Below The Surface

Chapter 2

I groaned inwardly as I peeled my eyes open the next day, feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Blinking away remnants of sleep, I came to realize that it wasn't an elephant but was, in fact, one Hermione Granger, who looked terribly impatient, and would be awfully offended if she knew my semi conscious brain had compared her to an elephant.

"Hurry up! Breakfast ends in 15 minutes," Hermione stood as soon as she saw I was awake, and began opening the curtains surrounding my bed frame. I groaned as light streamed into my face, effectively blinding me.

"It burns," I complained, rubbing my eyes with the heel of my hands, trying to remember the events of the previous night. Quidditch party... Dancing on a table... Trying to find Mrs. Norris... Draco crying...

"Too bad," Hermione said primly, "Now get up."

"I have a headache," I protested as I struggled into a seated position, still under my covers.

"Maybe you should've thought of that before you all went celebrating," Hermione's mouth was a thin line.

"You're just mad you didn't come," I swatted her with a pillow, "What, getting a head start on next month's transfiguration readings?"

Hermione's face grew even tighter, and mine fell as I realized my mistake.

"We both know why I didn't come last night," she said quietly, her eyes downcast.

I sighed.

Ron had started dating Lavender a few weeks ago, and they'd been going at it, 24/7, rain or shine, ever since. It made life very difficult for Hermione, who was, of course, in love with the git. A party with a very drunk Ron and Lavender was the last place she needed to be.

"Shit, Mione. I totally forgot. I'm sorry."

She shrugged, playing with my duvet cover.

"Whatever. Ronald can date whoever he likes," she looked up at me, a faint rueful smile on her face, "I just wish he didn't feel the need to inhale her tonsils every thirty seconds."

I laughed and hopped out of bed, the image of Ron and Lavender snogging like there's no tomorrow having fully woken me up.

I patted Hermione on the shoulder as I passed her on the way to the bathroom.

"You and me both, mate. You and me both."

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We made it down to breakfast in record time, my tie undone and my hair a rat's nest. I slid into the seat in between Fred and George, who both groaned in protest as I upset the waffle pyramid they'd been carefully building.

"Sorry!" I said cheerfully, plucking one of the fallen waffles off of the table and taking a massive bite. My mouth still full of food, I turned to George.

"Fix this for me, would you?" I gestured to my tie, which was still undone. Everyone knew I was absolutely hopeless at tying the thing, and I was always enlisting the help of innocent bystanders, typically a Weasley or Hermione.

George rolled his eyes but complied, tying the knot in under five seconds.

"Honestly, woman, seventeen years old and can't even dress yourself properly," he shook his head disappointedly, "What are we going to do with you?"

I stuck my tongue out at him and took another bite of my waffle, unperturbed.

Soon, I was engrossed in a passionate discussion of offensive formations with Harry and Fred. I was listening to Harry describe his new strategy to beat the Ravenclaws at next week's match when I noticed Malfoy arriving in the Great Hall. He was surrounded by his usual cronies, and his face bore no trace of the haunted look he'd worn last night. As if he could feel my gaze on him, he turned suddenly, locking eyes with me. He narrowed his, as if daring me to look away. I held fast, still captivated by what I'd seen the night before. Crabbe said something to him and he turned away, ending our standoff. I couldn't help but feel a bit triumphant.