Ah, ok. Here it is. Chapter 3. Sorry it took so long. I go sick...again...ugh! I have strep throat right now and I might have to get my tonsils out because this is the second time I've had it in a month! I hope not though. Anyway, here it is. I hope you like it. Hermione comes...Ron has a plan....Harry admits his feelings. Good stuff! I think this is my longest yet...9 or 10 pages :) This in the inedited version. I didn't e mail it to my editor yet so there might be a few mistakes with grammar and all...ok a lot. But since it's late I figured I'd upload it, give it to her to fix, and they upload the nice copy :) PLEASE Read and Review! THANKS!
I own the plot....JKR owns the characters!
Chapter 3
And Here She Is
Down at dinner, later that night, no one really had much to say. Ron just kept glaring at Harry from across the table. He said he was going to get it out of Harry, ( that he liked Ginny) and he was going to keep his word.
When Harry finally noticed he turned a very deep shape of red and tried to avoid his eyes. When it was beginning to be too much he started back at him and mouthed 'stop it'.
" What?" He mouthed back, " I'm not doing anything."
" Sure..." Harry whispered and rolled his eyes.
" Ron, what are you doing to Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked, hearing silent whispers coming from both of them.
Ron looked up abruptly. " Oh, nothing mum."
She looked at Harry to make sure and he just shook his head 'yes'. He then stared back at Ron and threatened him with his eyes.
Now it was Ron's turn to roll his eyes, but he stopped.
" So, it's your birthday tomorrow, huh Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and put his fork down.
" Yup." Harry smiled.
" And your going to be fifteen, correct?"
" Yeah..."
" My, God. You kids are getting so old. I can't believe it's been fourteen years since..." He stopped when Mrs. Weasley gave him a kick from under the table. " OUCH! Ahem... anyway. What do you want for your birthday, Harry?"
Harry new, as well did Ron and everyone else in the family that Mr. Weasley was referring to Harry's parents death. Harry really didn't mind because he himself couldn't believe it was that long ago since he last saw his parents.
" Oh...umm, I'm not sure. Whatever I guess. I'm not really picky. You don't have to get me anything though..."
" Nonsense." Mrs. Weasley argued.
" Yeah, come one Harry. " Fred nudged. " It's your birthday. You won't see anything else until Christmas! And that's almost half a year away!"
Harry smiled and played around with his fork in his food from embarrassment. " I know...but really, you don't need to get me anything..."
" Hey well...though. We did get you something. Me and Fred made you..."
" Don't tell him George!" Fred yelled.
" Oh....fine. It's nothing big though."
" Well... thank you for the dinner, Mother." Percy stood up and brought his plate to the sink. " But I really must get back to that report. I..." He stared at the twins and glared, " have more important things to do then sit around and do nothing." He stuck his nose in the air and puffed out his chest.
Percy walked away and then Fred and George mimicked him behind his back. Everyone stifled a little laugh. Even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
" Alright...enough boys." Mr. Weasley smiled.
" Oh, but Father. I have more IMPORTANT things to do then sit here and make fun of Weatherby." Fred said, impersonating Percy.
" Alright, your Father said enough, boys. So drop it. Put your plates in the sink, and go wash up. Ginny, you do the same." She said as she took Harry's plate away.
Ron and Harry got up to leave when she called again, " Ron...put your plate in the sink." Ron sighed and did what he was told.
When he was done and they had washed their hands they went up to Ron's room.
" Sooo..." Harry began, " Excited that Hermione is coming?"
Ron stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Harry's mischievous grin. " Well....yeah. I haven't seen her in about two months. So...yeah."
" I bet you can't wait..." He whispered and smiled.
" What?" Ron questioned, even though he knew exactly what he said.
Harry coughed, " Nothing..."
" Yeah...I heard you. And as a matter of fact, yeah I can't wait for my FRIEND to come."
Harry coughed again, " I bet..."
" What's with you Harry?"
" Nothing. I just don't feel your being honest with me. And I know your not being honest with yourself about your feelings."
" My feelings about WHAT?"
" Don't play stupid, Ron...."
Ron continued to give him a blank stare.
Harry sighed, " Must I go over everything I said before."
" No..." He said. " And me not being honest with you?" He fake laughed, " Try you not being honest about me. And it's my sister for Lord's sake!"
Now Harry laughed, " Your sister what?"
" My God!" Ron sat down on his bed. " Are we getting no where with this conversation? It keeps on going...what, who, why..."
Harry laughed, " I know. Hey, at least I'm being truthful here..."
" And who says I'm not being truthful?" Ron defended his self.
" Your face. It tells me the answer better then your mouth. Whenever you say her name..."
" Alright, alright..." Ron waved him off. " I don't need to hear it."
" Why? Because you know it's true?" Harry smiled with triumph.
' Ahhhh...' Ron thought. ' Why is he getting the truth out of me and I'm not getting it out of him like I said I would?....Wait. Who said this was the truth...shut up!' He was getting sick and tired or his mind playing tricks on him. ' You just know it's the truth...that's why you get so mad...' Ron felt like grabbing his hair and ripping it out. But he controlled his self...for Harry's sake.
" Harry...it's not true. If it's true then...it's true that you like my sister." Ron prayed that now Harry would still deny it.
" Ok...." Harry smiled and seemed a little embarrassed.
' Uh oh...that's not a good sign...he's smiling!' He thought. " Ok? Ok what?"
Harry ran his hand through his already messy hair and coughed a little bit,( he coughs a lot when he's nervous...notice that?) " Um...well then I guess it's true that you like Hermione?"
Ron lost all color from his face. " No way...You admit it!?"
" I didn't say anything, Ron."
" You did! You said ok...ok to liking Ginny!"
Harry smiled and shrugged. He didn't deny it.
" My GOD! I knew it! I KNEW it! Haha!" Ron ran around his room. Believe it or not, he was happy for his sister. Even if it WAS his best friend, he couldn't think of anyone better for her. Now...just to get them together. ' Man...where's Hermione when you need her?' He thought. He needed her to help.
" Thinking about Hermione?" Harry asked, knowing yes because Ron's face got all dreamy when ever he thought of her.
" No....thinking about Ginny?" He mimicked.
" Maybe..."
Ron rolled his eyes. He didn't know if he could take it now knowing that his best friend thought of his sister that way.
" Just don't say anything, Ron." He looked at him for trust, " Don't tell her."
" Who? Ginny? Don't tell Ginny?"
" No..." Harry said sarcastically. " Yes...don't tell her."
" Ok..." Ron smiled. He never said he couldn't tell Hermione...
The two boys just stared at each other, not really knowing what to say. Ron was staring at Harry, smiling, and Harry was looking out the window at a chirping bird.
" Will you stop smiling at me?" He snapped.
This just made Ron's smile grow even larger, " I knew it..."
" I know you knew...why do you think I denied it?"
Ron shrugged. " To save yourself from humiliation? All these years Ginny liked you and you never looked twice at her. You must feel like a real jerk."
Harry snorted. " Thanks Ron...that makes me feel better."
" Your welcome. Anytime." He paused. No, he couldn't ask this question....Ah, what the heck. " You going to ask her out?"
Harry looked sharply at him. " I don't know." Harry decided to stop his self from getting embarrassed by changing the subject so Ron would. " You going to ask out Hermione?"
Yup...it worked. Ron shifted uneasily on his bed. " Uh...I don't know...no. I'm not."
This time Harry's smile grew larger, " Why? Are you even going to TELL her?"
" Harry...there's nothing TO tell her."
" Then why did you just say no to asking her out if you don't' even like her? You stumbled. You said...'Uh...I don't know...' "
" I...I was surprised by the question! Listen...bottom line...I...don't...fancy...Hermione!" He said slowly to make sure Harry understood.
Harry just raised his eyebrows. " Ok..."
Ron looked at him weirdly, " Ok? That's all you have to say?"
Harry laughed, " Ron, what else is there TO say? You just keep on denying anything and everything I say...ok...I believe you." He said sarcastically. " You don't fancy Hermione. Ok."
Ron really didn't like they way he looked but he accepted it, even though he knew Harry was being sarcastic. He decided to be sarcastic back. " Ok then....glad we agree and you believe me."
" Yup..." Harry said with no emotion at all.
Ron sighed and looked down at the floor. Enough of this awkward silence. " Come on...play a game or exploding snaps?"
Harry smiled. " Alright."
And with that, the two buys dropped all talk of girls....well, for now that is...
* * *
" So...what happened to Cho?" Ron asked Harry when they were laying in bed, trying to get to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day. Hermione was coming, and it was Harry's birthday, so they decided to turn in early.
" I don't know." He replied, his hands under his head as he stared at the ceiling. " My feelings for her just...went away one day. I don't know why. It just happened."
Ron was silent for a second. " And your feelings for Ginny?"
" What about them?" He turned his head.
" There real? Not just...' Oh man...she's hot' kinda thing?"
Harry let out a tired laugh. " Yeah, Ron. There real. But yah know...it's doesn't mean I don't think she's hot."
Ron put his hands over his face and cried, " Ok! I did NOT need to know that. Thanks for sharing Harry. God...I don't think I'll ever get used to you liking my sister and calling her hot..."
Harry laughed again and then Ron turned in his bed to face Harry in his. " You just don't like her because of that do you?"
" No...I don't. Believe me. I'm learning that there's a lot more the Ginny then her looks." Harry sighed and smiled. Talking about Ginny always made him get this peaceful expression, Ron noticed. "I noticed she had to have strong emotions in order to put up with liking me for so long and me practically ignoring her. Also, how she likes to help everybody and how she doesn't care what other people say about her friends. Like look what she did for Neville. She went to the Yule Ball with him when he asked her. She's a very..."
Ron smiled. " Ok Harry. I get it." Ron sighed and turned over. Ginny was lucky to have Harry...well that is she WILL be lucky. Once Hermione got here...matchmaker! Ron was glad that Harry felt this way. It felt like a ton of brick was lifted form his heart just knowing that his sister would be getting someone so special. He was growing more and more close to her as the days went on and felt that it was his responsibility to look out for her. And so he was.
They just laid there in their beds. They needed that talk. Guy talk, yah know. Every guy needs it once and a while, even if they don't want to admit it. They were just drifting off when Ron's watch beeped, announcing 12:00 midnight. A new day. July 31st....Harry's Birthday.
" Hey Harry?" Ron called with a smile.
" Yeah, Ron?" He asked in a tired voice. He must have been sleeping.
" Happy 15th birthday."
Harry sat up at this and looked at Ron's clock. He smiled. " Thanks Ron."
Ron nodded and then closed his eyes. It was the start of a new day. And new year for Harry. He had to make it one of the best and unforgettable birthdays he had ever had. And he knew just what to do...
* * *
" Ron! Ron, wake up!" Someone yelled at him and shook him.
" What? Go away." He said groggily and not even fully awake.
" Ron...get up!" The person hit him with a pillow
At this, Ron jumped up, furious. " What the bloody hell?"
" Well, now, Ronnie. No need to swear, is there?"
" Uhh..." Ron sighed, " Shut up George. What do you want?"
" Mum told me to come up here and get you and Harry up."
" Ok...why?"
" Well what do you think? Is Hermione coming or not? And is it not Harry's birthday? Use your head."
Ron looked at Harry to see if he was awake. He was.
" What time is it?" He asked.
George looked down at his watch. " Almost nine." He went to walked out the door and then added. " And don't you dare think about going back to sleep, Ron. If your not down and five minutes I'm coming back up." He walked out the door and the poked his head in again. " Oh yea. Hermione just owled us. She'll be here early."
" How early?"
" Two hours. She said twelve before but their running early."
" Ok...thanks George." He looked over at Harry once George had exited. " She'll be here in a hour!"
Harry smiled and shook his head as he grabbed a pair of clean clothes out of his bag. " So?"
" Well...I'm not dressed."
" It's going to take you an hour to get dressed?"
" No...but we still have to eat and open your presents."
" So...come on then. Get dressed." Harry said and then ushered out of the door, leaving Ron so he could get dressed.
' My God...Hermione's going to be here soon.' Ron thought as he pulled on a clean pair of jeans to match his red tee shirt. ' So?' He thought back. ' So...you look like a scrub.' His mind said when he looked in the mirror. " I do NOT."
' You do...looked at you. Your hair is all a mess...and I bet your breath smells.'
Ron looked shocked at this and immediately grabbed his toothbrush and headed for the bathroom. He met Harry in the hallway.
" Where you going?" He asked as he was walking back to his room with his dirty clothes.
" I'm going to brush my teeth."
" Oh..." He replied. " Ok. Then I'll go put my stuff in your room and meet you in the kitchen downstairs?"
" Yeah...sure." He nodded and Harry left.
When Ron wash done brushing his teeth he looked at himself closely in the mirror. " You look horrible, Ron." He sighed. " Hermione would never like you..." He whispered to himself.
He looked at his self once more and then turned off the lights and walked out the door.
" What's taking Ron so long?" Fred asked Harry as he entered and sat down to eat.
" Yeah...do I have to go up there and get him again? Because if I do..." And evil smile overtook George's face. " I have some other ways of doing so."
Harry smiled and whispered thanks to Mrs. Weasley as she handed him his breakfast. " No...you don't. He just went upstairs to brush his teeth."
" Ah, yes. Good hygiene is a must." Fred laughed.
Mrs. Weasley gave the twins a ' well ' kind of look once the talk had subsided.
" What?" George questioned. " Did I leave one of my fake wands lying around...because I'm pretty sure I..."
" No...I'm just thinking...isn't today a special day?"
" Why?..." Fred caught on, "OH! Sorry Harry, forgot to mention, Happy Birthday!"
Harry smiled, " Thanks."
" I was wondering when you were going to say something. " Mrs. Weasley smiled and then turned to Harry. " Happy Birthday, dear." She hugged him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek."
" Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." He replied, embarrassed.
She smiled as she began washing the dishes, or rather, her wand was. " Don't mention it."
Silence spread over the table again until Ron walked in.
" Teeth all sparkly, Ronnie?" George smirked.
" Haha...yeah they are."
" Smart though...brush your teeth BEFORE you eat...Oh, but of course...Hermione's coming...now it all makes sense."
" Shut up, George."
" Rawww.....what crawled up your butt?"
" YOU!"
" Sorry man, I don't swing that way..."
Ron just turned red and began eating his breakfast.
" Enough..." Mrs. Weasley said.
" I didn't do anything!"
" Come on, George. It's Harry's birthday. No fighting."
" Fine..."
After that, time seemed to have slowed down, for Ron at least. He was watching the clock for the past fifteen minutes, waiting for when Hermione would be there.
" Whatcha doing?" Harry asked as he sat down next to him on his bed.
" Nothing." He picked at his blanket. " I just...I hope you have a good birthday. Sorry if it sucks so far."
" Nah! Hey, it's any better then anything the Dursley's would give me. By far."
Ron smiled." Good. I'm glad."
" Hermione should be here any minute..." Harry began.
" I know."
" I can't wait. I haven't seen her in so long."
" Me too..."
Just then they both heard the sound of Ron's front door open and his mothers voice. " Oh hi Hermione! How are you?"
" I'm good. How are you Mrs. Weasley?"
" I'm fine dear. I think Ron and Harry are upstairs...."
" Hermione's here!" Harry said. " Come on, Ron!"
Ron sat there frozen for a second, swallowed, and then walked out of the room smiling like Harry.
They ran down the stairs and met up with her just was she was going to walk back out to get the rest of her stuff.
" Hermione!" Harry and Ron called in unison.
She spun around and smiled. " Harry!.... Ron!" She dropped the bags she was holding and ran to hug them. Hermione hugged Harry first and then switched over to Ron. Ron was surprised by this and didn't know what to do but he slowly put his arm around her. And after a few seconds longer then was needed...they let go.
Harry smiled and then decided to break the silence. " Need help with your stuff Hermione?"
" Oh, yeah. I know I'm not staying long but...I do have quite a few things with me."
Ron and Harry nodded and then walked out to the Granger's car and began to grab the two suitcases that were left.
" Oh, no, really. You two don't need too....alright." She gave in when Ron gave her a look that clearly said ' shut up.'
Ron, Harry and Hermione all brought her stuff up to Ginny's room, where she would be rooming with her while she was here, and then walked back outside to say good bye to the Grangers.
The three entered outside and Ron groaned when he saw his father near the Grangers, obviously asking about that car.
" Now...is this a V8 engine? How much horse power?"
" Um..." Mr. Granger said. " 30 horse power...I think."
" FASCINATING! Oh Molly, Molly, come look at this! When I press this button.....the wind vipers move back an forth!" Mr. Weasley looked up. " They are called wind vipers, aren't they?"
Mrs. Granger smiled, " Window wipers..."
" Ah, yes! Of course. Window wipers..."
Ron whispered in Hermione's ear, " Sorry about that..."
" It's fine. Look, my mum and dad seem to love your dad."
" Hermione!" Ginny called as she walked out of the house
" Ginny!" Hermione replied as she ran to meet her half way.
" I didn't know you were here!"
" I just got here! Where were you? I didn't see you."
" I was in the house. How are you?"
Harry and Ron both turned around and mumbled, " Girls..."
" I'm fine...wow it's been a while since I've seen you." Her and Ginny began to walk back to Harry and Ron. " Since I've seen all of you."
Ron noticed that Harry had suddenly became very concentrated on the Granger's car.
" Harry?" He called.
" Yeah." He replied but didn't turn around.
" Um....Hermione and Ginny are sorta here and isn't it impolite to be looking the other way?"
" Um...yeah. I said hello though." His face was beginning to turn red.
Ron tried to hold in his giggles. It was because Ginny was there that Harry was acting all weird.
" Yeah, but, now Ginny is here and you haven't said hello to her all day yet...I'm sure she has something to say to you."
Harry gulped and turned around. " Hi, Ginny."
" Hi, Harry." There was a whole moment of silence before she spoke again, " Um...Happy birthday."
Harry smiled and ran his hand through his hair nervously, " Thanks."
Ron quietly pulled Hermione away from the two where just she and him could talk. It was time to put his plan to work...
* * *
Haha....ok for all of you who wanted Hermione to come...she's here! Awww Harry is SO CUTE around Ginny! Their priceless.
To look forward to in the next chapter...we'll find out what Ron's plan is. And a treat for all the H/G shippers...*hint*
I own the plot....JKR owns the characters!
Chapter 3
And Here She Is
Down at dinner, later that night, no one really had much to say. Ron just kept glaring at Harry from across the table. He said he was going to get it out of Harry, ( that he liked Ginny) and he was going to keep his word.
When Harry finally noticed he turned a very deep shape of red and tried to avoid his eyes. When it was beginning to be too much he started back at him and mouthed 'stop it'.
" What?" He mouthed back, " I'm not doing anything."
" Sure..." Harry whispered and rolled his eyes.
" Ron, what are you doing to Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked, hearing silent whispers coming from both of them.
Ron looked up abruptly. " Oh, nothing mum."
She looked at Harry to make sure and he just shook his head 'yes'. He then stared back at Ron and threatened him with his eyes.
Now it was Ron's turn to roll his eyes, but he stopped.
" So, it's your birthday tomorrow, huh Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and put his fork down.
" Yup." Harry smiled.
" And your going to be fifteen, correct?"
" Yeah..."
" My, God. You kids are getting so old. I can't believe it's been fourteen years since..." He stopped when Mrs. Weasley gave him a kick from under the table. " OUCH! Ahem... anyway. What do you want for your birthday, Harry?"
Harry new, as well did Ron and everyone else in the family that Mr. Weasley was referring to Harry's parents death. Harry really didn't mind because he himself couldn't believe it was that long ago since he last saw his parents.
" Oh...umm, I'm not sure. Whatever I guess. I'm not really picky. You don't have to get me anything though..."
" Nonsense." Mrs. Weasley argued.
" Yeah, come one Harry. " Fred nudged. " It's your birthday. You won't see anything else until Christmas! And that's almost half a year away!"
Harry smiled and played around with his fork in his food from embarrassment. " I know...but really, you don't need to get me anything..."
" Hey well...though. We did get you something. Me and Fred made you..."
" Don't tell him George!" Fred yelled.
" Oh....fine. It's nothing big though."
" Well... thank you for the dinner, Mother." Percy stood up and brought his plate to the sink. " But I really must get back to that report. I..." He stared at the twins and glared, " have more important things to do then sit around and do nothing." He stuck his nose in the air and puffed out his chest.
Percy walked away and then Fred and George mimicked him behind his back. Everyone stifled a little laugh. Even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
" Alright...enough boys." Mr. Weasley smiled.
" Oh, but Father. I have more IMPORTANT things to do then sit here and make fun of Weatherby." Fred said, impersonating Percy.
" Alright, your Father said enough, boys. So drop it. Put your plates in the sink, and go wash up. Ginny, you do the same." She said as she took Harry's plate away.
Ron and Harry got up to leave when she called again, " Ron...put your plate in the sink." Ron sighed and did what he was told.
When he was done and they had washed their hands they went up to Ron's room.
" Sooo..." Harry began, " Excited that Hermione is coming?"
Ron stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Harry's mischievous grin. " Well....yeah. I haven't seen her in about two months. So...yeah."
" I bet you can't wait..." He whispered and smiled.
" What?" Ron questioned, even though he knew exactly what he said.
Harry coughed, " Nothing..."
" Yeah...I heard you. And as a matter of fact, yeah I can't wait for my FRIEND to come."
Harry coughed again, " I bet..."
" What's with you Harry?"
" Nothing. I just don't feel your being honest with me. And I know your not being honest with yourself about your feelings."
" My feelings about WHAT?"
" Don't play stupid, Ron...."
Ron continued to give him a blank stare.
Harry sighed, " Must I go over everything I said before."
" No..." He said. " And me not being honest with you?" He fake laughed, " Try you not being honest about me. And it's my sister for Lord's sake!"
Now Harry laughed, " Your sister what?"
" My God!" Ron sat down on his bed. " Are we getting no where with this conversation? It keeps on going...what, who, why..."
Harry laughed, " I know. Hey, at least I'm being truthful here..."
" And who says I'm not being truthful?" Ron defended his self.
" Your face. It tells me the answer better then your mouth. Whenever you say her name..."
" Alright, alright..." Ron waved him off. " I don't need to hear it."
" Why? Because you know it's true?" Harry smiled with triumph.
' Ahhhh...' Ron thought. ' Why is he getting the truth out of me and I'm not getting it out of him like I said I would?....Wait. Who said this was the truth...shut up!' He was getting sick and tired or his mind playing tricks on him. ' You just know it's the truth...that's why you get so mad...' Ron felt like grabbing his hair and ripping it out. But he controlled his self...for Harry's sake.
" Harry...it's not true. If it's true then...it's true that you like my sister." Ron prayed that now Harry would still deny it.
" Ok...." Harry smiled and seemed a little embarrassed.
' Uh oh...that's not a good sign...he's smiling!' He thought. " Ok? Ok what?"
Harry ran his hand through his already messy hair and coughed a little bit,( he coughs a lot when he's nervous...notice that?) " Um...well then I guess it's true that you like Hermione?"
Ron lost all color from his face. " No way...You admit it!?"
" I didn't say anything, Ron."
" You did! You said ok...ok to liking Ginny!"
Harry smiled and shrugged. He didn't deny it.
" My GOD! I knew it! I KNEW it! Haha!" Ron ran around his room. Believe it or not, he was happy for his sister. Even if it WAS his best friend, he couldn't think of anyone better for her. Now...just to get them together. ' Man...where's Hermione when you need her?' He thought. He needed her to help.
" Thinking about Hermione?" Harry asked, knowing yes because Ron's face got all dreamy when ever he thought of her.
" No....thinking about Ginny?" He mimicked.
" Maybe..."
Ron rolled his eyes. He didn't know if he could take it now knowing that his best friend thought of his sister that way.
" Just don't say anything, Ron." He looked at him for trust, " Don't tell her."
" Who? Ginny? Don't tell Ginny?"
" No..." Harry said sarcastically. " Yes...don't tell her."
" Ok..." Ron smiled. He never said he couldn't tell Hermione...
The two boys just stared at each other, not really knowing what to say. Ron was staring at Harry, smiling, and Harry was looking out the window at a chirping bird.
" Will you stop smiling at me?" He snapped.
This just made Ron's smile grow even larger, " I knew it..."
" I know you knew...why do you think I denied it?"
Ron shrugged. " To save yourself from humiliation? All these years Ginny liked you and you never looked twice at her. You must feel like a real jerk."
Harry snorted. " Thanks Ron...that makes me feel better."
" Your welcome. Anytime." He paused. No, he couldn't ask this question....Ah, what the heck. " You going to ask her out?"
Harry looked sharply at him. " I don't know." Harry decided to stop his self from getting embarrassed by changing the subject so Ron would. " You going to ask out Hermione?"
Yup...it worked. Ron shifted uneasily on his bed. " Uh...I don't know...no. I'm not."
This time Harry's smile grew larger, " Why? Are you even going to TELL her?"
" Harry...there's nothing TO tell her."
" Then why did you just say no to asking her out if you don't' even like her? You stumbled. You said...'Uh...I don't know...' "
" I...I was surprised by the question! Listen...bottom line...I...don't...fancy...Hermione!" He said slowly to make sure Harry understood.
Harry just raised his eyebrows. " Ok..."
Ron looked at him weirdly, " Ok? That's all you have to say?"
Harry laughed, " Ron, what else is there TO say? You just keep on denying anything and everything I say...ok...I believe you." He said sarcastically. " You don't fancy Hermione. Ok."
Ron really didn't like they way he looked but he accepted it, even though he knew Harry was being sarcastic. He decided to be sarcastic back. " Ok then....glad we agree and you believe me."
" Yup..." Harry said with no emotion at all.
Ron sighed and looked down at the floor. Enough of this awkward silence. " Come on...play a game or exploding snaps?"
Harry smiled. " Alright."
And with that, the two buys dropped all talk of girls....well, for now that is...
* * *
" So...what happened to Cho?" Ron asked Harry when they were laying in bed, trying to get to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day. Hermione was coming, and it was Harry's birthday, so they decided to turn in early.
" I don't know." He replied, his hands under his head as he stared at the ceiling. " My feelings for her just...went away one day. I don't know why. It just happened."
Ron was silent for a second. " And your feelings for Ginny?"
" What about them?" He turned his head.
" There real? Not just...' Oh man...she's hot' kinda thing?"
Harry let out a tired laugh. " Yeah, Ron. There real. But yah know...it's doesn't mean I don't think she's hot."
Ron put his hands over his face and cried, " Ok! I did NOT need to know that. Thanks for sharing Harry. God...I don't think I'll ever get used to you liking my sister and calling her hot..."
Harry laughed again and then Ron turned in his bed to face Harry in his. " You just don't like her because of that do you?"
" No...I don't. Believe me. I'm learning that there's a lot more the Ginny then her looks." Harry sighed and smiled. Talking about Ginny always made him get this peaceful expression, Ron noticed. "I noticed she had to have strong emotions in order to put up with liking me for so long and me practically ignoring her. Also, how she likes to help everybody and how she doesn't care what other people say about her friends. Like look what she did for Neville. She went to the Yule Ball with him when he asked her. She's a very..."
Ron smiled. " Ok Harry. I get it." Ron sighed and turned over. Ginny was lucky to have Harry...well that is she WILL be lucky. Once Hermione got here...matchmaker! Ron was glad that Harry felt this way. It felt like a ton of brick was lifted form his heart just knowing that his sister would be getting someone so special. He was growing more and more close to her as the days went on and felt that it was his responsibility to look out for her. And so he was.
They just laid there in their beds. They needed that talk. Guy talk, yah know. Every guy needs it once and a while, even if they don't want to admit it. They were just drifting off when Ron's watch beeped, announcing 12:00 midnight. A new day. July 31st....Harry's Birthday.
" Hey Harry?" Ron called with a smile.
" Yeah, Ron?" He asked in a tired voice. He must have been sleeping.
" Happy 15th birthday."
Harry sat up at this and looked at Ron's clock. He smiled. " Thanks Ron."
Ron nodded and then closed his eyes. It was the start of a new day. And new year for Harry. He had to make it one of the best and unforgettable birthdays he had ever had. And he knew just what to do...
* * *
" Ron! Ron, wake up!" Someone yelled at him and shook him.
" What? Go away." He said groggily and not even fully awake.
" Ron...get up!" The person hit him with a pillow
At this, Ron jumped up, furious. " What the bloody hell?"
" Well, now, Ronnie. No need to swear, is there?"
" Uhh..." Ron sighed, " Shut up George. What do you want?"
" Mum told me to come up here and get you and Harry up."
" Ok...why?"
" Well what do you think? Is Hermione coming or not? And is it not Harry's birthday? Use your head."
Ron looked at Harry to see if he was awake. He was.
" What time is it?" He asked.
George looked down at his watch. " Almost nine." He went to walked out the door and then added. " And don't you dare think about going back to sleep, Ron. If your not down and five minutes I'm coming back up." He walked out the door and the poked his head in again. " Oh yea. Hermione just owled us. She'll be here early."
" How early?"
" Two hours. She said twelve before but their running early."
" Ok...thanks George." He looked over at Harry once George had exited. " She'll be here in a hour!"
Harry smiled and shook his head as he grabbed a pair of clean clothes out of his bag. " So?"
" Well...I'm not dressed."
" It's going to take you an hour to get dressed?"
" No...but we still have to eat and open your presents."
" So...come on then. Get dressed." Harry said and then ushered out of the door, leaving Ron so he could get dressed.
' My God...Hermione's going to be here soon.' Ron thought as he pulled on a clean pair of jeans to match his red tee shirt. ' So?' He thought back. ' So...you look like a scrub.' His mind said when he looked in the mirror. " I do NOT."
' You do...looked at you. Your hair is all a mess...and I bet your breath smells.'
Ron looked shocked at this and immediately grabbed his toothbrush and headed for the bathroom. He met Harry in the hallway.
" Where you going?" He asked as he was walking back to his room with his dirty clothes.
" I'm going to brush my teeth."
" Oh..." He replied. " Ok. Then I'll go put my stuff in your room and meet you in the kitchen downstairs?"
" Yeah...sure." He nodded and Harry left.
When Ron wash done brushing his teeth he looked at himself closely in the mirror. " You look horrible, Ron." He sighed. " Hermione would never like you..." He whispered to himself.
He looked at his self once more and then turned off the lights and walked out the door.
" What's taking Ron so long?" Fred asked Harry as he entered and sat down to eat.
" Yeah...do I have to go up there and get him again? Because if I do..." And evil smile overtook George's face. " I have some other ways of doing so."
Harry smiled and whispered thanks to Mrs. Weasley as she handed him his breakfast. " No...you don't. He just went upstairs to brush his teeth."
" Ah, yes. Good hygiene is a must." Fred laughed.
Mrs. Weasley gave the twins a ' well ' kind of look once the talk had subsided.
" What?" George questioned. " Did I leave one of my fake wands lying around...because I'm pretty sure I..."
" No...I'm just thinking...isn't today a special day?"
" Why?..." Fred caught on, "OH! Sorry Harry, forgot to mention, Happy Birthday!"
Harry smiled, " Thanks."
" I was wondering when you were going to say something. " Mrs. Weasley smiled and then turned to Harry. " Happy Birthday, dear." She hugged him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek."
" Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." He replied, embarrassed.
She smiled as she began washing the dishes, or rather, her wand was. " Don't mention it."
Silence spread over the table again until Ron walked in.
" Teeth all sparkly, Ronnie?" George smirked.
" Haha...yeah they are."
" Smart though...brush your teeth BEFORE you eat...Oh, but of course...Hermione's coming...now it all makes sense."
" Shut up, George."
" Rawww.....what crawled up your butt?"
" YOU!"
" Sorry man, I don't swing that way..."
Ron just turned red and began eating his breakfast.
" Enough..." Mrs. Weasley said.
" I didn't do anything!"
" Come on, George. It's Harry's birthday. No fighting."
" Fine..."
After that, time seemed to have slowed down, for Ron at least. He was watching the clock for the past fifteen minutes, waiting for when Hermione would be there.
" Whatcha doing?" Harry asked as he sat down next to him on his bed.
" Nothing." He picked at his blanket. " I just...I hope you have a good birthday. Sorry if it sucks so far."
" Nah! Hey, it's any better then anything the Dursley's would give me. By far."
Ron smiled." Good. I'm glad."
" Hermione should be here any minute..." Harry began.
" I know."
" I can't wait. I haven't seen her in so long."
" Me too..."
Just then they both heard the sound of Ron's front door open and his mothers voice. " Oh hi Hermione! How are you?"
" I'm good. How are you Mrs. Weasley?"
" I'm fine dear. I think Ron and Harry are upstairs...."
" Hermione's here!" Harry said. " Come on, Ron!"
Ron sat there frozen for a second, swallowed, and then walked out of the room smiling like Harry.
They ran down the stairs and met up with her just was she was going to walk back out to get the rest of her stuff.
" Hermione!" Harry and Ron called in unison.
She spun around and smiled. " Harry!.... Ron!" She dropped the bags she was holding and ran to hug them. Hermione hugged Harry first and then switched over to Ron. Ron was surprised by this and didn't know what to do but he slowly put his arm around her. And after a few seconds longer then was needed...they let go.
Harry smiled and then decided to break the silence. " Need help with your stuff Hermione?"
" Oh, yeah. I know I'm not staying long but...I do have quite a few things with me."
Ron and Harry nodded and then walked out to the Granger's car and began to grab the two suitcases that were left.
" Oh, no, really. You two don't need too....alright." She gave in when Ron gave her a look that clearly said ' shut up.'
Ron, Harry and Hermione all brought her stuff up to Ginny's room, where she would be rooming with her while she was here, and then walked back outside to say good bye to the Grangers.
The three entered outside and Ron groaned when he saw his father near the Grangers, obviously asking about that car.
" Now...is this a V8 engine? How much horse power?"
" Um..." Mr. Granger said. " 30 horse power...I think."
" FASCINATING! Oh Molly, Molly, come look at this! When I press this button.....the wind vipers move back an forth!" Mr. Weasley looked up. " They are called wind vipers, aren't they?"
Mrs. Granger smiled, " Window wipers..."
" Ah, yes! Of course. Window wipers..."
Ron whispered in Hermione's ear, " Sorry about that..."
" It's fine. Look, my mum and dad seem to love your dad."
" Hermione!" Ginny called as she walked out of the house
" Ginny!" Hermione replied as she ran to meet her half way.
" I didn't know you were here!"
" I just got here! Where were you? I didn't see you."
" I was in the house. How are you?"
Harry and Ron both turned around and mumbled, " Girls..."
" I'm fine...wow it's been a while since I've seen you." Her and Ginny began to walk back to Harry and Ron. " Since I've seen all of you."
Ron noticed that Harry had suddenly became very concentrated on the Granger's car.
" Harry?" He called.
" Yeah." He replied but didn't turn around.
" Um....Hermione and Ginny are sorta here and isn't it impolite to be looking the other way?"
" Um...yeah. I said hello though." His face was beginning to turn red.
Ron tried to hold in his giggles. It was because Ginny was there that Harry was acting all weird.
" Yeah, but, now Ginny is here and you haven't said hello to her all day yet...I'm sure she has something to say to you."
Harry gulped and turned around. " Hi, Ginny."
" Hi, Harry." There was a whole moment of silence before she spoke again, " Um...Happy birthday."
Harry smiled and ran his hand through his hair nervously, " Thanks."
Ron quietly pulled Hermione away from the two where just she and him could talk. It was time to put his plan to work...
* * *
Haha....ok for all of you who wanted Hermione to come...she's here! Awww Harry is SO CUTE around Ginny! Their priceless.
To look forward to in the next chapter...we'll find out what Ron's plan is. And a treat for all the H/G shippers...*hint*