Notes from the Lady: Thanks to all you nice reviewers out there who took pity on me and my first muddlings with ff.net and its crazy uploading, re-loading, replacing, and whatnot… Also, Kat Maxwell- I agree that it's a bit stupid to require a number of reviews. I won't be doing so after the second chapter. However, since this is the first time I've done any of this, I simply wanted a bit of encouragement. Anyway, here's chapter 3!
Disclaimer: I am not J. K. Rowling, just a novice trying to express her gratitude through imitation… the sincerest form of flattery. * big grin *
Courting Ron- Chapter 3Hermione paused outside the door to the Great Hall's antechamber to compose herself. She ran a few fingers through her hair, still slightly frizzy after all these years. After taking a couple of deep breaths, she pushed open the door and was relieved to see all the teachers still standing around, casually chatting with one another.
She spotted Terry talking to Professor Flitwick, the Head of Ravenclaw. As she went to join them, she bumped into Professor Snape.
"Miss Granger," Snape sneered, "If you don't mind, I'd prefer not to be mowed down like a piece of grass."
Hermione, instead of arguing the point, just nodded and walked away. Terry, who had noticed Hermione coming over, rolled his eyes in Snape's direction and gave Hermione a sympathetic smile. Hermione returned the expression and went to speak. Just then, however, Dumbledore spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats so that we may come to order." He paused for a moment to let the noise die down. "Thank you. First of all, I'd like to welcome all of you back to another year at Hogwarts. I'm sure it will be quite enjoyable if we all work together peacefully." Dumbledore ignored the audible huff that came from Snape's general direction. "Also, I'd to welcome this year's Head Boy and Girl, Mr. Terry Boot and Miss Hermione Granger. Most of you have already had the pleasure of teaching these fine students; now you will be able to work with them. Due to heightened security measures, Mr. Boot and Ms. Granger will be given new responsibilities that their predecessors never received. I am asking that all of you notify them of any changes to your office passwords; one never knows if such knowledge will come in handy." He paused here, waiting for any outbursts or protests. After a glance at Snape, who remained surprisingly calm, he continued.
Half an hour later, Hermione sighed. Normally she wouldn't have minded spending so much time amongst her teachers, but she'd hardly had the chance to spend time with her friends since arriving at school the night before. Except for the first dinner and breakfast, she'd barely seen them at all. And to be quite honest, staff meetings were a bit boring. A bunch of teachers sitting around, either debating various rules or listening to one speak, wasn't a big thriller. The only "exciting" part was choosing the first passwords of the year—an event that took a total of fifteen minutes. Apparently, the staff wasn't too choosy when it came to odd phrases; "Roman holiday", "Spanish rain", and "dancing stars" quickly became prefect bathroom passwords.
Finally Dumbledore said, "I think that just about concludes our meeting. If anyone has any questions for me, I'll be in my office after lunch. The password is 'sugar frogs'. Now, to lunch!"
Hermione grinned. Now she could go and visit the rest of the Gryffindors. She had gathered her things and started for the door when Terry said, "Hey, Hermione, I think it would be a good idea if we meet later tonight to discuss schedules and prefect meetings and such."
"Sure, Terry. Let's say… eight o'clock in our common room? Great." With that, Hermione headed to lunch.
Ron greeted her with a grin and a hug. "Hey 'Mione! We never reckoned it would take so long for a staff meeting…"
Hermione glanced at him ruefully. " ' 'Mione?' Where did that come from? And to be quite honest, I didn't expect it to take so long either… Hey, did we get our schedules yet?"
"Yeah, Double Herbology with the Ravenclaws, Potions with the Slytherings (I think it's a conspiracy!), and Charms with the Hufflepuffs," Harry replied. "The rest is just standard."
"Hermione, did you do something to your hair? It looks different," Ron said.
Hermione blushed slightly. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing? No, I haven't really had the time to do anything with it… Been busy, you know."
Ron answered, "Oh. Well, it looks kinda nice, anyway." He blushed furiously before changing the subject to Quidditch.
Hermione quickly went into Ignoring Mode. Sports just wasn't her thing, especially those that involved flying. Instead, she focused on Ron. He'd greeted her with a hug… did he linger just a second longer than a normal friendly hug? And he'd flashed that million-watt grin of his, too. Then he complimented her hair… sort of. Add those actions to the glances she had noticed the night before and in Diagon Alley the week before, and she'd almost think he fancied her a bit.
Nah, Hermione, that's just your imagination. You want him to fancy you just because you fancy him.
Well, she mused, she had changed over the summer… slight tan, a little fuller, a little curvier. Her mum had bleached her teeth, too; not a blinding white color, but a soft, creamy white. And although she didn't wear makeup, except on very special occasions, Hermione thought she had relatively pretty features. She might not have been any Fleur Delacour, but she was attractive enough.
Idiot. You should use that to your advantage! You can make him fancy you, even if it's just a little bit.
She bit her lip. Did she really want make Ron like her?
You couldn't make him do anything he really didn't want to do… no Dark Arts for you. And, let's face it, he's a male. Males tend to be a bit slow in realizing what's right in front of their faces.
Hermione grinned slightly. She didn't have to wait around, wondering if she was interpreting Ron's signals correctly. No, she'd have control over the situation. She'd let him do the wondering.
Her grin turned into a smirk. She knew what she was going to do.
Hermione was going to court Ron!