I really don't know just what it is that's happened between Ron and
Harry, but I'm determined to get this whole mess resolved one way or
another. They'll get angry, and they'll probably shout a lot, especially
Ron. They'll be stubborn, pig-headed brutes, and even if I get them to
start talking to each other again they'll be upset with me for days… But
it will be worth it.
They don't realize it, but the way they're acting is getting to everyone. It's incredibly obvious that something's wrong. With the exception of one fight, which didn't last all that long, they almost never went anywhere unless it was together, for four whole years, and now, all of a sudden, they go out their way to avoid each other? Or, rather, Harry goes out of his way to avoid Ron, and Ron just takes it and tries to just stick as close to Harry as he can without being driven off?
All I can say is that it's a very good thing that the other fifth year girls are already downstairs at breakfast. If I would have had to chase them out of the room with Harry floating behind me, rumors would fly through the school faster than a Firebolt, and that wouldn't help the situation at all.
"All right, Harry. Explain yourself." I say once we're both in the room. I dispel the two spells I have on him, and he lands on the carpet with a muffled thud.
"You wouldn't understand, 'Mione." He half-sighs, half-growls. The look on his face is something between despair and anger.
"Maybe I won't, but I want to hear what you have to say anyways." He throws me a look that's pure venom, but I refuse to be shaken. This concerns my two best friends and their happiness; there's no way that I'm going to let one little glare back me down.
We face each other off silently for several long moments before he finally looks away, conceding my victory. Slowly, quietly, he begins to talk.
Every word that comes out of his mouth makes me feel two things as once: anger at Harry, and sympathy for both him and Ron. Especially Ron.
"So," I begin once he seems to be done explaining. "What this amounts to is that you love Ron, but you're too scared to tell him, so instead you're pushing him away?" Harry nods slowly, frowning deeply. His face is red, but I'm not sure if it's from embarrassment, anger, or both. Or something else completely different.
"You idiot!" I yell, whirling in mid pace to stare at him. "I don't know if he feels the same, but you have no right to do this to him! You could have just dealt with it by staying silent, like I do. Or you could come right out and tell him. But you do not have the right to torture him like this! Anything you say, anything, is better than this. Don't you realize what you're doing to him?!?"
"Hermione, please,"
"No!" I'm shouting, and that isn't going to help. I have to handle this calmly… I take a few deep breaths, getting my temper under control, then try again. "What is it, Harry? What else can you say that could possibly make this okay?"
"Nothing. It's wrong, and I know it. I just… I want you to understand… And I want your help. I hate seeing him like this… But I can't talk to him! I've tried… But… I just can't…"
I falter for a moment, just standing still. I know exactly how he feels. I've been in love with Ron Weasley since the beginning of Second Year, and I've never been able to say anything to him… But I've never done anything like this to him!
"Harry, believe me. I understand exactly how you feel. But this isn't the way you need to be handling this! Have you bothered to look at Ron lately? I mean, really look at him? Not only is he obviously miserable, but he's barely eaten a thing for a week. I've been doing his homework for four days now because he can't concentrate long enough to do a single problem himself. You know I wouldn't normally do that, not even for you!"
I take another deep breath and try to consider just what I should say. I can leave it at that, and hope he figures things out on his own… Or I can keep talking and help him come up with something. If I stop now, I don't think this matter will ever get resolved, so it's up to me to start things off.
"All right." I finally continue, looking Harry square in the eye. "We're going to figure out a way for you to tell him before the week is up. Today is Wednesday, so we have three days. If neither of us have an idea by then, I will personally lock the two of you in a room alone over the weekend; I'm sure that something would happen over the course of two days."
He stares at me, shocked and unblinking. I wait patiently for an answer, and after a few minutes, I actually get one. "Okay, 'Mione." He whispers.
"Good. Now let's go eat breakfast while we still have time." I turn and walk out of the room, and he slowly follows me.
One way or another, I will get things worked out between the two of them. Now all I have to do is start planning…
They don't realize it, but the way they're acting is getting to everyone. It's incredibly obvious that something's wrong. With the exception of one fight, which didn't last all that long, they almost never went anywhere unless it was together, for four whole years, and now, all of a sudden, they go out their way to avoid each other? Or, rather, Harry goes out of his way to avoid Ron, and Ron just takes it and tries to just stick as close to Harry as he can without being driven off?
All I can say is that it's a very good thing that the other fifth year girls are already downstairs at breakfast. If I would have had to chase them out of the room with Harry floating behind me, rumors would fly through the school faster than a Firebolt, and that wouldn't help the situation at all.
"All right, Harry. Explain yourself." I say once we're both in the room. I dispel the two spells I have on him, and he lands on the carpet with a muffled thud.
"You wouldn't understand, 'Mione." He half-sighs, half-growls. The look on his face is something between despair and anger.
"Maybe I won't, but I want to hear what you have to say anyways." He throws me a look that's pure venom, but I refuse to be shaken. This concerns my two best friends and their happiness; there's no way that I'm going to let one little glare back me down.
We face each other off silently for several long moments before he finally looks away, conceding my victory. Slowly, quietly, he begins to talk.
Every word that comes out of his mouth makes me feel two things as once: anger at Harry, and sympathy for both him and Ron. Especially Ron.
"So," I begin once he seems to be done explaining. "What this amounts to is that you love Ron, but you're too scared to tell him, so instead you're pushing him away?" Harry nods slowly, frowning deeply. His face is red, but I'm not sure if it's from embarrassment, anger, or both. Or something else completely different.
"You idiot!" I yell, whirling in mid pace to stare at him. "I don't know if he feels the same, but you have no right to do this to him! You could have just dealt with it by staying silent, like I do. Or you could come right out and tell him. But you do not have the right to torture him like this! Anything you say, anything, is better than this. Don't you realize what you're doing to him?!?"
"Hermione, please,"
"No!" I'm shouting, and that isn't going to help. I have to handle this calmly… I take a few deep breaths, getting my temper under control, then try again. "What is it, Harry? What else can you say that could possibly make this okay?"
"Nothing. It's wrong, and I know it. I just… I want you to understand… And I want your help. I hate seeing him like this… But I can't talk to him! I've tried… But… I just can't…"
I falter for a moment, just standing still. I know exactly how he feels. I've been in love with Ron Weasley since the beginning of Second Year, and I've never been able to say anything to him… But I've never done anything like this to him!
"Harry, believe me. I understand exactly how you feel. But this isn't the way you need to be handling this! Have you bothered to look at Ron lately? I mean, really look at him? Not only is he obviously miserable, but he's barely eaten a thing for a week. I've been doing his homework for four days now because he can't concentrate long enough to do a single problem himself. You know I wouldn't normally do that, not even for you!"
I take another deep breath and try to consider just what I should say. I can leave it at that, and hope he figures things out on his own… Or I can keep talking and help him come up with something. If I stop now, I don't think this matter will ever get resolved, so it's up to me to start things off.
"All right." I finally continue, looking Harry square in the eye. "We're going to figure out a way for you to tell him before the week is up. Today is Wednesday, so we have three days. If neither of us have an idea by then, I will personally lock the two of you in a room alone over the weekend; I'm sure that something would happen over the course of two days."
He stares at me, shocked and unblinking. I wait patiently for an answer, and after a few minutes, I actually get one. "Okay, 'Mione." He whispers.
"Good. Now let's go eat breakfast while we still have time." I turn and walk out of the room, and he slowly follows me.
One way or another, I will get things worked out between the two of them. Now all I have to do is start planning…