Normal is the Watchword
Disclaimer
This story is based on JK Rowling's wonderful world and characters and I claim no ownership to any of it.. I'm just playing with them all for a bit…
Hermione decided that she really needed to get up and do something so she'd stop dwelling on this issue. She quickly gathered up the purchases George had delivered to her sitting room and headed towards to door to her room.
After putting them away she relaxed on her bed with her advanced potions book, cleverly disguised as a chemistry book. Her concentration however was on everything but her potions. Her mind was abuzz with so many things, Leigh, St. James, Ron, Harry, Hogwarts.
She found she couldn't stop thinking about going to St. James Academy. The option had never been there before, from the day that she had received her Hogwarts letter she was determined to learn all she could about Magic. However as Professor McGonagall has stated at the end of last semester, it was up to the board of governors to decide whether Hogwarts would even open again for her seventh year. After the death of its headmaster by the hands of a respected staff member, the chances of the school staying open were slim.
Hermione dropped her head onto her book and thought her way through things. Perhaps, just perhaps, it would be a good idea for her to prepare for a year at St. James Academy, just in case? The thought excited Hermione, to learn all of those things she'd always wanted to know about – to learn business studies and economics and politics, to work on chemistry equations and maths! She'd never really thought about what she was missing at Hogwarts, but as she thought of these things now she grew excited. It was a great thing to relieve her of her boredom, and if her school wasn't reopened, she would be ready to attend St. James Academy in the Autumn. She had a momentary thought of what would happen if Ron and Harry wanted her to go with them on their horcrux quest, however she found herself feeling rebellious. They had sent her home, cut her off from the wizarding world, and wouldn't even let her know WHERE Harry was staying! No, she decided, she was going to do what was best for HER for a change, not just what Harry and Ron expected of her.
Dropping her potions book onto the stack of books next to her desk, Hermione was up and out the door in record time. With a quick "Mum! I'm going to the library" she was gone.
Arriving at the familiar local library she began to browse through sections of the library which she had been too young to investigate last time she was there. She had fun picking out some appropriate books, and was relieved when she was able to put the history, Geography, English and Maths books away. She had been reading up on them during classes for Hogwarts, so she felt she had a respectable knowledge of those subjects. With gaining confidence she picked out some Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Politics books, then feeling excited she left the library to visit the stationery shop. She bought herself pens and books and post-its – things she hadn't needed or used in the past 6 years – before venturing home.
In her bedroom, she stacked her Hogwarts books pathetically in the corner of her wardrobe and her desk was cleaned of all of her Hogwarts paraphernalia. With growing enthusiasm, she stacked her library books up on her desk, labeled her new exercise books and began to work.
As she progressed she discovered that although she was picking up a lot of what she needed quickly, she needed someone to explain some of the scientific concepts to her. With a sigh she picked up her books and went downstairs to where her father was sitting.
"Daddy? Can you help me with something" she asked cautiously. Her father looked up from the document her had been reading, placed it to his left and gave Hermione his full attention.
"Sure Honey, What is it?" he asked.
"Umm. I just wondered.. uhh that is.. I just thought… Umm.. Can you help me with some Chemistry?" she asked quickly.
Her dad looked at her in confusion and then spotted the Chemistry book under her arm.
"What's this for then? A bit of light reading?" asked her dad jokingly. Hermione rolled her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a minute as if asking for guidance before looking back at her dad.
"I'm.. you know.. preparing.. in case.." she left the thought hanging. Her dad looked like she could have pushed him over with a feather.
"You mean you want to go to St. James Academy?" he asked in surprise.
"I'm… I'm not sure.. but if I do, I'll need to be up to the same level as the other students" she said and thrust the book under her dads nose. Taking a seat next to him she handed him the pen, pointed to the equation and then waited. Slowly her father regained his thought processes and looked down at the equations.
"Well, the first thing you do with an equation like this is.." he began and Hermione sighed and settled in to participate in her favourite pastime, learning.
Thursday July 16th
The next morning Hermione woke slowly from her slumber and reveled in the warmth and comfort of having her own bed. She loved Hogwarts, but there was just something special about her own comfortable bed. Unbidden, the thought that if she went to St. James Academy, she could sleep in her bed all year around, rose to the top of her mind. Sighing angrily, she rose slowly from her bed and looked out the window to find a beautiful summers day awaiting her. As she began to dress in some new jeans and pick out a top she tried to plan her day, but once again, like yesterday she came up blank on activities that excited her.
The unfamiliar Beep-Beep-Beep of a mobile phone interrupted her concentration and she jumped in surprise. Looking on her desk she saw her mobile alight and waiting for her. Feeling a jolt of adrenaline Hermione jumped across her bed and reached for the phone. Her very first text message! She truly felt like she was "Normal" now. She quickly worked her way through the unfamiliar menus and stared in incomprehension at the message in front of her.
R U bored?
Want 2 shop?
C u 10 Cheltenam
J
Hermione stared at the uncommon language for a second before meaning started to come to her. Are you bored? Do you want to go shopping? See you at 10 at Cheltenam shops. Jen. Quickly finishing dressing, Hermione ran down the stairs to breakfast.
"Mum?" she called as she ran in the door to the dining room where a table was piled with breakfast food. Her mum looked up in surprise at the excitement in her voice.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Can I go to Cheltenam shops with Jen at 10?" she asked unsure of what the reaction would be. She was dreading an excited reaction because that would mean her mum was hoping this would lead to a St. James Academy application.
"Of course you can. I'll have George ready to take you at quarter to?" asked her mum referring to their driver. Hermione felt her heart stop. She'd forgotten about George who her mum had drive her everywhere, for a change Hermione was actually looking forward to being normal. Not that having drivers was abnormal at St. James Academy, but didn't kids her age catch the bus places?. She paused in her conversation for a second to send a message to Jen before resuming the discussion.
"Its alright, I'll get the bus" said Hermione. Her mum looked shocked at the response.
"are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes I'm sure" responded Hermione confidently. She didn't actually even know the bus timetable, but she figured that it couldn't be too hard to work out.
"Oh.. then.. I suppose" she responded worriedly.
At that moment, Leigh walked into the room and sat next to Hermione. Hermione felt an unfamiliar thrill as he pulled the seat in next to her. Out of a table that held 10, what had prompted him to sit RIGHT next to her. She was sure that she could feel his foot resting against hers he was sitting that close beside her!
"Good morning Leigh" said Hermione's Mum.
"Morning" he responded. Hermione remained slightly tongue tied and decided to busy herself with her toast instead.
"What do you have planned for today?" asked Georgina.
"Nothin'" responded Leigh.
"Well you could go to Cheltenam with Hermione if you liked" she said, Hermione groaned. Oh no! She was looking forward to a day out with Jen, but if Leigh came… what on earth would they think?
"Cheltenam, Whats there?" he asked in response.
"Shops, some cafes.. The usual" said Hermione in response, trying to talk the place down so he wouldn't want to come.
"Ok" he said and reached for the plate of bacon in front of him.
"What!" exclaimed Hermione in surprise.
"I said Ok.?" He asked questioningly, pulling a stack of bacon off a platter clumsily with a fork. Hermione sighed and handed him the tongs before he could do the same thing with a fried egg.
"Yes, I heard, but you want to come and hang out with me at the shops?" she said in disbelief.
"What else is there to do?" he said in response looking at her in equal surprise.
"Oh well.. I guess. We'll leave at 9:30. Can you read a bus timetable?" she asked contentiously.
"Please? Who can't!" he exclaimed sarcastically.
"9:30. Be ready" she sighed as she left the room.
Leigh and Hermione arrived at the Shopping centre with 5 minutes to spare and Hermione headed straight for her agreed upon meeting place, the "White with one" coffee shop on the second floor. Settling down she ordered lattes for them both and began to search for Jen. Minutes later their coffees arrived and she realised that Leigh had been sitting there in absolute silence.
"You're quiet" she said to begin a conversation.
"So're you" he mumbled.
"Always" she responded taking a sip of her coffee.
"Is there anything you want to buy while you're here? Some clothes? Books?" Hermione asked
"With what money?" he asked absently watching a pretty blonde walk past the shop.
"Oh, Mum didn't give you money?" Hermione asked in Surprise.
"No. Why would she? I'm not her responsibility" he responded.
"Oh, Here. She would've wanted you to have it" Hermione said handing over 100 pounds.
"whoa.. no way. You can't go handing me that kinda cash" he said in surprise looking at the money.
"Don't worry about it. Its not like it'll bankrupt me, or them for that matter. I fully intend to claim it back from my parents" she responded.
"Uh, If your sure" he said in embarrassment.
"Definitely. Get some clothes. Buy a book to tide you over during the long boring days of summer. Make sure you buy something to wear for the party" she said.
"Uh. Yeah. Sure" he said gulping down his coffee and standing from the table "I'll meet you by the bus stop in two hours?"
"ok?" Hermione asked in surprise. She had expected him to stick with her during the shopping trip, and now she was worried that he was going to do a runner with the money she had given him. Her dad would probably never forgive her.. Her mum on the other hand would probably want her to be knighted.
Then he did something completely unexpected and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek "I'll be there honey. And thanks". He said quietly. Hermione felt her stomach do a flip and felt her face flush red. She wasn't naïve in the matters of the heart, but to say that she hadn't much experience would be a bit of an understatement.
"See you at 12 then" she said and he sauntered away from the table, leaving Hermione alone to finish her coffee.
Out of nowhere Jen landed in the seat next to her followed closely by Sandy.
"Who was that Hunk?" asked Jen in an awed whisper looking in the direction Leigh had just gone.
"Leigh?" asked Hermione in Surprise.
"Yeah! Leigh!" responded Sandy also watching the empty space in the direction he had left.
"He's staying with us" said Hermione awkwardly.
"Wow! Are you one lucky girl! Having someone that God-like in the room next door! How can you restrain yourself?" said Jen with a wink. Hermione felt herself go red again.
"He only arrived last night, I Barely know him" said Hermione defensively.
"Even so…" Jen left it hanging.
"If you don't want him.. you know you can always… pass him my way" said Sandy eyeing Hermione expectantly.
"I barely even know him!" exclaimed Hermione "And he's definitely not mine to give away".
"ahh.. Well when do we get to meet this random guy who you barely know?" teased Jen.
"Saturday. He's coming to the party on Saturday" said Hermione, flushing red again.
"OOOHHH. You do work fast don't you. Never thought you woulda had it in you!" teased Sandy.
"Stop it! I just asked him because he would be bored otherwise" said Hermione defensively.
"Ok Ok. We'll drop it for now.. but keep us in the loop" said Jen. Sandy sang exuberantly "Honey and Leigh sitting in a tree – Hey it rhymes!"
"Lets just go shopping" said Hermione in resignation.
Two hours later Hermione had bought a new book, three new t-shirts and with much pressure from Jen and Sandy she had purchased her first bottle of nail varnish. Jen was excitedly planning a trip to Hermione's house for that afternoon to "Do her Nails". Hermione watched with bemusement as Jen snapped her phone shut and said "Mum expects me home for tea".
"Ok, lets go. We have to meet Leigh by the bus stop" said Hermione, leading the way through the crowd. They arrived 5 minutes late and Hermione felt relief flood through her when Leigh's sandy blonde head came into view. She really hadn't realised that she was that worried he wouldn't show up.
The three girls joined Leigh on the seat under the bus stop sign and with a great nudge from Sandy Hermione introduced the two girls to Leigh. Sandy didn't hide the fact that she found Leigh attractive and openly flirted with him. Hermione didn't mind that so much, but she was just a bit upset when he flashed a dazzling smile and responded in kind. Hermione felt automatically excluded from the conversation, she wouldn't know how to flirt with a guy if her life depended on it, and she really wouldn't be able to calmly accept it as Jen did, if a guy responded to her advances.
Hermione was growing irritated with the conversation between Sandy and Leigh. Sandy was behaving.. well to borrow Ron's term "Like a scarlet woman". She was appalled at how the conversation was going, and completely amazed at how Jen seemed to have built a better relationship with Leigh in Mere minutes than Hermione had done throughout the past 24 fours.
Thankfully the bus pulled in and they all piled on and headed towards the back of the bus. Seeing the back seat full, they slid into seats 2/3rds of the way up the bus. Hermione was sitting next to the window and was completely surprised when Leigh walked straight past Sandy's "Leigh, can you sit with me?" to sit beside her. She had to admit, that it provided her with a little bit of a boost to her self confidence, and once again she got those little butterflies in her tummy. She still hadn't really worked out what they butterflies meant, but they had certainly made their presence known in the past day.
Smiling at her, Leigh pulled out a bookshop bag and showed her the cover of his new book. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as she recognised Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. Her eyes lit up! She really wanted to read that book!
"Can I borrow that when you're done?" she asked excitedly.
"If you'd like" he responded and settled into the seat more comfortably and opened the book.
Hermione watched him for a minute before looking over at Sandy and Jen. They were sitting on the other side of the aisle currently comparing nail polish colours. She sighed and reached into her bag and pulled out her ever present book. For the 15 minute bus trip home she decided she'd had enough of being normal, and she just wanted to be a bookworm for a bit.
It was perhaps 10 minutes later, when she heard her name spoken, that her attention was reefed from the pages in front of her. She looked up from her book to find Leigh looking at her as well.
"I'm sure its her. Remember Hermione? Hermione Granger. Weirdo, Left at the end of Primary school to go to Boarding school? Who would want to go to BOARDING School" said a malicious voice from the back seat of the bus. She sneaked a look over her shoulder and saw two girls, Sarah and Jessica, from her primary school looking over at her. Neither of them had gotten into St. James Academy, both failing the entrance Exams. Hermione had been secretly delighted when she'd heard that, they had been the bane of her existence and Primary school.
Sarah leaned in and stage whispered to Jessica, however it was loud enough for Hermione to hear.
"You'd think she would have done something about that awful hair by now! And look at her clothes!"
"I know! What is she? Like six?"
"And she's not even wearing mascara. EVERYONE wears mascara"
"Mascara. She hasn't even got lip-gloss on. Even the most clueless 12 year old wears lip gloss!"
"I bet she hasn't even had a boyfriend"
"Who'd go out with her?"
Hermione could feel tears welling in her eyes as she heard the last statement. "Who would go out with her?" that was a sore point with her. Her dorm mates had been out with a few boys each, and they both had steady boyfriends at Hogwarts. The two of them had often asked Hermione when she was going to go out with someone, anyone they said. They had never put it so bluntly, but suddenly she felt as if they had been saying the same thing as her primary school colleagues.
"No One" replied the other girl and Hermione felt her tear tremble and roll down her cheek.
No One. That was who would go out with her. No matter that she had attracted the interest of an international Quidditch player two years ago, still no one would go out with her. Least of all the person she most wished would.. her best friend Ron.
She felt another tear tremble as she saw Ron's face in her mind. The lovely soft red hair, the brilliant blue eyes and the adorable smile, then she remembered his comments from fourth year. He only wanted to go out with someone who was pretty….
She fished her Handkerchief from her bag and subtly wiped the tear from her eye before looking depressingly at Leigh. He had obviously heard the entire conversation as well and was looking at he in concern.
"Its alright, I'm alright" Hermione said with forced cheerfulness "It's nothing I haven't heard before".
"They're wrong you know" he said leaning in to almost whisper the words into her ear. Hermione felt her stomach fill with butterflies instantly.
"Come here" he whispered and put his arm around her shoulders pulling her to his side "Just relax and pretend this is normal. We'll show them" he said with a conspiratory grin. Hermione felt awkward, but tried to settle down next to Leigh, He held his book back up in front of them and she tried to take her mind off the girls in the back seat by getting engrossed in his Tolstoy.
Minutes passed and the bus was silent and then Hermione's stop was next.
She stood and started gathering her bags. Hermione felt Leigh take them out of her hand quickly and he winked at her when she looked at him enquiringly. He lifted the bags quickly and offered her his hand.
"Geeze Honey, you bought a lot of stuff today" he said. She grinned. He WAS showing those girls that their spiteful comments were untrue. The fact that the whole thing was a charade was irrelevant at this point in time.
She reached out and took Leigh's offered hand gratefully.
"You don't have to you know darling, I can carry them myself" she said, and she hoped she was the only one that could detect the forced quality to her voice.
From further down the bus where Jen and Sandy where standing at the door she heard Jen saying
"Come on you lovebirds, we can't wait around all day for you to get organised!" She grinned at her friend and the four of them stumbled out of the bus and collapsed on the bench at the bus stop.
"Did you see their faces?" asked Jen "It was classic!"
"I'd love to hear what they're saying now!" said Sandy.
"You played the part perfectly Leigh" said Jen patting him on the back.
"Well its not a hard part to play is it? Absolutely adoring someone as beautiful as Honey" he said with a wink at Hermione.
"Oh shut up!" She exclaimed going red "We all know you just wanted to get back at those bitches"
"Yes, well that was fun, but getting to cuddle up to you was an added benefit" he said grinning.
"Shut up!" she exclaimed in embarrassment.
"Ok ok!" he said Holding his hands up in front of him.
"You guys make such a cute couple!" exclaimed Jen and then both Jen and sandy began singing "Honey and Leigh, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, First comes…"
"Shut Up Shut up Shut up!" exclaimed Hermione in embarrassment.
"Its ok. Honey, they're just having fun" said Leigh and he proceeded to pick up his and her shopping and help her to her feet.
"Come on you lot" he said to Jen and Sandy "Lets go home before Honey blows her top". The two singing girls fell in behind Hermione and Leigh as they walked the 10 minutes from the bus stop to her house, singing all the way. Hermione shared a glance with Leigh and rolled her eyes towards the skies. He grinned in response. Hermione suddenly felt better about the whole thing. Who cared about those girls when she had friends like Leigh and Jen and Sandy. She had to admit to herself, that even though she had only met Leigh 24 hours ago, he was a good friend.
Minutes later they entered the grounds of Hermione's families home. Jen sighed in envy.
"I knew there was a reason I was happy you went away to school" she said quietly.
"Huh?" replied Hermione, completely used to the dazzling sight of her home.
"It meant that I didn't have to look at this absolutely monstrous house every time I came to visit you" she said jokingly. Jen and Leigh laughed and Hermione looked speculatively at her home. It was rather large she supposed. It was four storeys high and was built in a square around the internal garden which held the pool and an outdoor entertaining area. The front of the house had a long cobblestone driveway leading to double doors where the Town car was currently parked. The house itself was Victorian in style on the outside, however very modern on the inside. There were perhaps 20 bedrooms throughout the house, she had never really counted, and any number of bathrooms. On the whole she supposed it was rather a .. large.. house.
They walked up the driveway chatting about things all the way. Jen and Sandy rather conveniently dropped the singing as they got closer to the house. They wandered in through the main door and headed straight for Hermione's Sitting room. Opening the door, Hermione heard twin sighs from Jen and Sandy.
"Can I live with you?" joked sandy moving straightaway to the Plasma TV and Jen headed straight for the CD collection.
"Don't act like you don't have a plasma at home" said Hermione settling on the couch.
"Well we do.. but we only have one.. I don't have one yet.. I'm hoping for one for Christmas" said Sandy turning from the screen.
"Ok, lets get started then" said Jen reaching for the bag that held Hermione's nail polish.
"And on that note, I'm out of here" said Leigh grabbing his bags and heading out the door.
"spoilsport" muttered Jen as she settled on the floor near Jen.
Minutes passed when the girls getting organised to "Do Hermione's nails". And then, as she had expected, Sandy bought up the conversation they had overheard.
"So, you obviously heard what Sarah and Jessica were saying" she said.
"As did you" responded Hermione with slight sadness.
"They are horrible. I'm so glad they never got into St. James" said Jen
"Yes, they are horrible. And you know they are not correct right?" asked Sandy shaking the bottle of nail polish and reaching for Hermione's hand.
"Well aren't they?" asked Hermione, her best efforts to keep the sadness out of her voice were failing quickly,.
"No!" exclaimed Jen moving over to put an arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"Yeah, Leigh likes you" responded Sandy with a smirk.
"Yeah right" responded Hermione.
"No! I'm serious. He is totally into you" said Sandy.
"You're lying. I've barely spoken to him" Hermione said.
"I'm not lying. Not many guys I know would pretend to be your boyfriend just to payback a couple of spiteful chicks" she said "Do you know anyone that'd do that?"
"Nah" Responded Jen "They'd probably just look at you with sympathy and pretend they care, or worse still, pretend they didn't hear it". Hermione thought about that, she could already imagine the look on Ron's face if he was in the same situation. He would look at her in sympathy and then try to pretend nothing had happened.
"Yeah. That's what most of them would do" said Sandy knowledgeably "Only someone who LIKES you would go to so much trouble".
"stop it. He wouldn't like me. You heard what Sarah and Jessica said – no one would want to go out with me, I haven't even got a boyfriend".
"But you have had one right?" asked Sandy finishing the first hand and grabbing Hermione's other hand.
"Well.. Kindof" Responded Hermione.
"What do you mean kindof?" asked Jen.
"Well, there was this guy in fourth year.. his name was.. is.. Viktor. He's really famous in Bulgaria and he came to my school for the ..uh... an exchange program. While he was there.. well we kind of dated for a little while. He wanted me to stay with him for the summer, but I broke up with him instead.. I don't know.. I never really liked him as much as he liked me.. and he was a lot older than me. I've since read in the magazines that he's engaged to someone"
"Wow Honey! An older man!" said Sandy impressed
"Yeah well.. " said Hermione reluctantly
"So.. what happened?" asked Jen
"Happened?" asked Hermione.
"You know.. You know!" said Jen
"Oh NO! nothing like that. He barely even kissed me. As I said, it was a 'Sort of' boyfriend. I think he was just looking for a younger sensible girlfriend so it would be splashed all over the magazine covers" she responded.
"You.. You were on magazine covers?" asked Jen in astonishment.
"Uh.. yes?" asked Hermione
"Can we see?" asked Sandy.
"Uhh. Sure.. when we're done.
"So. This sort of boyfriend? That's the only one you've ever had.. but he was FAMOUS! How can you not think you're attractive?" asked Jen
"but I'm not!" she said defensively.
"Leigh thinks you are!" said Sandy suggestively.
"Hermione. You're a good looking girl, BUT, if you want help, you know with some clothes, and some makeup.. you know where we are" said Jen.
"Thanks guys. I'd love some help sometimes.." said Hermione gratefully "Like.. for Justine's party?"
"Of Course!" exclaimed Jen "We'll all get ready here"
"Yes! When we're finished with you Leigh won't be able to speak coherently!" said Sandy.
"Thanks Guys!" Responded Hermione "But.. You can lay of the Leigh thing.. I kinda like someone else".
"You do?" asked Jen finishing up Hermione's other hand.
"They look beautiful. thanks" said Hermione admiring her fingernails which were now a faint pearly pink colour.
"Don't avoid the question! And now that I'm done you have to get those magazines!" said Sandy. Hermione nodded.
"Ok wait for these to dry and I'll get a photo of Ron, and those magazines".
They waited for 10 minutes discussing random events and getting the history of Ron from Hermione. When Jen announced that Hermione's nails were dry, she told the others to wait there and headed into her room.
From the top of her wardrobe she pulled down two boxes. One was entitled Viktor and had everything to do with Viktor within it, and the other had a label of Ron stuck on one side. She quickly sifted through the contents of the boxes and found the magazines she was looking for. They had been spelled before she came home from Hogwarts to look like teen weekly magazines from another country and then she sifted through and found her favourite photo of Ron. It was a standard Muggle photo taken by Colin Creevy during last semester but processed using normal muggle chemicals. Colin had made quite a killing in processing muggle photos for the muggles of the school. Hermione, and many other members of the school, had found it hard not to have photos of their school friends to stick up in their rooms or show to their muggle friends.
She quickly gathered her items and returned to her sitting room.
"Here they are" she said and was surprised when she found Leigh sitting on the couch as well. She raised her eyebrows at him in surprise and he just grinned in response.
"I got bored" he said in explanation.
"Ok. Well here they are" said Hermione handing the photos over to the girls with no explanation.
The girls leafed through the magazine until they found the photos of Hermione and Viktor from the Yule ball of fourth year.
"You look beautiful Honey! Look at your hair!" said Sandy
"Oh look at the guy Sandy!" said Jen in excitement
"Ooh la la" said Sandy eyeing off the magazine.
"Yeah, he was alright" said Hermione uninterestedly..
"Alright! Alright! Have you looked at him?" asked Jen
"He's the typical tall dark and handsome!" exclaimed Sandy.
"10 out of 10 if ever I saw one" said Jen
"We only went out for a little while" said Hermione in embarrassment. It was bad enough that they were reacting like this to Viktor, but for Leigh to be witnessing it.. she felt very uncomfortable.
"You went out with him?" asked Leigh in surprise looking at one of the magazines laying on the floor.
"Yes, but only for a little while. It was more to surprise my friends than anyone else.. they.. uh.. they kind of have the same opinion of me as Sarah and Jessica" said Hermione a bit defensively.
"Some friends" said Jen moving on to another article. Hermione looked at it in alarm. She hadn't realised that she had picked up that magazine… The one that had the article about her breaking Harry's heart and playing with both him and Viktor.
"Oh my God!" said Jen in surprise a minute later, waving the dreaded article in the air. Why oh why had she kept it? "Is this true?" she asked in surprise.
"Of course not. Harry is my best friend. He's not my Boyfriend" she scoffed.
"Harry? Harry Potter. I've never heard of him, but the way he is written in here he is pretty famous?" Hermione laughed, Harry would probably love for someone in the wizarding world not to know who he was.
"Well, yes he is kind of famous" she said modestly.
"You have a famous best friend? Oh my god! You have been holding out on us!
"No I haven't! It's just.. well its not interesting!" said Hermione
"And look at him! Those eyes!" said Jen waving the magazine at sandy.
"Lets see that" said Leigh in surprise, grabbing the magazine and reading the article.
"Well Well Well, getting upset over never having a boyfriend when you have two famous people fighting over you" he said angrily. Hermione stared at him in surprise.
"You know I wasn't faking that" said Hermione anxiously. She didn't believe he liked her, but she wanted him to be her friend, and she didn't understand why he was so unhappy with her.
"Yeah Whatever" he said.
"I only ever went out with Viktor. We broke up after only a few weeks… I was just so surprised when he asked me out.. that I said yes without thinking.. It just kind of fizzled after that dance" explained Hermione. She hated the pleading tone in her voice, but she felt it was important for Leigh to Understand.
"Whatever" he said again, standing and leaving the room, still with the magazine in his hand.
Hermione looked at Sandy and Jen and received twin mischievous smiles in return.
"You! You did this!" she exclaimed
"Why yes, Yes we did" responded Jen
"Now do you believe us? He likes you" said Sandy
"Not any more" said Hermione "Not that I care…. I like Ron"
"We didn't even get to Ron! My goodness, he likes you a lot!" said Jen
"Huh?" asked Hermione cluelessly
"He couldn't even handle an Ex, let alone the current object of desire.. Ohh he's got it bad!" said Jen with glee.
"You guys are nuts" said Hermione in disbelief.
"You're a smart girl Hermione, think about it!" Sandy said.
They sat in silence for a few minutes as Hermione contemplated the issue of Leigh, and Sandy painted Jen's nails a vibrant red colour.
"Anyways, where is that picture of Ron?" asked Jen finishing up with the nail polish. Hermione absently waved her hand towards the pile of magazines and then went back to thinking. Leigh definitely posed a problem. She had liked Ron for such a long time, that it seemed strange to even contemplate liking someone else, and definitely strange to think about it so soon after meeting them.
"Definitely not as cute as leigh" said Jen as she pulled the photo to the top. Unfortunately for Ron, Hermione had to agree, that at least superficially, Leigh was more attractive.
Some hours later Hermione waved goodbye to Jen and Sandy as George pulled out of the driveway with them in the backseat. Hermione closed the door and turned around, only to come face to face with Leigh. Suddenly all of the events of earlier in the afternoon came to the surface again.
"uhh, look I'm sorry about earlier" he said awkwardly.
"It doesn't matter" said Hermione self consciously.
"Yes it does. I had no right to go off like that" he said
"Well.. it doesn't matter" said Hermione again.
"Its just..umm.. You know I felt like you tricked me.. but after thinking about it.. I realised that you didn't. Not really. Those girls really did hurt you. I'm sorry". He said.
"Its nothing. I'm.. you know.. used to it" she said self consciously.
"Don't be stupid. Don't give that another thought" He pulled her into a hug and then draped an arm around her shoulders as they headed back up the stairs towards Hermione's sitting room.
"From those magazine's I'd say you have no problem finding boyfriends, and.. well from a guys point of view, girls like that.. they look alright.. you know.. but then they open their mouths and the attraction completely vanishes.. With you.. well you're attractive, and then you open your mouth and the attraction, well it increases".
Hermione blushed at the statement and wondered again whether Sandy and Jen might be correct.. He did seem sincere and she could never imagine Ron saying anything as remotely sweet as that. But then, Ron. She liked Ron. She had to remember that.
"Umm.. " Said Hermione as they entered her sitting room, she was at a loss for words.
"Its fine. But I'm telling the truth" Leigh said as he left her and headed for his own room. Hermione felt suddenly alone and there was a cold patch across her shoulders where his arm had rested.
Authors Note: For those of you who are worried about the GWDM portion of the story, That will be a subplot which won't have a lot of scenes or time associated with it - it will however at fuel to Ron's temper later in this story and create a rather interesting explosion. I thought it was safer to warn people that their will be some GWDM interaction, but its not central to the story.
Please Review and let me know what you thought of this (Good or bad!). Thanks. Mel.
