Tangles

Tangles

The girls were gathered in the seventh-year dormitory preparing astonish the school. Lavender was attempting to charm Parvati's thick, dark hair into a tight French knot, while Katie Bell, who had returned to help with the party preparations, was curling the locks that fell loosely around her delicate face. Hermione was applying lip reddening charms, peering into the mirror to get the colour right.

"You look beautiful, Lavender," she said as she turned to look across at the other girls.

The slight, blonde girl smiled. Hermione was right. Her ice blue robes were cut to accent her tiny waist and narrow hips and her hair was piled on top of her head and fell in rows of curls across her neck and shoulders. It had taken Katie, with the aid of both a wand and a pair of muggle curling tongs, nearly an hour and a half to complete the style, but it had been worth it: Lavender looked radiant.

Katie smiled at her over Parvati's head. "Seamus is a lucky man."

Lavender flushed and Parvati's hair wobbled as her friend lost concentration. "We are only going to the dance together, it isn't like we are really a couple."

Katie raised her eyebrows, "Of course," and went back to attending to Parvati's curls.

Hermione was smoothing out her copper-brown robes and locating her underwear.

"Where is my strapless bra?" She began rummaging frantically through her trunk.

"It's on the chair by the window. I'd rather not know why..." Parvati returned.

Hermione turned to her friends with an indignant frown, "Because I was trying it on with the robes last night to make sure it didn't show. I must have just put it down and forgotten to put it away!"

"And there we were thinking Harry might have been visiting..." Katie laughed.

Hermione's face darkened. "Harry and I broke up. You all know that." She crossed the room away from them and began to undress.

There was a silence. "I'm sorry, Hermione." Katie said timidly. "I'm not around anymore. I heard that you split but then I heard that you got back together again. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by that comment. I was only teasing - I didn't mean to hurt you."

Hermione smiled weakly. "It's ok. I'm not upset. We did get back together again for a bit. But it was too serious. We needed a break. It had been over a year - I think that's why we split the first time. It was getting to be a strain and we weren't happy. We were together again about a month. Then we broke up again. Mutually. I think it was his idea, but I'm not sure. It doesn't matter anyway."

She turned away again and continued to put on her dress robes.

The uncomfortable silence grew and grew until it encompassed everything, smothering Parvati's feeble attempt to start a new conversation.

Ginny Weasley's head around the door followed a gentle knock. "Oh! Don't you all look fantastic!? I was wondering if we could borrow Katie when she is done in here? My hair is insane and I would love some help."

Grateful for the interruption, Katie rose to her feet. "I can come now. I've just finished in here." She glanced back around at Parvati's tightly twisted hair studded with a line of tiny red jewels to match her crimson robes, at Lavender's head of tiny, golden curls and at Hermione's chestnut hair swept up on top of her head with strands of gold wound into it. "Yes, I'm finished." She repeated, following the younger girl across the room. "Do you know? Those boys don't deserve you. They don't appreciate you. Remember that next year when you go out into the real world and meet men instead of little boys."

* * *

Christmas music was playing gently when the girls reached the Great Hall. Seamus met Lavender at the foot of the stairs and led her away to sit beside him at a small table on one side of the room. Parvati and Hermione crossed straight to the bar where Dean Thomas met them. "Hey girls! Can I get you anything?"

They smiled and made their choices before settling at a table by the Christmas tree. "He didn't even comment on our robes," whispered Parvati.

"If you asked him tomorrow he wouldn't even be able to remember what colour we were wearing. Men are all the same, dear."

"Wow, who sounds world weary? Shall we go dance while he fights his way to the bar? We might be waiting a long time..."

As she said this, a popular dance song began to blare from the speakers. "Why not?" agreed Hermione, following the increasing crowd onto the dance floor.

Not far from where the girls stood, arms in the air, bodies gyrating to the music, danced Lavender and Seamus. "You look beautiful," he had told her when the music started and he led her out onto the dance floor. Lavender looked at him in his dark blue robes and could have said the same thing. The heavy fabric hung well across his Quidditch player's body and brought out the colour of his eyes. His hair was growing long and it curled slightly into waves at the base of his neck. It was a darker blond than hers, more a deep gold than yellow and sweat was darkening it to bronze at the nape of his neck and around his ears. She smiled: he was nervous. Thank God!

"What are you smiling at?"

"Do I need a reason to be smiling?"

"No, I guess not." He smiled back at her and pulled her into his arms. She felt a shiver run up her spine and was fiercely aware of all the places where their bodies touched: his hands on her waist, her hands on his shoulders, his chest brushing her breasts as he moved, his legs meeting hers as they followed the rhythm of the music.

* * *

Lavender had lost Seamus somewhere and was sitting with Harry, Parvati and Ginny at a table at the far end of the hall. From here she could see most of the dance floor. The boys were dressed mainly in dark robes, while the girls were splashes of colour among them. Her eyes were drawn to Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini, dancing closely together near to the front of the crowd. It appeared, as far as Lavender could see, their intent was to have as much of their bodies close to each other as possible without actually touching. Draco's hands hovered millimetres from Blaise's hips. She had one leg emerging from the slit in her emerald robes, her foot firmly placed between Draco's so that the length of their legs almost touched. This had the effect of drawing many eyes to them. It didn't help that they were easily the most beautiful couple on the dance floor and knew it, and that they were both fantastic dancers who moved like liquid together.

Lavender felt a knot of jealousy as she watched Draco give in to temptation and run his hands across the silk covering Blaise's back. She told herself off. She had no feelings for Malfoy, not when he quite deliberately snubbed her whenever she came near him. But damn the guy was hot!

"Missed me?" murmured a warm, male voice, drawing her attention back to the table. Seamus sat down beside her putting two butterbeers on the table. Why was she even thinking of Draco? She wondered as she looked up at the golden-haired boy smiling at her.

* * *

Harry and Ginny had gone to dance and Parvati got up to wander over to the bar, not wanting to be alone with Lavender and Seamus. She joined the queue behind Ron. His black robes complemented his orange hair. Parvati was glad to see that they looked like they had been bought to fit him rather than handed down. Not that it made a difference to her. Ron would, in her opinion, have looked fantastic in a canvas sack. Mmmhh sacks aren't very big... No. Stop. She told herself looking away. But it didn't help as she ended up looking at his legs instead, which really didn't help.

"Hello Parvati. Your hair looks lovely."

"Thanks," she replied casually, determined not to show how much the complement meant to her.

"Well, see you later." He crossed to Hermione, gave her her drink and the two walked away without looking back. Parvati tried not to watch.

"Can I help you?" the barman asked.

"No, I don't think so, but I would love a vodka and pumpkin juice."

* * *

Ginny was trembling. Here she was dancing in Harry Potter's arms. Well, in his arms was a bit of an exaggeration, but certainly dancing with Harry. His beautiful green eyes were locked with hers, and every so often his hand would brush her waist. Ginny could hardly breathe. How long had she wanted Harry to notice her?

Rumours had been circulating since his split with Hermione that he was maybe, just possibly, interested in her. But, as much as she hoped, Ginny did not believe rumours. When Harry had asked if she wanted to dance, Ginny had been sure he meant Parvati. But no - the boy she had wanted for as long as she could remember, was asking her to dance. It was just a dance, she kept telling herself. He probably didn't mean anything by it. She had heard he was still getting over Hermione. At least he wasn't drinking much. He wasn't drunk enough to make a pass at her without meaning anything by it. He was aware of what he was doing.

Almost as if he had heard her thoughts, Harry's hand fitted itself against the small of her back and pulled her against him. She could smell his skin, a mixture of sweat and sweet pine. She could feel his chest against her. Fine, she thought, if he wants to dance like this... and she reached up and slid her arms around his neck. Harry sighed in response, and slid his arms around her waist, his lips were now resting against her hair.

Conveniently, the music had slowed to allow some couples to dance and Harry and Ginny swayed together gently. Oh this is fun, Ginny's mind laughed. But any minute now I'm going to have to leave him though. I need the bathroom - I shouldn't have had that extra butterbeer. I'll wait until the end of the song.

Later Ginny could never remember exactly how it happened, how he had know when to, how she had responded, but Harry was kissing her. His warm lips caressed hers and she felt her mouth open to allow his tongue in. It was as if her brain and her body were detached. Her brain was screaming Oh my God! I'm kissing Harry. This is so unfair - I'm going to have to leave and go to the bathroom in a minute - oh hold on, this is just... just amazing. Her body was calm and assured. Without thinking her tongue responded to Harry, her arms tightened around him, her hand held the back of his neck. Slowly, Harry broke the kiss, and pulled back looking down into her eyes. She smiled up at him, and his eyes creased to return the smile as his mouth found hers again.

* * *

Ron and Hermione had been drinking steadily for most of the evening. Ron wasn't sure what they had been talking about, but he knew what they hadn't been talking about : Harry.

He wasn't sure how Hermione felt about Harry, but he was certain that Harry was still overprotective of Hermione, and jealous of other boys' attention to her. Sometimes Ron wondered whether Harry remembered that they had split up.

It was difficult to concentrate when Hermione was sprawled against his shoulder. He tentatively put his arm around her. To stop her from falling, he told himself. "You aren't having any more to drink," he told her. She murmured her assent to his decision. Ron forced himself to think about something else, he couldn't let her sultry voice have that effect on him.

Umm think Ron. Oh look, Seamus has finally kissed Lavender, good for him. She looks pretty happy about it too. Ron, stop thinking about Hermione. Oh, Blaise and Draco have had some kind of argument: isn't that satisfying. What's that blood?

He turned to the person sitting next to him who happened to be Justin. "What's happened. Why is there blood? Has there been a fight?"

"Yeah, you mean you missed it? Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson broke Hannah Abbott's nose. She sat in Pansy's seat and Pansy hit her. Hannah hit her back in defence, or so she says. Millicent pushed her onto the floor and Pansy kicked her. Broke her nose. Hannah has gone to Madam Pomfrey and Snape is dealing with the other two. Fucking Slytherins."

Ron shook his head. "I'm surprised they let us have alcohol."

"We are eighteen."

"Not all of us." Ron indicated a rather inebriated Ginny Weasley dancing with Dean Thomas.

"True. But hey, I'm not complaining." Justin raised his glass in salute and walked away.

Ron shifted his weight and Hermione moved, sitting upright. "I don't feel well."

"Okay, let's get you outside."

* * *

After Hermione had thrown up, she began to sober up. She stood on the path outside the doors looking lost. Ron put his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. "Are you ok now?"

"Yeah, thanks. You're a great bloke."

I don't feel like one right now. Harry would kill me. No. I'm not doing anything. It's a strain but I'm not going to touch you. I'm just going to stand here and hold you until you feel better.

"Thanks," he replied.

* * *

Parvati and Lavender were sitting by the tree when Hermione came over, tear-stained and shaking.

"Harry and Ron aren't talking," she sobbed.

"I was upset and Ron hugged me. He just hugged me and Harry got angry. He accused Ron of making a pass at me, of kissing me."

"Oh, that's stupid. It's none of his business, you broke up."

"I know. But you know what he's like. He gets so possessive about relationships. He hates losing people."

"Listen to me. He has no right to say anything to you. And he isn't losing you - you are still close friends." Parvati was getting angry. "What you do or don't do isn't his problem anymore."

"But I didn't do anything!" Hermione wailed.

Parvati turned to Lavender as she saw Ron walk back into the Great Hall looking lost. "Go to Ron. See if he's okay."

Lavender did as her friend suggested without a word. Parvati turned back to Hermione. "Now stop crying. Come on, dry your eyes. It's not worth crying over."

"But he's so angry and it might ruin their friendship."

"They have both had too much to drink. It will sort itself out in the morning. Wait until you are sober before you go talk to them."

"No. I need to talk to Harry."

"I really don't think that's a good idea..."

"I don't care what you think."

* * *

"Hey Ron, Hermione told us what happened. Come here." Lavender wrapped her arms around the upset boy. Her eyes met Seamus' over Ron's shoulder. Seamus nodded and went after Harry.

"I didn't do anything." Ron said quietly. Lavender could tell how upset he was, the famous Weasley temper had not emerged. Instead Ron looked like he couldn't focus, couldn't articulate. "I swear I didn't touch her all night. I just hugged her. Like this. Of course, to me it was more. But it wasn't. I .. oh... Harry will never speak to me again."

"Listen. Harry has no right to dictate what you can and cannot do. You didn't do anything wrong..."

"I know I didn't. But Harry thinks I did."

"Well he has no right. He can't impose one set of rules on you and have another for himself. If he wants Hermione back he and she need to sort that out. But he can't have Ginny as well."

"I know." Ron sighed. "Why can't he be happy with Ginny and let go of Hermione? I love Harry. And I love Ginny. And I love Hermione. I just wish this had never happened. And Harry is so angry and Hermione is in tears and Ginny must not find out and I am NOT going to cry..." he finished angrily, cuffing at his eyes. "I need to talk to Harry."

"No," Parvati said, coming up behind them and resting her arm on Ron's. "Wait until you are both sober."

"I am sober."

"No, you aren't," Lavender chided gently. "It won't feel like such a big deal in the morning."

"It will always be a big deal," Ron said stubbornly. "I have stayed away from Hermione out of respect for Harry. And now he accuses me of trying something on with her. And all the time he was snogging my little sister."

"Can't you hear how ridiculous that is? Listen to yourself."

"But I don't want Harry to be angry with me."

Lavender pulled Ron back into a hug and he rested his head on her shoulders. Parvati swallowed and walked away. She couldn't bring herself to comfort him. Not when it was so unfair, not when she wanted him so desperately and all he wanted was Hermione, who wasn't sure who or what she wanted.

Dean materialised at her shoulder. "What's going on?"

"Basically everyone is upset. Harry and Hermione still want to get into each other's pants, but neither will accept it and both want someone else as well." She could hear how callous her words sounded, but it was too late to call them back.

Dean raised his eyebrows. "Oh what a lovely mess. Ok, you take Hermione up to your dorm and I will get the boys to bed and they can face it tomorrow."

"Believe me, I've tried that idea!"

"Where are they now? I can see Ron there with Lavender - where are the others?"

"Hermione went off on her own. I think she wanted to talk to Harry, but he won't talk to her."

Dean frowned. "How can he be angry? He's had his mouth glued to Ginny Weasley all night."

"WHAT!?"

They both spun around. Hermione was standing behind them. "He what? Where is he? I need to talk to Harry..." She rushed off towards the entrance hall.

"I thought she had just talked to him?"

"Obviously not..."

* * *

The music had gone off and the majority of the students had left. The few who remained were milling around the bar or talking at the tables.

Ron was sitting with Lavender and Dean nursing a glass of pumpkin juice when Harry came past. Hermione was sitting crying on Parvati's shoulder a few tables away.

"Harry," Ron croaked, starting to get up.

"Don't talk to me." Harry said, brushing past. "And Dean - real smooth."

"Hey - you can't blame this on me. I didn't know she was behind me - and you shouldn't have been hiding it from her if you still have feelings for her."

Harry was gone and up the stairs, passing Professor Dumbledore who entered to send the last students to bed.

The headmaster stopped, surveyed the room, taking in Hermione's tears and Parvati's overwrought and gloomy expression, Ron's tearstained cheeks, Dean's indignant anger and Lavender's exhausted resignation.

"Had a good evening?"