-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Harry's POV- The next daySomething wasn't quite right between Ron and Hermione, it had been evident since they'd both laid eyes on each other that morning. He didn't know why but he was sure as hell going to find out.
He and Ron had reached the common room the next morning as they always did; it was buzzing with early risers all waiting to head to the great hall for breakfast. But the moment Ron's foot hit the ground the atmosphere of the whole room changed. Suddenly, Harry felt all eyes on them, a feeling which he was used to yet quite put off by when he wasn't aware of the reason behind it. He shifted uneasily beside Ron, who just seemed to take the whole situation in his stride.
'Merlin, the news got round quickly.' Harry shifted his gaze sideways to look quizzically at Ron. What news? How quickly? He had questions, but apparently Ron could read his mind and answered him before he could fully open his mouth to speak.
'Oh yeah, by the way, mate,' Ron whispered to him casually, 'Lavender and I broke up.'
That explained a hell of a lot, Harry thought. Looking round the room he was surprised that he hadn't been able to figure that out for himself from the expressions on peoples' faces.
Lavender was staring daggers at Ron from across the room; Seamus, who had always had a crush on Lavender, was looking extremely grateful and Parvati and Padma Patil were standing either side of Lavender arms folded in annoyance. Technically, that was an unfair advantage, thought Harry, the twins had never forgiven them for the lack of Christmas spirit at the Yule Ball.
Taking a bold step forwards, Harry followed Ron as he made his way through the sea of silent, staring faces. They headed directly across the common room to where Hermione was sitting in the large red armchair by the fireplace.
'Morning,' Ron smiled, looked intently at Hermione. Was it just Harry's judgement or did Ron seem slightly smug around her that morning?
His puzzlement increased further when, instead of a full-blown lecture over whether or not they had completed their potions assignments, they were greeted by a small squeak of surprise as Hermione stared up at Ron, 'Morning,' was all she seemed able to get out. As Ron sat down on the floor next to Hermione's chair, Harry watched her eyes follow him, widening in amazement and disbelief.
He decided to take a giant leap and ask the inevitable, 'has something happened between you two between last night and this morning?'
Immediately, Hermione seemed to become defensive, 'of course not, Harry! When would we have the time? You went up to the dormitories with Ron last night and came down with him again this morning, when would there be any time alone for anything to go on? Honestly Harry, get a bit of perspective!'
Taken aback slightly by this outburst but knowing full-well that she was lying to him, he decided to play her at her own game, 'well…' he replied indifferently, 'it could have occurred at the same time as Ron and Lavender splitting up…' Hermione shot Ron a look of distress, Harry continued, '… because the two of them looked very much together when me and Ron left last night.'
Unable to take the questioning from him, Hermione seemed to snap, 'look, just leave it Harry, ok? Nothing happened!' Then without even another look at Ron, Hermione stood up and fled from the common room.
Taking Hermione's place in the armchair, Harry turned on his other companion, 'Did anything happen?'
'Nah, mate! Nothing to concern yourself with.' And with a self-satisfied grin, he drew himself up to full height and headed for the common room entrance.
Harry just sat there in bewilderment. As Ginny came to join him, sitting on the arm of the chair she asked him in interest, 'what's going on between Ron and Hermione?'
'I have no idea'
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
More to come asap...