♕ seven

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The plans for the party took place immediately. 

Harry was put in charge of sending out invitations to those who were invited; it was almost everyone in the Seventh Year. That morning in the Great Hall, heads turned toward the surge of owls that came swooping into the room, dropping letters everywhere. Murmurs broke out at all four House tables as people began to open their invitations. 

"Did you hear that she and Ron broke up?"

"I bet it's going to be the biggest party of the year..."

"I'll definitely be there."

Hermione looked around the room, feeling nothing but satisfaction, even as she looked over at Ron. Someone was bound to tell him soon, and he would be very angry when he found out that Hermione hadn't invited him. But that was the whole idea, wasn't it? 

Hermione smiled quietly to herself. 

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium and gestured for silence. The Headmistress usually didn't speak in the mornings. Curious, Hermione turned to listen. 

"Now, I know you are all probably wondering why I am interrupting such an important meal- but I have an announcement, about something that I hope you all will be excited about."

Perplexed, Hermione looked around, meeting similarly confused gazes. The hall was silent as everyone awaited McGonagall's next words. 

"Ever since the defeat of Voldemort and his army, the Wizarding World has experienced a time of peace and prosperity. However," she added, "Since the war, the rifts between the four houses have grown, immeasurably. Bickerings have broken out all over the place, arguments are abundant around this school. A movement of House Unity is in order; and I am prepared to promote it. We need to connect Hogwarts to the point where it once was; where Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are friends, and Gryffindors and Slytherins share jokes and laughs." 

"To assist House Unity," McGonagall continued, "we will have a dance after the Winter Holidays."

A chorus of loud cheers, wolf whistles, and squeals erupted from each table as girls looked from guy to guy and smiled flirtatiously. Hermione looked over at Ron, to see his reaction, but he wasn't listening to a thing McGonagall was saying and instead had begun digging into his food. She rolled her eyes.

"During this celebration of Unity, everyone is encouraged to find a date that is from a different House; but if that is out of the question, then in-house partnerships will be permitted."

"So with that announcement, I encourage you to make friends this year outside of your own house. I won't keep you waiting any longer- dig in!" With that, the Great Hall erupted with noise, and Hermione turned to her friends. 

Although she and Draco had originally agreed to meet up after breakfast to work on their project, they decided to swap that time for a "Ron-be-Gone Meeting," as they had decided to call them. The whole group was planning to meet in the Gryffindor Common Room, and this time no one would be there to disturb them. As soon as she finished with breakfast, Hermione shouldered her bag and shared a knowing look with Harry and Ginny across the table. 

"Ready?" she asked them, taking a deep breath. It was a lot of work, planning a party to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. Ginny smiled. 

"Anything to make Ron feel terrible."

The trio made their way toward the Common Room and stepped inside, finding Draco, Luna, Blaise, Seamus and Dean already seated around the table. 

"Finally, they're here," Blaise groaned. Ginny crossed her arms. 

"The role of sarcastic pessimist is already taken, Zabini," she declared. Blaise went silent as Hermione took the seat to Draco's right. 

"Alright," he announced, standing to address everyone. 

"Our party is going as planned. The envelopes have already been sent out, so people should be sending in responses by next morning. But we still have to order food and decor from shops in Hogsmeade. Who can do that?"  

Seamus and Luna raised their hands, and so it was decided. Luna would order butterbeer, while Seamus would get some Honeydukes Candy to put in bowls. 

"Lastly, we throw the party. Now, we need someone to make sure that Ron comes, even though he wasn't invited. Who can be in charge of that?" 

Ginny's hand shot straight up into the air."

"You should come with me, Draco," Ginny suggested. Draco was hesitant to agree, after Ron had gotten so angry at him just a day before, but he eventually gave in. 

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Ginny reassured. "First I'll do some taunting, and then some bragging about the party. Then I'll slip in the time and date, and boom. He'll be there."

"Awesome," Draco replied. "I've sent an owl in advanced, and they've reserved the space for us." Everyone nodded. 

"Great. We should all get back to class now."

As everyone trickled out of the Common Room, Draco turned to Ginny. 

"When do you want to talk to Ron?" he asked. Ginny gave a knowing smirk. 

"How about... now."

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