A/N- Yay! i was able to finish ch 17 faster than expected. well, this is for anyone out there who is still reading this story. I would love to read your guys' thoughts on the story; if there were any mistakes, something you liked or anything really. Thanks for sticking with this story to all those still reading this. :]
Chapter Seventeen Pressure
The next day dawned with a fresh sheet of snow on the ground and the sun shining out a bit behind the clouds. Hermione was lying on her bed, a smile of contentment on her face. All the other girls were fumbling around, getting ready to leave and talking about who they either wanted to go with or who had already asked them. All Hermione wanted to do was squeal in excitement and let the whole world know that she, bookish Hermione Granger had a date to the Yule Ball. And he was a champion, no less.
She smiled to herself and finally rolled out of bed once her roommates left the room. She walked over to the bathrooms and began to prepare herself for the day ahead.
Down in the Slytherin House, one upset Malfoy lay in bed, thoughts in a turmoil. She was staring over at the girl in the bed next to her, wondering what had happened to their friendship. Gone where the days when Raven used to bend over backwards to make her happy and the days where she was Raven's world, all of her happiness ruined by one eccentric, bubbly blonde.
Raven shifted in her sleep, so that she was now facing Autumn and a smile could be seen playing on her lips. She murmured something to soft for Autumn to hear, but whatever it was, it made her smile more prominent.
Autumn scowled and got out of bed. There was no way she was going to act like a petulant child. She was still a Malfoy and Malfoys' always got what they wanted. Raven would come running back eventually, she always did.
Rustling noises brought Raven out of her dream state and she cracked open her eyes to see who was making such ruckus. At the sight of Autumn's platinum blonde hair, she sighed softly and turned her back to her. Today was going to be hell.
"Raven," she heard Autumn whisper and then prod her softly. "Raven, are you awake? I need your opinion on something."
As Autumn poked her, Raven finally cracked her eyes open and muttered a groggy, "What?"
"I need you to look at something for me please," Autumn told her. With that, Raven slowly sat up and looked at her. Autumn was standing there, clad in plain jeans and her bra with two shirts in front of her. "What color do you think I should go with?"
Raven groaned and flopped back onto bed, face down.
Autumn frowned at the muffled noises coming from Raven and she put her hands on her hips.
"Speak up, I have no idea what you're saying to me," Autumn whined.
"I said," Raven sighed and looked blankly at Autumn, "go with the teal one." With that, she quickly got out of bed and ran onto the bathroom, locking herself in. Her head was reeling and she slid down to sit on the tile bathroom floor.
"Oh Merlin," she muttered to herself, head in her hands. "I can't believe Luna was right." She heaved a sigh and bit back a scream. Autumn really was no longer her "favorite, shiny toy," as Luna had so put it. But then, who had replaced Autumn on the pedestal on which she had placed her long ago?
Autumn frowned and sat down in confusion. Raven hated the color blue, and any shade really that pertained to it. Why would she tell her to wear teal when a magenta colored shirt had been the other choice?
"Whatever," she muttered and finished getting dressed. Just as she finished putting on her boot, Raven walked right back in. She didn't say a single word or even glance her way, but instead mechanically put on her clothes. With hot pink skinny jeans and a purple top on, Raven headed out the door only to run back in quickly.
"Almost forgot my boots," she laughed softly and started out the door again. She quickly stopped and peered back over at Autumn. "Hey, I'll meet you at the Great Hall at ten, so then we can go to, yeah whatever."
Autumn had barely moved from her spot, in shock at Raven's outfit. "Where the hell did she get pink pants?"
Hermione made her way down to the Great Hall and was surprised to see so much activity at such an early hour. As she made her way to the Gryffindor table, she looked around and realized that the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had decided to join them for breakfast. She sat down next to Harry and flushed slightly as Cedric caught her eye and grinned shyly at her.
"Morning everyone," she beamed and put a slice of toast on her plate. "Could someone pass me the jam please?"
Harry sat there with his fork raised half way to his mouth while Ron had food hanging half out of his mouth. They both stared at Hermione oddly and tried to wrap the fact that Hermione was cheerful at such an early hour for apparently no reason. Ron passed the jam to her cautiously, afraid that she would turn on him and curse him in some painful and unimaginable way.
"Here you go Hermione," Ron swallowed his food nervously.
"Thanks Ron," Hermione smiled and spread on her toast the jam. As she did, the owls swooped in, bearing letters from home. Among the flock, Hermione was surprised to see Adrian's mocha colored owl swoop down. She chuckled and slipped the letter off the owl before it could attract any attention.
"What a beautiful owl," Parvarti said to the left of her as it took a sip from Hermione's pumpkin juice. "Who is that from?"
"No one important," Hermione laughed, it sounding false even to her own ears. "Just, um, just Professor Lupin giving me some details for my essay in Ancient Runes. Oh, look at the time, I must be off!"
She nearly jumped away from her seat and practically bounded out of the Hall.
"That was weird," Lavender commented as she took a bite off of a sausage link. "Now I really want to know what was on that letter."
Hermione walked around until she found herself in an empty corridor near the North Tower and sat down at a bench before pulling the letter out. There, in Adrian's graceful scrawl was the name Amelia Pucey.
She closed her eyes and wondered what would have happened if anyone had even seen a peek of that name. Once her moment was over, Hermione let out a shaky sigh and opened the letter.
Dear Amelia,
It is great to hear from you after so long an absence. I must say, once you arrive here, things are bound to look up. Father is already preparing a room for you and I hope it is to your liking. We've mainly only had help from Draco, so if you hate it, blame him.
Now as for the reason as to why you wrote me in the first place.
In all honesty, I must say that losing a Weasley as a friend does not seem so terrible to me, but you are the one who knows him so I may be completely incorrect. But really, how much of friends can your friends be if they let such a simple thing such as a name ruin your friendship? And if they cannot accept you for it, then are they truly worth fretting over? Being upset over a name is so silly, but considering that you are a Pucey and we are held in such high esteem and just happen to be the most influential name- second only to the Malfoy-, well, it would be no fault of theirs to be so intimidated.
Remember Amelia, everything happens for a reason. If your friends do become angered over a name change and an alteration in appearance, simply give them a few days to become accustomed to it. It may very well simply be that they are in shock. Especially considering that you are a Pucey in Gryffindor.
Way to pull a Sirius Black on us dear sister. Until next time,
Forever your brother,
Adrian Pucey
Hermione smiled fondly at the letter and folded it back into her pocket. Of course Adrian wouldn't be able to understand her situation completely, but only he would know what to say to ease her nerves and give her good advice.
She stood up and quickly made her way back to the Gryffindor House. By the sound of things, it seemed like it was almost time to leave for Hogsmeade. She got into the dormitory and went up the stairs to the girl's area. Luckily, no one was on the room so she stuffed the letter into the bottom of her trunk and pulled out her favorite grey coat. Once she had all her things and her money in her pocket, Hermione walked down to the common room and stopped in surprise at the sight of Harry and Ron, both ready to leave.
"Harry, I didn't think you would be going also," Hermione exclaimed as she walked over to them.
"Where else would I go?" Harry laughed.
"Well, I just thought that you would take the time to figure out your clue. I mean, just two days ago you were complaining that it was too noisy for you to work. And I mean, anyone who is here is most likely going to Hogsmeade right now," Hermione told him.
"Hermione, I still have two months to figure that clue out. Don't worry," Harry reminded her. "I'm fine."
"Yeah, to bad you only have two days to find a partner to the Yule Ball," Ron laughed and Ginny stopped behind Hermione, startled at the news.
Harry winced and shook his head, "Ugh, don't remind me."
"Wait a minute," Ron gasped and looked at Hermione as if seeing her for the first time, "Hermione, you're a girl."
"Well spotted, Ronald," Hermione said acidly, crossing her arms.
"Well, you can come with one of us," he said animatedly. Hermione quickly uncrossed her arms and fidgeted slightly.
"Actually, I can't go with either of you," she mumbled.
"Oh please," Ron sighed impatiently, "Harry and I need partners. We're going to look like daft idiots- Harry more than me- if we end up going alone."
"I can't go with either of you because someone already asked me and I said yes," Hermione snapped.
"No you're not," Ron laughed. "Now, stop being so stubborn Mione."
"Look, just because it has taken you a total of three years to figure out that I'm a girl doesn't meant that no one else has been clever enough to figure that out before you," Hermione said, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"Okay, I'm sorry. We know you're a girl," said Ron soothingly, "now, will you please just go with one of us?"
"I already said no Ron," Hermione exclaimed angrily, "don't be so daft!"
She stormed out of the House and Ron shook his head in disbelief.
"She's lying," he said flatly. "Right?" he looked around, hoping someone would agree with him.
"She's not," Ginny muttered and the two wizards looked at her in surprise, having forgotten she was there.
"Well then, you tell us who she's going with," Ron scowled.
"Actually, Hermione never really told me, but-"
"Ah, well there you go. So no one really knows if she's got a date or not" Ron cut her off.
"If you would just listen," Ginny snapped, "Hermione just has a sort of energy and giddiness to her that she did not have a few days ago, and I might just happen to know someone who saw what happened, but I have been sworn to secrecy. Anyways, Lavender and Parvarti were talking about this during breakfast after Hermione ran out. Don't you two ever listen?"
"Fine then," Ron sighed impatiently, "Ginny, you go with Harry and I'll just-"
"I can't," Ginny mumbled, her face coloring. "Someone already asked me."
Ron groaned in frustration and shook his fists in the air.
"Why does this have to be so difficult? Well," he shrugged, "at least there's comfort in knowing that Neville is most likely going alone too. But he can just take himself."
The two wizards laughed and Ginny frowned.
"Don't make fun of him," she said. "Anyways, Neville already has a date. Has had one for awhile. He um, he asked me and uh, I think I'm going now."
She walked out miserably and Ron stood there gaping.
"What is wrong with these two?"
Hermione walked passed the teachers checking all the students and once she was alone, she let her tears fall silently. Ron was such an ass sometimes and just because he couldn't figure out what he wanted didn't mean that other guys didn't notice her.
At the sound of the snow softly crunching and the presence of someone else's thoughts, Hermione hastily wiped away her tears.
"Are you okay?" a girl asked and Hermione looked over to see a doe eyed girl staring at her.
"Who are you?" Hermione asked, not recognizing who she was.
"Oh, yeah, I'm Tracey Davis," the girl said quickly, sticking her hand out to shake hers. Hermione did so cautiously and frowned.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"Well, sort of," Tracey said. "We were partners for both Potions and Transfiguration. I tend to not really talk if I'm around a lot of people, like in class. We have a bunch of classes together actually. I'm in your Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Potions, Transfiguration, and Astronomy. We actually had Muggle Studies last year together also."
"Oh," Hermione looked abashed, "wow. In that case, I feel terrible for not having recognized you."
"It's no big deal. I don't call attention to myself and I'm fine with that," Tracey smiled. "Anyways, it helps for when I make friends with someone and they don't know anything about me so then nothing is held against me."
"I guess that's one way to go at it," Hermione murmured.
"Yeah, so anyways, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, thanks," Hermione sighed.
Tracey laughed and shook her head. "Fine isn't quite a feeling, now is it?"
"Sure it is," Hermione argued. "It's a valid and a completely legitimate feeling."
"Well, perhaps to people that can't face their feelings at the moment," Tracey agreed.
"Look, just because we were partners for Potions and Transfiguration doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to spill all of my secrets to you. We still barely know each other," Hermione countered.
"True, but it doesn't quite look as if you really have anyone else to talk to at the moment," Tracey smiled. "I'm all ears. Well, obviously not considering I have a visage, and arms, legs, fingers, and toes. So, perhaps I'm not all ears, but I am willing to listen."
Hermione bit back a laugh and simply smiled.
"I guess you make a valid argument," Hermione conceded. "If you must know, I'm in this state because of Ronald."
"And what state would that be?" Tracey asked her.
"Angry, upset, hurt, and very offended," Hermione finally said after a moments pause. "That tactless prat dares to finally realize that I really am a girl and not just one of the guys and seriously tried to use me as a last resort for the Yule Ball."
"Well, that seems a little rude," Tracey shook her head.
"And Harry just stood there, letting Ron dig himself an even deeper hole. They're both just idiots," Hermione sniffed. "And the worst part is that those two jerks can't even believe that someone would go and actually ask me to the Yule Ball. Just because they're thick skulled doesn't mean every guy is," Hermione scowled and Tracey winced, feeling sorry for the Gryffindor.
"I'm sure if Harry thought it through, he would've realized that he could've gone to the Yule Ball with you," Tracey said sympathetically.
"Maybe. If I dressed and acted more feminine," Hermione sighed.
"Don't let them get you down," Tracey smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "They don't define you and neither do their words."
"Well, Hermione Granger, my friends are waiting for me and if I leave them waiting for me any second longer, I'm sure they'll truly kill me," Tracey sighed. "It was nice finally meeting you. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow or something."
"Sure, that'd be great," Hermione nodded, "meet me after breakfast, then?"
"Sounds like a plan," Tracey smiled, "Bye."
Hermione watched her walk away and realized that she had never figured out what House Tracey was in. She looked around and realized that their conversation had taken longer than she thought and she was in front of the Hog's Head. She walked in and hoped that Draco was already there.
"About time," his voice came from the right and she looked over to see a table with only one occupant there. "Can we go now? I honestly cannot stand this place another second longer."
"Fine, it's you I'm waiting on anyways," Hermione joked.
"Oh please," he scoffed and walked over to her, dusting himself off as he did. "I don't think I'll ever be able to wear this ever again."
"You're fine Draco," Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled his hand away from. "Let's go already."
The two started walking towards the main part of Hogsmeade and Hermione wrapped a scarf around herself in order to avoid being recognized, her hair having already been tucked into her jacket.
"Great, now you look like a dork," Draco muttered.
"Shut it Draco," Hermione snapped. "Let's just enjoy today. Now come on, you need to help me pick out a present."
"Well, who did you get?" Draco asked her.
"Crabbe, unfortunately," Hermione frowned. "Now, I want to get something that isn't too costly, because frankly we all know that he's just going to chuck it once he finds out who gave it to him. So, what do you suggest I should get him?"
"Merlin, I don't know. You'd have better luck asking Goyle," Draco told her.
"Aren't you two friends though?" Hermione asked him curiously. "I thought you would know each other's likes and dislikes."
"Don't make me laugh," Draco smirked. "Us Slytherins aren't like you and your little Gryffindor pals, Mia. We don't make friends. I've already explained this to you. Think of it as more of a business arrangement."
"Great, just great," Hermione scowled. She hated when Draco got cold and all Slytherin like. It annoyed the hell out of her.
"Of course, I don't think that about you," Draco said and hugged her tightly to him. "Never worry about that." Hermione relaxed into his embrace and closed her eyes tightly.
"Well, what do I do now about my gift?" she sighed. Draco's chest began to rumble as he laughed ad he let go of her in disbelief.
"Nice to know shopping is more worrisome right now than how we stand," Draco grinned and tugged lightly on the ends of her scarf. "Thanks for making me feel so important Mia."
"I try," she snickered and suddenly an idea came into mind. "I've got it! Come with me."
She dragged him along with her and finally let go of him when they entered Honeydukes.
"Now, I do recall that in our second year that Crabbe and Goyle both loved eating sweets. That's how I got to take those sleeping draughts, by sneaking them into cupcakes and giving them to Harry and Ron so that they could knock them out in order to," she trailed off and her eyes widened nervously.
"To do what, exactly?" Draco narrowed his eyes.
"Um, never mind. Do they still like sweets?" Hermione squeaked and walked away quickly.
"Oi, get back here," Draco growled. "What the hell did you do in our second year?"
"Let's see. I'll get him sugar quills and some of these chocolate frogs. Oh look, there's dark chocolate now," Hermione muttered.
"What in the bloody hell did you three do?" Draco whispered furiously in her ear, grabbing her arm tightly and spinning her to face him.
"Never mind that, I'm busy," Hermione pried his hand off of her and shoved some sweets into his arms. "Hold these for me please. I still need more before I'm happy with my purchase,"
She walked away, leaving Draco in disbelief.
Cedric and Liam walked into the Three Broomsticks and sat down at a table a little towards the back of the place.
"So, will you tell me already what happened?" Liam asked. "All yesterday you were so unresponsive."
Cedric smiled and sighed, his eyes glazing over as he recalled the events from the day before.
"Just like that," Liam sighed in frustration. "I swear, you're worse than some lovestruck girl."
"Yeah," Cedric agreed, his friend's words falling upon deaf ears.
"Earth to Cedric," Liam said, waving his hand in front of his friend's face.
"I'm sorry, what?" Cedric blinked and Liam shook his head in amusement.
"I'm just going to guess that yesterday was a good day," Liam laughed, "considering that you keep zoning out on me every time you think about yesterday."
"Liam, it was better than good, it was amazing," Cedric told him. I got incredibly lucky, because she was still available even though Harry and her other friend were still looking for a date. I can't those two blokes didn't even think about asking her right away."
"It was just your day, wasn't it," Liam mumbled.
"Yes, yes it was. Now let's get some butterbeer, I'm paying."
"How about you get the drinks and I save the table," Liam offered suddenly, not even knowing himself why he had the sudden urge to save their table even though the place wasn't all that busy.
"Sure, okay," Cedric agreed and walked over to the bar where Madam Rosmerta was serving Hagrid as he conversed with Professor Moody.
"Ah, Cedric, how are you?" Professor Moody asked him as someone called Hagrid away from the area.
"Good, thank you Professor," Cedric nodded.
"And the clue? Getting anywhere with that?"
"Mm, not yet unfortunately," Cedric sighed in disappointment. "I just can't seem to figure out how to stop the unearthly screeching."
"Well, how about I tell you a secret as long as I have your word that you won't go running around about where you got the information from," Moody smiled eerily, his eyes glinting in a way that chilled Cedric to the bone.
"Okay, Cedric answered hesitantly.
Liam sighed and looked back to see what was taking his friend so long with their drinks. At the sight of their D.A.D.A. teacher huddled with Cedric, Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle around him. No way could this end up well.
Harry tried to enjoy all the new products at Dervish & Banges, but Ron's constant stream of useless worrying was really starting to grate on his nerves.
"Ron, who cares about who Hermione might be going to the Yule Ball with. Honestly, it really isn't a big deal," Harry said, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice.
"Yes it is. We would tell her who we would be going with, so why can't she? Is she embarrassed by the person or is it because no one has actually asked her?" Ron muttered.
"It's because we'd bug the mickey out of her if she told us," Harry responded, hoping to end the conversation and walked down another aisle. "How much do you know about Dean?" Harry asked suddenly and pulled out a pair of dragon hide gloves. "Do you think he'd like these? He could use them for goalie gloves and Keeper ones."
"Good idea," Ron nodded, deterred from his worries at the mention of Quidditch. "I got it much easier. Since I have Hannah Abbot, I just went and asked Neville what he would like to get and went with that."
"Yeah, well, we all know what you would like, Harry grinned and nudged Ron as Fleur passed by outside with other students from Beauxbatons.
"Oh Merlin," Ron whimpered and turned a hideous shade of red as he ducked behind Harry in order to avoid recognition. "Most embarrassing moment of my life."
Once the group passed by, Ron straightened up and cleared his throat.
"So Harry, gotten anywhere with that clue of yours?" Ron asked.
Harry snorted and shook his head. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Yeah, that's sort of what I was thinking too," Ron shrugged.
"Just, um, don't tell Hermione, okay? I think she might kill me if she knew I have done nothing about it."
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," Ron smiled.
Draco and Hermione stepped out of Honeydukes, Draco carrying the sweets meant for Crabbe.
"I hope he'll eat these before wondering who gave them to him," Hermione muttered as she looked at the sweets.
"He won't bother asking," Draco chuckled. "Once he sees them, it'll be in his stomach before you can say hello."
"Well, you do know Professor Dumbledore is going to make us reveal ourselves at the Yule Ball," Hermione sighed. "So you better get a handle on him."
"No worries," Draco grinned and tossed an arm around her shoulder as they ducked into Gladrags Wizardwear. "Why in Merlin's name are we here?"
"Oh, well, Lavender informed me recently that they actually happen to sell some hair products here and well, I need something for my hair," Hermione explained. "Since we do need our hair down, I need something to manage my hair because the winter weather makes it frizzy at night. And well, that's all I need for the Yule Ball."
"That's it?" Draco asked in disbelief.
"Yes. Luckily, I already have my dress robes and my shoes to go with it. Adrian mentioned that he had something that he wanted me to wear also, so I'm covered when it comes to my accessories," Hermione informed him. They got to the back of the stair and Hermione peered at all the hair products there.
"How about a date?" Draco smirked. "Who's taking you, Ron or Harry?"
"Neither," Hermione's cheek became a slight pink hue and she picked up a bottle so she wouldn't have to look Draco in the eyes.
"Oh?" Draco felt as if his stomach had disappeared and he felt oddly hollow. "Do tell who will be taking you then."
"You'll find out that night," Hermione muttered and finally found what it was she wanted.
Draco looked over her shoulder and peered at the words on the label.
"Sleekeazy's Hair Potion?" she snorted.
"Can it Malfoy," Hermione sniffed, "not all of us are lucky enough to be born with smooth tame hair. Anyways, Lavender told me it works really well and she just happens to be more knowledgeable than I when it comes to this area."
"If you say so," Draco shrugged.
"I say so," Hermione retorted. "Now, tell me. Who will you be taking to the Yule Ball?"
"Well, I would've taken you if it weren't for your stupid, pointless worries-"
"They are neither stupid nor pointless," Hermione scowled.
"Anyways, since Pansy was practically bugging me everyday to just ask her, I went to ask Astoria. Thankfully, she said yes. Of course, I went and explained to her that I am going to the Yule Ball and that is it. She shouldn't expect our convenient arrangement go any further," Draco explained.
"Wow,, way to be so unromantic," Hermione chuckled.
"So what? I have absolutely no romantic inclinations towards her and I simply don't want her to get any ideas or to get her hopes up," Draco shrugged. "Saves us all from any awkward situations."
"I guess that's kind of, noble," Hermione said hesitantly, unsure of how the logic worked out.
"Don't stress yourself," Draco laughed, "anyways, let's just buy this and go back to the castle. It's better there anyways."
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