Disclaimer: Warner Bro.'s, J.K's, whatever, the characters and Hogwarts ain't mine.
A/N: Looky this, I know it wasn't exactly fast but guess what, I've already started the next chapter after this one. If you haven't noticed, this story is starting to wrap up, mainly due to my resolution that it would be finished before my Trial H.S.C in about a month. So you've got at least a few chapter's to go, but that's my reason if I don't pick too many new fights in up-coming chapters. And yes, Harry/Ron showdown is coming up.
Thanks to all the reviewers (I noticed a few of my regular readers haven't reviewed the last chapter, I hope you guys haven't given up on me), especially new reviewer Gizelle: In relation to the Oliver poster, I wish! Sean Biggerstaff is so much hotter than Harry, I wish I could make a story with him as the love interest. If you want a good Oliver story though, check out Elbereth's Being For The Benefit of Mr Wood, it's on my fave stories list. Christ, too many notes, on with the bloody story.
The next morning Harry ran up to the Owlery, to send a letter double-checking his plans with Sirius, leaving me to walk down to breakfast by myself. Not far from the Gryffindor common room, however, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Spinning around, I was confronted by a rather cautious-looking Ron. I threw him a glare and he quickly removed his hand from my shoulder, as if burnt.
"Look, uh, Hermione, I just wanted to say, what Malfoy was calling you yesterday was horrible" he rushed out. Recognizing his attempt to try and repair the situation between us, I shrugged, gave him a small smile a continued walking.
"Oh, you know me, it doesn't really bother me. They weren't exactly being nice to you either".
He smiled to himself.
"Ah, but they don't know how wrong they are…" he said mysteriously. My eyes narrowed.
"Wait – you and Cho aren't…" I made frantic gestures with my hands, not wanting to say it in words. He was peering at me as though he didn't understand, then his eyes widened in a look of surprise.
"What? No!" he shook his head "Look, there's been a misunderstanding here. I really need to talk to you...and Harry. Will you two be free tonight?"
"Ummm, actually, I think Harry's got Quidditch practise tonight" I bluffed.
"No, that's tomorrow night, the timetable's up in the common room".
"He's busy tonight, okay?" I said hastily. Ron stopped walking, looking suspicious.
"What's he up to?"
"Never you mind"
Ron backed off a few steps with a defensive gesture.
"Okay, okay. So what are you up to tonight?" he queried as we resumed our journey to the Great Hall.
"My homework. Thought I'd get a start on that Transfiguration essay Professor McGonagall set us, too".
"But it's not due for three weeks!" Ron exclaimed, apparently stunned at my motivation.
"I just want to make sure I get it done" I said, as we entered the Great Hall.
"So do you, uh, mind if I join you? Nothing funny" he asked with a grin.
Ron, doing schoolwork without me forcing him to?
"No, feel free, I'll see you in the common room tonight" I said to him, and sat down to wait for Harry.
I managed to avoid telling Harry all day about my plans for that night. After all, it was only doing schoolwork together. Harry was very pleased, however, that we had managed a civil conversation.
"So, I didn't end up 'leading the crusade' after all" he'd smirked on our way out of History of Magic.
"Hey, he approached me" I corrected him.
"We, I'm glad he did" he said, kissed me on the cheek and headed off to Divination.
He still seemed glad as he headed out of the common room, with his Invisibility Cloak and the Marauders map. I was to go to the door at 8:30pm and let him back in.
"Hows about another talk with Ron tonight?" he said with a grin as he left, little did he know.
Dean and Seamus grinned over at me when Ron joined me at a table in the common room five minutes later. Seems like they're sick of his company already.
"Do you mind if I borrow today's History of Magic notes? I, uh, missed a few points" he asked.
"You mean you were gazing out the window the whole time as usual" I said, not lifting my head from my Ancient Runes homework.
"Yep, that'd be it" he laughed.
"Yes, alright. But perhaps you could try listening some time?"
Ten minutes later, Ron stopped his furious scribbling away.
"Hermione, what's Harry doing tonight?"
I sighed and looked at him. If Harry was really determined to e friends with Ron again, he was going to find out anyway, right? I dropped my voice to a whisper.
"He's gone to see Sirius in Hogsmeade"
Ron looked faintly surprised.
"Really? Cool".
"No, not cool Ron. It's really dangerous".
He shook his head.
"Bloody hell, being in a relationship hasn't made you lighten up".
I glowered at him. He fell silent and went back to notes. Fifteen minutes were as long as I could last before posing the question I'd been dying to ask.
"So, you and Cho aren't…together?" I enquired casually.
"Nope, never were." Ron said matter-of-factly.
"But…I saw you…Ginny said…" I stuttered, utterly perplexed.
"Really, that was all a big misunderstanding. But I think we should save that conversation for when Harry's here. Anyway, I fancy someone else" he said lightly.
Oh God let it not still be me.
He looked at me with a light in his eyes.
"You remember Fleur Delacour?"
How could I forget?
"Yes..."
"Well, after we spent most of the Halloween Ball together" (he said this with a pointed look at me) "we kinda started owling each other…I think she really likes me"
"Isn't she a bit…old for you?" I asked, still surprised.
"The same age as Krum" he said defensively.
"I dunno, long distance relationships…"
"Well, actually, she's been talking to Dumbledore, and she might be coming here next year to teach!" he said, a huge grin spreading across his face.
"Teaching what?"
"'Tis a mystery" he said with a sly look.
I found I was incredibly pleased for Ron. Not only was anyone better than Cho Chang, Fleur seemed to make him happy, which was all I'd ever wanted for him (well, apart from when he was being very unsupportive of S.P.E.W)
"C'mere you" I muttered under my breath and pulled him into a hug, even though he was reluctant (Boys…)
Someone cleared their throat behind us.
"Can't leave you with my girlfriend for a minute, can I?"
A/N: Please review! Yes, I do say Bloody hell a lot, in my writing and in real life.