Chapter One - A Surprise

Chapter 1

It was a cold winter afternoon, and Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione was at one of the tables doing the homework that Professor Binns had asked for the following week. The girl was reading a stack of books and writing notes on a piece of parchment, while Harry was staring at the window lost in thought and Ron was watching Hermione out of the corner of his eye as she played magical chess with Seamus. -I can't believe it..." whispered Hermione nervously, as she turned a page of "History of Magic" abruptly, "it's absolutely..." -another page-, and completely...-another page-, impossible, I must have... dreamt it or something..." -Hermione," Harry muttered in a tired voice, raising his head and rubbing his scar slyly, "Could you please keep your voice down a little more? -Ah? -Hermione exclaimed, and Harry made an effort not to roll his eyes-, Ah, yes, of course Harry... -Thank you," he sighed, and went back to his business. Hermione had never imagined herself so distracted in her life, but she couldn't believe it, Viktor Krum, a famous Quidditch player couldn't have asked her to the ball, it was impossible! Was it true that he had noticed her? Was it true just the fact that he had spoken to her? Apparently Ron had lost to Seamus and at that moment he was excusing himself by saying that Seamus had moved an extra piece when he turned his head. Hermione was glad that Ron wasn't too focused on her, as he would have noticed how nervous she was, just as Harry had. The only difference was that Harry decided not to comment on it, as he had other more important things to do, but Ron, would have said exactly what he was thinking out loud. At that very moment Parvati entered the common room and ran up to Hermione. -Hi Hermione! -She greeted her enthusiastically as she pulled back her long braid, "Did someone ask you to the ball? -Well..." Hermione stammered, "no..." she lied. His smile faltered a little, but he regained his composure faster than Hermione expected him to, "Never mind. So, who do you think is going to invite you? My money's on Ron... -What? No, he and I are just friends" -Yes, just friends," said Parvati with a mischievous smile, "just like Harry and Cho" -But they seem to like each other," she paused, "I see what you mean. You're wrong, Parvati... Ron and I... well, there isn't a "Ron and I", but... Parvati looked at her very confused. -Well..." she muttered, "I don't have a partner either, my twin, you know, Padma, hasn't got a partner yet either. Some two people today came up to me and asked me, but I said no, one was a first year boy, and the other a sixth year. One too small and one too big... I can't go to the dance like that! -And what would you do," Hermione began, "if someone about eighteen asked you? But he's very famous and all... -The only famous person here is Viktor Krum," Parvati interrupted her, "and he would never notice me, so it's impossible. I'm sure he's already invited a tall and beautiful girl. Hermione hesitated for a moment before asking again. -I know, but... if he noticed you, what would you say? -Yes, of course," Parvati said without hesitation. Those opportunities don't come along every day, do they? Hermione thought about it for a moment, Parvati was quite right. -Why do you ask, by the way? We're being very imaginative," laughed Parvati, and Hermione mimicked her uneasily. It was at that moment that Ron looked at her, but when he saw that they both looked back at each other he turned his head away again. Harry did the same, but only looked at her with a "Stop it, Hermione, your nervousness is stressful" gesture. As Hermione drifted off into her thoughts, Parvati sighed quizzically. -Eh... okay," she mumbled, and slowly walked away, "See you, Hermione... I'm going with..." and she walked off to Padma's without another word. There was a moment of silence that was interrupted by Harry's grunt of annoyance and exasperation. Harry had looked very irritable that week, Hermione thought. He had done the right thing by not commenting to her about the ball, because the mystery egg, the homework, and also asking a girl to the ball must be putting a lot of pressure on him. After all, he was only fourteen and Hermione had never seen a boy with so many things to deal with, and that was leaving aside the fact that the Nameless One stalked him in his dreams and visions. -Harry..." Hermione called shyly, and Harry watched her, turning his head slowly. -Yes? -Harry asked. -Could you... come over here for a moment? -she asked kindly. Ron looked at them accusingly, but, to Hermione's surprise, didn't comment. Harry got up from the couch he was sitting on and approached his friend. -What do you need? -Harry said, sitting down in one of the chairs at the other end of the table where Hermione was sitting. -Well... I was wondering if you are well... you seem very tired lately... Have you been sleeping? -Hermione murmured with some concern. -Ah... yes, I'm fine, Hermione," Harry reassured her, forcing a smile. -Harry, can you tell me the truth? Did the... Unnamable come back to your dreams? -Hermione insisted more and more worriedly. -Hermione... it's not the time or the place to talk about that," Harry spat angrily, "and yes, I feel wonderful, I'm going to the ball alone and everyone will laugh about it, I won't discover the mystery of the egg and Snape will punish me every Saturday this year and next year if possible, but everything is perfect! Although Hermione didn't usually understand what Harry was saying, she understood his anguish and sarcasm in the phrase and tone of voice. She sighed and took his hand gently, the contact made Harry look at her. -We're in this together. Ron and I will always be there for you. That seemed to calm Harry in many ways.