Chapter Seven: The Better Half

Setting: Ministry building, the twenty-first of April. Apparition exams.

A/N: Having reread HBP, I've realized I made a grave error. It's Ron who's the nervous one, not Hermione. It actually doesn't make too much of a difference, but this chapter will be written like it's supposed to be based on the actual events.

HBP doesn't specify where they are tested, but seeing as Ron had an examiner all to himself, I'm guessing it's on a more official scale than Hogsmeade. Thus the Ministry building. I will take the liberty of stating that they used a Portkey to get there.

I'm sorry, I've gone over this entire fic myself and there isn't much action. I promise the following chapters will have a little more of whatthere should be.


Have we been here before?

Last year. Don't tell me you don't remember.

I do, but everything was smashed up and crazy by the time we were done with it.

Well, we haven't been in this floor before. I think they cleared a special area for us, Ron!

Right. I feel so much better knowing that they cleared a special area for us.

Relax. You'll be fine.

Sounds oddly familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it.

(Pause)

They're taking an awfully long time with this, aren't they?

Yes.

(Pause)

Think some of us will actually pass?

Yes.

(Pause)

Hermione's saying very little today, isn't she?

Yes.

(Pause)

She isn't even taking the bait. I wonder if she's okay.

Bait!

(Pause)

There's the 'Mione I always knew—armed to the teeth with hexes.

I didn't hex you.

I swear, you attacked me!

But not with the wand.

Better a bruised throat than a fleet of canaries, I suppose.

Just don't 'bait' me. You don't 'bait' me, ever. I'm not a silly little girl who jumps at every piece of worm dangled down to her.

(Silence)

As opposed to Lavender. I understood that glare.

I didn't glare at you!

Hermione, we stood there for a full minute and you didn't even blink.

It wasn't a staring contest! It's always a competition with boys . . . doesn't it ever get tiring?

I'm not a silly little boy who jumps at every chance to prove his winning streaks. I know you hate stereotypes, but you use them, too.

That's not stereotyping, that's a fact of life. Between you and Harry I never have a moment of peace.

Hmm . . . do you want to have an actual staring contest? It was nice, not having a feminist breathing down your neck every two seconds.

No, Ron. But I'm glad we got that clear.

What did we get clear?

That I'm a feminist.

I got that clear a long time ago. The whole Half-Blood Princess thing tipped me off quite clearly.

Good.

(Pause)

We have to split up?

(Pause)

If I had known all of the one's, two's, three's, and four's had to group together, I would have moved.

Away?

What do you think? I don't fancy having to Apparate with, say, Blaise Zabini watching me. Well, looks like we have to go to our different corners now.

Oh . . . good luck, Ron!

(Pause)

Aren't you going to wish me luck, too?

You don't need it.

What?

If it means that much to you . . .

Yes, it does.

Good luck, then—I didn't know my good-wishing meant so much to you.

It matters to me.

(Silence)

Well.

Well. I should get going . . . the man is making floating clocks shoot out of his wand . . . so . . .

(Later)

Hey! I passed—I'll wait for you here, Ron!

Oh—okay—looks like I'm next . . .

(Pause)

You look very pale.

I have red hair, Hermione. Can't exactly help it, can I?

He's doing the clock thing again.

Ah.

Don't be too nervous—it was really easy, just Apparate right across the wall into the room next door.

Really easy, huh?

(Pause)

Good luck.

(Later)

You kissed me. Did you really kiss me just there, right before the horrible man pushed me away?

A little peck on the cheek. Don't get any ideas.

You kissed me.

Better hope Lav-Lav didn't see you. But what about it? I think you passed!

Passed what?

Your Apparition test.

Oh. I forgot.

You just Apparated a few seconds ago. And Apparated back.

Really.

A little peck on the cheek, Ron. For good luck.

(Pause)

Hmm . . . there's something not quite right about—

(Later)

Half of an eyebrow! Half an eyebrow!

I know! The man must have sharpened his vision magically—how else could he have spotted it?

Half an eyebrow!

I thought I saw some red dust float to the ground right after you Apparated, but I assumed you just didn't brush your hair enough.

Half an eyebrow!

I know.

Does this mean I don't pass?

I think so.

Damn!

Shh, not so loud—maybe you'll be able to swing it; they're having a sort of mini meeting—

(Pause)

At least the eyebrow is whole, right?


I know this is a pretty short chapter, but what other banter can I possibly write . . . but next chapter I have plenty of material to start on. And sorry about the long wait—I got hooked on this really great fic. See me favorites page.

Coming up: Felix and Harry get together. Lavender and Ron break up.