The Unexpected Task [H.P.]

Chapter 18 - An Argument, A Question, and A Dress

Nearly a week later, Harry, Ron and I sit in the Common Room, half buried in our schoolwork, hardly talking as we each scribble away. I'm nearly done with my Potions essay, one of the last pieces of work due before Christmas Break. Ron suddenly looked up from his potion book with a grin on his face.

"I forgot to tell you guys." He says, starting to laugh to himself. "Neville and I were talking in Charms today - turns out he's asked Hermione to the ball!"

Harry looks up, incredulous, "Neville asked Hermione?"

"I know!" He continues, "Said she's always been so nice, helping him with Potions and work and stuff. But here's the thing- she said she's already going with someone. No way, right?"

I look up from my parchment, "What? She...hadn't said..."

Ron was almost in tears, laughing still, "She definitely just made it up, doesn't want to go with Neville... I mean, who would?"

I scowl, "Don't be mean. Neville's nice. I'm sure he'd be a great date."

Harry seemed to narrow his eyes at my statement, but went back to his work silently, and Ron continued to laugh to himself.

The portrait hole opened, and a crowd of people came in suddenly, Hermione among them. She seemed to be hunched under her large bag of books, and collapsed into a chair at our table with a great sigh.

"Where have you three been?" She asked, taking out an Arithmancy book.

"We could ask you the same thing, Hermione." I say, narrowing my eyes at her teasingly. She seemed to blush a little, and murmured "Library." almost to herself before furiously beginning to work on some problems.

"Hermione, is it true you shot Neville down for the Yule Ball?" Ron asked, a little pink around the ears as well. Harry looked up with a grin, and raised his eyebrows.

Hermione shook her head, striking her nose up. "Yes, but it's nobody's business."

Ron just stared. "So you don't have a date."

Hermione looked up suddenly, holding her quill in a vice like grip. "For your information, Ronald, I do have a date."

"No you don't, you just said that to get rid of Neville." Ron said matter of factly, and returned to his work with a grin.

Hermione seemed to puff out with indignation, "Oh, did I?"

Ron just nodded, and a moment passed before he suddenly looked up at her like she was a completely new person. "Oi, Hermione, you are a girl."

"Well spotted, Ron." I laugh from my seat, and Harry stifles a laugh behind his hand, watching as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Can't you come with one of us?" Ron asked, pointing between him and Harry.

"No." Hermione said firmly. "I already told you, I'm coming with someone else. Just because it's taken you three years to notice, doesn't mean nobody else has spotted I'm a girl!"

Ron just rolled his eyes, still not believing her. I couldn't believe she hadn't told me, either about Neville or whoever else this mystery guy is.

"Okay, Okay. We know you're a girl," Ron replied, looking annoyed, "That do? Will you come now?"

"I've already told you!" Hermione said angrily, closing her book suddenly. "I'm going with somebody else!"

She gathered her things into her arms and pushed away from the table quickly, and stomped away and up the stairs without another word. Ron, looking confused, watched her go, and when she disappeared around the corner, rounded on me suddenly.