Read my new story (CaveLeather)
Game of Thrones: The Sword King
Game of Thrones: From Deserter to Power
Game of Thrones: King of Harrenhal— Garth Greenhand Stat Panel
"Morning, Hermione…" Lavender yawned, still half-asleep. She rubbed her eyes and twisted her messy golden curls into a sloppy bun at the back of her head. "Hmm… writing a letter first thing? Is it to Tom?"
The two girls in the dorm already knew about the not-quite-proper but very real relationship between Tom and Hermione. They seemed to share everything, yet in Hermione's mouth Tom was always some kind of bastard.
"Nope." Tom shook his head. "It's for Senior."
"Second-year Cho Chang?"
Tom looked at Lavender in surprise. "You know her too?"
"Not really. When you went to Hogsmeade that day, Senior Cho came looking for you in a total panic. I was going to ask what actually happened there."
Lavender yawned again. "Never mind. You keep writing. It's a beautiful weekend. I'm going back to sleep. There's a Quidditch match this afternoon."
They knew Hermione didn't really care about Quidditch.
It wasn't that she hated it—she just wasn't that into it. She'd only watch if she'd finished all her work, which basically never happened.
"I won't be going," Tom replied with a smile.
"Huh?" Lavender blinked, then caught on. "Oh right, the Christmas Ball. Didn't expect that annoying Malfoy git to actually find you a dance instructor."
Tom: "?"
That wasn't written in the diary at all. Hermione, you've been secretly grinding behind my back!
Trying to make me embarrass myself in public? Interesting.
Hermione had only written about her daily anxiety and boredom in the diary. Tom had assumed she'd completely given up. Turns out she'd teamed up with that little snake Malfoy!
After finishing the letter, Tom sent it off—addressed straight to Senior Cho Chang.
…
Meanwhile.
Hermione couldn't stop grinning.
From Terry and Sue she'd learned that Tom hadn't practiced dancing at all these past few days!
And Tom definitely didn't know social dancing to begin with.
After all, ballroom dancing was so awkward. Just imagining Tom—with all those muscles—trying to waltz… Hermione figured he was too proud to even try!
There was only one week left until the ball.
One week for Tom to learn social dancing?
Dream on!
This victory is mine, Hermione Granger!
Hugging her books to her chest, Hermione's mood soared higher and higher.
She ran straight into Cho Chang. An owl swooped in from the distance and landed in Cho's hands.
It was Mira!
That bastard Tom had written to Cho again!
Hermione quickly ducked behind a pillar and quietly watched Cho's expression.
"Tom! Hehe, look at this new spell I learned." Terry bounced over, but when he saw "Hermione" acting sneaky he didn't interrupt. Instead he hid with him. "Tom, what are you doing?"
Noticing where Tom was staring, Terry's lips curled up. "Oh~ So you're into Senior Cho… Wait, no! Tom, you little rascal, you're getting way too bold! You can't go after Senior Cho!
You already have Hermione! Just wait till you're of age and marry her like a proper gentleman!"
"Who wants to marry him," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't bother me, I'm—"
The words died in her throat.
Cho was smiling!
What the hell did Tom write in that letter?!
Gathering her courage, Hermione stepped out from behind the pillar. "Senior! What a coincidence."
"Oh? Tom, are you heading to the library?"
"Just came back from there. Then I saw you get a letter. Wasn't that owl Hermione's?"
Cho nodded. "Hermione invited me to dance. She said she's going to the ball next week but hasn't learned a single step yet.
Tom, that's not okay. You look so confident—you must have already mastered the dances. How can you just abandon Hermione?
She's a girl. Even though she usually acts tough, she's actually really sensitive inside. Don't do that again… Oh, come with me! You two can practice together!"
"I don't—" Hermione didn't even finish before Cho dragged her away.
Terry, still hiding in the shadows, was grinding his back teeth to dust.
Damn it! This is unacceptable!
How is Tom still getting to dance with Senior Cho?!
He hadn't caught the full conversation, only bits about "dance" and "Hermione"…
It sounded like Senior Cho was inviting Tom to dance and telling him to keep it secret from Hermione!
Scumbag! Traitor!
He had to tell Sue. Tonight they were dealing with Tom once and for all!
Speak of the devil—Sue came strolling up, biting into a sandwich, a paper bag stuffed with three or four chicken legs tucked under his arm.
"Come with me, Sue! That traitor Tom is up to no good again. We have to stop him this time!" Terry snarled.
"Why do you still have so much food? Gimme some!"
"Piss off, no!" Sue hugged the bag tighter. "What did Tom do? Spill."
"He's dancing with Senior Cho right now! No one can stop him anymore—only us! We have to act! We can't let Tom keep running wild like this!"
In an instant, Sue's eyes turned crystal clear.
The two boys clasped hands.
Sue: "How do we kill him?"
Terry: "Drown him in a pig cage!"
Sue: "We can't beat him."
Terry: "I'll slip him a love potion, you put on a dress, and I'll tie him up while he's distracted!"
Sue: "? Screw off! But we do need to move now, or it'll be too late!"
…
Hermione was dragged along the whole way. This was the first time she realized how soft Cho Chang's hands actually were.
She was kind of taking advantage here…
Wait, this is Tom's body. Am I taking advantage for Tom?
"Senior, your grip's too strong. It hurts."
"If I let go, you'll just run away." Cho ignored her and kept talking. "You and Hermione are always like this—fighting every other day. But you're actually really good friends, right?
I'm so jealous Hermione has a friend like you. You always show up for her when it really counts."
Hermione suddenly blurted, "We're really good friends too!"
"Then come with me!"
…
Twenty minutes later.
Tom, Hermione, and Cho Chang stood staring at each other in awkward silence.
Tom was completely lost.
What the hell is going on?
I just wanted to mess with Senior Cho. How did Hermione get dragged into this?
Before Tom could react, Cho gave Hermione a firm push straight into his arms.
"Senior?" Tom asked, confused. "Why did you bring… Tom here?"
"Hmph. I saw Tom trying to be sneaky again. He secretly learned how to dance but left you behind, so I dragged him over. Now, Tom, you're going to teach Hermione how to social dance!"
Both Tom and Hermione lowered their heads at the same time.
Cho's words seemed to target only one of them, but they had critically wounded both.
"I heard Malfoy found you a dance instructor?" Tom pulled Hermione aside and whispered.
"No such thing!"
No matter what Tom said, Hermione decided to deny it to the death.
If she admitted it now, Tom would definitely use it to humiliate her for the rest of their lives!
"Real no or fake no?"
"Real no!"
"Then I'll go ask Malfoy right now." Tom flicked his robe dramatically, pretending to be furious. "Don't blame me if I do something weird with your body."
Hermione panicked instantly. "Don't you dare! If you go, I'll… I'll…"
She thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a decent threat.
"If you go, I'll run around the school shirtless tonight so everyone sees how shameless you are!"
"Thanks," Tom yawned. The threat had zero effect. "While you're at it, hold up a sign that says 'Looking for marriage partners.' Gather one… or several candidates. I'll fulfill my duties once I'm an adult."
"You bastard!"
Hermione ground her teeth and threw two punches.
Tom was faster. He caught both hits with perfect Buddha-palm technique.
"Tom!"
Two figures suddenly leaped out like guardian deities, blocking Hermione from both sides.
Terry and Sue grabbed her arms. "How can you raise your hand against Hermione! That's so ungentlemanly!"
My two wonderful roommates!
But… what are you two doing here?
A giant question mark slowly floated above Tom's head.