Disclaimer: I don't own HP! Don't sue!

A/N: All right, I hope to get two chapters up tonight. Here's one! Okay, They finally read the letter...now what?

Chapter 5: Ron's reaction

Harry didn't know what to say. He had known it would be a guy, he even thought it was going to be Viktor Krum. But see g there in front of him, he was stunned.

He leaned back in his chair. Then he realized something- Ron. Taking a deep breath, Harry slowly turned to look at Ron.

Ron seemed to be frozen. He was sitting very still, staring at the letter. His face had been clear of emotion, but was starting to turn red, and Harry knew that was a sure sign of anger.

Harry winced. He began to remember the events of last year. The year of the TriWizard Tournamnment. There had been a Yule Ball for Christmas, and, to Ron's disapproval, as they found out later, Hermione and gone with Krum. The fight that had happened after the dance was hard to forget. Harry had never quite figured out exactly why Ron was so upset, but he had a bad feeling that they were all in for another round if-

Rrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiippppp.

It was Ron. He was ripping ht letter, tearing it into tiny pieces, his face contorted in anger. Then he stuffed the pieces into his pocket, turned to Harry, and said "Let's go," as he began to walk away.

Harry leapt up and started after Ron, moving quickly to keep up with him.

"Ron! Wait up!"

But Ron wasn't listening. He was to caught up in his fury.

Harry tried to calm him, because he knew that Ron was going to talk to Hermione. The Yule Ball fight between the two had been bad enough. I f something were to start over this...Harry shuddered. It would be disastrous.

"Ron. Ron, listen to me. There's nothing to be done. Krum's coming to Hogsmeade to see Hermione. It's not like we can stop them."

"I can try," Ron said through gritted teeth.

"No you can't," said Harry, stepping in front of him. "You can't. It's Hermione's life, Ron! Let her live it the way she wants."

"Harry, you may be my best friend, but so help me, if you don't move...I swear, I'll hurt you. So, please just MOVE!

Ron glared at him, but Harry stood his ground

"She did warn you though. She told you that you wouldn't like it."
Ron just stood there glaring. Finally, Harry sighed, then moved to let Ron pass.

"Albright," he called after Ron as he moved up the corridor, "but I warned you. Just don't blow it."

Harry began to follow, but at a slower pace. He really didn't care to see the fight that was sure to issue once Ron got to Hermione.

He turned into the last corridor to Gryffindor tower and came to a halt. Ron was standing opposite the Fat Lady with his arms crossed and back against the wall. When Harry moved towards the portrait hole, Ron looked over and watched Harry as he came closer.

Harry stopped and stared back at Ron without saying anything. They stood like that, just looking at each other in quiet, for a few minutes. Finally, Ron broke the silence.
"I-I need a few moments," he said quietly. He looked at the ground and sighed. "I need to think before I go in and-"

"-Do or say something that you'll beat yourself up for later," Harry finished for him.
"No...but something like that," Ron muttered.

"Well, I'm going to talk to Hermione too. And I said talk," Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron, "I hope you'll that's what you'll be doing. Talking, not threatening, insulting, or making her feel bad."

Ron nodded. "Okay. Fine. Just give me a minute."

Harry turned to the Fat lady, gave the password, and walked into the common room to find Hermione. Since it was a Saturday, the room was till pretty full, even though it was getting late. But he found her sitting in an armchair by the fire, staring at the flames. Harry walked over and sat across from her. Hermione looked at him and smiled.

"Hi, Harry," was all she said.
"Hi, Hermione."

Hermione glanced around. "Where's Ron?" She asked, the tiniest quiver in her voice.

"He's coming I guess. He just wanted time to...too cool down."

'Oh. Okay."

They looked at each other, neither of them sure what to say to the other.

"Harry, I-," Hermione began, but Harry held up a hand to stop her.
"it's okay Hermione. I don't need an explanation, nor do I want one. It's fine with me that you'll be seeing Krum. It doesn't bug me."

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Really," Harry said. "I just want to know one thing...why didn't you tell us?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess I didn't know how you or Ron would react to it and-," she paused. "No, I did know how Ron would react. And that's why I decide not to tell you...at least not until we went to Hogsmeade.

She looked at Harry. "Why does it bug Ron?"

"I'm not sure," said Harry. "But it does. But I'll tell you this Hermione; I think its better he found out tonight. This way he has a week to try and get over it."

Hermione thought it over then nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right. About one thing at least."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

Hermione grinned. "Ron has a week to try and get over this ." She began to laugh. "But I don't hink he will."

As Harry and Hermione laughed, the portrait hole swung open and run walked in. He glanced around and saw where Hermione was seated. He marched right over and stood in front of hermone.

Hermione glanced up and immediately stopped laughing. She started up at Ron, waiting ofr him to speak. Harry stopped laughing an watched as well, hoping that Ronn knew what he was going to say and would not complicate things.

Ron took a deep breath, looked Hermione straight in the eye and said; "I don't care that you're going to see...him."

"Real-?" Hermione began, but Ron continued.
"Let me finish. Even though you are going to do this, I'm not saying I agree with it. However it is your life and it is you decision. And whatever your decide on, I will respect your choice. I may not agree but I will respect it. So if seeing him is your choice...well, then I-I respect that."

Hermione and Harry gaped at run, not believing their ears.

Suddenly, Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out a mass of torn and crumpled paper. He glared at it, then turned and tossed it into the fire. Then he walked up to Hermione and put his face very close to hers.

"But I still don't like it,' he hissed at her. And before Hermione could react, he and turned sand walked off to the dormitories."

It took a moment for Hermione to recover from the shock. She looked into the fire and saw the pieces of paper run had thrown in. They looked oddly familiar to her...

"Harry?" She asked. "Is that-?"

"Yeah," he whispered, "that's your letter.

They sat and watched the fire until the letter burned and shriveled up. Then with out another word, they went to bed.

A/N: Ooooohh, he's mad. LOL. Well, what do you think Ron will do? What will Hermione's date be like? Stay with the story, and find out! Oh, yeah, please review!