Chapter Twelve.
Hermione's Plot begins
(A/N: This chapter returns to omnipotent. Mostly we'll be following Charlie.)
Charlie watched Ginny walk into the castle with Draco Malfoy. He sighed as she laughed brightly at something he said. He had hoped she wouldn't be interested in him. Apparently, Hermione was right, once again.
School had been back in session for three weeks now. Ginny and Draco, when they weren't in thier respected classes, were almost inseparable. He always saw the blonde at the Quidditch pitch while Ginny was practicing. After the first time, Charlie noticed Draco brought a thermos of coffee to the early practices and after the afternoon practices the two went down to the kitchens for ice cream.
They were quite obvious. Ginny most likely thought that she was just being nice to him. Draco probably thought he hung out with her because she was the only one on campus that didn't run screaming from him everytime he said hi.
It was now six weeks to the day since Hermione had proposed her plan. Naturally Charlie had been flabergasted when she first brought it up.
Six Weeks ago...
"You want me to do what?"
Hermione was sitting on the kitchen counter, her legs dangling down. She looked cute, her dark hair pulled back in two wayward pigtails. Charlie wouldn't deny he was attracted to her. She was the smartest girl he knew and smart girls had always fascinated him. Ginny was smart too, but that was different. It should have been different with Hermione too. She was like a sister. She and Ron were in love. Right? Right.
In any case, Hermione fixed him with her dark brown eyes. "Come on Charlie."
"I most certainly will not!" He suddenly realized how that could be misconstrued. "Come on that is. Or agree to this insanity.
She sighed. "What's the harm?"
"The harm! The harm is some idiot could take advantage of my baby sister!"
"I thought you wanted Ginny happy?"
"Of course I do. Happy with Harry. The kind of bloke who can take care of her. And be a gentleman."
"And if he isn't?"
Charlie spun to look at her. "What are you saying?"
Hermione sighed. "Harry's a nice guy. He likes Ginny well enough. But he doesn't love her. There's a difference."
"But he could..." Charlie trailed off.
"No, Charlie. Harry's going to realize sooner or later that he can't keep Ginny in the gilded cage he wants her to stay in. And when he does, he'll let her go."
"Hermione..." Charlie began again.
"He tried to keep her from the final battle."
Charlie winced. "Can't imagine that went well."
She smiled. "Not at all. So will you help?"
He sighed. "Alright."
She shreiked with joy and leapt at him, wrapping her arms around his neck for a brief hug. She kissed his cheek. "You're a doll."
888
Charlie shook off improper thoughts about his brother's girlfriend and decided to set the first part of the plan into motion. He walked up to the Headmistress' office. Asuna Negi looked up from where she was writing. She looked haggard and tired.
"I don't know how Dumbledore did it." She sighed indicating for him to have a seat. Asuna was in her early twenties. By all rights she shouldn't have even been considered for the position she now held. But she was one of the best and her age was easy to overlook when you were under her command.
"Hard day?" Charlie asked.
"Hard month." She groaned. Charlie knew she was playing it up, but he let her. Asuna was an actress by nature and she overplayed every minor detail.
She leaned back in her chair. "So what can I do for you?"
He smiled. "What are your feelings towards a Halloween dance?"
