AN: This chapter is dedicated to the reviewer, britt-the-ppg, who requested friendship trio moments, and I'm a sucker for trio friendshippy stuff so here it is. Thanks to those who reviewed, especially those who reviewed every chapter. You guys are awesome!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
Chapter 12: Friendship and Fake Legs
Ron moved his bishop and took Hermione's castle. She sighed in a defeated tone. It was a quiet night in the common room. Hermione had challenged him to a game of chess and who was he to refuse?
At that moment, Harry came bursting through the Portrait hole. He looked angry and frustrated and Ron had no intention of asking what his problem was. It seemed Hermione had different ideas. "Harry, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said through gritted teeth. He plopped down in a chair beside her, looking down at the chess board and watched as Hermione made a random move with a pawn.
"Obviously something's bothering you," she said. "Just tell us," she urged. Ron had just remembered that Harry had gone off to study with Ginny a few hours ago and was now certain that she was part of the problem.
Thinking that Harry might not want to discuss his love life with them, Ron said, "Hermione, would you just let it go? If he doesn't want to talk about it, he doesn't want to talk about it." She seemed about to give a scathing reply when Ron gave her a look and she fell silent. They finished out the game within the next five minutes, and Ron and Harry trudged up to their dorm.
"So mate," Ron said when they had begun to change into their pajamas. "You can tell me…what's up…if you want." Ron was trying to let Harry know he could talk without pushing him.
Harry sighed and seemed ready to speak. "Ginny and I had a fight," he said so quietly that Ron almost didn't hear him. "It was pretty stupid too…but she made me so mad."
Ron nodded. "What else?" he asked, sensing there was more to tell.
"She wants me to tell her stuff and open up to her," he muttered. "I'm just not ready to spill my guts to her."
Ron thought that he understood both sides of the story. Ginny wanted him to share with her, to talk to her, but Harry just couldn't do that stuff easily. It must be hard, dealing with someone like Harry, trying to guess what he was feeling. Even Ron sometimes got exasperated with his friend's silence on his emotions. Imagine what Ginny must feel, trying to have a relationship with the bloke. Ron said a silent thank-you for people like Hermione who wore their emotions on their sleeves. He didn't think he could deal with an emotional guessing game.
Harry and Ron climbed into their respective beds without another word, both lost in thought.
~*~*~
Ron woke up late on Saturday morning. He dressed quickly and went downstairs. Harry and Hermione were waiting for him to get up so they could go to breakfast together. When they arrived in the Great Hall, Dumbledore had just stood up to make an announcement. They sat down quickly and watched as whispers filled the Great Hall, everyone wondering what he was going to say.
"Good morning students," he said slowly. "It is my duty to inform you that due to the success and popularity of last years Yule Ball, a similar activity has been set up for your pleasure. On Valentine's Day, February 14th, there will another event similar to the Yule Ball. Dinner will be served, and then music provided for dancing. I hope that you all enjoy this immensely." He sat back down looking pleased with the reaction as a murmur filled the Great Hall, everyone excited about the event already. Ron went completely red at the thought of another ball like last year. He avoided Hermione's eyes as he began to shovel toast down his throat.
A loud squeal sounded from the end of the table. Ron looked at Lavender and Parvati in disgust as they talked quickly…about the ball, no doubt. He chanced a glance at Hermione. Her cheeks looked rather pink and she wasn't talking for once.
Suddenly Ron was struck with a thought, and a grin took over his face. There was no Vicky this time. It was only him and Hermione. They were already going out…of course she would want to go with him. This would be a lot easier than last year. But still…to say those words…he would have to summon his Gryffindor courage for this one. But now was not the time anyway. No…he wasn't Fred or George…he wouldn't ask her with a room full of people watching. He would wait until they were alone and then invite her.
Feeling much more confident then he had ten minutes ago, Ron looked at Hermione and smiled. She seemed surprised, but grinned as well. "Hogsmeade, today," she said. "Still up for it after that startling news?" She asked with mock enthusiasm.
Ron had momentarily forgot about Hogsmeade, but nodded. "Of course. You think a silly little thing like a ball could keep me away from Chocolate Frogs and Sugar Quills?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to her porridge. On the other side of him, Harry had gone oddly quiet. And then Ron remembered the fight with Ginny…and then the ball….oh. "You okay, mate?" Ron asked quietly.
Harry nodded. Ron grinned. "Good, because I'm not going through Hogsmeade trying to cheer your brooding arse up."
Harry looked up, smiling and punched Ron in the shoulder playfully. Ron hit him back and soon the boys were wrestling good-naturedly until Hermione had gotten them to settle down.
"Ah, you always ruin all of our fun," Ron said. "Doesn't she Harry?" Harry nodded with a grin.
Hermione folded her arms, and rolled her eyes, looking as haughty as ever. "You know very well Ron Weasley, that if I hadn't stopped you two, the teachers would have-"
"And we don't want to go losing ten points for Gryffindor, do we Harry!" Ron shouted in a high voice.
"Certainly not!" Harry said. "It may cost us the Housecup, despite the fact that we win every Quidditch match-"
"And have the smartest witch in this school in our house-" Ron added.
"And generally do something heroic that gets us points at the end of the year!" Harry said. Ron and Harry could no longer keep up the charade and burst out laughing, Harry showing signs of happiness for the first time since he had stomped in the common room yesterday.
Hermione looked torn between exasperation and amusement. "Well if you two are done being arrogant, it's time to go to Hogsm-"
"Arrogant? Arrogant?" Ron said with fake indignation. "Do you think we've been acting arrogant Harry?"
Harry seemed to consider it for a moment. "Yes, I think we have."
Ron regarded him for a minute and then nodded astutely. "Well who can blame us? The great Harry Potter and the brave sidekick, Ron Weasley!"
Hermione stood up, and Harry and Ron followed suit. They caught the carriages outside the school that would take them to Hogsmeade and decided to go for a Butterbeer in The Three Broomsticks. Ron went up to order the drinks and watched Harry and Hermione talking with interest. Hermione seemed to be doing most of the talking, but Harry threw in a couple words here and there. Ron hoped Hermione had enough sense to not ask Harry about what was bothering him yesterday…it would only lead to an argument.
But as Ron brought the Butterbeer back to the table, he found Harry and Hermione deep in a discussion, not about Ginny, but about Divination.
"Fine! I admit it. I wasn't any good at it!" she said with mock indignation.
Harry smiled and raised his Butterbeer in triumph. "To Divination, the only thing Hermione is not good at!" They all took sips, Hermione with some trepidation.
"Wait, that's not right," Ron said after a minute. "She's not any good at chess either."
"Well, we already made a toast," said Harry looking at his half-empty tankard.
"I'm not that bad at chess," said Hermione. Ron and Harry looked at her. "Well, I'm not as bad as Harry!"
"Oh that's nice," Harry said. "When all else fails you can always pick on the chess-handicapped!"
"The chess-handicapped? What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione said.
"Well you know…" Harry muttered, searching for an explanation, "It would be like trying to play Quidditch with only one leg…handicapped…and all that."
Hermione laughed. "How is playing Quidditch with one leg a handicap? You don't even use your legs."
"Well it's hard to fly if you're not balanced," Harry said quickly.
"You could get a fake leg like Moody's!" Ron interjected. 'Then you'd be fine."
"How did we get started talking about this anyways?" Harry asked.
"You started it Mr. I'm-the-chess-handicapped-because-I-only-have-one-leg," Hermione said.
"You got it all wrong," Harry said, gearing up for another explanation about his handicap. "I'm bad at chess, but then I tried to use an analogy to explain my handicap at chess and-"
"Oh enough already!" Ron said. "We still have to go to Honeydukes and Zonko's."
The three spent the rest of the day at Hogsmeade and went to bed early, tired from the day's events. It was only then that Harry began to think about Ginny and only then that Ron realized he hadn't asked Hermione to the ball yet.
AN: Please review!