Author's Note: So, sorry again. I have been having a little writer's block. Plus, this story is reaching the climax, and that makes me kind of sad. Thank you so much for your reviews, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Have a nice day.

P. S. I obviously made up the bit about the Cornelius Fudge's biography. It was the only person I could think of that made sense.

Chapter Nine: What He Said

Harry was pacing back and forth. How do you tell your friend something like this?

"Spit it out mate. What's so important?"

"Ron, Lavender's been telling the school, or, well, her friends, who have told the school, basically, tonight, between you two is supposed to be … you know … the night."

"The night that what?" Ron asked, still confused.

Harry sat down next to Ron, and then stood up again, frustrated. He prayed Ron would catch on soon. Her really, really did not want to have to say it.

"Ron, think, please, because I really don't want to spell this out for you." he sat down again, "Um, okay, let's say a couple has been together for a while, and they've snogged a lot, and then this night comes when they decide to … decide their ready to … that is …" he trailed off. He could not believe he, of all people, had to explain this to Ron.

"Okay, Bill's getting married to Fleur, right? And they're having this whole big wedding, and then they're going off together to stay somewhere. When they go away, and come to the bedroom, what do you suppose the first thing is that they plan to do?"

After a moment, realization spread across Ron's face. Harry sighed with relief; the worst was over.

"You … you can't be serious." Ron sputtered.

"I'm afraid I am. I would say it's just a rumor, but Ginny heard it from Parvati, and she's Lavender's best friend, so …"

"But, why? I mean, what on earth would make her think that I was ready to, that is, that I wanted to … with her, I mean, how did she even …?"

"Apparently, she asked you and you said yes."

"No I didn't. I never agreed to that."

"Are you sure? Not that I would have expected you to say yes, but it seems a rather odd thing to lie about."

Ron thought for a minute, "Well, I guess, I mean, maybe. Sometimes I zone out when she talks, you know? She tends to ramble on about a lot of pointless things"

Harry shook his head, "So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. How am I to know?" Ron said exasperated. Then, more calmly, he asked, "What would you do?"

"Me? You're kidding, right? I mean, romantically speaking I'm completely inept."

"Yeah, but-" there was a knock at the door.

"Everybody decent in there?" Ginny's melodious voice float through the door.

"Yeah, we're fine." Harry responded.

Ginny opened the door, and Harry gulped at the sight of her. She was wearing her hair down, and had obviously used one of those girly things to curl it. It cascaded down her back and over the front of her shoulders in beautiful red waves, interrupted briefly by a gold clip on the right side of her head. She wore a beautiful green dress that scooped down just a little at her chest. It was not enough to show anything, but any lower, and it would have. It was elegant, and Ginny looked positively breathtaking in it.

Harry wondered what Ginny thought of his outfit. It was a stupid thought of course; she had seen him in dress robes before. Still, a part of him wanted her to be as impressed with his appearance as he was with hers.

"Have either of you seen Dean? He was supposed to meet me in the common room ten minutes ago."

Harry shook his head, trying to restrain his jealousy.

"What's wrong with him?" Ginny asked coldly, nodding in Ron's direction. He was sitting with his head in his hands muttering inaudibly to himself.

"Oh, that." Harry said, trying not to smile, because it really was not funny, but then again, "It's seems there has been an unexpected twist in the nights events. Ron apparently doesn't always pay attention when Lavender talks, and it seems he agreed to tonight's activity without realizing."

"You're saying he didn't know?" Ginny asked, shocked.

"Well, he does now. And judging by his behavior, I reckon he's not exactly happy about it."

Ginny smirked, "Well serves him right, after what he's done. When Hermione hears-"

Ron's head shot up, "Either one of you tells Hermione, I'll murder you in your sleep."

Ginny laughs, "Good luck getting up to the girl's dormitory."

"You're supposed to be my sister!"

"Yes, but she's my friend, and it seems to me she deserves to know, after what you put her through."

"If I apologize to her, will you keep it under you're hat?"

Ginny thought for a minute, "I'll consider it."

Ron groaned.

"We really should get going." Harry said, turning to Ginny.

Ginny looked at the time, "I suppose we are running late. I'll do one last sweep to look for Dean. If I don't find him, I'll go stag. Either way, I'll see you there."

Harry nodded as Ginny and him headed off.


Ron stood in the threshold separating the entrance to the boys' dormitory's and the common room, watching Hermione descend the stairs. She was breathtaking, obviously. She was wearing a pale-pink dress; it was simple, but beautiful. She took Harry's arm and the two headed out. It was so painful to watch. But, Hermione did look happy, or at least, happier than she had when he had last seen her. Not that that was hard.


Once they were gone, Ron came into the common room and took as seat trying to focus on his magazine again. After a while, Ginny came back.

"Well, that's it then I suppose. If I weren't already planning to end things, this would probably do it … then again, I can understand wanting to avoid Slughorn whenever you can."

Ron was struck with an odd idea right about then, "Ginny?" he asked, sitting up straighter, "Seeing as how you're not bringing Dean, D'you think you could get me in?"

Ginny looked at him, "You want me to bring my brother?"

"Not as a date. You'd be doing me a favor, helping me get in."

"And why would I do you a favor when I am so obviously furious with you right now?"

"Because," Ron said sighing, "Look, I want to make things right with Hermione, all right?"

That made Ginny smile a bit, "What about Lavender?"

"Honestly? I'd prefer to not be here when she shows up."

"That's cruel and cowardly."

"So, is that a yes then?"

Ginny stood deliberating for what was probably the longest moment of Ron's life. Finally, she sighed and said, "Fine. But hurry up and get ready. I'm already late."

Ron nodded and rushed off to his bedroom. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so boring after all.


Harry was struck by how large Slughorn's office was, "Is it always this big?"

He whispered to Hermione who, unlike him, had been unable to avoid Slughorn's many get-togethers in here.

"Well, he usually uses a charm to make it a little larger, but he seems to have expanded it quite a bit tonight. I suppose it makes sense. Every member of Slug Club, plus their plus ones, teachers, servers, and famous guests. Plus, there may be dancing. He would need a larger place for all that."

"Dancing?" Harry asked with a groan.

Hermione smirked, "Relax, I won't make you dance. Of course, maybe Ginny will, after she ends things with Dean."

"She's ending-" Harry's question was cut off by a loud, "Harry, m'boy!" Hermione and Harry had barely been at the party a minute, but if figured Slughorn would already have zeroed in on him. Harry groaned inwardly, and Hermione repressed a giggle. Well, and least he was giving her something to laugh about.

"Well, you knew you couldn't avoid him tonight." She whispered, "Once you give him the chance to make a big deal about you the worst will be over." They both knew the worst would probably never be over as long as Harry was 'The Chosen One', but he smiled at Hermione gratefully. His head was spinning by what she had said. Had she just been pulling his leg, speculating, or had Ginny said something to her? Was it possible? Could they really be breaking up? He tried to clear his head and calm his as Slughorn dragged him, and, by association Hermione, along to meet a famous author he had once taught and the man's vampire friend.

The man, it seemed, wrote biographies, and was itching to write Harry's. Harry was more grateful than ever that Hermione was with him. She was one of the only people who knew how much he would hate to have a biography written about him.

"You're The Eldred Worple?" Hermione interrupted, feigning, awe, "The one who wrote that biography on Cornelius Fudge?" the man nodded, "Oh, I've always wanted to meet you. I am such a big fan. Why, you seemed to know what a bad job he was doing as minister before anyone else. I was wondering-"

Harry had no clue if that was true, or if Hermione had even read the biography, but he was grateful to her for the diversion. He quickly slid in another direction.


Hermione could not find Harry; she had planned to meet up with him once she ditched the biographer, but he was nowhere to be found. However, there had been some commotion with Malfoy trying to sneak in, and she suspected that Harry's disappearance might just be related.

As she scanned the room, her eyes fell on Ginny who had arrived late. She was not with Dean, so she either had not found him, or had already dumped him. She smiled, and waved. Ginny smiled back, and began to head over. Then, for some reason, she started heading in the opposite direction. Before Hermione could try to figure out why, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned, and there was Ron, all decked out in his dress robes. He looked good.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, so surprised she almost forgot that she was furious with him.

"I need to talk to you."

Hermione snorted, "If it's going to be anything like our last conversation, I'd just as soon pass, thanks."

She tried to walk around him, but he blocked her, "It's not. Look, I just wanted to … apologize."

He mumbled the last bit, but Hermione heard it. She crossed her arms over her chest, "All right then, you've got two minutes." Her voice was cold, but a small part of her could not help but feel hopeful. It was terrifying. Ron had already broken her heart once this week.

"I'm not really sure how to start."

"Then I don't know why I'm standing here."

"Hermione, look … I, I was just angry about … well, I don't know, that you two were keeping it a secret, talking about it behind my back. I was hurt, and I … I don't even really know why, completely. But, you're my friend, and I want you to be happy, so, if that's what you want, I won't judge you. I don't want to lose you as a friend."

Hermione was not sure how to react. In some ways, it was good. Ron did care for her; he wanted her to be happy. But in other ways, well, sometimes being just a friend was worse than nothing.

When she did not say anything, Ron figured he should keep talking, "You and Harry are both important to me. I guess I get it. There's a reason we're all friends with him. And you've known each other so long, and so well. You know him better than most, so it makes sense. I mean, there's no real reason we can't all stay mates. Of course, if you two don't want me around so much now, I guess I get that. I'll give you privacy."

Now she was extremely confused, "What on earth are you talking about?"

"I-" Ron started, but they were interrupted as Harry came up behind them, "Hermione, you'll never believe …" he stopped, apparently noticing Ron's presence, "Ron. Hey. Um, what are you doing here?"

"Ginny got me in. She couldn't track down Dean."

Harry nodded, "And you two are talking … to each other?" Harry asked, confused.

Ron, it seems, mistook his confusion for jealousy, "Yeah, well, you shouldn't leave her off on her own if you're going to get so defensive. I was just going anyway."

"No!" Harry said, "I'm sorry if I interrupted. Talk. Please."


Harry headed over to the beverages. He was still thinking about what he had heard transpire between Snape and Malfoy in the classroom, but with everything that had happened between Ron and Hermione, he knew it had to wait. It would be just as big a deal tomorrow, and if there was any chance they could reconcile, it would make his life a hell of a lot easier.

"Hi Harry." Harry jumped. He turned to see Ginny standing next to him, "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you."

"S'alright. I was just, er …"

"Watching the show." Ginny finished for him, pointing towards Ron and Hermione who were standing awkwardly, "In a way, I'm glad Dean flaked. Assuming Ron keeps his word and apologizes. I swear, they're both mental. Her less than him I suppose."

Harry nodded, "So, um, Dean flaked." He tried to make it sound casual. Ginny nodded "Oh."

She looked at him questioningly, "Why?"

"Nothing. I just … I heard you two were splitting or something. I thought maybe that was why he wasn't here."

Ginny chuckled, "Hermione should learn to keep her mouth shut. She's almost as bad as Ron."

"So … so it's true then?" He felt excitement bubbling inside him, but he tried to keep it out of his voice. He hated how many things he had had to keep out of his voice lately.

"Things haven't been great with us. I wasn't going to do it tonight though, because a Christmas party and all. It seemed a little harsh. I figured it would be easier just before we leave for the holidays. That way, we won't have to deal with seeing each other for a week. It should make the whole thing easier." Harry nodded.

The music changed, "Oh, I love this one." Ginny said, swaying a little. She looked so beautiful, standing there, swaying back and forth.

"Do you want to dance?" He heard himself ask it, and was completely unsure where it had come from. He was a terrible dancer. The Yule Ball had proved that. And he could not dance with Ginny. She was technically still with Dean. Plus Ron might see. And then there was the issue of how it was harder for him to remember he wasn't supposed to like her when she was close to him.

But she smiled at him and said, "Sure." And that settled it.

Harry led her out onto the dance floor, and tried his best to remember what he was doing. He was trying to maneuver his hands when Ginny burst out laughing.

"Hey!" he said, offended.

"Sorry. But you can relax, you know, it's me. I'm not going to judge you for putting your foot in the wrong place; I just want to have a good time."

"I've been known to step on toes."

"My feet are small, and I do know how to dance. Besides, it's not as though you're wearing shoes made of lead, is it?"

Harry laughed, "Sorry. I'm just-"

"Not very good at this. I know. You never have to worry about embarrassing yourself around me, Harry. I've already seen you at your worst and I still like you fine."

There was a warm feeling in Harry's stomach, and he felt his face flush a little. He hoped Ginny hadn't noticed.

"All right then."

Ginny leaned her head into Harry's chest and sway to the tune with him. It was perfect. Everything else, Voldemort, Malfoy, Snape, everything just slipped from his mind. He felt he could die right here, right now, and be perfectly happy.


Meanwhile, Hermione and Ron had been trying to recover from their interruption.

"So, um, what were you saying?"

"Just that I … um, well, I can't remember, exactly. I was trying to make things right with us."

Hermione sighed, "I don't blame for how you feel. That's not really your fault. I wish it were different, but …" she trailed off, "Why did you have to be so cruel about it though?"

"I was angry."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Just 'cause I was. Look, do you accept my apology, or not?"

Hermione looked at him, considering, "What exactly is it you're sorry for?"

"The way I acted, stuff I said, making you cry." Hermione flushed, "yeah, um, Harry told me about that," she was going to kill him, "I would never want to make you cry. That wasn't … I mean, maybe I did want to hurt you a little, since I was hurt, but …"

"Why thought? Why were you hurt?"

"I told you, I don't know! Maybe because you and him were going on behind my back."

"Well, I had to talk to somebody. It's not so easy you no. We don't all get our perfect relationships with flowery girls. Speaking of which, where is Lavender? I thought you two had Big Plans for tonight."

"Lord. Did everybody know about that?" Hermione shrugged, "Well, there was a break down in communication or something. I never meant to agree to it. In fact, I'm sort of getting … well, that is, I'm a little sick of her."

Hermione lit up for a second, but then she was back to normal, "So why don't you end things with her?"

"Because I've never done that before. I don't know how to do it."

"Well, you seemed to do a right good job with me." Hermione muttered.

"What?" Ron asked, confused.

"Ah, Miss Granger." It was Worple, coming to talk some more to his 'Biggest Fan.' "I've been looking for you."

"Mr. Worple." She said, awkwardly. Ron started to skulk off to the corner, figuring his work was done, although he was thoroughly confused. When he and Hermione talked, he often got confused, so he figured he shouldn't read too much into it.

Hermione also made note of the oddness of the conversation. Something was off, she could sense it. She needed to talk to Ron again, but he had gone off somewhere, and Worple would not let her out of his sight.


The song seemed to end too soon. Harry thought Ginny seemed as loathed to let go of him as he was of her, but he knew it was probably wishful thinking. He didn't see her the rest of the night. Eventually he caught up with Hermione. He recounted what he had heard Snape and Malfoy saying, and she told him what Ron had said. They tried to enjoy the evening, but while they always enjoyed each other's company, both of their minds were clearly elsewhere. By the end of the night, the only thing they knew for sure was that some conversations needed to be had, and some decisions needed to be made. So, they made their way back to the dormitory, hoping they were prepared for whatever lay ahead.