♕ six

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"Did somebody request a fully-charged kicker-of-ass?" Ginny announced as she practically smashed through the portrait hole of the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry followed his girlfriend inside, obviously out of breath from running across the entire castle. After Harry came Luna, followed by Neville, Dean, Seamus, and, to Hermione's surprise, Blaise.

"Ginny, darling, calm down," Harry sighed, trying to reason with his girlfriend.

"I'm a ginger, Harry. Calm is not in my vocabulary."

"Thank you all for coming," Malfoy announced at the front of the room. Since everyone else was at lunch, the group had the Common Room to themselves. Ginny, Harry, Neville, Dean, and Seamus were evidently so angry that they didn't even question the presence of Draco Malfoy in their common room. 

"I have requested you all for backup in my plot to bring Ron Weasley down. Ginny's brother-"

"Soon to be late brother," she added pointedly.

"Thank you, Weaselette," Malfoy said, gesturing. "Anyways, Weasley has gone a step too far this time and he insulted Granger and I." 

"Use bigger words, Draco. Don't be shy, we're all big kids here," Ginny encouraged him.

"Fine. Bitch baby Weasley has gone and broken up with Granger and now we've got to clap his shit." 

Ginny applauded loudly.

"There we go, that's the good stuff."

Malfoy cleared his throat, looking at Hermione rather worriedly out of the corner of his eye . She gave him an encouraging nod and a thumbs up. 

"Point is," he continued, "we need to get back at Weasley." 

"Meany-pants," Neville said glumly.

"Jerk-face!" Dean exclaimed.

"Shitty asshole," Ginny hissed. 

"Lucky for us," Malfoy continued, "we have a plan."

Everyone in the room perked up a little. Draco took this as a sign of encouragement and continued, seemingly with a little more confidence than before. 

"It's simple, really. Weasley gave three reasons why he was breaking up with Hermione, right? He said that Hermione's no fun, that she never does anything romantic, and that she doesn't dress well."

"Okay, we understand, I'm a real bummer. Will you get to the point?" Hermione interrupted with a roll of her eyes.

"So step one," Malfoy continued. "We have to prove that Granger is fun. Step two, is we prove to Weasley that Granger can be romantic. Step Three, is that we show Weasley how well Granger can dress, with a makeover or whatever. Then he'll be so jealous, he'll want her back. But what will you say?" Draco turned pointedly to Hermione. 

"I will spit in his face and laugh," Hermione exclaimed angrily. Ginny nodded in satisfaction. 

"Alright then," Malfoy said, satisfied. "Let's show Ron how fun Hermione is. What could Hermione do that shows her fun side?" he finished, spreading his hands. 

Now that they had an intended course of action, an air of electricity hung in the room. Everyone was clearly excited to get back at Ron. 

"She could start a club," Seamus suggested.

"She could change up her hairstyle. A mohawk, maybe?" Dean offered.

"She could kill Filch, that would do everyone a favor," Ginny recommended.

Near the back of the group, a hand went up. Motioning for everyone to quiet down, Malfoy called on Luna, who hadn't yet spoken.

"She could throw a party," Luna suggested. Everyone who had their hands up immediately put theirs down and nodded in agreement, turning to Malfoy and Hermione for the final answer.

"That's brilliant!" Malfoy exclaimed, seemingly impressed. Luna gave a small curtsy and smiled warmly as the group began to generate ideas.

"She could throw a party, and invite lots of people, but not Ron," Blaise suggested.

"There's a shop in Hogsmeade that lets you rent spaces for events. It's mostly for special occasions, like weddings, or anniversaries," Harry suggested, "but I think this qualifies as a special occasion for sure."

Soon, everyone had come to an agreement. 

The first Hogsmeade trip was Saturday next weekend. Since it was only Thursday night, they had two more days to get the word out to everyone who would be invited, sending invitations by owl and purchasing food and beverages from the Three Broomsticks in advance. They were allowed to stay at Hogsmeade until ten o'clock, which was when the party would end. While everyone continued to throw their ideas in, Hermione turned to Draco.

"Thank you," she said, smiling. Malfoy shrugged. "It's no big deal."

"Yes, it is a big deal," Hermione corrected. "You're doing this all for me, and I haven't even said thank you until now.

"Hey, I'm doing this for me, too," he reminded her. "The look on Weasley's face when he hears about that party will make it all worth it."

Hermione nodded. 

"Plus," he added, "I'd never let anyone hurt you like that and get away with it."

There was silence for a moment. 

Hermione smirked. "I didn't know you had such a massive fancy for me."

Draco's eyes widened.

"No, I meant that it pains me to see Weasley get any satisfaction. It's not that I fancy you, it's that I-"

"Hey, it's okay," Hermione laughed, while Draco co continued blubbering. "I get it. The Astronomy book told us this would happen. The stars are making you fall in love with me. It's adorable."

Draco narrowed his eyes at Hermione, who couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Granger," he muttered. 

"Maybe I'm a dangerous girl."

Malfoy grinned. 

"What, did you turn in your Arithmancy homework a day late?"

Before Hermione could interrupt with a retort, they were interrupted by Ginny clearing her throat. 

"We have a plan, people!" she announced. "Now lets make my brother cry!"

The room whooped and cheered. Hermione looked around at her friends, feeling excited and satisfied. 

Blaise and Malfoy got up to leave. 

"See you later Potter, Weaselette," Malfoy said, waving to Ginny and Harry. 

"Finnigan, Thomas." Dean and Seamus gave him quick nods in return. He bid good day to Luna and Neville before turning to face the last person in the room. 

"Goodbye, Hermione," he said with a salute. She saluted him back as he stepped out of the portrait hole, the door swinging behind him with a soft click.

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