A/N: I can't survive not updating this thing for SO long. So, there you go. But after this chapter, I'm sticking to my promise of not updating till December 15th. Sorry, =(
Ginny,
Where were you during lunch? I was looking for you. I need my Charms text book back.
Hermione
O
Hermione,
Oh, well, I was having lunch with Draco. I'll bring it back to you later.
Ginny
O
Wait, you were having lunch with Draco? Since when are you on first name basis with Malfoy and where did you two have lunch? Won't Harry get jealous? By jealous, I mean crazy furious, too.
O
Harry doesn't know. If he does, he'll probably kill me regardless of whether he loves me or not.
But I figured you are right about house unity and all so I'm befriending him. He really is a nice guy. Once again, you're right – he's changed.
O
Where did the both of you have lunch? You know… just so I could find you when I want another book back.
O
By the lake. We had a picnic. If you want to, you could join us next time.
O
Thanks, but no. Just be careful when you're out with him. We won't want Harry and Ron mad at you.
O
Don't worry. I'll watch out for them. Are you sure you won't join us the next time?
O
Yes, quite very sure. Just one last reminder – I want my Charms text book back when you are back from prancing through the fields with Malfoy. I'll see you around.
Ferret,
I knew it. She likes you so much she was reeking jealousy. But, she's still in denial.
Ginny
O
Weaselette,
We would have to do something about that now, wouldn't we?
Draco
O
Ferret,
Well, I have an idea.
Ginny
Harry,
I hope you don't mind but I'm hanging out with Hermione this weekend at Hogsmeade, okay?
Ginny
O
Ginny,
It's fine.
Harry
O
Harry,
Honestly, you wouldn't apologize to her?
Ginny
O
Ginny,
No, I won't or she would probably organize a tea party for Ron, Malfoy and I or something.
Harry
O
Harry,
That's something to look forward to.
Ginny
O
Ginny,
No, it isn't.
Ron
O
Merlin, Ron, it isn't polite to read owls meant for others!
O
He's my best mate. I can read whatever owls he's received.
O
Harry,
Aren't you going to say something about that?
Ginny
O
Ginny,
Well, he is my best mate.
Harry
O
Well, you two certainly don't know the difference between mother/wife and best friend.
Ginny,
Let's get together at Hogsmeade this weekend.
Hermione
O
Hermione,
Sorry. But I have a previous engagement.
Ginny
O
You're not going?
O
I am.
O
Well, can't you just go with me instead of Ron and Harry? They've got each other.
O
I'm not going with them. I'm going with Draco.
O
Well, then, surely I can come with.
O
Oh, but you said you won't ever join us.
O
Do you not want me to come along?
O
Er, well, yeah. Draco and I agreed that it's just the two of us.
O
What's this now? Are you dating Draco behind Harry's back, Ginny? Are you cheating on Harry?
O
No! Don't be silly! I love Harry.
O
Oh, does Harry know about this, then?
O
Of course he doesn't, Hermione. You know I won't tell him.
O
Then, you're cheating on Harry.
O
No, I'm not. Going out with Draco doesn't necessarily mean that it's romantic. There's nothing to it. Trust me.
O
If it's that innocent, why am I uninvited to your little outing with Draco?
O
The reasons can't be disclosed, Hermione. I'm sorry.
O
You really are cheating!
Ginny,
I can't believe you did that to me. I can't understand why you would date Malfoy behind my back. Shouldn't you at least have the decency to break it off with me before you go out with the lousy ferret? I hate you.
Harry
O
You don't understand! I wasn't dating him. It was just a plan to help him get Hermione! I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand because I knew you wouldn't have understood! I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I love you.
O
It's over.
Ginny,
I am so sorry for what happened. I'll help you talk to him.
Draco
O
No, it's fine. He won't listen to you, anyway.
O
It's worth a try.
O
Don't be silly.
O
You've helped me with Hermione. I should do something to return the favour. So, yes, I'm talking to Pothead.
O
Hmm… speaking of Hermione, did you see her face when she saw us holding hands? I've never seen anyone so… green before. You really stand a chance with her.
O
That can wait. I mean, I'm actually quite pleased she's jealous but, right now, we should fix your relationship with Potty.
O
Huh. You're actually really… sweet.
O
Like I said, don't push your luck.
Mum,
Ginny and Harry are over. She cheated on him with Malfoy. What I don't understand is how they could become so close in such a short period of time. Malfoy's drifting away from me now. He's stopped owling me for weeks. And we rarely talk because we're both so busy. I don't like what's happening – I'm losing all my close friends. Ginny and Malfoy are dating now and Harry and Ron are ignoring me. I mean, I'm ignoring them. But I can't talk to them until they've apologized to Malfoy. I can't let loneliness weaken my resolve because, then, they would think I'm not serious about this so I must stand my ground.
It's crap that Ginny and Malfoy are dating. Don't get me wrong, it's terrific for house unity but they won't let me hang out with them. They went to Hogsmeade together last weekend, leaving me to go alone. I was just in Dervish and Banges when I saw them walking side by side, hand in hand. I wasn't really convinced that they were romantically involved with each other before. But that scene just completely confirmed my suspicions.
It was horrible. Usually when I see crime happening before my eyes(I consider Ginny cheating as a crime), the anger I feel will be of the cold sort – silent and unsympathetic towards those who had done wrong. But when I saw them together, I wasn't even sure if it was anger I felt. The emotion was similarly consuming and bitter at the same time. I could feel bile rising in my throat and my tears were threatening to fall. I don't know what it was but it felt absolutely horrible. So, I ran… getting myself as far away from them as possible.
I heard Ginny crying in her room last night when I was at Gryffindor tower so I stopped to listen because I was curious. Luna was in there, too, comforting her. It was then that I found out Harry broke up with her. I didn't go in there to cheer her up, though. Why in the world would she be sad, anyway, seeing that she had Malfoy now?
I have been avoiding everyone since. I don't know how I'm going to keep it up because every time I turn round the corner I see Malfoy walking towards me like we are two attracting ends of a magnet. I think he's trying to speak to me. But I can't bring myself to talk to him or Ginny without having that feeling of throwing up and crying.
What am I going to do now, mum? I'm friendless, upset and just absolutely miserably tired of everything.
Love,
Hermione
O
Hermione Jean Granger,
Why is Ginny dating your boyfriend?
Mum
O
He's not my boyfriend, mum! Why are you so insistent that he is?
O
Because he loves you? And you said you were falling for him.
O
I realized it's just a crush. I'll get over it. And he doesn't love me anymore. He loves Ginny now.
O
Hermione, dear,
Don't be silly. In case you didn't know (which I'm pretty sure you don't) that bile-rising-in-you-throat and tears-threatening-to-fall feeling is jealousy and hurt. You, my dear, are in love with Draco, jealous of Ginny and hurt because he's moving on.
And stop being so cowardly. Just acknowledge the fact that you love him already. Every time I try to push you two steps forward, you take a tentative step up then back another 10 miles away because of so-called rationale.
Honestly, Hermione, what is it that you need to convince yourself that you actually are in love with Draco? I'll bet even if you two made out in the most mind-blowing manner possible, you would still consider him your friend.
Love,
Your mother
O
I was drunk when I made out with him. All senses are heightened – of course it was mind-blowing. But it wasn't real because I was drunk. So, there.
O
Oh my God. I am going to hyperventilate. Are you sure you weren't lying to me about being the brightest witch in your year? Because you really don't seem like it now.
O
Mother! I assure you, my intelligence is top-notch.
O
But you're being bloody stupid now. God, how I wish I was a witch. Then I could Apparate over to knock some sense into you!
I can't believe you made out with him, agreed that it was bloody mind-blowing but still blame it on something else. Don't you know that alcohol is like what you call the Veritaserum but more concentrated in a sense? It drives you to carry out the plans your subconscious desires. Obviously, you want Draco and badly so!
Don't let him slip through your fingers! Oh, wait, he already did. Look at you! You can't even tell what you've missed even after you've missed it.
O
I'm not missing anything. I'm fine.
O
Wow, just some letters ago you told me how miserable you are and now you're fine. Which is it?
O
I'm miserable but I'm fine.
O
You'll soon hear from your father about a certain woman jumping off of the balcony of her apartment to her death.
Don't worry, dear, I've left you a hefty sum in my will.