Disclaimer: Much to my dismay, Harry Potter and the entire magical Hogwarts world are still not mine. Rats. Perhaps in another dimension or parallel universe they could belong to me? In this one, however, JK Rowling still holds that honour.
Author's Note: Let me tell you, I was rather worried this chappie would not get posted on time; I had everything written except for the last couple of pages when my stupid computer messed up and I saw that dreaded message from my WordXP program, "Illegal program termination." Nooooooooooo-I got so into writing the story that I forgot to save every couple of paragraphs and everything new was lost! My PC was this close to death! *whines and bangs head on desk*
However, I promised you that I would have the update by March 25, so Kirstithemartyr *grins* soldiered on and rewrote (as best she could) the stuff that was lost. So, here it is, early and completed-Chapter 7. Hope you like!
HELPING NEVILLE
Chapter 7
At dinner in the Great Hall the next evening.
"Well?" Ron asked eagerly. "Idoohdoit?"
Harry collapsed into a chair and began listlessly spooning chicken casserole onto his plate. He looked rather depressed.
"Really, Ron," Hermione sounded disgusted. "Do you think you could open your mouth a bit wider? Some of us didn't get to see ALL of your food."
Ron glared and with an enormous swallow, managed to empty out his mouth. "To repeat the question that I asked HARRY," he said snippily-Hermione rolled her eyes and applied herself to her own dinner-"did you do it?"
Harry shot him a look and took an unenthusiastic bite of his food.
"WELL?"
Harry nodded.
"Great!" Ron said, slightly disconcerted by Harry's apathetic response. "Which one?"
"Which one what?"
"Which one did you ask?"
"Oh." Chew, swallow. "Susan-saw her first," was the less-than-ecstatic reply. Chew, swallow.
"Brilliant! I knew you had it in you, Harry," Ron shouted, pumping his fist in the air.
"Had what in him?" Seamus asked from down the table.
"Harry," Ron explained, once again stuffing his mouth full of chicken casserole. "Athked Susan Bones to the Va'ntine's Ball."
"Yeah, go Harry!" Seamus grinned.
Harry looked up to see Neville and Hermione staring at him, identical expressions of dismay plastered over both their faces.
He tipped his head in inquiry.
"Oh, um, that's great, Harry," Neville stammered out. "G-good for you then." He and Hermione exchanged glances.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Nothing," said Hermione shortly, giving him a bright smile. "Splendid news." Then she did something that completely floored Harry. She reached over, put her arm around Neville, and began whispering rapidly into his ear! Neville gave a small squeak, turned a dull red, and appeared to be about to pass out.
Harry watched in disbelief (Hermione was hugging Neville-without an ounce of shame!) as more frantic whispering from Hermione brought a reluctant smile to Neville's countenance.
Hermione was beaming.
Harry was frowning.
Ron was oblivious, hunched over his plate and attacking his dinner with vigor, secure in the knowledge that because of him, his best mate now had a date to the ball. What a wonderful friend he was, Ron congratulated himself!
Ginny, at the other end of the table, was stealing surreptitious glances at Neville and Hermione.
A few minutes later, Harry watched morosely as his female best friend and Neville left the Great Hall, supposedly for the common room. At least this time, Hermione allowed Neville to finish his dinner before dragging him off.
"So, Ron," Ginny smirked at her brother, "You're taking Luna to the Valentine's Ball, eh?"
Ron grinned broadly and nodded, looking a bit sheepish. "Yeah. She asked me."
"I don't know about that," Ginny giggled. "I heard she did more than just ask you."
Ron choked on a large piece of treacle tart and began turning an alarming shade of crimson. Ginny sighed in exasperation and got up to sit next to him. After a few hearty thumps on the back by Ginny, Ron was once again able to breath.
"What'd you hear?" he asked.
"Well," Ginny giggled again, "Natalie MacDonald saw Luna attempting to drag you into a broom closet; apparently that didn't quite work out and she had to . . . hem hem . . . (Ginny did a startlingly-good Umbridge imitation) snog you right there in a corner of the corridor. Gave poor Natalie quite an eyeful-and her only a fourth-year!"
Ron gaped at Ginny in disbelief, his face as red as his hair. "Maybe Natalie Mac-sodding-Donald should learn to mind her own business," he sputtered. "Incredible, eh, Harry?"
Harry was still staring in the direction of the door through which Hermione and Neville had vanished a couple of moments before. Ron nudged him.
"What?" asked Harry moodily.
This time it was Ron's turn to roll his eyes. "Hey, earth to Harry," rapping his knuckles on the side of Harry's head. "Anyone home in there?"
Harry just looked at him.
"Er, right then," said Ron, clearing his throat nervously. "All done there, Harry? You up for a game of Wizard's chess?"
Harry grunted and stabbed at his treacle tart.
Ginny shot her brother a quick look and laid a hand over Harry's. "What's wrong, Harry?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said shortly. Stab. Stab.
Ginny cleared her throat and shot an inquiring glance at her brother. Ron shrugged and shook his head.
"Harry," she forged on bravely, "you're going to the Valentine's Ball with Susan Bones?"
No response. Stab stab.
"You know Harry, if you're just going to mash that up, you might give it to me." Ron said sorrowfully.
Still no response. Stab stab.
"What happened with Hermione? I thought you were going to ask her to go with you," Ginny persisted.
"Yeah, well," Harry gave a bitter laugh, "Mr. Sensitive over there pretty much cocked that up for me."
Ron looked offended. "I only told her the truth," he said indignantly. Harry just looked at him. "What?"
"The truth, Ron? The truth?" And Harry proceeded to fill Ginny in on what had happened the night before. She looked at Ron incredulously and smacked him on the side of the head.
"Way to go, you prat!"
"Ow," Ron whined. "I was only trying to help."
"Next time don't," Harry said glumly.
"Fine!" Ron pushed out his chair. "I'll just . . ."
"Sit down," Ginny barked, seizing the back of Ron's robe and shoving him back into his seat.
"Wow, Gin," Ron chuckled a bit nervously. "You sounded just like Mum. Bit scary, really." At Ginny's stern look, he subsided and slumped down again.
"All right," she said in a commanding tone. "Here's what we're going to do . . ."
* * * * *
After Ginny's lengthy lecture, Ron, Harry, and Ginny headed back to the Gryffindor common room. Ron was convinced he'd be able to carry out Ginny's orders and sort things out with Hermione; Harry wasn't so sure. The whole business seemed dodgy, at best, and Ginny's plan required Ron to exercise subtlety-a quality he did not possess in abundance. However, Ginny seemed to believe that Ron could do it, so Harry just had to hope and pray that she was right.
Unfortunately, immediately after climbing through the portrait hole, the three friends could see that the plan would need to be revised.
Hermione was sitting in her usual spot in front of the fire, somewhat hysterically waving a piece of parchment. Tears streamed down her face, and a flummoxed Neville was patting her shoulder and making little noises of reassurance.
Outraged, Harry and Ron made to charge over to Hermione; small but forceful hands grabbed both boys by the elbow and yanked them back.
"Wait," hissed Ginny.
"Wait?" Harry ground out. "Wait for what? For Neville to upset her even more? Let go." The hand on his elbow tightened to a vice-like grip.
"Don't be stupid," Ginny said in a low voice. "Neville's not the one upsetting her! Can't you see he's trying to comfort her?"
Neither Ron nor Harry liked this idea much. Ron felt vaguely that if Hermione were upset, then either he or Harry were the only ones with the right to comfort her. He made another attempt to pull away from Ginny, but she continued to hang on, tugging them towards a corner couch. Both boys reluctantly complied.
"Jeez, Gin," Ron complained, rubbing his elbow. "You been lifting weights or something?"
Ginny ignored him and turned to Harry. "Look, this changes things. You're going to have to let me handle this, okay?"
Harry didn't look happy, but he finally nodded.
Ginny stood up and made her way over to Hermione and Neville. Sitting down beside Hermione, she gently took one of Hermione's hands and began patting it. After a few minutes, Hermione was smiling through her tears, Ginny and Neville both hugging her. Then Hermione turned to Neville, and after a whispered conversation involving many hand gestures on Hermione's part, and blushes on Neville's, the two friends moved apart and Hermione pulled Ginny over to sit between them.
Ron almost had a muscle spasm as he craned his neck, trying to see what was going on. The three heads bent together amidst additional frenzied murmurs; Ginny put her arms around both Neville and Hermione and appeared to be speaking to each one in turn. Neville turned red as a beet at one point when Ginny's mouth went within an inch of his ear as she whispered to him. Shortly thereafter, a broad smile burst over his features.
At this point, Harry had to physically restrain Ron from racing over and pounding Neville into the ground. Luckily, his impulsive friend was distracted when, after a last group hug, Hermione and Neville headed up the stairs to their respective dormitories and Ginny made her way towards the portrait hole.
Harry jumped up to block her path.
"What happened," he asked anxiously. "Did you explain?"
"I'll have to fill you in later, Harry. Right now there's something I need to do. Just do your homework or play a game of chess with Ron until I get back."
"But . . ."
"Not now, Harry," she said impatiently. "There're only a couple of hours left before curfew and there's something I need to do, okay?"
Frowning, Harry agreed.
* * * * *
When Ginny returned to the common room a couple of minutes after curfew, only a few students were still up. Ron was fast asleep on the coach, snoring softly, while Harry had moved closer to the fire and was staring into the flames.
"Hey," Ginny said softly.
"Hey," replied Harry. "Should I go and wake Ron?"
"Naw, let him sleep. I'm beat and not really up to explaining everything to my dear thick-headed brother," Ginny laughed.
Harry looked at her expectantly.
"Well, first of all," Ginny began, "I didn't get a chance to talk to Hermione about your little misunderstanding."
Harry scowled and Ginny held up an appeasing hand. "I will," she promised. "Trust me, Harry. Hermione was upset about something and tonight just wasn't the right time to get into it. I'll talk to her tomorrow after breakfast, okay?"
"Okay," said Harry grudgingly. Then, "Sorry Ginny. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. It's just that . . ."
"I know Harry," she patted his arm in a sisterly way. "Don't worry. I'll explain everything. Hermione knows what Ron is like, so it shouldn't be too hard to clear things up."
Harry nodded. "So what was tonight all about then? Why was Hermione crying?"
Ginny gave him a considering look. "Weellll," she said hesitantly, "I'm not really supposed to say. She asked me to keep it confidential."
Harry started to protest and Ginny held up her hand. "Listen," she said, "I can't tell you that exactly. But what I can tell you is that things will work out in the end."
"What do you mean?" Harry inquired tersely. "I need to know why Hermione was so upset."
"No you don't," said Ginny bluntly. "It had nothing to do with you, Harry-not directly anyway; that's about all I can tell you."
"Not directly!" Harry burst out. "C'mon, Ginny. This is Hermione we're talking about here. She's my best friend and if there's anything I can do to . . ."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "I thought both she and Ron were your best friends?"
Harry flushed. "Y--yeah. That's what I meant."
"Okay," Ginny smiled. "But I'm still not going to tell you."
"Hey," interrupted a sleepy voice. "What's going on?" Ron raised himself up on an elbow and rubbed his eyes.
Harry laughed. "Your hair looks worse than mine."
"Thanks a lot," was the grumpy response. "So Ginny, where did you run off to earlier? And did you talk to Hermione about him," he asked, indicating Harry.
"She didn't; what's worse, she's not going to tell us what Hermione was upset about," he added crossly.
Ron glared at his sister.
"Hey," she protested, "don't give me that look, Ronald Weasley. And stop worrying about Hermione. I have everything under control."
"What was the big emergency about earlier then?" Ron grumbled. "You said you'd fill us in later and then just took off! So why aren't you filling us in about what's happening with Hermione?"
She shrugged. "I changed my mind."
Ron's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
Ginny giggled.
Harry and Ron glared speechlessly.
"Sorry," she giggled again. "You just look so funny Ron-like one of those Muggle puppets."
"Why you-you," Ron sputtered. Then he frowned. "And why were you snuggling on that couch with Neville Longbottom? Was he bothering you? 'Cause if he was . . ."
Ginny sighed. "Really Ron, I'm not ten years old. And relax-Neville wasn't doing anything except . . ."
"HA!" Ron ground out. "Looked to me like he was sitting altogether too close to you earlier . . ."
"Why did you run out earlier?" broke in Harry. "Was it something to do with Hermione?"
". . . and I didn't like the way he was looking at you either," Ron grumbled on.
"Did Neville upset her? Why didn't she come to me? I would have been happy to . . ."
"ARGH," shouted Ginny, startling a nearby couple in mid-snog. "Will you two let up? Neville didn't do anything to me or to Hermione. He was a perfect gentleman, as always, which is why I told him I'd be happy to go to the ball with him. And I was only . . ." she looked up at Ron, who had jumped to his feet and was clenching his fists, his jaw working soundlessly.
"Oh sit down you enormous prat," she said, sounding completely fed up.
"Why are you going to the ball with Neville," asked Ron in revolted tones. "I thought you'd be going with Michael Corner?" He added in a whispered aside to Harry: "Had a talk with him a couple of months ago and threatened to test a couple of Fred and George's newest products on him if he tried anything with my sister. So he's a safe bet for our Gin."
Ginny sputtered in impotent rage. "You . . . you . . . so that's why Michael refused to go to the Astronomy Tower with me any more!"
Ron's eyes bulged. "The Astronomy Tower? What would you be doing going to the Astronomy Tower? And you didn't answer my question: why aren't you going to the Valentine's Ball with Michael?"
"That would be difficult," Ginny snapped with narrowed eyes, "since we broke up over a month ago; besides, he couldn't very well take two girls to the ball, now could he?"
"What are you on about?"
"What I'm on about," she spat, "is that Michael already has a date for the ball, and I'm sure he and Hermione will have a lovely time together!"
* * * * *
The next two weeks flew by in a flurry of activity as students hurried to finish Potions projects, complete Transfiguration assignments, and shop for new dress robes. Thanks to Ginny's "chat" with Hermione regarding Harry, Ron, and Harry's real reasons for wanting to ask Hermione to the ball, Harry and Hermione's relationship appeared to be back to normal and business as usual. However, they both made a studied attempt to avoid the topic of the Valentine's Ball-a task which became more and more difficult as the time for the ball approached and students spoke of little else. Finally, the day before the ball, the trio were finishing up a Charms essay in the library.
"Hey, Hermione," Ron asked casually. "Save me a dance tomorrow night?"
Hermione nodded absently. Only one more inch of parchment left and she'd have a full three meters more than Flitwich required.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances.
"So," Ron said, clearing his throat. "How about Harry?"
Hermione looked up. Harry studied his hands.
"You going to save him a dance too?"
Hermione turned to Harry, who appeared to be fascinated by his left thumb nail. When she didn't answer, he raised his head and shot her a glance from under his bangs.
Hermione smiled shyly. "Of course I'll save a dance for Harry," she said softly.
Their eyes met and Harry smiled tentatively back. Hermione felt her knees weaken and was relieved that she was sitting down.
* * * * *
"Hermione, you've got to help me! I don't know what to do," Neville blurted out in a panic.
"Shhh," Hermione consoled him. Taking a quick peek around the crowded common room, she sighed in frustration. The room was packed! With the Valentine's Ball only five hours away, most of the students were in a fever of excitement; girls clustered together giggling and chattering about dress robes and "what will you do if he . . ." discussions, while the boys played Exploding Snap, Gobstones, or Wizard Chess in a studied effort at nonchalance. Hermione was very aware of Harry, sitting quietly in a corner by himself, reading "Flying with the Cannons."
"Let's take a walk, Neville, all right?
Neville nodded and made a visible effort to calm down. Grabbing his cloak, he followed Hermione out the portrait hole, and together they walked towards the Herbology greenhouses. This was a perfect place for a private conversation; Neville, as Professor Sprout's favourite student, was allowed free reign to use any of the greenhouses at his leisure. The two friends found an empty bench in Greenhouse No. 4 and sat down. Hermione turned to Neville expectantly.
Neville took a deep breath and the words rushed out. "Hermione, I need to talk to you about the list."
Hermione shot him an inquiring look. "What is it Neville. You can tell me."
"Well, you remember when you first talked to me about what I would like in a witch and which witch (Hermione smiled at the alliteration) I fancied the most?"
Hermione nodded and pulled out a now-worn piece of parchment.
Operation: Neville
Candidate House Year Neville'sNotes
1. Susan Bones Hufflepuff 7th Nice; a bit shy
2. Hannah Abbot Hufflepuff 7th Quiet; hard to talk to?
3. Laura Madley Hufflepuff 4th Too young?
4. Elenor Branstone Hufflepuff 4th Too young?
5. Ginny Weasley Gryffindor 6th Popular; friendly
6. Vicky Frobisher Gryffindor 7th Nice girl; friendly
7. Mandy Brocklehurst Ravenclaw 7th Seems nice
8. Morag McDougal Ravenclaw 7th Nice; a bit odd
9. Lisa Turpin Ravenclaw 7th Good at Herbology; cheerful
10. Natalie MacDonald Gryffindor 4th Too young?
11. Orla Quirke Ravenclaw 4th Too young?
12. Su Li Ravenclaw 7th Too brainy?
13. Padma Patil Ravenclaw 7th Too popular? Still angry about fourth year?
"The truth is that I wasn't completely honest with you."
Hermione frowned. "What do you mean, you weren't completely honest?"
Neville flushed and hesitated. "The order," he said quietly. "I wasn't honest about the order. You asked me why I put Laura and Elinor in the third and fourth spots when my only comment about them was that they were both "too young."
"Yes," Hermione said in a puzzled tone. "And I reminded you that I was only in fourth year when Victor asked me to the Yule Ball. When I asked you if you didn't want to reconsider putting Hannah in the second slot when you considered her hard to talk to, you said that the order was good and you didn't want to change it."
Neville nodded. "That was because I was embarrassed to tell you who I really wanted to put down as second on the list.
Hermione smiled her encouragement.
"After Ron yelled out that Harry had asked Susan, I was worried that you were going to push me to ask Hannah-and I really didn't want to."
"I remember," Hermione said softly. "So who was it, Neville? Who was really your second choice."
"Ginny Weasley," Neville said. Then, so softly that she barely heard him, he added, "she was actually my first choice."
Hermione beamed. "Why, that's wonderful, Neville! I was terribly upset when I found out that Harry was going with Susan because I felt as if I had failed you--that I should have helped you ask her sooner. But luckily Ginny came over to see why I was crying and . . ."
"And she saw the list and offered to go with me," Neville finished glumly.
"Yes. Then we told her about the pickle I was in . . ."
"Thanks to Ron and his big mouth," interjected Neville.
". . . and she offered to set me up with Michael Corner." Hermione sounded confused. "I don't understand. Why were you embarrassed to tell me that Ginny was your first choice? And Neville . . . forgive me for saying this, but if you're going with Ginny, the girl you like the best, why aren't you happier about it?"
"Don't you see, Hermione," Neville said desperately. "I've always been able to talk to Ginny; now that we're going to the Valentine's Ball together as a . . . as a couple, I won't know what to say to her!"
"Neville Longbottom," Hermione gathered both his hands in hers, "have a bit more confidence in yourself! You and Ginny have been friends for almost six years now. She offered to be your date tonight; if she didn't care about you, she wouldn't have done it. After all, it's not like in her third year, when the only way she could go to the Yule Ball was as the date of an older student. She's going with you this time by choice."
Neville appeared to perk up at this. "You think so?" he asked her doubtfully.
"Yes, I do," Hermione said firmly. "Between you and me, Ginny told me later that she's tired of aggressive, show-off wizards. She thinks you're adorable," Hermione said slyly.
Neville's mouth dropped open in astonishment, as the hot colour rushed up to his cheeks. "Really?" he asked. "She really thinks I'm a . . . erm . . ."
"Adorable, yes. So all you have to do tonight is be yourself. You don't need to try and pretend you're something you're not, because what you are is more than enough. "
"Wow." A slow grin began to spread across Neville's face.
Hermione laughed out loud. "Feel better about tonight now?"
"Yeah, I do. Thanks Hermione."
"You're welcome. Shall we get back then?"
Neville nodded. As they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, Neville found himself experiencing a most unusual phenomena: no matter what, he could not seem to stop smiling. They passed a mirror in the corridor and-there-still smiling. It would not go away!
"I'm so glad things worked out for you, Neville. You deserve it."
"Hermione?"
"Hmmmm?"
"Are you happy? About going with Michael, I mean?"
"Of course," Hermione said hesitantly. "Sure. Why not? It'll be fine."
"Because I think that Harry truly did want to take you, you know," Neville offered.
"Do you really think so?"
"Absolutely," Neville nodded. "He really cares about you, Hermione, and not just as a friend. I may not be a brilliant student like you, or brave like Harry, or funny like Ron, but I see things."
Hermione blushed and smiled at her friend as they climbed through the portrait hole and into the common room. "Don't sell yourself short, Neville. Ginny is a lucky witch."
Neville gave her an impulsive hug. "Hermione, you're the best friend ever."
"Thanks." Hermione hugged him back. "Now, I guess I'd better get started if I'm to look presentable tonight."
Neither Neville nor Hermione noticed Harry as they bounced up the stairs to their respective dormitories.
Author's Note: Please don't be angry! *eyes knives* - the cliffhanger (of sorts) in this chapter is not just a cheap author's device to keep you hanging. As I pointed out to one irritated reviewer, if this were a novel, you would only have to turn the page and the next chapter would give you the resolution of the problem. Since this is not a novel . . . well, have faith in the fact that this is Portkey and just hold onto those knives for one more week, okay? Because the next chapter (Chapter 8) will be the chapter you've all been waiting for-- the Valentine's Ball. In all likelihood, it will also be the last chapter in the story. Probably. I think. Clear? Good. *smiles*
*For those of you who are curious, according to the ever-wonderful Harry Potter Lexicon, Gryffindor Natalie MacDonald (the one traumatized by the Ron/Luna snog-fest) attended Hogwarts from 1994-2001, which would make her two years below Ginny and three years below Ron, Harry, and Hermione. The names of other less well-known students on Hermione's list are taken directly from the books, and details on these students can be found in the Lexicon as well.