The Hugh Mitchell bounty is still in effect. Stand by for a heaping
spoonful of angst and hurt feelings. Please keep arms and legs inside the
car at all times and enjoy your ride.
Morning did come early. Actually, the smell of bacon rolling up the stairs and under the door came early. The smell crawled to Colin and Harry first. Colin woke up and immediately knew he had to pee now. So, in those first few seconds of coherency, he forgot that he was sleeping next to Harry on the floor and started walking to the door.
"Ah, bloody hell," Harry said as Colin stepped on his hand.
"Sorry Harry, didn't mean to. I just have to go and forgot you were there."
"Huh? Oh, have a good time. Don't shake it too much…" Harry groggily said. He smelled the bacon and looked up at the clock. It was only a quarter past six. Harry heard a flush from down the hall and sat up. It was too early for breakfast. His stomach growled, reminding him that it is never too early for breakfast
Harry pushed his hair back out of his eyes and discovered that he needed to use the head also. He almost ran into Colin in the hallway as they were both busy rubbing eye bogeys. "Sorry Colin, not quite awake yet," Harry stammered.
"No problem. Come on downstairs when you're done. Mum is making breakfast. Harry decided that was a wonderful idea and pulled the bathroom door behind him.
A flush and a wash later, Harry walked past the snoring room containing Ron and Dennis. He considered waking them, but decided to let them lay a bit longer. As he came down and headed into the kitchen, he saw Colin's father putting a hat on and heading out the door followed by his mother.
"He wasn't really sick, he just didn't want to clean the garage," Colin told Harry as he sat down. "Dennis and I think it's rather funny, but mum doesn't agree."
Harry was grinning with him, then got real serious. "Colin, I just want to tell you thank you for bringing Hermione here. Who knows what might have happened if you weren't out. Thanks." Colin looked so awestruck. Harry Potter was thanking him. He could have been knighted by the queen and given the keys to the kingdom and it would have meant nothing compared to the one word Harry uttered.
"You're - you're welcome Harry." Colin couldn't think of anything else to say. He was still trying to get over the fact that Harry, the Boy Who Lived, was thanking *him*, Colin Creevey, the Boy Who Was Nothing.
Harry smiled at him and reached over and ruffled his unusually mousy hair. "Your bacon is getting cold, Colin." Colin smiled back and picked up a piece of pig.
Jodee walked back in the house and picked up a slice of her own. "Your father, he….Oh. That man. It's a good thing I love him." she glanced over at the clock and saw that it said 'they'll be here soon', and told Colin to run upstairs and rouse the others. Up the steps he bounded, still grinning ear to ear.
"Harry, I'd like to thank you. Your being here has changed my son."
"Uh, you're welcome. I didn't know that I did anything."
"You wouldn't. He idolizes you, Harry. Everything is Harry, Harry, Harry. Thank you for giving him your time."
Now it was Harry's turn to be stunned. He had never really considered it before. It started registering in his head yesterday, after he saw the Wall of Potter. Before, he just saw Colin as an annoyance. Today he saw him as a friend. (is that not sappy or what?) Colin came bounding back down the stairs with Dennis and Ron and a few dignified steps behind them, Hermione.
Mrs. Creevey pulled a tray of orange rolls out of the oven and set them on the counter. Her hair fell in front of her eyes, or else she would have seen Ron staring at her as she set the tray down. Maybe she did see it, because her hair also hid her mouth, which just might have been curled in a slight smile. After a delicious breakfast of rolls, bacon and orange juice, the clock changed to 'they're here' and there was a rapping on the front door.
"Ah, that must be the Ministry people." Jodee walked to the door with Ron's eyes following her every step. Hermione pushed his jaw back into the fully upright position. Everyone else saw this and had a laugh at Ron's expense. "Oh, yes, do come in," they heard.
Behind Mrs. Creevey were Ron's mum and dad. They rushed to Hermione and Molly asked if she was okay.
"I'm fine. Really. I'm fine."
"We were extremely worried when we heard the news, dear. No one knew where you were for many hours," Arthur said. "We're glad you're safe."
As if suddenly remembering that her two sons were sitting at the table (technically only Ron her is her son , but Molly isn't a very technical person) she looked at Colin's mum and said, "I hope they weren't too much trouble. They can sure cause a bit of worry to a body."
"No, they were perfect young men." she tucked a stray hair behind her ear and shot Ron an almost imperceptible grin to Ron, who missed it. "They could stay over anytime. And the same for you, Hermione, just hopefully under better circumstances next time."
Colin had jumped up from the table and flown up the steps while the mums were talking and returned with his camera just as Ron's mum said "Well boys, do you have everything?"
"Uh, Harry, could I have one more picture, of the group of you, before you go?"
"Sure, you don't mind, do you guys?"
"Of course not," spoke Hermione. "Sure," chimed Ron, and Dennis shook his head negatively.
The four of them huddled together and as Colin was about to snap the picture, Harry spoke up. "Something isn't right."
Colin looked around. "Is it the light? You might be right. Or, maybe-"
"No, what's wrong is you're holding the camera. Mrs. Creevey, would you mind?" Harry asked.
"Not at all." the five stood together, Colin beaming with pride and standing next to his hero, the others with good smiles as well. *Snap*.
They said their final goodbyes and gathered their brooms. "See you in a week or so, you guys," Colin and Dennis called. Harry and company turned and waved and got into the car.
As they pulled out of the driveway, Molly turned around and looked at the three of them, her boys in particular. "Are you two insane? Flying all that way on broomstick? What were you thinking?" she didn't sound exactly mad, nor disappointed, just surprised at a big lapse in good judgment.
"Well mum, we *had* to get there. The Creeveys didn't have a fireplace, you all were gone, what were we supposed to do? And besides, we were mostly invisible."
"I'm not mad, Ron, how could I be? You showed up for your friend when she needed it. I'm really proud of you two."
"Hermione, if you don't mind, could you tell me what happened? It might help us help your parents and catch those responsible," Arthur said from the front seat.
Hermione related the entire story from the odd feeling in the movie to when Colin woke her on the street. When she was done, Mrs. Weasley was rummaging in her enormous handbag for something. "Well, I just remembered that your Hogwarts letters all came this morning, but I apparently forgot to pick them up. Oh well, they're on the table then." The rest of the ride home was filled with idle chit chat, nothing of vital importance.
"Mum, will you make handburgers for lunch?" Ron asked out of the blue.
"This once, and this once only, Ronald."
*The Miles Roll By*
After a delicious hamburger lunch (even better than Mrs. Creeveys if that is possible) the trio went outside. They were alone; Ginny was out, as were the twins.
"Harry, are you sure that we were at Colin Creevey's house? That wasn't the same boy I remember from Hogwarts. What'd you do, put a spell on him or something?" Ron asked as they lay in the field looking at clouds.
"No, actually, I just talked to him."
"That's it? We could have shut him up three years ago then," Ron said.
"He's a good kid, Ron," Harry snapped back at Ron and looking hurt, he got up.
"What'd I say?" Ron said to Hermione as Harry walked away. "What'd I say?" Ron felt a very strange feeling when Harry reproached him seconds ago. Was that jealousy?
"You obviously just insulted Harry's friend. If you hadn't been so busy staring at his mum, you might have noticed that the two of them actually got to know each other."
"I didn't mean to. I guess I was a bit preoccupied. But I didn't mean anything by it. Honest."
"Well, I'm obviously not the one you upset, so telling me that you didn't mean anything by it gets you nowhere. I might wait a bit if I were you, though, he seemed a bit hot." Hermione got up and walked back toward the house. "I'm getting some lemonade, do you want any?"
"Um, no thanks. I'm fine," Ron said as she stepped inside.
*Now We Are Privy To the Inner Thoughts of Certain Characters*
Ron---
"Dammit, Ronald Weasley, what's wrong with you? You just insulted your best friend. There he goes, out into the field. Smooth Ron, smooth. How was I supposed to know that he and Autograph Hound were friends. Doh! I just did it again. Dammit. Is Hermione right? Was I really staring at his mum that much? Well, she was bewitchingly beautiful. I couldn't help it. Well, some of it. How is she so perfect and Colin so… Stop it! Quit downing him. That's what got Harry mad in the first place. She's right. I should go and apologize to him. I do think I'll wait until he cools off a bit. And to think, I'm a redhead and he has a worse temper than I do. Jodee's a redhead too. Get out of my mind, woman. I'll get some lemonade first then find Harry. That'll give him some time."
Hermione---
"Oh, great job Ron. Just great. Sometimes you are so….stupid. If you could have torn your eyes away from Mrs. Creevey for a minute…Arg. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it. I hope. Oh my! Is he… no, that's not it. At least I have this piece of drama to deal with for a while. Keep my mind off…I think I'm holding up fine, and I know the boys think I am. Am I? Oh bother, I don't know. Just focus on school, Hermione, you can get through this. I'll take Ron some lemonade anyway."
Harry---
"That little prat. How dare he? Who does he think he is, talking bad about Colin? Like Ron is so perfect. Ha! I think not. 'We could have shut him up three years ago.' Whatever. If he weren't so bloody enthralled by Colin's mum, he could have said more than ten words to Colin in all the time we were there. Sure she's pretty and all, but goodness, Ron. Push your eyeballs back into their sockets. Stupid boy. I'll just climb the tree here and cool down for a while. There's a good branch up there. You'd best stay off a bit Ron, go think about *Jodee* some more. (a vocal 'harrumph' accompanied the last part)
Over the course of the next thirty minutes, Ron felt increasingly sorry for what he said, Harry got progressively madder, and Hermione was busy listening to Ron pine.
"I walked into the field and called out his name, but he didn't answer. I guess he went walking for a while. I didn't mean it, Hermione, I swear it."
"I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt him, Ron, but you did. I'm sure that Harry'll cool off and come back in after a while."
"I feel awful. He's my best friend. I was so thoughtless."
"Yes, you were. You shouldn't say anything you can't take back, you know. You never know who you might hurt."
"I know, I know.."
This went on for a while, Ron blubbering and Hermione listening and chiding him, and Harry in the tree steaming. This went on for the rest of the day. Ron was walking on eggshells, trying to apologize to Harry whenever he saw him. Harry was trying to avoid him like a bad cliché. Finally, Ron stopped Harry in the backyard and attempted to apologize. I say attempted because as he was speaking to Harry, he accidentally insulted Colin again. This was completely unintentional on Ron's part, maybe a Freudian slip or some other subconscious thing, and after he realized what he said, Ron's mouth hung open. Harry's was also wide open, in equal shock. He blinked and pulled back his fist as if to punch Ron, but held it and looked at the redhead. His gaze wavered and he then dropped the fist and simply walked away, shaking his head.
Ron stood there for a full ten-count and then fell to his knees in the grass. Hermione just happened to be watching the short exchange between the boys from the kitchen window. She saw Harry's jaw drop and him pull back his fist threateningly. She watched as Harry turned his back on Ron and walked out the gate and into the street. She hurried out the door.
By the time she reached him, Ron was bawling in the grass. "Ron, what just happened?"
"He hates me, I know he does," Ron said between sobs. "I was trying to apologize to him about before, when, all of a sudden I said something else terrible about him. I didn't even mean to. I wasn't even thinking anything bad about him. It just fell out of my mouth." Ron was still sobbing heavily, with his face buried in his hands.
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you, Ron, he's just really, really mad right now. I'll talk to him when he comes back. What exactly did you say this time?"
"I- I don't really even know. It was all so fast and--" he broke off, unable to continue.
"Oh, Ron."
Okay, that wasn't what I planned on writing, but it just happened that way. I like it. I hope you enjoy it also. I need to quit thinking of new ideas….. Oh well.
Morning did come early. Actually, the smell of bacon rolling up the stairs and under the door came early. The smell crawled to Colin and Harry first. Colin woke up and immediately knew he had to pee now. So, in those first few seconds of coherency, he forgot that he was sleeping next to Harry on the floor and started walking to the door.
"Ah, bloody hell," Harry said as Colin stepped on his hand.
"Sorry Harry, didn't mean to. I just have to go and forgot you were there."
"Huh? Oh, have a good time. Don't shake it too much…" Harry groggily said. He smelled the bacon and looked up at the clock. It was only a quarter past six. Harry heard a flush from down the hall and sat up. It was too early for breakfast. His stomach growled, reminding him that it is never too early for breakfast
Harry pushed his hair back out of his eyes and discovered that he needed to use the head also. He almost ran into Colin in the hallway as they were both busy rubbing eye bogeys. "Sorry Colin, not quite awake yet," Harry stammered.
"No problem. Come on downstairs when you're done. Mum is making breakfast. Harry decided that was a wonderful idea and pulled the bathroom door behind him.
A flush and a wash later, Harry walked past the snoring room containing Ron and Dennis. He considered waking them, but decided to let them lay a bit longer. As he came down and headed into the kitchen, he saw Colin's father putting a hat on and heading out the door followed by his mother.
"He wasn't really sick, he just didn't want to clean the garage," Colin told Harry as he sat down. "Dennis and I think it's rather funny, but mum doesn't agree."
Harry was grinning with him, then got real serious. "Colin, I just want to tell you thank you for bringing Hermione here. Who knows what might have happened if you weren't out. Thanks." Colin looked so awestruck. Harry Potter was thanking him. He could have been knighted by the queen and given the keys to the kingdom and it would have meant nothing compared to the one word Harry uttered.
"You're - you're welcome Harry." Colin couldn't think of anything else to say. He was still trying to get over the fact that Harry, the Boy Who Lived, was thanking *him*, Colin Creevey, the Boy Who Was Nothing.
Harry smiled at him and reached over and ruffled his unusually mousy hair. "Your bacon is getting cold, Colin." Colin smiled back and picked up a piece of pig.
Jodee walked back in the house and picked up a slice of her own. "Your father, he….Oh. That man. It's a good thing I love him." she glanced over at the clock and saw that it said 'they'll be here soon', and told Colin to run upstairs and rouse the others. Up the steps he bounded, still grinning ear to ear.
"Harry, I'd like to thank you. Your being here has changed my son."
"Uh, you're welcome. I didn't know that I did anything."
"You wouldn't. He idolizes you, Harry. Everything is Harry, Harry, Harry. Thank you for giving him your time."
Now it was Harry's turn to be stunned. He had never really considered it before. It started registering in his head yesterday, after he saw the Wall of Potter. Before, he just saw Colin as an annoyance. Today he saw him as a friend. (is that not sappy or what?) Colin came bounding back down the stairs with Dennis and Ron and a few dignified steps behind them, Hermione.
Mrs. Creevey pulled a tray of orange rolls out of the oven and set them on the counter. Her hair fell in front of her eyes, or else she would have seen Ron staring at her as she set the tray down. Maybe she did see it, because her hair also hid her mouth, which just might have been curled in a slight smile. After a delicious breakfast of rolls, bacon and orange juice, the clock changed to 'they're here' and there was a rapping on the front door.
"Ah, that must be the Ministry people." Jodee walked to the door with Ron's eyes following her every step. Hermione pushed his jaw back into the fully upright position. Everyone else saw this and had a laugh at Ron's expense. "Oh, yes, do come in," they heard.
Behind Mrs. Creevey were Ron's mum and dad. They rushed to Hermione and Molly asked if she was okay.
"I'm fine. Really. I'm fine."
"We were extremely worried when we heard the news, dear. No one knew where you were for many hours," Arthur said. "We're glad you're safe."
As if suddenly remembering that her two sons were sitting at the table (technically only Ron her is her son , but Molly isn't a very technical person) she looked at Colin's mum and said, "I hope they weren't too much trouble. They can sure cause a bit of worry to a body."
"No, they were perfect young men." she tucked a stray hair behind her ear and shot Ron an almost imperceptible grin to Ron, who missed it. "They could stay over anytime. And the same for you, Hermione, just hopefully under better circumstances next time."
Colin had jumped up from the table and flown up the steps while the mums were talking and returned with his camera just as Ron's mum said "Well boys, do you have everything?"
"Uh, Harry, could I have one more picture, of the group of you, before you go?"
"Sure, you don't mind, do you guys?"
"Of course not," spoke Hermione. "Sure," chimed Ron, and Dennis shook his head negatively.
The four of them huddled together and as Colin was about to snap the picture, Harry spoke up. "Something isn't right."
Colin looked around. "Is it the light? You might be right. Or, maybe-"
"No, what's wrong is you're holding the camera. Mrs. Creevey, would you mind?" Harry asked.
"Not at all." the five stood together, Colin beaming with pride and standing next to his hero, the others with good smiles as well. *Snap*.
They said their final goodbyes and gathered their brooms. "See you in a week or so, you guys," Colin and Dennis called. Harry and company turned and waved and got into the car.
As they pulled out of the driveway, Molly turned around and looked at the three of them, her boys in particular. "Are you two insane? Flying all that way on broomstick? What were you thinking?" she didn't sound exactly mad, nor disappointed, just surprised at a big lapse in good judgment.
"Well mum, we *had* to get there. The Creeveys didn't have a fireplace, you all were gone, what were we supposed to do? And besides, we were mostly invisible."
"I'm not mad, Ron, how could I be? You showed up for your friend when she needed it. I'm really proud of you two."
"Hermione, if you don't mind, could you tell me what happened? It might help us help your parents and catch those responsible," Arthur said from the front seat.
Hermione related the entire story from the odd feeling in the movie to when Colin woke her on the street. When she was done, Mrs. Weasley was rummaging in her enormous handbag for something. "Well, I just remembered that your Hogwarts letters all came this morning, but I apparently forgot to pick them up. Oh well, they're on the table then." The rest of the ride home was filled with idle chit chat, nothing of vital importance.
"Mum, will you make handburgers for lunch?" Ron asked out of the blue.
"This once, and this once only, Ronald."
*The Miles Roll By*
After a delicious hamburger lunch (even better than Mrs. Creeveys if that is possible) the trio went outside. They were alone; Ginny was out, as were the twins.
"Harry, are you sure that we were at Colin Creevey's house? That wasn't the same boy I remember from Hogwarts. What'd you do, put a spell on him or something?" Ron asked as they lay in the field looking at clouds.
"No, actually, I just talked to him."
"That's it? We could have shut him up three years ago then," Ron said.
"He's a good kid, Ron," Harry snapped back at Ron and looking hurt, he got up.
"What'd I say?" Ron said to Hermione as Harry walked away. "What'd I say?" Ron felt a very strange feeling when Harry reproached him seconds ago. Was that jealousy?
"You obviously just insulted Harry's friend. If you hadn't been so busy staring at his mum, you might have noticed that the two of them actually got to know each other."
"I didn't mean to. I guess I was a bit preoccupied. But I didn't mean anything by it. Honest."
"Well, I'm obviously not the one you upset, so telling me that you didn't mean anything by it gets you nowhere. I might wait a bit if I were you, though, he seemed a bit hot." Hermione got up and walked back toward the house. "I'm getting some lemonade, do you want any?"
"Um, no thanks. I'm fine," Ron said as she stepped inside.
*Now We Are Privy To the Inner Thoughts of Certain Characters*
Ron---
"Dammit, Ronald Weasley, what's wrong with you? You just insulted your best friend. There he goes, out into the field. Smooth Ron, smooth. How was I supposed to know that he and Autograph Hound were friends. Doh! I just did it again. Dammit. Is Hermione right? Was I really staring at his mum that much? Well, she was bewitchingly beautiful. I couldn't help it. Well, some of it. How is she so perfect and Colin so… Stop it! Quit downing him. That's what got Harry mad in the first place. She's right. I should go and apologize to him. I do think I'll wait until he cools off a bit. And to think, I'm a redhead and he has a worse temper than I do. Jodee's a redhead too. Get out of my mind, woman. I'll get some lemonade first then find Harry. That'll give him some time."
Hermione---
"Oh, great job Ron. Just great. Sometimes you are so….stupid. If you could have torn your eyes away from Mrs. Creevey for a minute…Arg. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it. I hope. Oh my! Is he… no, that's not it. At least I have this piece of drama to deal with for a while. Keep my mind off…I think I'm holding up fine, and I know the boys think I am. Am I? Oh bother, I don't know. Just focus on school, Hermione, you can get through this. I'll take Ron some lemonade anyway."
Harry---
"That little prat. How dare he? Who does he think he is, talking bad about Colin? Like Ron is so perfect. Ha! I think not. 'We could have shut him up three years ago.' Whatever. If he weren't so bloody enthralled by Colin's mum, he could have said more than ten words to Colin in all the time we were there. Sure she's pretty and all, but goodness, Ron. Push your eyeballs back into their sockets. Stupid boy. I'll just climb the tree here and cool down for a while. There's a good branch up there. You'd best stay off a bit Ron, go think about *Jodee* some more. (a vocal 'harrumph' accompanied the last part)
Over the course of the next thirty minutes, Ron felt increasingly sorry for what he said, Harry got progressively madder, and Hermione was busy listening to Ron pine.
"I walked into the field and called out his name, but he didn't answer. I guess he went walking for a while. I didn't mean it, Hermione, I swear it."
"I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt him, Ron, but you did. I'm sure that Harry'll cool off and come back in after a while."
"I feel awful. He's my best friend. I was so thoughtless."
"Yes, you were. You shouldn't say anything you can't take back, you know. You never know who you might hurt."
"I know, I know.."
This went on for a while, Ron blubbering and Hermione listening and chiding him, and Harry in the tree steaming. This went on for the rest of the day. Ron was walking on eggshells, trying to apologize to Harry whenever he saw him. Harry was trying to avoid him like a bad cliché. Finally, Ron stopped Harry in the backyard and attempted to apologize. I say attempted because as he was speaking to Harry, he accidentally insulted Colin again. This was completely unintentional on Ron's part, maybe a Freudian slip or some other subconscious thing, and after he realized what he said, Ron's mouth hung open. Harry's was also wide open, in equal shock. He blinked and pulled back his fist as if to punch Ron, but held it and looked at the redhead. His gaze wavered and he then dropped the fist and simply walked away, shaking his head.
Ron stood there for a full ten-count and then fell to his knees in the grass. Hermione just happened to be watching the short exchange between the boys from the kitchen window. She saw Harry's jaw drop and him pull back his fist threateningly. She watched as Harry turned his back on Ron and walked out the gate and into the street. She hurried out the door.
By the time she reached him, Ron was bawling in the grass. "Ron, what just happened?"
"He hates me, I know he does," Ron said between sobs. "I was trying to apologize to him about before, when, all of a sudden I said something else terrible about him. I didn't even mean to. I wasn't even thinking anything bad about him. It just fell out of my mouth." Ron was still sobbing heavily, with his face buried in his hands.
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you, Ron, he's just really, really mad right now. I'll talk to him when he comes back. What exactly did you say this time?"
"I- I don't really even know. It was all so fast and--" he broke off, unable to continue.
"Oh, Ron."
Okay, that wasn't what I planned on writing, but it just happened that way. I like it. I hope you enjoy it also. I need to quit thinking of new ideas….. Oh well.