Hey guy! It's Lauren here with chapter two. Yes, yes, Harry and Ginny! So cute, no? Well, don't be so sure…don't wanna give anything away, but I also don't want you to get your hopes up too soon…Anyway, thank you to all of you who put me on their favorites list, and all of you who continue to read my story! I love you guys, this is just too cool! I feel so pleasant inside! Sort of mushy, you might say. Which is why I had to write this chapter, cause you guys were right, it was sort of tearing me up, all this drama and sadness. So here's a bit of a cheery chapter for you. It won't last too long though…Ah, giving things away again! Just enjoy!! And Mandi, I have to say, you are one of the coolest people I've ever…been reviewed by? I can't really say I've met you, can I…anyway, you are hilarious! I loved the extra-long review. And I hope to answer all your questions soon! Keep reading! (pwease??) hehehe…

Lauren

Disclaimer: I had a very nice dream where I owned Harry Potter! And I do own that dream…but alas, I do not own Harry Potter. Durn it!

Chapter two

Suppressing Sentiments

When Ginny and Hermione went down to breakfast four hours later, they noticed that Ron and Harry weren't there. They hadn't seen them in the common room earlier, and Hermione had even gone upstairs to wake the boys up, but their beds had been empty. Ginny felt slightly relieved, but at the same time, she worried about what could have happened. Knowing Harry and his knack for trouble…Oh Merlin, if he's not okay, I don't know what I'll do…wait, did I just think what I think I thought? Oi… So the girls sat down and began to eat, having concluded that the boys were probably nervous for the start of term and couldn't eat. (Since when doesn't Ron eat?) Therefore they weren't surprised when they hadn't shown up by the end of breakfast.

The girls returned to the common room, thinking the boys would at least be back when they got there, but it was empty, except for Lavender, who was in the corner organizing her books. Ginny almost threw her a glare, but realized that there technically was no need for it. Hermione waited in the common room while Ginny went to her room to get her bag. They climbed back through the portrait hole and took off down the hallway. When they reached the stairs to the dungeons, Ginny said farewell reluctantly, hoping they could still look for the boys, but as she had no choice, and she also didn't like the fact that she was so worried about Harry, she descended the stairs to Potions. Hermione was on her way to Transfiguration when she suddenly had the urge to go back upstairs. She followed her feet and found her passing down the hallway past the hospital wing when she bumped into someone.

"Hermione?"

"Ron! There you are! Where have you been all morning??" she asked, relieved. She had been so worried. She swept herself onto her toes and pecked his lips softly.

Ron blushed. What a wonderful morning greeting! He thought happily. Then getting back to the situation on hand…

"Well, Harry er, hurt himself earlier, so I was with him and Madame Pomfrey," he said hesitantly, knowing she would ask about the incident.

"He did?? Is he okay? What happened? Is it serious?" she shrilled, grabbing his hand and squeezing them slightly. Of course she would ask…

Ron thought for a moment. Now, he had two choices: he could either lie about sneaking out and say that Harry…took a fall down the stairs, but there was a chance the severity of the accident would make it an obvious fabrication, therefore making Hermione angry that he lied…or he could be honest and just get it over with. Sure, she would be mad at first, and there's the fact that she might feel obligated by her prefect duties, and the ornery scolding that would follow inevitably, and the disapproving glares they would receive for the next few days…but the sooner she knew the sooner it all would blow over.

"Ron…are you okay?" Hermione asked, interrupting the peaceful silence in which Ron was deciding.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry. I was just replaying the scene in my head…man, he took quite a tumble down those stairs. They're really dangerous actually. You wouldn't think so, until all of a sudden—bam. There you go, into the wall. Poor Harry…" he said reminiscently.

Just then, Harry entered the hallway, and Hermione gasped. Well, she had reason to, really. His right shoulder was wrapped in a large bandage, and his right arm was in a sling. Not only that, but he had the nastiest bruise starting on the right side of his collarbone… Harry looked downright ecstatic.

"Harry! Are you all right? Does it hurt too bad? All this really happened from falling down the stairs?!?!"

Ron and Harry exchanged looks, and the corners of Ron's mouth curled up ever so slightly.

"Oh yeah, nasty those stairs are, I'm telling you…" Harry said, his face turning dramatically serious.

"I'll have to report this to McGonagall, the stairs can't stay like that!" she said importantly. She started down the hallway, then turned around to blow Ron a kiss. Ron quickly smiled back at her—he had been rolling his eyes and mocking her superiority. After a good laugh, he held out his arm to help Harry along.

Throughout all of their classes, everyone stared in awe at Harry's, well, condition, while Ron told the fabulous heroic tale of Harry's last moment of grace before he fell into shadow. He must have told that story about 10 times during each class, which totals up to…a lot. Hermione scowled every time he opened his mouth now. But Harry found it quite amusing, it took his mind off things.

Lunch came, and the three of them made their way to the great hall, but Ginny didn't show up, even thought it was Harry's turn to leave, so this time he stayed. I wonder where she is… he thought. No! Stop it! Stop it stop it stop it! EAT!!! Ron laughed at the look on Harry's face…he looked like he was about to explode. Hermione kicked him under the table, of course, and Ron shut up.

"Harry, is everything okay?" she asked sweetly. Oh yes, everything's juuust peachy…

"Yeah, I'm just uh, in a little pain," he replied, not really lying after all.

Just then, Ginny entered the great hall looking quite flushed. She plopped down next to Harry, not even looking at him, but not really remembering their whole 'system' either. And Harry really didn't mind at all. She reached over to retrieve her glass when she caught a glimpse of Harry's arm, spilling orange juice all over the table.

"HARRY! What happened to you??" she practically yelled in shock.

"Oh, um, took a tumble down the stairs…" he said nervously, trying to hide his smile. They hadn't spoken in days, when…She cares!

"But, how is that possible? I've fallen down stairs before, and I wasn't hurt nearly as bad!"

Harry and Ron went red in the face. Umm…great, now what?

"Well, I was propelled at a high speed, which increased the level of impact…which is why I'm hurt so badly." Wow, where did he come up with that?? thought Ron. Harry was wondering the same thing.

Ron and Hermione looked on hopefully as a sort of loving expression came upon Ginny's face, but they were both greatly disappointed when it promptly left, and was replaced by a scowl.

"Well, that's too bad I suppose…" she said carelessly, turning to join the conversation taking place to her right. Harry had hoped she would talk to him a little longer, but hadn't really depended on it, so he wasn't as let down by this. He just started staring out the window despondently and didn't touch his plate for the rest of lunch. Ginny carefully glanced over her shoulder every now and then to see if he was okay, but other than that their interaction was pretty much void.

Man, those two are just completely nutters… Ron thought annoyed. This had better pass soon…with a little help from his friends…

As if Hermione were reading his mind, she gave him a mischievous grin and stood up to leave, beckoning for him to follow.

"Uh, we'll be right back…" she said as they turned to leave.

Little did they know they had completely abandoned Harry, who looked like a train wreck. Oh, isn't this just dandy… he thought as he attracted stares from both ends of the table.