Harry saw Hermione and Alex fly in the sky and he felt something in his stomach squirm. Before he could contemplate why Hermione decided to go on a broom ride, he heard Ginny's sharp voice.

"Ron! You're -"

"A git" , suggested Parvati

"Douchebag" , cried Lavender

"Nutters" , offered Dean

"Mental" , said Seamus

"Prat", said Neville

"Our King" , said Luna dreamily.

"Oi! Stop praising me and tell me what happened!" , demanded Ron.

"And Luna I'll always be your King, love" , said Ron and and kissed her cheek.

"Alex wanted to spend some time alone with Hermione. And you and Harry were just bring prats", said Lavender.

"Blimey! It didn't occur to me" , said Ron.

"Why do they need alone time? That Alex was glued to Hermione in the pub. What more does he want? They had already discussed all the possible rights in the world!" , said Harry who was now irritated.

"Mate you know why they need alone time", said Dean with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yeah! You had dated Cho. And I wouldn't be surprised if you two had lots of alone time with each other", smirked Seamus.

"But Alex and Hermione are not dating!" , shouted Ron.

Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother's stupidity.

"But now they would" , said Lavender smiling.

"Bet they would have snogged by now", said Parvati giggling.

"What?!", shouted Harry who couldn't believe his ears.

Everyone ignored him.

"It's a bit early. I bet they'll snog tomorrow", said Dean excitedly.

These words seemed to be piercing through Harry's heart. He couldn't picture Alex kissing Hermione. The mere thought made him want to puke. He grew uncomfortable. His urge to follow Alex and Hermione now increased.

"Stop it right now. Remember you're talking about Hermione. No one's gonna place a stupid bet on her. How could you even think about Hermione like that?" , said Harry angrily.

"And what's wrong with it? When did snogging become a crime? You had snogged Cho, hadn't you? So by your logic you should be sent to Azkaban" , said Ginny.

"Or even worse, expelled", said Ron laughing. But when no one joined him, he stopped laughing and became serious and started muttering how his friends were lacking a good sense of humour.

But before Harry could reply Parvati interjected.

"Harry I'm so sorry. In fact we all are sorry. Now could you please get my bracelet from the pub? I left it there and you know how the crowd is at this time."

"Omg! Are you talking about that beautiful Indian bracelet your aunt gifted you?" , asked Lavender who's voice was so loud, Harry thought it could be heard at Hogwarts as well.

Parvati nodded with a huge smile on her face.

"That bracelet is lovely, Parvati! I want a similar bracelet in red colour", said Ginny beaming.

"Oh yes I've asked my aunt to get more bracelets for you and Padma's friends. Lav I remember you want it in purple. Don't worry. I'll owl you the bracelet once my aunt sends them", said Parvati.

Harry remembered the bracelet since it was unique and everyone, including Hermione, loved it.

Harry went to get her bracelet. Then the moment he left, Parvati took the bracelet out from her pocket. Everyone gasped.

"Shh! I just wanted to speak to you guys. Now I know Hermione will start dating Alex but I bet Harry and Hermione will be together by the end of this month."

"You're evil", said Ron.

"Oh shut up, Ron!", said Ginny. "They both are dense. I think Harry will propose to Hermione on Christmas", said Ginny.

Everyone had placed their bets. Parvati had noted down the names, amounts and the dates. Now it was Ron's turn.

"One sickle" , said Ron flamboyantly.

Beta glared at him.

"Ok ok five sickles."

They still glared at him.

"He means to say ten galleons. Note it down Parvati", said Ginny.

"Hey! that's unfair. You don't get to decide that. That's cheating", yelled Ron but no one listened. They all just grinned.

Harry came back.

"I'm sorry Parvati but I couldn't find your bracelet. Let's all go inside and find it."

They all tried not to laugh.

"Oh then leave it Harry. I'll ask my aunt to get me a new one", said Parvati who's voice was shaky. It had always been difficult for her to suppress her laughter.

Harry was confused. He didn't understand how Parvati could be so cool with it. But he decided not to say anything. He went and whispered something in her ear and she smiled. She looked at him and nodded. Everyone was confused but Harry said that it was getting late and they should start walking.

Harry was staying with the Weasleys in the Burrow. He lied down on his bed with his hands under his head. He was thinking about Alex and Hermione. The spark in Hermione's eyes when she saw Alex. Hermione gripping Alex's waist. He got up.

"Thinking about Hermione?" , asked Ron.

Harry looked at him and nodded.

"She must have reached home by now."

"Yeah if she didn't get scared and Alex did fly her to her place then she definitely must have reached by now", said Ron smiling. "Blimey! I can't imagine Hermione on a broom. I mean.."

"I know", said Harry.

"Should we go and check if she's alright?"

"You must be kidding. She's Hermione Granger, mate. She fought so many deadly death eaters. And Alex is not a death eater. Stop worrying about her. I know she's our friend and we are protective of her but she's the smartest among us and you know she doesn't need protection. You know how scary she is. Brilliant but scary as hell" , said Ron.

"I-I'm not saying we need to protect her. That Alex bloke is nothing compared to Hermione no matter how amazing he is", Harry said through gritted teeth.

"There's no comparison at all but we can fire call her at least."

"Mate look at the time. She must be tired. And if she did ride the broom all the way to her home then she really needs rest", said Ron laughing. "Poor Alex I'm feeling bad for his waist. Hermione must have grabbed him tightly. You know how she is."

Harry didn't answer. He remembered his third year. Hermione sitting behind him on the Hippogriff, her hands around his waist. She was so close to him he could feel her warm breadth at back of his neck. Her body pressed to his. The only source of warmth on that chilly night. But that memory didn't comfort him since he now imagined Hermione sitting close to Alex. He balled his fists. He didn't like it. The idea of Hermione being so close to Alex made him mad. He wanted to punch Alex.

He left the room and went to the living area. Then he heard a voice. He looked at the fireplace. It was Hermione. He could only see her face. He remembered how Sirius used to contact him. He immediately went there.

"Hermione! How are you? Are you alright? Did he make you fall off that broom?", asked Harry hurriedly.

"Harry relax! I'm fine. Alex is a gentleman. He made sure I was comfortable. He kept asking the whole way if I was comfortable. Can you believe it?" , she laughed.

Harry remained silent.

"Well we're going to watch a movie tomorrow."

Harry was startled by this revelation.

"You mean-"

"Yeah! I'm taking him to muggle London. He's never been there before. He's never been to a theatre obviously so we decided to visit one."

"Oh! Which theatre are you going to and what are the timings? Which movie are you going to watch anyway?"

Hermione gave him the details. She told him how excited she was and asked him to tell Ron and Ginny and wished him good night.

Harry knew his night wasn't going to be any good.

He went back to his room. Ginny was there as well. Ron and Ginny looked at him.

"I just went downstairs to get some fresh air. Hermione had fire called. She said that she enjoyed the ride. Can you believe it? Hermione Granger enjoyed flying!", said Harry dramatically.

"Maybe she didn't like flying. It's not flying that she liked. It's the flyer that made the ride worth it. Hermione likes Alex", said Ginny smirking.

"I can't believe it! Hermione enjoying flying!! But maybe Ginny's right. She likes Alex" , said Ron who still was unable to digest the fact that Hermione enjoying flying.

"What are you talking about? They just met. Plus Hermione told me how that git kept asking her if she was comfortable all the way to her home. How irritated Hermione must have got", said Harry who was do desperate for Ron and Ginny to agree with him.

"There's nothing irritating about it Harry. Alex cares for Hermione and that is the reason he kept asking her. I'm sure Hermione loved his gesture. Any girl will like it if a guy cares for her. You're thinking way too much. Now I better go to sleep. I don't want mum to lecture me at night", said Ginny.

"So you want her to lecture you in the morning? Don't worry I'll tell her that you were with us at night and you prefer her to lecture you in the morning than at night", said Ron amused.

Ginny glared at him and went to her room.

Harry kept thinking about the word Ginny used in her sentence. Love? Hermione loved his gesture? Hermione loves Alex?

It was a long night for Harry indeed.