Chapter Five: The Misunderstanding
Hermione, Ginny, Parvati, and Lavender sat in the common room the next morning talking. They suddenly look up to see Seamus, Harry, Dean, and Ron coming down the stairs. Lavender got up first to meet Seamus.
"Hey, I wanted to talk to you about the Hogsmead trip." She said with a smile.
"Huh, Hogsmead? Really? I don't know, you might have to check the plan." He said sarcastically as he side stepped Lavender and started walking toward the Portrait Hole. Lavender turned around, looking at Seamus as if she were about to cry. Parvati slowly walked up to Dean.
"Oh, were we s'posed to go too? I think you should double check it." Dean said in the most sarcastic voice he could muster. Ginny stood up.
"What's wrong with you guys?" She asked. Harry stepped up to her.
"I think what Seamus and Dean meant to say, was.....next time, bet on someone else." He said in a hurt voice.
"Harry, I..." She started, but Harry also walked past her. Hermione slowly stood up.
"Ron?" She said in a shaky voice. Ron wouldn't even look at her. Hermione got right in front of him. "Ron, please talk to me." She said, her eyes brimming with tears. Ron shook his head.
"Guys, I'm not that hungry." He said, over the top of Hermione's head, to Harry, Seamus, and Dean. Then he turned and walked back up the stairs. Hermione drew in a sharp breath. Then she leaned against the wall next to her, and slid to the floor. A tear streaked down her face, then another, but Hermione wouldn't let her sobs be heard.
"Why are you crying?" Harry spit out angrily. "You were the ones that bet on US! Didn't you even think about what would happen when we found out?!" Hermione shook her head. "What, did you think seventeen-year-old boys were so hormone raged that we wouldn't care if you used us?!" He yelled. Ginny came up next to him and pushed him.
"We didn't use you?!" She yelled at him. "We each wanted one of you. This was the only way we could get ourselves to go after you guys." She said in a more quiet voice. The boys all gave a bitter laugh.
"Yeah, right." The said at the same time, before they turned and walked out of the Portrait Hole. Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny all took a spot on the floor next to Hermione. Each one trying to force the tears out of their eyes.
I still can't believe they did that. Dean said through his hands at the Gryffindor table at lunch. Seamus raised his eye-brows.
Why? I mean, we knew Parvati and Lavender were flirts. We should have been more surprised when they just came up to us and asked us out. He said, clenching and unclenching his fists. Harry shook his head.
Well, I can't believe it. It isn't like Ginny to do something that.....mean. He mumbled as he looked down at the table. Then he looked up and Dean and Seamus. And, Ron's really upset. He hasn't come down all morning. It really is like Hermione to do something like that. Especially to Ron. I thought she actually liked him. He said with disgust in his voice. Harry then picked up a plate of food. We should probable bring him this. He said, pointing toward the plate. Seamus and Dean nodded, and the three boys got up.
When Seamus, Dean, and Harry went through the portrait hole, Harry was confronted by Hermione.
Harry, we'll take it to Seamus said, grabbing the plate. Harry nodded, then looked at Hermione, who was staring down at the floor.
H-has he come d-down at a-all y-yet? She asked, her voice braking every few words. Harry frowned.
Why do you care? He asked in a mean voice. Hermione looked up at Harry quickly, she looked mad but, Harry could tell she had been crying.
Of course I care! She yelled. You know I would never hurt Ron intentionally! You, of all people, should know how I feel about him! She yelled before she turned and ran to her dorm. After Hermione had slammed her door, Harry looked toward the fire place. He saw Ginny sitting there. Ginny then got up.
She's right you know. She said as she passed him. Before she could get to far, Harry grabbed her arm. Ginny turned around quickly and winced at the pressure he was putting on her arm.
If I were you, I wouldn't preach. Harry said through gritted teeth. Ginny wrenched her arm free of Harry's grip and laughed bitterly.
I wouldn't either. She said sullenly before she continued onto her dorm room.
