Summary: Ron works at rebuilding his friendship with Hermione - and then he receives bad news...
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling, except for a couple I've added.
Author's Notes: Ron's POV. In answer to some reviewers' questions, there *will* be more Snape and more slushy romance (not with Snape!) later on.
The Best Man 2: The Search for Snape, Part 3.
"So, Ron, what's the latest on Lockhart and - Malfoy?" asked Harry, as they sat around talking after dinner at Broomstick Cottage.
"Or is it classified information?" asked Ginny, sitting next to him.
"Not to you," Ron said, quirking an eyebrow at her. "I can't tell you much more than what's already been in the papers. We've just been preparing the case for the trial."
"Have you seen them?" Hermione asked quietly. Ron turned towards her.
"Yes. Several times."
"I bet they weren't pleased to see you," said Harry.
"Not really. Lockhart's sort of collapsed since he was arrested. He just sits in the corner of his cell and mutters to himself. He doesn't really seem to understand what's happening. And Malfoy - well - I thought his attitude was strange."
"What was strange about it?" Hermione asked.
"Well, you'd expect him to be furious - like he was the night we arrested him. I thought he'd be yelling abuse at me. But he seemed very - pleased - with himself when I saw him last week."
"Pleased!" Ginny exclaimed. "What's he got to be pleased about? He's finally going to get his just deserts."
"I know - but he kept smiling that nasty little smile of his - you know the one -" They all nodded fervently. "And he smirked at me when I said I'd see him at the trial. It was as if he didn't think there was going to be any trial."
"That's weird," said Harry. "Mind you, I wouldn't put it past Malfoy to be plotting something. He usually is."
"I know. But he's under guard all the time. I don't know what he can really do."
"Ron - would you come and help me clear up a bit in the kitchen?" Ginny asked, getting up with some plates in her hands and jerking Ron a meaning look. He recognised it as a look which meant his sister wanted to have a private word with him, and followed her meekly, leaving Harry and Hermione to chat.
"What's up?" Ron asked, stacking the washing-up in the sink.
Ginny had pushed the kitchen door nearly shut. "Will Harry really have to go and give evidence at the trial, Ron? Isn't there any way you can get him out of it?"
Ron was a little surprised. "Not really," he said, looking at his sister's earnest face. "He's the main witness - he has to give evidence about how Malfoy and Lockhart banged him on the head and kidnapped him."
"I suppose so."
"What's the matter? Doesn't he want to go?"
"Oh, he hasn't said anything like that - it's just -" Ginny hesitated. "Don't tell him that I said anything to you, but he's been having awful nightmares about the whole thing, quite often."
"About Malfoy?"
"Yes. He won't tell me all the details, but I know he wakes up in a panic some nights, reliving the kidnapping."
"Well, it must have been traumatic - but Harry's been in bad situations before..." Ron thought about it for a moment. "He did have nightmares at school sometimes, I remember - but I think they were mostly about Voldemort killing his parents." He was silent for a moment. "Perhaps it will be good for him to talk about what happened, at the trial - it might help him to stop thinking about it afterwards."
"Maybe. Oh well. It can't be helped." But Ginny sighed, as she flicked her wand towards the washing-up, which started cleaning itself with soft clinks.
"Is everything else all right?" Ron asked, not liking to see her looking so worried. "With you and Harry, I mean?"
Ginny's face cleared. "Oh yes - fine! But it's been so busy lately, with the Hurricanes' season starting, we don't know if we're coming or going."
Ron grinned. "When this trial is over I must try to come up and catch a game - I haven't been to a good Quidditch match for months."
"You're a workaholic, that's why," Ginny scolded him, as they went back into the living room to join the others. "You should take more time off."
Harry caught the last remark. "No good telling him that, Gin, you know work comes first for Ron!"
Ron smiled at this, but inside he wondered, is it true? Is my work really the most important thing in my life now? And should it be?
Talking of work had made Hermione check the time. "I should really be going, I suppose. I have to walk back to Hogwarts and it's getting late. Thanks for the great meal, Ginny. It was good to see you all."
Ginny looked out of the window. "It's very dark - maybe Harry or Ron should walk up to the castle with you?"
"I'm sure I'll be all right - " Hermione began, at exactly the same moment as Ron said,
"I'll go, if you like." They both stopped, and Ron flicked her a quick glance before saying, "Of course, it's up to you."
She hesitated for a moment. Ron couldn't read her expression, but she said, "Um - thanks. O.K., if you don't mind." Ron wondered if she was being polite or if she really did want his company.
"Good," said Ginny firmly. "I know it's not that far but I wouldn't fancy wandering about after dark on that path by myself - you never know what might come out of the Forbidden Forest."
Hermione gave Ginny a laughing look as she put on her cloak. "You think something nasty's going to come and get me?"
"I'm sure with your powers you could defend yourself against most things," Ron said to Hermione, also reaching for his cloak, "but I'll come anyway. I probably need a walk after all that food you stuffed us with, Ginny."
Hermione called goodnight as they set off. "I won't be too long," Ron told his sister, as she handed him a small lantern. He was staying overnight at Broomstick Cottage.
The night was still quite mild as Ron and Hermione set off down the lane, and the dark sky was cloudy, although now and again the new moon emerged from the clouds.
For about five minutes they walked in silence, tracing the familiar route through Hogsmeade towards the gates of the Hogwarts grounds. It wasn't an unfriendly silence, but Ron couldn't think of the right remark to make under the circumstances. He had been thinking about Hermione a lot ever since the events of the wedding weekend, but even so, he had been surprised at just how very glad he had been to see her when she had come to the M.L.E.S. to make her statement. She had been pleasant and friendly that day, but she was so self-possessed that Ron had no idea how she pictured their relationship developing, now that they were back on speaking terms. Did she just want to be friends, or was there still a chance that they could have more than friendship again? It was true that she wasn't with Stephen any more, but for all Ron knew there could be someone else in her life by now. It had been on the very night they had rescued Harry that Ron had admitted to himself what he secretly wanted - Hermione, back in his life again. In six years, no one had even come close to filling the gap she had left. But he knew - from bitter experience - just how much their break-up had affected her, and he knew it was a lot to hope for that she would risk letting him be the most important person in her life again.
"So - how's Neville?" he asked, suddenly realising how long the silence had lasted, and asking the first thing that came into his head.
Hermione smiled. "Oh, he's fine. The students love him - he's not exactly a disciplinarian but they seem to feel they have to look after him. I saw two second year girls the other day, chasing after him to give him his books and his wand he'd forgotten to take to a lesson."
Ron grinned at this.
"And the Gryffindors are terribly careful about losing house points these days," Hermione continued. "One of them told me they didn't like losing points because they didn't want to upset Professor Longbottom."
"Not much like our day, then," Ron said. "Between you, me, Harry and the twins we must have lost Gryffindor points by the sackfull."
Hermione looked a little shamefaced. "Mm. Anyway, it's a nice staff - I'm lucky to be working with people like Neville and Remus and Minerva. The only person I'm not so keen on is Grace Gaunt, the Arithmancy teacher and Head of Slytherin - and even she's not half as bad as Snape used to be."
"She couldn't be worse, could she?" They had reached the darkest part of the path, with tall trees looming on each side. Ron's lantern cast just enough light to see where they were going. "Did you see the person Harry thought was Snape today?"
"No - by the time I looked, he'd gone. But Harry seemed sure it was him."
"I can't help feeling Snape's up to something. He's been lying very low lately - I haven't proved anything but I'm sure he's a prime mover in the group that Malfoy belongs to. Even with Malfoy in jail I'm sure they have other plans."
They were out of the trees now and crossing the grass towards the front entrance of the castle. Most of the castle was in darkness, but there were still lights burning in some windows, and light spilling out from the front door. Two people were just walking up the front steps as Ron and Hermione approached, and in the light from the doorway Ron recognised them as Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin.
"Ah, there you are, Hermione," Professor McGonagall said, as she turned and recognised her Transfiguration teacher. "Did you have a nice evening?"
"Lovely, thank you," Hermione answered, as they all entered the hallway.
"Hullo, Ron," said Remus Lupin. "Coming to visit the dear old school?" He said this with an ironic look at Ron, who smiled, but thought inwardly that Lupin didn't miss much, and could probably read him like a book.
"Not really. I'm just walking Hermione back here."
"It's a very fine night," Professor McGonagall agreed. "We've just taken a last stroll around the grounds - I must say the Quidditch pitch is looking in splendid condition, I must congratulate Mumble."
"Come up for a drink, you two," Lupin invited Ron and Hermione. Ron waited for Hermione's reply before he accepted too. Saying goodnight to Professor McGonagall, they made their way along corridors and upstairs to the wing where most of the teachers' rooms were. They were approaching Lupin's room when the sound of hurried footsteps came from a side-corridor. Lupin paused, and looked slightly annoyed as two boys - Ron guessed they were third or fourth years - panted into view.
"Peacock - Wild - what are you doing out of Gryffindor Tower at this time of night?"
"Please, sir," gasped the taller boy, "We came to find one of the teachers because Nigel Spinnet isn't in our dormitory and we think he might have gone sleepwalking again."
"Oh, Lord. Last time he ended up on top of the Astronomy Tower." Lupin turned to Ron and Hermione. "I'd better go and investigate. I won't be long - hopefully."
"Should I come?" Hermione asked.
"No, I can manage - get Ron a drink, and I'll be with you as soon as I can."
Lupin hurried off with the two young Gryffindors. Ron couldn't suppress a smile as he remembered similar night adventures from his own Hogwarts days, and looking at Hermione he saw that she was smiling rather ruefully too. As their eyes met, Hermione said hurriedly, "This is Remus's room - mine's just up there - " She pointed further along the corridor. As she spoke, there was a peculiar muffled thud and a hiss, coming from the direction in which she was pointing. This was followed by another hiss and a loud scratching noise.
"What's that?" Ron asked, intrigued. "Hang on, though - I've heard that noise before somewhere - don't tell me -"
"It's Crookshanks," Hermione confirmed. "I must have accidentally left him shut in my room when I went out tonight. He hates being shut in."
"By the sound of it, you won't have much of a door left to shut if you don't do something about him quickly," Ron remarked. Hermione sighed, and they walked towards her door. Another loud thud rocked the door as they reached it.
Ron, who knew from experience that Crookshanks in a bad temper was not always a good thing, stood well back as Hermione opened the door and a large orange blur launched itself through the air.
"I'm sorry, Crookshanks," Hermione murmured, petting the huge cat which had leapt into her arms. "I didn't mean to shut you in."
Crookshanks answered her with an indignant "Miaow."
"Hullo, Crookshanks," said Ron, reaching out carefully to stroke the cat. Many years ago, he and Crookshanks had been sworn enemies, but they had got to know each other better after that. "I haven't seen you for a long time." Six years, he thought. He looked around. "Nice room you've got here," he said politely.
"Um - take a seat," Hermione invited him, rather to his surprise. "I'll get you a drink." Ron sat down in the nearby armchair, and promptly had his breath knocked out of him as Crookshanks leapt unexpectedly from Hermione's arms to Ron's lap. He trampled it a few times, tail waving, before sitting down with a heavy thud and starting to purr deafeningly.
"I suppose he remembers me," Ron said, rather flattered by this attention.
"Of course he does." Hermione looked as if she was trying not to laugh as she saw Crookshanks pinning Ron to the chair. She passed Ron a glass.
"Your books look good there," he said, nodding towards the shelf where he recognised Hermione's own books, her name in gilt letters on the spines. There was a similar shelf in his own flat, since he had bought each book himself, during those long years when reading her words had been the only contact he had had with her.
Hermione got herself a drink, and they talked, more easily than Ron had expected. Ron hoped he was managing to hide how much this room - full of Hermione's personality - reminded him of her old student digs where he had once visited her. Many things were different, of course, but there were enough of the old familiar things in the room to bring back a lot of memories. He didn't want to return to that time, though - he wanted to create something new - so he didn't talk about past history, but kept the conversation light, talking about Hogwarts, Harry, Ginny and his family at The Burrow.
When Crookshanks finally jumped down on to the floor, and Ron was able to move again, he looked at his watch and was amazed to see how much time had flown past while they had been talking. "I'd better go," he said, rather reluctantly. "Ginny will think something nasty's dragged me into the Forbidden Forest if I don't get back soon."
Was it his imagination, or did Hermione also look a little reluctant to end the evening? She got up, saying, "I wonder what happened to Remus? Maybe I'd better go and see if he does need more help to find Nigel." They walked to the place where the corridor divided.
"I'll see myself out," Ron said, nodding towards the stairs which would lead him down to the hallway. There was a moment of hesitation as they stood there together. Ron had a vivid memory of dancing with her at the wedding reception - the first time he had touched her in too long. He longed to touch her now - she was standing only a few feet away - to kiss her goodnight as he hadn't done for so long - but he wasn't sure how she would react. What if she didn't feel the same way? If she didn't want him to touch her again? The fragile friendship they had rebuilt in the last few weeks might be wrecked again in one careless moment. He would wait until he was sure.
So he raised his hand in a wave, as he turned to the stairs. "Hope you track down your missing student. 'Night, 'Mione."
"Goodnight, Ron." She was gone, down the corridor towards Gryffindor Tower, and now that she was out of sight Ron half-wished he had taken a chance and tried to kiss her after all.
He hurried back through the darkness, leaving the lights of Hogwarts behind him and passing through the quiet night streets of Hogsmeade, where even the Three Broomsticks was now shuttered for the night. There was a light burning in the window of Broomstick Cottage as he walked up the path, and the door was opened before he touched it. Ginny had been watching for him.
"You're late," she said, sounding more hopeful than annoyed, as though she hoped he had been using his time with Hermione well. Ron knew how his sister's mind worked.
"Sorry, I didn't mean you to stay up and wait for me-"
Harry appeared from behind Ginny. "That's all right - but there's been an owl for you." He handed Ron an envelope. "It's marked URGENT so we thought you'd better have it straight away."
Ron glanced at the envelope. "From the office." He ripped it open, scanned the short message and felt his heart sink. He looked up at Ginny and Harry, who were waiting expectantly. "Sorry, I won't be able to stay the night, after all. I must get back to London as quickly as I can."
"I hope it's not bad news," said Ginny anxiously.
Grimly, Ron nodded, crumpling the letter in his hand. "I'm afraid so - I don't know how it can have happened - but Malfoy's escaped from prison."
End of Part 3
Please review! I will try to finish part 4 at least before I go away for a week.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling, except for a couple I've added.
Author's Notes: Ron's POV. In answer to some reviewers' questions, there *will* be more Snape and more slushy romance (not with Snape!) later on.
The Best Man 2: The Search for Snape, Part 3.
"So, Ron, what's the latest on Lockhart and - Malfoy?" asked Harry, as they sat around talking after dinner at Broomstick Cottage.
"Or is it classified information?" asked Ginny, sitting next to him.
"Not to you," Ron said, quirking an eyebrow at her. "I can't tell you much more than what's already been in the papers. We've just been preparing the case for the trial."
"Have you seen them?" Hermione asked quietly. Ron turned towards her.
"Yes. Several times."
"I bet they weren't pleased to see you," said Harry.
"Not really. Lockhart's sort of collapsed since he was arrested. He just sits in the corner of his cell and mutters to himself. He doesn't really seem to understand what's happening. And Malfoy - well - I thought his attitude was strange."
"What was strange about it?" Hermione asked.
"Well, you'd expect him to be furious - like he was the night we arrested him. I thought he'd be yelling abuse at me. But he seemed very - pleased - with himself when I saw him last week."
"Pleased!" Ginny exclaimed. "What's he got to be pleased about? He's finally going to get his just deserts."
"I know - but he kept smiling that nasty little smile of his - you know the one -" They all nodded fervently. "And he smirked at me when I said I'd see him at the trial. It was as if he didn't think there was going to be any trial."
"That's weird," said Harry. "Mind you, I wouldn't put it past Malfoy to be plotting something. He usually is."
"I know. But he's under guard all the time. I don't know what he can really do."
"Ron - would you come and help me clear up a bit in the kitchen?" Ginny asked, getting up with some plates in her hands and jerking Ron a meaning look. He recognised it as a look which meant his sister wanted to have a private word with him, and followed her meekly, leaving Harry and Hermione to chat.
"What's up?" Ron asked, stacking the washing-up in the sink.
Ginny had pushed the kitchen door nearly shut. "Will Harry really have to go and give evidence at the trial, Ron? Isn't there any way you can get him out of it?"
Ron was a little surprised. "Not really," he said, looking at his sister's earnest face. "He's the main witness - he has to give evidence about how Malfoy and Lockhart banged him on the head and kidnapped him."
"I suppose so."
"What's the matter? Doesn't he want to go?"
"Oh, he hasn't said anything like that - it's just -" Ginny hesitated. "Don't tell him that I said anything to you, but he's been having awful nightmares about the whole thing, quite often."
"About Malfoy?"
"Yes. He won't tell me all the details, but I know he wakes up in a panic some nights, reliving the kidnapping."
"Well, it must have been traumatic - but Harry's been in bad situations before..." Ron thought about it for a moment. "He did have nightmares at school sometimes, I remember - but I think they were mostly about Voldemort killing his parents." He was silent for a moment. "Perhaps it will be good for him to talk about what happened, at the trial - it might help him to stop thinking about it afterwards."
"Maybe. Oh well. It can't be helped." But Ginny sighed, as she flicked her wand towards the washing-up, which started cleaning itself with soft clinks.
"Is everything else all right?" Ron asked, not liking to see her looking so worried. "With you and Harry, I mean?"
Ginny's face cleared. "Oh yes - fine! But it's been so busy lately, with the Hurricanes' season starting, we don't know if we're coming or going."
Ron grinned. "When this trial is over I must try to come up and catch a game - I haven't been to a good Quidditch match for months."
"You're a workaholic, that's why," Ginny scolded him, as they went back into the living room to join the others. "You should take more time off."
Harry caught the last remark. "No good telling him that, Gin, you know work comes first for Ron!"
Ron smiled at this, but inside he wondered, is it true? Is my work really the most important thing in my life now? And should it be?
Talking of work had made Hermione check the time. "I should really be going, I suppose. I have to walk back to Hogwarts and it's getting late. Thanks for the great meal, Ginny. It was good to see you all."
Ginny looked out of the window. "It's very dark - maybe Harry or Ron should walk up to the castle with you?"
"I'm sure I'll be all right - " Hermione began, at exactly the same moment as Ron said,
"I'll go, if you like." They both stopped, and Ron flicked her a quick glance before saying, "Of course, it's up to you."
She hesitated for a moment. Ron couldn't read her expression, but she said, "Um - thanks. O.K., if you don't mind." Ron wondered if she was being polite or if she really did want his company.
"Good," said Ginny firmly. "I know it's not that far but I wouldn't fancy wandering about after dark on that path by myself - you never know what might come out of the Forbidden Forest."
Hermione gave Ginny a laughing look as she put on her cloak. "You think something nasty's going to come and get me?"
"I'm sure with your powers you could defend yourself against most things," Ron said to Hermione, also reaching for his cloak, "but I'll come anyway. I probably need a walk after all that food you stuffed us with, Ginny."
Hermione called goodnight as they set off. "I won't be too long," Ron told his sister, as she handed him a small lantern. He was staying overnight at Broomstick Cottage.
The night was still quite mild as Ron and Hermione set off down the lane, and the dark sky was cloudy, although now and again the new moon emerged from the clouds.
For about five minutes they walked in silence, tracing the familiar route through Hogsmeade towards the gates of the Hogwarts grounds. It wasn't an unfriendly silence, but Ron couldn't think of the right remark to make under the circumstances. He had been thinking about Hermione a lot ever since the events of the wedding weekend, but even so, he had been surprised at just how very glad he had been to see her when she had come to the M.L.E.S. to make her statement. She had been pleasant and friendly that day, but she was so self-possessed that Ron had no idea how she pictured their relationship developing, now that they were back on speaking terms. Did she just want to be friends, or was there still a chance that they could have more than friendship again? It was true that she wasn't with Stephen any more, but for all Ron knew there could be someone else in her life by now. It had been on the very night they had rescued Harry that Ron had admitted to himself what he secretly wanted - Hermione, back in his life again. In six years, no one had even come close to filling the gap she had left. But he knew - from bitter experience - just how much their break-up had affected her, and he knew it was a lot to hope for that she would risk letting him be the most important person in her life again.
"So - how's Neville?" he asked, suddenly realising how long the silence had lasted, and asking the first thing that came into his head.
Hermione smiled. "Oh, he's fine. The students love him - he's not exactly a disciplinarian but they seem to feel they have to look after him. I saw two second year girls the other day, chasing after him to give him his books and his wand he'd forgotten to take to a lesson."
Ron grinned at this.
"And the Gryffindors are terribly careful about losing house points these days," Hermione continued. "One of them told me they didn't like losing points because they didn't want to upset Professor Longbottom."
"Not much like our day, then," Ron said. "Between you, me, Harry and the twins we must have lost Gryffindor points by the sackfull."
Hermione looked a little shamefaced. "Mm. Anyway, it's a nice staff - I'm lucky to be working with people like Neville and Remus and Minerva. The only person I'm not so keen on is Grace Gaunt, the Arithmancy teacher and Head of Slytherin - and even she's not half as bad as Snape used to be."
"She couldn't be worse, could she?" They had reached the darkest part of the path, with tall trees looming on each side. Ron's lantern cast just enough light to see where they were going. "Did you see the person Harry thought was Snape today?"
"No - by the time I looked, he'd gone. But Harry seemed sure it was him."
"I can't help feeling Snape's up to something. He's been lying very low lately - I haven't proved anything but I'm sure he's a prime mover in the group that Malfoy belongs to. Even with Malfoy in jail I'm sure they have other plans."
They were out of the trees now and crossing the grass towards the front entrance of the castle. Most of the castle was in darkness, but there were still lights burning in some windows, and light spilling out from the front door. Two people were just walking up the front steps as Ron and Hermione approached, and in the light from the doorway Ron recognised them as Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin.
"Ah, there you are, Hermione," Professor McGonagall said, as she turned and recognised her Transfiguration teacher. "Did you have a nice evening?"
"Lovely, thank you," Hermione answered, as they all entered the hallway.
"Hullo, Ron," said Remus Lupin. "Coming to visit the dear old school?" He said this with an ironic look at Ron, who smiled, but thought inwardly that Lupin didn't miss much, and could probably read him like a book.
"Not really. I'm just walking Hermione back here."
"It's a very fine night," Professor McGonagall agreed. "We've just taken a last stroll around the grounds - I must say the Quidditch pitch is looking in splendid condition, I must congratulate Mumble."
"Come up for a drink, you two," Lupin invited Ron and Hermione. Ron waited for Hermione's reply before he accepted too. Saying goodnight to Professor McGonagall, they made their way along corridors and upstairs to the wing where most of the teachers' rooms were. They were approaching Lupin's room when the sound of hurried footsteps came from a side-corridor. Lupin paused, and looked slightly annoyed as two boys - Ron guessed they were third or fourth years - panted into view.
"Peacock - Wild - what are you doing out of Gryffindor Tower at this time of night?"
"Please, sir," gasped the taller boy, "We came to find one of the teachers because Nigel Spinnet isn't in our dormitory and we think he might have gone sleepwalking again."
"Oh, Lord. Last time he ended up on top of the Astronomy Tower." Lupin turned to Ron and Hermione. "I'd better go and investigate. I won't be long - hopefully."
"Should I come?" Hermione asked.
"No, I can manage - get Ron a drink, and I'll be with you as soon as I can."
Lupin hurried off with the two young Gryffindors. Ron couldn't suppress a smile as he remembered similar night adventures from his own Hogwarts days, and looking at Hermione he saw that she was smiling rather ruefully too. As their eyes met, Hermione said hurriedly, "This is Remus's room - mine's just up there - " She pointed further along the corridor. As she spoke, there was a peculiar muffled thud and a hiss, coming from the direction in which she was pointing. This was followed by another hiss and a loud scratching noise.
"What's that?" Ron asked, intrigued. "Hang on, though - I've heard that noise before somewhere - don't tell me -"
"It's Crookshanks," Hermione confirmed. "I must have accidentally left him shut in my room when I went out tonight. He hates being shut in."
"By the sound of it, you won't have much of a door left to shut if you don't do something about him quickly," Ron remarked. Hermione sighed, and they walked towards her door. Another loud thud rocked the door as they reached it.
Ron, who knew from experience that Crookshanks in a bad temper was not always a good thing, stood well back as Hermione opened the door and a large orange blur launched itself through the air.
"I'm sorry, Crookshanks," Hermione murmured, petting the huge cat which had leapt into her arms. "I didn't mean to shut you in."
Crookshanks answered her with an indignant "Miaow."
"Hullo, Crookshanks," said Ron, reaching out carefully to stroke the cat. Many years ago, he and Crookshanks had been sworn enemies, but they had got to know each other better after that. "I haven't seen you for a long time." Six years, he thought. He looked around. "Nice room you've got here," he said politely.
"Um - take a seat," Hermione invited him, rather to his surprise. "I'll get you a drink." Ron sat down in the nearby armchair, and promptly had his breath knocked out of him as Crookshanks leapt unexpectedly from Hermione's arms to Ron's lap. He trampled it a few times, tail waving, before sitting down with a heavy thud and starting to purr deafeningly.
"I suppose he remembers me," Ron said, rather flattered by this attention.
"Of course he does." Hermione looked as if she was trying not to laugh as she saw Crookshanks pinning Ron to the chair. She passed Ron a glass.
"Your books look good there," he said, nodding towards the shelf where he recognised Hermione's own books, her name in gilt letters on the spines. There was a similar shelf in his own flat, since he had bought each book himself, during those long years when reading her words had been the only contact he had had with her.
Hermione got herself a drink, and they talked, more easily than Ron had expected. Ron hoped he was managing to hide how much this room - full of Hermione's personality - reminded him of her old student digs where he had once visited her. Many things were different, of course, but there were enough of the old familiar things in the room to bring back a lot of memories. He didn't want to return to that time, though - he wanted to create something new - so he didn't talk about past history, but kept the conversation light, talking about Hogwarts, Harry, Ginny and his family at The Burrow.
When Crookshanks finally jumped down on to the floor, and Ron was able to move again, he looked at his watch and was amazed to see how much time had flown past while they had been talking. "I'd better go," he said, rather reluctantly. "Ginny will think something nasty's dragged me into the Forbidden Forest if I don't get back soon."
Was it his imagination, or did Hermione also look a little reluctant to end the evening? She got up, saying, "I wonder what happened to Remus? Maybe I'd better go and see if he does need more help to find Nigel." They walked to the place where the corridor divided.
"I'll see myself out," Ron said, nodding towards the stairs which would lead him down to the hallway. There was a moment of hesitation as they stood there together. Ron had a vivid memory of dancing with her at the wedding reception - the first time he had touched her in too long. He longed to touch her now - she was standing only a few feet away - to kiss her goodnight as he hadn't done for so long - but he wasn't sure how she would react. What if she didn't feel the same way? If she didn't want him to touch her again? The fragile friendship they had rebuilt in the last few weeks might be wrecked again in one careless moment. He would wait until he was sure.
So he raised his hand in a wave, as he turned to the stairs. "Hope you track down your missing student. 'Night, 'Mione."
"Goodnight, Ron." She was gone, down the corridor towards Gryffindor Tower, and now that she was out of sight Ron half-wished he had taken a chance and tried to kiss her after all.
He hurried back through the darkness, leaving the lights of Hogwarts behind him and passing through the quiet night streets of Hogsmeade, where even the Three Broomsticks was now shuttered for the night. There was a light burning in the window of Broomstick Cottage as he walked up the path, and the door was opened before he touched it. Ginny had been watching for him.
"You're late," she said, sounding more hopeful than annoyed, as though she hoped he had been using his time with Hermione well. Ron knew how his sister's mind worked.
"Sorry, I didn't mean you to stay up and wait for me-"
Harry appeared from behind Ginny. "That's all right - but there's been an owl for you." He handed Ron an envelope. "It's marked URGENT so we thought you'd better have it straight away."
Ron glanced at the envelope. "From the office." He ripped it open, scanned the short message and felt his heart sink. He looked up at Ginny and Harry, who were waiting expectantly. "Sorry, I won't be able to stay the night, after all. I must get back to London as quickly as I can."
"I hope it's not bad news," said Ginny anxiously.
Grimly, Ron nodded, crumpling the letter in his hand. "I'm afraid so - I don't know how it can have happened - but Malfoy's escaped from prison."
End of Part 3
Please review! I will try to finish part 4 at least before I go away for a week.