Chapter 2 - Blushing at Breakfast
Harry could not help grinning as he watched Ron and Hermione at breakfast that morning. Ron was unusually chipper for someone who'd been scowling into his cereal for the past year now. And Hermione had come waltzing over and said "Good Morning!" in a rather cheerful tone, and had started humming merrily to herself. Harry eyed them curiously but neither of them acknowledged that anything peculiar was going on. By the time Ginny joined the table, Seamus and Neville had also begun to notice the odd behaviour and had noticeably started whispering among themselves. Harry could not contain his amusement any longer.
"What is with you two this morning?" he asked eventually, as Ginny sat down beside him, looking confused.
Ron grinned "Just enjoying my breakfast Mate"
"Yeah, right" said Harry sarcastically "And since when do Cornflakes put a smile like that on your face?" he pointed at Ron, who was now desperately trying to hide the grin that was plastered all over his face. Hermione looked up at him then and he just couldn't control it – he could feel his face getting warm, and he was pretty sure by now it had turned a certain shade of pink.
Suddenly Hermione felt a soft tap on her shoulder.
"Hermione?" It was Seamus.
"Oh - Hi Seamus" she greeted happily
"Can we talk, Hermione?" he asked nervously
"Uh, sure" she answered and pointed towards the seat next to her "sit down"
"Uh, I meant alone" he said, looking awkwardly from Ron to Harry and then down to his feet.
Suddenly a look of horror spread across Ron's face as he remembered what Harry had said the night before – Seamus was going to ask Hermione to the Ball!
"Uh Sure" Hermione said uncertainly, as she got up from the table and started walking away with Seamus.
Ron's mind was suddenly filled with all kinds of distressing thoughts. What was she going to say? Surely she'd say no straight away? Or what if she actually wants to go with Seamus? This thought had not occurred to him before and it started to plague him. What if she actually likes someone else? What if going to the Ball with him didn't mean anything other than friendship to her? His mind was racing with these unstoppable thoughts when Harry's voice suddenly broke through –
"Ron?"
"Yeah?" he replied, not taking his eyes off Hermione.
"Are you going to tell us what's going on?" Harry and Ginny looked amused.
He peeled his eyes away long enough to say "What do you mean?"
Harry continued "Well, when I left you last night, you were completely stressed out about the Ball. But then this morning, you and Hermione both pitch up at breakfast looking like the kittens that stole the cream! And now, she's over there with Seamus and you can't keep your eyes off her! Are we missing something?" He grinned suggestively
"Uh" Ron hesitated, still glancing over at Hermione. He couldn't tell from her expression how the conversation was going. Just tell him already! He thought furiously - Tell him you're going with me!
Suddenly, Seamus turned and left the Great Hall and Hermione came strolling back to their table. Harry, Ron and Ginny were all staring at her expectantly.
"He asked me to the Ball" she said, blushing as she caught Ron's eyes. She sat down hastily and continued eating her porridge, desperately trying to avoid his stare. But Ron could not take the suspense any more –
"And?" he questioned eagerly.
She looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean AND Ron Weasley? You know I already have a date for the Ball!"
Harry and Ginny exchanged curious looks.
Ron looked relieved "Yeah I know that, but I thought maybe you might forget…"
"Ron, I would never forget…" she smiled at him and Ron could feel his face getting hot again.
"No Way!" Ginny exclaimed "Hermione, why didn't you tell me you and Ron…?"
"I didn't really have time" she replied
"So you two were up late last night…" Harry commented suggestively, beaming at them.
Ron grinned, but Hermione quickly changed the subject.
"So are you lot coming to join me in the library today?" she inquired
Harry groaned "Hermione, it's Sunday!"
"Yes, but we still have an exam tomorrow!" she protested "And the more studying we get done the better…"
"But we already know it all!" Ron joined in "We've been studying Herbology for weeks already – thanks to you!"
"Yes, besides, we were thinking about going down to the lake for a picnic later…" Harry continued
"C'mon Hermione" Ginny persuaded "It's such a beautiful day! And we can talk about the Ball and stuff – forget exams for now!"
But Hermione was adamant "Well, I at least need to get a few more hours in before tomorrow"
"Okay, fine" said Ron, knowing it was a pointless argument "But meet us later, Okay? Down by the lake? You can't study all day!"
"Alright" she gave in, realising she was heavily out-numbered "I'll see you later" she said and quickly headed towards the library.
Harry grinned at Ron "So you actually asked her!"
"Yeah" Ron grinned stupidly "Long story – but basically - I asked and she said yes!"
"Well – we're impressed" Ginny commented
"Yeah, well done Mate" Harry said, giving Ron a pat on the back "Now – let's go organise this picnic…" he said, getting up and leading Ginny out of the hall, while Ron just sat there, grinning into his Cornflakes.
