The Matchmakers

The Matchmakers
Chapter One

"Did someone die in here or something?" asked Hermione as she walked into the carriage on the Hogwarts Express. It was the first of September and the first day of her, Harry and Ron's seventh and final year at Hogwarts.

"Shh!" said Ginny, Ron's younger sister who was starting her sixth year. She motioned towards Harry and then Ron who were both asleep on separate sides of the compartment.

"I think they've got the right idea," said Hermione, settling herself down on the only available seat that wasn't taken up by trunks or animal cages, next to Harry. "I haven't slept for the last few days," said Hermione quietly.

"Are you excited about school?" asked Ginny.

"Of course!" said Hermione. That year Hermione had gone to stay at the Weasleys’ at the beginning of the summer, instead of the end so she could spend more time with her parents. "It’s our last year and we're still alive. How could I not be excited? This year is going to be pleasantly normal." She thought for a second and touched one of the wooden wall panels. "Touch wood!"

Ginny smiled. She knew that Harry, Ron and Hermione had been through a lot in the last six years, and now that Voldemort had gone for good, they were looking forward to school more than ever.

Within minutes, Hermione had drifted of to a peaceful sleep, aided by the gentle rocking motion of the train. She was awoken about an hour later by the bright flash of a camera.

Hermione opened her eyes slowly. She was extremely comfortable. Suddenly she realised that someone had their arm around her shoulder, and her head was resting on something.

No, someone.

It was Harry.

He had obviously been woken by the flash of the camera as well. They both realised what was going on at the same time and moved quickly away from each other.

"You know this picture is going in my photo album," said Ron, waving a picture in the air. Around Ginny's neck was an instant camera, and she was wearing a large grin on her face.

"It was so sweet!" she said.

"You're lucky Parvati and Lavender didn't see you, that's all I'm saying," said Ron trying not to laugh as Harry angrily tore the picture away from Ron and looked at his, his eyes bulging.

"Did I hear my name?" asked a voice at the door.

"Lavender!" said Ron. He ran over to her and pulled her into a hug before kissing her.

"Get a room!" said Ginny, pulling a face. Everyone laughed as Ron blushed furiously.

Harry handed Hermione the photo silently, and Hermione stared at it in surprise. Her and Harry were asleep next to each other. Harry had his left arm draped around Hermione's shoulders, and Hermione had her arm around Harry's waist. Her head was resting on his chest and his head was resting gently on hers. Hermione's eyes widened in shock as the two, her and Harry's sleeping forms, snuggled closer together.

She looked up when she realised that Harry (the real one) was looking at her with an apprehensive look on his face. Hermione blushed as she looked down at the photo and quickly shredded it into pieces no bigger than her thumbnail. She threw the pieces of the photo out the window when Ron and Ginny weren't looking.

"How are my favourite non-couple?" inquired Lavender, looking pointedly at Harry and Hermione.

Harry frowned. He hated him and Hermione being called that. They weren't going out, but somehow they were always assumed to be a couple, and Ron especially loved teasing them. Harry wouldn't have minded all the teasing if Ron didn't tease them every single day.

"You know, that's getting really old, Lavender," Hermione said.

"But it's fun watching you two squirm!" said Ron.

Hermione pointed her wand threateningly at Ron and he quickly changed the subject. "Right, who wants to put a bet on that we've got a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" he asked.

"We always have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Ron," said Hermione, picking up one of her favourite books; Hogwarts, A History.

"Don't you know that book off by heart yet?" asked Harry, teasingly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Hermione, raising her eyebrows with a smile on her face.

"You’ve read it enough times!" said Harry. That was it. Hermione hit him playfully on the arm, and within seconds they were playing mercy. As always, Hermione was winning.

Ron shook his head in disbelief. Harry and Hermione were constantly flirting with each other, but it was like they didn't even realise that they were flirting. He watched them with an amused smile on his face. It was then that he made a mental resolution - get those two together or die trying. After all, they had defeated Lord Voldemort. Getting his two best friends together should be a piece of cake, shouldn't it?

The first thing Ron decided to try was leaving the two alone together. He signaled to Lavender and Ginny that they should all leave quietly. Out side the compartment he told the two girls his master plan.

"They do make a cute couple," agreed Lavender.

"Yeah, and after that picture we took earlier there's no denying that they like each other," said Ginny.

"They're inseparable already," said Ron. "Now all we have to do is make it official..."

"Alone again, Mr. Head Boy?" said Hermione.

"We always seem to be left alone, don't we, Miss Head Girl"? answered Harry. They had been named Head Boy and Head Girl, and were both proud of their titles. They had finished their game and were sat alone in the compartment.

"Do you think they're plotting something?" asked Hermione after a second’s thought.

"When are they not?" asked Harry. "I have an idea..."

He rummaged around in his messy trunk and pulled out a rather knobbly pair of socks. From the socks he produced his pocket Sneakoscope - the one that Ron had given him after his visit to Egypt several years before.

"I like the way you think," said Hermione, as Harry set the Sneakoscope down on the seat next to him. He transfigured it into an alarm clock.

When the three plotters walked back into the compartment, the alarm clock started to ring, and triumphantly Harry stopped it. He sent Hermione an 'I told you so' look.

In the Great Hall at Hogwarts during the Sorting Hermione realised what it was that the others were plotting.

"I think our friends are turning into matchmakers," she whispered to Harry so that Ron couldn't hear her as a small girl with mousy brown hair tied in pigtails was Sorted into Hufflepuff.

"They're making matches?" asked Harry, trying to sound confused.

"No!" said Hermione with a smile, realising after a second that he was only joking. "They're trying to set us up!"

"Huh?"

"Romantically."

"Oh. What are we going to do?"

"Play along?" suggested Hermione.

Harry thought for a moment. "No," he said grinning. "The opposite - we don't play along. Don't get together like they want."

Hermione grinned as well. "I like it," she said. "Remember - we don't know anything about their little scheme."

"What scheme?" asked Harry, playing along and Hermione smiled.

At the end of the Sorting, just before the feast, Dumbledore made his annual speech to the students.

"Welcome back for another year of your magical education. I hope this year is even more enjoyable than the last, especially after the events of the last year."

He looked solemnly around the Great Hall. Several students had disappeared during the previous year, never to return again.

"If you have any problems, just speak to any of the prefects, or our esteemed Head Boy and Girl. Quidditch trials begin on Monday and if you're interested in joining your house team, speak to Madam Hooch. Before the feast which you are all eagerly awaiting, I just have a few words for you: Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare."

* * * * *

"Who is it this time?" asked Hermione, flopping down into a seat in the Gryffindor common room next to Harry, who was staring absent-mindedly into space, a glazed look in his eyes.

"Huh?" asked Harry, who wasn't quite listening to Hermione.

"You've got a crush on someone!" said Hermione, hiding a smile.

"I have not!" said Harry stubbornly.

"Which girl is it who's going to break your heart this time?" asked Hermione. She paused for a second. "No, don't tell me - I don't really want to know. Anyway, whoever it is, is going to have a hard time resisting those dazzling emerald eyes, that dashing smile, dark tousled hair, strong jaw and perfect cheekbones!" she said teasingly.

"Now you're just taking the mike," said Harry, hitting her with a pillow.

"Yes I am, but what are you going to do about it?" asked Hermione giggling.

"This!" said Harry, and he began to hit her repeatedly, only sparking retaliation from Hermione, which of course led to them having a pillow fight while Ron and Lavender, looked on in amusement.

"Do you think they even know?" asked Ron, smirking.

"Know what?" asked Lavender.

"How much they like each other," explained Ron.

Lavender shrugged. "Who knows?" she asked.

"Knows what?" asked Hermione.

"Because Hermione probably knows!" said Harry. Hermione threw him a look and turned back to Ron and Lavender. Ron was blushing, but Lavender who was surprisingly good at acting made up an excuse, much to Ron's relief.

"Whatever," said Hermione, after hearing the excuse. She looked at her watch and blinked. "Yikes, Prefect meeting!" she exclaimed, jumping out of her seat. She rushed over to the portrait hole and was about to open it when she stopped and walked back. She put her hands on her hips and glared at Harry.

"I think that means I have to go too," said Harry, grinning sheepishly. "See you guys later!"

The Prefects meeting was as boring as ever, the only difference being that Harry and Hermione as Head Boy and Girl respectively, had to lead the meeting.

"First of all I'd like to welcome our new Prefects," said Hermione, motioning towards the nervous looking fifth years who were in the room. "I hope you'll all do your best to enforce the rules and make Hogwarts a pleasant environment for others to be in.

"Rules, rules, rules! Is that all you care about, Hermione?" asked Draco Malfoy.

"Be quiet Draco," said Hermione. "You're just jealous because you didn't get to be Head Boy."

"Sorry, Hermione," said Malfoy. In the previous year, Draco had saved Hermione's life, and now, although not great friends, were at least on a first name basis.

"Anyway," said Harry, changing the subject, “as the Christmas Ball has become somewhat of a tradition, we will be having another one this year.” A few people looked happy about this, but most people looked a bit worried. Even Harry wasn't too happy about having to find a date for the Ball.

* * * * *

The Gryffindor Common Room was practically empty, except for Harry and Hermione.

"Is it me or do people purposely make sure that we're always left alone together?" asked Hermione, kicking off her shoes and resting her feet on a small table beside her chair.

"The second thing," said Harry, looking up from a Divination essay. "It must be part of their matchmaking scheme."

"Speaking of their matchmaking scheme," said Hermione, pulling of parchment out of her bag, "I got this letter this morning."

She tossed the piece of parchment to Harry who read it and grinned. "I got one just like it as well," he said. "Dearest Hermione," he read. "We have been good friends for a long time, but I feel that the time has come for us to become more than just good friends. Meet me tonight at midnight in the Gryffindor Common Room. Love, your Secret Admirer."

"It's Ron's handwriting," said Hermione, taking the letter back from Harry. "He didn't even bother to disguise it!" She took a book out of her bag and began to flick through the pages. "Ow!" she exclaimed. "Paper cut!"

"Aww, poor little Hermione. Let me have a look," said Harry, and Hermione held out her finger. "It's nothing serious," he said after examining it for a second. "Let me kiss it better..."

"Don't you dare!" said Hermione, whipping her finger away from Harry.

"I was only teasing!" protested Harry, with a wicked grin on his face.

"I'm not sure if I believe you sometimes," said Hermione, standing up and studying Harry's face for a minute. "Anyway, I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Harry."

* * * * *

"Arghh!" moaned Hermione, sinking into a chair in the Gryffindor common room. It was about two weeks later, and it was about eight o'clock in the evening.

"What's the matter?" inquired Harry. "No, let me guess - your love life."

Hermione nodded. "More specifically, Justin Finch-Fletchley."

Harry winced. He knew how much Justin was annoying Hermione, begging her to like him. "What's he doing now?" asked Harry.

"As you know, he's started sending me notes, and then gifts. Now he's started stalking me."

"Why don't you like him?" asked Harry. "I've heard Parvati talking about how stupid you are not to like him. According to her he's good-looking, rich and brain-dead, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing..."

Hermione smiled. "It is for Parvati. She doesn't like boys who are smarter than her, which is most of the male population of Hogwarts. Anyway, I like someone else," she said, blushing slightly.

"Who?" asked Harry.

"None of your business!" said Hermione. "So, how's your love life?"

"What love life?" asked Harry. "Girls don't come near me. Except for you," he added quickly, seeing Hermione's hurt look. "Everyone thinks we're dating. I really should blame you for my lack of love life."

"If you're blaming me, I'm blaming you. It was your fault Viktor Krum broke up with me in fourth year. He thought we liked each other."

"That's why Cho Chang broke up with me in fifth year!" said Harry laughing.

"And why me and Ron and you and Lavender broke up last year!" said Hermione laughing as well.

"But, you know, they make the perfect couple. I wish we could be like," said Harry.

"Huh?" asked Hermione, her face red. "Us?"

"I, uh, I meant, uh, that we'd both find someone to be like that with," said Harry, stumbling over his words, his face also red.

"Oh," said Hermione, sounding almost disappointed.

"Where are Ron and Lavender, anyway?" asked Harry, changing the subject.

"I dunno," said Hermione. "I think I saw them heading towards the library earlier."

"Ron going to the library?" asked Harry, amazed. Ron never went to the library unless he absolutely had to. Harry and Hermione looked at each other.

"They're planning something," they said in unison.