A/N: Please, read the author note at the end.
Chapter 8 - A Look Inside
It was a tradition that, after the first match of the Season, a party was held in Oliver's house. That was, if it was a victory for the team, of course. So far, the Chudley Cannons had won every first match since Harry had entered in the team. I liked this parties better, because they were smaller and there was no press - or Harry's fans - around.
"Hi guys!" the high pitched voice of Ginny Weasley greeted us as soon as we entered in Oliver's House.
"And what are you doing here? You are not a member of the team," Ron said.
"Neither are you."
"No, but I'm a friend of Oliver, which happens to own this house."
"I'm a friend of Oliver too."
"No, you are not," Ron smirked.
"Well... I'm a friend of Harry and he is the Seeker of the Team," Ginny pointed. "Isn't that right, Harry?"
Harry rolled his eyes and laughed. I wasn't paying too much attention to the sibling's quarrel. I was too focused on that kiss I had seen... Well, I hadn't really seen it, so I couldn't be sure if she had kissed him... But it looked so much like that...
I was deeply uncomfortable with the situation, to say the least. I was jelaous, I hated to admit it, but that was a fact. But I felt ridiculous feeling jealous over some stupid little thing, and that made me mad at myself. There was no way I was going to talk to Harry about it. It was absurd. I had to get over it. The problem was I couldn't got it out of my head.
"Look, Snape and Trelawney are snogging!"
"What?" I asked immediately, waking up from my confusing feelings and looking everywhere to see the shocking scene.
The only thing I saw, though, was Ginny grinning at me. "I finally got your attention."
I realized that Harry and Ron had left us alone... As usual, I was so deep in thought that the outside world had shut down. I smiled sheepishly at Ginny and tried to push all my worries to the back of my head.
I looked for Harry and spotted him near the bar, talking to Ron while he served butterbeer.
"Isn't he the most gorgeous guy you have ever seen?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, he is," I replied, smiling to myself.
Ginny let out a sigh of exasperation. "I'm not talking about Harry. Geez, give me a break, don't you ever stop thinking about him?"
I gave it a thought. "No." I laughed when she rolled her eyes. "Well, who is supposed to be the most gorgeous guy I have ever seen then?" I asked, mimicking her.
"Alan, of course," Ginny said dreamily. I followed her gaze and saw Alan, leaning against the fireplace, quiet as ever.
"I thought you had forgotten about him," I commented.
"And what gave you that idea?"
"You seemed pretty happy with that other guy last week, in the Opening Season Party..."
"Pu-lease, Hermione, you can't be serious. He was just... an entertainment," Ginny said shrugging.
"Entertainment? Lovely."
"Whatever. It's different with Alan... He's... I don't know... different."
I was perfectly aware that the main reason why Ginny was becoming so obsessed with Alan was because he didn't pay any attention to her. I was about to say something else to her, when Ginny's expression changed and she frowned.
"Great, my night has been ruined," she said through gritted teeth. "Why is she here?"
I didn't need to look to know that she was talking about Cho. She had just entered in Oliver's house and was now greeting some people.
"I think she's here because this is a party for the team," I said, smiling at Ginny's frown.
"Just look how she flirts with everyone, the bloddy sl-"
"Gin," I cut her off. "Let her be, what do you care?"
She stared at me with widened eyes. "Are you kidding me? How can you be so cool about this? Don't you care that, among the huge amount of guys she flirts with, is Harry, your boyfriend, and future fiance, or so you wish?"
My smile faded a little whe I remembered the kiss, or whatever it was. The truth was that Cho was a little flirty and maybe a bit annoying. I scolded myself. I shouldn't be thinking like that.
"Well, I have nothing to worry about. It's not like I can really be jealous of Harry. I trust him."
Ginny snorted loudly. "He's a guy, how can you trust one of them?" I glared at her. "OK, fine, maybe you're right, Harry is not a regular guy... But Cho is a professional. I mean she's the kind of women that would do anything, and I mean anything to get what she wants... She could give him a Love Potion, or cast the Imperius Curse on him... Or even make him believe that you asked your father to write a letter to an old friend to keep him where you wanted and then kiss him on your wedding day..."
"Hey!" I stopped her, furious. "You didn't have to bring that up!"
"Couldn't help it," Ginny said, holding her laugh. "But on a more serious tone, don't you hate her?"
"No."
"Dislike her?"
"No."
"Despise her at least a little?"
"NO."
"I can tell when you're lying," she said in a satisfied tone.
"OK, FINE, maybe she's not my favourite person on Earth... But I have no reason to think bad of her. It's not like I have the right to be jealous, and I don't see why I should get all paranoid just because she's working with Harry and seeing him everyday and smiling at him and hugging him when they win a match!" I said, louder than I had expected.
Ginny looked at me proudly. "See? I knew you had it in you. You're jealous!"
"I'm not," I protested, in vain.
"Hey, a little of jealousy is healthy."
"Last time I got jealous wasn't very nice, as you kindly reminded me a minute ago," I said, sighing. "I almost ruined Ron's wedding. And I don't want to be judgamental with Cho, when I don't really know her. Last year I hated Liz and look what a great person she turned out to be."
Ginny gave me look of disbilief. "Uh, ok, first, Cho isn't and will never ever be a great person... And, my, Herm, you are totally traumatized."
"Excuse me?"
"The whole Ron thing really affected you. You haven't been able to get out of your head that all that happened because you weren't able to control your emotions as you usually do and let them got the best of you... You don't want that to happen again and that's why you are so desperate to be a perfectly calm person, always reasonable and understanding..."
"You could earn a lot as a shrink," I commented with sarcasm. Inwardly, though, I was slightly frightened of her ability to see right through me.
"This isn't good, Hermione," she said, ignoring me. "You can't be just 'all head' and no heart. You have to let your emotions flow, express your feelings. If you're angry, sad or jealous, you have to let it go out of you, or else you are going to explode."
"I think that's enough psychoanalisis, Ginny."
"For instance, you should tell Harry how you really feel about the marriage thing..."
I lifted my eyebrows. "This coming for the person that was suggesting I should pretend I didn't want to get married?"
"Well, I guess that works for me but not for you and Harry. Come on Hermione, you two used to talk about everything, you never doubted to tell him if something was on your mind... You've always have the guts to confront him, even when everyone else, including me, is too scared to do it... Why can you do that now? Why can't you just tell Harry that-"
"Tell me what?" Harry's voice said.
Ginny and I looked up. Harry had just come with butterbeer for Ginny and me. Ron was standing behind him and I noticed he sighed. Harry eyed Ginny and then me.
"Tell me what?" he repeated.
"Tell you..." I started, desperately trying to think of a good excuse.
"Hi, Hermione!" Cho suddenly said. I hadn't even realized she had approached to us. "It's so good to see you again," she added, smiling at me.
"Yeah, hi," I said, a little confused with her attitude. However, I was kinda thankful for her interrupting us and drifting Harry's attention from the conversation Ginny and I were having.
Talking about Ginny... She was glaring at Cho with disgust.
"I guess you can't be more proud of Harry," Cho continued. "He was wonderful today."
"It wasn't anything that great," Harry said, with modesty. "You, on the other hand, were amazing."
Ginny gave me a side glance. "Come on Harry, don't be shy. We all know that the Seeker's job is the toughest. Not anyone can do it... Some people even change their positions when they realize they are not good enough..." she gave a quite obvious look at Cho.
Ron turned around violently, and I knew he was making a huge effort not to laugh. Harry stared at Ginny, blinking, probably wondering if she had said that on purpose. Cho, who had certainly caught the indirect, smiled at her in a strange way.
"Oh yes, you are... Mmm, sorry, I forgot your name."
"She's Ginny Weasley," Harry said, when Ginny didn't answer. "And this is Ron, do you remember him?" he added.
"Sure," Cho said, giving one more glance to Ginny, before turning to me again. "Well, I hope we can chat a little later. See you around!" she said, leaving us alone.
"Chat a little?" Ron asked, confused. He turned to me. "You two?"
"She probably wants to try and hex Hermione or something," Ginny said.
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked, surprised. "Cho wouldn't do that."
"She wouldn't have the chance, you mean," Ginny pointed, looking at Harry with a frown. "It's not like she could hex Hermione."
"Still..."
"I can't stand her," Ginny said, stating the obvious... Well, at least the obvious for Ron and me, because it was fresh news for Harry.
"Why do you dislike her?"
"Let's see, where should I start? She's annoying, flirty, cynical, pathetic, and oh, don't forget desperate-"
"You don't even know her," Harry cut in.
"Why are you defending her?" Ginny asked, upset.
"Because she's a nice girl, and she's anything like you just described her," Harry said, calmly.
"Please, Harry, you're so naive. And I do know her quite well." Ginny turned to me. "Hermione, say something."
"I think this whole conversation is pointless," I said, wanting to change the subject. I was, however, a little shocked that Harry was about to get in an argument with Ginny to stick up for Cho. I shot a glance to Ron for his backup.
"I feel like dancing," he said. "Come on, Gin," he added, grabbing her hand.
"Hey, what's teh fun in dancing with your brother?" she protested, but followed him anyway.
Harry turned to me. "I didn't know that Ginny hated Cho so much. Why? I mean, they have never talked too much."
"Well, she's a Weasley after all... They tend to be a little... extreme when they dislike people. She must have her reasons," I said, shrugging.
"You're right." He grinned at me and offered his hand. "Let's go and show off a little in the dance floor, shall we?"
I laughed. "Where did that sentence come from? Besides, I don't see how we're going to show off if none of us is a great dancer."
"Ouch, that hurt my ego," he teased, and led me to the place where the rest were dancing.
* * *
Ron looked at his two best friends dancing next to him and Ginny. They were smiling and wrapped in a hushed conversation. He couldn't help but feel a little better, although he was still worried.
Ever since they had left the Stadium, he had been debating with himself wether he should tell Harry that Hermione knew all along he pretended to propose to her. When they had left Ginny and Hermione alone in the party for a while, he almost told him. But then, moved by a better judgement he had learnt from his wife, he hadn't. He decided he would talk to Liz first. She always knew what to do, specially in cases envolving relationships.
He wasn't a very intuitive person. His theories concerning pretty much anything were always wrong and he didn't have a sixth sense to help him see things the others didn't. But, even without those qualities, he still knew Harry and Hermione like he knew himself, and it was getting really hard to understand what was going on with them. He just wished someone could explain it to him!
Why Harry was so afraid of proposing to her? Even before Hermione said what she said at the Burrow, he was having troubles with it. Too much preparation... He made it sound as if was the hardest task in the world. It was Hermione, for Heaven's sake. They've been friends forever and they loved each other!
And why Hermione didn't want to get married? It couldn't be the career thing, he was sure about it. Besides, it wasn't like marrying Harry could stop her from accomplishing great things. They were practically married after all. They lived right next to each other and spent most of their time together. He couldn't think of a good and logical reason for her attitude.
"Ron, I swear to God, if you step on my toes one more time, I'll hex you!" Ginny said, annoyed.
Ron snapped back in reality and looked at his sister. "Ooops, sorry, I wasn't paying attention," he apologized, darting his eyes to Harry and Hermione again.
Only Harry wasn't dancing with Hermione anymore. He was with Cho.
* * *
"Hey Potter," Oliver said, approaching to us during the dance. He was dancing with his wife, Laura, a really nice brunette who cooked wonderfully. "I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but do you think you could ask Chang to dance? She's been sitting there all by herself and we did promise her we would make her feel comfortable here. You don't mind, do you Hermione?" he asked looking at me, hopefully.
For a second I considered answering "Yes, I do. Why don't you ask her?" I knew that Oliver wanted Cho to feel good in the team, specially after her great performance that day. I looked at Harry, who was looking at me in return, expecting me to say something.
"Of course not," said my practical side. I let go of Harry's hand. "Go, Harry, you were supposed to make her feel at home," I added, trying my best not to sound sarcastic.
He looked at me a little unsure, but before I changed my mind, I left him on the dance floor and walked towards the bar. I knew that Ginny would go mad yelling at me afterwards for being so 'understanding'.
Harry approached to Cho and offered her to dance. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but she looked surprise, and after a quick exchange of words (probably she was asking him what about me) they started dancing. Thanks God it wasn't a slow song.
"What are you doing here all by yourself?" asked someone beside me.
I turned to look at Alan. "Hi," I said. When I realized he was expecting an answer, I added "Harry is dancing with Cho."
"Oh," he said, staring at me quizzically. "Are you and her good friends?"
"No, not really," I answered. "Why?"
He shrugged. "I don't know, it's just that she talks so much about you--"
"She talks about me?" I asked, frowning. "What does she say, exactly?"
"She speaks highly of you... To me at least. She says you're smart, funny... you know, that kind of things."
I blinked in surprise. Surely, there had to be a hidden motive for her to do that. I couldn't help but wander what could that be.
"Would you like to dance?" Alan asked next.
"I wasn't aware you danced," I said. "I've never seen you doing it, and I think he have attended a few parties together." I've never seeing him talking like that to anyone either, but I avoided to mention that.
"I usually don't, but I can make an exception if I'm in good company."
I smiled and accepted his offer. I was hoping I could get near Ginny and Ron and switch partners, so that Ginny could finally have a moment with Alan.
I noticed that Harry was looking at us with surprise, and he raised his eyebrows at me. Probably, he was just as surprised as I was with Alan's attitude. I shrugged at him and led him right next to Ginny and Ron.
Both Weasleys looked at us a little bit shocked.
"Hello," I said, as if I had just seen them.
Ginny found herself out of words and just smiled at us. We kept dancing for another five minutes. All the way, I tried to hint Ron giving him looks that I wanted him to ask me to dance and leave Ginny with Alan. Of course, he didn't get it.
Finally, they started playing a slow song and I took my chance. "Oh Ron!" I squaled and he jumped alarmed. "This was our song, remember? You just have to dance it with me, come on."
Before he could say anything, I grabbed his nahd and gently pushed Ginny towards Alan. He stared at me confused, but started dancing with Ginny anyway. I led Ron a little afar from them.
"I didn't know this was our song," Ron said.
"We never had a song, silly. I was trying to get Alan and Ginny to dance together."
"So now you're playing matchmaker! Who said he was OK for my sister in the first place?"
"I did. He's a nice guy, Ron."
"Why are you dancing with him and now with me when you should be with Harry? And why is he dancing with her?"
"The fact that he's my boyfriend doesn't mean he has to dance only with me. Cho is his friend, and she was alone..."
"What a good samaritan you are," he snorted. "You two are acting really weird. I'm started to get a little bit scared?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know... You just don't feel like Harry and Hermione anymore. I mean, you are Hermione and he is Harry, but you don't look like Harry and Hermione..."
In that complicated way Ron has to say things, I understood completely what he meant by that.
And it was because, inside, I was feeling exactly the same thing.
* * *
A/N: OK, as you could see, this chapter is all about dialogues. Not much action, just talking, talking, talking.
I'm really sorry if you don't like conversations too much, but I really needed to explain Hermione's attitude a little. I needed to settle her motives and feelings to be at ease, because I was finding all this very unreasonable.
Now that I have written this, I feel better and able to move on with the story. So, from the next chapter, there will finally be some action and movement!!
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. It's really important to know your comments, suggestions and constructive criticism. See you!
By the way, my e-mail got all weird and I lost most of the messages I had... Including someone who had offered to beta for me. So, if you read this, please e-mail me again, because I really need someone to check this for me since english is not my first language!