A/N: I don't know why every time I want to post a chapter staff decides that they need to work on the page. :o( Anyway, this will be up as soon as I'm allowed to load it… I don't know what's gotten into me but I just can't stop writing this story… Enjoy and review! Please?

Disclaimer: If anyone thought I own the characters in this story or that I claim ownership over them I am very sorry to disappoint you!

The first summer of the rest of their lives

Chapter XII: Wrong Thoughts

Breakfast next morning was a quiet affair. Ron and Hermione were pointedly refusing to even look at each other, let alone talk. The twins felt a bit guilty at what had happened and sat whispering to each other. Harry and Ginny were both looking suspiciously tired and yawned their way through their eggs and toast.

By the time all of them were nearly finished, five owls entered through the kitchens window. Four of them were brown and carrying letters withthe Hogwarts' stamp; the fifth one was snowy white and had a short note addressed to Hermione.

For a moment all grudges and tiredness were forgoten as the three graduates opened their corresponding letters with shaking fingers. The long awaited N.EW.T.'s results were finally there. For Harry and Hermione this meant that their future was inside that envelope; and Ron had on his hands his life's sentence, because if he hadn't got enough passing marks, he would be killed by his mother. All in all, each of them was as nervous as they had been during their sorting ceremony, so long ago.

But luckily for them, they had all passed each and every one of the subjects. Harry and Ron had even got pretty high marks, too.

Hermione of course had gotten the highest marks in all her exams and attached to the reporting card there was a note signed by the head of the Ministry of Education, Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic congratulating her on her splendid performance during the examination and informing her that her results had awarded her a plaque to be placed at the Trophy Room at Hogwarts. Hermione's eyes were shinning with tears of emotion, the result of everything she had worked for the past seven years was in her hands and she had a shinning future ahead of her. Oh, her parents were going to be so proud of her! More than they already were.

Ron noticed Hermione was silently crying and stretched his arm to grab her hand, and she looked up smiling warmly at him. Harry and Ginny exchanged glances, both thinking the same, perhaps they wouldn't need to do anything after all; perhaps the arrival of such good news was what Ron and Hermione required to calm down and no they were going to be willing to sort thing out between them; perhaps…

But unfortunately, the white owl chose that very moment to remind the receiver of her letter that she was there and hooted softly bringing the four of them back to reality. Hermione dropped her gaze and took the note that was fasted to the owl's leg. And as she did this, Ron was able to read who the writer was: Stephen Palmer. Every bitter feeling he had had inside him since the day before return in full measure. He stood up moodily and without saying a word he left the room.

The brunette, who had obviously been reminded of what had happened twenty-four hours ago, ignored her former best friend and busy herself with Stephen's letter.

Dear 'Mione,

Hi! How are you? Have you received the results yet? Mine came last night and I passed all the subjects! I'm in! I'm sure you got in too… So write back as soon as you get your owl so we can go celebrating!

Love,

Stephen.

Hermione looked up from the note to find Ginny's quizzical stare upon her.

"Stephen passed all his exams too, so he got into Medischool as well" Explained Hermione.

"Oh" Answered her friend, this time looking worriedly at Harry, that was certainly not good.

"I'm going to write to my parents to tell them the good news, and answer Stephens's letter." With that she got up, carrying the two opened enveloped on her right hand and a piece of toast on her left one. The white owl followed her.

"What are we going to do now?" Asked Ginny to her brothers and secret boyfriend.

"I don't know, but Ron will be furious when he learns that Palmer is going to be Hermione's school mate. And the worst part is that he will never admit how jealous he is."

"Ginny, what did Hermione say about Ron?" Asked Fred.

"Not much, she only told me what happened and wouldn't let me explain how things really are"

"Merlin, this is going to be tough!" Sighted George "I suppose we can lock them in the broom's closet and force them to listen to each other."

"That's not a good idea they might end killing each other, they are really livid this time… The only time I saw that much hatred in Hermione's eyes was when she smacked Malfoy" Said Harry.

"Well, they are both to stubborn to figure things out by themselves, so we'd better think of something." Said Ginny, resting her head on Harry's shoulder. Without thinking he stroked her hair kindly.

"Well, well. I know this is rough situation, but there's no need to get so close… Seriously, one might think you two are dating or something." Fred glared at Harry, who immediately removed his hand. But the twin's word had had a powerful effect on the couple and had made them both blush furiously, rousing suspicions.

"Why does the pair of you look so tired when the other two clearly had a long nice night sleep?" Asked George, eyeing the younger duo distrustfully. Harry and Ginny looked at each other nervously. It looked as though the time had come to reveal their secret.

"Well? We are waiting here…" Fred tapped his fingers impatiently.

"Ok, the truth is…" Said Harry, closing his eyes preparing himself for the blow "We've been dating for two days now."

Fred and George exchanged a most evil grin. "You know what that means, don't you?" Harry merely nodded, his eyes still shut.

"Dear twin, I think this calls for a brother's reunion."

"I agree, you and arouse Bill and Charlie… I'll wake Percy." Fred and George disapparated, leaving behind a shaking Harry and a bemused Ginny.

"In case I don't make it through this… I want you to know that I really enjoy my two last days as a living entity, Gin" Moaned Harry.

"Oh, come on! They are not that bad… Well, yes they are. But they like you, so I don't think they'll torture you that much."

Harry buried his head into his arms, and a few moments later he heard five soft 'pops' and found himself surrounded by five very serious looking freckled faces.

"Ginny, I think it's better if you didn't watch this" Said Charlie, rolling up his sleeves.

"Yeah, you are still young and innocent" Added Bill and after a brief pause he said, looking so menacingly at Harry it was scary "Aren't you?"

"Oh no, she is, she is!" Squeaked Harry trembling from head to foot. It seamed incredible, but the Weasley brothers could be even scarier than Voldemort.

The redheaded boys look at each other and burst out laughing. The boy-who-lived twice was not at all reassured by this least than expected reaction and his fright was even more pronounced on his face.

"Ok Harry" Said Fred once they had calmed down "We trust you, so we don't think it necessary to tell you that if you hurt Ginny you'll have us to answer to."

"And did you have to scare me to death anyway?"

"Of course, you should have seen your face. It was hilarious" Grinned George as his brothers nodded in agreement, still breathing heavily from the laugh outburst.

"But, be ware…There is always one of us watching" Said Percy solemnly "And six Weasley's are worst than a hundred death eaters."

"Guys, I really care for Ginny and I wouldn't dream of hurting her" Said Harry truthfully, taking her hand.

"We know" Said Charlie. "And now, as you are practically a member of the family you'll have the pleasure of preparing breakfast for your dear brothers-in-law."

Meanwhile, Ron had left the house and was sitting in the back yard, throwing pebbles and still fuming at Hermione and her stupid new boyfriend. Every time he thought of Stephen Palmer, he got a burning sensation on his stomach and wanted to kick whatever was near him.

What did Hermione see in that guy? Not that he particularly cared what Hermione did or didn't do, but seriously, what could anyone see in him? He remembered Ginny saying how cute that excuse of a man was. Well, that fitted. Hermione had always gone for looks, there was Lockheart and Diggory.

That was a huge lie, and he knew it. But he just didn't want to accept that what he felt for Hermione was so strong that it was killing him to see her with someone else when only a few hours ago she was kissing him. It was so much easier to blame it on her, whilst if he had told her the truth from the beginning none of this would have happened. It was all very frustrating, especially knowing that he was losing her to someone who would be seeing her everyday at school; they would probably end up happilymarried and he alone with a cat.

At the girls room Hermione had sent both letters and was now lying on her bed thinking about what had happened during breakfast. It had been most confusing. She was sure she had seen something on Ron's eyes, something similar to what Krum's eyes used to show her while they had been dating.

"You are being silly" He told herself "You just want Ron to like you, so you are imagining things."

What she saw in Ron, she couldn't tell. Well, he was cute, funny and kind, a great friend, but definitely not boyfriend material. He didn't know how to treat a girl "although during our date he could have fooled me". But he had just been acting. She needed to get over him soon, to avoid more pain and tears. And Stephen might be exactly what she needed to do that.

If Ginny was right, he liked her. And he was everything Hermione looked for in a guy: responsible, serious but not solemn, interesting to talk to, had a nice family and- although this was not that important- he was not at all hard in the eye. So what if she didn't feel chemistry between them? The spark could appear later, right?

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: Ok, I know there was no much action in this chapter… But I wanted to solve the Harry/Ginny situation before dealing with the thick of the plot…. I promise more emotions in the next one…But in the meantime I'll be waiting for your reviews!

And for those who always do it: A million thanks and a huge hug!

I AM EOWYN: I don't think Hermione agrees with you… I do though… Oh, and take it from someone older (well I suppose I'm older than you, I really don't know lol), you don't need a spell to know if someone likes you, just pay close attention to how he behaves ;o)

suckr4romance81789: Don't worry, someone will!

Dancerrdw: Thank you, as always!

Emma-Lynn: Don't cry… you'll make me cry if you cry… Thank you!

Fredrocks: I don't know if you continued reading, but if you did: Thank you!

Guitarprincess: Thank you so much!

One With A Constant Sugar High: He he he, THANK YOU. I fin your to be a good life philosophy. Keep it up ;o)

40/16: Tahnk you very muhc... I'm very glad you like my story... And I hope you liked waht I did with Harry and the Weasleys