Part 3

The next morning, in Hogsmeade, with Ginny.

Dean and Ginny were sitting in The Three Broomsticks with butterbeers. The date started off awkward, but eventually transitioned into comfortable conversation about quidditch, school, and muggle sports. "Yeah, and the players try getting fouls by faking injuries." Ginny laughed as Dean impersonated a football player laying on the ground, rocking back and forth and crying. She looked at the time. "Hey, Ron and Hermione asked me to meet them in Zonko's about now. Do you want to come with?" Dean nodded and they left the pub together. "Where's Harry, I thought he'd be with you guys?" Ginny looked around. "I'm not sure. He came here with Cho." For the first time, Ginny didn't feel any regret talking about Harry being with Cho. She was completely in the moment, and content walking down the streets of Hogsmeade with Dean, not holding hands or kissing, or putting any pressure on a relationship. Just talking and laughing. "Probably in Madame Puddifoot's tea shop." Ginny added. Dean chuckled. "I don't envy him. You'd think they put love potions in the water there, the way couples are always snogging." They both laughed hard, as they walked into Zonko's.

With Hermione.

Ron had just showed Hermione one of the trick wands at Zonko's. They had both been laughing so hard they could barely breathe. When the laughter subsided, it was comfortably quiet, with no one else in the shop. Hermione looked into Ron's eyes, and Ron looked into hers. Their smiles vanished, Ron kept glancing down at Hermione's lips. They seemed to be getting closer... And closer... "Hey you two!" Hermione cleared her throat and stepped back from Ron as the bell above the door rang, indicating Ginny and Dean's arrival. They both walked over and Dean and Ron said their hellos. What?!?  Ginny mouthed at Hermione. Dean was still chatting with Ron clearly oblivious as to what he had just walked in on. Hermione went bright red and shook her head as she smiled down at her shoes. Ron looked at Ginny. "Where's Harry?" Dean and Ginny glanced at each other, clearly holding in giggles. "Umm," Dean finally said. "With Cho, in Madame Puddifoot's." Ron cringed. "Yikes. Have you looked in the window of that place? You'd think there was love potion in the water!" The four of them began to laugh uncontrollably as the bell rang again. "What's so funny?" Said Harry.

With Harry.

As soon as Harry spoke the laughter stopped. "Hey Dean, are those pygmy puffs?" Dean looked to where Ginny was pointing. "Where?" Ginny started walking and Dean followed. Harry sighed and walked over to Ron and Hermione. "What were you guys laughing about just now?" Hermione and Ron looked at each other, smiling and looked back at Dean and Ginny who were covering their mouths, sniggering near the back of the shop. "Nothing." Ron said. "Where have you two been?" "Oh, we've just been in Madame Puddifoot's." Cho said. "It's really lovely in there!" Another snort from Dean and Ginny. Ron tried to hide a laugh by 'coughing'. Hermione kicked him. "That sounds lovely!" She said. Cho didn't seem to notice the obvious inside joke that Dean, Ginny, Ron and Hermione we're sharing. Harry couldn't help but wonder if it was about him. Dean and Ginny walked towards them. "Dean and I are gonna head back and play some one on one, the quidditch pitch is free." Said Ginny, still not looking at Harry. "I'll see you two tonight." She waved to Ron and Hermione. "Bye Cho!" And Dean and Ginny left. "Actually..." Cho started. "I really should get going too. I've got a... Well Umbridge wants to see me. I'll speak to you later!" She pecked Harry on the cheek and skipped out of the door. As soon as her long black hair was out of sight, Harry sighed with relief. "I'm not going in that bloody tea shop ever again." He muttered. Ron and Hermione both laughed. "How about a butterbeer?When they sat down in the Three Broomsticks, Harry gave Ron and Hermione all the details of his date with Cho. "So, not good, I gather?" Hermione said, once Harry had finished. "No." He said. "Not at all. I don't know why I only just realized I know nothing about her. I just always fancied her because she was pretty... But the only thing we have in common is Cedric." He frowned at the name. "I just wish it was easy to talk to her, like how it was with Gin-" Harry stopped himself and looked at Ron automatically. Luckily he didn't seem to notice the mention of his sister. "Ron, would you mind getting us another round of butterbeers?" Hermione asked him. He rolled his eyes and got up. "But Harry's paying!" He called over his shoulder. Hermione shifted over a seat so that she was in front of Harry, and raised her eyebrows questioningly. Harry sighed. "Do you have any idea why she hasn't been talking to me?" He asked her. "No, I don't." Hermione lied. "Why does it matter to you, though? You're with Cho now!" Harry slouched in his chair again. "I don't know... It's just-" he paused for a moment. Hermione leaned forward in her chair. "I could always talk to Ginny, you know? She was always there. And she's different from Cho... She never sulks or is dramatic, she's easy to talk to... Plus she's much better at quidditch." Harry looked up. Hermione was beaming. "What?" But before he could inquire further, Ron sat next to her and placed the butterbeers in the middle of the table. "Alright." He said to Harry. "Cough up the gold"