Evening came and Hermione was sitting alone in the common room reading a Herbology book because Professor Sprout had announced a big test on the topics under discussion. Unfortunately, she did not manage to get to Gryffindor training, because Ernie came up with newer and newer topics, which he had to discuss with her immediately. Hermione hadn't actually returned to the common room until ten minutes ago. She was sorry that she could not participate in the training. She didn't want to disappoint her friends, and more importantly, she wanted to see Fred. Suddenly, Ginny and the twins entered the common room, and she immediately ran to her friend, followed by the brothers.
G: We've been looking for you all over the castle! You promised you would come to training!
He: Sorry, Ginny, something important has stopped me. I promise to come next time. Better say, did you make it to the squad?
G: Yes! (She squealed with joy). I will play instead of Katie because she was more busy in training, distracting the players. (She looked at Fred meaningfully).
He: I am very happy! Congratulations! Ginny, I have a request for you.
G: What?
He: Can you help me choose the prom dresses? My mom is to send me a catalog from a Muggle shop, because there will be no Hogsmeade trip before Christmas.
G: Sure! You know I love such things!
Ge: I thought you weren't going to prom. You said it was bullshit
He: Gee! I changed my opinion. Actually, why are all three of you standing next to me?
G: We'd like to talk to you about something important.
He: About what?
Ge: We heard from Hanna Abbott that Ernie has no problems with potions. He came up with it to spend time with you and distract you from your friends, that is, from us.
He: How does Hanna know that? Maybe she's wrong! You are not sure!
G: We are sure ... Ernie is tutoring her in Potions. She offered to arrange a deal for me too, if I wanted.
He: I just don't believe it! Why did he lie to me? There has to be an explanation for that!
F: God Hermione! Can't you see that he's manipulating you ?! Are you really blind ?! He does everything so that you do not spend time with us, only with him!
He: In that case, he is not the only one manipulating me.
A sad Hermione left the Common Room at a brisk pace. She went to the dormitory. She really didn't understand why Ernie had lied to her. She thought they were friends, but it turned out that he was very good at manipulating her. On top of that, Fred ... Maybe she actually neglected her friends. It is not hard to notice that she saw Macmillan almost every day, and with Ron and Harry mostly for meals. Ginny only saw each other every day because they lived together, but they didn't talk very often. Eh! Why did everything have to be so complicated ?! Ginny ran after her friend, casting an unpleasant glance at Fred.
G: Why are you sad? Is it because of Fred ?!
He: No ... It's not because of him. I don't understand all of this! Why was he lying to me ?!
G: You have to talk to him. Now tell me the truth ... Is it because of Ernie, you didn't come to training?
He: Yes, how did you guess?
G: I know you. You don't neglect your friends for no reason. What did he want this time?
He: He took me to the top of the astronomy tower and invited me to the Christmas ball.
G: And you agreed? Why?
He: I agreed on the condition that we would go as friends because it was an option for me not to spend an evening alone when everyone was having a good time. I really like him, of course as a friend.
G: He invited you a month before the ball. Don't you think it's a bit too fast, and maybe he wanted to run someone off?
He: What do you mean? Nobody else would have invited me anyway. Who Would Want To Go With The Knowing Granger?
G: And Fred? Maybe he would like to invite you.
He: Please! Fred is kind of bipolar! Not literally, but it does have some symptoms. At first, he is nice, we have a great conversation, we almost kiss, and then he doesn't talk to me for three weeks, he even avoids me and I see him in the company of girls every day. Besides, he may have hundreds like me.
G: I think you judge him badly. The fact is, acting terrible, but you didn't think that maybe he was feeling lost. He has never like anyone, you are the first. I just don't think he knows how to behave. That's why he plays an idiot and spoils everything.
He: I doubt Ginny is pushing me with any feeling. Anyway, let's not talk about him. Tomorrow it should come from mom's owl with the catalog. I can count on you?
G: Of course it is, but please think over what I told you.
Tired, Hermione went to the bathroom for a quick shower. She wanted to fall asleep and forget about everything. Of course, she thought about her friend's words, but it seemed so unreal to her. Why would the most handsome boy in school pay attention to her? Thanks to the fact that she agreed to go to the ball with Macmillan, she would not be left alone on this special evening. True, they had been friends for years in their own strange way, but that meant nothing. Ginny, resigned, lay down on the bed. She waited for Hermione, but fell asleep before her return. Meanwhile, in the common room, George was staring ominously at Fred.
F: Don't look at me like that! If this sight could kill, I would be long dead!
Ge: Do you always have to say what the saliva will bring to your tongue?
F: What! Didn't I tell the truth? I am convinced that it was because of him that she did not come to our training.
Ge: You are probably right, but anger you can't do anything.
F: I know that! I'm going to apologize to her tomorrow and invite her to the ball, if she wants to talk to me at all.
Ge: Do you think it will work? One month left until the ball. Maybe you can convince her to go together sooner, but it will be a difficult task. Unless MacMillan beat you up and invited her.
F: Don't even annoy me. I'm going to sleep good night.
The next day, right after class, Hermione went to the library to review the arithmancy material. After a while, Ernie was to join her for their next Potions lesson. She figured she wouldn't let her be fooled around anymore. It's time for a serious conversation. Even if she forgives him for lying, she will never trust him that much again. She had failed in him. It was a harmless lie, but still a lie, and the brown haired girl hates it. Happy Macmillan entered the library and sat down next to Hermione.
E: Hey beautiful! So what, we are reworking the antidote today?
He: Exactly ... We need to talk
E: Did something happen?
He: I heard from Hannah that you are a great potions teacher
E: ...
He: Why did you lie to me ?! You know I don't tolerate lying!
E: I know, sorry. I was just afraid we would stop seeing each other. We both have a lot of activities, studies, and also the duties of a prefect. I didn't want us to lose touch. I like you very much and respect you as a friend. Really sorry. It won't happen again. Thanks to our lessons, we spent time together and learned. We have lost nothing, we have even gained anything. I'm begging you, don't be mad at me! I will not do it again. I swear!
He: All right. I forgive you, but don't lie anymore.
E: Sure, and our joint ball is up-to-date?
He: Of course it is. (She replied hesitantly).
E: Great! (He took the books out of his bag.) Sorry, Hermione, I have to go back to the dormitory for a while. I forgot my pen.
He: Sure, I'll wait.
Ernie quickly went to the dormitory to get the pen. Meanwhile, hidden behind the shelves, Fred joined the girl. Let's face it, he was following Ernie. He wanted to make sure Macmillan didn't overtake him. He realized that Hermione couldn't refuse and would accept Macmillan's invitation, and this would be their time to get closer to each other. Unfortunately, while he was in hiding, he was spotted by Ms Pince. As a result, he had to change the hiding place, and could not hear the whole conversation between his friends. Every day he realized how much he cared about Granger. He didn't want to destroy it again. She was the greatest girl in the world, according to him.
F: Hello Hermione.
He: What do you want, Fred? I'm learning!
F: I am wanna talk ...
He: About what?
F: About the last month. Sorry to avoid you, but I had to catch up a little. I know, a silly excuse, but it's the truth. I'm graduating soon, and George and I are starting to plan our future. I don't want you to feel withdrawn. I care about our relationship.
He: Since when have you been concerned with your studies? It doesn't look like you.
F: I don't know, it just turned out that way. You are a good influence on me. Please tell me you're not mad at me. We got closer to each other. I wouldn't like to take a few steps back.
He: I guess today is a good day. You're welcome. He also doesn't want to step back in our relationship.
They didn't use the word friendship on purpose, because they both hope that maybe more of it will come out in the future, but maybe it's just their illusory dreams. Ernie unexpectedly came back, but the couple didn't notice him because they were so staring at each other. As if nothing mattered, except the person in front of you. He didn't want to interrupt them, he preferred to eavesdrop on their conversation.
F: Then why don't you come to the ball with me?
He: You surprised me ... Wow. I did not expect this.
F: So… You did?
He: Sorry, Freddie, but who I went out with already. I'm sorry. If you had asked two days earlier ...
F: Relax, nothing happened. (He smiled artificially). If I may ask, who is the lucky guy?
He: Well ...
Ernie had had enough of their conversation. He decided to stop it immediately. He was pissed at Fred's nose, as he even dared to invite her to the prom. He was not worthy of her. It's good that he invited her earlier. Now he just had to make sure that the blunt redhead did not come close to her while he was playing. He believed that this evening could be a turning point for their relationship, and Hermione would see him as more than friends from studying together in the library.
E: Me! Hermione agreed to come to the ball with me.