Sorry for the delay. Lots of stuff happening. And then my computer was screwy. But here's chapter 6: the confrontation chapter!! Dum dum dum!
Disclaimer: uh…I doubt I would be so anticipating the 5th book if I owned them.
Chapter 6- Slytherin Sour
A blur of snowball fights, long walks, laughter and kisses overflowed the last days of vacation. Even as much fun as it was, Hermione was eager for classes to start again. She missed having work to occupy her time, and the satisfaction of completing a well-written essay. K
"I don't see how you *like* doing work," Ron said. Classes would start again the next day, and he was sulking about it.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand," Hermione snapped. She was pacing back and forth in the common room, having just read the same chapter in her Arithmancy book three times without realizing it. She was restless, more so than usual the last day of vacation.
Ron stood and slipped his arms around her waist. She curled hers up around his neck. "Don't worry, I'll learn."
Hermione tried to stifle her laugh, but it turned into a snort unintentionally. Ron pretended to look offended. The resulting expression was so comical, she giggled and poked him in the robs. In response, he tickled her stomach. She emitted a high-pitched laugh and jerked away from him. She ran from the common room with Ron close on her heels. He caught her around the waist. She was lifted into the air when she struggled.
"Ron, put me down!" Her legs dangled a few inches above the floor. He held her there, laughing. "I'm serious, Ron. Put me down right now."
His laughter died at her tone. He set her on the floor. She straightened her uniform before turning to face him. He wore the same sullen look as when thinking about the start of classes. "You're no fun."
Flashing him a grin, she poked his ribs and ran off down the halls again.
At lunch that day, Ron and Hermione sat very close, acting very obviously like a couple. Eventually, they spotted Harry's strange look. Simultaneously, they shrugged at each other.
"Uh, Harry…" Ron said, waving a hand in front of his face. Harry continued to stare across the room. "Harry?"
"Look at Malfoy," he said simply. Hermione and Ron turned. She had not even realized he was back.
Malfoy was shooting absolutely murderous looks in Ron's direction. Not that this was unusual, but he seemed to be concentrating singly on Ron. When he saw them staring, he narrowed his eyes and turned his attention to his plate. It appeared to be already empty, but he jabbed his fork at it anyway. Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged bewildered looks.
"I've never seen him look so hateful," Harry said. That was really saying something, since as far as Hermione was concerned, Malfoy always looked hateful. Harry and Ron, not quite dismissing Malfoy's death glares, were more interested in their food. Hermione looked back toward the Slytherin table, wondering what his problem was this time.
********************************************************************************************
"And I expect your essays on the repercussions of the Vampire Genocide of 218 A.D. on my desk by the end of the week," Professor Binns droned. Though Hermione had taken copious notes, she found it hard to concentrate, and was relieved when the bell rang. She was thinking about Inori again, having passed him a few hours earlier.
*I am a Prefect,* she reminded herself. *I will not go looking for trouble and poking my nose where it doesn't belong.* She knew she would have a job convincing herself.
"Uh, Hermione, where are you going?" Ron asked. He and Harry were headed in the opposite direction.
"Where do you think, Ron?" She said sardonically.
"We just got out of class, Hermione. You don't have to start the essay yet."
"Ron, from my experience, it wouldn't hurt *you* to get an early start. There's an hour before lunch. What else are you going to do?"
"Quidditch." Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry seemed to agree with Ron. It was time for drastic measures.
"She stepped up to Ron and put a hand to the side of his neck. "Please?" She made the most innocent, bright-eyed face she could muster. Ron looked positively terrified at first, but after a moment he sighed in resignation.
"Sorry, Harry. But, you know."
Harry grinned. "Yeah. I'll come with you guys."
Hermione attempted to hide her triumphant smile. She thought she succeeded…
The library was not what could be called full, but it was far from empty. The rest of the sixth year Gryffindors except for Seamus were all there, and a large crowd of fifth years.
Hermione was just noting a large section of 'Dark Creatures' about vampires on a sheet of parchment when Ron nudged her. She looked up and he nodded down the aisle. She snapped the book shut, adding it to her stack.
"Granger, I can't believe you're with Weasley. Even *you* should be able to do better than that." Malfoy leaned up against the bookshelf, his arms crossed.
"Ignore him," Hermione muttered to Ron. The red-haired boy fumed as he scanned the shelves pretending not to hear Malfoy. "I haven't seen you in here, Malfoy. I was beginning to wonder whether you were literate."
Malfoy took no notice of her remark. "I mean, you're not as ugly as you used to be. You could probably get someone better than Weasley. Too bad he can't afford to buy you a clue."
Hermione kept her hand on Ron's arm to keep him from lunging at Malfoy. "Jealous?" she hissed.
"Jealous of who? Weasley? You've got to be kidding. If anything, I envy Potter." Malfoy's face split into a wicked grin. "He got to kill Diggory."
Harry stood quickly, causing her chair to crash to the ground. "Say that again."
Hermione knew she would not be able to restrain Harry and Ron at the same time. Instead, she moved until she was a few inches from Malfoy. "Shove off."
He rose to his full height, which was considerably more than hers. "Make me."
"Is there a problem here?" Professor Nova said, poking his head around the corner.
"No, sir." Malfoy turned as quickly as he could and started away. "We were just discussing our homework. Don't worry about it."
"All right, then. I wanted ask Harry a question." Haryr followed the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher away.
"Ron, you have to stop letting Malfoy get you so angry. You'll get expelled. Malfoy will run straight to Snape, and he'll take any excuse he can get to have you thrown out."
"But Dumbledore is not going to expel me on Snape's word alone."
"True, but he can't excuse you forever. If you punch Malfoy every time he insults your family-- or me, eventually you'll be expelled. Can you picture it? Almost any other student would be on the train home after three fights or so. You fight with Malfoy, or try to, at every opportunity."
Ron peered into her eyes, and she forced her knees not to melt. "Okay," he said. After a moment, he added, "Did you see his face, though? I wonder what he was on about."
"Yes," Hermione said, glancing over her shoulder in the direction Malfoy had gone. "What indeed."
Not wanting to dwell for long on Malfoy, she took her stack of books to Madame Pince's desk to sign them out. "I can't believe these essays this year," Ron commented irritably. "I think Binns is trying to bore us all to death so he can teach ghosts." Hermione laughed quietly, and surprisingly even Madame Pince displayed a small smile.
"Oh yes, Miss Granger. I need you to return that other book you took out. Some requests have been made for it. I suppose some young ladies want to read up for Valentine's Day." She sounded as indifferently disdainful as it was possible to be.
"What book?" Ron wondered.
"Nothing," Hermione said quickly. "I'm finished with it, I'll drop it off before lunch. Just give me half an hour or so." She stuffed the history books into her bag and gave Ron a 'don't even ask' look as she stalked through the door.
"Really, what book?" Ron asked a few minutes later. Hermione glared at him warningly, but her persisted.
"Why are you so interested anyway? Why don't you just assume that it's 'Fill in the Blank, A History' and leave it at that?"
"Because if it was, you wouldn't have to tell me. I would have seen you reading it cover to cover three times over, then quote it incessantly even if no one would listen." Ron grinned at her, waiting for an answer. She sighed. Exaggeration aside, he wasn't far wrong.
Hermione still refused to tell him. This only caused him to grin wider and ask more insistently. By the time she had dumped the books on a table in the common room, he had annoyed her so much that she gave in.
"Fine! If," glancing around to make sure no one was listening, she said, "If you must know, I took out a book of Love spells. I wanted to find out who liked me. It- it was how I found out about you."
She sneaked a glance at Ron, not sure what his reaction would be. He was laughing silently, his shoulders shaking. Hermione could not decide whether or not she was surprised. She felt herself heating slightly either way. "Shut up, Ron! Anyway, you should laugh. I'm not the one who looked ridiculous with a red heart floating above my head for a whole day."
Ron reddened himself, but came up with a quick remark nonetheless. "No you were the one who looked ridiculous staring at the top of my head for the whole day."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. She supposed it must have been rather strange, seeing as the heart had been visible only to her. They both started laughing suddenly, realizing that they were starting an argument over a Love spell. "Really, Hermione- a book of Love spells!" Ron started to laugh all over again.
"It was what brought us together," she said, sobering as suddenly as they had laughed.
Ron moved to embrace her. It felt good to be in his arms again. "Then it is wonderful," he whispered. She pressed her smile into his chest. She had never imagined he could be so tender.
Later on that night, Hermione had a revelation. Ginny and Harry sat sleepily with their arms around each other, staring into the fire. Hermione sat on Ron's lap again, each of her hands in one of his. She realized that when Ginny had joined their group last year, they had sort of split into two pairs. Harry and Ginny, her and Ron. Now she realized why. But she also realized that all of the times the four of them had just sat like this- with her and Ron in separate chairs- this was the first time she did not feel like a third wheel. True, she had had Ron, but Harry and Ginny always sat very close, and Hermione and Ron did not. She had caught Ron's eye that one time, and they had exchanged nervous grins. He had felt the same way.
They had always felt left out, somehow, because they were not on the same level as Ginny and Harry. Like they did not belong. In a sense, they were left behind. But now everything was different.
Now they were the ones leaving everyone behind.
End Chapter 6
The last line, I have gotten feedback that it's depressing. It's not meant to be depressing, it's meant to be mushy and cute. Just thought I'd let you know. Please Review! Review! Review!
Author's note: Important. ---------------------
I realize that I forgot to put a teaser at the end of last chapter. To make up for that (I know you only read for the tantalizing teasers), in addition to a preview of chapter 7, I'll tell you a little secret. Sorry, no spoilers, but after I'm done with this story, I'm going to write certain parts in Ron's point of view. Everything so far has been in Hermione's POV (in case you didn't notice). I'm going to do a few scenes including but not limited to finding Hermione's note, and the part when Hermione doesn't go to dinner in Chapter 7. Oh.
Teaser:
Dumbledore opened the top drawer of his desk. Pulling out a long gold-hilted knife, he laid it on his desk. "Professor McGonagall found this lying under a painting of a Pegasus in a fourth floor hallway. His name is Inori. I believe Hermione knows the picture."
Hermione tried not to blush. So he *had* seen her. "I've passed it a few times," she shrugged.
"Someone was trying to get to what is behind that Pegasus. The picture, of course, was unharmed. Pegasus's virtual invulnerability is the very reason I chose him to protect someone. No one was nearby when the Professor found the knife. First, I must ask you if you have any idea who would attempt such a thing."
Ron and Hermione glanced quickly at each other. He wanted to tell Dumbledore about Professor Nova.
Dot dot dot… the saga continues!!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: uh…I doubt I would be so anticipating the 5th book if I owned them.
Chapter 6- Slytherin Sour
A blur of snowball fights, long walks, laughter and kisses overflowed the last days of vacation. Even as much fun as it was, Hermione was eager for classes to start again. She missed having work to occupy her time, and the satisfaction of completing a well-written essay. K
"I don't see how you *like* doing work," Ron said. Classes would start again the next day, and he was sulking about it.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand," Hermione snapped. She was pacing back and forth in the common room, having just read the same chapter in her Arithmancy book three times without realizing it. She was restless, more so than usual the last day of vacation.
Ron stood and slipped his arms around her waist. She curled hers up around his neck. "Don't worry, I'll learn."
Hermione tried to stifle her laugh, but it turned into a snort unintentionally. Ron pretended to look offended. The resulting expression was so comical, she giggled and poked him in the robs. In response, he tickled her stomach. She emitted a high-pitched laugh and jerked away from him. She ran from the common room with Ron close on her heels. He caught her around the waist. She was lifted into the air when she struggled.
"Ron, put me down!" Her legs dangled a few inches above the floor. He held her there, laughing. "I'm serious, Ron. Put me down right now."
His laughter died at her tone. He set her on the floor. She straightened her uniform before turning to face him. He wore the same sullen look as when thinking about the start of classes. "You're no fun."
Flashing him a grin, she poked his ribs and ran off down the halls again.
At lunch that day, Ron and Hermione sat very close, acting very obviously like a couple. Eventually, they spotted Harry's strange look. Simultaneously, they shrugged at each other.
"Uh, Harry…" Ron said, waving a hand in front of his face. Harry continued to stare across the room. "Harry?"
"Look at Malfoy," he said simply. Hermione and Ron turned. She had not even realized he was back.
Malfoy was shooting absolutely murderous looks in Ron's direction. Not that this was unusual, but he seemed to be concentrating singly on Ron. When he saw them staring, he narrowed his eyes and turned his attention to his plate. It appeared to be already empty, but he jabbed his fork at it anyway. Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged bewildered looks.
"I've never seen him look so hateful," Harry said. That was really saying something, since as far as Hermione was concerned, Malfoy always looked hateful. Harry and Ron, not quite dismissing Malfoy's death glares, were more interested in their food. Hermione looked back toward the Slytherin table, wondering what his problem was this time.
********************************************************************************************
"And I expect your essays on the repercussions of the Vampire Genocide of 218 A.D. on my desk by the end of the week," Professor Binns droned. Though Hermione had taken copious notes, she found it hard to concentrate, and was relieved when the bell rang. She was thinking about Inori again, having passed him a few hours earlier.
*I am a Prefect,* she reminded herself. *I will not go looking for trouble and poking my nose where it doesn't belong.* She knew she would have a job convincing herself.
"Uh, Hermione, where are you going?" Ron asked. He and Harry were headed in the opposite direction.
"Where do you think, Ron?" She said sardonically.
"We just got out of class, Hermione. You don't have to start the essay yet."
"Ron, from my experience, it wouldn't hurt *you* to get an early start. There's an hour before lunch. What else are you going to do?"
"Quidditch." Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry seemed to agree with Ron. It was time for drastic measures.
"She stepped up to Ron and put a hand to the side of his neck. "Please?" She made the most innocent, bright-eyed face she could muster. Ron looked positively terrified at first, but after a moment he sighed in resignation.
"Sorry, Harry. But, you know."
Harry grinned. "Yeah. I'll come with you guys."
Hermione attempted to hide her triumphant smile. She thought she succeeded…
The library was not what could be called full, but it was far from empty. The rest of the sixth year Gryffindors except for Seamus were all there, and a large crowd of fifth years.
Hermione was just noting a large section of 'Dark Creatures' about vampires on a sheet of parchment when Ron nudged her. She looked up and he nodded down the aisle. She snapped the book shut, adding it to her stack.
"Granger, I can't believe you're with Weasley. Even *you* should be able to do better than that." Malfoy leaned up against the bookshelf, his arms crossed.
"Ignore him," Hermione muttered to Ron. The red-haired boy fumed as he scanned the shelves pretending not to hear Malfoy. "I haven't seen you in here, Malfoy. I was beginning to wonder whether you were literate."
Malfoy took no notice of her remark. "I mean, you're not as ugly as you used to be. You could probably get someone better than Weasley. Too bad he can't afford to buy you a clue."
Hermione kept her hand on Ron's arm to keep him from lunging at Malfoy. "Jealous?" she hissed.
"Jealous of who? Weasley? You've got to be kidding. If anything, I envy Potter." Malfoy's face split into a wicked grin. "He got to kill Diggory."
Harry stood quickly, causing her chair to crash to the ground. "Say that again."
Hermione knew she would not be able to restrain Harry and Ron at the same time. Instead, she moved until she was a few inches from Malfoy. "Shove off."
He rose to his full height, which was considerably more than hers. "Make me."
"Is there a problem here?" Professor Nova said, poking his head around the corner.
"No, sir." Malfoy turned as quickly as he could and started away. "We were just discussing our homework. Don't worry about it."
"All right, then. I wanted ask Harry a question." Haryr followed the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher away.
"Ron, you have to stop letting Malfoy get you so angry. You'll get expelled. Malfoy will run straight to Snape, and he'll take any excuse he can get to have you thrown out."
"But Dumbledore is not going to expel me on Snape's word alone."
"True, but he can't excuse you forever. If you punch Malfoy every time he insults your family-- or me, eventually you'll be expelled. Can you picture it? Almost any other student would be on the train home after three fights or so. You fight with Malfoy, or try to, at every opportunity."
Ron peered into her eyes, and she forced her knees not to melt. "Okay," he said. After a moment, he added, "Did you see his face, though? I wonder what he was on about."
"Yes," Hermione said, glancing over her shoulder in the direction Malfoy had gone. "What indeed."
Not wanting to dwell for long on Malfoy, she took her stack of books to Madame Pince's desk to sign them out. "I can't believe these essays this year," Ron commented irritably. "I think Binns is trying to bore us all to death so he can teach ghosts." Hermione laughed quietly, and surprisingly even Madame Pince displayed a small smile.
"Oh yes, Miss Granger. I need you to return that other book you took out. Some requests have been made for it. I suppose some young ladies want to read up for Valentine's Day." She sounded as indifferently disdainful as it was possible to be.
"What book?" Ron wondered.
"Nothing," Hermione said quickly. "I'm finished with it, I'll drop it off before lunch. Just give me half an hour or so." She stuffed the history books into her bag and gave Ron a 'don't even ask' look as she stalked through the door.
"Really, what book?" Ron asked a few minutes later. Hermione glared at him warningly, but her persisted.
"Why are you so interested anyway? Why don't you just assume that it's 'Fill in the Blank, A History' and leave it at that?"
"Because if it was, you wouldn't have to tell me. I would have seen you reading it cover to cover three times over, then quote it incessantly even if no one would listen." Ron grinned at her, waiting for an answer. She sighed. Exaggeration aside, he wasn't far wrong.
Hermione still refused to tell him. This only caused him to grin wider and ask more insistently. By the time she had dumped the books on a table in the common room, he had annoyed her so much that she gave in.
"Fine! If," glancing around to make sure no one was listening, she said, "If you must know, I took out a book of Love spells. I wanted to find out who liked me. It- it was how I found out about you."
She sneaked a glance at Ron, not sure what his reaction would be. He was laughing silently, his shoulders shaking. Hermione could not decide whether or not she was surprised. She felt herself heating slightly either way. "Shut up, Ron! Anyway, you should laugh. I'm not the one who looked ridiculous with a red heart floating above my head for a whole day."
Ron reddened himself, but came up with a quick remark nonetheless. "No you were the one who looked ridiculous staring at the top of my head for the whole day."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. She supposed it must have been rather strange, seeing as the heart had been visible only to her. They both started laughing suddenly, realizing that they were starting an argument over a Love spell. "Really, Hermione- a book of Love spells!" Ron started to laugh all over again.
"It was what brought us together," she said, sobering as suddenly as they had laughed.
Ron moved to embrace her. It felt good to be in his arms again. "Then it is wonderful," he whispered. She pressed her smile into his chest. She had never imagined he could be so tender.
Later on that night, Hermione had a revelation. Ginny and Harry sat sleepily with their arms around each other, staring into the fire. Hermione sat on Ron's lap again, each of her hands in one of his. She realized that when Ginny had joined their group last year, they had sort of split into two pairs. Harry and Ginny, her and Ron. Now she realized why. But she also realized that all of the times the four of them had just sat like this- with her and Ron in separate chairs- this was the first time she did not feel like a third wheel. True, she had had Ron, but Harry and Ginny always sat very close, and Hermione and Ron did not. She had caught Ron's eye that one time, and they had exchanged nervous grins. He had felt the same way.
They had always felt left out, somehow, because they were not on the same level as Ginny and Harry. Like they did not belong. In a sense, they were left behind. But now everything was different.
Now they were the ones leaving everyone behind.
End Chapter 6
The last line, I have gotten feedback that it's depressing. It's not meant to be depressing, it's meant to be mushy and cute. Just thought I'd let you know. Please Review! Review! Review!
Author's note: Important. ---------------------
I realize that I forgot to put a teaser at the end of last chapter. To make up for that (I know you only read for the tantalizing teasers), in addition to a preview of chapter 7, I'll tell you a little secret. Sorry, no spoilers, but after I'm done with this story, I'm going to write certain parts in Ron's point of view. Everything so far has been in Hermione's POV (in case you didn't notice). I'm going to do a few scenes including but not limited to finding Hermione's note, and the part when Hermione doesn't go to dinner in Chapter 7. Oh.
Teaser:
Dumbledore opened the top drawer of his desk. Pulling out a long gold-hilted knife, he laid it on his desk. "Professor McGonagall found this lying under a painting of a Pegasus in a fourth floor hallway. His name is Inori. I believe Hermione knows the picture."
Hermione tried not to blush. So he *had* seen her. "I've passed it a few times," she shrugged.
"Someone was trying to get to what is behind that Pegasus. The picture, of course, was unharmed. Pegasus's virtual invulnerability is the very reason I chose him to protect someone. No one was nearby when the Professor found the knife. First, I must ask you if you have any idea who would attempt such a thing."
Ron and Hermione glanced quickly at each other. He wanted to tell Dumbledore about Professor Nova.
Dot dot dot… the saga continues!!!!!!!!!!!
