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"You know he misses you, Dee. And you miss him too," said Pomona to her best friend as they sat down with Minerva. "He asks us about you."
It had been a few weeks since her fight with Dumbledore and she did everything to avoid and ignore her father as much as she could. Maybe it was her pride, but all she wanted was an answer. Her father knew more than anyone how she hated the fact that he kept secrets from her, especially when those secrets were about her, and when he finally agrees to tell her the truth, she will talk to him then.
"I want to know the truth, Pomona." Deanna sighed and fiddled with her phoenix pendant. Then, she raised her eyebrow at them. "Do you know what it is? The secret he's been keeping?"
Pomona and Minerva looked at each other before shaking their heads. Minerva reached out and squeezed Deanna's hand. "If we knew, we would have already told you, Dee. Just... take all the time you need and when you're ready, why don't you have a talk with him? Calmly."
"I suppose I do get a bit fired up at times." The three of them shared a laugh at that, and Deanna smiled at the two Professors. They and Hagrid were the only ones she could talk to about her fight with Dumbledore. Not even her friends or Hermione knew about what happened between her and her father. She was just pleased to have friends like the three Professors by her side.
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"Deanna dear!"
"Oh, Professor!" Deanna smiled at the old man who was catching his breath from chasing after the Hufflepuff. She patted Slughorn on the back. "You good, Professor?"
"Yes, dear." Slughorn finally stopped panting and grinned at the young girl. "I just wanted to remind you about the party this Friday. You can bring a date as you know, and I'll be expecting you. You haven't attended the last dinners."
"Sorry, Professor. I've just been busy with Quidditch, and everything." Deanna grinned at him sheepishly. "I'll be there, don't worry. With a date."
"Ah yes. A great game you had, beating the two teams. Straight to the finals, you are," said Slughorn proudly. "You better win the Quidditch cup then."
"We'll try, Professor, thank you." Deanna had to stifle her laughter at how excited he was, but she too was as proud as he was. They beat Slytherin easily, and they only have Gryffindor to beat to get to the finals.
"All right then, see you there." Slughorn patted her on the back before going back on his way to the staff room.
Deanna shook her head in amusement and continued on her way to the kitchens when someone slung an arm around her shoulders. She was about to move away when she saw that it was only Pansy and she relaxed.
"Oh, it's just you, Pansy." Deanna grinned at the taller girl.
"Wow, disappointed much? If I was Granger, you'd probably be red like you always are when she's around." Pansy said teasingly, making Deanna indeed blush. Pansy laughed loudly when she saw her face. "See? You'd be blushing like you are right now."
"Shut up." Deanna shoved her playfully, but her face just reddened even more. Where were Daphne, Blaise and Theo when you needed them? Since she had become friends with Pansy, she started hanging out with the three Slytherins too and she became friends with the four Slytherins because of her persistence to hang out with them despite their initial wariness.
"Where are Daph, Blaise and Theo?" Deanna asked Pansy who was still trying to control her laughter, but the tables have turned because as soon as she said Daphne's name, Pansy stopped laughing and her cheeks were now reddening as Deanna's did a few moments ago.
"Look who's blushing now." Deanna laughed when Pansy blushed even more. As revenge, Pansy started ruffling Deanna's hair, not knowing that the two were being watched by a certain Gryffindor. Of course, that certain Gryffindor was fuming because the two were looking like a couple.
Suddenly, Pansy felt like they were being watched, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Hermione watching them. The Slytherin grinned and leaned in to the laughing Hufflepuff, whispering. "Hey, Dee. Do you trust me?"
Unaware of the closeness between them, Deanna calmed down at that and nodded though she was a bit confused. "Of course."
"Do you trust me with your relationship with Granger?"
Now, Deanna was thoroughly confused, but she nodded anyways. Hermione who was watching from behind a pillar was clenching her fists so tight the quill in her hand broke. Why was it okay with Deanna to be that close to Pansy? She thought they were just friends, but why are they too close to each other?
Pansy cleared her throat before speaking in a loud voice so that Hermione could hear. "So, we're going to the Slug Club party together?"
Both Deanna and Hermione had their eyes wide at that. Hermione's fists clenched even more, and Deanna did not know what to say. Pansy leaned in once more and whispered. "Trust me. We're just going as friends."
"Alright then." Deanna nodded and smiled at her friend. She could not deny she felt a little disappointed she was not going with Hermione, but still, she was with her friend so it would be fine.
Hermione had already gone on her way when she saw Deanna nod. Her lip was quivering so much from holding in the hurt she just felt. It was the first time she had ever fallen in love with someone, and it turned out that Deanna liked Pansy. It was her fault anyways because she didn't confess sooner. Maybe, if she took a risk sooner, she would have been the one taking Deanna to the party.
Despite her heartbreak, Hermione wiped away the built up tears in her eyes and made a resolve then. She couldn't really go to Slughorn's party alone... She had no other choice but to accept.
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"What?" Deanna frowned at Pansy who suddenly told her she won't be able to come to the party. Deanna was already dressed in a simple white dress that exposed her shoulders. "But you said –"
"I told you to trust me with your relationship with Granger." Pansy grinned at her friend and patted her on the back. "You'll be fine."
"I mean, she's been avoiding me the whole week." Deanna mumbled under her breath. "Then, I suddenly find out from other people that she's going with SuckLaggen."
"You know his name." Pansy commented with a smirk. Deanna glared at her in response, and Pansy let out a chuckle. "Listen, the only reason why she's going with Mc – okay, fine, SuckLaggen is because she thinks you're going with me. Don't let the night pass without confessing your feelings for her."
"C-Confess?" Deanna stuttered and blushed at the thought of confessing her feelings. It was something she never thought of doing yet. She did dream of being with Hermione from time to time, but she had never thought of actually confessing.
"What do you think? The two of you would lock eyes and suddenly be together? Of course you need to confess!" Pansy remarked sarcastically, making Deanna slap her on the arm lightly. Pansy let out a sigh and patted Deanna on the shoulders comfortingly. "Don't be afraid, Deanna. Just tell her, and everything will work out."
Deanna rested her head on Pansy's shoulder. "You better confess to Daph too."
"Idiot, we're already together."
"What?" Deanna exclaimed and looked at Pansy with surprise. "Since when?"
"Since today, so now go." Pansy gave her a push and grinned. "We'll tell you about it next time so go and get your girl. You're late for about 5 minutes already."
"WHAT? Thank you, see you!" Deanna exclaimed again. She gave Pansy a hug and started running to the direction of the party. Of all the times she had to be late, it had to be today. As she ran, she thought of what Pansy said. Would she really be able to confess today? Can she pluck up the courage to do so? She hoped she could.
Deanna finally arrived at Slughorn's office and she opened the door to see some of the guests there. She waved at Noah and Eleanor who went together, Ginny who was with Dean Thomas and Harry and Luna. Finally, she met Slughorn at the center, smiling as soon as he saw her. "Deanna, dear! You're a bit late, I see."
"S-Sorry, Professor." Deanna panted for breath and grinned at him. "I just had something to do for a moment."
"That's all right then." Slughorn patted the still tired Hufflepuff on the back. "As long as you're here, but Deanna, I thought you'd be bringing Miss Granger. She looks beautiful tonight. So, go look for her, and I want you to meet someone later, yeah?"
Slughorn sent one last wink at Deanna who blushed and nodded at him. As soon as he walked away, Deanna started looking around for Hermione, and her blue eyes locked with the brown eyes of the one person she was looking for.
Hermione never knew seeing Deanna in a white dress was a sight that would knock the breath out of her. Right now, she could understand why people called her the Angelic Ariana because indeed the white dress made Deanna look like an angel who graced the Earth with her presence. Her heart was beating faster as she and Deanna stared at each other, all their feelings in that moment expressed in their eyes.
Hermione was wearing a pink dress that fit her perfectly and made her shine even more. The Gryffindor was already beautiful, but damn, that dress was just perfect for her, as if it was made for her, and Deanna thanked Pansy now for making her a little late because this moment of Hermione Granger was laid out in front of her at the right moment and was now imprinted in her heart for eternity.
However, the moment was broken because a certain Cormac McLaggen suddenly appeared beside Hermione. Deanna clenched her fists though she tore her eyes away from them with great difficulty and went over to the table for drinks. Hermione just sighed and watched her go though she wondered where was Pansy Parkinson.
After a few minutes of talking about himself, McLaggen smirked at Hermione and started leaning in, making the younger Gryffindor move her hand towards her wand. "Maybe, we can continue from where we left– Ow!" Hermione was about to ask what was wrong, but her eyes widened when she saw that Deanna was pulling Cormac's ear.
"Can't you see that we're trying to have a moment here?" Cormac glared at Deanna while he rubbed his ear.
"You can shove those lips of yours up a donkey's–"
"Deanna!" Hermione gasped.
"Arse where it belongs." Deanna finished with a menacing tone. She glanced at Hermione and saw her frowning. Deanna let out a scoff and turned around, leaving the room with a flourish of her dress.
"My, my. The badger's still got it." Horace Slughorn said cheerfully. "Back to the party now."
Hermione was about to follow after Deanna when Cormac held her hand. "Hermione, shall –"
"We shall not. Whatever that is, we shall not." Hermione said quickly and ran out of the room, leaving behind the dumbstruck McLaggen.
"Here's a snack for you, McLaggen." Harry gave him the tray of dragon tartare.
"Thank you." McLaggen said mindlessly, eating the dragon tartare. "What are these?"
"Dragon balls." And McLaggen threw up on Severus Snape's shoes, meeting the disgusted glare of the Professor.
Outside the room, Hermione was running and looking for Deanna, wondering what the problem was with her. She was supposed to be with Pansy Parkinson tonight yet the Slytherin was out of sight.
"There you are." Hermione smiled when she saw Deanna at one of the windows. She walked slowly towards the Hufflepuff who was looking out the window with a frown on her face. Deanna was thinking about whether she should confess or not, but she thought it was better not to do so. She probably ruined all chances she had with Hermione because of what she just did.
"Deanna?" Hermione tapped her on the shoulder, making Deanna jump.
Deanna's frown grew even wider when she saw it was Hermione. "Hermione."
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked worriedly. Did she do something to upset the Dumbledore?
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Deanna stood up and nodded to her. "Good night."
Hermione walked after her with a frown. "What is your problem?"
"Nothing." Deanna shrugged her shoulders.
"It's not nothing."
"It's not not nothing." The two witches stopped walking and stared each other down, one was trying to understand while one was trying to control her feelings. Deanna looked away first and sighed. "I told you, I'm alright."
"That's a damn lie." Hermione laughed sarcastically. "You arrive without a date and you go attacking my date? How is that nothing?"
"Then, by all means, go back to your date and kiss him." Deanna retorted back. When she realized what she said, she started walking away from Hermione, mentally asking herself why did she say that.
Hermione's eyes widened before she chased after Deanna. "Why are you being so..."
"So what?"
"So jealous!"
"I'm not jealous." Deanna raised her voice and pulled away her arm from Hermione, walking away once more. She hoped the Gryffindor would give up because if she didn't, everything Deanna was holding in would come out.
"Don't walk away from me." Hermione went in front of her, her cheeks flushing due to anger. "What is your problem?"
"I said it's nothing."
Hermione frowned at her then she thought of something. She started turning back to the direction of the party. "If it's nothing, I can just go back to Cormac –"
"Don't." The words left Deanna's mouth before she could stop herself.
"Don't what?" Hermione raised an eyebrow, turning back towards Deanna. She was challenging the Dumbledore as much as she could because she wanted to hear something. Hermione was not stupid. She knew there was something bothering Deanna, and she wanted to be the one to help her. Not Pansy, not anyone else.
"Don't ask me what you should do." Deanna scoffed and turned her back on Hermione. "You're at liberty to kiss whoever you want to."
"You don't care at all, do you? If you did care, you would have taken me." Hermione said lowly, her anger getting the best of her. "You've taken quite the liking to Parkinson, have you?"
Deanna stopped walking at that. "Damn it." She turned back around and started walking towards Hermione. She stopped when their faces were just a few inches apart. She couldn't control herself anymore after hearing that.
"W-What are you doing?" Hermione stuttered, her cheeks flushing at the sudden closeness.
"I care. I care so much it hurts." Deanna whispered softly. "When I saw Cornick McSlugs or whatever his name is leaning towards you, I just wanted to chuck him out to the Black Lake where he could kiss the Giant Squid for all I care. I-I care too much when I don't even have the right to do so."
"What right?"
'The right to kiss you.' Deanna's eyes widened when a small gasp escaped Hermione's lips. Did she just say that out loud? By the looks of Hermione's reaction, she did. Deanna took a step back and started walking away from the frozen Hermione who got back to her senses once she saw Deanna walking away from her. Hermione grabbed Deanna's wrist and turned her around.
Deanna looked down to avoid Hermione's gaze, not wanting to see the disgust in her eyes. "Look, Hermione, I-I'm sorry, I –"
"Did you mean that?" Hermione cut her off, a little breathless. All this time, Deanna felt the same. They've been dancing around each other when they've had feelings for each other all this time. Hermione felt so stupid. Why didn't she just confess that time? She just had to get jealous of Pansy and think Deanna liked the Slytherin.
"I-I did." Deanna mumbled softly, but due to the fact that they were the only ones there, Hermione heard it loud and clear. Deanna didn't know what to do. She couldn't just walk away from Hermione because she knew the Prefect would easily catch up to her. She knew the inevitable rejection was coming, but it didn't hurt any less.
"Then let me." Without waiting for a reply, Hermione kissed Deanna on the lips. Deanna's eyes widened in surprise, and when she got out of her surprise, she realized that she wasn't kissing back so she quickly responded to the kiss, making Hermione smile. Finally, what they've both been waiting for. What they both longed for. Each other. After a few seconds, they pulled away from each other and panted for air, their foreheads against each other.
"I like you, Hermione Granger." Deanna said softly.
"And I like you too, Deanna Dumbledore." Hermione grinned at her before leaning in for another kiss, and the two of them giggled once they pulled away, both of them were just happy for this new relationship between them.
"S-So, are we like..." Deanna started awkwardly not knowing how to ask what she wanted to because it happened so suddenly.
"Are we like what?" Hermione grinned teasingly, and despite knowing what she wanted to ask, Deanna just looked so adorable that Hermione wanted to tease her.
"Mione." Deanna whined and crossed her arms, pouting at the laughing girl.
Hermione finally calmed down and cupped Deanna's face, placing a peck on the shorter girl's forehead. She rested her forehead against Deanna's and smiled softly, staring into Deanna's eyes and giving only warmth and love. "Will you be mine, Miss Dumbledore?"
"Only if you'll be mine, Miss Granger." Deanna closed the distance between them, smiling into the kiss. Hermione wrapped her arms around Deanna's waist, pulling her in closer. Deanna was Hermione's and Hermione was Deanna's, and an unspoken promise was made then. A promise they will hold with their last breaths.
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"Hello, darling." Hermione couldn't help grinning once she came out of the Gryffindor Common Room and she was met with the sight of her girlfriend... She would never get tired of saying or hearing that, and her adorable girlfriend was wearing the necklace she gave her, so yes. Hermione felt like a winner despite feeling a little sad that she was not going to see Deanna for a few weeks.
"Your carriage awaits, milady." The two of them laughed at Deanna's dorkiness and Deanna picked up one of Hermione's bags and held Hermione's hand in the other. Hermione intertwined their fingers, and the two of them started on their way to the carriages where their friends were waiting.
The two of them spent the night at the kitchens where the house-elves and ghosts had definitely warmed up to Hermione after hearing the two girls were finally together.
"Hey, I'll catch up to you later, Mione." Deanna kissed her on the cheek and ran to Ernie, Justin and Susan who were talking to each other. Hermione held her hand to her cheek before smiling widely and making her way to Harry and Ron.
"I'll see you guys soon." Deanna gave each of them hugs and smiles. She wondered how was Hannah since the last letter they got from her was about a week ago, but she just hoped Hannah was fine.
"Don't forget to send us letters, alright?" Susan said, and Deanna nodded excitedly, making the group of four laugh once more. She sent them off and went to Pansy, Daphne, Blaise and Theo who were a few meters away from them.
"So, I heard you and a certain Parkinson are together." Deanna nudged Daphne teasingly.
"Yeah, and Blaise and Theo are together now too." Daphne's sudden comment made Deanna's jaw drop as she looked at the two boys who laughed with Pansy and Daphne.
"S-Since when?" Deanna stuttered as she looked at the two boys with surprise and confusion.
"We just got together yesterday, don't worry, Dee." Blaise intertwined his fingers with the still laughing Theo.
"I was about to say you were an idiot. Why did you have to say it right away, Blaise?" Theo pouted at his boyfriend.
Deanna sent him a glare before grinning at the two couples. "I'll see you four soon then. If anything happens, send me a letter, all right?" The four Slytherins smiled widely at her and each gave her hugs in turn before they went inside the carriage. Deanna waved when she saw Jemina, Eleanor and Noah. The three Hufflepuffs ran to her and hugged her tight.
"It's like you three haven't seen me in so long." Deanna laughed when the three of them pulled away.
"It's because we haven't been together in a long time." Eleanor nudged her playfully.
"Yeah, the last time I've been with you three was when we went to the kitchens." Jemina said with a pout.
"Let's meet up as soon as you three come back then." Deanna grinned at the three and ruffled their hairs. "See you soon."
"See you, Dee." Noah waved to her and the three Hufflepuffs went on their way. Deanna caught Ron staring after Eleanor from a distance and she made her way to him while Harry and Hermione were talking.
"You know, you both hurt each other." Deanna spoke up once she was beside Ron. "But the friendship you have isn't that easy to break. An apology is all it takes, Ron. And you can slowly fix it from there."
"Is it possible?" Ron asked quietly.
"Of course, Ron. Don't give up." Deanna gave him a hug and Ron grinned at her, feeling a bit better than he had been. He was going to fix it little by little.
"Hey, Ginny. Take care." Deanna called out to Ginny who was making her way to them.
"Thanks, Dee. You too." Ginny gave her a hug before going to Dean who was looking a little annoyed. Deanna frowned at that and just hoped Dean was treating Ginny properly.
"Hey, Deanna. Can I talk to you for a bit?" Harry tapped her on the shoulder. Deanna nodded and the two of them went off to the side wherein Harry proceeded to tell her about what he heard in the conversation between Snape and Draco.
"An Unbreakable Vow is very dangerous indeed." Deanna said seriously. "I'll try finding out what I can if I run into Professor Snape, but let's be careful, Harry. They might be on to us, all right?"
"Okay, Dee." Harry nodded and smiled gratefully. "Thanks for listening. So, when's our next lesson with Professor Dumbledore?"
Deanna's face fell slightly at that because she and Dumbledore were still not talking. She tried her best not to think about him, but could she really do that if it was her father she was trying not to think of? She shook it off and smiled at Harry. "I'll tell you when I find out. Take care, Harry."
"Thanks again, Dee." Harry gave her a hug and he quickly went away when he saw Hermione looking impatient.
Deanna grinned at her annoyed girlfriend and took her hand, giving it a tight squeeze. "I'll see you in two weeks, darling. Don't be so sad."
"I know." Hermione sighed before smiling and placing a chaste yet sweet kiss on Deanna's lips. "I like you."
"I like you too." Deanna's grin became even wider if that was possible, but all the gasps and chattering from the people in the carriages were fading away because Deanna was only focused on the girl in front of her.
Hermione knew that as soon as she got on the carriage, she would be questioned by her friends, but she didn't care at all. Being able to kiss and hold Deanna's hand in public was all she needed.
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