Good 'N Bad

Chapter : 7 Building up

Author's Note: Here's the next chapter guys! Enjoy!!!

          Since I came back, I had been caught up in the week's homework. Fortunately, I was helped by Hermione and Neville in catching up for Monday. I had to devote the entire weekend in doing so, taking breaks only during mealtimes. But even so, there was a mountain work to be done. Ron kept telling me that I would not have much of a problem, considering the reason for the delay in handing in my work late, but I was not comfortable doing that. Hermione understood perfectly and I think since then, we grew more close.

          During one of the free periods, on Tuesday, Harry and Hermione were keeping me company while I did my work, when Harry was called away by Dean, leaving me and Hermione alone in our corner. I was just about to finish the last piece of homework pending, just a few more words now, a dot right there and...

'Done!' I said, slumping back in my chair, with an air of victory in my voice.

'Very good. Now you can get the rest you deserve', remarked Hermione happily, 'Its a good thing next weekend we'll be going to Hogsmeade. I almost thought they'd have forgotten all about it.'

'I know. Gosh! I would do anything just to pour a jug of butterbeer down my throat.' We both giggled, then fell silent.

'Ava....I wanted to thank you.....you know for helping Harry with his work. I know he can be a handful......and what with all that was going on.....and what I think still is.....-'

'Oh, don't mention it. Really. I just wanted to be of some use. He looked as though he needed it amidst all those books and parchment.'

Hermione giggled again, 'Yeah, well I'm glad I got that out of the way. So, has anyone asked you to the dance yet?'

          Goodness, the dance! I had completely forgotten about that! Draco had not approached on that topic, he hadn't approached me at all since the incident. He might have made up his mind then and asked someone else.

'Ava....are you all right?' Yikes, I must have zoned out.

'Um...yeah....I'm fine. No, actually. No one's asked me. Who are you going with?'

'No one....yet. I know this may sound stupid, but I just wish Ron would buck up and ask me already', fumed Hermione. 'Anyway, both of us are in the same boat I guess.'

'Yeah. Hold on, I don't see why we shouldn't go if we don't have dates. Why don't we just dress up for ourselves and have fun.'

'That's a brilliant idea! Oh, now I can't wait for the dance to arrive. How about us girls go shopping together when we go to Hogsmeade? We can make a day of it! Oh, it will be so much fun!' She exclaimed happily, while giving me a real tight hug and rushing out the common room.

Well, that settled it. I could now enjoy the thought of the dance, without having a git like Malfoy ruining it.

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          The rest of the week passed by in a blur, with study sessions. I helped Harry while Hermione helped Ron. Though we didn't allow them to take too much advantage of our notes.

          Next morning at breakfast, Hermione came up next to me and started talking so fast that anyone hearing her would feel out of breath.

'Ava, I don't know how to say this, but Ron finally asked me to the dance. I told him we had already made plans. How can I ditch us just because I finally got a date. He will understand. I just think it will take some - '

'Hermione! STOP!' I yelled, unable to take it any longer. 'You listen to me. You will go with Ron as your date, understand. Don't mind me. I will be perfectly alright. The world won't end if I show up without a date. And besides, there is still time.'

'We can all still go for shopping and dress up together?' She said meekly.

'Yes, we can still do that. That will be our girl's time. Now hurry up and go cheer Ron up before he does something stupid.' She nodded and hurried away. I let out a sigh of exasperation. What is it that made all girls go crazy when a boy asked her to be his date? Well, who knew I was about to find it out that very day itself during lunch.

          We were all sitting around the table and chatting about the dance. Ginny was going with Harry and Neville was taking Luna. I finished my pudding and was getting up to leave when Dean approached me.

'Hey Ava, I was thinking....do you want to go to the dance?

'She is going to the dance, with me', said another voice. I turned round to see Draco standing there with his hands in his pockets, glaring at Dean.

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