For the Love of the Land
~I pledge my loyalty to Honor, Justice, and Hogwarts!
Part Eleven
"Ron! Ron, please! Ron, you have to calm down! Ron!" Hermione was pleading
desperately with Ron to leave Ginny alone, but she got the feeling that either
he wasn't listening, or he couldn't even hear her through the deafening drums of
his own rage.
"Traitor!" Ron screamed, using all of his will power not to hit Ginny, who
cowered. "Traitor! A Malfoy! Ginny, how could you! A MALFOY!"
Ron continued screaming like this for quite some time, not caring, or even
realizing, that the entire common room was watching.
"Ron, please," Ginny whispered, trying not to cry, "Ron, you don't understand.
You don't even know Draco-"
"DON'T KNOW HIM?!" Ron screamed. "Don't know him? Ginny, he's a MALFOY! He's evil, he's vile, he's..." Ron seemed to be at a loss, as if unable to describe
someone so hideous. Hermione was have a very hard time keeping her temper in
check. She knew Draco, trusted him, and was not happy to here Ron talking about
him like this.
"Ron, please!" Hermione said.
Harry had joined her and was holding the back of Ron's shirt.
"Ron, you have to calm down," Harry said softly.
Ron made an animal-like growl in response and turned back to Ginny, who was
taking ragged breaths but staring at her brother stubbornly.
"You're betraying your family, you little wench, and you'll regret it," Ron said
through clenched teeth.
He shook himself out of Harry's grasp, and Ginny watched him go.
Ginny flinched as Ron slammed the door with an unbelievable force.
It wasn't until then that she let her tears run over.
"Ginny-" Hermione began, but Ginny turned tail and fled upstairs to her
dormitory.
Hermione sighed, but didn't follow her. She got the feeling both the Weasleys
would want to be left alone.
She turned to Harry, who was watching the girl's staircase in a very strange
manner. He looked as though he wanted to hit something. His face was tight, his
fists were clenched to the point where he had white knuckles, and his eyes were
fiery.
"Harry?" Hermione said cautiously.
He said nothing. He turned quickly and stormed out of the common room.
Hermione sat down and put her head in her hands in frustration and confusion.
Now what? Should her loyalty lie with her two fellow Defenders, or with her best
friend and her boyfriend?
'Maybe I should write Aunt Charlotte,' she thought, but then she remembered.
Neville, who had been watching the scene, was now the only person watching
Hermione.
He was the only one to see her silent tears fall.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ron threw back his curtains and fell onto his bed with a whoosh. He put a hand
over his face and rubbed it a bit, as if he were trying to wake up. Then he
sighed and stared up and the canopy of his bed.
He was confused. He had always hated Malfoy. His whole family hated the Malfoy
clan. How could Ginny stab them in the back like this?
Ron knew what it was like to love someone. Hell, there was no other word for his
feelings for Hermione. And, as over-protective as he was, he could see why Ginny
wanted that.
But he didn't think Malfoy was capable of love.
Malfoy...Ron couldn't think of a word bad enough for him. He was playing with
his poor innocent baby sister's mind. She had no idea how the mind of boys
worked! And when he broke her heart, then she would be sorry. She would come
running to Ron for support. And Ron wouldn't let her down...because he would
make Malfoy sorry too.
Sighing with frustration, Ron closed his eyes.
Suddenly Ron was surrounded by a vision so intense that it blocked out all of
his other senses. He was watching Ginny, who was in the common room alone,
crying. And from her mixed babble and weeping, he could only understand two
words, 'Why Draco?' She wouldn't stop crying and just kept saying the same two
words over and over and over...
Ron opened his eyes and sighed with relief to see the canopy of his bed. If
Draco ever did that to his sister, he would die. He would die a long, slow, and
very painful death.
But until then he wasn't even going to acknowledge Ginny's presence. He didn't
have a little sister.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny punched her pillow a few times, and it made her feel better. Then she took
a small piece of parchment and charmed to be incense. She wrapped her hand
around the edge, and when she removed it there was a small fire burning, and the
smoke it produced had a very therapeutic smell. Ginny had quickly discovered
that fire came easier to her when she was angry.
She sank down into the window seat, and stared down at the perfect green lawn of
Hogwarts.
Why couldn't Ron understand? Why *wouldn't* he, rather. She loved Draco. So what
if he was a Malfoy and a Slytherin? So? Ginny didn't understand why that
mattered.
And she was not betraying her family, no matter what Ron said. She may be
betraying him, but not Mum or Dad or Percy. What had Draco ever done to anyone
in her family but Ron? It was only his little personal grudge. Why should she
let it affect her life?
But, if all that was true, why did she feel so guilty?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry stormed blindly through the intricate maze of the corridors of Hogwarts,
paying no attention to where he was going. Eventually he ran into a dead hall,
and at the end he found deserted classroom. He went inside and promptly
collapsed onto the floor, his head drooping.
Malfoy had Ginny. Draco Malfoy, Harry's archenemy, who had tormented him for so
many years, had kissed the girl Harry liked. The image of them kissing in
Harry's mind was haunting him and it refused to relent.
WHY? Malfoy was evil! His father was a Death Eater, and from what Harry
understood, he was too! He lived off other's torment and had everything from
wealth to power to influence...to Ginny.
Damn him! Ginny deserved so much better than the arrogant son of a Death Eater.
He would never treat her right.
He would never treat her that way Harry would.
'What did I do wrong, that he did right?' Harry thought.
Harry saved the world and sacrificed for others and all those other things that
people were supposed to do. Malfoy did none. Why should he have the Ginny's
love?
Did Harry have to sacrifice Ginny too?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So, the week passed. Ron wasn't even acknowledging Ginny's presence, and
Harry was avoiding her at all costs. Hermione was not at all surprised at Ron's
behavior, but shocked at Harry's. However, she managed to remain neutral, much
to her relief. Ginny hadn't asked her to take sides, and Ron was pretending
Ginny wasn't there.
This, of course, did nothing to help Ron's case, because in that week Draco and
Ginny grew incredibly close. Now that the entire school knew of their
relationship, they didn't have to hide it. Ginny had taken to eating to the
Slytherin table.
Luna had feared that this would cause some uneasiness between the Defenders, but
it did just the opposite. It seemed that Neville, Cho, and Hermione supported
Draco and Ginny's relationship, and it brought the five of them closer than
ever.
And so it was a very happy Luna that was adding the final touches to her hair
Saturday evening. Classes were great, the Defenders were coming along rapidly,
and she had a date with Sirius Black. What could be better?
Sirius was sitting at a secluded table at the Three Broomsticks, sipping a glass
of mead. Of course, the table hadn't been secluded before, but as soon as Sirius
had sat down, it seemed that everyone in the near vicinity had had some reason
or another to move to another table or leave entirely. However, they couldn't
kick him out...every one of them knew that he had been proven innocent, they
just didn't believe it.
Sirius sighed; it was good to be free. He could sit back, relax, and not have a
care in the world. Nothing could affect him.
That is, until Luna walked in the door.
She was beautiful. She had on a short black skirt that showed off her legs, and
a silky blue blouse that held just right for her thin frame. She was wearing
complicated sandals, even though it was November, and she was smiling nervously.
Sirius jumped up.
"L...L...Luna?" He said, looking her over. She laughed.
"Have you always been this articulate, or is my memory failing me?" she asked.
"I think it's a new thing for me," Sirius replied.
Whoa, it had been a long time since he had been out in public with a girl. He
motioned for Madame Rosmerta to bring mead, which she brought quickly,
and then left as soon as possible. Luna laughed.
"Still not rather fond of you down here, eh?" Luna asked. Sirius grinned.
"I'm sorry, m'dear, but I'm rather unpopular now." he replied. Luna sighed.
"You know, I don't date guys who aren't popular," She said flirtatiously. 'Oh my
God,' she thought, 'I'm being flirtatious? How old am I again?'
"Well, Harry likes me, and he's famous, so is that popular enough?" he asked.
"Maybe, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" she replied, winking.
They laughed and sipped their drinks, forgetting that they were a day older than
seventeen.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione sighed heavily. She only had two more nights to study for her test in
Transfiguration on Thursday, and she was extremely worried about it. Usually, though Hermione went on and on about studying, she felt confident. However,
Hermione was feeling rather uneasy about this one. Luna had been training the
Defenders hard, and she was finding less and less time for homework and
studying.
Therefore, as the boys sat playing chess, she had her nosed buried in 'Advanced
Transfiguration'. They were arguing about something concerning Quidditch fouls.
Hermione was completely oblivious to all this until she got the uneasy feeling
that eyes were watching her.
Looking up from her book and around the room, she saw Ginny Weasley giving her a
look that just shouted for help. Without thinking, Hermione set the book down and
strode over to where Ginny was sitting.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked of the younger girl.
"What isn't?" Ginny replied sarcastically.
She had been picking up a lot of sarcasm since she had started dating Draco. She
sighed.
"Hermione...I'm just not sure about this. I mean, I love Draco, but Ron's family
and..."
"Ginny, hold it right there," Hermione commanded, "If you are considering
leaving Draco just because Ron wants to throw a little hissy fit, you need to
stop right now."
"I wasn't going to leave Draco!" Ginny replied, looking absolutely appalled that
Hermione had even mentioned such a thing. "It just that, well...do you think
there's any way I could make amends with Ron?" She was looking at Hermione
hopefully, and Hermione only sighed, looking over at him.
"Well Ginny, I don't know," she replied honestly, "Ron's pretty mad, you know
how he gets, but he'll get over it, don't worry."
"And another thing," Ginny said quickly, as if afraid that Hermione was going to
leave. "Why is Harry avoiding me?" Hermione frowned.
"I don't know, Gin," she answered, "I've been trying to figure that out myself."
"Oh, well, as long as I wasn't imagining it," Ginny mumbled.
"Well, if that's all I have to study for Transfiguration," Hermione said, and
Ginny nodded.
Hermione stood and started walking back to her book. However, as she passed the
boy's table and noticed that they were done playing chess, she couldn't help but
stop.
"Hermione!" Ron said, smiling up at her in that way that made her heart melt.
"Finally pull your nose out of that book?"
"Maybe," Hermione grinned, "But I think I'm going back to it now."
"Oh no you don't!" Ron said, wrapping his hand around her wrist and pulling her
down onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist so she couldn't stand
up.
"Ron!" Hermione objected, trying to squirm out of his grasp. He just laughed.
Hermione eventually gave up, and began laughing herself.
"If I fail the Transfiguration test, it's entirely your fault, you know that,
right?" she said, smiling at him. He rolled his eyes.
"Quit worrying and relax!" Ron said.
Hermione leaned her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She
wondered when the last time was that she really just let herself relax.
She opened her eyes and looked over at Harry, whom she had almost forgotten was
even there. He was looking at her in a very odd manner, with a small, sad
looking half smile on his face. Hermione wondered if he was jealous. Ron didn't
seem to notice Harry's peculiar expression. He was playing with Hermione's hair,
tugging gently on the ends. Hermione, at that moment, was completely happy. She
looked around the room, and her eyes fell on Ginny, was staring at the three of
them.
Suddenly, Hermione felt an overwhelming rush of guilt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione need not of worried about her Transfiguration test, as it turned out to
be much easier than she had thought it would be. However, she was refusing to
let herself rely on that.
She sat between Ron and Harry at lunch, as usual. The three of them were
excitedly discussing the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione and Ron were both
planning on doing some Christmas shopping, thought neither one said
anything.
"I heard Honeydukes is coming out with a new candy!" Ron said excitedly.
"Only you could get so excited over a new candy," Hermione replied, rolling her
eyes.
"A new candy? Where?" Neville said, leaning over. Ron and Harry started
laughing, and Hermione made a face.
"Well I think-"
"Attention!" Dumbledore said, standing up. He had just entered the Hall from a
meeting with the heads of houses and the Head boy and girl. He looked very
grave.
"The Hogsmeade weekend has been cancelled."
Dumbledore was met with several shouts of protest to this statement. Several
boos came up from the tables. Dumbledore held up a hand, and they were quieted.
"Many of you here knew Angelina Johnson. She was working at Zonko's after
graduation. She was been murdered."
Dumbledore was met with silent shock
A/N: Guess what guys? It's Star*dust! Isn't that just your worst fear? Anyway, Harmony asked me at school today to put up this notice cuz she can't. She won't be updating for three weeks guys!
Doesn't that suck? But, don't kill her. Her f***ed up computer is the one to blame. She has no internet access anymore, except on the weekends so that limits the time when she can update.
However, this weekend she has some church thing; don't ask me, I'm just the messenger. And then she has spring break, when she's going to Disney World with the band. (Thank you God, I'm not going) So, she won't be able to get on the internet for three weeks.
(It's killing her as much as it's killing you)
But anyway, I basically have free reign over her stuff right now. Don't you feel privileged?
She also wanted me to tell you that she is cutting out a chapter. Well, she's not cutting it out; she's just combining it with another chapter. But, yeah, I'm sure you just HAD to know that, right? Well, I don't know maybe you did…
Anyway, I think that takes care of all the stuff I was supposed to tell you.
By the way, don't you guys like this story. The plot-line is really cool. Though I haven't actually read it, this girl's got a mouth on her like the size of Indiana so I hear all about it. And, I know how it ends and stuff. She's starting to plan for the sequel too people, so don't go away just yet.
OH! I want to be an annoying little brat and take full advantage of this opportunity and of you to say that you all should read The Last Laugh. Ask Harmony, she loves my story, don't you.
She's actually claiming rights to the sequel and we're writing a joint fic which is the sequel to the sequel, but anyway, I guess you didn't need to know that. Just thought I'd throw that out there because I want to make Harmony mad by writing forever and ever right in the middle of her story.
Hey, it could be worse, I could be writing right in the middle of the text.
Anyway, I think I am finally done annoying Harmony and all the rest of you poor unsuspecting souls.
See you later!
~Star*dust (But, I'm speaking for Harmony… some of time…)
~I pledge my loyalty to Honor, Justice, and Hogwarts!
Part Eleven
"Ron! Ron, please! Ron, you have to calm down! Ron!" Hermione was pleading
desperately with Ron to leave Ginny alone, but she got the feeling that either
he wasn't listening, or he couldn't even hear her through the deafening drums of
his own rage.
"Traitor!" Ron screamed, using all of his will power not to hit Ginny, who
cowered. "Traitor! A Malfoy! Ginny, how could you! A MALFOY!"
Ron continued screaming like this for quite some time, not caring, or even
realizing, that the entire common room was watching.
"Ron, please," Ginny whispered, trying not to cry, "Ron, you don't understand.
You don't even know Draco-"
"DON'T KNOW HIM?!" Ron screamed. "Don't know him? Ginny, he's a MALFOY! He's evil, he's vile, he's..." Ron seemed to be at a loss, as if unable to describe
someone so hideous. Hermione was have a very hard time keeping her temper in
check. She knew Draco, trusted him, and was not happy to here Ron talking about
him like this.
"Ron, please!" Hermione said.
Harry had joined her and was holding the back of Ron's shirt.
"Ron, you have to calm down," Harry said softly.
Ron made an animal-like growl in response and turned back to Ginny, who was
taking ragged breaths but staring at her brother stubbornly.
"You're betraying your family, you little wench, and you'll regret it," Ron said
through clenched teeth.
He shook himself out of Harry's grasp, and Ginny watched him go.
Ginny flinched as Ron slammed the door with an unbelievable force.
It wasn't until then that she let her tears run over.
"Ginny-" Hermione began, but Ginny turned tail and fled upstairs to her
dormitory.
Hermione sighed, but didn't follow her. She got the feeling both the Weasleys
would want to be left alone.
She turned to Harry, who was watching the girl's staircase in a very strange
manner. He looked as though he wanted to hit something. His face was tight, his
fists were clenched to the point where he had white knuckles, and his eyes were
fiery.
"Harry?" Hermione said cautiously.
He said nothing. He turned quickly and stormed out of the common room.
Hermione sat down and put her head in her hands in frustration and confusion.
Now what? Should her loyalty lie with her two fellow Defenders, or with her best
friend and her boyfriend?
'Maybe I should write Aunt Charlotte,' she thought, but then she remembered.
Neville, who had been watching the scene, was now the only person watching
Hermione.
He was the only one to see her silent tears fall.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ron threw back his curtains and fell onto his bed with a whoosh. He put a hand
over his face and rubbed it a bit, as if he were trying to wake up. Then he
sighed and stared up and the canopy of his bed.
He was confused. He had always hated Malfoy. His whole family hated the Malfoy
clan. How could Ginny stab them in the back like this?
Ron knew what it was like to love someone. Hell, there was no other word for his
feelings for Hermione. And, as over-protective as he was, he could see why Ginny
wanted that.
But he didn't think Malfoy was capable of love.
Malfoy...Ron couldn't think of a word bad enough for him. He was playing with
his poor innocent baby sister's mind. She had no idea how the mind of boys
worked! And when he broke her heart, then she would be sorry. She would come
running to Ron for support. And Ron wouldn't let her down...because he would
make Malfoy sorry too.
Sighing with frustration, Ron closed his eyes.
Suddenly Ron was surrounded by a vision so intense that it blocked out all of
his other senses. He was watching Ginny, who was in the common room alone,
crying. And from her mixed babble and weeping, he could only understand two
words, 'Why Draco?' She wouldn't stop crying and just kept saying the same two
words over and over and over...
Ron opened his eyes and sighed with relief to see the canopy of his bed. If
Draco ever did that to his sister, he would die. He would die a long, slow, and
very painful death.
But until then he wasn't even going to acknowledge Ginny's presence. He didn't
have a little sister.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny punched her pillow a few times, and it made her feel better. Then she took
a small piece of parchment and charmed to be incense. She wrapped her hand
around the edge, and when she removed it there was a small fire burning, and the
smoke it produced had a very therapeutic smell. Ginny had quickly discovered
that fire came easier to her when she was angry.
She sank down into the window seat, and stared down at the perfect green lawn of
Hogwarts.
Why couldn't Ron understand? Why *wouldn't* he, rather. She loved Draco. So what
if he was a Malfoy and a Slytherin? So? Ginny didn't understand why that
mattered.
And she was not betraying her family, no matter what Ron said. She may be
betraying him, but not Mum or Dad or Percy. What had Draco ever done to anyone
in her family but Ron? It was only his little personal grudge. Why should she
let it affect her life?
But, if all that was true, why did she feel so guilty?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry stormed blindly through the intricate maze of the corridors of Hogwarts,
paying no attention to where he was going. Eventually he ran into a dead hall,
and at the end he found deserted classroom. He went inside and promptly
collapsed onto the floor, his head drooping.
Malfoy had Ginny. Draco Malfoy, Harry's archenemy, who had tormented him for so
many years, had kissed the girl Harry liked. The image of them kissing in
Harry's mind was haunting him and it refused to relent.
WHY? Malfoy was evil! His father was a Death Eater, and from what Harry
understood, he was too! He lived off other's torment and had everything from
wealth to power to influence...to Ginny.
Damn him! Ginny deserved so much better than the arrogant son of a Death Eater.
He would never treat her right.
He would never treat her that way Harry would.
'What did I do wrong, that he did right?' Harry thought.
Harry saved the world and sacrificed for others and all those other things that
people were supposed to do. Malfoy did none. Why should he have the Ginny's
love?
Did Harry have to sacrifice Ginny too?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So, the week passed. Ron wasn't even acknowledging Ginny's presence, and
Harry was avoiding her at all costs. Hermione was not at all surprised at Ron's
behavior, but shocked at Harry's. However, she managed to remain neutral, much
to her relief. Ginny hadn't asked her to take sides, and Ron was pretending
Ginny wasn't there.
This, of course, did nothing to help Ron's case, because in that week Draco and
Ginny grew incredibly close. Now that the entire school knew of their
relationship, they didn't have to hide it. Ginny had taken to eating to the
Slytherin table.
Luna had feared that this would cause some uneasiness between the Defenders, but
it did just the opposite. It seemed that Neville, Cho, and Hermione supported
Draco and Ginny's relationship, and it brought the five of them closer than
ever.
And so it was a very happy Luna that was adding the final touches to her hair
Saturday evening. Classes were great, the Defenders were coming along rapidly,
and she had a date with Sirius Black. What could be better?
Sirius was sitting at a secluded table at the Three Broomsticks, sipping a glass
of mead. Of course, the table hadn't been secluded before, but as soon as Sirius
had sat down, it seemed that everyone in the near vicinity had had some reason
or another to move to another table or leave entirely. However, they couldn't
kick him out...every one of them knew that he had been proven innocent, they
just didn't believe it.
Sirius sighed; it was good to be free. He could sit back, relax, and not have a
care in the world. Nothing could affect him.
That is, until Luna walked in the door.
She was beautiful. She had on a short black skirt that showed off her legs, and
a silky blue blouse that held just right for her thin frame. She was wearing
complicated sandals, even though it was November, and she was smiling nervously.
Sirius jumped up.
"L...L...Luna?" He said, looking her over. She laughed.
"Have you always been this articulate, or is my memory failing me?" she asked.
"I think it's a new thing for me," Sirius replied.
Whoa, it had been a long time since he had been out in public with a girl. He
motioned for Madame Rosmerta to bring mead, which she brought quickly,
and then left as soon as possible. Luna laughed.
"Still not rather fond of you down here, eh?" Luna asked. Sirius grinned.
"I'm sorry, m'dear, but I'm rather unpopular now." he replied. Luna sighed.
"You know, I don't date guys who aren't popular," She said flirtatiously. 'Oh my
God,' she thought, 'I'm being flirtatious? How old am I again?'
"Well, Harry likes me, and he's famous, so is that popular enough?" he asked.
"Maybe, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" she replied, winking.
They laughed and sipped their drinks, forgetting that they were a day older than
seventeen.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione sighed heavily. She only had two more nights to study for her test in
Transfiguration on Thursday, and she was extremely worried about it. Usually, though Hermione went on and on about studying, she felt confident. However,
Hermione was feeling rather uneasy about this one. Luna had been training the
Defenders hard, and she was finding less and less time for homework and
studying.
Therefore, as the boys sat playing chess, she had her nosed buried in 'Advanced
Transfiguration'. They were arguing about something concerning Quidditch fouls.
Hermione was completely oblivious to all this until she got the uneasy feeling
that eyes were watching her.
Looking up from her book and around the room, she saw Ginny Weasley giving her a
look that just shouted for help. Without thinking, Hermione set the book down and
strode over to where Ginny was sitting.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked of the younger girl.
"What isn't?" Ginny replied sarcastically.
She had been picking up a lot of sarcasm since she had started dating Draco. She
sighed.
"Hermione...I'm just not sure about this. I mean, I love Draco, but Ron's family
and..."
"Ginny, hold it right there," Hermione commanded, "If you are considering
leaving Draco just because Ron wants to throw a little hissy fit, you need to
stop right now."
"I wasn't going to leave Draco!" Ginny replied, looking absolutely appalled that
Hermione had even mentioned such a thing. "It just that, well...do you think
there's any way I could make amends with Ron?" She was looking at Hermione
hopefully, and Hermione only sighed, looking over at him.
"Well Ginny, I don't know," she replied honestly, "Ron's pretty mad, you know
how he gets, but he'll get over it, don't worry."
"And another thing," Ginny said quickly, as if afraid that Hermione was going to
leave. "Why is Harry avoiding me?" Hermione frowned.
"I don't know, Gin," she answered, "I've been trying to figure that out myself."
"Oh, well, as long as I wasn't imagining it," Ginny mumbled.
"Well, if that's all I have to study for Transfiguration," Hermione said, and
Ginny nodded.
Hermione stood and started walking back to her book. However, as she passed the
boy's table and noticed that they were done playing chess, she couldn't help but
stop.
"Hermione!" Ron said, smiling up at her in that way that made her heart melt.
"Finally pull your nose out of that book?"
"Maybe," Hermione grinned, "But I think I'm going back to it now."
"Oh no you don't!" Ron said, wrapping his hand around her wrist and pulling her
down onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist so she couldn't stand
up.
"Ron!" Hermione objected, trying to squirm out of his grasp. He just laughed.
Hermione eventually gave up, and began laughing herself.
"If I fail the Transfiguration test, it's entirely your fault, you know that,
right?" she said, smiling at him. He rolled his eyes.
"Quit worrying and relax!" Ron said.
Hermione leaned her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She
wondered when the last time was that she really just let herself relax.
She opened her eyes and looked over at Harry, whom she had almost forgotten was
even there. He was looking at her in a very odd manner, with a small, sad
looking half smile on his face. Hermione wondered if he was jealous. Ron didn't
seem to notice Harry's peculiar expression. He was playing with Hermione's hair,
tugging gently on the ends. Hermione, at that moment, was completely happy. She
looked around the room, and her eyes fell on Ginny, was staring at the three of
them.
Suddenly, Hermione felt an overwhelming rush of guilt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione need not of worried about her Transfiguration test, as it turned out to
be much easier than she had thought it would be. However, she was refusing to
let herself rely on that.
She sat between Ron and Harry at lunch, as usual. The three of them were
excitedly discussing the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione and Ron were both
planning on doing some Christmas shopping, thought neither one said
anything.
"I heard Honeydukes is coming out with a new candy!" Ron said excitedly.
"Only you could get so excited over a new candy," Hermione replied, rolling her
eyes.
"A new candy? Where?" Neville said, leaning over. Ron and Harry started
laughing, and Hermione made a face.
"Well I think-"
"Attention!" Dumbledore said, standing up. He had just entered the Hall from a
meeting with the heads of houses and the Head boy and girl. He looked very
grave.
"The Hogsmeade weekend has been cancelled."
Dumbledore was met with several shouts of protest to this statement. Several
boos came up from the tables. Dumbledore held up a hand, and they were quieted.
"Many of you here knew Angelina Johnson. She was working at Zonko's after
graduation. She was been murdered."
Dumbledore was met with silent shock
A/N: Guess what guys? It's Star*dust! Isn't that just your worst fear? Anyway, Harmony asked me at school today to put up this notice cuz she can't. She won't be updating for three weeks guys!
Doesn't that suck? But, don't kill her. Her f***ed up computer is the one to blame. She has no internet access anymore, except on the weekends so that limits the time when she can update.
However, this weekend she has some church thing; don't ask me, I'm just the messenger. And then she has spring break, when she's going to Disney World with the band. (Thank you God, I'm not going) So, she won't be able to get on the internet for three weeks.
(It's killing her as much as it's killing you)
But anyway, I basically have free reign over her stuff right now. Don't you feel privileged?
She also wanted me to tell you that she is cutting out a chapter. Well, she's not cutting it out; she's just combining it with another chapter. But, yeah, I'm sure you just HAD to know that, right? Well, I don't know maybe you did…
Anyway, I think that takes care of all the stuff I was supposed to tell you.
By the way, don't you guys like this story. The plot-line is really cool. Though I haven't actually read it, this girl's got a mouth on her like the size of Indiana so I hear all about it. And, I know how it ends and stuff. She's starting to plan for the sequel too people, so don't go away just yet.
OH! I want to be an annoying little brat and take full advantage of this opportunity and of you to say that you all should read The Last Laugh. Ask Harmony, she loves my story, don't you.
She's actually claiming rights to the sequel and we're writing a joint fic which is the sequel to the sequel, but anyway, I guess you didn't need to know that. Just thought I'd throw that out there because I want to make Harmony mad by writing forever and ever right in the middle of her story.
Hey, it could be worse, I could be writing right in the middle of the text.
Anyway, I think I am finally done annoying Harmony and all the rest of you poor unsuspecting souls.
See you later!
~Star*dust (But, I'm speaking for Harmony… some of time…)