AN: OMG I want to apologize for that really stupid question about Harry's Secret Santa. There is an explanation! Originally, Hermione had Neville, and Harry's Secret Santa had not been told. But later I saw that it fit better if Hermione was his Secret Santa, and I forgot to change that question. Thank you for those who noticed and I'm sorry, I can be an egghead sometimes!
Recap: "Wow, you think of everything don't you, Hermione," said Ron, looking admiringly at her. Hermione went rather pink but said, "Oh please, it's what anyone with common sense would do!"
The next day at breakfast, the Secret Santa presents were again the subject of all the conversations. Harry, Hermione and Ginny were sitting at the breakfast table discussing the latest gifts they had got. Ginny was in Seventh Heaven about her new watch and couldn't stop talking about it. Harry feeling very hot around the collar turned to Hermione and asked her what she got.
"You won't believe it Harry, but I got a ring! It's got a giant pearl in the middle and it's so pretty!" said Hermione excitedly, holding out her hand to show him.
"Wow, a ring? Some Secret Santa you have huh!" said Harry, wondering when and where Ron had bought a ring! That must have been what the package he was holding in the Three Broomsticks was.
"I know! And it must have been really hard to find! They don't have many jewellery shops in Hogsmeade! Anyway, what did you get Harry?" she asked
"I got the new book, "Brooms through the Ages". It's like a sequel to "Quidditch through the Ages. I haven't got a chance to read it yet but it looks awesome!" said Harry.
Just then Ron appeared. He made his way towards them, looking very grumpy.
"Guess what I got from my dear Secret Santa?" he growled, "Mittens! My god, it could be my mother who's my Secret Santa!"
Harry had to laugh at the comical expression on Ron's face.
"Ron, you need mittens! Your old ones were too small for you! I think they're a great gift!" said Ginny.
Ron grunted and helped himself to a large helping of bacon and eggs.
2 HOURS LATER
Harry, Hermione and Ron were sitting in History of Magic, taken by Professor Binns, who just happened to be a ghost. Both Harry and Ron were bored out of their minds while Hermione was busy copying down notes. Harry thought this would be a perfect opportunity to ask Ron where he got the ring. He scribbled something down on a piece of paper and passed it to Ron.
Cool ring! When did you get?
When do you think? That day in Hogsmeade!
What made you give her a ring?
I donno, you said leave the romantic ones for later! Wasn't it romantic?
It was great Ron! She was so happy; you should have seen her face!
At least she gets something worth being happy about! I got mittens!
Stop complaining, you got a great gift last time!
Yeah but still!
Hermione glared at them as she paused from writing down notes. Her expression very clearly said, "Stop messing about and write some notes down!" Both Harry and Ron childishly stuck their tongues out at her.
At lunch, as Hermione helped herself to some bean soup, Ron asked an unexpected question.
"So Hermione, are you still in touch with darling Vicky," asked Ron, casually.
Hermione started, then glared at Ron, "How many times have I told you not to call him Vicky! And no.. not anymore." she said.
Ron looked more interested now, "Oh really? How come?"
Hermione blushed, "No reason. We just kinda lost touch!"
"Yea and I'm a bullfrog!" retorted Ron, "come on, you were practically snogging him at the Yule Ball and now you're saying you've lost touch with him?"
Harry could tell that Ron had touched a nerve. "Uh oh" he thought.
Hermione flung down her spoon. 'For your information Ron, he wanted to do a lot more than snogging and that's why I broke it!" she said in a cold voice.
The shock must have shown in Harry and Ron's face because she then said, "Yeah that's right. He called me frigid when I didn't want to have sex with him. Does that answer your question Ronald Weasley?"
"I'm sorry Hermione, I… I didn't know," said Ron, who looked like he had been petrified.
"How could you have known Ron? Have you ever cared about me? It's always been you, you, you!" Hermione was almost shouting and her eyes looked suspiciously liquid.
"I do care about you, Hermione," said Ron quietly. There was a silence.
"What did you say?" asked Hermione, her voice quieting down.
"I said I do care about you. If you had told me about Krum earlier on, I would've punched his brains out. You're one of my best friends Hermione, how could I not care about you?"
Hermione remained quiet. Then Harry said, "Ron's right Hermione, we both care about you. You should have told us about Krum earlier, what he did was terrible."
Hermione's eyes were unnaturally bright but she gave her friends a watery smile.
Several weeks passed and Christmas was less than a month away. Harry had received another quidditch related book and some stuff to clean owls with from his Secret Santa. He had helped Ron buy a pair of pearl earrings to go with the ring, and a fancy wand-case for Hermione.
Harry and Hermione were also busy planning the dance that would take place on Christmas Day. They had to organize the decorations, entertainment and food and drinks. They had spent a long time in their common room planning things. Once when they were talking about the catering they would have, Hermione said with a laugh, "We should ask Honeydukes. Ron would love that, he practically lives on Honeydukes' sweets!"
"Yeah he would," said Harry, then voiced the thought he had considered, "Hermione, are you Ron's Secret Santa?"
Hermione looked startled, then said, "No Harry, I'm not. But what gave you the idea?"
"Well I mean, not many people would know about Chudley Cannons being Ron's favourite team and the mittens seemed like such a motherly thing to give!" chuckled Harry.
"Do I seem motherly to Ron?" asked Hermione in an oddly strained voice.
"No well, I didn't mean that Hermione," said Harry quickly, "I was joking, I swear!"
Hermione was still looking agitated so Harry couldn't resist asking, "Why, do you fancy him or something?"
Hermione turned scarlet and Harry grinned, saying, "So it's true then!" Harry said, mischievously.
"Harry please don't tell him! Please Harry!" pleaded Hermione.
"Don't worry, I won't. You will though!" grinned Harry.
"What? Oh yes I suppose I'll have to sometime or the other. But please don't tell him!" Hermione looked like she was on the verge of tears, so Harry promised to keep quiet.
As Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were walking to the library after lunch, Hermione thought this was the perfect time to give Harry and Ginny some 'alone time'. She dragged Ron off to finish his potion's essay and Harry and Ginny were left to walk awkwardly by themselves. They were passing the broom cupboard close to the library when they heard something.
"Oh Seamus!" came a moan.
Harry and Ginny froze. The next thing they knew the broom cupboard door had flung open and Cho Chang and Seamus Finnigan had fallen out on top of each other and were kissing madly. They stopped when they realized they had an audience and looked annoyed. Harry and Ginny, both bright red in the face had muttered an apology and hurriedly fled.
They walked for some more time before Ginny asked, "Do you still like Cho?" in a tentative voice.
"No, of course not. I made a mistake... in liking her that's all," said Harry not looking at Ginny. He then asked, "Are you still going out with Dean?
Ginny stared at him, "No are you thick? We broke up ages ago!"
Harry grinned at her, "So I guess you're a single lady then"
"Yeah I suppose I am. And you too? But not a lady of course, a man." grinned back Ginny.
"Yup. Hey are you doing anything special this Hogsmeade weekend? Cos' I think we single people should spend it together!" said Harry, trying to sound as cool as he could, while inside he was vomiting.
"I think that's a good idea," said Ginny.
AN: Please review and tell me what you think! Is it mushy or not mushy enough? This is my first fanfic remember so I'm not very experienced! All constructive criticism welcome!