A Little Thing Called Love

Catherine had not told Hermione about what she felt for Harry. True, she thought, she is my best friend. But Catherine had never trusted someone as much as she trusted Hermione. I should tell her. She probably wants to know what's going on.

Even though Hermione hadn't mentioned it, it was clear she had noticed her tearstained face and upset look. "If there's anything wrong, you can tell me about it, Cath," she had said supportively. But Cathy said she was fine. And now it was the week before the Ball, and Harry hadn't asked her out. She wasn't fine.

So that night, when Hermione was reading in her four-poster and everyone was asleep, Catherine went over to her and sat on her bed, resolved to tell her the truth.

"What is it, Cathy?" she asked as she put down her book. "What's up?"

Cathy almost went back on her decision, but she held firm. "Y'know that I've always been pretty weird around Harry, don't you Herm?"

She nodded, looking slightly knowing. Cathy ignored her look and continued. "Well, it's just that-"

"That?" interrupted Hermione eagerly.

"ThatIhaveacrushhim," she said blushingly, trying to not look at Hermione's grinning face. "Since like...forever," she added.

Hermione gave a rather snorting laugh, making Catherine look up from the pattern on the bedspread.

"Fine," she said huffily and starting to get off the bed. "If you want to laugh..."

"No," said her friend, between hushed giggles. "It's just that," she gasped," I sort of guessed wrong... and - why didn't you tell me?"

"It's kind of... embarrassing," she ended lamely. "But you shouldn't laugh!" She punched her on the shoulder, stopping the laughter in mid-giggle.

Hermione wiped a tear away. "Sorry," she apologised, getting serious again. "I just thought that you liked Ron. Because you tease each other so much," she said apologetically. "You know, and...flirt a lot."

Now it was Cathy's turn to laugh. "You thought," she gasped, "that I wanted Ron?"

"Well, you looked so upset after he asked me to the ball," she answered sheepishly.

Cathy's face fell slightly. "Oh no, Herm," she said quietly. "It was because Harry didn't ask me."

Hermione went over and hugged her comfortingly. "You shouldn't cry because of that, stupid. You still have a chance to go to the ball with him."

Catherine pouted and let go of her friend. "He's probably already asked that ditz, Parvati."

"I honestly doubt that, Cath. He doesn't like that kind of girl, you know," she said, beginning to brush Catherine's hair with the brush on her bedside table. "But then," she sighed, he's never told me about his crushes. He doesn't like being famous, you know. He just likes hanging around with his friends."

Cathy grinned. "I've noticed."

Both girls were silent as one brushed the other's hair, both reflecting.

"You really should let your hair down more often," Hermione told Catherine, running her hands through it.

"I know," said Cathy, rolling her eyes. "You've told me before."

"Harry might notice," Hermione added shrewdly. "I've noticed he likes long hair. Well," she conceded, "most boys do."

"I'll think about it," Cathy responded. But Hermione could tell she was considering it.

"I need to get my costume," she said promptly, changing the subject. "I need to look for it next Hogsmeade weekend. When will you be getting yours?" she asked Hermione.

"With you, I suppose," she said resignedly. "I need your help, though. It's proving to be trickier than I thought."

"Wasn't it me that needed help with her costume?" teased Cathy.

"Yeah, well you're better at making a costume than I am," she conceded with a smile. "But you will help me, won't you?"

"Of course," Cathy reassured her. "You are going to look gorgeous for Ron at the Ball."

Hermione blushed happily at the thought.

"Wait," she said. "What about you and Harry? Are you going to show up with someone else?"

Cathy smiled thoughtfully. "I'm going alone. But-" she added, seeing Hermione's surprised face, "I'm going to make Harry sorry he had never asked me out."