♕ twenty one

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 Hermione sat, tapping her fingers on her knee in anticipation in the middle of her last class for the day. In Greenhouse Three, Professor Sprout expertly demonstrated how to harvest Galanthus Nivalis. It would have been a very interesting lesson, on any day except for this one; but Hermione was itching to put on her dress once more. It was hard to focus on Herbology when you had a forty galleon gown laying on your bedspread.

"Miss Granger?" said Professor Sprout from the head of the greenhouse. Hermione looked up quickly.

"I'm sorry?"

Professor Sprout gave a chuckle.

"I asked you what time the Galanthus Nivalis needs to be harvested."

"Oh," said Hermione hurriedly, "when the tips of its leaves begin to turn yellow."

Professor Sprout gave a satisfied nod.

"Very good, five points to Gryffindor. Now, who can tell me why the leaves turn yellow?"

Hermione let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, glad that she had remembered that fact.

"Psst!" she heard from her left. Hermione looked quickly over her shoulder to see Pavarti.

"Distracted by thoughts of the dance?" she asked, gazing at her sympathetically. Hermione nodded.

"We could organize a group of girls for everyone to model their dresses after class is over," Pavarti suggested with a whisper. Hermione nodded eagerly.

At least she had something to look forward to, as Professor Sprout continued to drone on.

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The moment she heard the bell rang, Hermione snatched up her bag and hurried out of the greenhouse. Pavarti had already told Lavender, Padma, Susan and Hannah about the little pre-dance "fashion show" that was to take place, and of course Ginny and Luna would be there. Hermione felt slightly guilty for wanting to show off her dress, but at the same time, she did want her friends to see it. 

"It'll be so exciting!" Luna gushed, as she, Hermione, and Ginny made their way up the marble staircase and into the common room. They found Pavarti and the others waiting upstairs in the girl's dormitory, all clutching identical black dress bags.

"I'll go first," said Lavender. 

"I'll go second," Luna exclaimed excitedly. Soon they had an order. 

Squealing with excitement, Lavender hurried into the bathroom. Hermione could here her struggling with lots of ruffled material, and the zip of a zipper. When Lavender stepped out, the girls cheered and clapped; but Hermione found it hard not to frown at it. Ginny was coughing in a futile attempt to cover up her giggling. 

It was a lurid pink mermaid gown, made with rather shiny fabric and a long train. What Hermione had mistaken as the sound of ruffles was actually an enormous bow at the back of the dress. Lavender had even purchased a bright pink headband to accessorize, and had matching pale pink stilletoes. She could almost feel the brightness of the pink searing into her brain; so Hermione was rather relieved when Luna stepped out of the bathroom in a pale blue floral ensemble, with a flowing skirt and silver shoes. 

It was definitely a dress that only Luna could pull off. The girls squealed with delight. She looked stunning. 

"Neville is a lucky man," Hannah giggled, twirling her hair. Luna blushed slightly. 

"My turn!" Susan shouted. 

They could've been in Milan for fashion week and fit right in, Hermione thought, as Susan strutted out in a mint green ball gown. Pavarti opted for a neutral a-line dress, which complemented her skin tone perfectly. 

Ginny, who was not exactly well-known for wearing dresses, took everyone's breath away when she stepped rather shyly out in an emerald green number. It complimented her fiery hair perfectly and made her look regal and poised. 

"Harry will love it," Hermione exclaimed happily, as Ginny gave a reluctant twirl. 

"Okay okay, now your turn a Hermione!!!!" Pavarti squealed. Hermione laughed and carried her dress bag into the bathroom, unzipping it carefully. 

For a second, she just stared at it. The supple yet structured fabric, the elaborate yet subdued design... The sleeves seemed custom made as they slid over her shoulders, and the fabric wooshed as Hermione spun around to open the door. 

Ginny gave a sly grin and Luna smiled excitedly. Pavarti and Lavender gasped in surprise while Susan and Hannah proceeded to spring out of their seats and rush forward to finger the smooth fabric.

"Oh, Hermione, you look stunning!" Pavarti breathed. Hermione blushed slightly.

"My dress is just foul compared to this!" Lavender pouted.

"No, don't worry Lav," Hannah reassured her, "Your dress is very unique!"

This seemed to comfort Lavender to some extent, as she shrugged and went back to admiring Hermione's dress.

"Okay, okay, I have to put it back now; I don't want it to get wrinkled!" Hermione walked carefully into the bathroom and cautiously took off the dress, sliding it into its black dress bag and returning to the dormitory.

"Well, that was fun!" Luna exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. The girls gave nods of agreement.

"Oh!" Hermione gasped, looking at the clock on the wall. It was 8, sharp.

"Ginny, Luna- we've got detention."

Ginny rolled her eyes and Luna's shoulders slumped as they bid their farewells and made their way down the staircase and out of the Common room toward McGonagall's Office.

"What do you think we'll be doing for her?" Luna asked nervously.

"Something dreadful," Ginny answered glumly.

But they were soon aware of their brutal task, the moment they stepped into McGonagall's Office. Draco, Blaise, Harry, and Neville had already arrived, and they stood rather solemnly in a corner of the office. Hermione's eyes immediately flitted to Draco's. They shared a smile. 

"Good evening," Professor McGonagall said curtly. "Are you all here? Excellent. Now, you've made very big mistakes, and so will pay justly for it. Half of you will be cleaning the Greenhouses, and the other half will organize potion ingredients.

"Professor?" Draco asked quietly. "May I serve my detention with Hermione?"

Hermione nodded hopefully. If she would be able to spend the time with Draco, it wouldn't be too bad.

"No," McGonagall said strictly. "That's right, I am separating the couples. Miss Weasley, you will go with Mister Malfoy, Mister Zabini, and Miss Lovegood to clean the greenhouse. Miss Granger, you along with Mister Potter and Mister Longbottom will organize the ingredients storage. You will be dismissed from your tasks at nine o'clock, and will report straight back to your designated dormitories. Your ," she said forcefully, looking in between Draco and Hermione.

Hermione, Harry, and Neville trudged down to the dungeons while Draco, Ginny, Blaise and Luna walked sullenly out into the Greenhouses. At least they would be warm. Early December brought sub-zero temperatures to the school dungeons.

"Well, we might as well get it over with," Harry sighed, beginning to sort snake eyes and lizard gills into stacks.

Hermione stood beside Harry and organized jars dazedly. she thought sadly.

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