A/N: I dedicate this to Miss Emily F., who has inspired me in my love of musicals, especially Wicked and Hairspray. I love you Em!
The next morning, everyone was a little tired. After all, they had been up until three in the morning! Ron was the first to wake up. He sat there, thinking of what had happened to him in the past few weeks. He was confused, but happy. He had no idea why he was happy though. His girlfriend had been in the Hospital Wing, and they had had a wild party in which Hermione could have been completely disloyal, as far as he knew. So he really had no reason to be happy. That is, until he remembered what happened when he tried to go to bed last night.
It was 11:00 p.m. Ron had just gotten buterbeer spilled all over him. He was about to go upstairs to change and go to sleep, when a figure in a black cloak stepped out from the shadows. He was backing up when another one came out from behind him. He was trapped! He was about to scream when one took a single finger and brought it to his lips. The two figures forced him into an empty room and took off their hoods. It was two girls. They were both beautiful, with long black hair, deep blue eyes, and fantastic figures. They sat Ron down on the bed, and started to take off their cloaks. Ron was, as everyone else, drunk beyond belief. He just lay back and waited, knowing what was to come next. He woke up around 4:30 a.m., realized what had happened, and crawled back to his room without his clothes on.
Ron had loved last night. Never before had he had such a good time! He was daydreaming as he got dressed, as he walked down the stairs, and still as he sat down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.
"Hey Hermione," he said, still in dream world.
Hermione! He had completely forgotten about her since last night! As he looked at her, he realized she looked really drowsy, and about to vomit. She had one hand over her head, so he guessed she had a headache. She had bags under her bloodshot eyes. Ron immediately ran around to the other side of the table, sat down next to her, and slung his arms around her. By the way she tensed at his touch, he knew he wasn't the only one who had 'fun' last night. But she quickly relaxed and slumped back. Ron would ordinarily get upset with her, but since he wasn't any better, he let it pass. He presently started to rub her back while getting food.
At that moment, the owls swooped in and dropped off mail to their owners, or customers. Hermione received her Daily Prophet plus one other letter. Harry received two letters, and Ron received nothing. The three friends always opened their letters one at a time, so as to know exactly what was going on in the others lives. Harry opened his first letter. It was from Hagrid, asking the three to come down to his hut after lunch in their free hour. The second was from Sirius (a.k.a. Snuffles), telling them that everything was fine with him, and inviting them all to Grimmauld Place for the Winter Holidays. Then it was Hermione's turn.
She opened her letter carefully. It was in a green envelope, with gold lining inside. The letter was written in curly, purple, official looking ink. It read:
Dear Miss Hermione Granger,
I am pleased to inform you that your presence is required at the Ministry of Magic from Wednesday, October 12th, to Wednesday, October 26th. After receiving top grades on your O.W.L.s, you will help to solve the latest Voldemort mystery and murder. Please send a reply saying that you received this. You will not need to bring anything, but may do so if you desire.
Sincerely,
Rufus Scrimgeour
Minister of Magic
She read it to herself carefully first, then gasped and laid it on the table for the boys to read. By the time they had read it, all had a look of shock on their face. Ron, who was really broken hearted that Hermione was to leave, tried to make light of the situation."They want an underage witch to help? Times have gotten rough, haven't they?" he said with a half-hearted laugh. Hermione shrugged Ron's arm off her shoulders, got up, and turned to leave.
"'Mione, I didn't mean it that way! I-I" he stuttered as he watched Hermione flee the hall, a look of sadness and fury in her eyes.
