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Chapter 12: The Disastrous Date

Ron and Hermione entered Hogsmeade, neither of them saying much of anything. Thoughts ran through each of their minds.

Will Hermione want to go out with me in future? I think I look pretty good. Is it my hair? She doesn't seem to want to say much; maybe I overdid it a little. Maybe I did; she never shuts up usually.

Oh, Ronald, what did you do to yourself? I'll totally go out with you if you promise not to do anything like this. And why aren't you talking? You always talk! You never stay this quiet, even when you're sleeping. According to Harry, you snore like a dozen airplanes. Why don't you like me? It's the tank top, isn't it? Maybe I should have worn that pink one. Darn you, Ginny!

They walked into The Three Broomsticks and got butterbeers; neither spoke.

Okay, thought Hermione furiously, time to start talking. "Did you understand McGonagall and her whole spiel on incomplete Transfiguration? That was just confusing. I mean, I didn't even get it."

"Yeah, confusing, um hmm."

RON, TALK TO ME!

"How's the team?"

"Pretty good. We—"

And Ron talked away. He realized that becoming Hermione's "boyfriend" really shouldn't change their conversation.

Hermione really liked Ron. All thoughts of Viktor had left her mind.

Ron felt the same way.

But, as Ron had predicted, Lavender would be incredibly jealous. She and Parvati walked into The Three Broomsticks as Ron and Hermione were talking about Quidditch. Lavender saw red. She rushed at Hermione and knocked her off her chair. Then she grabbed Ron and kissed him for a long time. Ron was shocked. Oh go away. What is wrong with you? He shoved Lavender off.

Lavender screamed and jumped on Hermione, who whipped her butterbeer off the table, bringing it down on Lavender's head. Hard. Hermione looked annoyed at the unconscious girl. "You were supposed to be my friend. God, Lavender, I've never seen you that angry, and for absolutely no reason."

Lavender quickly awoke. She let out a cry of rage and doused Hermione (and herself) with butterbeer. Hermione grabbed her wand and Levitated Lavender, up onto the ceiling, away from her. Hermione looked quite angry now. "Crazy child," she muttered. She let Lavender down (quite hard), and, before Lavender could do anything, picked her up and threw her out the door.

Madam Rosmerta's tankard was overflowing, as she stared, petrified, at the scene. Who knew Hermione fought like a tigress? Ron, evidently, was thinking the same thing, as he took a gigantic step away form Hermione, as she brushed off her hands and grinned.

"So—Ron, where to now?"

"Erm, I've got to, just got to…go." He ran off to the men's' bathroom.

A few moments later, Harry walked into the bathroom, and stared concernedly at Ron, who was leaning against a wall, looking very pale. "Hey, Ron—mate, are you okay?"

"Huh? Um, yeah, sure okay, Lavender…fight…butterbeer, Levitation…don't—want…too—much—snogging!"

Harry fought back his laughter (again; he was getting good at this). "What happened? Wait—I really do not want to know."

"No you don't."

"Okay—how's the date, anyway."

"Erm, lovely."

"Uh, okay. Did Hermione do something to you?"

"Nope. It's fine. Sort of."

"Okay. I'll leave you to it."

Ron left five minutes after Harry did, so he could get Hermione and go.

Hermione was sitting at their table, smiling, and drinking another bottle of butterbeer, like nothing had happened.

"Ready to go, Ron?"

"Um hmm."

"Okay. Let's go. Argh! I'm still wet!"

"Oh, no problem, Hermione. I'll fix that."

Eagerly, he whipped out his wand and muttered something.

But…oh no…

Hermione's hair burst into flames…and then…curled to form a huge brown afro!

She gasped in shock.

Ron grinned sheepishly. "Erm, uh-oh?"

Hermione began to cry.

Ron was helpless as to what to do. See, many a brave man are able to stand up to tigers, mammoths, and wild turkeys, but most can do absolutely nothing when they are standing in front of a crying woman. Well, Ron was kind of an idiot and a wimp, so you can imagine where that left him.

That was practically the end of the date. Hermione and Ron walked back to school, not saying much, or rather, not saying a word. Hermione was looking very sad in her afro; Ron was looking depressed. Oh great. My one freaking chance of happiness, and I blow it completely. I'll never wield a wand again! I can't believe it!

Hermione was depressed too. Oh God. I must've sounded like such a baby there. STUPID! Why did you have to cry for? I'll never show my face in public again! I can't believe it!

As they reached the main entrance, they both spoke at once.

"I'm sorry—"

"I—"

Ron started. "I'm sorry for the whole spell thing."

Hermione answered, "No, really, it's okay. I shouldn't have been such a baby."

"Yeah…"

"Ronald!"

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

They stared at each other for a moment. Then…

"Ron, as disastrous as that was, I kind of had some fun."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Positive?"

"Yes."

"Completely?"

"Yes."

"Certain?"

"YES! DAMN IT, RONALD!"

"Okay. Really?"

"Yes."

"Well, in that case, will you go out with me again?"

"Erm…Ronald…as good a time as I had…can we wait for the next date? I kind of need to recover."

"Sure!"

I get to use a wand!

I get to go out in public!

A/N: I won't be updating after this week for two weeks, because I've got break and I don't have Internet connection on this computer; sorry about that. Anyway…I'm wrapping up this story eventually, but not yet. In the next chapter, Umbridge's back:)