Fickle Flames

A/N: Okay just so you guys know...this is not my favorite story. I wrote it as my sample story and hey it got me onto Portkey so I figured I should put it up.

So yeah…I'll shut up now and let you read the story. As before…all mistakes(spelling, grammar) and bad jokes belong to me but not these characters or the world they live in. I unfortunately did not come up with the concept for chocolate as the ultimate healing medium, that was truly brilliant! But, JKR would shit bricks if she saw what I've done to her precious little slu…Ginny and the other minions of her imagination.

I'll shut up now and let you read….leave a review if you think the story warrants it...if not then I'll understand with this one.

Hugs and Kisses

FuryOfMedea

Chapter 1~Smouldering

Have you ever sat and watched a fire burn? At first it's just something to watch then it becomes more, something mesmerizing. Your eyes can't tear away from the golden flames that lick and devour the wood; you're stuck on it. You trace the hot blue at the base all the way to red orange on the tips.

But also it's the mystery of fire and the heat of it. You want to stay where it's warm, comfortable and safe. You've been entranced by the flames and the ambiance a fire creates and you are pained to leave it, to leave the world of heat and comfort and mystery you created. And it's also just a little bit primal.

He was entranced by the flames as he just sat in a comfortable chair and stared at the crackling fireplace. It was three in the morning but he couldn't sleep. Again. He normally had nightmares about watching Voldemort die, about the pain he felt at ending a life even though it was well deserved.

He sighs and a lock of black hair flaps on his forehead in the upward breeze. It momentarily shows a lightening bolt scar but it disappears back behind the bangs. He realized that he does need a haircut. She told him that he needed one or soon it would cover his eyes and make him look unkempt and then the other She thought his tousled locks gave him great sex appeal, and made him look older, mysterious She had said. He's seventeen years old, what the hell does he know about sex appeal?

What the hell does he know about the She's, as he's come to call them for that matter. Harry Potter had spent many nights and early mornings by the fire realizing that although he had zapped the Dark Lord earlier that summer, a month ago to be precise, he really didn't know anything about anything. Especially girls.

And he liked it. It made him feel like a normal teenager for once in his life, knowing he has so much to learn and experience in life. Harry smiled and yawned as he got up and made his way up to his Head Boy dorm.

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“You got to bed late last night. Was everything okay?” Hermione asked Harry as she sat down in the Great Hall the next morning for breakfast.

“Oh yeah. Everything's just fine. I just was thinking that's all.”

She nodded her head and laughed when their red headed best friend ambled over to the table, looking half awake.

“Mornin' ” he mumbled to the two of them. Harry smiled, “What are you tired Ron?”

“Ugh! I stayed up till two doing that Transfiguration essay. I hope the old bat appreciates it.”

“Ron! You know very well that McGonagall wouldn't have assigned it unless she though it was important.” Hermione chided.

“I don't know Hermione. I have to agree with Ron, I think she does assign these essays because it turns her on a little.”

Ron spit his pumpkin juice over the table at Harry's comment. “Harry mate, I love you like my brother but if you ever use the words `McGonagall' and `turned on' in the same sentence again I'll hex you to hell.”

Harry snickered as Hermione scoffed again.

“Honestly Ron don't you think she deserves a little pleasure in life? If assigning essays is what gets her jollies off then so be it. She's a mature woman with needs. What's so wrong with that?”

Hermione looked up from her plate to see Ron and Harry staring at her mouths agape. She was not one to talk about anything sexual, ever.

“What?”

“I…I...I….” Was all Ron could stammer.

“Hermione!” Harry hissed, “ I can't believe you just said that, about an older teacher!”

She cracked a smile, “What would you rather I talk about my own needs rather than hers?” Ron grimaced and Harry just stared opening and closing his mouth like a fish. He was trying to hide the fact that he was slightly interested in hearing more about Hermione's `needs'.

“I'm leaving. I'm not hungry anymore on account of you talking about your `needs' as you call them. And I don't want to think about food ever again if McGonagall has `needs' at all. Harry I'll see you in class, mate.” Ron got up and headed to NEWT Transfiguration that they all had first period.

“What? No `goodbye' to me? Am I invisible?” Hermione asked, faking offense.

“Did you take my cloak this morning?” Harry teased, getting his voice back.

Hermione punched him on the arm, “No you git, and that's not funny.”

“No, I think you just creeped him out a little with the images of McGonagall getting turned on. Hell it gave me the shivers.”

“Oh grow up Harry.” Hermione was pretending to be angry with him but a smile betrayed her acting.

“Uh huh. See, you can't be mad at me. I'm too... what was it you called me last year? Ah fanciable. That's it, I drive the witches nutters with this smile.” Harry theatrically popped his collar and puffed out his chest. Hermione blushed slightly.

“I must have been taking the mickey that day I swear. I should have never fed your ego. I've created a monster.” She sighed.

Before Harry could respond the post owls came in to deliver the morning mail. As per usual, about a dozen dropped pink scented letters with little hearts drawn on them and enchanted so that they danced around the envelope or shimmered.

“Ah your fan mail has arrived Harry.” Hermione teased and rolled her eyes.

Harry groaned in response, “ I don't think I should even bother to open them. They all say the same thing, they want to marry me and bear my children and the older ones give detailed descriptions of creating said children.”

“I'm guessing that change of heart on Rita Skeeter's part didn't do much to stop your letters from coming. That last article was pretty umm flattering.”

“She talked to a Seer about predicting my abilities in bed, Hermione!And then gave a full account in her column! I think I miss when she wrote trash about me rather than go on about how wonderful I am. Tell me, what does defeating Voldemort have to do with getting a witch to uhh you know…”Harry blushed a shade of pink.

Hermione snickered, “I have no idea Harry but I can bet she is having fun trying to find out, along with all the authors of the letters. Although that article about the Seer was interesting… ”

Harry's eyes bugged, “You read it!”

“Yes of course I did. I'm just as curious as any other witch about the coveted Harry Potter.” Hermione giggled and wondered why she really did read the blasted thing.

Harry rolled his eyes and looked at his watch, “We better get going or we'll be late and I don't want detention.”

“Mmm I don't think she would actually give The-Man-Who-Saved-Humanity and is Good-In-The-Sack detention for being a tiny bit late.”

“She'll give me one just as soon as she would you Miss Head Girl. And I really don't want a teacher thinking about me… that way if you don't mind. Ugh!”

Harry and Hermione got up and headed to class. They were just passing an alcove covered by tapestry and heard giggling within the space. Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry grimaced as they continued on to class, they didn't want to see a heavy snogging session this early in the day. Harry however had the strange impulse to try out that crevice later and the image of the other person with him made him do a mental headshake.

They arrived in class and were surprised not to see Ron at their table. Before they could inquire about his absence he stumbled into his seat looking a tad more disheveled than previously this morning.

Harry raised an eyebrow at Hermione who shrugged.

“Ron, everything all right mate?”

“Oh yeah I just uh went to the library and kind of nodded off again.” He looked sheepish and Hermione knew he was lying.

Harry didn't fully believe his best friend either but didn't push it when McGonagall rapped for attention and another grueling class began.

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Ron was the first to stumble though the portrait hole after dinner that night. Hermione followed and Harry after her.

They plopped down in front of the fire and Harry had to use some willpower not to stare at it. Ron glanced at the clock and sprang up as if he had sat on a sharp quill.

“Well those classes were really something weren't they? I think I'm uhh gonna go down to the library and look up uhh that thing for potions. I'll see you two later, uhh have fun on rounds.” And he dashed out the common room leaving baffled friends behind.

“Hermione…”Harry began but was cut off.

“Yes I've noticed it too Harry. Its not just your imagination.”

“At least he doesn't skip rounds, then I'd be pissed. Who does he have rounds with anyway.”

She sighed, “Umm I think Hannah Abbott or Luna. It depends.”

“Its funny, these past few weeks I hardly see him and when I do he's always out of breath. I don't get it.”

“Hmm yes it is strange. And then this morning when he said he was going to class but he was almost late.”

“Weird”

“Mmm very. Oh I need to start that Runes homework before rounds tonight.”

Harry groaned. “Uhh can't we get someone else to do them tonight?”

Hermione shot a disapproving glance, “No you're Head Boy and that has responsibilities. Besides Ginny is in the hospital wing with a bad flu and it's not fair to send Justin out alone. We can do it since our work load is light tonight.”

Harry mumbled something that sounded like `okay fine' and headed up to his dorm to grab his Firebolt. It wasn't dark yet and he wanted to get a little flying time in before going out on rounds.

Harry walked down to the Quidditch pitch and pulled a snitch out of his pocket. Lupin had given it to him for his birthday to practice with. Harry has a suspicion it was the same one his father had stolen since the regular practice snitches sold were a bronze color and this was gold.

Harry let it go and it zoomed into the direction of the slowly setting sun. He counted to twenty, hopped on his broom and soared into the air at breakneck speed. He did a few loops and other tricks just to get in the mood. Flying was nice for thinking.

He thought of Ginny in the hospital wing, he wondered where she had been that day. He didn't even notice she was missing, not even for two days.

Ginny Weasley was a She in his thoughts, one of two. Guess who the other one was.

Thinking about Ginny made him sigh, but it was not one of longing or unrequited love, it was confusion and frustration.

Months ago they had parted ways (okay so he dumped her) and she was in agreement with it. Half the summer her wanted her back; it consumed him for about a month until the horocrux search got serious. Harry, Hermione and Ron left to find and destroy them and Harry realized that he didn't want Ginny as his girlfriend anymore. And he was pretty sure she felt the same. The entire time he was around her, she didn't make a single indication that he was more than a friend to her. It hurt a little but with Ron and Hermione with him he soon forgot about it. It wasn't until they got back in school that she started showing interest, and it confused the hell out of him.

Hogwarts opened in mid October instead of early September and the three friends started their seventh and final year. Harry was shocked when he was made Head Boy but not at all surprised when Hermione Granger was made Head Girl. Who saw that coming eh?

He did feel a little bad for Ron, he knew his best mate had always dreamed of being Head Boy, he had seen it in the mirror but Harry told McGonagall that he would need help with Quidditch so Ron was named co-captain along with being a prefect. He also had some great tactics on the field that he was too shy to voice before. Helping to hunt Voldemort had given him a little more confidence. He still turned slightly green at the thought of playing a game in front of (shock) people but could handle it better now.

The first game of the season he blocked half of the goals and that was a major improvement.

Ginny did not try out for the team this year which Harry though odd and instead replaced her chaser position with a very talented fourth year.

No she seemed to want to concentrate on her studies and prefect duties, and dating. Harry guessed that the game wasn't as fun for her anymore. He accepted that but when she started coming on to him and giggling with her friends when he walked by he started to wonder. He always saw her on the arm of her flavor of the week in the halls and just shrugged it off, it didn't hurt at all. Dean Thomas however looked crest fallen for the first few weeks. Harry figured she had moved on, until she started talking different, lowering her voice an octave so he had to strain to listen, that fluttering thing she did with her eyelashes and the way she would umm brush against him.

What really did it though was when she cornered him last week after practice outside the locker rooms and planted a big hello kiss on his lips. He froze in shock.

She giggled and whispered in his ear that she umm `missed him' and to think about starting things up again.

“Think about it long and hard Harry.” She purred into his ear.

Harry didn't tell Ron, he was afraid his friend would die of shock and he was not going to tell Hermione, she and Ginny had enough trouble getting along these days.

Instead he turned to Neville who looked slightly disappointed when Harry told him about the kissing and the purring.

Neville gave Harry a weak smile, “Well Harry do you fancy the lady or not. That's the basis of your problem.”

Harry didn't like Ginny anymore or he didn't fancy her. He still thought of her as a good friend but wasn't entirely looking forward to telling her that.

“No I don't really fancy her anymore Neville.”

“Then you have to tell her Harry. Otherwise she'll think you do and it will only hurt her more. Then she won't be able to move on.”

Harry nodded his head and was about to ask Neville if he was all right when the Gryffindor ran off to help Professor Sprout or so he said.

Harry thought about all of that while he flew in circles. Then the other She slowly crept into his thoughts like she always did. Harry was very unsure about that one. But at the same time he was so sure about her.

Hermione and Ron had dated for about a month until they both realized that it had sounded like a good idea but really wasn't. By the beginning of July their relationship was done and over with. And for some reason Harry was relieved. It was a week before the three were leaving to go on their horocrux hunt when Ron and Harry conspired to keep Hermione occupied and safe.

They, well Harry really, talked her into going to grab a book from Hogwarts before they left. The three arrived at Hogwarts and the boys said they would wait in the front hall while Hermione got whatever it was. They counted to one hundred and slowly crept into the shadows and popped over to their first wizarding village to start the search. They had left a note for Hermione on a table in the library explaining and boy was she mad. They underestimated their best friend because she caught up with them a week after they left. And she hexed them within an inch of their lives. She forgave Ron easily because she knew it wasn't his idea, but she stayed mad at Harry, the mastermind, for several weeks.

She finally forgave him after a huge screaming match between the two in their rooms. Harry pressed that he was just concerned about her safety and Hermione insisted that she could take care of herself. Ron conveniently missed this row while he was having a butterbeer down in the pub of the inn.

Hermione was adamant about staying with both of the boys, assuring them that they needed her and reminding them of all the times they would have died if it had not been for her.

Lately Harry was forced to spend more and more time with Hermione because Ron kept disappearing to who knows where.

Harry looked at his watch and saw that he had rounds with Hermione in five minutes. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he forgot about the snitch. He pulled out his wand; “Accio Snitch”, and it flew into his hand.

Now why couldn't he do that during a match?

He flew over to the front doors and ran like hell to the common room and he made it with a minute to spare.

He dumped the broom in his trunk and met Hermione at the bottom of the stairs.

“Ready?”

“Sure, lets go get this over with.”

They walked along the corridors for about an hour with no sight of any students out past curfew.

“Ugh Hermione, no one's out tonight, can't we go back now?”

“Harry we need to finish.” Harry gave her puppy dog eyes and she sighed, “Fine, you check this hall and I'll check that one, then we'll meet up to check the astronomy tower and then we'll stop. Fair?”

“All right, do you want the right or the left?”

“Left.” She replied as they went their separate ways.

Hermione checked a few classrooms and closets with not a single student out of bed. She sighed, maybe Harry was right and they should just turn in early. She was checking the dark corners of the Beginning Ancient Runes classroom when someone crept up behind her.

“Hermione, fancy meeting you here.”

She whipped out her wand and turned around to find Draco Malfoy smirking in front of her.

“Malfoy, you're out past curfew. I'll have to take ten points.”

He shrugged, “Fine by me Hermione.”

She wondered when he had started calling her `Hermione' instead of `Granger' she never noticed the shift. Granted, she had been his only vote of confidence when he wanted to switch sides, which sent Harry and Ron through the roof.

Ever since then he had been well… nicer to her. He had been very nice of late, a fact that made her just a tad nervous because of hi8s reputation with witches.

“What are you doing out his late anyway?”

“Ah it's nice to know you care.”

“Not really. I just want To know if you're up to something .”

“Only trying to find you Gorgeous.”

“Why? And I hate it when you call me that.”

“Ah and that's why I do. I was hoping to talk to you alone away from Potty and the Weasel.”

“They have names you know. It wouldn't hurt you to use them after all they've done for you. Or did you forget.” Hermione was getting slightly angry now, she was fine talking with Malfoy, he really wasn't that bad, especially after his umm `enlightenment' of a brush with death. But she hated it when he referred to Harry and Ron like that.

“Yes but I still don't like them even after all of `that' as you call it.”

She rolled her eyes, “Malfoy get to your dorm. Now.”

“Oh but we didn't get to talk yet..”

“We just did, now go.”

“Hermione, go out with me. Hogsmeade is next weekend, go with me?”

That was the other peculiar part of Draco's behavior lately. For the past few months he had been asking Hermione out and she kept refusing. He claimed that he saw her in a new light and that he liked what he saw very much. He always phrase it as a request not a question. Typical Malfoy, never saying please, thinking he would get his way.

“For the thousandth time, no. Stop asking.” She replied flatly.

“But it's so much fun to see you get angry. Your really very fanciable when you are.”

Hermione had her fill of the cocky Slytherin so she walked to the door and out into the hall. Draco right on her heels.

She was almost at the end of the hall where the corridors crossed and led to the astronomy tower when he called out to her again.

“Hermione, stop please.”

“Go back to your dorm Draco, this is the last time I'm telling you!”

“Oh you used my first name.” He grinned smugly.

“Maybe if I do, then you'll listen for once before I give you detention.”

He leaned down to speak in her ear, “Mmmm if it's with you then I'd like detention every night for a month.”

Hermione?” Harry appeared from the hall to the left, “Malfoy! Why are you past curfew.”

Harry did not like how close Malfoy was to Hermione or what he said to her. He had been listening in the shadows for a moment to see if hexing the git was worth detention.

She brightened when she saw him, “Harry are you finished? Malfoy was just going back to his dorm.”

“Yes that's right Potter, I was just having a little chat with the lovely Hermione here.” Malfoy smirked seeing how much he was agitating Harry.

“Uh huh.” Harry replied stepping towards Hermione, teeth clenched, “Well you better get going Malfoy.” His hand gripped a little harder on his wand at his side. Draco saw the small movement and backed away from Hermione. He had been at the receiving end of Harry's wand earlier in the summer and knew he was no match for the Gryffindor.

He turned and walked down the hall calling out to Hermione, “Think about my offer.”

Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry asked, “What was that about?”

“He corned me in the Runes classroom to ask me out again. Then he followed me up here.”

“I heard what he said to you about his detention.”

Hermione turned pink, “Oh that… he's just umm..”

“He's a wanker and I almost hexed him just for that. I had a good one thought up too.”

“Harry no…”

“Hermione… just because he helped our side does not mean he's a totally different person. I don't like the way he talks to you or looks at you. He's still the same old Malfoy capable of his tricks.”

“In his defense he is a little better.”

Harry grunted, “He might have a slightly better outlook on things but I still can't stand him. And if he bothers you again I hope you tell me so I can...”

“Harry…”

“What? You know you enjoyed him being turned into a ferret! And then the slug? How about a nice flobberworm or better yet, a pygmy puff! I think he would look nice as a purple one.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Was anyone down that corridor?”

“No.”

“No one down mine either. Come one, we can check the tower then call it a night.”

“Yes. Lets go.” He grabbed her hand and rushed to the door of the tower and pulled it open.

Hermione's blood pounded, why was she excited to get up to the tower with Harry? Or was it just a leftover reaction from her anger at Malfoy?

But, why did he seem so happy to get her up there? Looking for students isn't that interesting.

“Well Harry, one would think you are overly excited to get me in the tower,” she smirked and Harry chuckled.

“In your dreams Granger.” Harry smiled as he pulled her along, entwining her fingers with his as they walked up the stairs. Hoping that no one would really be up there and they could just sit up there for a while.

“Ah those would be nightmares Potter.” Harry put his free hand over his heart feigning hurt.

Hermione rolled her eyes as they walked up the stairs, but they stopped in their tracks when they heard giggling and smooching noises and their hands parted.

Hermione put her finger to her lips and Harry nodded.

“Oh Ronald...”a girl's voice cooed.

Harry bumped into Hermione's back and met her wide eyes with his own.

“Ron?” they mouthed at the same time.

Harry leaned down to whisper in her ear “Uhh does that giggling sound familiar?”

Hermione's mouth dropped open, “No…its not… from this morning? The alcove?” she whispered back.

Harry nodded his head and they both broke out in sheepish smiles as realization dawned.

“On three.” Harry told her and she nodded.

“One”, he smiled

“Two”, she snickered.

“Three!” they whispered and both burst in on Ron on the old couch with a wiggling girl under him who was hidden by his chest when his head shot up.

“Blimey you two almost gave me a heart attack!”

“Ronald?” asked the girl and Harry and Hermione were further shocked when she sat up and looked at them.

“Oh! Hello Harry, Hello Hermione.” Luna Lovegood calmly greeted them as if this kind of thing happened all the time.

“I uhh umm…Luna , Ron its umm after curfew, way past actually and I'm… we're not going to take away house points but you two really need to get out of here. Or we all could be in trouble.” Hermione stammered and Harry nodded in agreement.

“Oh yes it is rather late.” Replied Luna getting up and straightening out her uniform. “I'll see you tomorrow Ronald.” And she traipsed down the stairs and back to her dorm.

Harry and Hermione just stared at Ron who turned beet red.

“Well Ron, uh mate, do you want to explain what just happened?” Harry shuffled his feet a bit.

“Umm well you see Harry this umm thing with Luna it just started. A few weeks ago, she was ummm and I was ummm and then it ummm.”

“That's a lot of ummm Ron.” Hermione replied trying not to laugh, she felt better when she saw that Harry was dismally hiding a smile as well.

“It… I was going to tell both of you tomorrow. I just wanted to make sure it was umm the real thing you know?”

“Yeah okay well we'll talk about it tomorrow then, but you better get back to the dorms or we'll all be in trouble, right Hermione?”

“Right you are Harry, night Ron!”

“Uhhh night Harry, Hermione,” Ron replied scratching his head as he ambled down the stairs and out the door.

The two friends stood there for a moment in surprise.

“I...I…I don't believe it.” Harry stammered now.

“Why not?”

“He never said anything. Ever.”

“Luna told me she liked him and asked what she should do. I told her to go for it.”

Harry's eyes bugged out of his head, “You did! But why? I mean doesn't this bother you a little? After you and Ron…”

“No. I'm fine, I don't care really.” Hermione smiled but Harry was still confused,

“Does it bother you that it doesn't bother you?”

“First of all that makes no sense and no. Like I said I don't care, its fine.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Okay if you're sure. But I could talk to him about it..”

“Harry…”, Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly, warning in her voice.

“Okay, okay I get it, it's fine.” Harry backed off, hands up in surrender at the look his friend shot him.

“Come on lets go, we're done for tonight.”

Harry nodded as they walked back to their common room, slightly disappointed at her words, but unsure why.

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“So tell me again how exactly you got her up to the tower?” Harry asked over breakfast the next morning.

Hermione reached over and smacked the back of his head, “Ow! Bloody hell Hermione I just want to know what I'm doing wrong!”

“Harry!”

“Oh ease off Hermione. Ole' Harry here deserves a good snog just as much as anyone.” Ron replied after swallowing his eggs.

“But I don't know how I did it. I think it was her idea really…can't remember since I wasn't really thinking about it.”

“I still can't believe you were in the tower with Luna!” Harry chuckled and Hermione rolled her eyes.

“It's simple really. Luna has fancied Ron for ages, she told me last summer. And I told her to do something about it just like I did…” Hermione paused, “Umm so as I was saying I told her to get on with it and I guess she did.” She shrugged her shoulders as if she had no more to say on the topic.

What she had not said however was about Ginny. She was the person who had convinced Ginny to go for what she wanted (meaning Harry) eventually and now felt semi-responsible for creating a monster.

It was pretty obvious from their short time back in school that Ginny was definitely interested in Harry even though she ignored him half the summer.

Hermione didn't miss the wanton looks the young Weasley shot Harry or the way she would brush against him and linger too long, more than what was friendly. Then there was the talk.

Gossip. Hermione hated gossip.

And it was everywhere, in the bathrooms, the dorms and even the library and especially on breaks. Everyone was talking about Harry and who wanted him, who he might end up with and all manner of other topics about Harry they could come up with. Every girl in Hogwarts had `Harry Fever'.

Hermione thought she had heard everything possible about Harry and Ginny and a good bit about herself and Ron until the end of the first week of school.

It was between Lavender and Pavarati one evening, Ginny had become somewhat friends in the past few months, closer than before.

She remembered the whispers between the two, or what they thought were whispers in their dorm room. Hermione was heading to get her last carton of belongings to move to the Heads dorms, when she heard `Lav' tell `Pav' what Ginny confided in her after dinner.

“No way! She told you that?”

“Yes, I swear Pav. Ginny told me that she is totally over Dean and now that Harry is back, and alive not to mention, she is going to get him back.”

“How?” Pav asked with wide eyes Hermione could see though the crack in the door.

“She's going to seduce him” Lav giggled and Pav let out a snort of indignation.

“Yeah if Hermione will let her.”

“Pav, do you know something I don't?”

“Mmmm possibly.”

“Tell.” Lavender was practically jumping up and down.

“Ginny is afraid of Hermione.”

“What! Did she tell you that?”

“Nope. I can see it in her face. Whenever Harry is talking to Hermione she gets this scared look on her face. I think that Harry likes her too.” Pavarati smiled.

“You think? Well Ginny has been throwing herself at Harry and he has been ignoring her…” Lavender pondered, tapping her chin.

“Yes and who does he run to?”

“Hermione,” they said in unison. At that moment the object of gossip made a big production of knocking on the door to retrieve her things and the two clamed up.

Hermione wasn't surprised. She had guessed that Ginny might have tried to forget about Harry thinking that he might not come back. That did infuriate her, that Ginny had no faith in him. And now that he was back, Ginny would love to call him hers. Thinking back, she did rush to the boys that had some type of reputation, like she glowed in their limelight instead of creating her own.

“Hermione. Hermione…hello!” Harry waved his hand in front of her face.

“Ron I think we've lost her to la la land.”

“Mmmm hmmm” Ron nodded.

Hermione looked up from her half eaten breakfast, “What? Oh I'm sorry were you saying something?”

Harry shook his head, “Thinking about a book again?”

“Uhhh yes.” Hermione gave a Cheshire smile that did not go unnoticed.

“I was asking you if you were going with us to the next Hogsmeade weekend?” Ron hesitated.

“Oh, umm yes. I think I'll have enough homework done by then.”

Harry rolled his eyes, “And even if you don't. You're going anyway.” And he shoved a piece of toast in Hermione's mouth as she opened it to protest much to Ron's amusement.

“Oi! Harry we should have tried that sooner mate!” Ron laughed and ducked as Hermione threw an apple at his head and chewed her toast.

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