Chapter 7: Repercussion

Hermione stalked away from Ron, tears in her eyes. He was so dumb! Didn't he see? He'd never understand the real reason that she'd changed! She couldn't just come out and tell him her feelings for him; it'd be so weird and completely awkward! And what if he didn't have the same feelings? It would be awkward and she'd be embarrassed, not to mention it would destroy a perfectly good friendship…

Friendship? A little voice in the back of her head asked. You haven't had much of a friendship lately. How can you call it a friendship?

It was true. It hadn't been much a friendship lately, more of a war. She just wished Ron would understand her. But he never had. They'd been friends, but he'd never really seen her. No wonder they were always fighting. And when he brought up Viktor… He just didn't understand about Viktor. She wasn't dating him… She didn't even care for him!

Hermione was wandering the halls pointlessly, when she walked right into a soft figure.

"Luna?"

Hermione looked up into the blue eyed girl boggling down at her as if she was insane.

"You?" Luna asked, as if Hermione was completely unexpected and unwanted at the moment. "Ron went that way," she continued, jerking her head to the left.

"Huh? Why would I want to see Ron, of all people?" Hermione asked, her voice rising. "I'm sorry Luna; I'm just not in the greatest mood right now."

"I know," Luna said knowingly. Hermione looked at Luna with a look of complete confusion.

"What?" Hermione asked, wondering how Luna could possibly know these things. Unless she was a Seer, but surely she wasn't. She couldn't be!

"I just saw Ron. He was asking for my help with you so I figured you'd gotten into another of your fights. Typical Ron and Hermione," Luna said to Hermione as well as herself. "Well I have places to go, people to see. Good luck."

Hermione watched Luna walk off, open-mouthed. What was going on lately? Why was everyone being so strange? She walked off towards the Gryffindor Common Room, as if nothing was happening. As she walked through the portrait hole, a hand caught her wrist.

"Hermione, is something wrong? Ron told me about-"

"No Harry, everything's fine. Just dandy!" Hermione said, a little more fierce than she'd been hoping for. Harry looked taken aback for a moment and then continued, nonplussed.

"Can I help?"

"I told you Harry, nothing's wrong." Hermione headed towards the Girl's dormitory, Harry trailing behind her.

"I'm not stupid-"

"I never said you were."

"Hermione, I know there's something going on between you and Ron. If you'd just-"

"NO Harry." Hermione closed the dormitory door in her best friend's face. Immediately she felt like a jerk. What was wrong with her lately? What had happened to the old Hermione? She sighed and turned to Lavender who was flipping through a magazine on her bed.

"Lavender?" She asked, uneasily. She knew what she had to do. "Do you know where Josh is?"

Lavender beamed.

Are you sure you want to do this? Hermione asked herself, the next day. She was going to meet Josh. He'd asked her out, and she needed to give him an answer. Of course, she was hoping that she'd get Ron before she had to answer. No matter whether she wanted to admit it or not, she still liked Ron more. Even though he'd been such an insensitive jerk. Maybe dating Josh would show him. Prove it to him.

Prove what to him? The voice inside her mind asked her. Hermione paused, deep in thought. What was she proving?

"I'm proving that I can do better than him, that's what! Maybe seeing me with someone else will make him realize all that he's missing! Yes, that's exactly what it is!" Hermione said quietly to herself. She was lucky the hallways were deserted. If they weren't, Hermione had a feeling that people might start thinking she was off of her rocker.

But do you like Josh? The voice said again. Why was this bothering her? Of course she liked him. If she didn't, why would she agree? He was cute; he had those intense blue eyes….

So does Ron.

"SHUT UP!" Hermione shouted. She turned quickly. She was still alone. She was going crazy. Her thoughts were arguing like the Angel and Devil on her shoulder. But the question was, which was the Devil?

Hermione was fed up with herself. Why was she thinking such things? There wasn't two voices in her head and she certainly wasn't going crazy. She shook her head and walked determinedly to the doors of the Entrance Hall which she pushed open.

Josh was standing there, waiting for her. This time he was dressed in his Hogwarts robes, the blue and gray of his tie was complimenting his eyes as he watched her approach. Her heart jumped. He was gorgeous. And he liked her! No, this was definitely not a mistake. She took a deep breath and -

"Hi Josh," Hermione said quietly. He smiled, his dimples engraved into his cheeks.

"Hey, how are you?" Josh asked, touching Hermione lightly on the shoulder. Her arm tingled.

"I - I'm alright."

"Well that's good to hear." Josh ran a hand nervously through his hair and grinned at Hermione. There was an uncomfortable pause.

"Look, Josh," Hermione started, looking at her feet. It was now or never. "I just wanted to tell you that I'd love to accompany you to Hogsmeade."

"Really?" Josh asked, looking positively delighted.

"Yeah," Hermione said with a smile. She glanced around nervously. She was happy, but she couldn't help wondering what Ron's reaction would be when he found out. She smiled to herself.

"Well," Josh began, after a few minutes. "I have some homework to do… So I'll see you Friday."

"Okay."

Hermione turned to leave, but Josh grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an embrace. Wow, this is awkward, she thought as she pulled back.

"See you later," Josh blushed, and left. Hermione just stood there, watching him leave. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she say anything. She shook herself, and after a few minutes she left for the Common Room. Wait until Lavender and Parvati heard the news!

"Don't you- don't you think that's a bit much?" Hermione asked nervously, fingering her hair that was now as hard as a rock. She looked at Parvati who was smiling down at her.

"Honestly Hermione, you worry too much!" Parvati exclaimed patting Hermione's elegant bun. Hermione blushed. Did she really worry as much as they said she did? Well at least I have some sort of regard for the rules.

Harry and Ron didn't. Hermione smiled to herself, remembering the many times where she'd had to remind her two best friends of the rules.

She shook her head trying to block out the memory of them. Of Ron. Of his brilliant red hair and deep blue eyes.

"Hermione! Do you mind? I offer to help you get ready for your big date and all you do is shake your head about?" Parvati grumbled, pulling out a bobby pin and re-inserting it into Hermione's hair.

"Sorry," Hermione said softly. "But do you think I really need such an elegant hair style? It's only a trip to Hogsmeade." Parvati stopped what she was doing and walked over to Hermione.

"Have we not taught you anything?" she asked, looking into Hermione's face with her large eyes. "Appearance is everything! It doesn't matter if you're over dressed, as long as you look good." Parvati shook her head and moved back to her place behind Hermione, a pin between her teeth. She grabbed a bottle of Miranda's Magical Mane Manager and shook the bottle, ready to spray more onto Hermione's head. "Damn, this one's empty. It'll just have to do."

Hermione let go of the breath she'd been holding. That stuff held her hair, but also caused her to hold her breath. It smelled horrible, like muggle bathroom cleaner.

"Voila! Ze 'air 'as finished!" Parvati showed Hermione her reflection. It did look nice. "Now for the clothes." Hermione watched as Parvati began to dig through her trunk.

"Um, Parvati? I'm just going to be wearing robes over, it isn't going to make a difference what I wear." Hermione commented, watching as Parvati continued to dig through her trunk, throwing numerous books aside.

"Nonsense! Wow Hermione, do you carry a library in here?" Parvati emerged with a particularly warm red sweater. Hermione recognized it as the very sweater that Mrs. Weasley had given her for her 16th birthday.

"No," Hermione said plainly. She couldn't wear a sweater on a date that reminded her of Ron.

"Oh why not Hermione? It's beautiful!" Parvati held it up to Hermione's chest.

"It - uh - it's very itchy," Hermione lied quickly, watching Parvati frown.

"Beauty is pain. Put it on." Parvati tossed the sweater over to Hermione. What choice did she have? It's not like she could tell Parvati the real reason. And besides, she'd never been a very good liar.

After Hermione had been fully dressed, made up, and accessorised (and to tell the truth Hermione felt very much like a Barbie doll), she was dragged to the carriages that were headed for Hogsmeade. Hermione's stomach fluttered delightfully. She was going to meet Josh. Josh, easily the most wanted boy in her year. But a flash of red hair shot through her mind. She pushed the thought away and stared determinedly outside.

It was a bright day in late September. The leaves were just beginning to turn, and the sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with a few clouds here and there. Hermione watched the sky, and began to think about stars, and astronomy. She thought someday she'd like to work with stars, and their real meanings.

"Hermione? Hermione, we're here," Lavender shook Hermione gently, cutting her train of thought off abruptly.

"Oh yes," Hermione said, stepping out of the carriage. She crossed her arms in a determined manner, and strutted towards The Three Broomsticks. She was not going to mess this up. Especially since she needed to get Ron back. He needed to see what he was missing. Not that she didn't like Josh. She did… but how come a certain red head kept popping up in her mind?

She pushed the door to the pub open, and spotted Josh immediately. He was seated at a table in the corner, with a rose in a vase. Hermione sucked in a breath. Oh God, she thought to herself. She'd been so used to Ron and Harry, who just treated her like another guy… sort of. But Josh being like this, it made her nervous.

She made a mental list of things not to do in her head as she slowly made her way over to the table. One, do NOT, for any reason, talk about Hogwarts: A History. Two, don't eat too much. Three, do not mention SPEW. Four-

"Hey Hermione!" Josh had spotted her. She was alarmed at his sudden greeting, but she forced a smile onto her face.

"Hi Josh," She replied, watching her feet as he held the chair out for her to sit down. "You're quite a gentleman."

"I've been taught. You could say that my parents don't allow anything that's done in a way that they don't consider proper." Josh grinned, and Hermione laughed. He began to count on his fingers. "Ladies first, unfold your napkin and then place it in your lap, never put your elbows on the table… I could go on."

"Ah, I see," Hermione replied stupidly, watching Josh grin at her with his beautiful dimples.

"So, what do your parents do for a living?" Josh asked, obviously trying to make conversation with the not-so-talkative Hermione.

"They work," Hermione replied stupidly. She blushed, feeling like she was making a fool of herself. She shouldn't have even come. She cleared her throat. "Actually, they're muggles. They're dentists."

"Oh, both my parents are from the magical world, but they work at muggle jobs. They prefer them, they find muggle work less complicated," Josh chuckled. Hermione smlied. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "So would you like a butterbeer?"

Hermione felt ashamed to let him pay for her. "Oh yes, just let me -" She rummaged through her handbag, looking for a few sickles. "-here."

Josh gave her a strange look. "Don't worry Hermione, I can handle it."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, feeling the heat rise in her face.

"Yes, relax." Josh patted her on the shoulder and walked off towards the bar. Hermione took three deep breaths. Remember what they said in those meditation books of mum's, breathe in one, two, three, breathe out, one, two, three. Hermione pulled off her robe and draped it over her chair. She watched Josh at the bar, leaning on the counter while Madam Rosmerta took notes on a pad of parchment.

"- and then his robes caught fire!" Josh laughed, as he and Hermione walked back towards the carriages late that afternoon. Hermione observed the way Josh walked, his hands tucked in the pockets of his robes, the way he smiled at the ground and took large strides.

Hermione had to admit that she'd had an amazing afternoon. After a somewhat shaky start, her and Josh had had a wonderful time. After they had had a few butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks, they went over to Zonko's and Honeydukes. Josh had bought her a sugar quill and a bunch of Chutter's Chewiest Chewing Gum.

They were now almost to the gates of Hogsmeade where they would meet the carriages that would take them back to the castle. Hermione fell into step next to him, blushing as they walked in silence to the carriages. Hermione was about to enter one when Josh pulled her aside.

"Hermione, before we go, I just wanted to talk to you." Josh said, taking her hand and holding it. "I -uh-" He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. It was different than what she'd imagined her first kiss to be. It was good, warm, and soft, but she didn't feel that buzz. Maybe she'd been reading too many of her mum's romance novels.

Hermione finally pulled back blushing. She looked at her feet. They stood together, rather awkwardly.

"I had a good time today," Josh began, looking at Hermione intensely.

"Yeah, me too."

"So…" He ventured, blushing ever so slightly. "Are we together now."

"Yeah," Hermione smiled. "I suppose."

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A/N: So that's the end of this chapter. I know it took FOREVER. But I had the worst case of writer's block and I didn't really know if what I had planned for this chapter would be as long as I hoped it would be. Well, it was. Some people begged me not to give up on this story. And I wouldn't ever do that, even if I wanted to! It's just too mean and I'd hate to do that to people. I hate it when people do it to me. So, therefore, no matter how long it takes for me to punch this story out, I will finish it. Some important stuff's going to happen in the next chapter… well anyways, toodles! And don't forget to review!

Oh yeah… Hermione is OC, but a lot of people experiment with different things during adolescence. Just think of this as one of those experiments for Hermione. She WILL come to her senses. Promise.