Chapter 5

Sorry, have been very busy so it took a bit longer to write this one! It is also a bit shorter, but no worries, the next chapter will be the original length :)
Enjoy and please leave a review! :D

- Hermione -

"Hold on, you're doing what?" Parvati exclaimed in disbelief. They were sitting across from each other in the Great Hall, enjoying a somewhat late breakfast.

Hermione made a soothing sound, indicating to Parvati that she didn't need to speak so loudly. Ron was just a few meters away.

"You heard me," she said.

Parvati started grinning widely. "This is the best news I've heard all week. Maybe all month!"

"Don't exaggerate," Hermione said, somewhat wearily. Last night had been late. This morning, she decided to tell Parvati about the dance lessons she would be giving Ron. She should have known Parvati would react too enthusiastically.

"Alright then," said Parvati. "This is only slightly exciting news. Do you have a beautiful dress yet? Please tell me you have a sexy dress for the ball."

"I still have last year's."

Parvati gave her a look that Hermione found all too familiar. It was a look she specifically reserved for moments like this: when it became apparent that Hermione was once again too casual about a certain 'very important situation'. In Parvati's eyes, this happened quite often.

"You need a new one, of course! Last year's was, don't get me wrong, very cute, but this is your last Summer Ball and you're doing the opening dance! Everyone will be watching you! Especially Ron."

"Thanks, that really makes me feel a lot more relaxed."

"Sorry," Parvati laughed. "But you don't need to worry. You were so good at that dance course we did together. All the boys wanted to dance with you."

"Nonsense."

"It's true! I was stumbling all the time. You were so elegant from lesson one."

"Well, that won't help much if Ron turns out to be unable to dance with those long limbs and big feet of his," Hermione remarked.

"But that's what the dance lessons are for! I just think he needs a lot of lessons," Parvati added with a wink.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We only have three weeks left. I don't know what I was thinking."

"Three weeks?" Parvati asked, alarmed. "I need to buy a new dress quickly. And so do you," she said resolutely.

Hermione let out a fake, exaggerated sigh. "Alright then," she said.

Parvati clapped her hands in delight. "What are you doing today?" she asked.

"Not much," said Hermione. "I was planning to continue memorizing the encyclopedia. I'm already at 'B'."

"Very funny," said Parvati. "So, we're going to Hogsmeade."

- Ron -

"A bit faster, Weasley!" came the call from the side. Ron didn't need to lift his head to know it was Jacques. The wretch had been sitting half the training session on the sidelines, commanding his teammates as if he were the coach.

"Shut it, Dubois. If you want to shout orders, become a trainer," yelled the real coach, a sturdy fourth-year student who had just graduated last July.

"No, I prefer this," Jacques replied. Ron, finishing the last few meters of his breaststroke, saw him grinning broadly. When he laid his arms on the edge and pushed himself up slightly out of the water, Jacques quickly hobbled backward on his crutches.

"Scared, Dubois?" Ron asked, panting.

"For you? No way, man. I just don't want to get wet."

"What kind of swimmer are you?"

"Well, not today," Jacques said triumphantly, unnecessarily pointing to his left foot again.

"I still don't believe Madam Pomfrey couldn't heal your foot immediately," Ron retorted, still catching his breath.

"Well, she just happened to, uh... run out of bone-healing potions," he said.

"You already said that. But I still don't believe it." Ron suspected that if Madam Pomfrey had really said she didn't have those potions anymore, it might have something to do with the fact that she was called out of bed around three in the morning to tend to the ankle of a drunken student.

"Whatever. At least she managed to reduce the fracture to a sprain. So I can still hobble around on crutches."

"How convenient," Ron remarked. "Hopefully in the future, you won't try jumping over a fence again in a drunken state."

Meanwhile, the coach, Tristan, approached them briskly. "You two are truly unbelievable," he said indignantly. "You chatter like a bunch of girls during training. Have you already exchanged new hairstyles? Maybe shared some tips on cute coffee shops serving heart-shaped cupcakes?"

"Okay, okay," said Jacques, not the least bit offended. "I know when I'm too much." With a dramatic stride, leaning on his crutches and groaning all the way, he made his way to a chair a few meters away.

"And Ron," Tristan said in a more friendly tone, "can I have a word with you for a moment?"

"Of course," said Ron. With a smooth motion, he climbed out of the water. Tristan headed towards the changing rooms. He stopped in the hallway to the lockers. He looked at Ron appraisingly.

"Uh... are you going to tell me why you pulled me out of the water?" Ron asked after a few moments.

"Hm... yes. Okay, I've figured it out. I actually wanted to tell you that I wanted to organize auditions for the coaching position for next year. But I think I'll just ask you to do it."

"Arrange the auditions?"

"No, idiot, be the coach next year."

"You want me as the coach next year?"

"That's what I said. You know these are my last few sessions. I've graduated, man. My life moves on."

"Yeah, I know. But why me?"

"You're..." Tristan hesitated, leaving another brief pause.

"You're really stroking my ego with this list of beautiful descriptions of me." Ron leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and staring smiling at Tristan.

"Sorry. I don't know why, but I just think you've got it in you. You're the most responsible of the group, anyway."

"I never really wanted to be a coach per se," Ron said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, and that's why I think you're the most suitable."

Ron grinned. "Alright then. I'll do it."

"Great!" Tristan slapped him on the shoulder. "Now get back in the water at once. Eight lanes of freestyle."

"Yes, boss," Ron chuckled. He walked back to the pool, took a perfect dive, and realized his grin was still plastered on his face.

- Hermione -

Around four o'clock, Parvati and Hermione returned from shopping. Hermione was now the proud owner of a wine-red, flowing dress with a beautiful bodice adorned with tiny beads.

They flopped down in two comfortable armchairs facing each other in the common room of the student house.

"Ah... my feet," sighed Parvati as she kicked off a shoe and rubbed her heel.

"We didn't walk that long," remarked Hermione.

"I know, but these shoes just aren't that great. You know what, I think I'll go upstairs and put some ointment on them. I'll see you at dinner," said Parvati as she got up from her armchair.

Hermione smiled and then got up to pick a book from the shelf opposite her. She had been debating between two books for a while when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around.

"Hey," said the handsome redhead standing behind her.

"Hey," said Hermione, suddenly unsure where to put her hands.

"Haven't you read all those books on that shelf already?" Ron grinned in that boyish way of his that always made Hermione a little nervous.

"I'm on the fifth round," Hermione replied.

Ron laughed. "Anyway... I have amazing news," he said excitedly. He sat down on one of the armchairs.

"Tell me," said Hermione curiously, settling back into her seat.

"Since we've concluded that our friendship is salvageable, I thought I should tell you this right away."

"Very well," said Hermione approvingly.

"You're even the first to hear it."

"You're making it seem very exciting."

"Yeah, right? Even my team doesn't know yet."

"Ron, you'll have to tell me what's so fantastic before I can share your enthusiasm."

"I'm becoming the coach next year."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Wow, that's fantastic! Congratulations!"

Ron looked rather proud. "Thank you!"

"How did you manage that?"

"No idea, to be honest. I think my other teammates are just too big, irresponsible jerks to take on that task," he chuckled. "So I was simply the least bad option."

"I don't believe that," Hermione said, smiling. "He must see something in you."

"Anyway, I'll have to figure out how to annoy Jacques and Chris as much as possible..."

"Ron!"

"Just kidding, just kidding," he said soothingly, but he still had a mischievous look in his eyes. "By the way, what are you doing after dinner?"

"Um, nothing?" Hermione said hesitantly.

"Wrong. You're going to give me a dance lesson."

"I, um... okay?"

"A bit more enthusiasm would be appropriate, I think." Ron looked at her challengingly with a grin.

"You've become quite arrogant, haven't you?" Hermione teased.

"Only since today, now that I know I'm becoming the coach."

"Okay, fair enough."

"So, we'll see each other tonight?"

"Yes," said Hermione.

"I'll come to you after dinner, around eight or so."

"Okay." Hermione was glad Ron couldn't see how quickly her heart started racing at the thought.