The Forgotten Half

Saturday was the Quidditch Final Cup game, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. It was a long match, and three quarters of the school cheered for Gryffindor. After two hours of gruesome playing, Harry and Draco caught sight of the snitch and chased after it. And of course Harry caught it, and Gryffindor won. Afterwards there was a victory party in the Common Room that lasted until two in the morning, when McGonagall finally broke it up. Through her thin lips and shrill voice, you could still see a hint of happiness on her face.

On Sunday the foursome sought out their tasks from Friday. After breakfast Ginny found Ron in the Common Room studying a chess board. 'He's probably in the middle of a game with Harry and can't figure out his next move,' she thought. It happened quite often.

"Hey," she said, sitting down next to her big brother.

"Hi," he replied, intently looking at the board.

"Um.. What are you doing?"

"I'm the middle of a game with Harry. As soon as I figure out my next move, I'll go find him."

"Oh. So, Ron, have you noticed any girls lately?"

Ron looked up from the board. "What makes you say that?"

"I was just wondering, that's all."

"Oh. Well actually Gin, Hermione is not so bad on the eyes."

"So you fancy her!"

"Yeah.. Why do you care?"

"No reason.. It's just that she fancies you too."

The look the appeared on Ron's face made Ginny want to laugh until Kingdom Come, but she restrained herself.

"R-r-really? She does?" asked Ron.

"Yep," Ginny said, a smile on her face.

"Um, ok, Gin could you please watch the chess board? I'll be back in a little while." And with that Ron raced out of the Common Room.

Meanwhile, Harry wandered the school looking for Hermione. He wanted to get this over with, in case Ron had news about Ginny, or he finally finished his turn. He ventured outside, and found Hermione sitting by the lake.

"Hey," said Harry.

"Hey Harry. What brings you here?"

"Nothing really, just looking for something to do."

"Oh," replied Hermione, staring at the water deep in thought.

Harry noticed this and decided to ask about it. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, Harry, I'm just thinking about things. Well, to tell you the truth, I kind of fancy someone."

'Maybe it's Ron,' Harry thought. "Who?" he asked.

"You won't believe it, but, Ron."

"Really? That's wonderful because Ron fancies you as well."

Hermione looked at Harry. "Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Oh, well thanks so much Harry, you were a big help!" Hermione hugged him, and ran off towards the castle.

Ron was nearing the Great Hall, hoping Hermione would be there. He was jogging down the hall and not looking where he was going, and bumped into someone. Hermione swore to herself, she hated ignorant hallway goers. Then they both realized who the other person was. They stared at each other for a minute. And then Hermione broke the silence.

"Harry told me you fancy me," she said matter-of-factly.

"Ginny told me you fancy me," Ron responded. "So, um, want to go to Hogsmeade with me Saturday?"

"I'd love to," Hermione answered, with a huge smile on her face. She took his arm and they started to walk around the castle. They talked for about an hour and then Ron remembered his and Harry's chess game. They headed back to the Common Room. Each of them felt like they had forgotten something, but they both simply ignored it.

They reached the portrait hole and walked through. Two people were in the Common Room. Harry was sitting and staring the fire, and Ginny was sitting at the bay window, looking glum. At that moment, the couple remembered what they had forgotten.