Well folks, it's yet another chapter of what was originally intended as a 'one-shot' deal. I would like to give a HUGE thank you to all of you who have stuck with me, and reviewed my story:
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THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR REVIEWING! IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
Anyways, on with the story!
Disclaimer: I'm sure you've all figured out by now that I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER! But I figured I'd let you know anyways . . . oh and incidentally, I don't own the song 'This I Promise You' by N'Sync either . . .
Where we last left off . . .
Shaking her head slightly, she stretched her arms, and wondered at the charged atmosphere in the air. Suddenly the events of the previous evening washed over her like a cold bucket of water.
Today was the day of what was sure to be the greatest event of the year.
The Snowball.
Chapter 5 – Secret Admirer
Hermione felt a sudden jolt in her stomach as she sat bolt upright. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. What a way to wake up!
Looking around her room, Hermione's brown eyes took in all the familiar surroundings; her neat clean desk, her spotless white walls, the piece of parchment on her night stand . . . Wait a minute! Hermione's eyes drifted to the parchment that she knew hadn't been there the previous evening. Her heart started pounding as her mind reeled at the possibilities. Someone had broken into her room.
"Let's not panic. Maybe it's nothing." Hermione murmured to herself. Picking up the parchment, she gasped as something fell out of it. Picking up the fallen object, she gave another gasp upon the realization of what said object was.
It was a pale pink ribbon that shimmered in the light. It's so beautiful! Heart pounding in anticipation now, Hermione opened the parchment. Inside it contained words that sounded vaguely familiar to her.
When I think of you, I think of these words:
When visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes,
And all that surround you,
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Is standing here all alone...
Hermione nearly swooned upon finishing the letter. She sighed in bliss, and laid back in her bed to contemplate who would do such a romantic thing. And then another thought entered her head. How had that note even gotten here in the first place?
Hermioneknew that the girl's dorms were forbidden for boys to enter, so . . . was it all just some cruel joke played on her by someone? All of her previous romantic thoughts vanished, and she got out of bed once more to get dressed. She had a mission, and her mission was to find the mean person who would play such an awful trick.
She knew exactly where to go to find the answer.
Parvati and Lavender were eating at the table, whispering to each other about the previous evening.
flashback
They found Ron sulking in a chair near the fire. Nodding at each other, they went and sat down near him. He didn't even acknowledge their presence.
"Hey Ron." Parvati finally said.
"What do you want?" came his annoyed reply.
"Well honestly! If you're going to be like that, I might as well just leave without bothering to tell you how you can make up with Hermione! Come on Lavender, let's go."
She stood up with Lavender, but at that point, she had gotten Ron's attention.
"What'd you say about Hermione?"
"Oh so NOW he wants to listen to us." Parvati said to Lavender, winking at her. Lavender had to suppress her giggle.
"Look I'm sorry for getting all snappish." Ron said. "Can you please tell me what you know?"
"Well I guess so . . . " The two girls sat back down.
"You see Ron," Parvati began. "No girl can resist having something to show off to her friends, and Hermione is no different in that aspect."
"Get on with it!" came Ron's growl.
Parvati just smiled. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't" she smirked at him, and again Lavender had to fight off a bout of laughter.
"Sorry." Ron grumbled.
"That's better." Now it was Lavender's turn to talk. "Anyways, what we're talking about is a secret admirer. Someone who knows Hermione's interests, and who can send her 'notes' of affection."
"And this will help Hermione to forgive me HOW?" Ron asked, skepticism written all over his face.
"Because You'll be the secret admirer Ron." Parvati said, as if Ron had asked the dumbest question in the world.
"Again, I don't understand how that helps me, if Hermione doesn't know who it is."
"Well you'll reveal yourself tomorrow night at the ball, when you go request her favorite song."
"Which is . . . ?"
"'This I Promise You' by N'Sync."
"Who is that exactly?"
"A very popular muggle band."
"And HOW do you know this?"
The two girls looked at each other.
"Please. We're girls. Girls share things. Even people as secretive as Hermione."
Ron gulped, as he let that comment sink in.
"So what exactly am I supposed to do?" he asked.
"It's simple. You write her three notes, each with a small gift and part of the lyrics of that song. Thentomorrow nightat the ball, you'll request the song, and you reveal yourself. Simple as that." The girls had a look on their faces that Ron didn't quite trust.
"One more question."
"Yes?"
"How is Hermione going to get the notes?"
"Leave that to us. And the gifts as well. Don't worry. They'll be really nice. So are you game?" they knew that Ron was convinced at this point, but wanted to make doubly certain.
"Guess so."
"Great! Here are the lyrics." Lavender handed him a piece of paper, and a quill.
"Now go and write your little heart out!"
As Ron ambled off towards the tables, both the girls let out a little squeal. This was a BRILLIANT PLAN!
End flashback
"So you think Hermione saw the note we left on her table?" Lavender asked Parvati.
"Are you kidding me? Of course she did! You know how she spots anything that out of place in her 'perfectly organized' room."
Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, Hermione came storming into the Great Hall, with the piece of parchment in tow.
"Do you girls know anything about this?" Hermione asked, waving the parchment in their face, and not wasting any time with a proper greeting.
"What is that Hermione?" Parvati asked, putting on her 'innocent' face.
"You know darn well what it is!" Hermione fumed.
Trying her hardest not to look amused but skeptical, Parvati shook her head.
"It looks like a plain piece of parchment to me."
"Well it's not! Someone was in my room last night while I was sleeping, and left it there!"
"You still haven't told us what it is that's got you so upset Hermione." Lavender said.
"Because you already know! because one of you left it there!"
"How can you say that Hermione? You have no proof"
"Yeah. You shouldn't accuse us of anything until you can find solid evidence."
"You want proof? I'll find you proof!" Hermione yelled, and stormed out of the great hall. As soon as she was gone, the girls collapsed into heaps of laughter.
"That was some fine acting Parvati!" Lavender said when they managed to calm down enough to talk.
"Thanks girlfriend!" They high-fived, and then dissolved into fits of giggles again.
The most important day of the year was sure off to an interesting start.
Hermione stormed from the hall, fuming. Those girls! She was certain that they were the ones who had done this. They had seemed so eager to talk about the ball last night. I'll get those stupid girls to own up to what they did if it's the last thing I do! Hermione vowed to herself.
As she rounded the corner at breakneck speed, there was a sudden crash, as Hermione ran headlong into an unsuspecting victim. Her anger dissolved for a moment, as she stared at the figure sprawled down on the floor.
"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" she said.
The figure got and up and adjusted itself, and Hermione realized just who it was.
"Hello Hermione." Ginny said in an icy tone. There was an awkward moment of silence.
"Ginny, can we talk about this?" Hermione knew that Ginny was still angry, but she thought she'd try anyways.
"What'sto talk about? You're a backstabbing liar. That's all." And before Hermione could come up with a reply, she'd disappeared from sight.
"Damn it!"
Now shaking with fury again, Hermione made her way back to Gryffindor tower, and just as she rounded the last corner, she once again crashed into someone.
"Damn it!" she yelled again, as she saw once again, someone pick themselves up off the floor. But this time it was Harry.
"You should watch where you're going Hermione." He chided. When he saw the look on her face, he couldn't help but frown a little.
"What's up Hermione?" Harry asked.
"I had a little 'encounter' with Ginnya few minutes ago."
"Is she still angry?"
"Let me put it this way . . . if I hadn't crashed into her and knocked her down by accident, I'm pretty sure it would have been ME on the floor, and it wouldn't have been an accident."
"Ooh that's bad." Harry cringed.
"Tell me about it." Hermione was still looking rather annoyed, and Harry knew that there was something else bothering her.
"Alright Hermione. Out with it."
"What're you talking about?"
"I know there's something else bothering you."
Hermione sighed. Curse that boy for being so bloody intuitive! She pulled out the piece of parchment. Harry looked puzzled.
"Do you know anything about this?" she asked, carefully searching Harry's expression.
"It's a piece of parchment Hermione." Harry said.
"Do you know what's written on it?"
"There's something written on it?" Harry's face appeared innocent, and Hermione trusted him. Well that rules him out then.
"Yeah there is." She replied. "See for yourself."
She handed him the parchment, and he scanned its contents. She saw his eyes widen.
"That's some note." He said, handing it back to her.
"Trouble is, I don't know who sent it, and I found it in my room this morning, and since boys aren't allowed in the girl's dorms . . . " she trailed off.
"Well maybe this person got a girl to deliver it to you." Harry shrugged, at a loss at what else to say. Hermione gave him a strange look.
"You know I never thought of that?"
"Really?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Well if that's the case . . . " Hermione read the note over again, and felt her heart race.
"Maybe I really DO have a secret admirer!"
Harry smiled and shook his head.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking to myself."
"About what?"
"About how lucky you are. At least your day is going well so far."
"Not really." Her smiled suddenly faded. "I'm sure Ron is still upset, and I can't face him."
"But you'll have to tonight."
"I know! And I don't want to." Hermione was frowning now.
"Oh come now. Things aren't all bad." Harry said, trying to cheer her up. She shook her head and heaved a sigh.
"I'm going back into Gryffindor tower. You coming?" she asked him.
"Actually, I'm going to go have some breakfast. I'm really hungry."
"Sure."
As Hermione disappeared inside the tower, Harry turned to go down to the great hall, and as he walked there, he hoped that what he was about to do was something that he wouldn't regret.
He was going to talk to Ginny.
Ginny was sitting at the table, half-heartedly eating her breakfast. A few seats away, Parvati and Lavender were whispering and giggling to each other. Dumb girls Ginny thought to herself. She returned to staring into her bowl of porridge. She felt someone sit down near her, but she didn't bother to look up.
"Hi Ginny." The voice next to her was tentative and unsure, but even so she knew exactly who it was.
"What do you want Harry?" she snapped at him without even looking up from her porridge.
"To talk to you."
"And what makes you think that I want to talk to you?"
"Look," he began. "I'm sorry about last night-"
Now Ginny looked up from her porridge, and Harry saw fire in her eyes.
"You can be as sorry as you damn well want, but it's not going to change things is it? YOU PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL HARRY POTTER!"
"I know I did."
"You disgust me. I thought you had honor and integrity. I guess I was wrong."
"Now wait a minute." Harry felt his hackles getting raised.
"How could you do that to me Harry? How could you?" he saw tears glistening in her eyes, and he felt his heart wrench.
"Ginny . . . " he said, his anger dissolving.
"No, don't talk to me Harry. I can't stand it." She turned away. But Harry still saw the tears that had now begun to fall. Feeling very awkward, Harry did the only thing he could think of. He closed the distance between them, and wrapped his arms around her in a hug.
Ginny gasped, and tried to pull away, but Harry held fast.
"It hurts me to see you cry like this." He whispered.
Ginny said nothing, but continued to cry. Harry held her in his arms, feeling many emotions all at once. Sadness. Anger. Joy, and fear (that her brother would come down and find them like this.) It was very overwhelming.
"Harry?" Ginny whispered after a moment, wondering how she'd gotten herself in this situation.
"Yes?"
"What do you think you're doing?" she now shoved his arms away, and once again Harry felt that familiar wrench in his heart.
"I was comforting you. You were upset."
"Well for your information Harry Potter, I don't need anyone comforting me!You especially!" she shoved her food away, and stood up. Fixing one last death glare at Harry, Ginny rapidly made her way out of the great hall.Harry followed her, much to her dismay.
"Wait Ginny!" he called at the doorway. It was promptly slammed in his face. He pried it open and stepped out into the hallway in time to catch a glimpse of her fiery red hair disappearing quickly down the corridor.
"Ginny!" he yelled, running after her, keeping her red hair in his line of vision. It was a long and painful journey. At least for Harry it was. By the time he caught up with her 10 minutes later, he was completely out of breath.
"I thought you would've given up by now." Her tone was condescending.
"Not for you Ginny." Harry wheezed. "I'd never give up on you."
"Oh really?" she whirled around, and Harry saw his chance. "Why do always-" but before she could get out the rest of her rant, Harry arms encircled her again, much closer than before, and his lips claimed hers in a searing kiss that left Ginny breathless.
"Now what was it you were going to say, Ginny?" Harry said when he released her.
Her brown eyes stared into his emerald ones.
"Only that it'll take more than that to get my total forgiveness."
Harry laughed, and kissed her again, feeling a warm sensation seep throughout his body. Ginny responded to his kiss, and it suddenly became quite awkward for him. As if sensing his discomfort, Ginny was the first to pull away.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing." Harry said, praying she wouldn't notice his 'predicament.'
"Yeah right Harry. Something's up."
"I wish you hadn't said that." Harry mumbled, his face bright red.
"What?" As if there was suddenly a blinking sign, Ginny's gaze drifted downward.
"Oh" was all she could say.
"Yeah." Harry's face felt like it was on fire.
"It's ok Harry. It's nothing to be embarrassed about you know." Ginny was so matter-of-fact about it, that it further added to his embarrassment.
"Can we talk about something else?" he pleaded.
"Of course. Are you excited about the ball?" she asked.
"Now that I've made up with you I am." Harry said, grateful for the distraction.
She laughed and grabbed his hand, and they walked around aimlessly talking and having a rather amusing time, and after a few minutes Harry was relieved to find that his 'problem' wasn't a problem anymore.
But not for long.
Ron woke up in the late morning. His mind was reeling with anxiety. He was desperate to know if Hermione had gotten his note. He gave the first one toParvati and Lavenderthe evening before, and had to trust them. It was after all, their idea.But now he had to do his part. He yawned, and stretched his arms and shoulders.
Getting out of bed, Ron quickly got dressed and wandered down into the common room. Thankfully for him, it was nearly empty. One a few people scattered around the fire, and those that were there were mostly third years, and didn't know him. He sat at the table with his piece of parchment and ink, and slowly and carefully wrote the second note.
You are so beautiful and pure. These words were meant for you.
And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart (give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...
Love your Secret Admirer
Afterwards, Ron attached a quartz stone that was in the shape of a flower. Casting a glance to make sure no one was looking, he wrote her name on the parchment, and left it right by her favorite seat to sit in, which was the armchair near the fire.
Ron could recall her reading in that chair, not knowing that he was looking at her.Knitting elf hats in that chair in fifth year. Sitting in that chair keeping Harry and him company in the wee hours of the morning during fifth and sixth year. The thought made him smile, and it also made him that much more determined that he would make up with Hermione.
Looking at his watch, he saw that it was 1'o'clock in the afternoon. Only 6 more hours . . . he thought to himself, as he sat down on the couch and waited for Hermione to grace him with her presence. He heaved a sad sigh.
Hermione, if you only knew how much I cared.
An hour later, Hermione came down into the common room feeling much better than she had in the morning. She was smiling at everyone in the common room, and saying a general hello. Her smile faltered and wavered slightly when she saw Ron sitting on the couch. Oh great she thought to herself.
Deciding to ignore him, Hermione strode past him towards her favorite chair. As she came closer, she noticed something perched on it. Upon closer inspection, she saw that it was a piece of parchment. It looked remarkably like the one that she had received this morning. Almost instantly she felt her heart pound in anticipation.
Picking up the parchment, she quickly scanned the room for Parvati or Lavender, but they weren't there, In fact there were only a few third years around. And Ron. Hermione sat down in her chair, and opened the parchment. Had she been looking at him, Hermione would have seen the anxious look on Ron's face.
"Wow."
That was the only thing Hermione could say after she finished reading the piece of parchment. She nearly swooned. This guy is SOOO romantic. She sighed, and read it again, a goofy smile on her face. Ron looked satisfied, and had a grin of his own, though Hermione didn't notice.
How pretty this quartz is! She held it up, and it sparkled in the light. Now I know Parvati and Lavender couldn't have done this! She sat back and daydreamed a beautiful fantasy with her and her secret admirer. He'd be charming. Poised. Handsome. Tall. And most importantly, he would have red hair . . .
"Hermione?"
She was suddenly jerked out of her daydream into the present.
"What?" her voice sounded like it was from far away.
"It's after 3. Do you think you should start getting ready?"
Hermione blinked, and Harry's face came into focus.
"Yeah I guess I better." She said, shaking her head to clear the cobwebs. She smiled at Harry before getting up and disappearing upstairs along with the other horde of girls who were also going up to begin getting ready.
Harry sat down in the chair Hermione had occupied only moments ago, and felt something sticking up from underneath him. Reaching behind him, he pulled up a rumpled piece of parchment, and purple quartz. He quickly read the note, and raised an eyebrow. Well I'd certainly say that she had an admirer. And now he had an idea of just who it might be . . .
"Hey Ginny?" He called over to her.
"Yeah?" she had been about to go upstairs, but quicklywent over to join him.
"Can you do me favor?"
Ron was walking around aimlessly in the halls, trying to kill time before the ball. He decided to deliver his last note to her just before the ball started. He was going to leave it on the table, where she was sure to notice it.
"Hello brother dear."
Ron jumped, and whirled around in panic. He relaxed when he saw who it was.
"Damn it Ginny don't do that!" he admonished. "And how did you find me anyways?"
"Because we're right in front of the library Ron."
"We are?" Ron looked up for the first time in awhile, and was amazed to discover that they were indeed in front of the library.
"Well how about that?"
"Listen Ron, I gotta ask you something." Ginny wanted to be quick; she had to go and get dressed. The ball was only three hours away.
"What?"
"Are you the one writing those 'love notes' to Hermione?"
Instantly, Ron felt his face heat up.
"Whose telling you that?" he asked as casually as he could.
"It's written all over your face Ron." Ginny said, a smirk on her face.
Damn her! He thought.
"So what if I am?" he finally growled.
"Awe! How cute!" Ginny hugged her brother, who looked embarrassed. She laughed.
"So . . . when are you gonna tell her?"
"Tonight. At the end of the ball."
"Awe!" Ginny said again. "Well for the record, I hope it goes well. And please tell Hermione that I'm not as angry with her as I was earlier!"
And with that, Ginny walked off, leaving a very confused, and a very red faced Ron staring at her retreating back. He ambled away from the library, deep in thought.
Girls! Who understands them? Certainly not me!
Hermione stood in front of her mirror, eyeing herself critically. The dress that she'd gotten a few weeks ago seemed so perfect. But now she was unsure of herself.
Deciding to use some of her 'Magic Hair Straight Gel', Hermione's hair now hung in cascading waves down her back. Since her hair was so curly, it wouldn't go completely straight, but Hermione was happy with the result nonetheless. I feel so naked in this! Slipping her shoes into the comfortable black shoes that she'd also gotten (and that just so happened to match the dress), she took a deep breath and opened the door.
Walking down the hallway, she was joined by other girls who all looked stunning in their muggle dresses. She saw flaming red hair in front on her, and was about to call out to her, when Hermione remembered that Ginny wasn't talking to her. As she passed by the dorm for seventh years, Lavender and Parvati came out, looking absolutely gorgeous.
"Hermione!" Lavender called, coming towards her. Following her was a cloud of perfume, and Parvati trailing close behind.
"You girls sure look pretty." She said, smiling at them.
"Hermione I cannot get over how awesome that dress looks on you!"
Lavender's gaze was filled with admiration, and Hermione couldn't help but feel rather proud, despite feeling awkward only five minutes ago.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Both girls smiled at her enthusiasm, and followed her down the hallway, which would lead them down the stairs into the common room.
Where the boys awaited them.
A/N: ok I lied. It seems that the grand finale will have to wait for one more chapter! You can all throw food at me now. (ducks). Aside from that, I would again like to thank each and every one of you who has reviewed my story, and to continue on reading, because I swear that this thing will eventually end! I swear it will! Will Hermione make up with Ron? How will Ron react to Harry and Ginny? Will i ever stop writing?LOL!God bless! CelestialMoon17.