Challenge Me

C H A P T E R E I G H T

Hermione Granger

After my confronting talk with Ginny, I didn't do much for the remainder of the day. I continued my work at home, pleased with the amount I completed. By the time I looked at the clock it read that it was 20 to 8, that would explain the excessive grumbling my stomach was making and the tired yawns escaping my mouth.

After the realisation that I had no food in my house, I made the effort to make myself presentable by pulling on a nice summer dress on and brushing my teeth. Checking my reflection in the mirror I grabbed my wand from the kitchen table and walked out the front of my house. After opening the door and being hit by a wave of humidity, I was glad I made the appropriate decision on a dress.

I wasn't sure what I felt like, all I knew was I had a cramp in my neck and a grumble in my belly. I apparated to the first restaurant my mind could think of, I breathed a sigh of relief at the familiar décor of The Three Broomsticks. I took in the musky smell mixed with cigar ash and the scent of Butterbeer with a small smile in my face, it was good to be back.

I have been so caught up in life that I regularly forget to take time for myself, it's important as a young witch in charge to remember who you are and why you are doing what you are, I can't afford to get too stressed. And Merlin knows I have reason to be stressed at the moment.

I took small strides to the counter and smiled at the familiar bar attendant, he looked young but not young enough to be my age. He may have been in a year above me back at Hogwarts, I'm not entirely sure. I took no time in ordering my usual Butterbeer along with a stack of fries, I kindly turned down the offer of ketchup on my fries. Who eats ketchup...?

I was handed my order on a wooden board, placing my wand on my board I quickly found a clear table just to the side of the entrance and sat down. I remember the first day Ron, Harry and I all entered this bar. We had snuck out using the secret passageway form the castle, we may have been in the third year? All I remember is they served me a few too many butterbeers that night and I couldn't stop the giggles that continuously escaped my lips. Thinking of the mortified faces of the barmen after they found out we were underage was hilarious, the mere thought of it made a small smile spread across my mouth.

I took a hold of my drink and brought the yellowed colour up to my mouth, taking a sip I sighed in appreciation of the delicious liquid sliding down my throat. I picked up a fry and popped it in my mouth, the salt instantly hitting my tastebuds and intensified the saliva in my mouth. I couldn't help but let a small moan slip my mouth as I continued to fill my growling stomach with the deliciously unhealthy food, I know I was going to regret this later tonight.

A short time had passed, many of the locals had left the bar meaning it was shockingly quieter. I had accioed my favourite novel, forgetting I hadn't taken it with me and began to read the new chapter.

I was rudely interrupted by the obnoxious laughing from the bar, looking up from my book, I felt my breath hitch and my eyes instantly widened at the realisation of who it belonged to. None other than Draco Malfoy and his dim-witted, obnoxious, annoying personality. I quickly slammed my book shut and gathered my belongings, I couldn't face him after what happened. I know he thinks nothing of it but for some ridicules reason, I can't seem to get the ferret out of my head. It's driving me mad, not having control of what enters and leaves my mind.

Leaving a tip on the table for the waitress, I exited as fast as he entered. I pulled the wooden door open and scrambled out into the dark streets, feeling a light drizzle on my warm skin. I got to a dark alley-way and risked my chances of walking in, clutching my wand in one hand and my book in the other. I made it to the end of the darkened tunnel and was now facing Flourish and Blotts, I was about to stroll inside until I felt an arm tug at my wrist.

Spinning around I placed the tip of my wand at the stranger's throat and was instantly startled as steel eyes pierced into my very own. This wasn't happening, not again. Why couldn't he leave me alone?