Wow. I didn't expect such positive reaction to this story – it being my first HP fanfic. Just wanted to say a few things before you hopefully continue to read Chapter 4…
Autumn Thursday: It's good to hear that you enjoyed my story. Being a RW/HG shipper, I could never believe any HP/HG story that I would attempt to write. It's exciting to hear that even though I added that to the summary, you were still unsure about Harry's "brown eyes". It was very hard writing up until the end of Chapter 3, excluding Seamus' name from any of Harry's thoughts.
Bsxjtlg: Haha. Thanks for being my very supportive first reader! I get so excited I seriously need to update as often as possible, and I even know where the story is going – sort of! Of course, sometimes I have to restrain myself to maintain and hopefully improve the quality of the fic.
krystagurl04046: Yay! My first review on ffnet! Thank you! It's cool to think others actually find the little humor I throw in here and there actually funny! It's reassuring.
Once again thanks to everyone who takes the time to R&R! It's so helpful and motivating to hear how other people feel toward my story. You all rock! :)
Chapter 4 – Confused Resolution
Ron never felt so ashamed before. He treated his best mate horribly, all over some overly extreme misunderstanding. Git, he thought of himself. He never took the time to consider that maybe Harry was infatuated with someone else. Instead, Ron let his jealousy take too big a hold of him. He lowered his head in shame, trying to think of some way to make amends for what he had done.
"Ron? Are you mad at me? I'm sorry – I wanted to tell you. Dunno. I guess it was just too hard to describe. To tell you the truth, Hermione has not even figured me out, so don't feel too horrible," Harry knelt down to get face to face with Ron. He gave an apologetic raise of eyebrows and waited for Ron's words.
"No, Harry – I feel so foolish. I never thought you may fancy anyone else. But I just don't understand…" Ron trailed off, and coughed, as if to override what he had just revealed.
"Don't understand? Honestly, Ron; Seamus is not that bad." His emeralds lit up as his chuckle died away.
A large lump lodged in Ron's throat; he could not work around it. He could not utter the words to Harry to expand his statement. He swallowed hard and felt the lump loosen just enough for him to talk again. "W-w..what happened between….'Mione and….you?" He choked on his own words, and felt relieved when he the lump had disintegrated.
Harry now understood the root of Ron's fears and change in character. He placed his hands on his knees to maintain his posture, and started, "What? You mean…last night?" He dreaded talking about the bloody evening. Ironically, it was the one thing he yearned to talk about the most. Taking the uncomfortable silence to mean yes, he continued, "I was demonstrating to Hermione how Seamus had stroked my locks out of my eyes. I never mentioned a name, and now I'm afraid she thinks you're not the only one who wants her," he added, with a low giggle.
"So n-nothing…happened between 'Mione and –" he was cut off.
"-me, no. I was seeking her opinion. You know how she figures out every secret we ever have. I was hoping she could tell me whether Seamus liked me or not."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief. Harry continued, "So…you really do like her, huh?" He grinned; now their constant bickering made so much more sense.
"Yeah…look Harry, I'm sorry about overreacting. I should've trusted you and 'Mione from the start," Ron concluded, looking for forgiveness within the sparkling emeralds.
"Don't worry bout it. Promise never to keep anything from each other again?"
Ron nodded, "Promise. Now…what are we going to do about your ruddy taste in men?" Ron's eyes retained the brightness they usually possessed, with a flick of playfulness thrown into the mix. They shared a hearty laugh, and Harry once again felt the warmth in his chest.
"Ron, what am I going to do?" Harry asked desperately.
"Snog him, naturally," Ron was beaten with a pillow for that comment. "Alright, alright. Hang on – was he the one you were yelling about in the Great Hall? 'It was just a kiss or two!!'" He pleaded, mimicking Harry.
A sly grin spilled across his face and Ron could not help but look completely shocked.
"Yeah, actually…" Harry smirked, and recounted to Ron what he shared with Seamus. At one part, Ron flopped off the bed in disbelief; he quickly resettled into a sitting position to listen to the rest of Harry's narration. At the end, Ron gaped wide-eyed as Harry looked down in embarrassment.
"So he shares your feelings, then?" was all Ron was able to spit out.
"Er…that's where I'm not sure."
"Right, well…we'll just have to figure this out."
"Yeah…in the meantime, Ron, do you think you can withhold this from Hermione? I want to tell her in my own time. I know how much sway she holds over you." Harry grinned at Ron's expression.
"What are you saying?!" Ron squeaked, but Harry just continued laughing.
Ron strode out of his dormitory in full confidence, breathing in air with a new zest for life. He had fully reconciled with Harry, and now knew that there was no competition, as far as Harry went, for Hermione. I need all the help I can get, he confessed. Hermione raised an eyebrow at Ron's sly grin as he fell back into the cushioned chair across from hers. She waited for Ron to mention anything about the chat with Harry, but nothing came. He just set there, content, and grinning at her. What was he up to?
"Ron? Are you alright?" she asked, afraid he would start dancing in his chair or breaking into random singing.
"Yeah, actually. Thanks for asking, 'Mione," and that was all she received as an answer. He's gone mental, she concluded. It was bound to happen someday. He could not conceal his grin, and he wanted more than anything to tell Hermione what he really felt and thought, but he strained as best he could to avoid doing so. He scanned her movements, analyzing her expressions, trying to decode her every thought. He needed to know what she thought of him. It would drive him mad. If she thought that Harry liked her too, maybe that's why she did not tell Ron how she liked him. Fixated on the strategy he had in mind, he felt it would be fool proof. He leaned forward in his chair, getting a little closer to her, and clasping his hands in front of him, began, "'Mione..?"
She continued to look at him with a bit of fright, still undecided as to what to think of his change in attitude. "Yeah…?"
He dug his foot into the carpet, watching it intently, afraid to look her in the face. "About yesterday, I -"
"I know, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware of it myself. Here I thought he had taken a liking for one of our housemates," she finished, chuckling lightly. Ron returned with a faint stare in her direction. This was awkward, he noted.
"Right. Well. Er…" he murmured, too embarrassed to come out with his question.
"Ron? Are you wondering about this morning…?" She had guessed it right on the mark. It was so much easier, her saying it than him, but now he felt obligated to give some sign of curiosity. He resorted to nodding. The moment of truth, in which his biggest question would be answered. Do I repulse her? Does she like me? Does she see me as a brother? He screwed up his face ever so slightly so as not to seem rude.
"Ron, I –" she started, as Ron leaned in even closer in suspense. Suddenly he heard someone over his shoulder.
"Some day, huh? I'm very glad its over. Have either of you seen Harry?" Seamus had not missed his cue to ruin Ron's moment. He breathed heavily, willing away the urge to slam him right in the conk. He, instead, gave Seamus a very harsh glare, which he did not pick up on. "So, eh, what are you two doing?" he asked, in a very suggestive manner.
Hermione cleared her throat, hoping to break the two up before Ron stuck his wand…
"Harry is still in his dormitory, as far as I know, Seamus." She said it so matter-of-factly and lacking any shred of animosity that Seamus took to prove her right.
"Thanks, 'Mione," he raised himself back to a stance and went off in search of Harry.
Ron leaned back in aggravation, wishing Seamus would find a very high staircase to fall down. He rose out of his chair and made to cross over to the dormitory when Hermione called from behind, "Wait."
He froze in place, awaiting Hermione's next word.
When the gap was defined by silence, Ron careened his head to look back at Hermione, though still unable to move from his spot.
"Yeah…?" Ron questioned, in a low tone thick with hopefulness.
"How did it go?" She inquired, after discarding the first question she meant to ask.
"Harry and me are settled. No big deal." His face fell in disappointment. Why was she avoiding it? Was it to protect him from failure? He did not understand why this was to be so confusing and hard. He wore an uncertain expression as he debated whether or not to bring up the subject. Feeling useless in this conversation, Ron shrugged to himself and headed for the dormitory. Mindlessly, he trudged up the steps and entered the dormitory he shared with a few of his fellow Gryffindors, including Harry. He crept in slowly, peering ahead to avoid any embarrassing intrusions, and found Harry and Seamus standing face to face, in silence. Should I just go back to the common room, he wondered.
"Ron!" Harry proclaimed, discovering his friend gaping in the entrance. Seamus turned back to find the redhead's glance. Seamus started chuckling, and Ron had no doubt what he was thinking about Hermione and him.
"Ronnie, done so quickly?" he laughed, no longer containing his amusement. Ron spotted a sparkle in his eyes as he chuckled at Ron's expense. Harry gave a confused look in Ron's direction, to which Ron just waved off.
"Shove off, Seamus!" Ron retorted, embarrassed at Seamus' insinuations. Ron strode fiercely over to his trunk, and opened it. He groped around until finding his parchment full of notes he hid from Harry. He frowned at the cluttered writings on it, and slumped on his bed to review them. Ron, fixated on the parchment, did not notice Seamus drawing closer to Harry. Grunting, Ron stroked the paper intently with his quill, adding to the ramblings on the paper. Feeling content with his actions, he arose from the bed and shuffled out of the room in need of a walk.
Thank goodness he's gone, Seamus heaved a sigh. His palms were now soaked in perspiration, and he wiped his flushed brow with his cloaked arm. Seamus was now rather uncomfortable and slowly rose his head back to face Harry.
"Aye.." he muttered, unsure what to say. Since last night, Seamus had rethought all of the actions he did and analyzed them for any misinterpretations Harry might get. They had not conversed about the incident, and Seamus' mind was in a different place, far away from Hogwarts. Harry started pacing throughout the dormitory, thankful his shoes were clicking, breaking the silence. Seamus stole a sideways glance to Ron's empty bed. A scribbled parchment lay abandoned on the seats, and Seamus raised an eyebrow.
He inched closer to the bed, and took up the parchment, curiosity getting the best of him. Clutching it in his hands, his eyes darted across the words, and let out a gasp when finished. His fingers trembled as he stared at the parchment. Seamus, though his own person, always had mixed thoughts. He frowned; he still was unsure of last night. Seamus saw Harry as a very good friend, who was both sweet and fun. They had gotten on very well since first year. But Seamus also got on great with Ron. He shook his head in protest, and felt a wave on nausea hit him hard in the face. His nerves were on fire and his throat grew hoarse.
"Seamus…?" Harry questioned softly, drawing closer from behind. "What is that?"
Seamus tried to act as though he had not read this parchment containing no real importance. Clearing his throat, he flung it back on Ron's bed and swiveled on his feet to meet Harry's gaze once again.
"It's some bloody paper Ron left on his bed. Honestly, what are we going to do with him?" he chuckled and shook his head in jest. He swallowed his laughter as his mind dashed back to the situation at hand. Harry had wanted to talk to him about last night; Ron interrupted before they exchanged any earth shattering words. What was he going to say to Harry? This was very awkward indeed.
"Dunno," Harry stated, his face expressionless. Dropping his gaze, he confronted Seamus, "Anyway, we need to talk…"
Seamus nodded, willing away the constant shivering he felt when he was around Harry. As opposed to feeling a steamy warmth, cold always crept on his skin. I need his embrace, he though playfully to himself. A grin spread across his face that Harry noticed, his eyes now intent on Seamus' every action.
"Yeah," Seamus said, now leaning back on Ron's bed, his knees threatening to buckle at any moment. "I have not stopped thinking about it since…" What was that? How foolish do you sound, Seamus? he questioned himself, feeling overly embarrassed. Harry's emeralds shone in his direction, and Seamus was relieved that Harry took it as a compliment. "I never…never knew, heh…" he finished, now blushing.
"Right. Same. What are we going to do?" Harry asked an obvious question, and cursed himself for sounding so insecure. Just before Seamus had a chance for any utterance, they realized they were going to be late for class. They gave each other aggravated looks, both clearly wishing they had more time to sort this out.
"Lunch, Harry?" Harry blinked at this. What was he questioning? Was he asking if Harry was going to have lunch or if Harry would join him for lunch? Harry settled for the most ambiguous word he could pull out of his head.
"Brilliant." Seamus flashed Harry his favorite, suggestive smile.