Short Change Hero

Chapter 26: I am Dust

Chapter Twenty-Six

Where the Lonely Ones Roam

'Won't you come out,
I've been waiting on you,
Holding my breath,
Till my body turned blue,

Get lost in the dark to find yourself,
Just remember what I said,
No it isn't over yet..."

Where the Lonely Ones Roam by Digital Daggers

Thursday October 31st, 1996

Quarter past seven at night, in a corridor near the Gryffindor common rooms

Wand in hand, Hermione slowly lifted a singular orange colored streamer to hang from the stone column just two feet in front of her. Sighing as quietly as she could, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the mundane task Ginny had assigned her to; especially since she normally wouldn't have even bothered to come to this social event. It just wasn't where she felt comfortable but when Harry and Ron announced they were going she saw no way out.

"I don't get the point," Ron mumbled under his breath. Hermione tossed a pointed look over her right shoulder as Ron poked around at the box of decorations.

"It's what others perceive as fun Ronald," Hermione sighed once more. Turning around back towards her task with a small smile, she put her hands on her hips at the trivial accomplishment of finishing setting up the streamers. "Besides, you were the one who wanted to attend this year's party. I was perfectly fine staying up in my room reading..."

"What a load of waffle," Ron snorted. That statement pulled her attention towards her redheaded friend, who yawned, which she deducted was out of boredom. "Not that I don't believe you, you're always reading... and that's not a bad thing, really. It's just, well we all think you needed and wanted, some time with friends...you know, after all that studying you did. It seemed best for a night of fun away from other houses'... besides, Lavender wanted me to go and I couldn't do this, alone, now could I?"

"I suppose you're right," she sighed but then continued, "Studying was a bit more difficult than usual... Hang on, what do you mean, away from other houses', exactly?" she punctured the words in a brush of annoyance in order to make sure she'd heard him correctly.

"Well," he nodded almost dropping the box in front of him. Then catching it just in time he looked up at her with that goofy smile of his and a laugh. "I mean, it isn't a bad thing. Harry is just being a bit paranoid, ya know? Especially when it comes to Slytherin's... not that I don't agree with him. They're Slytherin's after all... It probably has to do with that theory of his about Malfoy being a, you know what..."

Just when Hermione was about to scoff at the insinuation of Harry not trusting her enough to tell her things because of Malfoy, Ginny dropped yet another box of things upon the table. Biting upon her tongue in order to stop lashing out at the wrong people, she had to remind herself that this night was supposed to be fun.

"Alright, here we are," Ginny said. "Now, I know the both of you would rather be elsewhere tonight, but Seamus and Neville really appreciate the help. As do I... Seeing as Parvati and her band of followers bailed to attend the Slytherin's party in the dungeons, it fell to me to gather helpers. Really, the Slytherin's... Who knows what kind of iniquity happens down there in the dark... Especially on nights like this..."

"I'd really appreciate not having an image of Malfoy and Pug, thanks." Ron grimaced. At the mention of his name, Hermione tried to hide the sudden pinch in her expression that caused her to flinch.

'Why should it matter? We really only kissed twice, it was nothing, a mistake really. He is allowed to do whatever he pleases... In no way does it affect me in the slightest.' Hermione thought to herself as she pulled at the top of the box in order to continue hanging decorations.