Chapter 7

Harry grabbed his trunk and shoved everything into it. Slamming the top shut he trudged across the room and grabbed his wand.

"Time to go Hedwig" he snarled. "We've out-stayed our welcome dont you think?"

The door opened suddenly and Harry was thrown onto the ground. Hermione stood there looking angry.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm leaving! I suppose you heard?"

Hermione blushed uncomfortably. "Ginny's downstairs crying. Mrs Weasley is consoling her at the moment."

Harry gritted his teeth angrily. "Consoling her! She's the one who ended it all. I'm the one who needs the bloody consoling. It's my life that has been turned upside down."

"You really liked her didn't you Harry?"

Harry sighed and nodded. "Does it matter now?"

"There will be other girls Harry. It's not the end of the world."

"Yeah but this is Ginny we are talking about Hermione. There's no-one quite like her. That's what attracted me to her in the first place. She was different from other girls I've known and now I've lost her."

Hermione sighed. "Harry it's her loss. I mean you are a really lovely guy and if she can't see that , well then maybe she isn't worth it. If you love someone you should be prepared to wait for them and accept their faults."

"But I love Ginny!"

Hermione sighed and hugged him. "Come the future she will look back and regret this Harry. I assure you of that."

Harry nodded and stood. "I better get going."

"You cant leave. What will you tell Mrs Weasley?"

"Nothing" replied Harry. "I'm sure Ginny has filled her in already."

"Harry Mrs Weasley has cared for you all summer. You can't turn around and do this to her. It's plain rude. Come on Harry. We're returning to school in two days. Cant you not stick it out just for two days?"

"Draco Malfoy!"

Hermione looked at him. "What?"

"Draco Malfoy that's the other guy. Can you believe it? I can't. I'm still waiting for Ginny to say Hah hah I was only joking. April Fools!"

"But Harry it's September."

Harry sighed. "Yeah I know. I was hoping that would be a bad dream also."

Hermione sat on the bed. Ginny had not mentioned who it was. "Malfoy! Has she lost her mind. Gone insane perhaps?"

"Dont know" replied Harry glumly. "Hormones I guess. I don't get you females. Always doing wacky things and then getting upset for no reason."

Hermione glared at him. "Excuse me!"

Harry flinched. "Nothing...Sorry...sorry...a joke you know!"

Hermione gave a quick nod. "This is a shock!"

"Yeah" moaned Harry. "And come Monday when we return to school. Everyone is going to know about her dumping me for Draco Malfoy. As if I didn't have enough problems already , you know with Voldemort trying to kill me and all that!"

Hermione pondered on the thought. "No I doubt that Harry. I mean Draco isn't going to want to go boasting about him and Ginny. After all imagine how it would affect his image. A Slytherin with a Gryffindor it would kill his reputation and just look at who it is. I mean he hates Ron. I'm shocked he would even look twice at Ginny. He never has before."

"Yeah but that's what he said isn't it Hermione? I mean you can hate someone but that doesn't lessen the fact that Ginny is very good-looking. Any guy would kill to go out with her. But yeah I get your drift I dont see Draco shouting it about the place , however that wont stop him sticking it in my face will it? STUPID PRAT! I'LL BREAK HIS FACE NEXT TIME I SEE HIM!"

"And get expelled!" exclaimed Hermione. "No I dont think so! No Harry you will act properly and discreetly. There are other ways of making a point and you should avoid violence at all costs. You can't afford to get in trouble. Hurt Malfoy and Snape will be on your back mark my words!"

Harry stood up and paced the room. "Snape is the least of my worries now!"

Hermione turned as Ron came in. His face was ashen. He fiddled with his fingers and looked at Harry.

"She's nuts Harry" he finally said. "I can't think of any other term of how to describe her."

"That doesn't help the situation Ronald."

"And what does?" cried Ron. "Harry has just been dumped for that slime-ball Malfoy. I mean if Ginny had any sense at all she would see that..."

"Harry has to keep a clear head about this Ron. He can't just go barging about the place. It isn't right."

"And you think what Ginny did to Harry was right do you? He should find Malfoy and give him exactly what he deserves. A good kick right up the..."

"Yeah that's what I said" cried Harry. "I want to beat the living day light of him. But Hermione wont..."

"ATTACKING MALFOY WONT HELP!" screamed Hermione. "Why cant you sort this out by some other means. Does everything have to be resolved using violence?"

"YES!" cried Ron and Harry together.

"Very well" snapped Hermione. "Do what you must. But I am warning you. If you lay one finger on Malfoy Ron I wont help you with your Potions Homework this year and I mean it."

"But... you have to... We're moving onto serious theory this year. I can't do it all myself."

"Well you better get used to it Ronald because I am determined in this."

Ron glanced at Harry. His face concerned.

"And as for you Harry. There is no way I will help you with your essays either if you touch Malfoy or his friends."

Harry muttered and Ron began to mumble.

"I think she means it Harry."

Hermione folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Oh mark my words boys. I mean every word."