Summer Writing Series Challenge (July 14)
Challenge: Single Story Week: Harry/Hermione is confronted by a former crush.
Challenge Conditions: Each day we'll post a challenge topic as usual, but each consecutive day you
will continue your story from the day before...and on Friday you'll have a 6000+ word story that flows from
beginning to end and includes each of the daily challenges as given.
Title: A Confession and a Fairy Godmother
Word Count: 1,000
So as Friday went on, and the date with Harry loomed closer, Hermione couldn't help but feel giddy. And nervous, she was nervous. It's just Harry, she would scold herself. But then, just Harry? That didn't serve him justice. Harry, who had been her best friend for six years, six months, and twenty-two days. Harry, who had been her boyfriend for three days, five hours, and 14 minutes. But who's counting? Really. Just Harry? Hermione didn't think so.
Presently, after lunch, Hermione found herself, surprisingly, looking through her closet, a very nifty advantage of being Head Girl if you for any reason wanted to bring twenty suitcases of clothing to Hogwarts, for a suitable attire for tonight. Professor McGonagall'd canceled today's N.E.W.T. class. Something about a second-year, who blew up the classroom when attempting to transfigure a cup into a mouse. She had to send fourteen students up to the Hospital Wing. Not even Neville could've managed that, Hermione mused to herself.
Hermione glared sourly at her two dress robes. The periwinkle-blue robe she wore to the Yule Ball three years ago wasn't a choice. Though the size was charmed to fir the wearer, Harry had already seen it. Besides, it was too much of a reminder of the rather unpleasant two days as Victor's girlfriend. Things were much pleasanter when they were just pen pals, though N.E.W.T.'s had surely made their former very frequent and lengthy correspondence rather scarce, much to Ron's delight. The second dress, which was in a rather bright orange color, was definitely not going to work. There were bright pink frills on the neckline as well as the sleeves. Hermione had no idea what she'd been thinking when she let Aunt Bridget, who revealed herself as a witch during the summer between fifth and sixth year, convince her to buy it. No, it wouldn't do at all.
Hermione sat on her four-poster bed scowling. She wouldn't have time to go Hogsmeade to get a dress, even though as Head Girl she was allowed. Glancing at her watch, she jumped slightly at the time. She had exactly two minutes to get to Charms.
Running through the halls in a very un-Hermione manner, she reached the classroom only thirty-two seconds late. Rushing in and muttering a quiet "Sorry, Professor Flitwick," Hermione walked to where Harry and Ron sitting. Hermione could still remember her delight when she found out that she, Harry, and Ron would be in three N.E.W.T. classes, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and astonishingly, Potions, together.
When Professor Flitwick finally let them leave, Hermione was surprised to feel a light tap on her shoulder. Turning around she saw Parvati Patil, a fellow seventh-year Gryffindor, standing there.
"Hey, Hermione. I was wondering if I could er- maybe talk to you. Alone?" Parvati said glancing at Harry and Ron, who were waiting for her by the door.
"Of course," Hermione smiled before waving the boys 'goodbye' yelling over the noise that she'll be along in a moment. Turning toward the other girl, she asked, "So, what do need to talk to me about?"
"Well, I just wanted to apologize," Parvati said, nervously avoiding her eyes.
"For what?"
Parvati took a deep breath before continuing, "I know I haven't been very nice to you for the past days." To be honest, Hermione can't say that she's noticed, but didn't comment on it. "And I'm just really sorry. I guess I was just jealous of you."
"You were jealous of me?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Hermione. You're the envy of every girl at Hogwarts! I mean, you're the smartest witch to attend Hogwarts in centuries. You're beautiful. You've got Harry's friendship, and now, you've even got his heart. Who wouldn't want to be you?" Parvati listed off. "But, that gave me no right to not like you. I-I was just mad that you were able to win Harry's heart when no other girl was able to do it, when I wasn't able to. But when I saw him look at you today even after that horrible article by that despicable woman, I know that my silly little crush is nothing compared to your love. Harry deserves someone like you. And I just hope that you can forgive me."
Hermione was stunned by Parvati's sincere confession and apology. "Don't worry about it. Everyone gets jealous once in a while. I just didn't know that I was that- that popular. And thank you for your approval, haven't got too many of those these days."
"Oh Hermione, thank you so much for understanding. I swear that none of the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws will give you any more trouble. And I really hope you and Harry will have a nice date tonight." She gave Hermione a light hug before turning to walk away.
Just then Hermione's mind registered something Parvati had said. "Wait, Parvati! D-did you just say that I was beautiful?"
"Sure, I mean you've got the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen you have a lovely face," Parvati frowned slightly as she ran her hand through Hermione's hair. "Your hair might need some work, but with some light make-up and a dress that'll show off your curves, Harry won't even recognize you!"
"Hey, Parvati, I have a favor to ask you. I'm having some trouble preparing for tonight, I mean, I don't even have a dress, and I don't know the first thing about make-up. Do you think that maybe you could er- help me?"
At this Parvati's eyes lit up. "Really? You want my help?"
"Yeah, I really want to look special for our first date," Hermione said, blushing.
"Oh! You have my word. Hermione, tonight, you will look more beautiful than a princess right out of a fairy tale book! I have the perfect dress for you! It'll fit you magnificently. And we'd have use something that'll accent those gorgeous eyes you have and…," Parvati ranted on as they made their way towards Gryffindor Tower.
A/N: I'm trying :) The stories for the past days are my very sad attempt at light-hearted humor and romance, I'm not quite sure this is working out. LOL.