Shaking his head, his heart heavy with sorrow, Harry slumped down on the armchair in front of the fireplace. He was running out of ideas. What if she was really serious about it? What if she never took him back? Of course… it would be very silly of her. It was a joke.
A very offensive joke, said a voice in his head. He could call another meeting… but then what? They'd all be too grumpy to care anyway. He knew that as much as they wanted to help him, they were getting very restless of it all. He jumped when he heard a voice from behind. Looking around he spotted a second year staring at him. He knew her right away.
Romilda Vane. She was the one that gave him a box of chocolate frogs full of love potion. Her plan was brilliant but backfired when Ron had accidentally eaten them. Too weak to tell her off, Harry remained silent as she took a seat on the armchair next to him.
"Hello Harry," she said in a sultry voice.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Hi."
"So, I heard that you and your girlfriend have broken up. Is that true?" she asked, her voice rather hopeful.
Not meaning to sound rude, Harry replied, "Yes but what's it to you?"
"Oh… Nothing. I was wondering… Since you haven't a girlfriend, maybe—"
"Nope. Sorry. I'm sort of on a mission to win her back."
"Oh."
There was an awkward silence and Harry desperately hoped that she'd leave, but to his dismay, she remained in her seat. Suddenly, she spoke again, this time her voice was high and wild like she was very excited about something.
"Did you say you were trying to win her back?" Romilda asked.
Harry nodded slowly. "Yes, I am."
"Oh Harry, I've got just the plan to help you!"
Forgetting that this was Romilda Vane, the girl who was madly crushing on him, Harry turned to her eagerly.
"Tell me, go on," he prompted.
"Well, how about you make her jealous? If she sees you with someone else, she'll realize what a fool she is and beg for you back!" Romilda said brilliantly.
Harry thought about. She was right. It might just work. But how could he accomplish that? Who could he possibly ask to go out with him falsely to make her realize her feelings for him? As if reading his mind, Romilda grinned.
"Well, if you're looking for someone, I could pretend to be your girlfriend. I'm an excellent actress. I'm even considering a career in theatre!" Romilda suggested. "So how about it?"
Harry looked at her for a moment. She was as deranged and crazy as she was last year, but she was making some very excellent points. After a moment's thought, Harry nodded. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.
"Okay, you can be my pretend girlfriend, but I've got to set some rules for you. No kissing, touching, or anything of that sort, unless of course Hermione is in sight." Harry said uneasily. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
He got up and bid her goodnight. Just as he was about to disappear into the boys' dormitory, he thought he heard cackling but didn't dwell on it. It was, after all, maybe just the fire.
XxXxXxX
Ron was walking through the hall when he heard the most disturbing sentence he'd ever heard in Hogwarts. He didn't know whether to run away or gag. A group of second year girls were gathered in front of the door to the Potions class giggling and sharing stories. Just as he passed by, he heard the most terrifying thing.
"Didn't you hear? Romilda finally got Harry Potter to date her!"
Ron stopped dead in his tracks. Romilda? Harry? It was like his worst nightmare. He strained his ears to hear more.
"Yes, he asked her last night while they were sitting in the common room!"
"How did she ever manage that?"
"Well, she says he's always fancied her but was always too afraid to ever mention anything."
More giggles followed. Ron, his eyes wide with fear, took off running for the Gryffindor tower. He had to talk to Harry and figure out how to sort out these lies about him and that…. That… very vain young woman. It was no wonder they called her Romilda Vane. Pushing past everyone, Ron rushed through the portrait hole and fell flat on his face.
Harry was just coming down the stairs when he spotted Ron's fall. He rushed over to help him up. He looked very upset. Ron grabbed Harry by the shoulders and shook him.
"Ow, Ron, ow stop." Harry said.
Ron was stammering as he tried to figure out what to say to him. "Harry!" he said his voice high and cracking.
"What? What is it Ron?"
Ron said something incoherent. "Is it Timmy? Did he fall in the well? A fire? What? SPEAK DAMN IT!" Harry said and slapped Ron.
Ron stared at him and let go. "What the bloody hell was that for?" he demanded.
"Well you wouldn't talk! What's going on with you?" Harry asked. He sat him down on the sofa. "You look like you've just seen spiders."
Ron shuddered. "Spiders… I hate spiders." He shuddered again. "But this isn't about spiders. No, Harry, this is about Romilda Vane!"
"Oh? What about her?"
"I was passing through the hall and I heard some of these second years talking about how Romilda finally got her man. YOU!"
Harry tried to look as shocked as possible. He knew Ron would react this way. "Me?"
"Yes! They say you told her you've always fancied her and asked her to be your girlfriend last night, right here!" Ron shuddered. "I hate spiders Harry, and you know that, but this is even more frightening."
Harry looked at his shoes. "Uhm… well, Ron…"
Ron lunged at him, grabbing him by the shoulders. There was look of madness in his eyes as he shook Harry vigorously.
"NO! It's not true! Tell me it isn't true!" Ron said.
"I—"
"No!" Ron fell back on the sofa and stared at Harry in disbelief. "No! Harry! How could you? This is terrible!"
Harry calmed him down before he explained the whole concept, but halfway through, Ginny, Lavender, Neville, and Seamus burst through the portrait hole demanding answers. After what seemed like a very long time, it all finally sunk in that it was just another plan to win Hermione back.
"Well," Ginny said, "I've gotta say, it wouldn't be anything we'd suggest, but if you think it'll work Harry…"
"I'm telling you, this is bad news," Ron persisted. "This is Romilda Vane we're talking about!" he lowered his voice. "She's evil."
"Honestly Ron," Lavender scoffed. "Come off it."
"Don't worry," Harry said reassuringly. "This is one plan that isn't going to go to the gutter. I'm sure of it."
Author's Note: Okay, I just wanna say THANK YOU SO MUCH to those who've reviewed. Lol, if my story sucks, I'm worry, I'm like the worst writer, but I can't help it. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! I liked writing it. Anyway, don't forget to review!
MarauderWormtail89