Thank you everyone :) I hope you all are doing well. Take care of yourself and the people around you. Don't forget to compliment someone because doesn't it make you happy that you're the reason someone's smiling? So do it :) Keep shining. Happy reading :) I've realized I use way too many smileys ;)

Harry waited outside Hermione's cabin. It was lunch time and both Ron and Hermione wanted to talk to Harry. They had decided to meet at The Three Broomsticks. Hermione met Harry outside her cabin and together they went to meet Ron. They ordered three Butterbeers since consuming Firewhiskey during working hours could be hazardous in Hermione's words.

"So", said Harry after taking a sip of his Butterbeer.

"What is it that you both want to discuss with me?"

"Well, Harry listen, Ron and I are happy for you and Ginny and we both want you to be happy and please don't be sad when we tell you that"

"I have broken up with Hermione", said Ron not letting Hermione finish her sentence.

"Ronald Weasley! How dare you? Wasn't this a mutual decision?" , asked Hermione. She had

raised her voice.

"Umm..yeah! So? Didn't I say the same thing?" , asked Ron feigning ignorance.

Hermione was glaring at Ron. "You didn't say the same thing Ronald. You said that You. Broke up. With. Me. Whereas we both decided to call it quits. You understand the difference now?"

"Blimey, Hermione you need to calm down. Alright Harry listen. Hermione and I decided to break up with each other but we are still friends."

Ron looked at Hermione and asked, " Fine? Are you happy now?"

"You're already the smartest witch of our age. Why don't you just once lie for me? Let me tell people that I broke up with you. I'm neither the Boy Who Defeated You Know Who nor the brightest wizard. At least let me break up with you. Why don't you ever help me?"

"I let you copy my homework Ron. Was that not enough? I shared my notes with you and Harry. You never paid attention in any of our classes."

"I paid attention to what Snape said."

Hermione snorted. "That's because he was strict and you didn't want detentions. Not to forget your mimicry. You mimicked him and for that you obviously had to pay attention to him."

Ron looked at her furiously. "I paid attention to what Harry said during our DA meets. I was the best student."

Hermione started laughing. "What did you just say Ron? The best student? I and Neville were better than everyone in the class and I'm not boasting about it but I mentioned it since you are claiming things that are nothing but a lie."

Harry was shocked. His friends had broken up but what was even more shocking was that his friends were acting the same way as they used to. They hadn't changed. They weren't feeling awkward. They were behaving as if nothing had happened.

"Are you guys fine? I mean I don't want you to fight. Not that you aren't fighting already and have been fighting ever since you've met but you both...er...are acting...umm...", Harry was trying to find a better word but Hermione provided the word.

"Normal?"

"Yeah", said Harry not knowing how to react to his best friends breaking up.

"It's fine Harry. As you know Hermione keeps fighting with me. We both become really nasty to each other so we decided to break up. We're better off as friends", said Ron who was smiling at Hermione.

"Yes Harry. Since Ron has this habit of constantly arguing with me, provoking me to fight with him, we both decided to break up", said Hermione. She was smirking.

"I got it. Don't start fighting again", said Harry irritably. "When did you break up and why haven't you told everyone about it?"

"We broke up the day before you announced your wedding Harry and we had decided to tell everyone about the breakup but then mum announced your wedding and everyone was so happy. I-I didn't have the heart to tell them, to tell you about it", said Ron.

Harry frowned.

"I know I should tell it.. Hermione's been asking me to tell mum at least but I don't know Harry. I can't. Have you seen how happy she is? She's always loved Ginny the most." "And no I'm not complaining" , he said immediately when Hermione placed her hand on his arm.

"She's the only girl in our family and mum always wanted a girl. Ginny is special and is the most pampered child. Marrying you was Ginny's dream, Harry. It still is and watching Ginny get married to her dream man was mum's dream. She cries. I've seen her. In the kitchen when no one's watching, at least she thinks so, I've seen her cry. Cry both happy and sad tears. Sad because Ginny will leave her and happy because Ginny will marry you. Both you and Ginny are family Harry and I know that you know that as well. You're as much her son as I am. Now what will happen when I tell her about my breakup? She'll be heartbroken. I don't want to shatter her dreams Harry. I don't want Ginny to be sad and worried about me and Hermione on her wedding day. So I've decided to tell them after your wedding. Till then Hermione and I will pretend to be in a relationship."

"I understand Ron but don't you think that's wrong? That's cheating. You're keeping your family members in the dark. You don't know Ron but I've seen the look in her eyes. Everytime she talks about Harry and Ginny, she..I don't know how to explain it but I know that she thinks about you and me as well. After their wedding she'll definitely and immediately ask us to get married as well and how will she feel when you'll tell her that we broke up a month before? She'll be devastated Ron. It's better we tell her now", said Hermione who was worried.

"Hermione's right, Ron. You should tell everyone about your break up now before it gets too late. Tell them that you both are happy as friends", said Harry.

"Ok, ok I guess you both are right. I'll tell them all. I'll tell George first. He can help me with this matter and maybe even help me console mum", said Ron. He sighed.

"It's not going to be that difficult. Trust me", said Hermione placing her hand on Ron's.

Harry, for reasons unknown, felt oddly comfortable. He felt as if a burden had been taken off his shoulders. He felt light-headed. He would have been happier if he had known the reason but this feeling of comfort, solace was enough to be happy right now and he just wanted this mood to stay.

"Please keep it a secret Madam Malkin. It'll be a small affair and we don't want unwanted attention", said Molly.

"Oh of course! Don't you worry Mrs. Weasley. It's only between you and me", said Madam Malkin as she smiled. "And between your daughter and Mr. Potter's friend", she said looking fondly at Hermione.

Hermione smiled at her.

"Oh well come on now. We don't have much time. The wedding is next month and there is so much work to be done", said Molly but then she realised what she had said and immediately began , " Oh but please take your time. It might be a small affair but you know it's still going to be" , Molly gestured her hands for a dramatic effect.

"The grandest wedding", she whispered to Madam Malkin. "There's no need to rush. Show us the best dresses. I want my daughter to look nothing less than a Queen", said Molly who was beaming at Ginny.

Madam Malkin smiled and nodded at her and started showing them the dresses. Ginny stood in front of a large mirror and with a flick of Madam Malkin's wand a dress would appear just in front of Ginny so that she could see how she looked in it. After almost two hours and thirty minutes, Ginny finalised three dresses. She was unable to choose among them.

"Hermione be of some use and help me. Why else do you think I made you come with me?" , asked Ginny.

"All three are good", said Hermione who too was confused. The gowns were very beautiful and had a unique style. It was difficult to select one.

"You're not helping", said Ginny in a monotonous tone.

"Ah well Ginny it's your wedding. You decide which one do you think suits you and your personality the most? Which one do you think Harry will find you the most beautiful in?"

"Ahh that's difficult. Hermione you know Harry better than me. In fact you know Harry more than he knows himself. What do you think? Which gown would Harry like? "

Molly, who was still going through the other gowns Madam Malkin had shown, stopped. She felt as if she had stopped breathing. Sometimes she just wanted to scream at Ginny. She stared at the girls.

"I don't know Ginny", said Hermione, bewildered.

"Oh come on now Hermione. Close your eyes", said Ginny putting her hands on Hermione's shoulders so that they both were facing each other.

"What?"

"I said", said Ginny rolling her eyes. "Close your eyes."

"Umm ok", said Hermione hesitantly and finally closed her eyes.

"Now imagine Harry waiting at the altar for you. He's smiling at you. Everyone's eyes are on you but your eyes are on Harry. Now he's slowly looking down at your beautiful white gown and then his eyes are back at you. When he's scanning your gown, you too look down at it. Now which gown do you imagine wearing? Which gown does Harry find you the most beautiful in?", asked Ginny. Hermione smiled a little. Ginny looked at Hermione with a self-satisfied smirk.

Hermione knew this was wrong. She should not imagine such things but she couldn't help but visualise it. It wasn't her fault. Ginny made her visualise it. She was doing it for Ginny's sake. That's what she told her logical self. She realised that a smile had started to form on her face and this was wrong. Absolutely wrong. Her eyes snapped open.

She looked at the three gowns and then finally picked the one on the extreme right.

"This one", Hermione said pointing her finger towards the gown. "It's perfect and you'll look beautiful in it."

"See my idea worked", said Ginny. She grinned at Hermione. "I know Harry will love this gown since you have picked it. Thanks Hermione", said Ginny and she hugged her.

"I'm going to try this gown then. I think it's a bit loose at the waist. It needs to be adjusted", said Ginny animatedly.

Molly was shocked. She felt as if the ground beneath her feet had fallen. She was horror-struck.

What in the name Merlin is happening? Has Ginny gone mad? Asking Hermione to decide her wedding gown? I didn't want to get this girl with us but Ginny is so blinded by this stupid friendship. My little Ginny is so naive. And why did Hermione imagine that?No Molly it's not her fault. Ginny dear asked her to.But she didn't need to. I've seen how she treats Ron. That girl literally shouts at my boy. She could have said no to Ginny as well. She could have said that she was unable to decide the gown but she not only closed her eyes and imagined that horrendous thing but also selected a gown. My Ginny's not going to wear that gown. Not the one selected by Hermione. Ron. Hermione will be with Ron. Relax Molly.Just as Ginny began going to the trial room with the flowy gown in her hands, Molly screamed. "Ginny no!"

Hermione, Ginny and Madam Malkin immediately looked at Molly. All of them were scared.

"Ginny dear, I don't really like that gown. It's too old fashioned and after all Hermione doesn't know much about fashion. Everyone knows that. She's good with books and stuff. Fashion is not Hermione's thing. Am I not right, Hermione dear?", she looked at Hermione with a wide smile plastered on her face.

Hermione's face was blank. She didn't know how to react.

"Mum!", shouted Ginny.

"Ginny dear you asked Hermione to visualise her wedding. She picked up the gown keeping Ron on her mind not Harry. Why would she imagine Harry? It will be so weird imagining Harry like that, wouldn't it be Hermione?", asked Molly but this time with a stern look.

"Y-Yes Mrs. Weasley. You're right. I-I agree with her, Ginny. This gown does look old fashioned and dresses and all...It's not my department", Hermione said. She tittered.

"Argh! Alright then. Which one is it then mum?", said Ginny in an exasperated tone.

Molly looked affectionately at Ginny and picked up the gown which was kept in the middle. "This one", she said and gave it to Ginny to try.

The gown Hermione had picked up was the best but now I can't make Ginny wear it. Merlin! My baby can't wear the best gown on her wedding day because of Hermione. It's unbearable now. Ginny is still immature. She wouldn't understand a thing. I'll have to handle things on my own now."Hermione dear why don't you pick up a gown for yourself as well? You and Ron are next in line after Harry and Ginny. It'll be so good. All the members of The Golden Trio happily married", said Molly with a twinkle in her eyes.

Hermione became uncomfortable. She mentally cursed Ron for this situation.

"Not now Mrs. Weasley. I think we should focus only on Harry and Ginny at the moment", said Hermione. She gave Molly a weak smile.

"Oh, yes! of course my dear. There's no hurry. Harry loves Ginny so much. I'm so excited for their wedding", said Molly. She smiled at Hermione.

Hermione wanted to leave. Even though Molly was smiling at her, she felt something weird. She felt awkward. She was feeling unwanted. She decided that she wouldn't go shopping with Ginny anymore and would visit the Burrow less frequently.

Harry visited Madam Malkin's late in the evening. He returned from the ministry and went to Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. Ron was busy with the customers so George decided to accompany Harry. Madam Malkin was more than pleased to see Harry. She started showing him suits one by one and claimed that he looked good in each one of them. The more suits she showed, the more confused he became and Madam Malkin wasn't helpful since she said that all the suits were perfect for Harry. Harry turned to George. George shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know mate. They all look good. They're even better than the one you had worn to the Ball", George said.

'The Ball' , Harry remembered. It was such a different experience. Everyone was so excited about it. Everyone but me. Hermione looked beautiful in that periwinkle blue dress. Not that she's not beautiful already but she looked different. Her soft smile on her beautiful face and her beautiful brown locks falling down..."Harry? Harry what are you thinking mate?", asked George.

"Hermione", breathed Harry.

"Hmmm Hermione huh?", asked George. He raised his eyebrow and smirked.

"I mean I wish Hermione was here. She would have helped me pick the right suit", said Harry. He was flustered.

"I agree with you on that but you don't need to worry. We're not daft like my dear Ickle Ronniekins. We'll find better suits for the both of us", George said and grinned at Harry.

"That one" , George and Harry said together though they both were pointing towards two different suits.

"Wonderful choice", exclaimed Madam Malkin. "These are the best suits I have. Well all the suits I have are the best and unique. You wouldn't find them anywhere else. Here", she laid down both the suits. One was black and the other was midnight blue.

"Which one do you want to try?", asked Madam Malkin.

"You should go for black because black is Ginny's-"

"I'll try blue because Hermione-"

They both started talking at the same time and froze suddenly.

George stopped when he heard Harry take Hermione's name.

Harry was flustered once again. Why he took Hermione's name was beyond him.

Shouldn't I be thinking about Ginny?

He realised his mistake and said immediately, "Because I like blue. It's soothing."

"Midnight blue it is. It will go really well with your complexion Mr. Potter. It will give you a warm glow. Excellent choice", chirped Madam Malkin.

"Come and pick it up tomorrow."

Harry nodded and left the place with George.

What's wrong with me? Is it alright to think about Hermione when I should be thinking about Ginny? She's my best friend I can think about her. It's absolutely fine. But then why don't I think about Ron that often? In fact I hardly think about him. I never get the time to think about him or anyone. Yet I think about her. Hermione. I need to ask her what's wrong with me...