Updates or lack thereof

[hanako_no_yume]

Not updating is something that I hate to do. But meh. Writing has been tough this week since I've been feeling so icky--that uncomfortable pressure that sits in my head, letting me know that I'm on the verge of being sick. And let's not even talk about editing anything. It just sucks cause I was kind of hoping to update both my WIPs this week.

And when I write well...bleh.

Next time, thought Hermione as she tuned out the prattle of her tablemates, I have got to remember to say no! She sighed and gently massaged her temples. This lunch meeting couldn’t end soon enough.

 

“It was simply romantic,” Ginny concluded with a faraway look in her eyes. “I’ve always dreamed of going to Paris with my fiancé ever since I was a little girl. But with everything that Harry planned…it was better than my dreams.”

 

“That’s nice. Paris is such a fun place to visit,” said Lavender. “Ron and I like to go over there for the weekends. You know, he loves the food and I love the fashion.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Next month, though, we’re going to Venice. Can you imagine that? I can’t wait to ride on one of the gondolas. It is going to be so romantic.”

 

“Really? Can you swim?” asked Ginny snidely. “Just in case you fall in of course.”

 

“That’s what magic is for,” Lavender replied. “Isn’t that right, Hermione?” Both witches turned to glare at Hermione, each of them silently commanding Hermione to agree with her.

 

For what must have been the hundredth time that hour, Hermione bit her tongue. Ginny and Lavender did not get along. Hermione wondered why they still insisted on getting together for lunch amongst the girls at least once a month. It would have been more logical for the two witches to avoid one another, given how much they mutually despised one another. Needless to say these lunches were always a bit of a trial for Hermione, and Harry and Ron owed her dearly for trying to keep the two witches in line when they were together. Especially since the only time Ginny and Lavender actually agreed on something was when they were making light of Hermione’s love life or lack thereof.

 

“Does it matter? I’m sure if something happens, Ron will be able to save you. Weasleys are known for being able to think on their feet,” Hermione said, after a quick mental review of her options. Hopefully that would satisfy both of them.

 

“True enough,” said Lavender. “Ron would never let anything bad happen to me.”

 

“I know what you mean,” Ginny quickly put in. “I always feel safest when Harry’s around. That’s not surprising, considering that no one ever gets the jump on him.”

 

“Really now?” asked Lavender with an arched eyebrow. Hermione wanted to groan. The way Ginny and Lavender were acting you would think that they were still back at Hogwarts. Hermione wished they would grow up and figure out that at the end of the day, there was no prize for best relationship. Instead, you had to get up the next morning and keep working on it so it would continue to thrive.

 

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Ginny said. She waved her hand languidly at her brother’s girlfriend. “Has Ron been out of the country or something?” she asked knowing full well that her brother was currently in town. “You always get so…well one always knows when it’s been awhile for you.” She smiled, showing all her pretty teeth to the other witch.

 

Lavender huffed in annoyance. “Sounds like you have some experience there,” she said shortly. Suddenly she smiled brilliantly at Hermione. “Oh! I am so sorry, Hermione. You must think me ever so rude. I know that you’ve been between men for…how long was it now?”

 

“Forever,” Ginny muttered under her breath.

 

That was it, Hermione decided. She had had it with the both of them. It was true that she was currently not seeing anyone—her schedule was so full that it was a miracle she still had time to feed her cat—but they didn’t have to rub it in every. Single. Time.

 

“Oh, but I am seeing someone new,” Hermione told her party. “Not for that long yet, so it’s still so new. But I think this might be it.” Ginny and Lavender exchanged a glance, which Hermione interpreted as them not believing a word she said. Bugger. She was always shit at lying.

 

“Imagine that,” said Ginny. “So what is this dream wizard of yours like?”

 

“Very, very intelligent, of course. You know, for me, intelligence is the ultimate turn on,” Hermione said. She sighed and clutched her hands together. “I like a man who can hold up his end of the conversation. He has the most biting wit.”

 

“Is he handsome?” asked Lavender.

 

“Yes,” was Hermione’s answer. “Devastatingly so. I suppose the combination of that with his intellect makes him a tad bit arrogant, kind of like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. But then, what girl doesn’t dream of finding her own Darcy?”

 

“Which means he’s rich?” put in Ginny.

 

Hermione paused. Damn it, she was just digging herself in deeper. There was no way they were going to believe her if she made this wizard sound too good to be true. But she couldn’t very well say no and they weren’t inclined to believe her in the first place, so she might as well go for broke. “Yes,” she said slowly. “I haven’t asked how many galleons he has at Gringotts, so to speak, but he doesn’t want for anything.”

 

“He sounds perfect,” Lavender noted. One could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she tried to think of a way to trip Hermione up. “You ought to invite him to dinner with us and the boys if you’re serious.”

 

“Yes, well,” Hermione said, her mind racing to find a way out of the trap. “He’s always so busy, and of course, I’m afraid how the boys will react. They’re still a bit over-protective of me even after all this time.”

 

Lavender coldly glared at Hermione, but a wicked gleam appeared in Ginny’s eyes. “Tell me, Hermione,” she said sweetly. “Is he blond?”

 

“Erm.…” Hermione stumbled. Leave it to Ginny to ask for specifics. “Yes,” Hermione finally answered. It was easier than thinking up of a hair color for him.

 

The Cheshire cat grin on Ginny’s face had found its match on Lavender’s. “Hermione,” Lavender said in a loud whisper that could be heard from across the room, “are you telling us that your mystery man is Draco Malfoy?”

 

Oh fuck, thought Hermione. Fuckity fuckity fuck. What have I done? I don’t think there’s any other wizard in London that could match that description. Maybe I could say he’s an American? But then they’d really insist I bring him over for dinner. Hermione was so focused on her predicament that she failed to notice that the other witches had ceased paying attention to her and were now staring over her shoulder.

 

“Darling,” said a voice from behind her, “I can’t tell you how happy you’ve made me now that you’ve decided to finally tell your friends about us.” Slowly Hermione turned around and sure enough, Draco Malfoy was standing behind her. He winked at her. Her jaw dropped.

 

“Close your mouth, love, you don’t want to catch any flies,” he said, gently lifting her chin up. “Shall we all meet for dinner tonight? Eight o’clock at the manor? We might as well let everyone know at once, dearest.” With that, he dropped a light kiss on Hermione and apparated away, leaving her to wonder with everyone else just what had happened.

 

And that's it. Dude, it's so open ended. I have lots of questions myself about Draco's motivations and how everyone reacts and how the actual dinner goes, assuming Hermione goes along, etc, etc. But do I know what happens? Nope. Characters are keeping mum. That's probably the most frustrating bit of all.

Comments

[chanteur-dombre.livejournal.com]

Cliff-hanger/frustration aside, I enjoyed it! :D

[hanako-no-yume.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The cliffhanger is really annoying though. I'm used to at least knowing what's going to happen when I write. Oh well.

[chanteur-dombre.livejournal.com]

It might come to you - you never know...

But whatever happens, I foresee hijnks and various funtimes!