After a very quiet breakfast, consisting of Harry attempting to start conversations between both Ron and Hermione, and failing, the little trio went on their way to Transfiguration Class. Hermione was walking stubbornly in front of the two boys, and Harry walked next to Ron, who was mumbling incoherent things about bugs and prissy girls.
Harry looked from Ron to Hermione and rolled his eyes. How is it possible that they couldn't see the attraction? Almost all of Gryffindor knew that Ron had a crush on Hermione, and Hermione had a crush on Ron. Those two would never admit it though. They didn't realize that the reason of all their fighting was to keep themselves at a set distance from each other. Because if they got any closer than that distance, it wouldn't be possible to go back to where they were. They stayed behind the line between love and hate, because crossing over to the side of love was just too scary to face. They just needed a little push, Harry decided.
Ron and Hermione ignored each other all through Transfiguration, and all through the rest of the day's classes as well. Harry was growing impatient with the incessant silence.
While the three of them made their silent journey through the halls back towards the common room at the day's end, Harry noticed a little bug buzzing in the doorway of one of Filch's cleaning supply closets. The closet that stored brooms, rags and those sorts of things in it. The thing Filch made the students who had detention use instead of cleaning charms and spells. Harry stopped dead in his tracks, which cause Ron and Hermione to stop too.
"Harry, what's the matter?" Hermione started, nervously.
He studied the closet. The bug was still zooming in the doorway, and then it flew in, and disappeared from sight. Harry saw the bug fly in, and his mind returned to the thought he had earlier. 'They just needed a little push,' he had thought. A little push. Harry suddenly had a brilliant plan. He hid a grin as he tried to keep a solemn face.
"Look in that closet there," he said seriously.
Ron and Hermione gave each other a little look, forgetting their earlier fight for a few precious seconds. They stepped in front of Harry to peer into the closet. With one swift movement, Harry pushed Ron into the closet, and then pushed Hermione in as well. He heard them grunt and yelp in surprise, but he ignored them and pulled the closet door shut. He got out his wand, and quickly put a locking spell on it, so that it could only be opened from the outside.
There was a loud banging of fists on the door, while Ron and Hermione tried to get out.
"HARRY!!! What the BLOODY hell did you do THAT for?!?!?!!!"
"RON!!!! Don't use that language!!!" Harry heard Hermione yell at Ron. For once, Ron ignored her, and the urge to start another fight, and continued to bang his fists on the door.
Harry banged once on the other side of the door to silence Ron. The noises stopped.
"I am not letting you two out until you both apologize to each other, and start talking again. I'm stick of your stupid fights. Just give in already!!!!" Harry yelled at the closed door.
There was a brief silence. A couple of muffled voices came from inside the closet, as if they were discussing what Harry had said.
"I'M SORRY RON!" Hermione said loudly so that Harry could hear.
More silence. Then there was a little bang, followed by a yell and an "ow!" coming from Ron. Harry couldn't see, but he suspected that Hermione has just walloped Ron upside the head.
"Er yeah, um, I'M SORRY HERMIONE," Harry heard Ron say.
Harry said the words to the counter-charm, and the door opened. Ron and Hermione emerged, looking slightly pink and very embarrassed.
"Shake hands." Harry insisted.
Ron gave Harry a look, and reluctantly raised up his right hand. Hermione put her hand into his, and their eyes met for a brief second, then they dropped their hands. He might have imagined it, but Harry could have sworn that they turned an even darker shade of pink.
"So the fight is over?" Harry said.
Ron glanced at Hermione and shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess. It was pointless really."
"Yeah," Hermione agreed, looking at the floor.
They made their way to the common room and went up to their respective staircases, with a quiet "goodnight," and a quick exchange of embarrassed looks between Ron and Hermione. Harry smiled to himself. At least they're not fighting anymore. It's a start.
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