Wow! 44 reviews...down a little bit from normal, but who am I to complain when 42 awesome readers left a comment on Chapter 14? I'd like to thank the following fab people:Lost in Land, MIDNIGHT-PIXIE, DeadSexyDraco, lacatamar, Angel-4rom-heaven, ShadowHexx771, skysongscry, Sing-my-heart-out, goblin monkey, Nina-del-rio, the-insufferable-know-it-all, kitotterkat, N.C. PysChick, Kitty Weasley KW, Elemental Water Mistress, Darkmoonfang, quidditchgirl13, unknownspecies, Hayls221, Lumos2000, FairyKisses, Ron Lover 2005, cassondrs, RandomSmirf13, True Slytherin Witch, raindyz07, Rachel, rgluvr13, SafetyXPins, hermione256, ageek, Eowyn Organa, Tinkerbell Faerie 2, EponineWeasley, Huggles4All, aishteru, doublelily, xPussyWillowKittenx, Gene Kelly, suckr4romance, AngelicOne, Ronsreallove, and last, but certainly not least, dancerrdw.
I've been thinking. My next update will be the Saturday before high school starts. Since I plan on writing at LEAST 5 more chapters (hopefullly) in this fic, I will have to juggle this story with all my schoolwork (I'm takingquite a heavy courseload for asophomore)and extracurricular activities. I WILL try my very best to update every Saturday, but I can't guarentee you 100 percent that every Saturday you'll see a new chapter up. There is a VERY good chance of that, however, because I'll work my butt off in any spare time I have. Just thought I'd let you guys know. By the way, after this story is completed, I am considering starting another fanfiction...how would that sound? I'm not exactly sure what the pairing will bejust quite yet, because I have SO many plot bunnies hopping around in my head, but it is something I am thinking about.
Since the reviews fell a smidgen short of 700, I've chosen to dedicate this chapter to all of my loyal, kind, and wonderful reviewers. You guys absolutely ROCK, and I love you all to pieces. This chapter is for YOU...read, review, and above all else...ENJOY :-)
"Are you looking for a bottle of OGDEN'S FIRE WHISKEY?" Came the unison gasp.
Despite the fact that Ron and I had just had a rather nasty quarrel, in which I had been sobbing over for the past fifteen minutes, I –honest-to-Merlin-truth- almost lost it at Parvati and Lavender's question. And I do not mean "losing it" as in having a nervous breakdown or something of the sort- I am referring to succumbing to the sudden urge to laugh the you-know-what out of myself. And when I mean laugh, I am referring to the gut-wrenching fit of chuckles that one experiences every once in a while that completely takes over their body, heart, mind and soul and they practically cry with mirth. The situation was THAT amusing.
"Oh, ye of little faith in Hermione Granger," I sighed, as I waved my bottle of Welsch's grape juice in front of their shocked eyes.
"G-grape juice?" Lavender eeped.
"Yes. It's bloody good stuff- very sweet and concentrated. I would offer you some, but this is all I have and it has to last me for while, seeing as since it is a Muggle fruit juice-100 percent juice, may I add, and none of the stores in Hogsmeade carry it." I said brightly as I poured myself a glass and moaned in happiness as the delicious liquid slid down my throat. "Mmm...it's SO good!"
Parvati and Lavender looked, to put it mildly, disappointed.
"Ah, you two finally thought that your attempts for the past six years have worked and I am now rebelling against the high standards which I set when I first stepped into Hogwarts?" The two nodded their non-bushy heads of hair almost ashamedly. I smirked. "Well, you were wrong. I may swear every once in a while, or have the occasional naughty thought, but I do not- I repeat, I DO NOT drink Fire whiskey. Or any other alcoholic beverage, for that matter. Except for a sip or two of champagne on New Year's. Do I make myself clear?" They both nodded, strangely mute. Until the corner of Parvati's mouth began to twitch. That did it. Within seconds, the three of us were absolutely HOWLING with laughter and a few unlady-like snorts.
"Grape juice!" Parv screamed, before dissolving into another giggling fit. Obviously forgetting that it was close to midnight and our dormitory certainly WAS NOT soundproof. I chimed in with a very loud, "And you thought it was FIREWHISKEY," accenting the last word, of course. Meanwhile, in the Boy's Dormitory...
"Am I hearing what I think I'm hearing?" Seamus asked sleepily, sitting up in bed.
"Dunno what you're hearing. It would be kind if you would enlighten us, mate," Harry said grumpily, aggravated at his very steam dream involving him, a certain redhead (not Ron, you perverts!), and a refrigerator (Harry can be VERY creative at times!) being interrupted.
"I distinctly heard the word 'grape juice' and then 'Firewhiskey.' I think it's coming from a Girl's Dormitory!" Seamus almost urinated his boxers with excitement. "Well, what are we waiting for?" he wiggled his eyebrows, rolling out of bed. "To the Girl's Dormitory!"
"Count me in," Dean said mischievously, now fully awake. "Harry?"
"Go away!" the Boy-Who-Lived snapped, trying to bury himself deeper in his four-poster bed.
"The voices might've been coming from the Sixth Year's dormitory," Seamus hinted meaningfully.
Moaning and groaning, Harry rubbed his emerald eyes and slipped on his glasses. The prospect of seeing Ginny, in the flesh, in that short, skimpy nightgown of hers outweighed continuing his erotic dream with his girlfriend doing certain things to him-and with him- that she'd never dream of doing until their wedding night. Grabbing his prized Firebolt, Harry joined the two boys in their mission.
"What about Ron?" Dean inclined his head towards the second youngest Weasley's bed with the drawn curtains.
Harry sighed. By the fact that Ron had came storming into the dormitory after detention, slamming the door SO hard that the whole room literally shook, he had determined that his best mate had had yet another tiff with Hermione. Harry wasn't too keen on experiencing the towering temper of Ronald Weasley at 12:03 at night, but he figured that the redhead needed something to keep his mind off of his relationship problems. This would be the perfect thing- at least he hoped.
"Ron?" He gently shook his best friend's broad shoulder.
"Umm, Hermione, that feels GOOD," Ron moaned, as Harry had to bite his cheeks to keep from guffawing.
"Mate, it's me, Harry. Not your lovely girlfriend."
Harry was a bit taken aback when he found himself being pulled down towards the bed as a result of unusual arm strength displayed by his best mate.
"Mmm, Hermione, you're awfully heavy. But it feels BLOODY BRILLIANT! Touch me there...heck, that would feel good..." Ron smiled as Harry, with obvious disgust, scrambled to get off the second-youngest Weasley's body. (Now, if it was the youngest Weasley beneath him that would be a completely different story. However, we are digressing from the original topic, so to continue...) Harry sighed as he realized just what he had to do.
"Darnit, Harry, what was THAT for?" Ron said sourly, rubbing the bright red mark on the side of his face that the Boy-Who-Lived's hand had caused.
"Sorry, mate." Harry shrugged. "I was left with no choice. You were fantasizing about Hermione, and when I tried to wake you up, you seemed to think that I was her and, er, well..."
"Oh, bugger!" Ron attempted to hide his red face, but with no avail. Dean and Seamus were finding the situation most amusing, as they sniggered and snorted quite loudly from the other side of the dormitory. "Apologies, mate. I honestly must've thought that you were Hermione..."
"I would question your sexuality," Harry grinned, "If it were not for the fact that I have heard you moaning Hermione's name so many other times in your sleep, along with some choice phrases that I will not repeat in fear of corrupting innocent minds. Not to mention all the lovely snogging sessions you participate in with Herms herself. Trust me, Ron, we all know that you are straight. Even if you DID drag me on top of you."
Seamus and Dean – the first in particular- were both highly affronted by Harry's use of the phrase, "corrupting innocent minds."
"Are you insinuating that I have an innocent mind?" Seamus asked crossly. "Because I will assure you that I DO NOT, and I certainly DO NOT want you going around and spreading untrue rumors about me. It'd simply RUIN my reputation FOR GOOD!"
"Lemme guess, you are currently dating quite the intelligent witch," Harry said pensively.
"Padma Patil." Seamus puffed his muscular chest out in pride. "Just asked her out last night. How did you know?"
"Because you used the words, 'insinuating,' 'assure,' 'certainly,' and 'simply' all in one breath, that's why, mate." Harry gave him a manly clap on the shoulder. "Congrats. Perhaps she'll be a good influence on you."
Seamus face quickly filled with horror while he contemplated his dorm mate's last sentence.
"I surely HOPE NOT!" He shuddered at the very thought. "That's my absolute WORST FEAR! I have nightmares about such dreadful things..."
"There he goes again," Dean whispered in an undertone to Harry and Ron. "Using 'surely,' 'absolute,' and 'dreadful' in a span on 14.5 seconds!"
"We feel for you, mate," Harry patted the Irish lad's shoulder sympathetically as the four boys filed out the door and embarked on their incredibly long, exhausting journey, all of 45 seconds of it.
"It's coming from the...Seventh Year's dormitory," Seamus said bewilderedly. "From Hermione, Lavender, Parvati, and Cassandra."
"Ah, I knew that sexy witch would be a good influence on them." Dean rubbed his hands together in glee.
"Er, I reckon I'll be going back to bed now," Ron stuttered, no doubt not looking forward to seeing his girlfriend.
"You're going NOWHERE, mate." Harry stepped in front of him to block his way. "Actually, you're going to be the one to fly up to the dormitory."
"Uh-uh," Ron stammered. Then, sounding SO much like his stubborn sister, he said, "I refuse to."
"I believe you have NO choice in the matter," Harry smirked, as he and Ron's other two doormats physically lifted the lean redhead up and onto Harry's waiting Firebolt.
"Okay, Ron. When you get to the top of the staircase, there's a tiny button on the wall to the right of you, around an inch up from the floor. Press this button and the rest of us will be able to walk up the staircase without it turning into a slide." Harry continued.
"I would rather NOT know how you know this," Ron muttered as he kicked off the ground. "Seeing as it was probably my dear, not-so-innocent baby sister who told you."
Harry fortunately chose not to validate that insinuation, which was a rather smart move on his part. He was positive Ron wouldn't take so kindly to that particular bit of news...
"Ladies, we need to quite down," I said hastily, sobering up. "I think I hear footsteps."
"Oh, it's probably just Cassandra, coming back from a shag with one of Hogwart's eligible bachelors," Parvati scowled. "Perhaps we should put up a sign on the door saying, "Bitc--- not welcome."
"An excellent idea," I agreed, nodding my head, "if the door wasn't opening right this moment." However, our jaws simply dropped in shock when we saw just who was standing outside of our dormitory.
"So, you really think you can get away with this," Seamus smirked, plopping on my bed like he had every right in the world to. His three other dorm mates joined him- also on MY very own PERSONAL BED!
"Get away with WHAT?" I snapped, although a bit on the weak side, for I had just noticed that not ONE of them had a shirt on. I concluded that it must have been some strange Gryffindor male tradition that every bloke in the house just HAD to have rip-roaring abs which he was deeply obsessed with. (I'd only overheard Ron and Harry discussing their chests around a hundred times.) (Or perhaps it was a strange male tradition in general). Obviously, I'd seen Harry and Ron without their shirts on before (not in that context, those of you with oh-so-dirty minds!), but Seamus and Dean having such muscular upper torsos was a bit of a shock to me. However, they didn't have anything on my two best mates- especially Harry. Oh, if only one certain Ginevra Weasley could be here right now...even just LOOKING at the chiseled, sculpted, etc, etc. chest of my almost-brother made color rise in my cheeks.
"Having a party including alcohol and NOT inviting us!" Seamus said triumphantly.
"Where's Cassandra?" Ron broke in randomly, lifting up my bedspread as if she was HIDING under my bed, and drawing my attention to HIS presence in MY dormitory. Now, I had obviously KNOWN he had followed the other seventh-year boys in here to investigate, but I was trying my darnest to ignore him. Therefore, I gave him the iciest glare I could muster at 12:15 AM and sniffed.
"Why do YOU care?"
"She's off shagging Malfoy or some other unlucky bloke," Lavender said sweetly, eying Seamus's chest appreciatively. Oh, boy. Wait until she heard that her on-and-off boyfriend was now dating the twin of her best mate... (I'd overheard Padma talking to Hannah Abott in the loo).
The four boys all coughed simultaneously.
"UNLUCKY BLOKE?" Dean and Seamus chorused in unison. Ron, thank Merlin, did not vocalize his disagreement to Lav's words, but I could tell by his expression that if I was not in the room, he would've certainly spoken up.
"Yes, UNLUCKY BLOKE!" Lavender said shrilly, glaring at Seamus. "Have you ever actually taken your eyes off Cassandra's body for a second and actually considered her PERSONALITY?" This was pretty big, coming from the girl who dated blokes SOLELY for their looks and wealth. Need I name some of the wizards she has dated just because they were drop-dead gorgeous? It would take many hours...
"Of course we both have," Dean said quite defensively. "After all, we are NOT shallow blokes."
"Mmm Hmmm." Parvati narrowed her eyes in obvious suspicion.
"It's just that- well, to be blunt about it, Cassandra is 'fresh blood,'" Seamus grinned. That was certainly NOT a very smart comment to make in front of Parvati Patil.
"Are you insinuating that my sister ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, COMPARED TO THAT BIMBO?" She snarled. That's one thing I have to say about Parvati- she's very loyal to her sister and close mates.
"You're dating PADMA?" Lavender stared at the object-of-her-affections incredulously, before whirling around and facing Parv. "And you- my best friend in the whole world..just when were YOU going to tell me this? Or were you planning on letting me hear about it through the grapevine? I thoughtI was one of the "Gossip Queens" of Hogwarts...I'm the one who issupposed to START the gossip! Not hear about it three days later!"
"It isn't gossip, Lav, it's the truth! And he just asked her out last night!"
"Parvati, you know that I..." she trailed off, after glancing at Seamus, deciding it wouldn't be a brilliant idea to bring up the fact that she STILL liked him, even after their terrible breakup in the sixth year. "Come on, Seamus. We NEED to talk," she said firmly. "You too, Parv."
"I'm going along with those three, to make sure you won't stumble upon any corpses outside the door tomorrow morning." Dean winked.
"But the FIREWHISKEY," Seamus moaned. "You girls have FIREWHISKEY."
"I will assure you that we DO NOT have Firewhiskey of any form in this dormitory," I sighed. "I do apologize for bursting your bubble. You must have misunderstood." I ushered the protesting Irish wizard out the door.
"But my ears weren't CHEATING me!" He wailed. "You were at least TALKING about alcohol."
"Maybe we were, maybe we weren't," I said cryptically. "Now GO!"
"Er, goodnight, Ron, Hermione," Harry said hastily, obviously not fancying being caught in another one of our rows.
"Ron," I said quietly, "You should go. Imagine how bad it would look if you were caught in here."
My boyfriend just kept on staring at me with his handsome features arranged in a rather odd expression. Something between a cross of hurt and guilt..and LUST?
"Hey, just so you know, I really didn't go hang out with Malfoy after I stormed out of the Dungeons," I said airily, trying to lighten the mood. "You know I don't fancy heartless Slytherin prats. And- well, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings during our row. I honestly didn't mean to and-" I thought back to the discussions my roommates and I had-" I truly don't think that I am any wiser than you. Although I am 7 months older. I didn't realize how sensitive you are to things like that. Honestly, Ron, I NEVER think that I am superior to you- or that Harry is to you."
Ron just kept on those darn sexy cobalt blue eyes fixed on me. I felt my face grow hot during his leisurely perusal. Within 5 seconds I found myself pressed up against the nearby wall, his mouth a mere 3 inches away from mine. Ah...this was more like it. Within 7 seconds I found myself being hungrily kissed by an incredibly sexy redhead. Within 15 seconds, I found myself losing every scrap of common sense as my legs began to shake with the intensity of his passionate, hot snogs. Within 30 seconds...well, there's no need to go there.
"Damn you, Ronald," I sighed10 minutes later, "being able to have such power over me with those yummy lips of yours."
"There's more where that came from," he said huskily.
I blocked my mouth with one slender hand. "Not so fast, mister. First of all, YOU are going to apologize to me for saying such cruel things during our row."
"I'm sorry," he said gruffly.
I cupped a hand around one ear.
"What did you say, Ron? I don't think I could hear you."
"I said, I'm SORRY!" He practically yelled, and then broke into a huge, lopsided grin. "There. Happy?"
"Again, damn you for being able to dissolve all my anger towards you- and trust me, there was plenty- with your talented mouth," I grumbled. It just WASN'T FAIR! I had cried over his hurtful words for the past 3 hours and here I was, completely having forgiven him, just because he was a BLOODY good kisser who could set my every nerve on fire. Scratch that- he could set my every nerve, muscle, bone, organ, blood cell, etc. on fire. Was I pathetic, or what?
"Your lips can certainly be considered a weapon," I sighed.
"I'd say." Cassandra strode into the dormitory, clad in a scandalizing short jean skirt and a red spaghetti strap top, both of which were quite wrinkled.
"And just where were you,Cassandra?" I sneered.
"That would be NONE of your business, Hermione," she smirked."And I would have to agree with you- Ron's lips can be a deadly weapon at times...but delightfully deadly!"
My mouth opened and closed wordlessly as I felt fury as I had never experienced before rise up in my petite body. WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS SHE TALKING ABOUT?
A/N:I hope ya'll enjoyed this..
Coming up next week...Chapter 16!