Chapter 16

Hermione walked with Summer out into the corridor, and found a corner where they could talk.

Hermione took a deep breath and looked at Summer evenly. "I wanted to talk to you about Draco."

Summer nodded.

"I'm the reason you broke up with him," She gushed. "I wanted to tell you and not be so blunt about it, but really how could I? I was sleeping with him, all summer, and knowing that you two broke up and how it ended between him and I, I just didn't feel right about NOT telling you, you know?" Hermione fought back tears as she tried to slow her words and keep calm. "Look I understand if you hate me now, or if you hit me I understand why you'd want to, but just know that he's an ass and I so approve what you have with George and you're so much better off without Draco and I am too." She had been staring at her feet the whole time, knowing if she looked Summer in the eyes, she'd start crying and wouldn't be able to finish. When she looked up, she was startled to find Summer smiling.

"I knew Hermione." She said quietly.

Hermione's eyes widened. "How-?"

Summer shrugged. "Doesn't matter now, right? I was so angry at first, I didn't want to hate you, and I tried so hard to make myself-" She stopped and sighed. "When I really thought about everything, the big picture, I realize I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at myself. I should have known better. I wanted to be the one to 'tame the beast' so to speak. He's just too-"

"Dumb?" Hermione finished.

Summer laughed and nodded. "That's a good word for it." She grabbed Hermione's hand. "It took a lot of courage for you to tell me all this, and I want you to know that I respect that, and I don't want any hard feelings between us."

Hermione sighed in relief. "I've been beating myself up all day, if I had known it would be this easy I should have told you at the very beginning. Or you know…not done it at all. That would have saved a long speech."

Summer giggled. "It worked out in the end I suppose. I really like George, I never knew that men could be…caring, and nice."

Hermione smiled. "The Weasley's are a good lot. I just wish it had worked out for me in the end. What wasn't fair was that he told me he loved me, and I believed him. Even when I knew he was with you, and probably telling you the same thing, I thought he meant it with me. It was stupid."

Summer sighed. "I guess we're just two more victims of his. The important thing is, we still have our friendship."

Hermione nodded. "Well, I've taken you away from your date long enough. I'll talk to you later." She gave Summer a hug and walked away. Summer smiled to herself as she walked back to the Library to find George trying very hard to look interested in his Potions book.

"What was that all about?" He asked as she sat down.

She shrugged. "Just girl talk."

George shook his head. "If there is one language I could ever want to learn, it's how to speak girl."

Summer laughed as she opened her own Potions book. "It's complicated, very complicated."

George sighed heavily. "Well in that case-" He leaned over the table and kissed Summer lightly on the lips. "I'll just continue on being confused."

"Harry, I'd like a word with you." Seamus said seriously, as he strolled up to him.

Harry looked at him, confused. They were standing next to Professor McGonagall's class, waiting to go into Transfigurations. Alex was standing next to Hermione and her eyes widened, was he really going to do this NOW? She thought they had decided to wait a few days! She looked over at Fred, who caught her eye and quickly looked away.

Seamus took Harry by the elbow and led him away from the Gryffindor crowd, but only just enough so he could make absolute sure Fred would be able to hear the conversation.

"Uh, what's up Seamus?" Harry asked, trying to feel less awkward. He didn't usually talk to Seamus about much, unless it was about Quidditch.

"I was talking to Alex yesterday, and I asked her on a date. SHE said that you wouldn't allow it, is that true?" Seamus asked, crossing his arms.

Alex palmed her forehead and moaned, he was REALLY playing this up.

Harry looked startled, "Well-I, um." He faltered.

Seamus didn't let up. "Well I think it's ridiculous that I have to ask your permission. I mean, she's her own person right? It's not like I want to marry her, I just want to take her on a date to Hogsmeade next weekend, you know before the holidays start?"

Harry still floundered for words. Alex couldn't take anymore; she walked over and cleared her throat.

"Well, since we're all over here loudly discussing what I'm allowed and what I'm not allowed to do, I thought I'd come over and see what I could do to put some input on my own life." She smiled as sweetly as she could at Harry, shooting daggers at him with her eyes.

Harry looked from her to Seamus. "But you promised?" He said weakly.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Sorry Seamus, the old man here says I'm not allowed to date until I'm married."

Harry blanched. "Now that's not fair!"

Alex laughed. "THAT'S not fair? You know what! You can take your high and mighty attitude somewhere else and go to bloody hell for all I care!"

"But you said-!"

Alex cut him off. "SOD OFF HARRY! YOU ARE NOT MY BLOODY FATHER! YOU'RE MY BLOODY TWIN BROTHER! IF YOU HAD ANY RESPECT FOR ME YOU'D CUT THE UMBILICAL CORD AND FUCKING LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!"

Seamus, looking startled tried to pat her on the shoulder comfortingly.

She turned angrily to him, "I'D LOVE TO GO TO HOGSMEADE WITH YOU NEXT WEEKEND SEAMUS." She screamed.

Red in the face, with the entire class staring at her, she turned on her heels and pushed her way through the crowd, stopping only at Fred, who she promptly punched in the shoulder, and walked all the way to the end of the corridor and out of site.

Harry stared stupidly after her as Seamus swallowed hard. He held out his hand to Harry.

"So no hard feelings then?" He asked nervously.

Harry turned to look at him, with the same blank face, and just stared.