Chapter 2
When Harry arrived at the Burrow, everything appeared to be in chaos as usual, as Ron and Ginny was preparing to go back to School. When Harry arrived out of no where, all the activity suddenly stopped and when everyone realized it was Harry, Harry suddenly found several redheads trying to hug him at the same time. Fred and George was the first to react about Harry's new built. "wow," Said Fred poking Harry in his chest. "Looks like someone was working out." Harry turned red, and glared at Fred, before commenting "I have been forced to join the gym with Dudley because of his diet." George and Ron appeared satisfied with this answer. Ginny had a lop- sided grin, not dissimilar to the look Tonks wore on her face earlier, but she made no comments. Nobody else appeared to notice, and Harry made a mental note to himself to change into a looser set of t-shirt before leaving the burrow. Harry did not have much time to catch up with the Weasleys before they were all ushered out of the house to catch the cab to Kings' Cross Station. Fred and George accompanied them to the train station, and made use of the chance to update Harry about their shop. "You guys should come to Hogsmead and drop by our shop. Afterall, you are a partner" said Fred. Harry was about to protest when George interrupted, "Yeah, your name is already on the documents. But don't worry. Nothing will happen to you if we go bankrupt, but you're definitely into it!"
Harry felt very glad to be with his friends again. The summer had been fulfilling, but not too much fun. He missed having his friends around to talk to and laugh with. After getting on platform 9 ¾, he looked around for Hermione. Suddenly, he heard someone running towards him, and he turned around in time to hug a very brown looking Hermione. Hermione appeared to have grown shorter, or perhaps Harry had grown much taller. Hermione stepped back and surveyed Harry, saying "Hmm. something about you is different. You've. grown!" Harry laughed and said, "you've shrunk!" Hermione gave him an annoyed swat on the hand, then she realized even his arms were different "Oh. so you've been working out," Harry grinned at her and whispered, "I'll tell you and Ron about it later." Just then, Ron came up to them and he looked at Hermione awkwardly, and said, "Hi, Hermione." Hermione turned around and saw Ron, and she, too, became very awkward, "Hi, Ron. Um. how was your summer?" Ron was about to mumble something when Ginny came by and gave Hermione a big hug. " 'Mione! Why did you leave in such a big rush last summer, and you didn't answer my owls!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron and said, "Um. my mum suddenly had plans to go for a holiday, and I didn't want to miss it." Ron appeared to be studying his suitcases very hard, and appeared to be looking anywhere but Hermione.
Harry raised his eyebrows and looked at his two friends. Something appears to have happened over the summer that made the two of them so awkward. Harry wondered for a moment whether Ron had brought up enough courage to tell Hermione that he fancied her, or perhaps Hermione grew tired of Ron's evasive comments and told him to tell her exactly what he wanted. Ginny appeared to be suspecting the same thing. She caught Harry's eye and gave a shrug. Harry decided to break the ice and suggested that they went to look for a cabin. He was dieing for a chance to ask either one of them what happened. His chance came when Hermione promptly dropped her luggage and pulled Ginny off to show her the prefects compartment. Ginny had apparently been made the new Griffindor Prefect.
Harry turned around to Ron immediately and asked, "What's up with you and Hermione?" Ron turned a bright shade of red, and slunk into his chair. "Can I not tell." Ron asked. "No!" said Harry firmly. "Did you tell her you liked her?" Ron turned an even darker shade of red, and nodded. "I feel so stupid! Babbling my big mouth like that." "What did she say?" Harry asked. "Nothing! She just became really awkward. Then the next day, she said her mom wanted to bring her on a holiday and she just left the Burrow. She didn't even say good bye to me and Ginny." Harry frowned. That appeared to be very un-Hermione. With all her advice giving about Cho last year, Harry would have thought that she would be handling her relationships very well. "What do you think, Harry? Why did you think she reacted like that. Do you think I stand a chance? Why can't she just tell me whether she likes me or not. Maybe she's still seeing that Victor. Oh.. no! what I going to do the next time I see her?" Ron was babbling now.
Harry gave Ron a comforting pat on the shoulder, but he didn't know what to say. Hermione's behavior puzzled him too. Just when he was trying to think about something nice to say, Hermione returned. She stepped into the cabin, and looked like she was about to step out again when she saw Ron still around. Ron immediately jumped up and mumbled about reporting to the prefects cabin. Hermione came over and slumped into Ron's seat, eyeing Harry. Harry, meanwhile, was looking at Hermione thoughtfully.
"So he's told you?" Hermione asked, turning slightly red. "Yeah. What's your side of the story?" Harry asked. "I don't want to talk about it." Hermione said, staring ahead. Suddenly, she turned around and grabbed Harry's hand. "Oh, Harry! I was so worried about you. Where were you the whole summer? I really wanted to talk to you, but Dumbledore said we were not to contact you. I was so frustrated!" Harry couldn't help but grin - that was exactly how he imagined Hermione would react. "I'll tell both you and Ron about the whole story when we get back. But first, you two must stop acting like each other is plague." Harry said. "I know. I'm sorry to get you in the middle of this. But.. URGH.. you'll never understand. I . how do you feel about this? This whole Ron proclaiming his feelings thing?" Hermione was babbling, and suddenly turned the tables on Harry.
Harry shook his head and refused to answer Hermione. He wondered to himself how he felt. On one hand, he was glad that Ron had finally got it out of his system. Harry knew that would be a matter of time. On the other hand, he felt guilty that he was secretly relieved that Hermione did not jump on the opportunity and accept Ron. He wondered why he would feel this way, and thought perhaps he was worried that their relationship will be changed - with the two of them as a couple and him as the odd one out. But.. he should be very happy to see his best friends together. He decided that he would remain neutral, and would not say anything that would jeopardize their chances of getting together.
It was at that point that Ron returned and Hermione filed out of the cabin again, appearing determined to keep Ron out of sight for the time being.
Hermione met Ginny, and Ginny pulled her into an empty apartment, put up sound charms and began to interrogate Hermione about what happened between her and Ron.
"OK, Hermione, you have to tell me!" Ginny began.
"Sigh. ask that brother of yours. He had to tell me at the most inappropriate time that he thinks he likes me, and he would like me to go out with him!" Hermione sighed in exasperation, like Ron had done the worst thing in the world.
"Good for him! He's been on the edge for the whole summer - probably wondering when he should tell you." Ginny grinned. Hermione gave her a look that made her stop grinning, and Ginny asked, "What's wrong with that? I thought it's a good thing for a guy to tell you that he likes you."
Hermione sighed. "I don't know. I've been so confused." She looked at Ginny and hesitated. Ginny said "Is it about Harry? If it is, don't worry - I'm so over him." Hermione continued "Since my third year, I began to have some feelings for Harry, but I didn't know what it was, until the fourth year. Then I began to realize that I might like him. And then Ron too.. he started acting like a prat, and I began to get so confused. I know Harry just treats me as a friend, and I try to get over Harry, and unconsciously, I began to use Ron for that. Then at the end of my fourth year, my heart nearly bled when I saw Harry return from the triwizard tournament. That was when I decided that I should stop having all these funny feelings for Harry and Ron and start being the good friend that I should be. So that was what I was trying to be last year. Ron kept giving me looks last year, and I've been just trying to put off any moment when he does anything stupid. Then he did exactly that over the summer. I didn't know what to say. Do I really like him? I think I do, but if it hurts Harry in any way, I would so totally not even agree to do that. Does that mean that I like Harry then? But that would be so weird, especially now. If Ron like me, and I like Harry, then Ron will be devastated. Harry wouldn't like me, because he only treats me as a friend in the first place, and he will not be willing to "take me away from Ron". But if I say no to Ron, am I doing it because of a fruitless reason - and would that make me afraid that I would end up with no one in the end? So I ran away. I figure that I'd just like things to remain as they are. Until Harry gets a steady girlfriend, maybe I'll consider it."
Ginny was nodding with a knowing smile. "What?" Hermione demanded. Ginny began theorizing about her feelings, "Hermione, its obvious that Harry is the first choice and Ron is the second choice to you. You want Harry, but you're not sure where you stand with him. You are sure where you stand with Ron, but you don't want to accept him in case it jeorpardizes your chances with Harry. Its like a rose in hand is better than a bushel at a distance."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh. just shut up, Ginny. Just keep quiet about this. I don't even know how I can let things go back to normal. Let's go back to the cabin. I'll try to stay put there. I want to find out how Harry is anyway." Ginny's appreciative look returned again and she whispered, " 'Mione, did you check out how Harry has grown!" Hermione couldn't help but giggle, "Yeah. He's got biceps" "and chest!" Ginny added. "I bet he's got the washboard stomach too!" Hermione kicked herself and said, more annoyed at herself than at Ginny, "I can't believe I'm ogling over my best friend like that. That sounded exactly like what Lavender and Parvati will say!"
When Harry arrived at the Burrow, everything appeared to be in chaos as usual, as Ron and Ginny was preparing to go back to School. When Harry arrived out of no where, all the activity suddenly stopped and when everyone realized it was Harry, Harry suddenly found several redheads trying to hug him at the same time. Fred and George was the first to react about Harry's new built. "wow," Said Fred poking Harry in his chest. "Looks like someone was working out." Harry turned red, and glared at Fred, before commenting "I have been forced to join the gym with Dudley because of his diet." George and Ron appeared satisfied with this answer. Ginny had a lop- sided grin, not dissimilar to the look Tonks wore on her face earlier, but she made no comments. Nobody else appeared to notice, and Harry made a mental note to himself to change into a looser set of t-shirt before leaving the burrow. Harry did not have much time to catch up with the Weasleys before they were all ushered out of the house to catch the cab to Kings' Cross Station. Fred and George accompanied them to the train station, and made use of the chance to update Harry about their shop. "You guys should come to Hogsmead and drop by our shop. Afterall, you are a partner" said Fred. Harry was about to protest when George interrupted, "Yeah, your name is already on the documents. But don't worry. Nothing will happen to you if we go bankrupt, but you're definitely into it!"
Harry felt very glad to be with his friends again. The summer had been fulfilling, but not too much fun. He missed having his friends around to talk to and laugh with. After getting on platform 9 ¾, he looked around for Hermione. Suddenly, he heard someone running towards him, and he turned around in time to hug a very brown looking Hermione. Hermione appeared to have grown shorter, or perhaps Harry had grown much taller. Hermione stepped back and surveyed Harry, saying "Hmm. something about you is different. You've. grown!" Harry laughed and said, "you've shrunk!" Hermione gave him an annoyed swat on the hand, then she realized even his arms were different "Oh. so you've been working out," Harry grinned at her and whispered, "I'll tell you and Ron about it later." Just then, Ron came up to them and he looked at Hermione awkwardly, and said, "Hi, Hermione." Hermione turned around and saw Ron, and she, too, became very awkward, "Hi, Ron. Um. how was your summer?" Ron was about to mumble something when Ginny came by and gave Hermione a big hug. " 'Mione! Why did you leave in such a big rush last summer, and you didn't answer my owls!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron and said, "Um. my mum suddenly had plans to go for a holiday, and I didn't want to miss it." Ron appeared to be studying his suitcases very hard, and appeared to be looking anywhere but Hermione.
Harry raised his eyebrows and looked at his two friends. Something appears to have happened over the summer that made the two of them so awkward. Harry wondered for a moment whether Ron had brought up enough courage to tell Hermione that he fancied her, or perhaps Hermione grew tired of Ron's evasive comments and told him to tell her exactly what he wanted. Ginny appeared to be suspecting the same thing. She caught Harry's eye and gave a shrug. Harry decided to break the ice and suggested that they went to look for a cabin. He was dieing for a chance to ask either one of them what happened. His chance came when Hermione promptly dropped her luggage and pulled Ginny off to show her the prefects compartment. Ginny had apparently been made the new Griffindor Prefect.
Harry turned around to Ron immediately and asked, "What's up with you and Hermione?" Ron turned a bright shade of red, and slunk into his chair. "Can I not tell." Ron asked. "No!" said Harry firmly. "Did you tell her you liked her?" Ron turned an even darker shade of red, and nodded. "I feel so stupid! Babbling my big mouth like that." "What did she say?" Harry asked. "Nothing! She just became really awkward. Then the next day, she said her mom wanted to bring her on a holiday and she just left the Burrow. She didn't even say good bye to me and Ginny." Harry frowned. That appeared to be very un-Hermione. With all her advice giving about Cho last year, Harry would have thought that she would be handling her relationships very well. "What do you think, Harry? Why did you think she reacted like that. Do you think I stand a chance? Why can't she just tell me whether she likes me or not. Maybe she's still seeing that Victor. Oh.. no! what I going to do the next time I see her?" Ron was babbling now.
Harry gave Ron a comforting pat on the shoulder, but he didn't know what to say. Hermione's behavior puzzled him too. Just when he was trying to think about something nice to say, Hermione returned. She stepped into the cabin, and looked like she was about to step out again when she saw Ron still around. Ron immediately jumped up and mumbled about reporting to the prefects cabin. Hermione came over and slumped into Ron's seat, eyeing Harry. Harry, meanwhile, was looking at Hermione thoughtfully.
"So he's told you?" Hermione asked, turning slightly red. "Yeah. What's your side of the story?" Harry asked. "I don't want to talk about it." Hermione said, staring ahead. Suddenly, she turned around and grabbed Harry's hand. "Oh, Harry! I was so worried about you. Where were you the whole summer? I really wanted to talk to you, but Dumbledore said we were not to contact you. I was so frustrated!" Harry couldn't help but grin - that was exactly how he imagined Hermione would react. "I'll tell both you and Ron about the whole story when we get back. But first, you two must stop acting like each other is plague." Harry said. "I know. I'm sorry to get you in the middle of this. But.. URGH.. you'll never understand. I . how do you feel about this? This whole Ron proclaiming his feelings thing?" Hermione was babbling, and suddenly turned the tables on Harry.
Harry shook his head and refused to answer Hermione. He wondered to himself how he felt. On one hand, he was glad that Ron had finally got it out of his system. Harry knew that would be a matter of time. On the other hand, he felt guilty that he was secretly relieved that Hermione did not jump on the opportunity and accept Ron. He wondered why he would feel this way, and thought perhaps he was worried that their relationship will be changed - with the two of them as a couple and him as the odd one out. But.. he should be very happy to see his best friends together. He decided that he would remain neutral, and would not say anything that would jeopardize their chances of getting together.
It was at that point that Ron returned and Hermione filed out of the cabin again, appearing determined to keep Ron out of sight for the time being.
Hermione met Ginny, and Ginny pulled her into an empty apartment, put up sound charms and began to interrogate Hermione about what happened between her and Ron.
"OK, Hermione, you have to tell me!" Ginny began.
"Sigh. ask that brother of yours. He had to tell me at the most inappropriate time that he thinks he likes me, and he would like me to go out with him!" Hermione sighed in exasperation, like Ron had done the worst thing in the world.
"Good for him! He's been on the edge for the whole summer - probably wondering when he should tell you." Ginny grinned. Hermione gave her a look that made her stop grinning, and Ginny asked, "What's wrong with that? I thought it's a good thing for a guy to tell you that he likes you."
Hermione sighed. "I don't know. I've been so confused." She looked at Ginny and hesitated. Ginny said "Is it about Harry? If it is, don't worry - I'm so over him." Hermione continued "Since my third year, I began to have some feelings for Harry, but I didn't know what it was, until the fourth year. Then I began to realize that I might like him. And then Ron too.. he started acting like a prat, and I began to get so confused. I know Harry just treats me as a friend, and I try to get over Harry, and unconsciously, I began to use Ron for that. Then at the end of my fourth year, my heart nearly bled when I saw Harry return from the triwizard tournament. That was when I decided that I should stop having all these funny feelings for Harry and Ron and start being the good friend that I should be. So that was what I was trying to be last year. Ron kept giving me looks last year, and I've been just trying to put off any moment when he does anything stupid. Then he did exactly that over the summer. I didn't know what to say. Do I really like him? I think I do, but if it hurts Harry in any way, I would so totally not even agree to do that. Does that mean that I like Harry then? But that would be so weird, especially now. If Ron like me, and I like Harry, then Ron will be devastated. Harry wouldn't like me, because he only treats me as a friend in the first place, and he will not be willing to "take me away from Ron". But if I say no to Ron, am I doing it because of a fruitless reason - and would that make me afraid that I would end up with no one in the end? So I ran away. I figure that I'd just like things to remain as they are. Until Harry gets a steady girlfriend, maybe I'll consider it."
Ginny was nodding with a knowing smile. "What?" Hermione demanded. Ginny began theorizing about her feelings, "Hermione, its obvious that Harry is the first choice and Ron is the second choice to you. You want Harry, but you're not sure where you stand with him. You are sure where you stand with Ron, but you don't want to accept him in case it jeorpardizes your chances with Harry. Its like a rose in hand is better than a bushel at a distance."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh. just shut up, Ginny. Just keep quiet about this. I don't even know how I can let things go back to normal. Let's go back to the cabin. I'll try to stay put there. I want to find out how Harry is anyway." Ginny's appreciative look returned again and she whispered, " 'Mione, did you check out how Harry has grown!" Hermione couldn't help but giggle, "Yeah. He's got biceps" "and chest!" Ginny added. "I bet he's got the washboard stomach too!" Hermione kicked herself and said, more annoyed at herself than at Ginny, "I can't believe I'm ogling over my best friend like that. That sounded exactly like what Lavender and Parvati will say!"
