Chapter Five
Going to Hogwarts
Harry and Hermione sat together near the entrance between platforms 9 and 10, waiting for Ron. Her parents had just dropped them off a few minutes ago. Hermione's mother had wanted to stay and 'monitor the situation' but her father persuaded her to finally leave.
"He should be here by now," said Hermione who was rereading the letter Ron sent that morning. She looked over at Harry who was staring at his feet. He turned his gaze to her for a second. She stared into his eyes. Their usual bright emerald green color had faded becoming a dull olive like color. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but he seemed to read her mind as he shook his head. Suddenly two hands slapped them hard on the back. They turned around to see Ron standing behind the bench, laughing wildly. "What wrong with you guys?" He said after seeing their hurt expressions.
"Nothing" they said in unison.
Ron shrugged and had to literally pick them up to get them off the bench. "Come on we're gonna miss the train!" Finally the three of them went through the barrier with their luggage. They put them in one of the storage carts and continued on to the train [ a/n never been on a train before so I'm not sure how it works] They grabbed their usual compartment towards the middle of the train.
Ron spent the first half hour of the trip talking about Bill's amazing recovery. Harry kept quiet and Hermione periodically questioned Ron about the incident. Finally Harry spoke up, "I'm gonna go and buy some food." He got up slowly and went to find the food cart. Ron and Hermione were now left alone in the compartment.
"Ron, can I tell you something?" Her face was turning scarlet.
Ron nodded, hoping it was something about Harry.
"Well, you see, I kinda like Harry…a lot…but I can't like him. I mean we're best friends. And then, what about you?"
"Don't worry about me, I mean you're not gonna ditch me or something. We'll still be friends." Hermione nodded as Ron continued, "Want me to tell Harry for you or something?"
Hermione quickly spoke up, "No! You can't tell him. Please, Ron, you gotta keep this a secret. You can't tell anyone. It's…it's just not the right time."
"Whatever…" Ron said as Harry entered the compartment carrying all types of food. He had a forced smile on his face, but his eyes still had the same dull feeling, Hermione noticed. He handed some of the sweets to Hermione and Ron.
"Thanks" they said in unison. Harry nodded.
After about 10 minutes of silence Hermione spoke up, "Um… I'm gonna see how Ginny and Lavender are doing. I'll see you guys later." She left the room, leaving Harry and Ron alone.
"Ron, can I tell you something?" His face was turning scarlet like Hermione's had.
"Sure, why not? Just call me Oprah…" They both gave a slight laugh.
"Well, you see, I kinda like Hermione…a lot…but I can't like her. I mean we're best friends. And then, what about you?"
"Hmmm de ja vu" Ron muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing!" Ron said quickly after realizing what he said. "Don't worry about me, I mean you're not gonna ditch me or something. We'll still be friends," he said yet again.
Harry nodded and continued, "And plus I think she likes someone else. When I was at her house, I found a page from her diary. She talked about this boy throughout the whole entry but she didn't write his name. He sounded perfect. So I after I read it I final realized I love Hermione, but she's gone." He could feel his heart breaking again.
Ron so wanted to tell Harry what Hermione told him but he made a promise. "So do you want me to tell her for you or something?"
"What? "No! You can't tell her. Please, Ron, you gotta keep this a secret. You can't tell anyone. It's…it's just not the right time."
"Whatever…" Ron said for the second time as Hermione entered the compartment, still laughing from one of their gossip chats. As soon as she saw Harry's face she began to be quiet again. Only Ron knew what was happening.
* * *
"Welcome students, new and old, to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" Dumbledore shouted throughout the Great Hall. The hall went silent and an applause broke out. They had just finished watching the sorting of the new first years and Dumbledore, the Headmaster, had walked up to the huge podium in the front of the hall.
"This year, there will be a special dance. This dance, the All Hollow's Eve Ball will be a Halloween costume party. Because some costumes are quite real, will be only allowing 4th years and above." A huge sigh was let out through out the hall from the new students. "Now, I'm sure you all want to eat so I will just shut up," he said with a great smile. As he stepped down, heaps of food appeared on the tables. The students greedily dug in.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione ate in silence. Finally Ron couldn't stand it anymore. He knew what Harry wanted to ask Hermione and what Hermione wanted to ask Harry. "So…lets say we all go to the Halloween Dance together…ok?" Both Harry and Hermione nodded, glad that it was Ron who asked.