Disclaimer: No, I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, do you think I would be wasting my writing talent on fanfic, instead of making big money? Come on people give me a break!
CHAPTER III: THE SCHOOL CONFRONTATION
Harry and Ginny had spent a wonderful trip together by talking and sharing in-between
kisses and snuggles in total privacy. Then they had met some old friends and then had
enjoyed the remaining of the ride to Hogwarts by playing Exploding Snap with Dean Thomas and Lavendar Brown. It had always been a shock for Ginny that out of all the girls Harry had ever known; the Boy Who Lived had chosen him to be his girlfriend. And she always felt proud and loved when it came to him. Not that she respected her brothers for being overprotective about the only girl in the family, but seriously. Sometimes, they could get so annoying, especially Ron. But, they enjoyed every moment they spend with each other.
Once they departed from the train and were gathering their composures, they immediately noticed the heavy tension between Ron and Hermione. Ginny, being the sensible girl she is took one glance at their faces and decided quickly, "Harry, I'm taking Hermione with me, you bring Ronneikins along." With that she grabbed Hermione's arm, who flashed a grateful smile and walked ahead of the two boys. Harry, meanwhile, had to deal with the outrageously stubborn Ron.
"Well," Harry questioned tapping his foot impatiently at Ron.
"Well what?" Ron replied as he started to walk along with the moving crowd.
"What happened?"
"Isn't it kind of obvious?" Ron commented as he watched some shy 6th year girls wave at
him, giggling like crazy.
"You were an idiot again?" Harry guessed jokingly, as he automatically received a light punch on the arm. Nothing ever escaped Ron's quick ears, even he was too busy giving every girl he passed a small grin.
"Close enough," Ron grinned at his lifelong best friend. Harry, however, wasn't pleased with his reaction. Instead, he raised both his eyebrows, as if asking what did you do Ron?
He sighed. "I mentioned Vicky and she got angry. How simple is that? And did you know that they'd broken up?"
Harry groaned loudly. No matter how hard he or anyone else tried, no one could make Ron forget Viktor Krum. It was as if he would continue to hate him, until the day he would eventually die.
"Why did you do that?" Harry complained to him.
"Hey, it's not my fault his name just enters the conversation. And I'll let you know that
Hermione and I had been talking perfectly like normal people, until my stomach growled."
Ron shook his head, disgusted at how ridiculous this was all sounding. It was his fault he
and Hermione were not talking and he was too proud to admit it. He decided to leave out the part where Hermione insulted him. It just didn't seem right.
"Anyway," Ron grumbled as they entered the school, led by Professor McGonagall. "It's over and done with."
"We'll see about that," Harry murmured under his breath.
"Ron, you go on ahead without me, I have to go talk to someone," Harry commanded in a
low voice as all the separate Houses left for their tables and the first-years were moved to the front. He ignored Ron's questioning stare as he left him and approached Ginny and Hermione from behind, who seemed to be wrapped up in their intense conversation.
"Uh, Hermione, could I talk to Ginny for a sec?" Harry asked her.
"Sure," Hermione replied after receiving a glance from Ginny, which indicated that she go on ahead without her. He grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her away from the crowd, and found an empty seat for them at the very end of the table.
"Did she tell you about the fight?" Harry asked. She nodded her head in disapproval.
"Stupid really. They're always fighting over the littlest things. She's quite upset, however," Ginny stated, as she watched Ron and Hermione take seats away from one another as possible.
"I know," Harry hissed into her ear, as the Sorting began. "But, one of them has got to apologize, or they'll be biting at each other's heads all year, and this is supposed to be my last year."
"What do you want me to do?" Ginny responded as Hufflepluff got a new member on their table.
Harry paused for a moment. Finally, he answered, "I'll tell Ron to forgive Hermione and you try to persuade Hermione to give Ron another chance."
She stared at him in astonishment for a while before whispering softly, "You really care about them, don't you?"
Harry smiled at her gently. "You and they are all I've got," he murmured to her. "And I can't afford to lose any one of you." With that, he escorted her towards Hermione, gave her a quick peck on the cheek and went off to dissolve Ron's anger.
"Where were you?" Ron demanded from him, once he joined him and the rest of the Gryffindor's for the welcoming feast.
"I was talking to Ginny," Harry replied calmly as he bit into a piece of chicken.
"Oh," Ron scowled and glanced down at his plate. He had never really approved of Harry dating his little sister, but it was better than any other person. "You just spent an entire trip with her," Ron complained as he took a swing of pumpkin juice.
"I know, but I had to talk to her about some important matters" Harry remarked as he chuckled at Ron's attitude. He had survived an entire week with a bruised eye, thanks to yours truly, but he would never change his feelings for Ginny.
Ron sighed and turned towards Harry, "Harry, you've been my best friend for a long time, and I've always respected you and followed you around like a docile puppy. But if you and Ginny are trying to bring Hermione and me together to kiss and make up, then you're wasting your breath and your time. Just forget about it. Hermione and I will deal with our problems ourselves." With that, he shoved a mouthful of food into his mouth and chewed in deep concentration.
Harry grinned and clapped him on the back. "That's the most sensible thing I've heard you say in a long time. Fine, I'll let you two deal with your little problems yourself, but the real question is when?" he finished, staring at his best friend.
Ron swallowed quickly before answering in a straight voice, very much unlike his own, "When the time comes," and with that he didn't say another word until he and Harry had finished all the treacle tarts, and chocolate cakes. Food always seemed to relax his mood.
Even though, Ron thought that everything that had happened to him during the summer had been told, something at the back of his head was alerting him that he had forgotten something. But, it didn't matter. Food was much too important to him. Meanwhile Ginny and Hermione were having their own little discussion.
"I still do not understand why you let Ron get on your nerves," Ginny complained as she joined the rather flushed Hermione.
"I honestly don't know," Hermione, mused as she started digging her fork into the mashed potatoes and peas. "It's just that he always acts as though he's just said something that I've been hiding from myself," she finished, swallowing her food.
"Well, me and Harry refuse to tolerate your disruptive attitudes this year," Ginny replied firmly as she sipped her juice slowly.
Hermione sighed before answering, "Harry and I, Ginny."
"That's what I'm trying to say," Ginny cried frustrated, slamming her fist down on the table. (I honestly think Ginny's doing a much better job in trying to help Hermione, don't you?) "If you keep fixing people's sentences, they're bound to get mad with you."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at her in surprise and replied coolly, "Well, excuse me for trying to improve your English. I was just trying to help." She gave a small huff and busied herself with her food.
Ginny kicked herself for blowing up at her best friend. She was supposed to be calming her down not angering her. She made a feeble of attempt of apologizing. "Hermione, I'm sorry, really, but at this rate Ron's still going to be furious with you. I was just trying to help you understand what you were doing wrong." She knew she had been forgiven, because she had been given a small smile and a mouthed, "Thank you," since Professor Dumbledore was ready to say his welcoming speech.
"Welcome back students and teachers to another wonderful year at Hogwarts. I hope this year will be as enjoyable as the last ones we've shared together, even though the Weasley twins aren't here to add some life to the school." He paused here as he stared around the great hall, as everyone attentively listened to his speech.
His blue eyes rested on Ron and Harry, and his eyes twinkled behind the half-moon spectacles, since he already knew as he knew almost everything else, that Ron and Hermione had had yet another fight. But, resolving that situation could be dealt with later.
Instead, he continued calmly, "I would also like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is still off limits, and that Filch has advised me to tell you that he will not tolerate any misbehavior from any student, this year, since he seems to be on the verge of retiring. Therefore, he and I have come to a conclusion that this year's Head Boy and Head Girl will help him in keeping an eye on the students."
A small ripple of murmurs started in the hall. Everyone seemed to be curious about who was this year's heads. Dumbledore chuckled at their curiosity so he finished with a flourish, "And without further ado, I would like everyone to know that this year's Head Boy and Head Girl are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."
"What?" Harry exclaimed turning towards the blushing Ron. "You're Head Boy." Ron nodded dumbly, the tip of his ears as red as his flaming hair. "Why didn't you ever tell me," Harry queried as Ron took out his Head Boy badge, which resembled Percy's badge during their third year.
"I completely forgot," Ron mumbled as they began to move towards their dormitory. He stole a glance at Hermione, who was looking utterly shocked at the prospect that he, Ronald Weasley, was Head Boy. He wasn't as surprised at the fact that Hermione was Head Girl. She had been born for that position, and had been craving it ever since she came to Hogwarts.
"Besides, it wasn't that important to me, as it would have been for Percy. Dumbledore told me that since you were already so occupied with You-Know-Who and being Captain of the Quidditch team, he thought it would be best if his best friend was Head Boy, rather than himself." Ron finished lamely, as he followed Harry upto their old room. They were halfway on the stairs, when a voice rang out, "Ron, wait."
Ron turned his head and saw Professor Lupin, their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher running towards him.
"What is it Professor?" Ron asked taking in Lupin's sweaty face and panting breath.
"Ron, now that you're Head Boy, you have to share a room with the school's Head Girl. Professor McGonagall wants to take you to your room," Lupin panted breathlessly, as he leaned his hand against the wall.
Ron turned towards Harry, who seemed surprised at the fact that he and Ron wouldn't be sleeping in the same room but he and Hermione. He, however, shrugged it off and told Ron it was okay. He silently prayed that Ron would treat Hermione properly; he didn't want to deal with two raging tigers the next day. With that they bid each other good night, and Ron was handed over to Professor McGonagall and followed her to his new room.
It was a long walk since his room was separate from the rest of the dormitories in Gryffindor. Hermione wasn't with them, so he assumed that she was already preparing herself for bed. Once they had reached his room, after a tiring climb up the stairs, Professor McGonagall turned to him and stated politely, "This is your room for the remainder of your room. I hope it meets to your satisfaction, Mr. Weasley."
Ron nodded his head in approval, and was about to say good night, when she interrupted, "Ron..." He looked at her startled. This was the first time any professor, besides Dumbledore and Lupin had called him by his first name.
"Yes," he replied cautiously, afraid of making any further mistakes.
Her face was soft as she spoke, "Be nice to Ms. Granger. After all, it is your last year together and I want it to be memorable for the three of you, not a year full of cursing and yelling. Besides, she's been through a lot. Understood?"
Ron stared at her curiously before inquiring, "Did Professor Dumbledore ask you to say this to me?" knowing to well that he was the only one who could read their thoughts.
She gave him a small smile and shook her head. "No Mr. Weasley, I'm saying this out of the goodness of my heart. Good night." With that, she left him alone outside the door, looking quite perplexed. "Well, that went well," he said aloud to himself as he opened the door, not knowing that the next day would change everything he'd ever went against.
***
CHAPTER III: THE SCHOOL CONFRONTATION
Harry and Ginny had spent a wonderful trip together by talking and sharing in-between
kisses and snuggles in total privacy. Then they had met some old friends and then had
enjoyed the remaining of the ride to Hogwarts by playing Exploding Snap with Dean Thomas and Lavendar Brown. It had always been a shock for Ginny that out of all the girls Harry had ever known; the Boy Who Lived had chosen him to be his girlfriend. And she always felt proud and loved when it came to him. Not that she respected her brothers for being overprotective about the only girl in the family, but seriously. Sometimes, they could get so annoying, especially Ron. But, they enjoyed every moment they spend with each other.
Once they departed from the train and were gathering their composures, they immediately noticed the heavy tension between Ron and Hermione. Ginny, being the sensible girl she is took one glance at their faces and decided quickly, "Harry, I'm taking Hermione with me, you bring Ronneikins along." With that she grabbed Hermione's arm, who flashed a grateful smile and walked ahead of the two boys. Harry, meanwhile, had to deal with the outrageously stubborn Ron.
"Well," Harry questioned tapping his foot impatiently at Ron.
"Well what?" Ron replied as he started to walk along with the moving crowd.
"What happened?"
"Isn't it kind of obvious?" Ron commented as he watched some shy 6th year girls wave at
him, giggling like crazy.
"You were an idiot again?" Harry guessed jokingly, as he automatically received a light punch on the arm. Nothing ever escaped Ron's quick ears, even he was too busy giving every girl he passed a small grin.
"Close enough," Ron grinned at his lifelong best friend. Harry, however, wasn't pleased with his reaction. Instead, he raised both his eyebrows, as if asking what did you do Ron?
He sighed. "I mentioned Vicky and she got angry. How simple is that? And did you know that they'd broken up?"
Harry groaned loudly. No matter how hard he or anyone else tried, no one could make Ron forget Viktor Krum. It was as if he would continue to hate him, until the day he would eventually die.
"Why did you do that?" Harry complained to him.
"Hey, it's not my fault his name just enters the conversation. And I'll let you know that
Hermione and I had been talking perfectly like normal people, until my stomach growled."
Ron shook his head, disgusted at how ridiculous this was all sounding. It was his fault he
and Hermione were not talking and he was too proud to admit it. He decided to leave out the part where Hermione insulted him. It just didn't seem right.
"Anyway," Ron grumbled as they entered the school, led by Professor McGonagall. "It's over and done with."
"We'll see about that," Harry murmured under his breath.
"Ron, you go on ahead without me, I have to go talk to someone," Harry commanded in a
low voice as all the separate Houses left for their tables and the first-years were moved to the front. He ignored Ron's questioning stare as he left him and approached Ginny and Hermione from behind, who seemed to be wrapped up in their intense conversation.
"Uh, Hermione, could I talk to Ginny for a sec?" Harry asked her.
"Sure," Hermione replied after receiving a glance from Ginny, which indicated that she go on ahead without her. He grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her away from the crowd, and found an empty seat for them at the very end of the table.
"Did she tell you about the fight?" Harry asked. She nodded her head in disapproval.
"Stupid really. They're always fighting over the littlest things. She's quite upset, however," Ginny stated, as she watched Ron and Hermione take seats away from one another as possible.
"I know," Harry hissed into her ear, as the Sorting began. "But, one of them has got to apologize, or they'll be biting at each other's heads all year, and this is supposed to be my last year."
"What do you want me to do?" Ginny responded as Hufflepluff got a new member on their table.
Harry paused for a moment. Finally, he answered, "I'll tell Ron to forgive Hermione and you try to persuade Hermione to give Ron another chance."
She stared at him in astonishment for a while before whispering softly, "You really care about them, don't you?"
Harry smiled at her gently. "You and they are all I've got," he murmured to her. "And I can't afford to lose any one of you." With that, he escorted her towards Hermione, gave her a quick peck on the cheek and went off to dissolve Ron's anger.
"Where were you?" Ron demanded from him, once he joined him and the rest of the Gryffindor's for the welcoming feast.
"I was talking to Ginny," Harry replied calmly as he bit into a piece of chicken.
"Oh," Ron scowled and glanced down at his plate. He had never really approved of Harry dating his little sister, but it was better than any other person. "You just spent an entire trip with her," Ron complained as he took a swing of pumpkin juice.
"I know, but I had to talk to her about some important matters" Harry remarked as he chuckled at Ron's attitude. He had survived an entire week with a bruised eye, thanks to yours truly, but he would never change his feelings for Ginny.
Ron sighed and turned towards Harry, "Harry, you've been my best friend for a long time, and I've always respected you and followed you around like a docile puppy. But if you and Ginny are trying to bring Hermione and me together to kiss and make up, then you're wasting your breath and your time. Just forget about it. Hermione and I will deal with our problems ourselves." With that, he shoved a mouthful of food into his mouth and chewed in deep concentration.
Harry grinned and clapped him on the back. "That's the most sensible thing I've heard you say in a long time. Fine, I'll let you two deal with your little problems yourself, but the real question is when?" he finished, staring at his best friend.
Ron swallowed quickly before answering in a straight voice, very much unlike his own, "When the time comes," and with that he didn't say another word until he and Harry had finished all the treacle tarts, and chocolate cakes. Food always seemed to relax his mood.
Even though, Ron thought that everything that had happened to him during the summer had been told, something at the back of his head was alerting him that he had forgotten something. But, it didn't matter. Food was much too important to him. Meanwhile Ginny and Hermione were having their own little discussion.
"I still do not understand why you let Ron get on your nerves," Ginny complained as she joined the rather flushed Hermione.
"I honestly don't know," Hermione, mused as she started digging her fork into the mashed potatoes and peas. "It's just that he always acts as though he's just said something that I've been hiding from myself," she finished, swallowing her food.
"Well, me and Harry refuse to tolerate your disruptive attitudes this year," Ginny replied firmly as she sipped her juice slowly.
Hermione sighed before answering, "Harry and I, Ginny."
"That's what I'm trying to say," Ginny cried frustrated, slamming her fist down on the table. (I honestly think Ginny's doing a much better job in trying to help Hermione, don't you?) "If you keep fixing people's sentences, they're bound to get mad with you."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at her in surprise and replied coolly, "Well, excuse me for trying to improve your English. I was just trying to help." She gave a small huff and busied herself with her food.
Ginny kicked herself for blowing up at her best friend. She was supposed to be calming her down not angering her. She made a feeble of attempt of apologizing. "Hermione, I'm sorry, really, but at this rate Ron's still going to be furious with you. I was just trying to help you understand what you were doing wrong." She knew she had been forgiven, because she had been given a small smile and a mouthed, "Thank you," since Professor Dumbledore was ready to say his welcoming speech.
"Welcome back students and teachers to another wonderful year at Hogwarts. I hope this year will be as enjoyable as the last ones we've shared together, even though the Weasley twins aren't here to add some life to the school." He paused here as he stared around the great hall, as everyone attentively listened to his speech.
His blue eyes rested on Ron and Harry, and his eyes twinkled behind the half-moon spectacles, since he already knew as he knew almost everything else, that Ron and Hermione had had yet another fight. But, resolving that situation could be dealt with later.
Instead, he continued calmly, "I would also like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is still off limits, and that Filch has advised me to tell you that he will not tolerate any misbehavior from any student, this year, since he seems to be on the verge of retiring. Therefore, he and I have come to a conclusion that this year's Head Boy and Head Girl will help him in keeping an eye on the students."
A small ripple of murmurs started in the hall. Everyone seemed to be curious about who was this year's heads. Dumbledore chuckled at their curiosity so he finished with a flourish, "And without further ado, I would like everyone to know that this year's Head Boy and Head Girl are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."
"What?" Harry exclaimed turning towards the blushing Ron. "You're Head Boy." Ron nodded dumbly, the tip of his ears as red as his flaming hair. "Why didn't you ever tell me," Harry queried as Ron took out his Head Boy badge, which resembled Percy's badge during their third year.
"I completely forgot," Ron mumbled as they began to move towards their dormitory. He stole a glance at Hermione, who was looking utterly shocked at the prospect that he, Ronald Weasley, was Head Boy. He wasn't as surprised at the fact that Hermione was Head Girl. She had been born for that position, and had been craving it ever since she came to Hogwarts.
"Besides, it wasn't that important to me, as it would have been for Percy. Dumbledore told me that since you were already so occupied with You-Know-Who and being Captain of the Quidditch team, he thought it would be best if his best friend was Head Boy, rather than himself." Ron finished lamely, as he followed Harry upto their old room. They were halfway on the stairs, when a voice rang out, "Ron, wait."
Ron turned his head and saw Professor Lupin, their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher running towards him.
"What is it Professor?" Ron asked taking in Lupin's sweaty face and panting breath.
"Ron, now that you're Head Boy, you have to share a room with the school's Head Girl. Professor McGonagall wants to take you to your room," Lupin panted breathlessly, as he leaned his hand against the wall.
Ron turned towards Harry, who seemed surprised at the fact that he and Ron wouldn't be sleeping in the same room but he and Hermione. He, however, shrugged it off and told Ron it was okay. He silently prayed that Ron would treat Hermione properly; he didn't want to deal with two raging tigers the next day. With that they bid each other good night, and Ron was handed over to Professor McGonagall and followed her to his new room.
It was a long walk since his room was separate from the rest of the dormitories in Gryffindor. Hermione wasn't with them, so he assumed that she was already preparing herself for bed. Once they had reached his room, after a tiring climb up the stairs, Professor McGonagall turned to him and stated politely, "This is your room for the remainder of your room. I hope it meets to your satisfaction, Mr. Weasley."
Ron nodded his head in approval, and was about to say good night, when she interrupted, "Ron..." He looked at her startled. This was the first time any professor, besides Dumbledore and Lupin had called him by his first name.
"Yes," he replied cautiously, afraid of making any further mistakes.
Her face was soft as she spoke, "Be nice to Ms. Granger. After all, it is your last year together and I want it to be memorable for the three of you, not a year full of cursing and yelling. Besides, she's been through a lot. Understood?"
Ron stared at her curiously before inquiring, "Did Professor Dumbledore ask you to say this to me?" knowing to well that he was the only one who could read their thoughts.
She gave him a small smile and shook her head. "No Mr. Weasley, I'm saying this out of the goodness of my heart. Good night." With that, she left him alone outside the door, looking quite perplexed. "Well, that went well," he said aloud to himself as he opened the door, not knowing that the next day would change everything he'd ever went against.
***