Hello, my lovely readers! Hope you all are doing great! Just wanna thank you all for patiently waiting for the next chapter and sticking to this story. Means a lot to me :) :D
With that being said, I would hopefully update the next chapter before March ends.
Until then, happy reading!
Hermione had achieved a lot that day.
She now knew how to cast the Knockback Jinx, the Shield Charm, and the Impediment Hex. Her internal satisfaction heightened as she was the only one who'd learned three spells in a single class. Some of her fellow Army students couldn't even manage to master the Knockback Jinx at all levels, let alone three spells! It was enough to make her swell with pride, even though she knew it wasn't a competition. People had joined this class for their safety and protection, so holding their weaknesses against them was downright wrong. Hermione felt guilty about the whole thing, but she couldn't resist it because of her hard work. She had learned to embrace practicality and absorption when tackling this particular subject. She realised that intuition was prime here. Defence couldn't be studied.
But her accomplishments had made her happy all the same.
So naturally, she was in a good mood as she descended the Grand Staircase with Harry and Ron. Their private class was over, and it was time for Care of Magical Creatures. For some reason, they were talking about the possibility of Filch using the Room as a store or something.
"I bet he knows about it," Ron was saying as the three navigated down the magical Grand Staircase, "I mean, he knows every single way out of Hogwarts –"
"Not every way," Harry remarked, "He doesn't know about the Honeydukes one."
"Well, it's only a matter of time before he does," Ron argued, "Too bad he follows Umbridge like a dog."
"So you're saying that Filch can catch us?" Hermione asked with an unamused face.
"Right on. I dunno if that Room has rules or anything because –"
But Ron couldn't complete his sentence. A tiny thing, so fast it was only a blur, had suddenly appeared and started zooming around his head like a highly energised planet, all the while emitting excited, chirpy sounds.
Hermione and Harry distanced themselves from Ron to avoid getting hit by the 'thing' while he tried to catch it.
"Oof, Pig! What is your problem?!" he bellowed, finally grasping the intruder in his hands. The minuscule owl, Pigwidgeon, excitedly trotted in its owner's hands and looked up to him as if waiting for praise. It had a letter tied to its ankle.
"Hey! It brought a letter!" Hermione declared.
"Yeah. I can see that," Ron grumbled, tearing the letter off Pigwidgeon and receiving nasty looks from the girls behind him. They had stopped by to gush over the cute owl. "Next time, don't scare me to death, okay?"
Pigwigdeon screeched with enthusiasm, nipped Ron's nose with its beak, and disappeared. Sighing, Ron opened the letter to read it as the other two waited for him.
"It's from Mum," he announced, "Hang on..."
Suddenly, his mouth fell open as he read the letter's contents.
"What is it?" Hermione demanded, worried.
It took a moment for Ron to regain his composure. His eyebrows almost disappeared into his hair as he proclaimed.
"Looks like Rita Skeeter found her way back to the Ministry."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "WHAT?"
"Come again?" said Harry, equally shocked.
"That woman is back at the Ministry. Mum says she has started writing for the Daily Prophet again," Ron informed them, skimming the letter with his blue eyes. "Just joined a week ago."
"But how can this happen..."
Hermione's words trailed off as an uneasy silence fell among them in the otherwise noisy corridor. Knowing too well it was dangerous to discuss this out loud, they hid in a desolate spot so Ron could show them the rest of the letter.
"Dad wanted Mum to tell me this as soon as she could. Apparently, word has gotten around the office that Rita had decided to take a nice, long vacation for a break. She refuses to talk about it herself and goes on working, just like old times."
"Nice, long vacation..." Harry said in a monotonous tone, "In a jar, they mean?"
"But how did she find her way back?!" Hermione cried as Ron laughed at Harry's joke, "I wiped her memory! I made her forget that she ever worked for the Ministry! Why isn't she talking about her absence?! How would she know where she worked before, unless..."
Hermione's heart sank to her knees as a realisation struck her. What if...what if my spell backfired? She thought, stunned. And Rita was playing along just to get back at me? What if she's waiting for the right moment to take her revenge?
All of a sudden, Hermione started to feel light-headed. Her condition quickly became so bad that she would have fainted if Harry hadn't caught hold of her arm in the nick of time.
"Hey, hey. Steady."
"I don't want to get arrested," she mumbled in a small voice, refusing to look at the two.
"Arrested?"
"Rita obviously knows something. She couldn't go back to the Ministry." Hermione sighed. 'I think my spell backfired. What if she remembers..."
"Oh, c'mon, Hermione," said Harry, "The Ministry is a popular place to look for work, especially if you're a journalist. You didn't erase that part from her mind, right?"
"No, I didn't. But –"
"So, there's nothing to worry about."
"But why isn't she saying anything?" Hermione bellowed, ignoring Harry's assurances, "Even in her messed-up state, Rita is not the type to stay silent when there's any sort of rumour going around, much less of herself! She's plotting, waiting for the right time. I know it!"
"Well, it's been a week since she came back," Ron commented, glancing at the letter again. "If she had such ideas, you wouldn't be standing here and would've been in Azkaban." His eyes lit up. "Hey! You could have seen those prisoners escaping!"
"Very funny." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, I did tell you it was a serious thing. You shouldn't mess with such magic."
"Don't remind me." Her heart palpitations quickened as she thought about all the bad possibilities – causing her to realise something.
"Wait...if Rita has started writing for the Daily Prophet again, why haven't I seen her name? I get an issue regularly! I can't miss her name!"
"What if she's using an alias?" Harry offered.
"Close enough, mate," Ron said, his eyes glued to the long parchment. "Because Mum has solved that mystery for us, too."
Surprised, Harry and Hermione leaned in to listen as Ron read from the letter.
The strangest thing is that she's not using her real name. She now goes by 'Linda Allen' and insists everyone calls her that. Your father tells me that even Mr Fudge is baffled about it. It didn't take them long to figure out that she was hit by a memory charm. Even her writing and tone have changed, becoming much warmer and less targeting. But that's good for the lot of us! At least someone had the decency to remove her ill behaviour.
"Now she's saying a bunch of useless stuff." Ron folded the letter. "The end."
Sighing a little, he and Harry turned to Hermione. Sure enough, she was staring shell-shocked at them, looking as if she had seen a ghost.
"Hermione?"
At Harry's voice, she broke out of her torpor and started pacing in front of them, her hands wringing each other as she shook her head restlessly.
"Oh no. No, no, no, no. This is bad," she murmured under her breath, her forehead furrowed with deep lines.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, calm down, Hermione!" Ron groaned, "Stop taking this to your head. Where's all your 'gifted' logic?"
"They know. The Ministry knows. They know she's a victim of a memory charm," Hermione continued in her own world, "Of course they'd know! I'm so stupid! Why didn't I think of that?! But I wasn't expecting her to go to the Ministry! I –"
Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks, her brown eyes turning as wide as saucers.
"What if they revert back her memory?" she whispered to the other two, "What if they find a way to restore everything she has forgotten? Can they restore her memory?" She turned away from them, digging her fingers in her hair as she continued. "They can't do that! It's not possible! But...but what if they ask her enough questions to make her remember something?" She buried her face in her hands. "Oh, I'll be done for! I'll be expelled!"
Sighing, Ron shook his head. But Harry had enough.
"All right, Hermione. That's it."
But when she kept on blabbering, he approached her and held her arms firmly in a reassuring manner. "Hey, calm down. Take it easy."
"But –"
"What did I say?"
"I don't –"
"Hermione..."
"Okay!..To...to calm down."
"Good. Now...look at me."
At last, she lowered her hands from her face and turned towards him, but her anxious eyes were glued to her restless hands.
"I'm sorry, Harry. But I feel so st–"
"Look at me," he repeated, ignoring her.
Finally, she obliged and stared into his emerald greens.
"Now, take deep calm breaths," he instructed, enunciating every word.
Once again, Hermione obeyed his command. She closed her eyes and took a long breath.
"Very good," said Harry, amazed to see her features softening under just one sigh. "Now, let's think through this clearly, okay? First of all, you'll not get arrested or expelled."
"How can you –"
"Secondly," he interrupted her for the umpteenth time, "It has been a whole week since she rejoined the Daily Prophet, and we didn't get any sort of updates about that until now, did we?"
"Yes..."
"Plus, she's going by a completely different name now. D'you think people who're not affiliated with the Ministry and read the newspaper would be able to recognise her?"
"No..."
"So, what's the conclusion?" Harry asked, gaining a little smirk. "C'mon, Hermione. You're supposed to be the smart one here!"
"Too smart, if I may add," Ron remarked from his corner, clearly enjoying the show.
Finally, at the efforts of the two, Hermione smiled. "So...it means that my spell did work after all?"
"Exactly!" Harry declared, "Rita doesn't remember a darn thing about you. If she did, she would've filed a case against you the moment she stepped out of Hogsmeade. So what if she doesn't remember her name, too? This just shows that your spell was so damn good that it took even more parts of her memory."
Despite his obvious efforts to cheer her up, Hermione frowned.
"It just feels so wrong. I even made her forget her Animagus form, even if she was an unregistered –"
"I hate to interrupt," Ron barged in, looking at his Chudley Cannons wristwatch, "But we're late for Care of Magical Creatures."
"Oh no!" Hermione exclaimed. "Professor Grubbly-Plank wouldn't excuse us!"
Amidst the excitement of the letter, they had completely forgotten their class, which was being held by Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank, a skilled teacher who had acted as a substitute for Hagrid last year and was filling his role in his absence. But she wasn't obviously close to the three like Hagrid, so they knew she wouldn't entertain the idea of them being late.
In a hustle, all three of them sprinted down to the ground level of Hogwarts, dodging the Grand Staircase's tips and tricks amidst their haste.
"Curse these stairs," Ron muttered under his breath as he almost lost his footing due to a vanishing step.
Miraculously, they had reached the entrance hall in seconds, but navigating through it proved to be yet another challenge. It seemed more crowded than usual, and they had to fight through it, determined not to waste any more time.
But Hermione must have been too busy clearing her path because she didn't hear the yells or shouts as people dodged sudden attacks raining on them from above...
"Hermione, watch out!"
Too late. Hermione had just whipped her head around to see the danger when it smacked her with full force.
Something soft hit her head and exploded with a splash. Cold water dripped down her hair, wetting her clothes, the books she held in her hands, her bag. Hermione was so confused for a moment that she completely forgot what she was doing.
"You okay?" said Harry, coming out of nowhere and noting her. She was soaked to the bone. "Peeves is attacking everyone with icy water balloons."
Sure enough, loud cackling laughter erupted from above. Hermione looked up to see Peeves, the colourful poltergeist who acted like the school's mascot and constantly pulled pranks on the students.
He pointed a long flimsy finger at a shivering Hermione and roared with laughter.
"That's the 36th victim for Peevie! Hey little missy! You're a bit wetty!"
"Sod off, Peeves." Harry scowled at him.
But he grinned wider. "Oh, Potter, you rotter! Looks like you need a special attack of water!"
With that, he drew back his translucent arm to throw a balloon right at Harry. But a voice echoed over the commotion, freezing him in time.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
The shout came from a group that was pushing its way among the students to get to the poltergeist. It was the Inquisitorial Squad, with Malfoy leading them with a red face.
"Professor Umbridge forbids you from going around and causing trouble!" he shouted at Peeves as the other members caught their breaths, "She's banishing you! How dare you throw your stupid water balloons at her, you git?! Come with us, or you'll be sorry!"
But Malfoy's warning did not work. Peeves cast an evil grin his way.
"Her ugly face needed washing!" he cried, doing somersaults in the air, "Peevie did her a favour!"
"Come with us, or I'm calling the Bloody Baron!" Malfoy threatened him.
"Shan't." Peeves stuck out his tongue at him.
"You idiot –"
But Malfoy couldn't say more. The balloon originally planned for Harry had hit his face, exploding and drenching him with ice-cold water.
The Inquisitorial Squad was done for.
The whole entrance hall erupted into gales of laughter as Peeves pelted the group with water balloons, all the while shouting, "RATS ARE PRATS, SO THEY NEED A SPLASH!"
With the rest of the students, Harry, Hermione and Ron (who had finally found his way to them) laughed till their stomachs hurt. It was hilarious to see the entire Inquisitorial Squad running hither and thither, and screaming like crazy as Peeves threw water balloons after water balloons at them. Malfoy's face had gotten even redder, but Hermione didn't know if it was from humiliation or pure rage.
"WE'LL CATCH YOU, PEEVES!" he suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs.
"STOP IT, MAN! DON'T ANGER HIM ANYMORE!" A member of his squad shouted at him, his dark features twisting in infuriation. He was their classmate, but Hermione couldn't recall his name.
"Yes! Let's just report to Umbridge," cried another. Hermione couldn't recall him, either.
But her uncertainty didn't stay for long.
"Those bloody fools," Ron said, narrowing his eyes at the sopping wet group, "Blaise and Theodore. Think they're gods or something."
"Nothing more to expect from Slytherins," said Harry.
"Right." Ron turned to look at him, but his sight fell on Hermione, who had just realised she was also soaked. His pale face split into a grin.
"Why, Hermione...did you take a swim in the Black Lake?"
"Wow, Ron. You're so funny." Hermione rolled her eyes, studying herself.
"You've got something running down your face." He smirked. "What's it called...make-up?"
"Nice try. I'm not wearing any." She touched her wet cheeks, felt her damp books, and sighed. "Oh, this is ridiculous. You two go on ahead and tell Grubbly-Plank about my issue. I'll come after drying myself. We can't afford to be late!"
"We'll be fine," said Harry, watching her cast a drying spell on her robes, "Malfoy's group is part of our class, too, and they're still here."
"Check that again, mate," Ron rebutted, motioning his head towards the said group. All of them were now trudging outside the entrance hall, soaked to the bone and muttering among themselves. Hermione almost laughed again when she caught sight of Pansy, whose hair was dripping wet.
Hermione had a constant rivalry with that girl, but it was not a surprise since she was Malfoy's close friend and hated Muggleborns. The feeling was mutual, though. Hermione was delighted to see none of them knew about the handy drying spell.
"You two are still here? Just go!" she urged, peeling the wet pages of her book apart.
"It's pretty windy outside. You'll dry up –"
"No. I'm drenched, Harry. I can't go to class looking like this! I'll come after drying myself. It'll only take a few minutes."
At last, the boys moved and exited the entrance hall, leaving Hermione behind. Tsk-tsking, she took to a corner and applied the drying spell everywhere on herself. She dried her hair, her body, her books, her bag. She shook her head, not believing her dumb luck.
Staying true to her word, the process only took a few minutes, but since she was late, every second seemed precious.
Righting herself, Hermione picked up her books and rushed outside as fast as her legs could carry her. She was in such a haste to reach her class that she ran into an accident a second time...
Stealing a glimpse at her books had cost a lot – as she bumped, hard, into someone. The impact was so powerful that she and her stuff almost hit the ground.
Annoyed, Hermione pushed her curls away from her eyes to apprehend the person who had collided with her. It was the boy who had shouted at Malfoy some moments before, giving her a surprised look.
Theodore, wasn't it? Why isn't he going to class?
Hermione could care less, though. She manoeuvred around him and sprinted across the gardens to reach Hagrid's Hut.
A huge sigh of relief escaped her when she saw the teacher still giving her lecture with no animal in sight.
"Wow, you look different." Ron teased her.
"Shush," she replied, taking some parchment out to write down notes of Grubbly-Plank's lecture about unicorns.
The class progressed normally. Although she did prefer Hagrid, Hermione secretly thought that Grubbly-Plank was a better teacher. But she could never voice that opinion out loud because Harry would hate it. Judging by the way he was talking then, it was obvious.
"We haven't heard from Hagrid for at least a month," he said when the teacher disappeared to fetch the animals, "I bet you Grubbly-Plank knows something."
"Doubt it. Why would they share the Order's plans with her?" Ron argued.
"I dunno...maybe they could?" Harry sighed, gazing at Hagrid's empty hut, "Can't wait to get him back, seriously."
He stopped talking when the professor returned, pulling a herd of unicorns behind her.
Just like always, the class had fun in Care of Magical Creatures. With shiny silver coats, the unicorns were dazzlingly beautiful. But the one that caught everyone's eye was a foal hiding behind its mother, different from the rest because of its pure gold coat. So it was a bit of a bummer for the majority of the class to find out that it only trusted the feminine touch and was scared of the masculine one. As a result, the boys hung back while the girls were allowed to approach the golden beauty.
"Wish they'd hurry up," said Ron, glancing at his wristwatch.
"Hmm..." said Harry. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
"This is our chance. We can ask Grubbly-Plank about Hagrid!" he whisper-shouted with wide eyes.
"Oh, drop the subject, Harry." Ron groaned. "She wouldn't know anything about –"
"You two idiots mind talking in a low voice?!" Malfoy snapped from beside them.
Ron turned around to face him without missing a beat and snapped, "We're talking in whispers. It's obvious you're eavesdropping."
Malfoy smirked, his attitude showing because Crabbe and Goyle were surrounding him like bodyguards, giving both Harry and Ron a menacing look. "I don't listen to stupid people, Weasley, and you're the stupidest here. Maybe except Longbottom."
"Says the guy who got bullied by a ghost," Ron retorted with a laugh, making Harry grin despite his mission in mind.
Thankfully, the building tension between them dropped as Grubbly-Plank had ended the lesson. Her voice travelled above the students' cacophony as she announced. "Homework! Write a half roll of parchment on the specialities of unicorns, much like what I'd told you in the lecture at the beginning of the class."
"Oh, it was so cute!" Lavender gushed as she exited the pen with Hermione and the other girls, "Did you see the way it nuzzled my hand?"
"I did. Its gleaming coat is so beautiful," Hermione replied, grinning at her. The lesson had put her in a very good mood, causing her mind to push back everything that had happened a few moments before.
So she was all smiles when she reached her best friends, who seemed to be coming out of an argument with Malfoy.
Despite that, Hermione laughed when Ron cracked a joke about them meeting the unicorns while the boys stood around like security.
"That Grubbly-Plank is useless," he said as the class moved forward to exit the area, "If Hagrid was here, he would've pacified the unicorn so we could touch it."
"Agreed," Harry said at once.
"Except he wouldn't. The poor unicorn could have fled the premises," Hermione countered.
"No. Hagrid would've –"
"Excuse me?"
The interruption came from behind. The three turned around to find the Slytherin – Theodore, looking a bit sheepish as he approached them.
"What d'you want?" Ron immediately demanded. But Theodore ignored him and looked at Hermione instead. "Hi...er, Hermione Granger? Can I talk to you for a second?"
Her mouth dropped open while Harry and Ron gave each other bewildered looks.
Hermione had never exchanged a single word with this boy, so it was surprising to find him wanting to talk to her out of a sudden, especially since he was a Slytherin, Malfoy's friend, and part of the Inquisitorial Squad.
But she replied all the same, "Um, sure. What is it?"
"In private?" he said, glaring at Harry and Ron, who were eagerly listening to everything.
The response clearly didn't suit them. Before Hermione could say anything, Harry rushed forward and faced Theodore with a ready-to-fight stance.
"In private, huh? So you and your stupid goons could kidnap her and make her do Umbridge's bidding?"
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, horrified.
"Actually, Potter, I'm not here to talk to you," said Theodore, glaring at Harry with his jaw set, "So I won't be answering your questions."
"Acting a bit smug for a person who doesn't have his buddies around, aren't you?" Ron narrowed his eyes on him.
"Yeah. So I think we should teach you a lesson –"
"Oh, stop it, you two!" Hermione shouted, interrupting Harry by a mile, "Just...just go. I'll join you."
She couldn't believe the two were embarrassing her like that. Didn't they know she hated the Slytherins as much as they did? But that didn't mean they shouldn't give the boy a chance to talk. Not everyone in a group was a bad person.
Still, they clearly knew she could defend herself if he tried something dodgy. She could attack him faster than he could say, "Mudblood." But even then they had to act like her sentinels or something, especially Harry.
"Go! Or you'll be late!" she declared.
"Fine. Then don't scream at us if McGonagall gives you detention or something," Ron said, shrugging his shoulders and backing off to leave the premises.
But Harry stayed right where he was, regarding Theodore with eyes full of loathing. "I don't trust this jerk. He could hurt you."
"Stop it, Harry. Please," Hermione implored with frustration.
"But –"
"I'll be fine! Just go. Please?"
Finally, Harry sighed. "Fine then, but don't take too long."
He cast another glare at Theodore. "Messing with her would be the last thing you'd ever do. You hear that, mate?"
Theodore glared right back at him, but he didn't say anything. Harry held his stare for a second longer, shook his head, and finally went away, leaving Hermione and Theodore in each other's company.
Now that she was alone with him, a strange nervousness crept into Hermione's stomach. But she ignored it and asked in a steely voice. "Talk. What is it you want?"
"Your friends are weird."
"Yours are weirder. Now, what is it?"
Being alone with her had affected him, too. His glare melted into a bashful look as he regarded Hermione with clear nervousness.
"You may think I'm stupid," he began, his eyes never leaving hers, "But...would you go to the dance with me?"
Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock. "What?"
"Be my date to the dance?" he said, smirking shyly.
Of course, his question had left her speechless. Her day had been so crazily busy and emotionally-wrecked that she had completely forgotten about the stupid dance, so it had slipped from her mind that he could be wishing to ask her about that. But then again...why him out of all people? Why would he even choose her to be his date? A person who was a Muggleborn, belonged to Gryffindor, and hated them as much as they hated her? Their clear rivalry was vivid, but he had decided upon her even then. The situation was so perplexing that Hermione sensed something fishy was going on.
"You want me to be your date?" she repeated his question with evident confusion. "Why on Earth?"
"What d'you mean?"
"It's obvious, isn't it?" she said, looking at him like he was crazy. "Your friends hate me! We belong to our enemies' group. Your friend, Malfoy –"
"Let's get one thing straight," Theodore cut in, "Draco is not my friend."
"He isn't?" Hermione said. This boy was full of surprises. "But you're a part of the Inquisitorial Squad!"
"That's because Professor Umbridge chose me, not because I'm his friend," Theodore replied, gritting his teeth, "That stupid git. Thinks he's a leader and we're his followers or something. His ego is so huge, it can fit this entire country!"
Before she could stop herself, Hermione laughed. But she quietened down as Theodore went on fuming. "Don't assume I'm his friend just because we're in the same group. I don't even want to think about him! He has his values and expects everyone to play along with them. Well, I'm not daft like the rest of 'em. I won't follow him or treat him like a leader, that bloody ferret."
Hermione was stunned by listening to him talk like that. Apparently, not everyone in Slytherin worshipped Malfoy like she thought they did. Theodore's blatant hatred made her heart serene for a second – but she stopped herself and narrowed her eyes at him. She still refused to trust him and believe his request was genuine without any ulterior motives.
"Then...you want me to be your date so you could rebel against Malfoy and his values?"
Theodore's eyes widened. "Oh no, of course not! I want you to be my date because well..." His pale cheeks turned scarlet. "I...I think you're brilliant."
He doesn't. Hermione's mind immediately replied.
"I don't completely disagree with Malfoy," Theodore continued, "But that doesn't mean I should ignore the kind of girl you are. You're smart and beautiful."
Oh no...
Hermione forced herself not to blush as a thousand thoughts exploded in her mind. Don't you dare fall for his compliments! He's cunning! He's a Slytherin! He can't be genuine.
"Really?" she said, looking directly into his eyes, "Since when have you started focusing on Mudblood girls who are hated by your group? I bet whenever I'm mentioned in your common room, only negative things are circled around. Right?"
Theodore frowned at her but didn't say anything.
So it's true.
"Besides, even if you do genuinely like me," Hermione went on, "I cannot be your date. You're a member of the Inquisitorial Squad, meaning you support Umbridge and don't believe Harry. I'm sorry, I can't go to the dance with someone who can't differentiate between truths and lies, especially if they're right in front of him –"
"Okay, listen to me," Theodore interrupted her once again. He checked their surroundings before leaning in and whispering to her, "I don't want them to hear me...but I believe Potter."
This was by far the most shocking thing ever. Hermione was rendered speechless, but she spoke up as soon as she found her voice. "You do? But what if somebody –"
"Found out? Yeah, I know that." He sighed. "I have to play along. But I'm not the only one...Malfoy also secretly believes You-Know-Who has returned."
"No...this can't be," Hermione shook her head – until a thought occurred to her, "Wait, does that mean his dad is a Death Eater?"
"I dunno about that. He hasn't told us, though. I overheard him talking to Daphne about it. I think he shares everything with that girl."
"Wow..." Hermione was amazed. So both Malfoy and Theodore believed Harry, meaning that Harry had gained support in their rival house, too, even if they didn't show it.
She looked again at Theodore, her mind going haywire. He obviously knew a lot about the Slytherins' deepest, darkest secrets, and if she coaxed him a little, he would tell her everything. This valuable information could help them loads, especially since Slytherin was the most connected to Voldemort and the Ministry.
But...that depended upon Theodore, too. He sounded and looked so sincere. If he really didn't have any ulterior motives in going out with Hermione, then she couldn't think of any reason why she should use him. The more he talked, the more genuine he seemed.
But a part of Hermione still didn't want to trust him. Despite everything, he was still from an enemy line, and if she accepted his offer, it would be 'fraternising with the enemy,' just like Ron had said last year.
"I know what you're thinking," Theodore suddenly said, "It may seem like a stunt, but it isn't. I don't know how I can make you trust me, which is particularly why I took so much time asking you for the dance. I knew you'd think I'm crazy, but I'm telling the truth."
"Okay, then why did you think about me for it?" Hermione asked him, her mistrust growing, "How did I become a potential date?"
"Because I like you?"
"That's very hard to believe." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You can't just not talk to me and then suddenly ask me to be your date. I didn't even know your name until some moments before."
He smiled and offered her his hand. "Theodore Nott. Nice to meet you."
"Well, Theodore Nott," she said, trying not to laugh, "I'm pretty sure your group would hate you if you took me out for the dance."
"Screw them," he said, surprising her, "It's just a dance. Besides, if it makes you feel better, all the good and pretty girls in my house are taken." He cast a little smile at her. "So, my next option was you. I'm surprised you haven't been asked out yet."
"Well, I'm either too undesirable or scary," Hermione said, smiling a little, too.
"Definitely scary," Theodore smirked. "Plus, your Potter's best friend and well...the most talked about Gryffindor girl in our group."
"Naturally."
"So, would you like me to take you to the dance?"
Hermione sighed and looked at her fiddling fingers. On one side, Theodore seemed like a very nice person, and whatever he was telling seemed tinged with some truth. He was undoubtedly attractive as well. Pale skin coupled with blue eyes and brown hair, he was cute. She couldn't deny it.
...But on the other side, as much as Hermione wanted to believe him, there was this uncanny feeling refusing to let go. She couldn't brush aside the sense of something sinister around him like he wanted to use her and was waiting for the right moment...
But then again, maybe she was thinking like that because he was a Slytherin. Her brain couldn't process the thought of a Slytherin being nice! Why couldn't he be, though? Was it essential to fall into stereotypes and believe every Slytherin was rotten to the core?
Hermione sighed. Who was she even kidding? Theodore was just asking her to go to a dance with him. He wasn't asking her to be his girlfriend. It was as simple as that. She didn't even have to hang out with him. In fact, she didn't even have to hang out with him at the dance. Besides being his partner, she could rush to her friends as soon as they announced intervals. She was sure that would suit him just fine, too.
Although he did say he wasn't, Hermione knew Theodore was asking her to the ball just to spite Malfoy, who hated her as much as he hated Harry or Ron. When Theodore talked about him, the hatred in his eyes was clear and profound.
So, with her mind made up, Hermione looked up to regard Theodore, who was clearly waiting for her response.
"Look, Theodore –"
"Call me, Theo. Everyone does." He smiled.
"Okay. Theo," she smiled back. "Well, we obviously don't know anything about each other, so it's nice to see you approach me when your friends would clearly detest you for doing that. So...yes, I'd go with you."
His face cracked into a grin, showing his pearly whites. "Sweet!"
"But on one condition," she interrupted, holding up a finger, "You cannot badmouth Harry and Ron when you're with me."
"Fair enough. I can tell you to not badmouth my friends in return, but I don't care. But please, don't tell anyone about the Malfoy thing. I'm not supposed to know it."
"Okay, deal." Hermione smiled at him. Never in her life did she ever think she'd be on friendly terms with a Slytherin.
"By the way, I'm sorry about not knowing your name," she said as she set off towards the castle with him, "You must find it odd since we're in the same class. I'm just too busy taking down notes –"
"Oh, it's fine." He shrugged. "I don't expect you to notice me, anyway. Besides, I always found studious girls attractive."
That's a lot of compliments for a girl you just met, Hermione thought with a smile. But she laughed along with him on the whole way from the gardens to the castle, beginning to believe that maybe she had made her first Slytherin friend...
"You aren't coming?"
At Ron's question, Harry stopped his pacing in front of the great oak doors of the castle to look at him with surprise.
"We can't go to class without her! She's alone with that Slytherin git, and I won't go unless I see her safe and sound."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Really, mate? Since when were you interested in what Hermione does and doesn't do?"
"That's beside the point." Harry sighed with frustration. "Look, aren't you the least bit concerned – or curious – about why that guy wanted to talk to her? Doesn't the whole thing seem diabolical to you? Especially since he had never talked to Hermione before?"
"Honestly? I don't care." Ron shrugged. "Didn't you see the way she acted? She doesn't want us meddling with her business, so well, I don't give a damn."
"Even when she's with a Slytherin?"
"She can take care of herself." Ron shook his head. "Come on. Let's get to class. We'll be late."
"You go on," said Harry, glancing at the gardens outside, "I'll come with her. What's taking them so long?"
Ron sighed. "Mate, you're making this into a big deal."
"No, you're not seeing the things like they are!" Harry exploded, glaring at his best friend. "Don't you care about Hermione? But then again, why should you, right? Cause you never did?"
"That's not it –"
"That is it! You don't care if that Slytherin is harassing her right now, even if you do think it's strange that he approached her out of nowhere!"
For a moment, Ron stared at Harry, contemplating him with his blue eyes. He sighed. "Look, all I'm saying is you're overreacting, man. But whatever suits you...I'm going."
When he didn't receive a reply, Ron shook his head and turned around to take the Grand Staircase, his mind full of thoughts about his best friend's odd behaviour. Yes, he did have to agree that Theodore wanting to meet Hermione out of the blue was suspicious. It was almost as if Malfoy had to do something about it and make Hermione disclose secret information about the Order or something for Umbridge.
Nevertheless, Ron really didn't care. He was curious, of course, but he wasn't going to question Hermione. Those days were long gone as they had taught him a lesson. If Hermione thought he was weird for being too curious, Ron couldn't see any reason why he should ask her about anything. Harry could chase her as much as he liked, but Ron wasn't going to follow suit. Not anymore...
Feeling like his head would burst into two, Harry waited for Hermione with mounting frustration. The longer she took, the angrier he got, his fists clenching at the thought of that Slytherin cosying up with her in the gardens.
Truthfully, Harry was amazed and stunned by the situation handed to him. First of all, some Slytherin dude with whom they hadn't exchanged a single word, who belonged to the Inquisitorial Squad, and was obviously Malfoy's friend, had suddenly approached Hermione for no apparent reason whatsoever. But to Harry, his motive seemed so clear that it must have been written across the boy's forehead in big letters – use Hermione for Umbridge.
So, like any reasonable person who would have done the same, Harry had shown his intense mistrust in Malfoy's mate.
But Hermione's response had surprised him even more than the guy wanting to talk to her. Her persistence to leave her alone with the jerk had baffled Harry to another level. Didn't she see the obvious scheme? Couldn't she put two and two together? Where was her logical brain now?
And then there was Ron. What was his problem anyway? He once pushed Hermione around for little matters, but for a situation like this? Where he had every right to intervene? He turned his back and left Harry alone to worry about Hermione's honour and his own safety. What if Umbridge found out top secret information about the Order to use against them?
Nope, both of his friends were not seeing the situation like he was.
Infuriated, Harry kept pacing in front of the great doors, not taking his eyes off the gardens for even a second. Around him, people chatted and milled about, but Harry ignored them and kept thinking about the girl outside who was talking to a guy they should never trust in a million years. Why had they even gone astray?
Come on, Hermione. Where are you? thought Harry, his mind thundering with a developing headache. Even though such pain could be considered normal for him, he still hated it with every fibre of his being.
Finally, after what seemed like a long time, he spotted his best friend coming toward the castle. But his frown deepened when he saw her laughing with that godawful Slytherin. What was so damn funny?
"I can't believe you did that to Malfoy," Hermione giggled, utterly oblivious to Harry watching them as she entered the castle, "Did he get mad?
Grinning, Theo shrugged. "He would've if he found out it was me, which he didn't."
"Good for you! I'm sure you –" Hermione stopped because she had caught sight of her best friend. "Harry! What are you doing here? You're late for class!"
"And you aren't?" he said, giving Theodore a death glare. Hermione immediately saw he was very angry.
Fortunately, Theo saw it, too, and he backed away from her. "Well, see you."
"Bye."
After he left, Hermione regarded Harry with an expression mixed with surprise and concern. "Are you okay? Why aren't you in class yet?"
"What did he want to talk about?" he asked, ignoring her questions.
Hermione bit her lip. Harry looked utterly dangerous. Should she dare tell him? Why was he so angry in the first place?
"We can discuss that later. Let's get to class first."
But Harry ignored her again. Instead of replying, he stepped forward and trapped Hermione against the wall behind her, blocking her path to escape.
"I think you didn't hear me. What did he want to talk to you about?" Harry repeated, his eyes ablaze with anger.
But Hermione was starting to feel angry, too. What was wrong with him? She could always tell him in class! It wasn't that much of a big deal to get so mad about!
"What's wrong with you, Harry?" she said in a voice tinged with frustration. "Can't we talk about this later?"
"No, we're gonna talk about this right now," he refuted. "What did that Slytherin git want?"
"It's not even of that much importance –"
"Not that much important?!" He suddenly shouted, making her recede, "My life is literally on the line here, Hermione! Do you know that – that jerk – is part of the Inquisitorial Squad?!"
"His name is Theodore," Hermione yelled back, "And yes, I do!" She sighed, her voice dropping to a low tone. "What's gotten into you, Harry? You're scaring me..."
Suddenly, as if he was in a trance, Hermione's words brought Harry back into his senses. Ashamed, he stepped back to free her.
"Sorry, Hermione. I'm just so...so frustrated. There's literally nothing else I can think about. That guy...Theodore...approaching you out of nowhere...you have to admit that was kind of strange."
"It was strange. But don't worry about it. It's nothing, really. It's just, um..." Hermione averted her gaze, refusing to look at Harry. "It's just...Theodore asked me to the dance."
Now it was Harry's turn to stare at her, shocked. Her confession had left him even more confused. Generally, it wasn't a big deal, but what made it into one was that a Slytherin had done it and asked the girl out to the dance who was universally hated by his group.
But Harry's face relaxed as another thought came to him. So what if Theodore asked her out?
"So, you told him no?" Harry asked, stating the obvious.
Hermione bit her lip again and gave him an apprehensive look.
Her expression caused Harry's confusion to return. "You did, right? I mean...why would you go to the dance with someone whose group hates you and looks for every chance to insult us? He's Malfoy's friend, isn't he? Y'know what? I think he's plotting against you and would use his manipulative powe–"
"No, Harry!" Hermione interrupted him with eyes full of doubt. She sighed and added. "No, it isn't like that at all."
"How d'you know that?"
"Because...he's not like the other Slytherins."
"Oh, sure..."
"No, really!" She closed her eyes and sighed again. They were very late for Transfiguration, but it was clear that Harry wouldn't let them go before the matter was settled. But how could it be done? Telling him that she accepted Theodore's proposal suddenly seemed like the most challenging task at hand. He was sceptical and ready to insult Theodore at every possible chance, which Hermione could understand but felt annoyed by all the same.
"Listen," she began, hoping he'd get it, "I know it sounds really complicated – and it will sound really complicated, but...but Theodore isn't like the rest of his group. He's very nice and sweet. And he's not Malfoy's friend."
"He told you that and you believed him?" Harry said incredulously. "Where's your sensible side, Hermione?"
"See, you're not looking at it like I am."
"And you're not looking at it like I am."
"Oh, Harry. Please just listen to me." Hermione shook her head, already tired of the conversation. "Don't fall into stereotypes. Not every Slytherin is bad, malicious or cunning. Besides, it's just one dance! And I was already dreading going alone, which is why Theo's request seemed like a miracle, and I said yes."
With bated breath, she looked at Harry for his reaction. He sighed and directed his eyes away from her.
"So, that's it, then?"
"What?"
"That's it, then?" he repeated, suddenly staring right into her eyes, "You went ahead and sold yourself to the devil."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "What are you even talking about?"
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it, Hermione?' said Harry, looking at her as if he had never seen her before. "You've gone ahead and are going out with someone who's a member of the Inquisitorial Squad. He may not be Malfoy's friend, but he was picked by that bloody crone, Umbridge, who is determined to make my life even more miserable."
"But I don't have anything to do with that!" Hermione cried. She was tempted to tell Harry how Theodore believed him, too, but a promise was a promise, even if it meant worsening your misunderstandings with your best friend. "What are you even saying? It's just one stupid dance! And I only said yes because at least I would be going with someone! I haven't agreed to be his girlfriend or anything!"
"Give it a few days, and you will."
"What are you –" Hermione paused, not believing how stupid Harry was being, "What do you take me for? Do you really think that I'm supporting...the...the Ministry just by agreeing to go out with one member I don't even trust to a single event?! Why are you being so daft, Harry?"
"I'm being daft?!" he suddenly shouted, "Look who's talking here! It didn't cross your supposedly logical brain that any move by a Slytherin, much less of an Inquisitorial Squad member, would be against us, or me for that matter? Since when did a Slytherin become so trustworthy, and so much that you went ahead and played yourself right in their traps? Don't you care about me, Hermione? Do you just care about some bloody dance that is not even that important in the first place?!"
"No, that's not what it's like, Harry..."
"That's exactly what it's like!" he yelled at her, his rage shooting up like fire. He had lost control over his bearings, and so much that when Hermione looked down to avoid his gaze, he gripped her shoulder and forced her to make eye contact with him.
"Look at me. Your ashamed act wouldn't work on me, Hermione."
Her eyes widened as she stared into his. Something was definitely wrong with him. This wasn't the Harry she knew, trusted and loved. This was a stranger, and she was terrified of him.
But when she looked into his eyes again, she could see nothing amiss. The real Harry was here, and the situation around them had increased his impending anger.
Hermione took a deep breath. She knew she was treading on dangerous waters, but there had to be a calm one in the situation.
"What's gotten into you, Harry?" she asked softly, her face ejecting concern, "Please, you're acting so unlike yourself."
"I'm not. I just can't believe you'd do this to me, Hermione," said Harry, refusing to accept her sentiment as the truth. Yes, he was aware he was angry, but it was for all the right reasons. She had just created a breach in their friendship, didn't she see that?
"I can't even imagine... you? With a Slytherin?" He grinned mockingly. "It's like you've joined the enemy side and left me in the dark. You're the only person I trust even more than Ron, and now you're allowing yourself to be so easily manipulated by..." He took a deep breath, his anger making it difficult for him to speak, "By those bloody, thick-headed Slytherins that are up to no good? If you're gonna act like this, what's left for me to believe in?"
Hermione sighed and looked down again. Harry was making this so, so difficult. How could she explain her reasoning to him without sounding ridiculous?
But then again...why should she?
Instead of feeling sorry for him, something in Hermione snapped.
She once again looked at him, but her brown eyes had indignation matching his own.
"You think I don't care about you?!" she cried, surprising him with her outburst. "Excuse me, but if you recall correctly, I saved you from actually being manipulated! I worry about you day and night, and so much that I sometimes can't concentrate on my studies! I've literally spent nights awake trying to help you in every case possible, making sure that you survived every turmoil your troublesome life had in store. I wouldn't have done all those things if I didn't care!"
Harry closed his eyes. "Hermione..."
"But that's not all. I sometimes even wish I could take some of your worries in my own mind, so yours wouldn't be too burdened," she went on with a shrill voice, "And even after that, you have the nerve to say that I don't care about you at all? Especially since you don't care about me?"
"Don't bloody talk like that. Of course I care about you!"
"No, you don't! And if you did, you wouldn't have come here and accused me of...of such an egregious action!" Hermione shouted, not knowing when to stop, her anger being a catalyst for her words. "What did you call it? Selling myself to the devil? You are making such a huge deal out of something I did for my own mitigation, and why? Just because it remotely threatens your safety?! Everything revolves around you, right? What do you take me for? A human being who's incapable of feeling?"
Harry bit his lip, suddenly at a loss for words. He didn't expect Hermione to scream at him like that, and the eyes of the onlookers weren't helping. By now, almost half of the entrance hall was watching their scuffle with undivided attention, but Hermione continued her tirade as if the room only consisted of him and her...
"Who do you think I am? Someone who doesn't have needs and emotions? Someone who only exists to solve your problems and save your life?" she yelled at him, ignoring the looks she was getting, "And even then I didn't matter to you, did I? Ron was the only one who saw me and the ordeals I went through because you were always too caught up in yourself! You never cared if I spent nights awake by taking too many courses! You never asked me where I was when I was taking two classes at once! You were never curious when it came to me, so why are you suddenly so interested in what I do? Because it's such a menace to your guard? You want me to sacrifice my comfort for yours, right?"
Harry sighed again. This was getting out of control...but surprisingly, Hermione's fitful anger had pacified his own, so he knew there needed to be a calm one in the situation. But her words seemed too much...
"Didn't you tell me you trusted my logical brain?" Hermione continued yelling, her face becoming scarlet from her fury. "Well, why don't you stay true to your words? You think I'm so dense that I would blab your secrets to a person I've talked to for only 10 minutes?"
"Hermione, stop."
"No, I'm not going to listen to you! Why should I? Since you don't listen to me? How do you expect me to follow your advice when you don't follow mine? I told you Cho was bad news, but you ignored me and hit her up, just like you wanted to!"
Harry buried his face in his hands. This was embarrassing. She was embarrassing him. Her words were tearing him down, and right in front of all these people who were watching them with interest. The worst part? She was still shouting.
"Okay, that's enough," he suddenly declared – and grabbed Hermione's hand. His abrupt move stunned her so much that she turned mute and let him pull her as he weaved through the onlooking crowd.
Harry wanted them to talk in private, not in front of so many people who would start gossiping about anything. Thankfully, the first classroom he found was completely empty, and he pulled Hermione inside before shutting the door behind them.
For a moment, an easy silence settled among them, only breaking after Harry said in an urgent voice, "Stop making a scene, will you?"
Hermione frowned at him. "Me? You're the one who started it!"
He closed his eyes and sighed. For some reason, being alone with her had ignited nervousness in his gut, probably because he had never expected her to get so ruthless with him. That behaviour was reserved for Ron.
"Hermione, look," he began, not meeting her eyes, "Please don't think I don't care about you because I do. It was also because of your safety that I raised such an objection to you going out with Theodore. These Slytherins...they are cruel. I don't want to see you getting hurt."
"I can take care of myself." Hermione blurted out before she could resist.
"Of course, you can, but..." He sighed again, not understanding how he could convert his feelings into words. "I just can't believe you think about me like that. I'm not selfish, Hermione. I care about you. A lot. I just can't show it because I'm always knee-deep in my own problems. That's no excuse, I know, but...I'm sorry, Hermione."
"Are you really?" she said. The anger that had once dominated her had faded, leaving her sad and empty. "I don't know if you are, Harry. You apologise and then hurt my feelings all over again. It's more than I can bear. More than what I can handle. I know you care about me, but...but sometimes I'm doubtful."
"You must be. It's my own fault." He ran a hand through his hair. "I can't blame you for my behaviour. I understand...I do care about you, Hermione. I'm just really bad...at showing it."
Hermione sighed and lowered her gaze. Yes, she could understand him, but he could try and not be a self-centred jerk.
But she could relate to him, too. Little did he know that he wasn't the only one who had trouble showing their true feelings...
As she fought with her demons, Harry looked at her with anticipation. He was hoping she could understand him, but...what if she was right? What if he only truly cared about her safety when his own was connected to it?
No...he refused to believe that. Harry was completely sure he really cared about Hermione. He was just foolish when it came to showing how he felt. This couldn't erase one question out of his mind, though – did he care about her too much or too little?
"Harry," Hermione spoke up, breaking into his thoughts, "I do understand you. Really. But what you need to understand is that I'm not someone who would turn her back on you for her own interests."
"Of course, Hermione. I trust you."
"Do you really?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "Because you were implying you don't."
"It was my anger getting the best of me." He shook his head. "I do."
"I won't tell him anything, Harry. I promise." Hermione sighed. "I'm not even going to hang out with him."
Suddenly downhearted, Harry sighed. "Well, you should. He's clearly better at saying what he feels than I am. You must hate me now, Hermione, and honestly? I can see why."
His brusque change of mood surprised Hermione. Her own heart started to feel sad at such a thought. Of course she didn't hate him! Just because they misunderstood each other didn't mean she would start resenting him and would be repulsed by the mere sight of him!
In fact, Hermione was tempted to tell Harry, right then and there, how she really felt about him. She could care less about Theodore, and whatever partiality she held for him was nothing compared to what she held for Harry. A strange lump formed in her throat as she looked at him with eyes full of meaning.
"I love you!" she wanted to scream at him. "Can't you see that? Isn't that just the worst?!"
But she couldn't do that outright.
"I don't hate you, Harry," she said, forcing her voice to be normal, "Please never, ever think like that. Why would I hate my best friend just because of a stupid misunderstanding over a boy I only got to know about just a few minutes before? I only agreed to his proposal because I didn't want to go to the dance alone."
Her confession saddened Harry, and so much that he blurted out. "If it wasn't for Cho, I would have taken you to the dance."
Hermione's heart plummeted at the sound of that. "Really?"
"Yeah. But since that isn't the case..." He trailed off, staring at nothing.
As if it was handed to her, Hermione realised this was the time to tell him how she felt about him. Emotions were swirling around, they were alone, and their friendship was being questioned. If this wasn't the perfect moment, she didn't know what was.
Taking a deep breath and conjuring some bravery, Hermione said, "Harry, I have something to ask you."
He looked at her, his eyes suddenly curious. "Yeah?"
"Um..." She averted her gaze, not daring to look at him. "Is there...well...another reason why you hate the idea of Theodore taking me to the dance?"
"What?"
Oh, that was so stupid! Where did that come from?
"I mean...why do you really hate me going to the dance with him?" she tried again, sneaking a look at him.
Harry was confused. Was this some kind of test?
"Because I don't want him to ruin the night for you?" he answered, as honestly as he could. "I don't want him to use you like an asset. You deserve the best, Hermione."
"The best?"
"The absolute best."
"Well..." Curse her brain! She didn't know what to say! It's like her mind stopped when she tried to communicate with Harry about this topic.
"There's no other reason?" she said, her heart sinking because of her poor efforts.
"Why are you even asking me this, Hermione?" said Harry, genuinely confused.
Hermione sighed. Whatever hope she had gained diminished into nothingness. He didn't think of her like she wanted him to.
Suddenly feeling angry at her cowardice and his obliviousness, Hermione snapped. "Nothing, forget it. Let's just leave."
Harry stared at her, confused as heck. But she sidestepped him and went for the door.
But before she could leave, she declared.
"Thanks for making me late for Transfiguration."
With that, she slammed the door behind her, leaving him fazed and bewildered.
What was all that about?
