A Bit Early

The Plan

"Harry," I breathed. I tried to form words, but the day had taken its toll on me. I nearly collapsed onto the floor.

"Whoa! Are you alright, Hermione? Did something happen?" Harry was trying to comfort me. It was very awkward though. He held me in his arms, but they weren't the arms I wanted around me. I needed him. I needed-

"Ron...," it came out as more of a moan than I had intended it to. Harry had led me to an empty classroom, and sat me down on one of the desks. He put his arm around me, and allowed me to cry onto his, now even more damp, robes.

"I'm sorry. I-you know you're both my closest friends. And I wouldn't usually take sides, but you need me and-," Harry's head snapped up as Ron entered the room. I was hidden so deep into Harry's robes, he hadn't seen me yet. I studied his face from my hiding place. He definitely wasn't happy, but he didn't seem angry anymore either; he just looked worn.

"Hey Harry. That's-er-a quite-uh-awkward way to-well to sit," to my utter horror his voice was quaking, and I let out a small cry. The sound gave me away, and his eyes locked mine in their once warm chamber. It was as if a fire had suddenly been extinguished. "Hermione." he nodded his head in greeting.

At that point, I couldn't take it. I ran past the love of my life, right to the Gryffindor common room, and straight to bed. I didn't bother to get back up for dinner, even with Harry nearly pounding my door down. My stomach was too upset to handle anything.

The next morning I woke up early determined to get ready, eat, and be in class before anyone could try to stop me. I got up and walked to the bathroom, staring at myself in the vanity. I was a sticky, groggy mess. Maybe, for once in my life, I could skip class today, I thought. Yea right. I'm not that upset.

I heard a soft knock on the door, and opened it to find Ginny in her nightdress and slippers. She had light circles under her eyes, and was trying her hardest to stifle a yawn.

"Wha' er you doin' up, Hermione?" she slurred. I grabbed her arm quickly before she toppled over. "Even you should be gettin' some rest witha' whole week o' break."

"What do you mean a whole week of break?" I asked incredulously. For someone who was half-asleep she sure could give you a look.

"You know. Last night when McGonagall said we was gonna havva break for studin' cas' of finals? And don' even git me starded on the ball," she said, though still nearly unconscious. I slowly walked her back to bed, and laid her down; she immediately started snoring. Wow. She can fall asleep as easily as- NO ONE. She makes me think of no one when she sleeps like that. No one sleeps with their mouth slightly falling open to the right, with their hair in their eyes, and their eyelashes fluttering. I sighed. I miss him.

Trying not to wake anyone else, I tiptoed into the shower and washed all of my heartbreak-or most of it-down the drain. Putting on Chap Stick and a black and white striped turtleneck sweater, faded jeans, and grey Converse over fuzzy socks (see profile.) I walked to the library. I kept the egg clue safe in my hands, hoping to get a head start with the third and final challenge.

Madam Pince didn't seem surprised to see me there. She merely nodded her head in welcome and returned to her Gilderoy Lockhart book. I rolled my eyes at her terrible taste, and made my way to the nonfiction T section. Tasty Treats to Tempt Travelers, Toe-Tapping Tunes for Under the Moon: Werewolf Sonnets, Totally Talented: Wizarding Universal Records.

All of the books I had read last year. Where are the Tri-Wizarding Books? I asked myself as I continued to search. Finally! I looked up and saw a book called, Tri-Wizarding through the Ages. Of course, the book was on a shelf several feet taller than me. I grabbed a chair to stand on, and slowly climbed to the shelf the book was on.

With my luck, I ended up falling. It was a terrifying sensation, almost as if I were floating. I thought for sure I was going to dislocate my shoulder with the angle and speed I fell at. Miraculously, right before I hit the ground, two strong arms caught me. One was on my upper back, one under my knees so that when I was lifted to his chest, I was being held bridal style. I looked up at my hero's eyes and saw, of course-

"Viktor!" I gasped, earning a "shh!" and a scowl from Madam Pince. He nodded his head, but it didn't seem like the sweet nod he had used only yesterday. There's nothing wrong with Viktor. I'm just being paranoid now. I gave a nervous chuckle. "That's twice that you've saved me now."

"Her-my-any. It was least I could do," he set me down, and bowed deeply, igniting my cheeks once again.

"I-how can I ever repay you?" I asked.

"The dance is soon. I would like to go with a special girl," he stated.

"I'd love to help you get the girl you want. You'll need flowers, and maybe a-"

"I want you, my Her-my-any," he looked into my eyes. It seemed more like a command. I didn't think I'd be able to go with someone as more than a friend to me, but slowly a plan began unfolding itself in my mind.

"I would absolutely love to go with you, Viktor," I said smiling hugely, yet entirely fake, back at him. He didn't seem to notice.

"I must go tell my Headmaster. He will want to know so that he may coordinate with Me-sus Mic-gone-o-gal for dance," He bowed once again, and bounded out of the room. I sighed, feeling guilty for what I was about to do.

For the next week, I spent most of my break in the library with Harry and Viktor. They didn't seem to mind co-existing with "the enemy." And I didn't mind being watched by the two as I did my extra work, or explained something neither of them understood. I almost forgot about Ron; I was better off without him. Or at least that's what I told myself.

The night before the dance, Ginny sat down with me at dinner, and proposed her plan.

"I've already gotten everything clear with McGonagall, and as long as we stay in our rooms it's a go." she waited, "Aren't you excited?" She asked when she saw my blank face.

"Sorry. Excited about what?" I asked between a bite of ham, a Christmas treat.

"Our sleepover of course, silly! I already invited Padma and Parvati, Cho, of course, and Luna too! And they'll all be able to make it. We're going to pick out clothes, and makeup, and jewelry for the dance, and just gossip until the clock strikes 11:30 so we can get our beauty rest. Ooh! We need snack, and music. Do you know a good soundproof charm? I don't want the boys to know what's up or they'll crash it!" her eyes flickered to Harry who was casually eavesdropping until he heard that. He turned a sweet pink shade. "But we girls know everything, so they shouldn't even try." She hissed.

I let her go on and on. Did I want a sleepover? I didn't think so. But it'd be a great way to go over my plan with the girls to make sure none of it was ruined. Everything would be easier if I had backup.

"I'll go get the girls after dinner, and we'll meet you back in the common room then," I said with much forced enthusiasm remembering why the plan was necessary.

"Alright. Good luck," she smiled, and dashed up the marble staircase, still muttering her debate about The Weird Sisters vs. The Nifflers. I finished eating and went to round up the other girls. This was going to be interesting.