Magnetic Attraction

Chapter 22: Where we Started

Hermione couldn't recall a time in which she had last been so blissfully happy. She was nervous as fucking hell, but she was very happy. She was so happy that she didn't even care when Parvati Patil sat down next to her at the small circular table that had been unofficially labeled as the Golden Trio table (plus friends and dates). The Head Girl sipped butterbeer out of a small glass mug, smiling placidly at anyone to walk by, and half-listened to the Gryffindor girl raving in her ear.

"Oh, shit, should I tell Lavender I feel like I should she should know that Ron is cheating on her but what if she gets mad at me but it isn't my fault but she won't blame him she'll blame me and Merlin she looks so much prettier than I do, stupid skank gets everything, oh but she's my friend and well I'm sleeping with her boyfriend so I guess I'm no better am I it doesn't matter should I tell her or not?" Parvati had apparently decided she could trust Hermione enough to tell her about her confusion relating to Ron and Lavender, seeing as Hermione had known about their secret relationship for over a month without saying anything. Hermione, of course, couldn't care less about what Parvati did, seeing as whatever happened to Ron wouldn't be unwarranted. Sadistically amused by her friend's mistake, she took another sip of her butterbeer and resumed watching her other friends out on the dance floor.

The only other Yule Ball that Hogwarts had held during her time at the school had been formal and grand. This was grand in its own right, but was hardly formal. The students on the dance floor were dancing however they so chose, and the fact that Professor McGonagall was no where to be found made it easier for the teenagers to get away with what could only be called grinding. Not everyone was indulging themselves in freak dancing, though there was a tight circle of such dancing going on across the floor. Hermione chose to pretend that she had not seen Ginny and Harry in a very close position hardly doing a waltz.

Luna switched records at the DJ booth, saying in her dreamy voice, "Now we have a request from Neville dedicated to Christine. This is 'All I Want for Christmas.' Aw, how cute! I guess Neville fancies her." In a tamer portion of the dance floor, Neville blushed as his date laughed kindly and kissed him on the cheek before the song started. Hermione smiled and reminded herself to congratulate Christine later on. The sixth year had confided her crush on Neville to Hermione while they had been planning their outfits.

"Hermione are you listening Hermione seriously what do you think should I tell Lavender or not come on I need an answer?" Parvati said frantically, her gold wrist bracelets clanging as she clapped her hands on the table. Hermione shrugged, nonplussed, and nodded her head in tune to the bouncy song playing. "Hermione?" But she would get no answer. Frustrated, the twin stood up and stalked away, off to contemplate her next move in private. Hermione hardly realized she was alone until a sweaty Ginny sat down in Parvati's empty chair. They were joined soon after by Harry, who sat down next to Ginny.

"So Neville finally fessed up to Christine, eh?" he said, reaching out to retrieve his half-full mug of butterbeer. Hermione shrugged once again, watching the room for any sign of distress. Finding nothing, she turned her attention back to Harry, amazed that the night was going so smoothly.

"I suppose so. Oh I do think they'll be happy together," she responded. Ginny nodded her agreement.

"She's liked him for ages, actually. Maybe since my third year. She was jealous as hell when he asked me to the ball back then." It wasn't hard to believe that someone so quiet as Christine had been able to like a boy for four years and not let anyone in on her crush. As Neville's song ended, Luna called out that a fifth year Hufflepuff named Jade would sing a song next. The threesome watched the petite brunette sing karaoke, reading the lyrics of a wizarding song Hermione didn't recognize off of a small glass tablet mounted near the floor in front of the stage. The lyrics would appear as the song went on, and magicking the tablet had taken Draco a good three hours. Hermione watched the girl with respect, knowing how afraid the she must be. Nonetheless Jade did well and returned to her friends once her song was over. As the next request was played, Ginny and Harry returned to the dance floor, laughing happily.