"Good morning, Hermione…" Lavender yawned, rubbing her eyes and yanking her messy golden curls into a sloppy ponytail. "Ugh… writing letters first thing in the morning? Is it to Tom again?"
The two girls in the dorm already knew about that not-exactly-proper-but-somehow-proper thing between Tom and Hermione. They talked about everything, but in Hermione's mouth, Tom was always "that jerk."
"Nope." Tom shook his head. "It's to a senior."
"Autumn, the fifth-year Ravenclaw?"
Tom looked surprised. "You know her too?"
"No, but when you were in Hogsmeade last time, she came rushing into the common room looking for you. I was dying to ask what on earth happened in the village."
Lavender yawned again. "Whatever. You write. It's a gorgeous Saturday. I'm sleeping in. Quidditch match this afternoon."
They both knew Hermione couldn't care less about Quidditch.
Not that she hated it—just that she only showed up if she'd somehow finished every single task on her list. Which never happened.
"I'm not going either," Tom said with a little smile.
"Huh?" Lavender blinked, then got it. "Oh right—the Yule Ball. Can't believe that annoying git Malfoy actually hired a dance tutor for you."
Tom: "???"
Wait… why wasn't that in the diary? Hermione, you sneaky little—!
Trying to make me humiliate myself in public? Oh, this is interesting.
In the diary, Hermione only wrote about her daily anxiety and boredom. Tom thought she'd totally given up on dancing. Turns out she was secretly teaming up with Malfoy!
He finished the letter, sealed it, and sent it off—to Cho Chang.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle…
Hermione's grin was so wide her face hurt.
Terry and Lee had just told her: Tom hadn't practiced dancing at all these past few days!
And Tom didn't know ballroom dancing to begin with.
It's so awkward, right? Picturing Tom—buff, muscly Tom—trying to waltz… No way he'd swallow his pride for that!
Only one week left until the Ball.
One week? Tom learning ballroom dancing?
Dream on, dream on, dream on!
This victory is mine, Hermione Granger!
Hugging her stack of books, she practically skipped down the corridor.
Then she ran straight into Cho Chang.
A familiar owl swooped down and landed on Cho's arm.
It was Mirror!
That jerk Tom wrote to Cho again?!
Hermione ducked behind a pillar and watched Cho's face like a hawk.
"Tom! Hey, check out this new spell I learned—" Terry bounded over but noticed Tom lurking suspiciously, so he shut up and joined him behind the pillar. "What are you doing?"
Terry followed Tom's gaze and smirked. "Ohhh~ So you're into Cho Chang-senpai… Wait—no! Tom, you little punk, don't you dare go after her!
You already have Hermione! Just wait till you're of age and marry her like a good boy!"
"Who's marrying him?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Shut up, I'm trying to—"
Her words died in her throat.
Cho was smiling!
What the heck did Tom write in that letter?!
Gathering her courage, Hermione stepped out. "Hey, Cho! What a coincidence."
"Oh? Tom, heading to the library?"
"Just came from there. Saw you getting a letter. Isn't that Hermione's owl?"
Cho nodded. "Hermione invited me to dance with her at the Ball. She says she still hasn't learned anything.
Tom, you can't just leave her hanging like that! Look at you, all confident—you must've already learned the steps. How could you ditch Hermione?
She's a girl. Sure, she acts tough, but she's actually really sensitive. Don't do that again… Oh! Come with me right now. You two can practice together!"
"I don't—" Hermione started, but Cho already grabbed her wrist and dragged her off.
Terry, still hidden, was grinding his teeth so hard they might crack.
Damn it! Damn it all!
How is Tom getting to dance with Cho-senpai?!
He didn't hear the whole conversation—just caught "dance" and "Hermione."
So Cho was inviting Tom to dance and telling him to keep it secret from Hermione?!
Scumbag! Traitor!
Gotta tell Lee—we're taking him out tonight!
Speak of the devil—Lee came around the corner, biting into a sandwich, arms full of a paper bag stuffed with chicken legs.
"Come with me, Lee! Tom's betraying us again. We have to stop him this time!" Terry hissed.
"Yo, share some food first!"
"Get lost, no way!" Lee clutched the bag tighter. "What'd he do? Spill."
"He's dancing with Cho-senpai right now! No one can stop him except us. We have to act! We can't let him run wild anymore!"
Lee's eyes suddenly went dead serious.
They clasped hands.
Lee: "How do we kill him?"
Terry: "Drown him in a pig cage!"
Lee: "We can't beat him."
Terry: "I'll slip him a love potion, you put on a dress, and we tie him up when he's distracted!"
Lee: "??? Screw that! But yeah—we have to move now or it'll be too late!"
…
Hermione was being dragged along. She'd never noticed before how soft Cho's hands were.
Wait… am I taking advantage of Tom's body right now?
"Cho, your grip's too tight—it hurts."
"If I let go, you'll bolt." Cho ignored her. "You and Hermione fight every other day, but you're actually really good friends, right?
I'm kind of jealous Hermione has someone like you who always shows up when she needs help."
Hermione suddenly blurted: "We're good friends too!"
"Then come with me!"
…
Twenty minutes later.
Tom, Hermione, and Cho stood staring at each other.
Tom was completely lost.
What the hell is going on?
I just wanted to mess with Cho-senpai… how did Hermione end up here too?
Before he could process, Cho shoved Hermione straight into Tom's arms.
"Senpai?" Tom asked. "Why'd you bring… uh… me here?"
"Hmph. I saw you scheming again—secretly learned the dance and ditched Hermione. Now, Tom, you're teaching Hermione how to ballroom dance. Right now."
Tom and Hermione both looked down at their feet.
Cho's words sounded like they only hit one of them, but actually critical-hit both.
"I heard Malfoy got you a dance teacher?" Tom pulled Hermione aside and whispered.
"No such thing!"
No matter what he said, Hermione was determined to deny it.
Admit it now and Tom would tease her about it forever!
"Real or fake?"
"Totally real!"
"Fine. I'll go ask Malfoy myself." Tom flicked his robes dramatically. "Don't blame me if I do something weird with your body."
Hermione panicked. "Don't you dare! If you do, I'll… I'll…"
She racked her brain for a threat.
"If you go, tonight I'll run shirtless around the castle so everyone sees your shameless body!"
"Thanks in advance." Tom yawned. "Just hold up a sign while you're at it: 'Seeking spouse (or several). Will marry once of age.'"
"You jerk!"
Hermione swung two furious punches.
Tom caught them easily with his lightning reflexes.
"Tom!"
Suddenly Terry and Lee leaped out like bodyguards and grabbed Hermione's arms.
"How dare you hit Hermione! That's so ungentlemanly!"
My loyal roommates!
But… why are you guys here?
A giant question mark slowly floated above Tom's head.
---