Love the One You're With
Challenge Twelve: March Madness
Title: Love the One You're With
Author: ladywhitehart
Wizard/Witch: Michael Corner/Romilda Vane
Rating/Warnings: G/PG mild language
Genre: Romance/Humor
Word count: 500
Prompt: jealous rage
Summary: After her dreams of securing Harry Potter's affections are dashed, Romilda Vane goes on the warpath. Who can stop her? A missing HBP moment.
Romilda Vane burst out of the portrait hole of the Gryffindor common room in a jealous rage. She couldn't believe what she had just seen: Harry Potter had kissed Ginny Weasley in front of everyone in the Gryffindor common room! She stormed through the corridor. I hate her. I hate her! I HATE HER!
Vicious thoughts filled her mind as she stomped down to the main floor. When she rounded the corner, she collided with something solid and landed squarely on her backside.
"Are you all right?" Michael Corner asked as he helped her up.
"Yes," she mumbled, brushing the furious tears from her cheeks.
He stared at her, confused. "Then why are you crying? Gryffindor won the Cup, thanks to Gin--"
"Don't even mention her name!" Romilda threatened. "What I wouldn't give to zap that red-headed bitch with her stupid Bat Boogey Hex!"
She reached into her pocket, and Michael, thinking the angry girl wouldn't be so picky about her target, took a step back. To his immense relief, she pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Romilda ranted about how she had been trying to get Harry to notice her for months, leaving out the part about the love potion. When she got to the part about him kissing Ginny in the common room, she leaned against the wall next to the painting of the three witches picnicking in a glorious spring meadow and burst into tears.
Michael had been watching her since Christmas, trying to work up the nerve to ask her out. Seizing the opportunity to express his interest, he said, "Well, that's Harry's loss."
Romilda stopped mid-sob. "What do you mean?"
"You're much prettier than Ginny," he began. She looked up at him suspiciously. "Sincerely! You also know what you want, and you go after it. I like your bold personality. You get a wicked glint in your eye when you talk about--"
"How would you know?"
He hesitated. "I-I've been watching you and-"
"How long have you been watching me?" Romilda demanded, trying to decided if she should be flattered or uneasy.
"Long enough to know someone would be lucky to have you for a girlfriend." He felt his face turn red. "I really like you, Romilda. I think you're clever and pretty and... Would you go out with me?"
She had been so caught up in trying to get Harry, she didn't even think of the possibility that any other boy would find her attractive. She looked him up and down. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his brown eyes shone with warmth. His shoulders were broad, and he also very good-looking. Who needed The Boy Who Lived when one could have The Good-looking Boy Who Noticed You?
"Are you serious?"
"Very," he assured her. "Unless you still fancy Potter."
"Not a bit," she said, smiling.
"Good." He reached out to take her hand, both of them looking forward to a long walk around the lake in the spring sunshine.
Author's Notes: Thanks to veritybrown for double-checking everything.