Chapter4: Let's call the Whole Thing Off
"And then she just stormed out. Just stood up and stormed out as if it was my fault. Can you believe it? My fault. She started it!" Ron Weasley could tell Harry wasn't listening. At first he had thought the raven-haired friend was listening as he pushed the oatmeal around in the bowl in front of him, but somewhere between the third and fourth piece of toast Ron himself was chewing, he had realized he was talking to a brick wall. "Harry," he whined. "Hmm," asked his friend, looking up through his large glasses. "What should I do," Ron asked. "Apologize," suggested Harry. "But it wasn't my fault," Ron told him angrily. "Well I dunno then, Ron," Harry told him as they stood to move out to play quidditch. They had to practice for the next game. "I mean, you two fight more then I've ever seen a married couple fight." "What's that suppose to mean," Ron snapped. Harry pushed up his glasses and looked at his friend guiltily. "Nothing, Ron. Shall I be the chaser and you the keeper?" "We should just ask Ginny to join," Ron said, not noticing Harry's interested expression. Ron didn't notice the expression because at the moment of suggestion, he saw the girl in question, his sister, moving across the hall with the other girl in earlier question. "Ginny, want to play quidditch," called Ron across the hall. Both girls turned to him, his sister had a look of exasperation on her face, the other girl, Hermione Granger, a look of annoyance. "Not now, Ron," Ginny replied. "Oh come on, Ginny," Ron said. "Come play with us. It's better than the library." Hermione glared daggers at him and rushed ahead. "Your such a prat," Ginny told him annoyed and rushed after her. Ron looked at Harry, who was shaking his head. "What," asked Ron. "It is more fun."
Hermione pushed a strand of blonde hair from her eyes and looked up at Ginny. "You can go play quidditch if you like," Hermione told her with a weak smile. "I am just going to the library after this." "But I like the library," Ginny assured her. "Besides, I need to work on my potions essay. Three rolls of parchment on the powers of wolfsbane potion." Hermione smiled at the kind red head. She was so different from her brother. All the Weasley were. Percy was too repressed, Fred and George too wild, and Ron, well. It was Ron. Hermione smiled to herself. Could anyone be denser then that boy, she wondered. "What exactly happened, anyway," asked Ginny curiously. Her gaze seem distracted for a moment and Hermione looked over her shoulder. As she looked over at the place Ginny was gazing, the Slytherin table, she saw Draco Malfoy moving his head away quickly, looking back at Pansy Parkinson. Hermione turned back to Ginny to see her looking at her toast as if in thought. If she hadn't known better, Hermione would have thought the girl had been looking at Malfoy. She shook her head, making her voluptuous hair move into her face. "Well, I was only trying to help him with his charms," Hermione said taking an apple and biting into it. "And he was getting frustrated and so I said that it was no one's fault but his that he was having trouble since he hadn't paid attention all day in class." "He didn't like that, did he," Ginny asked with a smile. Hermione shrugged. "Well, it was true, but then he said who needed to pay attention with a friend like me. I was like a textbook. So then I asked if that was the only reason he and I were friends and he said probably. Can you imagine," Hermione asked outraged. "And then you stormed off," Ginny asked curiously. "No," Hermione said with a sigh. "Then I said that if that was what our friendship was based on, I would keep my opinion to myself and he could figure it out on his own," she continued pushing a stray hair from her face. "Then said-what?" Ginny was laughing at Hermione's story. "It's funny how when your mad at Ron these days you call him is all," Ginny said with a grin. "My mum used to do that when she was really mad at my dad." Hermione gave her a dark look. "But what did Mr. Weasley say," Ginny asked, straightening her face to a look of seriousness. "He said I couldn't stop myself from helping because it was in my know-it-all nature." "And then you stormed off," asked Ginny. She looked up passed Hermione. "Why do you keep looking over there," Hermione asked curiously. Ginny shrugged. "Zoning out is all," she said simply. "Yes, then I stormed out," Hermione said. "Well, first I called him an insensitive git, and then I stormed out." "How long before you two talk again," asked Ginny interestedly. "Who knows," Hermione replied. "When he appreciates me." "I'm sure he appreciates you," Ginny said with a laugh.
"Appreciate her? What does that even mean," Ron asked throwing the quaffle back to Harry. Harry caught it and sat up straight on his broom. "I dunno. You just need to be nicer to her. I mean, you like her don't you?" Ron was caught off guard by the question and the next throw went right past his right arm and into the hoop. "What do you mean, like her," he asked. "Come on Ron," Harry said in exasperation. Ron went to retrieve the ball. He tossed it to Harry again. "Of course I like her. She's my friend, isn't she?" Harry ran his hand through his raven hair as if trying to think of something. "No I mean, like you liked Padma in fourth year." Ron's cheeks turned a bit red. "I didn't like Padma. She was bloody annoying, always wanting to dance," Ron muttered darkly, catching the ball and throwing it back at Harry. "Fine. Then like you liked Fleur?" "I didn't like Fleur," Ron told him with a stern look. "Really," Harry asked. "Didn't you ask her to the ball?" Again, Ron's cheeks turned red. "We swore we'd never talk about that again. That or Victor Krum." Harry's green eyes seemed to dance. "Fine," Harry conceded. "Then how come you were so jealous over Krum and Hermione going together?" "Look, he just wasn't right for her," Ron snapped back. "Why," asked Harry. "He was too dense. Couldn't even say her name right. Besides, she deserves someone better. Someone more like her. Who understands her. Who can read." "Someone with red hair and in Gryffindor," asked Harry innocently. "Maybe," Ron said softly. "But why does it even matter if I did like her, you know," Ron paused thinking of the word as he tossed the Quaffle in his hand and caught it again. "not like she'd ever like me as anything more then a friend. For Merlins' sake we're usually not even friends." Harry caught the quaffle as Ron tossed it. "Ron, you can sure be dense," Harry said, tossing it with a trick twist so it appeared to go towards the middle before changing directions and going through the side hoop. "what do you mean," Ron asked, retrieving the ball. "Let's go do something else." Harry floated to the ground to meet him and smiled. "I think Hermione might be more fond of you then you think is all," Harry replied patting Ron's back. "You think so," Ron asked curiously. Harry nodded, but Ron sighed in response. "Not like she'll ever talk to me again," he said putting his broom on his shoulder as they walked.
"Harry, pass me the mashed potatoes please," Hermione asked kindly. Normally she wouldn't have sat next to Harry and Ron on their second day of a fight, but Ginny had to skip dinner because of some homework. She was in the Gryffindor tower, trying to rush through all she needed to by tomorrow. Hermione had never really gotten along with many of the girls in her year and Luna was searching for her shoes once again. Hermione had offered to help, but Luna had replied dreamily, "if it is nargles, it's best I go alone. They don't much enjoy company," before wandering off down the corridor barefoot. So the hungry Hermione had wandered defeated to the great hall, late to dinner, to find that the only seat saved was next to Harry, opposite Ron. "Here you go, Hermione," Ron said holding out the mashed potatoes. Hermione looked at Harry confused. He had been closer to the potatoes, yet Ron was passing them. Hermione took them silently. "Cam you pass a roll, Harry," she asked, not looking up. "White or wheat," answered Ron's voice. She looked up at the boy. He was acting strangely. Was this his way of making peace? She doubted it. She took the roll offered in his right hand, the white roll. "Personally, I've always fancied wheat. It's the less appreciated, but I appreciate it," Ron's voice told her. Hermione looked at him confused. "Who in the world doesn't appreciate one roll over another," she asked before she could stop herself. He seemed to look relieved at her answer. "Well, you chose the white didn't you. So maybe you appreciate that one over the wheat," Ron continued. Harry had his eyebrow raised and a smile of laughter in his eyes when Hermione turned to him. Obviously she wasn't alone in finding Ron's behavior strange. "You know," Ron asked hopefully. "What are you on about," asked Hermione confused. Then she added a "." Ron's face fell. "Your still mad," he asked, his voice taking a tone of disbelief. "Yes," Hermione replied. "You think a roll would make it better?" "I thought the mashed potatoes would," Ron replied. Harry gave a snort of trying to contain his laughter. Hermione looked at them both darkly. "You think this is funny? Insulting me is funny," she asked angrily. "Come on Hermione, I was trying to be funny," Ron said. "Well it wasn't. Goodbye," Hermione stood and moved her plate down the table by Lavender Brown. "Can I sit with you," she asked smiling at Lavender. Lavender looked at her for a moment before scooting closer to Parvarti to make room for Hermione.
"See," hissed Ron as they played chess later in the common room. "She doesn't even care for me as a friend. Can't even laugh at a roll joke." Harry looked at the game in front of him, then over Ron's shoulder. Ron looked to see what Harry was looking at. Nothing was there except a very stressed out Ginny Weasley. "You alright, Gin," Ron asked. Ginny looked up with a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks." Her eyes seemed to go passed her brother and over to Harry, but Ron shrugged the idea off. "You know I think Ginny still fancies you a bit," he told Harry looking back at the board. "I doubt that," Harry said in a voice too nonchalant. But Ron did not notice because of the fight between his queen and Harry's bishop. "Now she is just sitting there, talking with Lavender and Parvarti. Did you even know they were friends," Ron asked annoyed. "I didn't even know they were friends!" "I guess they are," Harry said moving his rook forward. "I have half a mind to march over there and-and," he paused and blushed. "And kiss her?" Ron looked at Harry, pulling his eyes away from Hermione who sat by the fire with Lavender and Parvarti. "What? No," Ron snapped, though his ears grew red as well. "Half a mind to ask her what her problem is. The git." "I see," Harry said with a smirk. "Stop smiling like that," Ron said annoyed. "Like what," Harry asked confused. "Like your all wise and know what's going on. You look like Hermione. She couldn't even use my first name," he said pouting. "Sorry, I'll keep my smile to myself," Harry assured him. "Why not just apologize to her?" "I can't," Ron whined. "Stubborn," Harry said shaking his head. "Well, she is too," replied Ron moving his queen. "She'll just think I'm weak. Checkmate."
Hermione frowned looking at the book in front of her. Turning it she looked at the written assignment on her paper. She had to find and master a charm that would make her blend momentarily into the surroundings. She was having trouble finding a satisfactory one, however. All of the charms she found seemed too easy or unnecessarily flamboyant. She heard a cough sound and moved her book down a bit to look over it. Ron sat looking at her. "Look, I know your not talking to me and all," Ron said casually, scratching the back of his head and looking away. "And I think it's stupid and all but I just wanted to say that you've got it all wrong." Hermione raised her eyebrow. She moved the book back up to cover his face as she scanned the next page for a charm worthy of her charms class. "Oh come on Hermione," Ron's voice said a bit too loudly. There was a "shh" from the librarian and the table made a noise as Ron moved closer to whisper. "You know I appreciate you. Come on, how many jams have you gotten me out of," he asked. She made no movement, but her eyes paused in the middle of the page as she listened. "I mean, in first year, you got me out of that shrub that would have killed me and Harry. And if it wasn't for your notes we never would have realized what the monster was in the chamber of secrets. And think of all the times you've helped Harry and me with homework and class. I mean last month I nearly blew my ear off in potions when you weren't there to help me." Ron's voice had slowly risen in volume, as if he was trying to break through the wall that was the book with the volume of his voice. "shhh, Mr. Weasley," hissed the librarian. "And I don't know why you don't think I appreciate you anyway," Ron whispered again. "I mean, you know when I call you a know-it-all it's a compliment. Usually it's not, but your know-it-all has helped us out a lot." Hermione dropped the book a bit to glare at him over it. He shrank back a bit. "Okay, okay. I know you hate being called a know-it-all. But doesn't it count at all that I'm coming and trying to apologize," he asked hopefully. "Well, I suppose that's true," Hermione conceded with a smile. "Great, so you forgive me," Ron asked cheerfully. "I guess. Thanks Ron. I appreciate that you don't think I'm a wheat roll, or whatever your analogy was earlier," Hermione said. Ron's ears turned red but he waved it away as if it were a fly. "Great, so will you help me with charms, like old time?" Hermione's features darkened. "Did you only apologize to get me to help you with charms," Hermione asked annoyed. Ron blinked confused. "Erm, no Hermione, I mean," but she had already slammed the book closed and moved away.
When Ron woke up it was to the soft shuffling of movement. He sat up quickly and his head ran into something solid. "Blimey," he said with a moan. "You have the hardest head," replied a voice. He sat up again and looked at the speaker, who was sitting on the end of the couch, rubbing her forehead. "Hermione!" he exclaimed. "Are you alright?" "Yes I think so, what are you doing down here so late," she asked. Ron looked around. On the floor sat his parchment and charms book, his wand was still in his hand despite his falling asleep. "I was trying to look up and master a charm when I fell asleep, what are you doing down here," he asked. "Well I was coming in and saw you, so I gave you a blanket," Hermione said motioning to the blanket that now covered Ron. "Oh, thanks," he said looking at it. "It's soft." "Yeah, my mum made it for me," Hermione replied looking at the charms book. "How's the charms going?" "Terrible," Ron replied with a shrug. "My textbook doesn't know as much as you." Hermione smiled and Ron thought he saw a blush on her cheeks. "Look Hermione," he began. "Sorry I insulted you. You know I don't think before I talk." "That's an understatement," Hermione laughed. "Hey," Ron said defensively. "Look, I'll help you, alright," Hermione suggested, hitting his legs so he'd move them off the couch. "Well alright," Ron said with a yawn.
Hermione woke up the next morning and blinked. She could see a blue blanket by her head and pale skin. She blinked and moved her head enough to see that she was still in the common room, the charms book was still in her arm that dangled off the couch. Her arm was however resting on the stomach of Ron Weasley, who made a noise of sleep before pulling the blanket a little higher. She looked at him for a moment, his red hair spread out on the pillow. They had worked on the charm late into the morning and must have fallen asleep without realizing it. She smiled fondly at the boy next to her. "I put the blanket on, you looked cold," he muttered half awake. Hermione made a movement of surprise that would have been a jump if she had not been trapped in the couch by Ron's body. "I swear we just slept," he added, smacking his lips before snoring again. "I see," Hermione replied with a smile. "Well, did you learn your charm," she asked curiously. Ron's sleepy hand moved from the floor where it was dangling and patted his stomach as if looking for something. It found her hand and paused, as if deciding if this was what it had been seeking. After a moment his fingers intertwined with hers. "Probably not," he said before falling back to sleep. Hermione smirked and pulled the blanket up to her neck, not breaking their hands apart. Then, she fell asleep again, not caring for the first time in months if she missed a class or two.