Hermione didn't say much for the rest of the day. At least not during classes, anyways. Ancient Runes was exceptionally awkward, mostly thanks to Draco. He alternated between worried glances at her to murderous glares at Trevor all class long.

At dinner, Hermione didn't eat anything, although Draco threatened to force-feed her if she didn't ingest something. Hermione's only attempt to pacify him was to take a sip of the pumpkin juice he had poured for her.

Ginny seemed to understand Hermione's present feelings, and was quiet as well. Even Zacharias understood that something was not quite right, and kept his scruples to a minimum. After dinner, they all headed up to Montecino Tower, not sure of what to expect.

Lady Montecino's portrait was gone, as suspected. In its place was that of Sir Cadogan's. The inhabitant of said portrait was busily yelling at Crookshanks, who in turn was swiping at the gilded frame.

"What villain are ye, furry creature? How dare ye trespass upon my lands! Ye dare challenge Sir Cadogan? Back, ye abominable filth, back I say!"

Ginny grinned first, and even Hermione gave a small smile, remembering her third year. "Hello, Sir Cadogan. Remember us?"

Sir Cadogan stopped yelling at Crookshanks. "Why, of course! The friends of Harry Potter, one of my worthier rivals. How could I forget? Come right on in."

He swung open and the four friends and Crookshanks stepped in. Draco and Zacharias headed straight for the couch, and collapsed in them. Crookshanks hopped onto an armchair to curl up, but Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, as if having a mutual understanding. Now was the time.

"Aren't you guys going to sit down?" asked Zacharias curiously. "It's been such a long day. Surely you guys are tired?"

"Draco," said Hermione, speaking her first word since she had left Professor McGonagall's office. "we need a girlfriend fix. Can you and Zach manage without us for about an hour?"

Zacharias exclaimed, "An hour?!" while Draco just looked suspicious.

"We'll make it quick." said Ginny as she hurriedly pulled Hermione to the French doors of the balcony. She shut the doors quickly after they were outside, and muttered "Muffliato!" to make sure the two boys wouldn't eavesdrop.

"Are you all right, Hermione?" Ginny asked worriedly, when both girls had sat down on the deck chairs. "I'm worried about Peakes too, but you look terrified."

Hermione waited a moment before she spoke. It was as if she was afraid of the words that were going to come out of her mouth. "What if… my memory charm didn't work? What if Jimmy still remembers everything that happened at the Owlery, and now hates me even more than he had before? Now he might not just be after us; he might be after Draco, too!"

Ginny's brow creased, but she said reassuringly, "Hermione, you're the most accomplished witch at this school. There's no way you made a mistake in casting a spell, even if it wasn't with your own wand. Anyways, even if it didn't, I think the blow Draco dealt to him was enough to clear some of his memory." she chuckled. "I can't believe I thought he liked you."

"That's what I don't understand, either." said Hermione. "He did mention it at the Owlery, but he was mostly bent on harming me. It's almost like he had a split personality…"

"I guess sometimes hate overcomes love." Ginny sighed. "Not that I think he loved you." she giggled at Hermione's raised eyebrows. "I think he's having an internal conflict between trying to win your affections and avenging his friends. Honestly, we shouldn't be this worried. Professor McGonagall's investigating this now. She'll take care of whatever issues he has."

Hermione grimaced. "Maybe, but I still feel like what happened to Lady Montecino is my fault."

"Nonsense." said Ginny. "When Sirius terrorized the Fat Lady, Harry thought it was his fault, too, remember? I'm sure either him or Birch accidentally hit her when they were dueling, and she'll recover soon. It's not like they were fighting to kill."

"The world may never know." replied Hermione darkly. "Speaking of Birch, why didn't you ever mention how… dislikeable he is?"

Ginny shrugged. "He wasn't as bad before. He reminded me a little of Cormac, as I said before, but this guy actually has brains since he's in Ravenclaw. I guess his intellect is majorly attracted to yours, or maybe you're the biggest crush he's ever had."

Hermione frowned. "I've just never heard of him before. Come to think of it, I've never even seen him in the hallways before. Surely he would've been with Luna at some point?"

"Luna said he used to follow Cho Chang around like a little puppy. But apparently she turned really nasty after Harry rejected her last May. Rumor has it that she lashed out at everyone in Ravenclaw, including her friends, publicly humiliated Trevor, and burned her Hogwarts diploma. I guess she realized what a fool she was to have lost Harry, and Trevor realized that he couldn't just stalk and boast. He's taking the initiative and trying to act mature."

"Great going, Cho." Hermione muttered. "Thanks for setting this creep on my trail."

"He is rather bold." Ginny said thoughtfully. Then she turned excited. "Can we talk about your Draco-Ron situation now?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I need a moment to gather my thoughts on that. Share with me on how you came to possess your fantastic music expertise first."

Ginny laughed. "Charlie took Music while he was here at Hogwarts. I used to be fascinated just seeing the ink on the pages. I would listen in rapture as Charlie explained the concepts of 'time signature' or 'key signature.' But when I got to Hogwarts, none of my friends were interested, and I gradually lost interest too."

"That's such a shame, Gin." said Hermione ruefully. "I'm sure Harry would've loved to hear your musical talents."

"I'm saving it as a surprise when we get married, so don't tell him yet!" Ginny replied playfully.

"I can imagine you and Harry getting married someday in the near future…" said Hermione wistfully.

Ginny noticed this. "Why? You can't see you and Draco getting married?"

Hermione gasped. "Ginny! I'm dating your brother at the moment, in case you've forgotten!"

Ginny grinned. "I know. I'm not stupid, Mione. Especially to be blind to the obvious."

"What obvious?" asked Hermione carelessly, although she secretly wanted to hear everything Ginny had to say on the matter.

"You and Draco are in love." she replied simply. "Ron or no Ron, you can't deny it. I didn't see it coming either, but he's changed. Am I right?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Ginny… this is your brother we're talking about…"

"Ron might be my brother, but you're also my sister, Hermione." said Ginny firmly. "Frankly, I never thought Ron was best for you anyways. I know you had the hugest crush on him, but it's not love. Maybe if Draco hadn't changed, I would've continued to give your relationship with him minimum support, but now, I just can't. You and Draco are perfect for each other. I can see you two talking about things you're both interested in. I can see him supporting you on your 'S.P.E.W' madness. I can see you comforting him when he's feeling depressed. I can see you two growing old together, sitting on a couch, holding hands and reading books. With Ron, I can only see you taking care of him. He'll only cover the basics. Draco can be your everything."

Hermione almost stopped breathing. "Ginny… that was a beautiful speech. Truly. I can't seem to find my breath anymore."

Ginny gave a small chuckle. "I'm just expressing my feelings, sis."

Hermione smiled. "But you've never talked this way about Ron or me, or about you and Harry…"

Ginny giggled. "Well of course! It's difficult to express my relationship with Harry. Personal topics are always more ineffable, don't you know? And with your relationship with Ron, well, let's just say, I think I have some Seer blood."

Hermione giggled. "But what am I going to do?" she asked, suddenly morose. "I can't just tell Ron now I want to end it. First of all, Draco and I have only been like this for about three days. Second of all, Ron's in the middle of Auror training, and I can't help but think this event might distract him from his studies. And third of all, this is Draco Malfoy we're talking about. I don't think Ron would ever forgive me or him if he ever found out who I've left him for…"

Ginny replied thoughtfully. "Honestly, I don't know how Ron would take anything anymore. Mum sent me a letter after I Pigwidgeon stopped by, and she said he's changed so much. She says Jane Dawlish might be corrupting him, and wants me to convince Harry to take care of Ron more. Did you get a letter from Ron?"

Hermione nodded. "And from Harry, too. Ron wouldn't even tell me where he is."

"Mum said he wouldn't tell her, either. And then Harry just flat out told us! It's unthinkable!"

"I just don't know how I'll ever end it." Hermione concluded sadly. "I've been longing for him all these years, when the person I've really been looking for has been at my side through it all. I couldn't do it the next time I see him; it'll be Christmas, and he'll just have come home. If not now, or then, when?"

"Christmas." said Ginny firmly. "Do it on New Year's Eve, so you can start the 1999 year fresh and new, ready for Draco."

Hermione sighed. "You're right, you're right. But it just sounds impossible."

"Don't worry, sis, I'll be there for you." reassured Ginny, hugging Hermione tightly. "Now let's get back in, and dance."

"Dancing." Hermione mumbled, getting to her feet.

They went back into the common room, but there was only the golden harp gently strumming on the glass coffee table.

"I wonder where they went." Ginny mused. "Aha. Let's check Draco's room."

"Gin-" Hermione began, but Ginny had already opened Draco's door.

"Would you two lover birds come on out? We've got dancing to do, and if you need a little more 'couple time,' you can come out here and do- ARGHHH!"

Ginny fell on her bottom as Zacharias swooped over her head. "I'M FLYING!" Hermione dove for cover behind the armchair nearest to her, and Draco came running out of his room, leaping over a stunned Ginny and pointing his wand at Zacharias.

"Liberacorpus!" he shouted. In a flash, Zacharias was on the floor, groaning from the impact of his body onto the ground, but at the same time, laughing from the success of his latest stunt.

Draco ran over to Hermione. "Are you all right?" he asked her as she clutched him for support. Standing up, she said, "I'm fine, but we should probably check on Ginny. I didn't think Zach would be silly enough to scare Ginny twice in a day… but maybe he has a death wish or something."

Draco smiled wryly, looking at Zacharias rolling on the floor, his giggles becoming feeble. "I'll go prepare him for what's surely coming for him. You go take care of Ginny."

With that, the pair split up. Hermione helped Ginny up. "Gin… are you all right?"

Ginny merely replied, "I will be, as soon as I unleash Hell on Smith." as she rubbed her bottom. Giving a wicked grin, she called out sweetly, "Smithie. Ready to waltz?"

Draco had yanked Zacharias off the ground, and was scolding him for levitating himself so senselessly. "… don't know what you were thinking. One moment we're having civilized conversation, and the next you're on the ceiling! I wouldn't be surprised if Ginny…"

"Ahem." Hermione cleared her throat. "Let's put this behind us and dance, shall we?"

Draco immediately shut up, and strolled over to Hermione, holding out his hand. In his best imitation of Zacharias, he asked pompously, "May I have the honor of this dance, milady?"

Hermione giggled and took his hand. Likewise, Zacharias asked Ginny for the waltz, to which she sweetly replied, "How could I refuse?"

The rest of the evening was spent as Ginny stomped on Zacharias's feet with as much venom as possible, with Draco and Hermione spinning effortlessly around the room, to the lullaby of the golden harp.