at Ginny with clear distrust in her eyes.
Ginny laughed. "Merlin Hermione. I'm flattered you'd think I'm capable of that because I know I am but trust me, I just thought of it. How would I know you'd start doubting the dress that you clearly loved at the store yesterday?"
"Hmmm." Hermione mused. "That is true."
"So shall I get Harry then?" Ginny asked.
Hermione nodded.
"Okay. I'll be in my room doing my hair. Just ask Harry to get me when he's done and I'll come do yours okay?" Ginny asked.
"Sounds good. I know my hair will need your expertise." Hermione joked.
"Oh it'll be great when I'm done with it." Ginny claimed confidently and left to fetch Harry.
Hermione sneaked a look into the mirror again. Her hair was tamed into a chip chop clip but it still was sitting all unruly atop her head. But besides that she felt beautiful.
She didn't know what it was about that dark purple gown but it really made her feel pretty from the inside. Not that Hermione Granger had ever needed anything to feel good about herself, she was always confident. But she had been insecure about her looks as a child, especially because of her teeth and hair and such insecurities never completely go away.
After Ron, she had never bothered much about dolling up and today was the first time she was paying attention to getting all dressed up. And she had to admit that she liked it. Had it not been for Ginny, she probably wouldn't have done all this. But Ginny being her best female friend, knew when Hermione required some girl fun.
She smiled. She was really glad that Ginny and Harry were here. And most of the credit went to Draco. Actually all of it went to Draco. She didn't know after how long she would have been ready to meet them if Draco hadn't insisted on it. She was really glad that she had given into his demands.
And last night when he had come with the strawberries to apologise and agree to go to the Ball with her, she wanted to do an internal dance. She herself didn't care much for the Ball. She was going only because Katherine and Ginny had seemed excited. But the prospect of going to a Ball openly with Draco had sounded exciting to her.
She didn't know why she had wanted to go to the Yule Ball at Hogwarts with Draco so badly then and she didn't understand why it would still hold so much novelty even now.
Draco and she had reminisced about that Christmas Eve all those years ago and it had made her nostalgic. She didn't know what had come over her last night when she had gone and kissed him twice and said those parting words to him.
She hadn't ever intentionally thought of that but at that moment it seemed the most fitting thing to say. Hermione had needed Draco. Even if she hadn't realised it herself. And he had come for her. Of course in a very unconventional manner. But then again, nothing about their friendship had ever been conventional.
"May I come in?" Harry poked his head through Hermione's half open door.
"Oh it's you." Hermione said with a start. "Of course, come on in."
"Who else would it be? I was summoned apparently." Harry teased her.
"Yeah. I wanted to ask your opinion about this dress." Hermione said.
Harry wrinkled his nose. "For the last time Hermione, I'm a bloke. We don't give opinions on dresses. We merely ogle if we like and ignore if we don't. Merlin! Has Ginny put you up to this? She knows I hate giving my advice on all these girly things."
Hermione laughed. "Yes it was Ginny's idea but look I'm not trying to torment you." Hermione turned around giving him a view of her leg through the slit. "What do you think?"
"Merlin Hermione. It's gorgeous. You're gorgeous. It looks fantastic. Surely Ginny would have told you that." Harry said.
"She did. But I'm not too sure about this slit here. It's too high. So you be the judge." Hermione said.
Harry scrutinised her outfit while she twirled around again to give Harry a full view.
"It's not too high Hermione. Besides, the fabric is so flowy that it takes attention of the bare leg and still gives a good few sneaks. It's actually perfect." Harry said.
Hermione gaped at him. She had expected him to convey his message in a curt yes or no. She hadn't expected a full blown explanation of his answer. Ginny you devil! She knew exactly why now Ginny had suggested Harry.
"Harry? Did you just...?" Hermione started.
"I did." Harry said quickly. "But only for you. Don't you dare tell anyone especially Malfoy. I can't be the butt of any more jokes."
Hermione chuckled. "Since when did you know anything about fashion?"
Harry grimaced. "Ginny made me get a television at home. And her idea of us spending quality time together is watching style and fashion shows."
Hermione laughed. "Oh Godric! This is precious. You do know this classifies as blackmail material don't you?"
Harry paled. "Hermione?" He said sadly. "Never pegged you as a blackmailer. You're almost as bad as Ginny and the twins."
"Well, it's an opportunity of a lifetime. I'd have to be a fool to not grab it." Hermione laughed.
"Fine." Harry pouted. "I'll just have to have good faith in you to not use it against me then."
"I'll try." Hermione said feigning sobriety.
"Is that all madam?" Harry asked formally.
"Yes that shall be all." Hermione said with equal fake formality.
"I shall take your leave then." Harry said.
Hermione nodded. "Oh and Harry? Can you ask Ginny to come back once she's done?"
"Sure." Harry said as he reached the door. He almost stepped out but turned to face Hermione again. "Hermione? Malfoy is coming tonight isn't he?"
Hermione turned to look at Harry. "Yes. He is."
"Hmmm." Harry mused. "Wonder why he had to be all idiotic about it in the first place."
"Harry ..." Hermione chided him.
"Only pointing it out. Which male says no to go on a date with someone as gorgeous as you? Even if it is a boring charity Ball." Harry said.
"Harry ..." Hermione's eyes widened. "I just thought we could all go as friends. We've all been spending time together in the past few days inspite of the strangeness of it all. It's only obvious we can all go together to the Ball."
"Yes that's true." Harry agreed. "But you see Ginny and I are going together and so are Matt and Katherine. That leaves only you and Malfoy..."
"So? It's just how it is." Hermione said. "You and Ginny are married and Matt and Katherine are dating. By default it's Draco and me."
"Hmmm. You sure?" Harry asked narrowing his eyes.
"Sure of what? Of course I'm sure. Who else would you have suggested I go with? And he doesn't know anyone besides us here either." Hermione retorted.
"I'm just pointing it out." Harry said shrugging.
"Rather like stating the obvious." Hermione said.
Oh Hermione. It's so obvious to everyone but you two. Harry thought to himself as he chuckled inwardly.
"Hermione? On an entirely serious note, what do you think of Malfoy?" Harry asked.
Hermione avoided his eyes and turned to look at the mirror, removing a non-existent piece of lint from her dress.
"What do you mean what do I think of him? You know he's my friend. Always has been since the end of third year. You know the story." Hermione said.
"Yes I know the story Hermione. But that was then. I want to know what you think of him now." Harry pressed.
Hermione sighed. "I think of the same Harry. In fact my faith in him gets deeper and deeper every day. He didn't give up on me. I'm here today, attending this Ball with you and it's all because of him."
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose and his glasses rode up a little. He repositioned them and gazed directly towards Hermione. His green eyes piercing through her brown ones, trying to see something more than what she had just said.
"Hermione, we've always been able to talk to each other. Even when you couldn't talk to Ron or I couldn't with Ginny, we were always there for each other in ways no one else was. You're more than my best friend. You're my sister and I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything." Harry said with all his feelings.
Hermione's eyes glazed at this and she came over and hugged Harry. He patted her back and hugged her back.
"I know Harry. I know." She said quietly. "And I love you for It."
"I love you too Hermione. And I want you to be happy. I know that sometimes you feel you don't deserve to be happy and you may overlook things that make you happy and you'll go out of your way for others. But it's time you do things for yourself too. You need to start recognising what you need and what you want too." Harry said as he rubbed her back soothingly.
Hermione sniffed and Harry conjured some tissue and handed it to her.
"Harry what are you saying?" Hermione asked.
Harry took a deep breath and decided to chance it. He was never the one to beat around the bush when it came to Hermione.
"Hermione, are you in love with Malfoy?"
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Okay then...
Harry brought out the big guns!
What will Hermione say to that now?
i'm sorry to leave it at that but i just wanted to give a glimpse of Harry Hermione relationship and also the next segment to this is gooing to be rather long.. i dont want to cut it up so i'll just put in the next chapter!
hope you liked it even though it was a filler of sorts!
thanks for reading!
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p.s. hey if you're reading this even after the story is complete, please do feel free to leave me a review.. i love to hear from my readers and it also helps me improve and write better!
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