Every Time I Wondered
Hermione sat in front of the crackling fireplace, in one of three squashy armchairs that filled the Gryffindor common room. She was half hidden behind her History of Magic book, reading, for what felt like the one- hundredth time. The night was darkening as students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry filled into bed as the day ended. When the last of the giggling first years were into their dormitories Hermione checked her watch and noted there was five minutes until Quidditch practice was over, and her two best friends since first year would be coming back.
Harry was a tall, thin, handsome boy who had jet-black hair and a thin, but captivating scar upon his forehead. The scar was from about sixteen years ago, when Voldemort tried to kill him using the "Avada Kedavra" curse, but Harry lived and Voldemort was faced with the biggest downfall in history, leaving Harry with the lightening bolt scar as a souvenir.
Ron on the other hand was completely opposite. He was a tall red-headed who was growing so much into his body, he was beginning to look like man instead of the tall and gangly boy she had met in first year, along with Harry. He had become very handsome and girls in younger and older years would stop their conversations to turn their head to look at the "hot" Ron Weasley. Hermione often found these quick glances at him threatening and made her jealous beyond reasons.
The endless bickering that Ron and Hermione shared since first year had not changed one bit, but that's what Hermione liked about Ron. Oh no did she just say like? She can't possibly like Ron, he's her best friend, can she? Well, anyway, Hermione seemed to look at Ron in a whole new light once the fights and the rows that they have always had weren't acting up. She found herself gazing in his direction or stealing looks his way when he wasn't paying any attention to her. He would never like her, though. Never. She wasn't like the other girls in her year. She didn't like make-up and she didn't gossip like the normal sixth year girls did, but she read and studied to keep up her work. Once in a while though, when school wasn't on her mind, there was only one other thing that could take it's place, and that young man was Ron Weasley.
Just then, when Hermione's thoughts on a certain redhead were appearing the portrait door flew open to reveal her two very best friends. "Phew, Hermione you wouldn't believe how bad we're going to kick Slytherin's butt this season!" panted a sweating Harry. "I can't wait to see Malfoy's face when he gets a load of all of our new plays!" exclaimed Harry once again, excitement showing all over his face.
"I am so tired, I could fall asleep right here if I wanted to." Said Ron. "Hey 'Mione, are you reading that book again?" said an amused Ron. Hermione lifted up her head from the book and shook her head before saying "If you boys can play the same Quidditch moves over and over again, then I am allowed to read whatever book, however many times I wish to read it. Even though she was trying to prove her point on book reading, she set the book down on a desk and sat back in her chair to see what Ron had to say.
To her surprise Ron lifted his hands up in defeat to tell her she won. "I am not going to fight with you tonight, 'Mione. Read that book if you want to, I was just curious." Their gazes locked for a few seconds and were only blocked when Harry stepped in to look open-mouthed at his two best friends that were goggling at each other. "Now, if you two are done, I am going to sleep." Hermione blushed slightly, as the tips of Ron's ears went a shade of red almost identical to his hair, as they did when he was embarrassed or fumbled.
"Are you coming Ron?" Harry started up the stairs when Ron finally came to his senses and followed him up the stairs into the boy's dormitory after wishing Hermione a goodnight. Harry was still amazed, as were everyone else who still remained in the common room that Ron had given up on what would have been an agonizing row.
She turned back towards the fireplace and smiled kindly at the warming fireplace, thinking about what just happened. When Hermione thought Ron was growing up, she never would have guessed he would be stopping their usual fights to give into Hermione's judgements. Next thing you know, he's going to be doing his own homework. No, thought Hermione, that may be too soon an assumption. She did have to face the facts that he was growing up into a very handsome young man. When the trio walked through the halls many girls did double takes just to take a second glance at Ron Weasley, which did make her a little, jealous that they would even look at him. Although she didn't like the fact that he was growing away from her, she still smiled to herself that he would stop a fight for her.
Back up in the boy's dormitory, Harry was still goggling at Ron, wondering where that came from. "Are you going to tell me why you stopped you and Hermione from fighting like you usually do?" questioned Harry. He turned around half-dressed when he heard no reply to stare at Ron who was looking down at his feet bemused.
"Oh, I just didn't really feel like getting into it tonight, that's all, you know? It's not as fun as it looks to fight with the girl-" For Ron had stopped mid-sentence, not wanting what he was going to say be said aloud. Before Ron even noticed he had stopped Harry had finished his sentence for him.
"The girl you've loved since first year?" laughed Harry. Ron's jaw dropped down to the floor and Ron tried to hush Harry up so none of the other five boys in the dormitory who were sleeping would hear. "It's alright you know Ron? The entire school knows that you've liked her. That is except you and Hermione."
"What are you talking about, Harry?" said Ron who was looking anywhere but at his best friend. "I don't love 'Mione, she's like a little sister to me. With that Ron pulled back the hanging on his four poster bed and crawled into it to stop that conversation from going elsewhere.
After he knew Harry and the others were all finally asleep, he climbed out of bed and sat on the windowsill overlooking Hogwart's grounds. The moonlight hit the lake at a beautiful angle and it shone across the ground, illuminating everything. Every time Ron thought about telling Hermione, or at least admitting to Harry, that he loved her it gave him a bad ache in the pit of his stomach, which made him re-think it through. He did love her though. A lot. He loved the way she bit her lip when she was nervous, helped him with his homework when he waited until the very last second, and he loved her beauty. Her beauty was endless to him, and he got so jealous when other guys even stole a glance her way.
Harry was right though, and he knew it too. He had to tell Hermione, before he lost her for good. He waited six long years to tell her, and it had to be done soon. How would he tell her though? His thoughts progressed into the early hours of the morning, but luckily since tomorrow was Saturday he would not have to worry about what time he got up
.
Ron awoke with a start at the sound of Neville Longbottom's hangings around his bed clang open. Before Ron could get up Neville raced across the room, still hanging on trying to fit his right slipped onto his foot, he was out the door and down the steps immediately. He dressed into comfortable robes, and headed down to see who was still in the Gryffindor common room.
The only people left were a group of gossiping seventh year girls, Harry, and over in a corner of the couch sat Hermione, book propped up against a pillow. That aching feeling of nausea arrived once again in his stomach when he reasoned to tell Hermione how he felt. "Morning 'Mione, Harry." Hermione looked up from her book and smiled. Ron traded his Weasley, crooked smile and turned to Harry. "Working on any new plays I should know about?"
"Nope, none so far." Harry replied, smiling when he saw Ron was still looking at Hermione when he asked him his question. Harry raised his eyebrows, questioning his longingly gaze at Hermione. "Hungry?" asked Harry to the both of them.
"You don't have to ask me twice!" Hermione laughed at this and shook her head while smirking. "Don't you ever think about anything else but your stomach?" As she walked out of the portrait hole, he looked at her trotting across the hall he shook his head.
"I do, as a matter of face. I think about you." To his amazement she turned around and asked what he had just said but he accused her of hearing things and pretended to be looking at the portraits along the hall.
Hermione had heard what he had said, but thought he was joking. Under her breath you could hear her say, "I wish you meant it, and I wouldn't have to hide it either." Only loud enough for herself to hear and a portrait of a young girl who curtsied and looked thoughtfully in her direction.
As soon as they all entered the Great Hall, ignoring all of the Slytherin's comments, and were sitting at their own table, Ron was the first one to dig into the delicious breakfast. Along the tables were: eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, pumpkin juice, and about every breakfast assortment you could ever ask for. That was how they prepared food at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; they cooked everything you could think of.
Ron was noting Hermione's every move. The way she tossed her hair back so it would not get in the way of her food, how even though it was a Saturday she still had a book set against a jug of pumpkin juice, and the way she crinkled up her forehead when she was concentrating very hard on a topic, he could sit there for days staring at her. Before long, when Ron was admiring her facial features, his twin brother's, George and Fred, came up from behind and scared him to death. "Hey little brother, you can close your mouth now." Piped up Fred.
"Yeah," said George. "Wouldn't want to get any drool on the table, now would we?" joked George again. Hermione had noticed what they said, and tried not to giggle or blush, but failed greatly. Nevertheless, continued to read her book, and ignore the comments that they were insisting that were true. As soon as they left she put her book down on the table, still smiling and said trying not to laugh "Well, that was the most interesting conversation I have ever heard you and your brother's have."
Ron sat up straight and glared at the twins, who just smiled and waved. "Yeah, I hope you know none of that was true." Said Ron, who was still fuming with embarrassment that the two boys had put upon him. Ron's ears were so red now, that they looked like they were about to explode right off his head!
Hermione tried to lighten the mood by changing the subject, even though she was hurt that he didn't like her that way, jus as a friend. A friend, like always. She excused herself to the most likely place she would spend a Saturday morning...ahem afternoon.
Harry walked away from his long conversation of Quidditch with Ron's youngest sister, Ginny Weasley. He sat down across from Ron, noticing his pitiful face of gloom. Harry didn't want to interrupt such in-depth thoughts, but he had to know what was the matter. "Anything I can help you with, mate?"
Ron slowly lifted his head and Harry could make out the words clearly enough to know what they were. His lips had shaped the form of 'Mione. "Oh brother, did you tell her? She couldn't hate you! I mean she has got to like you, everyone else knows it! What did she say?!?!
"Hey, hey, now! Don't go assuming things, buddy!" Harry's face broke from scare into a moke of curiosity so quickly it was alarming.
"You did tell her didn't you? I mean you sat here for an hour or so, just talking." Harry laughed at this. "Actually, it looked like Fred and George were doing most of the talking for you." When Harry saw that Ron wasn't laughing along with him, he had an idea. "Did they tell her?"
"No one told her. They embarrassed me so bad, that I lost all of my confidence and didn't get a chance to tell her. She flew off to the library like usual when things got awkward and uncomfortable." Said an extremely nervous Ron. "I didn't tell her! She will never know that I have loved her since the first day I met her, when her and her bossy self came in here looking for Neville's toad!" His eyes were about the size of two large galleons at this point, realizing he had said too much, he clapped one hand over his mouth, while Harry started to laugh insanely.
Through chokes of laughter, Harry finally managed to say "You-admit-you- love-her!" Ron was as red as his hair, now, and if possible, he was redder! Harry jumped up out of his seat, still laughing, and left the Great Hall, leaving Ron to sit by himself at the end of the table, to think.
Ron Weasley had just admitted to himself and his best friend that he loved Hermione Granger, best friend of six years. He had to tell her soon, and tonight the deed would be done. No matter how many people teased him for his undying love for her, he had to let her know, instead of everyone else around them. This was a big step for Ron now, and tonight, in the Gryffindor common room it would happen. When he, Harry, and Hermione were the only ones left, he would badger Harry to leave and he would tell her, then and there. There was on problem though: How was he to do it...
Hermione sat in front of the crackling fireplace, in one of three squashy armchairs that filled the Gryffindor common room. She was half hidden behind her History of Magic book, reading, for what felt like the one- hundredth time. The night was darkening as students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry filled into bed as the day ended. When the last of the giggling first years were into their dormitories Hermione checked her watch and noted there was five minutes until Quidditch practice was over, and her two best friends since first year would be coming back.
Harry was a tall, thin, handsome boy who had jet-black hair and a thin, but captivating scar upon his forehead. The scar was from about sixteen years ago, when Voldemort tried to kill him using the "Avada Kedavra" curse, but Harry lived and Voldemort was faced with the biggest downfall in history, leaving Harry with the lightening bolt scar as a souvenir.
Ron on the other hand was completely opposite. He was a tall red-headed who was growing so much into his body, he was beginning to look like man instead of the tall and gangly boy she had met in first year, along with Harry. He had become very handsome and girls in younger and older years would stop their conversations to turn their head to look at the "hot" Ron Weasley. Hermione often found these quick glances at him threatening and made her jealous beyond reasons.
The endless bickering that Ron and Hermione shared since first year had not changed one bit, but that's what Hermione liked about Ron. Oh no did she just say like? She can't possibly like Ron, he's her best friend, can she? Well, anyway, Hermione seemed to look at Ron in a whole new light once the fights and the rows that they have always had weren't acting up. She found herself gazing in his direction or stealing looks his way when he wasn't paying any attention to her. He would never like her, though. Never. She wasn't like the other girls in her year. She didn't like make-up and she didn't gossip like the normal sixth year girls did, but she read and studied to keep up her work. Once in a while though, when school wasn't on her mind, there was only one other thing that could take it's place, and that young man was Ron Weasley.
Just then, when Hermione's thoughts on a certain redhead were appearing the portrait door flew open to reveal her two very best friends. "Phew, Hermione you wouldn't believe how bad we're going to kick Slytherin's butt this season!" panted a sweating Harry. "I can't wait to see Malfoy's face when he gets a load of all of our new plays!" exclaimed Harry once again, excitement showing all over his face.
"I am so tired, I could fall asleep right here if I wanted to." Said Ron. "Hey 'Mione, are you reading that book again?" said an amused Ron. Hermione lifted up her head from the book and shook her head before saying "If you boys can play the same Quidditch moves over and over again, then I am allowed to read whatever book, however many times I wish to read it. Even though she was trying to prove her point on book reading, she set the book down on a desk and sat back in her chair to see what Ron had to say.
To her surprise Ron lifted his hands up in defeat to tell her she won. "I am not going to fight with you tonight, 'Mione. Read that book if you want to, I was just curious." Their gazes locked for a few seconds and were only blocked when Harry stepped in to look open-mouthed at his two best friends that were goggling at each other. "Now, if you two are done, I am going to sleep." Hermione blushed slightly, as the tips of Ron's ears went a shade of red almost identical to his hair, as they did when he was embarrassed or fumbled.
"Are you coming Ron?" Harry started up the stairs when Ron finally came to his senses and followed him up the stairs into the boy's dormitory after wishing Hermione a goodnight. Harry was still amazed, as were everyone else who still remained in the common room that Ron had given up on what would have been an agonizing row.
She turned back towards the fireplace and smiled kindly at the warming fireplace, thinking about what just happened. When Hermione thought Ron was growing up, she never would have guessed he would be stopping their usual fights to give into Hermione's judgements. Next thing you know, he's going to be doing his own homework. No, thought Hermione, that may be too soon an assumption. She did have to face the facts that he was growing up into a very handsome young man. When the trio walked through the halls many girls did double takes just to take a second glance at Ron Weasley, which did make her a little, jealous that they would even look at him. Although she didn't like the fact that he was growing away from her, she still smiled to herself that he would stop a fight for her.
Back up in the boy's dormitory, Harry was still goggling at Ron, wondering where that came from. "Are you going to tell me why you stopped you and Hermione from fighting like you usually do?" questioned Harry. He turned around half-dressed when he heard no reply to stare at Ron who was looking down at his feet bemused.
"Oh, I just didn't really feel like getting into it tonight, that's all, you know? It's not as fun as it looks to fight with the girl-" For Ron had stopped mid-sentence, not wanting what he was going to say be said aloud. Before Ron even noticed he had stopped Harry had finished his sentence for him.
"The girl you've loved since first year?" laughed Harry. Ron's jaw dropped down to the floor and Ron tried to hush Harry up so none of the other five boys in the dormitory who were sleeping would hear. "It's alright you know Ron? The entire school knows that you've liked her. That is except you and Hermione."
"What are you talking about, Harry?" said Ron who was looking anywhere but at his best friend. "I don't love 'Mione, she's like a little sister to me. With that Ron pulled back the hanging on his four poster bed and crawled into it to stop that conversation from going elsewhere.
After he knew Harry and the others were all finally asleep, he climbed out of bed and sat on the windowsill overlooking Hogwart's grounds. The moonlight hit the lake at a beautiful angle and it shone across the ground, illuminating everything. Every time Ron thought about telling Hermione, or at least admitting to Harry, that he loved her it gave him a bad ache in the pit of his stomach, which made him re-think it through. He did love her though. A lot. He loved the way she bit her lip when she was nervous, helped him with his homework when he waited until the very last second, and he loved her beauty. Her beauty was endless to him, and he got so jealous when other guys even stole a glance her way.
Harry was right though, and he knew it too. He had to tell Hermione, before he lost her for good. He waited six long years to tell her, and it had to be done soon. How would he tell her though? His thoughts progressed into the early hours of the morning, but luckily since tomorrow was Saturday he would not have to worry about what time he got up
.
Ron awoke with a start at the sound of Neville Longbottom's hangings around his bed clang open. Before Ron could get up Neville raced across the room, still hanging on trying to fit his right slipped onto his foot, he was out the door and down the steps immediately. He dressed into comfortable robes, and headed down to see who was still in the Gryffindor common room.
The only people left were a group of gossiping seventh year girls, Harry, and over in a corner of the couch sat Hermione, book propped up against a pillow. That aching feeling of nausea arrived once again in his stomach when he reasoned to tell Hermione how he felt. "Morning 'Mione, Harry." Hermione looked up from her book and smiled. Ron traded his Weasley, crooked smile and turned to Harry. "Working on any new plays I should know about?"
"Nope, none so far." Harry replied, smiling when he saw Ron was still looking at Hermione when he asked him his question. Harry raised his eyebrows, questioning his longingly gaze at Hermione. "Hungry?" asked Harry to the both of them.
"You don't have to ask me twice!" Hermione laughed at this and shook her head while smirking. "Don't you ever think about anything else but your stomach?" As she walked out of the portrait hole, he looked at her trotting across the hall he shook his head.
"I do, as a matter of face. I think about you." To his amazement she turned around and asked what he had just said but he accused her of hearing things and pretended to be looking at the portraits along the hall.
Hermione had heard what he had said, but thought he was joking. Under her breath you could hear her say, "I wish you meant it, and I wouldn't have to hide it either." Only loud enough for herself to hear and a portrait of a young girl who curtsied and looked thoughtfully in her direction.
As soon as they all entered the Great Hall, ignoring all of the Slytherin's comments, and were sitting at their own table, Ron was the first one to dig into the delicious breakfast. Along the tables were: eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, pumpkin juice, and about every breakfast assortment you could ever ask for. That was how they prepared food at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; they cooked everything you could think of.
Ron was noting Hermione's every move. The way she tossed her hair back so it would not get in the way of her food, how even though it was a Saturday she still had a book set against a jug of pumpkin juice, and the way she crinkled up her forehead when she was concentrating very hard on a topic, he could sit there for days staring at her. Before long, when Ron was admiring her facial features, his twin brother's, George and Fred, came up from behind and scared him to death. "Hey little brother, you can close your mouth now." Piped up Fred.
"Yeah," said George. "Wouldn't want to get any drool on the table, now would we?" joked George again. Hermione had noticed what they said, and tried not to giggle or blush, but failed greatly. Nevertheless, continued to read her book, and ignore the comments that they were insisting that were true. As soon as they left she put her book down on the table, still smiling and said trying not to laugh "Well, that was the most interesting conversation I have ever heard you and your brother's have."
Ron sat up straight and glared at the twins, who just smiled and waved. "Yeah, I hope you know none of that was true." Said Ron, who was still fuming with embarrassment that the two boys had put upon him. Ron's ears were so red now, that they looked like they were about to explode right off his head!
Hermione tried to lighten the mood by changing the subject, even though she was hurt that he didn't like her that way, jus as a friend. A friend, like always. She excused herself to the most likely place she would spend a Saturday morning...ahem afternoon.
Harry walked away from his long conversation of Quidditch with Ron's youngest sister, Ginny Weasley. He sat down across from Ron, noticing his pitiful face of gloom. Harry didn't want to interrupt such in-depth thoughts, but he had to know what was the matter. "Anything I can help you with, mate?"
Ron slowly lifted his head and Harry could make out the words clearly enough to know what they were. His lips had shaped the form of 'Mione. "Oh brother, did you tell her? She couldn't hate you! I mean she has got to like you, everyone else knows it! What did she say?!?!
"Hey, hey, now! Don't go assuming things, buddy!" Harry's face broke from scare into a moke of curiosity so quickly it was alarming.
"You did tell her didn't you? I mean you sat here for an hour or so, just talking." Harry laughed at this. "Actually, it looked like Fred and George were doing most of the talking for you." When Harry saw that Ron wasn't laughing along with him, he had an idea. "Did they tell her?"
"No one told her. They embarrassed me so bad, that I lost all of my confidence and didn't get a chance to tell her. She flew off to the library like usual when things got awkward and uncomfortable." Said an extremely nervous Ron. "I didn't tell her! She will never know that I have loved her since the first day I met her, when her and her bossy self came in here looking for Neville's toad!" His eyes were about the size of two large galleons at this point, realizing he had said too much, he clapped one hand over his mouth, while Harry started to laugh insanely.
Through chokes of laughter, Harry finally managed to say "You-admit-you- love-her!" Ron was as red as his hair, now, and if possible, he was redder! Harry jumped up out of his seat, still laughing, and left the Great Hall, leaving Ron to sit by himself at the end of the table, to think.
Ron Weasley had just admitted to himself and his best friend that he loved Hermione Granger, best friend of six years. He had to tell her soon, and tonight the deed would be done. No matter how many people teased him for his undying love for her, he had to let her know, instead of everyone else around them. This was a big step for Ron now, and tonight, in the Gryffindor common room it would happen. When he, Harry, and Hermione were the only ones left, he would badger Harry to leave and he would tell her, then and there. There was on problem though: How was he to do it...
