A/N: Okay so I have a love/hate relationship with this chapter…
Hermione could not take Ron's staring at Susan any longer. "What are you staring at, Ron?" Hermione asked, but made it seem as though she did not really care for an answer.
"What?" Ron seemed to come out of some sort of trance. "Staring? I wasn't—obviously you didn't think—I wasn't—I'm not staring!" Ron blurted out all at once and began to turn red.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"So, Hermione," Jane started, "I hear you're quite the clever witch."
"Well, I have been known for good grades, but I'm sure there are smarter—."
"Are you kidding, Hermione?" Ron interrupted. "You're the smartest witch in our school. I bet you could give the teachers a run for their money!"
"Ron, that's sweet and all, but—."
"Hermione, stop being modest!" Ron again did not let Hermione finish.
Hermione blushed. Ron slumped down to the floor, resting his back on the base of the couch.
"So, Jane," Hermione started, taking her eyes away from the youngest of the Weasley boys, "Where do you go to school?"
"Oh, it's a small school in Scotland. I don't know if you've heard of it, Witchworth. All girl school, you know. I do pretty well there grade wise. Susan goes too. She could do really well, but she gets, well, she gets easily distracted. There are a lot of male teachers, you know."
Ginny giggled, "She reminds me a bit of Lavender Brown."
"Don't remind me!" both Ron and Hermione said at the same time.
Ginny started laughing extremely loud at this.
"Who's Lavender Brown?" Jane asked.
"I'll explain when we eat," Ginny said, trying to calm herself down. "I don't want to embarrass anyone. Well, at least not when they're listening."
"Well, thank you for the spare of humiliation!" Ron replied.
At this point Mrs. Weasley emerged out of the kitchen.
'Everything's ready. You may be seated in the dining room," Mrs. Weasley called as she wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. She looked relieved to be done cooking.
"Race you to the dining room, Hermione!" Ron said and bolted off before Hermione could process what was going on.
"No fair! You didn't give me a proper warning!" Hermione laughed behind him.
Unfortunately, with Ron's lead and speed, Hermione was quite far behind him and by the time Hermione reached the room Ron was sitting down, helping himself to some kipper.
Although she lost, Hermione could not have cared less. What was on her mind now was the fact that Susan had planted herself in the chair next to Ron's. Luckily there was an empty chair on the other side of him which Hermione helped herself to. She was determined to keep Ron's attention to her side of the table.
"Molly, the table looks wonderful! You did a brilliant job. You must have been cooking all morning," Mrs. Dacey praised.
"I enjoy doing it!" Mrs. Weasley replied, giving a smile.
"Mrs. Weasley, you really did a great job. Everything is cooked to perfection and is displayed beautifully. It takes real talent to do something like this!" Susan said so sweetly that it made Hermione sick. Susan was batting her eyelashes to emphasize her angelic nature and Hermione swore she threw up in her mouth a little.
"Oh, thank you dear! I'm glad you like it," Mrs. Weasley smiled, not seeming to notice anything wrong with the compliment.
"Oh, yes! It's appreciated greatly! You do everything so well!" Susan added.
Hermione could tell Susan was trying to make an impression. She did not want Mrs. Weasley to think highly of Susan, especially more highly than herself.
"You know, Susan, you are entirely correct," Hermione called. "Although, I do wish to say that every meal you make, Mrs. Weasley, is above and beyond anything I have ever had before."
"Thank you, Hermione."
"Well, Mrs. Weasley," said Susan, although she was talking to Mrs. Weasley she was glaring at Hermione, "I have to say, I wish we had great chefs like you in Scotland! You must have had a restaurant at some point. You cook as if you are a professional!"
"Thank—"
"Mrs. Weasley," Hermione glared back at Susan, "I hope, one day, I will be able to cook as well as you or even half as well as you. If I could even accomplish that, I would be amazing. That's how great I believe you're talent truly is."
"Well, I think, Mrs. Weasley, that you are not only a wonderful cook, but a wonderful person!"
"Well, I think you are such a great person as well, and you have raised some very handsome and wonderful children!"
"I think," Susan stood from the table now, talking more at Hermione than Mrs. Weasley, "you're children are all well brought up and some," at this point she looked to Ron, "are the sweetest, most handsome people I know!"
"And I entirely agree!" Hermione bellowed, also standing from the table.
There was silence throughout the room. However, the two girls still stared at ach other looking as I any second they were going to rip the other's head off. Mrs. Weasley seemed to be quite pleased with her compliments, but looked confused. The other adults had their jaws dropped. Fred, George and Andy seemed completely amazed and Ginny and Jane were staring from Hermione to Susan.
Ron, however, was still eating, completely unaware of what just happened.
"Wonderful kipper, mum," Ron said with a mouthful.
Mrs. Weasley gave her son an odd look, "Erm…thanks."
A/N: Okay so I like the fighting, but I feel like I can't make it sound not cheesy...or maybe fake, I guess is the word. Tell me what you think. I may have to revise this one later. Please review!