A/n: Once again, you all succeed in amazing me with your liking of this story; thank you!! I decided that maybe I should ask you this: do you want me to write more than 5 chapters till that big thing or just 5? Up to you, just let me know in your reviews. And again, I request that maybe you can read my other fic, Prankster Influence, if you like Fred and George teasing…Anyway, on with this story. Nothing much to say for this chapter just that it's been on my mind since I started writing this story unlike most of the other chapters. Okay, get to reading already!
Disclaimer: You know the whole enchilada already so why write it again?
Chapter 6: A Git and More Fine Arts
Ron stirred sleepily on his bed in the Gryffindor Fifth Year Boys dormitory, his eyes shut tight. Despite this fact, he had a strange sensation that his curtains were open. Eyes still closed, he lied flat on his back. There was something standing over him. He groaned and said, "Get Mr. Cuddles away from me, you two." Someone giggled and his eyes snapped open. Hermione was peering curiously at him, her face right over his.
"Who exactly is Mr. Cuddles?" she asked, fighting back a grin. She stood back to allow Ron to sit up. He did this and ran a hand through his red hair. "Never mind," he said groggily. "'S'all cloudy and stuff…what time is it?"
Hermione sat at the foot of his bed. She peered at him for a few seconds then explained. "Well, it's 7:00, first day of term!" Ron gaped at her; she said this with excitement. "So," she continued, ignoring his stare, "we should eat our breakfast and hurry to class."
Ron suddenly realized that Hermione was in the boys' dormitory. "Hey, you can't be in here!" he reproached, his cheeks reddening. Hermione tutted and said, "Harry's already downstairs. He's not lazy like you." Ron sneered at her. She smiled, turned, and headed down to the common room. Ron felt the need to kick something, mainly Harry. "Oh, that's great," he muttered. She doesn't like lazy people then let her deal with it. Grumpy for his somewhat rude awakening, Ron slouched to the bathroom.
"So, what do we have first?" Harry asked, sitting next to Ron and in front of Hermione. Expertly, she pulled out her schedule. She groaned and wrinkled her nose. Ron smirked and said, "Let me guess. Double Potions with the Slytherins?" Hermione nodded. "Oh, joy," Harry grumbled.
"On the bright side, we have Defense Against the Dark Arts after lunch!" Hermione informed them. Harry grinned. He had been looking forward to seeing Lupin since he found out he would be teaching again. "Oh well. Guess we'll have to suck it up like always," he said to his friends. Hermione had been searching for Cures and Deadly Potions: A Guide to Advanced Potion Making (Grade 5), their new Potions book. Apparently, Snape wanted to further embarrass Neville by forcing him to mix complicated potions. The thought of poor Neville made Harry feel pity for him; learning about his parents had been tragic. Glancing down the table at Neville, Harry gave him an encouraging smile. Ron, meanwhile, was starting a row with Hermione, his specialty.
"Why the hell are you gonna do anything for that idiot?" he was saying. "Ron, just because we hate him doesn't mean I don't want to pass this class! Just because you would be insane to try to get an A doesn't mean I'm like that!" Hermione replied, her voice rising. Some students turned in interest, although quite used to this already. "Have it your way, Miss Perfect-Not-A-Prefect!!" he yelled at her. Now he had hit a tight spot. Hermione slammed her bag on the table, knocking down some pumpkin juice, and threw her Potions book inside. Then she stomped out of the Great Hall, Ron glaring at her retreating back.
Harry was looking at Ron reproachfully. "WHAT?!" he asked impatiently. "She didn't have to insult me like that! 'S'all her fault!" Harry sighed and said, "We should go." Ron nodded and stood. Harry did the same and together they walked to the dungeons for a new dreadful Potions lesson with their least favorite people.
Hermione was sitting at the back of the classroom. Harry went over and sat next to her. She was staring at wrong, scowling. Ron approached them and sat next to Harry. Hermione sighed and found an apparently interesting crack on the table.
Malfoy entered, looking smug and as awful as ever. Crabbe and Goyle followed, pointing at Harry and laughing stupidly. "So, Potty, feel in desperate need of your mummy now that the Dark Lord is back?" Malfoy said in his disgusting drawling tone.
Harry sneered at Malfoy and said, "That's what you're so smug about! Glad finally someone more detestable than you is here."
Malfoy's smirk disappeared but he replied, "No, it's because Weasley just added another thing to his pathetic possessions, if he has any; Granger."
Hermione kept her head down, but Harry had to jump in front of Ron to stop him from killing Malfoy. At any rate, more Gryffindors and Slytherins poured into the dungeon at that moment. Malfoy glared at them one more time, then motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to sit not to far to the left of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
A minute later, the door flew open. Snape swept in, his black robes billowing behind him. Neville sank into his chair.
"Another year with you lot. My, I'm lucky, aren't I," Snape muttered, staring at each of them down his long, hooked nose. His gaze rested on Malfoy. "There are those of you, however, who know the true fine art of potion-making." He smirked and turned to look at Harry. Much to Harry's surprise, the familiar look of loathing wasn't apparent on the Potion master's face. "Well, Potter, we shall see what exactly this year brings," he said rather formally. Malfoy's mouth dropped open in shock. Snape looked somehow weary, for he had dark circles under his eyes visible at a distance and he looked paler than usual. Turning to the rest of the class he barked, "Books out! Page 101! We will start with the Wolfsbane Potion."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "He's still trying to put the spotlight on Professor Lupin just because everyone likes him better," she said in somewhat of a whisper.
"What was that you said, Granger?" Snape said roughly. Hermione glared at him and said, "Nothing in the very least." Snape's weariness seemed to do wonders for his mood; it worsened his cold manner. "Do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut, you overachieving brat," he spat at her. Hermione lowered her head.
Malfoy sniggered and said, "It's a wonder even someone like Weasley likes her!"
Ron jumped up and tore at Malfoy. He pushed him down and punched him in the jaw. Pansy Parkinson, who was sitting next to Hermione, shot up and said, "Draco, don't waste your time fighting because of that foul Mudblood!" Hermione leapt up and slapped Pansy. She clutched her red cheek and said, "Why you little…" then grabbed Hermione's hair and wrestled her to the ground.
Snape was watching with interest as Malfoy hit Ron by his right eye and Ron punched him in the stomach. Smugly, he snapped, "Weasley! Granger! Detention for initiating chaos in my classroom!" Ron and Hermione stood up, looking horrified. "You will be here at eight tonight to clean my cauldrons. Now take your seats and hold your tongue!" With that, Snape slammed a book onto his desk and began an explanation on the Wolfsbane Potion.
All resentment forgotten, Ron and Hermione sulked in their seats. "Hermione, you left your finger marks on Pansy's cheek, and Ron, Malfoy's bleeding," Harry said, trying to cheer them up. "I've done better," Ron muttered. With that said, the three of them turned to page 101 in their books and didn't speak until the end of class.
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Hogwarts was bustling with activity more than ever this year. Due to Madame Maxime's and Karkaroff's absence, the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were again visiting the castle. The Beauxbatons carriage stood by the Whomping Willow and the Durmstrang ship floated silently in the middle of the lake. Much to Ron's disgust that night, a certain Durmstrang student walked about the school.
He and Hermione walked in silence towards the cold dungeons. Hermione bit her lip nervously. How could she have lost control like that? Ron, on the other hand, felt bad he didn't cause Malfoy more damage. Hermione glanced up at him. "Thanks," she murmured.
Ron gave a start. "Huh? For what?"
Hermione gave him a small, shy smile. "For sticking up for me. Malfoy's a jerk."
Ron blushed and nodded. "Snape's a git for giving us detention. Sorry you had to get in trouble like that."
Hermione gave a hollow laugh. "Hmm…it wasn't your fault. It's—"
But what it was Ron would never know, for at that moment, someone yelled out, "Herm-oh-ninny!" Ron groaned and rolled his eyes when he saw Viktor Krum heading towards them. Hermione's brow furrowed. Krum rushed toward her. "Oh, I hoff missed you so moch!" he exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. Ron cleared his throat and made a gagging noise. Hermione stood there, arms by her sides, her face a mix of shock and – was it disgust? Krum pulled back to look at her.
"It's, er, nice to see you too, Viktor," Hermione said, twisting her face into what looked like a painful smile. Ron coughed something that sounded oddly like "Vicky." However, Hermione didn't shoot him her usual death glare. "Um, you'll have to excuse us," Hermione muttered. Krum looked confused. "Us?" Krum shot an icy look at Ron, who glared back. "Right. Hoff a good time. I vill see you around, Herm-oh-ninny," he said tonelessly. He glanced at Hermione and proceeded down the hallway.
Ron narrowed his eyes but kept walking with Hermione. After a minute of silence, he said, "Honestly, what's a 19-year-old doing in school?" Hermione didn't reply. Ron decided to answer for himself. "He's stupid, that's why!" Still, Hermione didn't answer. "Is everything all right?" he asked. She nodded and opened the door to the Potions classroom. She moaned once she entered.
About a hundred cauldrons were piled here and there, oozing with leftover potions. "I hate him," she whispered. "He did this on purpose so we would have more work, I know it."
"Let's get on with this," Ron said, picking up a dirty rag on one of the desks and making a face. "You take the left, I'll take the right." Hermione nodded and picked up a second rag in repugnance.
The Potions classroom was chilly and dark. One candle burned on Snape's desk. After about an hour of work in absolute quiet, Ron straightened up and wiped the sweat from his face. He had been cleaning a rather large cauldron full of muck and slime; apparently the extra potion had been left there for quite a while.
Hermione had just finished cleaning the cauldron Neville had used that day; no need for further description. Now she was moving to a large pewter cauldron near Ron. The candle was flickering, giving off very little light. Ron looked on as Hermione stepped carefully around the many dirty cauldrons. Suddenly the candle went out. Hermione stepped onto the rim of a small cauldron and shrieked. Ron jumped over the few cauldrons between them and threw his arms around her before she could fall into the large pewter cauldron.
Hermione was breathing heavily and started panting when she found Ron so close. Ron obviously noticed this because he helped her stand upright. When she did, he didn't let go.
Now in total darkness, the classroom was colder than ever. Hermione couldn't see Ron's face, but she could feel his breath, close to her face. She heard a creak from the other side of the room. She ignored it, closed her eyes, and leaned forward. What are you DOING?! her mind was screaming at her. She paid no attention.
Ron could feel her moving closer to him. Without thinking, he did the same. He tilted his head a little to the right. They were so close their noses touched. Then—
"Can you feel the love tonight?" sang a fake high-pitched voice.
"Ooh, you got it, you got it bad," crooned another.
Ron grimaced and pulled back. Hermione's eyes snapped open and she saw lights at the end of two wands. Illuminated by the glow of their wands, the Weasley twins smirked. Hermione sighed. Here we go again…she thought.
George tutted. Fred mimicked Percy. "Detention is not a time for snogging, young ones!"
Hermione closed her eyes in horror.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ron growled. "You're not supposed to be roaming the school at night and I'm willing to bet it's after nine!"
George snorted. "Oh, Ronniekins, have you not learned that we don't care?" He joined his brother in sniggering. Hermione grunted. "OUT!" she yelled. "If Snape catches you here, we'll all be in trouble!" Fred and George nodded, still smiling mischievously, and exited the room. As they left, they heard an echo of, "And if he fall in love tonight, it can be assured…"
"Right then," Ron said, his face flushed. "We're almost done."
"Uh-huh," was Hermione's reply.
Half an hour later, the friends walked back to Gryffindor tower. When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione muttered, "Heebie-jeebies." She and Ron stepped inside the half-empty common room. They had not spoken to each other all the while. With one last glance at one another, they hurried up opposite staircases.
As they both lay in bed, they thought of that night's events and thought, What was that all about?
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A/n: Blech, I know this is not the best of chapters but I don't have much inspiration as of now (to ice blue- I now know what you mean!). Sorry if it was way too short. Anyway, did you really think I was gonna make them kiss? For the love of Merlin, this is only chapter six, lol! One more thing; would you all like me to include a little Harry/Ginny in this story? Of course, it will still be full on R/Hr but I just thought maybe you liked H/G too…let me know, 'k? And now for the comments…
Len- Thanx for your loyalty! Hehe, love your possibilities, maybe he's writing to find a Candy Addict support group (he must let me know), but you must be patient, you will soon learn. I know, I hate having to disappoint Hermione, but I need it that way…lol, I think I have an obsession with the sky. Have you noticed I describe the sky like all the time!
catseye- It is excruciating! Jeez, I know what's waiting to happen but, alas, I shouldn't spoil it for you…
Mikki- Aww, you are the sweetest thing! That's one of the nicest comments I've ever gotten :::wipes tears from eyes::: thank you so much, I guess I just write that way 'cause it's kinda easier to understand. I really hope you'll all like how this story ends and how it's going. Anyway, thank you!!!!!
Ronslilangel- Thanks, I'm glad you were glued to it. Man, it's what I do with other stories so it feels durn good to be appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And I love your name!
Hermione-G-Weasley- I can't express my gratitude for paying attention to that e-mail. I know I've told you like 20,000 times before but you are an amazing writer and it's such an honor to get a good compliment from you! And, like I said, Fred and George are priceless in a R/Hr romance.
ice blue- Missed ya! :::wink and smiles sheepishly at compliment::: Seriously, you're too kind…I hope you liked the tiny bit of teasing here (phew, I swear I'll do better next time!). Don't worry, we'll support each other with the inspiration!
Anonymous- I'm not gonna until you all are satisfied.
Xodox- Nice to have you back! Thank God my fic can do that! I love it when I read a story and feel better…don't worry, be happy!
And a special shoutout to Adnap Nottap- I missed you! :::sniff::: I know, I've said that already but…lol…hey, if you hear of those support groups, tell me! Hehe…
Love ya!
R/Hr Fan :::wink:::