A New Beginning (Harry & Hermione from "Harry Potter")

Slughorn's Party

"Who are you going to go to the party with?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Well, I cannot-" He stopped as he didn't want to mention Ginny. "I haven't asked anybody yet. You?"

"I was going to ask Ron, but he just blew his chance," Hermione blurted.

"So neither of us has a partner. Why don't we go together then, as friends?" asked Harry.

Hermione hesitated. She seemed like she did not expect this question.

"Of course, that's brilliant! Why didn't I think of that?" she said, enlightened. "I need to buy a dress, wear something nice I mean. I should make my hair look good too. Not that I want to seem pretty or anything. I mean it's a party, of course I want to be pretty. Why am I thinking loudly anyways? We'll meet around 6.30 p.m. at the party then, bye!"

Harry didn't actually care about what Hermione said at that moment. He was thinking about what he would do if he saw Ginny with Dean at the party. Would he want to walk away? But he wouldn't leave Hermione alone. He was going to try not to care about them. Maybe he could have fun with Hermione. It's a little ironic, he thought. But what other choice do I have?

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It was 6.30 p.m. Harry came to the party just on time. Where is Hermione anyways? he asked himself, looking around. Ginny passed by him, holding hands with Dean. They didn't even see him. He felt uncomfortable a bit and turned his head to another direction. Then, he saw a beautiful girl in a short pink dress. Her hair was curled neatly. She was walking towards him. He couldn't recognize who she was at first.

"Harry, where have you been? I've been looking for you for ages!"

He couldn't believe his eyes. It was Hermione. He directly remembered the night he saw her at the Yule Ball. He was quite impressed by her beauty that night, too, but this night was a bit different. She seemed even more beautiful, in a mature way.

"Hi Hermione! I was at the door. When did you come anyway?"

"I came here so early. I have been preparing since the afternoon- oh no!"

Hermione fled all of a sudden. Harry didn't understand what was going on. Then, Neville interrupted Harry.

"Hi Harry! Mr. Slughorn asked me to be a waiter at his party. How could I say no? Would you like to try the appetizers? They are quite tasty!"

"Not now Neville, I'm sorry."

He tried to find Hermione.

"Pssst!"

He followed the voice. And there she was, behind the curtains.

"What happened?" he asked.

She lowered her voice. "I don't want to see Ron. "

"Hermione, he isn't even invited to the party. He isn't in the Slug Club, remember?" he reminded her. 

"Oh, right! Oh, how stupid can I get?" she told herself, hitting her head.

"Wait, stop!" Harry attempted to stop her by holding her hands. "Look, I know you don't feel good, I really get it, but even if Ron is also my friend, why don't we not think about him for just this night? We are here to have fun, right?" 

At that moment, a dynamic song was playing. Everywhere was filled with loud laughters. They could feel that everyone was having fun.

"Let's dance," said Harry suddenly. He had no idea where that had come from. He didn't like to dance much, but he had no better idea.

They went out into the crowd and started dancing. Harry didn't even know what he was doing, but he just tried to follow the rhythm. After a while, the song faded and a slow song started playing. Everyone was slow-dancing. Harry and Hermione had never slow-danced before. He shyly extended his arm to Hermione, and she took it. He then put his hand on her waist as she put hers on his shoulder. Hermione closed her eyes. It really seemed like she was calming down. He realized at that moment that he had never seen Hermione at peace before. 

As the song played, they came closer and closer without noticing. Hermione put her head on Harry's shoulder and Harry wrapped his arms around her. They were so close that Harry could feel Hermione's heart beating so fast and more of her tears dropping on his shoulders, which raised his feelings of affection towards her. She had been with him all along at his hardest times. Now, it was his turn to be by her side.

The song came to an end. They were still hugging each other. And then, slowly, Harry felt Hermione's head leaving his shoulder. He looked into her eyes, which seemed to shine out of joy. 

Suddenly, they heard Filch shouting: "A student was wandering in the hallways. He said he was invited to the party!"

Harry and Hermione broke apart. They saw the person who Filch was holding was Draco. 

"He told me he was looking for you, Professor Snape," Filch uttered. Snape approached Draco and pulled his arm. 

"Yes, I'll be taking care of him," Snape replied and they walked away. Harry thought something suspicious was going on. 

"I should go after them," he informed Hermione before attempting to go. 

"Harry, wait!" Hermione held him. "Maybe you shouldn't. You have been obssessing over Draco this whole term. I'm scared for you-" 

"Hermione, I really appreciate your thoughts but I really think something is going on. Draco have been after something and I have to find out." And he ran after them. 

"Harry!" he heard Hermione shouting but he didn't stop. He could finally learn the reason why Snape was protecting Draco  all the time. 

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The next day, Harry saw Hermione in the hallway. He wanted to ask her how she felt.

"I guess I'm better. Thank you for being by my side yesterday, it meant a lot. It's just that..." Hermione said. "I think it will take some time."

"I understand," said Harry. He didn't really want to talk much about it as he felt it would do no good to either of them.

Ginny passed by as they were talking. She didn't talk to either of them, but Hermione was sure that she had seen both of them.

"What is this now? We had no fight or so," she squealed as she ran after Ginny.

"Hey Ginny!"

She didn't reply.

"Ginny, I'm talking to you, I said hi!"

She ignored her.

"For God's sake Ginny, what is wrong with you?"

She stopped and slowly turned around. She seemed really angry.

"You know what is wrong. I saw you two."

Hermione couldn't understand.

"Who?" she asked. "Me and Harry? Seriously Ginny? Neither of us had a partner, so we went to the party together, that's all."

Ginny didn't seem convinced at all.

"Actually, you know what? I don't care, I have a boyfriend. It doesn't matter to me." Ginny snapped.

"What-"

But she was already walking away. How could she possibly think that? thought Hermione.