Valentine Devilry

For Disclaimer and ratings see chapter one.

Chapter Three


As soon as I woke up this morning, a thought struck me. To my utter horror, I hadn’t done any homework last night.

I sit up and jump out of bed in one smooth motion before falling back in. It was Saturday. And a Hogsmeade weekend at that. I could have a little sleep in.

Surely I don’t have to go to Hogsmeade today. What would I do there? All the people will be busy talking and planning about the ball and I’d stick out like a sore thumb. In any case, I have tons of homework still pending.

Harry and Ron aren’t listening to any of the above. They have a counter-attack for each of my strikes. You can talk to us and have fun. We promise we will talk about anything but the ball. Blah blah blah. And the last one was the most ineffective. Hermione and pending homework? Not possible in this lifetime. Is it an excuse to not spend some quality time with two of my best friends – and their lovely girlfriends in the bargain – or did I just not care?

This last one bowled me over. I have to go. Can’t see these two pouting and making puppy faces like this. I shoo them away from my room and tell them to wait for me in the Entrance Hall. I’ll be there in ten.

Once in Hogsmeade, the two girls leave to shop for the ball. Big surprise. The three of us make a beeline for the three broomsticks for some butter beer. We had spent two hours talking and generally chilling out when the girls came back.

The first thing both of them ask as soon they are seated is “How come you are not coming to the ball?”
“Oh, I just don’t feel like it.”
“Come on Hermione. It’ll be fun.”
“Thanks but no thanks.”

It’s now about time for Ron to put his big foot in his big mouth.
“Actually Hermione didn’t get any offers.”,he offers by way of my reason for not going. Okay, so it was half true but what gives him a right to blurt that out for the world to hear.

Luna and Lavender are shocked beyond belief.
“Really, Hermione. Is that true?”
“Umm.”
“Oh dear, what do we do? Surely someone or the other is still stag. Then, perhaps we can convince him to ask you to the ball. We just need to find who.”

Dear Harry just had to put in his two Knuts’ worth.
“But honey (he’s talking to Luna), as far as I know, the only available males are Crabbe, Goyle and Snape.”

I’m sure he said it in innocence but they all start sniggering at this comment. The sniggers give way to snorts and then to full blown laughter. Soon tears of mirth are falling down their eyes. They are all laughing. At my expense, no less. That’s when I snap.

“And I thought I was fortunate to have friends who would not care if I was not fascinatingly beautiful. Thanks for the betrayal guys.”

The laughter stopped at once.
“But you are beautiful, Hermione.”
“Yeah, and what is so beautiful about me?”
“Umm.”
“—er—“
Silence.

“I think that answers me. I am going back. Believe it or not, I have work to do. Goodbye and Good day.”

I storm out before any one can say hinghing to pacify me. I just don’t want to be pacified today. They’ve always taken me for granted. I love them but somehow I want then to be miserable today. I am angry and sad at the same time. I am walking without looking where I am going.

THWACK!!!

It all happened too soonl I l I remember is that I ran into someone and for a spilt second I came in contact with something hard yet soft, something warm and . . . that’s when I fell back on my arse.

I look up to find the same ebony eyes looking down at me. I am so lost in those eyes that I don’t see the hand extended by the owner of e mae magnificent orbs to help me up. Then an exquisite brow above those eyes is arched towards the hand. I take it and make no effort to stand up, just staring. I am jolted out of my trance by muffled sounds of snickering. I hastily take that hand and I am up again to face the world. In my daze I was about to go back in when I heard someone say, “Looks like its just Crabbe and Goyle now.”

That made me so angry I want to strangle somebody. Anybody, I don’t discriminate. But I think better of it. I look around. My savior was nowhere to be seen. I turned and left without a word.

Once outside, I saw him leaning against a pole looking at me. I don’t know what has got into me but I walk up to him.
He looks at me and says, “Care for a drink, Miss Granger.”

.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.:.::..::.

A/N :: I know its short but look at it this way - Two chapppies in two days. I am updating almost everyday now.
Please RnR.


jkrazed , WriterLady1031, nesscafe,spaz141 - thanks for ur reviews, guys. I never knew what a morale booster they could be. Keep reading.

Alisha - Snape\'s being kind for a reason. Can you guess??

MadAboutHarry - what line are you talking about honey ??


I am doing my best to keep writing . I hope to post another two chapters over the weekend. : )

Cheers!!
Sohara