Chapter Twenty-Two

Hermione checked her hair in the mirror one last time, ignoring Lavender's glance, which was not at all kindly. Lavender, in Hermione's considered opinion, could sod off. She'd been an utter nuisance since the beginning of the year – pestering Hermione with questions about Ron, and simpering even more than usual.

She tugged her jumper straight and pursed her lips; Hermione wanted to make a good impression at Slughorn's gathering, since almost no one she knew would be there. Harry had got himself detention with Snape and seemed…not happy about it, exactly, but something close to such a feeling. Finally she sighed and made her way down to the common room. It was comforting to know that Slughorn hadn't invited her for her looks.

Twirling her wand in her hands, Hermione tried to avoid Cormac McLaggen's gaze – she didn't regret Confunding him, since he was such a complete and irredeemable git, but…still. It wasn't like she wanted to talk to him.

Ginny, who'd been talking with Dean and Romilda, caught her eye. Her ponytail swung dramatically as she stood up, and Hermione saw Dean give the end of it a small tug, and couldn't help but smile. Dean really was a wonderful boy.

Ginny joined her after a moment or two, and said, "Are you going to Slughorn's thing?"

Hermione nodded, feeling slightly awkward. She and Ginny hadn't had a proper conversation since their…well, argument wasn't quite the right word, but it had certainly left Hermione feeling uncomfortable and worried. She hated fighting with her friends.

She looked at Ginny carefully. "I didn't realize you'd be going."

"Oh," Ginny said, "No doubt about that. Slughorn scooped me up the very first day remember – made me feel like a prize pet. I think I'd rather have had detention."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Not you as well."

Ginny looked blank. "What are you talking about?"

"He's got detention with Snape tonight, and I'd swear he was almost relieved about it."

Ginny shrugged. "Was that for his wonderful, deserves to be quoted on tee shirts, line?"

"It wasn't wonderful, Ginny! It was very stupid. Harry's got enough on his plate without adding to it like that!"

"Okay." Ginny said, sounding slightly stung.

Hermione could have bitten her tongue. The truth was, she'd wanted to lay into Harry himself about the stupid comment he'd made to Snape, but she'd learned by now that lecturing him just…wasn't a good idea. Harry got defensive very easily.

She took a deep breath and said, "Look…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"

"Snapped at me in a way that's completely uncalled for?" Ginny asked. "Yeah. That's a bad thing to do. I would never do a thing like that."

Hermione caught her eye, and a moment later the two of them were snorting with laughter. It made everything, all the awkward glances they'd been throwing at each other over the last two weeks, all the conversations they hadn't had, seem so utterly ridiculous, that it was several minutes before either of them was sober.

Once they'd calmed down a little, Hermione said, "I saw you at the tryouts today. You were…really good."

Ginny grinned at her. "Yeah," she said, "I thought I heard someone yelling away in the stands, but…I had no idea who it could be?"

"I wasn't that bad, was I?"

"Well, you weren't on the same level as Lavender, if that's any consolation, but…yeah, you were pretty loud."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Lavender only screams so loudly because she can barely construct a sentence."

Ginny nodded seriously. "Harsh…but fair."

She maintained her solemn expression until Hermione couldn't stand it any more, and started to laugh again.

It took Hermione a moment to notice that Ginny was biting her lip, and she finally said a moment later, "Look, Hermione, this is probably…but…you do know that Lavender fancies Ron, right?"

Something in Hermione's stomach clenched horribly, and it took her a moment to say, "I wondered. She seemed even stupider this year if that's possible. How did you find out?"

"It's a long story," Ginny said. "You know Parvati helps Louise out sometimes…with Divination?"

Hermione shrugged – she hadn't known actually, but it wasn't altogether surprising.

"Well," Ginny continued, "Usually it's just the two of them – Parvati's all right, most of the time anyway – but one night Lavender came over, and Louise said she was just giggling and gushing over Ron and his hair for about six hours. Even Parvati looked a little sick of it."

"Wow." Hermione said. "You know, I've…liked Ron for a while now, but I'm not sure I could ever myself gushing over his hair."

Ginny muttered something under her breath and said, "It happens a lot easier than you'd think, believe me?"

Hermione looked at her curiously, "I haven't heard you waxing lyrical over Dean's hair."

Ginny flushed slightly and said, "Not…Dean."

"Oh but…oh." Hermione said. "Right. Sorry." They were silent for a moment, and then, searching for a new subject, Hermione said, "Do you really mind being in the 'Slug Club'?"

Ginny shrugged. "I suppose not," she said. "At least I can tell Mum – it might make up for me not being a Prefect. You know, it'll be proof that I won't end up a wastrel, dependant on my brothers for everything."

"Your mum hasn't actually said that, has she?" Hermione asked, horrified.

"Oh. No." Ginny said. "But she doesn't have to – it's Mum. She can communicate these things just by speaking."

Hermione wondered how Mrs Weasley, who'd almost always seemed really nice, had managed to create two completely separate but similar complexes in her youngest children.

That subject brought her round to Ron again, and she finally gave in to her weakest part, and said, "Ginny – you don't think…you don't think Ron would fancy Lavender…do you?"

Rolling her eyes, Ginny said, "I hope not. I can't have two of my brothers going out with complete twits." Seeing Hermione's expression she added, in a gentler tone, "I don't think so Hermione. Didn't you see the look on his face when you came down after the tryouts?"

"Yeah," Hermione said, "I did…I just, I keep telling myself I'm making it up. I don't want to get my hopes up and then have nothing happen. Again."

"Well," Ginny said, "I don't think you need to worry about that. I've seen it too, and I think…" Her whole face seemed to light up as she continued, "I think it's really going to happen for you two, Hermione."

Hermione was by now smiling so broadly…it was so wonderful to have proof that someone else thought the same thing that she did, that someone else saw the same things, that someone else thought she had a chance… It was Ron – and there were times, when he said something kind, or looked at her with that half-proud, half…in love look in his eyes, or put his hand on her back or her elbow…

It felt like the most important thing in the world. Oh, Hermione knew – she knew – that it wasn't, but nothing else could make her heart thump, or her skin tremble, the way he did. There were times lately, when they were sitting or standing close together, when all she wanted to do was climb on top of him, kiss him and do…things. It almost scared her.

She'd liked kissing Viktor – it was nice, and sometimes it was even exciting, and there'd be this tug, deep in her belly – but it had been nothing like this. This was deep and gasping and sometimes it made her dizzy, she wanted it so much.

And it was happening.

They'd reached Slughorn's room, and just before they entered, Ginny said wickedly. "Remember, if it's really boring we can always just spend the time looking at Blaise Zabini." At Hermione's quizzical look she added, "He might be an idiot and a git, but he is…very pretty."

Author's Note

I know it's been months and months since I've updated this story, and I'm very sorry. I'm afraid that, since the last chapter, I've had to deal with moving to another country and a family death, and between the two I simply haven't had much time for fic-writing. Hopefully, now that things are a little more calm, I'll be able to update more regularly.