Disclaimer: I still do not claim any ownership whatsoever on the characters used in this story. If I did, I would be the happiest person in the world.
Author's Note: Wow…thanks for the great reviews, you guys! I'm glad that people enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. That previous chapter was a bit difficult to write because I had a major writer's block for about an hour and a half. I'm glad I actually whipped something up! Anyhow, here's the ninth chapter of the story. Hopefully you guys will be happy with this one. And I apologize in advance if you guys don't like this chapter. I think all stories have one chapter that the reader really doesn't agree with, and I think this chapter might be it. Well, hope you will all review this once you're done reading it. Enjoy!
Chapter Nine: A Forgotten Question
Harry and Ron walked down the path towards Hogsmeade, each not saying a word to each other. Ron, in all honesty, was too tired from the detention last night to be in a talkative mood. Harry completely understood this, and knew that engaging Ron in a conversation really isn't the best thing to do at the moment. They continued walking quietly, every now and then passing a townsfolk or a Hogwarts student. Ron finally decided to speak up when the pair reached the outskirts of the town. "So, where do you want to go?"
"Can we go to Honeydukes? I wanted to buy something for your sister," replied Harry, hoping against hope that Ron wouldn't tease him about this – or worse – get mad at him for buying Ginny a present. But it seemed Ron was still a bit tired, or had a lot in his mind, because all he said in reply was a weak grunt.
Is he alright? Thought Harry, giving his friend a quizzical look.
The two boys entered the sweet shop, loud chattering welcoming them inside, where a number of students from Hogwarts were busy looking at the various sweets lined up in shelves and stacked up on tables. Harry squeezed through the many students sampling the candies excitedly, Ron right behind him. He walked through the aisles, trying to find the perfect present for his date. He gave a small "aha!" after the two reached an aisle with shelves stacked with chocolates in various shapes and sizes: Chocolates for Special Occasions. The two boys perused through the shelves (Ron seemed to have woken up after seeing all the chocolate in front of him), amazed at the amount of detail each chocolate had. After a few minutes, Harry decided to buy a box of chocolate roses, which astonished him, as each stalk smelled like a real rose, but tasted like chocolate.
"Let's go," said Harry, taking the bag from the owner and walking out of the shop. Upon stepping out onto the street, he saw two familiar people walking a few feet in front of them. "Ginny! Hermione!"
The two girls turned their heads, waving at Harry. They walked to the two boys, Hermione nervous at the sight of Ron, who was looking away from the two girls.
"Where are you two headed?" asked Harry, giving them both a smile.
"We were just headed to the Three Broomsticks," replied Ginny. "Neither one of us really need anything for the ball, and we both didn't want to stay at the castle, so we decided to come down here and just talk. Say, would you like to come with us?"
"Sure. We'd lo—"
"Actually Harry, can we go to Zonko's first?" interjected Ron, grabbing a hold of Harry's arm. "I need to buy something…"
"Umm…sure, Ron. We'll just meet you two there. Is that alright?"
"Of course," said Ginny, giving her brother a weird look and Harry a smile. "We'll save you guys seats."
Harry nodded, following Ron, who was already a few feet away from the two girls. Hermione eyed him apprehensively, thinking about the happenings of last night. She was shaken out of her thoughts, however, when Ginny nudged her in the shoulder. "Hermione? Are you alright? You were a bit spaced out there. Let's go."
"Right. Sorry," she said, blushing a bit. The two girls entered the bar, looking around for an empty table, finally finding one at the back of the pub. They ordered two butterbeers for themselves and two extra bottles for the boys.
"Ron didn't look too well, didn't he? I wonder what's wrong with him?" said Ginny with concern. "He's usually more lively on Hogsmeade weekends."
"He's probably just tired from all the cleaning we had to do last night," replied Hermione, giving a fond smile and taking a sip of her drink.
"Oh yeah. I forgot you two had detention last night. So, anything interesting happen?"
Hermione choked into her tankard, her cheeks slowly flushing red. She set the heavy glass on the table quietly, trying to look as casual as possible. "No. Nothing interesting happened last night."
Ginny smiled inwardly. "For the cleverest witch in her year, you are a horrible liar, Hermione. Now come on. I promise I won't make fun of you or anything."
"Alright…" sighed Hermione. She told the redhead the events during the detention: her and Ron touching hands; her and Ron exchanging looks; and her and Ron almost sharing a kiss. She even told Ginny about the uncharacteristic peck on the cheek she gave Ron…
~~*~~~*~~
"Well I'll be damned! You can talk!" said Harry in an amused tone. "For a minute there I thought something happened last night that caused you to act a bit odd today. So, what did you need at Zonko's?"
"Actually, I don't want to go to Zonko's. I wanted to talk to you," said Ron, pulling Harry towards a bench in front of the Owl Post Office. "I've decided to ask Hermione to the ball today."
"Well, it's about time!" exclaimed Harry with a roll of his eyes. "So, are you going to ask her in front of Ginny and I?"
"No, you prat!" said Ron, giving his friend an annoyed look. "You're going to take my sister to another table while I ask Hermione. Don't forget: I wasn't around when you asked my sister to the ball. So you owe me!"
"Fine, fine," sighed Harry, as the two stood up, walking towards the Three Broomsticks. "But why the sudden urge to ask her? Yesterday, you were saying it would be too awkward if you asked her too soon." A mischievous smile spread across his face. "Did something happen last night that you're trying to withhold from me?"
"Yeah. I almost kissed her, alright?!" replied Ron, looking straight ahead. "But it didn't happen because that bloody cat ruined the moment. I could've asked her then!"
The two boys spent the rest of the walk in silence, finally arriving at the busy Three Broomsticks. Ron scanned the crowd for Ginny and Hermione, finding the two talking at a table near the back of the room. Ginny had her mouth slightly open in shock, listening raptly to Hermione, whose fave resembled a tomato. I guess Ginny knows about last night.
"Here we go," he sighed, walking briskly towards the chatting girls.
"Hello girls!" greeted Harry from behind Ron. "Hey Ginny, can I speak to you for a minute?"
"Of course," replied Ginny, following Harry to an unoccupied table on the other side of the room. She looked back at the previous table she had occupied, where Ron had now takes her seat and was giving Hermione an uncomfortable smile. "So Harry, what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Ginny sitting across the boy.
"Actually, Ron wanted me to take you to a different table," explained Harry. "He wanted to be alone with Hermione."
"Why is that?"
"Because the git finally plucked up the courage to ask her to the ball."
"Oh…" said Ginny with a smile, looking at the pair with amusement. Her attention shifted, however, when she heard the doors into the pub open. "Oh no…" Ginny gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
"What?"
~~*~~~*~~
"Listen Hermione: we need to talk," said Ron, occupying the seat his sister had just vacated. He looked at Hermione, who was still a bit red, and gave her an uncomfortable smile. "That was a bit blunt, wasn't it?"
"Yes, a bit…" giggled Hermione.
"Well listen, about last night," began Ron, running a hand through his hair. Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but Ron held his hand up to silence the girl. "Wait. Before you say anything, I just wanted to let you know that if something had happened last night – and I know you know what I'm talking about – I wouldn't have regretted a single thing."
He cleared his throat. "You're an extremely nice person, Hermione. And…I should've asked you this a long time ago…"
Hermione cocked her head to the side (ignoring the people who had just entered the pub), wondering what Ron was talking about.
"I would really, really lo—"
"Hermione!"
The two friends looked up, Hermione with a confused expression and Ron with an annoyed look, to see Neville Longbottom walking towards them with a smile.
"Hello Neville," smiled Hermione.
"Hello! Listen Hermione, I just wanted to thank you again for agreeing to accompany me to the ball!" said Neville, a huge grin on his face. "I'm sure we'll have fun and I'll try not to step on your toes too much! Well, see you later!"
Hermione waved goodbye, a friendly smile plastered on her face.
"You're going with Neville?!" exclaimed Ron, his mouth wide in shock.
"Yes."
"Wh—when did he ask you?" inquired Ron, his eyes wide as saucers, his voice a mixture of anger and disappointment.
"Remember yesterday? When I told you to meet me at the Great Hall because I wanted to drop my books off? Well, he asked me right when I came back to the common room from my dormitory," explained Hermione quietly. "He said he hasn't asked anyone else. I didn't want him to feel awful, so I said yes."
Ron gave a grunt.
"Ron, weren't you about to ask me something?"
"I—I've forgotten what I wanted to ask you…"
"Oh. Well, once you remember what it is, then ask me, alright? Shall we join Harry and Ginny then?" asked Hermione, motioning towards the two.
Ron gave another grunt, stood up, and walked towards Harry and Ginny, not saying a single word.
~~**~~~**~~
*Gets pelted with various fruits and vegetables*
I know…I know…You guys are mad at me because Hermione's not going to the ball with Ron. And it's alright if you want to voice that out through the reviews. I can take it…I think. I know some of you are getting impatient with this story, and I apologize. But trust me, things will work out in the end. After all, patience is a cherished virtue, right? Besides, it's almost done, so hold on to your hats, folks, and things will get better. Did I make any sense there at all? I think midterm jitters are starting to get to me…By the way, please forgive me in advance if I do not update the next chapter soon. I have midterms this whole week, so pray for me! Well, thanks for reading this story. God bless!
~~:azaleafaye:~~