Here's the next chapter -
--jamie
disclaimer…not mine…
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Well, the good news is my head didn't explode, the bad news is the dance isn't here yet. I've spent the past weeks vacillating between trying to avoid Hermione and trying to get as close to her as possible. Avoidance worked for a while. I'd start the day off with it in my head that it's for the better if I just keep away from her until the dance. No sense in running the risk of screwing things up. In the end though, my overwhelming desire to be surrounded by all things Hermione won out and I'd go find her. I then decided that maybe I should slowly drop hints about my intentions for the night of the Yule Ball, sort of acclimate her to the idea of it, this way it wouldn't be a complete and total surprise. I figured she'd be less likely to freak out when I told her if she sort of knew in the back of her mind that it was coming.
That brings us to now. I'm sitting on the couch in the common room waiting for her to come downstairs so we can head over to the dining hall for dinner. She was supposed to be down fifteen minutes ago, but she's probably immersed in a book, I'll give her a few more minutes and if she's not here, I'll go up and get her.
Ok, well, it's been a few minutes, four minutes and 27 seconds to be exact (not that I've been staring at my watch or anything…), I figure that's ample time for her to have realized she was due to meet me. I ascend the stair case to the girls' dorms and glance around, trying to locate hers, I haven't been up more than a handful of times so it's a bit of problem. I finally find what I deem to be her door and push on it tentatively,
"Herm?"
She jumps, I think I startled her. She was hunched over her desk, but turns around at the sound of my voice,
"Harry? What are you doing here?"
What the hell's got her so occupied that she's forgotten about dinner? I could never forget dinner.
"We were supposed to go to the dining hall remember? You were due downstairs 20 minutes ago."
"I was? I'm sorry, I've been a bit distracted."
I'll say. She's not even looking at me, in fact she's looking everywhere but at me. What's going on?
"Are you ok, Hermione? You seem a little preoccupied. Is there anything I can do?"
"NO! I mean, no thank you, I'll be fine. Viktor and I are just having some problems, nothing I can't get through."
They're having problems? They're having problems?! Whoopee! God, I am a selfish bastard. Look how upset she looks.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes…er…no. Um…here goes- I think I've outgrown Viktor."
Well of course you've outgrown Viktor, he's a moron. Obviously, though, I can't tell her that, so I just try to be supportive, despite any ulterior motives I may have.
"You've out grown him? How's that?"
"It's just, well, we're graduating this year, we're nearly adults and I'm still stuck in this juvenile relationship. Viktor has no aspirations outside of quidditch. He's been out of school for a while now and has no plan for the future and what's more, he has absolutely no consideration for my feelings about any of this."
Hey! You can't blame a guy for being focused on quidditch, however, I see what she means. This doesn't look good for me though, being as that I, too, am aspiration-less. Actually, I take that back, I have an aspiration, it's to be with Hermione.
"I can see how that could be upsetting. Don't worry, Herm, I sure you'll work it out."
Lame, I know, but it's the best I can do right now. If I say anymore, it'll be unfair to her as I'll likely tell her that she should just break up with him, which would obviously benefit me. I can't let my self-centered thoughts get the best of me. I don't want to sabotage her relationship, well, actually, I do, but that's unfair to her, so I won't.
"That's the thing though, Harry, I don't know if I want to work it out."
Is she serious? That's awesome! I'm such a jerk.
"Why's that?"
"Uhhh, no particular reason, I guess, I don't know, I just don't."
Whoa, she's pretty flustered right now.
"There's got to be a reason, Herm."
"Yeah, I guess there is."
"What is it?"
"It's not important. I'll figure this out. Thanks, Harry. You've been helpful. Let's go grab something to eat."
It's not important? Dammit, it certainly is! Oh well. Did she say I've been helpful? How does she figure that? Whatever. It takes me a second, but I realize she's already gone to dinner, leaving me to trail after her. I'd follow you anywhere, Hermione. God, I am such a sop.