Author: Belladuchi
Email: begmeeko@aol.com
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: Before they begin their fifth year at Hogwarts, something shifts between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The rift that forms threatens to shred apart everything that they share. When the real Professor Moody returns from deep in Turkey, he proposes a offer that could restore all that had ch anged. There are two things Harry must consider before he accepts Moody's proposal: his relationship with Ron, and his budding romance with Hermione. Which will he choose?
Finding Your Way
Harry looked down at the two letters in his hands. Hedwig had delivered both that same morning. He had read Hermione's letter first, and found that it was a detailed account of her travels in Scotland and that her mother and Mrs. Weasley were getting along better than she had expected. Harry had been surprised at first to hear that Mr. Weasley had decided to take his family on vacation, much less invite the Grangers. Of course he had been invited as well, but the Dursley's had turned down the invitation for him, not wanting to have him gallivanting through the countryside with "magical people." In the last few lines of her letter, Hermione had said:
I'm a little worried about Ron, Harry. He hasn't said a word to me in the last week, and he even turned his dad down for a game of Wizard's Chess, both of which are extremely unusual for him. Perhaps if you could send him a few words of encouragement, I think he's upset about something, even though he hasn't said anything. I wish you were here Harry, I miss you terribly!
Love always,
Hermione
Before Harry had even read that last part, he had an inclination that something was wrong with Ron when Hermione never mentioned him in the first few paragraphs. He didn't know what to think, and images of Ron and Hermione flowed through his head as he began to read Ron's letter:
Harry~
I'm assuming here that you've already read Hermione's letter, and I'm writing this to you with some idea of what she might have said. You and I both know that you have some small inkling of what I feel for her, though Hermione herself remains oblivious to it. I just want you to know that whatever she told you about Mid-Summer's Eve in Glassglow, you had better take my account into consideration as well. You must know by now that I would never to anything to hurt her, though at times my emotions may get the better of me. If she hasn't told you anything, then perhaps it is for the best and this letter may be a complete waste. I need to hear from you as soon as possible so I can figure out what to do next.
Ron
Harry looked at Hedwig, who was perched on his footboard, "If the two of them would just talk then perhaps this things would just work out. But as always, they both remain stubborn as bulls, and I end up the middle man in something I know nothing about!"
Hedwig looked at him as if to say, You are quite right.
Harry nodded and began to search under the bed for his quill and parchment so he could respond to both letters. As he sat down on his bed to go about his task, he imagined what could have happened that night to make both Hermione and Ron so anxious. Harry didn't find the images to comforting so he once again drew his attention to the parchment, and soon found that his quill was quickly scratching across the paper.
Twenty minutes later he had written:
Ron~
You mentioned something about Mid-Summer's Eve in Glassglow, I have no clue as to what you are talking about. Hermione didn't tell me anything of the sort, just to the effect that you were acting like a total arse to her. You may have your reasons, but that doesn't give you the right to shut her out completely. You don't have to tell me about the 'incident' if you don't want to, but just know that I'll understand no matter what it is. I hope the rest of your trip is enjoyable.
Harry
It was an entire week before he heard from either of them. Hermione's letter was the first to come.
I don't know what you've said to Ron, but his attitude has improved. There isn't much to speak of in terms of vacation news, this isn't that type of letter. I just want you to know how much I care for you and Ron, and how much it hurt me when he shut me out. I don't think I could manage if that happened again, especially between us. Thank you for whatever you did, I appreciate it so much. I'll see you in four days, I can't believe that's all!
Love,
Hermione
Harry blushed as he read her words. She had said volumes in those few lines, and his faith in their friendship was restored. Ron's letter followed along the same lines:
How I came to have a friend like you, Harry, I will never understand, but I am truly grateful to have you as a companion. I'll tell you about that 'incident' as you called it, when I feel it is right. Thank you for always being understanding, though you may not know what about. I'll see you on the 31st!
Ron
"You were right again Hedwig," Harry said as he offered her a bit of toast, "that letter did a whole world of good, or at least I hope so."
Aunt Petunia wasn't very happy about having the Grangers and Weasleys in her house at the same time. She hid with Uncle Vernon and Dudley in the kitchen, occasionally looking out into the living room from behind the bi-fold doors. Ron and Hermione were all smiles when they greeted Harry for the first time since term had ended. The only difference that Harry could see was that there was some kind of tension between not only Ron and Hermione, but between the two families.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley greeted him warmly, and Ginny immediately attacked him with one of her famous hugs. Harry smiled as the presents were piled onto the table.
From the twins he received a box of Ton Tongue Toffees, an assortment of Canary Creams, and a bundle of fake wands. Harry managed a smile, knowing the outcome of their gifts. Ginny handed him a small tissue wrapped wad that she politely asked him not to open until he was on the Hogwart's Express. He nodded and thanked her. Ron and Hermione explained that their gifts would have to come later.
Latter that night, after the Grangers and Weasleys had left Privet Drive, Harry though about that day that he had. He stretched out on his bead and wondered what Ron and Hermione could have possibly gotten him. Harry let his thoughts wander to the 'incident', which he still knew nothing about. He had spent the entire afternoon he had tried to corner either Ron or Hermione to ask them about it, but every time he even got close, they always managed to not be alone. He sighed and played with one of the fake wands, and couldn't even manage a laugh as it turned into a rubber penguin that mooed constantly until he sat on it.
End of Chapter One
