Disclaimer: Yes, yes, yes, I know this work rivals J.K. Rowling and is almost if not better than her work (You do know that I'm being incredibly sarcastic right? Me, British Jen, as good as J.K.R? Please!)
A/N: I would like to apologise to American Jen for taking so terribly long to write this, I've had so much work to do recently! But it's all paid off, I got 2A's and an A+ in my last science exam! I'm so happy!
Chapter 6: Confessions of the Broken Hearted
The sun was shining brightly in the sky above Hogsmeade, painting a perfect picture. The village was teaming with life, students were running from one shop to another, their laughter echoing on the walls and roaming the streets. Harry and Ron had dragged Hermione into the new quidditch shop to look at the broomsticks, although Harry's firebolt was still fairly unmatched. Hermione couldn't have been any more bored, she was sure that she would have much more fun in Potions with Snape, if it was possible.
Harry and Ron were now pouring over the new arrival of quidditch books, admiring the some kind of new broom that was coming out after Christmas. Occasionally they would mumble something of understanding to Hermione, but for the majority of the time they would sit with their jaws hanging open.
"Oh wow, look at this Hermione!" Ron would gasp, "It comes with ultra streamlined bristles. . . "
"Yeah, but that's not as good as. . ."
Hermione didn't even bother listening to them. She couldn't believe that they were being so inconsiderate to her feelings. Neither of them asked what I wanted to do, not even Harry! Hermione grimaced, memories of what happened the previous night flowing back into her head. She allowed herself a quick glance at him, smiling slightly. But he doesn't even like me like that, she thought sadly.
Suddenly, she felt hot pricks tearing at her eyes, and a small trickle running down her cheek. Surprised, she quickly wiped it away harshly. She couldn't let them see her like this. She looked back one last time at him, wiping away more glistening tears before she silently spun around on her heels and ran out of the shop, neither of them noticed she had gone. It would be a while yet before they would notice that she was missing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione glanced around nervously at the busy street, not wanting to run into anyone who knew her; they would only interfere and badger her until she told them what was wrong. She wasn't even sure if she would even be able to tell Ginny, her closest female companion. Having no-one else to turn to, she ran for the only haven that she knew, the small Hogsmeade bookshop.
The shop was small yet cosy, the walls stacked with books that were practically falling from the shelves because they were so over-filled. There were also stacks of old books littering the floor, pieces of parchment scattered here and there. Hermione gave a small smile to the owner, but headed straight for the back.
Last time she had come to Hogsmeade, the bookshop had received in a new order of books that were written by wizards and witches but were set in the muggle word and mentioned nothing about the real world of wizards. Hermione loved to read novels, they let her escape to another world and become some truly amazing characters.
She peered at the sparkling clean covers that were without a crinkle or a crack. The smell of untouched pages wafted up Hermione's nose; she breathed a sigh of relief and let the feeling invigorate her senses. She let her eyes drift shut and imagined the feeling of staying up late and creeping down to the common room to sit by the window and read by candle light, whilst the warmth of the fire spread over her and she got lost in the text of another reality.
Realising that she was wasting time, Hermione searched through the titles looking for something to grab her attention. She picked out a rather large book, written by a new witch, 'Bee Spellbound'. It was a fantasy book, it told the tale of a young girl whose parents were murdered by an evil warlock and her adventure as she runs from her chasers, 'Trek of the Hunted'.
"Looks interesting," she told herself as she sat down in an armchair, curling her legs up underneath her. Soon, Hermione had been drawn in by the book and didn't realise that the hours were rolling by with each turn of the page. In fact, she didn't even notice someone sitting in the chair next to her, watching her worriedly.
"Hermione?" he whispered gently, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. Hermione jumped up, instantly falling out of the book and becoming herself again.
"Oh," she said, more of her usual self, "It's you Ron. Finally pulled yourself away from your quidditch obsession?"
"Oh don't be like that! You can't blame us, you're obsessed about books, you don't find us complaining to you when you drag us to the library! Ow!"
Hermione had slapped him playfully on the arm. "You deserved that! The amount of times that you complain when we sit in the library, I loose count within 5 minutes. It can't be helped, I suppose. It wouldn't hurt though to ask me whether I wanted to go to the quidditch shop or not, instead of dragging me in them and leaving me whilst you ogle the newest brooms of hottest stars."
"I know, and Harry and me are sorry." He hesitated as he saw her flinch at his name, something was going on and he knew it. And I had just made her reasonably happy! "Listen, I don't know much about what is going on, but I've brought you a peace offering." He handed her a bag from Honeydukes." Thought you might like a little midnight snack when you're reading."
Hermione smiled and gave him a hug, her eyes twinkling with delight. Ron always knew how to cheer her up. "Thanks Ron, that was really sweet."
"Now, " he began, looking at her seriously. "Would you like to tell me what's wrong? Or do I have to beat it out of you?"
Hermione turned away, not sure what she should tell him. Tears were pricking at her eyes again, she couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell him how much she liked Harry more than a friend, and how she had liked him more than a friend for ages. And she couldn't even possibly begin to explain the hurt that she had felt when she had gone to see Harry that morning, ready to tell him how she felt and how long she had waited to kiss him and have him hold her tightly within his arms and protect her from the evil world, only to hear him tell her that it basically didn't mean anything.
"Hermione?" he prodded gently, taking her small hand in his. "Look, I know about. . .the, umm. . .kiss, last night." He flinched, ready for her to attack him for eavesdropping on something that didn't mean anything. But nothing could have prepared him for the vulnerable, scarred Hermione that turned around and looked him in the eye, hers brimming with tears.
"Oh! Oh dear, come hear." Ron pulled her into another hug as she wept on his shoulder gently, heaving gentle sobs. He patted her gently on the back, trying hard to comfort her. "It did mean something to you, didn't it?" he asked quietly, he had overheard the entire conversation between his best friends earlier that morning.
Suddenly, it just also spilled out. Hermione didn't even care what he thought, but she needed to tell someone, bottling it all up was becoming unbearable. Hermione told him everything, everything apart from her dream. That she needed to keep a secret. Ron didn't say anything, he just listened.
When all her tears had been shed, leaving a very wet patch on Ron's shirt, Hermione felt a lot better.
"Ron, I-"
"Listen Hermione, I'll keep your secret for you. But you'll have to understand, you need to tell him sometime, you'll only strain the friendship if you don't. I myself believe that Harry didn't mean everything he said this morning-"
"Y-You're not mad?" she whispered, believing he would hate her for her revelation.
"NO! Why would I be mad? Hermione, you can't deny your feelings, and what kind of best friend would I be if I hated you for liking Harry like that? Anyway, listen Harry's going to be waiting for us in The Three Broomsticks, I'll talk to you later I promise. Now though, we have to go and see Sirius."
Hermione gasped. "Oh no! I totally forgot! Quickly Ron," Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him to the front counter where she purchased her book, shoving it quickly into her bag along with the chocolates, then ran from the shop dragging Ron behind her, forgetting all about her dream or Harry or the icy rain that was beginning to pound down from the darkened dull sky, if only for a moment or two. They needed to see Sirius and quick!
End of chapter 6
British Jen's Promised thank-yous:
Lyssa: It's you again! Well we hope you like this chapter, there's lots of fluffiness coming up, you might need your handkerchief! Ron has a more supporting role at the moment bless him!
Ice: Did I not give you a cookie? I'm so sorry, have two because I forgot! Thank-you for reviewing! We shall read your story soon, we promise!
hpdancer92: Ooh, we adore chocolate. Ooh, it's yummy yummy in our tummy! Thank you for reviewing again!
Jo: Hey! Well, as you can tell, Hermione has told Ron about his feelings, and Harry will confess soon I think! Ron will not be neglected in this fic I promise, he is essential! Cheers for reviewing!
Leah: Here's another chapter, we're glad we caught your attention! :)
Canadian Crow: Hehe! Cute, adorable, fluffy, it's all in here! Thanks for your review!
Andres (Spanish 4 Andrew) (potterweirdo6@aol.com): It's the guy I talk to at 7:30 in the morning! As you can see, here is another chapter! Thank you so much for the compliment, we're shedding tears right now! (A-Jen- and you don't have to beg to get a new chapter ;-))
blue-strawberry52: hehe, thanks for your review!
LyssaQuill: I'm a bit worried about how much kissing American Jen is going to make them go through, and how fluffy-sweet will it be? Time will only tell! Cheers! (A-Jen- there is nothing wrong with a lot of kissing!!!!!)
Vivian Marie: Oh, you can join our Jen Empire! Long live the power of the Jen's! ooh! Yippee! Thanks for reviewing, you're just going to have to wait and see!
SunnyDae: More Harry/Hermione moments to come soon, you can never get to much tension before the explosion of romance and revelations!
Sherry: Here's more! ^_^
Muirnin: They will kiss more don't you worry! Thanks for reviewing!
Lime: Unfortunately we are now J.K. Rowling! You are so sweet, your compliments really brightened our day! Thank you so much, we're glad that there are readers enjoying this! As long as there are, we'll keep writing!
ears91: We could drag it on for ages and ages and ages and ages (you get the point!) but you'll just have to keep reading to wait and see! ^_^
LiZz: Thank you!
If I (British Jen) have forgotten anyone, then I'm terribly sorry! Feel free to e-mail me and I will set it out right, I promise! And on a final note, is anyone annoyed that Harry Potter's eyes in Chamber of Secrets resemble blue and not green? I don't know if it's just me, but I'm rather annoyed that on my DVD they look blue! Feel free to elaborate this point!
A/N: sorry that the chapter was a bit short… but don't worry… Sirius will be in the next chapter!!!!!
