A/N - Thanks again go to Anne, Imogen and B. Bennett for their wonderful
beta help and friendship.
Chapter 3: The Inevitability of Dawn
The full moon shown down brightly as Ron and Hermione made their way silently to the Owl Barn. Ron glanced worriedly over at Hermione, who hadn't said a word since they had left the common room.
"Hermione," Ron whispered hesitantly.
She didn't look at him. "I'm okay, Ron."
Uncertain how to proceed with her, he didn't say anything else until they had reached the Owl Barn and she had sent off her message. Looking at her in the dim light, he noticed that she was biting her lower lip. A funny sensation uncurled in the pit of his stomach. To distract himself, he tried once again to draw her into a conversation.
"Hermione, you know I'm your friend, right?"
She looked at him blankly. "Ron, you're my best friend. You and Harry."
Pleased, Ron nodded. "So friends talk about things if they're worried, right?"
Obviously catching his train of thought, she sighed but smiled at him. "Ron I'm just concerned. Other than that, I'm not sure I want to talk about it."
Somewhat angered by her response, Ron rolled his eyes and tried to keep his tone even. "Great, now I've got two of you doing it."
Hermione looked surprised by the frustration that must have been obvious in his voice. "What do you mean, two of us?"
"I mean you and Harry, my supposed best friends. Whenever something bad happens or he's worried about something, he refuses to talk about it. Now you're doing the same thing."
Hermione opened her mouth as if to defend herself, but then paused. Hesitantly, she put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry Ron," she whispered. "I didn't mean to shut you out. It's only that sometimes I like to think about things before I can talk about them." She gave him a small smile. "Does that make sense?"
He wasn't expecting that. Thinking about it for a second though, he realized that he should have. He returned her smile. "Coming from you it does."
She smacked him lightly on the arm and he grinned at her. "Well I guess I'll just wait until you're done thinking about it then." He paused and unable to help himself, brushed aside a curly strand of hair that clung to her cheek. He heard her catch her breath at his touch and emotions that he couldn't begin to put a name to stormed around inside him. This was Hermione, he thought in amazement. He had known her for years but suddenly he felt like he didn't know who she really was at all. And he suddenly realized that he truly wanted to find out. He knew he was blushing furiously and he was grateful that the dim lighting hid his discomfort. Taking a deep breath, he asked about something he'd been curious about for some time.
"Tell me what it's like being an only child. I can't even imagine that."
She seemed surprised by his abrupt change of subject and paused before answering. "Well, we're all very close. Both of my parents are only children and Mema died when I was ten so we're pretty much it."
Ron raised his eyebrows in curiosity. "Mema?"
Hermione ducked her head for a moment but then looked back up at him with a self-conscious smile. "My grandmother," she said softly. "I called her Mema."
Ron listened, fascinated, as they headed back to the castle.
"Both of my parents are really busy with their dental practice," she continued. "But they've always taken time for me." She shot him an impish look. "And while holidays are fun and I get a lot of presents, I can't imagine that they're anywhere nearly as interesting as yours!"
Ron laughed at this and rolled his eyes. "When we're all together for Christmas, it's completely nuts!"
Hermione shook her head. "It still amazes me that everybody actually fits in the house."
Ron grinned at that comment but he was still curious about her parents. "What's your Mum like? I mean, I've met her briefly but is she really strict or what?"
"No, she's not strict." Hermione seemed to think about his question for a moment. "She's really like a good friend now that I'm older. I can pretty much ask her anything." She looked up at him with a mysterious smile. "I like that, a lot."
Ron was worried by that smile. She hadn't talked to her mum about him, surely?
He mentally shook his head. Nah.
They reached the castle and Ron halted a moment. "Hermione, I know you said that sometimes you like to just think about things before you talk about them..." He paused awkwardly for a second and felt another blush heating his face. "Well, I guess as one of you best friends, I'm here when you do want to talk."
She didn't say anything for a moment and Ron started to feel like a complete idiot. Then she smiled and reached over and squeezed his hand gently. "Thanks Ron," she said softly. "I will, I promise." With that, she turned and entered the castle ahead of him.
Ron stood there for a moment, feeling amazingly pleased for no apparent reason. He ran over their conversation in his head and then looked at the doorway she had just gone though and grinned. Whistling cheerfully, he strode towards the door and followed her.
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October 3rd
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The next day had dawned gloriously sunny and Hermione Granger was elated. The day was quite warm and the first Quidditch game of the season would take place in half an hour. She had rushed back the girls dormitory after her last class of the day so that she could quickly change and get down to the field to cheer on Ron and Harry. She smiled as she thought of Ron. He had been so excited and proud to make the team that there had barely been a conversation for the past three weeks that didn't include Quidditch in some form or another. To be fair though, Ron had really put his all into the practices. Even the new Captain, Katie Bell, had mentioned how hard he had worked.
Hermione thought of their talk last night and blushed. Something about him had been different. Ron was a curious person to a point, but he had never asked her the type of personal questions like he had last night. And then he had brushed aside a bit of hair from her cheek. She thought that her heart would pound through her chest at his touch and the curiously intent look in his eyes.
He'd never done that before either.
A yell from above caught her attention and she looked up.
"Oye! Hermione!"
She waved at one of the twins, and squinting a moment before pinning down which one. "Hi George."
He swooped down on his broom with a flourish. She laughed and clapped as he bowed deeply.
"Come to see the team off, eh?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Or is their anybody in particular you're looking for?"
Hermione blushed and narrowed her eyes at him. "George," she said warningly.
Trying for an innocent look and failing miserably, George grinned. "What? You're not down at the pitch almost forty minutes before game time to cheer Ronnikins on? Give him a good luck kiss?" He puckered his lips comically. "Can I have one too?"
Hermione knew she was blushing furiously but she laughed at Georges' antics. With a boldness that surprised her, she stepped forward and pecked a kiss on his cheek. George looked slightly stunned that she had actually taken his dare. Then he grinned from ear to ear as they both saw Ron coming towards them on his broom. Judging by his expression, he must have seen the whole thing.
"Hermione!" Ron practically shouted.
Hermione groaned and suddenly wished that the ground would swallow her up whole. She stood her ground though and tried not to laugh at the horrified expression on Ron's face. "Yes Ron?"
Ron looked like he was about to explode. "You KISSED George!
Hermione knew she must be close to three shades of scarlet but she refused to back down. "He asked me to."
Ron looked apoplectic "He...." He didn't seem able to get anything else out.
George wasn't helping, as he was practically rolling on the ground with laughter. "See," he said, gasping for breath. "All you have to do is ask."
Thankfully, Harry chose that moment to drift over on his broom. He too, seemed to have been a witness to her foolishness, as a quirky smile played on his mouth. "We'd better get on to the field and warm up. 'Lo Hermione."
Hermione took his comment as an olive branch and grabbed on for dear life. "Hi Harry, good luck with the game."
Harry looked over at Ron's still fuming expression and smiled. "Thanks." With that, he and George who was still wheezing with laughter, zoomed towards the far end of the field.
Still blushing, Hermione turned toward Ron. "We were just kidding around Ron." Hesitating, she held out her hand. "Good luck on your first game."
He looked down at her proffered hand and seemed to consider it for a moment. He took it with his own, and slowly dragged her towards him. Her head shot up in surprise and their eyes met. His ears were bright red but the expression on his face was determined. He leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers.
Her breath caught and her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of his warm mouth over hers. She stood there for a second, not believing what had just happened. Opening her eyes, she saw him grinning at her with a bright flush on his cheeks.
"Thanks Hermione," was all he said before mounting his broom and flying off to join the rest of his team.
She just stood there with her mouth hanging open. He had KISSED her!
Hermione wandered over to the stands in a daze, barely noticing that students were starting to pack the seats around her as game time got closer. It wasn't until the first whistle blew that she snapped out of her turbulent thoughts and focused on the game. The Gryffindors were playing Ravenclaw and both teams looked good. The Quaffle got scooped up by a Ravenclaw student, and the game was on.
For the next hour and a half, Hermione cheered herself hoarse. Ron was doing an outstanding job of keeping the Quaffle out of the goal posts. He was practically a blur as she watched him dart between the three hoops. The snitch had been sighted twice and Clarissa Yeager, the Ravenclaw Seeker had just missed it the last time before crashing into the ground. Luckily, she hadn't been severely hurt and was back on her broom in a matter of minutes. The score was a tense 20 to 30 with Gryffindor in the lead. They needed that snitch.
Suddenly, Hermione saw Harry streaking downward. Hermione could see the small golden Snitch flying furiously, just a few inches ahead of him.
Closer, closer, YES!
Gryffindor had won the first game of the season.
The crowd erupted in exuberant cheers as the players came forward to congratulate each other. Harry was pounded on the back by several teammates; Hermione watched Ron fly over and almost knock Harry off his broom as he hugged his friend in obvious elation.
Hermione didn't notice that someone was calling her name until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw that Professor McGonagall was standing in front of her with a strained expression on her face.
"Hermione, I need you to come to the Headmaster's office."
Hermione was startled. "Am I in trouble for something?"
McGonagall smiled sadly down at her. "No dear, the Headmaster would just like to speak to you."
Confused, Hermione nodded and stood up and followed Professor McGonagall off the field. A sense of dread started to creep down her back and she wondered why the Headmaster wanted to speak to her privately. Why now? Vaguely, she heard her name being called. Turning around, she saw Ron and Harry flying towards her on their brooms.
Looking between Hermione and Professor McGonagall, Harry frowned. "Is something wrong Professor?"
Hermione saw her giving the boys a considering look and then the professor looked over at her. "I think it would be best if all three of you came with me to the Headmasters' office."
Ron looked alarmed. "Now?"
The Professor smiled kindly. "Go shower and change and meet us in twenty minutes." She looked down at Hermione. "All right?"
Hermione nodded, as did Ron and Harry.
*******
Twenty very long minutes later, Hermione sat in front of the Headmaster's desk. Ron and Harry were on either side of her. They kept on shooting questioning glances at each other as they waited to find out why they had been called here.
Dumbledore's eyes looked very tired behind his half moon glasses. "Hermione, Ron, Harry," he began softly. "I have brought you all here because something terrible has happened."
Hermione felt herself go icy cold and blindly reached out a hand and felt it gripped by Harry. "What is it Headmaster?"
Dumbledore looked down at her sadly. "Hermione, this will be hard on you. That is why I wanted Ron and Harry here with you."
Hermione drew her breath in with difficulty. "What? What is it?"
The Headmaster closed his eyes briefly and Hermione saw Professor McGonagall put her hand on his shoulder. "Hermione, your parents were killed last night by Voldemort and his Death Eaters."
For a moment, she heard nothing else but a roaring in her ears. She shook her head slowly, unwilling to believe.
"No," she said in a strangled voice. "No."
In a daze, she felt herself standing up, felt Ron's arms around her and thought she heard him whisper her name. And then she heard a keening wail break the silence of the room. She wanted it to stop but the horrible sound continued on and on until something cool touched her forehead.
And then she felt nothing at all.
Chapter 3: The Inevitability of Dawn
The full moon shown down brightly as Ron and Hermione made their way silently to the Owl Barn. Ron glanced worriedly over at Hermione, who hadn't said a word since they had left the common room.
"Hermione," Ron whispered hesitantly.
She didn't look at him. "I'm okay, Ron."
Uncertain how to proceed with her, he didn't say anything else until they had reached the Owl Barn and she had sent off her message. Looking at her in the dim light, he noticed that she was biting her lower lip. A funny sensation uncurled in the pit of his stomach. To distract himself, he tried once again to draw her into a conversation.
"Hermione, you know I'm your friend, right?"
She looked at him blankly. "Ron, you're my best friend. You and Harry."
Pleased, Ron nodded. "So friends talk about things if they're worried, right?"
Obviously catching his train of thought, she sighed but smiled at him. "Ron I'm just concerned. Other than that, I'm not sure I want to talk about it."
Somewhat angered by her response, Ron rolled his eyes and tried to keep his tone even. "Great, now I've got two of you doing it."
Hermione looked surprised by the frustration that must have been obvious in his voice. "What do you mean, two of us?"
"I mean you and Harry, my supposed best friends. Whenever something bad happens or he's worried about something, he refuses to talk about it. Now you're doing the same thing."
Hermione opened her mouth as if to defend herself, but then paused. Hesitantly, she put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry Ron," she whispered. "I didn't mean to shut you out. It's only that sometimes I like to think about things before I can talk about them." She gave him a small smile. "Does that make sense?"
He wasn't expecting that. Thinking about it for a second though, he realized that he should have. He returned her smile. "Coming from you it does."
She smacked him lightly on the arm and he grinned at her. "Well I guess I'll just wait until you're done thinking about it then." He paused and unable to help himself, brushed aside a curly strand of hair that clung to her cheek. He heard her catch her breath at his touch and emotions that he couldn't begin to put a name to stormed around inside him. This was Hermione, he thought in amazement. He had known her for years but suddenly he felt like he didn't know who she really was at all. And he suddenly realized that he truly wanted to find out. He knew he was blushing furiously and he was grateful that the dim lighting hid his discomfort. Taking a deep breath, he asked about something he'd been curious about for some time.
"Tell me what it's like being an only child. I can't even imagine that."
She seemed surprised by his abrupt change of subject and paused before answering. "Well, we're all very close. Both of my parents are only children and Mema died when I was ten so we're pretty much it."
Ron raised his eyebrows in curiosity. "Mema?"
Hermione ducked her head for a moment but then looked back up at him with a self-conscious smile. "My grandmother," she said softly. "I called her Mema."
Ron listened, fascinated, as they headed back to the castle.
"Both of my parents are really busy with their dental practice," she continued. "But they've always taken time for me." She shot him an impish look. "And while holidays are fun and I get a lot of presents, I can't imagine that they're anywhere nearly as interesting as yours!"
Ron laughed at this and rolled his eyes. "When we're all together for Christmas, it's completely nuts!"
Hermione shook her head. "It still amazes me that everybody actually fits in the house."
Ron grinned at that comment but he was still curious about her parents. "What's your Mum like? I mean, I've met her briefly but is she really strict or what?"
"No, she's not strict." Hermione seemed to think about his question for a moment. "She's really like a good friend now that I'm older. I can pretty much ask her anything." She looked up at him with a mysterious smile. "I like that, a lot."
Ron was worried by that smile. She hadn't talked to her mum about him, surely?
He mentally shook his head. Nah.
They reached the castle and Ron halted a moment. "Hermione, I know you said that sometimes you like to just think about things before you talk about them..." He paused awkwardly for a second and felt another blush heating his face. "Well, I guess as one of you best friends, I'm here when you do want to talk."
She didn't say anything for a moment and Ron started to feel like a complete idiot. Then she smiled and reached over and squeezed his hand gently. "Thanks Ron," she said softly. "I will, I promise." With that, she turned and entered the castle ahead of him.
Ron stood there for a moment, feeling amazingly pleased for no apparent reason. He ran over their conversation in his head and then looked at the doorway she had just gone though and grinned. Whistling cheerfully, he strode towards the door and followed her.
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October 3rd
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The next day had dawned gloriously sunny and Hermione Granger was elated. The day was quite warm and the first Quidditch game of the season would take place in half an hour. She had rushed back the girls dormitory after her last class of the day so that she could quickly change and get down to the field to cheer on Ron and Harry. She smiled as she thought of Ron. He had been so excited and proud to make the team that there had barely been a conversation for the past three weeks that didn't include Quidditch in some form or another. To be fair though, Ron had really put his all into the practices. Even the new Captain, Katie Bell, had mentioned how hard he had worked.
Hermione thought of their talk last night and blushed. Something about him had been different. Ron was a curious person to a point, but he had never asked her the type of personal questions like he had last night. And then he had brushed aside a bit of hair from her cheek. She thought that her heart would pound through her chest at his touch and the curiously intent look in his eyes.
He'd never done that before either.
A yell from above caught her attention and she looked up.
"Oye! Hermione!"
She waved at one of the twins, and squinting a moment before pinning down which one. "Hi George."
He swooped down on his broom with a flourish. She laughed and clapped as he bowed deeply.
"Come to see the team off, eh?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Or is their anybody in particular you're looking for?"
Hermione blushed and narrowed her eyes at him. "George," she said warningly.
Trying for an innocent look and failing miserably, George grinned. "What? You're not down at the pitch almost forty minutes before game time to cheer Ronnikins on? Give him a good luck kiss?" He puckered his lips comically. "Can I have one too?"
Hermione knew she was blushing furiously but she laughed at Georges' antics. With a boldness that surprised her, she stepped forward and pecked a kiss on his cheek. George looked slightly stunned that she had actually taken his dare. Then he grinned from ear to ear as they both saw Ron coming towards them on his broom. Judging by his expression, he must have seen the whole thing.
"Hermione!" Ron practically shouted.
Hermione groaned and suddenly wished that the ground would swallow her up whole. She stood her ground though and tried not to laugh at the horrified expression on Ron's face. "Yes Ron?"
Ron looked like he was about to explode. "You KISSED George!
Hermione knew she must be close to three shades of scarlet but she refused to back down. "He asked me to."
Ron looked apoplectic "He...." He didn't seem able to get anything else out.
George wasn't helping, as he was practically rolling on the ground with laughter. "See," he said, gasping for breath. "All you have to do is ask."
Thankfully, Harry chose that moment to drift over on his broom. He too, seemed to have been a witness to her foolishness, as a quirky smile played on his mouth. "We'd better get on to the field and warm up. 'Lo Hermione."
Hermione took his comment as an olive branch and grabbed on for dear life. "Hi Harry, good luck with the game."
Harry looked over at Ron's still fuming expression and smiled. "Thanks." With that, he and George who was still wheezing with laughter, zoomed towards the far end of the field.
Still blushing, Hermione turned toward Ron. "We were just kidding around Ron." Hesitating, she held out her hand. "Good luck on your first game."
He looked down at her proffered hand and seemed to consider it for a moment. He took it with his own, and slowly dragged her towards him. Her head shot up in surprise and their eyes met. His ears were bright red but the expression on his face was determined. He leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers.
Her breath caught and her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of his warm mouth over hers. She stood there for a second, not believing what had just happened. Opening her eyes, she saw him grinning at her with a bright flush on his cheeks.
"Thanks Hermione," was all he said before mounting his broom and flying off to join the rest of his team.
She just stood there with her mouth hanging open. He had KISSED her!
Hermione wandered over to the stands in a daze, barely noticing that students were starting to pack the seats around her as game time got closer. It wasn't until the first whistle blew that she snapped out of her turbulent thoughts and focused on the game. The Gryffindors were playing Ravenclaw and both teams looked good. The Quaffle got scooped up by a Ravenclaw student, and the game was on.
For the next hour and a half, Hermione cheered herself hoarse. Ron was doing an outstanding job of keeping the Quaffle out of the goal posts. He was practically a blur as she watched him dart between the three hoops. The snitch had been sighted twice and Clarissa Yeager, the Ravenclaw Seeker had just missed it the last time before crashing into the ground. Luckily, she hadn't been severely hurt and was back on her broom in a matter of minutes. The score was a tense 20 to 30 with Gryffindor in the lead. They needed that snitch.
Suddenly, Hermione saw Harry streaking downward. Hermione could see the small golden Snitch flying furiously, just a few inches ahead of him.
Closer, closer, YES!
Gryffindor had won the first game of the season.
The crowd erupted in exuberant cheers as the players came forward to congratulate each other. Harry was pounded on the back by several teammates; Hermione watched Ron fly over and almost knock Harry off his broom as he hugged his friend in obvious elation.
Hermione didn't notice that someone was calling her name until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw that Professor McGonagall was standing in front of her with a strained expression on her face.
"Hermione, I need you to come to the Headmaster's office."
Hermione was startled. "Am I in trouble for something?"
McGonagall smiled sadly down at her. "No dear, the Headmaster would just like to speak to you."
Confused, Hermione nodded and stood up and followed Professor McGonagall off the field. A sense of dread started to creep down her back and she wondered why the Headmaster wanted to speak to her privately. Why now? Vaguely, she heard her name being called. Turning around, she saw Ron and Harry flying towards her on their brooms.
Looking between Hermione and Professor McGonagall, Harry frowned. "Is something wrong Professor?"
Hermione saw her giving the boys a considering look and then the professor looked over at her. "I think it would be best if all three of you came with me to the Headmasters' office."
Ron looked alarmed. "Now?"
The Professor smiled kindly. "Go shower and change and meet us in twenty minutes." She looked down at Hermione. "All right?"
Hermione nodded, as did Ron and Harry.
*******
Twenty very long minutes later, Hermione sat in front of the Headmaster's desk. Ron and Harry were on either side of her. They kept on shooting questioning glances at each other as they waited to find out why they had been called here.
Dumbledore's eyes looked very tired behind his half moon glasses. "Hermione, Ron, Harry," he began softly. "I have brought you all here because something terrible has happened."
Hermione felt herself go icy cold and blindly reached out a hand and felt it gripped by Harry. "What is it Headmaster?"
Dumbledore looked down at her sadly. "Hermione, this will be hard on you. That is why I wanted Ron and Harry here with you."
Hermione drew her breath in with difficulty. "What? What is it?"
The Headmaster closed his eyes briefly and Hermione saw Professor McGonagall put her hand on his shoulder. "Hermione, your parents were killed last night by Voldemort and his Death Eaters."
For a moment, she heard nothing else but a roaring in her ears. She shook her head slowly, unwilling to believe.
"No," she said in a strangled voice. "No."
In a daze, she felt herself standing up, felt Ron's arms around her and thought she heard him whisper her name. And then she heard a keening wail break the silence of the room. She wanted it to stop but the horrible sound continued on and on until something cool touched her forehead.
And then she felt nothing at all.