A Comedy of Errors
Hermione sat by the "Hermione Table" in the Hogwarts library, reading a thick leather bound book. No, she wasn't studying. She was merely relaxing in her bit of "light reading". Pages after pages she turned, her eyes not leaving the book for one second for the last hour.
It was the day after their final exam in Hogwarts- the N.E.W.Ts. There would be no more exams coming up for Hermione and her friends. In a week's time, Hermione would be considered as an adult freshly out of school. She would be expected to make up her own minds, while making her ways in the bizarre wizard world. She knew she would miss the exams and the homework. She would miss even more of the library. After all, it had been seven years that she had first occupied this very same table. She had been there so often, dragging Harry and Ron with her, that Professor Dumbledore had engraved a golden plat saying "The Hermione Table- dedicated to the most famous trio of the decade- H/H/R" by its side.
There was a tapping noise on the window by the Hermione Table. Sighing, Hermione put the book she was holding down and looked up.
"Hedwig!" exclaimed Hermione as she stood and opened the window for the snowy owl. The poor owl could hardly hold herself up due to the heavy weight she was carrying.
Hedwig dropped her delivery to Hermione on the Hermione Table as soon as she could before flying away again to deliver the rest of her large pile of posts. Curiously, Hermione opened the card delivered to her.
My Dearest Darling,
It's the last week of my time in Hogwarts. Before I leave, I want to and have to tell you something. I still
couldn't believe that it took me all those years to notice you. Such wonderful two years we have spent together. I
can't help but feel sorry that it all has to end so soon. Please come by the lake tonight after dinner. I have a
long confession to make. I would be waiting for you there.
I remain,
Your Eternal Love
Hermione's heart leapt. It must have been from Harry. They had been dating for two years now, ever since the death of their beloved Sirius. Hermione blushed deeply as she pocketed the card, wondering what Harry would tell her that night. She knew that Harry would be trained as an Auror as soon as he graduate from Hogwarts. After all, Voldemort was still loose and Harry was getting desperate to revenge for his parents, Sirius and the other innocent lives Voldemort had taken. He must fulfill the Prophecy.
"What ever Harry is going to tell me," prayed Hermione as she packed up her ever so heavy bag, "please don't let it be too bad."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry stood nervously in front of the mirror, attempting once more to flatten his unruly hair. His palm was sweating terribly. The comb he was holding was getting so slippery that he had dropped it in the sink for at least ten times.
"You will never tame it, you know," the mirror sneered at Harry.
"Yeah, what ever," Harry mumbled as he turned away from the insulting mirror. He walked back into the dormitory he shared with Ron and found Ron looking equally nervous.
Ron rubbed his hand together, "This is it, mate."
Harry nodded in reply, "I know."
The two boys had missed dinner to calm their nerves. They were so nervous about what was coming up that even Ron had trouble swallowing water.
Harry was dressed in his best dark green dress robe. He thrust his sweating hand into his pocket and fingered a square velvet box there. Good, thought Harry, it's still there.
Harry glanced at Ron one more time. He could see Ron's lips moving silently as if rehearsing some speech. Harry chuckled lightly to himself. At least he wasn't the most nervous among the two boys.
Trying to lighten up the atmosphere a little, Harry tried to start a conversation, "So what are you going to do with her?"
Ron gave Harry one of his famous death glare that he always gave Hermione after their big arguments in which he had lost, "Can't you see I am concentrating here? Shut up!"
"Okay, relax," Harry said calmly, despite that he could feel his heart was jumping out of his own throat. He glanced at his watch, seven o'clock-dinner was finishing. "Ron, it's time."
Harry grabbed his Firebolt and headed outside without looking at Ron. He knew that if he did, the worried look on Ron's face would freak him out and then he wouldn't be able to do it.
Grumbling, Ron followed Harry out with a large woolen cloak draping over his arm.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione was very curious. Both Harry and Ron missed dinner that night. It was unusual for Ron to miss his dinner. Beside her, a very excited Ginny was blushing and grinning nonstop. Looking over the Slytherine tables, Malfoy was unusually quiet that night and was playing with his food. Was it just her, or was Luna looking more dreamy than usual tonight?
Hermione shook her head. The world must be falling in love or something. How come just about everyone she knew was blushing or speechless? Something must be going on or she needed to go to St. Mungo for mental check up soon.
"What's all these giggling about?" Hermione poked Ginny on the ribs.
"Oh, nothing," giggled Ginny as her light blushed darkened noticeably.
Hermione's eyes narrowed in suspicion. However, seeing that the dinner was about to be finished, Hermione dismissed the thought and went up to her dormitory to get changed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Half an hour later, Hermione made her way to the lake dressed in her silk light blue dress robe. Her bushy hair flew wildly behind her. On the way, Hermione accidentally bumped into an over-jumpy Malfoy, who was heading towards the Forbidden Forest. Had she not had a meeting with Harry, Hermione would surely follow Malfoy and discover if the Slytherine prefect was up to any mischief.
A few minuets later, a rushing Ginny brushed past Hermione in a hurry, also heading towards the Forbidden Forest in her best robe. Hermione's eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. She blinked and slapped herself. After a while, she knew that it was no dream and that she was forced to accept the reality. Gulping hard, Hermione proceeded towards the lake.
A tall figure stood by the lake. Hermione guessed that it must have been Harry. However, this Harry was a little taller than usual. Also, under the moon light, his hair looked... red. This couldn't have been Harry, unless Harry had decided to change his hair color to surprise her.
"Harry?" Hermione whispered unsurely.
The figure turned abruptly and started to speak," Do you know that I really love you? I would really miss you when we part in a week. I have loved you ever since that night in the Department of Mystery. I must confess that I love you more than anything. You are everything to me. I can't live without you. Promise me that you will write often after I graduated. I... I... I love you. Would you be my girlfriend? Please!"
The moonlight shone on the figure's face and Hermione gasped out aloud, "Ron! Why did you ask me to meet you here? You know I belongs to Harry. How... how dare you?"
Ron's face fell instantly, "Harry? What?! You are in love with Harry? Luna, you God damn well know that Harry is Hermione's! How could you? Why does Harry always get what I want? First Hermione, now Luna too. I hate you, Harry Potter!"
Hermione was very confused, "Luna? Ron, I'm Hermione! Are you ok?"
Ron blinked, "What are you doing here? I thought you are meeting Harry right now."
"I thought I was too. The card told me to meet Harry by the lake. Why are you here instead of Harry?" accused Hermione as she pulled out the card.
Ron snatched the card from Hermione's grasp, "Oh NO! Hedwig gave you the wrong card. This is the one I sent to Luna! I would never ask you to meet me by the lake alone. I don't want to die yet and Harry is probably going to kill me for this!"
"The envelope said my name though."
"Harry and I wrote ours at the same time and I must have put them into the wrong envelope," groaned Ron. "Hurry and go to the Quidditch pitch and try to stop Luna from going there before she got there."
Hermione shook her head, "How typical of you to mess up everything. I'll go and send Luna here as soon as I can." Hermione turned and left. However, it took a lot of effort for her to stifle a laugh as she caught the horrid expression on Ron's face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry waited nervously in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, clutching his broomstick. He waited for a while before he heard some light footsteps coming towards him.
"Luna?" gasped a shocked Harry. "What are you doing here?"
The dreamy Luna's blond hair fell over her shoulder like pure gold. She stared dreamily at Harry for a second before going up to him. "Harry, I never thought it was you. Why did you abandon Hermione and chose me instead?" Luna asked dreamily as she threw her arms around Harry's neck.
"Um... Luna?" a bright red Harry asked.
"Hmm?" answered Luna as she laid her head on Harry's chest and closed her eyes.
Harry took a very deep breath, "Luna, you are not my date. Ron asked you out tonight, not me. Hermione should have been here instead of you."
Luna opened her eyes and pushed Harry away, a gleam twinkled in her eyes, "I knew it! You wouldn't abandon Hermione for anything."
"Go to the lake. Ron's waiting for you there. Let's hope Hermione didn't reach there first and tore Ron from limb to limb. Go now," said Harry.
Unexpectedly, Luna pulled Harry close again and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you!"
"Ahem!" a loud cough made Harry jump away from Luna instantly.
"What were you doing?" a now furious Hermione fumed.
"Uh oh!" Harry muttered. "This is not good. This is not good at all."
Hermione turned, apparently hurt, and ran off.
"Hermione!" shouted Harry as he rushed after Hermione, leaving Luna alone in the Quidditch pitch. "It's not what you think!"
Luna looked dreamily after Harry and Hermione as she whispered to herself, "How cute they are!" Seeing the couple walking further and further away, Luna shrugged and made her way over to the lake.