CHAPTER FOUR- FORGAVE BUT WON'T FORGET
After third period had reached its end, the gossip about Hermione and Neville was old news, and everyone was tired of it. Everyone except for Draco, that is.
He was still trying to make people laugh by tormenting Neville, but even the Slytherins were getting sick of it. Marcus Flint told Malfoy he'd beat him with a Quidditch bat if he brought the subject up again.
At least it was time for lunch, everyone's favorite subject. That day, steak and kidney pie was the main course. Hermione, Harry, and Ron eagerly sat down in their usual spot.
"Well, I can't wait for this day to be over," Hermione declared while buttering her pie.
"I agree," Ron nodded, finally looking normal.
It gave everybody great comfort to then hear him say 'please pass the rolls.'
Harry did so with a big grin upon his face.
"You know what?" Ron inquired, mouth once again full of bread- matter. "I'll bet you twenty Galleons that Malfoy's got a diary devoted to Pansy Parkinson!"
"Yeah," Neville smiled, looking relieved. "I'll bet he does!"
"It would be just like Malfoy to harass a person because he's afraid people will find out that he does the same thing!" Harry added, nodding.
Seamus and Dean, who were sitting close by, joined in the conversation that was becoming a Bash Draco Malfoy Festival.
It was almost as jolly as Christmas.
***
When the day was done and supper was through with, Hermione walked to the Gryffindor common room to study. Harry and Ron stayed in the Great Hall, getting thirds on dessert.
The commons were bright and cheery that night, as there had been a fire lit in the fireplace. Hermione sat down on one of the velvet chairs, sighing in comfort, and opened her copy of 'Plenty of Plants: A Herbology Guide'.
Suddenly, she heard rustling paper. She looked up. There was Neville, sitting on the couch in the far corner.
"Nev," she gasped," I didn't even see you there!"
"Sorry I scared you," he returned seriously. "I just didn't want to- you know, bother you."
"'S all right," she smiled, lifting up her book bag and settling down beside him. "What are you doing up here so early?" she questioned, closing her book for the moment, because his wide- eyed expression was something that could not be ignored.
She then noticed that he was writing in his diary once again. He tossed it down, blushing.
"Haven't you got enough sense to quit carrying that thing around?" Hermione joked.
Neville shrugged. "I guess not."
They had a laugh, Neville rather nervously.
Neville quit giggling and fell solemn. "You hate me now, don't you? You think I'm a dunderhead, like the rest."
"Neville, you're my friend! Why would I hate you?"
He looked away. "Well, I didn't mean for you to hear those things, so now you're probably mad at me but it's okay because I understand because sometimes I'm mad at me too, like now." He paused to draw a breath.
Hermione arched her eyebrows. "Don't be mad at yourself. Everybody feels those.. feelings about somebody, so don't be humiliated any more. Like I said, you're a good mate of mine and I wouldn't get angry at you for something as silly as that. It's all Malfoy's fault though. Snape's as well. So don't blame yourself."
"But they're right!" Neville exclaimed. "I always forget things and mess things up. Gran's right! I am a suffering fool!" He buried his face in his hands, ears a furious crimson.
"Don't say those awful things," commanded Hermione sternly. "You made a mistake and left the journal, that's all."
"I make mistakes three times every ten minutes," he told her. "I counted once," he added, by way of explanation. "I know I'm being a real pathetic duffer, and I hate to complain, but this is just so terrible!" His shoulders shook.
Hermione tsked and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I wish I could do something to make you feel better."
Suddenly, he perked up. "Well, there is one thing.." He trailed off.
Hermione was surprised that his spirits were lifted so quickly. She eyed him suspiciously. "What is it?"
Neville blushed again . "It's stupid. I shouldn't have said anything."
Hermione rolled her dark brown eyes to the ceiling. "Just tell me. I'll tell you if I think it's stupid."
"Ummm.. All right," he began slowly. " Do you think that there's any chance that you could give me a- well, a you know? A snog?" He bit his lip as his own eyes searched the carpet.
"A snog?" Hermione declared, feeling very much like a duffer. She should have known that he would crave something like that, being a teenage boy, but Hermione seldom though that way. That was the one subject she new nothing about: Love.
"Just one," Neville said quickly. "And a fast one. I think about it all of the time." He stopped and looked ashamed once more. "If I- I don't ask, I'll never get one."
"All right, I guess," Hermione hesitated. "I don't know what I'm doing, but, okay.."
She leaned forward and kissed him briskly on the lips. It was friendly, but frankly, Hermione could not see what the fuss was about.
"Crikey, that was great!" Neville exclaimed, looking happier than he ever had before in his entire life. "Do you think-"
"I only agreed to one," Hermione said quickly, chuckling a bit.
"Agreed to one what?" asked a voice.
The two of them looked up. Ron and Harry entered the commons, walking toward the couch in the back.
"What did you agree to?" Ron repeated, staring at them with a smile in response to Hermione's laughter.
Hermione and Neville glanced at each other and tittered.
"Neville was feeling a bit dispirited, so I gave him a kiss to cheer him up," she explained, shaking her head, knowing Ron would make fun of them.
But he didn't.
Instead, he got awfully quiet and frowned. There was complete silence for all of three seconds. Then, Ron began to rant.
"So, first you had to get ALL the attention, eh, Neville? 'You're so sweet! You like Hermione! Blah blah BLAH!' But did you REALLY have to KISS her?" shouted Ron, coming forward, his face ironically calm. "And I'll just sit and watch, and I'll say 'Well done! Good show!' because that's the way that I am. Ron, the one who ends up in the shadows no matter how hard he tries to see the light. Well, I've tried to hide it. I tried acting normal, I tried shutting up, I tried being angry. But it's always the same, isn't? It always ends up the same. Except now I'm FURIOUS!"
"Why?" Harry declared. It was obvious that the other two, with their open- mouthed and dazed expressions, were thinking the same thing. Neville and Hermione stood up, feeling uncomfortable.
"I've had enough! I'm sick and tired of being Ron Weasley!"
Suddenly, Ron charged Neville, flailing his fists about. Neville fell backward , as Harry ran and grabbed Ron round the shoulders, pulling his hands behind his back.
"Lemme go," Ron hollered, as he tried to wrench himself free from Harry's grip.
"CALM DOWN," yelled Harry. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Ron spat, still struggling to free his fists, which were ready to bash someone's face in.
Neville was backed up against the couch, looking terrified.
"He's gone mad," Hermione remarked, gazing at Ron in confusion.
Harry shook his head, having put two and two together. "I know what this is about. You fancy Hermione, Ron."
"I don't fancy any one," Ron shouted. "Get your hands off of me!"
"Fine, fine," Harry sighed. "Now, promise you won't murder Neville?"
Ron spoke angrily," I don't think I can resist that.. Two- timing, traitor!" He began to wrestle Harry again.
Hermione stood in front of Neville's cowering form. "Ron," she declared, " No one's a traitor! He asked for a kiss, and I gave it to him. I suggest you snap out of what ever snit you're in and join our planet, because this is growing very tiring, especially since what happened with the diary isn't even your business."
"NOT MY BUSINESS?" Ron roared. "NOT MY BUSINESS? First of all, let me tell you that unless you've got me all figured out, you cannot tell me that this isn't my business! Second of all, can you blame me for being sulky? The only thing I heard all day was 'Neville loves Hermione'. It was revolting."
"Then speak to Draco Malfoy if you've got a problem," Harry said coolly. "Neville didn't do anything. He wrote down private thoughts, which Draco then told to the entire Great Hall. Neville was devastated. How rude of you to think of yourself."
Ron laughed snidely. "Isn't THAT funny? HARRY POTTER is telling ME not to think of myself!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry growled.
"You know perfectly well what it means," Ron said. "Why even ask."
"Stop it, you jerk!" Hermione shrieked.
At that moment, a group of people trudged in, led by Percy Weasley.
"Are you all right, everybody?" Percy asked, looking concerned. "We heard quite a bit of shouting."
The twins nodded.
Fred shook his head. "Leave them alone, and they revolt."
"And throw spell books out of windows," George added.
"Frisk each other madly on broomsticks and cause trouble," Fred put in. "Total anarchy."
"Nasty buggers," George sighed.
Percy glowered at them, and then turned back to the four.
"Oh, look," squealed Pavarti all of a sudden. "It's Hermione and Neville! How lovely!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHH," screamed Ron furiously as he ran away and pounded up the steps to his dorm room.
"What's wrong with HIM?" asked Percy, now looking very worried. "Ron isn't in one of his little moods, now, is he?"
"He's just got a stomach ache," Harry fibbed, shrugging.
Percy nodded, as the other Gryffindors was around him to get to their dorms. "I can understand that if he ate too much of the Key Lime pie. It tasted a bit off tonight." Percy paused, and then asked," Are you sure you don't some help?"
They nodded, giving him confused expressions.
Then, he looked around, and leaned forward. "As a Prefect, I am supposed to resolve conflict," he explained in a whisper. "I want to do an exceptional job."
"Oh," said Neville, Harry, and Hermione in a chorus.
"Well, then. Off to bed with you. It's nearly time for lights out."
"Thanks, Percy," Hermione said, as they headed up the stairs. Percy nodded seriously, and left the dorm to make his rounds.
Hermione gestured to the right. "I've got to go. Now, if Ron continues to act like a lunatic, you can all come and sleep on the floor of our room so you won't be killed. I hope he's normal in the morning."
"What was wrong with him?" whispered Neville, still shaking.
Hermione looked irritated as she swatted a strand of hair off her face. " You know he gets," she voiced quietly. "He wanted the attention."
"You think so?" Harry questioned. "I'm not sure about that. Perhaps tomorrow, we can crack the mystery of Ron!"
"Don't waste your time," said Hermione. "Good night."
"G'night," Neville murmured, looking at her disappearing form wistfully.
She walked down the hall and out of sight.
"So, Neville! You got kissed by Hermione!" Harry cheered, clapping.
Neville became scarlet. "Uh huh."
"How was it?"
A little smile crossed Neville's lips. "Really, really wicked."
They walked into their dorm room laughing. Dean and Seamus practically pounced upon them.
After third period had reached its end, the gossip about Hermione and Neville was old news, and everyone was tired of it. Everyone except for Draco, that is.
He was still trying to make people laugh by tormenting Neville, but even the Slytherins were getting sick of it. Marcus Flint told Malfoy he'd beat him with a Quidditch bat if he brought the subject up again.
At least it was time for lunch, everyone's favorite subject. That day, steak and kidney pie was the main course. Hermione, Harry, and Ron eagerly sat down in their usual spot.
"Well, I can't wait for this day to be over," Hermione declared while buttering her pie.
"I agree," Ron nodded, finally looking normal.
It gave everybody great comfort to then hear him say 'please pass the rolls.'
Harry did so with a big grin upon his face.
"You know what?" Ron inquired, mouth once again full of bread- matter. "I'll bet you twenty Galleons that Malfoy's got a diary devoted to Pansy Parkinson!"
"Yeah," Neville smiled, looking relieved. "I'll bet he does!"
"It would be just like Malfoy to harass a person because he's afraid people will find out that he does the same thing!" Harry added, nodding.
Seamus and Dean, who were sitting close by, joined in the conversation that was becoming a Bash Draco Malfoy Festival.
It was almost as jolly as Christmas.
***
When the day was done and supper was through with, Hermione walked to the Gryffindor common room to study. Harry and Ron stayed in the Great Hall, getting thirds on dessert.
The commons were bright and cheery that night, as there had been a fire lit in the fireplace. Hermione sat down on one of the velvet chairs, sighing in comfort, and opened her copy of 'Plenty of Plants: A Herbology Guide'.
Suddenly, she heard rustling paper. She looked up. There was Neville, sitting on the couch in the far corner.
"Nev," she gasped," I didn't even see you there!"
"Sorry I scared you," he returned seriously. "I just didn't want to- you know, bother you."
"'S all right," she smiled, lifting up her book bag and settling down beside him. "What are you doing up here so early?" she questioned, closing her book for the moment, because his wide- eyed expression was something that could not be ignored.
She then noticed that he was writing in his diary once again. He tossed it down, blushing.
"Haven't you got enough sense to quit carrying that thing around?" Hermione joked.
Neville shrugged. "I guess not."
They had a laugh, Neville rather nervously.
Neville quit giggling and fell solemn. "You hate me now, don't you? You think I'm a dunderhead, like the rest."
"Neville, you're my friend! Why would I hate you?"
He looked away. "Well, I didn't mean for you to hear those things, so now you're probably mad at me but it's okay because I understand because sometimes I'm mad at me too, like now." He paused to draw a breath.
Hermione arched her eyebrows. "Don't be mad at yourself. Everybody feels those.. feelings about somebody, so don't be humiliated any more. Like I said, you're a good mate of mine and I wouldn't get angry at you for something as silly as that. It's all Malfoy's fault though. Snape's as well. So don't blame yourself."
"But they're right!" Neville exclaimed. "I always forget things and mess things up. Gran's right! I am a suffering fool!" He buried his face in his hands, ears a furious crimson.
"Don't say those awful things," commanded Hermione sternly. "You made a mistake and left the journal, that's all."
"I make mistakes three times every ten minutes," he told her. "I counted once," he added, by way of explanation. "I know I'm being a real pathetic duffer, and I hate to complain, but this is just so terrible!" His shoulders shook.
Hermione tsked and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I wish I could do something to make you feel better."
Suddenly, he perked up. "Well, there is one thing.." He trailed off.
Hermione was surprised that his spirits were lifted so quickly. She eyed him suspiciously. "What is it?"
Neville blushed again . "It's stupid. I shouldn't have said anything."
Hermione rolled her dark brown eyes to the ceiling. "Just tell me. I'll tell you if I think it's stupid."
"Ummm.. All right," he began slowly. " Do you think that there's any chance that you could give me a- well, a you know? A snog?" He bit his lip as his own eyes searched the carpet.
"A snog?" Hermione declared, feeling very much like a duffer. She should have known that he would crave something like that, being a teenage boy, but Hermione seldom though that way. That was the one subject she new nothing about: Love.
"Just one," Neville said quickly. "And a fast one. I think about it all of the time." He stopped and looked ashamed once more. "If I- I don't ask, I'll never get one."
"All right, I guess," Hermione hesitated. "I don't know what I'm doing, but, okay.."
She leaned forward and kissed him briskly on the lips. It was friendly, but frankly, Hermione could not see what the fuss was about.
"Crikey, that was great!" Neville exclaimed, looking happier than he ever had before in his entire life. "Do you think-"
"I only agreed to one," Hermione said quickly, chuckling a bit.
"Agreed to one what?" asked a voice.
The two of them looked up. Ron and Harry entered the commons, walking toward the couch in the back.
"What did you agree to?" Ron repeated, staring at them with a smile in response to Hermione's laughter.
Hermione and Neville glanced at each other and tittered.
"Neville was feeling a bit dispirited, so I gave him a kiss to cheer him up," she explained, shaking her head, knowing Ron would make fun of them.
But he didn't.
Instead, he got awfully quiet and frowned. There was complete silence for all of three seconds. Then, Ron began to rant.
"So, first you had to get ALL the attention, eh, Neville? 'You're so sweet! You like Hermione! Blah blah BLAH!' But did you REALLY have to KISS her?" shouted Ron, coming forward, his face ironically calm. "And I'll just sit and watch, and I'll say 'Well done! Good show!' because that's the way that I am. Ron, the one who ends up in the shadows no matter how hard he tries to see the light. Well, I've tried to hide it. I tried acting normal, I tried shutting up, I tried being angry. But it's always the same, isn't? It always ends up the same. Except now I'm FURIOUS!"
"Why?" Harry declared. It was obvious that the other two, with their open- mouthed and dazed expressions, were thinking the same thing. Neville and Hermione stood up, feeling uncomfortable.
"I've had enough! I'm sick and tired of being Ron Weasley!"
Suddenly, Ron charged Neville, flailing his fists about. Neville fell backward , as Harry ran and grabbed Ron round the shoulders, pulling his hands behind his back.
"Lemme go," Ron hollered, as he tried to wrench himself free from Harry's grip.
"CALM DOWN," yelled Harry. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Ron spat, still struggling to free his fists, which were ready to bash someone's face in.
Neville was backed up against the couch, looking terrified.
"He's gone mad," Hermione remarked, gazing at Ron in confusion.
Harry shook his head, having put two and two together. "I know what this is about. You fancy Hermione, Ron."
"I don't fancy any one," Ron shouted. "Get your hands off of me!"
"Fine, fine," Harry sighed. "Now, promise you won't murder Neville?"
Ron spoke angrily," I don't think I can resist that.. Two- timing, traitor!" He began to wrestle Harry again.
Hermione stood in front of Neville's cowering form. "Ron," she declared, " No one's a traitor! He asked for a kiss, and I gave it to him. I suggest you snap out of what ever snit you're in and join our planet, because this is growing very tiring, especially since what happened with the diary isn't even your business."
"NOT MY BUSINESS?" Ron roared. "NOT MY BUSINESS? First of all, let me tell you that unless you've got me all figured out, you cannot tell me that this isn't my business! Second of all, can you blame me for being sulky? The only thing I heard all day was 'Neville loves Hermione'. It was revolting."
"Then speak to Draco Malfoy if you've got a problem," Harry said coolly. "Neville didn't do anything. He wrote down private thoughts, which Draco then told to the entire Great Hall. Neville was devastated. How rude of you to think of yourself."
Ron laughed snidely. "Isn't THAT funny? HARRY POTTER is telling ME not to think of myself!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry growled.
"You know perfectly well what it means," Ron said. "Why even ask."
"Stop it, you jerk!" Hermione shrieked.
At that moment, a group of people trudged in, led by Percy Weasley.
"Are you all right, everybody?" Percy asked, looking concerned. "We heard quite a bit of shouting."
The twins nodded.
Fred shook his head. "Leave them alone, and they revolt."
"And throw spell books out of windows," George added.
"Frisk each other madly on broomsticks and cause trouble," Fred put in. "Total anarchy."
"Nasty buggers," George sighed.
Percy glowered at them, and then turned back to the four.
"Oh, look," squealed Pavarti all of a sudden. "It's Hermione and Neville! How lovely!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHH," screamed Ron furiously as he ran away and pounded up the steps to his dorm room.
"What's wrong with HIM?" asked Percy, now looking very worried. "Ron isn't in one of his little moods, now, is he?"
"He's just got a stomach ache," Harry fibbed, shrugging.
Percy nodded, as the other Gryffindors was around him to get to their dorms. "I can understand that if he ate too much of the Key Lime pie. It tasted a bit off tonight." Percy paused, and then asked," Are you sure you don't some help?"
They nodded, giving him confused expressions.
Then, he looked around, and leaned forward. "As a Prefect, I am supposed to resolve conflict," he explained in a whisper. "I want to do an exceptional job."
"Oh," said Neville, Harry, and Hermione in a chorus.
"Well, then. Off to bed with you. It's nearly time for lights out."
"Thanks, Percy," Hermione said, as they headed up the stairs. Percy nodded seriously, and left the dorm to make his rounds.
Hermione gestured to the right. "I've got to go. Now, if Ron continues to act like a lunatic, you can all come and sleep on the floor of our room so you won't be killed. I hope he's normal in the morning."
"What was wrong with him?" whispered Neville, still shaking.
Hermione looked irritated as she swatted a strand of hair off her face. " You know he gets," she voiced quietly. "He wanted the attention."
"You think so?" Harry questioned. "I'm not sure about that. Perhaps tomorrow, we can crack the mystery of Ron!"
"Don't waste your time," said Hermione. "Good night."
"G'night," Neville murmured, looking at her disappearing form wistfully.
She walked down the hall and out of sight.
"So, Neville! You got kissed by Hermione!" Harry cheered, clapping.
Neville became scarlet. "Uh huh."
"How was it?"
A little smile crossed Neville's lips. "Really, really wicked."
They walked into their dorm room laughing. Dean and Seamus practically pounced upon them.
