A/N: Somehow, I am back. Three day weekends and not wanting to study will do that. I hope this a pleasant read. :)
With no exaggeration, I say that we barely survived the three hours in Mr. Lockhart's company. Slumped and withered, Luna and I returned to our room.
"How does he do it, Luna?"
"What exactly does he do, cousin?" she replied, nimbly extracting pins from her hair, a task which will take me twice as long with my curls.
"Suffocate life in every room he occupies!"
"Oh yes, that." She sighed. "I'm sorry he asked for a dance. Really, I am."
We both understood my devotion to academia could not endure Mr. Lockhart's plans, for a singular dance could lead next to an increasing number of calls on our household and so on and so forth, ending finally in an unwelcome proposal—the most dire kind.
"Won't you take comfort in our dinner plans tomorrow?" Luna asked. She was already brushing her long hair. Meanwhile, I had barely managed to find all my pins.
"I take comfort in it bringing you happiness. That is all. You know my feelings regarding Lady Delacour."
"Yes, I dare say I do," Luna replied.
By instinct, I looked up from my unruly curls and saw a hint of her fading expression. At times, my cousin's eyes gleamed with mysterious insight. But it wasn't that mysterious, not to me. This was a look Luna commonly gave when she knew what others did not. It was endearing, except when directed towards myself on a night like this one.
"I am in no mood for your divinations," I said, tossing what I hoped were the last of the pins onto the dresser. I had finally given up on my hair and began moving towards one of the many stacks of books that occupied our room. I scarcely had the energy for even one rune translation, but my stubbornness required at least a glance at something entirely independent of dinner invitations, first dances, and Lady Fleur Delacour.
"Mind your need for rest, Hermione," Luna said, climbing into bed.
I smiled at my dear cousin. "Why, when I can let reading steal my beauty sleep, thus saving me from Mr. Lockhart!"
"Yes! But you know," Luna added slyly, "There are potions for that very thing."
"It is settled then. At the next ball I will arrive with no less than 100 boils on my face!"
We smiled at each other as she sunk further into bed. Then sadly, I could not help but wonder what will become of our friendship when she leaves for marriage. The prospect of Luna's betrothal was closer than ever before with Mr. Potter on her heels. I supposed a future of losing myself in dusty tombs and long solitary walks, since I could not face any potential outcome involving Mr. Lockhart or anyone else for that matter.
…
…
Looking in the mirror the following morning, I applauded my decision for a casual, singular plait. I had already chosen the outfit I loved best for walking. Pliable leather shoes along with wool stockings under a simple garment allowed for hours of pleasant strolling. I packed as many books of interest as I could. The unpleasant weight of my studies reminded me of how much more I needed to learn and that I haven't even the time to charm my rucksack! But today would be different: I was to have a day to myself!
Luna, compassionate as ever and understanding my need to defy convention, occupied Mrs. Weasley as I snuck out. Our plan to meet later at Netherfield allowed for the near impossible—a full afternoon without social obligations.
Ecstatic, I took the meandering path to the first of many places I would be visiting. For hours I read, then walked, and then read again. Finally by late afternoon the mental rejuvenation I was craving settled into me, along with a pleasant need of sleep. Transfiguring a book into a pillow, I leaned into a large oak tree and closed my eyes.
When I awoke, it was to my name. My eyes blinked rapidly in the new disquiet of being jarred awake. I wiped them and when the fog of slumber dissipated, shock came there after. I was faced with the sitting figure of Lady Delacour!
"Ms. Granger," she repeated.
But I could not answer. Her surprise proximity was too close for any ease of language. Lady Delacour looked put off at my silence, though a wisp of a smile appeared on her face. Not knowing why, I remembered it being similar to the one she gave at the end of our last encounter.
"Have I given you a fright? Your face looks as if you've awoken to a dementor."
"No, nothing of the sort," I proclaimed quickly, thankful to have my voice again. "It is just—just very unexpected to find you here, Lady Delacour."
The sheer strangeness of the whole scene came to me. Lady Delacour was sitting on a small blanket; based on its color and texture I gathered that it was transfigured from moss. Why would she do such a thing? I remembered that I had walked to the Netherfield estate, where I chose a tree to rest upon out of sight from the mansion. Never could I anticipate waking up to her next to me, sitting all too gracefully I might add.
Lady Delacour stood up, silent. I waited, watching her rise. And when her accented voice finally replied, it held the cold, proper tone I was more accustomed to in her presence.
"I do live on this property, so is it that unexpected to find me here?" She glared down at my state. "I did not start my day anticipating the need to wake my dinner guest from sleeping on the ground."
My cheeks burned at her admonishment. "No, of course not. I am sorry for offending you. I am truly embarrassed to be found in this state—I intended on just a short nap."
"You must have needed a longer one," she replied, beginning to take her leave. Not a few steps away she added without turning back, "You will find in our entryway a mirror. It may help with extracting the bark from your hair."
I touched the top of my head, and sighed. Indeed there were pieces of bark there. Attempting to shake them out, my eyes fell on the transfigured blanket Lady Delacour left. This afternoon had not been what I expected, but when was it ever?