Chapter Thirteen
Royally Screwed Up

Author's Note: Thank you sooooooo much for the reviews! I love them sooo much! If you're wondering why I updated so quickly it's because I pretty much wrote this whole chapter in one day... I thought you guys deserved a quick update after all those wonderful reviews I got! I love you guys! Here's chapter thirteen!

Okay I went through the whole ceremony without acting weird, I have to be abnormal during the reception, Hermione thought to herself as she and Harry made their way into the banquet hall of a very large hotel.

This is amazing, Hermione said, looking at the huge dance floor and elaborately decorated tables.

Yeah, Dean and Hannah went all out on this, he told her, as he guided her to a distant table. I'm gonna go get us some champagne, will you be alright by yourself? he asked.

She smiled, I'll be fine, thanks.

As she sat there, watching Harry making his way to a bar across the room her heart gave another pang that made her almost cry.

He doesn't deserve this, any of it, she thought to herself. I'm throwing the bet, he's sticking with me even though I'm this weird, he deserves better.

Then he came back holding two flutes of champagne and he asked, Is everything all right?

She had to slightly force a smile,

...

After the meal had been served and Hermione had at least 7 glasses of champagne Harry stood up.

Dance with me? he asked.

Hermione nodded, standing up and smiling. Harry led her to the dance floor where they began to dance slowly.

You look beautiful, he told her.

She blushed slightly, Thank you, so do you, she added, mentally smacking herself afterwards.

He laughed.

I mean-I know what you mean, thanks, he finished for her.

Maybe I shouldn't have had so many glasses of champagne, I'm not very good with alcohol.

After they danced for a bit Hermione began to feel slightly lightheaded and a bit dizzy and they were barely moving.

Hermione Granger: Dolt, git, plain idiot. I know I'm not good with alcohol even if it was champagne! I shouldn't have had so much.

Soon enough a skinny woman with curly red hair came over to them, Mind if I cut in? she asked.

Hermione was beginning to feel rather ill so she replied with a, she turned to Harry. I'll meet you at the table.

Then as she was walking back to the table it hit her like a ton of bricks. She recognized that woman Harry was dancing with, Natalie Raiden... Modeling for Vogue in the fall... Perfect hair... Perfect skin... Perfect teeth, damn perfect freckles... Friends with Alicia. Members of the Rich-Bitch Clan. Hermione felt sick.

She was beginning to feel so lightheaded she ignored any thought of Alicia or Natalie and ambled over to the table.

She grabbed a glass of water and gulped the contents of it.

I am a bloody idiot, not only because I drank so much damn champagne but because I nearly lost the only man I've ever loved and I can't even admit that I love him... Wait was that a confession-

She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt someone sit next to her, she looked up, thinking it was Harry but who she saw left her totally dumbfounded.

Alicia Beringer was sitting in front of her, smiling.

Hello, Hermione dear! she trilled.

Hermione smiled despite everything, Hi Alicia.Are you having a good time? she asked, her sugarcoated voice sounding too much like nails down a chalkboard.

Yes, great fun thanks! Hermione answered enthusiastically.

That's good, her eyes scanned the room and they fell on Harry and Natalie. He's not going to win the bet that way! Alicia snorted.

Hermione's ears perked up, she might've been drunk but she wasn't stupid.

she asked.

Alicia looked at Hermione and her mouth was hanging open but she still had a smile in her eyes, Oh I wasn't supposed to say anything!Alicia, what bet? Hermione asked more seriously.

Alicia looked as if she was contemplating whether or not to tell her, Alright I'm telling you this just because I care about you two, Hermione was too curious to laugh at that. Ron and Neville made a bet with Harry, if he could make you fall in love with him he would get a special case at his job and get a raise. I'm afraid he's been hanging around you this whole time just to win the bet... I'm sorry Hermione.

Hermione realized she had had a bet planned too but it wasn't like that. It was to show Luna she was a beautiful person and that Hermione could lose a guy too, not to win a case to get a raise in her job. Sure she would get fifty quid but that really wasn't her goal... And she actually thought he might've liked her.

was all Hermione said.

Are you angry with him? Alicia asked hopefully.

I am, but I suppose I shouldn't be, she replied, staring at Harry and Natalie dancing, not blinking.

Why not? Alicia asked sweetly.

I had a bet planned too, she answered absently. That I could lose him in two weeks to show my friend that it wasn't her fault she got dumped...

Alicia's smile grew, I didn't expect that, she said under her breath.

Hermione looked at her.

I said imagine that!' two bets in one relationship, what a coincidence, she laughed.

Yeah, coincidence, Hermione couldn't help the burning in the back of her throat or the hot tears forming in her eyes.

I think you should let him now how angry you are! Let it out! she nodded.

Hermione looked at her, You know I should! My bet wasn't to get a raise, I even dropped it recently! she realized what she was saying made little sense but she stood up all the same.

Go for it! Show that bloke what he did was wrong! Alicia cheered.

Hermione stomped onto the dance floor and walked up to Harry, Thank you Mr.Potter I've had a wonderful time but I'm sorry to say I have to go, she walked out of the banquet hall.

Hermione, wait! he called, leaving Natalie on the dance floor.

Hermione ignored him.

he called again.

He finally caught with her when they were outside the hotel, he grabbed her arm and turned her around, Hermione where are you going? she answered.

Why? What happened? he asked.

Your bet Mr.Potter!

He felt his face go hot, he swallowed, Bet, how'd you find out about the bet?That doesn't matter! she turned to walk away again.

He grabbed hold of her arm again, Hermione I was going to tell you about the bet-When? When you had won? Well Harry you can go to all your little mates and tell them you won because, congratulations, I'm in love with you!Y-You're in love with me? he smiled.

Yes but it doesn't matter now because I never want to see you again!

She began walking away again, feeling slightly guilty, she stopped.

I'm going to tell you the truth, I had a bet too, but it was just to show that I could lose you, to show my friend that she wasn't a loser... And even after I acted so weird and tried to lose you, you still stayed with me... And that's why I love you, but now I realize you only stayed with me to win your bet... So here I am, blinded and naÏve Hermione, she let a small tear dribble out of her eye. Goodbye Harry.Hermione wait, I didn't...

But she was already gone.

Good job Potter, you just royally screwed up! Stupid prat.

...

Hermione knocked on the door, sobbing as she waited.

Finally the door opened and she didn't even try to smile.

Hermione, what happened! Lavendar asked.

Can I come in? Hermione asked, rubbing her arms as if she were cold.

Of course! Lavendar opened the door wider and Hermione walked in.

She made her way to Lavendar's couch and sat down, Lavendar followed suit, What happened? she asked again.

I lost him, he's gone, she sniffed. she trailed off.

Hermione, sweetie, isn't that what you wanted? she questioned.

Well yes... B-But I've realized how much I love him and I can't-I can't- she sobbed.

Lavendar pulled her friend into a hug, I understand, it'll be okay Herms.I've been so stupid! she shook her head and let the tears roll down her cheeks.

No you haven't, you just didn't know, you were blinded by love-

Hermione sobbed harder at this.

I'm sure if you went back to him and explained everything he'd give you another chance, Lavendar said, hoping to help Hermione.

Hermione looked at her friend and shook her head, No, Lavendar, he had a bet too. Lavendar knotted her eyebrows.

So Hermione explained the bet Harry had with Ron and Neville and by the time she was done Lavendar was almost in tears.

A-Are you sure? she asked. Maybe he loved you too, that whore, Alicia, doesn't know he stayed with you jus to win.Would you have stayed with me if I was acting that weird? she asked.

Well no, but how do you know he wouldn't? she rose her eyebrows.

Thanks Lav, but I'll just have to get over him, she looked down. Even if I don't want to.

...

Harry reluctantly walked back into the banquet hall, feeling both stupid and miserable. He walked up to the bar and sat down, realizing Ron was next to him he looked away.

Hey mate, how's it goin'?

Harry turned and looked at Ron, his face forlorn and his eyes hollow.

What's up with you? Ron asked.

She's gone, Harry croaked.

Who's gone?

He laughed, I told you she would run sooner or later, he took a sip from the glass in front of him.

No Ron, she loved me, she found out about the bet and took off! he almost shouted.

Ron almost looked guilty, Well that's good isn't it? I mean she was a weirdo wasn't she-No Ron, she just acted like that for a bet she had going with her friend, he answered.

She had a bet too? he was completely shocked.

he replied miserably.

Wait a second, how'd she find out about our bet?

As if on cue Neville stumbled over with a glass of wine in his hand and a stupid grin on his face.

Neville, did you tell Hermione about the bet? Harry demanded.

N-No, arghyoucrazzy?

Harry sighed.

I told Alizia though, he hiccuped.

YOU TOLD ALICIA! Harry and Ron shouted in unison.

YES! Gosh, d-dun yell so lowd! and he walked away.

Harry looked over at Alicia who was standing by the table he and Hermione had sat at, currently she was giggling and smiling with Natalie.

That little bitch! Harry growled.

But Ron was cut off because Harry had already begun stomping over to Alicia.

When Harry was standing in front of her, fists clenched at his sides Alicia looked up at him and smiled, Oh Harry dear, how are you?Don't you dare put on that fucking act!

Her face fell, What do you mean, pet? she asked.

I know what you did, you told Hermione about the bet, just to get her to hate me... You scum-faced bitch, he shook his head.

Harry I-No! Save it, I don't give a shit what you have to say! You ruined all of it, and if I ever see you again you better hide, he threatened her.

He walked away, leaving Natalie and Alicia speechless.

Harry hurried over to Dean, thanked him, told him he had to leave immediately, and that he hoped he would have a nice honeymoon and left.

He walked down the streets, he wanted to get away from the hotel, away from Alicia, away from civilization, period.

He was in love with Hermione, he had known it for a long time he just couldn't admit it to himself; Despite the way she had pretended to be and for who she really was, he loved her.

He sighed, hoping, praying that there was some way he could get her back, if she didn't hate him already... And then it hit him, like a herd of angry buffalo trampling over him, he knew what he had to do.

Author's Note: I think you guys really hate me right about now. Why you would I don't know. Next chapter's the last one... Which makes me sad because this was fun to write... BUT! since you guys were such AMAZING readers and reviewers I have a surprise for you at the end of the next chapter... Cough Sequel! Cough Ya know... only if you guys want one. Let me know! Thanks for reading!