All Gone Wrong
By yellow duck
************************************************************************
Disclaimer: I donÕt own any of the Harry, Hermione, Ron, George, Ginny, etc. I wish I did, but J.K. Rowling made them up first.
************************************************************************
Chapter One: Surprise!
************************************************************************
It was 3:55, and the brown-haired young woman was punctual. She waited for the lift, wearing a pair of corduroy trousers and a light blue sweater. When the lift finally arrived, she stepped into impatiently. If the lift didnÕt go fast, she would be late. Ding! The lift door slid open, and let her out. She checked to make sure it was the right floor. Yes, okay, the fifth floor. Then she wrung the doorbell of flat 5C.
ÒWho is it?Ó called an excited female voice. Strange, she thought, Harry didnÕt mention anyone else coming, except for Ron. Perhaps it was the Irish girlfriend sheÕd never metÑCatherine, or Katie, or something like that.
ÒWho is it?Ó the voice asked again.
Whoops! SheÕd forgotten to announce herself.
ÒItÕs Hermione.Ó
ÒCome in!Ó A blonde girl with alarmingly wide green eyes opened the door. She looked overly innocent.
ÒAre you Catherine?Ó Hermione demanded.
ÒCome, now, thatÕs no way to greet Kelly,Ó Ron said, stepping forward with a grin.
ÒSorry,Ó Hermione muttered.
ÒFollow us,Ó Ron and Kelly led Hermione into the living room, which appeared to be empty. Suddenly, people popped out from behind chairs, under tables, and around potted plants.
ÒHappy birthday, Hermione!Ó everyone yelled in unison.
ÒHallo. I didnÕt know you all would be hereÉÓ Hermione paused, and the guests laughed politely.
ÒHullo, Hermione,Ó said Harry, coming up to her at once. ÒWere you surprised?Ó
ÒVery,Ó she told her best friend of nearly eleven years.
ÒTwenty one years now, eh?Ó
ÒYes, soon IÕll be an old lady,Ó said Hermione, smiling.
ÒOld? No way! YouÕre still young.Ó
ÒI suppose. But sometimes I feel soÉ I donÕt know, maybe itÕs nothing.Ó She looked up into his emerald green eyes, and shuddered slightly. What was it about his gaze that made her feel like this? She couldnÕt figure out if the peculiar feeling was good or bad.
ÒMione,Ó Harry said, softly, ÒAre you sure youÕre okay?Ó
Hermione nodded. He was looking at her with a puzzled expression on his face, as if trying to read something in another language.
ÒDo you want to anything to drink?Ó It seemed to be the only thing he could come up with.
ÒAlright.Ó She watched as he walked off, towards the table were all the drinks were set out. He had a funny, bobbing walk. He bobbed up, down, up, down. Hermione giggled, as she watched her friend bounce across the room.
Harry turned around, seeming to realize he was being watched. He raised his eyebrows, comically. Hermione giggled even harder. ÔHeÕs such a clown,Õ she thought to herself.
ÒHullo.Ó Hermione felt a heavy hand on her shoulder. It was George Weasley.
ÒOh! Hi, George. I havenÕt seen you in ages. HowÕve you been? Is your wife here?Ó Hermione had many other questions for the red-haired man, but she didnÕt want to overload him. He must be twenty-four now, at least. Goodness! She hadnÕt seen him in nearly four years.
ÒIÕve been fine, IÕve been fine,Ó George assured her, with a grin.
ÒExcellent! And your wife? Amy, wasnÕt it?Ó Hermione asked.
ÒYes, Amy,Ó said George, darkly. ÒWeÉ are divorced. She wasÉ well, I donÕt think we were exactly a match made in Heaven.Ó
ÒIÕm sorry! I didnÕt know.Ó She tried to comfort him, by wrapping one arm around his back.
ÒBut I donÕt mind. Now that IÕm single again, I can get pretty young womenÑsuch as yourselfÑinto my bed again,Ó George told her, mischievously. ÒItÕs definitely worth it.Ó
ÒGeorge!Ó Hermione exclaimed, shocked.
ÒIÕm kidding, IÕm kidding,Ó he said, laughing.
ÒYouÕd better be, you horrible man,Ó she replied, laughing as well.
ÒWhat,Ó George inquired, smiling evilly Òif I wasnÕt kidding?Ó
ÒNaughty boy!Ó Hermione exploded, whacking him across the face with her handbag.
Suddenly, George leaned forwards and kissed her on the mouth. Hermione didnÕt know what to do. She felt she should shove him away, but she was almost enjoying his kiss. Of course, she shouldnÕt enjoy it. But she did, anyway. She couldnÕt help it.
ÒExcuse me.Ó Harry had reappeared with the drinks, and was eyeing Hermione and George coolly.
The two jumped apart, both feeling quite guilty at being caught Òin the act,Ó so to speak.
ÒI really must go now, Hermione,Ó George said, hurriedly. ÒIt was nice talking to you.Ó And with that, he dashed off, leaving Hermione to face Harry, alone.
ÒI see I canÕt even leave you, to get drinks, without you snogging someone,Ó Harry said, attempting a joke. He faked a smile, but Hermione could see something else in his eyes. Was it hurt? Why? No, that couldnÕt be it.
ÒIÑI donÕt know what to say,Ó Hermione replied, meekly, as she smoothed her hair.
ÒAnyway, IÕm glad it didnÕt go any farther. HeÕs married, you know.Ó
ÒNot any more,Ó she retorted, in defense. Ò George isnÕt that low. HeÕs divorced. DonÕt worry.Ó
ÒI see.Ó Harry looked at the floor. Then Harry remembered the drinks, and handed Hermione a glass of red wine.
ÒThanks! IÕm really glad you didnÕt get me a martini. IÕm not the type.Ó Hermione took a sip of the wine, and smiled.
ÒNo, you arenÕt the type.Ó Harry smiled back, and this type it was a true smile, if a bit of a sour one.
ÒHi!Ó Ginny, Ron, and Kelly had drifted over towards Hermione. They exchanged hellos, and small talk, in preparation for what they all knew would be a long night of partying.