Chapter 9- Catch of the Day
By Marm
Before Harry and Hermione had a chance to talk over what Lavender had just said they were interrupted by the rush of the crowd, which was reconvening down the road to an inn for a party. Besides this, Ron was badgering them still about their new relationship.
"When did this happen?" he asked, eyes bulging.
"My birthday, Ron," Hermione said, trying her best to console him.
"But, but... how did this happen?"
"Well, Harry kind of... er, it's kind of difficult to explain... He left me a few notes to meet him in Hogsmeade anonymously, and then he, er, confessed that it was him, and--"
"AND?"
"I told him that I've liked him back for years and... well, that's that."
Ron was doing an odd sort of thing with his hands, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to stimulate his brain. "Well," he said after a few minutes, "have you kissed?"
Hermione went pink, but shook her head. "Not yet..."
Ron let go a huge sigh. Bianca was lagging behind a bit, as they were walking at an unnatural rate. Presently, she strung her arm around his, as if claiming her territory for all onlookers to see.
"You 'ave not keesed?" she said, rather surprised.
"Er, no," said Harry, looking sheepish. His mind was still on the faux Betty.
"But, Ronald, you said zat everyone en your country keess when zey get togezer."
Ron's ears went very red and he went into a coughing fit. "I think you might have misunderstood me..." he said, lamely. (Please note, I mean no disrespect to Ron or Dean, it's just funny...)
"Oh," Bianca said back, eyebrows arched slightly.
"So," Ron said, trying to avoid the subject. "So, who's this Betty person?"
"She's a student at school, or, at least, I thought so..." Harry said. He told Ron all about her as well as Lover-Boy.
"Doesn't sound good Harry," Ron said, as they arrived at the inn and sat down at a table. The Weird Sisters had been hired and were playing in the corner.
"That's what people keep saying..." Harry said, glancing over at an enormous cake in the corner, which consisted of eight tiers.
"Ronald? Would zou like to dance?" Bianca asked, eying him in a lovesick sort of way.
"Oh, sure!" Ron said, pushing his chair back so suddenly that it was in danger of toppling over. The two headed off together and instantly went into an odd sort of waltz.
Harry looked slyly over at Hermione. "So... How 'bout it?"
Hermione looked fit to burst, but said in fake calm, "Alright then." They stood up and moved over to the dance floor where Harry spotted Neville Longbottom talking animatedly to Amanda Thomas. Dean was on the other side of the room, flirting heartily with Daphne Greengrass. Harry looked back at Hermione and wondered if there weren't something to what Bianca had said... they'd been seeing each other for a month, perhaps it was time after all... In the end, Harry decided that dancing was quite enough for now. Something in Harry's stomach lurched slightly as he looked into her crystal- blue eyes. Meanwhile, the odd walking plant was also waltzing away with Professor Sprout and Harry overheard Amanda muttering something about Ents. The song ended and, winded, they went over for a butterbeer.
"Attention everyone, attention!" Susan Bones had gotten up onto a chair and was holding a spoon and a wineglass. "Dinner will be served shortly, and then the bride and groom will be cutting the cake. But first, if all eligible young women would gather around, Hannah's going to throw her bouquet!" A squeal of delight went through the room. Hermione hurried forward and Harry and Ron stood together behind the throng of girls. Hannah performed a levitation charm and rose up a few feet into the air.
"One... two... three!" she shouted and gave an enormous burst of energy as she threw the bouquet over her shoulder. To both Harry's delight, and horror, the bouquet landed neatly in Hermione's right hand and McGonagall's left. The crowd went wild for a moment and Ron whispered to Harry, "I thought she said young women. Oh, and congrats on your upcoming wedding." Ron seemed to have at last forgiven them.
"You're just glad that Bianca didn't catch it, aren't you?" Harry said, smiling.
"Mm, perhaps..." Ron said. Hermione ambled over with half the bouquet in her hand and looking slightly embarrassed.
"Good thing you're dating Hermione, Harry, 'cause McGonagall might start fancying you, as you are so available," Ron said, teasing happily.
"Grow up, Ron," Hermione said, but she was looking rather expectantly at Harry, nonetheless.
"Er, I'm not about to propose right now," Harry said, but Hermione just kept smiling as if she knew better. At length, she wrapped her arm around him and they headed to the tables to find their places, which had been predetermined. At last, Harry found a place setting, which had a small card which read, in very fancy writing, "Mr. H. Potter, Chicken." Hermione's spot was directly beside it and Ron was on the other side with Bianca. Next to Hermione was Neville and down the table still were Dean, Amanda, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati and Padma Patil and their dates.
"Looks like a Gryffindor reunion," Ron said.
"Excuse me?" Padma retorted. She had not yet forgiven Ron for abandoning her at the Yule Ball, though she also seemed to be eying his earring in an odd sort of way.
"Eggplant, my favorite!" Bianca said happily, and Padma eyed her warily as well. Then she seemed to think better of it and turned back to her date.
"So, Lavender..." Harry said, after a few bites of his meal. "How exactly did Betty get hurt again?"
"Well, I don't know why you'd care so much, but she was on her broomstick one day with a group of her friends and she must have panicked at being up so high and fell off," Lavender said dully.
"And did her parents inform the school?" Harry asked, leaning forward so that his necktie fell into his water goblet.
"I suppose... it's not like I spend that much time with her! My family went to see her in the hospital, but that's about it."
"So, I guess a description of her friends is out of the question, eh?"
Lavender rolled her eyes. "Like I said, I don't spend that much time with her. We've never been that chummy. She was only a second year last year and I certainly couldn't have been seen hanging out with her."
"Right," Harry said.
"And if you claim that you saw her, then I'd suggest you get yourself to a qualified eye Healer for a new set of specs."
"Thanks," Harry said, blandly and turned back to his meal. When everyone was done eating Hannah and Ernie strode over the immense cake and each fed a haphazard looking piece to the other. Then everyone else got in line for a slice for themselves. After that it was time for another round of dancing... which wasn't quite as fun on a full stomach. After an outrageously fast dance Hermione, panting slightly, recommended that they go and offer their congratulations to Ernie and Hannah, who were sitting, looking overwhelmed and exhausted.
"Hey there!" Hermione said as they came to a stop in front of the newlyweds.
"Oh, hi!" Ernie said, straightening. "Thank you so much for coming!"
"No problem," Harry said, "thank you for inviting us."
"Oh, we were glad to invite you. After all, you do seem to be the man of the year," Ernie said, smiling in his most significant sort of way. "If it weren't for you, we'd be in danger of an attack from You-Know-Who. Quite a big gathering, after all."
"Mm-hm," Harry said, nodding along.
"Hannah, every thing has been simply gorgeous. Your dress is really pretty!" Hermione said.
"You think so?" Hannah asked, looking very pleased.
"Hannah, dear, may I have a word?" Mrs. Abbott said, coming over.
"Of course mother," Hannah said, and left them with Ernie, who was hailed by a few of his fellow Hufflepuffs a moment later and Harry and Hermione were left to themselves. Around four o'clock, it was time to be getting back to school and all of the Hogwarts group set off. Harry and Hermione bid good-bye to Ron and left on the train.
A.N.: That was pretty fun to write, though I felt a little pressed by time at the end there. Wanted to post it. Oh, and here's a small disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Ents belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.
By Marm
Before Harry and Hermione had a chance to talk over what Lavender had just said they were interrupted by the rush of the crowd, which was reconvening down the road to an inn for a party. Besides this, Ron was badgering them still about their new relationship.
"When did this happen?" he asked, eyes bulging.
"My birthday, Ron," Hermione said, trying her best to console him.
"But, but... how did this happen?"
"Well, Harry kind of... er, it's kind of difficult to explain... He left me a few notes to meet him in Hogsmeade anonymously, and then he, er, confessed that it was him, and--"
"AND?"
"I told him that I've liked him back for years and... well, that's that."
Ron was doing an odd sort of thing with his hands, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to stimulate his brain. "Well," he said after a few minutes, "have you kissed?"
Hermione went pink, but shook her head. "Not yet..."
Ron let go a huge sigh. Bianca was lagging behind a bit, as they were walking at an unnatural rate. Presently, she strung her arm around his, as if claiming her territory for all onlookers to see.
"You 'ave not keesed?" she said, rather surprised.
"Er, no," said Harry, looking sheepish. His mind was still on the faux Betty.
"But, Ronald, you said zat everyone en your country keess when zey get togezer."
Ron's ears went very red and he went into a coughing fit. "I think you might have misunderstood me..." he said, lamely. (Please note, I mean no disrespect to Ron or Dean, it's just funny...)
"Oh," Bianca said back, eyebrows arched slightly.
"So," Ron said, trying to avoid the subject. "So, who's this Betty person?"
"She's a student at school, or, at least, I thought so..." Harry said. He told Ron all about her as well as Lover-Boy.
"Doesn't sound good Harry," Ron said, as they arrived at the inn and sat down at a table. The Weird Sisters had been hired and were playing in the corner.
"That's what people keep saying..." Harry said, glancing over at an enormous cake in the corner, which consisted of eight tiers.
"Ronald? Would zou like to dance?" Bianca asked, eying him in a lovesick sort of way.
"Oh, sure!" Ron said, pushing his chair back so suddenly that it was in danger of toppling over. The two headed off together and instantly went into an odd sort of waltz.
Harry looked slyly over at Hermione. "So... How 'bout it?"
Hermione looked fit to burst, but said in fake calm, "Alright then." They stood up and moved over to the dance floor where Harry spotted Neville Longbottom talking animatedly to Amanda Thomas. Dean was on the other side of the room, flirting heartily with Daphne Greengrass. Harry looked back at Hermione and wondered if there weren't something to what Bianca had said... they'd been seeing each other for a month, perhaps it was time after all... In the end, Harry decided that dancing was quite enough for now. Something in Harry's stomach lurched slightly as he looked into her crystal- blue eyes. Meanwhile, the odd walking plant was also waltzing away with Professor Sprout and Harry overheard Amanda muttering something about Ents. The song ended and, winded, they went over for a butterbeer.
"Attention everyone, attention!" Susan Bones had gotten up onto a chair and was holding a spoon and a wineglass. "Dinner will be served shortly, and then the bride and groom will be cutting the cake. But first, if all eligible young women would gather around, Hannah's going to throw her bouquet!" A squeal of delight went through the room. Hermione hurried forward and Harry and Ron stood together behind the throng of girls. Hannah performed a levitation charm and rose up a few feet into the air.
"One... two... three!" she shouted and gave an enormous burst of energy as she threw the bouquet over her shoulder. To both Harry's delight, and horror, the bouquet landed neatly in Hermione's right hand and McGonagall's left. The crowd went wild for a moment and Ron whispered to Harry, "I thought she said young women. Oh, and congrats on your upcoming wedding." Ron seemed to have at last forgiven them.
"You're just glad that Bianca didn't catch it, aren't you?" Harry said, smiling.
"Mm, perhaps..." Ron said. Hermione ambled over with half the bouquet in her hand and looking slightly embarrassed.
"Good thing you're dating Hermione, Harry, 'cause McGonagall might start fancying you, as you are so available," Ron said, teasing happily.
"Grow up, Ron," Hermione said, but she was looking rather expectantly at Harry, nonetheless.
"Er, I'm not about to propose right now," Harry said, but Hermione just kept smiling as if she knew better. At length, she wrapped her arm around him and they headed to the tables to find their places, which had been predetermined. At last, Harry found a place setting, which had a small card which read, in very fancy writing, "Mr. H. Potter, Chicken." Hermione's spot was directly beside it and Ron was on the other side with Bianca. Next to Hermione was Neville and down the table still were Dean, Amanda, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati and Padma Patil and their dates.
"Looks like a Gryffindor reunion," Ron said.
"Excuse me?" Padma retorted. She had not yet forgiven Ron for abandoning her at the Yule Ball, though she also seemed to be eying his earring in an odd sort of way.
"Eggplant, my favorite!" Bianca said happily, and Padma eyed her warily as well. Then she seemed to think better of it and turned back to her date.
"So, Lavender..." Harry said, after a few bites of his meal. "How exactly did Betty get hurt again?"
"Well, I don't know why you'd care so much, but she was on her broomstick one day with a group of her friends and she must have panicked at being up so high and fell off," Lavender said dully.
"And did her parents inform the school?" Harry asked, leaning forward so that his necktie fell into his water goblet.
"I suppose... it's not like I spend that much time with her! My family went to see her in the hospital, but that's about it."
"So, I guess a description of her friends is out of the question, eh?"
Lavender rolled her eyes. "Like I said, I don't spend that much time with her. We've never been that chummy. She was only a second year last year and I certainly couldn't have been seen hanging out with her."
"Right," Harry said.
"And if you claim that you saw her, then I'd suggest you get yourself to a qualified eye Healer for a new set of specs."
"Thanks," Harry said, blandly and turned back to his meal. When everyone was done eating Hannah and Ernie strode over the immense cake and each fed a haphazard looking piece to the other. Then everyone else got in line for a slice for themselves. After that it was time for another round of dancing... which wasn't quite as fun on a full stomach. After an outrageously fast dance Hermione, panting slightly, recommended that they go and offer their congratulations to Ernie and Hannah, who were sitting, looking overwhelmed and exhausted.
"Hey there!" Hermione said as they came to a stop in front of the newlyweds.
"Oh, hi!" Ernie said, straightening. "Thank you so much for coming!"
"No problem," Harry said, "thank you for inviting us."
"Oh, we were glad to invite you. After all, you do seem to be the man of the year," Ernie said, smiling in his most significant sort of way. "If it weren't for you, we'd be in danger of an attack from You-Know-Who. Quite a big gathering, after all."
"Mm-hm," Harry said, nodding along.
"Hannah, every thing has been simply gorgeous. Your dress is really pretty!" Hermione said.
"You think so?" Hannah asked, looking very pleased.
"Hannah, dear, may I have a word?" Mrs. Abbott said, coming over.
"Of course mother," Hannah said, and left them with Ernie, who was hailed by a few of his fellow Hufflepuffs a moment later and Harry and Hermione were left to themselves. Around four o'clock, it was time to be getting back to school and all of the Hogwarts group set off. Harry and Hermione bid good-bye to Ron and left on the train.
A.N.: That was pretty fun to write, though I felt a little pressed by time at the end there. Wanted to post it. Oh, and here's a small disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Ents belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.