Author's Note: I forgot to mention in my last part that there's a slim
chance of my getting on the internet over weekends. My brother comes over
and usually takes hold of our phone line, but sometimes he's nice or rents
movies so he won't get on.
Also, I was re-reading my old ones to get an idea of what to put in this fic, and I found all of these spelling mistakes, or just common mistakes like putting one word instead of another. I don't have a spell checker, so I appologize for any mistakes -- I try to spell right and if I'm not sure about a word I usually look it up or just find a substitute. :) (also, I'm a bit impatient to actually go back and edit my work. I just write, post, then read it once it's up on the site)
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The next day Harry and Ginny were found in the library, both looking up love potions and spells in the middle of doing their homework. Harry, on occasion, got bored and slipped his Quidditch book in, but Ginny usually caught him after a while and forced him to research.
"We could use this one . . . Oh. No, the two would never be able to be seperated within ten feet of each other for life," Ginny commented absently. She sighed and put her book down. "I don't think we're going to find anything, Harry."
"Thank God you finally agree with me."
"Well, what do you think we should do?" Ginny asked, exasperated. "Maybe we could . . . oh, Harry, I've got it!"
"Got what?"
"The answer." Ginny paused for dramatic effect. "Jealousy. It's really the best way to get two people together. We need somebody to make them both jealous. I'm sure I could talk to one of the girls in my dormitory . . . or even Parvati or Lavender. And maybe we could get Dean or Seamus for Hermione. Really, you know how Ron gets when he's jealous."
"Brilliant," Harry complimented Ginny, who blushed in response. "I'll talk to Dean. Make sure it's Parvati or Lavender though, Hermione has had a slight grudge on them since they took Divinations together, so she'll be even more jealous."
"Do you think they'll go along?" Ginny asked thoughtfully.
Harry shrugged. "If they don't just get somebody else."
" *Alpha Retirness*," Ginny said, pointing her wand at the books on the table that magically went back to their places on the shelves. "Come on, I can't wait to get started. This is all so romantic, isn't it?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Oh, of course you would," Ginny said, taking his arm and leading him out of the library at a fast pace, eager to get to work. "You're a romantic at heart. I can tell."
"I really don't think I'm . . ." Harry trailed off as they ran into Dean in the hall. "Dean, can I have a word?"
Dean walked up to him and Ginny curiously. "Yeah?"
"Well, you know all of that built up tension between Ron and Hermione . . ." And Harry told Dean all about their plan, skipping the part about Hermione being pregnant and all of what happened in London.
Dean grinned. "You want me to flirt with Hermione to make Ron jealous? Wicked. This should be fun. Flowers and candy, you think? And a declaration of my love to her. My thanks for not asking Seamus before me -- I can do the job better."
Harry and Ginny laughed, and Dean smiled along as well.
"Well, so glad that you're kean," Harry said. "Just remember not to breath a word to anyone. And don't even hint about it to Ron or talk about it around anyone else. Be sure to show public displays of affection in the common room to Hermione where Ron can see."
"I'll do the job, and right too," Dean promised. "Now, I need to go to the library. Nasty report on Yillytoe Hjoira for DADA."
"I've already got it done and Hermione checked it over, so you can copy it," Harry offered.
Dean beamed at Harry and the three headed for the common room.
Upon entry, Ginny winked at Harry and rushed over to where Parvati and Lavender were sitting in front of the fire, giggling.
"Oh, hello, Ginny," Lavender said in a voice that clearly said Ginny was interrupting a very important conversation.
"I'm sorry to intrude," Ginny began, blushing. She wasn't used to talking to anyone besides her own room mates and Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Especially people like Parvati and Lavender. "Harry and I have this plan though, and we're going to need your help . . ."
Lavender finally agreed to take the job, and was ready to begin that moment. Ginny, however, warned her not to yet. They then discussed tactics for Ginny and Harry's plan. This seemed exactly like the type of thing Parvati and Lavender were made to do -- get two people together. They repeatedly gushed over how romantic it all was and Ginny repeatedly resisted the urge to throw up.
* * * * *
Later that night, Hermione went back to her dormitory, a little confused at the way Dean had suddenly become very interested in talking to her, and kept giving her meaningful looks. Nobody else seemed to notice, though, so Hermione kept it to herself.
She went to her bedside table and began to brush her long, bushy hair. She had tried many styles over the years, hoping that at least one of them would make her hair assume a slightly normal appearance, but she received no such luck.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she heard Parvati and Lavender enter, giggling as usual.
"But do you, like, think he'd ever go for me?" Lavender was asking Parvati seriously.
"Of course, you have no competition. And I'm sure he's never had a girlfriend before, so he'd love to get one. And, of course, you're extremely beautiful. How could he resist?"
Lavender giggled again. "Oh, you're right. I feel so silly though, having a crush on Ron Weasley."
Hermione stopped brushing, her jaw dropped and she made a funny noise.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Parvati asked, pulling the curtain from the front of the room aside to see Hermione, looking at them funny.
"Yes-yes, certainly," Hermione stuttered.
"Hermione," Lavender inquired nervously, "do you think . . . I mean . . . you know Ron, well, do you think he might ever *go* for me?"
"No," Hermione said bluntly. She put a hand over her mouth. "At least . . . well, Ron, he's, well, how do I put this . . . Ron isn't very good at commitments. Terrified of women. If-if he did ever go with you, it would be for a week tops. Player, he is."
Lavender and Parvati seemed to be hiding smug smirks. "Well," Lavender huffed. "We'll just see how he reacts once he gets some of me."
"You go girl," Parvati said encouragingly. "I'm sure he could change his ways for you."
Parvati and Lavender shut their curtains after that and Hermione followed suit. She finally lay in bed, but sleep didn't come.
Why, oh why, had she flat out lied to Parvati and Lavender? And why in the world did Lavender want Ron of all people? He was awkward, ignorant, insulting . . . but then, Hermione added to herself, he's also loyal, kind, funny . . . Hermione trailed off in her thoughts.
Of course, she finally realized, it was the mother in me. Every mother would like to stay with their child's father. I just don't think Ron feels that way, the Leaky Cauldren night had been just that -- one night. A silly little fling.
**But why did he kiss you at Hogsmeade?** a pestering voice asked.
**I don't know for sure if he kissed me, or I kissed him,** Hermione returned to the voice. **And do shut up, I'm trying to sleep.**
* * * * *
The next day, to Hermione's dissaproval and Ron's surprise, Lavender plopped herself beside Ron.
"Hi, Lavender," Ron said pleasantly. "Where's Parvati."
"She hasn't woken up yet," Lavender said. She smiled up at Ron. "How have you been lately? I feel like we don't get much time to talk lately."
"Lavender, we've never had *much time to talk*," Ron pointed out.
Lavender laughed. "Yes, I suppose," she said, sobering up. "Well, maybe we should change that. We've known each other for nearly seven years now but we haven't *known* each other, if you know what I mean."
"No, I don't," Ron said blankly.
"Well . . . how were your summer holidays?" Lavender asked after a moment's hesitation. "Do anything anything interesting?"
Ron blushed and looked down at his plate. "Can't think of anything worth sharing."
Hermione glared at him and stood. "Well, I'm done. See you in Potions, Harry." She started to walk away then stopped. "You too, I suppose, Ron," she said in a harsh voice.
Ron looked after her. "What did I say?" he asked Harry.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "I'll tell you later."
Ginny came in and sat down in between Ron and Harry, where Hermione had been sitting. "Where's Hermione?"
"Ron, as usual, said something stupid," Harry said, sighing.
"What did I say?" Ron asked.
"Oh, it's Parvati. I'll talk to you later, Ron. See you in Potions as well." Lavender giggled, winked at Ron, patted his arm, then rushed off to talk to Parvati.
"All right, then, what did I say?"
"You just told Hermione that that night in Diagon Alley meant nothing to you," Harry whispered.
Ginny looked shocked. " *Ron*! Do you have to have a tutor to teach you how to speak to women?"
"I did not," Ron defended.
"Well, maybe you don't think you did. But girls think entirely differently than guys."
"Really, and how do you know that I said that?"
"Because I have a gift. Besides, it was completely obvious."
"What exactly did he say?" Ginny asked.
"Lavender asked about his holidays and he said he couldn't think of anything worth sharing," Harry said, shooting Ron a look.
Ron opened and closed his mouth. "I-I didn't . . ."
"You'd better go make up," Harry said. "Those woman hormones are something to fear."
"Yeah, and make up *now*," Ginny said. "And remember not to say anything stupid. Sticking with 'I'm sorry' should solve your problems."
"And remember what you said so you can answer if she throws you the 'what are you sorry for' routine," Harry added.
Ron grimly smiled at Harry and got up to go find Hermione.
Find her, he did. She was in the library, sitting at an empty table and reading a book. Her eyes weren't moving, though, so Ron wondered if she really was reading.
"Mione," Ron greeted, sitting down.
Hermione smiled, then put her book away. "Hello, Ron," she said pleasantly. "You did get that essay for Potions done, right?"
Ron was confused. "Aren't you mad?"
"Mad?" Hermione laughed, but it sounded shrill and forced. "I'm not mad. What would I be mad about?"
"You just--you got up so abruptly at breakfast," Ron said, getting more confused. "Harry said I insulted you."
Hermione's eyes flashed. "Well, if *Harry* said it, then you'd better believe it, right?" She stood and began gathering her books. "Ron, really, I don't need this from you. Don't believe everything Harry says, you two are guys and you can't underst--"
"But Ginny said so too," Ron interrupted.
"Oh, talking about me now, are you?" Hermione asked, hurt and anger leaking into her voice.
"You're mad."
"Wow, figured that one out *without* Harry," Hermione congratulated sarcastically. "I will see you in Potions, Ron."
Ron stood and followed her. "Hermione, you are . . . you are the most confusing person I've ever met in my life."
"You're not helping."
"But I did insult you!" Ron insisted. "I said that that night meant nothing to me when it really meant everything to me."
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Ooooh . . . what will Hermione's reaction be? Find out soon.
"I can live a long time on a good compliment"
--Mark Twain
(Let's see if we can get another twenty hits, eh? I mean, you guys did more than I asked for! I said thirty, thirty five -- you gave me forty three. So, let's go for sixty, I'm sure you can do it. If you can't . . . well, I'll still post the next one. I just want to see if you guys can give me sixty. I'm sure you can:)
Oh, and thank you so much! I've never gotten so much feedback in so little time.
~HJtheB
Also, I was re-reading my old ones to get an idea of what to put in this fic, and I found all of these spelling mistakes, or just common mistakes like putting one word instead of another. I don't have a spell checker, so I appologize for any mistakes -- I try to spell right and if I'm not sure about a word I usually look it up or just find a substitute. :) (also, I'm a bit impatient to actually go back and edit my work. I just write, post, then read it once it's up on the site)
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The next day Harry and Ginny were found in the library, both looking up love potions and spells in the middle of doing their homework. Harry, on occasion, got bored and slipped his Quidditch book in, but Ginny usually caught him after a while and forced him to research.
"We could use this one . . . Oh. No, the two would never be able to be seperated within ten feet of each other for life," Ginny commented absently. She sighed and put her book down. "I don't think we're going to find anything, Harry."
"Thank God you finally agree with me."
"Well, what do you think we should do?" Ginny asked, exasperated. "Maybe we could . . . oh, Harry, I've got it!"
"Got what?"
"The answer." Ginny paused for dramatic effect. "Jealousy. It's really the best way to get two people together. We need somebody to make them both jealous. I'm sure I could talk to one of the girls in my dormitory . . . or even Parvati or Lavender. And maybe we could get Dean or Seamus for Hermione. Really, you know how Ron gets when he's jealous."
"Brilliant," Harry complimented Ginny, who blushed in response. "I'll talk to Dean. Make sure it's Parvati or Lavender though, Hermione has had a slight grudge on them since they took Divinations together, so she'll be even more jealous."
"Do you think they'll go along?" Ginny asked thoughtfully.
Harry shrugged. "If they don't just get somebody else."
" *Alpha Retirness*," Ginny said, pointing her wand at the books on the table that magically went back to their places on the shelves. "Come on, I can't wait to get started. This is all so romantic, isn't it?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Oh, of course you would," Ginny said, taking his arm and leading him out of the library at a fast pace, eager to get to work. "You're a romantic at heart. I can tell."
"I really don't think I'm . . ." Harry trailed off as they ran into Dean in the hall. "Dean, can I have a word?"
Dean walked up to him and Ginny curiously. "Yeah?"
"Well, you know all of that built up tension between Ron and Hermione . . ." And Harry told Dean all about their plan, skipping the part about Hermione being pregnant and all of what happened in London.
Dean grinned. "You want me to flirt with Hermione to make Ron jealous? Wicked. This should be fun. Flowers and candy, you think? And a declaration of my love to her. My thanks for not asking Seamus before me -- I can do the job better."
Harry and Ginny laughed, and Dean smiled along as well.
"Well, so glad that you're kean," Harry said. "Just remember not to breath a word to anyone. And don't even hint about it to Ron or talk about it around anyone else. Be sure to show public displays of affection in the common room to Hermione where Ron can see."
"I'll do the job, and right too," Dean promised. "Now, I need to go to the library. Nasty report on Yillytoe Hjoira for DADA."
"I've already got it done and Hermione checked it over, so you can copy it," Harry offered.
Dean beamed at Harry and the three headed for the common room.
Upon entry, Ginny winked at Harry and rushed over to where Parvati and Lavender were sitting in front of the fire, giggling.
"Oh, hello, Ginny," Lavender said in a voice that clearly said Ginny was interrupting a very important conversation.
"I'm sorry to intrude," Ginny began, blushing. She wasn't used to talking to anyone besides her own room mates and Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Especially people like Parvati and Lavender. "Harry and I have this plan though, and we're going to need your help . . ."
Lavender finally agreed to take the job, and was ready to begin that moment. Ginny, however, warned her not to yet. They then discussed tactics for Ginny and Harry's plan. This seemed exactly like the type of thing Parvati and Lavender were made to do -- get two people together. They repeatedly gushed over how romantic it all was and Ginny repeatedly resisted the urge to throw up.
* * * * *
Later that night, Hermione went back to her dormitory, a little confused at the way Dean had suddenly become very interested in talking to her, and kept giving her meaningful looks. Nobody else seemed to notice, though, so Hermione kept it to herself.
She went to her bedside table and began to brush her long, bushy hair. She had tried many styles over the years, hoping that at least one of them would make her hair assume a slightly normal appearance, but she received no such luck.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she heard Parvati and Lavender enter, giggling as usual.
"But do you, like, think he'd ever go for me?" Lavender was asking Parvati seriously.
"Of course, you have no competition. And I'm sure he's never had a girlfriend before, so he'd love to get one. And, of course, you're extremely beautiful. How could he resist?"
Lavender giggled again. "Oh, you're right. I feel so silly though, having a crush on Ron Weasley."
Hermione stopped brushing, her jaw dropped and she made a funny noise.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Parvati asked, pulling the curtain from the front of the room aside to see Hermione, looking at them funny.
"Yes-yes, certainly," Hermione stuttered.
"Hermione," Lavender inquired nervously, "do you think . . . I mean . . . you know Ron, well, do you think he might ever *go* for me?"
"No," Hermione said bluntly. She put a hand over her mouth. "At least . . . well, Ron, he's, well, how do I put this . . . Ron isn't very good at commitments. Terrified of women. If-if he did ever go with you, it would be for a week tops. Player, he is."
Lavender and Parvati seemed to be hiding smug smirks. "Well," Lavender huffed. "We'll just see how he reacts once he gets some of me."
"You go girl," Parvati said encouragingly. "I'm sure he could change his ways for you."
Parvati and Lavender shut their curtains after that and Hermione followed suit. She finally lay in bed, but sleep didn't come.
Why, oh why, had she flat out lied to Parvati and Lavender? And why in the world did Lavender want Ron of all people? He was awkward, ignorant, insulting . . . but then, Hermione added to herself, he's also loyal, kind, funny . . . Hermione trailed off in her thoughts.
Of course, she finally realized, it was the mother in me. Every mother would like to stay with their child's father. I just don't think Ron feels that way, the Leaky Cauldren night had been just that -- one night. A silly little fling.
**But why did he kiss you at Hogsmeade?** a pestering voice asked.
**I don't know for sure if he kissed me, or I kissed him,** Hermione returned to the voice. **And do shut up, I'm trying to sleep.**
* * * * *
The next day, to Hermione's dissaproval and Ron's surprise, Lavender plopped herself beside Ron.
"Hi, Lavender," Ron said pleasantly. "Where's Parvati."
"She hasn't woken up yet," Lavender said. She smiled up at Ron. "How have you been lately? I feel like we don't get much time to talk lately."
"Lavender, we've never had *much time to talk*," Ron pointed out.
Lavender laughed. "Yes, I suppose," she said, sobering up. "Well, maybe we should change that. We've known each other for nearly seven years now but we haven't *known* each other, if you know what I mean."
"No, I don't," Ron said blankly.
"Well . . . how were your summer holidays?" Lavender asked after a moment's hesitation. "Do anything anything interesting?"
Ron blushed and looked down at his plate. "Can't think of anything worth sharing."
Hermione glared at him and stood. "Well, I'm done. See you in Potions, Harry." She started to walk away then stopped. "You too, I suppose, Ron," she said in a harsh voice.
Ron looked after her. "What did I say?" he asked Harry.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "I'll tell you later."
Ginny came in and sat down in between Ron and Harry, where Hermione had been sitting. "Where's Hermione?"
"Ron, as usual, said something stupid," Harry said, sighing.
"What did I say?" Ron asked.
"Oh, it's Parvati. I'll talk to you later, Ron. See you in Potions as well." Lavender giggled, winked at Ron, patted his arm, then rushed off to talk to Parvati.
"All right, then, what did I say?"
"You just told Hermione that that night in Diagon Alley meant nothing to you," Harry whispered.
Ginny looked shocked. " *Ron*! Do you have to have a tutor to teach you how to speak to women?"
"I did not," Ron defended.
"Well, maybe you don't think you did. But girls think entirely differently than guys."
"Really, and how do you know that I said that?"
"Because I have a gift. Besides, it was completely obvious."
"What exactly did he say?" Ginny asked.
"Lavender asked about his holidays and he said he couldn't think of anything worth sharing," Harry said, shooting Ron a look.
Ron opened and closed his mouth. "I-I didn't . . ."
"You'd better go make up," Harry said. "Those woman hormones are something to fear."
"Yeah, and make up *now*," Ginny said. "And remember not to say anything stupid. Sticking with 'I'm sorry' should solve your problems."
"And remember what you said so you can answer if she throws you the 'what are you sorry for' routine," Harry added.
Ron grimly smiled at Harry and got up to go find Hermione.
Find her, he did. She was in the library, sitting at an empty table and reading a book. Her eyes weren't moving, though, so Ron wondered if she really was reading.
"Mione," Ron greeted, sitting down.
Hermione smiled, then put her book away. "Hello, Ron," she said pleasantly. "You did get that essay for Potions done, right?"
Ron was confused. "Aren't you mad?"
"Mad?" Hermione laughed, but it sounded shrill and forced. "I'm not mad. What would I be mad about?"
"You just--you got up so abruptly at breakfast," Ron said, getting more confused. "Harry said I insulted you."
Hermione's eyes flashed. "Well, if *Harry* said it, then you'd better believe it, right?" She stood and began gathering her books. "Ron, really, I don't need this from you. Don't believe everything Harry says, you two are guys and you can't underst--"
"But Ginny said so too," Ron interrupted.
"Oh, talking about me now, are you?" Hermione asked, hurt and anger leaking into her voice.
"You're mad."
"Wow, figured that one out *without* Harry," Hermione congratulated sarcastically. "I will see you in Potions, Ron."
Ron stood and followed her. "Hermione, you are . . . you are the most confusing person I've ever met in my life."
"You're not helping."
"But I did insult you!" Ron insisted. "I said that that night meant nothing to me when it really meant everything to me."
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Ooooh . . . what will Hermione's reaction be? Find out soon.
"I can live a long time on a good compliment"
--Mark Twain
(Let's see if we can get another twenty hits, eh? I mean, you guys did more than I asked for! I said thirty, thirty five -- you gave me forty three. So, let's go for sixty, I'm sure you can do it. If you can't . . . well, I'll still post the next one. I just want to see if you guys can give me sixty. I'm sure you can:)
Oh, and thank you so much! I've never gotten so much feedback in so little time.
~HJtheB