Disclaimer : This is all J.K. Rowling's. I own nothing but the plot.
A/N : Here's the second chapter. Thanks to all the people who reviewed! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, but I had an awful load of work to do at school lately. And that chapter is actually much longer than I thought it would be. Anyway, I hope you'll like it. Please review! Thanks to Meggin B my beta-reader !!
Part 2 : An unexpected gift
The relation between Ron and Hermione had been rather cordial during the next few days. Maybe too cordial, Harry sometimes thought. This, of course, wasn't likely to last. He was sure another argument would be coming between those two soon enough. That was just the way they were.
They had all agreed to spend the afternoon at the lakeshore, near the Burrow. It had taken some time to convince Hermione to leave her studies for a while. She had finally agreed to come at the lakeshore with everybody, but had insisted on bringing an Arithmancy book with her. She really is a desperate case sometimes, Harry thought with a smile.
Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron were currently lying on their towels. Fred and George were swimming just a few feet away. Harry couldn't understand how they could stand the cold water. The weather was still nice these days, but Harry couldn't possibly be convinced to step into that freezing water. Harry was startled as Hermione suddenly closed her book and leaned to speak to Ron.
"Ron, I've been wondering. I've been here for a few days, and I've never seen you studying so far. I'm assuming you haven't done your summer homework yet?" she said with an inquiring tone.
"What do you think?" said Ron, turning towards her with a smirk.
"So, when do you plan to do it? You hardly have enough time! We'll be back to school in a few days, and we also have to go to Diagon Alley to get our school supplies!" she said, looking panicked.
"I assure you, 'Mione, that's way more than I need", he said absently, flipping the pages of his magazine Quidditch in England. His absent tone and coolness were driving Hermione completely mad.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, rather amused, but carefully wiped their smiles from their faces when Hermione looked at them. They both knew Ron had already done his homework weeks ago. This would be funny. Fred and George, who could smell the fun from kilometres, were swimming back to the shore to watch the show.
"How can you care so little about your studies?! This is important!" Hermione shrieked.
"Sure, as important as usual. And I'm according it as much importance as it needs." He paused and flipped another page from his magazine. "Listen, 'Mione, would you please drop the subject? I'm trying to read, thank you very much."
"Ron!! You're neglecting your studies!! We shouldn't even be here, we're wasting our time! Ron, get to work now!" she said, snatching his magazine from his hands. "Now. You may not like it, but it is my duty as a friend to make you apply to your studies for your own good." Ron was now positively grinning at her, which Hermione found somewhat disturbing.
"'Mione, calm down. Just shut up and listen to me." Ron said, in a cool tone, still smiling. "You want to drag me to work basically because you're a know-it-all and because you like bossing people around." Hermione's face was flushing but she didn't utter a word. She was looking daggers at Ron. "Hey, don't look at me like that, that's just the way you are. I still like you, don't worry." he added quickly to calm her. "I really don't deny that the 'friendship factor' is to be taken in account. But it comes in second, sorry."
"What... what..." she stuttered. "It doesn't matter!! You've still got to do your homework, whether you like or not! I don't want to have you begging me to let you copy my homework in a few days!!"
Ron assumed a false hurt expression. "So, that's why you worry? Well, I can swear that I won't do that. Hey, I still have my self-esteem." he said with mock tragedy. "And I can take care of myself, thank you very much.", he added with a serious tone.
"I don't..."
"Listen, Hermione, he's already done his homework.", Ginny interrupted. "I was sick of hearing you two arguing. It was funny at first, though." she added, turning towards Ron.
Hermione stared at Ron open-mouthed. "What?!! You already did it?!", she yelled.
Ron nodded with a wide grin across his face. "Weeks ago", added Ginny. Hermione couldn't believe it. She was almost impressed.
"Hey, I never told you I had not done it yet. You assumed again that I'm a lazy-prat-that-never-pays-attention-to-his-studies, didn't you? I told you, I can take care of myself. I don't need you bossing me around.," he told, with that awful you-know-I'm-right expression on his face. And Hermione knew he was right. But she wouldn't let him have the last word so easily. She was interrupted in her thoughts by a roar of laughter. Apparently Harry, Fred and George couldn't hold it anymore. Ha, ha.
"How could you let me do that scene?!"
"Well, to show you that you're not always right, first. And actually, it was awfully funny.", he said with a wide grin. "Wasn't it, guys?" he said, turning towards Harry, Fred and George. He was answered by a torrent of laughter.
Ooh, that little... Hermione could feel she was losing her self-control. She stomped the ground and rushed back to the Burrow, positively fuming.
"Ron, you're such a kid," said Ginny after Hermione had left. Yet she sounded very amused.
"Sssh, let me memorize that clueless expression on her face when you told her I was done with my homework. That was priceless." Ron said with his eyes closed and still a wide grin on his face.
"Ooh, Ron. That's not how you'll improve your relationship with her, you know."
"Come on, that was just a joke. She'll calm down in a few hours and realize I was right. She's been bothering me way too much about my homework since I've known her... Hey, being wrong for once can only be good for her."
"See, I'll go and talk to her."
"Yeah, good idea. And thanks."
"Yeah, yeah, sure." She waved her hand at him dismissively, as she walked towards the Burrow. "What would you do without me?", she yelled from the distance.
***
Hermione stormed into the Burrow and ran upstairs to the room she was sharing with Ginny. She collapsed on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She tried to gather her thoughts, which was difficult, because she was really angry after Ron. That insensitive prat! Couldn't he just tell her that he was already done his homework, instead of pulling on that scene?
Yet she had to admit that he had a point this time. He never actually told her that he hadn't done his homework; Hermione had just assumed it. All the same, Ron was still an idiot. All that speech about her liking to boss people around, what nonsense! 'You're a know-it-all...' She could have slapped him. She couldn't even figure out why she was so angry after him.
She tried to think about it from a logical point of view. It was just a joke after all, a joke like the thousand ones Ron had played on her since she'd known him. And this time, he had even been nice. Not even lost his temper. Maybe that was it. She had been taken by surprise by his casual tone. He had managed to hit a sensitive spot without actually fighting with her.
'Maybe that's why it hurts so much.' Hermione thought bitterly. He had voiced out loud his real opinion about her, and his words had felt like a lash. Was she really like that? 'I was only trying to help him!', she thought angrily.
Somebody knocked on door. Hermione was very irritated and didn't felt like talking with anybody, especially Ron. "Who is it?", she said. "Ginny." Hermione mentally sighed with relief. At least it wasn't Ron. "Come in, please, she said." After all, it might be nice to have someone to talk to.
Ginny opened the door. "Hey."
"You're the only I'd be pleased to see right now." She paused. "Well, not the only one actually...", she said with a faraway look in her eyes.
"I take it you're not talking about anybody in this house."
"Well, I was talking about Viktor." she chuckled.
"Viktor?"
"Yes, Viktor. Why don't you sit down?" said Hermione, patting the bed gently. "Let's have a 'girlish' talk," she said emphasizing the word girlish with her fingers. Ginny giggled and sat on the bed.
"We haven't really had the chance to talk since I've arrived here." Hermione added, feeling her mood lightening.
"Yes, tell me about all your dark secrets, Hermione!", Ginny said in a theatrical manner. "Let's conspire against the bloody male race!" she giggled.
"Ginny! Watch your language!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Oops. Sorry." she said with an impish look on her face. "Seriously, it's so very rare to be rid of all those... those boys! We should enjoy it while we can."
"Good."
"So, what first?"
"Hmm... you live with Ron, Ginny. Just tell me, how can he be just an insensitive, annoying, stupid prat?" Hermione asked.
"Oooh. Seems like you're still angry with him." Ginny said mischievously.
"And why should I not be?" She paused and looked at Ginny. "Wait! You found that funny, didn't you?" she said in outraged tone. Ginny's laughter exploded.
"Oh, Hermione, you should have seen that look on your face, seriously. Wished I had a camera back there." she laughed.
Hermione was looking daggers at Ginny. She crossed her arms and pulled a face. "Ginny! You're almost worse than your brother!", she snapped.
"Come on, 'Mione, where has gone your sense of humour?"
"Know-it-alls don't need a sense of humour, do they?" Hermione said bitterly.
Ginny calmed down. "Hermione, don't take it seriously. Ron was only joking." she said. "Hermione, why are you so angry?", she asked, almost sounding worried. "Something's been bothering you."
Hermione sighed. She stood up and went to the window. She considered the view for a short moment. "Listen, I've been thinking about it just before you came. From a logical point of view. The thing is, Ron voiced his opinion about me out there. His real opinion. He wasn't even angry, or anything. That hurts."
"If you knew what he really thinks, you'd be really surprised..." Ginny muttered in her breath.
"What?", said Hermione, turning over.
Ginny affected to choke and coughed. "Erm, nothing." Hermione was looking at her quizzically. "Nevermind."
Hermione turned back to the window, her arms crossed. "Am I really that annoying? Everybody's been calling me a know-it-all since I arrived at Hogwarts. I thought I got used to it, but coming from certain people, it still hurts."
Ginny walked towards Hermione and hugged her gently. "You know he didn't really mean it. Coming from him it's almost a compliment." Hermione snorted in disbelief. Ginny broke the hug and put her hands on Hermione's shoulders.
"You won't like what I'm going to say." She paused. "But you've got to realize that you're not perfect, Hermione. Ron merely underlined one of your faults. That's no big deal, and he likes you the way you are. We all do."
Hermione thought about it for a short moment, then she smiled and hugged Ginny again. "Thanks, Ginny." She broke the hug and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I don't know why I'm so sensitive when it comes to your brother. He's got a gift for... let's say getting strong emotional reactions from me."
"Now that's a nice understatement! The prat can get on anyone's nerves!" Ginny laughed. "Let's talk about something else, shall we? Tell me about Bulgaria and about Viktor."
"About Viktor?"
"Yes... you've been very evasive when it came to your trip in Bulgaria these last few days. I guess you didn't want to upset Ron. But you can tell me about it."
"Ah... where to begin?" Hermione said uneasily, biting her lip.
"Well, you can start with Viktor. Was he nice to you? Judging by the way you talk about him, I bet he was." Ginny giggled.
"Viktor, well..."
"Yes, Viktor what?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "He's now my boyfriend."
***
Ron, Harry and the twins came back from the lake about two hours later.
Ron climbed up the stairs quickly to get into his room, but stopped in
front of Ginny's door. He leaned against the door, just to hear if Hermione
was still angry. Harry came from the stairs. "What are you doing?", he
asked. "Sssh!"
Ron could hear Ginny and Hermione giggling. He sighed in relief and
motioned Harry to come and listen. Harry smiled as he heard the giggling
coming from the room.
Ron knocked at the door. The giggling stopped, replaced by nervous murmurs. Ginny told them to enter. Ron stepped inside the room with a wide smile. He bowed deeply. "Aah, the two nicest witches in that part of the country! How was your afternoon, miladies?" he said joyfully. Hermione blushed at the compliment, but she and Ginny were exchanging embarrassed looks.
Ron eyed them quizzically. "What? Have I something on my nose or what? Or did we interrupt some important secret meeting?" he laughed. Ginny chuckled.
Hermione seemed very interested by a crack on the floor. Ron assumed a serious expression. "'Mione, are you still angry for what happened earlier? 'Cause if you are, I'm sorry."
"No, no, that's OK, Ron."
Ron looked at her, unconvinced, then at Harry, who shrugged. "OK, then we'll leave you to your girly talks. Laters." he said and left the room.
***
On August 31st, Molly Weasley brought the kids to Diagon Alley to get the school supplies. Ron was happy that things were getting better with Hermione, if you excused the little "homework incident", as Ginny had dubbed it.
Ron chuckled. It was always so easy to irritate Hermione on homework issues. She's got a temper at least as bad as mine. Which is probably why I like her so much, thought Ron with a wide grin.
"What makes you smile?" asked Harry, with a smirk. "No, no, wait. I think I know already", he added.
"Yeah, sure you do. Actually I was thinking about what you said the other day... about Hermione and I. Or is it me and Hermione? Whatever." Ron mused.
"What? That you two already look like an old couple?"
"Yep, that's it. And you know, I think I agree", said Ron pensively. They both burst into laughter.
"Oooh. You know, life would be most boring if I hadn't someone to bicker with."
"You've already got Ginny", laughed Harry. "And all your brothers."
"Yeah, maybe, but that's not the same. With Hermione, it's so much funnier." They both laughed again.
Ron took a deep breath to calm down. "Well, let's get back to business. We're almost there.", he said, pointing at a shop.
They had been walking for a while in Diagon Alley. Hermione's birthday was in September and Ron really wanted to get her a nice present, before they got back to Hogwarts. Ginny had told him to take a look inside that particular shop and had volunteered to keep Hermione busy while he and Harry would be looking for a gift.
Harry read the sign aloud "Olde Jewelry" and they entered the shop.
It was very dark inside. The window shutters were closed and the only source of light came from candles. As Ron stepped inside the shop, he noticed that the candles were artistically disposed around the shop so that their light would reflect on the jewelry and on the jewelry only. When one entered the shop, all one could see was the shimmering light of the gold and jewels. It was like stepping inside a treasure cavern.
Ron and Harry were still marvelling at the different jewels and stones when a voice cackled from behind them "What can I do for you, noble sirs?"
Ron and Harry both jumped and turned around. An old and small goblin was standing there in the shadows, with a smile on his face, if goblins could do such a thing.
"Er... I'm looking for a necklace." stuttered Ron.
He had barely uttered the word 'necklace' that the goblin was already in full selling mode.
In hardly a minute, the goblin had already managed to give them a full inventory of the various, and of course beautiful necklaces he had in store. Gold? Silver? Small? Large? Encrusted with jewels? You ask for it! All the jewels in store of course guaranteed handcrafted by honest hard-working genuine craftsgoblins. No, noble sir, you won't find any better shop in Diagon Alley, what am I telling, in the whole country! I can assure you that! No better place to find a necklace that will please your most beloved damsel, noble sir!
"Wait, wait!", Ron managed to say. He had fallen down on the ground, and the goblin was almost standing on his chest.
'That goblin sure had his selling routine well planned', thought Harry. He had to bite his lip not to burst into laughter, and sure wished he had a camera.
"Calm down.", Ron said to the goblin as he tried to get on his feet. "I'm looking for a heart-shaped pendant. A golden pendant. Which can contain a small picture." said Ron.
The goblin looked silently at Ron for a moment. Ron could almost hear the gears working inside his head. 'He'd better stop thinking, I can begin to smell the odour of something burning.' thought Ron after a while. He sniggered quietly at that thought. Then suddenly, the goblin went to the back-shop and emerged three minutes later holding multiple pendants. 'Wow, he may be slow at thinking, but he acts quickly', thought Ron. The goblin spread the pendants on a table. "Here they are, noble sir. ... may I?"
"You may not.", said Ron, with a suppressed smile. The goblin remained silent.
He considered the different necklaces for a while, and then picked up a golden, simple heart-shaped pendant. "I think that one will do," said Ron, with a smile. He turned to Harry, who nodded in agreement. "How much is it?" "Ten Galleons it is, sir." Ron choked and coughed. "But may I suggest this one?" said the goblin, picking up a larger and very expensive-looking pendant.
"No, no, I made up my mind." The goblin looked disappointed, and made a fake smile, which showed many of his pointy teeth.
"But ten Galleons is too much. Let's say five." Ron added. Now the goblin really looked disappointed.
"Five?! But, noble sir, I can't afford to sell it at such a price... I have a family to feed, sir." he said with a servile tone.
"Five." Ron said in a steely tone.
"Oh, let's say nine, then." the goblin sighed.
The bargain went on for a while, and at the end Ron managed to get the necklace for seven Galleons and five Sickles. He emerged from the shop looking rather happy.
"Wow, this little guy sure was tough. Never bargain with goblins, my friend, it's really exhausting." he said to Harry.
"Yes, I saw that! Anyway you gave him a run for his money." Harry chuckled.
"It was still expensive, though." Ron sighed, looking at the pendant. "Well, at least, I reckon Hermione will be really pleased with that gift."
"Yes, I think she will be. Good point for you." Harry said joyfully, elbowing Ron in the ribs.
"Oh, come on, don't you begin to tease me too!"
"OK. Now, let's get my gift."
"What do you want to offer her?"
"I saw a book earlier at Flourish and Blotts that might interest her."
"Come on, any book would interest her." Ron laughed.
"But this one may be really interesting. It's titled History of Animagi."
"Yeah, maybe."
A little later, Ron and Harry met the twins, Ginny, Hermione and Mrs Weasley in front of Flourish and Blotts. They quickly bought all their schoolbooks. Ginny and Ron distracted Hermione while Harry was buying the book he intended to offer her.
***
Everybody came back from Diagon Alley at the end of the afternoon. Mrs Weasley urged all the kids to prepare their trunks, as they would have to leave early tomorrow, so the whole evening had been spent packing up.
Ron was in his room, folding his clothes. He opened his trunk, and began to take out all the junk that had been piling up there all summer. He stopped as he reached a soft package at the very bottom of the trunk. A package that he didn't remember having put there. "What the hell?"
"What?" asked Harry.
"Nothing, I discovered something in my trunk. It's amazing, how one can make archaeological discoveries inside one's very own room." he mused.
"Inside your room, it doesn't surprise me much." Harry laughed.
Ron made an innocent face and began to tear off the paper recovering the package. It was... a dark blue robe. Ron unfolded it completely and a card fell on the ground. He gave the robe to Harry and picked up the card.
"Hey, that's a dress robe. And pretty nice one! Ron, you've got yourself a secret admirer!", Harry said.
"Yeah, sure." Ron said sarcastically. He began to read the card aloud.
Dear Ickle Ronniekins,
We thought this might be useful. You really looked too awful at
last year's Yule Ball and anyway you've already grown out of those robes,
you ugly giant. Seriously, given that you've not had much luck with women
so far, you don't want to leave anything to chance this year, do you?
Your older and much wiser brothers,
Gred and Forge
"Yeah, sure, much wiser, my arse!" Ron laughed. "Well, I didn't know there would be a ball this year too. But I didn't actually read the letter from Hogwarts. Mum usually takes care of those damn things."
"But they're sort of right. You do want to look good at the Christmas Ball, do you?" Harry said mischievously.
" 'Course I do." He took the robes from Harry's hands to take a closer look at it. "Hey, those definitely look good. That's a really nice gift." He paused. "But it must have been really expensive. I wonder where they got the money to pay for those," he said.
"Maybe they managed to sell Weasley Wizard Wheezes items during the summer." Harry said uneasily. Of course, he knew where the twins had got the money, as he had given them his Triwizard Tournament winning. But he really didn't want Ron to know about it.
"Yeah, maybe. But I don't know how they managed to keep it from Mum. She would go totally nutters if she knew they were still selling joke items. I'll go and thank them once I'm done with packing up my trunk."
***
The next morning, everybody was rather confused, as Mrs Weasley insisted on everyone checking his trunk at least twice, just to be sure nothing had been forgotten behind. They all travelled to Platform Nine and three-quarters by Floo powder, just in time to board the train.
They all got quickly their trunks into the train and went to say goodbye to Mrs Weasley. She gave all of them a big hug, except for Harry, who got two hugs, much to his embarrassment.
"Have a nice term, all of you. And be careful, OK? Especially you, Harry, dear."
They all nodded in agreement. A bell rang loudly, and some smoke began to rise from Hogwarts Express scarlet engine. They boarded the train quickly and waved goodbye to Mrs Weasley, who Disapparated home several seconds later.
The twins left the party to meet some of the friends. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny found themselves an empty compartment and settled themselves.
Hermione opened her trunk and slipped on her Hogwarts robes. Ron noticed a silvery shiny thing on her chest and took a closer look.
"Why, Hermione, you've been made prefect!" Ron exclaimed.
Hermione nodded with embarrassment.
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Harry asked.
"Hmm, that's because the subject never came up, I guess. And I was afraid you two would not like it."
"Why wouldn't we like it? Life will be much easier for us now that you're a prefect!", Ron said joyfully.
Hermione glared at him. "Listen carefully: I've been nominated prefect, and I intend to treat everybody the same way. No exceptions for anybody, even for my friends. That's a matter of principle.", she stated in a very serious tone. Harry and Ron looked aghast.
"Come on, Hermione, you've got to admit that sometimes we had to bend rules. It was for the greater good.", Ron said, almost sounding as he believed what he just said. Hermione and Ginny snorted.
"Yeah, he's right. And I remember that you bended rules several times yourself, didn't you?", Harry added.
Hermione sighed. "Listen, I know that in the previous years, we sometimes had to bend rules a little. But these were particular situations, OK? I do not want to be used as cover for your midnight strolls, got me? No favouritism."
"But…"
"And that's not negotiable." she added, to shut them up. "Let's drop the subject, OK?"
They both glared at her but knew better than to object. Ron snuggled in his chair and muttered a few words between clenched teeth. Hermione didn't really understand what he said, but she distinctly heard the words "Prefect", "like Percy", and "bigheaded". She looked daggers at him. Ron gulped and turned towards Harry to ask him if he would like to play Exploding Snap. Hermione sighed and got a Muggle novel from her bag. Ginny began to read Teen Witch.
They had travelled like that for about an hour when the door opened suddenly. Draco Malfoy was standing there, wearing his trademark smirk. He stepped inside the compartment and looked at all of them as if they were filthy worms or worse. "I'm surprised all of you didn't flee this year. If I were at your place, I surely would have hidden in the deepest hole I could have found by now. I told you, last year, Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers will soon be endangered species!" he snarled. He noticed the badge on Hermione's chest. "Well, well, Granger, they made you prefect? What a disgrace! They're really not too picky. Bah! After all, given what Gryffindor House has to offer, maybe you just were the least bad choice."
"Eat dung, Malfoy", Ron spat. He was already standing up and Hermione and Ginny were holding him by his robes.
"Come on, weasel, you can do better than that. Or maybe not." he said with a sneer. "I guess in your family you're not really taught to use your wits… Poor weasels, they lack brains as well as money. The former explains the latter, I guess."
He was interrupted as Ron grabbed him suddenly by the collar and pinned him to the wall. "Speaking of brains, not too clever, coming here without your two gorilla bodyguards, don't you think, Malfoy?" Ron hissed, preparing to punch Malfoy. "Ron, don't! He's not worth it!" Hermione shrieked.
Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Calm down, Ron. Hold him, I've got something to tell him." he said. He leaned to talk to Malfoy. "Listen to me, you bastard." he hissed. "Your father is a Death Eater, you know it and we know it. One little thing you should think about before you contemplate following his lead, which I'm pretty sure you do." He made a dramatic pause. "If you ever refuse to execute an order, they'll kill you. If you fail to execute an order, they'll kill you. If Voldemort asks your father to kill you, he'll kill you. And if Voldemort ever feels like it, he'll kill you. That's not too bright a choice for a career, eh? What do you think?" Ron released his grab on Malfoy. "Think about it. And now, get out!"
Malfoy was pale and tried to regain composure. He readjusted his robe. "Try and scare me, Potter. Malfoys aren't afraid of anything. And Malfoys never fail. You'll see it soon enough." he hissed. He left the compartment quickly before Ron could grab him again.
"Wow. You sure scared the hell out of that pompous bastard (Ron! exclaimed Hermione). Actually, you almost scared the hell out of me", chuckled Ron.
"Yes, I thought that would be an effective way to shut him up... And maybe he'll really give it a thought and realize becoming a Death Eater isn't actually a good idea." Ron, Hermione and Ginny snorted in disbelief. "But I don't really count on it, though.", he sniggered.
***
The rest of the journey passed quickly and they soon arrived to Hogwarts. Ron did notice two things when he entered the Great Hall : there were one empty seat at the teachers' table, but it wasn't the usual one. Mad-Eye Moody (the real one) was sitting next to Dumbledore. Apparently, he had been offered the Defence Against the Dark Arts position again. Actually, not again, as it wasn't the real Mad-Eye that had taught them last year. This year, the empty seat was Hagrid's. Ron wondered where Hagrid could be. Maybe he still was on a mission for Dumbledore. Whatever it was, they would learn about it soon enough.
Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny sat at their usual places at the Gryffindor table. Ron noticed that a woman entered the Great Hall from a side door. She had nice long blond hair and wore elegant robes. Ron didn't recognize her at first, then he grinned widely as it hit him: it was Fleur Delacour. She sat at the Care of Magical Creatures teacher's place, and began to chat with Professor Flitwick.
"What's she doing here?!" exclaimed Hermione, sounding not too pleased with Fleur's presence.
"Well, looks like Hagrid hasn't come back from you-know-where yet." Harry said flatly.
"She said she wanted to find a job in England to improve her English. Looks like she did!" Ron said with a smile. "And what's your problem anyway?" Ron asked. "You don't seem to like her very much."
"Err… no, it's just that I'd rather have Hagrid teaching us, that's all." Hermione muttered.
Hermione had always been very bad at lying, and this time was no exception. As much as they all loved Hagrid, his Care of Magical Creatures lessons were catastrophic, and they all perfectly knew it. Hagrid had an odd taste for 'interesting creatures', which meant big creatures with huge fangs, claws, or anything. Ron still remembered the burns he got from those damned Blast-Ended Skrewts and he was pretty sure that Hermione remembered them too. He looked at Harry with raised eyebrows and they both snorted in disbelief.
Hermione had not the time to reply as the giant oak doors opened with a crack. Minerva McGonagall and Argus Filch were standing before a row of frightened first years. They had just arrived from the traditional crossing of the Great Lake. It seemed that Filch would be taking after Hagrid's gamekeeping duties while he would be away.
"No wonder they look scared. That damned Filch must have tried to drown them all in the lake. Or feed them to the Giant Squid. Or both." Ron muttered.
***
Ron found the Sorting Ceremony rather boring, as he didn't know any of the first years. At the end of the ceremony, Dumbledore stood up and tapped his spoon on his glass to get silence. The noise in the Hall faded quickly.
"I like to welcome all the students, the old and the new ones. I'd also like to welcome a new teacher : Fleur Delacour, who will take after Care of Magical Creatures." The students clapped their hands loudly to welcome her.
"Why doesn't he introduce Mad-Eye?" Ron asked.
"Most students don't know that last year it wasn't the real Mad-Eye who taught us.", Harry answered. "It would create a real panic if the students knew they had been taught by a Death Eater, I guess."
Dumbledore continued his speech. "Maybe you don't all know it yet, but Lord Voldemort has been back to his full power since the end of June." Some students began to murmur uneasily. "Believe it or not, it is true. I know you haven't heard of it during the summer. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge estimated that it would be... ahh... inappropriate to let the news spread. I, however, think that you all must be prepared for what will come." He took a brief pause.
"This year, we will put the stress on Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. Also, know that all the Forbidden Forest is as usual, out of bounds for any student. The rest of the Hogwarts grounds will be out of bounds after 8 P.M. There will still be Hogsmeade weekends for third years and up, but you'll have to be supervised by a teacher. To end on a more cheerful tone, know that we will hold a Christmas Ball this year. Last year's Yule Ball has been a success, and we'd like to renew that experience. And now, let the feast begin!" He sat down as food appeared on everyone's plates.
***
At the end of the Sorting Feast, Hermione stood up. "I have to go. Prefect duties." she said with a serious tone.
"Prefect duties", Ron said with a falsetto voice once Hermione had left. "I really hope she won't become like Percy," he muttered.
Ron's face illuminated suddenly. Harry turned around and saw that Fleur Delacour was standing right behind him. "'Arry, Ron, bonjour!", she said.
Ron stood up and held his hand. Fleur took Ron's hand as if to shake it, but Ron bent down and brushed his lips on Fleur's hand. "Bonjour, Mademoiselle Delacour. Enchanté de vous revoir." he said with a suave voice, totally oblivious to the fact that Hermione was looking daggers at him from the other side of the Great Hall, where she was waiting for first years to gather. Harry gulped. He had a bad feeling about this.
Fleur giggled. "I'm pleased to see you again too, Ron. I see you 'ave learnt to speak French?"
"Oh no, that's about all the French I can speak, really." Ron said.
"'Arry?" Fleur asked hesitantly. Harry turned towards her quickly. "Oh, yes, excuse me. Hello, Fleur." he said hastily. He tried clumsily to imitate Ron's gesture, and kissed Fleur's held hand. "Pleased to see you again." he added. She smiled. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Harry said.
"'Ow is your bruzzer, Ron?" she asked.
Ron chuckled at her accent. "Which one?"
"Oh. Ze tall one, with long 'air. Bill, is zat it?"
"Yep, that's him. I didn't know you knew him."
"We exchanged a few words at ze end of ze Triwizard Tournament."
"Well, he's in London right now. He's fine."
"Say 'ello to 'im for me when you see 'im, will you?"
"Sure."
"Well, I 'ave to go. See in you in Care of Magical Creatures." She turned around and left. Most of the male population in the Hall followed her with the eyes as she left.
"She seems to have quite an effect on you, eh?" laughed Harry.
"Oh, I don't know. That's strange, but last year she had something of an aura. I couldn't even manage to utter a correct sentence in front of her. All I could do was gaping like a goldfish." Harry laughed at the image. "I can't explain it, but she doesn't have that effect on me anymore."
"I bet that's because you've got another person invading your thoughts, isn't it?", Harry teased.
"Yeah, maybe." Ron said pensively. "She's actually a nice person, Fleur, I mean."
"Yeah, she looks nice, when you get past that veela thing. Wished Hermione could see it as well. She looked as if she would have strangled you when you greeted Fleur. I saw her glaring at you from the other side of the Hall."
Ron gulped. "Well, I'll deal about that later." he sighed. "I'm exhausted. Let's get back to Gryffindor Tower. With luck, I'll avoid Hermione and by tomorrow, she'll have forgotten about that."
"You two really are hopeless."
"What!? I don't understand why she doesn't like Fleur, anyway. She can't blame me for liking Fleur as a person. Not as a veela." Ron exclaimed.
"Just as you can't blame her for liking Krum."
"Oh, come on. That's different. You perfectly know why I hate Krum."
Harry sighed. "Let's go."
They both headed for Gryffindor Tower.
***
The next morning, Ron woke up easily. It felt good to be back at Hogwarts. He got off from his bed, and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Harry was already up and was putting his clothes on. They met Hermione in the Common Room, and then they all went to have breakfast. Ron noticed that Hermione was unusually calm. He had been rather pleased to avoid her yesterday, but she was acting as if nothing happened this morning. Maybe she had decided it wasn't worth an argument after all. Ron took a side look at the silver prefect badge pinned on her chest, and wondered if that new position would affect her. Percy had become unbearable once he had been made prefect. Not that he wasn't unbearable already, but… Anyway, Ron hoped that Hermione wouldn't become like Percy.
They sat at their usual places at the Gryffindor Tables and began to have breakfast.
"So, what's our first lesson this year?" Ron asked.
"Well, this year we're lucky: Double Potions!" Harry said sarcastically.
"Oh. My. God. And to think I was happy to be back at Hogwarts. I'm sure that foul Snape got a surprise in his sleeve just for us!"
"Look, the owls are coming!" Harry said.
As usual, the owls dropped numerous presents for the first years. Parents usually sent presents on the first day at Hogwarts for their children, so they wouldn't feel homesick too much.
Everybody in the Hall gasped when a large group of eagle owls burst from the giant doors of the Hall. They were all carrying different kind of flowers, and began to fly across the Hall, making complex moves.
People stood up to see who would be the lucky one to receive such a gift. Then, suddenly, a first owl dropped a bright red rose bouquet in Hermione's lap. Then another one came and dropped flowers on the table in front of Hermione, then another, and another again, and another, until Hermione was totally covered with roses, tulips, and other flowers.
Hermione was just recovering from the surprise when another owl dropped a flower necklace around her neck and finally a last one came and dropped a card in her hands. The whole Hall burst into applauses and cheers. Hermione's face was crimson with embarrassment. Harry gulped and glanced at Ron, whose face was about the same colour as his hair. Harry could feel he was struggling to keep self-control.
"So, who is it from?" said Ginny, taking the card.
"Yes, who?" hissed Ron between clenched teeth.
Hermione didn't hear Ron and snatched the card from Ginny's hands. "Don't be a fool, Ginny, you know who sent those." She torn the envelope, opened the card, and read with a quiet voice.
Hermione,
I hope everything is going fine for you. I wanted it to be a welcome
back to Hogwarts gift, and also to show you that I miss you. With all my
love,
Viktor
"Oh, he's so lovely!" Hermione giggled.
"Who the hell does the bastard think he is?" muttered Ron in his breath.
Hermione was totally oblivious to Ron's fury, and to about anything that was happening around her, Harry noticed. She was holding the card to her heart with a wide smile.
Lavender Brown came from behind Hermione and picked up some flowers. "Hermione, honey, you are sooo lucky", she giggled. "I wish Parvati was there to see that !"
"Where is she?", Ginny asked.
"I don't know. I think she hasn't come back yet from vacation", Lavender replied. "These flowers are really beautiful. This must have cost him a real fortune," she said, picking up a petal from Hermione's hair.
"That's OK. I mean, those must have been expensive, but his family is quite wealthy. And you know, he's a Quidditch player after all. I heard those are really well paid." Ron twitched at that remark.
"Since when have you too been together?" Lavender asked.
Ron almost jumped from his chair and felt his heart skip a beat when Hermione answered. They were… together?
"For almost a month.", Hermione said, blushing. "I'm very pleased with his gift, but honestly. I told him I wanted it to be discreet. I don't want people whispering and gossiping as soon as I have my back turned." Lavender look slightly hurt. "No offence, Lavender", she added.
Harry looked at Ron. All colours had been drained from his face and he looked totally aghast. Hermione was still chatting with Lavender. Ron glanced at her and seemed suddenly very angry.
Ginny caught Ron's eye. Everything in here screamed "Don't Ron!" She gave him a pleading look, but Ron didn't really care. He opened his mouth to say something then he felt Harry's hand on his shoulder. Ron looked at Harry, who shook his head.
Ron broke from Harry's grip and stood up suddenly, surprising everybody.
Hermione looked at him and Ron shot her a fiery glare. He stormed out of
the Hall without a single word.
A.N. : That's all for the moment. Please tell me if you liked
it ! The situation will become more complicated in the next chapters, but
you'll have to be patient, as I've barely begun to write the next part.