The Seventh Year Soap Opera

The Seventh Year Soap Opera

RECAP OF CHAPTER NINETEEN-Returning to Hogwarts: Main thing--dun dun dun--GINNY AND HARRY GOT TOGETHER (*jumps up and down madly*). Also, Ginny and Ron argue (those big mouthed Weasleys...), Hermione tries to talk to Ron and he blows her off (*sniff, sniff*) and before all of that even happened Ron and Hermione play with Charlie. (Does anyone think a seventeen year old Ron playing with a baby is adorable? Takers?)

Chapter Twenty- Arguing, Sarcasm...and Neville?

Ron knocked on the door of Hagrid's hut several times, but there was no answer. Giving up, he yelled, "Accio Cleansweep!" and his broom came hurtling toward him. He needed to fly out some of his anger and sort out his thoughts.

He flew into the air, the wind whipping his hair back and he closed his eyed. Up here, above the Quidditch Pitch, there were no problems; life was perfect. But soon, he heard angry voices. He looked down and saw the Slytherin Quidditch team below. Excellent, Ron thought.

He landed his broom, and received glares from the Slytherins. "Nice broom," Malfoy called.

Anger bubbled inside of Ron, but he restrained himself from anything violent. Instead, he made a very rude gesture with his hand. "Malfoy, don't give me a reason to knock the shit out of you," he said. "I would've thought you'd learned that by now."

Malfoy laughed. "Please, Weasley, why would you want to fight me? Wouldn't want to get expelled, would you?"

"I could actually care less if I get expelled," Ron said angrily. "But I would be happy to see your face smashed like it deserves to be."

"I like my face the way it is, thank you," said Malfoy and the others sniggered.

"Yes," Ron sneered nastily, "and I'm sure my son would like to have his hearing!" He couldn't stop himself. With all the emotions he had been feeling lately, he was a dangerous man. He lunged at Malfoy, knocking him to the ground.

He had just raised his hand when...

"Petrificus Totalus!" yelled a voice, and Ron rolled over, stiff as a board. It was an odd feeling, to be able to blink and breathe, but not actually move. It irritated Ron to no end. Who the hell did this to me? He thought angrily. I'll kill them! Then, he saw Hermione standing over him, glowering at him, shaking her head in disgust. Oh, can't kill her.

"Hexed by your girlfriend, eh,Weasley?" Malfoy said, standing up and dusting himself off, laughing all the while, and Hermione fixed him with a glare so powerful he walked away, his hands raised slightly in the air.

Let me out, Ron wanted to say. "I'll unhex you if you promise not to run after Malfoy," said Hermione, as though reading his very thoughts. "Honestly, Ron, you are so stupid sometimes, you know! 'Oh, I'm feeling angry, let me go beat up some nasty Slytherins'. Ugh, I don't believe you!" She jumped up and down frustratedly. Then she settled down. "If you promise not to run after him, blink twice."

Blink. Blink.

Hermione said a spell, and Ron sat up on the ground. "Well, are you going to get up, or just sit there all day?" she snapped. Ron stood up, a little shakily.

"I could've taken him," he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You see, that's why Charlie's deaf you know. You and Malfoy hate each other so much that he wanted to hurt you best he could, so he went for Charlie."

"Are you blaming me?" Ron said in a dangerous voice, looking at her critically. She quivered under his stare, didn't answer, and began to walk away to the castle. "Are you BLAMING me?" he yelled furiously. "ANSWER ME!"

"SHUT UP!" Hermione yelled, her face going scarlet as she looked up at him angrily. "I am not someone you can just boss around or own! I am so tired of you, and your bitterness toward the world! I'm so sick of your attitude toward Malfoy; it disgusts me! And it's only going to hurt Charlie! Can't you see? He's going to hate every single Slytherin alive!"

Ron was obviously not understanding the point Hermione was trying to make. "What's wrong with that?"

"Everything! And I don't want that, so that's why I dropped the charges! Oh, just get away from me, Ginny's right! I don't want to be around someone who's so angry!"

"What do you mean?" His voice was soft.

"What?"

"What do you mean, you dropped the charges?" Even softer.

Hermione grew quiet. "I dropped the charges against Malfoy."

"For putting you under the Cruciatus?" Softer still.

"Yes."

The change in the pitch of his voice startled Hermione so much that she jumped. "WHY?!" he bellowed.

"Oh stop it, it's not as though you suffered any pain! I did it for Charlie's sake, and anyway, going through a long trial like this won't bring back his hearing, it'll only cause pain."

Ron didn't believe his ears. "Hermione, are you daft? We could have had him in Azkaban for good!"

"See, Ron, that's it. All you care about is hurting Malfoy, getting him behind bars. Do you even care that I got hurt and Charlie got hurt?"

"Hermione, I fought him for you."

Hermione shook her head and her eyes filled with tears. "You fought him for yourself Ron."

"Hermione--"

She held out a hand as he tried to comfort her. He was ready to apologize for everything, crawl on his knees and beg for forgiveness. But he knew she wouldn't hear it. He wasn't angry anymore, just deathly sad. "Don't come near me, I just...don't want to see you right now...just go..."

Ron nodded, and walked away, kicking up dirt as he went, leaving Hermione to cry on the Quidditch field as the Slytherin team zoomed in the air on their brooms.

* * * * * * * * * * *

It became clear to Ron early in the week that Harry and Ginny were really serious about their relationship. Ron knew that the only reason he had gotten so angry was because, like Ginny said, he was jealous because he didn't have something like that. Ginny had pined for Harry for years, and she had gotten him. Ron hadn't gotten Hermione at all. It wasn't as though he disapproved of Harry and Ginny's relationship; he loved the fact that they were together. They deserved each other and he couldn't trust anyone but Harry with his baby sister.

He had decided to apologize to them, so he set off to find them. "Have you seen Harry and Ginny?" he asked Neville. He knew that wherever one was, the other would be.

"They're out on the Quidditch Pitch," Neville said, and Ron dashed out of the castle. He slowed his walk as he entered the Quidditch, looking around. He spotted them sitting on a bench. Ginny's head was on Harry's shoulder and their fingers were intertwined, moving around in large circles in the air. Ginny was laughing at something Harry was muttering in her ear. He had never seen them so relaxed.

Why can't I have that? He thought to himself, but he brushed the thought aside as he walked right up to them. They jumped apart, Harry looking awkward, and Ginny staring at Ron intensely, as though daring him to say something.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, making sure not to look Harry in the eye.

Ginny cupped her ear with hear hand and leaned toward him. "What? What was that? Couldn't hear you..."

"I'M SORRY," said Ron loudly and Ginny jumped.

"I don't think they heard you in China," she said sarcastically, but she looked happy.

"You said you couldn't hear me," Ron pointed out.

"So you're sorry. Good. And, er, I'm sorry too, you know, for saying--"

Ron winced. "I don't need to hear it a second time."

Ginny grinned sheepishly and smiled at him. "So we're alright?" said Harry.

"Yeah, sure, but since you guys are officially a couple..." Ron straightened and cleared his throat, reminding Ginny of Percy. "Harry, it's time we had The Talk."

Harry laughed, but soon stopped when he realized Ron wasn't. "But I'm your best mate!" he protested.

"Hey Potter, my sister's wellbeing is not something I take lightly," said Ron, shaking a finger in Harry's face. Ginny rolled her eyes. "Ginny, your boyfriend will be returned to you soon, or not so soon. I have not decided. Come Harry."

Ginny laughed at the uncanny likeness of Percy, and the way Ron grabbed Harry by his robes, pulled him to his feet, wrapped his arm around him, and whisked him away. She cried with mirth.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Over the next few days, the seventh years took their N.E.W.T.s. When the testing was finished, everyone had a different opinion. The Gryffindors (plus one Hufflepuff) sat in the common room in a circle on cushions.

"Ah, those were a breeze," Seamus announced loudly and lazily, even though he had hardly studied.

"Sure Finnigan," said Eloise Midgen, throwing a pretzel at him.

He tried to look annoyed. "Why aren't you with the Hufflepuffs?" he asked.

Ron grinned and answered for her, "She's not loyal enough."

"Well, I finished my N.E.W.Ts in record time, and then I started drawing all over the parchment," Dean said, tracing patterns on the carpet with his fingers.

"Yes, he was drawing pictures of me!" Parvati said excitedly, giving him a glowing look.

"Hey now, enough of the mush," said Eloise, looking disgruntled, but she was grinning.

"Well, the Fates have told me that I did well. Besides, the only thing I'm really interested in is Divination anyway." They all turned to Lavendar and burst into laughter. "What?" she said, clearly irritated. She smacked Seamus on the arm.

"Well, I know I did horrible, I'll probably wind up being a bartender," Eloise said dramatically, rolling her eyes.

"Please, El, like you can handle your liquor," Ron joked.

"As if you can," Eloise snorted. Ron quickly changed the subject.

"I think I did okay. It was hell though, they were hard," he said.

"Here here," Harry had said, raising his arm. "Ginny, prepare yourself."

Ginny looked nervous. "Were they really that hard?"

"Yes!" Neville insisted. "I forgot nearly everything!"

"Honestly, they were not hard!" snapped Hermione. "I actually enjoyed them. They made me feel revived, refreshed, and exhilarated. It's as though I'm floating on a cloud or something. If you actually studied...I think I did pretty well, but I don't know how I did on that section--"

"Oh shut up," chimed everyone.

"At least we have Hogsmeade to look forward to tomorrow. You know, take our minds off how bad we did. You know they've got a new jewelry store?" Parvati told them.

"Really?" said Lavendar and Hermione together.

"Woah, wait a minute. Hermione, are you excited about a jewelry store?" said Dean, looking doubtful.

"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione?" said Seamus in a deep voice.

Hermione flushed pink. "Well, I actually wanted to find some wedding bands to match my engagement ring," she said, looking at the floor. She smiled. "Viktor said it was okay, he knows how I like things to be my way, so...yeah."

"It's just so hard to believe you're getting married," Ginny said, as everyone nodded. "No one would have thought it'd be you."

"When is the wedding, Hermione?" Harry asked, stroking Ginny's hair out of habit.

Hermione smiled broadly. "July 31st of next year. I'll be almost nineteen by then."

"That's my birthday, you know."

"Oh darn, I'm sure Harry was looking forward to some publicized event, right Harry?" said Parvati giving him a knowing look.

"Who's going to be the best man? Harry or Ron?" Neville asked interestedly.

"Battle of the best friends," said Eloise dryly. Ron poked her, but he, Harry, and the rest of the group stared at her, all curious.

She bit her lip. "Neither," she said simply.

Seamus and Ginny both gasped and clutched their hands over their hearts, rolled their eyes dramatically, and fell to the floor, pretending to have seizures. Hermione laughed, "Have you two been planning that?"

"It's good isn't it?" said Ginny with a smile.

"Oh yes, I'd say you have a shot in Hollywood," said Ron dryly.

"Why neither?" asked Dean.

"Viktor's friend is going to be best man," Hermione said, twisting her engagement ring on her finger. She sighed in content and continued, in a daze, "Ron and Harry will be groomsmen and I think one of his Quidditch mates will be a groomsmen as well."

"As long as I'm there to help Ron with his tux, we'll be fine," said Harry.

"Seamus, Dean, Neville, hopefully you'll be my ushers. To escort people to their proper seats. I need to find one other person for usher, though. My uncle Ryan expressed interest, so I think I'll give that to him. I don't have it all planned out yet..."

"The horror!" said Ron, but Hermione silenced him with a look.

"What about bridesmaids?" said Lavendar and Parvati excitedly.

"That's easy. You two, plus Eloise."

"Eloise?" said Ron, just as Eloise said, "Me?"

"Sure! Why not?"

"Eloise, in a dress?"

"Oh, please. She wears a skirt every day, and besides, Eloise, you wore a dress to the Yule Ball," said Hermione as though this settled the matter.

"Okay," said Eloise uncertainly.

"And naturally, I'll be maid of honor," Ginny said.

"Yes," said Hermione and Ginny jumped off Harry's lap and flung her arms around Hermione in a hug.

"Hey, there are men present, no tears allowed," said Seamus loudly, snatching the bag of pretzels from Eloise's hands.

But Lavendar was dabbing her eyes with a tissue already. "Can I see the ring?" she said hopefully.

Ginny let go of Hermione and Hermione showed them the ring on her finger. It had a thin, golden band, on which was engraved V&H. On top of the band sat a big, beautiful diamond that sparkled even in the dark. "Is it real?" said Parvati.

Hermione nodded, tears prickling in her eyes. "No, Hermione's crying over a piece of jewelry, the world is coming to an end," cracked Harry.

Hermione laughed, and tears streamed down her cheeks as everyone admired the ring. "Must have been expensive," commented Eloise.

"Of course," said Ron, drinking some butterbeer, "He's a Quidditch player." No one noticed the bitterness in his voice, except Eloise, but she didn't say a word. They had become quite close, and in many ways, closer than Ron and Hermione would ever be. They didn't like each other romantically, but it was as though they could read each other's minds.

"Hermione, just make sure you don't get pushed into the lake," Neville cautioned.

"Why?" said Hermione, startled by the question.

Seamus, Dean, Neville, Eloise, Ron, and Harry all answered as one. "Cause you'd sink straight to the bottom."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, there were no clicks in Hogsmeade. There was no trio, no giggling twosome, no snogging couples...not for 'The Group', as Ron called it. All of them (Ron, Harry, Hermione, Eloise, Ginny, Seamus, Dean, Neville, Lavendar, and Parvati) had bonded together. It was true that if Harry and Lavendar were placed by themselves and forced to talk, not much conversation would ensue, but the group as a whole worked very well together.

Perhaps it was because they were all leaving Hogwarts (except Ginny). Perhaps not; Hermione didn't really know.

At Hogsmeade, they had split up. All the girls were to go to the jewelry store, while all the boys went to Zonko's. Hermione was wary of this arrangement at first; she didn't want to talk only about boys, makeup, and jewelry, but Eloise and Ginny assured her they'd talk about other things too.

The new jewelry store was called, Arabella. "Arabella Figg?" Ginny said curiously. "That lady who was in the Order, and had all those cats?"

"Seems that way, doesn't it?" said Parvati, stepping into the store first, followed by the others. A bell jingled against the door, announcing their arrival. Even Hermione had to gasp as the scent of jasmine filled her nostrils. Racks upon racks upon racks of expertly crafted jewelry stood in this store. The walls were painted a soft pink color, the curtains of white lace hung perfectly around the stained glass windows. Hermione traced the pattern of a red rose in the window in awe.

"It's not only jewelry either," said Eloise, pointing to a large painting of a brilliant white unicorn. Parvati sighed in delight.

"Look at these wind chimes," Lavendar suddenly exclaimed, from the corner of the store. The other girls ran to meet her, and Hermione gasped again. Hanging from the ceiling were dozens of clear glass window chimes with a white lining of roses down the sides.

"This is bloody brilliant," said Eloise, now pointing to china. Parvati nearly fainted.

"I thought so," came a voice, and they all turned to see Mrs. Figg striding from a side room. "All without magic."

"W-Without magic?" Lavendar said, aghast.

"I'm a Squib," Arabella said proudly, "and I take pride in my work. After I retired I decided to settle down and actually do something I liked."

"How long have you been doing this?" asked Ginny, looking dazed.

"Since I was a girl. That's what I did when the rest of my family was at Hogwarts. And I got a proper Muggle education."

"Oh, Mrs. Figg, it's wonderful," Hermione added.

"Thank you. Did you want anything in particular?"

"Yes, actually," Hermione said, stepping up and taking off her ring. "I was looking for wedding bands to match this ring. If you don't have any I'll pay extra to have them made. I--"

"No, I have the matches," Arabella insisted. "I made this ring."

"You did?" said Parvati.

"But, Viktor didn't buy it here, he said he bought it in--"

"France," Arabella finished.

"Yes! How did you know?" said Hermione breathlessly, waving her hand in front of her face.

"That's my other chain, in France. It's the only one actually, but yes, I have the matches. What are the sizes?" Hermione pulled a small paper from the pocket of her Muggle jeans that had the sizes on it and handed it to Arabella, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl.

"I'll be back," said Arabella, disappearing into the back room again.

Lavendar leaned against the wall. "Handmade!" she said shrilly.

All girls were silent as they waited anxiously for Arabella to return. Time seemed to stand still, and Hermione was ready to rip out her hair due to her impatience. "She's coming!" said Eloise suddenly, and as one, they all huddled around the counter.

Arabella placed two golden rings on the counter, one slightly larger than the other. Hermione picked hers up and was ready to slip it on her finger when--

"No!" said Lavendar. "You're not supposed to wear it until Viktor slides it on your finger!"

"Lav, she has to try it on to make sure it fits," Ginny pointed out.

"Right," sighed Lavendar, "but make it quick."

"Chill," said Eloise. Hermione looked at them nervously, and slid the ring on her finger, but before she could get used to its cold touch against her skin, she yanked it off quickly and set it on the counter next to Viktor's.

"It fits," she said simply, and inside, she felt ready to burst into giggles.

The bell jingled and the girls swiveled their heads to see who was coming in. All of them groaned. Pansy Parkinson and her gang of Slytherin girls had entered the jewelry store. Even Arabella groaned. Pansy strutted over to them, a great big smile on her face. "Hello!" she said brightly.

"If she smiles any wider, her skin will peel," Eloise muttered to Parvati.

"What did you say?" Pansy snapped, the smile suddenly gone.

"Now there's a problem with her ears," Lavendar said, loud and clear.

Hermione tried not to laugh, but act civil. "Don't you think this store is lovely, Pansy?" she asked kindly.

"Excuse me, are we on first name terms?" said Pansy, in a confused voice. The snooty girls behind her sniggered.

"Do you hear someone speaking, Lav?" said Parvati.

"No, do you Ginny?"

"Just a slight buzzing. Sounds like a housefly, but I can't be sure."

"Really clever, Weasley," snapped Pansy. "I should ask you why you're here, in a first class jewelry store."

Ginny looked unabashed. "Honestly, you Slytherins need to find some new material," she said lightly, drumming her fingernails on the glass counter. Hermione, Eloise, Lavendar, and Parvati grinned.

"Is there a problem here?" came a drawling voice.

"Draco!" said Pansy, running to him as he entered the store with Crabbe and Goyle.

"Like a leech," said Eloise, shaking her head.

"No problems Malfoy, just civilized conversation," said Hermione, tapping her fingers on the counter like Ginny. Arabella was now seated on a stool behind the counter, watching with rapt attention, amused.

"Yes, so I suggest you don't do anything to taint it," said Ginny boldly, stepping forward with her arms crossed. "I don't think you'd want to mess with a Weasley temper. From what I hear, Ron got you pretty good in that hospital wing, you know, after you put the Cruciatus on Hermione." Anger flashed in her eyes and Arabella gasped. "And I'm sure you won't be forgetting the little incident between us at the Ball."

"If you're not careful, Malfoy, I'll press charges again. I won't hesitate," said Hermione, even though she knew she wouldn't. But Malfoy didn't know that.

"You wouldn't dare. My father--"

"Is a git?" supplied Parvati innocently. Arabella snorted.

"Your father has no control over anything anymore. Or did you forget? He's on probation, correct?" said Hermione.

"How did you know that?" Malfoy demanded, his cheeks growing pink.

"Well, seeing as how Harry defeated Voldemort..." Hermione started.

"And she helped..." added Lavendar.

"And she's his best friend..." said Parvati.

"And he tells her practically everything..." Ginny put in.

"I think she'd pretty much know," Eloise finished.

The bell attached to the door jingled again, and Harry ambled into the store, followed by Neville, Dean, Ron, and Seamus. "Would you look at this place!" Ron exclaimed, but they all stopped dead upon seeing Pansy with her gang of girls, and Malfoy and his thugs.

"Lovely, there's more," murmured Arabella to herself.

"Hello, Mrs. Figg," said Harry and Dean, waving to her.

"Hello dears."

"What do we have here?" said Seamus, amusement in his voice as he looked Crabbe up and down. He grinned at Lavendar. "Hello beautiful," he said, winking at her.

Hermione glanced at Ron, who had turned extremely red. She was about to give him a warning look as he glared at Malfoy, but Harry did that for her. "Hello Pansy, how are you today?" Neville said kindly to Pansy, and everyone looked on in amazement.

Pansy flushed bright red and Malfoy looked very confused and very angry. "Why are you talking to me?" she snapped at Neville.

"Er, because we're partners in class, and you were nice enough to help me add the lacewings to that potion we had to make the other day as a homework assignment in Professor Snape's class. Only I don't remember the exact potion we were making, as usual, but the conversation we had could possibly have contributed to my sudden memory loss." He was staring at her straight in the eye, but twirling Viktor's engagement ring in his finger. "You told me you like rings, do you think this is pretty?" he said, placing the ring in her hand.

Hermione was shocked. Why was he handing her Viktor's ring? That wasn't his property! But her worry deceased when she shoved it back into his hand, and stammered, "No I don't."

Neville looked thoughtful. "Then perhaps you shouldn't be in this store, seeing as how Arabella here made it. Most of the things in this store have that style of craft, but if you don't like it...well, why would you be in a store you don't like? I'm sure those lovely ladies," he indicated her gang of girls, who all looked disgusted at being addressed as 'lovely' by a Gryffindor, "trust in your taste and wouldn't like anything here either. Same thing for you, Draco. Pansy's your girlfriend, I know, and obviously wouldn't like anything you bought her from this store. Unless you'd like something yourself?"

Harry and Seamus laughed, along with Lavendar and Ginny, at the look on Malfoy's face. Neville shook his head. "Yeah, I didn't think so. What about you Vincent? And you Gregory? Would you like something from this store?"

They both shook their boulder like heads. Neville looked apologetic. "Then, to my displeasure, I reckon we won't be seeing each other in this store again. It's a shame too, there were some really extraordinary silk cloths that were silver with velvet green roses around the edges. Of course, I prefer the red and gold colored ones myself."

"One day Longbottom," Malfoy started in a low growl, but Neville cut him off.

"No, call me Neville."

"One day Longbottom," Malfoy started again.

"No, really, I insist, please call me Neville."

Malfoy looked ruffled and pained in his pointed face. "One day, Neville," he spat the name out like a disease, and Hermione knew Malfoy hated calling his enemies by their first names, "I'll hurt you."

Neville didn't look intimidated at all. A small smile lit his features and his round face shined, and now his soft eyes held confidence and pride. "I look forward to it," he said calmly. This was obviously not the answer Malfoy was expecting, and he stalked out of the store, beckoning the others to follow.

There was silence as everyone just stared at Neville. He turned to Hermione, opened her closed fist, pressed Viktor's ring into her palm, and faced Arabella as though no one else was there and she was an old friend. "Do you really have anything like those gold and red cloths I described? My gran would like them, I think."

It took Arabella awhile to gain composure. "As a matter of fact, I do," she said, and she practically ran to the backroom.

It was Ron who cut the silence first. "Bloody hell," he said hoarsely, clapping Neville on the back, and hugging him. "That was bloody brilliant, mate."

"Hey, watch your bloody mouth," Eloise said and she too, clapped Neville on the back. Soon, everyone was hugging him, and in Parvati and Lavendar's case, kissing him on the cheek.

"Oh no Seamus, he's stealing our girlfriends," said Dean, amused.

"He has a girlfriend, you prat!" said Parvati.

"Who?" said everyone.

"My sister!"

"You got Padma Patil?" said Dean.

"Yes, she's said I'm quite attractive, and we have a lot in common, and I pay attention to her at Balls." He gave Ron a pointed look.

"Did she teach you to be smooth like that?" said Ginny.

"A woman's touch can change everything," agreed Lavendar, eyeing Seamus, who grew red, but no one noticed because they were looking at Neville.

"No, but that's how Dumbledore would have handled the situation, and he's the most brilliant wizard on the face of the earth," Neville said simply. Harry smiled in agreement.

"Too true," said Arabella, emerging with a cloth that was made of silk. It was red, with velvet gold roses along the edges. She handed them to Neville carefully. "Free of charge. You provided me with entertainment I will never forget. And you got rid of those damn Slytherins!"

Ginny cheered. "Go Neville!"

"Well, thank you Belle," Neville said, "Gran will love you for this." He held up the cloth.

Arabella smiled. "She better. That took me about a week to make."

"Hang on," said Hermione, finally realizing something, "Why are you guys in here?"

"What? Men can't come into a store that's meant for women?" said Dean, looking offended.

"Yes, they seem confident in their masculinity," Ginny whispered to Parvati.

"We have girlfriends to buy stuff for, you know," added Seamus, giving Lavendar a secret smile, "Well, except Ron of course."

"See what you've done Neville?" said Ron indignantly. "Now I'm the only bachelor of the group. You've got Padma, Dean's got Parvati, Seamus has Lav, and Harry has Ginny. I'm the odd man out."

"Hey, I don't have a boyfriend!" Eloise spoke up.

"I wonder why," Ron muttered, but it was loud enough for her to hear and she slapped him in the back of his head.

"Don't worry, Ron, we'll set you up with a nice Ravenclaw or something."

"Luna Lovegood's available," said Ginny, "and you know she likes you."

Ron groaned. "I'd prefer to be a bachelor."

"Hey, Luna's really nice," said Harry, earning wary stares from everyone. "Well, she is! She may be a little loony..."

"Well, if you boys are planning on buying us girls something, you might want to get a move on," said Lavendar, looking at her watch. "We have to leave in a hour."

"Have the Fates informed you?" Seamus said innocently, grinning.

"I love you too," she said, giving him a sloppy kiss and bounding out the door, with the rest of the girls close behind.

The boys spread out in the store, admiring the Arabella's work, until each of them had picked out something. It didn't take very long. Dean had purchased a smaller version of the painted unicorn for Parvati, Seamus had bought a collection of glass butterflies for Lavendar, Neville had purchased a delicate gold locket in the shape of a dolphin for Padma, and Harry had bought a pair of silver earrings with a small 'G' engraved in the center.

"Ron, what do you have?" Harry called to him.

"Why do you have two things?" asked Dean.

Ron looked up. "One for Hermione and one for Eloise," he said.

"You like Eloise, do you?" teased Seamus.

"No, he likes Hermione!" said Neville.

"Is this true?" said Seamus in amazement. "Ron likes the Hermster?"

The Hermster was the nickname that all the Gryffindor boys called Hermione in private. Seamus and Ron had come up with it in sixth year. Parvati was called Goldie, Lavendar was Bunny-Bun-Bun, and Ginny was Red Hot. Ron had not liked this name at all, so they had changed her name to Fireball. Ron didn't like that either. Firebolt was the next choice, but Ron had said, "She's not a broomstick Seamus! You can't ride her!"

"Er, actually Ron--" Dean had started.

"Don't go there," Ron had answered threateningly. Now, she was Raggedy Anne, and Ron liked that name. Just last night, they had crowned Eloise into the 'Name Game.' She was Creampuff.

Ron knew his cheeks were growing red, and Dean clapped him on the back. "You do like the Hermster!"

"He has since first year," said Harry.

Ron stared at him. "You knew? How did you know? I didn't tell you!"

"You're my best mate Ron, of course I knew."

"But you still went out with her!"

"Well, I liked her then too," said Harry.

"I didn't know you've liked her for that long," admitted Neville. "I thought you hated her."

"I still do," Ron muttered, setting his purchases on the counter for Arabella to ring up.

"Ah, the fiery ones--glad Lav's not like that."

"No, no," said Harry in protest, "Fiery is good. That's where the passion is."

Ron snorted. "How far have you even gotten with Ginny, 'Mr. I Know Lots About Women'? Wait, I don't want to know! Don't say a word!"

"I want to know!" Dean said indignantly, as they headed for the door. He ducked as Ron made a swipe for him.

Ron was putting his gifts in a bag when he heard Harry speak. "Come on now, that's my baby sister you're talking about! I said I didn't want to know! Thanks Arabella," he added, as she handed him his change.

"You're welcome, Mr. Weasley, and if I may say so, I believe that Hermione is making a mistake with this Viktor fellow. You're much more handsome. And Harry's right, fiery is where the passion is, and Viktor doesn't seem to be that fiery." She winked at him, but it didn't disgust him as he might've thought.

"Thanks, Arabella," he said with a grin, feeling much more confident about his relationship with Hermione. Confident to do something that would make Godric Gyffindor proud, even though all of his nerves would be screaming against it.

And with that happy thought, he ran out of the door of Arabella, the bell jingling in his ears as he ran to catch up with the boys.