Broken Against a Stone

Halloween morning dawned cold and dreary. The windows of Hermione's dorm room windows were covered in condensation. It made her think of the way her relationship was going with Ron. She felt as though she was being smothered like the window was with its droplets of water.

She dressed and walked into the common room to find a very unhappy looking Harry being consoled by Ron. She walked over to them to see what was going on.

"Harry, are you alright?" said Hermione in a soothing voice.

Harry did not answer Hermione, but continued to stare into oblivion with absolute despair contorting his facial features. Since he did not want to talk to Hermione about what was troubling him, Ron took it upon himself to explain.

"Patil's already got a date for the Halloween ball. Her boyfriend Vlad from Durmstrang is making a special trip to attend it with her. Now, Harry does not know who to ask to it," said Ron

Hermione tried to think of something to say about such a sensitive subject. After Cho Chang had rejected his advances three years ago, Harry could not deal very well with rejections from girls. Hermione was not aware that Parvati even had a boyfriend, much less one that attended Durmstrang. She thought for a moment, and noticed that across the room, Ginny Weasley was trying to listen to what they were saying and not be noticed. She had her transfiguration book in her hands, but it appeared to be upside down. She looked back to Ron, who was expectant to hear what Hermione had to say about the matter at hand.

"Ron, would you mind if Harry took your sister to the ball? I don't think she has been asked yet," said Hermione.

After Hermione had made the suggestion, Harry looked from Hermione and Ron as if that was the most amazing thing he had heard in a long time. Apparently, from the expression on his face, Harry thought it was a fantastic idea. Ron put a thin, freckled arm around Hermione.

"It's fine by me, but it what Harry wants to do," said Ron as he gazed at the not so glum anymore Harry.

"I would be honored to take your sister, Ron," said Harry. He smiled brightly and ran his fingers through his trademark untidy hair.

"Well, it's settled then. Harry, Ron and I are going to go down to breakfast now. Go and talk to Ginny on your own. You can fill us in on everything in a bit," said Hermione.

"Ok then, see you later," said Harry as he wrung his hands and bit his lip.

Hermione and Ron walked together to breakfast, and sat down.

"That's so good of you to let Harry take your sister to the ball tonight," said Hermione. "You know it's going to mean the world to her. She absolutely worships him." Hermione poured boiling water over her teabag thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I don't know why I didn't think of it before, to be perfectly honest," said Ron. Hermione secretly groaned from within. "Because you have a fucking keen sense of the oblivious," Hermione thought to herself irritably.

Hermione smiled at him as politely as possible and sipped her tea. She was already beginning to feel the gnawing sensation of nervous anxiety in her stomach. She did not think that she could bear to see Draco tonight at the ball. She did not want to see him dancing with anyone. She did not want to be cheek to cheek with Ron, when all it amounted to was a falsehood. She considered the idea of going to see Madame Pomfrey to get a dose of a muscle relaxing draft before the ball. She thought it might help her get through the evening's unpleasantness more smoothly. She continued to sip her tea and looked over to Ron, who was shoveling buttered toast into his mouth and looking completely unaware of his surroundings. "Poor Ron," she thought. "If only I did not feel the way I do."

Harry came bustling in after about ten minutes looking like he'd just won the lottery. He sat down with his friends and poured a cup of coffee for himself. Ron and Hermione looked at him expectantly.

"Well, out with it!" said Hermione impatiently. "What did she say? Is she going to go with you?" Harry smiled at her mischievously as he brought his coffee cup to his lips for a long drink.

"What do you honestly think Hermione?" said Harry almost giddily. Hermione laughed at the sound of his voice and his facial expression.

"I assume that it's a done deal," said Hermione looking quite satisfied.

"Right you are," said Harry as he looked over to Ron, who seemed to be on a different astral plane.

Hermione's attention was quickly diverted as Draco Malfoy walked into the room. He sat down lazily and began to look around the great hall. He met her gaze and looked at her in such a peculiar way, she had no clue as to what he might be thinking. She turned away quickly, feeling rather flushed and winded. She decided that if she did not eat something, she would surely vomit with the state of mind she currently possessed. She decided on eating a cinnamon roll, and began to unravel it nervously. It seemed to take her mind off of Malfoy's gaze momentarily.

"So, why hasn't Ginny come down to eat breakfast yet Harry?" said Hermione, trying desperately to change her mind's thought processes.

"She went to Hogsmeade with Lavender Brown. She was not expecting to go to the dance, so she did not have a gown ready to wear," said Harry.

"Oh, I hope there's something left at the shop for her. Yvonne's had sold out of many of the more attractive dresses," said Hermione as she distractedly screwed and unscrewed the saltshaker.

"Ginny would look good in Hagrid's old moleskin jacket, so I'm not too worried," said Harry in a confident voice.

Hermione felt very happy for him, although she felt it was time to get out of the room at that point. She needed space from the presence of Malfoy.

"What are you both going to do the rest of the day," said Hermione as she looked at Ron and Harry.

"We thought we might play wizard's chess until it's time to get ready for the ball," said Ron in a grossly overenthusiastic manner.

Hermione felt relieved that they'd be occupied and out of her way. She wanted to spend the day alone.

"Well, I'm going to go make some final alterations to my ensemble for the evening. I'm also going to have a go at this aromatherapy that Professor Sprout says is very popular with muggles lately," said Hermione.

"Ok sweetheart," said Ron. "I cannot wait until tonight. I love you, Hermione."

Hermione felt the bitter taste in the back of her throat begin to swell as her mind registered his words.

"I love you too," said Hermione as convincingly as possible." "See you later."

She walked out of the great hall as steadily as her legs would allow. She made it out of the room without glancing at Malfoy. "How fortunate," mused Hermione.

<+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++>

Hermione looked at herself one last time in the mirror before going to meet Ron, Harry, and Ginny in the Gryffindor common room. She had to hand it to herself; she looked incredible. She had enchanted her dress to sparkle and refract the light. She had also used magic to ensure that her perfectly placed make up would stay put all evening and never smear. She had fixed her hair in a French twist, and had applied beautiful gold beads to the fold of the twist. It accompanied the gold accents in her gown gorgeously.

She smiled approvingly at herself. "I'm going to be fine tonight," she said aloud to herself.

She made her way to the common room and found Harry, Ron, and Ginny waiting by the hearth for her. Ginny looked amazing in her crimson velvet gown. Her hair was in ringlets that beautifully framed her face. Harry was wearing black embroidered dress robes that fit in all the right places in Hermione's opinion. And there was simple, but sweet Ron dressed in violet dress robes. They did not particularly suit him, but Ron did not have keen fashion sense in the best of times. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and marveled over her divine beauty.

"Hermione, you look absolutely beautiful," said Ron as he gawked at her, completely awestruck.

"Thank you," said Hermione as she shifted a bit in her pumps. "So, do you! And you both look terrific tonight as well," she said looking at Harry and Ginny.

They seemed to be getting on very nicely. They were arm in arm with each other, seemingly is some sort of warped ecstasy.

"Well, let's roll," said Ron excitedly as he took Hermione's hand in his. He led everyone out of the common room.

As they entered the great hall, they were truly gobsmacked by how grandly the great hall had been decorated for the occasion. The professors had completely gone over the top with everything.

Jack o' lanterns lined the bewitched sky, while spellbound autumn leaves drifted from it. It was so spectacular, because when the leaves drifted to the ground, they vanished.

Beautiful punch bowls filled with different beverages were placed on one table, while on other tables, exquisite fruits and entrees of the season were just asking to be eaten by the hungry students.

The great hall was packed with 7^th years and their dates. The "Seedy Pumpkins" had already taken the stage in front of the dance floor. They were playing their #1 top wizard single called "Let Me be the Broom in Your Cupboard." Hermione could see Justin Finch-Fletchley and Hannah Abbott seriously shaking a tail feather to the music, and having the time of their lives.

Hermione glanced over to the teacher's table to see tiny Professor Flitwick gabbing with Professor Snape, who had shockingly washed his hair for once in his life. He did not seem as miserable as usual. Hagrid and Professor Mcgonagall were laughing and having a cocktail with one another. Dumbledore was snapping his fingers to the music and snacking on apple chips as he observed the fun the students were having.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione made their way to a vacant table. Ron decided to go with Harry, and bring everyone some punch. Hermione had already started to eye the crowd for any sign of Draco. Her searching seemed to be unsuccessful. There was no sign of him anywhere. She smiled at Ginny, who just glowed from within.

"You look so happy Ginny," said Hermione as she patted the other girl's shoulder.

"I am happy Hermione," said Ginny. "At last, my wish came true."

Something in the way Ginny said those words struck Hermione like a rogue bludger. Hermione wondered if her own wish for happiness would ever materialize. She falsely smiled at Ginny with as much charisma she could find.

Harry and Ron came back with their drinks.

"I brought your favorite Hermione, citrus punch," said Ron lovingly as he passed the glass to her.

"Thanks," said Hermione as she gracefully received the glass from him.

All four friends chatted to one another for a while, enjoying the amazing surroundings. Hermione continued to search and search for Draco with her sharpened eyes. Draco was not there at all.

Harry and Ginny finally got up to dance with one another when the band began to play a slow tempo song. They were playing a cover version of "Lovesong" by the muggle band, the Cure. Ron asked Hermione to dance, and Hermione accepted his offer, because if she didn't, she would appear very out of sorts indeed.

They walked to the dance floor and slowly began to move to the music. The dance seemed to last an eternity to Hermione, who was in agony with being so close to Ron. She could not even bear to have the smell of Ron invading her senses. She was trying her best to behave as normally as possible until she saw Draco striding to an empty table. She could feel the blood in her veins crystallize immediately, practically immobilizing her. Ron noticed her sudden halt of motion.

"Hermione, are you alright?" said Rom urgently.

"I'm--ok," said Hermione as she held her forehead. "I think my headache has returned. I think it might best for me to sit down for a bit," said Hermione in a dramatic tone.

Ron led her back to their table and studied her for a moment. He looked incredibly worried. Hermione just began to drink her beverage. She tried to appear ill to him.

"Is there anyway I can help you love?" said Ron. "Do you want me to get anything for you?"

"No, I think I'm somewhat better now," said Hermione. "No need to worry. I think I'll just sit here for a while. Why don't you go and join Harry and Ginny for the dancing."

He looked at her in a way that made him look like a great buffoon that was debating with himself cognitively as to what he should do.

"Are you sure Hermione?" said Ron.

"Yes, I'm perfectly sure," said Hermione.

"Ok then," said Ron. "I'll be back to check on you after while," said Ron smiling at her.

As Ron walked back to join Ginny and Harry, Hermione immediately looked back to Draco, who was sitting parallel to her, but four tables away. She could not believe he was by himself. He made her remember the lines from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnets from the Portuguese."

"Guess who holds thee?" "Death," I said. "But there the silver bell rang, not death, but love.

She closed her eyes and then reopened them. He still remained. He was an image of untainted perfection- pale skin and the faintest trace of rose on the apples of his cheeks. His eyes were shiny, but still held the silent mourning from before. What a glittering prize they were to her. He gazed blankly at nothing in particular. He had no desire to laugh or join anyone. He wanted to quietly observe what he did not possess. After a while, he got up and walked out of the great hall, never looking back as he disappeared into the darkness of the corridor.

Hermione could feel herself trying to hyperventilate. Feeling really sick from what she had witnessed, she slowly moved to the punch bowl table for a drink. Ron came up to her from behind and put his arms around her. She immediately tensed her muscles as if a burning poison had made contact with her skin. She turned around to face him. He glared at her with confusion in his eyes.

"Hermione, it's just me," said Ron. "Are you feeling any better? You look like you're about to cry."

"I'm ok," said Hermione.

"Well, the ball is almost over, you know. Care to join me for a stroll in the garden"? said Ron.

"To be quite honest, I think I might go see Madame Pomfrey about this headache. It is really beginning to affect my eyesight now," said Hermione as she squinted dramatically.

"Would you like for me to walk you to the hospital wing?" said Ron as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"I think I can manage Ron, but thanks," said Hermione.

"Hermione, you look like death! Let me take you," said Ron.

"For fuck's sake Ron! I am a big girl now! I can take myself, alright?" said Hermione in a completely exasperated voice.

Ron nearly died. Her looked at her with the hurt of a quiet despair.

Hermione jerked away from him and walked out into the corridor outside of the great hall. She stood there for a moment and caught her breath. Her entire body buzzed with everything from the ball. It was getting close to 12:30. Hermione prayed that she would be able to confront Draco.

She began to walk to the place where they were going to meet. She took slow, calming breaths as she walked, and finally made it to the door. "God give me strength," said Hermione as she turned the doorknob to the classroom.