A/N: Here's the next part! Thanks to all who reviewed although, I must say I might disappoint a few of them. This is based on my own experience, remember… heck, it's almost exactly my own experience. So I did have to change personalities a bit, sorry!
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Hermione twirled in front of the mirror and laughed. Her normally average looks had been transformed into something that, even Hermione could admit without being vain, was beautiful. Ginny was hurriedly fixing Hermione's hair, admonishing her as Hermione tried to admire herself. The guys would be ready and waiting in a few short minutes!
"There, finally! The last hairpin is in," Ginny commented, relieved, "Come on! Let's go!"
Hermione laughed again at her friend's impatience and followed her out the door and down the stairs. When they reached the common room, the guys were there, looking nervous yet happy. The other girls were there too. Dean and Lavender, Seamus and Parvati, the two couples, were looking perfectly content as usual. Beside them stood Colin Creevey, Ginny's date and Neville. Hermione mused on how much Colin had changed since his first years at Hogwarts. He was much less of a follower and the camera had long been packed away, only to be brought out for special occasions. Hermione supposed that yet another dance wasn't special enough.
Click. Never mind, Hermione thought. Dennis, Colin's younger brother, held the camera.
"Sheesh," whispered Parvati, under her breath, "Talk about passing on the tradition."
Hermione giggled.
Ten minutes and about a hundred pictures later, the group was on its way to the Great Hall.
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"Oooohhhhh," everyone gasped in unison as they entered the Hall. It had been decorated beautifully with red ribbons and tiny flying hearts. Hermione laughed as she thought of Gilderoy Lockhart; this Valentines Day dance would be a dream for him. All those female students admiring him.
Ginny came up next to her. "You're hyper tonight 'Mione! I don't think I've ever heard you laugh this much!" she exclaimed, and then lowered her voice, " At least, not for the last four months or so."
Hermione looked at her, surprised. Had it really been four months since the last dance, the last time she and Harry had been together? She had been having so much fun lately that she had lost track. But now that Ginny had brought it up… yes, there he was. Susan was on his arm, talking to Ron's date, a fifth year that Hermione didn't know.
Harry looked great. Hermione shifted uncomfortably as he noticed her group. He came striding over, with Susan and Ron in tow.
"Hey everyone," Harry greeted. Hermione furrowed her brow. She could tell he was avoiding eye contact with her. She shook herself. She must enjoy this evening! And she would, no matter how Harry acted!
Hermione turned to Neville and sweetly asked if he would care to dance.
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"Hermione… I have something to tell you," Ginny whispered during dinner one day.
"You don't have to whisper you know."
"Yes I do. Listen, this has been driving me nuts that I haven't told you yet but… well, I like Harry. A lot," she cringed, clearly expecting Hermione to blow up at her.
Instead, Hermione laughed, "Most girls do at one point."
"So, you're okay with it?"
"Why shouldn't I be? I mean, it's just a crush, you can't choose you who like."
"Yeah… not like anything's going to happen. I mean, two days after the dance Harry found out Susan doesn't like him as more than a friend. He's still getting over it."
Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Well, she's lucky to have that sense. He's not a very good boyfriend. Great friend, bad boyfriend. And that was only about two weeks ago."
Ginny laughed, "Yup, as much as I like him, you've told me enough for me to realize that Harry is definitely not an acceptable boyfriend."
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(A/N: The remaining part of this all takes place within a few days. Makes more sense that way.)
A few days later, Colin met up with Hermione after her Potions class.
"Hey Hermione, I guess you've heard?"
"Heard what?" she mumbled, while looking through her bag.
"Harry likes Ginny. They're going out now."
Hermione snapped her head up and dropped her bag, not even flinching at the loud thud it made on the stone floor. She turned visibly pale.
"Hermione?… Hermione?"
She swallowed and stooped to gather her things but found she was unable to do so. She was trembling.
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"Hermione? Please, talk to me!" Ginny pleaded.
Hermione whipped around to face her former best friend. She was seething. "Why should I talk to you? You've betrayed me!"
Ginny looked hurt, "Please, don't believe Colin. He's been telling everyone Harry and I are dating but it's not true! Yes, he likes me, but I wouldn't think of accepting a date before talking to you!"
Hermione took a deep breath. "If you want to go out with him, you can. It's a mistake, I'm not going to hide that I feel that way. I'm scared he'll hurt you like he did to me."
"I doubt if it'll last more than two weeks. But thank you 'Mione. I'll take it so slow. I'm not going to go out with him yet. I'll talk to you first, I promise! I won't let him hold my hand before you say it's okay!"
Hermione gave a shaky laugh, "That's not necessary."
"Yes it is. I don't want to lose my best friend over a guy. It's not worth it."
"I know," Hermione answered, smiling.
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"Hermione?"
She sighed. "What do you want Harry?"
"Um… I was thinking. I want to be friends with you again. I acted like a jerk I know and I don't expect you to accept me again but please… I mean, Ginny is your best friend and we'll probably be spending a lot of time together. It'd be nice if we were friends… No tension, you know?"
Hermione smiled. "This relationship with Ginny is worth that much to you?"
Harry blushed, "Yeah, kinda…"
She mock-sighed, "Fine…"
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A tear slid down Hermione's cheek. Despite the kindness she showed to Harry and Ginny, she was miserable with this. She had thought she was totally over Harry, but this wasn't so. As a result, Hermione was feeling extremely depressed. Everyone had noticed it. The worst part was that the person she normally went to was the problem.
She wiped the tear away and headed to the common room.
"Hermione? What's wrong?" Ginny looked concerned.
"Nothing…"
Harry came through the portrait hole and went upstairs after giving Ginny a kind look.
Ginny glanced at Hermione again and came to her realization. "Do you want me to not accept his offer for a date?"
Hermione felt anger build up. Ginny knew perfectly well that Hermione could not shout "YES! I want you two to not go out!" without serious repercussions on their relationship. Ginny would never forgive her.
"No… it's alright."
"Hermione… please… tell me truthfully. Now is the time, before I get attached to him. Do you still like him or something?"
"I don't know…" Hermione murmured, "I need to get to class…"
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Hermione trudged up the stairs. After this morning's unsuccessful conversation with Ginny, she really didn't want to deal with Transfiguration.
At the top of the stairs, Hermione gasped. Right in front of the classroom! How obvious could you get?!?!
Hermione passed by, trying not to look at Ginny and Harry while they kissed. Tears began to sting in Hermione's eyes.
Inside, she threw herself down on her chair. Ron came in with a distinctly disgusted look on his face. He saw Hermione and sat down next to her.
Hermione had her face buried in her hands when she felt a touch on her arm. She looked up. Ron gave her a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Hermione resisted the urge to add venom to the words.
"Everything. Harry and Ginny, and their actions but mostly for my own. I never should have ignored you."
"Why were you ignoring me?"
"Because… I was kinda the one that helped Harry decide to break up with you. It was just too uncomfortable to have your two best friends dating. But it was even worse when you two weren't talking. So, I'm sorry."
Hermione gave him a weak smile, "You probably did me a favor, Ron. I forgive you."
To be continued…
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A/N: So, that's it for now. I'm aware it's rather confused, but it's the way it should be. This is from Hermione's POV essentially and wouldn't you be confused if your best friend began to date your ex? I think there's only one part more though. Can Hermione sort through her feelings? Can she forgive Ginny? The next part will be fluffier – I promise! Now… R/R or you won't find out what happens to Hermione!