Hello, hello
Here I am with my third HP story already, although I must say that this story actually doesn't belong to me. The original story belongs to AnnitaS. This originally was a Star Trek: Voyager story, but I have altered and changed the characters to those made up by Jo Rowing.
Some sentences are mine, so if you come across some grammar mistakes, please inform me so I can correct them properly. Thanks.
I totally loved this Star Trek fanfic, so that's why I just had to share it with all of you. If you want to read the original story just mail me (b_elanna@paris.com) or look at the KRET RATS homepage. It's of course better than this version.
I've already mailed to AnnitaS@aol.com to ask her for permission, but I think she has changed her e-mail address, because I still haven't heard from her.
If you know her, please ask her if she likes the story and if she minds that I've changed it into a Harry Potter fanfic. Thank you!!
Notes:
1. This story takes place at the end of Ron's, Hermione's and Harry's fourth year!
2. Just pretend that no one died during the Tri-wizard Tournament and that the exams did take place.
3. In the original story the father of the guy, always puts him down, in my story it's Ron's grandfather. So just pretend he plays a significant part in Ron's life! (maybe you could read Changes in Ron written by Carey, that will give you some idea of what I mean)
4. Sometimes you may think that the story doesn't make sense and that the people are OoC, but you must remember that this is a fanfic. I did do my best to make the characters as real as possible, but I don't think I've really succeeded. If you have any suggesting feel free to give them to me!!
Oh and just pretend everyone has his own room.
I've already finished this story, so you don't have to worry that you have to wait very long for the next chapter. I'm planning to upload a chap every week, but if I get many reviews I will of course update more frequently. This story has 6 chapters!
As always please review. I hope you like the story!!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, not even the plot! Boohoo L
OVER THE EDGEChapter one: The Truth
Ron Weasley sank down on the bed in his room, laid back and let out a
long and heavy sigh. Well, it hadn't been so bad, really, had it? She hadn't
actually told him to go jump out the nearest window. But then, she hadn't
jumped into his waiting arms either. Ron played back the scene in his mind,
trying to figure out exactly what had happened.
He hadn't intended to bring it up at all. There had been a group of them
all sitting at a table in the Three Broomsticks having a few drinks and sharing a few wild stories.
Uncharacteristically, Neville had been the life of the party this night,
while Ron sat back and watched his classmate with an affectionate smile on his face. Seeing Neville cut loose, which happened so rarely, always gave him an absurd swell of pride. He knew he had a hand in opening his introverted, clumsy friend up to
some of the more raucous pleasures of life. Without Ron's sometimes
questionable influence, Neville tended to be too much within himself, too quiet,
too dedicated. Almost from the beginning, Ron had felt the need to draw Neville
out, show him there was a world beyond school and that humans needed fellowship and camaraderie at least occasionally.
He looked over at his best friend Harry Potter. He seemed to be enjoying himself a lot and that pleased Ron very much. He had been very quiet lately. A lot had happened this year after all: The Triwizard Tournament, which unfortunately led to the short abduction of Harry and the rebirth of the Dark Lord. But still Harry was looking better each week, recovering slowly from the pains he had gone trough.
He and Hermione had tried to help and support him as much as they could. He just hoped it was enough.
For his part, Harry had given Ron something he had never truly known. A
sense of calm assurance. It had never been easy for Ron to trust anyone. Heaven
only knew he had had precious little reason to do so. He had been tormented by his brothers al too often and primary school didn't go easy for him. Not that he wasn't good at school, he just didn't get along with most of the students.
But with Harry, trust came easily. He had given Ron something so rare: unconditional friendship. Ron had grabbed onto that offered strand and
held on to it like a lifeline. With Harry's help, he'd pulled himself out of the
darkness his life had been before Hogwarts. Now, he could occasionally just sit
back and relax and enjoy himself without having to be the centre of attention.
He recognized the value of quiet contemplation. This had been just such a
moment.
His eyes wandered around the table, taking in the faces of his friends.
How extraordinary that word, especially in the plural, sounded to him. He fully
recognized the irony of his situation. Here, at his new school, he had finally found a place to be himself. He had been given a chance to prove himself, and so far, he had done well. Yes, Ron Weasley was happier than he had been in a very, very long time.
He chuckled as Neville finished another funny story and winked at Parvati Patil as she took the opportunity to place her hand lightly Neville's forearm.
Her sister, Padma, had noticed it too, and, not to be outdone, she grabbed hold
of the young man's other arm, much to the chagrin of Dean Thomas who had
escorted her here this evening. But Neville didn't notice the flash of jealousy.
Ron almost laughed again at the embarrassment on his friend's face at his
popularity. He caught Neville's eye and flashed him a bright, encouraging grin.
It was all that he needed. Once more he launched into a story from his life with his grandmother. This one, Ron had heard and though he tried to listen politely,
his attention began to wander. It didn't have to go far.
Sitting across the crowded table from him, between Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas was Hermione Granger. There had been a time when they couldn't go one evening without fighting. He couldn't count the number of times she had called him a pig or worse.
But that had changed. Not all at once, but over time and through several shared perils, she had softened her opinion. Ron couldn't have been happier about the change in attitude. He truly valued her friendship. The more he got to know her, the more comfortable he felt with her. She and Harry were just about the only people he had ever felt safe enough with to occasionally reveal his real self. And while he knew Hermione would always listen to him when he needed to talk, somehow he knew that it was Harry who would really understand him when he was feeling angry or bitter or hurt. Unlike the somewhat bookish and naïve Hermione, Harry understood because he'd been there, too.
It was good to have someone who understood. And good to have friends to
laugh with. In the last few months, Hermione had allowed herself to enjoy their company, to actually openly laugh with them. The sharp barbs that had begun her
relationship with Ron had lately developed into a enjoyable sharing of the dry
wit they both possessed. It was no longer a battle, but a game, one they both
enjoyed.
When Ron turned his eyes toward Hermione this particular evening in
The Three Broomsticks, he had fully expected to see her enjoying Neville's performance as much as he was. But when he looked at her, he was surprised by the pensive expression
in her dark eyes that were trained, not at Neville, but at him. When she realized
he was looking at her, she almost jumped and quickly averted her eyes, looking
for a moment down at her hands, then a quick glance back at him, a slightly
embarrassed smile crossed her face, then she turned her attention to the story.
Words echoed in Ron's mind, words spoken only a few weeks before in their
Common Room. In particular, what she had said as she stormed away from him.
"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as last resort"
It didn't have to mean anything, but Ron chose to take it as an offering of
hope. The fact that she seemed as lost in thought as he was, could be another
good sign. Maybe something good would come out of the awkward situation in which
they had found themselves just a few weeks before. It was certain their
relationship had changed-how could it not after what had happened? The things
they had said to each other while having yet another blazing row.
The table erupted in laughter Neville finished his tale, bringing Ron's
thoughts back from their reverie.
"How 'bout that game you promised me, Harry?" Dean asked. "I'm still
betting I can beat you."
"Get your money ready." Ron advised him.
"Harry's been taking lessons from an expert." He brushed his nails across the
front of his ropes to make it clear exactly who he meant.
"You mean Oliver Wood, of course," Hermione, remarked, a glint in her eye
as she watched Ron's reaction.
Ron offered his most wounded look. "I'm crushed."
"You were when Oliver got through clobbering you, as I recall," Harry
reminded him.
Ron turned his affronted look toward his friend. "Et tu, Harry?"
"Come on," Dean called as he rose from the table. "The game is waiting."
"Can we come watch?" asked Padma.
"Of course, you can," Dean smiled engagingly.
"Oh, let's go," gushed Parvati, still clutching Harry's arm as they stood up.
Everyone rose and headed for the pool table except Ron.
"Aren't you coming?" Harry asked.
Ron shook his head. "I think I'll just sit here for a while."
Harry gave his friend a worried look. "Everything all right?"
Ron smiled broadly. "Just fine, Harry. You just make sure you don't
make me look bad. After all, I taught you everything I know."
"That's why you have so little left," Hermione teased and Ron laughed.
Not completely convinced, Harry nodded and moved away with the crowd. Only
Hermione hesitated.
"You're awfully quiet tonight," she observed.
Ron sighed. "I'm a quiet sort of guy."
"Since when?"
"Hermione? You coming?" called Seamus.
"In a minute," she replied and took her seat again. "What is it, Ron?" she
asked softly.
He looked up into her eyes, gentle and concerned, and made up his mind.
"I've been thinking a lot about what happened at the Yule Ball and everything that took place afterwards."
"Oh," she replied, averting her eyes.
"We can't just pretend things are the same as they were. We need to talk
about this, Hermione."
"I thought we did that yesterday," she replied.
"We started talking yesterday. And I know you've been thinking about it,
too."
"I guess so," she admitted reluctantly.
"Hermione, you know I'm attracted to you. You said yourself that I've made
that clear. I don't deny it. I don't want to deny it. I can't tell you how
much I value your friendship, but I also can't help hoping... well... for
something more."
"Ron, I...."
"I'm not asking for some kind of commitment. I'm just asking that you not
shut me out. That you give me... us... a chance." The silence stretched out
uncomfortably as Hermione stared at the table before her. "Let's go to Hogsmeade together tomorrow night."
Her eyes flew wide as she gazed at him and the obvious emotions he read in
their brown depths were surprise and fear.
She shook her head nervously. "I... I don't think that's a good idea right
now."
"Why not?" he asked. "Just a little time alone together, companionship,
conversation,... maybe something to drink?"
She was still shaking her head. "Ron, I need more time to think about...
everything."
"Hermione.... He was about to protest, but thought the better of it.
Slowly releasing his breath, he nodded. "Okay, I can understand that."
She stood up abruptly. "We'd better join the others or they'll wonder what
happened to us."
Ron forced a smile. "You go ahead. I think I'll call it a night."
"It's early," she pointed out.
"It's been a long day," he replied, rising from his own chair. "Go ahead.
Give Harry moral support. And tell him I'm claiming my percentage of his
winnings."
She hesitated a moment, then smiled and nodded before turning toward the
table. Ron watched her go, then headed for the door without a backward glance.
That had been less than an hour ago. And now, Ron Weasley was mentally
kicking himself for his stupidity. He'd moved too fast, pushed her before she
was ready. He knew it when he'd seen the panic in her eyes. The last thing he'd wanted to do was scare the girl!
Now what was he going to do? The obvious answer was to back off and give
her some breathing room. Maybe he should stay away from her for a while. That
thought held absolutely no appeal for him. And besides, it could actually make
matters worse.
He just couldn't leave things like this. Checking the clock at his
bedside, he decided it was still relatively early. Chances were she was still
in the Three Broomsticks. He owed her an apology at the very least. And he needed to make
it clear that he wasn't trying to push her into something she wasn't ready for.
That's the ticket, he thought. A little repair work was definitely called for.
Having come to the decision, he bounded off the bed and headed for the door.
Hermione Granger wasn't paying much attention to the game. She couldn't get her mind off her conversation with Ron. And she couldn't seem to forget the look of hurt in his eyes when she'd refused his invitation. Damn the man! Only Ron Weasley could make her feel guilty and angry at the same time! When she thought about it, she had to admit to herself that Ron was making her feel a lot of things recently she'd never felt before. And she wasn't altogether sure she was ready for those feelings.
Ron was ready. He'd made that clear. Oh, if it had only been someone besides Ron Weasley! How could she start a relationship with someone who she fought with all the time? Who was so immature sometimes and was so completely the opposite from her?
And how could she not? She had come to know a very different Ron Weasley
from the man he represented himself to be. She'd seen behind the facade. He'd
trusted her enough to reveal glimpses of his wounded soul. She knew some of the
pain he'd endured in his life and she, of all people, could understand the need
to put up walls of protection against further hurts. It was the Ron Weasley she
had glimpsed on those rare and beautiful moments that was threatening to capture
her heart. She could hardly admit it to herself, but it was getting more and
more impossible to deny.
So why was she still so afraid?
"Hermione" At the sound of her name, she shook herself back to reality
to find Seamus Finnigan standing before her.
He chuckled. "You looked as if you were a thousand light years away. Not
thinking about those books of yours, were you?"
"No," she replied in irritation. "I do think of other things
occasionally."
"I'm glad to hear it," he replied, then leaned a little closer to her and
grinned. "Maybe you'd think about going out with me tomorrow night? I know
you'd enjoy it."
Geez, she thought hotly. Was every guy at Hogwarts in heat? She was
about to tell Seamus just how little she'd enjoy spending another minute in his
company, but Ron's downcast face flashed before her eyes and she knew she didn't
want to be the cause of hurting two men's feelings in the same night, even if one
of them was Seamus Finnegan.
"Maybe some other time," she smiled and moved around next to Harry as he thought about his next move. Kim glanced up at her and caught her eye with a knowing
expression before returning his attention to the game. When he had made his move, Dean checkmated him immediately. Groans
and cheers went up around the table.
"That's it, Harry," his opponent crowed. "You want to settle up now, or
you want me to relieve you of some more sickles?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I think that'll do it for me. I'll give you your
winnings in the morning."
"Fine by me," Dean replied, then smiling at the Patil sisters, offered
both his arms. "To the victor, goes the spoils. And, ladies, I'm ready to be
spoiled!"
Padma and Parvati giggled as they each took an arm and allowed themselves to
be led away from the chess game. That left only Harry, Hermione and Seamus, who
was about to make another suggestion when Harry grabbed Hermione's arm. "Come
on. I need someone to console me. And we have that assignment from Professor Snape to go over." He glanced at Seamus as he steered
Hermione toward the door. "Night, Seamus."
"Uh, goodnight," he replied, then shrugged and headed off to rejoin Dean and the Patils.
"Thanks for the save," Hermione whispered.
"What's a friend for?" he replied offering his arm in mimicry of Seamus'
gesture and Hermione laughed.
"Just don't refer to me as 'spoils'!"
Ron had entered the holodeck and had just reached the door to The Three Broomsticks
when he heard Hermione's laughter and saw her heading toward him on Harry's arm.
Suddenly his resolve melted and he instantly decided this was a very bad idea.
If she was laughing, she obviously had recovered her good mood and his appearance
could only serve to dampen it once more. Quickly he ducked out of sight just
around the corner of the holographic building, out of the glow of the
streetlight. He'd wait until they left, then go back to his quarters. Tomorrow,
he'd apologize. As he crouched in the darkness, he heard Hermione's voice again.
"I don't know what I'd do without you, Harry," she told her escort.
"You'd probably be having a nice romantic date tomorrow night," Harry
replied as they paused just outside the door.
"Fat chance I'll ever accept his invitation!" Ron felt his stomach tighten
at the derision in her tone.
"I think you showed a great deal of restraint in declining the invitation.
I'm surprised you didn't tell him exactly what you thought of the idea."
"Oh, I very nearly did. And maybe I should have. He doesn't seem to be
able to get it into his thick skull that I'm just not interested. He just can't
believe I wouldn't be attracted to someone as wonderful as he is!"
The scorn dripped from her voice and Ron felt as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. He couldn't be hearing this.
"As wonderful as he 'thinks' he is, you mean. I guess he's just not very
bright. Good looking, though."
Ron felt dizzy with shock at Harry's words. This couldn't be his best
friend talking. Not the Harry who stood by him even when he'd learned the worst
about him. How could the same man who had stood up for him and protected him so many times, could be so mocking and sarcastic now?
"Looks aren't everything, Harry," Hermione replied. "Oh, he can be sweet,
but it's all so superficial."
"Maybe I should have a talk with him," Harry suggested. "Explain to him
that you're far too good for him."
"I don't need you to fight my battles for me," she protested. "No, he's
a nuisance, but a minor one. He's just not worth the effort. And, besides, I
actually feel a little sorry for him."
Ron's heart was pounding painfully in his chest, the beating so loud in his
ears, he thought it would drown out the hurtful words.
"Granger, I do believe your getting soft around the edges."
"Maybe I've had some good influences," she replied affectionately. "But
don't expect too much."
"Hey, I'll take you just as you are."
"That's part of what I love about you, Harry," Hermione laughed.
It was the same laugh that always sounded like music to Ron, but this time,
the sound of it seemed to cut into him like a knife.
"So, when do we announce our engagement?" Harry asked.
She laughed again. "Come on. We have some... homework to do."
"Anything you say," Harry replied.
Ron stood frozen to the spot as he listened to the sound of footsteps
fading away. He had almost forgotten how to breathe. A shiver ran through his
body and seemed to galvanize him into motion. He couldn't let himself think
about what he'd just heard. His only conscious thought was to get to his four-poster bed as quickly as possible. When he had finally reached Hogwarts, he was dimly aware of passing students
in the corridor, but he couldn't look at their faces. Once, one of them called
a greeting, but he left it unanswered, afraid to trust his voice, afraid to break
the concentration that held him together.
Okay people that's it for this week. I'll update the next chap next Thursday, or so.
But if I get many reviews I will update sooner, of course J
I'm also in need for a beta-er for this fanfic and my other: Gifted.
If you want the job, please e-mail me at: b_elanna@paris.com
Or just put in to a review
Thank you so much, cause my grammar sucks!!
Please Review!!
Thank you!!