All's Fair in Truth or Dare

6

"I can't believe she'd send you something declaring War! I mean honestly! Who does something like that?" Ginny through her hands in the air, her long red hair flying.

"I don't know, Ginny," Hermione replied. She had decided to ask Ginny for help in the matter of the War. "I don't know. What do you think I should do?"

Ginny laughed. "You don't need to do anything, Hermione. Lavender can't steal Ron. He's known you for seven years now, and I doubt her hasn't begun to fancy you yet."

"Yes, I know, Ginny," said Hermione, getting up off of her four-poster and pacing back and forth. "I just want to make sure I'm good-looking enough for him to notice me. I mean, having brains is nice, but that doesn't catch a guy."

Ginny resituated herself so that she was leaning on Hermione's bed. "So ask Ron what he thinks of you," she offered, looking at her black painted nails. "I can do that for you if you want me to." Hermione looked at Ginny like she was insane. "Okay, then! Ask Harry. He'll probably give you a straight answer and not ask you why." Hermione still looked doubtful. "Anyway, that's the best advice I can give you. I've got to get to Potions."

Ginny grabbed her pack and left the dormitory.

Hermione stood in the same spot staring at the place where Ginny had been. Ask Harry? Ask Harry? Was Ginny insane? It's pointless, Hermione thought. It's stupid. It's embracing,

It's my only choice.

* * *

Lavender walked through the Great Hall, well aware of all the eyes glued to her. Parvati's book had proved useful, and Lavender felt as if she was walking on clouds. Every male eye in the hall was looking her way, some with longing, some obviously impressed, and others with the knowledge that they never had a chance.

As Lavender neared the Gryffindor table, many of the boys shoved their friends aside so that there was an empty seat next to them, but she passed by them quickly; she was only going to sit next to one boy.

Ron Weasley had his back to her as she approached, head in his plate. Harry was whispering something to him, but stopped suddenly upon seeing her walk up. Hermione was across from them, but Lavender paid her no mind.

"How are you, boys?" Lavender purred in an alluring voice. She had done this many times before and was an expert at getting a guy's attention.

Ron whipped around to see who had spoken, and his jaw dropped a bit as he beheld her. She was dressed in the shortest skirt that could be faked to look as though it followed dress code, and her hair was straight and silky and curled under as it neared the ends. "Lavender, you look great," Ron said, awestruck.

Hermione squirmed in her chair, and Lavender noted this happily. "May I sit here?" she asked, spotting the conveniently open seat next to Ron, who nodded.

Harry was watching Lavender, but as Hermione got up, his attention snapped to her. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"To the library," Hermione replied, refusing to look at Lavender or Ron. "Come with me." It was not a request.

Lavender giggled attractively, and Ron turned to talk to her. Never had she felt so excited.

* * *

"What is it, Hermione?" Harry asked as he followed her down the hall. "You left really suddenly as soon as Lavender showed up. What's the matter?"

Hermione kept up her pace for a while, and said nothing. Harry sighed loudly, and Hermione whipped around.

"Do you think I'm attractive?"

She could tell Harry hadn't been expecting this. He stood there, frozen in place for a while before asking, "Why do you want to know that?"

"I just need to have a guy's opinion, and I can't ask Ron. Now answer me honestly, Harry. Do you think I'm attractive?" Hermione asked hopefully.

He struggled for a moment before speaking up. "Hermione, I've never really looked at you as female before. It's not that you aren't attractive or feminine," for Hermione had gotten red, "it's just you've always been my friend, and I never really noticed."

"Well, notice now."

Harry looked her up and down. "You're better than average," he said, a look in his eyes that clearly pleaded with her not to hate him. "but you aren't like, well-"

"Lavender," she finished his sentence for him. Rage was burning inside her. Rage and shame.

"Well, yeah," he replied sheepishly. "But that's not what matters! Looks don't mean everything. You have brains, Hermione. You're brave, Hermione. You've conquered more enemies than hours Lavender's spent in front of a mirror. Looks might be good, but they aren't everything."

"Yeah, they're just mostly what matters to a guy," Hermione said sarcastically. She turned her back on Harry and started to walk away.

"No, Hermione! You're much smarter than Lavender, and....and...." Hermione felt him grab her arm, felt him twirl her around to face him, felt him slide his arm around her waist and felt it as he placed his lips upon hers. She was so shocked she couldn't think to do anything for a few seconds.

Harry's kissing me. Her brain wouldn't understand. Harry Potter is kissing me.

And Ron isn't.

Hermione backed away, and Harry, seeming to notice what he had done, blushed furiously. "Er-I'm sorry, Hermione. I just-"

"It's alright," Hermione replied shakily. "Let's just go back to the Great Hall." She turned and began walking back the way they had come, a sinking feeling in her heart.