AN: EEK! This week's been hell, I've been watching all Harry Potter TV. I think I'm obsessed. The cast was supposed to make appearances on the Today Show and everything else…I've been taping them. Dateline NBC…gee, Ron's cool. Harry…poor kid, going through puberty…and having to make all those appearances on TV! I saw him on TRL and he was blushing like mad. I love the British accent. I can't wait until Friday! Just two more days…just two more days…

P.S.: For heaven's sake, I don't own it! JK Rowling does (and she's making a lot'ta moolah doing this too) but ain't it cool that she's doing this on her own? ^^ Go Rowling!

Chapter Four: I'm Surprised It Got So Far

Ron glanced angrily at Harry, who was walking away quickly. Ron ran up to him, his face flushed with rage.

"You have no right what-so-ever to treat your friends this way!" Ron blew up at Harry. "What is it that we've done that's so bad that you just can't even tell us!"

Harry walked outside and into the third Greenhouse, where they were working today with the Hufflepuffs. He looked at Ron, trying to hide tears that were threatening to overflow. 'I mustn't cry!' he thought fervently.

"...Harry?" Ron said at last, looking at how miserable his friend was. Harry wasn't one to cry, but there was no mistaking his eyes or his face, which was flushed.

"Ron, I have to ask something," Harry said softly. "You must answer with the very most truth. What did you and Hermione do last night after we heard the thud in the common room last night?"

Ron looked at Harry quizzically. "I went downstairs, and Hermione looked all weird and stuff, like she got her hand caught in the cookie jar. Erm, she said something about hearing something outside, and I went and looked. I came back in and saw Hermione looking odd. I told her to get some sleep."

Harry looked at him astonished. "The absolute truth?" He asked, finally.

Ron glanced him. "What else would it be?" He smiled widely. "What did you think I was doing with Hermione, Harry?" Seeing him blush, he laughed. "Get your gutter out of the mind, Potter!" He said with a flushed face. He looked away quickly.

So perhaps he did like Hermione. But Harry thought, 'He isn't going to act on his feelings anytime soon.'

Harry looked at Ron. He chuckled softy, grinning to himself. "Never mind, Ron."

Ron lowered he voice when he saw Hermione come in. Whispering, he said, "What was the problem, Harry? I've never seen you look so upset."

"Eh? Um, I forgot my quill. I went downstairs to get it, and I saw Hermione kissing someone that looked just like you."

Ron's face became contorted with question. "What?!" he said at last, finally speaking properly. "Hermione kissing someone?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "Odd, isn't it?"

Ron looked down at his desk. "Hermione was acting very funny. You don't suppose...her, um, whoever was it make the noise we heard? Is that why you were so mad?"

Harry shrugged. "I was mad because I thought you two were...doing this for while," he said slowly.

Professor Sprout stood at the head of the greenhouse. "Today, chaps, we're going to be taking Snap Dragons and replanting them. They are a bit vicious at times, but nothing a decent pair of Dragon-hide gloves can't handle. Now, you're going to have to wear eyewear, though, because they like to kick up dirt and it can sting pretty bad," she said, glancing nervously at Neville, even though this was his best class.

"Does anyone know what Snap Dragons are used for?" she asked.

No surprise, Hermione's hand shot straight up. She said, quietly and in a tone near tears, "Their vines are used for the concoction of a powerful drought that can be used to cure severe forms of the flu. Their flowers, however, blooming once and only once at their third year, can be used to create a Potion to cure broken bones."

"Thank you Miss Granger. Take forty points to Gryfindor for such a detailed explanation," said Professor Sprout, beaming. "Please, grab three pots each and three Snap Dragons, then begin work," she finished.

Harry pulled out his gloves, and Ron grabbed the pots. The task proved rather difficult, as the Snap Dragons didn't like moving at all, and they certainly didn't like their new pots either. Ron and Harry didn't have much time to talk, as the Snap Dragons were enjoying kicking the dirt into their face. When they realized that their eyes were covered, they shot directly for the mouth.

When Harry and Ron were finished, they had worked up quite a sweat. Harry wiped his brow with the back of this hand, while Ron wiped himself off. "I've never eaten so much dirt," said Ron, spitting into the sink.

"I never want to see a Snap Dragon again!" said Harry, shaking the dirt clumps off him. "Ugh, what nasty creatures!" He grinned at Ron.

Hermione glanced over at them, and saw the two friends exchange glances of joy. She felt tears well up in her eyes, then just pour on her cheeks. Neville looked over at her. "Hermione?" he said softly.

She didn't hear him. She just looked at Ron and Harry, feeling even more tears spill onto her face.

Neville touched her arm delicately. She turned to look at Neville slowly, and just looked at him with a face full of misery. Her Snap Dragon was trying to break free and kicking dirt all over the place. Hermione punched it into the pot, and sighed. She sat down on the ground, and brought her knees up to her chin.

"Ron!" Neville yelled, waving frantically. Ron twisted around and looked where his name was being called from. Harry looked up.

Neville walked over to them. "Ron, Hermione's acting funny." He didn't look at Harry.

"Neville, give me a break. He came back didn't he? Nothing was harmed," Harry explained. "Besides, I have just as much trouble in Potions as you do. Neville don't be mad at me…"

Neville looked at Harry, with an angry face. "I don't think I was speaking to you, Harry."

Harry was taken aback. "Fine, Neville," Harry snapped, anger stinging in every word.

Neville glanced at him, and then turned back to Ron. "She just sat down; I think she might be sick."

Ron glanced over at Hermione. No one was talking to her, or asking what was the matter. Somehow, he found this odd.

Harry sighed, and the bell rang. What a horrible day.