Please r/r!
Chapter 3: Hermione's Fear
"What...is he--is he flirting with her?" Hermione said to herself, with a rather disgusted expression on her face. Looking out onto the Weasleys property, she saw Ron and that girl...Leah...trying to play the game that Muggles called golf. He was behind Leah, his arms wrapped around her body as he helped her position her swing,a playful smile gracing his lips. "Ok, really! Golf is not that difficult! It's not contact golf!"
Hermione sat down on her bed in Ginny's cramped room that she was sharing with Ginny and Leah, feeling that sense of...well, she was having trouble placing what is was that she felt. Almost like a sadness or a loss of something. All Hermione knew was that lately, she had been getting sharp pains in her chest that were unexplainable, considering her perfect health.
Not to mention the fact that she'd spent nights wide awake, wondering about Voldemort's return. Hermione, although outwardly calm and structured, was feeling both anxious and worried. Despite five years of near run-ins with Voldemort, she always had faith that the Ministry would overcome the darkness that Voldemort inhabited and spread. But when Harry had spoken Trelawney's words to her and Ron on the last day of school, she felt her confidence in the wizarding world's abilities to prevent Voldemort from causing harm was draining.
Mainly, she worried about her friends. Particularly Harry, she thought. Harry had been through terrible things and had seen people he cared about suffer and perish. As a result, Harry had grown strong, whether or not he desired it. Hermione, on the other hand, had never known the seething pain of watching a loved one die. That's why the prophecy frightened her deep inside her very bones. How could she watch Harry sacrifice himself, if it came to that? How could she give up one of her best friends? It was selfish, yes, she knew that but how could she just let it happen...
Hermione stood up suddenly, realizing that she could not let these depressign thoughts overtake her, or else she would be rendered useless. So, as on days before this, Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and proceeded to read The Daily Prophet. Reading the wizarding newspaper and keeping up-to-date on current events concerning the rebirth of Voldemort's power helped Hermione keep her wits. She felt prepared. And with Hermione, preparation was the key to success.
"Ron, I totally had you there! You can't even cheat your way out of this one, mate!" A high-pitched flirty voice cried excitedly.
Hermione groaned outwardly, sneaking a peek outside the window. "Leah. Big surprise." Gringrott's Downsizing?...Bewitched Lamp Knocks Out Two...Suspicious Figures In Diagon Alley. Her eyes scanned the headlines, searching for something...anything to block out the fragments of Ron and Leah' laughter and flirting from her mind. "Hmmm....there!" Suspicious Figures In Diagon Alley seemed worth a quick read. Hermione's read the first two lines of the article before being interrupted by a bout of giggles and hysterics from outside.
"Fred...seriously, put it...Aaagggghhh!!" A loud bang rickashayed through the thin walls of the house.
More laughter made its way through Hermione's window. "...Can't believe you bewitched a golfclub...gonna hurt--". The voice was cut off by another booming noise and this time Hermione saw smoke streaming out from the window below hers.
Captvated by the chaos on the lawn, Hermione poked her head out of her window, throwing her paper to the floor carelessly. She felt a small smile tug at her lips and she watched avidly as four possessed golfclubs flew this way and that and then back again and then...
Hermione's eyes settled on two bodies, cowering on the grass. Ron had thrown half of his weight over Leah, shielding her from the bewitched and destructive golfclubs. He, as always, was not paying attention but was eagerly watching Fred's sports equipment fly around madly. By now, however, the golfclubs were violently fighting against one another, creating even more havoc and noise. Leah, on the other hand, was looking up at Ron with a content, almost besotted expression on her face, as though she'd never rather be anywhere else. She flashed a grin and blinked, exposing huge, bright eyes and getting Ron's attention.
"Sick! Ugh..." Hermione slammed the window shut with a power that caused the whole room to vibrate in reaction. She stomped around her room, nearly tripped and angrily throwing the thing that made her stumble at the door.
"A book? You threw a book? Are you alright?" an almost apprehensive voice asked, sticking his head in the door.
Hermione spun around, prepared to tell whomever it was to sod off as she was in no mood for any more geriatrics! Her eyes softened slightly when she saw who it was. "Oh, Harry! Sorry if I hit you!"
Harry picked up the thick book, which was now bent and bruised upon impact. "I'm fine...I'd be more concerned about the book if I were you. What's wrong...and don't say nothing because we both know you don't throw books. Ever. If I was on my deathbed and it was between saving me or tossing a book...well, you know..." Harry grinned at her, looking at her teasingly.
Hermione grimaced. "That's not funny, Harry. You of all people should know that that's nothing to joke about." She flopped down on her bed dejectedly, sighing loudly.
Harry sat down next to her, his hands twisting in his lap. "Listen, I'm just as scared as you, especially considering what, you know, the prophecy said and all that. But Hermione, we're on top this time. We're ready for him...for Voldemort. I won't let Sirius's death be in vain...Voldemort will fall!" he said confidently, although his hands were shaking slightly. "But at what price, Harry? How much more does everyone...do you...have to pay?"
Harry reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. "This is weird...usually you're the one telling me what to do. Trust me. Everything--", he paused, causing Hermione to wonder what he was thinking, "--will work out. Besides, we're stronger now...you know all those Defence spells...It's just a matter of when and where," he added quietly and pensively. Hermione stayed silent, nibbling on her lip. Harry continued, "We've done it before; we just have to go farther this time. And if we believe what Snape likes to snicker about the three of us...we're indestructable...much to his chagrin, of course--"
"Harry, do you like Leah?" Hermione bursted out. "Not like like like her but just like her, you know? I just don't know about her. She doesn't seem very knowledgeable...more flaky than anything else!"
Harry laughed, shocked and confused. "Is that what you're so upset about...Leah? You've let me talk this whole time...well, I, er...I like her alright. She's really nice. Likes Quidditch. The Weasleys like her. That about does it for me."
"That doesn't seem to do it for Ron!" Hermione commented bitterly. "Honestly, if he could show off and...bah!...FLIRT anymore with her! I mean, why doesn't he just hand himself over to Leah in a box with a neat little bow on top?"
He stared at her blankly, looking flabbergasted at this uncharacteristic outburst. "Well, that's a bit far, don't you think?" He awkwardly patted his friend on the back. "Give her a chance--"
"What's she got that I don't? Why is so she so fun?" Hermione demanded, pulling a face at the word "fun". She looked at Harry expectantly. "Well?"
"She's sort of athletic and...ugh...nicelooking.." Hermione's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, not nice-looking but ok...ugh...er..maybe you two could talk about...hairsty-ling...or uh, makeup. Girl stuff! You guys can relate to one another...girl to girl!" Harry finished, a proud expression on his face.
Hermione shot daggers at Harry with her eyes. "Oh! Boys! You are all the same! Get out! Get out!" she cried.
Boys never understand, she thought angrily.Then again, you don't understand all this either. Hermione leaned against the door, trying to make sense of all her weird and unusual feelings. She didn't know why Leah bothered her so much. And not knowing, well, that was scary.
Chapter 3: Hermione's Fear
"What...is he--is he flirting with her?" Hermione said to herself, with a rather disgusted expression on her face. Looking out onto the Weasleys property, she saw Ron and that girl...Leah...trying to play the game that Muggles called golf. He was behind Leah, his arms wrapped around her body as he helped her position her swing,a playful smile gracing his lips. "Ok, really! Golf is not that difficult! It's not contact golf!"
Hermione sat down on her bed in Ginny's cramped room that she was sharing with Ginny and Leah, feeling that sense of...well, she was having trouble placing what is was that she felt. Almost like a sadness or a loss of something. All Hermione knew was that lately, she had been getting sharp pains in her chest that were unexplainable, considering her perfect health.
Not to mention the fact that she'd spent nights wide awake, wondering about Voldemort's return. Hermione, although outwardly calm and structured, was feeling both anxious and worried. Despite five years of near run-ins with Voldemort, she always had faith that the Ministry would overcome the darkness that Voldemort inhabited and spread. But when Harry had spoken Trelawney's words to her and Ron on the last day of school, she felt her confidence in the wizarding world's abilities to prevent Voldemort from causing harm was draining.
Mainly, she worried about her friends. Particularly Harry, she thought. Harry had been through terrible things and had seen people he cared about suffer and perish. As a result, Harry had grown strong, whether or not he desired it. Hermione, on the other hand, had never known the seething pain of watching a loved one die. That's why the prophecy frightened her deep inside her very bones. How could she watch Harry sacrifice himself, if it came to that? How could she give up one of her best friends? It was selfish, yes, she knew that but how could she just let it happen...
Hermione stood up suddenly, realizing that she could not let these depressign thoughts overtake her, or else she would be rendered useless. So, as on days before this, Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and proceeded to read The Daily Prophet. Reading the wizarding newspaper and keeping up-to-date on current events concerning the rebirth of Voldemort's power helped Hermione keep her wits. She felt prepared. And with Hermione, preparation was the key to success.
"Ron, I totally had you there! You can't even cheat your way out of this one, mate!" A high-pitched flirty voice cried excitedly.
Hermione groaned outwardly, sneaking a peek outside the window. "Leah. Big surprise." Gringrott's Downsizing?...Bewitched Lamp Knocks Out Two...Suspicious Figures In Diagon Alley. Her eyes scanned the headlines, searching for something...anything to block out the fragments of Ron and Leah' laughter and flirting from her mind. "Hmmm....there!" Suspicious Figures In Diagon Alley seemed worth a quick read. Hermione's read the first two lines of the article before being interrupted by a bout of giggles and hysterics from outside.
"Fred...seriously, put it...Aaagggghhh!!" A loud bang rickashayed through the thin walls of the house.
More laughter made its way through Hermione's window. "...Can't believe you bewitched a golfclub...gonna hurt--". The voice was cut off by another booming noise and this time Hermione saw smoke streaming out from the window below hers.
Captvated by the chaos on the lawn, Hermione poked her head out of her window, throwing her paper to the floor carelessly. She felt a small smile tug at her lips and she watched avidly as four possessed golfclubs flew this way and that and then back again and then...
Hermione's eyes settled on two bodies, cowering on the grass. Ron had thrown half of his weight over Leah, shielding her from the bewitched and destructive golfclubs. He, as always, was not paying attention but was eagerly watching Fred's sports equipment fly around madly. By now, however, the golfclubs were violently fighting against one another, creating even more havoc and noise. Leah, on the other hand, was looking up at Ron with a content, almost besotted expression on her face, as though she'd never rather be anywhere else. She flashed a grin and blinked, exposing huge, bright eyes and getting Ron's attention.
"Sick! Ugh..." Hermione slammed the window shut with a power that caused the whole room to vibrate in reaction. She stomped around her room, nearly tripped and angrily throwing the thing that made her stumble at the door.
"A book? You threw a book? Are you alright?" an almost apprehensive voice asked, sticking his head in the door.
Hermione spun around, prepared to tell whomever it was to sod off as she was in no mood for any more geriatrics! Her eyes softened slightly when she saw who it was. "Oh, Harry! Sorry if I hit you!"
Harry picked up the thick book, which was now bent and bruised upon impact. "I'm fine...I'd be more concerned about the book if I were you. What's wrong...and don't say nothing because we both know you don't throw books. Ever. If I was on my deathbed and it was between saving me or tossing a book...well, you know..." Harry grinned at her, looking at her teasingly.
Hermione grimaced. "That's not funny, Harry. You of all people should know that that's nothing to joke about." She flopped down on her bed dejectedly, sighing loudly.
Harry sat down next to her, his hands twisting in his lap. "Listen, I'm just as scared as you, especially considering what, you know, the prophecy said and all that. But Hermione, we're on top this time. We're ready for him...for Voldemort. I won't let Sirius's death be in vain...Voldemort will fall!" he said confidently, although his hands were shaking slightly. "But at what price, Harry? How much more does everyone...do you...have to pay?"
Harry reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. "This is weird...usually you're the one telling me what to do. Trust me. Everything--", he paused, causing Hermione to wonder what he was thinking, "--will work out. Besides, we're stronger now...you know all those Defence spells...It's just a matter of when and where," he added quietly and pensively. Hermione stayed silent, nibbling on her lip. Harry continued, "We've done it before; we just have to go farther this time. And if we believe what Snape likes to snicker about the three of us...we're indestructable...much to his chagrin, of course--"
"Harry, do you like Leah?" Hermione bursted out. "Not like like like her but just like her, you know? I just don't know about her. She doesn't seem very knowledgeable...more flaky than anything else!"
Harry laughed, shocked and confused. "Is that what you're so upset about...Leah? You've let me talk this whole time...well, I, er...I like her alright. She's really nice. Likes Quidditch. The Weasleys like her. That about does it for me."
"That doesn't seem to do it for Ron!" Hermione commented bitterly. "Honestly, if he could show off and...bah!...FLIRT anymore with her! I mean, why doesn't he just hand himself over to Leah in a box with a neat little bow on top?"
He stared at her blankly, looking flabbergasted at this uncharacteristic outburst. "Well, that's a bit far, don't you think?" He awkwardly patted his friend on the back. "Give her a chance--"
"What's she got that I don't? Why is so she so fun?" Hermione demanded, pulling a face at the word "fun". She looked at Harry expectantly. "Well?"
"She's sort of athletic and...ugh...nicelooking.." Hermione's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, not nice-looking but ok...ugh...er..maybe you two could talk about...hairsty-ling...or uh, makeup. Girl stuff! You guys can relate to one another...girl to girl!" Harry finished, a proud expression on his face.
Hermione shot daggers at Harry with her eyes. "Oh! Boys! You are all the same! Get out! Get out!" she cried.
Boys never understand, she thought angrily.Then again, you don't understand all this either. Hermione leaned against the door, trying to make sense of all her weird and unusual feelings. She didn't know why Leah bothered her so much. And not knowing, well, that was scary.