Disclaimer: Oops, I just realized that I forgot to put a disclaimer on the first chappie. I'm still not used to actually publishing something, seeing as before I would just crumple it up (well, delete it, as no one really writes anything anymore) labeling it "a truck load of crap." Flamers, please do not respond to that statement. Anyways, on to the disclaimer:

Now if I were really JK Rowling, would I be writing fanfics about slutty Hermione?

The next day, Hermione made sure that everything went back to normal. When Ron came down for breakfast (late, as usual), Hermione greeted him as she would usually do, hoping that he wouldn't still be grudging. He wasn't and greeted her the same way. In fact, he confused by the fact that she wasn't grudging.

The minute Ron sat down, Lavender hurled herself at him. Ron saw that Hermione didn't even flinch during her conversation with Ginny. Although he never would admit this out loud, Ron was going out with Lavender for only two reasons:

a) she was hot and
b) to get a rise out of Hermione

So, even while he was preoccupied, Ron wondered about Hermione's indifferent attitude. But he didn't really get a chance mull over it. He went from What's with her? to Damn, Lavender's a good kisser.

However, Ron wasn't the only one who noticed Hermione's unresponsiveness toward Ron. Harry did, too. Only he did get to mull over it. Later during Quidditch practice, Harry pulled Ginny aside before heading out to the field.

"Ok, what's the deal with Hermione?" Harry demanded.

"Well, Harry, you're her one of her best friends, you should know," Ginny began, innocently. "She's a Muggle born who is the best witch in her year. She was born on September nineteenth–"

Harry interrupted her. "Cut the crap, Ginny. You know what I'm talking about."

"No, I don't," Ginny said sweetly.

Harry groaned. Even though he liked Ginny, she can be so damn annoying sometimes.

"I'll put it simply," said Harry slowly. He proceeded to explain using much gesticulation and cave man language. "Hermione like Ron. Ron like Hermione. But Ron be dumb-arse and he snog Lavender. Hermione supposed to be mad. Hermione not mad. Harry want to know why."

"Fine, I'll tell you," Ginny laughed. "In reality, Hermione's livid. But she's acting like she's ok with it 'cos she's got this plan up her sleeve. A plan to make Ron crawling on his knees, begging for mercy."

Harry was intrigued. "May I know of this plan?"

"Ah, no can do, Harry," Ginny replied, shaking her head. "Hermione has sworn me to secrecy. I shouldn't have even told you about her having a plan. I only told you 'cos I like you." Ginny grinned up at Harry, almost flirtatiously. Harry smiled back and felt his stomach turn over again for the umpteenth time that year.

Ginny was suddenly serious. "You won't tell Ron, will you? 'Cos if you do, you know I will be after you're arse."

Harry put up his hands, as if surrendering. "I know, I'll be the receiving end of one of your Bat Bogey hexes. Besides, I'm on Hermione's side. I think Ron is acting like a total and complete blockhead about this."

Ginny grinned again. "Good for you, Potter. Maybe there's hope for you yet." There was a moment of companionable silence while both were discreetly checking each other out.

However, this moment was broken by Ron popping his head, yelling, "Oy! Hurry up. We're waiting for you both."

Ginny and Harry jumped, as if they were doing something illegal. They both blushed slightly, and Harry murmured an apology and headed out without a second look. Ginny grabbed her broomstick and started to follow Harry's lead but Ron grabbed her arm.

"Wait a while," Ron advised, "or else Thomas'll get suspicious if you and Harry came together. Speaking of Thomas, you should be happy that I caught you and Harry staring at each other like that, instead of that half-arsed git."

Ginny yanked her arm out of his grasp. "It takes a half-arsed git to know one." And she walked away, leaving behind a confused Ron thinking, What the hell did I do?

I must be crazy to be thinking of doing this.

It was next week, time to audition. Hermione and Ginny were trudging down the Gryffindor steps to the Great Hall, Hermione three-quarters-wanting to go back to the Common Room.

"Hermione, chillax," Ginny advised. "You'll do great. And I'll be there, cheering you on."

"Yeah, whatever," Hermione said tersely. She felt like if she opened her mouth, her lunch would pour out.

"No, seriously," Ginny pressed on. "I saw your routine remember. It was kick-arse."

Hermione groaned. The rest of the walk was spent with Ginny reassuring Hermione with the latter feeling sicker each second. Finally, they reached the Great Hall.

"Here goes nothing," Hermione sighed as she pushed open the door.

"I made it!"

Hermione barreled into the Great Hall during dinner the next day, her face brimming with happiness. People stared at her.

"Don't mind me," she singsonged and sat down next to Ginny, still grinning from ear to ear. Ginny took no time to match the look.

"All right, Hermione!" Ginny said.

"Made it in to what, Hermione?" Harry asked. Ron would've asked too, but he was too busy shoveling his face with food. Cheeks bulging, he just nodded and pointed at Harry, indicating that he wanted to know the same thing.

Hermione made a grossed-out face. "I tried out for the Hogwarts talent show and got in. You know, it was funny, but the judges seemed more eager in my performing than I am. They even made me the first act."

Hermione said the last part to see if Ron would react. And he did.

"Why wed dey–?" Ron began but thought better of it. He took a big gulp and started again. "And why were they so enthusiastic?"

"I dunno," Hermione shrugged. "I guess they really liked my performance." She waited to see what he would say next.

Unfortunately, he didn't say anything more because Lavender chose that exact moment to come to dinner. The minute she sat down, she and Ron began one of their infamous snogging sessions. Good thing he swallowed his food the second before.

Hermione just turned away and starting piling food on her plate. Even though they were all used to Ron and Lavender's behavior by now, Hermione was still felt a twinge of jealousy whenever she saw them together.

"See, I told you," Ginny pressed on. "You were easily the best. The others didn't even stand a chance. Well, the other performances were pretty bad but if they were good, you'd still be the best."

"Wait," Harry said. "Since when was Hogwarts doing a talent show? Hogwarts never does things like that."

"Oh, honestly, Harry," Hermione sighed. "Don't you ever read the bulletin board in the common room? It's been there for weeks. The Entertainment Committee thought it would be nice to have a social event, with the war and everything."

"Oh, I didn't know we had an Entertainment Committee," mused Harry. Then he shrugged. "Anyways, what song are you doing?"

"You know the Black Eyed Peas song that has a, um, sort of awkward title?" Hermione asked uncomfortably.

Harry took a moment to think about it. What Black Eyed Peas song has an awkward title? He suddenly had a vivid memory of Dudley singing something about his "lovely lady lumps" and started to snigger uncontrollably.

"Why the hell–" he started but was cut off with a sort of a sucking sound. It seemed as if Ron had something to say.

"Since when have you been interesting in singing?" he asked suspiciously.

Hermione shrugged again. "I have always been musical. Ever since I was little, I took dance and voice lessons."

Lavender tried to redirect his attention back on her, but attempts were futile. Ron was still staring at Hermione, still suspicious. "You've never told us that."

Suddenly, Hermione felt rather annoyed with the third degree. "Well, you don't tell me everything that goes on in your life. Why should I tell you everything that goes on in mine?" And with a huff, she left the table.

Ron, as always, was confused. He looked at Harry, who just grinned and mouthed the letters "PMS." Unfortunately, Ginny saw him and smacked him playfully but hard on his arm. Ron grinned and turned back to Lavender.

AN: I was randomly looking through HBP, on page 314 I read, "Harry was left to ponder in silence the depths to which girls would sink to get revenge." Ha ha, funny, no?

Review, por favor.