Unique (Hermione x M! OC)

36. Forever

(A/N: This was the last chapter Buddy wrote by himself. Very little has been edited.)

The four of us sit at the table for lunch. Thankfully, Harry and Ron have stopped feuding, so me and Hermione get to spend more time together. Most of it's either spent in the library, catching up on wrestling or writing. We're a quarter of the way through His at the moment, it's going to be our longest book yet. Owlbert drops a letter as Hermione reads a newspaper. Harry spills his drink out of his mouth while staring at something... or someone. I follow his gaze and spot an asian girl - Cho - looking back at him. I grin at him, eyebrow raised and he rolls his eyes. I'm about to say something when Hermione speaks up.

"Look at this!" She cries. "I can't believe it! She's done it again! 'Author Hermione Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to be developing a taste for famous wizards. Her latest prey, sources report, is none other than the Bulgarian beater Viktor Krum. No word yet on how Harry Potter's taking this latest emotional blow.'" Suddenly, the paper shifts to white with fine-printed words on it. "It disappeared. 'This article contains misinformation and has been taken down at the request of our... sponsors?'" She ponders for a moment, "Colson? She can't be happy about this."

"Fuck her! She called you plain! Who the fuck does she think she is?!"

"Your dad's bitch." Ron shrugs, amused.

"Is that really all you're upset about? Not the rumors?" Harry questions.

"Those too, but they're sensationalist media. I can deal with falsities in the claim if some truth can be found. Like Krum trying to ask Hermione on a date, or you and her hugging. But the passing claim that she's plain is not only undeniably false, it's rich coming from a writer so mediocre that she has to make fraudulent claims to sell a single article of a non-existent story. She's just as bad as Lockhart, only ten times more incompitent."I spit. After a moment in silence, I take a deep breath. "Sorry. I had to get that off of my shoulders."

"You're fine." Hermione assures, "What does your letter say?"

Sammy,

I heard you were having a similar problem to me with that Skeeter character, so we had a discussion. She's going to expose the incorrect information that I pointed out and apologize publicly. I've also settled a deal with the paper that prohibits her from making stories about you, me and Hermione, lest I sic my lawyers on them with reckless intent.

You're welcome,

Dad

(P.S. I'm sending your tux shortly. Don't tell Hermione.)

I read it out to them, neglecting that last bit and they all smile as I fold the letter up and put it away. "That's Colson." Harry says, smiling. "You two are exactly alike."

"I don't know about exactly." Hermione says, "But it is obvious that you take after him."

A kid walks up to Ron holding a package. "Parcel for you Mr. Weasley."

"Thank you Nigel." The kid stares at Potter for a moment, making everyone uncomfortable. "Not now Nigel, later. Go on." Nigel reluctantly leaves as we give the redhead curious looks. "I told him I'd get him Harry's autograph." Hermione sighs as she folds over the newspaper, "Oh look mum's sent me something." Ron says happily, pulling out what looks like a mid-century dress. Ron's smile fades. "Mum sent me a dress?!"

"Well it does match your eyes." Harry notes, jovially, "Is there a bonnet?" He grabs one, "Aha!" I realise that that "dress" is actually dress robes and hide a smile behind my hand.