Well, I know it has been awhile since I last posted, but multiple things have come up that have prevented me from finishing up. Most prominent of which has been my hard-drive crashing and me losing everything, which includes all of my stories. So this chapter was written, and was about to be posted, but it got deleted. So I had to start all over, and even though it's not as good as before, I still hope you enjoy. Oh, and I am not a big fan of writing a lot of dialogue, so I may mention that they were talking, but I am not going to make a big deal about it.

Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. I think that sums everything up.

Early Morning Start

Hermione's POV

While telling my story, I realized how difficult it was to leave out Ron's name. I knew in my head that if I said his name, then I would be on the receiving end of a pretty nasty hex from Lavender. Don't think that I couldn't beat her in a duel, but I just got back her friendship, however a loose friendship it is, I don't want to lose it anytime soon. I mean, if I was going to need help with putting on eyeliner in the near future, she would be the one I would ask.

When I finished my story, they attempted to guess who my Prince Charming was. Of course they figured that the guy was a Gryffindor, but they don't know what year. Lavender and Parvati are no geniuses when it comes to hiding their thoughts. If something pops into that brain, then they must say it. Except for when it comes to blackmail; these two girls can keep something against you for so long, that you regret ever making them angry again. Wonder why I made friends with Ron and Harry in first year, instead of Lavender and Parvati? Sure, some people think it was because those two are such girly girls, and I am most definitely not. But they found something in my trunk that I am certainly embarrassed about. No, don't ask what it was. That is another story for another time.

Lavender and Parvati figured that the guy in either in the year below us, our year, or the year above. They seem to be leaning towards a guy in our year. Lavender thinks that the mysterious boy is Seamus. This is because, according to her, "I have seen him eyeing you during Transfiguration, don't even deny that you haven't noticed!" And I haven't noticed actually. Ginny makes fun of me for it; she claims that I wouldn't notice a guy crushing on me even if he asked me on a date. I hate to admit it, but she has a point. The only reason I discovered Viktor's true feelings was after he kissed me and asked me to visit him in Bulgaria. It seems that the only guys I pay close attention to are Ron and Harry. Harry, because he seems to always get himself into danger, and Ron, well, because he is Ron.

When I revealed to them that I have not noticed Seamus' wandering eyes, they were gobsmacked. They told me that if paid attention to anything besides my studies and books, I might notice boys. It's like they forgotten that a certain Quidditch star toke me to the Yule Ball back in our fourth year; and he was three years older than myself.

They did not, however, forget about the wannabe Quidditch star that I went out with. He was the first person that they had guessed actually. Apparently he "seemed thoroughly smitten by you, Hermione! And he isn't that bad looking either!" While I will admit that he is rather handsome, he just isn't Ron Weasley.

After I reminded them of Krum, they skipped our year and went to seventh year guys. They feel that it is rather obvious that I go for the older guys, "because the boys in our year have the maturity of five-year-olds!" While I will agree to the fact that an emotionally mature man is a turn on, I also like the challenge of dealing with one that is not. I probably don't need to remind you, but I am older than a certain red-headed best friend of mine.

I was pleasantly surprised that they did not guess Harry or Ron. I guess I finally convinced them that Harry and I are not "soul mates destined to be with each other." I had a feeling that Parvati wanted to say Ron, but she and I both know better than to say his name without an insult whenever we are around Lavender.

I almost told Parvati once that I liked him. I mean she kind of assumed I did when Lavender and Ron were going out, and whenever they were snogging I would lay in my bed crying my eyes out. But it was before sixth year actually. This time was during our fourth year when the three of us were talking about the Yule Ball.

::::::::::::::::::::Flashback:::::::::::::::

The three fourth year Gryffindor girls assumed the usual gossiping position: lying on their stomachs on their bed with their feet in the air. Hermione Granger, Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown were discussing the upcoming Yule Ball. Lavender started off the gossiping by announcing that Seamus had finally asked her to go with him. She was so excited, and started describing her dress, in full detail. When she realized that she could just get up and get it, she jumped off the and practically skipped to her dresser.

She pulled out a bright pink strapless dress that had a giant bow on the bust. Parvati squealed claiming it was "so super pretty! Gosh, mine isn't nearly that gorgeous!" I, however, felt that it was revealing too much leg. Even so, I agreed right along with Parvati. Lavender was so lucky that she had the bust to hold up the dress. Lavender then skipped back to her dresser and put away the dress. She blew it a kiss as she flounced back to the bed. She then begged Parvati to go and get hers.

Parvati whined saying that she was probably not going to wear it because she did not have a date yet, and would probably not get one. We assured her that she would be asked. I told her that neither Ron, nor Harry had dates yet. That seemed to cheer her up and she jumped up to grab her dress. Parvati also pulled out a floor-length dress of shocking pink that had an orange sash across the front. She claimed that her mother made it herself.

After the dress was thoroughly complimented as well, it was my turn. When I pulled out my periwinkle-blue dress, Parvati and Lavender both gasped with awe. I blushed as they got up to examine the fabric.

"Hermione," they squealed, "this dress is so gorgeous!" I just blushed some more. I guess they never thought that bookworm Hermione could have any taste in clothes besides boring.

"I bet whoever you're going with will go mental when they see you!" Lavender claimed.

"Oh, well," I stammered, trying to get around the obvious question of who was taking me, "I don't think he is really the type to 'go mental,' as you said." They both harrumphed as they sat back down on their respective beds. With one last look at my gown, I go to put it away. Behind me I could hear some serious debating, as if I was completely oblivious to what they were saying.

I was right, Parvati and Lavender had noticed that I wasn't going to say who my date was to the ball. They heard that Neville had asked me, but I said that I already had a date. They thought that I had just said that to let Neville down easily.

When I felt that I had given them enough time to gossip, I turned back around and headed to my bed, first picking up the stuffed bear that had fallen off my bed in all the excitement. Parvati and Lavender gave each other a look, I sighed knowing that they wanted answers. Parvati then started elbowing me in the side saying, "Oh, come on Hermione! We all know that you are waiting for an oblivious red-head to ask you." Parvati and Lavender then shared a quick giggle. Despite what I said earlier, they still don't believe that I already have a date.

Then I remembered what they had said; I huffed, I was sick of hearing the two of them continuously claiming that I liked Ron. Sure I liked the way his hair looked, and how tall he was, and how funny he was, and how sweet he could be when he was trying; but that doesn't mean that I like him! "No," I practically shouted, "I am not waiting for Ronald to get the nerve to ask me. Besides, he doesn't even notice that I am a girl. And even if he did, I already have a date!" Parvati and Lavender gasped as I declared this.

They were both surprised to hear that my date was not Ron, and that I wasn't waiting for him to ask me. They assured me that he would eventually ask. I replied I didn't care if he would, because I already said yes to someone who actually cared about what I had to say, and liked that I was smart. They kept badgering me to tell them who this mystery guy was, but I refused tell them. Lavender suddenly sat up on her knees and clapped her in hands, as if she just remembered or discovered something important.

Parvati and I shared a confused look; apparently she didn't understand what was going through Lavender's head either.

"Hermione, I know what you are doing!" She claimed, still clapping her hands in amazement, "You are trying to make Ron jealous by bringing another guy to the ball!" Parvati then squealed and hit herself in the forehead saying "That makes sense! Merlin, you are clever, Hermione!"

I immediately started to deny the accusation. Lavender just said "whatever," rolled her eyes, and went to the bathroom. While she was in there, Parvati had jumped onto my bed, glanced at the bathroom door, and told me that she knew I was lying. She claimed that it was all in my eyes, and apparently my eyebrows lifted too. Before I could protest, we heard the toilet flush and Parvati jumped back onto her bed grabbing a Witch Weekly.

Throughout that night, while Lavender and Parvati were gossiping about the latest couples, I kept thinking about what Parvati had said. Did I really like Ron? Sure he was a good friend, sometimes, but we were constantly bickering too.

As we dressed the next morning for school, Lavender walked out the door first, and Parvati pulled me aside.

"Come on, Hermione," she urged, "Just tell me, do you like Ron?" I started spluttering an answer, because in all truthfulness, I wasn't sure if that was what I felt for Ron. I knew that he made my heart flutter whenever we touched, but that didn't mean that I liked him. I was just about to admit to Parvati that I think that I may have a slight crush on him, when I was saved by Ron himself. He was at the bottom of the staircase yelling that if I wasn't coming down soon, then he was going to go to breakfast by himself.

Thankful for an excuse to go, I flashed Parvati an apologetic smile, while she flashed a knowing smirk back at me. As Ron took my bag and placed it on his own shoulder, I couldn't help but to think that maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

::::::::::::::::::End Flashback::::::::::::

Thankfully, Parvati decided not to bug me about that again. I guess she figured that she already knew what my answer was.

I think Parvati is smarter than she appears to be, she knew that I liked Ron before I could even figure out what I felt for him. I think that is why she seemed to be genuinely surprised when I told her I was dating Cormac. I think she expected me to wait for Ronald. I sometimes wonder why she wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw with her sister. She never seems too bad in her studies, but because she is best friends with Lavender, her grades are usually forgotten. But then again, I am always being asked why I wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw either.

But back to the present. When I was telling my tale, I intentionally left out the part where Ron and I were discovered by his roommates. If they knew that, well I shudder to think of what they would do. I just hope Ron asks his mates not to tell anyone what happened. I already have to fight down the other rumors about me. And even though I wish that the ones involving Ron were true, they are not.

Now, you are probably confused as to which rumors I am referring to. Let's start with the ones involving my Bulgarian pen-pal, Viktor Krum. According to rumor, in Bulgaria it is legal to marry if one of the two is an adult in the wizarding world. So, apparently, I am married to Viktor and visit him during the holidays, but have only kept my maiden name because I want to keep the marriage a secret from the press. I know, ridiculous.

But this rumor leads to another one involving my bespectacled best friend, Harry. Spurred on by Rita Skeeter's lies, some students of Hogwarts believe that I left Krum because I was actually in love with Harry. Well that too is a lie. While it is true that I love Harry, it is truly platonic; I love him like a brother. But the countless times I deny this, people constantly claim that it only makes sense that the hero gets the girl. And because I am the only girl in the Golden Trio, I must be it.

You might be thinking well didn't he go out with Cho Chang, take Luna Lovegood to Slughorn's Christmas party, and is currently dating Ginny Weasley? Well, yes, that it is all true. But people are saying that because we are "secretly dating," he did all that to throw people off the "scent," so to speak. However, if you were to take one look at Harry and Ginny, you would be able to tell that they were obviously in love.

There is also the disturbing rumor that Cormac and I are also more than friends. One little date to a party and everyone believes we are in love. Well, maybe I should take the blame for that one. I did tell one of the queens of gossip that I was dating him. But that doesn't mean that I still liked him after said date; did we go out again? No. But then again, I did keep up that façade around Ron; and who is always with Ron? Lavender; who happens to be gossip queen number 2.

So of course the two of them would say it was Cormac that I spent the night with. I spent a good portion of the week before Christmas break telling them that Cormac was my new beau. And I played the part well of being his girlfriend. I allowed him to walk me to my classes while holding my books. And before we went to bed each night, I allowed him to give me a chaste kiss goodnight. But then the party happened. He was a little too handsy under the mistletoe. Later, after he chased me down, he claimed it was just because he had too much firewhiskey that night.

Even though I kept telling him it would be best that we just remained friends, he kept owling me over the Christmas holidays. He only backed off when I told him that I had used him to make someone else jealous. He didn't really like that answer, but accepted it as is and told me that he only went out with me because of my arse. I am not sure if I should take this as a compliment or not.

But back on the subject of rumors that are currently floating around this stone-walled school. When people heard the reason why Lavender broke up with Ron, the two of us coming down from his room, people assumed that we were having a secret affair. That's right, an affair. It used to be rumored that we were just secretly dating, but after word of his breakup came out, people assumed there was more to our relationship.

I have given up on avidly protesting all of these rumors. Sure when someone comes right up to me attempting to "call me out" I will assure them that those rumors are not true.

Parvati starts to tap me on my shoulder, and Lavender is waving her hand in front of my face. I apparently zoned out again.

"Oh, Hermione, you wouldn't be fantasizing about that boy, would you?" Lavender prods me in the arm with a sly smile stretching across her flawless skin.

"Honestly, Lavender! I do not fantasize!" I snapped hitting away her hand that was continuously poking me.

"You don't?" Parvati said, sharing a look with Lavender. There was a glint in her eyes, and I knew they had something against me, but I didn't know what. I just shook my head in response to her question.

"Well if you don't," Parvati continued, "then what is it that you seem to dream about every night?" They got me there. If I am not having a nightmare about something bad happening to Ron, I am dreaming of being with Ron.

"You must be mistaken!" I protested. I had no clue I was a sleep talker; I hope I didn't say anything embarrassing last night. With the thought of me and Ron sleeping together, a light blush starts to make its way onto my cheeks.

"Aha! You're blushing! You do dream about a guy!" Parvati jumped up and did a victory dance complete with dancing with one of the stuffed animals lying on my bed.

Oh, great. She would pick that bear. The bear was actually an old one of Ronald's given to me for my birthday once. He gave it to me mumbling about how it kept nightmares away. It did keep away the bad dreams generally too. The nightmares typically come to me when I am having a fight with Ron. When we are quarreling, the bear is placed in my trunk. But when we make up, and the fight is over, the bear finds it place back on my bed.

Lavender and Parvati asked where I got it once. I felt bad lying, but I just said that I got it as a gift, and left it there. I think Parvati has noticed when the bear goes into my trunk, she is a tad brighter than Lavender, like I said before. But she hasn't mentioned anything, all she gives me is a knowing smile when she sees me take it out my trunk and return it to its spot.

I only scoff at her as she dances about the room in her pajamas, but I notice Lavender looking through my bedside table. I clear my throat and tap her on the shoulder. She turns back to me and holds a colorful box in her hand. I gulp, this is not good!

Lavender turns to Parvati and asks her if she knows what she is holding. Parvati pretends to be confused, and asks me if I could tell her.

I look down at my feet and mumble, "It's a Patented Daydream Charm."

Parvati still pretended to look confused and asked me, "And what do those typically show, Hermione?"

"I don't know Parvati, they were given to me and I have not used them yet!" I snapped. That was a perfect lie of course. I know for a fact that the daydreams are romances; and mine seem to involve a tall red-head.

But, I decide that the conversation is over, and I head into the bathroom to get ready for breakfast and classes. As I slam the door, I can hear my roommates giggling and whispering, "We got her!"

A/N: Alrighty, so this is what happened to Hermione, and next chapter we shall return to the Brotherhood of the Gryffindor Boys. So please review! It encourages me to keep writing, if I don't get that many I think that people do not care. I am planning little outtakes from the story, so if you have any ideas let me know. REVIEW REVIEW!

Hearts,

Twinley