Disclaimer: The only character I own is Hope.

A/N: Oh, wow. People are reveiwing. Super! OK, here's another chapter. Sorry it took me so long. I thought everyone forgot about me. Thank you for reveiwing.

ONLY HOPE by Lina Shay

Chapter Eleven: Double Dated

The Hogsmeade trip came up quickly. Hope was not looking forward to it. Before they had even left the school, Ginny put an arm around her. Hope had to keep an eye out for Luna. She didn't want Luna catching her snoggling with Ginny. It was so hard, though. She didn't want to hurt either girl, but she did not want to date them either.

"Do you want to go to Madam Puddifoot's?" Ginny asked, as they walked through Hogsmeade.

"Madam who?" Hope asked, still keeping an eye out.

"You know, the place you went with Cho last year," Ginny reminded.

Cho? Who was Cho? Well, if Harry went there with Cho, it couldn't be too bad a place.

"All right, let's go to Madam Puddifoot's," Hope shrugged.

"Great!" Ginny exclaimed, taking Hope's arm.

Then Hope spotted Luna coming down the street holding out a large box. Frantically, Hope pulled Ginny into an alley to hide. As Luna walked by, Hope pressed herself against Ginny as flat to the wall as possible so that Luna would not see them. She felt Ginny's hands reach around her back. Hope hit her head on the wall over Ginny's shoulder. Why did she agree to date two girls in one day? Why did she agree to date girls?

Luna finally passed by and, fortunately, she didn't see Hope in the awkward position with Ginny. Hope let out a relieved breath as she pulled away from Ginny. To Hope's great frustration, Ginny had her lips puckered. OK, dating was one thing, but kissing-NEVER.

"Wow, look at the time," Hope laughed nervously. "I want to get to Madam Puddifoot's before it closes."

Ginny opened her eyes in surprise. Hope took her hand and pulled her out of the alley.

Ginny acted a little aloof at Madam Puddifoot's. Hope wondered what she was so bothered about that she would stare in her coffee for a half hour.

"Tell me what's wrong, Gin," Hope urged, leaning forward on her elbows.

Ginny opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again.

"Please tell me, Gin," Hope said. "I know there's something the matter."

"That's what's so great about you, Harry," Ginny insisted, still looking worried. "You're so sensitive."

Hope looked away nervously. "Just tell me what's wrong, Ginny."

Ginny bit her lip, then said, "Why didn't you kiss me? You were going to, I know it. Why else would you have pushed me into the alley like that and snoggled me so? Why did you change your mind?"

Hope didn't know what to say.

"Was it because of me?" Ginny asked quietly. "Because I'm not very good looking?"

"No," Hope insisted. "No, Ginny."

Hope placed a finger under Ginny's chin and directed her sight so that they were eye to eye.

"Listen, Ginny," Hope began, "you are a beautiful girl, and you are in great shape. I'd kill to fit in those jeans."

Ginny was beginning to smile, until the last comment. Then she just looked confused.

"I mean," Hope sputtered, "if they weren't so frilly and girly and...stuff."

Ginny looked back into her cup of coffee. (A/N: I do not condone coffee drinking.)

"Ginny, any guy would consider himself lucky to have the opportunity to kiss you," Hope insisted. "It's just that I-"

Ginny looked at her.

"I-" Hope decided to say the first thing that came to her. "I have mono."

Ginny was taken aback. "Oh. Really?" (A/N: I'm not sure if wizards have mono.)

"I didn't want to give it to you," Hope told her.

"That makes sense," Ginny smiled.

Hope and Ginny spent a lovely time talking about this and that. Ginny gave Hope some hair tips on the short due and Hope told of her dream of redheaded children. Hope let Ginny believe she was referring to her instead of Ron in most cases.

Ginny and Hope walked down Hogsmeade together, arm in arm -since Hope felt hand in hand was a little too weird. Then Hope saw it. In the window of a robe store, there was a beautiful silk violet dress. It was absolutely gorgeous, and Hope would have given her life to have that dress.

"Hey, Ginny," Hope began, "I have to buy some things, but I'll meet you later, all right?"

"Sure, Harry," Ginny agreed. "I bet you're buying something for me, huh?"

She giggled and skipped off. The moment she was out of sight, Hope rushed into the store.

"I want to see that dress in the window," Hope insisted.

The woman behind the counter looked at her oddly.

"It's for my girlfriend," Hope insisted.

"Oh," the woman said, then went over and got the dress for her.

Hope felt the silk and took it over to a full length mirror. It was so beautiful and it was her size. Hope couldn't help herself. She took out her money and paid for it. Hope knew she would never get to wear it, but she simply had to have it.

Hope stroked the dress box affectionately as she walked across to The Three Broomsticks.

"I've been waiting for you, Harry," Luna said, smiling and motioning to the seat opposite her.

"Terribly sorry I'm late," Hope said, sitting down. "I was with...um...Ron, and he wanted to look at this broom."

"It's all right, Harry," Luna said pleasantly.

Hope let her eyes wander around the pub, searching for something to say.

"Have I told you about this month's Quibbler feature article?" Luna asked.

"About the minister?"

"Yes, that one."

"Yes, you've showed me."

It was quiet again. Hope made a popping sound with her lips to make it not so quiet. Hope's eyes fell upon the box sitting on the middle of the table.

"What's that?" Hope asked, glad she had something to say.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Luna blushed, pushing the box toward Hope. "I made something for you."

Hope pulled the top off the box and gawked in at her own face decorated on a cake. She was speechless.

"Like it?" Luna asked.

Hope half-smiled, "It's...not like anything I've ever been given."

"I know," Luna giggled, then looked at the dress box. "What have you got?"

Hope held the box close to herself protectively and lied, "New Quidditch uniform."

"Oh," Luna nodded.

It was silent yet again. This was way worse than the date with Ginny. Thankfully, the silence was broke by McGonagal announcing that they were to head back to Hogwarts. Hope was relieved. The two followed McGonagal out of the Three Broomsticks.

"Sorry our date was cut short," Hope told Luna, trying to sound sincere. "We can always continue this next weekend."

"Next weekend is the ball," Luna gasped. "Oh, Harry, I would love to go!"

Luna threw her arms around Hope. "I just love being near you."

As Hope walked exasperated with Luna and everyone else out of Hogsmeade, she didn't notice the two cloaked men crouching in an alley, watching the young students worrilessly meander by.

A/N: Big surprise in the next chapter.