Obligatory Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter universe or any of the
characters living there.
Summary: Harry and Hermione talk about how they're going to handle the situation with Ron.
A/N: I hadn't intended on continuing this story until I had more time this summer. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, this scene just hit me upside the head and demanded to be written.
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A week later.
The past week they should have been enjoying their new relationship. However, Harry and Hermione were worried about their friend. That's not to say that they didn't have their private moments when their world only included them. They'd managed to end up in one or the other's bedroom each night, exploring this new aspect of their lives.
Unfortunately, just as the sun rose each day, so did their worries. Ron has avoided them completely all week. Neither of them had seen him at any meal since the fight last week. Classes were a nightmare as well. It seemed that Ron was deliberately sitting with people that he knew that Harry and Hermione would disapprove of. The biggest surprise had come Friday afternoon. Ron was sitting with Draco Malfoy! The same boy who had been tormenting Ron since their first day.
Harry could hear the two of them whispering throughout the class. His name had been mentioned several times. Too bad he couldn't really hear what they were saying. Harry tried to block them out but he was repeatedly interrupted when he felt Hermione tense up each time she heard Ron say her name in the same tone that Malfoy always used. If that weren't surprise enough, Professor Snape had actually complimented Ron several times about his improved potions skills. Harry and Hermione hadn't missed the almost sideways glance that Snape gave them each time. Clearly, he meant that Ron's potions skills hadn't necessarily improved, just his choice in friends.
What hurt the most may have been on Saturday. The Gryffindor - Ravenclaw Quidditch match. Harry hadn't expected to see Ron. He figured he would avoid the match like he had been avoiding them. To Harry's horror, this wasn't the case. Ron showed up all right. He just sat on the Ravenclaw side of the pitch. He was dressed not in the scarlet and gold of Gryffindor, but in the blue and silver of Ravenclaw. McGonagall noticed as well and told him to change at once. Ron responded with a "Sod off!" or similar remark which earned him detention. Ron just laughed and turned to talk to a Ravenclaw third year that Harry didn't recognize. If Ron had stopped there, Harry might have been able to overlook it. When Hermione told Harry later that night that she had seen Ron cheering each time a Ravenclaw "accidentally" ran into him as he was about to catch the snitch and that he was responsible for the sky writing that announced 'POTTER SUCKS' when he finally caught the snitch, thus securing the lead in the Quidditch cup race, Harry almost lost it for the second time in less than a week. Luckily, the two of them were alone and Hermione was able to calm him as only she had the power.
It also didn't help matters that Ron had bespelled Harry and Hermione's prefect room doors to shout 'Welcome to the Snog Shack!' whenever they entered. It had taken them three days to break the charm, and only then with Dumbledore's guidance. On the one hand, they were both happy that Ron's magical abilities were improving greatly. On the other hand, they knew why. Malfoy had been showing him some of the spells he had learned from his father, Lucius Malfoy, rumored right-hand man to Voldemort. So far they haven't progressed into the more dark curses that the Dark Lord was famous for. Revelations such as these had led to some of their frequent discussions.
One of which they were having tonight.
Harry leaned against the headboard on his bed with Hermione leaning back against him. The bedsheets draped casually across them. His left hand was on her stomach while his right was unconsciously holding hers just under her chest.
"Harry, I'm really worried. Ron's become so dark lately." Hermione tilted her head just enough that she could see his face. And so he could see hers.
"I know, 'Mione. Malfoy seems to have him twisted around his finger. I'm afraid FOR Ron more than OF him. If he's not careful, Malfoy may completely turn him. Maybe even so far as to become a death-eater." Harry shuddered at the thought. Almost on instinct they kissed each other briefly, just enough to show their love and trust in one another.
"I think we're going to have to talk to him. And the sooner the better. McGonagall talked to me after the prefect meeting tonight. That's why I had to stay behind. She seems to think that, once again, I'm the only one that can save the day, so to speak." Harry tried to inject a little humor in that last bit, but knew he failed. "She told me that he's been deliberately picking fights with the younger students. Twice in the presence of other prefects. She hinted that serious disciplinary measures may have to be taken soon. She didn't go into details, but I think she was talking about expulsion from Gryffindor. Maybe eventually, even Hogwarts entirely. I know Ron hates us right now, but I still can't stop thinking of him as my friend."
Hermione reached up with her free hand to gently stroke the side of Harry's face as he talked. "I know, Harry, I do too. He's our friend and we've got to help him."
Harry smiled at her seemingly unconscious ministrations. "Even if he doesn't want our help?"
Hermione gave him a quick kiss before she responded, "Especially if he doesn't want our help."
*You've got to give her credit, 'Mione knows how to punctuate a point!* Harry thought as he just as quickly returned the favor. "I'm not sure how we're going to able to do that. We're probably going to need to recruit some help. Ron'll never stick around long enough for us to talk to him. And I don't think you putting him in a full-body bind will help."
*How'd he know I was about to suggest that as a possible solution?* "How about we ask either McGonagall or Dumbledore? McGonagall could probably have him stay after Transfigurations. Perhaps Dumbledore could summon the three of us to his office, then conveniently step out for a moment?" Hermione smiled hopefully.
"Both are great ideas, Hermione. We could probably ask them tomorrow at breakfast. We can probably expect Ron to be conspicuously absent, so that would be a perfect time. They might even have a few ideas of their own."
"And it wouldn't be the first time that a prefect or two had talked to a teacher at the head table. It shouldn't arouse anyone's suspicions, Malfoy's for example." With a plan of action worked out, Hermione started some more active ministrations by reaching behind Harry's head and pulling him into a deeper, more passionate kiss.
Harry didn't miss the clue. When they separated he took the opportunity tease her a little. "Why, Miss Granger, don't you think we might be spending an inordinate amount of time in bed?"
"No, Mr. Potter, I don't think that at all. And you have no room to talk, Mr. I'll Just Move My Right Hand A Little To The North!"
Sliding further under the sheets, they took the opportunity to once again explore this aspect of their relationship.
Summary: Harry and Hermione talk about how they're going to handle the situation with Ron.
A/N: I hadn't intended on continuing this story until I had more time this summer. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, this scene just hit me upside the head and demanded to be written.
____________________________________________________
A week later.
The past week they should have been enjoying their new relationship. However, Harry and Hermione were worried about their friend. That's not to say that they didn't have their private moments when their world only included them. They'd managed to end up in one or the other's bedroom each night, exploring this new aspect of their lives.
Unfortunately, just as the sun rose each day, so did their worries. Ron has avoided them completely all week. Neither of them had seen him at any meal since the fight last week. Classes were a nightmare as well. It seemed that Ron was deliberately sitting with people that he knew that Harry and Hermione would disapprove of. The biggest surprise had come Friday afternoon. Ron was sitting with Draco Malfoy! The same boy who had been tormenting Ron since their first day.
Harry could hear the two of them whispering throughout the class. His name had been mentioned several times. Too bad he couldn't really hear what they were saying. Harry tried to block them out but he was repeatedly interrupted when he felt Hermione tense up each time she heard Ron say her name in the same tone that Malfoy always used. If that weren't surprise enough, Professor Snape had actually complimented Ron several times about his improved potions skills. Harry and Hermione hadn't missed the almost sideways glance that Snape gave them each time. Clearly, he meant that Ron's potions skills hadn't necessarily improved, just his choice in friends.
What hurt the most may have been on Saturday. The Gryffindor - Ravenclaw Quidditch match. Harry hadn't expected to see Ron. He figured he would avoid the match like he had been avoiding them. To Harry's horror, this wasn't the case. Ron showed up all right. He just sat on the Ravenclaw side of the pitch. He was dressed not in the scarlet and gold of Gryffindor, but in the blue and silver of Ravenclaw. McGonagall noticed as well and told him to change at once. Ron responded with a "Sod off!" or similar remark which earned him detention. Ron just laughed and turned to talk to a Ravenclaw third year that Harry didn't recognize. If Ron had stopped there, Harry might have been able to overlook it. When Hermione told Harry later that night that she had seen Ron cheering each time a Ravenclaw "accidentally" ran into him as he was about to catch the snitch and that he was responsible for the sky writing that announced 'POTTER SUCKS' when he finally caught the snitch, thus securing the lead in the Quidditch cup race, Harry almost lost it for the second time in less than a week. Luckily, the two of them were alone and Hermione was able to calm him as only she had the power.
It also didn't help matters that Ron had bespelled Harry and Hermione's prefect room doors to shout 'Welcome to the Snog Shack!' whenever they entered. It had taken them three days to break the charm, and only then with Dumbledore's guidance. On the one hand, they were both happy that Ron's magical abilities were improving greatly. On the other hand, they knew why. Malfoy had been showing him some of the spells he had learned from his father, Lucius Malfoy, rumored right-hand man to Voldemort. So far they haven't progressed into the more dark curses that the Dark Lord was famous for. Revelations such as these had led to some of their frequent discussions.
One of which they were having tonight.
Harry leaned against the headboard on his bed with Hermione leaning back against him. The bedsheets draped casually across them. His left hand was on her stomach while his right was unconsciously holding hers just under her chest.
"Harry, I'm really worried. Ron's become so dark lately." Hermione tilted her head just enough that she could see his face. And so he could see hers.
"I know, 'Mione. Malfoy seems to have him twisted around his finger. I'm afraid FOR Ron more than OF him. If he's not careful, Malfoy may completely turn him. Maybe even so far as to become a death-eater." Harry shuddered at the thought. Almost on instinct they kissed each other briefly, just enough to show their love and trust in one another.
"I think we're going to have to talk to him. And the sooner the better. McGonagall talked to me after the prefect meeting tonight. That's why I had to stay behind. She seems to think that, once again, I'm the only one that can save the day, so to speak." Harry tried to inject a little humor in that last bit, but knew he failed. "She told me that he's been deliberately picking fights with the younger students. Twice in the presence of other prefects. She hinted that serious disciplinary measures may have to be taken soon. She didn't go into details, but I think she was talking about expulsion from Gryffindor. Maybe eventually, even Hogwarts entirely. I know Ron hates us right now, but I still can't stop thinking of him as my friend."
Hermione reached up with her free hand to gently stroke the side of Harry's face as he talked. "I know, Harry, I do too. He's our friend and we've got to help him."
Harry smiled at her seemingly unconscious ministrations. "Even if he doesn't want our help?"
Hermione gave him a quick kiss before she responded, "Especially if he doesn't want our help."
*You've got to give her credit, 'Mione knows how to punctuate a point!* Harry thought as he just as quickly returned the favor. "I'm not sure how we're going to able to do that. We're probably going to need to recruit some help. Ron'll never stick around long enough for us to talk to him. And I don't think you putting him in a full-body bind will help."
*How'd he know I was about to suggest that as a possible solution?* "How about we ask either McGonagall or Dumbledore? McGonagall could probably have him stay after Transfigurations. Perhaps Dumbledore could summon the three of us to his office, then conveniently step out for a moment?" Hermione smiled hopefully.
"Both are great ideas, Hermione. We could probably ask them tomorrow at breakfast. We can probably expect Ron to be conspicuously absent, so that would be a perfect time. They might even have a few ideas of their own."
"And it wouldn't be the first time that a prefect or two had talked to a teacher at the head table. It shouldn't arouse anyone's suspicions, Malfoy's for example." With a plan of action worked out, Hermione started some more active ministrations by reaching behind Harry's head and pulling him into a deeper, more passionate kiss.
Harry didn't miss the clue. When they separated he took the opportunity tease her a little. "Why, Miss Granger, don't you think we might be spending an inordinate amount of time in bed?"
"No, Mr. Potter, I don't think that at all. And you have no room to talk, Mr. I'll Just Move My Right Hand A Little To The North!"
Sliding further under the sheets, they took the opportunity to once again explore this aspect of their relationship.