Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summery: Will Lavender have any friends left when it's all over? Now Ron's cooking up a plan. What is it?
Please read and review!
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Chapter Three
Facing the Ugly
By
Stacey L Kendall
~*~
"I just can't believe he'd be so cruel." Lavender said gulping back tears and then blowing her nose loudly.
Parvati shook her head in astonishment while Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other, both looking somewhat bewildered. They seemed to be having trouble believing Lavender's story.
A few minutes ago Parvati had followed Lavender back to their dorm room, meeting Ginny and Hermione on the way. Now they were all sitting around Lavender's four poster bed listening to what she had to say.
"I just can't believe that Seamus would do something like this." Ginny said, earning herself a glare from Parvati.
"I know what I heard," Lavender replied dramatically. "Oh, it's so awful! I bet the whole school knows by now."
"How do we know it's true?" Hermione asked, more to herself than anyone else.
She just didn't believe that Seamus would do something so hurtful. Kissing Padma had been bad enough, but spreading rumours about sleeping with Lavender, that was going too far. Hermione was 99% sure that Seamus wouldn't sink that low. What reason did he actually have for telling such lies anyway? Surely Seamus wouldn't want to make things even worse for himself. As far as she knew, hardly any of his friends, including herself and Ginny, were making much of effect to talk to him in any case. Hermione suddenly felt a little bit guilty about that, although she didn't know why.
Hermione looked at Lavender, who was currently drying her red eyes with a tissue. She remembered that Lavender had been up to something ever since Seamus had cheated on her. Hanging off Ron like that ever since Hogsmeade. Lavender wasn't so innocent herself….
Hermione suddenly felt as though she didn't want to believe Lavender's story. Why had she been flirting with Ron? Hermione wanted to know. She felt angry but she pushed the feeling away just as soon as it had entered her mind. She knew she was being silly. Just because Lavender had been flirting with her best friend didn't mean she was lying about this.
Before Lavender could say anything to prove it was the truth, Parvati suddenly stood up and took a few steps towards the door.
"That's it!" She said looking over her shoulder. "I'll go and ask him myself."
"No!" Lavender said in alarm.
Lavender began to panic. If Parvati asked Seamus about the rumour he would only deny it. What with Ginny and Hermione already looking for any reason not to believe her tale it wasn't very likely that Lavender would get her revenge if Seamus had the chance to tell his side of the story.
"I don't want you to do that," she said. "I, I think it would be better if I just ignored him - if we just ignored him."
"Yes I think your right," Parvati said, taking her seat next Hermione once again. A wave of relief washed over Lavender's face, but the others didn't seem to notice. "Show him that you aren't bothered,"
Parvati glanced at Hermione and Ginny who looked uncomfortable with the idea of taking sides again. Especially when there was no evidence to prove that Lavender was indeed telling the truth.
"Don't you agree?" Parvati added.
"O-of course," Hermione said, not knowing why she had actually said it. Ginny shook her head in agreement, looking at Hermione sadly as if she didn't want to agree at all.
Lavender let out a sigh of relief. Her first plan to get Ron fancying her hadn't worked quite as she hoped, but it looked as though she might just be able to full off plan B. Hopefully Seamus would regret ever cheating on her.
"And to think, I was actually starting to feel sorry for him." Parvati said, as Lavender turned away from them, unable to hide the rather large grin that was playing on her lips.
~*~
The last two weeks had been a nightmare for Seamus. The fact that he seemed to becoming a social outcast with his small group of close friends wasn't making him feel any better either. Of course, he knew he only had his self to blame for that. In the last few days he'd hardly talked to anyone except for Dean. Although, Dean had told him that Hermione and Ginny were considering easing up on him a little bit, they still hadn't spoken to him.
Lavender seemed to be over him though, which was a good thing. She had been flirting with Ron ever since their trip to Hogsmeade. Seamus was glad that she seemed to be getting back to her normal self but he couldn't help but think how weird it was - and why Ron? Lavender hadn't shown any interested in him before.
Seamus stepped inside the Gryffindor common room and saw Hermione and Ginny coming down the girl's staircase, deep in conversation. He decided to try and talk to them. After all, he had nothing left to lose.
"Hey," Seamus said, somewhat sheepishly.
Hermione and Ginny looked rather surprised to see him there. They still didn't know whether to believe what Lavender had told them just moments before. However, despite what they had said to Parvati and Lavender, they certainly weren't going to ignore Seamus until they found some truth in Lavender's story. Hermione especially wanted to hear his side first. Despite what he did to Lavender, Ginny and Hermione agreed that they at least owed him that much, being his friends as well.
"Hi Seamus." Hermione said.
"So, uh, you're speaking to me then?" Seamus asked, running his hand through his sandy hair making it stick up on top.
"Sort of -" Ginny started.
"There's something you should know -" Hermione added.
Thinking that if Parvati wasn't going to confront him and tell him what was going on they might as well. Hermione and Ginny proceeded to tell Seamus everything that Lavender had told them only minutes before. At first Seamus looked at them blankly, but by the time they had finished their speech he looked utterly shocked almost beyond words.
"WHAT!" Seamus almost shouted.
He turned his gaze to the floor for a second, shaking his head. His face was screwed up in frustration and utter shock. When he looked back up at Hermione and Ginny, Seamus looked somewhat green.
"You don't believe that, do you?"
Seamus voice sounded shaky, as though he was pleading with them to believe that he hadn't spread such a vicious rumour, which led Hermione and Ginny to believe that it couldn't possibly be true. Perhaps the rumour had been made up by someone else. It was defiantly possible.
"Well," Ginny said. "We don't know. From what we've seen from your reaction -"
"Perhaps Lavender got it wrong." Hermione offered.
Seamus ran his hand through his hair again, shaking his head in reply. His eyes were darting around the room, looking anywhere expect at Hermione and Ginny. Things were defiantly getting worse for Seamus instead of better. He needed some time to think about everything.
"I'm just going - I can't believe -" and with that he backed out of the common room, leaving Hermione and Ginny to stair after him. The Fat Lady's portrait swung shut behind him.
It had to be a nightmare. He'd wake up and everything would be back to normal. Oh, how wonderful it would be if he only had such things as exams and schoolwork to worry about. Instead he was left wondering whether he'd even be alive once Lavender and Parvati got their claws into him. He didn't fancy his chances, as girls could be quite brutal when they got together in their little groups. Dean, Harry and Ron had even warned him as much. Mind you, Lavender could be quite scary on her own. He knew her only to well as he had been in the same House as her for almost five years. Seamus thought that he'd rather take on Snape, who took them for Potions and always liked to take points off Gryffindor if they even so much as breathed the wrong way in front of him than an angry, revenge seeking Lavender at the moment.
Seamus seriously began to wonder what exactly had been going through his mind, thinking he could get away with kissing another girl in his own common room where everybody could see him. Sure Lavender was annoying and it was defiantly true that he was intending to break up with her before he even kissed Padma, but he'd never spread a rumour like that. There was just no way.
"Hi," he heard a voice say. He looked up and saw Padma standing in front of him.
"Hi Padma," he replied. He hadn't really seen Parvati's twin sister since the day after the party. Everybody thought they were a couple, but they weren't. Of course, that hadn't been his choice. Padma didn't seem to think it was a good idea. Seamus guessed that it probably had something to do with Parvati -
"Everything okay?" she asked in an attempt to make conversation.
"Could be better."
"What do you mean?" Padma asked, "It isn't something to do with Lavender is it?"
At first Seamus didn't answer. He looked as though he was still sorting through everything that Hermione and Ginny had told him in the common room.
"Little cow," he said, more to himself than Padma. He had just realised what must have happened. The only person who had created that horrible rumour about him sleeping with Lavender was Lavender herself. It had to be. How else would a rumour like that get around. She was seeking revenge. There was no doubt about that.
"What?" Padma said. She seemed a bit shocked.
"She's been running around telling people what we did together…"
"Uh, what are you talking about, Seamus?"
"Oh, she's been telling everybody I've been boasting about having sex with her." Seamus said, feeling both annoyed and angry.
Feeling somewhat alarmed at what Seamus had just said; Padma said a quick goodbye and went back to her own common room. Seamus didn't notice at first and so he carried on explaining about his realisation, not actually realising that he was talking to himself.
"I can't believe her," Seamus said, when Padma had left. "We never even…. I wouldn't do something like that -"
~*~
"Did you see how Seamus backed out of the common room like that," Ginny said. "I wonder where such a rumour started, if it wasn't him."
"Uh, uh." Hermione answered. She didn't sound interested at all.
"So -" Ginny said, trying to make conversation with her friend for the tenth time. Hermione seemed to be deep in thought. They were down in the Great Hall having dinner later that day. Ginny knew what she wanted to talk about and it had nothing to do with Seamus and Lavender. She had grown sick of hearing about that anyway. This was much more interesting.
" - you fancy my big brother." Hermione almost choked to death on her pumpkin juice.
"Watch it," Hermione heard someone say as Ginny rubbed her on the back in an attempt to make her feel better. She turned around and saw Fred and George Weasley standing behind her with big smiles on their freckled faces. Hermione blushed, wondering if they'd heard anything of what Ginny had said moments before she had hastily choked in shock. She wasn't expecting Ginny to bring that up so soon.
"Wouldn't want you choking to death on pumpkin juice would we." George said, sitting down next to Hermione and taping her on the back himself while Fred remained standing.
"Yeah, then all that useful book reading would go to waste. Your too smart to die yet Hermione." Fred said with a grin.
"Thanks" Hermione muttered, still red in the face, hoping that was all the twins had to say. But they didn't leave.
"So, which one of the Weasley brothers do you fancy then, Hermione?" Fred asked.
Hermione nearly died of humiliation. There was no way that the Weasley twins could find out who she liked. She would never hear the last of it. Hermione's life wouldn't be worth living. She shot a look at Ginny, pleading for help.
"Uh," Ginny said, "Don't be silly Fred. I was only joking. Hermione has better taste."
"Oh, Ginny! Come on, don't you know us by now? I mean, we are your brothers. At least give us some credit." Fred said, shaking his head.
"We can't be tricked that easy I'm afraid." George said, he turned to face Hermione. "Which one is it Hermione? We won't tell anyone, we swear."
"Leave her alone you two -" Ginny started.
"I've got it," Fred said in delight. "I know why she can't tell us! Because she quite obviously fancies me. I mean, I can't blame her really. I'm rather cute if I do say so myself."
Fred puffed out his chest in an attempt to look manlier. He ran both hands through his red hair several times in an attempt to make it lye flat and then straitened out his Hogwart robes.
"You ninny!" George piped up. "Why would she want you when she could have me. I'm the good-looking twin. I'm so handsome it even shocks me sometimes."
Ginny tried not to laugh at her brothers for Hermione's sake, who was turning a dangerous shade of red.
"We're identical you stupid sod." Fred bit back. "Anyway, you know who would suit her better, since I'm taken and everything."
Ginny and Hermione both held their breath waiting for Fred to answer. They were almost sure that Fred knew who it was.
"Why, it's perfect Percy of course." Fred said.
"Yes, I see what you mean, all knowing brother of mine." George chipped in. Ginny knew they were only teasing Hermione.
"They have a lot in common wouldn't you say George."
"Oh shut up you two," Ginny said, finally sick of them joking around at Hermione's expense.
"Sorry Gin, didn't mean to catch you at a bad moment." George said sarcastically, getting up from where he was sitting beside Hermione. As he did this, George whispered into Hermione's ear making her jump slightly. "Don't worry, we know who it really is." And with that they left.
Hermione didn't say anything when Fred and George finally disappeared. Instead she picked up the book, which lay beside her and hid behind it, hiding her purple face from view. Before Ginny could think of anything that might make her friend feel better, she noticed Seamus sit down opposite her, looking quite grim. Ginny was just about to ask him if he was all right when Parvati came storming over to them looking furious.
"You have a lot of explaining to do Seamus," Parvati spat, standing beside Ginny so that she was also opposite Seamus. He had dropped his goblet in surprise and pumpkin juice spilled all over the table nearly reaching Ginny's own plate.
"It's true what Lavender said, you were mouthing off, spreading rumours,"
"I didn't -" Seamus started.
"Oh, so you're trying to tell me that my own twin sister would lie about to me!" Parvati snapped.
Ginny looked at Hermione, who had moved the book away from her face in surprise. Ginny knew what Hermione was thinking because she was thinking the exact same thing herself. Had they been wrong to believe Seamus after all? If Padma had heard Seamus mouthing off about sleeping with Lavender it meant that he was in fact guilty of spreading that horrible rumour, didn't it? Lavender had been right after all.
"You actually mouthed off about Lavender to my sister!" Parvati continued to say. "Didn't you think she would tell me -"
"But I wasn't. I was just telling her -" Seamus said.
He looked over towards Hermione and Ginny thinking that at least they would believe him, but they looked as angry as Parvati. Seamus didn't know what to do. He couldn't believe what was happening. How could his life get any worse?
~*~
Later still, Lavender sat alone in her dorm room, running a brush through her long main of hair. Now everybody had left, she had time to think about what she had done. Something was defiantly bugging her and she felt strangely empty. Lavender really didn't understand why she felt this way.
"I should be enjoying my victory." Lavender said to herself. Parvati had told her what had happened in the Great Hall only two hours ago. She had to admit, even she had been a bit shocked but one thing was for sure, no one would forgive Seamus for this.
So why did she feel so strange?!
Did it have something to do with Ron? After all, she had used him to get at Seamus. Even though they weren't exactly close Ron was still her friend and she felt a tiny bit guilty for using him. It was a shame that she didn't fancy him. Ron wasn't too bad. He was kinda sweet and good-looking in a funny sort of way and he made her laugh.
Lavender let out a loud sigh and fell back on her soft bed. Ron was one of the good guys but she also knew that she would never care for him that way. Not like she had cared for Seamus anyway.
It suddenly hit Lavender, why she was feeling so empty. She hadn't wanted to admit it before because it hurt too much. She missed Seamus.
~*~
"Checkmate."
Ron and Harry were sitting in the common room playing chess for the third time. Quite unsurprisingly Ron had just won making it three to Ron and zilch to poor Harry. He didn't look too bothered though, since he was used to it now. It was quite hard to beat the person who had won against McGonagall's giant chess set.
"I don't know why I even bother playing," Harry said, packing his peace's away. "I haven't won you once in five years."
"Oh, come on Harry." Ron said. "Play another. If you don't I'll be forced to do my transfiguration homework. I swear McGonagall's been giving us extra homework since Fred and George's 18th birthday party."
"Come off it Ron," Harry said. "We have got the O.W.L's soon you know? I bet you haven't even started revising yet."
"Scary," Ron said, looking wide eyed.
"I know, I don't know where to start -" Harry started.
"No not that, you sounded exactly like Hermione. Down to the last detail and everything."
"That reminds me," Harry said, grinning slightly. "Have you talked to Lavender yet?"
"What does Hermione have -" Ron started. Noticing the rather large grin on Harry's face he shut up, his ears going pink.
"If you want to talk to her," Harry started, trying not to laugh. "Now is as good a time as any."
"Why's that?"
"Because she's coming down the girls staircase now."
Ron spun around and saw Lavender just reaching the bottom of the girl's staircase. He shot a feeble glance at Harry, got up and made his way towards Lavender, who hadn't noticed him yet.
"L-lavender?," Ron said, trying to get her attention from across the common room. Lavender stopped midway towards the portrait hole, turned around and faced him.
"I wanted to-" Ron started, walking over to her. But before Ron could explain himself further, Lavender had interrupted him.
"Oh Ron," She said. "I'm so glad your here. I was looking for you actually."
"I just -"
"Listen," Lavender continued, "I really wanted to thank you, you know, for helping to cheer me up. You were a big help to me."
"That's alright. But Lavender -"
"I know it must have been hard for you," She went on, placing two fingers on Ron's mouth. Preventing him from interrupting her again. "Being Seamus' friend and everything."
"But-"
"And you've been a great friend to me Ron. Your friendship means a lot to me."
"Friends?" Ron asked, removing Lavender's fingers away from his mouth. Ron looked a little relieved, Lavender noticed.
"Yep, most defiantly," Lavender smiled. "I've got to go. I'll see you later Ron."
Lavender hesitated for a minute then reached up and kissed Ron on the cheek. Ron stared after her as she left through the portrait hole.
"Well, that was easy." Harry said from behind Ron. "All you have to worry about now is telling the person you actually fancy."
"Yeah … ." Ron said, sitting back down with Harry.
To be continued ....
*SLK*
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Finished chapter 3 at last. I have to say that this chapter was pretty damn hard to write! I think I've re-written it ten times all together. This suppose to be a basic fan fiction that wouldn't take me long to write …. Oh well! The part with Fred and George wasn't easy because I'm not that good with the humour side of things. I'm not sure if it's even funny. I just wanted it to sound like Fred and George without being too crap …. Depressing stuff is more my thing. Anyway, I hope you like it. Please review. The next chapter will be more R/H than anything. All R/H fans will want to read the next couple of chapters! I get Ron and Hermione together in a totally sweet way.
I've just realised something. I've totally forgot about Neville! OOPS! I think it would be
Summery: Will Lavender have any friends left when it's all over? Now Ron's cooking up a plan. What is it?
Please read and review!
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Chapter Three
Facing the Ugly
By
Stacey L Kendall
~*~
"I just can't believe he'd be so cruel." Lavender said gulping back tears and then blowing her nose loudly.
Parvati shook her head in astonishment while Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other, both looking somewhat bewildered. They seemed to be having trouble believing Lavender's story.
A few minutes ago Parvati had followed Lavender back to their dorm room, meeting Ginny and Hermione on the way. Now they were all sitting around Lavender's four poster bed listening to what she had to say.
"I just can't believe that Seamus would do something like this." Ginny said, earning herself a glare from Parvati.
"I know what I heard," Lavender replied dramatically. "Oh, it's so awful! I bet the whole school knows by now."
"How do we know it's true?" Hermione asked, more to herself than anyone else.
She just didn't believe that Seamus would do something so hurtful. Kissing Padma had been bad enough, but spreading rumours about sleeping with Lavender, that was going too far. Hermione was 99% sure that Seamus wouldn't sink that low. What reason did he actually have for telling such lies anyway? Surely Seamus wouldn't want to make things even worse for himself. As far as she knew, hardly any of his friends, including herself and Ginny, were making much of effect to talk to him in any case. Hermione suddenly felt a little bit guilty about that, although she didn't know why.
Hermione looked at Lavender, who was currently drying her red eyes with a tissue. She remembered that Lavender had been up to something ever since Seamus had cheated on her. Hanging off Ron like that ever since Hogsmeade. Lavender wasn't so innocent herself….
Hermione suddenly felt as though she didn't want to believe Lavender's story. Why had she been flirting with Ron? Hermione wanted to know. She felt angry but she pushed the feeling away just as soon as it had entered her mind. She knew she was being silly. Just because Lavender had been flirting with her best friend didn't mean she was lying about this.
Before Lavender could say anything to prove it was the truth, Parvati suddenly stood up and took a few steps towards the door.
"That's it!" She said looking over her shoulder. "I'll go and ask him myself."
"No!" Lavender said in alarm.
Lavender began to panic. If Parvati asked Seamus about the rumour he would only deny it. What with Ginny and Hermione already looking for any reason not to believe her tale it wasn't very likely that Lavender would get her revenge if Seamus had the chance to tell his side of the story.
"I don't want you to do that," she said. "I, I think it would be better if I just ignored him - if we just ignored him."
"Yes I think your right," Parvati said, taking her seat next Hermione once again. A wave of relief washed over Lavender's face, but the others didn't seem to notice. "Show him that you aren't bothered,"
Parvati glanced at Hermione and Ginny who looked uncomfortable with the idea of taking sides again. Especially when there was no evidence to prove that Lavender was indeed telling the truth.
"Don't you agree?" Parvati added.
"O-of course," Hermione said, not knowing why she had actually said it. Ginny shook her head in agreement, looking at Hermione sadly as if she didn't want to agree at all.
Lavender let out a sigh of relief. Her first plan to get Ron fancying her hadn't worked quite as she hoped, but it looked as though she might just be able to full off plan B. Hopefully Seamus would regret ever cheating on her.
"And to think, I was actually starting to feel sorry for him." Parvati said, as Lavender turned away from them, unable to hide the rather large grin that was playing on her lips.
~*~
The last two weeks had been a nightmare for Seamus. The fact that he seemed to becoming a social outcast with his small group of close friends wasn't making him feel any better either. Of course, he knew he only had his self to blame for that. In the last few days he'd hardly talked to anyone except for Dean. Although, Dean had told him that Hermione and Ginny were considering easing up on him a little bit, they still hadn't spoken to him.
Lavender seemed to be over him though, which was a good thing. She had been flirting with Ron ever since their trip to Hogsmeade. Seamus was glad that she seemed to be getting back to her normal self but he couldn't help but think how weird it was - and why Ron? Lavender hadn't shown any interested in him before.
Seamus stepped inside the Gryffindor common room and saw Hermione and Ginny coming down the girl's staircase, deep in conversation. He decided to try and talk to them. After all, he had nothing left to lose.
"Hey," Seamus said, somewhat sheepishly.
Hermione and Ginny looked rather surprised to see him there. They still didn't know whether to believe what Lavender had told them just moments before. However, despite what they had said to Parvati and Lavender, they certainly weren't going to ignore Seamus until they found some truth in Lavender's story. Hermione especially wanted to hear his side first. Despite what he did to Lavender, Ginny and Hermione agreed that they at least owed him that much, being his friends as well.
"Hi Seamus." Hermione said.
"So, uh, you're speaking to me then?" Seamus asked, running his hand through his sandy hair making it stick up on top.
"Sort of -" Ginny started.
"There's something you should know -" Hermione added.
Thinking that if Parvati wasn't going to confront him and tell him what was going on they might as well. Hermione and Ginny proceeded to tell Seamus everything that Lavender had told them only minutes before. At first Seamus looked at them blankly, but by the time they had finished their speech he looked utterly shocked almost beyond words.
"WHAT!" Seamus almost shouted.
He turned his gaze to the floor for a second, shaking his head. His face was screwed up in frustration and utter shock. When he looked back up at Hermione and Ginny, Seamus looked somewhat green.
"You don't believe that, do you?"
Seamus voice sounded shaky, as though he was pleading with them to believe that he hadn't spread such a vicious rumour, which led Hermione and Ginny to believe that it couldn't possibly be true. Perhaps the rumour had been made up by someone else. It was defiantly possible.
"Well," Ginny said. "We don't know. From what we've seen from your reaction -"
"Perhaps Lavender got it wrong." Hermione offered.
Seamus ran his hand through his hair again, shaking his head in reply. His eyes were darting around the room, looking anywhere expect at Hermione and Ginny. Things were defiantly getting worse for Seamus instead of better. He needed some time to think about everything.
"I'm just going - I can't believe -" and with that he backed out of the common room, leaving Hermione and Ginny to stair after him. The Fat Lady's portrait swung shut behind him.
It had to be a nightmare. He'd wake up and everything would be back to normal. Oh, how wonderful it would be if he only had such things as exams and schoolwork to worry about. Instead he was left wondering whether he'd even be alive once Lavender and Parvati got their claws into him. He didn't fancy his chances, as girls could be quite brutal when they got together in their little groups. Dean, Harry and Ron had even warned him as much. Mind you, Lavender could be quite scary on her own. He knew her only to well as he had been in the same House as her for almost five years. Seamus thought that he'd rather take on Snape, who took them for Potions and always liked to take points off Gryffindor if they even so much as breathed the wrong way in front of him than an angry, revenge seeking Lavender at the moment.
Seamus seriously began to wonder what exactly had been going through his mind, thinking he could get away with kissing another girl in his own common room where everybody could see him. Sure Lavender was annoying and it was defiantly true that he was intending to break up with her before he even kissed Padma, but he'd never spread a rumour like that. There was just no way.
"Hi," he heard a voice say. He looked up and saw Padma standing in front of him.
"Hi Padma," he replied. He hadn't really seen Parvati's twin sister since the day after the party. Everybody thought they were a couple, but they weren't. Of course, that hadn't been his choice. Padma didn't seem to think it was a good idea. Seamus guessed that it probably had something to do with Parvati -
"Everything okay?" she asked in an attempt to make conversation.
"Could be better."
"What do you mean?" Padma asked, "It isn't something to do with Lavender is it?"
At first Seamus didn't answer. He looked as though he was still sorting through everything that Hermione and Ginny had told him in the common room.
"Little cow," he said, more to himself than Padma. He had just realised what must have happened. The only person who had created that horrible rumour about him sleeping with Lavender was Lavender herself. It had to be. How else would a rumour like that get around. She was seeking revenge. There was no doubt about that.
"What?" Padma said. She seemed a bit shocked.
"She's been running around telling people what we did together…"
"Uh, what are you talking about, Seamus?"
"Oh, she's been telling everybody I've been boasting about having sex with her." Seamus said, feeling both annoyed and angry.
Feeling somewhat alarmed at what Seamus had just said; Padma said a quick goodbye and went back to her own common room. Seamus didn't notice at first and so he carried on explaining about his realisation, not actually realising that he was talking to himself.
"I can't believe her," Seamus said, when Padma had left. "We never even…. I wouldn't do something like that -"
~*~
"Did you see how Seamus backed out of the common room like that," Ginny said. "I wonder where such a rumour started, if it wasn't him."
"Uh, uh." Hermione answered. She didn't sound interested at all.
"So -" Ginny said, trying to make conversation with her friend for the tenth time. Hermione seemed to be deep in thought. They were down in the Great Hall having dinner later that day. Ginny knew what she wanted to talk about and it had nothing to do with Seamus and Lavender. She had grown sick of hearing about that anyway. This was much more interesting.
" - you fancy my big brother." Hermione almost choked to death on her pumpkin juice.
"Watch it," Hermione heard someone say as Ginny rubbed her on the back in an attempt to make her feel better. She turned around and saw Fred and George Weasley standing behind her with big smiles on their freckled faces. Hermione blushed, wondering if they'd heard anything of what Ginny had said moments before she had hastily choked in shock. She wasn't expecting Ginny to bring that up so soon.
"Wouldn't want you choking to death on pumpkin juice would we." George said, sitting down next to Hermione and taping her on the back himself while Fred remained standing.
"Yeah, then all that useful book reading would go to waste. Your too smart to die yet Hermione." Fred said with a grin.
"Thanks" Hermione muttered, still red in the face, hoping that was all the twins had to say. But they didn't leave.
"So, which one of the Weasley brothers do you fancy then, Hermione?" Fred asked.
Hermione nearly died of humiliation. There was no way that the Weasley twins could find out who she liked. She would never hear the last of it. Hermione's life wouldn't be worth living. She shot a look at Ginny, pleading for help.
"Uh," Ginny said, "Don't be silly Fred. I was only joking. Hermione has better taste."
"Oh, Ginny! Come on, don't you know us by now? I mean, we are your brothers. At least give us some credit." Fred said, shaking his head.
"We can't be tricked that easy I'm afraid." George said, he turned to face Hermione. "Which one is it Hermione? We won't tell anyone, we swear."
"Leave her alone you two -" Ginny started.
"I've got it," Fred said in delight. "I know why she can't tell us! Because she quite obviously fancies me. I mean, I can't blame her really. I'm rather cute if I do say so myself."
Fred puffed out his chest in an attempt to look manlier. He ran both hands through his red hair several times in an attempt to make it lye flat and then straitened out his Hogwart robes.
"You ninny!" George piped up. "Why would she want you when she could have me. I'm the good-looking twin. I'm so handsome it even shocks me sometimes."
Ginny tried not to laugh at her brothers for Hermione's sake, who was turning a dangerous shade of red.
"We're identical you stupid sod." Fred bit back. "Anyway, you know who would suit her better, since I'm taken and everything."
Ginny and Hermione both held their breath waiting for Fred to answer. They were almost sure that Fred knew who it was.
"Why, it's perfect Percy of course." Fred said.
"Yes, I see what you mean, all knowing brother of mine." George chipped in. Ginny knew they were only teasing Hermione.
"They have a lot in common wouldn't you say George."
"Oh shut up you two," Ginny said, finally sick of them joking around at Hermione's expense.
"Sorry Gin, didn't mean to catch you at a bad moment." George said sarcastically, getting up from where he was sitting beside Hermione. As he did this, George whispered into Hermione's ear making her jump slightly. "Don't worry, we know who it really is." And with that they left.
Hermione didn't say anything when Fred and George finally disappeared. Instead she picked up the book, which lay beside her and hid behind it, hiding her purple face from view. Before Ginny could think of anything that might make her friend feel better, she noticed Seamus sit down opposite her, looking quite grim. Ginny was just about to ask him if he was all right when Parvati came storming over to them looking furious.
"You have a lot of explaining to do Seamus," Parvati spat, standing beside Ginny so that she was also opposite Seamus. He had dropped his goblet in surprise and pumpkin juice spilled all over the table nearly reaching Ginny's own plate.
"It's true what Lavender said, you were mouthing off, spreading rumours,"
"I didn't -" Seamus started.
"Oh, so you're trying to tell me that my own twin sister would lie about to me!" Parvati snapped.
Ginny looked at Hermione, who had moved the book away from her face in surprise. Ginny knew what Hermione was thinking because she was thinking the exact same thing herself. Had they been wrong to believe Seamus after all? If Padma had heard Seamus mouthing off about sleeping with Lavender it meant that he was in fact guilty of spreading that horrible rumour, didn't it? Lavender had been right after all.
"You actually mouthed off about Lavender to my sister!" Parvati continued to say. "Didn't you think she would tell me -"
"But I wasn't. I was just telling her -" Seamus said.
He looked over towards Hermione and Ginny thinking that at least they would believe him, but they looked as angry as Parvati. Seamus didn't know what to do. He couldn't believe what was happening. How could his life get any worse?
~*~
Later still, Lavender sat alone in her dorm room, running a brush through her long main of hair. Now everybody had left, she had time to think about what she had done. Something was defiantly bugging her and she felt strangely empty. Lavender really didn't understand why she felt this way.
"I should be enjoying my victory." Lavender said to herself. Parvati had told her what had happened in the Great Hall only two hours ago. She had to admit, even she had been a bit shocked but one thing was for sure, no one would forgive Seamus for this.
So why did she feel so strange?!
Did it have something to do with Ron? After all, she had used him to get at Seamus. Even though they weren't exactly close Ron was still her friend and she felt a tiny bit guilty for using him. It was a shame that she didn't fancy him. Ron wasn't too bad. He was kinda sweet and good-looking in a funny sort of way and he made her laugh.
Lavender let out a loud sigh and fell back on her soft bed. Ron was one of the good guys but she also knew that she would never care for him that way. Not like she had cared for Seamus anyway.
It suddenly hit Lavender, why she was feeling so empty. She hadn't wanted to admit it before because it hurt too much. She missed Seamus.
~*~
"Checkmate."
Ron and Harry were sitting in the common room playing chess for the third time. Quite unsurprisingly Ron had just won making it three to Ron and zilch to poor Harry. He didn't look too bothered though, since he was used to it now. It was quite hard to beat the person who had won against McGonagall's giant chess set.
"I don't know why I even bother playing," Harry said, packing his peace's away. "I haven't won you once in five years."
"Oh, come on Harry." Ron said. "Play another. If you don't I'll be forced to do my transfiguration homework. I swear McGonagall's been giving us extra homework since Fred and George's 18th birthday party."
"Come off it Ron," Harry said. "We have got the O.W.L's soon you know? I bet you haven't even started revising yet."
"Scary," Ron said, looking wide eyed.
"I know, I don't know where to start -" Harry started.
"No not that, you sounded exactly like Hermione. Down to the last detail and everything."
"That reminds me," Harry said, grinning slightly. "Have you talked to Lavender yet?"
"What does Hermione have -" Ron started. Noticing the rather large grin on Harry's face he shut up, his ears going pink.
"If you want to talk to her," Harry started, trying not to laugh. "Now is as good a time as any."
"Why's that?"
"Because she's coming down the girls staircase now."
Ron spun around and saw Lavender just reaching the bottom of the girl's staircase. He shot a feeble glance at Harry, got up and made his way towards Lavender, who hadn't noticed him yet.
"L-lavender?," Ron said, trying to get her attention from across the common room. Lavender stopped midway towards the portrait hole, turned around and faced him.
"I wanted to-" Ron started, walking over to her. But before Ron could explain himself further, Lavender had interrupted him.
"Oh Ron," She said. "I'm so glad your here. I was looking for you actually."
"I just -"
"Listen," Lavender continued, "I really wanted to thank you, you know, for helping to cheer me up. You were a big help to me."
"That's alright. But Lavender -"
"I know it must have been hard for you," She went on, placing two fingers on Ron's mouth. Preventing him from interrupting her again. "Being Seamus' friend and everything."
"But-"
"And you've been a great friend to me Ron. Your friendship means a lot to me."
"Friends?" Ron asked, removing Lavender's fingers away from his mouth. Ron looked a little relieved, Lavender noticed.
"Yep, most defiantly," Lavender smiled. "I've got to go. I'll see you later Ron."
Lavender hesitated for a minute then reached up and kissed Ron on the cheek. Ron stared after her as she left through the portrait hole.
"Well, that was easy." Harry said from behind Ron. "All you have to worry about now is telling the person you actually fancy."
"Yeah … ." Ron said, sitting back down with Harry.
To be continued ....
*SLK*
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Finished chapter 3 at last. I have to say that this chapter was pretty damn hard to write! I think I've re-written it ten times all together. This suppose to be a basic fan fiction that wouldn't take me long to write …. Oh well! The part with Fred and George wasn't easy because I'm not that good with the humour side of things. I'm not sure if it's even funny. I just wanted it to sound like Fred and George without being too crap …. Depressing stuff is more my thing. Anyway, I hope you like it. Please review. The next chapter will be more R/H than anything. All R/H fans will want to read the next couple of chapters! I get Ron and Hermione together in a totally sweet way.
I've just realised something. I've totally forgot about Neville! OOPS! I think it would be
