A.N. I am back from Devon! It was so much fun. I had a great time. So
here's the next chapter. Sorry for the immensely long wait. This chapter is
a lot more interesting than the last. I hope. And thanks for all the
reviews! You guys make me so happy.
Review replies:
MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus – Thanks!
SarahLou – Yeah I find it really amusing that Ron's scared of his sister. But everyone has a weakness. That's his. The ball is...funny in a way. Keep reading!
Trym – This chapter is definitely better than the last. A lot more happens here to take the story further on.
The-Dark-Rose-of-Insanity – I don't really have any experience with rich people, sorry. But I will take your comment into account and try to do something about it. Thank you for your review!
airhead14 – I don't think Hermione was poor in the books but this story is slightly AU and the characters are slightly out of character as well. Her 'poorness' (is that a word?) will be explained later. Thanks.
harrysmom – Hermione is poor in this story. The reason will be explained later. Thanks for your review!
Crystal – Hmm. You have to read this chapter to find out what happens. Although Hermione doesn't get back at Ron much, nor is she having a good time.
Original Mercedes Benz – In a recent article with JK Rowling she revealed that Ginny's full name is in fact Ginerva, not Virginia. But my friend said that apparently Mrs. Weasley used Virginia in one of the earlier books. I will check that and get back to you. Thanks for your comment!
roses in bloom – Hehe. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
GryffindorGoddess28 – Ginny and Ron having a fight eh? That will come up in later chapters. A lot of your comments/questions are answered in this chapter, so please read on! Tell you what. You can hit Parvarti, I can hit Lavender, then we swap over and hit them even more.
doriansportrait – Thank you! Here's the next chapter.
Aimz – Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. Meteor Garden belongs to its producers.
Chapter 7
As Hermione walked to the Great Hall walking awkwardly beside Ron, she decided to ask a question that had been bothering her for a while now.
"Weasley, can I ask you something?"
Ron turned his head with a look of annoyance on his face. "My name is Ron. Do you need me to spell it out for you? R," he started saying extremely slowly and clearly. "O. N. Ro-"
"I'll call you whatever I want to. And we are NOT on first name terms."
"Fine. What was it you wanted to ask me?"
"Why...why did you put that notice up?"
"You're so stupid. Can't you read? It's to tell everyone to stop bothering you."
Hermione's anger rose to the surface again. "Of course I know what it says! Why do you want everyone to stop bothering me? I thought it was your ambition! To make me apologise to you. Why change your mind now?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't everyone harassing my girl."
"YOUR girl?" she exclaimed. "I am no one's. Didn't I already make it clear to you? You can't buy me! I don't even like you."
"Exactly. You're a good challenge."
"That's all I am? A challenge?!" She lifted one gloved hand and slapped him on one cheek. "Is that what everyone else is to you? Just some object?"
Before Ron could say or do anything to her, she decided that it would be safer for him to digest what she had just said by himself and rushed into the Hall. At that precise time Harry also arrived behind Ron.
"Why has your cheek gone all red?"
"She hits really hard. But she's tiny! Ugh god..."
Harry tried his best to clamp his mouth shut.
............................................................................ ............................................................................ ......
"Come on," said Ron.
"What?"
"We're going to go visit the giant squid."
"I beg your pardon?!"
"We're starting the ball by dancing together, you idiot."
"Oh..." Hermione blushed. "You could've said!"
"It's not my fault you're so inobservant."
"What?! You-"
"Oh god let's just go dance. Everyone is staring at us." Ron took Hermione's hand in hers.
She kept silent as she couldn't think of anything to say and followed him to the middle of the Great Hall, where everyone looked expectantly at the two. He took her right hand in his left and placed his other hand by her waist. She put her left hand on his shoulder uncertainly. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing, but she hadn't danced formally like this since fourth year with Krum.
The music started: slow and gentle as Ron started moving, turning along with Hermione. It wasn't too bad. Ron did most of the steering; all she had to do was follow and look graceful. It was surprising how experienced and professional Ron was at dancing. As far as she knew Ron wasn't that good at dancing before; he had complained a lot about the Yule Ball but never actually danced so Hermione couldn't be sure. Gradually the other students got up from their tables and joined them. Harry and Ginny were there, along with many others.
"Erm...Weas-fine, RON," she said when Ron glared at her again. "Sorry about what happened just now."
Ron shrugged. Again, thought Hermione angrily. "Didn't hurt that much."
"You still deserved it. Everyone else is humans too, you know. They have feelings as well, in case you haven't noticed."
"I know that they are humans."
"Well stop acting like they are objects and treat them like humans then! How many dates do you have for the ball today? Ten? Twenty?"
"I don't have any, for your information!"
"And why is that?"
"I'm not going to ask some girl just because she's after my money or something."
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it again.
"Those girls don't swarm over me because they actually like me," he continued. "Otherwise they would've started from first year. They only want to look good. Imagine going out with the Quidditch captain. Imagine going out with a rich guy and being able to ask him for money all the time."
She stayed silent for a while. Being rich and popular certainly had its disadvantages. "Why...why don't you just hit them and tell them to go away or something?"
"I don't hit girls."
"And what's wrong with girls? Do you think we're all weak and useless?"
"I did not say that! You've got it all wrong."
"Oh really," she said without emotion.
"Yes. I don't hit them because...because..."
Hermione grinned slowly as she walked away from him and sat down again by the Gryffindor table. Ron did the same, his face red, making his head look like an oddly shaped tomato. Fuming, he turned to Harry and started ranting.
"That girl is so annoying!"
"I thought you liked her. Why go for her if she's so annoying?"
"She's a good challenge."
"Is that all?"
Ron shrugged, trying to look unconcerned and unbothered. "Pretty much..." He looked away from Harry, his face reddening again, and his ears even more so.
"Right then." Harry got up.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm asking her for a dance," he said, trying to hide the amusement in his voice.
"Right," replied Ron, determined not to look anywhere within twenty feet of the dance floor. But it was like looking at a bowl of melted chocolate and trying not to dip his finger in it. Annoyed at himself, he turned his head towards the dance floor where many couples were already dancing. He caught sight of the two in the middle, slowly revolving on the spot. Hermione's eyes looked so...gentle. She had never looked at him that way before. She had always given him that same hard stare.
When the music stopped she gave Harry one last smile before leaving. She had never given Ron that smile before. He felt a pang of jealousy. That was a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time now. At the moment there was nothing he could be jealous of others of. He was Head Boy, Quidditch captain, and the most popular guy in school. But Hermione didn't seem to care.
A few seats along, Parvarti got up excitedly and whispered something to Professor Dumbledore, who nodded with a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. She took out her wand and pointed it at her throat.
"We would like to introduce a game," she said, her voice magically magnified and gesturing eagerly to Lavender. "All the lights in the Great Hall will go off for ten seconds. In that short space of time you will be able to kiss whoever you want to. Providing that you can find them in the dark that is."
The whole hall started to mutter excitedly, with people deciding on whom to go for. Hermione looked around awkwardly, clearly not wanting to be part of this game.
"Right. Everyone ready? Lights off!" The hall was immediately drowned in complete darkness. Movement immediately started as people rushed past Hermione, most calling out the name of the person they were trying to find. She could hear a familiar voice yelling "Ron Weasley!" as she rushed past her and caught the hem of her dress robes, causing her to fall down onto her stomach.
"Ten seconds are up! Lights on!"
The entire seemed so much brighter than before the lights were turned off. Hermione tried to get up but found that she had landed on something soft. Someone to be precise. Someone with flaming red hair and freckles. And her lips were positioned right above his.
Her eyes widened in terror as she stood up, staring at Ron. He looked up at her, surprise written on his face as he too stood up.
"Ron..." a voice began.
"Don't look at me. She made the first move." He grinned inwardly. She likes me, he thought, grinning even more. She really does like me.
Hermione looked back and forth between Harry and Ron, not believing her luck. Of all the people she could've fallen on, it had to be Ron Weasley. The person that she liked the least in the entire room. She shook her head slightly in horror and turned to run away. Away from all those hard glares of annoyance and surprise.
She placed a hand on her cheek, trying to stem the flowing tears once more. Everything had gone horribly wrong. She should have known it was too good to last. She had danced with Harry. He was the one to ask her. But then...that stupid game. As the clock chimed midnight, she almost laughed at the irony.
Midnight. Not only am I not a Cinderella, I even kissed a pig! I kissed Ron Weasley and everyone saw me! The entire school.
............................................................................ ............................................................................ ......
Soon it was Monday again. The day which meant she couldn't keep hiding away from curious looks and people who wanted to find out about 'her and Ron'. However...more trouble seemed to find her.
The corridors were mostly empty because everyone was down at dinner. However she decided to go down later than everyone else to avoid questions and eat in peace. She was heading down to the library when she heard voices talking quietly inside. Who would be missing dinner like that?
Her heart gave a funny jolt as she realized who were talking and what about.
"-really like Hermione don't you, Harry?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Don't you? I'm glad if you do. She's really nice."
"What are you trying to say, Ginny?"
"You and Hermione make...a really good couple."
Harry spoke again, only it wasn't the gentle tone he had been using earlier. "What makes you think you can say that? You think you can make assumptions about what I think?" Then he laughed. It wasn't the warm laugh that Hermione had been used to. It was so different. Cold. She shuddered. Come to think about it, she hadn't heard him laugh in ages. The ordeal in the Department of Mysteries had changed him so much. Especially as Sirius's death took place there was well.
"Sorry...I-"
"I'm going to make it clear to you now, Gin. I don't like Hermione in that way. Only as a friend. The person I like...the person I love...has always loved...is you."
On the other side of the wall, Hermione sank down in...it was so many feelings. They all hit her at the same time. Surprise, shock, disappointment, horror. She knew that Harry liked Ginny...but a tiny ray of hope inside told her that perhaps there was a small chance that he liked her too. But he didn't. Only as a friend.
A.N. That was really short, sorry. I will make it up to you in the next chapter. So much will happen and will thicken the plot. Please keep reading!
Review replies:
MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus – Thanks!
SarahLou – Yeah I find it really amusing that Ron's scared of his sister. But everyone has a weakness. That's his. The ball is...funny in a way. Keep reading!
Trym – This chapter is definitely better than the last. A lot more happens here to take the story further on.
The-Dark-Rose-of-Insanity – I don't really have any experience with rich people, sorry. But I will take your comment into account and try to do something about it. Thank you for your review!
airhead14 – I don't think Hermione was poor in the books but this story is slightly AU and the characters are slightly out of character as well. Her 'poorness' (is that a word?) will be explained later. Thanks.
harrysmom – Hermione is poor in this story. The reason will be explained later. Thanks for your review!
Crystal – Hmm. You have to read this chapter to find out what happens. Although Hermione doesn't get back at Ron much, nor is she having a good time.
Original Mercedes Benz – In a recent article with JK Rowling she revealed that Ginny's full name is in fact Ginerva, not Virginia. But my friend said that apparently Mrs. Weasley used Virginia in one of the earlier books. I will check that and get back to you. Thanks for your comment!
roses in bloom – Hehe. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
GryffindorGoddess28 – Ginny and Ron having a fight eh? That will come up in later chapters. A lot of your comments/questions are answered in this chapter, so please read on! Tell you what. You can hit Parvarti, I can hit Lavender, then we swap over and hit them even more.
doriansportrait – Thank you! Here's the next chapter.
Aimz – Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. Meteor Garden belongs to its producers.
Chapter 7
As Hermione walked to the Great Hall walking awkwardly beside Ron, she decided to ask a question that had been bothering her for a while now.
"Weasley, can I ask you something?"
Ron turned his head with a look of annoyance on his face. "My name is Ron. Do you need me to spell it out for you? R," he started saying extremely slowly and clearly. "O. N. Ro-"
"I'll call you whatever I want to. And we are NOT on first name terms."
"Fine. What was it you wanted to ask me?"
"Why...why did you put that notice up?"
"You're so stupid. Can't you read? It's to tell everyone to stop bothering you."
Hermione's anger rose to the surface again. "Of course I know what it says! Why do you want everyone to stop bothering me? I thought it was your ambition! To make me apologise to you. Why change your mind now?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't everyone harassing my girl."
"YOUR girl?" she exclaimed. "I am no one's. Didn't I already make it clear to you? You can't buy me! I don't even like you."
"Exactly. You're a good challenge."
"That's all I am? A challenge?!" She lifted one gloved hand and slapped him on one cheek. "Is that what everyone else is to you? Just some object?"
Before Ron could say or do anything to her, she decided that it would be safer for him to digest what she had just said by himself and rushed into the Hall. At that precise time Harry also arrived behind Ron.
"Why has your cheek gone all red?"
"She hits really hard. But she's tiny! Ugh god..."
Harry tried his best to clamp his mouth shut.
............................................................................ ............................................................................ ......
"Come on," said Ron.
"What?"
"We're going to go visit the giant squid."
"I beg your pardon?!"
"We're starting the ball by dancing together, you idiot."
"Oh..." Hermione blushed. "You could've said!"
"It's not my fault you're so inobservant."
"What?! You-"
"Oh god let's just go dance. Everyone is staring at us." Ron took Hermione's hand in hers.
She kept silent as she couldn't think of anything to say and followed him to the middle of the Great Hall, where everyone looked expectantly at the two. He took her right hand in his left and placed his other hand by her waist. She put her left hand on his shoulder uncertainly. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing, but she hadn't danced formally like this since fourth year with Krum.
The music started: slow and gentle as Ron started moving, turning along with Hermione. It wasn't too bad. Ron did most of the steering; all she had to do was follow and look graceful. It was surprising how experienced and professional Ron was at dancing. As far as she knew Ron wasn't that good at dancing before; he had complained a lot about the Yule Ball but never actually danced so Hermione couldn't be sure. Gradually the other students got up from their tables and joined them. Harry and Ginny were there, along with many others.
"Erm...Weas-fine, RON," she said when Ron glared at her again. "Sorry about what happened just now."
Ron shrugged. Again, thought Hermione angrily. "Didn't hurt that much."
"You still deserved it. Everyone else is humans too, you know. They have feelings as well, in case you haven't noticed."
"I know that they are humans."
"Well stop acting like they are objects and treat them like humans then! How many dates do you have for the ball today? Ten? Twenty?"
"I don't have any, for your information!"
"And why is that?"
"I'm not going to ask some girl just because she's after my money or something."
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it again.
"Those girls don't swarm over me because they actually like me," he continued. "Otherwise they would've started from first year. They only want to look good. Imagine going out with the Quidditch captain. Imagine going out with a rich guy and being able to ask him for money all the time."
She stayed silent for a while. Being rich and popular certainly had its disadvantages. "Why...why don't you just hit them and tell them to go away or something?"
"I don't hit girls."
"And what's wrong with girls? Do you think we're all weak and useless?"
"I did not say that! You've got it all wrong."
"Oh really," she said without emotion.
"Yes. I don't hit them because...because..."
Hermione grinned slowly as she walked away from him and sat down again by the Gryffindor table. Ron did the same, his face red, making his head look like an oddly shaped tomato. Fuming, he turned to Harry and started ranting.
"That girl is so annoying!"
"I thought you liked her. Why go for her if she's so annoying?"
"She's a good challenge."
"Is that all?"
Ron shrugged, trying to look unconcerned and unbothered. "Pretty much..." He looked away from Harry, his face reddening again, and his ears even more so.
"Right then." Harry got up.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm asking her for a dance," he said, trying to hide the amusement in his voice.
"Right," replied Ron, determined not to look anywhere within twenty feet of the dance floor. But it was like looking at a bowl of melted chocolate and trying not to dip his finger in it. Annoyed at himself, he turned his head towards the dance floor where many couples were already dancing. He caught sight of the two in the middle, slowly revolving on the spot. Hermione's eyes looked so...gentle. She had never looked at him that way before. She had always given him that same hard stare.
When the music stopped she gave Harry one last smile before leaving. She had never given Ron that smile before. He felt a pang of jealousy. That was a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time now. At the moment there was nothing he could be jealous of others of. He was Head Boy, Quidditch captain, and the most popular guy in school. But Hermione didn't seem to care.
A few seats along, Parvarti got up excitedly and whispered something to Professor Dumbledore, who nodded with a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. She took out her wand and pointed it at her throat.
"We would like to introduce a game," she said, her voice magically magnified and gesturing eagerly to Lavender. "All the lights in the Great Hall will go off for ten seconds. In that short space of time you will be able to kiss whoever you want to. Providing that you can find them in the dark that is."
The whole hall started to mutter excitedly, with people deciding on whom to go for. Hermione looked around awkwardly, clearly not wanting to be part of this game.
"Right. Everyone ready? Lights off!" The hall was immediately drowned in complete darkness. Movement immediately started as people rushed past Hermione, most calling out the name of the person they were trying to find. She could hear a familiar voice yelling "Ron Weasley!" as she rushed past her and caught the hem of her dress robes, causing her to fall down onto her stomach.
"Ten seconds are up! Lights on!"
The entire seemed so much brighter than before the lights were turned off. Hermione tried to get up but found that she had landed on something soft. Someone to be precise. Someone with flaming red hair and freckles. And her lips were positioned right above his.
Her eyes widened in terror as she stood up, staring at Ron. He looked up at her, surprise written on his face as he too stood up.
"Ron..." a voice began.
"Don't look at me. She made the first move." He grinned inwardly. She likes me, he thought, grinning even more. She really does like me.
Hermione looked back and forth between Harry and Ron, not believing her luck. Of all the people she could've fallen on, it had to be Ron Weasley. The person that she liked the least in the entire room. She shook her head slightly in horror and turned to run away. Away from all those hard glares of annoyance and surprise.
She placed a hand on her cheek, trying to stem the flowing tears once more. Everything had gone horribly wrong. She should have known it was too good to last. She had danced with Harry. He was the one to ask her. But then...that stupid game. As the clock chimed midnight, she almost laughed at the irony.
Midnight. Not only am I not a Cinderella, I even kissed a pig! I kissed Ron Weasley and everyone saw me! The entire school.
............................................................................ ............................................................................ ......
Soon it was Monday again. The day which meant she couldn't keep hiding away from curious looks and people who wanted to find out about 'her and Ron'. However...more trouble seemed to find her.
The corridors were mostly empty because everyone was down at dinner. However she decided to go down later than everyone else to avoid questions and eat in peace. She was heading down to the library when she heard voices talking quietly inside. Who would be missing dinner like that?
Her heart gave a funny jolt as she realized who were talking and what about.
"-really like Hermione don't you, Harry?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Don't you? I'm glad if you do. She's really nice."
"What are you trying to say, Ginny?"
"You and Hermione make...a really good couple."
Harry spoke again, only it wasn't the gentle tone he had been using earlier. "What makes you think you can say that? You think you can make assumptions about what I think?" Then he laughed. It wasn't the warm laugh that Hermione had been used to. It was so different. Cold. She shuddered. Come to think about it, she hadn't heard him laugh in ages. The ordeal in the Department of Mysteries had changed him so much. Especially as Sirius's death took place there was well.
"Sorry...I-"
"I'm going to make it clear to you now, Gin. I don't like Hermione in that way. Only as a friend. The person I like...the person I love...has always loved...is you."
On the other side of the wall, Hermione sank down in...it was so many feelings. They all hit her at the same time. Surprise, shock, disappointment, horror. She knew that Harry liked Ginny...but a tiny ray of hope inside told her that perhaps there was a small chance that he liked her too. But he didn't. Only as a friend.
A.N. That was really short, sorry. I will make it up to you in the next chapter. So much will happen and will thicken the plot. Please keep reading!