All right, so it wasn't posted over the weekend… But it's here now, and a pretty good chapter, if I may say so myself! A lot of mixed media, and a rather evil-sounding Lavender Brown. Why not stop for a minute and read?

When Head and Heart Disagree

Dear Astaerel,

Oliver is gone for two weeks on some mission! I sound so stupid, don't I? And selfish; I know he's going to help bring the Ministry to the Light side again, but why does he have to leave me? But then, he couldn't exactly chain me to his belt as he duels with random Death Eaters, could he? I suppose this isn't a time to joke.

And why does he have to leave just after we've made love for the first time; the first time in our lives? I sound like a three-year-old who has lost her blankie, but I feel so horrid. What if he dies? I managed to put a ward on him before he left, but it'll rather narrowly last two weeks, and only blocks the hexes that I already know. Which, though Oliver, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hagrid dispute, isn't reliable. You-Know-Who seems to be constantly making up new hexes; Professor Dumbledore only barely knew some of the ones he used at Oxford. I suppose that I am stupid, but wisest is she who knows that she knows nothing, eh? I've read Sophie's World a few too many times…Truly, though, Harry and Ron are always the ones off on adventures; in our second year, I was Petrified, in fifth year, I was taking that extra course in Mythology, and I feel as if I'll be left behind. Granted, this is probably just some sort of depression, or worry for Oliver, and the rest of the world, for that matter. But who can say? I'll try and write more soon, the note under my pillow this morning has put my head into a muddle, and time may heal all wounds and clear all muddled heads, eh?

Hermione

°

"Hermione, why such the long face?" the dark-haired girl asked, pinning her long braid to her head. This being a weekend, Parvati Patil was dressed to kill, her revealing dark blue and silver robes showing off her figure, her face, and made boys drool as they walked past her in the halls.

"It's…it's Oliver," Hermione whispered, staring at her tightly clasped hands, "He's gone on so-some sort o-of mission f-for Dumbledore." The girl was barely able to keep tears back; the effort was flushing her cheeks, contrasting sharply with her grayish-pale face.

"He has? Poor Hermione; I didn't know you were still going out with Oliver! But…" Here she was cut off, for Hermione had fainted, falling forward off of her bed.

"Poor, dear Hermione," she murmured, laying the girl gently on her four-poster, "Why the Sages, when she finally gets away from her stack of books, does she fall in love with one of Dumbledore's dashing men? She's so sweet; why was she cursed with having so little fun?"

That Saturday was greeted with a newly thoughtful Parvati Patil, but then, when the wizardring world depends on the Boy who Lived for its survival, is that so surprising?

°

She'll be worried about me. Why does she have to be so caring, so wonderful? Harry and Ron said she was pining for me last time, and that was only three days! Poor girl, she's been so independent for all these years… Though it could've just been a front, all that bossiness, to hide that she had a heart of mush for anyone who was decent enough to see it. I couldn't see it at first. Thank Agrippa that she was looking for an empty compartment…

Dumbledore said I could send some owls, though. And this isn't too bad; I got to finish my night in the Leaky Cauldron. If only this interview with Fudge will go easily; if only he puts me in a department that's not too bad. Arthur Weasley's would be perfect, really safe. He could probably get messages to Hermione, tell her not to worry for me…

°

"Miss Granger!" Professor Snape's sharp voice broke through her daymare, of Oliver, dead, in her arms, "Where has your head been? You were supposed to add only two faerie's wings to this potion; you've added at least eight! Twenty points from Gryffindor!"

"Hermione!" Lavender whispered from the cauldron next to her, "What is wrong with you? You know Snape looks for any damn excuse to take points from Gryffindor; why do you let him?"

"Why in the world does it matter?" she replied in a solemn whisper, for it was Tuesday, and it was eleven days before Oliver would return, if he returned at all… But the ring was still blue, and her heart was still in some sort of ease.

°

The rest of Oliver's time away will be covered in the next chapter, I think… The second set of italics is from Oliver's POV, in case it was confusing. And no, Lavender isn't that evil all the time, I think. I'm running out of things to say, but expect the next chapter over the weekend, but sooner, if at all possible… And now, to thank the reviewers!

mandy weasley- Thanks! And the ring is back; I hope its appearance tickles your fancy!

G*Ness- Nope, probably won't kill of Oliver. Unless I do an AU ficlet. You'll see why soon enough… ;) I'm not wanting to give *anything* away, eh? Your Chapter 4 was really snazzy, btw. I've forgotten to review, tho!

cinder- You can't? Everyone says this; I'll try and write as fast as I can! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, though!

plastic knife- Do you love this fic as much as I love the concept of pie squared? (Rather inside joke…) Did this chapter meet your expectations?

Snowdiamond- She should? ::takes this into consideration:: You'll find out in about three or four chapters, I think. Yesh, I'm forcing you to be patient, and I know I'm evil! XD I read your fic; forgot if I reviewed it, but it was funnie!

michee- I hate to sound stupid, but what jealousy? Regarding Hannah, you mean? Maybe I should bring that back into play… And another who wants 'em to have a child? Interesting! I'm glad you love it; review whenever you can!

Please remember to review, and also, to read Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder! It's one of my favorite books (tied with Lord of the Rings for favorite, actually), and Hermione obviously loves it, so why not give it a chance? And why not review? ;)

~ Rosie Sinistra