QoH: -_-' Computers r the spawn of satan, I swear. The stupid thing "write-protected" my entire disk without my authorization... I had 2 copy all my files from ffn.... *shudders* oi.... what a nightmare....

Chapter 7: Surprises

Ginny's POV

                'I must be crazy' is the one thought that keeps repeating itself as I follow Hermione in and out of the bright sunlight, amazed at the transformation in her. No longer is she the "bossy know-it-all" that Ron still teasingly calls her sometimes. Oh, all right, she's still a little bossy, dragging me here, there and everywhere excitedly. Currently, we'd just finished finding robes to wear, and she's pointing happily at another store, something like "Shoe Won't Believe It! They're Magic!" I groan at the bad joke. Where do they come up with these things, anyway? I grin and wonder what my brother would say if he could see this…

                "Hey, are you in there, Gin?" Hermione laughs, an eyebrow raised as I yank myself out of my ruminations.

                "Huh?" I blink and shake my head, trying to clear it, "Did you say something?"

                "Not that you noticed, space-girl," she pokes me jokingly, "You've been AWOL for the past five minutes."

                I look at her, confused as I shift the bag to my other hand, "Eh? What's AWOL?"

                She laughs again, "It's a muggle term, usually used in the military, but some people say it when their companion's brain seems to have taken an unexpected vacation. Literally, it means 'Absent Without Leave.'"

                "Oh," I grin sheepishly, "Sorry about that…"

                Hermione leans close and smiles knowingly, "Thinking about Harry again?"

                I blush and return the earlier poke, "No, actually, I was thinking how Ron would react if he could see you like this." I notice that she suddenly becomes very quiet when I mention him, "What's wrong?"

                She studies me for a moment before speaking slowly, as though she was hesitant to even as she does this, "I'll tell you, but please keep this a secret…" When I nod (of course), she looks at her feet, embarrassed as she whispers something so low, I have to listen intently to hear it, "I… I think… I'm in love with him…" (A/N: ^0^ hehe)

                Before I can answer, a new voice enters the conversation. "Well, well, well…" Draco Malfoy drawls as he strolls up to us, "You're 'in love,' Granger? Did I hear right? Now, just who would this unlucky fellow be? Perhaps I should warn him."

                I whirl to face him, my scowl fierce as I hug Hermione's shoulders bracingly, "Go dive in piranha-infested waters, ferret-boy! You can be sure it's not you! Therefore, it's none of your blasted business, you scum!"

                He gives me that trademark sneer of his as he moves threateningly closer, though he evidently doesn't like the reminder of his brief time as a furry creature bouncing around the halls for all the student body to see, "Why should I, muggle lover?"

                "You heard her," a quiet, seemingly calm voice sounds from behind me, and I turn to see Harry and Ron standing there. Harry smiles slightly as he notices my shock, then turns his pointed gaze back to the hated Slytherin, "Didn't your mother teach you manners, Malfoy? You should know it's rude to harass ladies who clearly don't want the displeasure of your company," he smiles sardonically, stepping in front of Hermione and I protectively, as does my brother, "After all, it happens often enough."

                I giggle silently at the look on Malfoy's face. It looks as though he should have steam pouring out his ears, and his face is tight with anger as he reaches for his wand, "Say that again…"

                "Yeah, yeah," Harry rolls his eyes, twirling his own in his fingers, "And you'll blast me to kingdom come. Honestly, I know this already, so it's like 'order of yawn, side of snore.' Besides, as if I'm concerned with you, of all people, when it comes to magic, at least," he raises an amused brow at the reaction to this obvious insult, and I think most, if not all, of my ribs crack as I try to hold in my laughter. My eyes dart quickly to Hermione, and she seems to have the same problem, seeing as how she looks about ready to faint from lack of oxygen. Keeping a straight face while looking at Malfoy… near impossible.

                I smile to myself as Harry basically tells him to make like a nose and blow. He's so cool and calm, facing off against that jerk, all to help us out. Watching him, I wonder what he's thinking right now. Is he just here helping Ron out, or maybe to get robes for the ball, too? Does he have a date? A million questions race through my brain, hardly stopping to let me see what they even are. One thing is for certain, though. I sure know how Hermione feels...

~I know I've felt like this before,

  but now I'm feeling it even more,

  because it came from you.~

                Malfoy regains his composure through what seems to be a monumental effort, bringing me back to the current conversation, "That's your own fault, then, isn't it…" he smirks again and slinks away (probably for easier prey), but throws a taunting glance over his shoulder for a moment as he does so, "Oh, and just so you know, I overheard the little Mudblood say she's 'in love' with someone." Naturally, this has the desired effect. Both Harry and Ron's jaws fall as far as humanly possible, staring after him before turning their shocked gazes to us. The silence is so complete, not even a cricket dares to chirp near us.

****

Harry's POV

                You know, I was aware that Hermione had feelings for Ron, and likewise, but I didn't realize it was this intense until just this moment. I sneak a glance at Ron, and I can tell he's crushed. Despite the mask he wears to avoid awkward questions from our companions, I can practically read his mind. He's thinking it's Viktor Krum again, no doubt.

                I want to reassure him, but it wouldn't be right to do that now. Doing so would reveal what I'd sworn not to tell, and Ron would never forgive me. True, Hermione feels the same, but I know Ron wouldn't see it that way, not right now. He needs time to see that she doesn't see him like he thinks she does. I just don't know how much of that commodity he has. All I can do is sit by and hope for the best, I suppose. Yet, I hate seeing them like this. How can I just watch?

                My troubled thoughts are broken by Ron's faintly strained voice, "So… um, I guess congratulations are in order, then, huh?" He wheels around and walks quickly away without looking back, "I'll see you back at the castle."

                I glance at Hermione, who doesn't seem to take this well. She does an about-face, herself, and marches down the street in the opposite direction, hurt radiating from her. I shrug at Ginny; she has the same helpless look on her face I assume I do.

QoH: *does a happy victory dance* I got CoS today!!!!!! WOOHOO!!! Actually, I was comin 2 upload this, and I stopped by K-Mart on the way, and they had em! ^0^