You Two Are So Stupid

"So..." Hermione said as we sat in the Gryffindor Quidditch stand, watching the first task.  Viktor Krum was dodging around the Chinese Fireball's rampage.  He seemed to be doing a good job, except that the dragon was about to step on some of the eggs.

"So..." I replied, not taking my eyes out from my Omnioculars.  I wasn't stupid, though.  I knew what she wanted to talk about.

"Look, we haven't had that much time to talk about what happened between you and Harry..." she started.

"You're right.  Seeing as how you spent most of your time since then with Harry," I said angrily, watching as Krum almost got stepped on.

"You know it's because I was only trying to make sure he'd survive today!" she insisted.

"Yeah, sure," I muttered finally pulling my eyes away from the dragon and the Quidditch star.

"I just don't get it!  What on earth did he do?" she tried again.

"He put him-self in the Goblet of Fire without telling us, or letting us do the same," I said weakly, pulling up the excuse I decided on.

"Oh, don't be daft, Ron." Hermione sounded very exasperated at me, as though I was daft often.  "You and I both know he didn't put his name in the goblet.  Someone is obviously trying to do him in.  The question is why are you fighting with our friends rather than trying to help him live through this."

"That's not just it, he doesn't notice... anything!" I said trying not to let my true meaning show.

"What doesn't he notice?" she asked, turning a suspicious eye on me.  Luckily, at this exact moment, Krum's scores were finished going up, and Harry came out causing Hermione's hands to cover her face in fear.  The meant she wasn't looking at me.

I quickly racked my brain for an answer to the question.  After quickly dismissing the idea to tell her the truth, I lied.  "He's always leaving us behind!  In First Year where were we when he faced You-Know-Who?  I was unconscious, and you were with me."  Hermione's hands were still clasped over her face, not daring to see what was happening.  "In Second Year, you were unconscious, and I was with an unconscious Professor Lockhart."  Harry broom finally arrived, and he mounted it and kicked of the ground.  "In Third Year, we were both unconscious when he fought of all those dementors.  And this year? We're here!  Granted it's better than being unconscious, but still.  He doesn't notice that he leaves us behind.  He doesn't notice!"

Hermione slowly took her hands from her face for the first time since Harry appeared.  She looked over at me and raised an eyebrow.  "What else doesn't he notice, Ron?"

I felt the color drain from my face.  She knew.  All this time she knew.  "Your just too smart, Hermione."

She blushed slightly.  "You don't exactly hide it very well.  Of course Harry doesn't know, and no one that doesn't spend time with you knows.  But honestly, when you said the at the beginning of the year, that friends seemed too small of word, Harry just assumed you meant brother.  I could tell otherwise."

"Keep your voice down," I told her, leaning forwards so no one could overhear us.  "So, you aren't... completely freaked out by the idea?"

"No.  I have a cousin who did this last summer.  He talked about it with me almost everyday.  I am completely used to the idea."

"Thank you, Hermione."  Then, an idea sprung into my head.  "You're not going to tell him, are you?"

"No, Ron.  Though I was wondering when you were...Oh God!  Was that blood?"  Hermione had slightly turned her head and caught a glimpse of the Hungarian Horntail's tail slicing a gash in Harry's shoulder.  She quickly covered her face again and I noticed that her finger nails were digging into her face.

"He was just grazed, Hermione," I explained calmly, but inside I was panicked.  If anything happened to him, I'd never forgive myself.

Hermione and I didn't speak throughout the rest of the task.  I was too nervous, and I believe she was too.  When Harry finally had the egg in his hand and his feet on the ground, I let out a huge breath of relief.  "It's over," I muttered, as much to myself as to Hermione.

"Oh, good."  She took her hands away from her face.  I noticed some finger nail marks on her forehead from where she had clutched, but I didn't say anything.  I just grabbed her hand and stood.  "Where are we going?" she protested.

"To see Harry, of course."

"Oh, are you going to apoligize?"

"No, I'm just going to pretend that nothing happened.  Don't tell him, will you?" I pleaded as we made our way to the tent where Harry had entered.

"Of course not.  Ron!  I didn't see any of the task!  How was he?"

I remembered his graceful movements he had made in the air and the look of determination in his eyes before he grabbed the egg.  "He was brilliant," I said, my mind far away.

Hermione through open the flap and rushed into the tent.  "You were brilliant, Harry!  You were amazing!  You really were!"  She seemed to have a lot of enthusiasm for someone who hadn't been watching.

But Harry wasn't watching her.  He was watching me.

"Harry," I said very seriously.  "Who ever put your name in the goblet - I- I reckon they were trying to turn you in."

"Caught on, have you," Harry said coldly, putting chills in my heart.  "Took you long enough."  I opened my mouth, not sure what I was going to say, but it didn't matter.  Harry cut me off.  "It's okay.  Forget it."

"No," I continued.  "I shouldn't've-"

"Forget it," he said sharply, looking me in the eyes.  The pure emerald color bored into my soul.  I would remember that look forever, I vowed to myself.  I grinned, and he grinned back.  I probably wouldn't have looked away if I hadn't heard sobbing coming from the corner.

"You two are so stupid!"  Hermione stomped her foot, hugged us both, and flew from the tent.

"Barking mad," I covered, shaking my head.  Best pretend to be ignorant.  "Harry, c'mon.  They'll be putting up the scores..." I lead him out of the tent before blushing furiously.  I then started babbling about what everyone else did during the First Task.  I suppose that was out of nervousness.  I don't think Harry noticed anything.  And I hope he never does.