I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this story.
Hermione bit her lip and stared at the blank parchment in front of her, letting her quill hang in mid air. After much thought she sighed and looked around the common room in hopes of coming up with something when she least expected it.
Hermione wasn't sure whether to rejoice at the thought of a challenge or get frustrated and quit. This was the first assignment she had ever been assigned that she didn't know where to start or what exactly to write.
Professor McGonagall had surprised the 6th year students when she gave them their most recent assignment earlier that afternoon. "As some of you may know a holiday is well on it's way," McGonagall let the twinkle in her eyes shine through her spectacles as she spoke quietly amongst her students.
"The holiday is called Valentine's day. The muggles celebrate it. The holiday is all about love. Most people spend time with their partner or the people they love. As sixth years I am sure most of you have experienced with some form of love in your life whether it be a crush you have had or a relationship you have participated in.
"So for this assignment I would appreciate a short essay on what love means to you, your experiences with love, and what you hope love brings to you later in your future. I am not putting a certain guideline to how long it is or how short it is, but everyone has to do it and the winner gets a prize."
All the students started chatting away to the people next to them trying to think of ideas for their essay, determined to win.
Hermione didn't know what the prize was but there was no way she was going to back down and ease her way out of it slowly. She enjoyed challenges. Especially academic ones since she was the brightest witch of her age.
When Hermione heard the Common Room portrait slam shut and she leveled her eyes to meet the people who entered.
Her best friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley quickly took the seats across from her at the table.
"Why weren't you at dinner," Harry mumbled as soon as he made sure he was comfortable in his seat.
Hermione let her warm brown eyes met his concerned green ones. Sighing, she thought it best to tell him the truth after all he was her best friend. "I just can't figure this assignment out. It's bugging me to no ends."
Run craned his head to view her paper. After reading her heading titled 'What love means to me' he knew what she was speaking of. "Come on, 'Mione haven't you had a relationship you are willing to write about."
Sadly Hermione hung her head and peeked to her left to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "No," she whispered.
Harry and Ron's eyes went huge with shock. "What about Krum?" Harry piped up quickly recovering.
"Well I don't think I ever loved him. I mean we went to the Yule Ball together and that was about it. I didn't have a romantic attachment to him he was really just a friend."
Her friends nodded and she could've swore she saw Ron's chest let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Well this isn't due till the fourteenth. You'll have plenty of time to think of something."
Hermione hoped Ron was right and wanted to trust him, but knowing her this would eat her alive all night till she could think of some romantic relationship she had shared or even a small encounter.
She was usually so caught up in her books and school work that she didn't pay attention to many boys, besides Harry and Ron, so she never really had crushes. Also, she wasn't the prettiest witch in the school so nobody has ever asked her out, besides Viktor Krum.
Was her life really that depressing? She never remembered any of these years as being boring and lonesome but as she thought about it her life seemed pretty sad.
She stood up after hugging Ron and Harry goodnight and made her way through the Common Room and up the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories.
Once safely in her bed she let her eyes float closed. Hoping that sleep would bring her back some romantic memories or at least something good to write about.
The next morning Hermione woke up earlier than most of the girls in her dormitory. The sun was barely rising and was sending of bright orange hues through the windows, making her even happier than she already was to start her day.
She thanked Merlin that everyone else was asleep as she made her way to the 6th year girls bathroom. Taking one swift glance at the mirror she made her way to the showers.
Boy did she need it. Her hair was sticking up in every which way making a massive rat's nest on top of her head and her make up was smeared across her face causing her to look like one of the Slytherin girls who claimed the look made them look 'sexy'.
As if, Hermione thought as she reached up and turned the handle starting the pouring water. As soon as she stripped down she entered the shower. She relaxed into the feel of the warm water trickling on her skin.
The shower helped relax her and gave her the safe and comfortable feel she looked forward to each morning. The feeling that she was all alone in the bathroom and no one could see, talk, or annoy her. Too late, she thought as she heard the distinct sound of heels on the tile floor entering the bathroom.
"Seriously," Lavender Brown squealed. The girl had wavy blond hair and solid brown eyes. She was known for her gossip and most people didn't get along with her. She was standing next to her sidekick, Parvati Patil. "I think that haircut did you wonders. Your hair was starting to look like a mess of Merlin knows what."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the girl thankful for the curtain keeping her identity a secret. If Lavender saw her Hermione most likely wouldn't survive the encounter.
Parvati merely nodded and looked intently at her best friend. Her usually long black hair was cut just a few inches shorter making her look seem fresh and new. "So who are you planning on writing your essay on?"
Hermione didn't need to guess which essay they were speaking of. "Ron," Lavender gushed quietly. "He's so amazing."
"Really?" Parvati asked astonished. "How so?" Hermione cursed herself for having to be stuck in this position of hearing Lavender's thoughts on her best friend.
"Well he's a very good snog and he's extremely cute," Lavender yet again giggled.
Suddenly the girls were quieter than they normally were. Hermione peeked out of the curtain to see what had happened.
Thankful that her position was to where she could see them but they couldn't see her, she listened carefully.
Lavender leaned into her friend looking like she was going to whisper but her voice didn't change volume at all. "I'm not sure if he's into me anymore."
Hermione smiled suddenly. It's about time, she thought. Lavender wasn't someone Hermione enjoyed seeing Ron with. The girl was extremely self obsessed. Her first word was most likely 'me'.
Parvati gasped. "Really," she squeaked. Her voice seemed to be in a surprised state when in reality it wasn't that surprising. Lavender bossed the boy around all the time, you'd think he'd get sick of it soon.
"Yes," Lavender pulled back. "I don't know how he'd like anyone else once he's had me. I mean look at me, I'm gorgeous."
Hermione smiled, my point exactly she thought of the girl's obsession with herself. Parvati smiled and nodded as her eyes scanned her best friend with envy.
"Well don't tell anyone," Lavender, again leaned in. Hermione smiled hoping to get a chance to hear which girl Lavender thought Ron fancied now. "I think he likes Hermione."
Hermione's face fell. There was no way he was into her. He was her best mate. They were partners in crime, not lovers. No way. " As in Granger," Parvati questioned.
"No as in Malfoy," Lavender bite back sarcastically. "Of course Hermione Granger. I see the way he looks at her and he's been telling me he can't do things with me because he needs to get help with homework from her lately. He's always making excuses not to be with me anymore and he's spending more and more time with her. But it could be that their just friends."
Hermione giggled as their eyebrows scrunched up in thought. She highly doubted Ron was into her but if it made these girls think that hard she didn't mind at all.
Supposing it was getting late, Hermione decided to get out of the shower. She turned and shut off the running water and reached for her towel on the bench. How those girls didn't hear the noise of the water was something Hermione wasn't going to bother herself with thinking about.
She made sure her towel was tightened on her petite body and plastered the biggest fake smile she could find and exited the shower area.
She gracefully positioned herself in front of the sink and looked at the girls with mock surprise as if she hadn't noticed they were there.
Quickly she pretended to recover and spoke. "Morning girls," she smiled again. She watched as their faces went from worried to horrified. They realized she had heard everything "See you at breakfast," Hermione called behind her as she exited.
Entering the Great Hall Hermione was greeted with laughter and smiles in which she quickly returned.
Sitting down in between Ron and Neville she looked across and saw Harry raising an eyebrow at her. "Someone seems better today," he smiled.
"Yeah, it's amazing what a good nights sleep can do."
"So what's first today," Ron questioned looking at Hermione intently. Of course he'd ask her she thought as she raked her brain for the answer.
"Potions with Slytherins."
"Great, just great," Ron mumbled and eyed the said table across from them. The Slytherins were evil vile people with no love in their soul, our at least that's what Ron claimed. "I wonder what they'll write their essay on since they are so incapable of love," Ron shot bitterly.
"That's their problem," Hermione mumbled her eyes were glued to a book in front of her.
" 'Mione, this is breakfast, why are you reading," Ron asked staring at her as if she suddenly grew another head. Drifting her eyes from her book she looked at her friends.
"Because Ronald, I want to," she stood and collected her books. "I'll see you guys at potions in fifteen minutes. Please don't be late."
As she stood up she grabbed her bags and made her way to the doors. As she was exiting she failed to notice the silver eyes that were watching her every move from the table that was 'incapable of love'.
Thanks for reading. Please Review. I am hoping to make this a Valentine's story that should be around 10 chapters long. Thanks!
- Laughter is Contagious