Hermione Granger and the Order of the Phoenix

Hermione woke up very early as she often did September 19^th. She laid in bed for a long moment, staring at the canopy of her bed, smiling. Today she was sixteen. Sweet sixteen, she added with a small smile. Despite her grin, her stomach was still twisting rather annoyingly out of nerves. She obeyed Ginny's request not to think about what she had said about letting Ron go until her birthday. She had to admit it was a good idea. If Ron did fancy her, and knew that he did, but was too fearful to tell her, he might be able to express his sentiments with a gift.

She sat up in bed and opened her curtains so she could find her wand. It was only dimly light outside; the sun had probably just come up. Lavender and Parvati were still sound asleep and probably clueless that today was even her birthday. Her fingers finally closed around the ebony handle and she tugged her curtains back closed. With a quick Lumos, her wand tip lit up brilliantly, and she laid it down in front of her so she could see the edge of her bed. Sure enough, her gifts were all ready there.

All right, just relax, she told herself, Ginny isn't infallible, even if Ron doesn't give you a fantastic gift, it doesn't mean he doesn't fancy you. He is still Ron after all. Don't let it ruin your birthday.

She was tempted to pounce on the pile and throw the boxes around until she found the one with Ron's handwriting on the card. But she forced herself to randomly select one, pull off the card, and squint in the dim light so she could read it.

To Hermione, Happy Birthday, Harry.

Well, that's nice, Hermione told herself pleasantly. She and Harry weren't getting along as they normally were, but he still got her a gift. But then again, Harry was a good chap, and wouldn't forget his best friend's birthday. She opened the parcel to find the Arithmancy book she had mentioned wanting to read to him in August. She smiled as she flipped through it. Good, old Harry; he always came through.

The intellectual side of her wanted to forget her other gifts and start reading straight away, but she forced herself not to, and reached instead for the next gift. A letter fluttered out of the card, and she snatched it up hopefully.

Dearest Hermione,

I have not heard from you in quite a while and I am hoping that you are well. I assume you are back at school, and I hope you are enjoying yourself. I am doing well; the Quidditch season ended a fortnight ago so I have lots of time on my hands now. I am thinking about looking for another job since one cannot play Quidditch forever. I have also moved out of my parents' home and am now living in a flat in Sofia with some of my teammates.

I was most sorry that you were not able to come visit during your holidays, but I hope you had fun with your friend. But if you are still interested in seeing Bulgaria, I would now like to extend an invitation for you to come for Christmas. Bulgaria is beautiful in the winter, and I have recently discovered a new Muggle sport that perhaps you have tried: skiing. A new resort opened within Apparating distance, and my teammates and I are fascinated with it, and it certainly helps keep us in shape for Quidditch. Have you ever tried it? If you haven't, I'd be happy to teach you. And of course, the invitation is extended to your parents.

But anyway, the real reason I am writing you this letter is to wish you a very happy birthday. May all of your wishes come true, and know that I am thinking about you on this day. But then again, I think about you everyday.

Please write back soon, and until then, adieu.

Fondest Wishes to you on this special day,

Viktor

Hermione was blushing by the time she finished the letter. Viktor was so sweet; honestly, at times she didn't know why she didn't why didn't feel anything for Viktor more than friendship. He was mature, talented, serious, a professional Quidditch player, and certainly knew what to say to a girl. Hermione knew that if she wasn't so practical and if she hadn't had certain feelings towards a certain red-headed Gryffindor, she could have easily fallen for Viktor's charm. His attentions towards her were most flattering, and he was the first person who had made her feel beautiful. And she had needed that, especially at that point in her life, when certain idiots were only just discovering that--surprise--she was a girl! But the trouble with Viktor was she just didn't have any of the feelings a girl was supposed to have towards a boyfriend. She didn't find him very attractive, and while he was very interesting and a good person to talk to, it just wasn't enough. And sometimes when he would tell her how pretty she was, she had the urge to laugh, to be honest. She couldn't be that beautiful, and even if she was, she didn't want it flaunted in front of her. There were more important things than looks.

She carefully laid aside the letter and opened the small package. She gasped slightly as she pulled out the dainty gold chain and examined the charm with a smile. It was a mermaid, most likely in reference to him saving her in the second task, a subtle reminder that she was the person he would miss most in the entire world. As beautiful as the gift was, she couldn't help sighing as she dropped it back into the box. Oh, Viktor, she thought ruefully, why can't you understand that I just don't feel the same way?

Ginny's gift to her was next, and it was a rather eclectic mix of things: a bottle of SleekEazy Potion, a copy of The Quibbler with its cover story about a new potion that supposedly enraptured every wizard in the universe, a bag of Sugar Quills (her favorite candy), and a bottle of the ink that changed color that she adored (she found it very useful for categorizing her notes). Her parents sent her several Muggle books that she had been wanting to read, a pearl-encrusted vanity set with a matching brush, comb, and hand-held mirror, and what they had always promised she would receive when she turned sixteen: Grandmother's locket. Hermione smiled as she clasped it around her neck and smiled down at the silver, oval-shaped locket with a striking sapphire in the center.

There were only two packages left now, and Hermione's stomach was tightening a little more by the second. A glance down at the next one she grabbed told her it was Ron's by the handwriting. The card was plain and unrevealing. All that was left was to look inside the parcel. Hermione took a deep breath, hating that she was so nervous for this. Honestly, she was going to hex Ginny into next week for putting so much pressure on this.

She ripped open the box, peered inside, and promptly burst out into laughter.

He had gotten her the same book Harry had.

Prat, she thought affectionately. It was just like those two not to discuss what to get to make sure that this wouldn't happen. She was rather disappointed, but what should she have expected: a dozen roses, a box of fine chocolate, and perfume? She pulled the book out of the box, and smiled when several Sugar Quills tumbled out along with the text. She picked up one of the pieces of candy and twirled it in her hand; at least he remembered what her favorite candy was, that was something, she told herself hopefully. Then she sighed and roughly stuck the quill into her mouth, savoring the sweetness in this bitter situation.

So he really didn't know how he felt yet.

Hermione swallowed the candy in a big gulp, staring a tad sadly at the pile of gifts she had just received. So that was that. Happy birthday to me, she sung silently inside of her head.

Lavender and Parvati were starting to get up, so Hermione pulled aside her curtains too. Lavender was the only one in the room; Parvati must have already gone to the loo.

"Morning," Lavender said offhandedly when she saw Hermione emerge from her bed. Her eyes caught on the mound of parcels. "Hey, is it your birthday?'

"Yes," Hermione admitted.

"Well, happy birthday," Lavender told her with a smile. She wandered over to examine Hermione's gifts as Hermione opened her trunk to find some clean clothes. "Hey, you forgot one!" Hermione lowered the lid and glanced at the unopened box with a shrug. "You can open it for me." Hermione raised the lid again to hide her laughter and shield herself just in case.

BANG

"Hey!" Lavender shouted with surprise at the explosion that resounded throughout the room like a Christmas cracker. Hermione snickered. "Who would give you something like that!" Lavender pulled out a sheet of parchment that was inside as Hermione closed her trunk. "Happy birthday from Gred and Forge. Oh," she said with disgust. She looked down into the trunk and screamed again.

"What?" Hermione asked, concerned. Lavender seemed genuinely upset.

"They gave you an ear!" Lavender screeched with revulsion. "Why would they do something so awful!"

Hermione giggled again as she took the box from Lavender and extracted the Extendable Ear; the twins had twisted the flesh-colored string into a rather realistic ear-shape. "Lavender, it's okay," she soothed, "it's one of their inventions. You use it to overhear conversations."

Lavender's horrorstruck face instantly changed to a devilishly curious one. "Oh, really?" she grinned. "Very interesting."

"What are you yelling about?" Parvati asked with annoyance as she returned from her shower. "Honestly, Lavender, that was really disrespectful." Parvati worriedly examined her still damp hair. "I lost count on how many seconds that potion is supposed to sit in my hair, and it could get all messed up!"

Lavender watched her best friend fuss with her hair, and with a wink to Hermione, picked up the now empty box and carry it over to Parvati.

"Here, this parcel just came for you."

"It's got Hermione's name on it," Parvati pointed out in confusion.

"It was a mistake," Hermione explained while breezing out of the room. "It's definitely for you." She couldn't help bursting out into laughter at the loud pop and scream she heard from her dormitory as she headed down to the loo. Little did Lavender know that she had just given Hermione the best birthday present she could have gotten at that moment.

**

The rest of Hermione's birthday passed well enough, although she did feel a little bad about lying to Ron; he had almost anxiously asked if she liked her gift, and she didn't have the heart to tell him that Harry had given her the same thing. It also hurt more than she'd care to admit that Harry had barely said two words to her that day. But then again, he wasn't really talking a lot to anyone lately, although things were certainly looking up for him. The detentions had ended, and he wasn't nearly as behind in schoolwork as he was earlier that term. Harry just seemed to be in a world of his own thoughts most of the time, and she had a pretty good idea what he was thinking about.

So she had put an end to it by finally bringing up the subject of Harry possibly teaching them proper defense. She was thrilled that Harry agreed to her plan, but she wasn't happy with Ron after the conversation, first since he didn't back her up immediately although he had been telling her for ages that he thought it was a brilliant idea, and second because he had brought up the Viktor issue again. She had thought that they had reached an understanding about Viktor with their conversation in August, but Ron appeared to be pretending that discussion never happened. Well, two could play that game, Hermione thought determinedly as she entered the Great Hall on an early October morning, she had much more important things to worry about.

"Good morning, Hermione!"

Ah, Hermione thought as she halted at the sound of voice calling her, this was the main thing she needed to worry about at the moment. Hermione stopped her walk over to the Gryffindor table, and approached the Hufflepuff table instead. "Good morning, Ernie," she returned with a smile. "Hannah," she added.

"Hello, Hermione," Hannah answered.

Hermione took a quick look around before bending towards the two of them. "Listen, what do you think of Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?"

Ernie scowled. "Well, isn't it obvious? We don't learn a ruddy thing in that class!" Hannah nodded her agreement.

Hermione smiled. "Good. Then what would you say if I told you I was planning a way for us to learn proper Defense?"

"What are you going on about, Hermione?" Ernie asked.

"If you're interested," Hermione said with an air of mystery, glancing up at the head table. She didn't want Umbridge to cotton on that she was recruiting for another Defense class. "Meet us in Hogsmeade at Hog's Head this weekend. We'll explain everything there."

"Explain what?" a voice said from behind her.

Hermione turned around, startled and a little edgy, praying it wasn't a Slytherin. To her relief, she slightly recognized the tall, blonde boy standing behind the three of them from the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. He was eying her with a mixture of interest, suspicion, and confusion.

"Oh, hullo, Zacharias," Ernie greeted him. "This should be right up your alley; Hermione here was just telling us of a way to actually learn about Defense this year."

"Is that right?" Zacharias inquired curiously, rounding on Hermione. "How're you to manage that?"

"I can't really go into details now," Hermione told him, shooting another look at the head table, "but if you'd like to find out more, just show up at Hog's Head this Saturday. You'll learn all about it then."

Zacharias took a step towards her so he was standing a little too close to Hermione's comfort. "Are you going to be there?"

"Uh--yes, of course," Hermione answered.

"Then I'll see you there," Zacharias said with a grin as he strode off towards the other end of the table to where his friends were obviously waiting for him. Hermione shrugged slightly and turned back to Ernie and Hannah.

"Well?"

"You can count on us," Hannah reassured her.

"I'll spread the word among the rest of us," Ernie offered.

"That'd be great, thanks," Hermione readjusted her school bag on her shoulder. "Well, I better get some breakfast before History, see you later!" She hurried over to the Gryffindor table and took a seat before anyone realized she had been at the wrong table. She knew she was being a tad paranoid, but you couldn't be too careful these days. Especially with Umbridge lurking around. She was just grateful that she had managed to get this plan into action. She had been most worried that Harry was going to ruin it by refusing to teach, but he had come through as he always had. She could tell that he was rather nervous about the prospect of teaching several students, but she knew he could do it. Harry really was a fantastic wizard when he applied himself, and he certainly knew how to apply himself in the field of Defense Against the Dark Arts. So when Harry had finally agreed to her plan, she had been rounding up students all week, along with Ron.

Speaking of Ron...Hermione looked up and down the table. Where was he? He had agreed to help her talk to some more students this morning; tomorrow was the big day, after all, and she wanted to get as many people as she could. If he had overslept again, or waited for Harry, she was going to have to have a few words with him about his priorities.

But there he was, at the Ravenclaw table, speaking to Luna Lovegood. Or rather, he was trying to get away from Luna, who kept chattering away with him. What is wrong with that girl, Hermione thought, continuing to watch them as she buttered her toast and shoved it into her mouth without really tasting it. She didn't know what it was about Luna, that girl just rubbed her the wrong way. Perhaps it was because she was so batty-looking, or that she actually believed the rubbish her father printed, or the fact that she was patting Ron's arm. Hermione blinked. Luna was patting Ron's arm? She looked again. Luna Lovegood was actually sitting there, bold as brass, rubbing what appeared to be a sympathetic hand on Ron's forearm. Ron smiled politely at her and detached his arm to gesture over to the Gryffindor table. Luna nodded and as Ron walked away, looked over at the table. Hermione quickly and irrationally ducked her head down, not wanting to be caught watching. She didn't dare raise her eyes from her plate until she felt Ron fall into the bench beside her.

"How'd it go?" she inquired.

"Fine, Loony's onboard," Ron reported, reaching for the pumpkin juice. Hermione sneaked a look over at Luna, and found that the girl was still watching her. Luna was now smiling rather broadly and Hermione could have sworn the dingbat winked at her before tucking into her breakfast. "She said she'd help inform some of the other Ravenclaws."

"Great," Hermione knew that Ginny was doing a very good job of rounding up Ravenclaws with Michael, but she didn't think that this was the time to bring that up. Ron had to find out sometime about his sister dating the very good-looking fifth-year, but not now. She didn't want a blow-up to occur in the middle of the Great Hall.

"What about Ernie and Hannah?" Ron asked.

"Oh, they're coming," Hermione told him. "And they're helping spread the word too."

"What about that other bloke?" Ron asked offhandedly.

"Pardon?" Hermione asked, momentarily confused.

"The bloke who came up to you," Ron pointed over to the end of the Hufflepuff table. "Third one from the end. Blonde bloke, tall."

"Oh, right," Hermione responded. "Didn't catch his name--Zacharias or something. Anyway, he said he was coming too."

"What year is he in?"

Hermione shrugged. "How would I know? I only just met him. I think he's a sixth-year." Ron muttered something under his breath. "Pardon?" Hermione asked again. She realized with a start that Ron's ears were glowing bright red.

"Nothing," he muttered, slashing rather savagely at his eggs and taking a few, fast, furious bites. Hermione watched him curiously; she thought she knew Ron rather well, but there were moments like these that she couldn't make head or tails of what he was feeling. It seemed like he was almost angry at her for some reason, but not angry enough to start a bickering match. It was a different kind of frustration he was experiencing, but the problem was, Hermione had no idea where it stemmed from.

"I think I know him from somewhere," Ron remarked in a louder voice, glaring at Zacharias again.

"Really?" Hermione asked. "Where?"

"I don't remember," Ron answered, ears flaming an even brighter shade of scarlet. "But I do remember that he's a git."

"Oh," Hermione stated simply, not really sure what to say to that.

From her seat several people away, Ginny Weasley let out a huge snort of laughter, causing for some quantities of milk to spurt in a rather undignified manner from her nostrils. Fred and George, a few seats a way, cheered loudly and led the scattered applause that mounted from the Gryffindor table. Ron seemed to come out his surly mood to laugh at his sister, who just shrugged casually. Hermione didn't know how Ginny did it; she herself would have been mortified if that ever happened to her. Ginny caught her eye, and winked. Hermione stared back in confusion--what was with the Weasleys today, were they all trying to bewilder her? Ginny rolled her eyes, and after releasing a few more giggles, mouthed the word 'Later' to her.

Hermione barely had time to nod back to Ginny before Harry threw himself into the seat across from her and Ron to eat a hurried breakfast--she knew he had stayed up later than usual to finish a particularly nasty essay for Snape. Harry and Ron had been doing a lot better in keeping up in their homework, and Harry hadn't had a detention in quite some time now, much to hers and Ron's relief. But every once in a while, especially when Quidditch practice occurred on the evening previous, Harry or Ron or sometimes both had to use precious morning time to catch up on their studies.

Well, Hermione thought as she finished up her breakfast, at least they aren't getting D's on their essays anymore.

**

"Did you see the look on his face this morning?" Ginny demanded, looking as though she was about to burst out into laughter again.

"Ginny, what are you going on about?" Hermione asked wearily. Ginny had just pulled her aside in the common room, and Hermione was rather keen to head off to bed. Harry and Ron were very involved in a long game of chess, and she just wanted to knit some hats, and get some sleep so she could be rested for the meeting tomorrow and perhaps free some more house-elves.

"Ron, of course!" Ginny clarified. "This morning. When he saw you talking to that chap."

"You mean when I talked to Ernie?" Hermione's brow was knitted in confusion. "But what does me..."

"No, no," Ginny waved an impatient hand. "That other chap. The tall, blonde one."

"Oh, him," Hermione recalled. "What about him?"

"What about him?" Ginny repeated, "How about him helping make my brother insanely jealous?"

All weariness vanished from Hermione's senses. "What?"

"You should have seen his face while he was talking to Loony," Ginny reported, giggling even harder. "When he looked up and saw you with that chap..." Ginny had to stop in mid-sentence to clutch at her side. "And then trying to act all casual when he got back to the table." She wiped away the tears of mirth. "It was priceless!"

"Ginny, are you sure?" Hermione asked skeptically. "He might have just been making conversation. I was asking him about Luna, so he asked me about Zacharias."

Ginny's smile abruptly faded. "Zacharias Smith?"

"Well--I don't know, I didn't catch his last name." Hermione frowned. "Gin, what is it?"

"Ron really did know him from somewhere," Ginny muttered.

"Ginny!" Hermione fought the urge to stamp her foot--now she knew how Ron felt whenever she lost herself in thought while in mid-conversation. "Who is he?"

"It's not a big deal," Ginny reassured her. "It's just that Fred had a thing with this girl from Hufflepuff--Patricia something-or-other--anyway, Zacharias swept in and practically stole the girl right under Fred's nose."

"That's horrible," Hermione said sympathetically, although she was finding it hard to imagine Fred trying to win a girl's heart, and being devastated when his heart was broken.

"I never even saw the bloke, but I bet Ron did," Ginny said thoughtfully, "That's where he knew the bastard from."

"So then he wasn't jealous?" Hermione said wryly. "Thanks a lot, Gin."

"Oh, he was," Ginny smirked. "He's not as good at hiding it like you are."

Hermione felt a blush creep up on her cheeks. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Honestly, Hermione, jealous of Loony Lovegood?" Ginny tutted. "You've really got it bad then." Hermione shrugged, not denying it because it was true. Ginny sobered and hesitated for a moment. "Hermione--what did Ron wind up getting you for your birthday?"

Hermione sighed. Ginny had tactfully not brought up this sooner, but her birthday had been over two weeks ago, and she hadn't said a word about Ron's gift. But it was time. "A book," she admitted. "He got me a book."

"Oh," Ginny said in disappointment, "I was hoping that he would have..."

"Me too," Hermione interrupted sadly.

"Look," Ginny continued, "you don't have to listen to me; you can tell me go to hell if you want. It's your decision, honestly." She looked her friend straight in the eye. "I just want you to be happy."

"I know," Hermione said, "and I appreciate that, Ginny, but I honestly don't think I can be happy with anyone but Ron."

"I know," Ginny replied, "I felt the same way, but then I met Michael, and..."

"I know," Hermione interrupted again. She smiled at her friend. "You really are happy with him, aren't you?"

Ginny grinned. "Ecstatic is probably the better word to describe it."

Hermione nodded as tucked some hair behind an ear. "So, you still haven't told Ron about Michael?"

Ginny sighed. "No." She looked pleadingly Hermione. "He's going to be furious."

"He'll get over it," Hermione told her gently. "But I think you should tell him tonight. Ron's not that thick; he's going to see you and Michael tomorrow and figure it out."

"Believe me, Hermione, Ron is that thick, he won't notice a thing," Ginny retorted.

"Ginny, would you rather tell him yourself or have someone else do it for you?" Hermione asked sharply.

She didn't get the response she expected. Ginny actually looked excited at that question. "You could tell him!"

"Oh, no," Hermione protested, "I'm not going to get involved!"

"Please," Ginny begged, hopping up and down excitedly, "he won't get mad at you!"

It was Hermione's turn to snort with laughter. "Have you seen Ron and I together?"

"But not about this," Ginny said. "Besides, you're the only person who can talk any sense into him."

"That's not true," Hermione protested, feeling her cheeks turn pink again.

"You know it is," Ginny said earnestly. "And you know why it's true, and I know why it's true, even if the idiot doesn't know why it's true," A mischievous grin spread across her face. "It's because he loooovvveess you!"

"Ginny, shut it!" Hermione shushed her frantically, nervously darting a look at Ron. But he was fortunately still absorbed in his match with Harry.

"He loooovvveeesssss you!" Ginny repeated, grinning even broader. Harry actually looked up, and glanced over at the two girls. Hermione used her thick head of hair to hide her blush while Ginny simply waved merrily to Harry. Harry returned it, and returned his attention to the game, and Hermione knew in a few minutes, he'd forget what he had heard.

But not if Ginny yelled it again. Ginny had opened her mouth, and Hermione quickly clapped a hand over it. Ginny giggled into her palm, knowing that her friend was about to give in to her demands.

"If I agree to this, will you keep your voice down?"

Ginny nodded, eyes twinkling.

"Fine," Hermione sighed, dropping her hand from Ginny's face. "But if he takes it out on me..."

"I'll teach you the Bat-Bogey Curse to use on him," Ginny finished promptly. "It's my specialty, you know."

Normally, Hermione wouldn't accept this as a reasonable response, but today, for some reason, it was more than enough.

**

"Well, I think that went quite well," said Hermione happily as she, Harry, and Ron walked out of the Hog's Head into the bright sunlight. And it really had--they had gotten off to a rough start, but once people started believing Harry and realizing how qualified he really was to teach them, things went splendidly. Everyone who had gathered there had the signed the parchment she had jinxed, so no one could snitch without suffering the consequences. She had been rather worried that some people would refuse, and she did almost have that problem with Ernie and Zacharias. She frowned slightly at the thought of Zacharias Smith--she could certainly understand why Ginny had spoken so poorly of him; he really was quite a prat.

To her surprise, Ron was echoing her thoughts. "That Zacharias bloke's a wart," said Ron, who was glowering after the figure of Smith just discernible in the distance.

Hermione recalled the conversation she had with Ginny the previous night, and as wonderful as the hope that Ron had been jealous had felt, she couldn't have him think that she and that prat were carrying on. She'd have to put up with his remarks and comments; after all, he had gone on and on about Viktor who was a perfectly respectful chap. She'd hate to hear how long Ron could go off on an idiot like Zacharias Smith. Besides, she didn't want him to experience the horrid feeling of jealousy; she knew all too well how awful it was when you were unnecessarily jealous of someone.

"I don't like him much either," she told Ron and Harry, but really for Ron's benefit. "but he overhead me talking to Ernie and Hannah at the Hufflepuff table and he seemed really interested in coming, so what could I say?" Ron looked mollified by her statement, but Hermione knew that would be vanishing quite soon, and she felt awful about that. But she had promised Ginny. "But the more people the better really--I mean, Michael Corner and his friends wouldn't have come if he hadn't been going out with Ginny..."

She had dodge slightly to avoid being sprayed with butterbeer. Ron seemed oblivious to the fact that the last of his butterbeer were now splattered all over his jumper.

"He's WHAT?" said Ron, outraged, his ears now resembling curls of raw beef. "She's going out with--my sister's going--what d'you mean, Michael Corner?"

Yes, Ginny, Ron reacted so very well to the news, Hermione thought in her head. She forced herself to use a very calm voice in her attempt to placate Ron. "Well, that's why he and his friends came, I think--well, they're obviously interested in learning defense, but if Ginny hadn't told Michael what was going on..."

"When did this--when did she--?"

"They met at the Yule Ball and they got together at the end of last year," said Hermione composedly. It seemed like a good time to change to the subject, and she paused as she realized she was standing outside Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. "Hmm...I could do with a new quill." It was partly true; you could never have too many quills, so she quickly headed into the store.

"Which one was Michael Corner?" Ron demanded furiously.

"The dark one," said Hermione.

"I didn't like him," said Ron at once.

Her annoyance reached her limit--honestly, Ron hadn't said two words to Michael and he was all ready condemning him. "Big surprise," said Hermione under her breath.

"But," Ron continued as he kept following her down the rows of quills, "I thought Ginny fancied Harry!"

That stopped her half-hearted search for a new quill. She stopped walking, eyes first going to Harry, who wasn't really listening, and Hermione had a pretty good idea why. Cho Chang had been paying a great deal of attention to Harry during the meeting, and Hermione had caught her staring at Harry several times. Judging from Harry's slightly dazed expression, he was reliving those moments with the beautiful sixth-year again and again. Well, at least one of her best friends were noticing girls.

Not now, she told herself firmly. This is about Ginny. She knew why Ron wanted Ginny to fancy Harry--because it was safe. Harry, at least right now, didn't return Ginny's sentiments, and nothing would happen yet. Ron would rather his sister pine away for a dream boy instead of moving on with her life. That way he wouldn't have to worry about protecting his little sister from the big bad Michael Corner. It was so sweet of him to worry like this, so when she looked up at Ron, her gaze was more pityingly than angry.

She shook her head. "Ginny used to fancy Harry, but she gave up on him months ago." Hermione wondered briefly if Ginny was really over Harry, or just moving on as she had urged Hermione to do. Harry was still wrapped up in his Cho-reminisces, but just in case he was listening, and was hurt that Ginny no longer liked him, she spoke to him while examining the first quill she touched, "Not that she doesn't like you, of course."

Harry looked as though something had just occurred to him. "So that's why she talks to me now? She never used to talk in front of me."

"Exactly," she told him. She glanced down at the quill she still had in her hand, and to her delight, realized it was a rather attractive black-gold pheasant feather. "Yes, I think I'll have this one..."

She had thought that Ron had gotten over his rage until she turned around after purchasing her quill and stepped on his foot. "Ron," she said severely, "this is exactly why Ginny hasn't told you she's seeing Michael, she knew you'd take it badly. So don't harp on about it, for heaven's sake."

"What d'you mean, who's taking anything badly? I'm not going to harp on about anything..."

Ron continued to chunter under his breath while Hermione tried to force herself to think about something else. A horrid thought was forming in her mind, but she pushed it away and turned to Harry. "And talking about Michael and Ginny...what about Cho and you?"

"What d'you mean?" said Harry quickly. He looked rather like a deer caught in the headlights--did he really think she hadn't noticed?

The endearing expression on Harry's shocked face made her smile, and gave in to her urge to bolster his suspicions about Cho's attentions being good for him. "Well, she just couldn't keep her eyes off you, could she?"

She had never seen Harry look so happy since the start of term, apart from the times he had seen Sirius. It made her heart warm at the sight of it, and the fall wind felt less biting in those moments. Harry deserved to have a normal life, why shouldn't have a girlfriend? It'd be good for him, especially a girl as kind as Cho Chang. She was thrilled for him, it was about time Harry found a girlfriend...it was also time for someone else to too, but Hermione was tired of thinking about that. She found herself watching Ron surreptitiously, a habit she had developed as of late. His outrage about Ginny dating hadn't caught her by surprise, she knew he'd take it poorly. But his denial of having a problem had struck her with the overwhelming sense of déjà vu; it was the exact same way he had reacted when she had confronted him after the Yule Ball and their row at Grimmauld Place that summer. He was treating her the same way he treated Ginny; he saw her in the same light. And that could only mean that Ron saw her as a sister, nothing more.

It was somewhat flattering that Ron cared about her in that manner, espially since they fought all the time. She didn't have any siblings, and when she was younger, she had always wanted a big brother. But honestly, she saw Harry as the big brother figure in her life, and she saw Ron...well, she all ready knew that Ron was much more to her. And what was so disconcerting was that she couldn't feel that way towards him if she was just another little sister to him. Ron was bound to find a girlfriend eventually, insensitive git as he was, and that might be as soon as sometime this year. Luna Lovegood certainly seemed to have an eye on him, and besides, who wouldn't want to date Ron Weasley? And unless she wanted to go mad with jealousy...she was just going to have to move on.

Yes, Hermione told herself firmly but painfully, it was the only way. She didn't have time go mental this year, and besides, she had plenty of other things to focus on, especially with this new Defense class. She was sure that Harry would need her help, and it wasn't like she had enough on her plate this year with O.W.L.s and everything. She didn't have time to dwell on this. It was the only logical thing to do.

That settles it then, Hermione thought, ignoring the twist of her stomach. She was finally going to take Ginny's advice.

She was going to let Ron Weasley go.