Conversations of Twin Minds:

LG22: Uhm, hello? Is this thing on? Well, hello there! First thing off, WE ARE STILL ALIVE! Take that, real life!

PS146: We know that all of you would want to get rotten tomatoes and throw it at our poor heads but stop and think. If you do that, we won't get to write more chappies. We love you and we know you love us. Sorry for the long wait, and please don't forget to review! Let's not keep them waiting dearest Loony, let's show the the chappie that you have prepared for them! I loved it and I'm sure they would too.

LG22: Right you are, Pink. Hopefully, we'd be able to get the next chappie up as soon as possible... no tomatoes allowed, please!

LG22 and PS146: Off you go, then.

"I can't believe you'd bid that much money!" Hermione exclaimed as she and Harry walked to the muggle restaurant the QWAC authorities reserved for the night. All of the winning couples were there, but as the highest bidder of the night, and quite honestly, as the Boy-Who-Triumphed, Harry had the privilege of getting the best and most private spot in the place.

"It's Terry Boot." Harry grumbled.

"Oi, mate! Why aren't you bidding for Hermione?" Ron said as he nudged Harry. He was getting worried about Hermione because, deep inside, he knew that a lot of blokes out here wanted a piece of her. And his best friend, his oh-so-blind, stupid, ignorant— he sighed. When will Harry see what's right in front of him?

"I'm just waiting for the right moment." Harry said calmly.

"Look at Hermione! She looks like you when you met her dad!" Ron said incredulously

"Wait, how do you—?"

"Harry, I have eyes."

"Whatever. I have a plan. Just you wait."

Ron let out a whistle. Really? He had a plan? He thought. "Harry Bloody Potter has a plan! That's a first!"

"Shut up" Harry grinned. Well, he was a bit proud of himself for coming up with that idea. Judging by the look on Hermione's face, she's a bit disappointed that he hasn't bid yet for her. But that's part of The Plan. After the last creep would throw in their highest bid, he'd swoop in with a double to that, thus saving Hermione from any immediate danger (in his opinion) and saving their "relationship" from rumors that Skeeter lady created.

For the first time, he would like to thank his Aunt for letting him watch romance movies with her. This idea would not conceptualize itself without it.

Really, it wouldn't.

"2500" Silence.

"2500? Going once…" Alright, here we go.

"5000" He shouted. Harry could feel Ron grinning right beside him. There was silence for a split second, and just like that, deafening cheers filled the stadium.

He could just faintly hear Padma saying, "Wow! Mr. Potter doesn't want his fiancé to go anywhere tonight!" but he was too preoccupied looking at Hermione.

Pure relief. It was written all over her face. Harry couldn't help but blush.

"Alright! The highest bid of the night, Ms. Granger goes to the lucky young man in blue also known as Mr. Potter… going once, going twice…"

Harry, grinning, started walking to the aisle when a loud "10,000" was heard from the other side of the court.

He stopped at once.

What! He turned around to see Terry-bloody-Boot with a smirk on his face. Harry immediately grabbed on to Ron, who was mumbling, "I can't believe that wanker still has a crush on her!" and was already on his way to Terry-bloody-Boot. At any other time, Harry would've gladly joined Ron, but then again, Hermione was at stake.

And everyone was waiting for his response. Why did I only bring 8000! Harry frantically thought.

"Just bid, Harry. I'll lend you some money." Luna wistfully said, her eyes still on her fuming Ron.

It still amazed him that Luna was so perceptive, but he didn't have time to think of anything else other than getting Hermione.

"11,000!" Harry said confidently.

Bloody Terry Boot!

"What did you say?"

"Nothing." Harry said passively. "So, how did it feel?"

"Being fed to wild animals? Quite refreshing, really."

"What?" Harry stopped on his tracks.

"Well, it's the first time this has ever happened to me, you know. I know I'm not attractive—"

"Don't even continue that…" Harry warned.

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Harry. But really. Let's get real. I'm not really the kind of flower you'd give to a girl…"

What is she talking about? Harry thought.

"Give yourself some credit, Hermione…"

"Well, a lot of people think—"

"I don't think you're ugly." At this, they both smiled, remembering what he had said to her back in fifth year.

"Well, thank you, Harry. For everything"

"You know its nothing, Hermione. You're my best friend." Harry, for some reason, inwardly winced. Best friend? Is she really just my best friend?

"When did you ever get sappy, Harry?" Hermione nudged him as they continued walking.

I really don't know.

"What? A guy can't get sappy once in a while?" Harry said, trying to hide his blush.

"You are Harry Potter…" Hermione teased.

"Hey, that's Mr. Harry Potter to you, fiancé!"

"Oh, I'm sorry,honey." Hermione grinned, and blurted out "Now I know why Cho was so jealous…"

"Huh?" Harry asked, slightly confused on how Cho got into the picture.

"It's us. Not just Cho though, all of your girlfriends, even Ginny. Look at us, Harry. Maybe, they just can't understand. But I really don't know why they can't see we're only like brother and sister." Hermione said laughingly, not really noticing Harry lagging behind her.

Are we really just like brother and sister?

"Didn't all of them let you choose between them and me? Honestly! Harry—?" Hermione, realizing Harry wasn't beside her, turned around.

"Yeah, they did. But I always chose you." I'll always choose you.

Oh, Merlin.

Hermione gave him a small smile. "And I thank you, again, for that. But Harry, you do have to choose one of them someday."

"But I'm marrying you, aren't I?" Harry gave her a smirk. Deep down, he didn't want to think it was only for a short time.

"Right you are." Hermione gave him a smirk of her own.

In comfortable silence, they continued walking until they reached near the entrance of the restaurant. Then Harry suddenly blurted, "You know I love you, right?"

Even Harry was surprised when he said this. This, now that he thought about it, was the first time he had told her this. He knew that Ron and Hermione say it each other, but that was really just a brother-sister thing. But as he said it, he felt it was more than that.

Hermione softened. She knew that even if it was playful banter between them, the message in it is loud and clear. These moments with Harry were rare, and she was grateful that in these rare occasions, she was there with him.

"I love you, too." She gave him a teasing smile. "Because you sing My Heart Will Go On with heartfelt emotions—" But she was cut off with Harry's lips.

Love it? Hate it? Hate us? Wait, don't answer the last one. We're really sorry for the We-Can-Not-Begin-To-Describe-How-Late update.

Thank you for those who made our dream possible! Please review this shorty too!

Toodles!