Hogwarts at Last

nine

"I still can't figure out why Hermione is playing this charade. She can't be going to the ball with anyone." Ron sighed.

Ron, Harry, and I were at the Three Broomsticks. Hermione declined on coming with us. 

"Ron, why don't you just believe that she's going with someone and be done with it?" Harry asked.

"Blimey Harry. You actually believe she is in fact going with someone?" 

"Yes."

"Hermione's an amazing person. It couldn't of been difficult for her to get a date." I added.

"I suppose. I guess we will just have to wait and see who she shows up with then; if you two really think she's been asked." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Who are you going with?" Harry looked over to me.

"Undecided." I replied.

"Maybe you want to go with me." Ron said, and Harry gave him a look. 

"Oh, I mean. I have someone in mind, but. Let's not talk about the ball any longer. I wasn't anticipating dates to be such a stressful topic of discussion." I frowned.

***

Once back at the castle, I couldn't help but think so much of Draco. What if he was going to the ball with Astoria? I couldn't bare to see him dance with any one other than me. 

I decided to walk to his dorm room. I haven't spent as much time with him lately. 

I knocked on his door, and waited. There was quite a bit of silence on the other side. Was he even there? It didn't seem that way.

'Accio paper and quill,' I whispered and flicked my wand, thinking of the stack of paper on the table in the Gryfinndor common room and jar of quills. I wasn't sure if this would work. But moments later an entire stack of paper floated over to me. I didn't wish for the entire stack, but this would do.

I held the paper up to Draco's door and began writing.

Hey Draco,

I came to visit you. I haven't seen you in some time. Or, more so haven't talked to you. I miss you. Please write back to me. I wish to talk to you.

Nova

I slid the paper under the door frame and went back to Gryfinndor common room. 

Hermione was there studying. 

"Hey Mione." I smiled and sat down.

"Hi." She didn't look up at me, she continued writing something in her textbook.

We sat in silence briefly.

"Look, I know Ron has been hard on you about the whole ball, and dates thing. I believe that you have a date. I'm just wondering who it is. Merely out of curiousity that is withheld by your best friend. Me." I shyly smiled.

Hermione looked up at me.

"If you really wish to know, I beg you not to tell anyone. Not until the ball arrives." 

"I solemnly swear." 

"Cormac Mclaggen."

"C-cormac!?" My jaw dropped.

"Yeah. I figured I'd give him a chance." 

"You literally gag at the thought of him.." My mind raced to year six at Slughorns Christmas party. The way Cormac would look at Hermione with much desire, and Hermione would respond with disgust.

"I mean, he's friendly. He's been trying to ask me on a date for some time now. I feel he deserves it for his acts of bravery." 

"Right. Well, I'm happy that you got asked. I'm sure you'll have a great time." I faked a smile.

"Thank you. I hope I do. Wait till you see Ron's face when he sees me with Cormac." 

"He'll probably be very jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Yeah. I have a feeling that Ron fancies you as more than friends.'

"I very much doubt that. And wish for that to not be anywhere close to the truth. Never mind that. Who are you going with?"

I wanted to tell her that I was hoping to go with Draco. I wanted to scream it. His pale skin, his soft hair, and radiant eyes flickered in my mind. 

"I'm not sure." I replied. 

"You should go with Ronald. Harry can then go with Ginny like you originally said. They'd be cute together and I think Ginny fancies Harry." 

"They definitely should go together. We must make sure of it Mione! And I don't know about going with Ron. I'll think about it."