Not So Innocent VII

by CuteDiva



A/N: Last time, I accidentally uploaded chapter 5 twice, and that made it seem like there was a Chapter 7 but there really wasn't. A lot of people pointed it out, so, I'm sorry. Here's the REAL Chapter 7.



It was another traumatic DADA class. Harry, Ron and Hermione were rapidly writing notes on Medieval Dark Arts. It was two weeks into Hermione and Ron's concealed relationship, and things had gone from strange and unfamiliar to perfectly glorious. They had their spats now and then, and hiding their attraction was bound to get on their nerves, but they didn't let that spoil everything. There was still the sides of them that constantly bickered beyond reason, especially about Professor Delacour. As Fleur handed back their graded essays on famous primitive dark wizards and their downfalls, Ron grinned sheepishly at her, his eyes a bit glazed over. Hermione glared at him and kicked him in the shin. "It's rude to stare," she mouthed sarcastically. Ron put his head down in subtle apology, gazing at her happily out of the corner of his eye. Hermione bit her lip, smiling.



Once class was over, Harry, Ron and Hermione set off towards Transfiguration. Ron and Hermione then put into practice their now-routine plan.



"Oh, blimey!" Ron said suddenly as they were going out the door. "I'm out of parchment. I'm going to stop by the dormitory to get some more. I'll catch up with you, Harry."



"That reminds me. My Transfiguration notes are still in the common room. Save a seat for me in McGonagall's, all right, Harry?"



Ron and Hermione took separate routes so that Harry wouldn't be suspicious. They took different staircases to a hallway a few feet away from the common room entrance and the Fat Lady portrait.



"Is there anyone around?" Hermione asked in a hushed tone.



"No," Ron answered. He took Hermione's hand and smiled as Hermione slowly put her lips to his. After a few seconds, Ron lay is head on her shoulder, grazing her neck. Hermione closed her eyes.



"Ron?" she whispered. "When are we going to tell people about us?"



"Why tell?"



"Because I'm sick of hiding. I'm sick of lurking in the shadows, and lying. I feel so... captivated."



"If people knew, they'd poke fun."



"Well, to bloody larks with them!" Hermione said indignantly. Even though they were a couple, they were still Hermione and Ron. They had always had their fighty sides, and that wasn't about to change.



"Look, Hermi, I'm not ready to tell anyone. It's too premature. And besides, we're both new at the couple thing."



Hermione was about to object, but Ron kissed her lightly and breathed, "Don't worry. They'll know when the time's right." Hermione mentally punched herself for being so weak, but smiled. Ron always had a way of igniting her anger and then abruptly making her forget it. That was one of the things she loved most about him.



*****



It was late at night, and Ginny Weasley went out into the lake for a swim, like she always did when no one was around. She slid out of her bathrobe, which concealed her navy swimsuit, and dived into the water. It was freezing, just like Ginny liked it. The lake water drenched her red hair, and her snowy, freckled skin seemed to glow in the moonlight. She swam a short distance underwater, then came up for air, water splashing down her face.



At the same time, Harry had been awaken by a nightmare. He saw the Great Hall draped in black, like when Cedric Diggory had died, and Ron and Hermione hugging and crying. Suddenly, the scene reverted to a flash of green light and a cold laugh that was all too familiar. The last thing Harry saw in the dream, before he woke up with a searing pain in his scar, was his wand, dropping to the ground and snapping in two. Harry knew there was more to the dream, but he couldn't remember. In hopes of shaking the dream off, he set off outside to the lake for a dip. To cool off.



He walked outside towards the fields of Hogwarts grounds until he reached the cool waters. He heard nearby splashing, but since he was half-asleep, he thought little of it. He stripped down to his boxer shorts, took a deep breath, and jumped into the lake.



He swam a few feet, then stopped. He sank himself into the water up to the tip of his nose so that the water cooled his lips. Then he closed his eyes for a moment, when he suddenly heard a scream.



"HARRY!" she yelled. "Wh-what, what are you DOING here?"



It was Ginny. She was just a few feet away from him in the water, her eyes wide. Harry's eyes darted to her skimpy suit before he could stop himself. She was thin and short, with a flat stomach and a curvy waist. Her hair was drenched, with messy flecks framing her face. She realized how Harry was staring at her, then she sank deeper into the water, covering herself, or rather, the suit. Harry looked away.



"I just came for a swim," Harry said innocently.



"Well... you shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" she scolded, embarrassed.



"I didn't. But, um... I'm sorry."



There was a brief pause. Ginny sighed. "I should go back inside. If the girls in my dormitory realize I'm gone, they'll tell McGonagall, and she'll hang me."



"I should go back in, too."



Ginny swam to the shore and stepped onto the dry land, dripping in lake water. She searched for her bath robe, her back turned to Harry. She hadn't noticed that Harry had swam out as well, and had her robe in his hand.



"Yours?"



"Yes," Ginny said, grabbing the robe from him. She realized how rude she was being. She felt like Harry was drilling holes into her with his eyes, judging her body. Sure, she was kinda skinny and bony, a bit flat-chested. But she didn't want Harry realizing this. He must think I look so ugly, she thought, biting her lip. She surveyed Harry for a moment. He wasn't as twig-looking as a few years before. His frame was still thin, but he had a toned stomach and his shoulders had broadened. Ginny blushed furiously and mentally hit herself for looking at him that way, even though she had been doing it for four years now.



Harry draped the robe over her shoulders. Her hair smelled like strawberries and cream. Harry breathed it for a second, then halted. No, no, NO, Harry! he said to himself. This is Ginny Weasley, your best friend's kid sister. You're just imagining the attraction. You're half asleep.



They slowly walked back to Gryffindor Tower, not speaking and about a mile apart from

each other. Why the awkwardness? they both wondered. There was something between the lines, but they didn't know what. Maybe the night just made them drowsy, delusional. Whatever it was, Harry was tired and confused. He had far too much on his mind. He just wanted to sleep.

*******



Breakfast in the Great Hall the next day was a bit nerve-racking for Hermione and Ron, Ginny and Harry. Hermione and Ron ached to be open about their relationship, but held back. Ginny liked Harry, and thought Harry didn't want her. And Harry was just confused and cranky. He had Quidditch on the brain, and today Oliver was stopping by to see the team's progress without him. Wood was currently working at Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley and trying to break into the Quidditch league. Harry was preoccupied with the team being top-notch so Wood didn't attempt to kill him upon arrival.



Dumbledore, up in the High Table, tapped his glass with a spoon to make an announcement. "Attention," he said, in his firm yet ancient voice, "this year, for the first time, Hogwarts will have a Halloween Ball. It will take place on October 31st for 4th years and up, here in the Great Hall. It will be a formal event. Thank you."



Hermione and Ron looked at each other. The ball would be a chance for them to come out as an open couple for the first time. But were they ready for the challenge?



A/N: I think this chapter was a bit strange, to say the least. Thanks to a reviewer who suggested Hermione and Ron become an open couple at a Ball... I don't remember your name, but you know who you are. Suggestions? Comments? Basic wicked criticizing to brutally murder my self-esteem? Just click on the review button. It won't bite you (hard.)