Title:Perfect 'Pranky' Proposal
Ship:Harry/Hermione
Name/Pen Name:coolman/coolbean
Word Count:1436
Theme #/Theme:2/Prank
Challenge count:2/7

Content: G
Spoilers: Books 1-6
Warnings: Ron/Luna, Draco/Ginny
Summary: Harry's been acting strangely with Hermione. What could be the reason?




Perfect ‘Pranky’ Proposal

‘Bye,’ finished Harry and clicked off his mobile. Hermione had introduced Harry and the Weasleys to mobile phones and it had been a great success.

‘You finished?’ asked Hermione coming into the room. Harry and Hermione were living together ever since they had graduated from Hogwarts. After the final battle with Voldemort Harry had confessed his love for Hermione who reciprocated his feelings. They’d got their own flat and were very happy together.

‘Yup,’ replied Harry quickly. Hermione gave him a sharp look.

‘Were you talking to Ginny again?’ she asked.

‘Ummm…,’ started Harry but didn’t continue.

‘What’s going on Harry? I’ve noticed how much time you’ve spent with her lately. I have nothing against her and am as sorry as everyone else for the way Draco dumped her. But haven’t you been a bit too friendly with her?’ said Hermione.

‘It’s nothing like that,’ replied Harry and quickly rushed out. Hermione sighed and sat down on the bed. Surely something couldn’t be going on between Harry and Ginny. Harry loved her and wouldn’t cheat on her for anybody. She trusted him completely. Just as she thought this, she remembered the circumstances under which she and Harry had gotten together.

Harry had broken up with Ginny after Dumbledore’s death because he was afraid Voldemort would use Ginny against him. However by the time the final battle had ended Ginny and Draco were together. She never knew how Harry felt about this. When the two of them had gotten together she’d been overjoyed. It was all she’d ever wanted. But would Harry and she be together had Ginny been single a that point. For the first time she began to have doubts.

Harry had kept quiet for most of the morning. He answered in monosyllables whenever Hermione tried to make conversation. Finally she gave up hoping to tackle him during lunch. But just as lunch started, Harry’s mobile rang.

‘Okay Ginny, I’ll be right there,’ said Harry on the phone.

‘No need to thank me. You know I’ll always be there for you,’ replied Harry as Ginny thanked him. Hermione looked with suspicious eyes. There was definitely something going on.

‘What is it now?’ she asked as Harry stood up to leave. He seemed in a great hurry.

‘Can’t tell you now. I’m in a hurry,’ answered Harry quickly.

‘I hope you’ll be back soon. You remember we have a dinner date at Flavours, right?’ asked Hermione.

‘I can’t promise Hermione. Ginny really needs me right now. Perhaps some other time,’ answered Harry and rushed out of the front door. Hermione was on the verge of tears. This wasn’t the Harry she knew. She wished she knew what was wrong. She couldn’t eat the remainder of her lunch.

Harry wasn’t home till evening. Hermione had called several times on his mobile but he hadn’t answered. Finally it seemed he had answered but her shouts of ‘Hello’ were not met with any response. She was about to click off when she heard voices.

‘I’m scared Ginny. What will her reaction be?’ came Harry’s voice.

‘Don’t be scared. Remember you’d said true love always wins. This is true love, isn’t it? You are doing this because of love. There is no need to be afraid,’ replied Ginny.

‘Yes I know I’d said that. But this is such a big step. I love…,’ Harry was saying but Hermione couldn’t listen anymore. Tears were streaming down her face. Obviously Harry’s mobile’s answer key had got pressed without him knowing. She had heard what she was dreading the most. Harry would come home and announce that he was in love with Ginny and couldn’t continue their relationship.

She sat and cried for a long time. She couldn’t bear to hear those words from Harry. She decided it would be better to leave home than having to listen to Harry. She started packing her things. She’d have to go to her parents’ home for the night. She had had such high hopes from their relationship. She’d always felt they were meant for each other. But in the past few days things weren’t the same. She was about to leave when her mobile rang. It was Luna.

‘Hi Hermione, I heard Harry was out with Ginny. Me and Ronald are having dinner at Rendezvous and will be really happy if you could join us,’ she said.

‘Thanks Luna but I don’t want to intrude. You please go and enjoy with Ron. Anyway I’m not in the mood,’ replied Hermione. So even Ron and Luna knew about Harry and Ginny. Perhaps they were trying to get her to eat with them so that Harry and Ginny could have the house to themselves.

‘Nonsense Hermione, you never intrude! I insist,’ said Luna shortly.

‘But Luna…,” started Hermione but was stopped by the voice of Ron who’d taken the phone from Luna.

‘You are coming Hermione and that’s it. I know you’re sad that Harry’s not at home but that shouldn’t stop you from spending an evening with us,’ said Ron.

‘Alright,’ said Hermione giving in. She heard Ron chuckle. Her fears were confirmed. Everyone was trying to get Harry and Ginny together. She was in no state to go out for dinner but now there was no other way. She put on a black dress and apparated to Rendezvous.

The sight in front of her confused her. This was a very famous restaurant but tonight it was completely empty. However the place looked all set for some big occasion. There was not a soul in sight. Suddenly she heard a noise and someone walked in from the main entrance. It was Harry.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked before she could stop herself. Harry looked nervous. It was then she noticed that Harry was not alone. Ginny was with him.

‘I got Ron and Luna to call you here. There is something very important I need to speak to you about,’ he said in a serious tone. Hermione was struggling not to let her tears fall. He was going to tell her now.

‘Ginny can you please excuse us for sometime. I need to say this alone. And you’ve been great through all this,’ said Harry to Ginny, who nodded and went out.

‘Hermione, I just wanted to ask…,’ started Harry when he noticed tears in Hermione’s eyes. He continued.

‘Hermione will you marry me?’ asked Harry. Hermione looked as if she’d seen a ghost. What was he playing at now?

‘What is the meaning of all this Harry? You’ve been so mean to me the past few days. I’ve seen how you’re around Ginny and also heard parts of your conversation this afternoon. I was about to leave home thinking you’re going to break my heart and now you’re asking me to marry you? Are you in your senses,’ said Hermione.

‘For a clever girl like you I thought my plan did have a few flaws but I didn’t guess it was going to work this perfectly,’ chuckled Harry.

‘What plan?’ asked Hermione bewildered.

‘You remember we wished Fred and George for their birthday this morning? Which means it is the first of April,’ said Harry.

‘April Fools Day! Oh my god! But wait this has been going on for so long. It can’t be a joke,’ said Hermione almost hysterically.

‘You remember the bet we had last year. I promised I’d play a better prank than you did. Well it was tough, but I managed well didn’t I? I pleaded Ginny to play along with me. Draco wasn’t very happy though. No they never broke up. Ron and Luna played their parts well today. And Ginny helped me pick up the ring this afternoon. You must have overheard our conversation at that time. Looks like I’ve won the bet handily,’ grinned Harry. Hermione stood shocked.

‘You beast! .Do you know what I’ve been going through? I cried my eyes dry and was about to leave home,’ shouted Hermione despite relief sweeping over her. She chased after Harry who seemed to be running for his life.

‘I will kill you,’ hollered Hermione still running after him. Suddenly Harry stopped. Hermione’s speed made her run straight into him. He caught her in his arms. She was about to protest but he silenced her with a kiss. They continued kissing for a long time.

‘You still haven’t answered me. Will you marry me?’ asked Harry, going down on his knees once they’d finished kissing.

‘YES,’ cried Hermione and jumped into his arms.

‘But I’ll pay you back for what you did, next year.’

Harry played a very cruel prank. But it was also very well done The way Hermione jumped to the wrong conclusions, the way the whole thing played out was very entertaining.

I thoguht it was funny, but kind of mean. It just didn't seem like Harry to me, But good job anyways.

Lol very funny idea there. Loved the concept, but I thought it was a bit too OOC and could have used a bit more fleshing out! Might have been better suited to Theme 3...

Not bad.

Kind of rushed...maybe if you made the transitions smoother with more detail...there is too much going on to fit smoothly into a so short a fic....try making the next one longer, you have words to spare!

I thought it was quite interesting. NOt the best way to play a prank on Hermione, but it was very cute. Nice job.

I bet Hermione felt horrible hearing that conversation...it was a really mean prank, but the story is well written!