"Maybe I should go after her," Hermione said nervously, eyes once again turning to the doors of the Great Hall where Ginny had fled just minutes ago. The Hall was still afire with laughter and talking, as usual, but Hermione was paranoid that it was all centered on Ginny.
"Mione," Ron groaned. He leaned over and kissed her, trying to tell her to stay quiet. Normally she would push him away and glare, but she rather liked his new method of keeping her quiet.
Hermione only broke away from Ron when she sensed Harry plopping down across from them. She put a hand on Ron's thigh -- very high up on his thigh, making him inhale sharply. Then she grinned across at Harry. She was about to ask him what took him so long to get down there
when--
"Owl post," Ron rang out cheerfully, looking up to see the masses of flying birds that swept over Breakfast. His face paled slightly. "Uh-oh."
"What?"
"It's Errol."
"Cheer up, mate, the envelope isn't red and steaming," Harry said encouragingly as Ron slipped the letter off of Errol's leg and let him rest in the porridge.
Ron slid open the parchment and gulped slightly before saying: "Mum wants us to go home for Christmas." He glanced meaningfully at Hermione. "She specifically requested your presence."
Hermione smiled nervously. "Well, I don't think it will be that bad," she said quickly. "After all, I'm fine, and it hasn't even begun to show yet. Besides, she didn't get *too* mad when she found out, did she, Ron?"
"Not terribly," Ron said uncomfortably. " 'Course, she wouldn't talk to me. Kept mailing Ginny with things such as 'tell your older brother and Hermione that I send my regards'."
"Well, it's an improvement!" Harry said, trying once again to cheer Ron up. "She actually wants to see you. Maybe it's a peach offering?"
"I guess so," Ron said doubtfully, folding the parchment and stuffing it into his robes. "She wants you to come too, of course, Harry."
"Me?" Harry repeated. "That sounds all right. Did she check with Dumbledore?"
"I think Dumbledore will be fine with it," Hermione chimed in. "He's been much more leniant lately, haven't you noticed?"
Harry shrugged, then smirked at her. "Well, I imagine he's distracted over you two now. How far along are you, by the way?"
"Nearly four months," Hermione said, her voice low as color rose to her cheeks.
"Well, certainly you'll be showing soon. How are you two going to cover it, anyways?" Harry asked.
"Her stomach's already hard. It's really cool," Ron put in. Harry raised his eyes suggestively at Ron and he blushed just as ferociously as Hermione was.
"You think she'll be terribly disappointed in me?" Hermione asked anxiously. "I do love your mother so, Ron. She's become like a second mother to me in all of the time I've known her. She won't be mad?"
"I imagine so, but she won't blame you," Ron said. "She'll figure it's my fault. Honestly, does the whole world think you only do good, Hermione? I mean, *I* know you and your . . . er . . . bad side. I'm actually quite fond--"
"Okay, Ron, there is such a thing as too much information," Harry interrupted, feeling sick as a disturbing image of his two best friends together popped into his mind. "Go ahead and owl your Mum back. Tell her I'll come as long as Professor Dumbledore approves."
Ron sighed deeply, as if in pain, then scribbled something on the back of the parchment Errol had brought him, then sent the old owl off with a 'shoo' motion.
"I'm going to go back to Gryffindor," Hermione said suddenly, standing up and brushing a few stray crumbs off herself.
"Yeah, me too," Ron said quickly, standing as well.
Hermione shot him a look. "Ron, I'm not leaving for *that*. I'm going to go see if Ginny's all right before our first class."
Ron grumbled slightly, plopping down back in his chair looking extremely disappointed as Hermione walked out of the hall.
Harry cleared his throat slightly. "Ron . . ."
"Yeah?" Ron looked up, forgetting that he was mad at once.
"If . . . say . . . there was . . . if Colin Creevey had a thing for your sister, what would you do?" Harry asked after a second.
Ron considered, then shrugged. "She's sixteen, nearly seventeen. And Colin's nice enough as it is. Though he can get a bit annoying as you well know."
Harry seemed to look a bit relieved at this. "Good. And your other brothers?"
"I don't know. We're all protective of her since she's the only girl."
Harry nodded, looking a little deep in thought. "And if Colin happened to . . . er . . . kiss your sister?"
"Colin layed his filthy hands--" Ron stood in anger, turning his fierce gaze to the innocent Colin Creevey sitting a little ways away.
Harry grabbed at Ron's arm, pulling him back down. "Relax, Ron. I was simply using that as a situation. Colin hasn't 'layed his filthy hands' on any part of Ginny."
Ron seemed to calm down a little, though he still was shooting suspicious looks Colin's way.
"We have Divination first, don't we?" Harry asked with a groan.
"My only class without Hermione," Ron said miserably.
Harry laughed at this.
"What?" Ron asked haughtily.
"You! You're so . . ." Harry laughed again. "You're so soft and whipped."
"Whipped?" Ron asked, anger rising.
"Yes, whipped. If Hermione asked you to jump off a bridge you'd do it just so long as she kissed you." Harry grinned. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"I am *not* whipped. As it just so happens *I* was the one who made the first move. *I* was the one who dragged her into skipping class. *I* was the one who told her I loved her. *I* am *not* whipped."
Harry cocked an eyebrow at Ron, enjoying his friend's discomfort as Ron tried to explain himself.
"You bloody well are," Harry insisted.
"It's not *whipped* it's called love," Ron said.
Harry started laughing harder than before. "You're so corny! You *whipped*. The Ron I know would never have said something like that."
Ron growled menacing at Harry, who simply laughed harder.
Ron stood angrily and pushed past Harry. "I'm going to go get my books. And I'm not whipped."
Harry made the classic 'whip' sound.
* * * * *
Later that evening, Ron was in the common room sitting in the usual circle with Harry, Ginny, and Hermione, contemplating Harry's accusations from earlier. Obviously the red head didn't realize that Harry was kidding, just liking the rise he got out of Ron.
Ginny and Harry were, of course, happy for his distraction so he didn't realize the awkward tension floating between them. Neither had said anything all day about what Harry had done and neither had any plans of mentioning it anytime soon.
"Ron?" Hermione asked, looking up at her boyfriend with a pleading look. "Could you possibly go to the kitchens and get me an eggroll? I've had such a craving."
"I guess," Ron said, ignoring the pointed look from Harry and putting his books aside to stand up.
Hermione stopped him for a second. "Better make that three." He gave her a look and she replied defiantly: "I'm hungry!"
As Ron left he heard the unmistakable 'whip' sound coming from Harry's lips.
Hermione gave Harry a look, then turned to gaze between Harry and Ginny, raising her eyebrows at him. Harry shrugged and tried to hide his blush. Hermione's eyebrows went up higher and her lips set in a doubtful frown. She rolled her eyes and returned to her homework.
The three sat in silence for a few moments before Harry finally broke the quiet silence. "Why does a British red head baby crave Chinese food?" he asked Hermione.
Hermione shrugged, giving him a look. " *I* don't know. I just know that I want an eggroll." Her face took on a concerned look. "You do think they have them right? Maybe I should have told him to get me a milk shake too. Doesn't a strawberry milk shake sound yummy right now?"
"No," Ginny and Harry said in unison.
Hermione sniffed at then. "Fine, make fun of the pregnant woman. I would advise you otherwise, though, because hormose are supposed to be horrid."
"If it's any worse than the normal girl hormones we're in for a ride," Harry commented. Ginny threw a paper wad at him in response. "What? It's true. You're all a lot of clowns. And you look it too with all that make out."
Ginny and Hermione exhanged a look.
"What?" Harry asked, looking nervously between the two.
"You just said 'make out'," Hermione pointed out.
"I said makeup," Harry replied, but a blush was creeping up his neck.
"Just what *are* you thinking about, Harry, that you would make such a slip as that?" Hermione asked, her voice amused. "They say men think about women every 3.5 seconds or something like that, but I didn't know you'd matured yet."
Harry picked up the paper wad Ginny had thrown at him and threw it back at Hermione. "I wasn't thinking about girls," he said indignantly.
Ginny and Hermione simply gave him a knowing glance and returned to their homework. Harry felt like throwing *Hogwarts, A History*, which was sitting right next to him, at Hermione. It would serve her write. But as he contemplated whether to piss a pregnant woman off, Ron came back into the common room with a greasy bag in his hand, which he handed to an eager Hermione.
"Ron?" Harry asked.
"I am *not* whipped," Ron replied.
"No. I was wondering . . . do you think about women every 3.5 seconds?" Harry ignored the muffled laughs coming from Hermione and Ginny.
"Nope. I think about Mione."
Hermione's jaw dropped and she glared at Ron.
"Oh, no," Ron said, shrinking his chair.
"What, Ronald? So do I not count as a woman?"
"You-you defy being a woman, you're so beautiful . . ." Ron tried to cover up. "Really it's a good thing. It means I don't think of *other* women besides you."
Hermione continued her icy gaze.
"Sorry?" Ron offered meekly.
Hermione's gaze softened. "I'm sorry, Ron. I'm just so cranky. Maybe after I eat I'll feel better."
"I sure hope so," Ron said. He snapped his head up as he realized what he'd said, that he'd said it loud, and that Hermione had heard.
"Sorry!" Ron said quickly.
Hermione hit him with *Hogwarts, A History* and then stomped up to her room to eat her food in peace while Harry and Ginny laughed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Notes: Hmm . . . I don't know, this chapter seemed a bit weird to me. *Shrugs* Well, I realized that I forgot to ask for reviews last time! Silly lil me. And I keep forgetting to thank you guys for reviews. I really am amazed at all the reviews I have because my last fic in the Friends section, Months After London, was extremely popular but only recieved 79 reviews for 11 chapters over several months. I must say I do like this section much better.;)
Okay, now my favorite part: me. There's this really cool contest at school -- a writing one, so I'm sure to win but I don't want to sound big headed; I just happen to know that though I'm not the best at writing, I do have talent and I am much better at writing than the average 13 year old. Besides, I read several other essays people wrote and they sound so stiff and formal. Mine flows so freely and captures the soul. Yeah, I know, I'm weird. But the prize is $200, $100, or $50. I tried my hardest because I really want a color printer and $200 should do it. As well as a few CDs and maybe a treat dinner to a really expensive place with all my friends.
Also, I just wanted to know if anyone knew that flowers make good fake microphones? I got a new CD and this morning when nobody was home I started dancing all crazy like and lip singing, when I discovered that the long stemmed flowers I'd received for Valentine's Day were really cool for fake microphones.
And, I must say that at the moment I am trying to find out if men are all sex crazed or just a few. Today in Health we were in the hallway looking at other projects or something hanging on the wall. Well, this guy was staring at me. And first, I must say that he *is* a womanizer. Well, I was all "What" and then he actually snapped his head and looked up at me, acting as if he'd come out of a trance. I then realized that he had not been staring at me. But rather a particular part of me: my breasts. I then and there decided never to wear a cleavage-showing top again. I don't know if I'll stick to it though . . .:)
~Haley
P.S. Almost forgot again! Can I have 165 reviews?
"Mione," Ron groaned. He leaned over and kissed her, trying to tell her to stay quiet. Normally she would push him away and glare, but she rather liked his new method of keeping her quiet.
Hermione only broke away from Ron when she sensed Harry plopping down across from them. She put a hand on Ron's thigh -- very high up on his thigh, making him inhale sharply. Then she grinned across at Harry. She was about to ask him what took him so long to get down there
when--
"Owl post," Ron rang out cheerfully, looking up to see the masses of flying birds that swept over Breakfast. His face paled slightly. "Uh-oh."
"What?"
"It's Errol."
"Cheer up, mate, the envelope isn't red and steaming," Harry said encouragingly as Ron slipped the letter off of Errol's leg and let him rest in the porridge.
Ron slid open the parchment and gulped slightly before saying: "Mum wants us to go home for Christmas." He glanced meaningfully at Hermione. "She specifically requested your presence."
Hermione smiled nervously. "Well, I don't think it will be that bad," she said quickly. "After all, I'm fine, and it hasn't even begun to show yet. Besides, she didn't get *too* mad when she found out, did she, Ron?"
"Not terribly," Ron said uncomfortably. " 'Course, she wouldn't talk to me. Kept mailing Ginny with things such as 'tell your older brother and Hermione that I send my regards'."
"Well, it's an improvement!" Harry said, trying once again to cheer Ron up. "She actually wants to see you. Maybe it's a peach offering?"
"I guess so," Ron said doubtfully, folding the parchment and stuffing it into his robes. "She wants you to come too, of course, Harry."
"Me?" Harry repeated. "That sounds all right. Did she check with Dumbledore?"
"I think Dumbledore will be fine with it," Hermione chimed in. "He's been much more leniant lately, haven't you noticed?"
Harry shrugged, then smirked at her. "Well, I imagine he's distracted over you two now. How far along are you, by the way?"
"Nearly four months," Hermione said, her voice low as color rose to her cheeks.
"Well, certainly you'll be showing soon. How are you two going to cover it, anyways?" Harry asked.
"Her stomach's already hard. It's really cool," Ron put in. Harry raised his eyes suggestively at Ron and he blushed just as ferociously as Hermione was.
"You think she'll be terribly disappointed in me?" Hermione asked anxiously. "I do love your mother so, Ron. She's become like a second mother to me in all of the time I've known her. She won't be mad?"
"I imagine so, but she won't blame you," Ron said. "She'll figure it's my fault. Honestly, does the whole world think you only do good, Hermione? I mean, *I* know you and your . . . er . . . bad side. I'm actually quite fond--"
"Okay, Ron, there is such a thing as too much information," Harry interrupted, feeling sick as a disturbing image of his two best friends together popped into his mind. "Go ahead and owl your Mum back. Tell her I'll come as long as Professor Dumbledore approves."
Ron sighed deeply, as if in pain, then scribbled something on the back of the parchment Errol had brought him, then sent the old owl off with a 'shoo' motion.
"I'm going to go back to Gryffindor," Hermione said suddenly, standing up and brushing a few stray crumbs off herself.
"Yeah, me too," Ron said quickly, standing as well.
Hermione shot him a look. "Ron, I'm not leaving for *that*. I'm going to go see if Ginny's all right before our first class."
Ron grumbled slightly, plopping down back in his chair looking extremely disappointed as Hermione walked out of the hall.
Harry cleared his throat slightly. "Ron . . ."
"Yeah?" Ron looked up, forgetting that he was mad at once.
"If . . . say . . . there was . . . if Colin Creevey had a thing for your sister, what would you do?" Harry asked after a second.
Ron considered, then shrugged. "She's sixteen, nearly seventeen. And Colin's nice enough as it is. Though he can get a bit annoying as you well know."
Harry seemed to look a bit relieved at this. "Good. And your other brothers?"
"I don't know. We're all protective of her since she's the only girl."
Harry nodded, looking a little deep in thought. "And if Colin happened to . . . er . . . kiss your sister?"
"Colin layed his filthy hands--" Ron stood in anger, turning his fierce gaze to the innocent Colin Creevey sitting a little ways away.
Harry grabbed at Ron's arm, pulling him back down. "Relax, Ron. I was simply using that as a situation. Colin hasn't 'layed his filthy hands' on any part of Ginny."
Ron seemed to calm down a little, though he still was shooting suspicious looks Colin's way.
"We have Divination first, don't we?" Harry asked with a groan.
"My only class without Hermione," Ron said miserably.
Harry laughed at this.
"What?" Ron asked haughtily.
"You! You're so . . ." Harry laughed again. "You're so soft and whipped."
"Whipped?" Ron asked, anger rising.
"Yes, whipped. If Hermione asked you to jump off a bridge you'd do it just so long as she kissed you." Harry grinned. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"I am *not* whipped. As it just so happens *I* was the one who made the first move. *I* was the one who dragged her into skipping class. *I* was the one who told her I loved her. *I* am *not* whipped."
Harry cocked an eyebrow at Ron, enjoying his friend's discomfort as Ron tried to explain himself.
"You bloody well are," Harry insisted.
"It's not *whipped* it's called love," Ron said.
Harry started laughing harder than before. "You're so corny! You *whipped*. The Ron I know would never have said something like that."
Ron growled menacing at Harry, who simply laughed harder.
Ron stood angrily and pushed past Harry. "I'm going to go get my books. And I'm not whipped."
Harry made the classic 'whip' sound.
* * * * *
Later that evening, Ron was in the common room sitting in the usual circle with Harry, Ginny, and Hermione, contemplating Harry's accusations from earlier. Obviously the red head didn't realize that Harry was kidding, just liking the rise he got out of Ron.
Ginny and Harry were, of course, happy for his distraction so he didn't realize the awkward tension floating between them. Neither had said anything all day about what Harry had done and neither had any plans of mentioning it anytime soon.
"Ron?" Hermione asked, looking up at her boyfriend with a pleading look. "Could you possibly go to the kitchens and get me an eggroll? I've had such a craving."
"I guess," Ron said, ignoring the pointed look from Harry and putting his books aside to stand up.
Hermione stopped him for a second. "Better make that three." He gave her a look and she replied defiantly: "I'm hungry!"
As Ron left he heard the unmistakable 'whip' sound coming from Harry's lips.
Hermione gave Harry a look, then turned to gaze between Harry and Ginny, raising her eyebrows at him. Harry shrugged and tried to hide his blush. Hermione's eyebrows went up higher and her lips set in a doubtful frown. She rolled her eyes and returned to her homework.
The three sat in silence for a few moments before Harry finally broke the quiet silence. "Why does a British red head baby crave Chinese food?" he asked Hermione.
Hermione shrugged, giving him a look. " *I* don't know. I just know that I want an eggroll." Her face took on a concerned look. "You do think they have them right? Maybe I should have told him to get me a milk shake too. Doesn't a strawberry milk shake sound yummy right now?"
"No," Ginny and Harry said in unison.
Hermione sniffed at then. "Fine, make fun of the pregnant woman. I would advise you otherwise, though, because hormose are supposed to be horrid."
"If it's any worse than the normal girl hormones we're in for a ride," Harry commented. Ginny threw a paper wad at him in response. "What? It's true. You're all a lot of clowns. And you look it too with all that make out."
Ginny and Hermione exhanged a look.
"What?" Harry asked, looking nervously between the two.
"You just said 'make out'," Hermione pointed out.
"I said makeup," Harry replied, but a blush was creeping up his neck.
"Just what *are* you thinking about, Harry, that you would make such a slip as that?" Hermione asked, her voice amused. "They say men think about women every 3.5 seconds or something like that, but I didn't know you'd matured yet."
Harry picked up the paper wad Ginny had thrown at him and threw it back at Hermione. "I wasn't thinking about girls," he said indignantly.
Ginny and Hermione simply gave him a knowing glance and returned to their homework. Harry felt like throwing *Hogwarts, A History*, which was sitting right next to him, at Hermione. It would serve her write. But as he contemplated whether to piss a pregnant woman off, Ron came back into the common room with a greasy bag in his hand, which he handed to an eager Hermione.
"Ron?" Harry asked.
"I am *not* whipped," Ron replied.
"No. I was wondering . . . do you think about women every 3.5 seconds?" Harry ignored the muffled laughs coming from Hermione and Ginny.
"Nope. I think about Mione."
Hermione's jaw dropped and she glared at Ron.
"Oh, no," Ron said, shrinking his chair.
"What, Ronald? So do I not count as a woman?"
"You-you defy being a woman, you're so beautiful . . ." Ron tried to cover up. "Really it's a good thing. It means I don't think of *other* women besides you."
Hermione continued her icy gaze.
"Sorry?" Ron offered meekly.
Hermione's gaze softened. "I'm sorry, Ron. I'm just so cranky. Maybe after I eat I'll feel better."
"I sure hope so," Ron said. He snapped his head up as he realized what he'd said, that he'd said it loud, and that Hermione had heard.
"Sorry!" Ron said quickly.
Hermione hit him with *Hogwarts, A History* and then stomped up to her room to eat her food in peace while Harry and Ginny laughed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Notes: Hmm . . . I don't know, this chapter seemed a bit weird to me. *Shrugs* Well, I realized that I forgot to ask for reviews last time! Silly lil me. And I keep forgetting to thank you guys for reviews. I really am amazed at all the reviews I have because my last fic in the Friends section, Months After London, was extremely popular but only recieved 79 reviews for 11 chapters over several months. I must say I do like this section much better.;)
Okay, now my favorite part: me. There's this really cool contest at school -- a writing one, so I'm sure to win but I don't want to sound big headed; I just happen to know that though I'm not the best at writing, I do have talent and I am much better at writing than the average 13 year old. Besides, I read several other essays people wrote and they sound so stiff and formal. Mine flows so freely and captures the soul. Yeah, I know, I'm weird. But the prize is $200, $100, or $50. I tried my hardest because I really want a color printer and $200 should do it. As well as a few CDs and maybe a treat dinner to a really expensive place with all my friends.
Also, I just wanted to know if anyone knew that flowers make good fake microphones? I got a new CD and this morning when nobody was home I started dancing all crazy like and lip singing, when I discovered that the long stemmed flowers I'd received for Valentine's Day were really cool for fake microphones.
And, I must say that at the moment I am trying to find out if men are all sex crazed or just a few. Today in Health we were in the hallway looking at other projects or something hanging on the wall. Well, this guy was staring at me. And first, I must say that he *is* a womanizer. Well, I was all "What" and then he actually snapped his head and looked up at me, acting as if he'd come out of a trance. I then realized that he had not been staring at me. But rather a particular part of me: my breasts. I then and there decided never to wear a cleavage-showing top again. I don't know if I'll stick to it though . . .:)
~Haley
P.S. Almost forgot again! Can I have 165 reviews?