Ron looked desperately down the corridor longing to catch a glimpse of Bethany. His head was full of her and her alone at the moment. It was a strange feeling that Ron had never experienced before. Every time he tried to tell Hermione and Harry about it they seemed to drift off. He really wanted to tell someone, for a while he had debated telling one of his brothers but in the end had realised this would be a bad idea. The twins would tease him for weeks about it and probably tell his mother. He had also thought about talking to his father about it but had then remembered the last conversation he had had about girls with him. The thought made him turn bright red and shudder. No this would be one challenge Ron would have to face alone. He looked at his watch in a few hours he would be spending time alone with Bethany. Sure they would be doing work but it would still be time alone. He looked around the corridor one last time and then headed to his next class.
Harry stood looking at Hermione. He was ready to tell her everything. He would start by telling her about Neville it was only right she should know. He was sure that she would be grateful after all he was telling her the truth. Once she knew he would comfort her by telling her how he felt about her. Yes, this was a great plan everyone would be happy and everything could return to nearly normal. Harry would have Hermione and Neville would have Ginny. Well that was if he ever got round to asking Ginny out. Love lives were such complicated things. "Right I have something very important to tell you." Hermione rolled her eyes. Was this going to be yet another rant from Harry about Neville's place on the Quiddich team. She was about to say something when Harry began to talk. "Neville doesn't want to be with you anymore. It's not that he doesn't like you it's just that....." Hermione looked shocked. Had Harry really said that Neville did not want to go out with her anymore? No, he was just being malicious and trying to split them up. She kicked Harry hard in the leg and then ran down the corridor desperate to get away from him and his lies.. She was so angry with him and her anger carried her all the way to the common room. She shouted the password and stumbled into the room. She threw herself down in a chair and tried to figure things out in her head. Harry did not want to be with her and he wanted to ruin the relationships she had with Neville. She now felt even more determined to stick with Neville no matter how annoying he got.
As Neville plodded out of history he could see Harry and Hermione talking. Unsure of what to do he tried to hide behind another student. Right now he needed to avoid Hermione. He was sure that Harry would be able to sort out the sorry mess for him. Neville was concentrating so hard on staying out of sight that he failed to notice Draco Malfoy stood next to him. "Longbottom!" Neville nearly jumped out of his skin. "I've heard an amusing rumour that you are the new seeker for Gryffindor.It can't be true." Neville gulped. He hated Draco Malfoy more than anyone at Hogwarts. Since his first day Draco had gone out of his way to make Neville's life hard. "Speak up I can't hear you. Is it true?" Neville nodded and was greeted by a wall of laughter. Draco shoved Neville. "You the Gryffindor seeker! What is the world coming to? I don't think there is much point in your team turning up for the tournament. With you as seeker Slytherin are sure to win." He shoved Neville again and this time caused the boy to fall hard. "Looks like your fat arse saved you again." Draco turned to leave and bumped straight into Bethany. "Oh God not you again." Bethany smiled, it was obvious she was up for a fight. Draco however was not keen to re enact the day befores scenario. "Look I don't want any trouble I was just having a word with my friend Neville here." Bethany gave him a look that could have turned milk sour. Draco smiled lamely and turned to help Neville up. "Look no harm done." He smiled weakly at her. "Well I'm glad to hear it but I'm not really bothered what you get up to Malfoy." She walked off down the corridor without even turning to look back at the boy. Draco felt his face turning red. He shoved Neville back to the floor and stormed off.
Ron stood waiting outside the library for Bethany. He had been waiting half an hour. Normally he would have left by now but he was sure she would turn up. He waited and he waited. She had to be busy there was no other reason why she would not turn up. Ron smiled to himself, yes she was busy and she would be along any minute. He kicked his feet out in front of him and stared out of the window. The sun was beginning to set and he could see the owls flying out for their evening hunt. He looked at his watch for the tenth time. As the sky became darker and darker Ron realised she was not coming. He sighed and headed back to the common room. He made a mental note to look out for her in the Great Hall at breakfast time. He was sure that she would have a great reason as to why she had not turned up. He trudged along to the common room hoping to find Harry or Hermione. Either one of them would be able to cheer him up and reassure him that everything was okay. He smiled, yes his friends would be there for him.
Ginny had become sick of the whole situation. Harry and Hermione were meant to be more mature than her and they were both acting like they were five. The only way to sort this was to get all the parties together. All she needed to do was find them all and persuade them to meet up in the common room. Neville was easiest to find he was moping around in the common room. "Hey Neville" He turned to look at her. His face was bright red and he mumbled a hello back. "Neville I need you to stay here while I go and get Harry and Hermione." Neville squealed. He did not want to have to talk to Hermione and especially not in front of Ginny. How would he explain that he did not want to go out with her anymore because he liked Ginny. He tried to mumble some excuse but Ginny was having none of it. "Sit down I'll be back as soon as I've found Harry and Hermione." Neville could see that there was no point in arguing with Ginny. She was a determined girl and once she had made her mind up there was no changing it. He slumped down in a chair and sheepishly smiled at Ginny. She grinned back and trotted off to find the others.
Harry reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged by Ginny to the common room. How could he, the boy who had survived, by getting tips on his love life from someone as young as Ginny. He would die if Fred and George ever found out. Knowing those two they would never let it drop. Still he did want the mess sorting out and he was far to tired to do it himself. He just did not understand girls. They said one thing and meant something totally different. It would be so much easier if they had signs explaining exactly what they wanted. Perhaps there was some kind of spell he could do. Tomorrow he would go to the library and look. But right now he would place his trust in his best friends little sister. The thought made him turn bright red.
Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room. She was exhausted and longed to go to bed. Perhaps if she went to bed and to sleep she would wake up and the whole nightmare would be over. She was even more confused now than she had been earlier in the day. Did Harry like her? Was what he had said true? She was to tired to think properly. As she reached the common room the Fat Lady mentioned something about her terrible mood earlier. Hermione tried to apologise but the Fat Lady went on and on. When she eventually made it into the common room she nearly feel over. Harry, Neville and Ginny were all looking up at her. She tried to turn and run from the room but Ginny jumped up and grabbed her. "Oh no you don't. It's time to sort this out once and for all........"
