New Romantics | Hermione Granger Book IV

|64| Chapter Sixty-Four

S I X T Y  F O U R 

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With so much emphasis placed on her own efforts at securing her wishes for the upcoming Ball, Saffron started to forget that so many of those close to her were doing likewise. However, even though that statement was true, it confused her as to why so many of these people had taken such an interest in her endeavours, seemingly more than their own. She was particularly surprised when her brother of all people was amongst those interested, as he came own to inquire about her plans for the Ball during breakfast one morning.

"What's it to you?" Saffron said in response to her brother question about who she intended on going with. She stared up at him, ignoring her cheeri-owls, in confusion. She had expected this from Rachel, maybe Maya, but not Rowan. She thought the last thing he would be interested in would be a ball, let alone who she intended on going with to it.

"I've been wondering if Olly has plucked up the courage to ask you yet,"

Saffron was glad she had ignored her cereal as she almost certainly would have spat them out should it have been in her mouth when Rowan said that to her.

"You don't know he's going to do that," blushed Saffron, furrowing her brows at her brother, who slipped into a seat beside Lavender, the sole Gryffindor of her year in the vicinity. The girls had previously been discussing potential partners before Rowan arrived.

Rowan nodded. "I know, that's why I asked because it's what everyone thinks, even if they don't say it out loud," He turned to Lavender who was buttering her toast. "Isn't it?"

When Lavender nodded, Saffron altered her confused expression onto her as Rowan let out a sarcastic yelp of triumphant.

"See, I told you it's what everybody's thinking," said Rowan matter-of-factly.

"Define 'everybody'" retorted Saffron.

"Everybody, except you and him," Lavender answered for Rowan. "You two seem to be the only ones denying the undeniable,"

"I'm not denying anything," argued Saffron cooly, whilst Rowan and Lavender exchanged a humorous glance. "all I'm saying is that I'm not so far up my own arse to think that I'm the only person that he might want to ask,"

"Sounds like she's denying it, doesn't it?" Lavender asked Rowan rhetorically.

The boy nodded profusely. "A denial if I've ever heard one before," He turned to Saffron. "If he has tonnes of people he'd rather ask over you, who are they?"

"I can't read minds, Ro," said Saffron irritably.

"Exactly," Rowan clapped his hands. "You can't answer the question,"

"And that's your answer," pointed out Lavender, with a smirk. "You can't name any,"

"No," replied Saffron, feeling very defensive and annoyed that her brother and one of her best friends were teaming up on her like this. "I can't because I can't read his mind,"

"If you insist," replied Lavender plainly, trying to hide her amused smile. "You know, if you're so sure he'll ask someone else maybe you should ask Neville to take your eyes,"

"You're going with Neville?" Rowan rounded on Saffron, who was rolling her eyes.

"I am not going with Neville," snapped Saffron. "And I don't think that that possibility should be so shocking if it were true. Neville is such a lovely person,"

"I know he is," Rowan assured her. "That's why I think it would be nice for you to go with him,"

"Yeah," said Saffron agreement. "But still, I reckon he should go with a girl who doesn't----"