Operation Jealousy

Operation Jealousy

"How do you know when it's... destiny?"

Ginny looked up from her newspaper and gave Hermione a very puzzled look.

"Destiny?" she said quietly.

"Yeah, I mean... How did you know... about Harry?"

"Oh, Herm! Really..." Ginny looked at her usually practical friend in disbelief.

"Well?" she asked impatiently. Ginny, although a year younger was surprisingly more mature than her friend at times.

"Herm, it's not about knowing... There's no special circumstances- It's just a feeling, like- like you're both cut out of the same cloth, like you know them without having to sit down and talk about it. It's something that is understood. Comfortable," the redhead murmured from behind the editorials. Hermione, slightly put out, sighed, picked up her mug and walked into the Potter's kitchen. She was just pouring herself another cup of tea when Ginny said,

"I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be teaching you something," and she laughed.

"Well, I guess I never knew much unless I had read it in a book," Hermione laughed too, "It has to be in black and white for me to believe it."

"You need some faith in your life," said the simple but happy newlywed.

"What? Like... go to church? My parents never made me do that. They swore by flossing... I swear it was their whole life." Ginny laughed.

"No, I mean, Faith that life is beautiful... Faith that good things can happen to you- that life awaits you!" Ginny said with a flourish of her paper, "which it does, by the way. Have you heard from Viktor lately?"

"No... Well, I had a letter about three weeks ago," the puzzled girl sighed, "It was a beautiful letter..."

"Well, then...?"

"Well, what? He's a few thousand miles away. That's not a relationship, Ginny. That's a pen pal. And besides, sometimes I just don't believe that he really cares if I can't hear him saying it."

"I thought you liked everything in black and white!" Ginny Potter said with a smirk, "Why, in that desk drawer of yours you must have at least a hundred written, signed and dated proofs that somebody loves you."

Hermione clicked her tongue. "And could you love Harry as much if he were a thousand miles away and only wrote to tell you about his latest Quidditch match?"

"Obviously, it would be difficult, and I'd miss him. I'd miss his presence, but yes, I would love him just as much if not more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder you know."

Hermione gave her a kind of a laugh through her nose.

"Honestly Hermione, that guy has loved you since fourth year!"

"I know... You know something Ginny? I always dreamt that I would find someone who would love me for my brains, and appreciate the fact that I read and would admire me for it. Surprisingly I dreamt we'd meet one day in a library," she smiled ironically.

"There you go then..." said Ginny, in the midst of reading the engagements in her paper.

"Well, it's just that I never... When I met Viktor, and he told me that he was interested in me I was just a bit distracted I suppose and I never got to really understand my feelings for-" Hermione was building up to something when Ginny suddenly interrupted her.

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Ginny shouted.

"What?"

"Ron's engaged! And you'll never guess to whom! Padma Patil!"

Hermione's mouth dropped open in surprise. She rushed over to Ginny and leaned over to read the paper, still not believing it. Padma hated Ron! And what's more... he never liked her! It was only when Hermione saw the picture of a beaming Ron Weasley, his arms wrapped around (the very same) Padma Patil (whom he didn't want to dance with at the Yule Ball because he was jealous of Viktor and herself...) that she even faintly considered believing it.

"Can you believe that? I can't believe he didn't tell us! The cheeky beggar!"

"Well, I can believe it. It's all there in black and white isn't it?" Hermione took the paper from her as Ginny got up and looked at the clock her parents had given them as a wedding present and turned back to Hermione.

"Do you want to come and tell Harry with me? He's at work still, but I think he should know when his best friend gets engaged, for Merlin's sake..." Ginny said as she pulled on her coat. "Then, I think we should go tell Fred and Angelina... The more humiliation for Ron, the better, am I right? And this calls for a celebration. I'll zip over to Mum's real quick- Can you go to George and let him know? That would be great Herm, I'd really appreciate it. I think we'll have the party at the Leaky Cauldron, so let him know, will you? You're an angel, Herm. I'll see you back here later, alright?" and with a faint pop, Ginny was gone.

Hermione sighed and sank onto the couch. She looked at her friend in the picture, so happy. Padma looked radiant, and Hermione didn't wonder.

She didn't go straight to George's flat, but instead quickly walked home (she didn't feel like apparating) and sat down at her desk. She pulled open the drawer and ran her fingers over all of Viktor's letters. She sighed heavily at what she was about to do, but she knew it must be done.

Dear Viktor,

I know you think things are going just swimmingly with us, and I thought so too...until this afternoon. I have to be honest with my old friend now, and I'm sorry for the pain I think I will be causing him.

I can't keep up a relationship like this Viktor, it's just not working out, and I think you're beginning to feel the strain of it yourself. Anyone in our situation would wonder if there weren't anything better close to home. The inconvenience of the distance is considerable. As much as I have faith in your assertions of your feelings for me, letters can only go so far and I find myself feeling a bit... unsatisfied. I am truly sorry to have to end this in a letter, but there was no other option. After all, what's the use in being clever if you can't use it to your advantage? I have never been very good at anything other than reading, and being an all around "insufferable know-it-all", as I'm sure Ron or Professor Snape could tell you. But I want to thank you for giving me a try, young and inexperienced as I was and am, and thank you for being the one real friend I could rely on whenever things got a bit overwhelming. I hope you forgive me. Good luck in all your endeavors, and keep me posted. I truly hope we can still be friends.

Yours most sincerely,

Hermione Granger

~~~*~~~

The very radiant Mrs. Ginny Potter appeared at the Ministry of Magic, and rushed upstairs to Auror Headquarters where she knew her husband, Harry 'Boy Who Lived' Potter would be working at his desk. She flew into the room and before he could ask her what she was doing there she blurted,

"Did you know Ron was engaged to Padma Patil? I simply can't believe it!"

"He's what?"

"Engaged!"

"To whom?"

"Padma Patil! Of all people... I'm just beside myself. Hermione and I were just having tea and reading the Prophet when I saw his picture and we both were dumbstruck, obviously-"

"So, Hermione knows then..."

"Yes... I just said, we were having tea and- why do you say that?"

"I just wouldn't want to be the one to tell her that's all."

"You don't think she still... She's dating Viktor Krum, Harry."

"Yeah, I know... I just wouldn't want to tell her, that's all," he finished quietly. Harry never knew why Ron and Hermione never worked out, he just knew there was something going on. The way they bickered all the time reminded him of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "So do your brothers know? How about your parents?"

"I'm pretty sure Fred and George never pick up anything that in the slightest bit resembles reading material... I'm going over to Fred and Angelina's in a moment, and Hermione said she'd go tell George. Mum must know, she's always reading the paper for a mention of one of her children," Ginny laughed. "Anyway, we're having a bit of a party to celebrate later at the Leaky Cauldron. Tell Neville and Luna, will you? And if you could possibly owl Bill and Fleur I'll just adore you."

"Ginny?"

"Yeah?"

"Breathe. Okay?"

"Breathe... gotcha. Bye sweetie," she said under her kiss on his cheek. A few moments later, Ginny Potter was standing in Fred and Angelina's flat and breathlessly telling them the news.

~~~*~~~

And all the while these spontaneous and raucous preparations were being made, was anybody thinking about the bridegroom? Hardly. Nobody (with perhaps one exception who was mailing a long-distance owl to Bulgaria) was thinking much about Ronald Bilius Weasley, soon to be united to Padma Penelope Patil. It was perhaps a rash decision, thought the betrothed, on that suddenly important morning, but she was there in his arms at the time the thought occurred to him (and doesn't that count for everything with young people?).

They had met, for a second time, at the opening of the new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes branch in Hogsmeade. Ron remembered that day quite well: it was raining, and a box of Fred and George's fireworks had been left outside. Quite suddenly the whole street was alight with the things, and he had rushed into Scrivenshaft's Quill shop to prevent being singed when he saw her behind the counter. She was distractingly beautiful, and he needed someone to distract him. That was the day Hermione had come to him, shaking, saying that Viktor wanted her to move to Bulgaria, and she didn't know what to do. Ron, awkwardly and perhaps a bit jealously told her to do what she pleased and thought it best to end that chapter in his life. The new heroine in his life book was Padma, who, laughing at the rain and fireworks captivated him, and he took her by the hand and led her over to the party at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes where he felt a strong desire to keep seeing her. It's doing the right thing, he told himself as he looked at her picture on his desk in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He suddenly found himself subconsciously turning his gaze to the picture of Hermione, Harry and him upon their graduation from Hogwarts. Harry, for once looked very happy, and Ron's arm was around Hermione's shoulders and hers around his waist. Ron sighed for some reason, incomprehensible to himself when a voice behind him made him jump.

"Having some second thoughts?" said the voice. Ron turned around and saw his best friend smiling at the picture of the three of them on Ron's desk.

"Oh, you heard, huh? Well, I was just reminiscing I suppose. Do you remember when I took Padma to the Yule Ball, and didn't even dance with her? I barely remember anything about her from that night... except her walking off with some French bloke. Funny, isn't it?"

"Yeah, a real riot. Do you remember why you don't remember her?"

"Some silly thing about Hagrid I suppose. Wasn't that the night we found out about his mother? I guess I was a bit distracted. I'm just glad it all came round right."

Harry laughed a little and nodded. "I'm not sure if you're invited or not, but Ginny's throwing you and Padma a big bash tonight at the Leaky Cauldron. The way Ginny is carrying on, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she forgot to mention it to you."

Ron smiled. "We'll be there. Sweet of her to do that for us. Does Hermione know? Or is she going to be too busy writing to Vicky to come?" he finished with some of his old malice. Harry grinned at him behind his back.

"Ginny tells me she's off informing your brother George."

"Oh, wonderful," he said with some dismay. "I'll see you tonight then, Harry."

"See you, Ron... And congratulations!" Harry added as he walked out of the department and back into the elevator.

Viktor Krum... Ron thought, was an ornery git. He still couldn't figure out what Hermione liked about him other than the fact that he's older and famous. Ron was always surprisingly annoyed that Hermione started dating a world famous Quidditch player. What's so wonderful about being famous, if you're still going to be a grouchy prat? Ron forced his eyes back onto Padma's beaming picture and sighed.

~~~*~~~

Once Hermione had sealed her fate and sent it off, she quickly changed her clothes and Disapparated, aiming for George's flat above the twins' Diagon Alley shop. Fred and Angelina had eloped (to no one's surprise) shortly before Harry and Ginny were married, and lived in a small flat in the depths of London.

With a faint pop Hermione was standing in George's bedroom. She looked around for a few minutes, and admired the messiness surrounding her. She heard someone singing loudly in the next room, and raced for the door handle, which, unfortunately opened from the other side revealing a shirtless George Weasley who jumped back in surprise at seeing her.

"Hermione, for Merlin's sake! What are you doing in my bedroom?"

"Sorry, George. I was aiming for your living room and-"

"No need to explain Hermione, I know there are simply acres of girls just longing for a peek at my bedroom. But, that's the heavy price we roguishly handsome and successful blokes have to pay... So, can I tempt you with some firewhiskey or-"

"I'm not here to be seduced, George, I'm here to tell you that your little brother has got himself engaged."

"He's what?"

"Ron... is... engaged," she said very slowly and clearly.

George surveyed her carefully for a few minutes, and then said: "With whom is my little brother making this dreadful mistake?"

"Padma Patil."

"Ohhh. Well, then. That explains it."

"Why do you say that?" she snapped with sudden and alarming interest.

"Well, he's head over heels for her isn't he? I remember seeing them together at the opening in Hogsmeade. She is rather a stunner isn't she?" he said from a corner as he poured himself a drink.

Hermione didn't answer. "Ginny's throwing them a party tonight at the Leaky Cauldron and you're invited. Bring someone if you want," she said somewhat listlessly.

"I've just had a brilliant idea!" George exclaimed and Hermione groaned.

"What's that?" she said with apprehension.

"How about I take you? Or would Krum go mad with jealousy and beat me with his broomstick?"

"No, I don't think he'd do that," the girl said as she looked out his little window, down onto the crowds milling below them. "I just wrote to him and said that we'd better put an end on it. You know, the distance problem was making our relationship..."

"Dull? I understand you," he said looking at her sideways. "It must be difficult, reading love like that."

Hermione looked at him, puzzled by his sudden philanthropy mingled with philosophy.

"I barely ever read," he said as he grinned at her. "That's why going out with me is such a treat. So what do you say?"

"Alright George. Come over around seven, okay?"

"My Dear, I wouldn't miss it," he said as he bowed ridiculously and she laughed.

"See you then," she giggled and Disapparated.

George tugged a clean shirt on, looked at his unsent letter on the desk, sighed, and wondered how Katie was enjoying America.

~~~*~~~

Later, around six, at the domestically blissful Potter household, the loving husband with the startlingly green eyes was changing his clothes, as he heard the familiar pop of his adoring wife apparating from the living room. Harry James Potter looked at a picture of his mother and father on the dresser and smiled ironically. He and Ginny were practically the spitting image of Lily and James. Ginny with her beautiful long red hair, and brown eyes (opposite of Lily's green ones) and then there was Harry who, as we all know, looked incredibly like James.

"If I had known I would be this happy in a few years when I was fifteen, I never would have ranted and raved at you all, you know Ginny," he shouted from his place halfway into his closet looking for a tie.

"I kept trying to make you see sense but... Cho seemed to be distracting you," she said with a little laugh halfway through.

"As I recall..." he said with a lovingly accusing voice, "You were busy with that darkish fellow... Michael. And then it was Dean Thomas... and then-"

"That's quite enough I think!" Ginny pronounced as the waltzed into the bedroom and flopped on the bed, kicking her shoes off. "You know Harry, I almost don't want to go to this party now."

"Ginny, you've been planning it and raving about it all day to everyone you know. I even rang up Neville and Luna, and I sent an owl to Bill and Fleur... and for what? So you can get out of it with one of your headaches? I don't think so young lady."

"I don't just get headaches, Harry. I throw up, my feet ache like anything... Harry, I'm going to have a baby." After she said this there was a very pregnant pause. You could have heard a pin drop. Harry's jaw dropped in amazement, and once he recovered himself he rushed over to her, sitting upright on the bed, and started kissing her all over. When he had finished she said with a smile,

"Well, I'm glad you're pleased," and walked into the bathroom and started brushing her hair.

"Well, I hope you are," said Harry with agitation, misinterpreting Ginny's smugness.

"Darling, believe me when I tell you," she said beneath a mouthful of toothpaste, "I have never been more pleased about anything in my life. And..." she spat out the mouthful, "Since you're being so sweet about this, I suppose I'll go to the party, although I can't bear to..."

"Why ever not? It's Ron, your favorite brother... and my best friend."

"Well, you have another best friend, and I can't bear to see her suffer," she said with a significant look at her husband.

Harry sighed. He knew that there was some serious trouble brewing. Hermione was coming to Ron and Padma's engagement party. Anyone who had ever known Ron and Hermione together thought it would be Ron and Hermione's engagement party. Harry had been expecting it since fourth year and it was Ginny's favorite wish. Harry had been awed beyond anything while Ginny happily planned his engagement party while he was to marry some woman she hardly knew, while her best friend sat with this news. He looked over at Ginny, now brushing her hair and understood. This was going to be one hell of an awkward party.

~~~*~~~

Hermione sat up a little straighter in her chair in front of her bathroom mirror. She pulled her long curly brown hair out of her face and off her shoulders. For some reason, perhaps it was self-respect; she was resolved to look stunning tonight. It was no use being boring and plain. After all, Viktor was no more; Ron was no more, so she might as well have a good time with George.

She twisted her hair up on her head, carefully applied her makeup, and slipped into the robes she saved for special occasions. They were deep, dazzling blue and very flattering with the shade of her hair and her eyes. By the time she had turned out all the lights, grabbed her purse and wand, George was knocking at the front door. She opened it after she made sure everything was secure and got a laugh when George's jaw practically dropped to the floor when he saw her.

"Hermione, you look absolutely ravishing. How do you do it? I must borrow your hair potion some time..." She laughed and took his proffered arm. A few moments later they were standing in the quiet glow of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace.

"I guess we're a little early," George puzzled, "A highly unusual occurrence for me, I assure you. I wonder how that worked out. Ah! I know! I was allowing the usual thirty minutes of preparation it used to take Katie before we went out. I guess I'm just used to tardiness," he shrugged.

"You never were one to follow the crowd, that's certain," she said pleasantly, sitting down in a chair by the fire.

"All those times you tried to get Fred and me in detention... and to what avail? Your darling Ron would never help out. He undoubtedly knew we'd torment him into oblivion if he dared attempt it. One of the advantages of being an older sibling," he grinned almost evilly.

"Well, you weren't harming anything... except first years. And he certainly wasn't my darling Ron. And never will be, I gather."

"From the looks of things, I doubt it," said George consolingly.

"You really thought we fancied each other? It was that obvious?"

George grinned at her again. They both started laughing, when a figure Apparated behind them.

"Well, isn't this a pretty picture?"

Hermione whirled around as she heard the voice, and found she was staring Ron the betrothed straight in the eye. George coughed a little, and stood up to shake Ron's hand.

"So, where's the lovely bride-to-be?" he said with a jolly smile.

Ron didn't answer at first; he was still staring at Hermione. "Oh, she'll be along in a while. I thought I'd better stop in... see if there was anything I could do to help..." Ron was still staring at her, as she averted her gaze and played with her robes.

"It seems that Ginny has this place rigged to perfection. Have a seat and we'll talk about old times, eh? Is Umbridge still in St. Mungo's?" George's attempt at conversation failed miserably.

Hermione gave him a slightly grateful glance, and then started talking about her work there, and how she thought Lockhart was making some definite improvements. He was daily remembering all of the wonderful things "he had done" and was planning to write several books in "joined-up writing" for her before she informed him that he had already written those, and gave him a copy.

Ron, looking sullen, kept gazing into the embers as Hermione's narrative came to an end. Much to Hermione's relief, Ginny and Harry Apparated only a few moments after the awkward silence had begun, and Hermione could busy herself with them as George studied his brother. He decided that "ickle Ronniekins" was thinking hard. He noticed something stiffen into resolve in Ron, as he stood up and went over to hug his sister and shake Harry's hand.

"Herm, you look wonderful! Doesn't she Ron?" urged Ginny as she forced Hermione to turn around so she could look at her robes.

Ron shifted awkwardly until he finally said, "You look...erm, nice, Hermione," as she scuffed his feet on the flagstone floor. Hermione looked at him a bit disappointed, and went back to talk to George. Only a few minutes had passed between the once easy friends, when a radiant Padma, Parvati and Seamus, Mr. and Mrs. Patil, Bill and Fleur, Neville and Luna, Remus and Tonks, Fred and Angelina and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley Apparated in quick succession. Soon the whole room was alight with hearty congratulations, handshakes, and merry conversation. Hermione and George hung back from the crowd a bit at first. Neither of them felt as though they belonged there. As Hermione looked at the happy smiles on all of the happy couples' faces, she sighed, as did George. They chuckled a bit at this.

"Hey, we've got each other, haven't we?" said the ever gallant George, as he linked her arm in his, and strode boldly into the midst of the chattering crowd. "Would you feel any better if it was Krum's arm you were clinging to?" he asked her.

She considered the question. "I'd feel a little more secure and sure of myself, but I shouldn't be enjoying myself half as much."

"There's a good girl! Now, what say you to a little sport?"

"What kind of sport?" Hermione asked with an apprehensive grimace on her face.

"What say you to making these lovebirds think we're dotty for each other?" he grinned at her as she considered his plan.

"They all think I'm dating Krum! What would they think of me if I started oozing over you?"

"I don't care what they think about us, as long as we're having fun... and giving them something to talk about," he said, each second that passed, the plan growing on him. Hermione looked over at Ron, his arm around Padma, but glaring blearily at George's arm around her waist, his hand brushing her arm.

"I say... Let's."

"Excellent!" said George with a maniac gleam in his eye. "I must warn you though, Hermione. Not many girls can withstand the potency of my charms. I tell you this now, so that if - I mean when - you fall madly in love with me at the end of the evening, you'll have only yourself to blame."

"I'll consider myself warned," choked Hermione, holding back a laugh. George winked at her.

"Good, then Phase One of Operation Jealousy is about to begin..."

"Operation Jealousy?" Hermione whispered incredulously. George looked taken aback.

"Of COURSE, Hermione! Why else do you think I'd pretend to be in love with you? ...No offence."

"I thought it was just one of your jokes! You don't seriously intend on ruining Ron's engagement party, and perhaps his marriage because you-"

"AHA!" he almost shouted, "So you think there's a chance my little scheme might work, do you? Brilliant! Let's get started!" Silencing any more protest, George led her over to Bill and Fleur and started chatting animatedly to them.

"Zo, Georges... Zis ees your new petite-amie?" Fleur said with an approving look at Hermione who smiled meekly at her.

"I don't know about your patite-amees, Fleur, but I'd certainly call this, amour," George said with a winning look at Hermione who pursed her lips together to smother a laugh. Bill studied George with puzzlement. George managed a sly glance over to Ron and Padma, then onto Hermione, and gave Bill a large wink. Bill smirked knowingly at his brother and led Fleur over to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley after Fleur gave Hermione kisses on both cheeks and said, "Je suis- oh, pardon... I am enchanted to be meeting you again, 'ermione." Hermione laughed a bit after she had left and whispered something to George.

"Bill doesn't seem to be making much progress with their English lessons, does he? Do you suppose she isn't a very apt pupil?"

"Oh no! She's very apt, believe me..." and George trailed away with a slight smile on his lips.

"Do you think it's working yet?" Hermione asked nervously as George kissed her hand and led her over to a dark corner.

"Not yet," he said stealing a glance at Ron and Padma over Hermione's shoulder. "Come on and dance with me, then we'll see who's engaged..."

"But there isn't any music, George!"

He pointed his wand at the radio on the bar, and it immediately began to blare some pretty swanky music. George gave her his most seductive look, slid his hand around her waist, and took her hand with surprising grace. Hermione gave him an impressed look and danced closer to him.

~~~*~~~

Ron was gazing at them from their corner, still being congratulated and berated by Fred and Angelina.

"I never thought you had it in you, Ronniekins!" Fred said as he put his arm around Angelina. Angelina glanced once at Ron and then at Padma, who actually acknowledged her, and whispered something to Fred.

Fred looked appraisingly at the new couple and then glanced quickly around the room. "I see George and Hermione are cutting a rug! Let's go and join them, eh?" and with a whirl dipped Angelina and twirled her off onto the dance floor.

Ron was still watching George and Hermione. He wasn't quite sure what incensed him so much about his brother holding her that way, but he knew he was close to boiling, and once again, was taking little notice of his fiancée who stared at him in puzzlement.

"What's the matter, darling?" she said anxiously looking up at her very tall Ron. He looked down at her as though he hadn't noticed she was there.

"Oh, nothing's the matter..." he said peering over Fred and Angelina to get a better look at George and Hermione. George kissed her on the cheek and Ron felt an odd flame of fury rise up in him, something he hadn't experienced since his old Hogwarts days. Padma announced she was going to the loo and Ron was left alone to contemplate the situation. Although puzzling and unexpected, Ron also felt that the events of the evening were not to his taste. He sat fuming until a grinning Harry approached him and asked him what was the matter.

"Since when has Hermione taken up with George? I thought she was still with Vicky..."

"Well," said a satisfied Harry, "rumor has it that they called it off. Hermione went over to George's this morning and well... there you have it."

"I cannot believe my brother would do something that sneaky!"

"What's it to you mate? You've got your girl..."

"Do I?" Ron thought to himself as Harry walked off to find Ginny and invite her to dance.

~~~*~~~

Hermione realized George was moving in closer to her, but found she couldn't prevent him. He had kissed her cheek, very close to her mouth. Their breath mingled and Hermione felt an odd beating of her heart as George moved his head, but held her closer. His object was to whisper in her ear, but he too had the odd hammering sensation in his chest, and looked in her eyes as though seeing her differently.

"George..." she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"What's going on?"

"How do you mean?"

"I mean... all of a sudden, I'm very confused."

"So am I."

"You don't think your plan is working too well, do you?"

His breathing quickened. "I don't know... Let's find out," he said very close to her mouth. She let him kiss her. Their lips met softly, gently... She found herself giving in... Viktor had never kissed her like this... When they separated and Hermione opened her eyes she discovered they were in a dark corner, well hidden, and that everyone else was still chattering away pleasantly as usual.

"Hermione, I'm sorry I did that," he said quietly.

"Why are you sorry?" she said puzzled, she was sure he had enjoyed it.

"I- Well I kissed you without thinking... That is, I wasn't thinking about you. I was thinking about... Katie. I miss her. And here you were in my arms and I did the first thing that came to mind. I'm sorry." He held her hand and for a moment she understood her own passion.

"I was thinking about Ron," she said honestly. "You look so like him sometimes... just not as tall." Hermione smiled at George. For a moment, Hermione looked over at Ron, sulking in a corner, trying to see them in the darkness. She had a sudden flash of understanding about him. Hermione kissed George on the cheek, and gave him a hearty "Thank you!" much to his bewilderment, as she sped off to Ron's sulky corner.

"There you are Ron!" she said with a heartiness that surprised her.

"Hello Hermione, and congratulations to you too," he said waspishly.

"What do you mean by that?" she said, with equal venom.

"Well, you could have said something like, 'Well done Ron on getting engaged,' or a mere, 'I'm really happy for you, congratulations,' would have done nicely, but instead you go and snog my brother in dark corners!"

"You were watching that!" she said indignantly.

"Who wasn't, Hermione? Instead of making this a lovely evening for me and Padma, you go and make it a very lovely evening, complete with traitorous kissing and-"

"Ron, I-" her words failed her. She wanted to say everything her heart had been screaming: 'I only kissed George because I couldn't kiss you. Every time I went out with Viktor I kept saying to myself, 'Well, it's something, isn't it?' And this whole day today I've had to endure the knowledge that you were getting engaged to somebody else who you don't even like and then just cast me aside! Tell me Ron- What was I supposed to do?' she wanted to shout. He looked at her impatiently. She just stood there, shaking slightly and wished she were invisible. She couldn't speak- she was frozen by Ron's look of contempt as he shook his head and marched out of the room.

A few moments later, Hermione was still standing in shock as Padma walked back into the room.

"Have I missed anything? Where's Ron?" she asked the room, although the only one who heard her was Hermione. It was at this precise moment that Hermione recognized what she was feeling. She turned to Padma and glared at her.

"Lost him already have you?" she said with malice and walked to the exact room where Ron was sitting, fuming.

Hermione slammed the door behind her and marched up to Ron's chair. "It was George's fault. He wanted to make you jealous by pretending to be in love with me. It was his stupid idea, and I thought that- maybe it would work."

"Oh, and why did you want it to?" Ron asked through a red rage, "So you could ruin my engagement before it even started?"

"Why do you want to marry her, Ron?"

"Why do you care? You went off with Vicky, and there I was, thinking I wasn't good enough for you, until I found someone who can actually tell me she cares about me! Someone who doesn't fight with me all the bloody time! Someone who can admit when she's wrong!"

"It seems that you just keep her around because you like how she talks. Because she'll tell you what you want to hear! Padma can tell you what I never told you, but thought about all day long for four years! I can't believe that because you never said anything real to me, and I never said anything real to you, that we're going to let our lives be ruined!"

"I don't love her," Ron said from the corner by the window.

"What?" Hermione said, still angry.

"I don't love her. I love you. I thought if you could trick yourself into loving Viktor Krum, then I could trick myself into loving someone too. I knew how it was all along, I just didn't want to admit it..."

"Because you didn't like how it was turning out and it was easier to just be a coward?" she finished.

Ron laughed ironically. "It's funny how much we can understand each other once we stop bickering."

"Well, Ron? How about it?" Hermione asked and Ron assented.

"You do look very nice this evening, Hermione," he grinned at her as she put her arm in his.

As they walked back into the party amongst the guests, the pair noticed that the music had stopped and all of the hearty smiles were replaced by looks of puzzlement. Well, all but one smile which beamed out clearly, appreciating it's own brilliance. George approached Ron and Hermione confidently and addressed himself to Hermione.

"Phase one completed then?" They nodded. "Excellent, then it's on to Phase Two. Padma! Will you please step over here for a moment? Leave this to me, Ron," he said very quietly.

Padma walked over rather slowly, almost as if she knew what was going to happen. She smiled steadily anyway; one really had to admire her courage.

"Padma, will you allow your fiancé to dance with my date here? It's just that they missed their dance..."

"What dance? What are you talking about?" she said.

"Well, my severely idiotic brother forgot to ask Hermione to a dance... six years ago at the Yule Ball, I believe," he looked at Hermione and Ron who nodded gravely. "You won't mind if they have their dance now, will you?"

"No, I don't suppose so..." she said a little resignedly.

"Jolly good!" George said as he pushed the couple out onto the floor, and started the music again. As Ron and Hermione began dancing, Ginny quietly slid over to her brother and whispered through clenched teeth: "Just what do you think you are doing George?"

"What? Oh, that's nothing...Just wait Ginny." Ginny waited and then she understood once she saw Padma turning green.

"Maybe you should let Padma have a go now George," Ginny hinted.

"No, no. It's all going splendidly. Just look!"

"Yes, I see Padma is turning green with envy. How is that splendid?"

George merely shook his head. He turned off the music and walked over to the pair.

"So, Hermione, how is dear Viktor? We expect to see him soon."

"Oh, he's alright I suppose," Hermione said catching on, "He's awfully busy with all of his Quidditch matches... But that's the price you have to pay, if you're going to be so good at something like that."

"Good Lord, don't start talking about Vicky... I can't stand hearing about how wonderful he is. If I have to hear one more story about that git, I'm going to blow the roof off!"

"Ron, just because Viktor is really quite splendid at Quidditch, doesn't mean you have to be jealous..."

"I am not jealous!" And from then on their conversation turned into one of those predictable Ron/Hermione fights we are all so fond of... until Padma broke it up.

"I see what's going on here, Ronald Weasley! I don't see how I haven't noticed it before! All you do is talk about Hermione... You are jealous of that Viktor Krum just because she's dating him! Now I understand why you won't watch Bulgaria play on the telly! Because of Krum! It's all perfectly clear. You wanted to ask Hermione to go to the Yule Ball and not me, and you never asked me to dance once because you were jealous of her! Thank you Ron... for nothing." And with that, much to George's delight and Ginny's dismay Padma quickly Apparated out of the Leaky Cauldron. Parvati, quickly followed her, Seamus followed Parvati, and the Patils quickly realized they weren't wanted and followed Seamus.

Both Ron and Hermione stormed out of the room as well, only to meet up in a room upstairs later, laughing hysterically.

George tried very hard to hide his delight, as the rest of the guests looked downcast and upset. Mrs. Weasley and her daughter tried to convince each other that they would work it all out, and that it had been a lovely party up to that point. Harry sat in a corner and tried to look disappointed at this turn of events. At the Patil household, Padma tried not to cry too much, Parvati tried to encourage the tears with a proffered handkerchief and Seamus tried to get out of the house as quickly as possible. And while all of this was going on, Fred and Angelina tried the foxtrot.

~~~*~~~

As Ron took Hermione's hand inside the dark room, he said, "Will you marry me?" in a way that said he regretted not saying it earlier.

"As far as I'm concerned, we've been acting like we've been married since fourth year. Making it legal won't hurt, I suppose." And she ran her fingers through his vivid red hair and never looked back.

~~~*~~~

The next morning for George was... rather flat. He paced his bedroom impatiently. He knew that the right people had ended up together last night. It was a complete and utter triumph! But he was still depressed. He didn't understand it. He glanced down at the letter, still on his desk. Standing up straighter, all in the glow of a new brilliant scheme, George snatched the letter to Katie off the desk and shoved it into his trousers pocket and said to the empty and untidy apartment:

"I think I'll deliver this...in person."

~~~*~~~

It was the morning after the "Big Stupid Disaster Party," as Ginny called it, and Harry was standing in the kitchen, wondering whether to make toast or not when an owl carrying The Daily Prophet swept into the room, collected it's money and flew off again. Harry unrolled the paper and stared blearily at the now dull headlines for a moment.

Ginny stumbled into the living room looking a bit green and threw herself down on the couch. "Make us a cup of tea, won't you love?"

"Sure thing. Here's the paper," he said passing it to her. She unfurled it and delved into its contents. Nothing interesting happens these days, she thought.

"Here," said Harry as he handed her the steaming mug of tea. She sighed with satisfaction.

"The first thing I'm going to do today," she said between sips underneath the paper, "is look up darling George, and curse him into next week... What do you think Mr. Auror? Bat-Bogey Hex?"

"But you use that one all the time..."

"Well, it's my specialty. Do you remember when I got Malfoy with it...? Oh, you should have seen it! It was- OH MY!"

"What is it?"

"Look at this!" she said breathlessly staring at the engagement section again. "Trust my brother Ron to be engaged to two different girls in two days..."

Harry grinned at the picture. Ron and Hermione were waving at them furiously amidst the other engagement announcements. "I knew it," he said simply and took a large bite of his toast.

"You did NOT!" she said indignantly, sitting up a little. "You were afraid they were going to finish each other off up there... Well, I guess they did, but in an entirely different sense."

Harry, relatively unconcerned and unsurprised by the news strode over to grab his other slice of toast and said between mouthfuls, "I was wondering what we should name our baby... Maybe Lily if it's a girl... And James if it's a boy?"

Ginny, who was staring happy beyond measure at the picture of her two finally united friends smiled slyly and said, "We'll call her Destiny."