A.N: Time for author to swipe away tears of happiness at the reviews and get down to the pleasant task of replying to reviewers. May I present-
The Brainbox: My very first reviewer! Thankyouthankyouthankyou(See, I am grateful)! As for the fluff, maybe you could help me out when I decide to get to it (I might mess it up with clichés or somethin') Anyway, since you asked, I will develop R/Hr further(though that wasn't my plan earlier) It will add substance to the storyline
123315: Hey, thanks! Glad you think they're 'in character'(I hope I can keep it up). As for Harry/Cho…ermmm…all I can say is don't kill me and don't stop reading and reviewin'!
Cracker Jack: Thankyou.
yo-yo55d: This chapter'll tell you what you need to know. Hope you like it!
GoogleCorelli: Glad you thought so, thanks!
Now author needs to 1) Stop grinning like an idiot
2) Deflate head a bit
Righto! On with the story….
Chapter 2: The Perfect Match" 'Messrs. Fred and George Weasley to provide entertainment at the Weasley-Granger wedding'," read Sheena Connelly, her green eyes dancing merrily. "That should be interesting, right Morgan?"
She looked up at her flat-mate and best friend whose auburn hair was piled into a messy bun and who looked thoroughly disgruntled. The gray eyes flashed a warning that read 'Do not mess with me. I am not a morning person.'
It was quite clear that Sheena was going to disregard the warning.
"It's 7.00 a.m., you know, not at all some unearthly hour in the morning. You could at least show some courtesy and answer me when I talk to you."
"My mornings never begin earlier than 9 a.m.," retorted Morgan grumpily, feeling only slightly ashamed and ignoring Sheena's exasperated clicking of her tongue. "And as for all that nonsensical wedding gossip-I couldn't care less if Dumbledore decided to be the bridesmaid…ah! Coffee!" She broke off what might have become a full-blown rant when her friend handed her the steaming mug with a grin. Sheena knew very well Morgan's addiction for the 'disgusting liquid' as she herself called it. And Morgan would swear on anything that with 'caffeine coursing through her capillaries' she could tackle even a chimera at dawn. (This was a complete exaggeration, obviously, since Morgan didn't even know what dawn was…)
A comfortable silence pervaded as Morgan sipped her coffee with evident appreciation and Sheena continued to ponder on the latest news.
"I still can't believe there's going to be such a high-profile wedding at this time. I mean, won't it give You-Know-Who a perfect opportunity to make a comeback, or something?"
"Or something," mimicked Morgan, now feeling human enough after her dose of coffee. "Sheen, obviously Voldemort (what's that funny noise? Oh, it's you gasping, Sheena!)-Voldemort is not dumb. Considering the fact that the last war ended in a stalemate, he'll probably be trying to gather his wits about him, biding his time strengthening his following and casting about for a stronger weapon to destroy Potter and Co. He is definitely not going to gatecrash on The Wedding and Potter and Co. are definitely not going to lay a red carpet for his arrival. In short, don't worry."
The slightly ironic tone with which Morgan said her piece made Sheena look at her with ill-concealed admiration.
"How can you talk like that, Morgan Finley?"
"Like what?"
"Like as though you're not at all afraid…"
"Yeah? Actually, I am scared deep down, if you didn't know. Last time, we were in Hogwarts, well protected from the horrors of battle. You didn't lose any of your dear ones, I didn't have any to lose. We couldn't relate to all that fear even though we heard the stories everyday. The war ended abruptly 'cos the Big Bad One realized he wasn't all that well prepared and went into hiding as suddenly as he came out of it. But the next time (which could be any time) we'll be more vulnerable even if we're older…"
Silence.
"Hey, Sheena! That dating service of yours is never going to click, is it? Those profiles you've got so far have included some extremely unprepossessing middle-aged wizards who, well I won't go further. You'll end up getting a rep for being some sleazy service, you know…" Morgan changed the subject, admittedly in an abrupt way, but succeeded in getting her pal to rise to the bait.
"Very funny, Finley, and thanks for all the encouragement. But I'm sure that Connelly's will be a success, I can feel it in my bones." Sheena tossed her blonde curls to emphasise her point and then gave Morgan her coldest glance. "Maybe you should try it, you'll see!"
"Seeing is believing, Connelly, but no thanks. When you get the profile of a young wizard who's genuine and is looking for a girl with brains and not just a body, you may make me his match or date or whatever. Which is, of course, going to be never. End of story. I shall now take a relaxing bath, then trot down to your mother's bakery to do my job."
"I've said it before but I'm saying it again. You're wasted in that job, dearie," said Sheena.
"Uh-huh. The reply to that is my usual 'nope'. I love cooking and baking, which you say does not go with my personality. However, it seems I'm perfect for the job-your mum says so herself. I mean, it's even better since she named me an Honorary Connelly."
Sheena grimaced. "Do you have to remind me? 'At least someone in the family knows what a kitchen looks like' Merlin! It's bad enough when mum does it. Now off with you."
She watched Morgan's laughing, retreating figure gloomily. She replayed the earlier parts of their conversation. The dating service had been a gamble, really-a take-off on her natural match-making instincts which she'd discovered in her Hogwarts days. Was it really going to fail like Morgan had implied? But then, Morgan had never really been very sympathetic towards what she called 'Sheena's ridiculous romantic ideas'. Shaking her head, and feeling oddly optimistic she gathered her things (after setting aside the Prophet reluctantly) and disapparated to her tiny office.
Opening the window wide to let in the light and fresh air, Sheena turned to tackle the small pile of mail on her desk. A couple of profiles, some bills and….profiles! Quickly, she glanced through them. The first was a middle-aged witch asking for..blah, blah, blah…fine, she'd file it away.(She ignored the annoying voice at the back of her head that sounded uncannily like Morgan sniggering). The second profile was…her mouth had no other option but to fall open.
Something clunked into place in Sheena's brain. She knew she had to do two things now.
Check with mum if there was any Seer blood in the family.
Tell Morgan 'Honorary Connelly' Finley was about to go on the date of her life.
The smile on Sheena's face could have killed a boggart…
"Ron?"
"Hmmm?"
"RON!"
"I'm listening, Hermy! I meant 'hmmm?' as in a 'go on, I'm listening' sort of 'hmmm'…" said Ron defensively. Nothing of that sort, of course, when he'd been daydreaming that he was teaching a little red-haired, brown-eyed version of himself how to fly. Hermione, of course, stood below looking up anxiously at her son and husband and….
"Ronald Weasley, if you don't stop daydreaming and start listening to me this instant, I'll marry Harry!" said Hermione crossly.
"I was thinking about you, Hermy," whined Ron, looking hurt.
"Stop calling me 'Hermy'. And don't be silly," said Hermione, trying to be brusque but feeling all warm inside. He is so charming, she thought before shaking her head and coming to the point she had wanted to make. "Ron, do you think we did the right thing, forcing Harry to go on this blind date thing?" She bit her lip worriedly.
" 'Mione, you were all for the idea back there. Of course, we're doing the right thing. Harry needs a break and, well, he needs some female company. So, as his best pal, it is my duty to see he gets it. And that's that."
"But…" began Hermione, then stopped when Ron treated her to his trademark lift of the eyebrow. "Oh well, I suppose you're right. I just don't want him to be hurt in anyway, that's all."
"Stop being such a worry-wart. Harry can take care of himself. Gosh! I've just said something that makes sense. Don't I get rewarded for it?" Ron gave Hermione a pleading look. "And I've been so helpful this morning, dealing with mum and everything."
"Yes, I suppose agreeing with whatever your mum said was your way of dealing with her," said Hermione, and then relented. "Come here, you dolt," she said softly, throwing her arms around him.
"What do you want from me?" said Ron, teasingly, savoring the feel of his fiancée in his arms.
"Oh shut up and kiss me!"
A.N: That was a last minute R/Hr scene (phew!) Anyway, hope you all liked it.(This means 'Review,please') Keep reading. I actually have final exams comin' up next week, but I'll try and find time to update. And, Morgan Finley is much more interesting than you think….