Unexpected

Crepuscule

Hermione desperately dug through her trunk, cursing as she made more of a mess than she ever had in her life. Half of its contents were already strewn around her room, draped over her bed, the lamp and the floor. Where were her damn gloves? She was going to be late, and she really didn't need that at the moment. The Quidditch game was starting soon, all of her Housemates were already gone, and she was supposed to be meeting Ginny by the gardens. After four days of avoiding her and three days of apologies, she had finally convinced Ginny to talk to her. She felt absolutely wretched, and she couldn't believe that she'd let herself gawk like that last Saturday.

The girl had just been forced to kill her brother, and instead of offering her comfort, Hermione had devoured her boyfriends with her eyes. Very classy, Hermione, she chastened herself once again. It had taken forever to work up her courage and approach Ginny afterwards, and when she had, the girl had sneered and walked away, Pansy, Melody and another Slytherin girl, Daphne, at her side. And then day before yesterday, she'd gotten her chance and cornered her after Charms, as it was the only time she'd seen her without at least two Slytherins shadowing her. She'd watched Ginny shoo them away since she'd stayed after to ask Flitwick a few questions, so Hermione had waited outside for her.

"Ginny?" She'd called when the red-haired girl had stepped out into the hallway. She'd turned slowly, contained grace in her every movement.

"What do you want, Hermione?"

"To apologize. Again." Seeing the look on Ginny's face, she had hurried on. "I really am sorry, Ginny. I couldn't help it. I promise, though, that I didn't mean anything by it. I'm not stupid." She'd said, keeping her voice as low and calm as she could. That look had flashed in Ginny's eyes again, before it had faded and been replaced by an odd, calculating expression.

"Aren't you?" Ginny had asked so softly that Hermione had barely heard her. Then louder, "Perhaps I've been a bit...harsh."

"What?" Hermione had asked, not believing her ears.

"Look, how about you meet me before the Quidditch match on Sunday?" Ginny had questioned, though Hermione had known that to say no was to lose her only chance.

"Sure, but couldn't we talk now?" She'd asked, and had breathed a sigh of relief when the other girl had laughed.

"Are you kidding?" Ginny had exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "If I don't show up for Herbology, one of the Slytherins will run for Draco or Blaise. Or both." She had paused then, looking thoughtful. "Oh, wait. I forgot." She'd said, pulling a small, orange orb from her pocket. It was perfectly smooth, and it had reminded Hermione of the crystal balls used in Divination, because it had looked full of swirling mist.

"What's that?" She'd asked, her curiosity once more getting the better of her. And Ginny hadn't snapped at her as expected, but she hadn't really answered her, either.

"A present. It'll let them know I'm fine. You sure you really want to skip a class?" Ginny'd asked, the barest hint of animosity creeping into her husky voice.

"Yes." Hermione had replied, and watched silently as Ginny had tapped the orange sphere with her finger. It had flashed, and then flickered twice more, before returning to its previous state. Ginny had led her towards the dungeons, but hadn't taken her to the Slytherin common room as she had expected, instead going to an abandoned classroom.

"Why'd we come here?" She'd asked, looking around at the cobweb-covered walls and dusty cauldrons. Ginny's eyes had darkened, and Hermione had wished fervently that she'd just shut her mouth.

"I don't think taking you into Slytherin would be...wise." Ginny had finally responded. "If Blaise catches your scent in the common room before I get a chance to talk to him...Look, it's going to be bad enough when they smell you on me."