A/N: Firstly, I'm so sorry I haven't updated for AGES. I have had so much homework, because on Wednesday night I went to see Pride and Prejudice with my school and we got back late and all the homework has been piling up…etc etc.
Second, I was blown away by the amazing reviews I got for the last chapter! You people are all too nice! I really wasn't expecting any at all when I started it! Big thank you's go to:
-TheSingingBlob-, griffin14, writermoony, hrhtogether4ever, clathrate, Emma-Lynn, hermione jane granger weasley, kaybaby, Machiavelli Jr, Aubrie, Dany Granger Weasley, teddybear-514, Zippy-Wings, crazyhploverdivya, Anglic Bladez, lover…, jaydedangel73, Natural-181, disaster-strikes-again, ronniekinsmioneever, RonAndHermioneFan, tyger, RonsLuver,,,,,,, (great name lol!), blackolives10, Amaherst and Queenlover (Why are YOU so talented? Heh? Lol)
OK, author's note over, on with the show!
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The next morning I woke up early; the sun was just peeking up over the distant hill on the horizon and the birds were starting to twitter away, and leapt out of bed. I quickly dressed but being Hermione Granger, this wasn't very fast. I stared out the window, looking longingly a the beautiful Hogwarts grounds. I loved going for long walks around the lake with a hot stack of toast and just my thoughts for company. It was just so peaceful.
I was still really annoyed with Ron and as I pulled my extra thick jumper over my head (it looked very chilly outside; frost had incased the windows) I replayed our heated discussion last night. He was so irritating and insensitive! I remembered myself shouting angirly at him and felt a twinge of guilt. His hurt, freckled face floated into my mind. I shook myself mentally. What was I doing? He'd had it coming for a long time, making snide comments about Krum and acting all jealous. Why on earth was he so overprotective of me? He probably thinks of me like another little sister.
For some reason, this thought made me feel sad and small, but I ignored it and pulled on my trainers.
I wrapped my scarf around my neck and tiptoed out of the room, skirting a snoring Lavender, who had fallen out of bed and was sleeping soundly on the floor, entangled in her duvet. I smiled and tiptoed down the stairs into the common room, being extra-careful not to make even a peep. I smiled sadly as I spotted two sleeping figures lying in each other's arms on one of the sofas. They had obviously had a good time! It's a shame that never happened to me.
I climbed through the portrait hole and set off towards the Great Hall. It was completely empty, so I quickly grabbed a stack of hot buttered toast and went out into the grounds.
The bitter cold hit me as soon as I stepped outside the door, but I was nice and snug in my scarf and woolly jumper that I didn't care that my face was freezing off. My feet made a nice crunching noise as I made my way across the frosty grass. Nature was amazing really. Maybe I could take these early morning walks with Ron sometime. Wait, what? Why would I want to do that? But before I could even begin to ponder about my sudden thought, the sound of heavy breathing and running footsteps were coming up fast behind me. I whirled round, only to have Harry run into me and knock my toast to the ground.
"Oops, sorry Hermione," he said apologetically, trying to catch his breath.
"Harry!" I said, "What are you doing up this early? I didn't expect you and Ron to get up for another 3 hours at least!"
"Yeah, well…" said Harry panting, "The big match today and everything…"
I rolled my eyes. Of course. The only thing that could get Harry up this early was the House Cup final with Gryffindor against Slytherin. Tensions had been running high for the last 2 weeks. Harry had had the whole team out practising 5 times a week (sometimes 6) and Ron was perfecting his Keeping skills in practically every bit of his spare time, with no regard for homework or prefect duties. Luckily for them, I helped out with homework and did double my share of prefect duties to cover for Ron.
"Also…" said Harry looking sheepish, "I…I need to talk to you."
"Ok." I said, shrugging. We made our way slowly to the big old beech tree in companionable silence, enjoying the peace and quiet of the early morning.
"Right Harry James Potter," I said, with mock seriousness when we were seated on the frozen ground underneath the tree, "Spill."
"Well…"said Harry slowly, "I have this friend…"
I surpressed a grin. I knew where this was going! Ginny used the same line on me when she was only a little first year, and desperately in love with Harry. Bless.
"Yes, 'a friend' of course…" I said smirking.
Harry dropped his gaze, blushing.
"And he…well, he likes this girl…but he's too afraid to tell her how he feels because he's scared she won't feel the same way…" he trailed off sheepishly. "And because you're well, really good at romantic stuff Hermione, I thought you might be able to help me-I mean my friend."
I looked at the ground, trying not to laugh, considering my answer.
"Maybe your friend should just tell her how he feels." I suggested, while Harry looked horrified, "Honesty is the best policy!"
"Right…" said Harry looking worried, "OK, I'll tell my friend that…" he stopped and picked glumly at a fallen leaf.
"Harry," I said gently, "Do you want me to see how Ginny feels?"
Harry looked up startled.
"What? What's it got to do with Ginny?" he said, trying to sound innocent. It didn't work.
"Harry, it's pretty obvious you're crazy about her!" I said teasingly.
Harry blinked and looked dismayed,
"I thought I was being really subtle!"
I stifled a laugh and shook my head wryly. Harry stood up suddenly and looked out across the lake, his hands in his pockets.
"When did you first realise you liked her?" I asked gently, looking at the back of his red jumper.
There was a pause and the only sound was birds tweeting and chirping away as the sun came up fully from behind that distant hill.
"Ever since 6th year," Harry said at last, turning round to face me, "When Ginny and Dean were going out, I was so jealous. I can't believe she was the one who liked me in second year!" He sighed and looked away. "But who am I kidding, why would she go out with me when she's got the rest of the school to choose from? Remember all the valentine's she got yesterday? I should have taken my chance in Second Year." muttered Harry, looking positively dismal now.
"Harry!" I said, "Don't put yourself down like that! I'll talk to Ginny and subtly find out how she feels. Don't worry, I won't make it obvious!"
Harry looked incredibly relieved and grateful.
"Thanks Hermione! You're the best!" he said, smiling as he pulled me to my feet. "We'd better get back, Quidditch at 12o'clock!"
"Yes, Ron will be in a panic as usual…" I stopped and groaned. I had completely forgotten about Ron! I was going to have to face him and apologise (well, only if he did first!)
Harry looked exasperated. "You two are always fighting! It really gets on my nerves sometimes…"
I smiled. Ron and I fighting was one of the few things that drove Harry completely insane. That and Romilda Vane. (A/N: I rhymed!)
We walked back to the castle, chatting about Gryffindor's chances against Slytherin. Inter-house rivalry had been growing stronger and stronger. Blaise Zabini, the Slytherin Keeper, had been making it his personal job to curse every Gryffindor player he came across in the corridors and Malfoy wasn't helping matters either. Having been made Quidditch captain of Slytherin, he was now even more cocky than usual and twice as aggravating.
But even as we talked about Quidditch, as we entered the Great Hall, my mind was on Harry and Ginny. They made a lovely couple, but the question was, how to get them together? It looked as if my fantastic match-making skills were in order here . . .
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Hermione stopped and took a gulp of her now-cold hot chocolate. She looked around at the inhabitants of the bedroom, all staring at her with wide eyes, a look of utter fasination upon their faces.
"Who was Blaise Zambeeny?" said Molly, a frown crossing her little face.
"He was an absolute prat in our year," said Ron reminiscently, "Not as much of a prat as Malfoy, but still a prat."
"Did you win the House Cup?" said Mark interestedly.
"Did Aunt Ginny like Uncle Harry back?" said Jane, yawning and rubbing her eyes.
Hermione glanced at the clock on the bedside table.
"Oh my goodness! It's two o'clock in the morning! We have to go to sleep, we're going to Harry and Ginny's house tomorrow!"
"Mum…" protested Jane. "We're not tired!"
But this was not entirely true. Molly had fallen asleep, her thumb in her mouth, Rose was resting her head on Mark's shoulder and Mark had big bags under his eyes.
"Come on everyone, time for bed." Hermione said firmly. This time no one protested. The children made their way to their bedrooms, Mark carrying a sleeping Molly and Jane with her arm around Rose.
When they were finally alone, Ron and Hermione snuggled up together and drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms as snow began to fall out of the ebony sky.
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A/N: No cliffhanger this time! The next chapter, there will be no flashbacks, just the family going to Ginny and Harry's house. Then Harry will continue the story in the next chapter! Ok, that's all now REVIEW!