Misunderstood
Chapter Twelve
More Than A Friend
Disclaimer: I don't own anything besides the plot to this story. Any characters you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, and all them people.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews. I'm very happy that everybody has enjoyed my story this far. I hope you continue to read and enjoy. Sorry for the delay in posting, there were two friends of the family that died, and the world just stopped turning, therefore I stopped writing. But the Eagles winning, makes everybody happier, and therefore I can write again. Also J.K. Rowling's finished writing the fifth book. It'll be out on June 21st! I'm very happy! I have something besides work to look forward to this summer! God bless to everybody and thanks again so much for the reviews! ~*Carey*~
"Hermione, do you have a minute?" Ron asked nervously after dinner a week later.
Hermione looked at her friend of four years with bewilderment. Why was he so distant that he felt he had to ask to talk to her?
"Of course, what is it?" Hermione asked. She inwardly rolled her eyes, the way she asked was as if he had been asking Parvati or Lavender for something. This wasn't how best friends talked! "I mean sure. You want to go to the common room?" Hermione asked.
"I'd rather not..." Ron said.
Of course he didn't. He avoided the common room at all possible times. Hermione reckoned he only went into Gryffindor Tower to sleep, dress, and collect his books. Hermione had wondered where he went during his free time. He avoided the Great Hall during mealtimes, and he wasn't in the common room or dorm, because he feared Harry. Hermione felt bad for him. She inwardly wished that Harry would grow up and see that it wasn't Ron's fault, but Harry wanted to blame somebody, and that somebody happened to be Ron.
"Can we go to the library? I need your help. I need to copy your notes from all the lessons I missed, and that's three months worth... I'm not asking to cheat or anything, I know how you feel about that, but I need your notes. Professor McGonagall even told me to go to you." Ron said nervously.
Hermione looked at him with disbelief. Why was he acting so awkward? "Honestly, Ron! I'll go get my books, I'll meet you in the library in about fifteen minutes." Hermione said.
"Thanks." Ron said.
Hermione turned around looking at him with surprise. Had he really thanked her? When had he ever thanked her for helping with an assignment?
"Your welcome." Hermione answered. She climbed the stairs to Gryffindor Tower with her mind on Ron. Why was his awkwardness making her feel so awkward? Why had three months changed him? No, it had been more than three months since she last saw him. The last time she'd seen him was at King's Cross Station when they were parting after their fourth year. It had been five months; it had been five, long, miserable months.
Hermione entered the Gryffindor Common Room to find Harry talking to Sirius, poor Sirius... At least now he'd get a trial, though after Ron's trial it wasn't really a good thing. Though Ron was not to blame for Sirius' capture. It wasn't his fault.
"Hey Hermione, where have you been?" Harry asked.
"I just finished eating." Hermione said.
"Was Ron there?" Harry asked with one eyebrow raised.
"No, he doesn't eat in the Great Hall, Malfoy would start with him, and not only would he lose his appetite, he'd fight, and he doesn't need that right now. He's trying to be good." Hermione said running upstairs to her dorm.
Harry rolled his eyes as if annoyed at Ron. She came downstairs with her bag full of books.
"Where are you going now?" Harry asked.
"Down to the library. Ron needs to catch up on his work, and I'm going to lend him my notes." Hermione said.
"Why don't you go join them Harry?" Sirius asked.
"No." Harry said.
"You don't think its killing Ron to know that he's the reason Sirius' life may be in jeopardy? He's beyond miserable Harry. He's depressed enough as it is after Azkaban, and to know that he lost a Hit Witch her job and Sirius' escape is eating him inside! That wasn't his fault! You take a sip of the Veritaserum and try and fight your own mind. Ron was insane; he couldn't remember anything if he wasn't on the Veritaserum. He couldn't stop himself from answering anybody. Just give him a break. He was your best friend!" Hermione snapped angrily before leaving.
"I reckon I must be wrong. Hermione's taking Ron's side. Usually it's them who are fighting and now they're sticking together." Harry said to Sirius.
"Go talk to them." Sirius said.
"No." Harry said defiantly.
"You're going to need them if I'm convicted." Sirius tried.
"Ron will be the one responsible if you're convicted!" Harry said.
"No, Peter will be. They can't find Peter, and he's the one who framed me." Sirius said. "Ron does need you now though. His father's died, he's supposedly a murderer and from what I heard..."
"What did you hear?" Harry asked curiously noticing Sirius' hesitation.
"I heard that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't let him go home to her next summer. They're still trying to find a place to put him." Sirius said.
"I thought Mrs. Weasley believed Ron was innocent." Harry said.
"I don't doubt that she does, but she's living with her father now, and her father and Ron aren't exactly fond of each other." Sirius said. "So think about what he must be going through. He's just come out of Azkaban, which is worse than death, may I remind you, and his father's been killed, he lost somebody her job, he put his best friend's Godfather in a bit of a jam, his best friend isn't talking to him, and his mother doesn't want him. Don't you think that's a bit much for somebody to handle, especially a fifteen-year-old boy, like yourself?"
"Sirius..." Harry said.
"I'm dead serious Harry." Sirius said ignoring Harry's look of annoyance. "Look, when I'm found innocent, you had better be talking to him or I'll never allow you to step foot in Hogsmeade again, and I'll tell Dumbledore about the secret passageway there."
"You can't ground me Sirius." Harry said.
"I'd be your legal guardian, and I would be able to. Don't you remember I'm the one who gave you permission to go to Hogsmeade?" Sirius asked.
"Well as long as that happens... you being found innocent." Harry said.
"I will be. Dumbledore will see too that. Have faith." Sirius said.
Down in the library, Ron was copying Hermione's notes.
"Would you like me to summarize them for you?" Hermione asked.
"No thanks, if you need them back, just let me know, I'll copy them another night. I just need to have them to study for, for the O.W.L.'s and all." Ron said.
"But I always add a bit more than necessary and I..." Hermione tried to help, but Ron wouldn't hear of it.
"And you're the smartest witch in our year. I won't be as smart as you, but I'll at least know this material in the long run." Ron said.
"You've never cared so much about what you need to know in the long run before." Hermione said.
"It never really mattered before. I realized how slowly time could go in Azkaban. I don't want to have wasted so much time here to have nothing good come out of it. Besides, I reckon I need to change in order to stay here. This is the best school of magic around. Fudge will throw me out in a heartbeat give him the chance. He's going to make sure Dumbledore runs the school legally now, or he said so anyway. I've missed three months of school; they don't need a reason to throw me out. It'll happen sooner or later. It's just a matter of time, and that's what I've got. I've always been so lazy. I reckon I might as well put some effort somewhere, before it's too late." Ron said looking directly into Hermione's eyes. He looked back down and continued to copy notes.
The look Ron had given her was a look so unbelievably deep, it startled her. The words he spoke were deep and heartfelt, and Hermione had never heard him speak in such a way. Ron had changed and Hermione wasn't sure that she liked the change. Why couldn't everything go back to normal? Why wouldn't he just argue with her? Perhaps, she should argue with him, but she was speechless.
"Harry." Hermione said to Harry in the common room that evening. Ron was still in the library.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I'm truly worried about Ron." Hermione said.
Harry didn't say anything, though he rolled his eyes, she couldn't see him.
"Ron said spoke to me earlier... and he's never spoken like that before." Hermione said.
"Like what?" Harry asked tightening his fists. He guessed that Ron had sworn at her.
"I don't know how to describe it... it was very deep." Hermione said.
"Hermione, you should know that boys' voices tend to change." Harry said. "You had health lessons in school, didn't you?"
"I didn't mean his voice!" Hermione snapped and then her voice grew gentle as she thought about Ron. "I meant the words he spoke, his thoughts were deep..."
"If this is your attempt at trying to get me to talk to him, it won't work." Harry said.
"I think you should talk to him, but I came to talk to you because we're still friends, and I'm worried about my other friend." Hermione said.
"Then go talk to him." Harry said.
"I will!" Hermione snapped taking Harry by surprise.
Hermione left the common room.
"Hey, I thought you might be hungry." Hermione said offering Ron a plate full of deserts.
"Madam Pince doesn't allow food in the library, Hermione, you should know this." Ron said not looking up from his writing.
"Of course I know that, but you weren't at dinner, and I know you won't make a mess that I can't clean up." Hermione said.
"Thanks, but I'm not hungry." Ron said.
"You haven't eaten anything all day!" Hermione cried.
"I know where the kitchens are just as well as you do. I have eaten, and if you don't believe me you can ask Dobby." Ron said.
"Well, you've been working for hours without a break. Maybe you should stop for a bit." Hermione said.
"If I get hungry I'll eat, I promise." Ron said, still not looking up from the two books of notes.
"Take a break, you don't have to eat, but you do need a break." Hermione said.
"I don't need a break. I've had too long of a break already, and because of that I have a lot to catch up on." Ron said.
"Even I know when its time for a break. You need a break Ron." Hermione said.
Ron put his quill down and looked up at her. "I don't understand you." Ron said shaking his head as he took a muffin from the plate.
"What don't you understand?" Hermione asked confused.
"Why are you still talking to me?" Ron asked. "You're being nice to me when you and everybody else should hate me."
"Ron, I'm your friend too. We've been friends just as long as Harry and you have and just as long as Harry and I have. Just because Harry is being a prat doesn't mean I have to be. You need a friend right now, and I'm here for you." Hermione said.
Ron was quiet for a moment.
"How was your summer at Vicky's?" Ron asked.
"Ron, his name is Viktor!" Hermione said exasperatedly. When she looked at Ron he was smiling.
"I know." Ron said.
Hermione laughed. It felt as if for just a moment things were the way they had always been.
"So how were things at Viktor's? Did you get to see him play Quidditch a lot?" Ron asked.
That was Ron all right, always a fan of Quidditch. Hermione had hoped that he'd ask something different while they were on the topic of Viktor Krum, but no it had to be Quidditch.
"Yes, half the time he was practicing or playing, but I learned a bit." Hermione said.
"You learned something about Quidditch?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"Yes. Believe it or not it you need to learn how to play or understand a game! Like Chess, surely somebody taught you." Hermione said.
"I know you have to learn how to play a game, but that bit of learning's fun. I thought you learned about the history of Quidditch or something boring like that." Ron said.
"I already know about the history of Quidditch, and it actually might interest you!" Hermione said.
"I'm sure I know it. Charlie played Quidditch, after all, and he was obsessed with Quidditch until he got interested in dragons." Ron said. "Anyway, how was Bulgaria?"
"Interesting." Hermione said.
"Did you learn a lot or were you having too much fun with-"
"I learned a lot, though I did enjoy my time with Viktor." Hermione said. She knew he'd say Vicky again, and she couldn't stand the way he'd say the name.
"So, what's... are you... Are you going to see him again?" Ron asked.
"Not this summer. My parents want me to stay home this summer, because if you think about it, I've spent most of last summer with you, and this past summer with Viktor, and I stay here during the holidays, so they don't get to see me a lot, and they want me to spend the summer with them." Hermione said.
"That's not what I meant. I meant is Krum, is he your... is he your boyfriend?" Ron asked.
"What? Oh... er..." Hermione seemed to be taken back.
Ron decided his break was over and continued copying notes.
"No." Hermione said finally.
Ron looked up. "Why not? He really liked you and-"
"I thought I liked him, and I do as a friend, but it didn't feel right. Besides, I wouldn't be able to see him for nine months of the year, and-"
"You have more self-control than any girl I know. You would've been able to keep the relationship, because you wouldn't cheat on him." Ron said.
"I do trust myself." Hermione said.
"You don't trust Krum?" Ron asked.
"I think I trust him." Hermione said.
"Then where was the problem?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. I just didn't feel right with him. You know how they say you'll feel it when it's right? There's supposed to be fireworks and magic... and I didn't feel any of that with Krum." Hermione said.
"Well Fred and George weren't in Bulgaria, and they bought a lot of Filibuster's Fireworks." Ron said.
Hermione stomped her foot in frustration.
Ron laughed.
"I'm just kidding I know what you're talking about Ginny goes on about it all the time, how she can't wait to find the right guy, because of all these romantic novels my mum gave her." Ron said.
"I thought your family was an old wizarding family... your mum wasn't muggleborn, was she?" Hermione asked.
"No. Witches write romance novels too." Ron said.
"What about wizards? You don't think wizards can write romantic novels?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure anybody could write one, but men aren't sappy." Ron said.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I think you've had a long enough break." Hermione said.
Ron grinned as he picked up his quill. "So how are you supposed to know when you've found the right person? Do you know by seeing them, because in that case a lot of witches found the right person with Lockhart including you, or do you know by sitting near them, or what? How did you know Krum wasn't the one? Tell me you didn't kiss him." Ron said with an even wider grin on his face. He was looking up at Hermione mischievously.
Hermione blushed and tried avoiding his eyes.
"You kissed him!" Ron whispered with a laugh. "What else did you do?"
"I kissed him, and that's as far as it went!" Hermione said embarrassed.
"So you knew he wasn't the right one because of a kiss?" Ron asked.
"I didn't feel anything." Hermione said.
"Well you wouldn't feel anything unless he was French kissing you, and in that case all you would feel is his tongue!" Ron said in a mischievous way.
"Do you have to be so obnoxious about this?" Hermione asked. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this!"
"Because I asked you." Ron said.
"I need to be better friends with Parvati and Lavender." Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"No you don't." Ron said rolling his eyes. "The only thing they're good for with secrets is making sure the whole school knows them."
"Well I'll have to be better friends with Ginny then." Hermione said.
"Ginny's brilliant with secrets, just ask Percy." Ron said reminding Hermione of their second year. On the train ride home Ginny had told the twins about her walking in on Percy kissing Penelope in a classroom.
"Well then I'll just have to get a diary." Hermione said.
"Lavender and Parvati will find it and read it, and you'd be no worse off than being their close friends." Ron said. With a smile he added, "I won't be as obnoxious if it makes you happy. You shouldn't have to keep secrets from your friends anyway, and like you said we've been best friends for years now."
"Thank you." Hermione said sighing a bit of relief at the promise that Ron might be kinder.
"So your way of finding the right person is kissing them?" Ron asked.
Hermione slammed her head on the table in frustration. When would he give up? She sat back up pushing stray bushy strands of her wavy hair behind her ears. She gave him a deadly glare.
"No, seriously, I want to know because if that's the way, there's going to be a lot of things that might prevent you from finding the right guy. Like what if he's sick at the time? You'll get sick, and blame it on the guy, who obviously isn't the right guy, because the right guy would never hurt you. Or what if he's a bad kisser, because he's never kissed before, because he's waiting for the right girl to give him his first kiss?" Ron asked.
"Ron, it isn't about whether the person's a great kisser or not. It's just I've always heard about this feeling that's so magical, that I'm supposed to feel if the right guy comes along." Hermione said.
"Are you going to go around kissing every guy in the world?" Ron asked trying to suppress a laugh.
"No." Hermione said.
"What if you get that feeling, and the person that gave you that feeling is a real jerk?" Ron asked. Ron laughed hard for a second before he spoke again. "What if you got that feeling from Malfoy?"
Hermione did laugh a little. "I suppose you're right." Hermione said.
"I'm just saying that you don't want to waste your life away hoping for a feeling. You could get a weird feeling from kissing a stranger. I think that if someone were made for you, they'd be where you could find them, perhaps even right underneath your nose. Maybe you haven't noticed them yet, maybe you have. Maybe it was Krum. He was sent your way, after all. Perhaps it's Harry." Ron said.
"What if it's you?" Hermione asked, not meaning to have said it aloud.
"I don't think it's me." Ron said quickly.
"Of course not! I don't know what I was thinking of." Hermione said quickly. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to find out."
"Wait... you mean, kiss me?" Ron asked suddenly breathing a bit heavily.
"Yes. We're just friends after all. I just want to make sure it's not you." Hermione said. "I'll give you a tooth flossing string mint, if it's that bad, and I'll go kiss Harry after you just to make sure it's not him, either."
Ron wasn't sure whether to be scared or excited. Hermione was about to kiss him. "Just to prove that we're friends." Ron said as if to make it clear.
"Exactly." Hermione said.
"All right then." Ron agreed uneasily.
"On three." Hermione said.
"On three." Ron said.
"One... two..." Hermione counted. She stood up and so did Ron. They both leaned over the table to reach one another and they kissed.
Ron pulled away first sitting down quickly, but he didn't copy his notes. Hermione sat down speechless. She had felt her knees go week and butterflies were flying in her stomach. She couldn't look at Ron, fearing his reaction.
"Hermione..." Ron said in a whisper.
"Er... yes?" Hermione asked breathlessly.
"I don't want you to kiss Harry." Ron said.
Hermione looked up at him and he was smiling at her.
"Does that mean... did you feel it too?" Hermione asked.
"Yes." Ron said laughing. "Do you want to... do that again?"
"Yes." Hermione said as she got up and walked around the table to sit next to him. She looked at his books. "You're not going to make any progress on those notes with me around."
"Good." Ron said, and he kissed her.
Ron had stayed up all night in the common room copying Hermione's notes. He couldn't sleep with her racing across his mind all night. He had to do something to keep his mind off of her, and as he had been distracted from catching up his assignments earlier, he figured he'd might as well copy notes and complete some essays, after all they'd make him tired so he could fall asleep, right?
"Ron, is that you?" Fred asked rubbing his eyes awake as he came out of his dorm at seven o'clock that morning.
"Yea." Ron said, not aware of the time.
"You're not always up this early, are you?" George asked following his brother out of the dorm.
"No, I haven't gone to bed yet." Ron said.
"Why not?" Fred asked.
"I've been catching up on notes and assignments I've missed." Ron said.
"You shouldn't have to catch up, it wasn't like you were on vacation." Fred said.
"The O.W.L.'s are this year. I've got to know this stuff." Ron said.
"Up all night doing assignments, worried about the O.W.L's... you sure sound a lot like Percy." George said.
"My grades don't say the same thing. I'm only doing this so they have reason to keep me here." Ron said gathering his books and essays together. The rest of the Gryffindors would be waking up soon. He didn't want to be around to be judged.
"What do you mean?" Fred asked.
"I was in Azkaban, Fudge said he's going to be taking over the school, Dumbledore will still be Headmaster, but he's not allowing any exceptions to the rules. If I get into one fight, Fudge could have Dumbledore throw me out, and then I'll have to go to Ireland and live there with Granddad." Ron said.
"What? Why?" George asked.
"Mum doesn't want me to go home to her. I was lucky she let me out of Azkaban. She said during the summer holidays I'll have to live in Ireland with Granddad, and he's nice and all, but it's going to be an everyday reminder of how mum doesn't want me." Ron said.
"But she knows your innocent!" Fred said.
"That doesn't matter." Ron said standing up to leave.
"Where are you going?" George asked.
"I'm going to go to the library. I need to get some more assignments done before class starts." Ron said before he left the common room.
It was the end of the day. Ron sat next to Neville in Potions. Unfortunately, Professor Snape had them sit up front next to Malfoy and his goons.
Ron was strained from exhaustion and previous classes. He couldn't wait for Potions to end. He'd catch up on one more essay before he'd go to sleep.
Potion lessons were always terrible for Ron. Professor Snape made sure to make the Gryffindors' feel miserable and humiliated by the end of class, and he usually succeeded within the first ten minutes. It never helped that he was deaf to Malfoy's taunts, either.
Ron and Neville had just added ingredients to their potions and were stirring them when Malfoy started up.
"Such a pity your dad died. I wish I could've been at your so-called house to see you crying over him." Malfoy said smirking.
Ron stopped stirring, but didn't look up. He was holding his breath and counting to ten inside his head. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He was not in the mood.
"Draco, he wasn't crying over his dead dad." Goyle said taking Malfoy and even Ron by surprise. Ron looked up with bewilderment.
"What are you saying?" Malfoy asked dangerously.
"I heard that he wasn't crying because his dad was dead. He was crying because he got caught for murdering him. He knew he was going to Azkaban, and he was afraid he'd pass out like Potter does every time a dementor's around." Goyle said nastily.
Malfoy was surprised, but nevertheless he and Crabbe laughed.
Ron went back to stirring his potion. He wasn't going to fall to their bait.
"What's your family going to do for money now?" Crabbe asked. "I mean before your dad made a little bit, but now he's dead your going to have nothing."
"Unless you count what your sister brings in." Goyle said causing Ron to grip the edge of the tightly extremely tightly. "Speaking of which, I owe her for last night. I love your sister's scream."
BAM!
Screams could be heard all over the dungeon. Ron had finally lost his temper. He'd flipped Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle's table over, three cauldrons full of boiling potions spilling all over the three boys who were pinned on the floor under the fallen table. The boys were yelling with pain. All the girls in the room with the exception of Hermione were screaming with fright. Ron could hear Neville's cry of support just over Dean and Seamus'.
Professor Snape was there in a heartbeat. He waved his wand at the table and it turned right side up with the cauldrons flying back on top of them allowing the boys to stand up.
"WEASLEY!" Professor Snape yelled even though he was right next to him.
"No! You can't pretend to be deaf to them, and not be blind to me! I'm so sick of this! Here's your bloody potion!" Ron yelled throwing his cauldron at Snape so that the cauldron hit him hard, knocking him over, the contents spilling all over him.
"I'm finished!" Ron yelled picking up his bag. Ron walked over Snape and left the classroom.
Hermione and surprisingly Harry picked up their bags and followed him out of the classroom ignoring Professor Snape who was taking away more and more points from Gryffindor for them not returning to the classroom.
Harry and Hermione caught Ron in his dorm packing.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Having a cup of tea." Ron said sarcastically. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Why are you packing Ron?" Harry asked.
"They're going to kick me out, there's no way they can't after that. I lost my temper, and now I'm going to pay for it by being expelled." Ron said.
"Dumbledore's always been reasonable about everything." Harry said. "He'll give you another chance."
"Even if he could, he wouldn't. Professor Snape's word is all he has to hear." Ron said.
"Look at Sirius, Ron!" Harry said.
"I know! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say it I couldn't help that. I wish I'd never gotten that appeal! I don't deserve to be here, I know that." Ron said.
"No, I meant look at Sirius. Professor Dumbledore heard him out rather than take Snape's word and hand him over to the dementors. He'll hear you out." Harry said.
"He can hear me out and he can say he wants me to stay, but that won't mean anything! Fudge is in control of the school now. Nothing but the rules apply now. I disrespected and assaulted a Professor. I'll probably be sent back to Azkaban for that!" Ron said.
The dormitory door swung open and Sirius entered looking concerned.
"Ron, what happened just now in Snape's class?" Sirius asked calmly.
"I lost my temper and got myself thrown out of school." Ron said.
"He didn't yet!" Harry said.
"I assaulted a Professor and three students, that's what Fudge is going to hear, and that's all he needs to hear to throw me back in Azkaban." Ron said.
"You won't be sent to Azkaban for losing your temper." Sirius said.
"Of course not. Fudge doesn't believe that I didn't kill my dad. He's waiting for something like this to happen so I can be thrown back into Azkaban, because he believes me to be evil and that there really isn't a dark side." Ron said.
"Do you want to talk to Professor Dumbledore? Professor Snape is having a few words, you might want to get a word in." Sirius said.
"It doesn't matter! Fudge is in charge now. Anything that's not black and white doesn't apply to this school anymore. He told Dumbledore at the trial that he's taking over the school. Dumbledore's still going to be Headmaster, but there's no more rule breaking or suspicious activity." Ron said.
"You need to talk to Dumbledore." Sirius said.
Ron shut his trunk, which was now packed, and followed Sirius to the Headmaster's office with Harry and Hermione just behind him.
Author's Note: I was extremely tired when I finished writing this chapter and decided to end it, but I didn't do a great job with the ending and even though I don't have much more to write, the next chapter will end my story, and it will hopefully end it better than my lame attempt last night. I just don't have anything else to write. ~*Carey*~
Chapter Twelve
More Than A Friend
Disclaimer: I don't own anything besides the plot to this story. Any characters you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, and all them people.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews. I'm very happy that everybody has enjoyed my story this far. I hope you continue to read and enjoy. Sorry for the delay in posting, there were two friends of the family that died, and the world just stopped turning, therefore I stopped writing. But the Eagles winning, makes everybody happier, and therefore I can write again. Also J.K. Rowling's finished writing the fifth book. It'll be out on June 21st! I'm very happy! I have something besides work to look forward to this summer! God bless to everybody and thanks again so much for the reviews! ~*Carey*~
"Hermione, do you have a minute?" Ron asked nervously after dinner a week later.
Hermione looked at her friend of four years with bewilderment. Why was he so distant that he felt he had to ask to talk to her?
"Of course, what is it?" Hermione asked. She inwardly rolled her eyes, the way she asked was as if he had been asking Parvati or Lavender for something. This wasn't how best friends talked! "I mean sure. You want to go to the common room?" Hermione asked.
"I'd rather not..." Ron said.
Of course he didn't. He avoided the common room at all possible times. Hermione reckoned he only went into Gryffindor Tower to sleep, dress, and collect his books. Hermione had wondered where he went during his free time. He avoided the Great Hall during mealtimes, and he wasn't in the common room or dorm, because he feared Harry. Hermione felt bad for him. She inwardly wished that Harry would grow up and see that it wasn't Ron's fault, but Harry wanted to blame somebody, and that somebody happened to be Ron.
"Can we go to the library? I need your help. I need to copy your notes from all the lessons I missed, and that's three months worth... I'm not asking to cheat or anything, I know how you feel about that, but I need your notes. Professor McGonagall even told me to go to you." Ron said nervously.
Hermione looked at him with disbelief. Why was he acting so awkward? "Honestly, Ron! I'll go get my books, I'll meet you in the library in about fifteen minutes." Hermione said.
"Thanks." Ron said.
Hermione turned around looking at him with surprise. Had he really thanked her? When had he ever thanked her for helping with an assignment?
"Your welcome." Hermione answered. She climbed the stairs to Gryffindor Tower with her mind on Ron. Why was his awkwardness making her feel so awkward? Why had three months changed him? No, it had been more than three months since she last saw him. The last time she'd seen him was at King's Cross Station when they were parting after their fourth year. It had been five months; it had been five, long, miserable months.
Hermione entered the Gryffindor Common Room to find Harry talking to Sirius, poor Sirius... At least now he'd get a trial, though after Ron's trial it wasn't really a good thing. Though Ron was not to blame for Sirius' capture. It wasn't his fault.
"Hey Hermione, where have you been?" Harry asked.
"I just finished eating." Hermione said.
"Was Ron there?" Harry asked with one eyebrow raised.
"No, he doesn't eat in the Great Hall, Malfoy would start with him, and not only would he lose his appetite, he'd fight, and he doesn't need that right now. He's trying to be good." Hermione said running upstairs to her dorm.
Harry rolled his eyes as if annoyed at Ron. She came downstairs with her bag full of books.
"Where are you going now?" Harry asked.
"Down to the library. Ron needs to catch up on his work, and I'm going to lend him my notes." Hermione said.
"Why don't you go join them Harry?" Sirius asked.
"No." Harry said.
"You don't think its killing Ron to know that he's the reason Sirius' life may be in jeopardy? He's beyond miserable Harry. He's depressed enough as it is after Azkaban, and to know that he lost a Hit Witch her job and Sirius' escape is eating him inside! That wasn't his fault! You take a sip of the Veritaserum and try and fight your own mind. Ron was insane; he couldn't remember anything if he wasn't on the Veritaserum. He couldn't stop himself from answering anybody. Just give him a break. He was your best friend!" Hermione snapped angrily before leaving.
"I reckon I must be wrong. Hermione's taking Ron's side. Usually it's them who are fighting and now they're sticking together." Harry said to Sirius.
"Go talk to them." Sirius said.
"No." Harry said defiantly.
"You're going to need them if I'm convicted." Sirius tried.
"Ron will be the one responsible if you're convicted!" Harry said.
"No, Peter will be. They can't find Peter, and he's the one who framed me." Sirius said. "Ron does need you now though. His father's died, he's supposedly a murderer and from what I heard..."
"What did you hear?" Harry asked curiously noticing Sirius' hesitation.
"I heard that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't let him go home to her next summer. They're still trying to find a place to put him." Sirius said.
"I thought Mrs. Weasley believed Ron was innocent." Harry said.
"I don't doubt that she does, but she's living with her father now, and her father and Ron aren't exactly fond of each other." Sirius said. "So think about what he must be going through. He's just come out of Azkaban, which is worse than death, may I remind you, and his father's been killed, he lost somebody her job, he put his best friend's Godfather in a bit of a jam, his best friend isn't talking to him, and his mother doesn't want him. Don't you think that's a bit much for somebody to handle, especially a fifteen-year-old boy, like yourself?"
"Sirius..." Harry said.
"I'm dead serious Harry." Sirius said ignoring Harry's look of annoyance. "Look, when I'm found innocent, you had better be talking to him or I'll never allow you to step foot in Hogsmeade again, and I'll tell Dumbledore about the secret passageway there."
"You can't ground me Sirius." Harry said.
"I'd be your legal guardian, and I would be able to. Don't you remember I'm the one who gave you permission to go to Hogsmeade?" Sirius asked.
"Well as long as that happens... you being found innocent." Harry said.
"I will be. Dumbledore will see too that. Have faith." Sirius said.
Down in the library, Ron was copying Hermione's notes.
"Would you like me to summarize them for you?" Hermione asked.
"No thanks, if you need them back, just let me know, I'll copy them another night. I just need to have them to study for, for the O.W.L.'s and all." Ron said.
"But I always add a bit more than necessary and I..." Hermione tried to help, but Ron wouldn't hear of it.
"And you're the smartest witch in our year. I won't be as smart as you, but I'll at least know this material in the long run." Ron said.
"You've never cared so much about what you need to know in the long run before." Hermione said.
"It never really mattered before. I realized how slowly time could go in Azkaban. I don't want to have wasted so much time here to have nothing good come out of it. Besides, I reckon I need to change in order to stay here. This is the best school of magic around. Fudge will throw me out in a heartbeat give him the chance. He's going to make sure Dumbledore runs the school legally now, or he said so anyway. I've missed three months of school; they don't need a reason to throw me out. It'll happen sooner or later. It's just a matter of time, and that's what I've got. I've always been so lazy. I reckon I might as well put some effort somewhere, before it's too late." Ron said looking directly into Hermione's eyes. He looked back down and continued to copy notes.
The look Ron had given her was a look so unbelievably deep, it startled her. The words he spoke were deep and heartfelt, and Hermione had never heard him speak in such a way. Ron had changed and Hermione wasn't sure that she liked the change. Why couldn't everything go back to normal? Why wouldn't he just argue with her? Perhaps, she should argue with him, but she was speechless.
"Harry." Hermione said to Harry in the common room that evening. Ron was still in the library.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I'm truly worried about Ron." Hermione said.
Harry didn't say anything, though he rolled his eyes, she couldn't see him.
"Ron said spoke to me earlier... and he's never spoken like that before." Hermione said.
"Like what?" Harry asked tightening his fists. He guessed that Ron had sworn at her.
"I don't know how to describe it... it was very deep." Hermione said.
"Hermione, you should know that boys' voices tend to change." Harry said. "You had health lessons in school, didn't you?"
"I didn't mean his voice!" Hermione snapped and then her voice grew gentle as she thought about Ron. "I meant the words he spoke, his thoughts were deep..."
"If this is your attempt at trying to get me to talk to him, it won't work." Harry said.
"I think you should talk to him, but I came to talk to you because we're still friends, and I'm worried about my other friend." Hermione said.
"Then go talk to him." Harry said.
"I will!" Hermione snapped taking Harry by surprise.
Hermione left the common room.
"Hey, I thought you might be hungry." Hermione said offering Ron a plate full of deserts.
"Madam Pince doesn't allow food in the library, Hermione, you should know this." Ron said not looking up from his writing.
"Of course I know that, but you weren't at dinner, and I know you won't make a mess that I can't clean up." Hermione said.
"Thanks, but I'm not hungry." Ron said.
"You haven't eaten anything all day!" Hermione cried.
"I know where the kitchens are just as well as you do. I have eaten, and if you don't believe me you can ask Dobby." Ron said.
"Well, you've been working for hours without a break. Maybe you should stop for a bit." Hermione said.
"If I get hungry I'll eat, I promise." Ron said, still not looking up from the two books of notes.
"Take a break, you don't have to eat, but you do need a break." Hermione said.
"I don't need a break. I've had too long of a break already, and because of that I have a lot to catch up on." Ron said.
"Even I know when its time for a break. You need a break Ron." Hermione said.
Ron put his quill down and looked up at her. "I don't understand you." Ron said shaking his head as he took a muffin from the plate.
"What don't you understand?" Hermione asked confused.
"Why are you still talking to me?" Ron asked. "You're being nice to me when you and everybody else should hate me."
"Ron, I'm your friend too. We've been friends just as long as Harry and you have and just as long as Harry and I have. Just because Harry is being a prat doesn't mean I have to be. You need a friend right now, and I'm here for you." Hermione said.
Ron was quiet for a moment.
"How was your summer at Vicky's?" Ron asked.
"Ron, his name is Viktor!" Hermione said exasperatedly. When she looked at Ron he was smiling.
"I know." Ron said.
Hermione laughed. It felt as if for just a moment things were the way they had always been.
"So how were things at Viktor's? Did you get to see him play Quidditch a lot?" Ron asked.
That was Ron all right, always a fan of Quidditch. Hermione had hoped that he'd ask something different while they were on the topic of Viktor Krum, but no it had to be Quidditch.
"Yes, half the time he was practicing or playing, but I learned a bit." Hermione said.
"You learned something about Quidditch?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"Yes. Believe it or not it you need to learn how to play or understand a game! Like Chess, surely somebody taught you." Hermione said.
"I know you have to learn how to play a game, but that bit of learning's fun. I thought you learned about the history of Quidditch or something boring like that." Ron said.
"I already know about the history of Quidditch, and it actually might interest you!" Hermione said.
"I'm sure I know it. Charlie played Quidditch, after all, and he was obsessed with Quidditch until he got interested in dragons." Ron said. "Anyway, how was Bulgaria?"
"Interesting." Hermione said.
"Did you learn a lot or were you having too much fun with-"
"I learned a lot, though I did enjoy my time with Viktor." Hermione said. She knew he'd say Vicky again, and she couldn't stand the way he'd say the name.
"So, what's... are you... Are you going to see him again?" Ron asked.
"Not this summer. My parents want me to stay home this summer, because if you think about it, I've spent most of last summer with you, and this past summer with Viktor, and I stay here during the holidays, so they don't get to see me a lot, and they want me to spend the summer with them." Hermione said.
"That's not what I meant. I meant is Krum, is he your... is he your boyfriend?" Ron asked.
"What? Oh... er..." Hermione seemed to be taken back.
Ron decided his break was over and continued copying notes.
"No." Hermione said finally.
Ron looked up. "Why not? He really liked you and-"
"I thought I liked him, and I do as a friend, but it didn't feel right. Besides, I wouldn't be able to see him for nine months of the year, and-"
"You have more self-control than any girl I know. You would've been able to keep the relationship, because you wouldn't cheat on him." Ron said.
"I do trust myself." Hermione said.
"You don't trust Krum?" Ron asked.
"I think I trust him." Hermione said.
"Then where was the problem?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. I just didn't feel right with him. You know how they say you'll feel it when it's right? There's supposed to be fireworks and magic... and I didn't feel any of that with Krum." Hermione said.
"Well Fred and George weren't in Bulgaria, and they bought a lot of Filibuster's Fireworks." Ron said.
Hermione stomped her foot in frustration.
Ron laughed.
"I'm just kidding I know what you're talking about Ginny goes on about it all the time, how she can't wait to find the right guy, because of all these romantic novels my mum gave her." Ron said.
"I thought your family was an old wizarding family... your mum wasn't muggleborn, was she?" Hermione asked.
"No. Witches write romance novels too." Ron said.
"What about wizards? You don't think wizards can write romantic novels?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure anybody could write one, but men aren't sappy." Ron said.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I think you've had a long enough break." Hermione said.
Ron grinned as he picked up his quill. "So how are you supposed to know when you've found the right person? Do you know by seeing them, because in that case a lot of witches found the right person with Lockhart including you, or do you know by sitting near them, or what? How did you know Krum wasn't the one? Tell me you didn't kiss him." Ron said with an even wider grin on his face. He was looking up at Hermione mischievously.
Hermione blushed and tried avoiding his eyes.
"You kissed him!" Ron whispered with a laugh. "What else did you do?"
"I kissed him, and that's as far as it went!" Hermione said embarrassed.
"So you knew he wasn't the right one because of a kiss?" Ron asked.
"I didn't feel anything." Hermione said.
"Well you wouldn't feel anything unless he was French kissing you, and in that case all you would feel is his tongue!" Ron said in a mischievous way.
"Do you have to be so obnoxious about this?" Hermione asked. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this!"
"Because I asked you." Ron said.
"I need to be better friends with Parvati and Lavender." Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"No you don't." Ron said rolling his eyes. "The only thing they're good for with secrets is making sure the whole school knows them."
"Well I'll have to be better friends with Ginny then." Hermione said.
"Ginny's brilliant with secrets, just ask Percy." Ron said reminding Hermione of their second year. On the train ride home Ginny had told the twins about her walking in on Percy kissing Penelope in a classroom.
"Well then I'll just have to get a diary." Hermione said.
"Lavender and Parvati will find it and read it, and you'd be no worse off than being their close friends." Ron said. With a smile he added, "I won't be as obnoxious if it makes you happy. You shouldn't have to keep secrets from your friends anyway, and like you said we've been best friends for years now."
"Thank you." Hermione said sighing a bit of relief at the promise that Ron might be kinder.
"So your way of finding the right person is kissing them?" Ron asked.
Hermione slammed her head on the table in frustration. When would he give up? She sat back up pushing stray bushy strands of her wavy hair behind her ears. She gave him a deadly glare.
"No, seriously, I want to know because if that's the way, there's going to be a lot of things that might prevent you from finding the right guy. Like what if he's sick at the time? You'll get sick, and blame it on the guy, who obviously isn't the right guy, because the right guy would never hurt you. Or what if he's a bad kisser, because he's never kissed before, because he's waiting for the right girl to give him his first kiss?" Ron asked.
"Ron, it isn't about whether the person's a great kisser or not. It's just I've always heard about this feeling that's so magical, that I'm supposed to feel if the right guy comes along." Hermione said.
"Are you going to go around kissing every guy in the world?" Ron asked trying to suppress a laugh.
"No." Hermione said.
"What if you get that feeling, and the person that gave you that feeling is a real jerk?" Ron asked. Ron laughed hard for a second before he spoke again. "What if you got that feeling from Malfoy?"
Hermione did laugh a little. "I suppose you're right." Hermione said.
"I'm just saying that you don't want to waste your life away hoping for a feeling. You could get a weird feeling from kissing a stranger. I think that if someone were made for you, they'd be where you could find them, perhaps even right underneath your nose. Maybe you haven't noticed them yet, maybe you have. Maybe it was Krum. He was sent your way, after all. Perhaps it's Harry." Ron said.
"What if it's you?" Hermione asked, not meaning to have said it aloud.
"I don't think it's me." Ron said quickly.
"Of course not! I don't know what I was thinking of." Hermione said quickly. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to find out."
"Wait... you mean, kiss me?" Ron asked suddenly breathing a bit heavily.
"Yes. We're just friends after all. I just want to make sure it's not you." Hermione said. "I'll give you a tooth flossing string mint, if it's that bad, and I'll go kiss Harry after you just to make sure it's not him, either."
Ron wasn't sure whether to be scared or excited. Hermione was about to kiss him. "Just to prove that we're friends." Ron said as if to make it clear.
"Exactly." Hermione said.
"All right then." Ron agreed uneasily.
"On three." Hermione said.
"On three." Ron said.
"One... two..." Hermione counted. She stood up and so did Ron. They both leaned over the table to reach one another and they kissed.
Ron pulled away first sitting down quickly, but he didn't copy his notes. Hermione sat down speechless. She had felt her knees go week and butterflies were flying in her stomach. She couldn't look at Ron, fearing his reaction.
"Hermione..." Ron said in a whisper.
"Er... yes?" Hermione asked breathlessly.
"I don't want you to kiss Harry." Ron said.
Hermione looked up at him and he was smiling at her.
"Does that mean... did you feel it too?" Hermione asked.
"Yes." Ron said laughing. "Do you want to... do that again?"
"Yes." Hermione said as she got up and walked around the table to sit next to him. She looked at his books. "You're not going to make any progress on those notes with me around."
"Good." Ron said, and he kissed her.
Ron had stayed up all night in the common room copying Hermione's notes. He couldn't sleep with her racing across his mind all night. He had to do something to keep his mind off of her, and as he had been distracted from catching up his assignments earlier, he figured he'd might as well copy notes and complete some essays, after all they'd make him tired so he could fall asleep, right?
"Ron, is that you?" Fred asked rubbing his eyes awake as he came out of his dorm at seven o'clock that morning.
"Yea." Ron said, not aware of the time.
"You're not always up this early, are you?" George asked following his brother out of the dorm.
"No, I haven't gone to bed yet." Ron said.
"Why not?" Fred asked.
"I've been catching up on notes and assignments I've missed." Ron said.
"You shouldn't have to catch up, it wasn't like you were on vacation." Fred said.
"The O.W.L.'s are this year. I've got to know this stuff." Ron said.
"Up all night doing assignments, worried about the O.W.L's... you sure sound a lot like Percy." George said.
"My grades don't say the same thing. I'm only doing this so they have reason to keep me here." Ron said gathering his books and essays together. The rest of the Gryffindors would be waking up soon. He didn't want to be around to be judged.
"What do you mean?" Fred asked.
"I was in Azkaban, Fudge said he's going to be taking over the school, Dumbledore will still be Headmaster, but he's not allowing any exceptions to the rules. If I get into one fight, Fudge could have Dumbledore throw me out, and then I'll have to go to Ireland and live there with Granddad." Ron said.
"What? Why?" George asked.
"Mum doesn't want me to go home to her. I was lucky she let me out of Azkaban. She said during the summer holidays I'll have to live in Ireland with Granddad, and he's nice and all, but it's going to be an everyday reminder of how mum doesn't want me." Ron said.
"But she knows your innocent!" Fred said.
"That doesn't matter." Ron said standing up to leave.
"Where are you going?" George asked.
"I'm going to go to the library. I need to get some more assignments done before class starts." Ron said before he left the common room.
It was the end of the day. Ron sat next to Neville in Potions. Unfortunately, Professor Snape had them sit up front next to Malfoy and his goons.
Ron was strained from exhaustion and previous classes. He couldn't wait for Potions to end. He'd catch up on one more essay before he'd go to sleep.
Potion lessons were always terrible for Ron. Professor Snape made sure to make the Gryffindors' feel miserable and humiliated by the end of class, and he usually succeeded within the first ten minutes. It never helped that he was deaf to Malfoy's taunts, either.
Ron and Neville had just added ingredients to their potions and were stirring them when Malfoy started up.
"Such a pity your dad died. I wish I could've been at your so-called house to see you crying over him." Malfoy said smirking.
Ron stopped stirring, but didn't look up. He was holding his breath and counting to ten inside his head. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He was not in the mood.
"Draco, he wasn't crying over his dead dad." Goyle said taking Malfoy and even Ron by surprise. Ron looked up with bewilderment.
"What are you saying?" Malfoy asked dangerously.
"I heard that he wasn't crying because his dad was dead. He was crying because he got caught for murdering him. He knew he was going to Azkaban, and he was afraid he'd pass out like Potter does every time a dementor's around." Goyle said nastily.
Malfoy was surprised, but nevertheless he and Crabbe laughed.
Ron went back to stirring his potion. He wasn't going to fall to their bait.
"What's your family going to do for money now?" Crabbe asked. "I mean before your dad made a little bit, but now he's dead your going to have nothing."
"Unless you count what your sister brings in." Goyle said causing Ron to grip the edge of the tightly extremely tightly. "Speaking of which, I owe her for last night. I love your sister's scream."
BAM!
Screams could be heard all over the dungeon. Ron had finally lost his temper. He'd flipped Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle's table over, three cauldrons full of boiling potions spilling all over the three boys who were pinned on the floor under the fallen table. The boys were yelling with pain. All the girls in the room with the exception of Hermione were screaming with fright. Ron could hear Neville's cry of support just over Dean and Seamus'.
Professor Snape was there in a heartbeat. He waved his wand at the table and it turned right side up with the cauldrons flying back on top of them allowing the boys to stand up.
"WEASLEY!" Professor Snape yelled even though he was right next to him.
"No! You can't pretend to be deaf to them, and not be blind to me! I'm so sick of this! Here's your bloody potion!" Ron yelled throwing his cauldron at Snape so that the cauldron hit him hard, knocking him over, the contents spilling all over him.
"I'm finished!" Ron yelled picking up his bag. Ron walked over Snape and left the classroom.
Hermione and surprisingly Harry picked up their bags and followed him out of the classroom ignoring Professor Snape who was taking away more and more points from Gryffindor for them not returning to the classroom.
Harry and Hermione caught Ron in his dorm packing.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Having a cup of tea." Ron said sarcastically. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Why are you packing Ron?" Harry asked.
"They're going to kick me out, there's no way they can't after that. I lost my temper, and now I'm going to pay for it by being expelled." Ron said.
"Dumbledore's always been reasonable about everything." Harry said. "He'll give you another chance."
"Even if he could, he wouldn't. Professor Snape's word is all he has to hear." Ron said.
"Look at Sirius, Ron!" Harry said.
"I know! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say it I couldn't help that. I wish I'd never gotten that appeal! I don't deserve to be here, I know that." Ron said.
"No, I meant look at Sirius. Professor Dumbledore heard him out rather than take Snape's word and hand him over to the dementors. He'll hear you out." Harry said.
"He can hear me out and he can say he wants me to stay, but that won't mean anything! Fudge is in control of the school now. Nothing but the rules apply now. I disrespected and assaulted a Professor. I'll probably be sent back to Azkaban for that!" Ron said.
The dormitory door swung open and Sirius entered looking concerned.
"Ron, what happened just now in Snape's class?" Sirius asked calmly.
"I lost my temper and got myself thrown out of school." Ron said.
"He didn't yet!" Harry said.
"I assaulted a Professor and three students, that's what Fudge is going to hear, and that's all he needs to hear to throw me back in Azkaban." Ron said.
"You won't be sent to Azkaban for losing your temper." Sirius said.
"Of course not. Fudge doesn't believe that I didn't kill my dad. He's waiting for something like this to happen so I can be thrown back into Azkaban, because he believes me to be evil and that there really isn't a dark side." Ron said.
"Do you want to talk to Professor Dumbledore? Professor Snape is having a few words, you might want to get a word in." Sirius said.
"It doesn't matter! Fudge is in charge now. Anything that's not black and white doesn't apply to this school anymore. He told Dumbledore at the trial that he's taking over the school. Dumbledore's still going to be Headmaster, but there's no more rule breaking or suspicious activity." Ron said.
"You need to talk to Dumbledore." Sirius said.
Ron shut his trunk, which was now packed, and followed Sirius to the Headmaster's office with Harry and Hermione just behind him.
Author's Note: I was extremely tired when I finished writing this chapter and decided to end it, but I didn't do a great job with the ending and even though I don't have much more to write, the next chapter will end my story, and it will hopefully end it better than my lame attempt last night. I just don't have anything else to write. ~*Carey*~