Chapter 2
Casanova and Cleopatra
Author's Note: The response to the first chapter was absolutely amazing! Glad to see so many readers like my story already! Thank you all to those who followed, favorited and reviewed my story so far!
Viktor Krum rant, ahead!
I will warn you right now. I have NEVER liked Hermione paired with Viktor in any story, be it canon or fan-fiction. It makes me uncomfortable. For Merlin's sake, after a date to the Ball, and a brief friendship, Hermione was the "thing he'd miss the most"?! Excuse me?! What about his parents?! Fleur's was Gabrielle! So family was allowed! Gaah! Also, there is the fact he invited her to Bulgaria, when she was fifteen! He was eighteen! Ugh. You have to wonder why he invited her? Meet his parents? "Hello, Mum, Dad, meet the person I'd miss more than you – according to the Second Task - even though I had just met her less than four months before said task." Right. Introducing her to his parents wasn't on his mind, I assure you.
Anyway, my opinion toward that pairing is discussed through a character in this chapter.
Apologies for my rant. Enjoy the chapter.
Other Chapter Title Considerations: "Showtime and Situational Awareness", or just simply "Situational Awareness". The chosen title will be obvious by the time you finish the chapter.
Warning: Character Bashing: Ron, Ginny, Molly, Snape, and Viktor Krum; Ship Bashing: Hermione/Viktor
(Thursday, December 10th, 1994)
"Hermione?" Harry asked, "When did you get your teeth fixed?"
Harry and Hermione were currently out on the Grounds of Hogwarts. They had found a suitably private spot at a copse of trees, one of the few not located near the Forbidden Forest, and were now sitting together at the trunk of one of them. It was a bit of a chilly spot, even though the air wasn't too cold, due to the fact that they were sitting under the cover of the trees which blocked the sun. Even though that was a disadvantage, it also provided them the cover of privacy they desired. It wasn't anywhere near a walking path on the grounds, so it wasn't too easy for anyone to eavesdrop. But it did give them a good view if anyone just so happened to be walking in their direction.
"Finally noticed that, have you?" Hermione teased, with a smug smirk. "Did you notice before, during, or after our first kiss?"
"Before," Harry said, "By about… five, maybe ten minutes?"
Hermione's only response was to laugh. was almost a guffaw. Which only made Harry laugh too.
"Well, at least you noticed before you asked me to the Ball," Hermione said, after they calmed down, "Or to be your girlfriend."
"In my defense, it is mostly your fault," Harry said.
"My fault?"! Hermione demanded. "How?!"
"This is going to make me sound horrible," Harry said.
"I'll try to forgive you," Hermione said, dryly.
"We've been friends for so long," Harry said. "Until very recently, I've never really thought about you aside from the fact that you're just… 'my friend, Hermione'. I've seen you as Hermione. I wasn't really paying attention to your appearance or the changes you've had over the years. To be fair, these bloody school outfits do not do you justice as well. They hide your figure so badly, it took me forever to notice just how beautiful you are."
"My figure?" Hermione asked.
"Let's just say when you hugged me earlier – before I asked you to the ball," Harry said, "It was the first time I ever realized how… Merlin, I don't think I can say it."
Hermione stared at him for a moment, before she chuckled. "Are you saying that when I hugged you earlier, it was the first time you could recognize feeling my… breasts against you? Even though I am sure it has happened when I've hugged you over the past few months? I am a very close hugger after all, and not shy at all when hugging either. I think you know that."
"Yes, it was the first time," Harry muttered. "Please don't take that the wrong way. What I'm trying to say is… it has taken until very recently for me to notice just how… pretty you are. And I feel very bad about that."
Hermione sighed. "Oh, Harry. I think I can forgive you. Because it actually is my fault."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Even when I'm wearing casual clothes," Hermione said, "I've never really focused on looking pretty or beautiful or attractive you know? No, you know what? Molly Weasley is to blame."
"How?" Harry asked.
"She's so old-fashioned," Hermione said, "I was afraid to wear any clothing around her that showed even a hint of any curves or beauty I possess. Even Ginny, who wanted to look attractive around you, wasn't allowed to wear anything that was too revealing. This summer, while we were at the Burrow, and the Quidditch World Cup, that should have been a big opportunity me for to make myself look more attractive toward you. If it wasn't for Molly Weasley, I might have done so. But I was under her roof, I was her guest, and I knew she wouldn't approve, so I had to respect her wishes, verbal or not. So even then I was wearing clothes similar to these school outfits. Worse, actually, because I couldn't wear skirts like this!"
Harry grinned. He always did like the skirt part of the female school outfit. They looked especially good on Hermione.
"So, yes, Harry," Hermione said, "I am to blame, partially. Molly Weasley is also to blame, and also these school outfits. Because… I never gave you an opportunity to see me any differently, to see me looking pretty. I can't blame you for not noticing I have curves until I hugged you… today, I assume?"
"Yes, today," Harry said, "Which makes me feel worse, considering how much you hug me. How did I not… feel… that… before?"
"You're a rather oblivious boy, Harry," Hermione said, with a laugh, "Actually, now that I think about it. It is even more impressive that you find me beautiful. Because I'm not trying to be beautiful."
"Yes, we'll, you're doing a pretty poor job of it," Harry said, grinning.
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione said. "That's the first time a poor performance of mine actually sounds like a compliment. Now, we've gone far off topic. You asked about my teeth."
"I did," Harry said.
"Well, I'm sure you remember the day Malfoy hexed me with large teeth," Hermione said.
"Yes," Harry said, "In fact I've never hated Snape more than that day, when he said 'I see no difference'. Forgive me for my language, but fuck that man!"
Hermione didn't reprimand him. She merely smiled. "Well, of course, I wasn't going to keep those fangs Malfoy gave me. Madam Pomfrey gave me a mirror, and told me to give her a signal when my teeth looked normal again. I might have told a white-lie, and let her fix my teeth to look normal like the rest of them. I've wanted to do that for forever, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Especially since my parents didn't want me to use magic to fix my teeth. I now have a story that will be believable when they ask me about them."
"Merlin," Harry said, "It has taken me this long to notice your teeth are different? I do not deserve to be your boyfriend, Hermione."
"Of course you do," Hermione said, "For the sole fact that you found me beautiful – when I wasn't trying to be – before you asked me to the Ball, and to be your girlfriend. Let's not forget, all those other compliments you gave me. Also there's the fact that you noticed my teeth were different before I kissed you. If you didn't notice until I kissed you, I might have been a little angry."
Harry chuckled. "I probably would have deserved it. I definitely wouldn't have deserved to be your boyfriend if that happened. That would have been a Ron-level insult."
"Please, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, "You are leagues better than Ron when it comes to noticing things about me. I don't even think he knows I'm a girl!"
Harry laughed, a good belly laugh, which set off Hermione as well.
"Yeah," Harry said, when he could stop laughing, "That's pretty bad. It pretty much tells you what he thinks of you."
"I know what he thinks of me," Hermione said, "In fact the only reason he and I are friends Is because we're your friends. You, Harry, are the only thing we have in common. Since I apparently can't have you without him being around, I have to tolerate him enough to call him a friend."
"Yeah, well," Harry said, seriously, "If his attitude toward you doesn't change, I think my friendship with him is over. If he reacts badly to you and I going to the Ball together. If he reacts badly to you and I being a couple. I'll consider it a worse betrayal than after my name came out of the Goblet of Fire. Because if he can't support us, there's no point having him be my friend. It would just be a lot of negative energy I just don't want to deal with anymore – especially when it comes to him. It is so much worse than Malfoy, or the others because Ron is supposed to be my friend. Our friend."
"I completely agree, Harry," Hermione said, smiling. "If he isn't happy for us, there's no point being friends with him anymore. To be honest, Harry, I see no other outcome than a negative one with him. It's just the kind of person he is."
"Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so," Harry said. "Given the fact he hasn't changed since the Goblet of Fire fiasco, I don't see him getting a maturity upgrade in the next few hours."
"So it seems we should plan for Ron no longer being our friend," Hermione said. "No regrets?"
"None, Hermione," Harry said. "None at all."
Hermione smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. The new couple kissed, cuddled, snogged, discussed nothing and everything, and kissed some more until it was time to head to the Great Hall for lunch, and the public reveal that they were going to the Yule Ball together.
Ten minutes before they were expected at lunch, they stood up and checked over themselves so they didn't appear as if they had been all over each other for the past several minutes.
"Merlin, we're a mess!" Hermione laughed, "I hope we didn't look like this when Professor McGonagall saw us earlier. Oh, god, what if she did? We might have looked as if we just kissed!"
"We did just kiss a few minutes before we spoke to her again," Harry said.
"I know that!" Hermione said, "But… she's very observant. Oh god! She must have figured something was off about us!"
"Good thing she's not a gossip then," Harry commented.
Hermione calmed down almost instantly. "That is a silver lining, I suppose. Sweet Baby Maeve, we have to be more careful!"
Harry blinked. "Sweet Baby Maeve?"
Hermione blushed a deep red. "Forget I said that. Or I'll hex you. Boyfriend or not."
Harry snorted. Apparently, he just accidentally discovered Hermione's workaround for swearing. He laughed when she backhanded him across the chest. It only made him laugh harder, and was quite relieved when Hermione joined in!
While they walked back to the castle, they discussed exactly how the public reveal should play out. It didn't take very long for them to come up with a plan. In fact, they were sure Sirius and Professor Lupin would applaud them for the mere showmanship of the idea.
(Ten Minutes Later)
Minerva McGonagall made her way through the Great Hall, her stern gaze looking around at the group of third, fourth, and sixth years who were in attendance for the current lunch session. The rest of the years were in class at that moment in time. She noticed neither Mr. Potter nor Miss Granger were in attendance yet. She smiled privately at the memory of the discussion she had with her two favorite lions several minutes prior outside her classroom. She realized the new couple wanted to make a dramatic arrival for their public outing. She deduced from the conversation that they wouldn't reveal they were a couple, merely that they were going to the Ball together.
Yes, she knew they were a couple, even though they might be trying to hide the knowledge of that for privacy's sake. There was just something new about how they acted during her most recent conversation with them. Also, they were rather mussed up when she saw them. It was obvious they had kissed at least once. She was quite sure they had just experienced their first kiss whilst in that unused classroom. She was quite happy for her favorite lions, if that was true. They very much deserved each other in such a way.
However, she hoped – if they wanted to keep their relationship a secret – they fixed their mussed-up appearance when they made themselves public again. Otherwise it would be rather obvious what they were doing.
Minerva joined her fellow staff members who had no classes at that moment in time. Thankfully neither Severus nor Albus were in attendance. Severus would likely attempt to take points from Mr. Potter as a result of the performance that was soon to take place. And Albus… well… there was a suspicion deep in Minerva's mind that told her the Headmaster might not… approve of the fact her two favorite Lions were now a couple. A ridiculous notion, of course. What business was it of the Headmaster's to have such an opinion about a couple of students in the castle? Of course, Albus' behavior toward Mr. Potter wasn't exactly normal compared to other students.
Minerva pushed that thought to the back of her mind, as she sat down next to Pomona Sprout.
"You owe me ten Galleons, Pomona," Minerva said. "Just so you know."
Pomona glanced at Minerva, alarmed. Then she pouted dramatically. "Damn it, Minerva. Which bet did I lose this time?"
Minerva smirked. "If you stick around, I believe you'll soon discover the answer to that before you leave this Hall."
Pomona grumbled and returned to her lunch. Minerva merely smiled as she put together her plate of food. She always loved getting one up on certain staff members. Severus and Albus were on the top of that list. Pomona was third. The Herbology Professor and Hufflepuff Head was very competitive. Especially when it came to making bets about certain things – like students' love-lives.
Speaking of that topic… Hermione Granger made her way – looking perfectly put together and no longer mussed up, thank Merlin! - into the Great Hall, and sat down at a vacant spot near her fellow students at the Gryffindor Table. A frown crossed Minerva's face as she wondered why the girl had come in alone, without Mr. Potter. Then she saw Harry Potter walk in, looking just as perfectly dressed as his new girlfriend – ahem, Yule Ball date. The young man's eyes found hers, and he winked at her. Minerva was suddenly reminded of another young man with dark, messy hair and glasses that looked remarkably like that young man. She merely raised her eyebrows at him – fighting back a smile that would have certainly ruined her reputation of stern taskmaster – and the young man responded with a smile. Then his gaze went straight to Miss Granger.
Minerva had to prevent a smile again. Showtime.
Harry walked toward the bushy-haired girl. But he did not sit down beside her. Instead he dropped to one knee next to where she was sitting. He did not say anything right away. It was soon obvious why. He was waiting for everyone in the Hall to look at him. And that was exactly what was happening. Aside from a few curious whispers amongst students, the Hall was silent, as everyone looked at Harry.
"Hermione Granger," Harry said, loudly enough for the whole Hall to hear him. "Would you do me the greatest honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?"
Hermione's beaming smile was a wild difference to the various girls around the Hall, who had expressions of shock, disappointment, and in a couple cases, jealousy or anger. If Minerva wasn't beaming at her two favorite lions, she might have noticed such expressions of jealous anger on the two youngest Weasleys at the Gryffindor table.
"Yes, Harry," Hermione said, her voice carrying across the Hall. "I would be more than honored to accompany you to the Yule Ball."
There was a round of applause as Harry sat down next to his date to the Ball. But it definitely could not be qualified for the list of top rounds of applause ever to be witnessed in the Great Hall. Most who were applauding were imitating golf claps, or rounds of forced applause. It certainly wasn't loud enough to drown out the whispers and gossip that was buzzing around the room.
"Damn it, Minerva," Pomona muttered, as she took her coin purse from her belt. "I knew betting against you about those two was going to bite me in the backside. I was certain young Mr. Potter was oblivious to Miss Granger's feelings for him."
"Why did you even consider betting on Miss Granger and Viktor Krum of all people?" Minerva asked, happily accepting the ten gold coins.
"Irma told me she has seen Mr. Krum gazing at Miss Granger in the library," Pomona said. "Even surrounded by his fan-girls, he watches her."
"And what does Irma say about Miss Granger when it comes to Mr. Krum?" Minerva asked.
"Miss Granger seems to be oblivious or doesn't care for him at all," Pomona admitted. "Merlin, now I am wondering why I bet on those two!"
"You see?!" Minerva sniffed. "Besides, he is much too old for her, and she is much too… innocent for someone who seems as wild as him. Why would he even consider any possibilities of a fling with her?"
"She's not a Quidditch nut, Minerva," Pomona said, "Wasn't it you who told me if Mr. Potter wasn't the Seeker, Miss Granger would go to the Library instead of the Quidditch Pitch for Gryffindor games?"
"So Viktor likes her because she isn't hanging all over him?" Minerva huffed. "Is he interested in her because she doesn't show affections for him? In that case, his affections toward her are borderline inappropriate. Especially given his school's teachings and her being a Muggleborn. A fling like that could only be bad news and lead to ruin, especially for Miss Granger.
"Besides, she clearly doesn't like Quidditch, as you said. And Viktor Krum is a Star Seeker! She probably wouldn't even go to most of his games. What exactly do they have in common?! Now compare this to my two Lions, ask yourself how much those two have in common, and you'll find Miss Granger is in fine hands with our young Mr. Potter."
Krum would clearly try to seduce her, Minerva thought, but didn't say out loud, If Mr. Potter hadn't asked her out, and Krum did, she would have fallen all over him because he would be the first boy to show affections for her. Her innocent nature would be the perfect prey for a predator like him. Miss Granger, you are very lucky to have such a nice young man like Mr. Potter. He's definitely more suitable for you than… other people.
"Well, it was either Viktor Krum or Ron Weasley," Pomona said. "Perhaps a safer bet would have been Mr. Weasley, given the looks he was giving Mr. Potter and Miss Granger during that little scene of theirs."
"Looks?" Minerva asked, alarmed.
"Have you not noticed?" Pomona asked, "Look at young Mr. Weasley. And his sister."
Minerva glanced along the Gryffindor Table, and was startled by what she discovered. Ron Weasley, who would usually be gorging himself on the food in front of him, and ignoring everything else, was staring at Harry and Hermione, who were quietly talking to each other. No, he wasn't staring. He was glaring at them. As was Ginny Weasley. She had never seen such dark, jealous, angry looks as she did on the faces of the two youngest Weasleys.
"You believe he was a safer bet?" Minerva asked.
"That was before I saw him look at Mr. Potter and Miss Granger like that," Pomona said. "Now, on the other hand…"
"He would be bad news for Miss Granger," Minerva said, "Especially given his behavior toward her over the past few years. Remember, he was the reason she was in the bathroom with that troll in the first place!"
"It looks as if there is no one better for Miss Granger than Mr. Potter," Pomona said, "I simply should have realized that and not bet against you on that one."
"I agree," Minerva said; she pointed her fork in Mr. and Miss Weasley's direction. "That bears watching, Pomona."
"It does," Pomona agreed. "What do you intend to do?"
"I will ask one of my elves to watch Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and the two youngest Weasleys over the next few days," Minerva said. "And alert me if something dramatic happens between them."
"That would probably be a good idea," Pomona agreed.
Minerva frowned as she looked at the two youngest Weasleys. Something was very off about those two. Why had she never noticed anything about them before?
Then her mind went back to the whole Chamber of Secrets fiasco. Hadn't Ginny Weasley been responsible for all of that? It hadn't been her fault per se, but she had been under the influence of a dark artifact. Minerva hadn't taken notice of that, during that entire year. One of her own lions!
She vowed to be better when it came to her lions. She would be watchful of any future trouble amongst the pride. Especially when it came to the two youngest Weasleys. If only because their current behavior made her very uneasy.
She was even more uncomfortable – and suspicious – when Ginny noticed her watching, and nudged her brother's shoulder. He looked at her, she said something to him, and Ron glanced at the Head of his House. They abruptly, and forcefully, stopped looking in Harry and Hermione's direction.
Yes, Minerva decided, There is something really off about those two! What is going on between Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys? I thought they were good friends! Damn it. I can't do anything until something happens. It will happen, though. And when it does… I'll be there. And so will one of my house-elves. Which one? Hmm….
(Meanwhile…)
Professor McGonagall might have been watchful and suspicious of Ron and Ginny Weasley, but Harry and Hermione were – at the moment – oblivious to the two youngest Weasleys. If only because of their older brothers, who had decided to sit down across from the new couple at the moment.
"Well, hello, young Casanova," Fred Weasley said, to Harry.
"And hello to you too, Cleopatra," George Weasley said, to Hermione.
"That doesn't make any sense at all," Hermione said. "Casanova and Cleopatra aren't remotely related to anything between the two."
"Perhaps," Fred said, "but Harry deserves the title of Casanova for that performance."
"And you, queen of denial," George said, "have denied scores of girls the chance to accompany Mr. Casanova to the Yule Ball."
"It gives you the opportunity to ask those girls to the Ball," Harry said, shrugging. "Then perhaps they'll ignore me, and I won't have to deal with those girls who believe I should accompany them instead of Hermione."
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil suddenly pouted and turned their interest – which had been on the new pair and their private conversation – elsewhere. Ginny Weasley's glare only turned darker, though Harry did not notice.
"Oh, we already have two girls in mind," Fred said.
"We just haven't decided which of us should accompany which witch," George said.
"You probably should decide that," Hermione advised, "Before someone else asks them."
Fred and George looked at each other. Then they shared whispers nobody else at the table could hear. Then they took quills and ink from their bags, and wrote something down on two separate napkins. They then threw those two napkins toward Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet. The two Chasers glared at the twins when the napkins landed in their plates. They opened the napkins and their glares turned to blushes. Then the two girls gave them a thumbs-up.
"Well, there you go," Harry said, "Who is going with whom?"
"We'll tell you when we figure that out ourselves," Fred said.
"For all we know they might confuse me for my less-handsome twin," George said. "It happens a lot, after all."
"And the one I chose might go with my even lesser-handsome twin," Fred said, "instead of me."
"So you'll tell us when you clear that up between yourselves and the girls?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Fred and George said.
"Better go clear that up then," Harry said.
Fred and George glanced at each other, then stood and moved back down the table to where they had been sitting across from the Chasers.
It wasn't until they left the Great Hall a little while later, that they brought up their conversation with the twins.
"Casanova?" Harry asked. "I'm not a Casanova, am I, Hermione?"
"Better than Cleopatra," Hermione muttered. "For a moment, I thought they were going to call me queen of denial, because of me denying my affections for you until today. Which would have revealed my affections for you."
"Which would basically tell everyone we were a couple instead of dates to the Ball," Harry said.
"For certain," Hermione agreed.
If anyone – especially two particular young gingers – had decided to confront Harry and Hermione over the scene in the Great Hall, nobody had decided to do so just yet. Miraculously, they were not bothered by the time they arrived at the Defense Against The Dark Arts classroom.
And if Ron Weasley decided to sit with Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas instead of Harry and Hermione, the new couple didn't give it a spare thought, even when Neville joined them instead. In the back of their minds, they knew a confrontation with Ron was in the future. But they were much too distracted by the thought of their little performance in the Great Hall, to worry about such just yet.
It would be forced to the front of their minds only a couple hours later. But for now, they were lost in each other, ignoring the other students – especially girls – who were casting glances in their direction, until Professor Moody stepped into the room. Then their focus was on class.
"Today, class," Professor Moody said, "We are going to discuss situational awareness."
Harry grinned, knowing this was going to be a fun lesson. Then his grin vanished when Moody's magical eye turned to look at him.
"Potter!" Moody growled.
Harry jumped as his name was called. "Yes, sir?"
"A few minutes ago," Moody said, "you found yourself in a very vulnerable situation. Can you figure out what this situation was?"
"N-no, sir," Harry stammered.
"Really?" Moody asked. "Because it certainly seemed like a big moment for you. You walked into the Great Hall at lunch, and immediately did a very stupid thing."
Harry blinked. The Professor couldn't possibly be talking about asking Hermione to the Ball, could he?
"You brought attention to yourself, Potter!" Moody growled. "While that isn't so bad, you did so while focusing on one particular subject, instead of every single thing in the room! You focused on that young lass sitting next to you!"
Harry and Hermione blushed.
Moody continued. "And you did so, while also on one knee, and your wand in your back pocket! That was a very vulnerable position indeed, Potter. If someone drew their wand on you, you would have been hexed or cursed before you could even draw your wand and stand up! Certainly before you could face your attacker and defend yourself!
"Mr. Potter, given your celebrity status in the wizarding world. Given how… popular you are, especially amongst the young female half of the population in this castle, you did not take an important consideration into mind."
"And what is that, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Jealousy," Moody uttered. "There were girls in that room with you, who were acting pretty jealous at the very sight of you asking that wee lass next to you, to the Ball. Jealous girls are dangerous, Mr. Potter."
A few of the boys in the class snorted, or raised eyebrows at that. Meanwhile, the girls not named Hermione Granger either tittered or made sounds of shocked disbelief.
"Even more so, considering every one of them in this castle carries a dangerous weapon!" Moody growled; he raised his wand. "If you do not know this is a dangerous weapon by now, you do not deserve to be in this class, much less this castle! These girls are not only ruled by their jealousy, but by their hormones, Potter! It is entirely possible one of those girls could have overreacted and sent a hex in your direction, or the direction of that young lass, at the very idea of what you did! Did that cross your mind, Mr. Potter? Even once?"
"N-no, sir," Harry stammered.
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Moody growled; as usual, most of the students in the room jumped. Moody limped over to Harry and stared down at him with both eyes. "Mr. Potter, consider two things. Somebody put you in this Tournament, intending to do some harm to you."
"I… I know that, sir," Harry said.
"Well, that tells me you do have a brain in that head of yours," Moody muttered. "But have you also considered this? Ever since your performance, you now have the possibility of scores and hordes of hormonal jealous girls after you or your lass to watch out for! Do not let me catch you unaware again, Potter! Or I will be the one hexing you. Do you understand me?!"
"Yes, Professor," Harry said.
"Good," Moody said, "And Potter?"
"Yes, sir?" Harry asked.
"Next time I see you down one knee with your wand in your back pocket," Moody said, "We will spend an entire lesson discovering whether or not you could recover from such a foolish position and defend yourself against an attack! And you'd be facing me! Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Harry said.
"Excellent," Moody said.
Moody limped back to the front of the classroom. "Situational awareness, class. That is today's lesson. Hopefully by the time class is over, none of you will be as stupid as Mr. Potter was a little while ago."
Harry frowned at the tittering sounds coming from his classmates. Under their desks, Hermione grasped Harry's hand. His frown turned into a small smile, and he looked at her for a moment, before he turned his attention back to Moody.
Once again, a Moody-led Defense class proved to be very interesting.
(Two hours later)
"Notice he only warned me about hormonal, jealous girls," Harry muttered. "He didn't even consider warning me about blokes. It is a fairly good point, since there are sure to be guys angry at me for asking such a beautiful girl like you to the Ball before they could."
After their Double Defense lesson, Harry and Hermione were on the seventh floor of the castle, making their way to the Gryffindor Tower. They had decided to put away their bookbags away before heading down to dinner.
"Harry, this isn't a joking matter," Hermione said, "Professor Moody made a very good point. Neither of us have been very aware of our surroundings since our show in the Great Hall. Before that showing, weren't we wary of Ron, expecting a bad reaction from him?"
"We were," Harry muttered.
"Yet, we didn't even spare a thought or glance at him between the time we went to lunch, and now," Hermione said. "However, I did notice that he didn't sit with us as he usually does. Neville sat with us, while Ron sat with Seamus and Dean. Ron was avoiding us, Harry."
"Then he is definitely angry at us," Harry said, with a deep sigh. "It looks like the so-called Golden Trio is about to become the Golden Duo."
"Really, Harry?" Hermione chuckled, "Do you have to refer to us by that nonsensical nickname?"
"It does have a nice ring to it," Harry said, with a smile.
"Perhaps," Hermione allowed. "Harry, it is time to be serious. We need to be ready for anything when we get into the Common Room. He could be waiting for us. Or somebody else could."
"Like who?" Harry asked, "The scores and hordes of hormonal jealous girls? Well, one-fourth of them anyway?"
Hermione glared at him. "Out of all those girls, who do you think would be the first to confront us?"
"Lavender and Parvati?" Harry asked. "They did seem particularly interested in me during McGonagall's announcement at the ball."
"I think the biggest risk from them in our near future is targeted more at me than you," Hermione muttered.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean? Are they going to hex you? Maybe ambush you in your dorm-room? Hermione, I can't follow you there."
"They'll likely ambush me, yes," Hermione said, "But with words, not wands. Their weapon is gossip, Harry! They're going to bombard me with questions about us! I can see those questions now. Have I kissed you? Why did I say yes to you? Why did you ask me? Did you consider any other girl before you asked me? Are we dating? Were we dating before today? Is there a chance we'll break up before the Ball, so you can ask one of them instead? How far have I gone with you?"
Harry blushed, especially at the last question. "That's a lot of questions, Hermione!"
"That is probably half of what I expect them to ask me, Harry," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "I've had to deal with them for nearly three and a half years, remember? I know how they think."
"Okay, so the gossip girls might not be a danger to me – as far as hexes go," Harry said. "Who else?"
"Ginny," Hermione said bluntly. "In fact, she'll be the biggest problem, I believe. Maybe bigger than Ron. She fancies you, Harry. She's… almost obsessed with you. This is her first year to go to Hogsmeade, and over the summer, while I was at the Burrow with her, she asked me all about you. She asked if you might consider asking her out to Hogsmeade. She didn't know there was going to be a Ball, or she probably would have brought it up, and whether or not you'd ask her.
"Then there were the other questions. About us. About whether I fancied you, or you might fancy me. I skillfully skirted around those questions. And for good reason. She's going to be angry at both of us. She might even accuse me of stealing you from her."
"I… I don't understand, Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, "I barely know her! She has barely said a handful of words to me! She usually avoids me!"
"That doesn't matter to her," Hermione said, "You saved her in the Chamber of Secrets. That was enough for her."
"I would have saved any girl in her position!" Harry exclaimed. "I didn't do it just because it was her!"
"I know that, Harry," Hermione said, soothingly. "But you must understand. She is… I'd call her the ultimate Boy-Who-Lived fan-girl. She's… she's fancied you for years. No, she's fancied the idea of you for years. I don't know the actual story behind it, because she barely alludes to it. If I bring it up, she glares at me. It is like a big secret for her. But I know she fancied the idea of you long before she even met you."
"She doesn't fancy 'just Harry'," Harry grumbled, "She fancies the fucking Boy-Who-Lived. He's not me, Hermione!"
"I know that, Harry," Hermione said.
"I know you do," Harry said. "In fact, I'm starting to wonder if you are the only one in this castle who knows the real me. Ron doesn't seem to."
"Before Halloween, I might have disagreed with you on that," Hermione said with a sigh. "But, I think to him, you being a Tournament Champion is simply just another Boy-Who-Lived adventure, and Ron wanted to be the side-kick in the story. When you denied the fact that you entered your name, when you spoke of not considering yourself a Champion… that story disappeared."
"Merlin help me," Harry muttered. "Hermione, thank you for being a real friend to me. Perhaps even my only one. Certainly my best friend."
"You've already thanked me for that today, Harry," Hermione said, "And I say the same. Thank you, just Harry, for being my best friend."
Harry smiled. He took Hermione's hand, squeezed it in a silent message about what her words meant to him, then released it, in case someone was nearby who could see them.
He then swallowed his nerves as the Fat Lady's portrait came into view. He and Hermione shared a look that clearly said one thing:
Showtime.