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Chapter 10: The Joys Truth Brings
Weeks had passed and Hermione's anger at Ginny had not diminished. She was usually able to get over things like this. But now she felt as if she didn't get some kind of revenge she would go crazy.
"Hey, Harry?"
"What?" Harry's head rose from his books.
"I'm going crazy."
"No, really? And this is different from normal?"
Hermione shot him a quelling look. "No, really. It's really getting to me that Ginny's crime is going unpunished."
Harry's eyes glittered evilly. "Do you mean you want to get back at her?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes."
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Harry, Ron and Hermione were staring down at a locked red book. "So, this is her diary," Hermione remarked.
"Yep," said Ron, "but she writes in it in French."
"No problem there," said Hermione. "I speak if fluently, remember?" Using a simple unlocking charm Hermione opened the book. "So," she continued, "I'll read and then translate, okay?"
"Okay," chorused Ron and Harry.
Hermione read through the book, but skipped over a couple things she figured males like Ron and Harry didn't have any business knowing. She was nearing the end of the diary when she came across an entry. The contents shocked her. "It says here,
'Just today, I was walking back from seeing Ron in the hospital wing and Malfoy appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed me and put his hand over my mouth. I'm not quite sure why I didn't just hit him or something, but in any case, I didn't. I wish I did. After a while, Harry and Hermione started walking down the hall and Malfoy let go of me.
He said, "Thank you for all your information on Potter and Associates' secrets. As usual, you are invaluable. And now, for your payment." Then he kissed me. Ugh, I've already brushed my teeth about 5 times and I still feel like throwing up!
I suppose he was trying to get back at me for insulting him earlier today. Well, he doesn't know whom he's dealing with. Two can play at this game.'" Hermione finished reading the entry. "She was set up!"
Ron let out a whoop and picked up Hermione and whirled her around. Before Hermione knew what was happening he kissed her, but briefly. She felt like she was going to melt.
Harry coughed loudly. Ron dropped Hermione, blushing furiously.
Hermione smoothed out imaginary wrinkles in her robe. "So, uh, Ginny's innocent?"
Harry burst out laughing and Hermione's face turned a bright red. "I wonder what she ended up doing to get back at Malfoy?" Harry asked.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. It looks like there's a couple more entries left, maybe it's in there."
Hermione turned the pages, skimming for any sign of a plot. She found a couple references to what Ginny seemed to be calling "Malfoy's teddy bear", but she didn't know what that was about. Finally, in the last entry, she found what she was looking for. She read it and then burst out laughing. "Guys, listen to this:
'Well, today was the day. After waiting for about an hour behind the suit of armor near the Slytherin common room, I heard Malfoy and cohorts coming down the hall. I did the first spell and then ripped the teddy bear's head off.
Sure enough, Malfoy came 'round the bend, the rest of the group far behind him. I tossed him the lower half of the teddy bear. He caught it. I did the second spell, the one developed to make actors cry. It worked. Malfoy cried like a baby!
Just about the time the rest of the Slytherins rounded the corner, I told him not to cry because his teddy's head came off, he could get a new one. It was all I could do to not laugh! The Slytherins were laughing. I'm sure he's going to get it as bad as I am right now.
After they were gone I stood up and told him off. I don't think he'll be pulling a stunt like the last one ever again. Now he knows you don't mess with a Weasley. Stupid pompous fool. I almost didn't take the spell off. Maybe I shouldn't have.'"
Harry and Ron fell over, laughing. "Oh dear," chuckled Harry, "Ginny really has outdone herself, hasn't she?"
After the trio stopped laughing, they were faced with the fact that they were going to have to apologize to Ginny. But how?
An hour later found them clustered around Ginny's chair in the Common Room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked properly embarrassed and guilty. Ginny looked confused. "What? What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Hermione stuttered out, "We're so sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't believe you when you said Malfoy set you up!"
A slight smile spread across Ginny's face. "Oh! Is that what this is about?"
All three nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, well, fine. Not a problem. Forgive and forget, they say." The Dream Team looked immensely relieved.
"Wow, Gin, thank you so much!"
Ginny stared at her older brother oddly. "Since when have you cared?" Ron looked hurt and Ginny laughed. "I'm just kidding. But you guys don't need to grovel or anything. I'm fine, now that you guys figured it out."
Harry smiled evilly. "We also found out about your little trick on Malfoy...Clever, that."
Ginny yawned. "Yes, well, was my diary an interesting read?" Ginny laughed at the look on their faces. "Come on, it was obvious. How else would you guys find out that you are stubborn idiots? Hmmm?" Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Well, lovely talking to you! Goodnight!"
Ginny got up and headed for the staircase. Harry leapt up and followed her there, leaving Ron and Hermione leaning over the now empty chair.
Ron grinned. "That went well!"
Hermione gave him an odd look. "That was well?"
"Definitely! I thought she was going to scream at us for being thick-skulled idiots and then storm up to her room in tears. She seemed to do that all summer."
"Oh." Hermione had thought Ginny was going to break down crying but be smiling and there'd have been a big hug-fest. But now that she thought about it, that was rather a stupid thing to think was going to happen. Come on, this is Ginny we're talking about! Hermione shook her head.
For a while, both were silent. Hermione didn't know what Ron was thinking about, but she was thinking about that kiss...It had been so unexpected! What was she supposed to do now? Where did she and Ron stand? Kind of silly, rather an over-exuberant way to finding out Ginny was innocent...Not that she'd minded. But did Ron? Maybe he was so happy to find out that Ginny hadn't been constantly ratting on him to kiss Malfoy that he kissed her, but only because he wasn't about to kiss Harry? Did the kiss mean anything at all? She chewed on her bottom lip, gradually growing more uncomfortable next to Ron. Hermione cleared her throat. "So. Um, Ron."
Ron faced her, but he seemed to be avoiding her eyes. "Yes?"
Hermione licked her lips. She didn't know why she'd spoken up in the first place. She leaned more onto the back of the chair and stared into the fire. "Never mind." Ron said nothing.
All night it went like that, one of them saying the other's name and then saying "Never mind." It grew steadily darker, and students trickled out of the Common Room. Soon Ron and Hermione were the only ones still there.
"Ron?" "Hermione?" They had both chosen to speak at the same time, and their eyes met. Hermione was in the act of turning her head away when Ron reached out a hand, oh so tentatively, and turned her face back to his. Hermione's eyes locked with Ron's and she felt herself blushing. His hand felt so cool against her face...
Hermione's breath quickened slightly. She was waiting for something, but what it was she wasn't quite sure. Half of her wanted to break eye contact, but the other half knew that if she did, whatever she was waiting for would never come.
"Hermione?"
Before she knew what she was doing, she reached out a hand and laid a finger across his mouth. "Shh...Don't talk." She then snaked her arm around his head and pulled him closer to her. Their lips met and Hermione felt a rush of emotions course through her body. They both straightened up. (Or Hermione did, anyway, Ron had to lean down to kiss her.) Ron's hand slid from her face to hold her with both hands around the waist. Hermione stood up on her tiptoes, her arms entwined around his neck, at first kissing him tentatively, but then more boldly. Eventually, they stopped kissing and Hermione just leaned into Ron, just happy to be in his embrace.
"Hermione? This means..."
"Shh...Don't talk. I don't want to think about this right now...We can sort it out tomorrow." She snuggled in closer.
Ron smiled. "Alright." But then he sighed. "Hermione, it's really late."
"Don't care..." Hermione mumbled but then stiffened. "Oh no! We have a Charms test tomorrow!"
Ron laughed at her. "You'll do fine. Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione tilted her head up to smile at him. "Goodnight, Ron." She stretched as much as she could and stood on tiptoes, finally managing to give Ron a goodnight kiss. "Sweet dreams." Reluctantly leaving his arms, she went up to her dormitory.
A/N: As a present when ffn FINALLY got back up, I'm put this up, even with out the 10 reviews. (Macabre, Nettey, and Dobby@Winky, where did you go?) *g* I love fluff. So, I finally got Ron and Hermione together, and the Dream Team has reconciled with Ginny. Everything's hunky dory, what what? Not exactly. Ginny's set up a stream of events that are classified as Not Good. And how long is Ron and Hermione's relationship going to last without a blow up? To find out, review and then I'll put the next one up!
Thanks to those who reviewed!:
Lulu - Eeee! I'm so glad that you like my story! I love R/H too, and while I know which way Ginny's going to go...You don't! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
Gem Malfoy - Thank you! I'm so happy that you think it's funny...I wasn't sure if it was.
brtish_kyooti - I don't know, I wouldn't say that about the last chapter, but Ticked Off But Crying!Draco was pretty cute. *melts*
velvet sun - Here you go, I'm sorry it took so long. Stupid ffn. J
LadyVoldemort - Thank you! Here it is, sorry for the wait. Don't blame me blame ffn!
Big "thank you"s to everyone who voted, the poll is now closed. The final vote was Draco/Ginny 23, Harry/Ginny 10!
Chapter 10: The Joys Truth Brings
Weeks had passed and Hermione's anger at Ginny had not diminished. She was usually able to get over things like this. But now she felt as if she didn't get some kind of revenge she would go crazy.
"Hey, Harry?"
"What?" Harry's head rose from his books.
"I'm going crazy."
"No, really? And this is different from normal?"
Hermione shot him a quelling look. "No, really. It's really getting to me that Ginny's crime is going unpunished."
Harry's eyes glittered evilly. "Do you mean you want to get back at her?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes."
--------
Harry, Ron and Hermione were staring down at a locked red book. "So, this is her diary," Hermione remarked.
"Yep," said Ron, "but she writes in it in French."
"No problem there," said Hermione. "I speak if fluently, remember?" Using a simple unlocking charm Hermione opened the book. "So," she continued, "I'll read and then translate, okay?"
"Okay," chorused Ron and Harry.
Hermione read through the book, but skipped over a couple things she figured males like Ron and Harry didn't have any business knowing. She was nearing the end of the diary when she came across an entry. The contents shocked her. "It says here,
'Just today, I was walking back from seeing Ron in the hospital wing and Malfoy appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed me and put his hand over my mouth. I'm not quite sure why I didn't just hit him or something, but in any case, I didn't. I wish I did. After a while, Harry and Hermione started walking down the hall and Malfoy let go of me.
He said, "Thank you for all your information on Potter and Associates' secrets. As usual, you are invaluable. And now, for your payment." Then he kissed me. Ugh, I've already brushed my teeth about 5 times and I still feel like throwing up!
I suppose he was trying to get back at me for insulting him earlier today. Well, he doesn't know whom he's dealing with. Two can play at this game.'" Hermione finished reading the entry. "She was set up!"
Ron let out a whoop and picked up Hermione and whirled her around. Before Hermione knew what was happening he kissed her, but briefly. She felt like she was going to melt.
Harry coughed loudly. Ron dropped Hermione, blushing furiously.
Hermione smoothed out imaginary wrinkles in her robe. "So, uh, Ginny's innocent?"
Harry burst out laughing and Hermione's face turned a bright red. "I wonder what she ended up doing to get back at Malfoy?" Harry asked.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. It looks like there's a couple more entries left, maybe it's in there."
Hermione turned the pages, skimming for any sign of a plot. She found a couple references to what Ginny seemed to be calling "Malfoy's teddy bear", but she didn't know what that was about. Finally, in the last entry, she found what she was looking for. She read it and then burst out laughing. "Guys, listen to this:
'Well, today was the day. After waiting for about an hour behind the suit of armor near the Slytherin common room, I heard Malfoy and cohorts coming down the hall. I did the first spell and then ripped the teddy bear's head off.
Sure enough, Malfoy came 'round the bend, the rest of the group far behind him. I tossed him the lower half of the teddy bear. He caught it. I did the second spell, the one developed to make actors cry. It worked. Malfoy cried like a baby!
Just about the time the rest of the Slytherins rounded the corner, I told him not to cry because his teddy's head came off, he could get a new one. It was all I could do to not laugh! The Slytherins were laughing. I'm sure he's going to get it as bad as I am right now.
After they were gone I stood up and told him off. I don't think he'll be pulling a stunt like the last one ever again. Now he knows you don't mess with a Weasley. Stupid pompous fool. I almost didn't take the spell off. Maybe I shouldn't have.'"
Harry and Ron fell over, laughing. "Oh dear," chuckled Harry, "Ginny really has outdone herself, hasn't she?"
After the trio stopped laughing, they were faced with the fact that they were going to have to apologize to Ginny. But how?
An hour later found them clustered around Ginny's chair in the Common Room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked properly embarrassed and guilty. Ginny looked confused. "What? What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Hermione stuttered out, "We're so sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't believe you when you said Malfoy set you up!"
A slight smile spread across Ginny's face. "Oh! Is that what this is about?"
All three nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, well, fine. Not a problem. Forgive and forget, they say." The Dream Team looked immensely relieved.
"Wow, Gin, thank you so much!"
Ginny stared at her older brother oddly. "Since when have you cared?" Ron looked hurt and Ginny laughed. "I'm just kidding. But you guys don't need to grovel or anything. I'm fine, now that you guys figured it out."
Harry smiled evilly. "We also found out about your little trick on Malfoy...Clever, that."
Ginny yawned. "Yes, well, was my diary an interesting read?" Ginny laughed at the look on their faces. "Come on, it was obvious. How else would you guys find out that you are stubborn idiots? Hmmm?" Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Well, lovely talking to you! Goodnight!"
Ginny got up and headed for the staircase. Harry leapt up and followed her there, leaving Ron and Hermione leaning over the now empty chair.
Ron grinned. "That went well!"
Hermione gave him an odd look. "That was well?"
"Definitely! I thought she was going to scream at us for being thick-skulled idiots and then storm up to her room in tears. She seemed to do that all summer."
"Oh." Hermione had thought Ginny was going to break down crying but be smiling and there'd have been a big hug-fest. But now that she thought about it, that was rather a stupid thing to think was going to happen. Come on, this is Ginny we're talking about! Hermione shook her head.
For a while, both were silent. Hermione didn't know what Ron was thinking about, but she was thinking about that kiss...It had been so unexpected! What was she supposed to do now? Where did she and Ron stand? Kind of silly, rather an over-exuberant way to finding out Ginny was innocent...Not that she'd minded. But did Ron? Maybe he was so happy to find out that Ginny hadn't been constantly ratting on him to kiss Malfoy that he kissed her, but only because he wasn't about to kiss Harry? Did the kiss mean anything at all? She chewed on her bottom lip, gradually growing more uncomfortable next to Ron. Hermione cleared her throat. "So. Um, Ron."
Ron faced her, but he seemed to be avoiding her eyes. "Yes?"
Hermione licked her lips. She didn't know why she'd spoken up in the first place. She leaned more onto the back of the chair and stared into the fire. "Never mind." Ron said nothing.
All night it went like that, one of them saying the other's name and then saying "Never mind." It grew steadily darker, and students trickled out of the Common Room. Soon Ron and Hermione were the only ones still there.
"Ron?" "Hermione?" They had both chosen to speak at the same time, and their eyes met. Hermione was in the act of turning her head away when Ron reached out a hand, oh so tentatively, and turned her face back to his. Hermione's eyes locked with Ron's and she felt herself blushing. His hand felt so cool against her face...
Hermione's breath quickened slightly. She was waiting for something, but what it was she wasn't quite sure. Half of her wanted to break eye contact, but the other half knew that if she did, whatever she was waiting for would never come.
"Hermione?"
Before she knew what she was doing, she reached out a hand and laid a finger across his mouth. "Shh...Don't talk." She then snaked her arm around his head and pulled him closer to her. Their lips met and Hermione felt a rush of emotions course through her body. They both straightened up. (Or Hermione did, anyway, Ron had to lean down to kiss her.) Ron's hand slid from her face to hold her with both hands around the waist. Hermione stood up on her tiptoes, her arms entwined around his neck, at first kissing him tentatively, but then more boldly. Eventually, they stopped kissing and Hermione just leaned into Ron, just happy to be in his embrace.
"Hermione? This means..."
"Shh...Don't talk. I don't want to think about this right now...We can sort it out tomorrow." She snuggled in closer.
Ron smiled. "Alright." But then he sighed. "Hermione, it's really late."
"Don't care..." Hermione mumbled but then stiffened. "Oh no! We have a Charms test tomorrow!"
Ron laughed at her. "You'll do fine. Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione tilted her head up to smile at him. "Goodnight, Ron." She stretched as much as she could and stood on tiptoes, finally managing to give Ron a goodnight kiss. "Sweet dreams." Reluctantly leaving his arms, she went up to her dormitory.
A/N: As a present when ffn FINALLY got back up, I'm put this up, even with out the 10 reviews. (Macabre, Nettey, and Dobby@Winky, where did you go?) *g* I love fluff. So, I finally got Ron and Hermione together, and the Dream Team has reconciled with Ginny. Everything's hunky dory, what what? Not exactly. Ginny's set up a stream of events that are classified as Not Good. And how long is Ron and Hermione's relationship going to last without a blow up? To find out, review and then I'll put the next one up!
Thanks to those who reviewed!:
Lulu - Eeee! I'm so glad that you like my story! I love R/H too, and while I know which way Ginny's going to go...You don't! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
Gem Malfoy - Thank you! I'm so happy that you think it's funny...I wasn't sure if it was.
brtish_kyooti - I don't know, I wouldn't say that about the last chapter, but Ticked Off But Crying!Draco was pretty cute. *melts*
velvet sun - Here you go, I'm sorry it took so long. Stupid ffn. J
LadyVoldemort - Thank you! Here it is, sorry for the wait. Don't blame me blame ffn!
Big "thank you"s to everyone who voted, the poll is now closed. The final vote was Draco/Ginny 23, Harry/Ginny 10!