"I didn't do anything! It was him—he started it…"
"Shut it!" Lee Su cut Hermione off. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger. We clearly haven't been strict enough with Tom on a day-to-day basis. I promise you, after tonight he'll be completely obedient to you."
What was supposed to be a quiet moment for two suddenly got crashed by a whole crowd. The room filled with noisy chatter.
But Tom actually thought this chaos was kind of fun…
"You two, stop messing around," Cho Chang said, pulling Lee Su and Terry away. "Aren't you Tom's dorm mates?"
"Terry!"
"Su Lee!"
The two answered in perfect unison: "Hello, senior! We're first-year Ravenclaws. Can we reserve you for the Yule Ball when you're in fourth year?"
Cho Chang: "…"
"Look, you guys need to stop bothering Tom and Hermione right now," Cho said, unusually annoyed. She puffed up her cheeks like an angry little bun.
Even when she was mad, that little-bun look was adorable. Tom couldn't help thinking it'd be fun to tease her just to see it again.
Tom's sharp eyes suddenly spotted the paper package tucked under Lee Su's arm.
"Su, what's that?"
"Chicken legs I grabbed from the Great Hall. Today's portions were huge… Hermione, what are you—?"
"Thanks! I actually haven't eaten breakfast yet," Tom said quickly, snatching the package from Lee Su before anyone could react. "I'll save the last one for you, don't worry. Senior, have you had breakfast?"
Cho paused for a second, then nodded as she took the drumstick Tom offered. "Thanks."
"Tom, you… Fine, whatever. I'm too mature to hold a grudge," Hermione grumbled. "Here, one for you, Terry gets one, and Su… that's all there is."
Lee Su sighed. "It's fine, I already ate in the Great Hall. Thanks anyway, Hermione."
You're thanking him?!
Why are you thanking him?!
Hermione was about to lose her mind.
What the heck had this jerk done using her body?!
If this kept up, what kind of reputation was she going to have with their classmates?
Senior Cho, come on, think about it—does this sound like something I'd do? Would I really steal someone's food?
Unfortunately, Cho didn't seem to notice anything off.
After the group finished their little snack break, Cho cleared her throat. "All right, we can start now. Tom, you go ahead and teach Hermione the basics of ballroom dancing first. The rest of the boys—out!"
"We could stay and help!" Lee Su and Terry protested, but then they saw "Hermione" suddenly blush bright red.
The same "Hermione" who'd just stolen food now stammered awkwardly, "Sorry… I'm a total beginner, so I'll probably be really embarrassing. I don't want anyone else watching…"
Lee Su immediately bowed dramatically, standing ramrod straight. "Don't worry, we won't let a soul interrupt your practice. Terry, let's go!"
Little boys are so easy to read.
After all, Tom was the guy who'd once "charmed" Professor Snape into a good mood. Handling these two kids? Piece of cake.
"Senior, why don't you dance with Tom first? I'll watch and learn from the side," "Hermione" suggested. "I honestly know nothing right now, and… well, you know how I am—just a bookworm who's never touched dancing before."
They were already here. No way was he letting them leave that easily.
Perfect chance to settle last week's score—and get a little bonus revenge while he was at it!
Tom could barely keep the grin off his face as he watched the prettiest first-year girl hold hands with the dreamy second-year Cho Chang, gracefully moving across the floor.
"So… how was that?" Hermione asked, her cheeks a little pink. She touched her nose self-consciously. "Your turn now."
"Sorry, I didn't quite catch it. Could we go one more time?"
"Her-mi-o-ne! That's too much!"
Tom suddenly let out a quiet, fake sob. "Senior, he's yelling at me! He's being mean—he's even about to hit me! Save me, senior!"
…
The two "doormen" outside listened to the noises coming from inside, hearts pounding.
"Lee Su, maybe we should check on them?"
"Terry!" Lee Su glared. "Remember, we're not like Tom. We're not going to be jerks like him. We promised we wouldn't go in, so we're not going in—no matter what we hear!"
"Okay…" Terry sighed.
What had gotten into the kid today? He was acting like he'd chugged a vial of Felix Felicis.
After standing guard for a while, Lee Su scratched his head. "Hey Terry, didn't Tom say he didn't have that kind of feelings for Hermione?"
Terry: "???"
Terry grabbed Lee Su by the collar. "What's going on in that head of yours? Throw it out right now!"
Damn it, he was actually starting to like Hermione.
Lee Su gritted his teeth. "I still think they're just friends. Tonight I'll ask Tom about it."
…
Inside, after the third round, Cho's voice took on a gentle, motherly tone. "That's enough for now, Hermione. It's your turn—don't be shy. I'll guide you."
She took Tom's hand and led him over to Hermione.
"Put your hands on your partner's shoulders, follow the music… Tom, lead Hermione gently. Yes, just like that."
One minute later.
"You stepped on my foot!" Hermione snapped.
"Tom, be patient. Every beginner does that. Just don't do it on the actual night," Cho said kindly.
"Fine… Ow! You did that on purpose!"
Tom shrugged innocently. "You have to be understanding of beginners. I'm not like you, after all."
Then he lowered his voice. "I never had a private dance teacher, you know. This is literally my first time dancing—especially something as complicated as ballroom."
Hold it together!
Once again, Tom "accidentally" stepped on her foot.
"That's it—I can't take this anymore!"
Hermione threw up her hands. "You're doing it on purpose. I know it. I'm one hundred percent sure!"
"Senior, Tom's being so impatient. Maybe he should leave, and you can teach me instead?"
Hermione: "?"
Was Tom trying to get alone time with Cho?
No way—if she wasn't here, who knows what might happen!
That jerk—unbelievable!
"Last chance," Cho warned gently.
Finally, the two of them managed a flawless dance with no mistakes.
But Hermione was now certain: Tom really didn't know this dance. All those beginner mistakes were genuine.
One week from now, at the ball, she'd get her revenge.
Tom would be the one mortified, unable to show his face. And she'd graciously pull him out of his embarrassment—throwing every single one of his usual lectures right back at him.
Outside the door…
The doormen finally had something to do.
An uninvited guest showed up.
Draco Malfoy strode in, his black wizard robes over an elegant dress robe, smelling faintly of expensive cologne.
But before he could step inside, the two little Ravenclaw first-years blocked his path.
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?"