Chapter Ten: Believe Me
"What?" said Hermione.
Ginny had just finished telling her the whole story of what she had just seen. Twice.
"God, Hermione! How many times will I have to repeat myself?"
"No," Hermione said quickly, "It's just. I don't get it."
"Get what?" said Ginny.
"I don't get why they're trying to do that. That wouldn't break us up!"
Ginny looked at her sceptically, "You were jealous, though! That was bound to make you guys split up!"
"Well, I guess, but--"
"There's no buts about it, Herm! You know it's true!"
Hermione sighed, "But-"
"We've got to tell Harry and Ron." Ginny interrupted.
"Ginny, it's three in the morning."
"So?" said Ginny, getting up.
"We can't just go out there and knock on there door!"
"What in heaven's name could you two be talking about at-- three twenty-seven?" cried Haley.
Ginny sighed. "Malfoy and Cerena have been teaming together to break up Hermione, Ron, and Harry by making Hermione jealous."
"What? Why?"
"Because." said Hermione, sighing, "that would make it easier for Voldemort to get to Harry. We've always been with him to help him out."
"Erm, okay," said Haley.
"Are we going or not?" said Madison, getting out of bed.
"You aren't going!" protested Ginny.
"Hey, we care about you guys just as much." said Haley, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders like a shawl.
"Fine." said Hermione. "Let's just go before I change my mind."
---
Minutes later, the four girls were sitting around with the boys in their room.
"Wait, say it again?" said Neville.
"Ugh! You tell them." said Ginny, leaning back into a pillow, "I'm done recalling what I saw." And she closed her eyes.
So, Hermione retold the story.
"I-I don't get it." said Ron, "I mean… how could she be--. She'd never do that to me!"
"You know what, Ron?" said Hermione, eyes flashing, "Go ahead and believe her. Because I've only liked you longer and known you longer, so what I say matters nothing!"
She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Ron blinked.
"I'm leaving." said Haley, throwing a disgruntled look at Ron.
"What was that all about?" said Ron.
"You don't get it, do you?" said Ginny, striding out with Madison in toll.
Ron turned his bewildered face to Harry. "Wha-?"
"Ron." said Harry, "You don't get it!"
"Get what?"
"Mate, she's liked you since first year! She's in love with you! And you, being an idiot, are too much of a dim-witted troll to notice all the hints!"
"Hermione!" cried Ron.
"How much more proof do you need?" said Seamus, "What do you think all that was in fourth year?"
"And you are in love too. Oh, don't look at me like that." Said Dean, "The way you were so jealous of Krum."
Ron gaped.
"Oh, just admit it." said Harry, "You guys are meant for each other, but you're too stupid to tell the other."
"But-" began Ron, but Harry had already turned over and was breathing deeply.
Dean and Seamus shook their heads. Neville said nothing, but soon closed his eyes.
"In love? It can't be. She's Hermione. We-We're just friends."
"Oh, really? You are most certainly not just friends!"
"But-"
"Oh, shut up and face the facts, already, before I knock you out to get rid of some of your stupidity."
Ron fell into an uneasy sleep, muttering to himself. (A/N: No, he's not gone mad!)
---
"Think he's gonna do anything about that all back there?" said Madison, as the four settled into their beds.
"Of course. He's not…well, he's smarter than that."
"What am I going to do?" said Hermione. "Why did I do that? What the heck made me do that?"
"Sometimes you've gotta do stuff like that." said Ginny, "And if that doesn't work, I'll just have to come with a plan."