Given Thoughts
Chapter Three: Preparations
("………") People talking
Hermione's thoughts are in italics
Other's thoughts are in bold italics
A/N: By the way, just to let you know, this story takes place in the middle of Harry and Hermione's sixth year. Sorry I didn't put it in the other two chapters.
Hermione packed up all her books and headed out the door, still scolding herself for not paying attention in class. She sighed, and then groaned when she realized that today was Friday. That meant she'd have to meet with Harry and set a time for their date, which she wanted to take place tomorrow.
She kept walking, looking at the people that passed her. She concentrated hard on a fifth – year Hufflepuff boy.
I hope Professor Snape doesn't give us any surprise quizzes or tests. I'm not ready, oh, there's that Hermione Granger. Lucky her, she doesn't have to worry about anything. Everyone knows she's the smartest girl in the whole school. What I wouldn't give to have brains like that.
Hermione blushed slightly, but then scoffed inwardly.
What does he mean I don't have to worry about anything? There's the N.E.W.Ts of course, and the date I have with Harry, and I have to figure out how to get rid of this mind – reading ability I have! I'll go crazy sooner or later, knowing what everyone thinks of me. I wonder…?
With an evil grin she took off towards the entrance of the Gryffindor Common Room. After saying the password to the Fat Lady ("Hippogriff Claw") she headed towards Ron and Harry, who were busy playing a game of chess. Ron was winning, once again.
"Checkmate!" Ron yelled victoriously. Harry just scowled, but then grinned when he noticed Hermione.
"Hello Hermione! Did you manage to make it to your class?" He asked, somewhat shyly. Hermione just nodded, she then looked over to Ron, who was busy patting himself on the back for winning at chess, again.
"Have you told Ron, Harry?" Hermione asked innocently, she had to hide her smirk when she saw Ron look at her and Harry with confusion. Harry just blushed and looked away.
"Told me what, Harry?" Ron asked curiously, Harry just sighed.
"Ron, earlier today, Hermione asked me if I would go to Hogsmead with her…you know…like a date." Harry replied quietly, awaiting Ron's reaction.
"Well, that's fine." Ron said with a smile, though you could still tell he was confused. Hermione used this as an opportunity to see what he was really thinking.
I had no idea Hermione liked Harry, I especially find it unbelievable that she asked him, instead of him asking her. Oh, I guess it doesn't matter, as long as they're both happy. He thought. Hermione just stared.
This isn't right! What about all those other times I went out with a guy? He absolutely blew his head off! What's so different about this time? Is it because Harry is our friend? Or is it because he has no problem with Harry dating me? Hermione shook her head in frustration.
"You mean it?" Harry asked, "Great! But, what are you going to do while we're out?" That's when Ron's grin widened.
"Oh, I happen to have some plans with a certain Ravenclaw girl." He said with a mischievous smile.
"Really?" Hermione interjected, "Who is she this time?" She asked with a soft grin on her face. Ron had already gone through so many girls that Harry and Hermione had lost count after sixteen.
"Guess." Ron challenged, Hermione and Harry both furrowed their eyebrows in thought.
"Mandy Bocklehurst?"
"Nope."
"Padma Patil?"
"Went out with her two weeks ago."
"Cho Chang?"
"Yeah right!"
"Lisa Turpin?"
"Please! I went out with her about a month ago!" Ron gloated.
"Terry Boot?"
"N – Hey! Are you insinuating that I'm gay?"
Hermione giggled, "Of course not, I just ran out of names. Harry, can you think of anyone else who hasn't gone out with Ron in Ravenclaw and isn't in their fourth year or lower?" Harry shook his head.
"Okay, I'll tell you, but promise me you won't react at all." Ron said seriously. Harry and Hermione nodded.
"Okay, it's Luna Lovegood." He said in a rush.
"LOONY LUNA LOVEGOOD?!" Harry shouted on impulse. Making everyone in the Common Room turn towards the trio. Ron blushed and sank into his seat. After a couple minutes the insistent chatter started up again and Harry apologized to Ron quietly.
"That's why I said don't react! And don't bloody call Luna that! She's not loony!" Ron shot at Harry; Hermione just raised her eyebrows and started reading one of her books.
"So," Harry began, trying to break the silence that had lingered around them, "Where do you plan to take Luna?" Harry began to feel a little guilty for calling Luna loony. She had after all, understood him at times when no one could figure him out, for that he was grateful to her, he inwardly apologized to her.
"Well, I plan to take her to the Three Broomsticks, then we'll probably just take a little stroll through Hogsmead." he said nonchalantly, as if he were discussing what he had for breakfast this morning.
Then his face broke into a smirk, "What do you and Hermione plan to do?" To his pleasure, Harry turned a bright red and Hermione buried herself further into reading her book.
"Well – er – we haven't discussed it yet." he murmured, avoiding looking in Ron's direction, instead he found the pattern on the wooden design of the table in front of them very interesting. Ron just grinned and shook his head.
"Well, I'll just leave you two so you can discuss your upcoming date." Ron walked away, while snickering. It took a whole three minutes and forty – eight seconds for either one of them to say anything.
"Harry, come on let's stop acting like embarrassed second years and handle this situation like sixteen year olds." Hermione said in her bossy tone, which snapped Harry out of it. Quickly, Hermione delved into his mind.
Easy for you to say, you always seem to be prepared for everything, not me though. Hermione frowned. But instead of thinking about it she turned her attention back to Harry.
He nodded, "You're right, so would you agree that we go to Hogsmead tomorrow say around 7:30? From there we can go to the Three Broomsticks, hopefully we won't run into Ron there. Then we can just do a bit of shopping I suppose." Hermione giggled, Harry snapped his head towards her and frowned in confusion.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Nothing!" Hermione snickered, but Harry just stared, "Oh, alright! When you think you always seem to put your thumbnail in your mouth and gnaw on it! It makes you look ridiculously cute!" Hermione blurted before she could stop herself, her face paled and she put her hand up to her mouth. She hadn't meant to let that part slip out.
But instead of acting confused or freaked out, or even mad, Harry just smiled.
"Yeah well, when you study, you always bring your hand up and mess with the tips of your hair. It always looks like you're petting yourself." He teased.
Hermione just put on a face of mock anger and said, "It doesn't make me look ridiculously cute?"
"Actually, you're gorgeous when you do it." He said with no hesitation, Hermione dropped her book in shock, she then instinctively picked it up without paying attention. She instead picked up her shoe that she had taken off earlier and held it like she held her book. Harry couldn't help but chuckle.
"So . . . " Hermione blushed, "now that we got that solved." She looked at Harry, again looking in his mind.
She is so beautiful when she blushes . . . .
This made Hermione blush even harder, Harry looked at her oddly,'
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Hermione cursed herself inwardly, "Oh, yes, of course! I'm fine . . .. . why?" she said innocently.
Harry just shook his head, "No reason . . . listen, I've got to get to Divination, um – I can't wait until tomorrow." He blushed, Hermione just nodded and smiled.
Gods, I love her smile. She heard him say, he smiled at her, gathered his things and walked out of the classroom. She made sure he was completely out the room before she giggled and turned to read her book.
"Why am I holding my shoe?"
~*~*~
A/N: I know this chapter was pretty pointless but I needed to update it at least! Don't worry, the next chapter will be longer and will actually have a point in the story! Again, this story takes place in Harry, Ron, and Hermione's sixth year. I think Ron may have been a little OOC when he found out that Harry and Hermione were going out, and Harry's little outburst about Luna was a bit OOC too. Oh well! That's just me! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and I thank all of you wonderful reviewers! I'll get the next chapter out soon!
Phoenix – Wings