Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They are all property of J.K. Rowling!!
A/N: So, the last one was really melodramatic, I know that, I warned you it would be, but it is where I wanted the plot to move. I hope you enjoy this new chapter! Again, many thanks to Hillary for all of her help!!!
Chapter Twelve
Hogsmeade
"Come on Ron, it's Monday, we have classes to go to," Harry urged trying to get his friend out of bed.
"I'm up," Ron snapped.
"You don't have to get mad at me, Hermione would likely make you go down to the hospital wing for the day if you didn't come to class," Harry pleaded handing Ron a set of robes. Everyone else had gone down to breakfast leaving Harry and the slumbering Ron.
"Okay, sorry to snap, I'm just really tired."
"What time did the two of you get to bed last night?"
"Err… I don't know, late, that's all I know."
Ron got dressed performing the shaving charm Harry had taught him and they left the dormitory running to grab some breakfast before classes began.
Ginny was sitting in the common room looking impatient. "Hermione, are you coming?" She yelled up the stairs that lead to the girls' dormitories.
"Good morning," Harry said with a grin.
"Hi," She said returning his grin. She moved over and motioned for him to sit down next to her. He took up her offer sitting down on the couch.
"What's with Hermione?" He asked.
"Oh, well it seems that she was up really late last night and she over slept. She should be down any minute," As she spoke Hermione came running down the stairs headed straight to the portrait hole. She stopped when she saw Ron who leaned in and gave her a hug whispering something in her ear.
"Now you're ready," Ginny said with a note of irritation in her voice.
The group made it into the great hall in time to grab some breakfast. Harry wasn't very hungry and it seemed that Ron and Hermione weren't as well. As they ate no one really spoke but Hermione seemed to not be mad at either of them anymore. Quite the opposite actually, she was overly talkative with Ron even blushing slightly some times while they talked. They seemed to have again agreed not to talk about the night, reminding Harry of their interactions after the Yule ball last year.
Harry didn't have time to plan what he was going to say to Ginny or even when they would be able to speak. He was busy trying to attend classes and do his homework making one of many trips to the library trying to finish a Transfigurations essay that was due Thursday. It had to be three feet long. Harry groaned, closing another book that evening after practice. He and Ron had come to the library after finishing with Quidditch.
"Ugh! I only have four more inches to complete, " Harry groaned.
"Lucky! I still have six," Ron replied.
"Do you want to call it quits for the night?"
"Do you really need to ask?"
With that the two friends returned to Gryffindor tower. They found Hermione and Ginny sitting at their usual table working on Ancient Runes.
"Oy, Harry, the two of them never stop working," Ron said grinning as he walked over to Hermione and began reading her work over her shoulder.
She nudged Ron in the arm, "Don't do that, it's not like you can understand what it says. It's in Germanic Runes,"
Ginny grinned rolling her eyes.
"I'm done for the night," Hermione announced closing her books over the parchment she was working on. "Ron do you want to play Exploding snaps?"
"Sure," Ron said grabbing a deck of cards out of his bag, which he had laid on the table. They soon were deep in conversation while they played the game.
"So, err…" Harry began.
"Harry, I know what Hermione told you," Ginny said interrupting Harry's hesitation.
"You do," Harry said trying to decide if it was a relief or a burden. "Err…"
"I want you to know, I didn't tell her to talk to you. I didn't even want her to be mad at you. But you know Hermione, she's determined and stubborn. She and Ron are perfect for each other."
Harry was washed with a wave of relief. "So, Er…"
"I want you to know that I'm happy you and Cho are going to the ball together. I know you really liked her and…"
"Actually, we aren't going to the ball together. We broke up Saturday. I was having nightmares about Cedric, they were worse than the usual ones. He actually accused me of killing him to get Cho. They were horrible."
"Harry, I'm sorry," She said. Looking into Ginny's eyes Harry could tell she was sincere.
"It's okay. I'm fine with it. It was nice not to have the nightmare last night," He said laughing slightly.
Ginny smiled up at him, looking concerned.
"Er… speaking of the ball, do you have a date?" Harry couldn't stop himself. The words just spilled out of his mouth before he knew what he was saying.
Ginny tuned a dark shade of red, "No, not yet. I told Colin if he didn't have a date by this weekend I would go with him."
"Er… do you want to go with me? I mean neither of us have dates, so we might as well go together," he said turning a nice shade of red.
Ginny was caught completely off guard. It took her a minute to regain her ability to speak. "Y-yes, I would love to go with you," she finally stammered.
"So, er… you want to play chess?"
"Sure," she said, obviously feeling relieved by the change of conversation topic.
The game lasted for quite a while considering the two were evenly matched at talent and ability. It pays off playing against Ron so much, Harry thought as Ginny won only by about three moves.
"Goodnight Harry," Ginny said moving in and giving him another hug. Harry couldn't help but think that she might enjoy it as much as he did.
"Goodnight Ginny," Harry said breathing in the sent of her hair while in the tight embrace. It was distinctly familiar, like something he had smelled years ago. It was a soft floral sent. They finally pulled apart and moved to their respective dormitories.
Ron and Hermione didn't go to bed until late, not allowing Harry the opportunity to question Ron in the change of attitude from Hermione, or even tell Ron about his new Ball date.
Friday finally came, after rising that morning the day seemed to last for months. It dragged on as everyone went to classes, eager for the weekend to come. The last class on Friday was Potions. By some twist of fate the Gryffindors always wound up in Potions last on Friday with the Slytherins. Snape was in an unusually foul mood. It wasn't unusual for him to be in a foul mood, but he was even snapping at the Slytherins, with the exception of Malfoy.
When the bell rang signaling the end of class, everyone ran to get out. The trio was a group of some of the first students to get out. They knew not to be left in there when Snape was in such a bad mood.
"Snape is a nightmare! How can he keep his job when he is so horrid?" Ron complained.
"Clearly Dumbledore trust's him. He does have some good qualities. Remember, he was trusted by Professor Lupin to make the Wolfsbane potion. He is a really talented potions master. Just because he is a nightmare of a person doesn't change that fact," Hermione answered with a rare criticism of one of her teachers.
As they ate Harry realized how much he was looking at Ginny; Hermione's words floating into his brain. Where they perfect for each other? Shaking the thought out of his head Harry took another bite of mashed potatoes.
Late that night, in the common room, Harry was able to talk to Ron for the first time since Wednesday night. Everyone else had gone up to bed. "Ron, do you agree with what Hermione said the other day, about me and Ginny belonging together?" Harry asked.
"Err… I don't know Harry, she's my baby sister and you're my best friend. In all honesty it is a strange situation. I know the two of you are interested in each other. Why?"
"No reason really, the words just keep popping back into my head. Now, what exactly is going on between you and Hermione?"
"Er… well… we confronted our feelings for each other," Ron said turning a deep shade of maroon, "We are going to eat lunch together tomorrow at the Three Broom Sticks," He explained avoiding eye contact with Harry.
"Oh, it's about time! What are you going to do about the ball?"
"Er… that's one of the things we are going to talk about. I'm not really sure. We mentioned setting up Neville with Padma, neither would be really happy but I don't want to go with Padma and have to watch Hermione with Neville, even though he isn't a threat, it wouldn't be fun for either of us. Speaking of the ball, what are you doing?"
"Er…" It was Harry's turn to turn a deep shade of red, how was he going to tell Ron about his new date, he decided just to open his mouth and say it, "I'm going with Ginny, as friends, just as friends. Neither of us had dates, so we decided to go together," Harry said watching his friends face wearily. Ron didn't look upset, quite the opposite actually, he looked happy.
"I'm glad, we can at least sit together at the Ball and Colin won't be driving me mad! Just no public snogging okay?" Ron said grinning.
"It's a deal, as long as you and Hermione keep your hands and any other body parts to yourselves."
"Okay, that's a deal."
Their conversation lightened from there and they soon were up in the dormitory sleeping, Harry having dreams about Ginny and the coming Ball. He hadn't even thought to ask Ron what He and Ginny were supposed to do while Ron and Hermione were having there lunch.
Harry and Ron actually slept until 9:00 for the first time all year. Of all days to sleep in they had to choose the first Hogsmeade weekend? They threw on clothes and ran downstairs. Hermione and Ginny were playing a game of chess clearly having already eaten and dressed for the day.
"Did you two sleep well?" Hermione asked sarcastically.
"Err… yeah, have you eaten?"
"Yes."
"We'll see you in a little while after we eat," Ron said leading the way out the portrait hole.
Harry and Ron joined the twins at breakfast laughing as they ate. Everyone was excited about being able to get away from the castle.
"So what do the two of you plan to do while in Hogsmeade," Fred asked.
"Er, I don't know," Ron tried to say avoiding his brothers' eyes.
"Some one told me that you and Hermione were going out to eat," Fred said cocking his eyebrow at Ron. Harry had to suppress a laugh as Ron almost choked on his slice of bacon.
"Who told you that?"
"You just did," Fred said with a wicked grin.
"Oh Fred, leave our little Roniekins alone. He and his girlfriend can do what ever they want to do. Ron, just promise me, no public snogging," George said.
Ron blushed a brilliant shade of crimson, trying not to laugh at the idea.
"But George, Ron isn't going to the ball with Hermione. Ron's going to the ball with Padma! How are your managing two girls at once?" Fred quipped; they weren't going to let Ron have a peaceful breakfast.
"He's just growing up so quickly," George added pretending to wipe away a tear. The rest of breakfast was filled with the twins giving Ron a hard time. They were even joined by Lee Jordan, who seemed to be another unofficial member of the Weasley clan.
Ron and Harry quickly finished breakfast and returned to Gryffindor tower, trying to escape the twins tormenting. Harry changed into a nice new set of school robes. Ron was pacing their dormitory looking very nervous. It was almost noon by the time they left the room joining the rest of their friends in the common room.
"Wow, Harry you look really nice," Ginny commented slightly blushing.
"Err… thanks," He said with a grin.
She leaned close to Harry so Ron and Hermione couldn't hear, not like they were listening, they were talking animatedly to one another. "WE wanted to leave Hermione and Ron alone for a while. I think something might happen between the two of them, FINALLY!!!"
"It's about time," Harry agreed with a wicked grin. He quickly realized how close he and Ginny were standing to one another. He really liked the proximity of Ginny's body to his own, and didn't want it to change but Ginny quickly pulled away looking to Ron and Hermione.
"So what are the two of you doing while we eat?" Hermione asked looking to Ginny with a grin.
"Oh, we'll find something to do," She answered.
"Hermione, we really should get going," Ron said taking her hand in his. They said goodbye and soon disappeared through the portrait hole.
Harry and Ginny weren't long in following Hermione and Ron's foot steps out into the village of Hogsmeade. Colin, who luckily had calmed down over the past four years, joined them. Harry laughed watching Colin restrain from asking Harry question after question. While they were down on the main street of Hogsmeade talking, Harry heard his name. Turning around he saw Cho and her group of Ravenclaw friends. She ran over to him and gave him a hug. It had been a week since they had 'broken up' and people were still asking them if they were a couple.
"Cho, this is Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevey," Harry said introducing Cho to the friends he was walking with.
"Colin, weren't you one of the students petrified a few years ago," Cho said clearly not knowing Ginny's involvement in the incident.
"Err… yeah. You're an amazing Quidditch player," he stammered. Harry laughed to see that Colin was clearly taken by the Asian beauty, not really able to blame him. Did I act like that last year, He asked himself.
"Thanks," Cho said blushing slightly.
"Cho, do you want to join us?" Colin asked.
"Okay," She said waving goodbye to her friends. "Where are you headed?"
"Zonko's. Then we were going to go to Honeydukes before going back to school," Colin answered. He and Cho were soon engulfed in an animated conversation about Muggle things, such as cameras. Colin was explaining everything from cameras to electricity to Cho who seemed genuinely interested.
"Harry, Harry look," Colin exclaimed pointing to the display of Harry Potters in the window, this exclamation reminded Harry of the old Colin, the one who took at least one hundred pictures at every Quidditch game.
"Yeah Colin, I know. They are really cool candies," Harry answered.
The group finally left Zonko's with their pockets full of jokes. They then went to Honeydukes where Harry was glad to stock up on sugar quills. He also bought three types of fudge. When they left they had a much smaller amount of money in their pockets. As they walked back up to the castle Harry and Ginny shared some fudge, being completely ignored by their companions.
"I wonder when Hermione and Ron will show up in the tower," Ginny said as they made their way back to the entrance hall.
"I have NO idea," Harry said with a grin. "Do you think Neville saw them holding hands?"
"I don't think so, I don't think he went down to Hogsmeade today. He was muttering something about loosing the permission slip."
"That's not a surprise."
Harry and Ginny left Colin and Cho talking in the entrance hall and made their way up to the common room, passing Neville who was on his way to the library to finish an essay for Professor Bins.
"Poor Neville is going to be heartbroken. Even though Hermione insisted that they were going as just friends I heard him bragging about it to some second years in the common room the other day," Ginny said, claiming their usual couch in front of the fire. Harry joined her watching the flames for a moment before replying.
"What about Padma? She is going to hex Hermione on the spot. Or Parvati would hex her in her sleep."
"But Hermione can handle it. She is the most cleaver witch at the school."
Just then Colin, who was running into the common room from the portrait hole, interrupted their conversation.
"Harry, Ginny, you are never going to believe this! I'm going to the ball with Cho! I just asked her and she said yes," He squealed.
"Congratulations," Harry and Ginny chimed in looking at the thrilled Colin. He turned around and hurried over to Denis to tell him all of the details.
"So, you and Cho break up and she winds up going to the ball with my back up date," Ginny said with a slight giggle.
Harry had to laugh with her; it was an odd situation. "So, when do you think Hermione and Ron will be back?"
"I think only Merlin knows when those two will get back."
The two passed the remaining hours until dinner by talking and even playing another game of Chess. They really were evenly matched. It was great being able to hang out with Ginny and being free to look at her with out feeling guilty about Cho. When it was time for dinner Ron and Hermione had not shown up back in the common room. Ginny and Harry made their way down to the great hall, laughing about the twins and their antics. When they reached the entrance hall they met Hermione and Ron, holding hands discreetly.
"There you two are," Harry said not able to resist teasing.
"Wow, Harry, Pay up," Ginny said grinning at her brother.
"My money is up in my dormitory," Harry replied.
"What's this about money?" Hermione asked.
"Well, we had a bet going about what time the two of you were going to come back. Harry here said it wouldn't be until after dinner, but I said it would be before, not long before, but before."
Hermione gave an aggravated 'tut' to show her disapproval about the bet, but didn't really argue.
The group made their way into the great hall and enjoyed a filling dinner. They spoke about each other's experiences in Hogsmeade and Hermione found it amusing that Colin was 'taken' with Cho. Harry even saw Cho sit down and waved to her with a grin. She returned his smile and wave.
The evening passed quickly in the common room. "Harry, can we talk to you?" Fred asked.
"Sure," He responded moving to where Fred and George were standing talking quietly.
"We have a new invention. We wanted you to try it first." George explained.
"Err… that's nice guys but I really don't want to be the first to try something new. I remember the ton-tong toffees and the canary creams only too well. Why not get someone else to try it?"
"Okay. Hey, Katie do you want to try a new invention?" Fred yelled over to his fellow Quidditch team member.
"Sure!" she said, clearly in a good mood. George handed her a yellow candy in the shape of wings, which she quickly popped into her mouth and began to chew.
"Wow, this taste really good!" She said. As Katie spoke she lifted up into the air. "Ahhh… I'm flying!"
"Yeah! That's what it's supposed to do. Watch…" With that Fred spun Katie around in the air. She began to flip in the air, laughing uncontrollably.
"This is great!!!" she said in between laughs. Soon everyone in the hall was pushing towards Fred and George wanting to buy some of the new candies. "What are these called?" Katie finally asked having controlled her laughing.
"Wicked Wingers!" one of the twins replied. Harry couldn't see which one it was because of the huge crowd surrounding them buying candy. Fred made his way over to Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione with a bag of Wicked Wingers. "Here, these are for you," he explained presenting them with the product. They all grabbed one and ate them quickly.
"Thanks," Ginny exclaimed as she rose into the air. Soon the common room was filled with flying students, all grinning from ear to ear. This really was great, Harry thought as he flipped over in the air. The effects of the candy lasted five minutes and left the eater with a grin on their face.
