**A note from HazelMist: Lucky Me I have 82 reviews! Wow! I never expected
it. Well now over a month later, close to two months actually I decide to
write. I was busy and had limited access to the Internet. School just
started so give me a break. And right before I was going to type this I
decided to come up with a whole new thing. I know I'm crazy, insane,
whatever you want to call it.
Want to thank my 12 reviewers. I think that's the most I've had so far. I'm not sure. I should check. HarryNZ, archforge, libertygrl413, Jenny, angel, happy reviewer person, no name (they didn't write anything but they deserved to be thanked too), E. C. R. Potter, Bri Bri, mor, another blank one ( Is someone trying to drop a hint? Two blanks. Is that normal?) & aczavius thank you so much. I will say it now and I will probably say it again. The reviews are what brought me to write again. (well there's the fact that I like to write too)
Unfortunately for all of us the story is not over yet. I still have either one or two more chapters to write after this one.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 10: Broken Hearts
Silence settled in the tunnel for one deadly moment. Hermione and Harry held their breath looking into the eyes of their best friend. Ron faced them also not breathing; hardly believing that what he was seeing was actually true.
Hermione and Harry were together. He repeated this over and over in his head, but one side of his mind remained in confusion despite all the clues that had started to unbury themselves from the back of his mind where he had put them.
Their breathing began all at once breaking the silence, at all different paces. Though each person was also finding it hard to breathe.
"Ron." Hermione whispered once more. Her brown eyes caught with his.
Ron narrowed his eyes and his expression became cold and hard. He braced himself for the worse while the other side of him was pleading that this was some kind of mistake and that in reality nothing had happened at all.
Harry was still holding Hermione in his arms. She still had her arms draped around him also. But she had lifted her head off of his shoulder and drawn a little bit away from Harry. But not enough for Ron's liking. Her brown hair still trailed upon Harry's shoulder. Evidence that they were still too close for friends.
None of them spoke.
Impatiently, Ron waited to hear his friend's explanation. It was them that had to speak not him.
Hermione broke his gaze and allowed her eyes to travel to the floor. She fingered Harry's robe debating what to do next. For once she didn't know what to do. Harry met Ron's gaze but he too let his eyes wander guiltily back to the floor.
Words weren't needed. The guilty looks and the realization that they were still embraced should have been enough. The story was nearly screaming at Ron. But Ron needed to hear it from them.
"What's going on?" Ron demanded. Though it was perfectly clear already.
"Hermione and I." Harry trailed off struggling for the words in his mind. It was the hardest thing to say. Even though it was a rather simple concept.
Ron glared at Hermione but she said nothing.
"Hermione and I. are. well we're. we've been seeing each other." The last few words tumbled out of his mouth. He didn't bother to meet Ron's eyes.
Ron had heard it from Harry. He had heard the confession. "Aren't you satisfied you know the truth now?" A loud voice in his head demanded. But Ron didn't want to believe it. That was the only thing that was stopping his world from crumbling at that very moment. He needed something else. He needed to hear it from her lips. He pushed aside Harry's confession and let his gaze fall back upon Hermione.
This was the beautiful Hermione, his Hermione. Anger burned in his heart and mind mixed with jealousy as he looked at her pretty thick brown hair that reached below her shoulder. He looked at her lovely tanned skin and figure and the lashes that covered those pretty brown eyes that had once made his heart skip a beat. But Harry's hand now curled around her shoulder protecting her from Ron's wrath that would probably explode at any moment. And Hermione's own fingers seemed to bring Harry slowly closer to her.
Jealousy raged through him as her brown eyes, now watery, looked up at him. It was the truth. There was no doubt. She had given her silent word. Hermione bit her lip and a tear streaked down her cheek that both Ron and Harry wanted to wipe away.
This was it. His world was crumbling.
Ron turned red with anger and jealousy. He was so angry and frustrated. He was lost for words even though there was so much he needed to yell and scream about. But all of the words and ideas were jumbled in his mind causing him to be tongue-tied. He was just too upset.
Burning from his flaming red hair to his worn sneakers, he turned on heel. First walking and then running out of the tunnel. He raced away from the nightmare, his heart and friendship broken, again.
Harry reached over and wiped away the tears from her eyes. She stood transfixed watching where Ron had disappeared. New tears were rapidly forming in her eyes. Then slowly she turned and laid her head on Harry's shoulder. He embraced her gently, not expecting this. He kissed the top of her head and held her wishing it had been anyone but Ron. Ironically Hermione was wishing the very same thing as she turned and began to sob silently into Harry's shoulder mourning the loss of her other best friend.
Ron tore through the halls and corridors. Rage was silently enveloping him lingering dangerously with the over flowing anger and jealousy that pulsed through every vein in his body. He turned round one corner after another, just as he had been earlier, except this was worse. His normally calm brown eyes now seemed to almost sizzle with anger. His face was now redder then an over ripe tomato. He was in a terrible mood in case you didn't notice.
He tried to remember a time when he had been angrier in his life. He found no memory that could match this. He stopped thinking about the past because it just fed to his anger, as so much of it was dotted with images of Harry and Hermione.
"Hermione." He moaned. Why did this have to happen to him? He loved her and he needed her, especially now.
Memories flicked past as he remembered when he had finally realized he loved her. He leaned against a suit of armor as the memory rushed through him. It was more vivid then he could ever remember.
It was the end of the fourth year. He could see it now. Hermione and him were seated in the stands at the Triwizard tournament. They were staring down into the maze of hedges that was the final task for Harry and the three other champions. His mother and older brother Bill sat on the other side of him and he was seated beside Hermione.
"Where's Harry?" His mom asked watching anxiously for the boy that she treated like a son.
"I think he's somewhere over there." Bill pointed to an area near the center. Though Harry and the other champions couldn't see it, the audience saw that Cedric and Harry were very close to the cup. They were above and had a better view.
"Oh Look!" Hermione who was always quick to spot things was pointing excitedly at something.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Harry's at the cup!" Hermione said bouncing in her seat.
Immediately Mrs. Weasley and Bill turned to see what was going on and soon the crowd was murmuring and exclaiming. Ron was standing up beside Hermione watching anxiously and excitedly as Harry and Cedric stood before the cup. But what were they doing?
The crowd was roaring. Both Cedric's fans and Harry's fans were now all standing up peering down below at the two figures.
"What is he doing?" Ron asked.
"I don't know." Hermione said stopping for a moment. They watched as the two gripped the cup. That was Harry always being noble. Ron nearly groaned but he couldn't stop grinning. The crowd pulsed, roaring and applauding.
Hermione gasped. Ron turned and stared at her. She pointed a quivering hand down below. Harry and Cedric were gone.
The crowd was confused. What was going on? Was that supposed to happen? Suddenly the judges overturned the table in their haste to get to the maze. That was what did it. The crowd started screaming as they watched the judges racing and blasting through the maze.
"Oh my gosh." Hermione said. She was trembling. Mrs. Weasley and others were soon figuring out what Hermione meant. That wasn't supposed to happen. Hermione looked like she was about to fall to the floor. A little girl in front of them was crying. It was happening so fast. Fleur and Krum were walking out of the maze escorted by a teacher looking quite dazed. Something was wrong. Ron could feel it creeping in his veins.
He reached out and grabbed Hermione before she fell. She slowly got her balance back and sat down. Ron sat down beside her. It was always they. It was always Harry. Why?
It was only the two of them. The screams died down in the distance and he and Hermione just sat, together.
Tears streaked her cheeks as she looked out into space. He couldn't imagine what she was thinking. He moved closer to her and she moved a little closer to him. They were side by side touching shoulder to shoulder. Just like every other time they had to wait for Harry they would seek out comfort in each other. Just as they were doing now. Ron could feel her heart pounding and see the fear in her eyes.
Ron knew it was bad then. Hermione had a sixth sense for these kinds of thing. Perhaps she knew then that the dark lord was returning. Harry never did tell them what had happened that dreadful day. But he could guess that Hermione knew what had happened by now.
"He'll be okay. He always is." He whispered.
She looked up at him gratefully then suddenly threw her arms around him sobbing helplessly into his shoulder. And that was when Ron realized that he loved her. As he patted her back and tried to comfort her he began to realize that there was something between Hermione and him that he couldn't explain.
Ron had assumed it was love. But it hadn't been. Ron sighed, the anger ceasing as he remembered vividly how he had seen her that day. But the memories were not over yet. Once more another took over. It was just as vivid as the first.
They were at the train station. It was the end of the fourth year. Hermione and Ron stood watching as Harry waved goodbye then heading after his grumpy uncle. Hermione waved back and continued to wave even after he had turned and left swallowed by the crowd.
She sighed and let her hand fall once more.
"It's a shame that he has to live with his uncle and aunt who are so cruel to him." Hermione said sadly.
"Yeah. But he'll be able to come visit this summer." Ron said.
"You will too, right?" Ron asked. He could already feel his ears turning red. It was amazing what could happen with even the simplest phrases when you have a crush on your friend.
"Hopefully. But I'll be busy this summer." Hermione stated.
"Why are you going to visit Vicky?" Ron couldn't keep the anger out of his voice. He immediately regretted what he had said. She looked hurt but angry.
"It's none of your business whether I go to see him or not." Hermione said hotly. Then she turned on heel and went to go talk to Ginny.
Hermione and her parents stayed a while longer chatting freely with the Weasleys. Everyone was talking except for Ron and Hermione.
"You blew it." Ginny said.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked pretending not to notice.
"You should apologize." Ginny said simply. But a small smile played upon her lips as she walked away.
Ron didn't like the fact that he was taking his younger sister's advice. But she was right and she was a girl. So before Hermione left he walked over to her.
"Listen Hermione."
"Don't talk to me." Hermione didn't want to listen to him.
"Hermione I'm sorry." Ron said.
Hermione looked shocked. Ron realized that he rarely apologized to her this quickly and she rarely got this mad about something. Something had changed. There it was again.
As Ron wondered if she might like him too Hermione's parents called to her. They were leaving.
"I'm sorry too Ron." Hermione said.
"What do you have to be sorry about?" Ron asked.
"I've been spending way too much time with Victor and not enough time with my two best friends." Hermione said. Ron said nothing.
Then Hermione leaned over and did something Ron never expected. She kissed him on the cheek. So simple but with astounding effects.
"Bye Ron. See you soon. I'll owl you and Harry." Hermione said. Then she hurried off to her parents as if it was nothing.
He stayed there for the longest time, just shocked as he touched his cheek. And that was when he thought Hermione Granger liked him. Hermione was his girl from that moment on. At least that was what he thought, until now. Only now was it hitting him, that perhaps Hermione was never his.
That was it. Ron remembered anger returning. Hermione had given a kiss on the cheek, not Harry, him. That had to mean something, right? It was a start. This was the memory that had driven him to think that Hermione was indeed in love with him too. It had it written all over it, "I like you Ron".
"Then why didn't you show it when I tried again to tell you, "I like you too Hermione"." Ron muttered.
It was too late now. Ron grumbling and with more sadness then anger, walked away from the suits of armor, hands shoved in the pockets of his robe and head down in defeat.
"We should go." Hermione mumbled.
Harry woke from his thoughts. He raised his head sleepily and yawned.
"Yeah." He whispered. He straightened up and picked up the cloak that would take them safely back.
"I just realized something Hermione." Harry said.
"What?"
"Ron doesn't have an invisibility cloak. What if he's caught? I'm surprised he wasn't caught on his way here." Harry said.
Hermione and him knew that the teachers were always catching students out of bed. She remembered leaving the cloak on the roof and the shame of getting in trouble all too well.
"I guess we should hope he gets back okay. There's not much more we can do." Hermione stated.
Harry slipped the cloak over her shoulders and his own and then they ducked beneath.
"Harry do you have the Marauders Map?" Hermione suddenly asked.
"No."
"Ron." They both said at once.
"Well at least he knows where he's going." Hermione said. Then they continued their trek back to the common room.
Meanwhile Ron found himself in front of the hospital wing door. Just as he had so many times with Hermione waiting for Harry to get better. He thought of the several times at the end of the fourth year when he and Hermione had waited for entrance to see Harry at this very spot. Every time they had found themselves there Ron found he loved her more with each passing day. If only he had the courage to kiss her on one of those days, perhaps things would've been different.
And what about the train station? All he had to do was meet her lips. Why hadn't he done it? He had missed the chance. When he had tried to kiss her again she had thrown him off and gone running. And she hadn't looked back.
He sighed. He still held old hopes even though Hermione was with Harry. He probably never would let go.
His fingers brushed the door and Hermione's face came rushing back to him. It lingered and then slowly trickled away bit by bit. He ran his fingers over the door and somehow found the doorknob and turned it. Slowly it creaked open.
Ron blinked and stepped into the infirmary. He couldn't believe that his feet had taken him here. What's that use if all it does is brings back old memories?
His eyes glanced around the room. He had been here so many times when Harry had injured himself. He chuckled remembering his own visits there, the dragon bite, first year, when Hermione had woken him and taken him up here insisting that he needed care after being mauled by a chess piece, while she stayed and waited for Harry. And then there was third year when he had his leg nearly ripped off by Sirus. Hermione and Harry had sneaked out together with the time turner and saved Sirus. Then there was the time Hermione was petrified and when she had turned herself into a cat. And quidditch, Harry was in the infirmary several times for quidditch.
There were so many memories they had shared. They had always been there for each other, always, until now. Ron felt a pang of guilt rise up in his chest. This was no way to act. He would have to make up sometime. But what they did was wrong.
Something stirred and Ron looked up hoping it wasn't Madam Pomfrey. His eyes fell upon the last bed and he remembered Lavender. Slowly he walked over to her bedside, guilt and pity overpowering him as he looked down at the girl who had become his friend in the last few days, and now more then ever, he needed her.
Now that Harry and Hermione would be together more often, he would need someone to talk too. Was Lavender that person? He remembered Seamus coming in the room earlier. Seamus was now with Parvati. So maybe Lavender was feeling left out.
"That's stupid. She probably won't even talk to me after what I did." Ron said aloud. Shaking his head he sat down in a close by chair.
Ron looked down upon her sleeping form something catching in his throat. Her blonde hair was strewn across the pillow. Her skin was pale white and her pink lips were nearly drained of color and were thin and drawn tight.
He remembered seeing her just before the accident. She had had her blond hair down framing her face. The familiar smile that he had come to notice had been upon her face as she graciously accepted his apology unaware just how much trouble Ron had gotten them into. Lovely blue gray eyes had looked back at him that now were closed. He longed to see her face once more. He wanted to see her smile and laugh again. But would it ever happen again?
Ron reached out and lightly touched her hand. It was cold. A shiver ran up his spine. He drew back his hand as if it were on fire. She was sickly, pale, unconscious, and it was his entire fault.
"It always happens to me. First its Harry and Hermione. And now this. I should have been paying attention. But no I was thinking about Harry's girlfriend who turned out to be Hermione." He paused making a fist as if to let off the anger.
"How could I be so stupid? I see Neville do it all the time. The potion blows up with bad results. I shouldn't have done that. Hermione is always telling us to pay attention, and now I finally know why." Ron paused.
"What was it that we were making? What's wrong with her?" He wondered aloud.
He remembered clearly that he had just left her without one backward thought. Then he remembered her, when she hadn't followed. He had found his way back, shut off the burner and then there she had been. The potion was too far-gone. It had dripped all over her black robe. She had been curled up beneath the desk, innocent. He had just been talking to her and now look what had become of a stupid potion accident and he not paying attention.
He had shaken her trying desperately to wake her. But his pleas were not enough. Lavender was now here in the hospital wing because of his stupidity and mistakes.
"If only I could have a second chance. Then perhaps I could fix everything. Then perhaps it could be me in the hospital bed, instead of her." Ron stopped thinking over the thought of a time turner. No, he couldn't change the past.
"It's all my fault. How could I be so stupid? Why did I leave her? I was too late to save her. How will I live with this if something happens to her? What if it's fat." He couldn't bring himself to say the word. He couldn't imagine what he would do if she died.
"Don't worry it's not fatal." Said a soft humorous voice.
Ron spun around and knocked over the chair. He hastily got to his feet and looked in the direction the voice was coming from.
There she was lying awake. The familiar smile was once again adorning her face. Her blue gray eyes were glassy but never the less gleaming with amusement.
Ron could have sworn he was seeing a ghost. But there she was. Lavender was awake.
"Are you a ghost?" He asked before he could stop the stupid words from tumbling out.
Lavender laughed weakly.
"No. Though I probably look scary enough to be one." She said trying to run her hand through her hair that was probably a total mess.
Ron stared at her as she rubbed her eyes and attempted to sit up. Very slowly she pulled herself up into a sitting position and then faced Ron. For the longest moment the two of them just stared at each other. It was mostly Ron gawking at her. But Lavender too seemed to be very happy to be awake and see another person again.
"You are Lavender. You are okay!" Ron grinned from ear to ear. He didn't know what possessed him but for some reason he leaned over and gave her a hug. Lavender was surprised but then she wrapped her arms around him. She held onto him for a moment. It was so good to feel another's touch. Ron was delighted that she was alive. She was weak though. He could tell. He let go and leaned back in his chair.
"I can't believe you're alive." He said.
"Me neither. It's so good to be awake again. It seems like I slept for forever." Lavender said smiling and looking around the room as if seeing it for the first time.
"I thought you weren't going to wake up." Ron said softly.
"I was fine. I just slept for a while." Lavender said brushing it off.
"I know but no one knew what was wrong with you and nothing was working. You just kept on sleeping and wouldn't wake up." Ron said his voice getting louder with every syllable.
"Ron keep your voice down or other wise Madam Pomfrey will hear us." Lavender said unable to hold back a smile.
There was another momentary pause.
"Lavender I'm sorry." Ron said.
"For what?"
"For making our potion go wrong and causing you to get sick."
"Accidents happen Ron." Lavender said.
"I know but it was my fault. I should have been paying attention in Snapes class." Ron admitted.
"No one likes paying attention in Snapes class." Lavender said grinning.
"I know but it wouldn't have happened if I had been paying attention to him."
"Snape's class is awful. Who would blame you for not paying attention." Lavender said truthfully.
"Snape's class is terrible!" Ron said. Insults for Snape was one of his more knowledgeable topics.
"His hair is so greasy!"
"That's because he probably never washes it."
"He favors the Slytherins, especially Draco Malfoy." Lavender said with disgust.
"Yeah and Harry and me are his number one enemies."
Lavender laughed. Ron smiled seeing her laugh once more. He joined in. The laughter rang throughout the infirmary. It was a good Madam Pomfrey wasn't a light sleeper or she would've wondered why there was a midnight gathering in the infirmary.
"It's good to hear you laugh again." Ron said.
"Is that proof that I'm not a ghost?" Lavender asked jokingly.
"You don't look at all like a ghost. You look great. I just couldn't believe that you were awake." Ron said. Lavender did look pretty even though her hair was a mess and she was still pale looking.
"I'm glad. I would be sad if I scared you away." They both laughed a little. Then suddenly they stopped and looked up at each other.
Lavender's blue gray eyes met Ron's brown eyes and they held. Lavender laid her hand on top of his lightly. A sudden warmth ran up his spine even though Lavender's hand was cold. He wanted to touch her face with his free hand and stroke the smooth skin. She wanted to run her hand through his red hair. They both leaned forward ever so slightly. Ron had leaned so close to Lavender that he could feel her breath upon his face. For one dizzying moment Ron and Lavender stayed like this knowing exactly what was going to happen next.
It happened so quickly. Their lips met. It was a gentle and very short kiss.
Ron drew back and so did Lavender both looking very surprised and equally shocked. Lavenders hand still rested lightly upon his filling both of them with a warmth they couldn't explain. They looked at each other with eyes that both held the same question, "What was that?"
Ron's eyes suddenly became wide when he realized what he had just done. He had just kissed Lavender and Lavender had just kissed him back. He had kissed someone other then Hermione. He loved Hermione not Lavender. He couldn't go kissing someone that he didn't love.
Lavender knew what was going to happen even before she said it. She clamped a hand to her mouth as he stood up nearly knocking the chair over in his haste.
"I'm sorry Ron. I shouldn't have." Lavender said on the verge of tears.
"It's not going to work." Ron said. This was the right thing to do, he told himself. Then why did he feel so terrible?
Lavender nodded trying to keep the tears at bay.
"You see I'm in love with someone else." Ron said.
"I know." Lavender said weakly.
Ron nodded once more. That was the way it was going to have to be. He walked away and hurried out of the infirmary, not looking back once. Even though a part of his heart had been left with the girl that was now sobbing into her pillow.
More then one heart had been broken that night.
Want to thank my 12 reviewers. I think that's the most I've had so far. I'm not sure. I should check. HarryNZ, archforge, libertygrl413, Jenny, angel, happy reviewer person, no name (they didn't write anything but they deserved to be thanked too), E. C. R. Potter, Bri Bri, mor, another blank one ( Is someone trying to drop a hint? Two blanks. Is that normal?) & aczavius thank you so much. I will say it now and I will probably say it again. The reviews are what brought me to write again. (well there's the fact that I like to write too)
Unfortunately for all of us the story is not over yet. I still have either one or two more chapters to write after this one.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 10: Broken Hearts
Silence settled in the tunnel for one deadly moment. Hermione and Harry held their breath looking into the eyes of their best friend. Ron faced them also not breathing; hardly believing that what he was seeing was actually true.
Hermione and Harry were together. He repeated this over and over in his head, but one side of his mind remained in confusion despite all the clues that had started to unbury themselves from the back of his mind where he had put them.
Their breathing began all at once breaking the silence, at all different paces. Though each person was also finding it hard to breathe.
"Ron." Hermione whispered once more. Her brown eyes caught with his.
Ron narrowed his eyes and his expression became cold and hard. He braced himself for the worse while the other side of him was pleading that this was some kind of mistake and that in reality nothing had happened at all.
Harry was still holding Hermione in his arms. She still had her arms draped around him also. But she had lifted her head off of his shoulder and drawn a little bit away from Harry. But not enough for Ron's liking. Her brown hair still trailed upon Harry's shoulder. Evidence that they were still too close for friends.
None of them spoke.
Impatiently, Ron waited to hear his friend's explanation. It was them that had to speak not him.
Hermione broke his gaze and allowed her eyes to travel to the floor. She fingered Harry's robe debating what to do next. For once she didn't know what to do. Harry met Ron's gaze but he too let his eyes wander guiltily back to the floor.
Words weren't needed. The guilty looks and the realization that they were still embraced should have been enough. The story was nearly screaming at Ron. But Ron needed to hear it from them.
"What's going on?" Ron demanded. Though it was perfectly clear already.
"Hermione and I." Harry trailed off struggling for the words in his mind. It was the hardest thing to say. Even though it was a rather simple concept.
Ron glared at Hermione but she said nothing.
"Hermione and I. are. well we're. we've been seeing each other." The last few words tumbled out of his mouth. He didn't bother to meet Ron's eyes.
Ron had heard it from Harry. He had heard the confession. "Aren't you satisfied you know the truth now?" A loud voice in his head demanded. But Ron didn't want to believe it. That was the only thing that was stopping his world from crumbling at that very moment. He needed something else. He needed to hear it from her lips. He pushed aside Harry's confession and let his gaze fall back upon Hermione.
This was the beautiful Hermione, his Hermione. Anger burned in his heart and mind mixed with jealousy as he looked at her pretty thick brown hair that reached below her shoulder. He looked at her lovely tanned skin and figure and the lashes that covered those pretty brown eyes that had once made his heart skip a beat. But Harry's hand now curled around her shoulder protecting her from Ron's wrath that would probably explode at any moment. And Hermione's own fingers seemed to bring Harry slowly closer to her.
Jealousy raged through him as her brown eyes, now watery, looked up at him. It was the truth. There was no doubt. She had given her silent word. Hermione bit her lip and a tear streaked down her cheek that both Ron and Harry wanted to wipe away.
This was it. His world was crumbling.
Ron turned red with anger and jealousy. He was so angry and frustrated. He was lost for words even though there was so much he needed to yell and scream about. But all of the words and ideas were jumbled in his mind causing him to be tongue-tied. He was just too upset.
Burning from his flaming red hair to his worn sneakers, he turned on heel. First walking and then running out of the tunnel. He raced away from the nightmare, his heart and friendship broken, again.
Harry reached over and wiped away the tears from her eyes. She stood transfixed watching where Ron had disappeared. New tears were rapidly forming in her eyes. Then slowly she turned and laid her head on Harry's shoulder. He embraced her gently, not expecting this. He kissed the top of her head and held her wishing it had been anyone but Ron. Ironically Hermione was wishing the very same thing as she turned and began to sob silently into Harry's shoulder mourning the loss of her other best friend.
Ron tore through the halls and corridors. Rage was silently enveloping him lingering dangerously with the over flowing anger and jealousy that pulsed through every vein in his body. He turned round one corner after another, just as he had been earlier, except this was worse. His normally calm brown eyes now seemed to almost sizzle with anger. His face was now redder then an over ripe tomato. He was in a terrible mood in case you didn't notice.
He tried to remember a time when he had been angrier in his life. He found no memory that could match this. He stopped thinking about the past because it just fed to his anger, as so much of it was dotted with images of Harry and Hermione.
"Hermione." He moaned. Why did this have to happen to him? He loved her and he needed her, especially now.
Memories flicked past as he remembered when he had finally realized he loved her. He leaned against a suit of armor as the memory rushed through him. It was more vivid then he could ever remember.
It was the end of the fourth year. He could see it now. Hermione and him were seated in the stands at the Triwizard tournament. They were staring down into the maze of hedges that was the final task for Harry and the three other champions. His mother and older brother Bill sat on the other side of him and he was seated beside Hermione.
"Where's Harry?" His mom asked watching anxiously for the boy that she treated like a son.
"I think he's somewhere over there." Bill pointed to an area near the center. Though Harry and the other champions couldn't see it, the audience saw that Cedric and Harry were very close to the cup. They were above and had a better view.
"Oh Look!" Hermione who was always quick to spot things was pointing excitedly at something.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Harry's at the cup!" Hermione said bouncing in her seat.
Immediately Mrs. Weasley and Bill turned to see what was going on and soon the crowd was murmuring and exclaiming. Ron was standing up beside Hermione watching anxiously and excitedly as Harry and Cedric stood before the cup. But what were they doing?
The crowd was roaring. Both Cedric's fans and Harry's fans were now all standing up peering down below at the two figures.
"What is he doing?" Ron asked.
"I don't know." Hermione said stopping for a moment. They watched as the two gripped the cup. That was Harry always being noble. Ron nearly groaned but he couldn't stop grinning. The crowd pulsed, roaring and applauding.
Hermione gasped. Ron turned and stared at her. She pointed a quivering hand down below. Harry and Cedric were gone.
The crowd was confused. What was going on? Was that supposed to happen? Suddenly the judges overturned the table in their haste to get to the maze. That was what did it. The crowd started screaming as they watched the judges racing and blasting through the maze.
"Oh my gosh." Hermione said. She was trembling. Mrs. Weasley and others were soon figuring out what Hermione meant. That wasn't supposed to happen. Hermione looked like she was about to fall to the floor. A little girl in front of them was crying. It was happening so fast. Fleur and Krum were walking out of the maze escorted by a teacher looking quite dazed. Something was wrong. Ron could feel it creeping in his veins.
He reached out and grabbed Hermione before she fell. She slowly got her balance back and sat down. Ron sat down beside her. It was always they. It was always Harry. Why?
It was only the two of them. The screams died down in the distance and he and Hermione just sat, together.
Tears streaked her cheeks as she looked out into space. He couldn't imagine what she was thinking. He moved closer to her and she moved a little closer to him. They were side by side touching shoulder to shoulder. Just like every other time they had to wait for Harry they would seek out comfort in each other. Just as they were doing now. Ron could feel her heart pounding and see the fear in her eyes.
Ron knew it was bad then. Hermione had a sixth sense for these kinds of thing. Perhaps she knew then that the dark lord was returning. Harry never did tell them what had happened that dreadful day. But he could guess that Hermione knew what had happened by now.
"He'll be okay. He always is." He whispered.
She looked up at him gratefully then suddenly threw her arms around him sobbing helplessly into his shoulder. And that was when Ron realized that he loved her. As he patted her back and tried to comfort her he began to realize that there was something between Hermione and him that he couldn't explain.
Ron had assumed it was love. But it hadn't been. Ron sighed, the anger ceasing as he remembered vividly how he had seen her that day. But the memories were not over yet. Once more another took over. It was just as vivid as the first.
They were at the train station. It was the end of the fourth year. Hermione and Ron stood watching as Harry waved goodbye then heading after his grumpy uncle. Hermione waved back and continued to wave even after he had turned and left swallowed by the crowd.
She sighed and let her hand fall once more.
"It's a shame that he has to live with his uncle and aunt who are so cruel to him." Hermione said sadly.
"Yeah. But he'll be able to come visit this summer." Ron said.
"You will too, right?" Ron asked. He could already feel his ears turning red. It was amazing what could happen with even the simplest phrases when you have a crush on your friend.
"Hopefully. But I'll be busy this summer." Hermione stated.
"Why are you going to visit Vicky?" Ron couldn't keep the anger out of his voice. He immediately regretted what he had said. She looked hurt but angry.
"It's none of your business whether I go to see him or not." Hermione said hotly. Then she turned on heel and went to go talk to Ginny.
Hermione and her parents stayed a while longer chatting freely with the Weasleys. Everyone was talking except for Ron and Hermione.
"You blew it." Ginny said.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked pretending not to notice.
"You should apologize." Ginny said simply. But a small smile played upon her lips as she walked away.
Ron didn't like the fact that he was taking his younger sister's advice. But she was right and she was a girl. So before Hermione left he walked over to her.
"Listen Hermione."
"Don't talk to me." Hermione didn't want to listen to him.
"Hermione I'm sorry." Ron said.
Hermione looked shocked. Ron realized that he rarely apologized to her this quickly and she rarely got this mad about something. Something had changed. There it was again.
As Ron wondered if she might like him too Hermione's parents called to her. They were leaving.
"I'm sorry too Ron." Hermione said.
"What do you have to be sorry about?" Ron asked.
"I've been spending way too much time with Victor and not enough time with my two best friends." Hermione said. Ron said nothing.
Then Hermione leaned over and did something Ron never expected. She kissed him on the cheek. So simple but with astounding effects.
"Bye Ron. See you soon. I'll owl you and Harry." Hermione said. Then she hurried off to her parents as if it was nothing.
He stayed there for the longest time, just shocked as he touched his cheek. And that was when he thought Hermione Granger liked him. Hermione was his girl from that moment on. At least that was what he thought, until now. Only now was it hitting him, that perhaps Hermione was never his.
That was it. Ron remembered anger returning. Hermione had given a kiss on the cheek, not Harry, him. That had to mean something, right? It was a start. This was the memory that had driven him to think that Hermione was indeed in love with him too. It had it written all over it, "I like you Ron".
"Then why didn't you show it when I tried again to tell you, "I like you too Hermione"." Ron muttered.
It was too late now. Ron grumbling and with more sadness then anger, walked away from the suits of armor, hands shoved in the pockets of his robe and head down in defeat.
"We should go." Hermione mumbled.
Harry woke from his thoughts. He raised his head sleepily and yawned.
"Yeah." He whispered. He straightened up and picked up the cloak that would take them safely back.
"I just realized something Hermione." Harry said.
"What?"
"Ron doesn't have an invisibility cloak. What if he's caught? I'm surprised he wasn't caught on his way here." Harry said.
Hermione and him knew that the teachers were always catching students out of bed. She remembered leaving the cloak on the roof and the shame of getting in trouble all too well.
"I guess we should hope he gets back okay. There's not much more we can do." Hermione stated.
Harry slipped the cloak over her shoulders and his own and then they ducked beneath.
"Harry do you have the Marauders Map?" Hermione suddenly asked.
"No."
"Ron." They both said at once.
"Well at least he knows where he's going." Hermione said. Then they continued their trek back to the common room.
Meanwhile Ron found himself in front of the hospital wing door. Just as he had so many times with Hermione waiting for Harry to get better. He thought of the several times at the end of the fourth year when he and Hermione had waited for entrance to see Harry at this very spot. Every time they had found themselves there Ron found he loved her more with each passing day. If only he had the courage to kiss her on one of those days, perhaps things would've been different.
And what about the train station? All he had to do was meet her lips. Why hadn't he done it? He had missed the chance. When he had tried to kiss her again she had thrown him off and gone running. And she hadn't looked back.
He sighed. He still held old hopes even though Hermione was with Harry. He probably never would let go.
His fingers brushed the door and Hermione's face came rushing back to him. It lingered and then slowly trickled away bit by bit. He ran his fingers over the door and somehow found the doorknob and turned it. Slowly it creaked open.
Ron blinked and stepped into the infirmary. He couldn't believe that his feet had taken him here. What's that use if all it does is brings back old memories?
His eyes glanced around the room. He had been here so many times when Harry had injured himself. He chuckled remembering his own visits there, the dragon bite, first year, when Hermione had woken him and taken him up here insisting that he needed care after being mauled by a chess piece, while she stayed and waited for Harry. And then there was third year when he had his leg nearly ripped off by Sirus. Hermione and Harry had sneaked out together with the time turner and saved Sirus. Then there was the time Hermione was petrified and when she had turned herself into a cat. And quidditch, Harry was in the infirmary several times for quidditch.
There were so many memories they had shared. They had always been there for each other, always, until now. Ron felt a pang of guilt rise up in his chest. This was no way to act. He would have to make up sometime. But what they did was wrong.
Something stirred and Ron looked up hoping it wasn't Madam Pomfrey. His eyes fell upon the last bed and he remembered Lavender. Slowly he walked over to her bedside, guilt and pity overpowering him as he looked down at the girl who had become his friend in the last few days, and now more then ever, he needed her.
Now that Harry and Hermione would be together more often, he would need someone to talk too. Was Lavender that person? He remembered Seamus coming in the room earlier. Seamus was now with Parvati. So maybe Lavender was feeling left out.
"That's stupid. She probably won't even talk to me after what I did." Ron said aloud. Shaking his head he sat down in a close by chair.
Ron looked down upon her sleeping form something catching in his throat. Her blonde hair was strewn across the pillow. Her skin was pale white and her pink lips were nearly drained of color and were thin and drawn tight.
He remembered seeing her just before the accident. She had had her blond hair down framing her face. The familiar smile that he had come to notice had been upon her face as she graciously accepted his apology unaware just how much trouble Ron had gotten them into. Lovely blue gray eyes had looked back at him that now were closed. He longed to see her face once more. He wanted to see her smile and laugh again. But would it ever happen again?
Ron reached out and lightly touched her hand. It was cold. A shiver ran up his spine. He drew back his hand as if it were on fire. She was sickly, pale, unconscious, and it was his entire fault.
"It always happens to me. First its Harry and Hermione. And now this. I should have been paying attention. But no I was thinking about Harry's girlfriend who turned out to be Hermione." He paused making a fist as if to let off the anger.
"How could I be so stupid? I see Neville do it all the time. The potion blows up with bad results. I shouldn't have done that. Hermione is always telling us to pay attention, and now I finally know why." Ron paused.
"What was it that we were making? What's wrong with her?" He wondered aloud.
He remembered clearly that he had just left her without one backward thought. Then he remembered her, when she hadn't followed. He had found his way back, shut off the burner and then there she had been. The potion was too far-gone. It had dripped all over her black robe. She had been curled up beneath the desk, innocent. He had just been talking to her and now look what had become of a stupid potion accident and he not paying attention.
He had shaken her trying desperately to wake her. But his pleas were not enough. Lavender was now here in the hospital wing because of his stupidity and mistakes.
"If only I could have a second chance. Then perhaps I could fix everything. Then perhaps it could be me in the hospital bed, instead of her." Ron stopped thinking over the thought of a time turner. No, he couldn't change the past.
"It's all my fault. How could I be so stupid? Why did I leave her? I was too late to save her. How will I live with this if something happens to her? What if it's fat." He couldn't bring himself to say the word. He couldn't imagine what he would do if she died.
"Don't worry it's not fatal." Said a soft humorous voice.
Ron spun around and knocked over the chair. He hastily got to his feet and looked in the direction the voice was coming from.
There she was lying awake. The familiar smile was once again adorning her face. Her blue gray eyes were glassy but never the less gleaming with amusement.
Ron could have sworn he was seeing a ghost. But there she was. Lavender was awake.
"Are you a ghost?" He asked before he could stop the stupid words from tumbling out.
Lavender laughed weakly.
"No. Though I probably look scary enough to be one." She said trying to run her hand through her hair that was probably a total mess.
Ron stared at her as she rubbed her eyes and attempted to sit up. Very slowly she pulled herself up into a sitting position and then faced Ron. For the longest moment the two of them just stared at each other. It was mostly Ron gawking at her. But Lavender too seemed to be very happy to be awake and see another person again.
"You are Lavender. You are okay!" Ron grinned from ear to ear. He didn't know what possessed him but for some reason he leaned over and gave her a hug. Lavender was surprised but then she wrapped her arms around him. She held onto him for a moment. It was so good to feel another's touch. Ron was delighted that she was alive. She was weak though. He could tell. He let go and leaned back in his chair.
"I can't believe you're alive." He said.
"Me neither. It's so good to be awake again. It seems like I slept for forever." Lavender said smiling and looking around the room as if seeing it for the first time.
"I thought you weren't going to wake up." Ron said softly.
"I was fine. I just slept for a while." Lavender said brushing it off.
"I know but no one knew what was wrong with you and nothing was working. You just kept on sleeping and wouldn't wake up." Ron said his voice getting louder with every syllable.
"Ron keep your voice down or other wise Madam Pomfrey will hear us." Lavender said unable to hold back a smile.
There was another momentary pause.
"Lavender I'm sorry." Ron said.
"For what?"
"For making our potion go wrong and causing you to get sick."
"Accidents happen Ron." Lavender said.
"I know but it was my fault. I should have been paying attention in Snapes class." Ron admitted.
"No one likes paying attention in Snapes class." Lavender said grinning.
"I know but it wouldn't have happened if I had been paying attention to him."
"Snape's class is awful. Who would blame you for not paying attention." Lavender said truthfully.
"Snape's class is terrible!" Ron said. Insults for Snape was one of his more knowledgeable topics.
"His hair is so greasy!"
"That's because he probably never washes it."
"He favors the Slytherins, especially Draco Malfoy." Lavender said with disgust.
"Yeah and Harry and me are his number one enemies."
Lavender laughed. Ron smiled seeing her laugh once more. He joined in. The laughter rang throughout the infirmary. It was a good Madam Pomfrey wasn't a light sleeper or she would've wondered why there was a midnight gathering in the infirmary.
"It's good to hear you laugh again." Ron said.
"Is that proof that I'm not a ghost?" Lavender asked jokingly.
"You don't look at all like a ghost. You look great. I just couldn't believe that you were awake." Ron said. Lavender did look pretty even though her hair was a mess and she was still pale looking.
"I'm glad. I would be sad if I scared you away." They both laughed a little. Then suddenly they stopped and looked up at each other.
Lavender's blue gray eyes met Ron's brown eyes and they held. Lavender laid her hand on top of his lightly. A sudden warmth ran up his spine even though Lavender's hand was cold. He wanted to touch her face with his free hand and stroke the smooth skin. She wanted to run her hand through his red hair. They both leaned forward ever so slightly. Ron had leaned so close to Lavender that he could feel her breath upon his face. For one dizzying moment Ron and Lavender stayed like this knowing exactly what was going to happen next.
It happened so quickly. Their lips met. It was a gentle and very short kiss.
Ron drew back and so did Lavender both looking very surprised and equally shocked. Lavenders hand still rested lightly upon his filling both of them with a warmth they couldn't explain. They looked at each other with eyes that both held the same question, "What was that?"
Ron's eyes suddenly became wide when he realized what he had just done. He had just kissed Lavender and Lavender had just kissed him back. He had kissed someone other then Hermione. He loved Hermione not Lavender. He couldn't go kissing someone that he didn't love.
Lavender knew what was going to happen even before she said it. She clamped a hand to her mouth as he stood up nearly knocking the chair over in his haste.
"I'm sorry Ron. I shouldn't have." Lavender said on the verge of tears.
"It's not going to work." Ron said. This was the right thing to do, he told himself. Then why did he feel so terrible?
Lavender nodded trying to keep the tears at bay.
"You see I'm in love with someone else." Ron said.
"I know." Lavender said weakly.
Ron nodded once more. That was the way it was going to have to be. He walked away and hurried out of the infirmary, not looking back once. Even though a part of his heart had been left with the girl that was now sobbing into her pillow.
More then one heart had been broken that night.