Hold On (A Dramione Fanfiction)

6. Because I Didn't Have A Very Nice Childhood

The next day, Hermione was walking with Ginny to their class after lunch when she spotted Professor Flitwick handing out fliers to the seven-year students. She told Ginny and they both went in his direction to see what it was about.

As he saw them coming in his direction, Flitwick smiled widely at them. "Miss Granger! Miss Weasley! What a pleasure to see you! I hope you have worked on the new spell for today's lesson!" he said, his voice filled with energy.

"We did," Hermione assured. "Just a quick question, Professor: what are those fliers?" she asked, pointing at the stack of papers floating above his head thanks to a charm.

The professor giggled and handed them one each. "It's an invitation to a masquerade ball! Only for the seven-year students, of course! Minerva thought that you could all use a little distraction after what happened two days ago."

Ginny looked at the flier in her hand and glanced at Hermione. She knew her friend would never want to go to the masquerade ball, which is why she started thinking of ways to persuade her. "Thank you, Professor!" Ginny said, grabbing Hermione's hand and dragging her to their next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Calm down, Ginny! You're hurting my wrist!" Hermione told her, breaking out of her hold.

Ginny turned around and started walking backward, analyzing Hermione. Students made way for her as though what she was doing wasn't out of the ordinary. "Are you going to go to the masquerade ball?" Ginny asked her friend.

Hermione was a bit worried for her friend, which is why she forced her to walk normally. She then put the flier in her bag and shook her head. "It's our last year. It really isn't the time for me to be distracted away from the N.E.W.T.s. The ball is perfect because no one will be at the library. Do you know what that means? Silence to study: heaven." She had somewhat of a dramatic tone near the end of her speech.

Ginny sighed. "Hermione, it's only one ball. Come on, it'll be fun!" Hermione once again shook her head. "Well, mark my words, you will go to the ball. Whether you want it or not." Ginny had an evil glint in her eyes, which is why Hermione made the decision to avoid her until Saturday, the day of the ball.

"I really don't want to go. I'll see you in four days, Gin!" Hermione said, quickly walking away from her friend.

She spotted Harry waiting in front of the DADA classroom. Grabbing his arm, she used him as a shield. "Protect me from your girlfriend, Harry. She wants me to put on a dress and wear heels."

Harry laughed, but Ginny was glaring at Hermione as she stood in front of Harry. "Just because he's your best friend doesn't mean you can be mean with me," she whined jokingly and Hermione smiled at her.

"You know you're my best friend too, Ginny," she said. She then left the couple and walked inside the classroom. Luna was already sitting with Ariane, so she joined the two girls.

As she saw Hermione sitting next to her, Ariane apologized. "I'm très sorry about yesterday, Hermione. If I had known, I wouldn't have said anything!"

Hermione shrugged. "It's alright, Ariane. Actually, it made me realize Ron has changed a lot from the last years," she said. Even though it was true, her heart still ached from Ron's sudden change of character.

Luna was staring dreamingly at Blaise who was sitting opposite to them. Ariane and Hermione shared a look. "Luna," Hermione started. "Did something happen between you and Blaise?"

The witch nodded. "He apologized yesterday, and so did Draco." She sighed and put her hand under her chin. "He is really handsome, right?"

Hermione gasped at her friend. No one could fall in love that quickly. Something else must have happened between the two of them other than apologizes.