Hour of Grace

HOUR OF GRACE

by Strega Brava

Chapter Five: Chatting

The real world has a way of pushing other matters to the side. So it was the case at Hogwarts. Over the course of the next several weeks, Hermione immersed herself into her studies and tried to forget about the voice she had heard in the common room, the dreams she had sporadically, or the fact that Professor Snape had suddenly become somewhat human. She concentrated on preparing for NEWT's and on completing the necessary paperwork to enroll as an Auror the following year. She wasn't yet sure if this is what she wanted to do but she thought she might as well apply and defer the actual decision until later.

Hermione was sitting in the common room one evening, books spread out around her. She was not reading any of them, nor was she writing on the numerous parchments beside her. Instead, she sat, sucking on a quill thoughtfully and staring at the fire burning in the fireplace.

"Knut for your thoughts, Hermione?" a voice interrupted her. She turned to smile at Ginny, who looked as if she had run all the way to the common room, judging by how flushed and out of breath she was.

Hermione smiled, "Just trying to decide if I should study for Potions first or Transfiguration or write my essay on Ancient Babylonian Astrology.

Ginny looked with amazement at the pile that surrounded Hermione.

"Hermione, are you trying to complete all of seventh year this week?" she asked incredulously.

"You sound just like your brother," Hermione smiled.

"I'll pretend I did not hear that. Besides, I have a much better idea."

"And what would that be?"

"Let's talk about the upcoming Halloween Ball!"

"What Halloween Ball? When was that announced?"

"After dinner…I guess you were in such a rush to get to all this that you didn't hear it. Only fourth years and higher are allowed to go and dress robes are mandatory. It's right on Halloween. There will be a Goblin band and pumpkin cordials and loads of candy…it will be so much fun!"

Hermione did not share in the younger girl's enthusiasm. She was as comfortable at a ball as a Troll would be writing NEWTs. Since the incident in fourth year, Ron had always taken her to all the social functions but there never was anything like love between the two of them. They were good friends and going together was certainly preferable to going alone. That had always been all right with her…except now she thought she might have liked to go with someone…different…someone who looked at her as if she were the only person in the world that mattered…someone like…

"Hey, Hermione. Did you hear a single thing I said?" Ginny's voice pierced through Hermione's mental wanderings.

"I'm sorry, Ginny," Hermione shook her head, "What were you saying?"

"I said that I am going to the Ball with Draco Malfoy and then we're going to elope to America."

Hermione stared at the younger girl in shock. "You can't go to the ball with Malfoy!"

Ginny immediately burst into hysterical giggles.

"Serves you right for not paying attention. The look on your face was worth many, many Galleons."

Almost without realizing it, Hermione let out a sigh of relief. Ginny noticed.

"Honestly, Hermione. Even if Malfoy came down off his lofty pedestal to grace me with the offer to accompany him to the Halloween Ball, did you honestly think I would accept? I'd rather go with Snape than with that slimy git."

Hermione did not want to analyze this feeling of relief that was spreading through her. "So what were you telling me, Ginny?"

Ginny's eyes lit up. "Harry asked me to the Ball."

"Ginny Weasley! I fully forgive you for making fun of my momentary lapse of concentration. He finally asked you?"

"Yes he did, right after dinner. He pretended that I had a spot of gravy on my robes so that the others went on ahead of us and then he asked me. Oh, Hermione, I am so thrilled," Ginny hugged Hermione.

"I am really very happy for you, Ginny. I know you will both have a great time," Hermione smiled.

"Ron will be coming up in a few minutes. I am reasonably sure that he will ask you to go with him to the Ball," Ginny grinned.

Hermione felt that her smile looked patently false but Ginny didn't seem to find anything amiss. Of course Ron would ask her and of course she would go. They were best friends and they always had fun together at these sorts of events. Why was she suddenly feeling so disappointed?"

"What is wrong with me lately?" she thought to herself.

Almost as if on cue, Harry and Ron stepped through the portrait door. Obviously discussing Quidditch, they did not notice the young women until they almost fell on top of them.

"Honestly. Can you two prats stop discussing Quidditch long enough to watch where you are going?" Ginny said as Ron had come dangerously close to stepping on her foot.

"Sorry, Ginny, just discussing team strategy," Ron hugged his younger sister.

"You're forgiven," she replied with all the dignity of a queen as Ron sat down next to Hermione, moving the parchments and books onto the floor carefully.

"Am I forgiven too?" Harry sat down next to Ginny, shyly placing a hand around her waist.

"I don't know…what have you done that requires forgiveness?" she asked coyly.

Harry looked at her in shock.

"I…I…haven't…" he stuttered.

"Good…then you're forgiven," Ginny smiled and snuggled a little closer.

"Hey…not too close. She is still my sister and I want to be able to sleep at night," Ron protested.

Hermione laughed. If that were the case, Ron would not be sleeping anytime soon.

"Would you like to be my date at the Halloween Ball, Hermione?" Ron asked.

Hermione managed to hold back the sigh of resignation that was threatening to burst out of her mouth. So much for dreams.

"Yes, of course I'll be your date," she heard herself say.

"The fearsome foursome," Ginny stated contentedly.

*****The next day*****

Hermione was walking along with Harry and Ron to get to Herbology class. They were chatting about the Ball and Herbology and the upcoming test in Potions. That was when she saw the familiar head of silver-blonde hair walking towards them, this time accompanied by a simpering mound of flesh known as Pansy Parkinson.

"Oh, Draco, Mother and Father will be so pleased to hear that you are taking me to the Halloween Ball. I simply must get a new set of dress robes. I mean, I already have a new set but nothing is too good for my Draco. I want to look even more stunning than usual for you," she rattled on in her high-pitched wheedling voice.

Ron promptly clutched his stomach and pretended to be sick while Harry snickered appreciatively.

Draco ignored them both but his gaze focussed for a moment on Hermione's. Again, she felt as if there was some connection between them…something…intangible…just out of reach. She was missing something…some vital piece of information and it frustrated her. What was in that gaze? Was it…was it love? Was that possible? And then, as before, it was gone and he looked at her coldly.

"You'll understand that I can't take the chance of having my robes sullied by walking too close to you, Granger," he drawled cruelly. Pansy giggled so hard it sounded as if she was wheezing.

Harry and Ron immediately drew their wands at the insult. Hermione held up a hand to hold them back.

"No."

They backed off reluctantly but they still held out their wands…just in case.

Pansy looked at her in some surprise, still giggling somewhat nervously and hanging onto Draco's arm as if she would fall down otherwise. Draco impatiently shook off the offending arm and approached Hermione.

"Well, it would appear that you have some backbone, Granger. Nice to see you don't need Potty and Weasel to fight your battles all the time," he whispered.

"It would appear you have a date well worthy of you," she replied quietly and calmly.

For a moment, the coldness vanished from his gaze. His entire body stiffened as if under some tremendous strain.

"No," he managed to utter in the softest of whispers…so soft she could only just hear it, "It is I who am not worthy…of you."

Before she could respond, it was gone.

"And you have a date well worthy of you, Granger, penniless and of no consequence," Draco said in a low voice and turned to rejoin Pansy. They walked away arm in arm although, Hermione noticed, Pansy was the one doing most of the holding.

Harry and Ron approached Hermione cautiously.

"What the hell did you two say to each other? I thought you were going to have a go at each other's throats," Ron asked.

Hermione was feeling a number of things. Angry. Frustrated. Excited. She didn't know what to answer. She was only glad that Ron, in true fashion, had completely misinterpreted the exchange.

"Are you all right, Hermione?" Harry asked gently, glaring at Ron.

"I'm fine, Harry. Really I am. Besides, I know how to handle Malfoy if he really starts to become annoying," Hermione grinned as she waved her wand in a deliberate fashion, provoking laughter from her friends.

"He certainly deserves to be with Pansy. A git as thoroughly evil as himself deserves a social climbing parasite like her," Ron exclaimed.

A voice from behind them nearly made them jump out of their skins.

"Are you so very certain that he is evil?"

Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the shadows and looked at the trio of students with a serious look that immediately chastened them.

"We're sorry, sir. An inappropriate choice of words," Hermione mumbled, cheeks flaming.

The Headmaster smiled at them.

"Remember that we must show respect and civility to all our fellow students…no matter how undeserving they might appear to be."

"Yes, we will try to remember that," Harry replied, nudging Ron so that the redhead was nodding too, if somewhat reluctantly.

"On your way then…I believe you were on your way to Herbology."

"Thank you, sir," Hermione smiled as she followed Harry and Ron to class. As she left, she could just make out something the Headmaster was muttering to himself.

"…Imperius Curse…not the only means…one hour…"