A/N: I know it's been three weeks and I'm sorry that it's been so long!
I've been so busy lately with writing papers and the finals I have coming
up that I haven't had any time for anything! The vote is over and I think
its pretty unanimous...B is the winning option. I must say that I didn't
know I had so many readers; you all flatter me! Anyway, the newbies are
still going to be in the story, but not as much. Now without further ado,
on with the story!
~Chapter 15~
Ron knocked on the door to McGonagall's office where he, Harry, and Cho had been summoned. "Come in," came the curt reply on the other side. Ron opened the door and stepped aside so that Cho could enter and then he and Harry followed her in.
McGonagall was sitting at her desk looking over some papers. "Please sit," she said to them motioning to the seats without taking her eyes off the paper she was reading. The three sat and waited patiently for McGonagall to finish reading.
She put the paper down and removing her glasses looked directly at Ron. "Just what do you think you were doing this morning?"
Ron looked to Harry slightly bewildered, "We were—ah having practice," he told her.
"Practice," she said leaning back in her chair, "that's lovely. You were practicing with the Gryffindors?"
Realizing he wasn't in trouble Ron relaxed, "Yeah, it was a good one too."
"I'm glad." She leaned forward in her chair again and all traces of humor were gone, "Just what were you thinking when you started coaching the Gryffindors?"
"What?" Ron asked not understanding, "They needed some help."
McGonagall stared at him incredulously, "Oh, is that what you wanted me to tell Abraham Emerson? You remember him; he's the captain of the Hufflepuff team. Maybe you'll remember them, you are the HEAD OF THEIR HOUSE!"
Ron flinched as McGonagall's voice grew steadily louder. "Oh," was all he could manage.
McGonagall regained her composure before beginning again. "Luckily this mistake can be easily remedied. You will hold similar practices for the other houses starting with Hufflepuff as they have a game at the end of next week."
"Of course Professor," Ron replied. He felt terrible that he had neglected his house team, but when he found out that the Gryffindors were doing so terrible his feelings of nostalgia overtook his common sense.
McGonagall looked to Harry and Cho, "Since you two seem to be in equally helpful moods you will join him at each of these practices. I believe it equals out to about a week each team."
"Yes ma'am," the two replied in unison.
"I expect that after these sessions you will leave the practices up to the individual teams. None of the other houses have professionals to help them train and I don't want any unfair advantages." She put her glasses back on her face and picked up her stack of papers again. "Have a good day," she said signaling the end of the meeting.
The three stood up and headed out of her office. "I feel like such a git," Ron said, "How could I have forgotten my own house? I'd better go and find Abraham and apologize to him too." He turned to leave calling over his shoulder, "I'll meet up with you guys later to discuss practice times for the other teams."
~~~
"Hey Ginny, how's it going," Hermione asked later that afternoon when Ginny came to visit.
"Great, wonderful, truly fantastic," Ginny said with a sappy smile on her face.
"I take it that you and Malfoy worked things out," Hermione said as they sat down to some tea.
The smile spread on Ginny's face, "Yeah, we had a good talk." She curled her legs under her as she accepted the cup of tea Hermione handed her. "Actually, I need your help," she said becoming serious.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked her curiously.
Ginny took a breath, "Well, we've decided to try things out, you know, see how it goes. Well, I'm kinda worried about what Ron will think, or worse, do when I tell him. I was hoping maybe you could be with me when I tell him as support or something."
Hermione's brows drew together and she looked skeptical that her presence would in anyway keep Ron from going through the roof. "Of course I'll be there to support you, but I doubt that I'll be able to keep Ron in check."
Ginny sighed, "I know, but I guess it's just knowing that someone else supports us...you do support us don't you?"
Hermione smiled reassuringly at Ginny, "Of course I do. You look really happy about your decision and I'm happy for you."
"Thanks Hermione, that means a lot."
"When are you going to tell him?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Ginny said. "Actually, I was thinking that maybe on the first Hogsmeade trip we could all have lunch at the Three Broomsticks or something."
"That trip isn't for another two weeks," Hermione replied, "You're going to wait that long to tell him?"
Ginny sat thoughtful for a moment, "No, I suppose I should tell him sooner, especially since Draco and I are going to be spending more time together," she said loving the strange intimacy of saying his first name, "Ron will be sure to notice that something is up."
"Yes, I'm sure that he will. Ron may be completely oblivious to some things," Hermione said smiling slightly, "but he's right on target when it comes to anything dealing with you."
Ginny sighed, "That's true." They sat in amicable silence for a while drinking their tea. "Hermione, can I ask you another favor?" Ginny asked after a while.
"Sure, anything," Hermione answered.
"Well, it's just that I'm the only one who ever talks to Draco. I thought maybe you could try to befriend him too. Maybe that would help Ron see that he's not so bad."
"That's asking a lot," Hermione said thinking back to her school years filled with Draco torment.
"I know, but I promise you, he's really changed," she said defending him. "Really, he's not the same person anymore."
Hermione thought about everything that had happened in her youth. She'd been called "Mudblood" more times than she'd care to remember. Draco had been determined to make their years at Hogwarts the worst they could be and succeeded on many occasions. Ginny looked at her hopefully. Hermione knew that this was important to Ginny. Besides, Draco must really have changed if he had Ginny sticking up for him. "All right, Ginny, I'll try."
Ginny jumped out of her chair and ran to hug Hermione, "Thank you so much!" she said squeezing her tightly.
"Your welcome, but really, I can't promise anything," she told her hoping that she wasn't making a huge mistake.
~~~
Ginny didn't have to worry about coming clean with Ron that evening. He, Harry, and Cho were on the Quidditch pitch with the Hufflepuff Team practicing for that Friday's game.
Hermione took this opportunity to try to open up to Draco. "Are your classes going well?" she was asking.
"Yeah, I guess," he answered.
It was difficult trying to find anything to talk about with him and they'd usually only get a couple of sentences out before breaking into awkward silences. Ginny gave him an exasperated look. She knew that Hermione was trying, but Draco was hardly bothering to answer her.
Hermione gave up trying to carry on a one sided conversation and turned instead to talk to Neville. Ginny glared over at Draco. "She's trying you know," she said in a low voice.
Draco turned to look at Ginny, "I don't need her to try anything."
"I want you to get along with my friends," she told him.
"I don't see the point."
Ginny glared at him. How could he not see the point? "So you don't plan on trying to get along with any of them?" she asked.
Draco leaned back in his seat, "Again I don't see the point."
"Unbelievable," Ginny said, "You honestly think that we're going to try and be together and you aren't going to make any attempt to get along with my friends?"
"What does one have to do with the other?" he inquired, not understanding what her problem was.
Ginny frowned at him and then got up from her seat and walked out of the hall. "Bloody hell," Draco said getting up and following her out. He caught up with her outside, "What's the problem?"
"You are! I can't believe you don't see how it might be a problem you don't want to make any effort with my friends!" Ginny crossed her arms over her chest, "And what about my brother? What am I supposed to tell him? 'Oh hey Ron. Well Malfoy and I are together, but don't expect him to try and make conversation because he doesn't see the point.' I don't really see that going over too well."
"Why does this matter to you anyway?" Ginny's frown grew deeper and a look of hurt crossed her face. Draco felt instantly guilty at making her upset and walked over to her, wrapping her in a hug, "Look, I'm still getting used to the idea of us." Ginny still stood there unresponsive so Draco brought her arms up around his waist and Ginny pressed her cheek to his chest. "I'm not used to anyone caring much about what goes on in my life, knowing that you do still comes as a shock to me."
Ginny tilted her head up to look Draco in the eye, "I just want you to accept them as much as I want them to accept you."
"How about this?" he said trying to strike a compromise, "I'll try to be a bit more chatty if you promise not to go flying off the cuff whenever I'm not Mary Sunshine. This isn't easy for me you know."
Her eyes instantly lit up and she bestowed him with a toothy grin, "Thank you, this really means a lot to me."
Draco grinned back at her. The sight of her smile did strange things to him, "I know it does and if it makes you happy it makes me happy."
"What the ruddy hell is going on here!" Ron yelled crossing over to where Draco and Ginny stood. Ginny instantly stiffened at the sound of her brother's voice. "Get your bloody hands off my sister!" Ron said reaching them and prying Draco's arms off his sister and pushing Ginny back with his arm.
"Ron, please," Ginny began. Harry and Cho were coming up behind them and Harry glanced at Ginny and Draco, understanding for the first time what was going on between them.
Students started leaving the hall and Harry grabbed Ron's arm, "Ron, now is not the time."
Hermione came out of the hall at that moment and quickly assessed the situation. She stood in between Ron and Draco while Harry continued to restrain Ron. The students were starting to gather around, amazed to see their teacher in such a state of anger. "Come on Ron," Hermione said putting her hands on his chest.
Ron kept looking past her, glaring at Draco, oblivious to anything Hermione said. She grabbed Ron's face in her hands and forced him to look at her, "You're causing a scene and if McGonagall sees this, she's going to be livid."
Ron's mind finally cleared and he focused on Hermione's face. He nodded curtly and Hermione said, "Good, now, come on, follow me." She took his hand and led him away from the crowd and into one of the empty rooms near by.
Harry and Cho started sending kids on their way to their dormitories while Ginny stood there fighting back tears. That certainly wasn't how she wanted her brother to find out. She turned to Draco; "I have to go talk to him."
She started heading toward the room and hadn't gotten more than a couple of steps before she felt Draco's hand slip into hers. She looked up at him in surprise. "I'm going with you. We're in this together." Ginny gave him a grateful smile and headed toward the room her brother and Hermione had just entered.
"I can't believe her!" Ron was back to yelling now that he was enclosed in a room and away from the eyes of the other students. "How could she do that? Doesn't she know what she's doing? I can't believe her!"
"So you've said," Hermione told him as Ron paced in front of her. "Ron you've got to calm down."
"Calm down?" Ron stopped and fully faced her. "My little sister is doing God knows what with Draco Malfoy," Ron scrunched up his face in disgust as he said the name, "and you want me to calm down!" He started pacing again.
"She wanted to tell you, but she knew you'd react this way."
Ron stopped again and walked up to Hermione. Grabbing her shoulders he said, "You knew about this?"
Hermione looked away feeling a little guilty, "She only just told me about it this afternoon. She just wanted my support in this matter."
Ron's grip tightened slightly on her shoulders, "You didn't say you would did you?"
"Of course I did," Hermione said standing up and pushing Ron's hands off of her. "I can't believe you're getting this worked up over Ginny and Malfoy."
"She's making a huge mistake!"
"That's not for you to decide!" Hermione yelled back. "Look, she's a grown woman," Ron rolled his eyes, "Yes Ron, a grown woman. Just because you can't see her as one doesn't mean that she isn't. Besides weren't you telling me that you trusted her choices?"
"That was before she was making these stupid decisions! I can't stand by while she carries on with Malfoy!"
"Well, too bad that there isn't anything you can do about this!" Ron spun around toward the door where Ginny and Draco stood. He didn't notice them enter, but only saw red when he saw them holding hands. Hermione grabbed hold of his arm to keep him from going over to where they were.
Ginny stepped forward and held up her hand to stop Draco when he stepped forward too. She walked up to her brother and Ron noticed for the first time that she had tears in her eyes. He instantly felt guilty and for a moment wanted to hug his sister and make things better.
At that moment, however, Draco's shuffling reminded Ron of the current situation. Ginny stopped in front of her brother. "Look, I know that this is a shock to you so I'm going to excuse your horrible comments. I also know you are angry and you aren't going to be too keen on hearing me out. I just hope that you swallow your pride over this whole situation and give us a chance." Ron opened his mouth to say something, "No don't say anything," she said quickly, "I don't want you to say anything else you'll end up regretting." She turned to Hermione, "Please talk to him." With that Ginny turned and left the room with Draco trailing behind her.
A/N: Aurora Noctifer and Mynuet, thank you for pointing out the gross negligence on my part! I owe everyone a huge apology! Originally Ron was going to be uber generous to everyone and coach all the teams (except Slytherin because they refused any help, those meanies!), but I never wrote it that way. That part at the beginning was for you!
Ron sure is mad at Ginny! I always hate those fics where Ron finds out about Ginny and Draco and it's all groovy even though he can't stand the guy. I don't know, I just don't see Ron being totally fine with Draco and Ginny let alone right away.
I did do something productive in the midst of all that schoolwork. I wrote a songfic called "It's Not Easy." You can see it by clicking on my pen name or you can go to the site, which is: www. fanfiction. net/read. php?stortyid=1580468 (take out the spaces!). It's not too long so check it out and let me know what you think! I promise not to take as long for the next update! As always review if you have time!
~Chapter 15~
Ron knocked on the door to McGonagall's office where he, Harry, and Cho had been summoned. "Come in," came the curt reply on the other side. Ron opened the door and stepped aside so that Cho could enter and then he and Harry followed her in.
McGonagall was sitting at her desk looking over some papers. "Please sit," she said to them motioning to the seats without taking her eyes off the paper she was reading. The three sat and waited patiently for McGonagall to finish reading.
She put the paper down and removing her glasses looked directly at Ron. "Just what do you think you were doing this morning?"
Ron looked to Harry slightly bewildered, "We were—ah having practice," he told her.
"Practice," she said leaning back in her chair, "that's lovely. You were practicing with the Gryffindors?"
Realizing he wasn't in trouble Ron relaxed, "Yeah, it was a good one too."
"I'm glad." She leaned forward in her chair again and all traces of humor were gone, "Just what were you thinking when you started coaching the Gryffindors?"
"What?" Ron asked not understanding, "They needed some help."
McGonagall stared at him incredulously, "Oh, is that what you wanted me to tell Abraham Emerson? You remember him; he's the captain of the Hufflepuff team. Maybe you'll remember them, you are the HEAD OF THEIR HOUSE!"
Ron flinched as McGonagall's voice grew steadily louder. "Oh," was all he could manage.
McGonagall regained her composure before beginning again. "Luckily this mistake can be easily remedied. You will hold similar practices for the other houses starting with Hufflepuff as they have a game at the end of next week."
"Of course Professor," Ron replied. He felt terrible that he had neglected his house team, but when he found out that the Gryffindors were doing so terrible his feelings of nostalgia overtook his common sense.
McGonagall looked to Harry and Cho, "Since you two seem to be in equally helpful moods you will join him at each of these practices. I believe it equals out to about a week each team."
"Yes ma'am," the two replied in unison.
"I expect that after these sessions you will leave the practices up to the individual teams. None of the other houses have professionals to help them train and I don't want any unfair advantages." She put her glasses back on her face and picked up her stack of papers again. "Have a good day," she said signaling the end of the meeting.
The three stood up and headed out of her office. "I feel like such a git," Ron said, "How could I have forgotten my own house? I'd better go and find Abraham and apologize to him too." He turned to leave calling over his shoulder, "I'll meet up with you guys later to discuss practice times for the other teams."
~~~
"Hey Ginny, how's it going," Hermione asked later that afternoon when Ginny came to visit.
"Great, wonderful, truly fantastic," Ginny said with a sappy smile on her face.
"I take it that you and Malfoy worked things out," Hermione said as they sat down to some tea.
The smile spread on Ginny's face, "Yeah, we had a good talk." She curled her legs under her as she accepted the cup of tea Hermione handed her. "Actually, I need your help," she said becoming serious.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked her curiously.
Ginny took a breath, "Well, we've decided to try things out, you know, see how it goes. Well, I'm kinda worried about what Ron will think, or worse, do when I tell him. I was hoping maybe you could be with me when I tell him as support or something."
Hermione's brows drew together and she looked skeptical that her presence would in anyway keep Ron from going through the roof. "Of course I'll be there to support you, but I doubt that I'll be able to keep Ron in check."
Ginny sighed, "I know, but I guess it's just knowing that someone else supports us...you do support us don't you?"
Hermione smiled reassuringly at Ginny, "Of course I do. You look really happy about your decision and I'm happy for you."
"Thanks Hermione, that means a lot."
"When are you going to tell him?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Ginny said. "Actually, I was thinking that maybe on the first Hogsmeade trip we could all have lunch at the Three Broomsticks or something."
"That trip isn't for another two weeks," Hermione replied, "You're going to wait that long to tell him?"
Ginny sat thoughtful for a moment, "No, I suppose I should tell him sooner, especially since Draco and I are going to be spending more time together," she said loving the strange intimacy of saying his first name, "Ron will be sure to notice that something is up."
"Yes, I'm sure that he will. Ron may be completely oblivious to some things," Hermione said smiling slightly, "but he's right on target when it comes to anything dealing with you."
Ginny sighed, "That's true." They sat in amicable silence for a while drinking their tea. "Hermione, can I ask you another favor?" Ginny asked after a while.
"Sure, anything," Hermione answered.
"Well, it's just that I'm the only one who ever talks to Draco. I thought maybe you could try to befriend him too. Maybe that would help Ron see that he's not so bad."
"That's asking a lot," Hermione said thinking back to her school years filled with Draco torment.
"I know, but I promise you, he's really changed," she said defending him. "Really, he's not the same person anymore."
Hermione thought about everything that had happened in her youth. She'd been called "Mudblood" more times than she'd care to remember. Draco had been determined to make their years at Hogwarts the worst they could be and succeeded on many occasions. Ginny looked at her hopefully. Hermione knew that this was important to Ginny. Besides, Draco must really have changed if he had Ginny sticking up for him. "All right, Ginny, I'll try."
Ginny jumped out of her chair and ran to hug Hermione, "Thank you so much!" she said squeezing her tightly.
"Your welcome, but really, I can't promise anything," she told her hoping that she wasn't making a huge mistake.
~~~
Ginny didn't have to worry about coming clean with Ron that evening. He, Harry, and Cho were on the Quidditch pitch with the Hufflepuff Team practicing for that Friday's game.
Hermione took this opportunity to try to open up to Draco. "Are your classes going well?" she was asking.
"Yeah, I guess," he answered.
It was difficult trying to find anything to talk about with him and they'd usually only get a couple of sentences out before breaking into awkward silences. Ginny gave him an exasperated look. She knew that Hermione was trying, but Draco was hardly bothering to answer her.
Hermione gave up trying to carry on a one sided conversation and turned instead to talk to Neville. Ginny glared over at Draco. "She's trying you know," she said in a low voice.
Draco turned to look at Ginny, "I don't need her to try anything."
"I want you to get along with my friends," she told him.
"I don't see the point."
Ginny glared at him. How could he not see the point? "So you don't plan on trying to get along with any of them?" she asked.
Draco leaned back in his seat, "Again I don't see the point."
"Unbelievable," Ginny said, "You honestly think that we're going to try and be together and you aren't going to make any attempt to get along with my friends?"
"What does one have to do with the other?" he inquired, not understanding what her problem was.
Ginny frowned at him and then got up from her seat and walked out of the hall. "Bloody hell," Draco said getting up and following her out. He caught up with her outside, "What's the problem?"
"You are! I can't believe you don't see how it might be a problem you don't want to make any effort with my friends!" Ginny crossed her arms over her chest, "And what about my brother? What am I supposed to tell him? 'Oh hey Ron. Well Malfoy and I are together, but don't expect him to try and make conversation because he doesn't see the point.' I don't really see that going over too well."
"Why does this matter to you anyway?" Ginny's frown grew deeper and a look of hurt crossed her face. Draco felt instantly guilty at making her upset and walked over to her, wrapping her in a hug, "Look, I'm still getting used to the idea of us." Ginny still stood there unresponsive so Draco brought her arms up around his waist and Ginny pressed her cheek to his chest. "I'm not used to anyone caring much about what goes on in my life, knowing that you do still comes as a shock to me."
Ginny tilted her head up to look Draco in the eye, "I just want you to accept them as much as I want them to accept you."
"How about this?" he said trying to strike a compromise, "I'll try to be a bit more chatty if you promise not to go flying off the cuff whenever I'm not Mary Sunshine. This isn't easy for me you know."
Her eyes instantly lit up and she bestowed him with a toothy grin, "Thank you, this really means a lot to me."
Draco grinned back at her. The sight of her smile did strange things to him, "I know it does and if it makes you happy it makes me happy."
"What the ruddy hell is going on here!" Ron yelled crossing over to where Draco and Ginny stood. Ginny instantly stiffened at the sound of her brother's voice. "Get your bloody hands off my sister!" Ron said reaching them and prying Draco's arms off his sister and pushing Ginny back with his arm.
"Ron, please," Ginny began. Harry and Cho were coming up behind them and Harry glanced at Ginny and Draco, understanding for the first time what was going on between them.
Students started leaving the hall and Harry grabbed Ron's arm, "Ron, now is not the time."
Hermione came out of the hall at that moment and quickly assessed the situation. She stood in between Ron and Draco while Harry continued to restrain Ron. The students were starting to gather around, amazed to see their teacher in such a state of anger. "Come on Ron," Hermione said putting her hands on his chest.
Ron kept looking past her, glaring at Draco, oblivious to anything Hermione said. She grabbed Ron's face in her hands and forced him to look at her, "You're causing a scene and if McGonagall sees this, she's going to be livid."
Ron's mind finally cleared and he focused on Hermione's face. He nodded curtly and Hermione said, "Good, now, come on, follow me." She took his hand and led him away from the crowd and into one of the empty rooms near by.
Harry and Cho started sending kids on their way to their dormitories while Ginny stood there fighting back tears. That certainly wasn't how she wanted her brother to find out. She turned to Draco; "I have to go talk to him."
She started heading toward the room and hadn't gotten more than a couple of steps before she felt Draco's hand slip into hers. She looked up at him in surprise. "I'm going with you. We're in this together." Ginny gave him a grateful smile and headed toward the room her brother and Hermione had just entered.
"I can't believe her!" Ron was back to yelling now that he was enclosed in a room and away from the eyes of the other students. "How could she do that? Doesn't she know what she's doing? I can't believe her!"
"So you've said," Hermione told him as Ron paced in front of her. "Ron you've got to calm down."
"Calm down?" Ron stopped and fully faced her. "My little sister is doing God knows what with Draco Malfoy," Ron scrunched up his face in disgust as he said the name, "and you want me to calm down!" He started pacing again.
"She wanted to tell you, but she knew you'd react this way."
Ron stopped again and walked up to Hermione. Grabbing her shoulders he said, "You knew about this?"
Hermione looked away feeling a little guilty, "She only just told me about it this afternoon. She just wanted my support in this matter."
Ron's grip tightened slightly on her shoulders, "You didn't say you would did you?"
"Of course I did," Hermione said standing up and pushing Ron's hands off of her. "I can't believe you're getting this worked up over Ginny and Malfoy."
"She's making a huge mistake!"
"That's not for you to decide!" Hermione yelled back. "Look, she's a grown woman," Ron rolled his eyes, "Yes Ron, a grown woman. Just because you can't see her as one doesn't mean that she isn't. Besides weren't you telling me that you trusted her choices?"
"That was before she was making these stupid decisions! I can't stand by while she carries on with Malfoy!"
"Well, too bad that there isn't anything you can do about this!" Ron spun around toward the door where Ginny and Draco stood. He didn't notice them enter, but only saw red when he saw them holding hands. Hermione grabbed hold of his arm to keep him from going over to where they were.
Ginny stepped forward and held up her hand to stop Draco when he stepped forward too. She walked up to her brother and Ron noticed for the first time that she had tears in her eyes. He instantly felt guilty and for a moment wanted to hug his sister and make things better.
At that moment, however, Draco's shuffling reminded Ron of the current situation. Ginny stopped in front of her brother. "Look, I know that this is a shock to you so I'm going to excuse your horrible comments. I also know you are angry and you aren't going to be too keen on hearing me out. I just hope that you swallow your pride over this whole situation and give us a chance." Ron opened his mouth to say something, "No don't say anything," she said quickly, "I don't want you to say anything else you'll end up regretting." She turned to Hermione, "Please talk to him." With that Ginny turned and left the room with Draco trailing behind her.
A/N: Aurora Noctifer and Mynuet, thank you for pointing out the gross negligence on my part! I owe everyone a huge apology! Originally Ron was going to be uber generous to everyone and coach all the teams (except Slytherin because they refused any help, those meanies!), but I never wrote it that way. That part at the beginning was for you!
Ron sure is mad at Ginny! I always hate those fics where Ron finds out about Ginny and Draco and it's all groovy even though he can't stand the guy. I don't know, I just don't see Ron being totally fine with Draco and Ginny let alone right away.
I did do something productive in the midst of all that schoolwork. I wrote a songfic called "It's Not Easy." You can see it by clicking on my pen name or you can go to the site, which is: www. fanfiction. net/read. php?stortyid=1580468 (take out the spaces!). It's not too long so check it out and let me know what you think! I promise not to take as long for the next update! As always review if you have time!