Chapter Three

A/N: A huge thanks to JenniferLupinBlack for being my alpha and to Craftsman for being my fabulous beta.

Disclaimer: JKR owns the world and characters of Harry Potter, not me. I am making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 3

A few days passed without Hermione receiving any notes. She tried not to think too much on it, but she couldn’t help herself. She wondered what happened with her admirer. Did he lose interest? Was someone just toying with her all along?

Hermione did her best to focus on her studies but found her thoughts kept drifting. Feeling dejected, she leaned forward and rested her head on her half-written essay. There wasn’t any use writing when she couldn’t stay properly focused.

“Hermione?”

Looking up, she saw Harry standing there. She arched her brow at him, wondering what he wanted. Harry and Ron were still treating her rudely, and it was getting on her nerves.

“Can I sit here?” Harry asked, shuffling his feet.

Hermione silently nodded. Harry took the seat next to her. “So, what are you doing?”

“Homework,” she replied.

He nodded, licking his lips. Silence fell between them. “So,” Harry began again. Hermione looked at him expectedly. He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

Hermione closed her eyes, trying to collect herself. She took in a deep breath before meeting his green eyes. “You’re sorry? After all that you’ve done that’s all you have to say?”

“I was an idiot, I know,” Harry quickly said. “I shouldn’t have treated you that way. You were right… Malfoy never threatened us.” He lowered his eyes, looking ashamed of himself. “I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” Hermione sighed. “You know me better than that, Harry. I would never lie to a teacher.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” Harry looked at her. “I shouldn’t have even asked you to.”

“No.” Hermione pursed her lips. “The whole situation has been embarrassing for me. Everywhere I go I have people staring at me. Gryffindors think I’m a traitor and Slytherins think I’m a whore!” She lowered her voice a bit. “Do you know I’ve had people come up to me and ask me out? They think I’m some sort of easy lay!”

“Lavender said those things, not me,” Harry protested.

“Well, she’s Ron’s girlfriend, and you two made no move to stop her from speaking to me like that. It’s disrespectful, and I won’t have my two supposed best friends treating me like that.”

“You’re right,” Harry said. “Lavender shouldn’t have said those things. She’s taken this business too far.”

“She has,” Hermione agreed. “I don’t even like Ron like that. She’s creating drama for no reason.”

“I’ll have Ron speak to her,” Harry replied. “But are we okay? I don’t want to fight anymore.”

Pausing for a second, Hermione nodded. She gave Harry a quick hug. “Everything between us is good.”

He grinned. “Good. Now, why don’t we head to dinner?”

“Is it that time already?” Hermione asked. She let out a small groan. “I’ve barely gotten anywhere with my essay.”

“What’s been distracting you? You usually can focus no problem.”

She stood, gathering her things and putting them into her bag. “I’ve just had stuff on my mind, nothing to worry about.”

Harry looked skeptical but nodded. The two of them went to the Great Hall for dinner, taking a seat near Ginny. The redhead blushed at Harry but quickly concealed it. Hermione smirked, knowing that Ginny still had a crush on Harry despite dating Dean.

About halfway through dinner, Professor Dumbledore stood and gathered everyone’s attention. Ginny nudged Hermione excitedly.

“Attention students, I have an announcement to make,” Professor Dumbledore said, a smile appearing on his face. “As the Muggle holiday of Carnival, or Mardi Gras as American and French Muggles call it, is approaching, the professors and I have decided that to hold a Masquerade ball.”

An excitement murmur broke out among the students. Ginny let out a small squeal of excitement. She grasped Hermione’s hand tightly. Hermione couldn’t help but smile; the excitement was contagious.

“The Ball will be held next Sunday, so Saturday will be a free day. Students will be allowed to leave school to purchase clothing, whether it be at Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or any other location. Chaperones are required if a student will be off school property, so keep that in mind when writing to your parents or others.” He paused, gazing out at the student body. “That will be all.”

Everyone began talking at once. Hermione felt a headache coming on from all the commotion.

“Hermione, how exciting!” Ginny gushed. “I wonder if your secret admirer will ask you to be his date.”

Hermione blushed. “No, I don’t think so.”

“But it’ll be a masked ball! If he wants to keep his identity secret, he’d be able too.” A dreamy looked appeared on Ginny’s face. “Shall I write Mum and ask her to chaperone us?”

Hermione nodded. “That sounds good.” She noticed Harry was frowning. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t think my ideal date would want to go with me.”

“I’ve got to tell Dean!” Ginny said, standing up. She said good-bye to the two of them and disappeared from sight.

“Yeah, she’s definitely not interested,” Harry muttered.

Hermione shook her head. “Just ask Ginny.”

He paled. “How did you know it was her? Is it really that obvious?” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“I just know,” Hermione replied, shrugging. “Dean and her aren’t serious. You should ask her.”

“Maybe I will,” he muttered.

After dinner, Hermione made her way back to her dorm. Luckily, Lavender didn’t say anything to her as she passed, but Ron did offer her a small smile which she returned. Her stomach did a small flip when she noticed a package on her bed. There was a small note attached. She quickly read it.

Hermione,

I was wondering if you would be my date for the ball? I know we barely know each other which is why I’ve given you a gift. Open it now before you read any further.

Hermione took the package and carefully unwrapped it. It was a leather-bound diary. She looked back to her note.

This is a two way journal. Whatever you write will appear in my journal and vice versa. I thought we could use this to get to know each other more. I can’t tell you my name… not just yet. I hope you will give me a chance. I’ll have you know I’m a very good dancer; I took lessons as a child. But I digress. This journal is for you, but please don’t feel pressured to write in it. I would never want to make you feel uncomfortable. Either way, I hope you have a splendid evening.

- Your secret admirer

Hermione took a deep breath. Before really even thinking about it, she grabbed her quill and dipped it in ink. Opening the diary, she wrote in it.

I’d be happy to go with you to the ball.

She had decided that for once in her life, she would do something risky. She wanted to know who her admirer was, and this could be the only chance she would get. She couldn’t pass this up.

Moments later, words appeared beneath hers. Really? You’ll go with me?

Yes, I will, she replied.

Wonderful, I look forward to it. I will be wearing blue.

Hermione pursed her lips. Was her admirer from Ravenclaw?

Symbolic of your house? She asked.

No, afraid not.

Miss Granger, I won’t be giving away my identity so soon.

She smiled. Sorry, sir, for I was only curious. I don’t mind waiting.

Indeed.

Hermione grinned. This was fun. Her admirer was teasing with her… flirting even. But it was getting late and she needed to work on her essay.

As fun as this is, I must go, Hermione wrote. I must finish my Charms essay.

Goodnight.

She closed the book and got to work on her essay.