New Romantics | Hermione Granger Book IV

|68| Chapter Sixty-Eight

S I X T Y  E I G H T 

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In typical Hogwarts fashion, the news that Saffron was going to the Yule Ball with Dean had spread quickly, at least amongst the people she had connections with within the school. As by lunchtime the next day, Saffron was shocked to find Maya, Rachel and Rowan all wandering over to her and Hermione, asking if what they had heard was true. Saffron hadn't spoken a word of her plans to any of them but did not doubt that Lavender and Parvati had told anyone who would listen that Saffron was going with Dean.

It had been a point of contention, from Lavender's perspective, at first, as she expected Saffron to have told her that she had agreed before she actually agreed. This was because Dean was on Parvati's side of the list in their dormitory. However, Saffron assured them they were going strictly as friends and Parvati likewise assured Saffron, in private, that she didn't place as much stake in the list of boys they were allowed to go for as Lavender did.

"How did you even hear about it?" Was all Saffron had to say when they asked her about it. For a few seconds, she was worried that the twins had heard it from Emilia, who likewise had heard it from Olly but these worries were put to bed when Maya provided her with the source of the speculation.

"Well, I'm guessing you told Lavender or Parvati, so your question is rather self-explanatory," Maya replied briskly. "I didn't realise you liked him, I think it's really sweet,"

"You guys would be so pretty together," Rachel nodded her head animatedly.

Saffron rolled her eyes at the three of them. "First of all, we're going as friends, just friends," she added the last two words to Rachel who was probably already planning their wedding. "And secondly, I didn't go up to either of you two about the ball either,"

"Well, Maya's a champion so she was always going to be able to have her pick," said Rowan, so swiftly to not allow Maya to debunk what he had just said. "And if you were to talk to Rachel you'd smell the stench of desperation, and it reaks,"

"At least someone's asked me," said Rachel in defence, blushing. "I haven't seen anyone come up to you!"

"Are you sure about that?" Rowan arched an eyebrow at her scathingly.

"Have you got plans yet Hermione?" Maya asked the only non-Mitchell in the vicinity, who shook her head, lying through her teeth. Saffron would have loved to have told her siblings of who Hermione was going with, just to see their reaction, but she swore she'd keep it a secret and she wouldn't break her word to Hermione.

"No, I haven't yet, actually,"

"You could take Rowan," Rachel's over-enthusiasm told Saffron her younger sister was being insincere about her twin. "You like helping House Elves don't you, this could be some extra charity work,"

"Shut up!" Rowan rolled his eyes, as Rachel, Maya and even Saffron, albeit begrudgingly, laughed. Even Hermione had to bite her lip to not laugh.

"Regardless, make sure you come, Hermione," Maya told her firmly, with a small smile. Saffron had to try very hard to smirk, for Hermione wasn't only going to just be there, she was going to be opening the whole ball alongside her elder sister. "It's going to be a great night,"

"I'll definitely be there," Hermione nodded. Saffron was still smiling but as she saw who was coming into the Hall, the smile was wiped off her face and replaced with the blankest of expressions.

Olly and Emilia were strolling into the Hall, chuckling. And Saffron drew up the conclusion that they were undoubtedly chuckling about her. She reddened as Maya started throwing out ideas of how Rowan could somehow get to the Ball, and Hermione noticed Saffron's reaction.