Admissions are Scheduled for After Dinner
(a/n Fish Sticks are Included to Provide Interruptions to Those Who Possess a Disturbed Phyc.)
Dinner had been excellent. After the initial tension the three stuffed Gryffindors had left the great hall to return to the comfort of their common room. Over dinner the talk had turned from Malfoy to sports making it rounds over the usual topics until it reached wizards chess, ending in the two boys agreeing to a match. Not particularly interested in her best friends' present conversation Hermione let her thoughts wonder.
Over the summer they had seen neither hide, nor hair of the looming Dark threat with the standard exceptions or news reports in the Daily Prophet. Dumbledoor's cautionary measures had been take, and thought the Dementors still remained installed in Askaban they were showing no signs of defecting to You-Know-Who. It looked to Hermione as if this would be there first and final ordinary year at Hogwarts, and to tell the truth she would be glad of it. This was the crutch year, and to her it meant focusing even more on her studies, this was no time for adventures in the game of 'trying to clobber yet another incarnation of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.' She would need to concentrate. Which was exactly what she intended to do.
They arrived at the entrance to Gryffindor house to find that the lady in the pink dress was just doing the same. She seemed in surpassingly good spirits, As she appeared, out of breath she covertly smoothed her dress seating her self comfortably as they approached.
"Good evening" Harry said politely, Ron and Hermione echoed him, all three with their minds on other matters.
"Blotters" Ron added as an after thought. Having been Gryffindors for so long they took it for granted that they would be given access, but tonight the portly painting tonight seemed reluctant.
"I dare say you three had a good summer?" She said with a slight dreamy smile, only swinging the door open a crack.
"Yes. yes. Very good" Ron answered his mind obviously elsewhere.
"I too just had a wonderful evening-" The lady added as they attempted to push her out of the way of the portrait hole
"That was disturbing" Ron whispered eyes wide when they were all standing safely in the Gryffindor common room.
"Probably lonely" was Harry's conclusion.
Hermione merely hummed not having any great desire to run a further analysis of their gatekeeper's strange behavior.
***
Neither of the boys had thought to invite her to partake in their game, and having no great interest in wizard's chess she took her leave of them. She had long since ceased being offended by their exclusion. After all Hermione was more than a little anxious to get settled into her new accommodations, and was eager to see the room that would be exclusively her own this year. So she left them setting up the enchanted chess men and was glad to do so since the chess men all seemed a little grouchy at their long sojourn in Ron's closet over the summer.
One of the privileges of being a Gryffindor senior student was it you were lucky you might get a room to your self. After 6 years in shared dorms the tiny 8' by 8' room was paradise. More space to arrange personal possessions and a lot more privacy. She was to be head girl this year and despite the honour of being selected for such a responsibility Hermione had her qualms. Having been a prefect for the past two years she was all too aware how time consuming such responsibilities could become. On top of which it meant she was obligated to occasionally tell off her friends, a task she did not relish in the least since it left her feeling more the goody-goody-brown-noser then usual. People just didn't take school seriously enough, she thought in irritation. This was The Last Year, and as much as no one wanted to admit in, their N.E.W.T. results would be critical in deciding what shape their feature would take. Hermione being the type of girl she was refused to let anything stand in between herself and success and had been studying for them since the end of last year. To her the future lay in a clearly delineated path f her own choosing. She would become a researcher at on of the big magic development corporations like Isoar inc. the developers of the famous Firebolt series. Above all she would find a stable life, exactly like her parents would want her to in the comfort and familiarity of the wizarding world.
She pondered the delights of her preplanned feature as she carefully arranged photographs of her parents on the highly polished antique dresser that was to be hers for the year. It seemed that over the last years she had grown apart from them, returning to them for a month and a half each summer hadn't felt like gong home at all. Whereas throughout the train ride to Hogwarts she had felt the chugging pull of being carried back were she belonged. She remembered her first year in Muggle studies and how she had been secretly shocked to find how little she knew of the world were her parents lived. That was how she always thought of the non-magic world, as the world of her parents. Not her world, never her world, just a place to visit form time to time over the holidays. To tell the truth she found that her stay was usually more trying that it was worth, this past summer she had been trounced by everyday tasks like laundry that would have been so easy with the help of just a little magic.
In Muggle studies she had been shocked to find out how little she really knew, and was horrified when even the Slytherins had done better than her. Not of course that she had done badly, but she had been shocked when she found out who had beaten her. Despite being teased on account of her parenting the shame of being trumped by Malfoy was one of her biggest shames and was probably the key factor as to why she had discontinued her study of the subject.
Over her yeas she had felt more and more distant form what had once been her home ground. She felt like one of Mrs. Sprouts mandrake that had been repotted and even though she had never before thought of it in such a way she was happier in her new place. She sighed there really was no need to worry perhaps next year she would spend some time in Muggle London, get job, spend more time with her parents and revisit her Muggle friends. What were their names again, that girl next door who always wore pigtails and had scraped knees and the timid little boy form primary school who always gave her the biggest birthday present. It was unlikely they would even remember her now after all Hermione herself couldn't even recall their faces it had been so long since she had seen them. This whole line of thought was making her feel as if she was 60 and her life had already been and gone. She was quite happy, she had found her niche and made friends there was no need to be so depressed over missed opportunities when there was so much more to learn and explore.
Glancing at her wizards watch she was reminded politely that it was; "Past your bed time, after all what will the teachers think if you arrive late on the first day." drat she thought. She had meant to finish that book, why she demanded of nothing in particular "did I waste so much time worrying."
The mirror seemed to sigh in a superior sort of way as if the answer was painful obvious but refrained from comment. Quickly changing in to her long flannel nightgown toothbrush in hand she descended the stairs to first use the loo before wishing her friends her customary good night.
The stone of the Gryffindor tower was Always cold with out thought of the season, Ron had once gone so far as to suggest that it was enchanted but one a more rational note she had doubted it, although today might have proved to be an exception.
She continued along these lines of thought as she descended the stone steps towards the common room, to say her good nights to her long time friends, in accordance with there long held tradition.
It being late the common room was practically deserted, the prefects having packed all but the oldest students off to bed long ago. She herself felt insanely guilty for even being up this late her sense of rules prompting her in no uncertain voice that school stated tomorrow and it would be more than appalling if she arrived anything other than 5 min early. Peering down into the common room she was relived to find that only Ron and Harry were still there, and so she felt safe enough to venture down with out her heavy night gown, with out endangering her dignity. She reflected that had she not descended they would in all likely-hood have stayed up to unthinkable hours. She sighed, some of the time she doubted weather either of them really took their studies seriously enough.
Long since having finished their game the two boys lounged comfortably in the abused armchairs that popluated the cozy room. They had turned to companionable conversation, with an occasional pock at the fire and a causal charm that sent the sparks twirling into strange and intricate designs before they flickered out into the enormous chimney flues. It was a trick discovered by Ron nefarious older twin brothers and passed down the Weasley line in Ron's 5th year, much to Hermione's better judgement.
Both boys turned their heads as she descended the stairs suddenly feeling uncomfortably self-conscious of the faded state of her flannel nighty. She wondered vaguely weather the turn 'boys' still applied. Their faces were no longer as round though Ron's remained more boyish than harries and they both had shot up almost frighteningly over the last two years. Harry was even more streamlined. His long body perfectly fitted for death defying dives and split second turns.
Last year he had almost broken his neck catching the snitch in Gryffindors' final match against Slytherin and very likely would have had Malfoy not went to steeply into a dive lost control falling to the ground and in doing so providing an effective cushion for the Gryffindor seeker. The look on the Slytherin's faces when they found that there seeker was out cold for saving the life of his arch enemy when letting him win the game and the cup, had been worth all the gold in Gringots.
Ron however was slightly broader, with shoulders that promised great strength. In Hermione's opinion, though she would never voice it to her best friends, Ron was the handsomer of the two. He always reminded her of some great Norman saint. If she could only find one that had had flaming red hair, tattered robes and wore a look of confused more than half the time. Then again she would be the first to point out the obvious bias of her preference, which she was fully aware went quite contrary to public opinion particularly that that of such noticeable persons as Collin Creely and Ron's little sister. (And perhaps the host of rabid Radcliff fangirls to be found on fanfiction)
Getting up Ron gave her is trademark great goofy grin that always made her feel slightly tingly, followed by Harry. It always made Hermione feel good to see Ron happy even though he annoyed her no end, and refused to do his schoolwork or bored her with talk of Quidditch.
"We were wondering when you'd show up." He said still grinning.
Harry turned smiling also a more reluctant relaxed smile. "I had almost succeeded in convincing Ron that you had forgotten us and that I could still him away with out any problem"
"Fat chance" huffed Ron amiably "Hermione would never dream of going to bed with out giving us our nightly scold" at this he pretended to filch an imaginary curtain of hair behind his shoulder and squeak in a horrible mimicry of Hermione's own voice.
"Tomorrow is the first day of school so we al must try to get as much sleep as possible, so that we will be sure to get off to a good start tomorrow. Remember first impressions are always-"
"Oh you great gormless git!" She hissed hitting him miraculously with one of the much abused couch pillows with crookshanks and Harry looked on good naturally, knowing better than to get involved.
After a minuet Ron caught the pillow, making Hermione louse her balance as she tried vainly to yank in from his grip, making her fall. Blushing slightly as his arms shot out to steady her and she looked up into his ever marry eyes "well it is what you would have said."
"Er-" the two looked around somewhat abashed. To look guiltily at the boy who lived. Who was presently examining the red and gold rug in minuet detail.
"Sorry Harry." Ron muttered. Hermione found that she could do nothing but blush.
"This is nice and cozy and all but . what about bed and all that" Harry trailed off once again.
"Sorry Harry but just one moment" he apologized for the second time, looking flushed and incredibly uncomfortable. Hermione in an effort to regain her composure disengaged her self form Ron and busied her self with straightening her nightgown. She could not help the would from spinning happily around her. Something was going to happen at long last. It had to. It just had to.
"But really we should get some rest. Despite the fact that Ron is a ridiculous fool I agree completely with what he says" she finished giving them a superior look. Harry laughed at Ron's open-mouthed expression of offended dignity. He looked a good deal happier than he usually did. Years of responsibility and knowledge of situations well beyond his years had taken a toll on him and his green eyes were those of a salted politician or dogged soldier not an underage wizard who was still at school. Hermione some times had to pity him. It really wasn't fair that he had had to live such a life.
Even thought Ron and herself had seen almost as much they had always (and at times even resentfully) been kept in the shadow out of the worst and most macabre of Harry's adventures. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the guerrilla war that threatened the peace of England's wizarding world placed Harry front and center as the next Messiah. Something neither herself nor Ron would ever have to deal with. Though she knew that Ron some times still became upset when Harry once again got more than his fair share, it had always been tempered by the underlying truth that when faced with their positions in reverse. Neither would be able to cope as Harry had, for all the tragedy and pressure ha faced he was still smiling. Or at least Hermione thought so, he was a boy and still young. Sure he seemed like fates chosen son and came by more than his fair share of trouble and glory but he still liked Quidditch and got colds and had to worry over his scores on the N.E.W.T.'s. above all Harry was human.
"You know Ron, I think that in future you should stick to merely being your self see as your other personas seem to have a tendency towards retaliation." They all remembered quite clearly when Ron had tried to impersonate Snape during a particularly incomprehensible lesson back in 5th year that had almost earned him a moth's worth of detentions.
Ron finding the his friends mirth over his own misfortune to be not at all as funny as Hermione and Harry found it, broken in saying. "Come on Harry I'm tired" Harry sobering turned to a still giggling Hermione "good night then"
"Good nigh Harry" she called as he made his way up the stairs towards his room, Ron however did not immediately follow and if the darkness was not to concealing, he looked somewhat nervous.
Ron stood shifting from one foot to the other looking down at Hermione
"I. er-"
Hermione felt herself flush. Her heart was fluttering uncomfortably and she could feel butterflies bubbling around in her stomach. Was he actually going to get to the point this time, there was no doubt in her mind as to what she felt for Ron, she had liked him for years they fought each other tooth and nail and yet came to each others rescue even after a fight. And there was really no one else. On top of which she had long been sure of his feelings. Even thought he had never stated them out right he was as transparent as glass in almost everything and of course there was Harry to assure her if she ever had a doubt. It had never occurred to confess her feelings to him and unfair and old-fashioned as it might have been she was some times annoyed by his lack of an open confession. More so when he did not seem to notice that she was even a girl but now it looked like that lone awaited moment might actually come to pass.
"I just wanted to. wish you luck. with the new school year and all." Hermione's face fell, and she moved to turn away, feeling irrationally angry. Suddenly she his hand was on her arm swinging her around. She felt a swoosh of air but this time unlike during their pillow fight she kept her balanced stiffened.
"Ron if that is all you wanted to say I would very much like to go to bed" she said glaring coldly, but not really wanting to look him in the eye. Disappointed yet again. How long was this doofus going to keep her waiting. She filched her eyes to his face trying to guess why. She met an expression she had not seen outside of their various battles, a look of desperate resolve.
"Hermione. I like you. I mean well.we both know that. what I meant to ask you is. if there's a dance at the three broom sticks or something would you like to go with me? It doesn't have to be a dance. what ever you want. I just thought." Ron trailed off his usually good natured face was beet red, and he looked decidedly uncomfortable. Hermione could not for the life of her, understand why he had to be so embarrassed, but was too happy to care.
"Ron I'd love to." she breathed grinning.
"Really?!"
"Yes of course you Muggle head." she said swatting him. Something flashed through her mind
"Ron. How much persuading did Harry have to do to bring this about?" she demanded fixing him with an interrogative stare. Ron tried to look innocent.
"I would have asked eventually"
"Oh dear! I think I owe Harry more than I bargained for " Hermione said as she lay her hand on his shoulder. And slowly slid it down his chest to let it rest over his heart. Ron was grinning like a loon.
"What happened to all those 'bright and early' intentions you had?"
Hermione jumped
"Merlin! We'll never wake up tomorrow!"
Grabbing his arm she pulled him up the stairs to the landing were the girls and boys hallways divided. Neither was really sure of the protocol, but Hermione as ever took the situation in hand. Turning to face Ron she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek her stomach fluttering nervously and her toes and neck extending to their fullest to make up for his towering high. It had been an innocent peck on the cheek she would swear to it, but at the last moment he turned his head and their lips brushed together in a clumsy kiss. It lasted no more than a moment before the precarious position collapsed, leaving both slightly off balance, both physically and mentally. Time passed as she stared at him who stared at her. The drama of the moment was spoiled, because her mind took the bizarre opportunity to scream 'Fish Sticks' in an act of sheer randomness that she could not fathom. So she giggled.
It must have been the right thing to do because Ron let out a gush of air and visibly relaxed.
"I think that will need a bit more practice." He said a grin once again suffusing his freckled face.
"How 'bout tomorrow" she answered smiling 'fish and chips, fish and chips' her mental image screamed again much like an annoyed mandrake.
"Tomorrow then" Ron said looking ridiculously hopeful. It made Hermione feel funny to see him look so happy. Stepping forward she wrapped her arms around him in a friendly way and in a moment his arms were around her. "I'm glad we're together" she herd him whisper into her hair
"Me too" she whispered back as they pulled apart
"Good night" They said together, Ron bending down to give her a quick kiss on the forehead.
She knew that he watched her all the way until the corridor turned and blocked his sight. Her body was tingling and she could not suppress the uncharacteristically broad smile that was pushing it's way onto her face. It felt somewhat silly to feel so happy on account of a boy with whom she had been fiends for years, but all that didn't matter. Fish sticks, she giggled again, lips and fish sticks.
(a/n Fish Sticks are Included to Provide Interruptions to Those Who Possess a Disturbed Phyc.)
Dinner had been excellent. After the initial tension the three stuffed Gryffindors had left the great hall to return to the comfort of their common room. Over dinner the talk had turned from Malfoy to sports making it rounds over the usual topics until it reached wizards chess, ending in the two boys agreeing to a match. Not particularly interested in her best friends' present conversation Hermione let her thoughts wonder.
Over the summer they had seen neither hide, nor hair of the looming Dark threat with the standard exceptions or news reports in the Daily Prophet. Dumbledoor's cautionary measures had been take, and thought the Dementors still remained installed in Askaban they were showing no signs of defecting to You-Know-Who. It looked to Hermione as if this would be there first and final ordinary year at Hogwarts, and to tell the truth she would be glad of it. This was the crutch year, and to her it meant focusing even more on her studies, this was no time for adventures in the game of 'trying to clobber yet another incarnation of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.' She would need to concentrate. Which was exactly what she intended to do.
They arrived at the entrance to Gryffindor house to find that the lady in the pink dress was just doing the same. She seemed in surpassingly good spirits, As she appeared, out of breath she covertly smoothed her dress seating her self comfortably as they approached.
"Good evening" Harry said politely, Ron and Hermione echoed him, all three with their minds on other matters.
"Blotters" Ron added as an after thought. Having been Gryffindors for so long they took it for granted that they would be given access, but tonight the portly painting tonight seemed reluctant.
"I dare say you three had a good summer?" She said with a slight dreamy smile, only swinging the door open a crack.
"Yes. yes. Very good" Ron answered his mind obviously elsewhere.
"I too just had a wonderful evening-" The lady added as they attempted to push her out of the way of the portrait hole
"That was disturbing" Ron whispered eyes wide when they were all standing safely in the Gryffindor common room.
"Probably lonely" was Harry's conclusion.
Hermione merely hummed not having any great desire to run a further analysis of their gatekeeper's strange behavior.
***
Neither of the boys had thought to invite her to partake in their game, and having no great interest in wizard's chess she took her leave of them. She had long since ceased being offended by their exclusion. After all Hermione was more than a little anxious to get settled into her new accommodations, and was eager to see the room that would be exclusively her own this year. So she left them setting up the enchanted chess men and was glad to do so since the chess men all seemed a little grouchy at their long sojourn in Ron's closet over the summer.
One of the privileges of being a Gryffindor senior student was it you were lucky you might get a room to your self. After 6 years in shared dorms the tiny 8' by 8' room was paradise. More space to arrange personal possessions and a lot more privacy. She was to be head girl this year and despite the honour of being selected for such a responsibility Hermione had her qualms. Having been a prefect for the past two years she was all too aware how time consuming such responsibilities could become. On top of which it meant she was obligated to occasionally tell off her friends, a task she did not relish in the least since it left her feeling more the goody-goody-brown-noser then usual. People just didn't take school seriously enough, she thought in irritation. This was The Last Year, and as much as no one wanted to admit in, their N.E.W.T. results would be critical in deciding what shape their feature would take. Hermione being the type of girl she was refused to let anything stand in between herself and success and had been studying for them since the end of last year. To her the future lay in a clearly delineated path f her own choosing. She would become a researcher at on of the big magic development corporations like Isoar inc. the developers of the famous Firebolt series. Above all she would find a stable life, exactly like her parents would want her to in the comfort and familiarity of the wizarding world.
She pondered the delights of her preplanned feature as she carefully arranged photographs of her parents on the highly polished antique dresser that was to be hers for the year. It seemed that over the last years she had grown apart from them, returning to them for a month and a half each summer hadn't felt like gong home at all. Whereas throughout the train ride to Hogwarts she had felt the chugging pull of being carried back were she belonged. She remembered her first year in Muggle studies and how she had been secretly shocked to find how little she knew of the world were her parents lived. That was how she always thought of the non-magic world, as the world of her parents. Not her world, never her world, just a place to visit form time to time over the holidays. To tell the truth she found that her stay was usually more trying that it was worth, this past summer she had been trounced by everyday tasks like laundry that would have been so easy with the help of just a little magic.
In Muggle studies she had been shocked to find out how little she really knew, and was horrified when even the Slytherins had done better than her. Not of course that she had done badly, but she had been shocked when she found out who had beaten her. Despite being teased on account of her parenting the shame of being trumped by Malfoy was one of her biggest shames and was probably the key factor as to why she had discontinued her study of the subject.
Over her yeas she had felt more and more distant form what had once been her home ground. She felt like one of Mrs. Sprouts mandrake that had been repotted and even though she had never before thought of it in such a way she was happier in her new place. She sighed there really was no need to worry perhaps next year she would spend some time in Muggle London, get job, spend more time with her parents and revisit her Muggle friends. What were their names again, that girl next door who always wore pigtails and had scraped knees and the timid little boy form primary school who always gave her the biggest birthday present. It was unlikely they would even remember her now after all Hermione herself couldn't even recall their faces it had been so long since she had seen them. This whole line of thought was making her feel as if she was 60 and her life had already been and gone. She was quite happy, she had found her niche and made friends there was no need to be so depressed over missed opportunities when there was so much more to learn and explore.
Glancing at her wizards watch she was reminded politely that it was; "Past your bed time, after all what will the teachers think if you arrive late on the first day." drat she thought. She had meant to finish that book, why she demanded of nothing in particular "did I waste so much time worrying."
The mirror seemed to sigh in a superior sort of way as if the answer was painful obvious but refrained from comment. Quickly changing in to her long flannel nightgown toothbrush in hand she descended the stairs to first use the loo before wishing her friends her customary good night.
The stone of the Gryffindor tower was Always cold with out thought of the season, Ron had once gone so far as to suggest that it was enchanted but one a more rational note she had doubted it, although today might have proved to be an exception.
She continued along these lines of thought as she descended the stone steps towards the common room, to say her good nights to her long time friends, in accordance with there long held tradition.
It being late the common room was practically deserted, the prefects having packed all but the oldest students off to bed long ago. She herself felt insanely guilty for even being up this late her sense of rules prompting her in no uncertain voice that school stated tomorrow and it would be more than appalling if she arrived anything other than 5 min early. Peering down into the common room she was relived to find that only Ron and Harry were still there, and so she felt safe enough to venture down with out her heavy night gown, with out endangering her dignity. She reflected that had she not descended they would in all likely-hood have stayed up to unthinkable hours. She sighed, some of the time she doubted weather either of them really took their studies seriously enough.
Long since having finished their game the two boys lounged comfortably in the abused armchairs that popluated the cozy room. They had turned to companionable conversation, with an occasional pock at the fire and a causal charm that sent the sparks twirling into strange and intricate designs before they flickered out into the enormous chimney flues. It was a trick discovered by Ron nefarious older twin brothers and passed down the Weasley line in Ron's 5th year, much to Hermione's better judgement.
Both boys turned their heads as she descended the stairs suddenly feeling uncomfortably self-conscious of the faded state of her flannel nighty. She wondered vaguely weather the turn 'boys' still applied. Their faces were no longer as round though Ron's remained more boyish than harries and they both had shot up almost frighteningly over the last two years. Harry was even more streamlined. His long body perfectly fitted for death defying dives and split second turns.
Last year he had almost broken his neck catching the snitch in Gryffindors' final match against Slytherin and very likely would have had Malfoy not went to steeply into a dive lost control falling to the ground and in doing so providing an effective cushion for the Gryffindor seeker. The look on the Slytherin's faces when they found that there seeker was out cold for saving the life of his arch enemy when letting him win the game and the cup, had been worth all the gold in Gringots.
Ron however was slightly broader, with shoulders that promised great strength. In Hermione's opinion, though she would never voice it to her best friends, Ron was the handsomer of the two. He always reminded her of some great Norman saint. If she could only find one that had had flaming red hair, tattered robes and wore a look of confused more than half the time. Then again she would be the first to point out the obvious bias of her preference, which she was fully aware went quite contrary to public opinion particularly that that of such noticeable persons as Collin Creely and Ron's little sister. (And perhaps the host of rabid Radcliff fangirls to be found on fanfiction)
Getting up Ron gave her is trademark great goofy grin that always made her feel slightly tingly, followed by Harry. It always made Hermione feel good to see Ron happy even though he annoyed her no end, and refused to do his schoolwork or bored her with talk of Quidditch.
"We were wondering when you'd show up." He said still grinning.
Harry turned smiling also a more reluctant relaxed smile. "I had almost succeeded in convincing Ron that you had forgotten us and that I could still him away with out any problem"
"Fat chance" huffed Ron amiably "Hermione would never dream of going to bed with out giving us our nightly scold" at this he pretended to filch an imaginary curtain of hair behind his shoulder and squeak in a horrible mimicry of Hermione's own voice.
"Tomorrow is the first day of school so we al must try to get as much sleep as possible, so that we will be sure to get off to a good start tomorrow. Remember first impressions are always-"
"Oh you great gormless git!" She hissed hitting him miraculously with one of the much abused couch pillows with crookshanks and Harry looked on good naturally, knowing better than to get involved.
After a minuet Ron caught the pillow, making Hermione louse her balance as she tried vainly to yank in from his grip, making her fall. Blushing slightly as his arms shot out to steady her and she looked up into his ever marry eyes "well it is what you would have said."
"Er-" the two looked around somewhat abashed. To look guiltily at the boy who lived. Who was presently examining the red and gold rug in minuet detail.
"Sorry Harry." Ron muttered. Hermione found that she could do nothing but blush.
"This is nice and cozy and all but . what about bed and all that" Harry trailed off once again.
"Sorry Harry but just one moment" he apologized for the second time, looking flushed and incredibly uncomfortable. Hermione in an effort to regain her composure disengaged her self form Ron and busied her self with straightening her nightgown. She could not help the would from spinning happily around her. Something was going to happen at long last. It had to. It just had to.
"But really we should get some rest. Despite the fact that Ron is a ridiculous fool I agree completely with what he says" she finished giving them a superior look. Harry laughed at Ron's open-mouthed expression of offended dignity. He looked a good deal happier than he usually did. Years of responsibility and knowledge of situations well beyond his years had taken a toll on him and his green eyes were those of a salted politician or dogged soldier not an underage wizard who was still at school. Hermione some times had to pity him. It really wasn't fair that he had had to live such a life.
Even thought Ron and herself had seen almost as much they had always (and at times even resentfully) been kept in the shadow out of the worst and most macabre of Harry's adventures. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the guerrilla war that threatened the peace of England's wizarding world placed Harry front and center as the next Messiah. Something neither herself nor Ron would ever have to deal with. Though she knew that Ron some times still became upset when Harry once again got more than his fair share, it had always been tempered by the underlying truth that when faced with their positions in reverse. Neither would be able to cope as Harry had, for all the tragedy and pressure ha faced he was still smiling. Or at least Hermione thought so, he was a boy and still young. Sure he seemed like fates chosen son and came by more than his fair share of trouble and glory but he still liked Quidditch and got colds and had to worry over his scores on the N.E.W.T.'s. above all Harry was human.
"You know Ron, I think that in future you should stick to merely being your self see as your other personas seem to have a tendency towards retaliation." They all remembered quite clearly when Ron had tried to impersonate Snape during a particularly incomprehensible lesson back in 5th year that had almost earned him a moth's worth of detentions.
Ron finding the his friends mirth over his own misfortune to be not at all as funny as Hermione and Harry found it, broken in saying. "Come on Harry I'm tired" Harry sobering turned to a still giggling Hermione "good night then"
"Good nigh Harry" she called as he made his way up the stairs towards his room, Ron however did not immediately follow and if the darkness was not to concealing, he looked somewhat nervous.
Ron stood shifting from one foot to the other looking down at Hermione
"I. er-"
Hermione felt herself flush. Her heart was fluttering uncomfortably and she could feel butterflies bubbling around in her stomach. Was he actually going to get to the point this time, there was no doubt in her mind as to what she felt for Ron, she had liked him for years they fought each other tooth and nail and yet came to each others rescue even after a fight. And there was really no one else. On top of which she had long been sure of his feelings. Even thought he had never stated them out right he was as transparent as glass in almost everything and of course there was Harry to assure her if she ever had a doubt. It had never occurred to confess her feelings to him and unfair and old-fashioned as it might have been she was some times annoyed by his lack of an open confession. More so when he did not seem to notice that she was even a girl but now it looked like that lone awaited moment might actually come to pass.
"I just wanted to. wish you luck. with the new school year and all." Hermione's face fell, and she moved to turn away, feeling irrationally angry. Suddenly she his hand was on her arm swinging her around. She felt a swoosh of air but this time unlike during their pillow fight she kept her balanced stiffened.
"Ron if that is all you wanted to say I would very much like to go to bed" she said glaring coldly, but not really wanting to look him in the eye. Disappointed yet again. How long was this doofus going to keep her waiting. She filched her eyes to his face trying to guess why. She met an expression she had not seen outside of their various battles, a look of desperate resolve.
"Hermione. I like you. I mean well.we both know that. what I meant to ask you is. if there's a dance at the three broom sticks or something would you like to go with me? It doesn't have to be a dance. what ever you want. I just thought." Ron trailed off his usually good natured face was beet red, and he looked decidedly uncomfortable. Hermione could not for the life of her, understand why he had to be so embarrassed, but was too happy to care.
"Ron I'd love to." she breathed grinning.
"Really?!"
"Yes of course you Muggle head." she said swatting him. Something flashed through her mind
"Ron. How much persuading did Harry have to do to bring this about?" she demanded fixing him with an interrogative stare. Ron tried to look innocent.
"I would have asked eventually"
"Oh dear! I think I owe Harry more than I bargained for " Hermione said as she lay her hand on his shoulder. And slowly slid it down his chest to let it rest over his heart. Ron was grinning like a loon.
"What happened to all those 'bright and early' intentions you had?"
Hermione jumped
"Merlin! We'll never wake up tomorrow!"
Grabbing his arm she pulled him up the stairs to the landing were the girls and boys hallways divided. Neither was really sure of the protocol, but Hermione as ever took the situation in hand. Turning to face Ron she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek her stomach fluttering nervously and her toes and neck extending to their fullest to make up for his towering high. It had been an innocent peck on the cheek she would swear to it, but at the last moment he turned his head and their lips brushed together in a clumsy kiss. It lasted no more than a moment before the precarious position collapsed, leaving both slightly off balance, both physically and mentally. Time passed as she stared at him who stared at her. The drama of the moment was spoiled, because her mind took the bizarre opportunity to scream 'Fish Sticks' in an act of sheer randomness that she could not fathom. So she giggled.
It must have been the right thing to do because Ron let out a gush of air and visibly relaxed.
"I think that will need a bit more practice." He said a grin once again suffusing his freckled face.
"How 'bout tomorrow" she answered smiling 'fish and chips, fish and chips' her mental image screamed again much like an annoyed mandrake.
"Tomorrow then" Ron said looking ridiculously hopeful. It made Hermione feel funny to see him look so happy. Stepping forward she wrapped her arms around him in a friendly way and in a moment his arms were around her. "I'm glad we're together" she herd him whisper into her hair
"Me too" she whispered back as they pulled apart
"Good night" They said together, Ron bending down to give her a quick kiss on the forehead.
She knew that he watched her all the way until the corridor turned and blocked his sight. Her body was tingling and she could not suppress the uncharacteristically broad smile that was pushing it's way onto her face. It felt somewhat silly to feel so happy on account of a boy with whom she had been fiends for years, but all that didn't matter. Fish sticks, she giggled again, lips and fish sticks.