Slippery Soap Suds

A/N: Yeyyyyyy…hmm/…..fast update right? Haha what can I do? I just got the idea and then pop! Wheeeeeeeeeeeee…it's chap 7 already! Ahhahahahhahahahha hmm… Let's see…thanks to all those who reviewed me and I think I finally got over the "not-so-many-reviews-but-so-many-freakin-hits" phase I went through… (?) LMFAO…fart…just read on… ;p and hope u likee…. And give me more reviews coz I'm like BLEEDING here. Haha

EDIT: Oh my god. The amounts of wheeees and hahahas in that A/N is killing me!

Just keep on reviewin' and I'll keep on ficcing! wink

Chapter VII: No Secret Can Never Be Revealed

It was a beautiful day for Hermione Granger. Everything seemed to radiate and glow like lightsabers. She had awakened feeling fresh and filled – a feeling she had not felt for some time. She wore her ordinary Muggle clothes as if Cleopatra herself had stepped into them. She took her breakfast as if she had never eaten these foods before in her whole life. She even greeted Peeves and a couple of Slytherins as if they were long lost friends.

Basically, everyone thought Hermione was going mental today. They thought maybe Malfoy had brainwashed her with his hickeys and all that crap. The gossip about their grand exit the other day was still as hot as fried eggs but no one really knew. Both Draco and Hermione dismissed questions before they were even asked. Everyone, except Harry and Ron, didn't believe the "Potions assignment" explanation one bit.

But she was happy! Completely out of her mind! Her parents had sent her an owl, informing her that they would be expecting her on the holidays, and how awfully great it would be to have her back home. Kisses kisses and kisses from mum and dad. A short escape from this madness that she had been waiting for, like, ages, and so you can't possibly blame her for the reaction. I mean, after all the bad news she had been receiving…whew. So no one could stop her from acting this way. And she didn't care yet if her parents will know or not. Fine, she'd be married by then. Malfoy couldn't possibly stop her from seeing her family. Let him try and she'll cut off his head. She just didn't care anymore.

In her excitement, Hermione hadn't seen what the other girls in Hogwarts were so busy preparing for. She went up to Ginny and asked the girl. "Laces, ribbons, glitter… Whatever are you preparing for, Ginny?"

"A tiara for my gown…"

"What gown?"

"Merlin, Hermione!" Ginny gasped, pausing in her work. "Don't you remember? Tomorrow night's the winter dance!"

Hermione's happy demeanor faded. Tomorrow night?

"You've been too absorbed in your love life to remember even the important things in your once-in-a-lifetime Hogwarts student life!" Ginny said, stressing LOVE LIFE. Ron's little sister thought boys were taboo for Hermione. They made her as dumb as Crabbe and Goyle.

To her astonishment, Hermione knelt and cried to her. "Oh, Ginny! You've got to help me! I don't know what to wear! And it's too late to send an owl to Mum and Dad."

"Calm down, will you?" Ginny said, a little annoyed. "Dress up and we'll go to Hogsmeade."

-.-.-.-.-

Madam Clara studied Hermione, looking at her from head to toe. This was an unusual girl. She was reserved but her appearance screamed wild. She was polite but sarcastic. She seemed innocent but she was the huntress. This was going to be very tricky.

"So what do you think?" Ginny asked.

"Okee. I'll meek a dress for ya," Madam Clara decided.

Hermione sighed, smiling.

"Foh free," the seamstress added.

"Are you serious! Why?"

"Vhy ever not? Just sit here and vait." Madam Clara exited the room and entered her office.

Hermione was giddy with excitement. "I can't believe it! I so cannot believe it!"

-.-.-.-.-

Minutes later…

"I can't believe it!" Hermione screamed. "I can't believe you want me to wear a dress like this! IF YOU STILL CALL THIS A DRESS!"

"Shush, 'Mione!" Ginny scolded her. "You look pretty good… Just change your attitude and everything would be perfect."

"You don't understand!" Hermione wailed. "Everyone will laugh at me!"

"Tut! Tut! You're insultin' me, mi dear," Madam Clara said softly.

Hermione immediately regretted her sudden reaction. "I'm sorry, Madam Clara. I didn't mean to insult you or something. The dress looks fabulous… but not on me."

"If ya don't vant it…" Madam Clara's voice trailed off.

"No no no!" Ginny interrupted, firmly shaking the older woman's hands. "We love it! Thank you so much!"

Madam Clara's smile was back. "Vonderful!" She flicked her wand and Hermione was wearing her clothes again; the dress comfortably placed in a bag.

Hermione could only smile in surrender.

-.-.-.-.-

"Well… I guess I'd have to thank you, huh, Ginny?" Hermione had no other choice but to use the dress. Merlin, just this once! And then, maybe she'll give it to some Salvation Army or something…

"I guess I'd have to?" Ginny replied sarcastically. "Of course, you've got to thank me! Or else you wouldn't have anything to wear at all!"

Hermione sighed. "I know." Then, she looked at Ginny and smiled. "Thanks! I knew I could count on you. Although I know I've been a real pain in the behind."

"Oh don't you know it!"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ron grabbed Hermione by the arm and said, "Hermione, we've got to talk."

"Oh, hi, Ron!" Hermione greeted him, a bit confused. What could this possibly be about?

"C'mon!" Ron said, hurriedly leading her out of the common room.

"Hi, Ron!" Ginny shouted at him "Go ahead and forget you have a sister!"

"Hi, Ginny." Ron didn't look back.

"Brothers…" Ginny grumbled.

-.-.-.-.-

Ron didn't want to believe it. The source itself wasn't very credible. But the different situations make the rumor seem true.

He barked out. "I don't know how to say this, Hermione. It's kinda awkward to be in between your two best friends…"

Hermione silenced him with a finger. "I think I get it…" She paused, pondering if her inference was right. "You're in love with me, too, aren't you?"

Ron looked at her and snorted. "Woman! You're imagination is going overboard! You? Ha!" How could she, for a moment, think that… Hermione? Me? Ha!

Hermione blushed madly. Okay, so her guess wasn't right. Did he have to rub it in her face? "Fine, what's this all about?"

Ron wasn't laughing anymore. It was business. "What do you think you're doing snaking your body with that Malfoy prat?"

Hermione felt her insides being flushed out of her body. How did Ron know? Did Malfoy tell? Oh Merlin, I'm going to wring his bloody head off!

"That Potions thing wasn't true, was it?" Ron said, a hint of sadness in his tone. "You know, Hermione… I don't know what's up with you and that Slytherin git but I do hope you're thinking of Harry's feelings, too…"

"Who told you?"

"Moaning Myrtle."

"I see." So the fucking ghost blabbed it around school. "And you believe her?"

Ron didn't know what to say.

"It isn't what you think it is, Ron." Hermione sighed. How could she avoid hurting people if she couldn't even tell the truth? She stared at him. "Are you gonna tell Harry?"

"What!" Ron exclaimed. "And have him die of a friggin' shattered heart? I don't want to be the one who'd kill him." He looked at Hermione's hardened expression. "Okay okay! I didn't say you were a murderer or something. I'm your friend too. But this is a lose-lose situation for both of you."

"So?"

"So you tell him!"

Hermione pouted her lips. "That's not easy."

Ron laughed. "Now the Oh-Great-Brain finally found something too difficult for her…"

"Oh shut up, Ron!" Hermione snapped.

"Whatever…" He replied. "But you have to clean this mess."

She turned to him, seemingly exhumed. "Just promise me you won't tell Harry. I'll find a way." If I can…

-.-.-.-.-

A/N: Short and sweet, just the way my mama likes it. LOL Some things just got to be kept simple. Like Chapter 7 of Slippery Soap Suds. :) Review, anyone?