AN: Sorry this chapter took so long. It was a hard one to write and sorry
if it's a little boring, but don't worry the next chapter will be the ball!
Thanks for reading and please review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 7: Irritation and Adoration
Harry was starting to get annoyed by their behavior and it surprised him. He hadn't guessed that they would be acting differently towards each other, but they were. The day after Ron had asked Hermione to the ball, he had refused to go down stairs until his stomach had almost burst with hunger. They were oddly polite to one another and he would always catch one of them looking at the other in class. Luckily both of them acted the same as they always had towards him.
On Friday, Harry went down to the Potions dungeon trailing a little behind Ron and Hermione who were having an animated conversation about Neville's latest disaster in Transfiguration, in which he had transfigured Professor McGonagall into a spoon. Harry, who felt like somewhat of a third wheel around them nowadays, had not joined in the conversation and felt content to walk in silence.
Potions was boring as usual. They took notes on the ingredients for a Courage Concoction and attempted to brew it. Neville ended up adding to many spiders, which caused his to froth dangerously and explode all over the classroom. It had no effect on any one in the class, however, because he had not mixed it right. Harry knew that Filch would have to come by when class was over, and clean it up. He might even go as far to find out who made the mess and punish them for it.
Harry couldn't deny one thing though; Filch had changed. He didn't seem to care so much when students dirtied the castle and rarely gave punishments, so perhaps Neville was safe. Filch always looked preoccupied with something and Harry explained Filch's behavior by fear of Voldemort. It was weird how Voldemort could change anyone, even Filch.
The next day was a Saturday, so Ron, Hermione, and Harry decided to go visit Hagrid. Upon reaching their destination, they knocked on his door and he greeted them.
"Nice ter finally see you three." He grinned and let them in. They sat around Hagrid's cabin, being warmed by the fireplace, and chatted about the upcoming quidditch season and Snape's awful Potions classes. They left a few hours later and Harry felt happier after the visit. It was always fun to go visit Hagrid as he always had a cheery disposition.
Harry went up to their dorms earlier than usual that night. With Halloween fast approaching, he wanted to be able to dance at least a little bit. Since he hadn't danced at all at the previous years ball, he really had no idea what he was supposed to do. He picked up the thick volume he had checked out of the library and began to read. He practiced the steps and footwork as the book suggested and soon had a vague idea of how to dance. Harry was just putting the book away for the night, when Ron joined him.
"What do you have there?" Ron asked pointing to the tumultuous volume Harry was now attempting to shove hastily in his bag.
"Um…nothing. Just some O.W.L. reading." Harry replied, not sounding very convincing.
Ron smirked. "Now I know your lying. The only person who is studying for their O.W.L.S already is Hermione and she's insane."
Harry rolled his eyes. Of course he had to bring Hermione into the conversation. Harry was too irritated with the two of them to see that Ron's comment had been a rather innocent one. "Yeah, well maybe I care a little more about school than I used to." Ron eyed him suspiciously and Harry could tell that he didn't believe him, but he didn't seem to want to push Harry any further. He shrugged his shoulders and the two of them went to bed.
Harry trudged to early morning quidditch practice feeling like he would have much rather stayed in bed. Angelina had insisted on practicing more, since their first game was drawing closer. He mounted his Firebolt and felt the wind whip his hair as the broom cut through the air. It was a nice day for flying, breezy and cloudless. Harry closed his eyes and let the moment take over. He breathed in the fresh scent of the morning.
"Harry! Look out!" Someone screamed. Harry jerked his eyes open and found himself about to fly right into Ginny Weasley. He turned the Firebolt sharply, narrowly missing Ginny. Ginny stared at him and Harry couldn't really remember a time when he was more embarrassed. He knew his face must be red and willed it to turn back to its normal shade.
"Er…sorry." He muttered. Ginny just grinned at him and flew to the goal posts. Harry turned around only to be faced with Fred and George.
"What were you thinking about Potter?" George questioned, teasing in his eyes.
"Yeah, we hear you're going to the ball with our little sister. I hope your not thinking dirty thoughts." Fred continued what his twin had started.
"Because if you are..." George began.
"We might just have to hurt you." Fred stated matter-of-factly. Harry, having no experience in this sort of brotherly banter, didn't really know what to say.
"I was just thinking about…what a nice day it was." He told them truthfully. Harry looked down, feeling a little nervous, though he wasn't quite sure why. It wasn't like he had been thinking…things about Ginny. His face burned at the notion and he quickly turned his attention back to Fred and George, hoping to chase the thoughts out of his mind.
Fred and George glared at him suspiciously and started whispering to each other. Harry caught phrases like "don't think he's telling us the truth" and "should we beat him up now or later". A few seconds later Angelina came tearing into their little group and demanded to know why they weren't in their positions.
Harry, who was expecting some sort of death threat from Fred and George before they left him alone, was genuinely surprised when their faces broke out in wide identical grins. They then proceeded to congratulate him on catching such a fine partner before taking their positions on the field. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, finally realizing that they were just joking around with him. Throughout the practice, Harry couldn't seem to concentrate. More than once, he found his eyes lingering on Ginny and the way her fiery hair waved in the autumn wind. Fred and George seemed to know what was going on for Harry saw them a few times snickering at him and doing impressions of his staring. He would also hear shouts of "Put your eyes back in your head where they belong Potter!" Harry desperately wished that they would stop doing this in front of Ginny, as it was terribly embarrassing for him.
When quidditch practice came to an end, Harry couldn't help but feel relieved. All in all, he wasn't in a very good mood when he made his way back up to Gryffindor tower. Upon arrival, he found Ron and Hermione enjoying a game of chess by the fire and this just angered Harry more. Without looking at either of them as they greeted him, he marched up to the dorms and threw himself on his bed.
Why was he feeling such animosity towards Ron and Hermione? Okay, animosity was really too strong of word, more like irritation. He thought for a second and then the realization hit him. He was jealous! He was jealous that they seemed to be palling around all the time and leaving him behind. It had always been him and Ron, and they would occasionally leave out Hermione. He felt bad for her now, knowing what it was like to be left out. Harry decided he would just have to be a little more patient with the two of them, after all they liked each other and when you like someone you spend more time with them. Okay, Problem one solved.
Problem two. How could he get Fred and George to stop teasing him about Ginny? He could always tell Ginny he had changed his mind and did not want to go to the Halloween Ball with her anymore. But he realized that he DID want to go to the ball with her. He was actually kind of looking forward to it. And why was he so interested in her lately anyways? I mean who really cared. It was Ginny, just Ginny, Ron's little sister, whom he had known since first year. Just Ron's little sister who happened to have very pretty red hair and warm chocolate eyes. Harry groaned. He liked her! He actually liked her! Not that there was anything wrong with that, but still. Was he as obvious about it as Ron had been with Hermione? He thought about practice, about the staring and decided that yes, he was obvious about it.
What could he do? Maybe he would just never come out of the dorms again. He could get Ron to bring up food and Hermione could teach him his lessons. Hell, she was a better teacher than half of the ones he had to endure. Harry didn't want to admit it, but he wanted to see her again. Wanted to see the smile that lit up her face, and hear her laugh, which was one of the most beautiful sounds Harry had ever heard. These feelings he was having, well they were terrifying him, but they were also exciting too. Harry knew one thing for sure; he couldn't wait until Halloween.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 7: Irritation and Adoration
Harry was starting to get annoyed by their behavior and it surprised him. He hadn't guessed that they would be acting differently towards each other, but they were. The day after Ron had asked Hermione to the ball, he had refused to go down stairs until his stomach had almost burst with hunger. They were oddly polite to one another and he would always catch one of them looking at the other in class. Luckily both of them acted the same as they always had towards him.
On Friday, Harry went down to the Potions dungeon trailing a little behind Ron and Hermione who were having an animated conversation about Neville's latest disaster in Transfiguration, in which he had transfigured Professor McGonagall into a spoon. Harry, who felt like somewhat of a third wheel around them nowadays, had not joined in the conversation and felt content to walk in silence.
Potions was boring as usual. They took notes on the ingredients for a Courage Concoction and attempted to brew it. Neville ended up adding to many spiders, which caused his to froth dangerously and explode all over the classroom. It had no effect on any one in the class, however, because he had not mixed it right. Harry knew that Filch would have to come by when class was over, and clean it up. He might even go as far to find out who made the mess and punish them for it.
Harry couldn't deny one thing though; Filch had changed. He didn't seem to care so much when students dirtied the castle and rarely gave punishments, so perhaps Neville was safe. Filch always looked preoccupied with something and Harry explained Filch's behavior by fear of Voldemort. It was weird how Voldemort could change anyone, even Filch.
The next day was a Saturday, so Ron, Hermione, and Harry decided to go visit Hagrid. Upon reaching their destination, they knocked on his door and he greeted them.
"Nice ter finally see you three." He grinned and let them in. They sat around Hagrid's cabin, being warmed by the fireplace, and chatted about the upcoming quidditch season and Snape's awful Potions classes. They left a few hours later and Harry felt happier after the visit. It was always fun to go visit Hagrid as he always had a cheery disposition.
Harry went up to their dorms earlier than usual that night. With Halloween fast approaching, he wanted to be able to dance at least a little bit. Since he hadn't danced at all at the previous years ball, he really had no idea what he was supposed to do. He picked up the thick volume he had checked out of the library and began to read. He practiced the steps and footwork as the book suggested and soon had a vague idea of how to dance. Harry was just putting the book away for the night, when Ron joined him.
"What do you have there?" Ron asked pointing to the tumultuous volume Harry was now attempting to shove hastily in his bag.
"Um…nothing. Just some O.W.L. reading." Harry replied, not sounding very convincing.
Ron smirked. "Now I know your lying. The only person who is studying for their O.W.L.S already is Hermione and she's insane."
Harry rolled his eyes. Of course he had to bring Hermione into the conversation. Harry was too irritated with the two of them to see that Ron's comment had been a rather innocent one. "Yeah, well maybe I care a little more about school than I used to." Ron eyed him suspiciously and Harry could tell that he didn't believe him, but he didn't seem to want to push Harry any further. He shrugged his shoulders and the two of them went to bed.
Harry trudged to early morning quidditch practice feeling like he would have much rather stayed in bed. Angelina had insisted on practicing more, since their first game was drawing closer. He mounted his Firebolt and felt the wind whip his hair as the broom cut through the air. It was a nice day for flying, breezy and cloudless. Harry closed his eyes and let the moment take over. He breathed in the fresh scent of the morning.
"Harry! Look out!" Someone screamed. Harry jerked his eyes open and found himself about to fly right into Ginny Weasley. He turned the Firebolt sharply, narrowly missing Ginny. Ginny stared at him and Harry couldn't really remember a time when he was more embarrassed. He knew his face must be red and willed it to turn back to its normal shade.
"Er…sorry." He muttered. Ginny just grinned at him and flew to the goal posts. Harry turned around only to be faced with Fred and George.
"What were you thinking about Potter?" George questioned, teasing in his eyes.
"Yeah, we hear you're going to the ball with our little sister. I hope your not thinking dirty thoughts." Fred continued what his twin had started.
"Because if you are..." George began.
"We might just have to hurt you." Fred stated matter-of-factly. Harry, having no experience in this sort of brotherly banter, didn't really know what to say.
"I was just thinking about…what a nice day it was." He told them truthfully. Harry looked down, feeling a little nervous, though he wasn't quite sure why. It wasn't like he had been thinking…things about Ginny. His face burned at the notion and he quickly turned his attention back to Fred and George, hoping to chase the thoughts out of his mind.
Fred and George glared at him suspiciously and started whispering to each other. Harry caught phrases like "don't think he's telling us the truth" and "should we beat him up now or later". A few seconds later Angelina came tearing into their little group and demanded to know why they weren't in their positions.
Harry, who was expecting some sort of death threat from Fred and George before they left him alone, was genuinely surprised when their faces broke out in wide identical grins. They then proceeded to congratulate him on catching such a fine partner before taking their positions on the field. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, finally realizing that they were just joking around with him. Throughout the practice, Harry couldn't seem to concentrate. More than once, he found his eyes lingering on Ginny and the way her fiery hair waved in the autumn wind. Fred and George seemed to know what was going on for Harry saw them a few times snickering at him and doing impressions of his staring. He would also hear shouts of "Put your eyes back in your head where they belong Potter!" Harry desperately wished that they would stop doing this in front of Ginny, as it was terribly embarrassing for him.
When quidditch practice came to an end, Harry couldn't help but feel relieved. All in all, he wasn't in a very good mood when he made his way back up to Gryffindor tower. Upon arrival, he found Ron and Hermione enjoying a game of chess by the fire and this just angered Harry more. Without looking at either of them as they greeted him, he marched up to the dorms and threw himself on his bed.
Why was he feeling such animosity towards Ron and Hermione? Okay, animosity was really too strong of word, more like irritation. He thought for a second and then the realization hit him. He was jealous! He was jealous that they seemed to be palling around all the time and leaving him behind. It had always been him and Ron, and they would occasionally leave out Hermione. He felt bad for her now, knowing what it was like to be left out. Harry decided he would just have to be a little more patient with the two of them, after all they liked each other and when you like someone you spend more time with them. Okay, Problem one solved.
Problem two. How could he get Fred and George to stop teasing him about Ginny? He could always tell Ginny he had changed his mind and did not want to go to the Halloween Ball with her anymore. But he realized that he DID want to go to the ball with her. He was actually kind of looking forward to it. And why was he so interested in her lately anyways? I mean who really cared. It was Ginny, just Ginny, Ron's little sister, whom he had known since first year. Just Ron's little sister who happened to have very pretty red hair and warm chocolate eyes. Harry groaned. He liked her! He actually liked her! Not that there was anything wrong with that, but still. Was he as obvious about it as Ron had been with Hermione? He thought about practice, about the staring and decided that yes, he was obvious about it.
What could he do? Maybe he would just never come out of the dorms again. He could get Ron to bring up food and Hermione could teach him his lessons. Hell, she was a better teacher than half of the ones he had to endure. Harry didn't want to admit it, but he wanted to see her again. Wanted to see the smile that lit up her face, and hear her laugh, which was one of the most beautiful sounds Harry had ever heard. These feelings he was having, well they were terrifying him, but they were also exciting too. Harry knew one thing for sure; he couldn't wait until Halloween.