Hey guys! Lauren here, with lovely chapter thirty-two. Yes, here it is! And this one's so special that I gave it two titles! Oh, and if anyone can tell me what the word is that describes the way I do my titles— you know, where they both start with the same letter— cause for the life of me I can't remember! So if anyone can tell me what word it is, I'll throw in a bonus chapter! On the day that someone tells me, not right now…Please, there's gotta be someone out there who knows! I'm driving me crazy! Okay, I'm better now. Oh, and I liked this chapter, it was a little confusing. Lots of new things are happening. Yay! Oh, and I promise that I'll address the hate potion thing in the next chapter! I've already got it all planned out in me head…Hope you enjoy this one! And please review!! Oh, and I don't know if anyone noticed, but Madison pointed out that Hermione and Ginny are in different years, and therefore in different dorms, so I corrected that little mistake. Thanks Madison! Sorry you guys, I'm dumb, I admit it…

Lauren

Disclaimer: Look dammit! I don't own Harry Potter!!!!

(that was simple)

Chapter thirty-two

Twisted Trance and Visiting Voices

That night, the common room was nearly silent, besides the crackling of the fire and the occasional snickers shared between Harry and Ginny, who sat watching Ron try to get Hermione to look at him. But she refused. Boy, was she angry. Why doesn't she just get over it? It wasn't that big of a deal anyway. McGonagall would probably forget all about it by morning…Ron kept thinking to himself, over and over, as he cleared is throat, then waved his hands for her attention. None was granted. Hermione stared into the fire unremittingly. After a while, Ron gave up. This is just getting obnoxious. Ridiculous! She can't stay mad at me forever… but one last time he tried for her to acknowledge him, and one last time she ignored it.

When Ron broke the silence, it was so unexpected that it was almost earth-shattering.

"Oi! You know what, this is just- just- dumb! That's what it is, dumb! I give up! Geez Hermione, it's not like you got expelled! Nothing happened. People do dumb things everyday. And people get in trouble everyday! You were just having fun, and it's not the end of the world! Get over yourself!!" And with that, he stormed off towards the boys' quarters.

Hermione looked up at his now empty place in the chair and felt anger and wretchedness building up inside of her. She turned to Harry and Ginny, who by now looked a tad shocked. Ron scolding Hermione? That was definitely a change. Sure, they argued and yelled at each other before, but it was usually Hermione who put Ron in his place.

The two of them sat, watching Hermione with expectant expressions.

"Who does he think he is?? Telling me to get over myself…he doesn't understand, I'm a prefect, McGonagall was right in expecting better behavior from me…telling me to get over myself…" she said, starting with a shout and ending in a whisper. Harry and Ginny simply glanced at one another, not knowing what to say. While they (sort of) understood what Hermione was saying, she had taken it to a sort of ridiculous level. Of course, they couldn't say anything of the sort to her, so they just kept quiet. A few minutes later Harry heard Ginny yawn, so they said goodnight to Hermione and he escorted Ginny up to her dorm. It would probably be better for Hermione to have some time alone.

Upstairs, Ron was glaring at the ceiling as if it were Malfoy. And boy, if looks could kill, Malfoy the ceiling would be crumbling away that second. Why is she so…stubborn? Conceited? So damn self-righteous?? Grr… he couldn't take laying down anymore, so he grudgingly headed back downstairs to sit in front of the fire. Before he hit the last step, he heard the sound of muffled sobbing. He stood on his toes to see over the back of the couch and onto the floor, where Hermione was crying into a cushion. The grudge clouding over his heart dissolved instantly as he continued to listen. He wanted so badly to go over and comfort his Mione, but something held him back. Maybe, for once, he should let her be. He hesitantly turned around and began to climb the stairs back up to the room, but he noticed that her crying ceased, which made him stop in his tracks.

"R-Ron?" she called out, somewhat restrained by her tears.

He sighed and turned around. There was no way he could resist her when she needed him.

"Yes?" he asked, hoping to sound impatient, but instead sounding concerned. Damn feelings! he cursed to himself. She stared down at the floor and played with her fingers.

"I— well, I guess, what I want to say is, I'm sorry…you were right. I was over-reacting, and I was being, well, dumb. I'm so sorry if I hurt you, I-"

But she was interrupted by Ron's lips. He had crossed the room while Hermione was busy eyeing the carpet. She was a little surprised, but pleasantly of course. She drew her arms up around his neck and pulled him closer. After a moment, he pulled away and smiled. Hermione was grateful to see his smile once again, and she smiled as well, resting her head against his shoulder.

After moments of silence…

"You know Mione, it wouldn't hurt you to lighten up a little bit…"

She looked at him threateningly and punched him on the shoulder. But she kept the idea in the back of her mind. You know, Hermione, the boy's right… she heard a voice say. And who are *you*? she asked the intruder. She wasn't so sure she liked the idea of someone else in her head. Oh, don't worry, I'm sure you'll find me quite useful… But when Hermione tried to find the voice again, it didn't respond. She was honestly quite perplexed. Ron noticed she was deep in thought.

"Hermione, is something bothering you?"

She shook her head, deciding it was probably nothing at all. She was just tired.

Thirty minutes later, Ron was staring at the full moon when he heard a noise outside the window. Hermione had obviously not noticed, cause when Ron turned his head to ask her about it, her head was drooping against his shoulder, and she was fast asleep. He chuckled, then peeled himself off the back of the couch, scooped up Hermione, and carried her up to her dorm. When he laid her down on her bed, she squirmed a little and whispered, no, don't take Ron, take me instead… Ron was a little startled, but remembered it was only a dream and figured it was nothing to get worked up about. He tucked her in and kissed her on the forehead, and before he descended the stairs, turned around to steal one last glance at his love before heading off to bed himself.

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The next morning, Hermione awoke with a headache. She opened her mouth to ask no one in particular for an aspirin, but the words refused to come out. She tried clearing her throat, but that only made it worse. Now when she tried to speak, it hurt. Confused, she stood up, walked all the way to Ginny's dorm, and after finding her, shook her awake. When she finally turned over and opened her eyes, she moaned in annoyance.

"Hermione, what is it?" she asked impatiently.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, and once again no words would leave her. Ginny raised her eyebrows.

"What?? Can't you speak?"

Hermione shook her head frantically.

"Oh? Why not? What's wrong?" asked Ginny, becoming concerned.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Like she was supposed to know!

Ten minutes later, the two of them were in Madam Pomfrey's office, receiving the infamous Pepper potion. She somehow convinced Hermione that the Pepper solution could solve anything. And soon enough, Hermione could speak again. Madam Pmfrey told her that she was most likely just coming down with a cold. By that time they were both so hungry that Hermione had forgotten anything about the dream in which she and Ron were tied to burning trees.