1 CHAPTER SIX

"Ron? You all right?" a concerned Seamus inquired. It was after dinner, and the Gryffindors had just gone back to the common room. Most of the Gryffindors were still discussing Harry's tragic accident in the Quidditch field. The Gryffindor Quidditch team, however, was busy planning new techniques for their upcoming matches.

Seamus waved his hand in front of Ron, but he didn't stir. Seamus started clapping his hands in front of Ron's face, but still his efforts more in vain.

"Hey!" Dean practically shouted into Ron's ear. Ron shook his head and sat up straight. "Who? What? Huh? I didn't do anything!" he yelled.

"Shut up!" Wood cried. "Can't you guys see we're trying to CONCENTRATE here?!"

"Sorry," Ron said apologetically. "Um... I think I need to go to bed."

"G'night Ron," Seamus and Dean said at the same time.

"'Night," Ron said. He dragged his feet up the staircase leading to the boys' dormitories. When he was halfway up, he stopped and turned around to take a last look at the people in the common room. Alicia, Angelina, Katie, Fred, and George were poring over a piece of parchment where Wood drew his planned techniques for upcoming Quidditch matches. Seamus and Dean were eating Chocolate Frogs and Sherbet Balls from Hogsmeade. Neville was staring into his Rememberall with a very confused look, probably trying to figure out what he forgot this time. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown were giggling and chatting near the fireplace. And Hermione was poring over a piece of parchment, writing an essay for Snape.

My God, Ron said to himself, sucking in air. She is SO goddamn beautiful.

"It would be pretty easy to teach Harry these new techniques," came Wood's voice. "He easily learns things anyway."

"We should be sure not to, you know, seem like we're blaming him for our loss during the first match of the season," Katie reminded the group.

"Harry's a nice guy --- though he tends to blame himself a lot whenever we lose a Quidditch match," Angelina said sympathetically.

"We should all try to be cheerful when we visit Harry," Alicia said.

"I really feel sorry for Harry," came another voice from the other side of the common room --- Parvati's.

"Me too. I can't imagine how it feels to be hit by rampaging Bludger." Lavender agreed.

"It's too bad, though. If he hadn't been hit, we would've won." Parvati said.

"Yeah, but we can't blame him if he didn't notice the Bludger, can we?" Lavender told Parvati. "I mean, if you were the Seeker, would you notice anything else if your eyes were focused on the Snitch? I don't think so."

Damn it! Enough with this Harry talk! Ron told himself. Enraged, he stomped his way upstairs to the dormitories, his footsteps heard below.

"You OK man?" Fred called.

"Shut up!" Ron yelled. Everyone in the common room was stunned with Ron; they were silent for a few seconds, then everyone went back to their business.



Inside the dormitory . . .

Ron was really boiling inside. Couldn't the people see that Harry and Hermione were in love with each other? For goodness' sakes, it was pretty obvious already! Why couldn't they see it?

It's because they're just damn blind, Ron answered his question.

The way Harry stares at Hermione... the way Hermione reacts whenever Harry's name is mentioned... the way Harry unconsciously mutters Hermione's name in his sleep... how Hermione is overly concerned when it's about Harry... Ron took all of these into consideration.

Damn you, Harry Potter! Damn you! Ron was boiling with rage. He walked over to Harry's empty bed and stared at it for a moment. Then he started punching the pillows and the mattress.

"I hate you! I HATE YOU! Go to hell! You don't deserve to live! DIE!" Ron continued punching the pillows and mattress. He didn't dare punch the wall; he might be heard downstairs.

Ron didn't notice the heavy teardrops falling from his eyes. They stained Harry's sheets, but Ron didn't care. Oh, if Harry were here right now, Ron knew for certain that Harry'd be in the Hospital Wing with broken bones, aching muscles and a black eye.

Ron continued punching the empty bed. Soon he started kicking and throwing pillows around the dormitory. He knew he was wasting energy, but he didn't care.

At last, his legs couldn't hold him up any longer and he was forced to lie down on his own bed. He continually cursed Harry under his breath.

I thought you were my friend. I thought you were a good person. But now I know the truth --- you're not the Harry Potter I met on the Hogwarts Express two years. You're not the Harry Potter I know. Because you've fallen for the girl that I've been in love with for so long, the girl of my dreams, the girl I've been waiting for all my life. And now that I've found her, you fall for her too. Damn you! And worst of all...

Ron gulped. He couldn't bear to think of it.

You've made Hermione fall for you as well! How much more double-crossing can you do, Harry Potter? Tell me! Tell me right now!

Hermione, I guess it's also my fault. I couldn't bear to look you in the eye and tell you I'm in love with you. I don't know what you've done to me, Hermione. Honestly I don't have the foggiest idea. But I know for certain that you're the girl that I've been waiting for all these years. You're the girl who's meant for me, Hermione. Don't you see that?

I've been in love with you for so long. Damn, don't you feel it? I guess not. Because you've fallen for Harry, someone who you're not supposed to love.

Don't you get it, Hermione? You and me, together. That's how it should be. Not you and Potter. Honestly Hermione! What did you SEE in that Potter?

Then it hit him. As hard as stone, the truth hit him.

What will Hermione EVER see in ME?



Author's Notes: Hey people! Sorry it took me SOOOOO long to upload chapters here. I couldn't get access to the Internet for a long time, and I had so much stuff to do for school. (Actually, this chapter, along with chapters 7, 8 and 9, has been rotting in my computer for a VERY long time already.)

Anyway, in my opinion, the story's getting better and better. The suspense builds up. But I don't know if you agree with me or not. Either way, please continue reviewing.