A/N: Here is Chapter 7! I have had questions that I need to answer before I get along with the story so here goes. You, the readers, will find out what Malfoy really said to Harry to make him so mad. You will find out what happens to Cho as well as Malfoy, after, of course, Harry and Hermione "Talk". Am I leaving anything else out? I got many funny reviews that I just started laughing so hard! It seems a lot of you want Cho to die a slow and painful death. Good thing she's not really like this in the books! Anyway, that's it! On to Chapter 7! By the way, this chapter is way short! Read the bottom note for the reason!
Chapter 7: Where there's a Will, there's a Way.
Hermione drew in her breath, as if expecting an explosion of emotion from either of them after she finished. Harry looked a little stunned but more embarrassed. He had his hand holding up his chin as a pensive expression deepened on his face. Every so often, he would open his mouth as if to say something, but then would close it and shake his head. Finally, he looked Hermione in the eyes.
"I know that I have been a really big git, but hear me out now." Harry started as he pushed a hand through his mussed hair." Okay, Draco told me that you had been 'playing the field', for lack of a better phrase. I didn't believe him at first, thinking that he was just being his normal self and ruining anything happy in my life. Anyway, we go to the dance, have a fantastic first half, then, when I went to go get drinks for us, Draco walks up to me and tells me, 'If you still don't believe me, look at your "girlfriend" now…' So I look, not expecting much, and I see you, surrounded by guys. Now, at that point, I still had doubts but I decide to go over and ask you instead of Malfoy. You know that I'm not that jealous if you talk to other guys, but I was feeling a twinge. So we walk up, your back to us, just in time to hear you say, 'What about Harry?'. That hurt and I over-reacted. I mean, the tone of your voice wasn't anything I had ever heard from you. So, I jumped to conclusions, not to mention Malfoy whispering in my ear about how he was right. Yes, I lost my temper. I can say that now. Then there was Cho.."
Harry paused for a moment as he chose his words. Hermione felt her heart jump a little bit because she half expected him to say that he now had rekindled his feelings for her. She lowered her eyes and prepared herself for what was going to be said.
" She just sort of…what's the word….took advantage of the situation. I know that sounds a bit weird but I was hurt and easily impressionable." Harry said the last part as if to make up for what had happened.
" You know, when I talked to Ron a while back, he said that you were hurting as much as I was. I didn't believe him at the time, even though I really wanted to. Was that true. It was, right?" She added, trying not to sound as hopeful as she felt.
Harry squirmed on the bench that they had been sitting on. He fixed his eyes on no particular spot and seemed to be deep in thought. After a minute, he smiled slightly.
"Ron talks too much." Harry said finally, looking back at her.
Hermione, who had been chewing on her lip, smiled at little, following suit. She knew that Harry just told her what she wanted to hear. And she was glad. For the first time in a long while, she felt a warmth blossom in her cheeks and she felt those all too forgotten, yet familiar, butterflies start up again in her stomach. Harry saw her blush and grabbed her hand in his, still fixing his gaze on her face. Hermione nodded and pulled him to her, wrapping him in a hug, that he gladly returned.
" I've been anxious for some time now that this would turn out differently." Hermione confessed into Harry's shoulder as she breathed in the familiar scent.
Harry held her back and sharpened his expression.
" Now that we have worked this out, what are we going to do about Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Chang?" He said, mocking a serious voice.
Hermione laughed and bit her lip again, narrowing her eyes and crinkling her nose.
"Well, Mr. Potter, it seems there is only one thing we can do." Hermione said, innocently.
"And what might that be, lovely lady. You couldn't possibly be developing a wicked side, could you?" Harry acted shocked.
" I was just going to say that we should repay them for all the help they gave us! Give them exactly what they deserve." Hermione grinned.
She stood and, taking Harry by the hand, walked back towards the Great Hall, where Ron and Ginny sat, no doubt worrying over what was going to happen. As she entered the Great Hall, she let go of Harry's hand and walked to Ginny, sat down quietly and side-looked at her. Ginny knew that things had turned out okay and smiled slightly, for she knew that look was only reserved for special occasions.
"Ron, will you pass the peas, please?" Hermione said casually, as Ron gave her a confused look. " I'm very hungary and I need my strength for later, if you know what I mean…"
Ron pursed his lips and looked at Harry, who was grinning wildly, but trying to hold it in, then at Ginny, who just raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Alright, Hermione. I won't ask now, but I missed something and you need to explain it to me later!" Ron said, nodding his head.
Hermione just smiled, then looked over at Cho, then at Malfoy. Cho had seen them walk in and was looking just slightly so flustered. Hermione waved and grinned.
"Just wait, Cho. You'll get what's coming." Hermione said under her breath, as she turned back to her table. " You and your little dog too…" (A/N: It just came to me, I SWEAR!)
Hermione laughed at her own joke and started to eat.
Yay! Sorry this is so short. I just haven't had time to write a lot since school started. But the next installment should be sooner since finals will be over soon! YAY! Anyway, tell me what you think! Thanks for reading and I hope you like where it's going so far! Um…yeah. That's it!