A/n: well most of you already guessed what happened to Hermione lol but you didn't guess what ELSE is gonna happen in this chapter! This is gonna be pretty long so I doubt I'll be able to update for awhile…
Chapter ten
"Is she alright?" Harry asked. He and Ginny were alone downstairs. The others were in Ginny's room, huddled around Hermione.
"I – I'm pretty sure she'll be fine after a few hours." Ginny answered. She tried to look away from Harry but she couldn't help herself.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked. He noticed Ginny staring at him. I wonder if there's something on my face, he though consciously.
"What? N - Nothing. Nothing at all." Ginny forced herself to laugh. "I – I should see if Harry's alright." She started to go upstairs when Harry stopped her.
"I'm alright." He said.
"What?" Ginny gave him a confused look.
"Y – You said you were going to check if Harry was alright…" Harry explained. I swear that's what I heard…
Ginny felt her face grow hot. "Um…I think you're hearing things Harry. I said H – Hermione. Yeah, that's what I said…"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Well I'll come up with you."
"Go ahead." Ginny turned her back to him and they went upstairs. She felt his eyes burning on her back. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and climbed faster.
Just when they opened the door, Ron swung his fist and hit Lee square on the nose.
Hermione slowly opened her eyes. She realized that she was lying on a bed. Where am I? She asked herself. She sat up and looked around her. I'm in Ginny's room…she noted. She saw Ron sleeping on Ginny's bed across from her. He was snoring lightly and his mouth was slightly open. Hermione smiled to herself and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead which caused him to stir about.
Ron opened his eyes and saw Hermione gaping at him. "Oi! Finally you're awake!"
"What happened?" Hermione asked.
"Well, Lee missed the ball that Harry threw at him and it ended up hitting you." Ron explained. "You blacked out for a few hours. I was really worried…"
"Oh." Hermione said. "No wonder I'm so hungry." She rubbed her stomach.
"So am I…" Ron muttered.
"Well that's why I'm here." Ginny smiled as she entered the room, carrying a tray of steaming soup. "Here you go Hermione."
"Hey where's mine?" Ron complained.
"Go get your own, you lazy wart!" Ginny snapped. She handed the tray to Hermione. "Thanks." Hermione said gratefully. She took a few sips and then said, "Would you like some Ron?"
Ron blushed. He felt embarrassed for acting so selfish. "Nah it's ok. I have to go check on the others. I'll come back later on." He kissed Hermione and left the room.
"You should've seen his face when you passed out." Ginny said. She took a hairbrush and removed some hair tangled on it. "He was absolutely furious! His face was as red as an overripe tomato and I think Lee's nose broke. Good thing Mum's fixed him up."
Hermione couldn't help but feel flattered. She ate more of her soup and asked, "How's Harry doing?"
Ginny looked up at her. "He's…fine…" She paused, and then continued. "We talked for a bit when Ron brought you up here."
"Well I guess that's good." Hermione commented.
Ginny sighed as she remembered the uncomfortable, tense look on Harry's face.
"Well his birthday's tomorrow…he doesn't know that everyone form Gryffindor's coming. He thinks it's only us." Hermione added. "And Michael too of course."
Ginny nodded her head slowly.
"So, what did you get him anyway?" Hermione asked, trying to carry on the conversation.
"I – well – you'll see." Ginny answered. Then she yawned. "Well I'm gonna go get some sleep now. It's pretty late. 'Night Herm."
"Good night." Hermione replied. Ginny pulled her blanket over her head and slept on her stomach. Hermione quickly finished eating the rest of her soup and brought it downstairs. When she reached the kitchen, she found two boys sitting on chairs.
"Hermione! Are you feeling better?" Harry stood up.
"Yes. Don't worry I'm fine. It was nothing." Hermione smiled. "I needed all that rest anyway. Where's Lee?"
"H – He went home with Fred and George." Ron answered simply. He felt a little guilty about what he did to Lee. Even though it was an accident, he was so scared when Hermione was unconscious. She looked dead…and that frightened him. Thinking about losing her was incredibly painful for him. The three friends chatted for awhile like old times until they realized it was very, very late.
Harry yawned. "We should hit the sack now. 'Night you two."
"'Night." Hermione stretched her arms. Ron put his arm around her and walked with her upstairs.
"You'll be in my dreams tonight." Hermione teased.
"And you'll be in mine." Ron grinned. "Sometimes I feel like I'm still dreaming when I'm with you."
Hermione pulled his face closer to hers. "I love you, Ronald Weasley." She pressed her lips against his.
"Knock it off will you?" Harry teased. He went in Ron's room, giving them a look of disgust.
"I love you too." Ron whispered after they broke off. They hugged each other and then went off to their separate rooms.
* ~ * ~ *
"SURPRISE!" A bunch of loud, cheery voices yelled into Harry's ears.
"Wha - ?" He opened his eyes and reached for his glasses on the bedside table. He was greeted by about twenty or more people, grinning and beaming at him.
"Happy birthday Harry!" They all cheered. There was a loud explosion in the background.
"Uh…we'll fix that later." Fred's voice said. Everyone laughed.
"Thanks a lot you guys. I didn't know everyone else was coming. I thought we were just going to have a nice, quiet party." Harry said.
"That's why it's called a surprise Harry my boy." George joked. Harry got up and followed the crowd as they headed downstairs. He couldn't believe that this many people could actually fit in the Burrow. At the corner of his eye, he saw two figures were left behind.
"Not now Michael. After!" A girl's voice argued.
"I can't wait any longer." The boy answered firmly.
"Stop it!" The girl's voice was shrill.
"AHEM!" Harry coughed.
The boy turned around. It was none other than Michael Corner. "Oh, hey Har. Happy birthday. Thanks for inviting me."
Harry frowned at him. I would'nt have invited you if I had the choice…he thought. He forced a smile and said, "Thanks. Let's go downstairs to eat." He looked at his muggle wristwatch. 1:35 PM.
"Right." Michael nodded. He took Ginny's hand and dragged her downstairs. Ginny tried to give Harry a grateful look but Harry didn't notice.
Everyone else was already eating and chattering away. Molly prepared plenty of delicious food. Harry saw Dean, Colin, Luna, Seamus and other Gryffindors. He was on his way outside when he saw Oliver Wood chatting with Angelina Johnson and Fred. He decided to approach him when an ice cold hand grabbed his arm.
"Hello Harry." A sweet voice greeted.
Harry's mouth almost dropped open. "C- Cho?"
"Yes it's me." The girl laughed. There was Cho Chang, looking even more beautiful the last time Harry remembered seeing her. Her hair was down, and she was wearing a tight shirt that said 'Quidditch Obsession is Not a Crime' and a jean skirt. She had a pinch of eye shadow and blush (not that she needed any) and a beaded necklace.
"H – I – hey." Harry stuttered. He stretched out his hand. "N – nice to see you again."
"Uh…so am I." Cho gave him a curious look but shook his hand anyway. "I haven't seen you for a long time now."
"Yeah…it's been a really long while." Harry nodded.
"Too long." Cho said quickly. They began to walk slowly to the backyard, farther away from everybody else. "How are things with you?"
"Pretty good. I'm planning to be an Auror or a teacher." Harry informed her.
"Really? Will you be teaching at Hogwarts?" Cho's eyes widened with excitement.
"Hopefully…" Harry shrugged. He noticed some people staring at them as they walked by.
"I'm trying to get a position as the Quidditch referee or broom instructor. I heard Madame Hooch had to take care of some business so I decided to apply." Cho said. She stared at Harry. "It would be fabulous to be able to work with you…as teachers I mean. Maybe you could teach me other Quidditch techniques." She was slowly moving closer to him.
"I – I'll be glad to." He smiled. He suddenly realized that they were in a secluded area in the backyard. There were only three other people there, and they weren't paying any attention to them.
"I've missed you terribly…" Cho whispered. She was now even closer than ever. This reminded Harry back in his 5th year when Cho's face was this close to his. She kissed him, while crying. But now, she looked happier than ever. Her eyes were shining. He could feel her breathing on his lips…
~ * ~ * ~
"Ginny! Please go call Harry outside!" Hermione told Ginny. They were planning to get the party games started.
"No, she's busy with me." Michael said abruptly.
Ginny yanked her arm away from him. "Ok I will." She got up and couldn't help but feel excited. She couldn't wait to see Harry's expression when she gives him he present. She headed to the backyard and searched for Harry.
"Har - " She stopped when she saw Harry's hands pull a girl – Cho! – close…and kiss her.