Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (but it would have been nice they were!). They belong to the great JkRowling. The plot is based on my own imagination, but there are phrases that may be very familiar to you in the Harry Potter book series. Let me make it clear that I am just "borrowing" them to spport the flow of my story. *grins innocently*
Summary: A 3-Chapter romance fiction of the Boy-Who-Lived in a series of events from Bets to an Amnesia, and Masquerade Balls to the awaited 'key' to Harry's memory. At the start, Harry Potter has just lost a game and had to choose between giving away his Firebolt and kissing his best friend as a form of punishment (I'm definitely not talking about Ron). The story then gets complicated as he developed different feelings for his friend, and has just proposed to her when a certain incident robbed Harry of his memory. It then continues with Cho's persuading 'act', a New Year Masquerade Ball and the Final Revelation.
Author's Notes: I really want to thank these people for helping me with the story: Daphne, my sister and my cousin "Blue Crystal". They really helped me that much in inspiring me and giving me some suggestions with the story, and I'm really grateful…I own them so much…*wipes a tear* So enough about that and off with the story. Cho's the villain here…again. Though it would have been better if Ginny was the bad guy…*evil laugh* (No offense to Pro-Ginnys) (^_^) Peace out! Anyways it's all in the summary! And I suggest you listen to your favorite love song while you're at it. It'll add more fluff effect to the already fluffy story. Hope you'll enjoy reading it and tell me what you think! Review!! I would really appreciate it…*does puppy dog eyes* (^_^) Btw, I'm still working on the next chapter which I will hopefully finish this weekend.
CHAPTER I
DUELS and DEALS
Seamus Finnigan appeared in the library door carrying a wooden sort of board game followed by Dean Thomas, a wide grin on both their faces. Seamus paused on the doorway looking over the heads of the Hogwarts students, his grin grew even wider when he found the person he was looking for. He strode to where Harry Potter and Ron Weasley was seated, grumbling over their books as they took down notes.
When Seamus and Dean neared the boys, Hermione Granger just came out of the corner of a nearby shelf holding a book, dumping it on the middle of the table where Harry and Ron was and went back to the nearby shelf. Seamus could hear them groan as they reached them.
"I can't take this! We should be lounging in the common room by now!" Ron said in an exasperated voice, resting his forehead on the table surface.
"Then why don't you take a break?" Seamus said.
"Hello, Seamus." Harry said.
"What's that?" Ron said, noticing the board Seamus was carrying.
Seamus beamed. "Just bought this last summer. It's called the 'The Ultimate Wizard's Duel of Chess'. Really brilliant I tell you." Seamus placed the board in the center of the table and sat on the other side of the table opposite Harry, "It's the same as any wizard's chess actually, but the thing that makes this the ultimate game are the consequences and bets made in the game. The best part is if you lose, the winner can get anything from you."
The board was just like any ordinary chess board. But when Seamus touched the center with his wand, its surface began to transfigure into a disfigured shape and when it finally took form, chess pieces which were clearly not there before positioned themselves into their places.
"I challenge you to a duel Harry," Seamus grinned mischievously.
Harry was taken aback and suddenly he laughed, "Why don't you have a go against Ron? I'm no better when it comes to chess!"
"I'm not good at it either. We're even. That's one thing why I choose you Harry…or are afraid to lose three games in a row?" Seamus dared to say.
"You really think I'd give in to that don't you? But since you're nice enough to ask that," a little mock, "I accept."
Triumph flickered in Seamus' eyes which Harry didn't see.
"Ok. So this is how it goes. You have your wand with you? Right. Let the tip of your wand touch the center of the board to officially mark the duel." As Seamus said it, he touched his wand tip at the surface and his name appeared on his side of the board.
Shrugging, Harry took out his wand and followed suit. Harry's name too appeared on his side.
"Ok, here's my bet. If you lose this game, I get your Firebolt."
"What?" Harry and Ron laughed.
"You can't be bloody serious, mate." Ron said. Laughter died in his eyes. "Are you really serious?"
Seamus just smiled. Harry laughed again, obviously not bothered by the dare his friend just said.
"Ok then. If you lose, you'll have to take down notes on Potions and Transfiguration for Ron and me." Seamus flinched at that but said nothing, still carrying his grin.
"Deal." He said, shaking his hand.
*****
"Er-this isn't legal….is it? I mean, I can't just give away my Firebolt for losing a game!"
"That's the rule Harry…you can't back out now," Seamus said with a gleam in his eye.
Harry frowned. "C'mon Seamus. This is not amusing anymore."
"I'm dead serious. The game is legal. That means the bets are also legal."
Harry stood up and so did Ron. Before he could walk away some distance from the board, something jerked at Harry, propelling him back to his seat.
"Ugh!"
"And by the way," said Seamus. "I'd keep my promise if I were you. You'd not go anywhere two meters away from the board and neither can you hurt the board or attempt to jinx it."
"But-but I just can't give you my broom!" Harry was growing desperate.
"Well that's your problem for losing in the first place."
"Seamus!"
"What?"
Harry scowled.
"Hey! Take it easy there!" Seamus said playfully though one could notice a slight croak in his voice, "It's not my fault you lost the game. Why don't we just settle things up and give me your Firebolt?" He smiled vaguely.
On sudden impulse, Harry lunged towards Seamus but was forced back again by some invisible force.
When Harry stood up he could see Seamus look at him as if he was some beast about to devour its prey.
"Okay-okay! There's an option." Seamus looked at him uncertainly before moving around the table towards him.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Harry said, his anger slowly ebbing away after hearing that there's still an 'option' and a bit unsure of what the other person is about to do.
"There's an alternative bet. One must choose between the original bet and an alternative bet but nothing else can be changed once the bet is placed, unless you do just what it requires you to do. And only the winner can make the alternative." He said, stopping a few meters from Harry, face to face.
Seamus looked around the place thinking hard about something and searching through space. He took his seat next to Harry and kept on thinking.
Harry raised a brow, not sure how to react. At that same moment, Hermione Granger's voice came out from the side of one shelf, "Can anyone please give me a hand over here?"
As if having found an idea, Seamus' head shot up, clicking his fingers. Harry could see a mischievous grin on his face.
Harry frowned, "What is it now?"
"Ok. Here's the alternative," Seamus said and then lowered his voice in a whisper where only he and Harry could hear. There was a slight pause before he said, "Kiss Hermione Granger."
"WHAT!!"
"SHhhh! We're in the library for Merlin's sake!" Seamus said alarmingly, noticing other students looking their way.
"I can't do that! You're making a fool out of me! And-how can you make me do that to my best friend?!?"
"Well…so what? Will it be your Firebolt or you know-what?" Seamus said, ignoring Dean and Ron's suspicious looks. And remembering Harry's unexpected reaction earlier, he slowly backed away a fair distance.
"I could curse you right now Seamus."
"You can't. We're inside Hogwarts."
"You know I can't play quidditch without my Firebolt."
"Then, I'll lend it to you when there's a game and you'll have to give it back after it."
Harry scowled.
"Greedy git," Harry hissed.
Gritting his teeth, he stood up and walked towards the place where he heard Hermione's voice. He couldn't deny that his heart was beating faster.
His Firebolt! Does Seamus actually think he'll get HIS broom??? Bloody rat! How the hell is he suppose to deal with this? He can't just walk up there and-and-I'll kill Seamus when I finish with this! That thought only made Harry more aware of what he was about to do.
Kiss Hermione Granger. Seamus' words still echoed in his mind.
"Harry, there you are. Can you help me put these books back up?" Hermione's voice interrupted his train of thoughts.
She was pointing at a small pile of books, several where thick.
"Er-Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"Wi-will-what did you pull out this books for?" Harry sighed. He just realized he could not just tell Hermione about what he was about to do. He feared on how she would react. Damn! He was acutely aware of his blood racing through his veins.
She raised her brows. "I was looking into some of them for homework."
This is Hermione we're talking about. His best friend. So why was he feeling goose bumps run down his back?
"Well?"
Harry walked towards the pile of books as Hermione climbed the ladder.
He passed her the books one by one; unaware that he was taking her appearance.
She was still what Harry had known her to be. The bushy brown hair trailing down a few inches below her shoulders, the same stubborn chin, and-Harry's gaze went down to her lips. It looked soft and delicate. What was he thinking? Harry shook his head as if clearing away his thoughts. But he couldn't avoid moving his gaze from her developing form. She's got graceful curves now which Harry just noticed, and she was taller than he remembered her to be.
"Harry?"
Harry blinked. Hermione was looking at him.
"Please pass me that last big one. It seems you're having sentiments about it." Harry then noticed that he was hugging the book Hermione was indicating. The book was rather larger than the rest but he wasn't even aware of carrying its weight.
"Oh, sorry." He passed it to her who had a bit of difficulty taking its heavy mass.
The empty space where it once had been is a bit of a distance, so Hermione had difficulty in placing it back. She leaned farther to fit it in and at the same moment the book was replaced, her left foot slipped on the steely step.
Hermione let out a gasp as she fell. Fortunately Harry saw this and caught her just in time before she hit the floor.
Silence.
"That was really scary." Hermione whispered as she held on tightly to him.
To Harry's surprise, she was light and he felt a sudden feeling of possessiveness that came out of nowhere. Slowly, Harry lifted her to a standing position. She was still shaking a bit as she brushed down the wrinkles off her clothes. Having the feeling of being watched, she looked up to find Harry staring at her in a strange way. Before she knew it, Harry had lowered his head and his lips met hers. Her lips where tender as what he had thought earlier against his.
Her eyes had been closed when he drew back. It suddenly flew wide open and a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Harry could see she was surprised by the action but held no resistance.
"Whoa! You actually fell for the alternative bet!"
Both turned to looked up and found a surprised Seamus, Dean and very shocked Ron standing there at the other end of the shelves.
Harry felt himself redden at the look on their faces except for Ron who didn't seem to show any expression at all.
"A bet is a bet then. It's settled." Seamus said, though a bit disappointed. He shrugged, and then said, "Ok, you passed it."
Seamus turned and walked away followed by a confused-looking but grinning Dean. ("Damn! I almost had my hands on that Firebolt!")
Somehow, this doesn't feel right.
When he glanced to see how Hermione would react to this, the only thing he saw was brown hair and the end of a black robe disappearing on the opposite end of the shelves.
Ron's expression turned from shock to reproach. Harry saw Ron's betrayed look before he also left.
What have I done? He told himself. His head was empty and he now carried a feeling of dread. He walked away then, not caring where his feet would take him.
He then realized that he was heading out of the castle but still didn't stop. "I need to think", he thought, rubbing his slightly throbbing temples.
"Accio Firebolt!" he shouted with a wave of his wand but didn't wait for his broom to come zooming insight and went on walking towards the Quidditch Pitch. When he did hear his Firebolt, he turned and held out his hand. As if in command, the broom glided directly to it.
His thoughts elsewhere, Harry mounted on his broom and kicked hard on the grass. He took a deep breath as he made it in mid-air. This has always been his refuge when things started to get complicated. Harry made several spins and rounds around the field to calm his nerves before he finally decided to come down and confront whatever it is he's going to face.
Broom in hand, Harry walked his way inside the castle and headed to the Gryffindor Common Room. He needed to find Ron and Hermione. He muttered the password to Fat Lady and went inside the portrait hole, calmer and determined now to right his mistake.
Watching over the heads of the Gryffindor students, he didn't catch sight of either Ron or Hermione. Where were they? He didn't really know what to say to them once he found them but still he needed to know if they're ok. Ok? How could he think they're ok? He always had this suspicion that Ron had a thing for Hermione…without intending to, the monster inside him growled. Surprised, Harry stubbornly pushed away his confusing emotions aside and scanned the room more closely.
"Hi Harry." Neville said as he passed him.
"Hey Neville. Have you seen Ron anywhere?" He asked.
"No. I didn't notice him come inside."
"And Hermione?"
"Oh. She rushed in and up the girl's dormitory. She looks as if she was in a hurry or something." Neville shrugged.
"I see. Thanks Neville." Harry said. He could feel his stomach fall.
*****
Throughout the rest of the day, Harry still didn't have any idea where Ron was and Parvati said Hermione was in bed.
"She said she wasn't feeling well." Parvati had told Harry.
*****
Dinner was over. He went up to the common room, expecting the others to be there but when he did get there, there was no Hermione or Ron. He went up to the boy's dormitory and heard someone snore loudly. He went closer and found Ron sleeping on his bed or rather, giving the impression that he was sleeping.
"Ron?" Harry said through the darkness of the room. The only light was the soft gleam of the full moon outside the large dormitory window.
Ron kept on snoring, louder than was normal.
"I know you are awake, Ron. C'mon."
He rolled over in his bed and continued to snore.
Harry frowned.
"Ron, I know you are angry at me for what happened earlier." More snores, "I know you're awake Ron, why won't you talk to me?"
"Because you are one selfish, stupid git who doesn't give a damn what others are feeling." Ron said as he sat up from his bed, a glare pasted on his face.
Harry didn't know whether to feel relieved by Ron's talking to him or grimace at Ron's description of him. "I know. I wasn't thinking. I don't really know what came over me. I mean-what could I have done-Argh!"
Harry's jaw suddenly connected with Ron's fist. He staggered back.
"You deserved that. You should have traded off your broom than seeing Hermione cry." Ron said as he stood up from bed.
"She-what?" Humiliation washed over Harry. So she was crying all day in her dormitory…Oh, great. How could he be so thick?!
Harry blindly walked towards his bed and sat there, his head resting on both hands.
"Yes-she's crying. Ginny told me." Ron said, some of his anger had gone.
Silence.
"Do you have feelings for Hermione?" Ron suddenly asked.
Harry was caught off guard.
"I-Hermione? Do I have feelings for her?" Harry tried to smile but failed terribly. "Honestly, I don't know anymore…"
Ron narrowed his eyes at him. "Make up your mind before you do anything rash." He said and went back to bed. A few minutes later, he could hear Ron snore again but this time was for real.
He stood up and undressed himself, put on his pajamas and dumped himself on the bed. He still couldn't believe he'd kissed his best friend that morning and more confused when he's feelings for her have changed. What was happening to him?
He was still pondering on it when he drifted off to sleep.
*****
"Way to go Harry!" Harry heard a fellow Gryffindor say as he walked out of the common room not really knowing what he meant by it. Heads have been turned in his direction since he came down from the dormitory. He wondered what all this was about but he kept on going down towards the Great Hall for breakfast.
Later that day did Harry know why others had been cat-calling and some girls were either giggling or giving him reproachful looks. He was walking down the corridor when he met Malfoy and his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Hey Potter! Where's your girlfriend?" He sneered.
"I don't know what you're saying Malfoy."
"You kissed that Mudblood didn't you?" He went on.
"I'd shut up if I were you." Harry said, suppressing the anger that was slowly mounting inside him.
"Tsk, tsk. Even Potter's so desperate to have a girlfriend that he'd spare lowly extras-" Before Malfoy knew what was about to come, Harry had dived at him wanting nothing more than to kill him with his bare hands.
"Touch him and I'll curse both of you to death." He heard a female voice say behind him, but cared less to know who it was and to whom she was referring to and kept on hitting Malfoy as hard as he could. At that same time, he had been expecting to be pounded by Malfoy's friends and was both curious and relieved that he wasn't being pummeled by them yet.
"What do you think you're doing!?" McGonagall's voice cut through the commotion.
Harry stopped and looked up to see a very professor and slowly stood up away from Malfoy.
"I am very disappointed in how students are performing now adays. Fighting in the corridors! 30 points from each of you! Potter, Malfoy, go to the hospital wing and let Madam Pomfrey tend you both. Clean up before you go to classes. Now."
Harry barely heard what McGonagall said. He stared at Hermione who was standing not far from him, staring interestedly at her feet, wand still in hand.
"Well? What are you two waiting for?" McGonagall demanded.
Malfoy shoot daggers at Harry before he went ahead to the hospital wing with Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry started to walk away when Hermione caught up with him, "Umm…can I go with you?"
Yes was all he could manage to say. They walked in silence towards the entrance of the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey had already done Malfoy's and he glowered at Harry when he passed him out of the room with Crabbe and Goyle.
"Oh, you again," said Madam Pomfrey as she looked up from her desk. "You have been frequently visiting this part of Hogwarts more often lately."
She led them to an empty cot before tending to his small cuts and bruises.
Minutes later, they were out into the corridor after having been 'cleaned'. After some momentary silence, Harry made the first move.
"Hermione, can I talk to you for a second? Before we went to class?" Harry said not sure if he was doing the right thing.
"Ok." Harry could just make out the slight hesitation in her voice.
Harry stopped walking and faced her. He could feel blood throbbing in his head and his throat had suddenly dried up when she looked at him with those chestnut eyes, searching his face.
"I-I'm-" he sighed and summoned all the courage he could find, "I'm sorry-about what happened yesterday. I have been stupid and unthinking and foolish. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't know what I was doing and it was clearly unfair. I'm sorry." He was searching her face at the same time, anticipating how she may react.
She smiled. She smiled! Harry's heart did a somersault.
"So-you've forgiven me then?" He smiled uncertainly.
Before he could react, she leaned and kissed him on the cheek before moving on ahead of Harry, the smile still on her face.
*****
The word had spread rapidly and now the whole school knows that Harry Potter had just kissed Hermione Granger. This really annoyed Harry and sometimes when conversation starts to head on that direction, he would deliberately change the subject or make an excuse to side-step the topic.
Though Ron was still angry with Harry, it was enough that he was on talking terms however casual or very formal. Hermione, like Harry, was in an awkward situation, he noticed that several heads would look her way when she passes by. But Harry was fairly impressed on how she handled the situation, ignoring loud insults or comments about her, head still held high as if she heard nothing.
There was one eventful day that did turn out to be surprising both to Harry and to the people present inside the library.
Cho had been making comments about Hermione and how she could have been chosen by Harry and not her who believed Harry still had a crush on.
She and her best friend had walked up to Hermione simply to 'talk'. But then again, since she started to get jealous about Hermione's 'closeness' with Harry, things have gone pretty awry.
"Hello, Hermione. Still glued on your books?"
Hermione looked up from the table. Cho was standing there with her friend, a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Hello Cho." Hermione went back on her note taking.
"I was wondering if the rumors were true. I heard-"
"That Harry kissed me? Yes that's true. And if you are going to ask more about it, please drop the subject. It's really annoying how people pry into other people's lives that don't concern them. Gossiping makes it worse." Hermione didn't look up when she said this; instead, she kept on taking down her notes.
She didn't see Cho's brows furrow at her words.
"Are you saying that I am one of these gossipers who mess with other people's lives then?" There was a hint of ice in her voice.
"No. Not really. I just don't want people to talk about me and Harry, that's all." Hermione said cooly.
"Well. To tell you the truth Ms. Granger, I don't believe a word of it. Whether it be true or not, it hasn't been proven yet that he likes you or-"
"Oh, so you mean you're jealous of me because Harry kissed me instead of you?" Hermione said still not looking up from her work.
Cho scowled. "I think that you're just spreading the word that Harry kissed you. It may be 'harsh' to tell you this Hermione, but I do think it is selfish of you to do just that and he is not really your boyfriend is he?" She said, a smug look slowly appearing in her face.
"Why are we talking about all these rubbish when people already believe that? And oh, I thought you were dating Michael Corner?" Hermione couldn't help herself. It was then that she looked up at Cho. She could felt her 'rival's' tension building and though she didn't show it, Hermione was surprised at herself that she didn't felt any hesitation in her words. Not one. Hermione was winning; she could feel it when Cho blushed.
"We were once, but I dumped him." Cho said coldly.
Hermione flinched. Poor Michael. This was not the same Cho Hermione thought she knew. She doesn't deserve Harry when her real attitude's like that.
"So since you're not his girlfriend or anything close to that, why don't you keep it safe and lay off him?" She said.
"Oh! Are you threatening me Cho?"
"What if I am?"
"And what if I did tell you that I am his girlfriend?" Hermione said, daring Cho to challenge her words.
"I don't believe it." She said with hostility. "You aren't together romantically and there's no proof that he likes you anything more than his best friend."
"Well…I could change that." Hermione said, averting her gaze to the entrance of the library.
Cho followed her gaze. Harry had just entered. He went to the librarian and asked her about something.
Cho raised a brow as Hermione stood up and gathered her things.
"What are you going to do?"
"Giving you the proof you want. Just watch." Hermione said as she walked away from Cho towards Harry. I hope this works, she said to herself. She could feel her heart beat faster and her breath grew shorter as she watched the librarian walk away.
"Hermione, there you are. I've been looking for-" Harry was cut short when Hermione suddenly kissed him.
"I'll explain later. Kiss me back." Hermione whispered through his lips.
Harry needed no telling twice. He was already entranced by the kiss and did as she said.
When they drew apart, Hermione looked back to where Cho and her best friend had been standing; she hasn't been denied the satisfaction of seeing their shocked expressions.
Cho was obviously stunned by her proof!
But what happened next, Hermione didn't expect. Cho walked right up to them and slapped Harry in the face.
"How dare you do this to me? And in front of me of all places! I thought for once you liked me!" Cho was furious.
Harry who doesn't have a clue of what really happened was surprised at her outburst and remained speechless.
But unlike Harry, the action provoked Hermione.
SLAP!
Cho turned wide-eyed at an angry Hermione, a hand going up to the cheek where she had slapped her.
"Don't you ever do that again! You have no right to slap him in front of me!" Hermione said, flushed but eyes daring at Cho to fight back.
Well, Cho actually accepted her challenge and jumped at Hermione. Hermione was only too ready for a fight.
Harry who stood there all the more shocked at the situation finally came to his senses as both girls begin pulling hairs and scratching their claw-like nails at each other's faces.
"Hey! STOP! No!" Harry went forward and pushed his body through both girls to give them distance from each other, but unfortunately, he didn't know better than to mess with a female fight and got clawed back by both girls who were trying to get at one another.
To Harry's relief, he saw Ron came in the library and shouted at him for help.
Ron was at first surprised at what had happened and later on dissolved into fits of laughter.
"This is not funny, you know! Get your bloody arse in here and help me get them away from each other!"
"Haha! Harry-haha! You really don't look too good mate! You should have been wise enough not to meddle in girl-fights!"
"I've just noticed!" He scowled as Ron came up to them and pulled Cho a distance from the other two.
"No! Get your hands of me Harry. Let me at her!"
"Let me go, you git! I'm still not done with that liar!"
"That is enough! What has been happening here?! You're not going to continue that racket inside my library and disturb the whole school! You all better get yourselves out of here this instant before I suspend you from the library the whole term!" Madam Pince was furious. They have never seen her this angry before since their previous years until now. She pointed a finger at the door.
They needn't to be told twice. Harry, Ron and Hermione rushed outside. Behind them marched Cho and Marietta, who followed them out the door. Once outside, Cho walked up towards the three.
She wasn't done yet, "Let's settle this then." She turned a determined face at Harry, "Who are you going to choose Harry? Me or this no-good friend of yours?"
"Can't I pick both?"
Harry received a hard slap on the side of his head and turned to see Hermione who was looking at him expectantly as well, "Don't be silly! Cho's right for once. To end this matter, you've got to choose one of us. Me or her?"
Both Harry and Ron was surprised at her words, not only was she sure of them but she also looks as if she meant what she said.
"I-I..." For a moment, Harry was lost for words but then his face suddenly became serious. What if I did have to choose one? Who would I pick? The girl I've so much had a crush on since third year…or my best friend? Heck, I'd have to be stupid enough not to pick my crush! He looked at Cho's face. "Yeah, why not? You'd get another shot there lad!" A voice on the side of his head spoke up. "While on the other hand...Hermione...well, Hermione has gone quite a nice change." Another voice spoke up slyly. Harry can't help but take a look at Hermione's appearance and agree truthfully with that voice.
Another voice, a more sensible one, spoke up, "Better choose one who's more of an advantage. Who do you think is more of a help to you? The conscience of your soul? Who's the person you'd willingly die for (seriously)?"
He looked at Cho for a moment then to Hermione.
"Well?" Cho asked impatiently.
Harry took a deep breath and said adding a hint of amusement, "I think I'd have to pick someone who can cope up with my mood swings…" He took Hermione's hand, "C'mon Ron. Let's go."
Cho's mouth dropped wide open. She was absolutely stunned and speechless. She was so sure that Harry would pick her that she didn't know how to react.
Even though Hermione was somewhat surprised by the outcome of the situation, she could feel a nice feeling pass through her body. It was of great impulse that she couldn't help but whisper to Harry, "Put your arm around my waist. Trust me."
He did as she said, though he was wondering what she's up to. He slowly withdrew his hand from hers and snaked his arm around her waist.
Just as Hermione felt it, she said over her shoulder at Cho who was now very red, "Hope you'll get better luck next time Cho. Have a nice day!"
Cho's temper raised sky high and exploded. She grabbed the nearest book and threw it with all her might at them. But her temper grew even more when the book only hit the edge of the wall when the trio turned a corner and missed them by a foot.
She shouted in rage at their retreating backs, "I'm not finished with you Granger! Just wait! One of these days, you'll get what you deserve!"
*****
"What was that all about?" Ron asked as they finally came out of earshot.
Hermione told him what happened, all the while a smug look was on her face. After she finished with her story, both boys were now in fits of laughter.
Ron said, "Well, that went well. Did you see the look on her face when Harry told her he chose you! That was bloody priceless! Went on second to Malfoy the ferret!" Then a thought appeared on his head on which he thought was quite amusing, "Hey Harry. How does it feel snogging Hermione?" His grin grew, a twinkle evident in his eyes.
Harry was taken aback by this, blushing at the same time. He couldn't prevent it when a flashback of the kiss came to his mind. How she had kissed him and how he responded to it only too well. He didn't actually see the glint in Ron's eyes at first and told him the truth. Then seeing that his best friend was only teasing him, instead of stopping, he actually continued and countered Ron jokingly, "Why? Are you curious enough to want to kiss her too?"
Ron knew he was playing and added, "Rawr…bring it on…"
Hermione was very red by now when Harry turned to her and asked, "Is it ok with you Hermione?"
They weren't the only one who could play at that game, Hermione replied sweetly, "Oh don't be silly! I'd be delighted!"
"Whaa-?" Ron blushed. He didn't expect the tables to turn.
"On second thought, wait 50 years from now and I'd gladly snog you senseless!" Hermione said, fluttering her eyelashes.
Ron quickly recovered, "You'd be old by then! I change my mind! I'd rather kiss Luna Lovegood if I have to wait that long!"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other then suddenly burst out laughing. They were laughing so hard that they were already clutching their stomachs to try to stop themselves.
Ron was looking at them as if they've gone mad, "I know I'm hilarious, but that doesn't mean you have to exaggerate! What's so-"
"Really Ronald?"
Ron froze. He slowly turned around to see the real Luna Lovegood standing before him, "Luna! How long have you been here?"
"Do you really want to kiss me?" Her eyes were twinkling as she stepped closer.
"I was only kidding! It was a joke!" Ron was waving his hands frantically in front of him.
"I'd prefer to differ!" Seamus said as he passed by them on his way to the library.
"Sod off!" Ron shouted after him as Luna came closer.
"I won't mind. I can kiss you now if you like."
"No! I was only joking around!" He was starting to panic.
Luna looked as if she hadn't heard a thing. She was in fact beaming! She moved closer.
Ron didn't wait for the outcome and without second thoughts, he made a run for it shouting over his shoulder, "I wasn't serious! I didn't bloody mean a thing about it!"
Unfortunately for Ron, Luna didn't seem to hear him and began chasing him like a predator hunting down her prey.
Harry and Hermione doubled up in their laughter.
*****