May Day Eve

Chapter Two : Reflections

Hermione

Hermione Granger sat Indian style in the middle of her four-poster bed desperately trying to read The Standard Book of Spells : Grade Six which was nearing impossible as her roommates chatter progressed along with the night. The only other person that was sitting in silence was Lavender Brown, which was quite a surprise as her voice sounds like it has an automatic ‘Sonorus’ spell on it. But her silence will soon be broken. While the three other girls in the room, Parvati, Kelly, and Donna talked away, Lavender suddenly stood up, put both hands on her hips and called their attention.

"Listen up girls, including you Hermione," she said, "You know what day it is today, don’t you?"

"Yes we do, we’ve been talking about it since we were twelve, and we never had the courage to follow through with it," answered Parvati.

"I’m sorry, but I’m not sure if I know what you girls are talking about?" Hermione asked innocently.

"Girl, haven’t you ever hear of May day eve?" Lavender said, raising her eyebrows in disbelief.

Hermione tried to recall if she has ever come across anything that had anything to do with May day eve to no avail. She shook her head slowly, and Lavender propped herself up on Hermione’s bed.

"Well, they say May day eve is a night of divination and a night of lovers, and those who cared might peer into a mirror and behold the face of whoever it was they were fated to marry," Lavender finished, smiling longingly into space.

"I’m sorry, but I don’t quite believe in Divination," Hermione answered, dismissing the story with a wave of her hand and going back to feeble attempts of reading her book.

"Hermione, you're no fun," Lavender responded pouting.

"I never said I was," she said.

"Aren’t you even interested in trying it, don’t you want to know who you’re fated to be with?" she asked temptingly.

"In a word, no,"

"Oh, come on, we’re all going to do it," Parvati joined in, "Please? You rarely hang out with us, let’s all do something fun together."

As much as Hermione hated doing anything with her roommates, she felt compelled to have some female influence in her life, even if it had to be these females. And besides, she was just a tad bit tired of going around with Harry and Ron all the time, doing whatever it was boys their age liked. It would be a nice change to do something silly and girly like this for once. Who knows, she might turn out to enjoy herself.

"So, how does it work?" she asked, a smile playing across her lips.

Parvati and Lavender clapped gleefully and the four girls hopped onto Hermione’s bed.

"Okay," Lavender, who was apparently the mastermind to all this, started, "We go one by one and use the mirror downstairs –"

"Wait, why don’t we just use that?" interrupted Parvati, pointing to the dresser by the wall.

"Because, you’re supposed to be alone, and it should be dark," Lavender answered.

"Oh, okay," the other answered satisfied.

"Moving along, we’re going to use the mirror in the room downstairs, beside the Great Hall. It has this big round oak mirror, which is really beautiful and the perfect mirror to view your husband to be. You all know that room, right?" she asked. As soon as she saw everyone nod, she continued, "We have to carry one lighted candle, come up to the mirror, close our eyes and say the spell ‘Mirror, Mirror, show to me, him whose woman I will be’ –"

"That doesn’t sound like a spell to me," Hermione thought loudly.

"Do you want to do this, or did you just want to protest?" Lavender said, her patience slowly decreasing.

"Sorry, go on," Hermione said, grinning sheepishly.

"After you say the spell, you open your eyes, and you will see on your upper left shoulder the face of the man you are to spend your life with."

At this, all the girls sighed in unison, which greatly disturbed Hermione.

"So who goes first?" asked Lavender.

"Why don’t you, it was your idea?" said Kelly, as the writer felt the need to give her a speaking line.

"I already explained everything, and then you’re going to make me come down alone first," Lavender said.

"Alright, alright," Hermione cut in, "Why don’t I go first, since I’m the only one who has the guts anyway."

None of them protested and they let Hermione get up and put a pink, fluffy robe on. Lavender went to her trunk and quickly took out a candle that was already burning.

"Here, you’ll need this," she said as she handed her the candle. Hermione took it and started to walk towards the door. When she walked outside, she almost tripped over a figure that was standing by the door.

"Ginny! What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

"Just standing, where are you going?" she answered, her eyes looking at all directions but Hermione’s.

"I just need to do something," Hermione answered, not wanting to elaborate.

"Can I come with you?" Ginny asked all of a sudden.

"I really need to be alone," Hermione explained.

"I’ll stay outside the room," at this outburst, Hermione eyed her suspiciously, "I mean, I won’t stay where you are," she continued.

"I suppose you could come," Hermione gave in, thinking that she really didn’t feel like walking around the castle alone. They made their way outside the portrait hole and began to walk towards the staircase, when without warning, a figure with silver blond-hair appeared from a secluded corner of the walls.

"Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed in a whisper.

"Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Mudblood. Why, aren’t you supposed to be in bed, tut tut tut, what a bad image you’re setting upon your fellow prefects," he drawled, nodding at Ginny.

"Well, you’re out of bed as well," Hermione retorted.

"But I’m not up for Head Girl," he replied.

"I’m quite sure you’re not, unless there’s something about you we should know?" Hermione snickered and Ginny snorted.

Malfoy’s cheeks colored, but he quickly regained his composure and prepared to deliver his final blow, "I’m guessing McGonagall won’t be too happy to see her prized student prowling around at night, yet again, the last time you were caught, I heard you and Potter were going around looking for a room," he smirked.

Ginny gasped in surprise, raising her eyebrows at Hermione inquisitively. Hermione shook her head vehemently, "We were finding a room to study in."

"Study what?" Draco chimed suggestively.

"Oh, shut up," Hermione answered with impatience.

"I’m thinking we should all make a visit to Filch’s office. So, what’s it going to be Granger?" he said in a smug tone.

"What do you want?"

"Well, why don’t you go on about your business and you can leave Weasley here with me," he said.

"Are you insane? I’m not going to leave Ginny alone with you, we’re just going back to our dormitories, thank you," she said, turning to leave.

"Oh, Fil—" Ginny’s hand flew up to cover Malfoy’s mouth stopping him from going any further.

"Hermione, why don’t you just go where you’re supposed to go, I’ll be alright," Ginny said.

"It’s really not that important," Hermione began.

"It doesn’t matter, he’s bent on telling on us," Ginny said, clucking her head at Malfoy.

"She’s right Granger, doesn’t matter what you do, I’ll tell on you if you don’t do as I say," he said.

"The next time you’re looking for the snitch, just grab your arse," Hermione replied staring venomously at him.

"Wit will get you nowhere Granger, run along now," he smiled.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be fine," Ginny said.

"I’ll be back soon," Hermione called.

"Take all your time," Malfoy answered.

Hermione turned to go reluctantly. She felt rather stupid going in front of a mirror to see her future husband while Ginny was in Malfoy’s greasy hands. ‘Oh well,’ she thought ‘As soon as I get this over with I’m coming back for her.’

She soon found the room she was looking for. For a brief moment, she was reminded of how familiar that room was, but it did not matter at the moment. She reached out for the knob and turned. She could barely make out the contents of the room in the dark, but the reflection coming from the mirror and the light coming from the candle was enough to guide her. She carefully made her way to the oval-shaped mirror that had nymph carvings on its oak frame. It stretched to the floor showing her entire length.

She went up to the mirror, closed her eyes and lifted the candle to her face, "What was it again, oh yes, Mirror, Mirror, show to me, him whose woman I will be." She slowly opened her eyes expecting to see air behind her left shoulder, but she had to suck in a lot of oxygen, lest she pass out, at the sight that greeted her eyes. In the mirror standing behind her left shoulder was the image of Harry.