Shifting the Balance

Chapter 9


~ Talk to me ~

Hermione went to talk to Ginny last night. And told her about the tradition of the Head boy and Head girl going together.

Ginny had looked as crestfallen as she could imagine she did.
Ginny truly felt sorry for Hermione and Ginny understood that she was lonely.

Hermione didn’t have to say anything, Ginny and her were pretty close nowadays. And she tried to make Hermione feel better. By promising she would spend some time with Hermione during the dance.


Hermione thanked the gods Ginny was so insightful. She really was a loyal friend. She completely understood it was still a bit difficult to see Ron with another girl.

She didn’t have feelings for Ron anymore, but it still stung a little. And after Ron and her got together for a small period of time in fifth and sixth year, Hermione hadn’t had a romantic interest since then.

But she really was happy for Ron, and Harry too.


Getting up Hermione tried to put the conversation with Ginny behind her. Hermione took a shower and went below to the common room.

Hermione grabbed her bag from the couch, where she left it last night.

She was about to take her robe from the closet when Malfoy came down from his dorm.

Hermione averted her eyes and walked over to the portrait when he spoke.



“Granger wait.”


Hermione ignored him and pulled the portrait open.

“Granger I want to talk to you!”


Hermione kept ignoring him.


“We have to TALK!” Malfoy yelled frustrated.


“WE don’t have to do ANYTHING!” Hermione yelled facing Malfoy. Turning around she slammed the portrait shut.


***

Hermione took the stairs swiftly and dashed though the hallway towards the library.
She and Ginny promised to meet each other before classes started.


When Hermione entered the Library at great speed madam Pinch looked sourly at her.

Hermione slowed her step a bit and walked towards the back of the library.


Ginny was already seated at one of the large wooden tables.


“Hey” Hermione took a seat nest to Ginny and placed her bag on the table.
Ginny looked up and stared at Hermione.

“Is everything alright? You look a bit flustered.”

“Yeah. Everything is fine.” Hermione patted her unruly curls back.
“I just had a run in with Malfoy is all. He gets on my nerves!”

“What happened?” Ginny frowned.

“ Malfoy got under my skin, is all. When I had to talk to him he made sure to humiliate me in front of the whole Slytherin House. And last night he was being his snotty self!”


Hermione shoved her bag out of the way and turned more to Ginny. Ginny was watching Hermione eagerly.

“So this morning he wanted to talk to me. I guess about the upcoming Ball. But I ignored him.”

Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. “ You should have seen him, Ginny. He was getting paler by the minute.”

Ginny laughed with Hermione heatedly. “But you do have to talk to him one time or another!”


“I know. Eventually we can talk. Let’s just say it will take a lot of effort from his part.
And if the ferret doesn’t like it, he can start with the preparations of the Ball himself.”

Ginny smiled wickedly.


***

When Hermione went to transfiguration she almost walked into Neville.

He greeted her enthusiastically.


“Hai Neville, sorry ‘bout that!”

Neville had a nervous smile tucking on his lips.

“What is it Neville?”


“Are you going to the ball, Hermione?”

“I’m one of the organisers, Neville. I will be there!”


“Have you already got a date? If not, I really want to go with you Hermione!”

“Oh Neville. That would be really great if I could. But the two heads are expected to go together.”

Hermione looked at Neville. He looked disappointed.

“I’m sorry Neville.”


“No, it’s alright Hermione.”

“But tell you what Neville. Make sure you save a dance for me, alright?”

“I would like that.” Neville smiled.

“Me too.” Agreed Hermione.

The students took their seats in the classroom. Professor McGonagall entered sternly.
Ron and Harry entered late and the professor took 5 points from Gryffindor.


They spend the lesson practising silencing spells and hovering spells.

Ron and Harry got homework for both spells. Not able to perform one or the other properly.

Neville and Hermione left the classroom together, followed closely by Ron and Harry.


The Great Hall was buzzing already with chatter.


Ron, Harry, Hermione and Neville took a seat at the Gryffindor table.
Very soon Ginny accompanied them.
Hermione and Ginny exchanged smiles.

Soon the table was filled with all sorts of pastries, waffles, muffins and other delicious things.

Ron went for an egg roll when a second year snatched it away in front of his nose. Ron glared at the second year and the trembling boy gave Ron his egg roll. Ginny and Harry sniggered.

“Ron, please don’t intimidate the younger students.” Hermione sighed.

“Come on now Hermione. People know to leave the egg rolls for me!”
Hermione rolled her eyes.

When lunch was over they walked out of the great hall. Hermione took a issue of the Daily Prophet with her.

Just as Hermione wanted to go to the library someone pulled her arm. She was dragged to an alcove in the shadows.

Hermione yelped as a hand held her against the wall.

“We need to talk.”

“No Malfoy. We don’t.”

“Look, it’s about the Christmas Ball.”

“Well it can wait!”
Hermione stepped away from the wall. She was gently pushed back.

Hermione slapped his hand away. “Take your hand off of me!”

“Granger, your starting to get on my nerves!”

“Well good! I’m Leaving!”
And without giving him a glance Hermione stormed off towards the library.


***

The rest of the day passes rather uneventful. She didn’t see Malfoy once.

After dinner Hermione decided to go up in the astronomy tower. She wasn’t in the mood to have another confrontation with Malfoy.


She liked this tower. It’s view was magnificent. It was always quiet and peaceful.

Hermione crept onto the windowsill. Her potion book rested in her lap.

She looked outside. It was a clear night. The dark sky was littered with stars.

Hermione turned to her book and began to read.

After an hour or so the door to the tower creaked open.
A cloaked figure walked inside, his hood covert his face.

The figure closed the door and turned around.
Lifting his cap Hermione saw white blonde hair.


“What are you doing here?”


“Just wanted to go somewhere quiet.”

Malfoy looked up at her.
“If I knew you would be here I would avoid it like the plaque.”


“Well then go!” Hermione returned to her book.


Hermione was doing her best to ignore him.

Malfoy just rummaged through the room, taking everything from its place and examine it with great interest.
Every now and then he would let something fall. Or he would smash objects hard enough against the surface to make a loud sound.

Hermione looked up and he would just smirk.
Rolling her eyes she returned to her reading.

Malfoy took in her form. She was very small, against the huge window. She wore her hair down and curly locks grazed the book she was reading. He hair shined nicely in the poorly lighted room. Snapping out of it he shook his head. He looked at her again and smirked.

Malfoy began humming some evil tune. He would circle the room. Every time he passed Hermione he lingered to hum a little louder. It lasted a couple of minutes.


“WHAT?”
Hermione threw her book down.

Malfoy’s head snapped up.

“You’ve got something to say?” She snapped.

“Well since you ask..” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“We could discuss the Christmas Ball.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

Hermione glared at him from the windowsill.

“Alright then.”


Malfoy looked at her. She wasn’t going to make this easy on him.
He kept looking at her, but she would just stare at him expectantly.

“Ok then.” He began.
“We could discuss ornaments and decorations.”


“Red and Gold.”


“Oh please Granger. It’s not going to be some pansy Gryffindor gathering!”

Hermione smiled wickedly.


“Hell NO, Granger!”

“I think we must honour tradition. So Green and Silver.” He suggested.


“On what planet were you on when your parents decorated the house?” Hermione tilted her head and looked sceptic.
Malfoy seemed to mull her comment over.

“We only had a white tree in the hallway. We never decorated the mansion. Father didn’t…”

Malfoy stopped abruptly and looked up at Hermione.


Hermione smiled.


“Well it’s none of your business. Is it?” Malfoy snapped.

“No need to bite my head off! I didn’t know that, did I.
Come to think of it, it doesn’t really surprise me that much.”

“What’s that suppose to mean?” He glared at her again.


“Well your family doesn’t strike me as the large family-eat Christmas dinner - sing carols by the fireplace – fill your stockings and have a snowball fight between the Christmas lights outside- type of family!”


Malfoy sniffed his nose in distaste.
“No we’re not. What’s your point?”

“Well I think a bit more colour is in order.

Let’s see…” Hermione put her hands on both sides on the windowsill and looked up, brows furrowed in thought.

Malfoy groaned impatiently and was about to open his mouth.
Hermione gestured for him to hold on.

“We are the organisers and we decide how the Great Hall should look.
I suggest that we combine the colours Red, Gold, Green and Silver.
In a very taste full and traditional way, of course!”

Hermione looked back at Malfoy and held her breath.
His hand was rubbing his chin. His head cast down, deep in thought.

“Well?”

“I think we can work with that.” He said when he looked up.


“Great!” Hermione jumped off the windowsill and approached Malfoy in a carefree way.

Malfoy’s eyes shot to the ceiling. Her eyes were alight and held no anger or menace what so ever. The girl in front of him bounced happily and his gaze was drawn by her chest that was bouncing towards him as well. Quickly he returned his gaze to her face. But then his breath caught in his throat.

She was smiling at him. A real warm smile. He mentally slapped himself for his eagerness.


“I knew we could work it out!” She smiled broadly. Malfoy gave her a small smile. He dipped his head down.

Looking back up Malfoy gave Hermione a strange look. She looked questionably back up at him.
From beneath his locks he gazed at her.

“Petty, you’d almost forget who is standing in front of you Granger.”

Her smile faded.
Malfoy gave her a smirk.

“No I haven’t forgotten.” Her gaze hardened.
She stepped back.

“How can I forget with you around.” She whispered.


Malfoy looked at her awkwardly.
He coughed.
“Yes well, when are we meeting up for the specifics?”
Nervously he stroked his hand through his blonde hair.


“Meet me tomorrow night in the common room. Round eight!”
Hermione took her book from the windowsill and left the astronomy tower.

***


Next in chapter 10: Hermione is ready to discuss the Ball further, but of course Malfoy has other plans. Hermione is not willing to back down and things heat up very quickly…
A.N.:Please tell me what you think of this chapter!!!