Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live!

A/N: Hey! Ro10tom8os here! Fare warning, this is mostly an D/G chapter, but there is some H/Hr, and a flashback as well. Anyway sorry that I'm posting so late in the day. My boyfriend rang the doorbell just as I finished the last sentence, and so I had to wait for him to leave for me to go back through it and edit it. But at long last (especially if you've been reading this on ff.net,) here I give you the third installment of “Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live!” I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks to SpecialK220 for betaing. You're the best!

Summary: This story takes place after the final battle with spoilers for books 1-6. The world of our friends is completely screwed up. Follow as the trio and their friends struggle to put their lives back together after the tragedies of love and war. This story is H/Hr, D/G, and R/L. Please note that the points of view change from time to time, but I do make note of it. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: Yeah, as much as I'd like, I could never achieve the literary talents of JKR, so instead I twiddle and twat with her tales, and make them go my way.

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Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live!

Chapter 3

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Ginny's POV

Staring at the spot where Hermione once stood, I snap back to attention and set off to design Hermione's outfit for the evening. Knowing Harry, he is going to take her somewhere quite fancy. It's quite apparent that he feels awful about yelling at her today, and since he's never been good with words, he is using this dinner as a way to show his sorrow at his actions. Of course, I know that Hermione really doesn't care about that, and I believe that he doesn't either, but whatever, he can do as he pleases. Plus, it gives me a chance to make this outfit for Hermione. I know she is just going to love it. I go into my office and begin to sketch my idea out, and after I have it to perfection, I wave my wand, input Hermione's measurements, and magic the outfit into existence. As the magic sews and hems, I walk over to my writing desk, take out a piece of parchment, and write to Luna.

Dear Luna,

Hi Luna. I hope married life is treating you well. I know my brother can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Coincidentally, he is actually the reason that I am writing. I was wondering how he feels about me, especially in terms of Draco. I know that you know that Draco is innocent, but Ron and the rest of my family don't agree. How do they react to me? Have they forgotten about me? You know how much I hate all this secrecy Luna… I just wish that they would understand. Though I guess after Percy, it's easy to understand why they don't.

How about we get lunch sometime? I miss you. `Mione is a right mess at the moment, and not that good to talk to. Still mooning over Harry, though I think that might be getting somewhere.

Love you Lunes,

~Ginny

I hear a knock on the door as I sign my letter with a flourish. “Come in,” I say, and grin as I turn to look into the eyes of my boyfriend. His eyes scan the room, pausing to look at Hermione's outfit. He walks over to it, and picks up the sketch. He gives me an apprising look. “I like it. This is one of your best.” He smiles and walks over, to embrace me warmly. As we pull out of our hug, I smile up at him.

“Can I borrow Alistair? I wrote a letter to Luna, and Athena is away sending a dress to Lavender via mail order.” I look up and him, and give him my best puppy eyes.

Draco's POV

Damn those beautiful eyes. I can't say no to them.

“Those eyes will be the death of me, I swear. Yes, you may borrow Alistair, but don't wear him out, ok Red?” She winks at me, and turns around to send the letter.

“So what should we do today Blondie?” she asks me, grinning cheekily at my hated nickname.

“Nothing, if you use that name again,” I reply cheekily, until I see Ginny's eyes glaze, and grow slightly cold. “Red, what's wrong?”

She comes back to the present and smiles up at me. “Oh nothing, just having a flash back to Hermione and Ron's relationship.”

Flashback

No POV

Hermione groaned as she saw Ron approaching her. He walked towards her in what she could only assume was his attempt at a sexy, masculine strut. In truth, looked more like a baby giraffe trying to keep up with its mother. He came over to her and made a big show of put his arms around her. Hermione saw Harry stifle a laugh, and shot him a glare.

“Hey sweet thang,” Ron said with a growl. Hermione signed ad looked at him from her Arithmancy project.

“Hi, Ron,” she replied, annoyance obvious in her face. Ron, however, didn't seem to notice. “What do you want to do to day, Hermy?”

Harry looked immediately, as Hermione twitched in anger. She turned around in her chair to look up at him. “What did you just call me?” she said, fire dancing in her eyes.

“Hermy,” replied Ron, still oblivious the anger he was causing. “I came up with it the other night. I though it was cute. Just like you.”

“Never, ever, EVER call me that again!” Hermione said harshly.

Harry noticed many people in the common room vainly trying to act as though they weren't paying attention, though they weren't doing a very good job of it. He turned his attention back to his two best friends.

“Why not?” asked Ron, confused, “you're my girlfriend, why can't I give you a pet name? Now come on. Go put your books away and we'll go for a walk around the lake. Maybe even do more than just walking, eh?” He winked at her.

Hermione raised her hand and slapped Ron hard across the face, leaving him dazed and confused. The common room went silent, the slap giving unspoken permission to its inhabitants that they didn't have to be secret about their eavesdropping anymore. “No, Ron, you have not right to give me a pet name, because I am not your girlfriend. I can't be with such an insensitive git any longer!” And with a flourish, she grabbed her calculations and her book, stuffed them in her bag, and stormed out of the common room. There was an awkward silence for a moment, and people waited to see what Ron would do. He turned to Harry.

“Did she just break up with me?” Ron asked Harry shakily. Harry stared at him blankly. “No, no, she couldn't have. We're just going through a rough patch. Must be that time of the month, right?” Harry looked at him in disbelief.

“You bastard. You fucking bastard! Do you even know the meaning behind that name? Or were you too busy staring at her chest to listen to her when she told us that THAT'S WHAT HER PARENTS USED TO CALL HER!” Ron looked shocked and Harry's outburst.

“But they died a year ago. Surely a name wouldn't be that much of an issue would it? Come on, it—it's just a name, Harry.” Harry stared at Ron in shock, his eyes turning darker with anger.

“No Ron, its not. It's not just a name and Hermione is not just a girl. I'm sorry it took you took long to see that.” And with a clap, he slammed his book closed, and walked out of the common room to find Hermione.

End Flashback

Ginny's POV

“Of course, Harry and I had already broken up, but it was then that I knew that Harry and I would have never worked out. He cared about Hermione too much. Sure, he loved me, and still does, but as a sister, not as a lover. In fact, it was I who broke it off with him. Right after the war, in fact.” Draco looks confused for a moment then opens his mouth to speak.

“How did he take it? When you broke up with him? Obviously, this was after the war, when everyone was back at school. Everyone expected you two to get back together, along with Hermione and Ron. I remember being shocked when I heard the news that you two had broken up. I just always assumed that he broke up with you because `he had changed too much after the war.'” He looks down at me, awaiting my answer.

“He took it well. I think both of us knew it wasn't going to work. It was great while it lasted, but the war changed everybody, and I still had my image of my knight in shining armor.” I smile up at Draco, and kiss him softly on the lips. “Now I know that he saw you kiss me, but then I didn't know that. We simply agreed that too much had changed, and that it was best that be--we both moved on. I think that's what has kept us friends. We broke it off mutually because we both knew it wasn't working. And lucky for me, I found you right away, but Harry…”

Draco smiles wickedly. “Yeah, stupid Potter. Can't see what's bloody in front of his eyes.” I hit his arm playfully.

“Watch your language, Malfoy.”

“Yes, dear,” he replies sheepishly. “Lets go out to dinner at that tasty muggle café down the street so I can make it up to you and hear more delicious stories about the idiot trio.”

I laugh and lean up to kiss my boyfriend's cheek. “Sounds like a plan. Let me just pop this over to Hermione's flat and then we can be on our way.”

Hermione's POV

I look at the clock and see that its 4:30. Time to get ready for my date with Harry. Ha, I wish. I sigh, and walk into my bathroom, deciding that after my stressful day, I deserve to have a nice bubble bath. I fill up my tub with lavender scented bubble bath and light some vanilla candles that Harry gave me as a feel better present after I had fallen ill a couple of months ago. Just as I am about to step into the bath, my floo bell rings. I grab my bathrobe and walk over to the fireplace to see Ginny's head in the flames.

“Hey Gin. I was just about to take a bath. Come on over.” Her head disappears for a moment, and then she steps out of the fireplace, holding a large box in her hands.

“Draco and I are going out to an early dinner, so I thought I would drop this off before you leave. I hope you like it. I went pretty glam on this, as I figured Harry would take you somewhere pretty nice for dinner.” I smile at my red headed friend, and take the box from her, looking at it hesitantly.

“Go on, open it!” she urges, and I slowly lift off the lid to find the most beautiful red dress I have ever seen. “Ginny,” I gasp, “It's beautiful! I'd say its one of the best you've ever made. Thank you so much!” She smiles warmly at me.

“I'm glad you like it, but I have to go. Draco will be waiting for me, and we know how impatient he is. I promised I'd tell him stupid stories about the trio, and I know he's dying to find out more about your stupid adventures.”

I giggle with Ginny and wish her a good day, and then go back to return to my bath, which was now hot, bubbly, and filled to the brim. I remove my robe and slip into the warm bath.

After my very satisfying bath, I dry myself up, slip on Ginny's dress, which immediately molds to my curves to fit me, well, magically. I apply my makeup, and then magic my hair up into a soft bun, allowing some hair to frame my face in soft tendrils. Puberty really is a godsend. I look at my clock, and find that I still have about half an hour until Harry comes to pick me up, so I wander into my study and do some work while I wait.

Harry's POV

Looking up from my work, I realized that its 5:48. Shit, I have to get ready for dinner with Hermione! I realized with horror that I haven't yet made a reservation, and quickly apperate over to The Silver Snitch to make a reservation for two at 7:00. Being the savior of the Wizarding World has its advantages. As I walk out of the restaurant to apperate home, I see a lady selling flowers, and on a whim buy a dozen roses for Hermione. It's now 6:02, and I dash in to the shower. After putting on my best suit, and vainly trying for five minutes to tame my hair, I look at the clock, and see that it's 6:20. Grabbing the roses, I hope into my car, and drive over to Hermione's flat, opting for muggle transportation in lieu of magic to make it more romantic.

Romantic? This isn't a date Harry, just what do you think you're doing?

Well maybe I want it to be.

I arrive at Hermione's flat at 6:31, walk up to the front door, and ring the doorbell.

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A/N: Sorry for the cliffy, but I just had to. You'll see their date next chapter, I promise!

If any of you were wondering about Hermione's dress, it can be found here: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=220499&LinkType=CrossSell&PseudoCat=22177&LinkLoc=22177