QoH: ^_^ Switcharoo! Hehe *sees people fall over at the bad joke* ok, yeah, you're right, that was lame… -_-'
Chapter 5: Nothing. Everything
Ginny's POVWhat a relief! It's a good thing Professor Flitwick's so nice; I really don't know what I would've done otherwise. Much to my surprise, he just gave me a warning not to let it happen again. Besides, I was only a couple minutes late, so I think that might have had a bit of an impact. The funny thing is, I was able to get to Transfiguration quicker than usual, too. I have a sneaking suspicion Harry did some sort of spell to help me out somehow. I'll have to ask him about that when I see him again.
"Ginny, is that you?" a voice calls out behind me, and I turn around to see Hermione jogging up to me, loaded down as usual with her heavy amount of schoolwork.
"Hi, Hermione." I reply, smiling and eyeing the bag, "Isn't that thing just a little wearing on the back?"
"Yeah, but you get used to it," she shrugs, adjusting the weight a little, "So, where did you end up last night?"
"The library," I sigh, rubbing my neck as we start walking toward the Great Hall, "I still have a cramp from that."
She nods, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "I thought as much. I didn't say anything because I found it far too amusing imagining them running all over the castle. I knew they'd figure it out soon enough, anyway," she blinks as though a thought had just struck her, and she frowns, "My little bit of fun didn't get you in trouble, did it?"
"Oh, no, it's fine. I was barely even late, to begin with," I smile and shake my head, digging around my bag for my after-lunch schedule, "Harry found me before it was that bad." The silence on her part causes me raise my head inquiringly, "What?"
Hermione's peering at me very intently, a vague smile on her face, "You really do like him, don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question, as though she'd known the answer for a long time.
"Well…" I grin sheepishly, feeling a blush flame across my cheeks, "Yeah, all right, I do. No secrets from you, huh?"
"Of course not," she agrees, laughing as she pulls open the huge doors, "So, what are you going to do about it?"
"What can I do?" I scowl in frustration, lowering my voice as we walk through the noisy Hall, "How am I supposed to say anything at all, when he probably already has a date? Even if he didn't, how could I ask him?"
"First things first," she glances around quickly, then tugs me toward the wall, where it was less crowded, "I know for a fact that he doesn't have a date, nor has he asked anyone. In fact, whenever someone brings up the subject, he looks distinctly uncomfortable and tries to ignore it. I think he may have a girl in mind that he'd like to ask, but he's too shy."
"Peachy," I study the floor morosely, "It's probably Cho Chang again."
She shakes her head thoughtfully, "No, I don't think so. If you'll think back, he hasn't mentioned her in the least in these past few months, except maybe when it's related to Quidditch."
"So? What does that prove?" I rest my head wearily back against the wall, folding my arms.
"Nothing. Everything." Hermione gives me another of those patented "Mona Lisa" smiles of hers and leads me back to the still half-empty Gryffindor table.
"Just what is that supposed to mean?" I ask, exasperated, "Remember, you have to cut it down for us 'non-genius' folk."
"It means, Cinderella, that I'm going to be your fairy godmother."
I blink, mildly confused, "Come again?"
She laughs again, sitting down, "It's a muggle fairytale. It's about a girl who wants to go to a ball, but doesn't think there's any chance of it ever happening, since she's 'common,' so to speak. The thing of it is, she's not actually poor or anything at all. That was only her stepmother and stepsisters making her think that by making her do all sorts of demeaning 'servant' chores. Then, that night, while her 'family' is at the ball a fairy basically transforms her entire life with a couple waves of her wand." Hermione stops when she sees my slightly disbelieving expression, "Well, that's according to the Disney version, anyway. It's not my favorite, as they seem to make it all far too easy. I much prefer Ever After or Roger's and Hammerstein's latest version."
"Would you mind saying something I can understand? I didn't get anything of that past 'wand.' How is this supposed to help me, anyway?" I wonder, staring at her, thoroughly baffled by now.
"Never mind," she shakes her head, smiling as she ladles chicken soup into her bowl, "It would take far too long to explain. Your family life couldn't be more different than Cinderella's, considering all the people who love you, but your financial situation could use some help, if you don't mind my saying."
I shrug, putting a biscuit on my plate, "There's no need to be so politically correct about it, Hermione. We're poor."
She waves that away, "Even so, that shouldn't stop you from going, if you really want to. Which is why I'm offering to take you on a shopping spree this coming Friday afternoon. I'm going to get new robes with the boatload of money I have saved from my birthday, and I thought I'd ask you if you'd like to come along."
"Oh, I couldn't put you out like that! Those things cost a fortune!" I cry, my fork stopping halfway before my mouth.
"Hey, I need to spend the majority of it before I get materialistic, and what better way to do that than a girls' day out?"
"You? Materialistic?" I snort, amused, "Yeah, and next you'll tell me you're going to stop studying."
"Perish the thought!" Hermione grins, then looks around, "Hm. I wonder where Ron and Harry are."
"No idea. I would've thought they'd be with you."
"They were acting a bit secretive during History of Magic, but I didn't really think that much of it until they disappeared while we were on our way here. That's when I met up with you."
QoH: Wow, this is gettin a bit more complicated 2 write out, what with the timeline and all… ^_^ cool. That makes it more fun! Neways, check this out, u guys! I got this from Amazon.com, where they're sellin copies in advance!
Excerpt from Harry Potter And The Order Phoenix
Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. "It is time," he said, "for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything."
How cool is that?! I sooo wanna read that…