Hello, everyone! Here is Chapter two! It's a bit longer than Chapter one, I
hope you like it! Just so you know, this takes place in their third year,
after OoP (Order Of The Phoenix) and it does contain spoilers! This
chapter, and the next one will switch between Hermione and Ron's POVs, and
in later chapters I plan on having different POVs such as Fred and George,
Harry, Lavender, Neville, Luna, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Review and
let us know what you think! And if you have any suggestions that we like,
we may use them! Thanks for reading, enjoy!
Juliette and dvlsdngrousrbl
~Ron's POV~
When I woke up this morning, I was bombarded with pillows by Ginny. It's still hard to believe that we're the only kids left in the house now. It seems so quiet without the various bangs, and shrieks of laughter coming from Fred and George's old room. But Ginny and I both have more room.
When Harry came this summer, he was quiet, and unhappy. Mum naturally took pity on him; he's her pet, after all. But everyone's been saddened with the Sirius thing. It's funny how you don't realize just how much you love someone until they're gone.
Ginny's been getting letters all summer from Dean. Ugh. She really needs to choose someone good for her. Hermione wrote a couple of letters, but I didn't write but one back. I didn't want to send her the wrong signal or anything. I mean, I do like Hermione, she's really nice, and she's cute and everything, but still, I don't think she feels that way about me.
After breakfast today, we all went to Diagon Alley. Harry and I were heading towards Quality Quidditch Supplies when I spotted Hermione and yelled at her. She ran over, and seemed kind of awkward around Harry. She gave him a hug, and then she turned to me, and get this-she kissed me on the cheek. She surprised me! I wasn't expecting that at all! I practically had my arms open, waiting for another hug. She did kiss me on the cheek last year, but that was only because she was trying to reassure me of winning the Quidditch match. (Yeah right.) Any how, after she did it this time, I couldn't get it off of my mind, so I turned around to keep walking-nonchalantly mind you-and I nearly tripped over this stupid trash can that was standing in the way. Harry had this smirk on his face, like he thought that was funny. Yeah. Ha, ha, ha, Harry. The question here is why did Hermione do that? She didn't kiss Harry on the cheek. It didn't seem to affect her at all, so I think it was just this friendly thing. But she laughed when I tripped over the trashcan. Why am I thinking so much about Hermione?
Well, we went shopping and got all of our books, and we were sitting at Florean Fortescue's when Draco Malfoy decided to annoy us with his presence. He came up and did his stupid little thing, Potty and the Weasel. Like that is so funny. Ha, ha, ha. He didn't have Crabbe and Goyle with him this time, for a change. When he called Hermione a Mudblood, I don't know, my temper just got the best of me. If a muggle-born is a Mudblood, the Malfoy family would be a Dungblood. I jumped up, and before I knew what I was even doing, I had my wand out facing him. He made some snide remark about how I messed up the last time I tried to hex him, I don't know what it was, I wasn't paying attention. I guess the only reason I was brave enough to pull my wand out on him is because Crabbe and Goyle weren't there. Then Harry jumped up and grabbed my arm, and Hermione wrestled my wand out of my grip. I kind of let them. I was too busy concentrating on not leaping on Malfoy. He started talking about how we Weasley's don't have any money. But when Dad came up, Malfoy slunk away, the little coward. I am going to work extra hard on controlling my temper this year. I did rather well at it last year, but then again, that's because I was so shocked at Harry's behavior, and there wasn't really a reason for me to have a temper. But next time Malfoy comes near me, I swear I will ignore him. You just watch me.
We went with Dad to meet Mum and Ginny, and Hermione went over right away to go talk with Ginny. They were writing letters all summer. I don't know what they were talking about, but it must have been quite interesting. Harry quietly hugged Mum, and she waved us to come on. We went home and were sitting down at dinner when Mum asked Hermione if she had a boyfriend. I glared at her. That would embarrassing for me to answer! But Hermione took it in stride. She smiled and shook her head, and gave Ginny a look before they both dissolved in giggles. Mum and Dad exchanged knowing looks. I looked at Harry, and he just shrugged. He didn't get the joke either. Girls. Who can figure them out? Like I said last year, Hermione should write a book explaining why girls do the things they do.
Later, as Harry and I were getting dressed for bed, I asked Harry what he thought the joke was about. He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe Hermione secretly likes someone. Or maybe Ginny does." He said. I rolled my eyes. "Please. Whatever you do, don't encourage her. She needs to get over Dean. He's not the right guy for her." Harry raised his eyebrows at me. "And just whom do you think is the right guy for her?" I shrugged in what I hoped was a casual way. "Not Dean." Harry grinned. "Well, if you don't like Dean, then you must have some idea of who would be good for her. Seamus?" I wrinkled up my nose. "Not even." "Who then?" Harry asked. "Neville?" I laughed. Then I thought for a minute. That wasn't such a bad idea. Neville had changed a lot. He was a lot braver. He doesn't just let people push him around like he used to. "Well." I said. Harry stared at me. "You're kidding, right? Neville?" He sounded very disbelieving. "Well I don't know, what do you think?" I asked him . Harry had a quirky look on his face. "Well, I never thought about it, but I guess Neville is ok." He pulled back the covers on his bed. "You like anybody, Ron?" I laughed. "No. What made you ask that?" He shrugged. "I don't know, just wondering." I studied him, my arms wrapped around my knees. "Who do you think would be good for me?" Harry licked his lips, and opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, but then changed his mind, and said, "Uh.Lavender Brown?" That really tickled my funny bone. I started laughing and I couldn't stop, I leaned back on my bed holding my stomach and rolled over onto the floor. Harry started laughing with me. "Ok, maybe not," he finally managed to choke out. I wiped a few tears from my eyes. I couldn't speak for a few minutes. I sat up and leaned against the side of my bed, thinking. Suddenly Harry spoke up. "Who do you think would be good for me?" I thought about that for a moment. Who would be good for Harry? Then a thought struck me. "Luna Lovegood!" I cried out. That started us laughing again, but Harry wasn't really laughing wholeheartedly. "What's wrong?" I asked him. Harry picked at his pajamas. "Well," He started. I looked at him. "What?" Harry shook his head. "Never mind." He said, smiling slightly. "Come on Harry," I said. "You can tell me." Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "I can't tell you yet. Remind me to tell you tomorrow night before we go to bed, ok?" I raised my eyebrows. "Um.Ok."
I had forgotten. Tomorrow we were going back to school. After I turned the light out, I asked Harry who he thought would be good for Hermione. I couldn't see him, but I swear it sounded like he choked. Then, in a strangled voice he said "Oh, Seamus, definitely." I thought about that. I just couldn't see that happening. "You think so?" I asked, finally. Harry snorted. "No."
~Hermione's POV~
At dinner, (which was delicious,) Mrs. Weasley asked me if I had a boyfriend. Which was kind of embarrassing, especially in front of Harry and Ron. But I just shook my head and glanced at Ginny. She swears I fancy someone, but I told her, no way. She told me a secret though. She likes Neville Longbottom. She said that although Ron didn't know it, she wasn't going out with Dean anymore. They were just friends. Apparently, Ginny had liked Neville for a long time, since sometime during Harry's, Ron's, and my own 3rd year. That was a surprise to figure out, but I think it's sweet. Neville's rather good for her actually. She told me before we went to bed that she realized after our second year that Harry wasn't right for her. Their personalities don't match. At least that's what she said. Then, in an effort to surprise me into saying something, she asked me again if I liked anyone. I told her again, no. "Ginny, if I liked someone, I would tell you." She gave me a funny look. "Are you sure?" "Definitely." I nodded. She dropped it, but I could tell she still had doubts. I dropped it too, but I did tell her that she should tell Ron about her and Dean breaking up. That was right before we heard uproarious laughter coming from the boy's room down the hall. We rolled our eyes at each other. Ginny shook her head. "No, I don't think so." "Why not?" I asked her. "He should know." "Why?" she asked me. I shrugged. "I don't know, I just think he would like to know, so he won't embarrass himself later." She raised her eyebrows. "Now that would be funny," She said, "If he went up to Dean and said something about us being together." I laughed. "Ginny that's mean!" I said. She nodded. "I know." "Ok, fine," I told her. "If you don't tell him, then I will." Ginny looked at me. "Yeah right." She clicked off the light. "Goodnight Hermione." "Goodnight Ginny." There was a pause, then, "Hermione, do you like anybody?" "Ginny!"
The next morning I got my chance to tell Ron. We were eating breakfast, when Ginny got a letter from Dean, telling her he'd see her later. Ron gave the letter a dark look. "How's Dean doing?" He asked, not too nicely. Seizing my chance, I said oh- so-casually. "Oh, she broke up with him." Ginny glared at me. "Hermione!" But Ron looked delighted. "Really?" He exclaimed. I saw Mrs. Weasley hide a smile. "Did you break up with him, or did he break up with you?" Ron asked. "It was mutual," Ginny said stiffly, still shooting dirty looks in my direction. I merely raised my eyebrows at her and smiled. "Well," Ron mumbled, his mouth full of bacon. "That was a good choice." Ginny rolled her eyes. "I get the feeling Ron, that you are going to say that with every guy that I break up with, until I meet the guy you like best. I can't wait to do it to you." She looked at Ron who was sitting beside her, and across from me. I was sitting next to Harry. He didn't seem to be paying any attention to the conversation at all. He was eating quickly; barely chewing, and staring at his plate. He looked deep in thought. Ron looked at Harry too. "Don't forget, Harry." He said. "Tonight, before bed." He grinned. Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah Ron. How could I forget? The way you keep reminding me." I laughed, even though I didn't know what they were talking about.
Soon, we had to leave, and before I knew it, we were at King's Cross. We were going to miss the train if we didn't hurry, because Ron had forgotten to pack a few things. Mrs. Weasley told Ron and I to go through the platform wall first, so we did. When we appeared on the other side though, Draco Malfoy roughly shoved me to one side. "Move out of my way, Mudblood!" He spat. "Make way for the better species." I was on my knees, right near Ron, and I looked up worriedly, to see what his reaction was going to be, but to my surprise, he didn't do anything. He knelt down and helped me up. "Are you all right, Hermione?" He asked. I nodded. He turned away, his hand on my arm to guide me, when Draco grabbed his other arm. "You don't go anywhere until she apologizes to me, for knocking me down." He folded his arms smugly. Crabbe and Goyle who were with him, laughed, the stupid goons. A muscle tightened in Ron's cheek and I put my free hand on his arm that was holding my other arm, to stop him from doing anything, but again, he didn't do a thing. "Come on Hermione." He said quietly, and he tried to walk away again, but Draco stopped him yet again. "I said 'no', Weasel." Ron stared at a spot somewhere to the right of Draco's head. I felt Harry and Ginny behind me. "Mum's stuck behind some tourists!" Ginny said, looking worriedly at Draco and Ron. I didn't say anything. I was too puzzled by Ron's behavior. Draco waited smugly. Ron still didn't say anything. Finally he said, "Harry, I just had the weirdest sensation, like someone was grabbing my arm, but yet, I don't see anyone. Do you see anyone?" "Uh." Harry said, speechless. My mouth dropped open. Ron shook his head. "I guess I'm just imagining things." Like Harry, Draco was struck dumb, and this time, when Ron pulled me away, he was too shocked to do anything.
Mrs. Weasley soon came through the barrier, out of breath, carting the last of the luggage behind her. "Sorry, I couldn't get away, too many people standing around the wall." She looked from Harry, Ginny and I, who were all staring at Ron, to Ron himself. "Did I miss something?" She asked. Harry swallowed. "Oh yeah." He managed to say. Ron seemed back to normal, but he still had my arm in a death grip. "Ron, why did you do that?" I asked. "Oh, I'll tell you later." He said cheerfully. In any case, I couldn't dwell on it; we had to get on the train. We found ourselves a compartment in the middle of the train somewhere and sank into our seats after stowing our luggage away. I turned to Ron. "It's later, now explain." Ron grinned. "Well," He said. "I promised myself that I would keep my temper when I was in a situation like that. I told myself that I would just ignore Draco. Did it work?" I couldn't believe it! I can only imagine how hard it was for him to do that. I was proud of him, and I told him so. "Oh Ron, I'm so proud of you!" I threw my arms around his neck, and hugged him. He seemed surprised, but he hugged me loosely back, like he was uncomfortable. When I let go of him, I hugged Ginny, than Harry, just because I felt like it. Ginny grinned.
After only a few minutes, Luna Lovegood came into the compartment, blinking her eyes, as if she was just waking up. Harry sat up straight, and I looked over at him. He and Ron were seated side by side, across from Ginny and I. Harry had a strange look on his face, a mixture of apprehension and, well, happiness. Then suddenly, it hit me. Harry liked Luna! I almost laughed out loud! It was so funny. I looked over at Ron. I wonder if he knew? He was looking at Harry too. With that look on his face, the one I call the Light bulb look. The look he gets when he has just figured something out. I settled back into my seat. This was going to be interesting.
Luna smiled vaguely at everyone. "Do you mind if I join you?" She asked. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and I all shook our heads. Since Crookshanks was taking up the third seat on our side, she opted to sit beside Harry, instead. Harry's face lit up, and he grinned at her. She smiled back, and pulled a rolled up copy of her Father's magazine out of her robes. Harry sat gazing at Luna, and I nudged Ginny, just barely tilting my head in Harry's direction. She gave me a quizzical look, but I just nodded towards Harry again. She studied him for a moment, then I heard her gasp, and snort. I grinned. She could see it too. Harry was so obvious about his feelings; it was cute. Ron was watching Harry watching Luna, with a disgusted look on his face. I stood up. "I'm going to go find the snack trolley," I announced. "Want to come with me, Ron?" Ginny glanced up at me. Ron looked up too. "Um.Yeah, I guess." He stood up and walked with me out of the compartment. Once we were out of earshot of the others, I turned to him. "You'd better talk to Harry. It's so obvious he likes Luna-" "He's practically drooling over her." Ron chimed in when I said it. I looked at him in surprise. How did he know what I was going to say? He grinned. "I think the corners of his mouth were wet." I laughed. "Maybe you should talk to him, let him know what he's doing." Ron got the Light bulb look again. "Hey! Do you think this is what Harry was going to tell me tonight before bed?" I had no idea what he was talking about, and I said so. "But what I do know is that Harry is going to make a complete fool of himself." Ron nodded. "I'll go talk to him." I spotted the snack trolley up the corridor a little ways. "And I'll go buy something to boost our story. Don't let Harry know we all know unless you need to, ok? I'd like to see when he plans on telling Ginny and I." Ron raised his eyebrows at me. "Ok." I ran up to the trolley and bought a flagon of pumpkin juice and a stack of cauldron cakes, and a bag of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans. Then I ran back to the compartment and nodded at Ron. He held the compartment door open, and I sat down in my seat, with a smile on my face. "Anybody want a cauldron cake?" I asked. Ginny took one, and Ron took a rain check. "Harry, can I talk to you?" Ron asked.
~Ron's POV~ I did it! I can't believe I did it! I held my temper! That wasn't so bad. But I wanted to punch him so badly, I think I bruised Hermione's arm. We had just gotten on Platform 93/4 when Malfoy knocked Hermione down. I was about to say something to Malfoy when I remembered my promise. I just swallowed and helped Hermione up. I asked her if she was ok, and she gave an answer to the affirmative, but she was giving me a strange look. I think she was expecting me to blow up. I took her arm and started to guide her away from Malfoy. I didn't let go of her at all. I didn't want to give Malfoy a chance to lay his grubby hands on her. Malfoy stopped me though and said Hermione had to apologize to him for knocking him down, which was stupid, because he hadn't been knocked down at all, Hermione had. He called himself the 'better species.' I felt Hermione's hand on my arm, and I knew she was worried about my darn redheaded temper, and that made me mad. I wanted to prove to her, that I could control myself. So I decided to ignore him again, and I tried guiding Hermione away. Malfoy stopped me again. "I said 'no' Weasel." I gritted my teeth, and stared at the wall behind Malfoy. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Harry and Ginny arrive. I didn't know where Mum was, but I hoped she got here soon. Finally an idea struck me. "Harry, I just had the weirdest sensation, like someone was grabbing my arm, but yet, I don't see anyone. Do you see anyone?" I said. "Uh." Harry said. I think I shocked him. I shook my head. "I guess I'm just imagining things." I must have shocked Malfoy too, because this time he let me walk away. I was still holding onto Hermione, but I didn't feel like letting go, and she didn't try to pry me off or anything, so I just held on to her. I was worried Malfoy might attack from behind. You can never trust a Slytherin. In any case, I wasn't going to let my best friend get hurt. Mum popped through the barrier and asked if she missed anything. "Oh, yeah." Harry said. He still sounded as if he shocked. Mum looked at me holding Hermione's arm, and so did Ginny. So as not to give them the wrong impression, I let go of her arm. I admit I did it reluctantly, but I knew Draco wouldn't try anything with an adult around. I think, secretly, that I needed Hermione's support. As well as feeling the need to support her. My legs were shaky after relaxing from being so tense. But I found when I let go of her I could stand on my own, so that was ok.
Soon after we boarded the train. We found a compartment in the middle somewhere, and after stowing our luggage away we sank down into the seats. Hermione had asked me why I did that, and I said I would tell her later. So now, later, in the train compartment, she looked at me. "It's later." She said. "Now explain." So I told her my promise to myself, and how I had told myself that I would ignore Draco. Surprise and shock flitted across her face before she rested on surprise and happiness. "Oh, Ron, I'm so proud of you!" She threw her arms around my neck, and hugged me. I was surprised, but pleasantly so. I realized something then. I like to hug Hermione. There's something about her hug that makes you feel so.loved. I think I like it even more that a kiss on the cheek. A kiss on the cheek, seems so stuffy, so French, you know the polite thing they do in France, that half the time they don't even do to people they know. I have to admit though; it sure is nice when she does kiss me on the cheek. Maybe I would like it better if it lasted longer.what the heck am I thinking? I'll just stick to hugs, thank you very much. I laid my arms loosely around her back, and soon she broke off the hug. I felt the bout of disappointment I feel every time she stops hugging me. I felt like I had failed her, by not hugging her well, when she deserved it. I told myself that next time she hugged me, I would hug her back just as tightly as she hugged me. Then she hugged Ginny and Harry, and I realized that she wasn't hugging me for me; she hugged lots of people. Mainly Harry Ginny and I, but she hugged her parents, too, and my parents. She didn't want to hug me she just wanted to hug. I was still determined to hug her better the next time though.
Not too much later, Luna Lovegood came in and asked if she could join us. We all nodded and she sat down beside Harry, because Crookshanks was sitting in the empty seat beside Hermione. I noticed Hermione grinning at Harry, and I looked over to. He was sitting in between Luna and I, and he was gazing at Luna with a goofy smile on his face. Then it dawned on me. He liked Luna! I looked over at Hermione, and saw her elbow Ginny in the ribs, and nod her head ever so slightly in Harry's direction. Ginny looked confused, but she looked at Harry and I saw her eyes widen, and heard her hold back a laugh. I looked back over at Harry. He was still smiling at Luna. I was disgusted. How sappy! He was so obvious. Just then Hermione stood up and asked me if I wanted to go find the trolley with her, the one that went around with the snack. I saw Ginny narrow her eyes, as she looked from Hermione to me. "Um, I guess." I said. Yeah, good answer Ron. I stood up, and we walked out of the compartment. I could feel Ginny's eyes on me, the whole way out. When I closed the door, Hermione turned to me. "You'd better talk to Harry. It's so obvious he likes Luna-" "He's practically drooling over her." I finished with her. She looked at me in surprise. "I think the corners of his mouth were wet." I said. Hermione laughed. "Maybe you should talk to him, let him know what he's doing." Suddenly I had a thought. "Hey! Do you think this is what Harry was going to tell me tonight before bed?" "I have no idea what you're talking about, Ron, but what I do know is that Harry is going to make a complete fool of himself." I nodded. "I'll go talk to him." Hermione smiled. "And I'll go buy something to boost our story." She said, gesturing at the trolley a little ways down the hallway. "Don't let Harry know we all know unless you need to, ok? I'd like to see when he plans on telling Ginny and I." I raised my eyebrows at her. "Ok." She ran up to the trolley and bought a flagon of pumpkin juice and a stack of cauldron cakes, and a bag of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans. Then she ran back and nodded at me. I held the compartment door open, and Hermione sat down in her seat, with a smile on her face. "Anybody want a cauldron cake?" She asked. Ginny took one, and I told her that I would take a rain check. "Harry, can I talk to you?" I asked him.
Harry looked up in surprise. "Sure," He said. He followed me out of the compartment and leaned against the door. "What's up?" I almost laughed. How clueless. I laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, I know you like Luna." Harry looked up at me in surprise. "Wha-how did you-?" I laughed. "It's pretty obvious, Harry, the way you're staring at her. Harry turned pink and spluttered, "But I-Yeah but-But, but, but." Oh this was hilarious. "Harry," I said kindly. "You're paying too much attention to her for no one to notice." Harry looked angry. "Well!" He said. "If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black!" I was confused. "Huh?" Harry leaned close to me. "Don't even start with me Ron. Obviously you aren't exactly an expert on girls or romantic relationships are you?" I stared at him. "Huh? What are you talking about?" Harry rolled his eyes. "You think I'm obvious, look at you!" "I blinked. "What?" Harry looked very irritated. "Never mind." He hissed. He pushed his way back into the trolley. I followed him, very confused. What had just happened here?
~Hermione's POV~ Surprisingly, when Harry and Ron came back into the trolley, it was not Harry who was flustered, like I had expected, but Ron. He looked confused, and like I said, very flustered. He sat down, and he didn't seem to know what to do with his hands. He looked over at Harry, who just grinned back at him. Harry looked kind of frustrated, too, like Ron was acting clueless. I know how Harry was feeling. When I help Ron with his homework, and he just doesn't understand, and it's so easy, I feel like shaking him into understanding. What had happened out there? What had Ron said to Harry? What had Harry said to Ron? I guess I would just have to wait to find out.
Juliette and dvlsdngrousrbl
~Ron's POV~
When I woke up this morning, I was bombarded with pillows by Ginny. It's still hard to believe that we're the only kids left in the house now. It seems so quiet without the various bangs, and shrieks of laughter coming from Fred and George's old room. But Ginny and I both have more room.
When Harry came this summer, he was quiet, and unhappy. Mum naturally took pity on him; he's her pet, after all. But everyone's been saddened with the Sirius thing. It's funny how you don't realize just how much you love someone until they're gone.
Ginny's been getting letters all summer from Dean. Ugh. She really needs to choose someone good for her. Hermione wrote a couple of letters, but I didn't write but one back. I didn't want to send her the wrong signal or anything. I mean, I do like Hermione, she's really nice, and she's cute and everything, but still, I don't think she feels that way about me.
After breakfast today, we all went to Diagon Alley. Harry and I were heading towards Quality Quidditch Supplies when I spotted Hermione and yelled at her. She ran over, and seemed kind of awkward around Harry. She gave him a hug, and then she turned to me, and get this-she kissed me on the cheek. She surprised me! I wasn't expecting that at all! I practically had my arms open, waiting for another hug. She did kiss me on the cheek last year, but that was only because she was trying to reassure me of winning the Quidditch match. (Yeah right.) Any how, after she did it this time, I couldn't get it off of my mind, so I turned around to keep walking-nonchalantly mind you-and I nearly tripped over this stupid trash can that was standing in the way. Harry had this smirk on his face, like he thought that was funny. Yeah. Ha, ha, ha, Harry. The question here is why did Hermione do that? She didn't kiss Harry on the cheek. It didn't seem to affect her at all, so I think it was just this friendly thing. But she laughed when I tripped over the trashcan. Why am I thinking so much about Hermione?
Well, we went shopping and got all of our books, and we were sitting at Florean Fortescue's when Draco Malfoy decided to annoy us with his presence. He came up and did his stupid little thing, Potty and the Weasel. Like that is so funny. Ha, ha, ha. He didn't have Crabbe and Goyle with him this time, for a change. When he called Hermione a Mudblood, I don't know, my temper just got the best of me. If a muggle-born is a Mudblood, the Malfoy family would be a Dungblood. I jumped up, and before I knew what I was even doing, I had my wand out facing him. He made some snide remark about how I messed up the last time I tried to hex him, I don't know what it was, I wasn't paying attention. I guess the only reason I was brave enough to pull my wand out on him is because Crabbe and Goyle weren't there. Then Harry jumped up and grabbed my arm, and Hermione wrestled my wand out of my grip. I kind of let them. I was too busy concentrating on not leaping on Malfoy. He started talking about how we Weasley's don't have any money. But when Dad came up, Malfoy slunk away, the little coward. I am going to work extra hard on controlling my temper this year. I did rather well at it last year, but then again, that's because I was so shocked at Harry's behavior, and there wasn't really a reason for me to have a temper. But next time Malfoy comes near me, I swear I will ignore him. You just watch me.
We went with Dad to meet Mum and Ginny, and Hermione went over right away to go talk with Ginny. They were writing letters all summer. I don't know what they were talking about, but it must have been quite interesting. Harry quietly hugged Mum, and she waved us to come on. We went home and were sitting down at dinner when Mum asked Hermione if she had a boyfriend. I glared at her. That would embarrassing for me to answer! But Hermione took it in stride. She smiled and shook her head, and gave Ginny a look before they both dissolved in giggles. Mum and Dad exchanged knowing looks. I looked at Harry, and he just shrugged. He didn't get the joke either. Girls. Who can figure them out? Like I said last year, Hermione should write a book explaining why girls do the things they do.
Later, as Harry and I were getting dressed for bed, I asked Harry what he thought the joke was about. He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe Hermione secretly likes someone. Or maybe Ginny does." He said. I rolled my eyes. "Please. Whatever you do, don't encourage her. She needs to get over Dean. He's not the right guy for her." Harry raised his eyebrows at me. "And just whom do you think is the right guy for her?" I shrugged in what I hoped was a casual way. "Not Dean." Harry grinned. "Well, if you don't like Dean, then you must have some idea of who would be good for her. Seamus?" I wrinkled up my nose. "Not even." "Who then?" Harry asked. "Neville?" I laughed. Then I thought for a minute. That wasn't such a bad idea. Neville had changed a lot. He was a lot braver. He doesn't just let people push him around like he used to. "Well." I said. Harry stared at me. "You're kidding, right? Neville?" He sounded very disbelieving. "Well I don't know, what do you think?" I asked him . Harry had a quirky look on his face. "Well, I never thought about it, but I guess Neville is ok." He pulled back the covers on his bed. "You like anybody, Ron?" I laughed. "No. What made you ask that?" He shrugged. "I don't know, just wondering." I studied him, my arms wrapped around my knees. "Who do you think would be good for me?" Harry licked his lips, and opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, but then changed his mind, and said, "Uh.Lavender Brown?" That really tickled my funny bone. I started laughing and I couldn't stop, I leaned back on my bed holding my stomach and rolled over onto the floor. Harry started laughing with me. "Ok, maybe not," he finally managed to choke out. I wiped a few tears from my eyes. I couldn't speak for a few minutes. I sat up and leaned against the side of my bed, thinking. Suddenly Harry spoke up. "Who do you think would be good for me?" I thought about that for a moment. Who would be good for Harry? Then a thought struck me. "Luna Lovegood!" I cried out. That started us laughing again, but Harry wasn't really laughing wholeheartedly. "What's wrong?" I asked him. Harry picked at his pajamas. "Well," He started. I looked at him. "What?" Harry shook his head. "Never mind." He said, smiling slightly. "Come on Harry," I said. "You can tell me." Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "I can't tell you yet. Remind me to tell you tomorrow night before we go to bed, ok?" I raised my eyebrows. "Um.Ok."
I had forgotten. Tomorrow we were going back to school. After I turned the light out, I asked Harry who he thought would be good for Hermione. I couldn't see him, but I swear it sounded like he choked. Then, in a strangled voice he said "Oh, Seamus, definitely." I thought about that. I just couldn't see that happening. "You think so?" I asked, finally. Harry snorted. "No."
~Hermione's POV~
At dinner, (which was delicious,) Mrs. Weasley asked me if I had a boyfriend. Which was kind of embarrassing, especially in front of Harry and Ron. But I just shook my head and glanced at Ginny. She swears I fancy someone, but I told her, no way. She told me a secret though. She likes Neville Longbottom. She said that although Ron didn't know it, she wasn't going out with Dean anymore. They were just friends. Apparently, Ginny had liked Neville for a long time, since sometime during Harry's, Ron's, and my own 3rd year. That was a surprise to figure out, but I think it's sweet. Neville's rather good for her actually. She told me before we went to bed that she realized after our second year that Harry wasn't right for her. Their personalities don't match. At least that's what she said. Then, in an effort to surprise me into saying something, she asked me again if I liked anyone. I told her again, no. "Ginny, if I liked someone, I would tell you." She gave me a funny look. "Are you sure?" "Definitely." I nodded. She dropped it, but I could tell she still had doubts. I dropped it too, but I did tell her that she should tell Ron about her and Dean breaking up. That was right before we heard uproarious laughter coming from the boy's room down the hall. We rolled our eyes at each other. Ginny shook her head. "No, I don't think so." "Why not?" I asked her. "He should know." "Why?" she asked me. I shrugged. "I don't know, I just think he would like to know, so he won't embarrass himself later." She raised her eyebrows. "Now that would be funny," She said, "If he went up to Dean and said something about us being together." I laughed. "Ginny that's mean!" I said. She nodded. "I know." "Ok, fine," I told her. "If you don't tell him, then I will." Ginny looked at me. "Yeah right." She clicked off the light. "Goodnight Hermione." "Goodnight Ginny." There was a pause, then, "Hermione, do you like anybody?" "Ginny!"
The next morning I got my chance to tell Ron. We were eating breakfast, when Ginny got a letter from Dean, telling her he'd see her later. Ron gave the letter a dark look. "How's Dean doing?" He asked, not too nicely. Seizing my chance, I said oh- so-casually. "Oh, she broke up with him." Ginny glared at me. "Hermione!" But Ron looked delighted. "Really?" He exclaimed. I saw Mrs. Weasley hide a smile. "Did you break up with him, or did he break up with you?" Ron asked. "It was mutual," Ginny said stiffly, still shooting dirty looks in my direction. I merely raised my eyebrows at her and smiled. "Well," Ron mumbled, his mouth full of bacon. "That was a good choice." Ginny rolled her eyes. "I get the feeling Ron, that you are going to say that with every guy that I break up with, until I meet the guy you like best. I can't wait to do it to you." She looked at Ron who was sitting beside her, and across from me. I was sitting next to Harry. He didn't seem to be paying any attention to the conversation at all. He was eating quickly; barely chewing, and staring at his plate. He looked deep in thought. Ron looked at Harry too. "Don't forget, Harry." He said. "Tonight, before bed." He grinned. Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah Ron. How could I forget? The way you keep reminding me." I laughed, even though I didn't know what they were talking about.
Soon, we had to leave, and before I knew it, we were at King's Cross. We were going to miss the train if we didn't hurry, because Ron had forgotten to pack a few things. Mrs. Weasley told Ron and I to go through the platform wall first, so we did. When we appeared on the other side though, Draco Malfoy roughly shoved me to one side. "Move out of my way, Mudblood!" He spat. "Make way for the better species." I was on my knees, right near Ron, and I looked up worriedly, to see what his reaction was going to be, but to my surprise, he didn't do anything. He knelt down and helped me up. "Are you all right, Hermione?" He asked. I nodded. He turned away, his hand on my arm to guide me, when Draco grabbed his other arm. "You don't go anywhere until she apologizes to me, for knocking me down." He folded his arms smugly. Crabbe and Goyle who were with him, laughed, the stupid goons. A muscle tightened in Ron's cheek and I put my free hand on his arm that was holding my other arm, to stop him from doing anything, but again, he didn't do a thing. "Come on Hermione." He said quietly, and he tried to walk away again, but Draco stopped him yet again. "I said 'no', Weasel." Ron stared at a spot somewhere to the right of Draco's head. I felt Harry and Ginny behind me. "Mum's stuck behind some tourists!" Ginny said, looking worriedly at Draco and Ron. I didn't say anything. I was too puzzled by Ron's behavior. Draco waited smugly. Ron still didn't say anything. Finally he said, "Harry, I just had the weirdest sensation, like someone was grabbing my arm, but yet, I don't see anyone. Do you see anyone?" "Uh." Harry said, speechless. My mouth dropped open. Ron shook his head. "I guess I'm just imagining things." Like Harry, Draco was struck dumb, and this time, when Ron pulled me away, he was too shocked to do anything.
Mrs. Weasley soon came through the barrier, out of breath, carting the last of the luggage behind her. "Sorry, I couldn't get away, too many people standing around the wall." She looked from Harry, Ginny and I, who were all staring at Ron, to Ron himself. "Did I miss something?" She asked. Harry swallowed. "Oh yeah." He managed to say. Ron seemed back to normal, but he still had my arm in a death grip. "Ron, why did you do that?" I asked. "Oh, I'll tell you later." He said cheerfully. In any case, I couldn't dwell on it; we had to get on the train. We found ourselves a compartment in the middle of the train somewhere and sank into our seats after stowing our luggage away. I turned to Ron. "It's later, now explain." Ron grinned. "Well," He said. "I promised myself that I would keep my temper when I was in a situation like that. I told myself that I would just ignore Draco. Did it work?" I couldn't believe it! I can only imagine how hard it was for him to do that. I was proud of him, and I told him so. "Oh Ron, I'm so proud of you!" I threw my arms around his neck, and hugged him. He seemed surprised, but he hugged me loosely back, like he was uncomfortable. When I let go of him, I hugged Ginny, than Harry, just because I felt like it. Ginny grinned.
After only a few minutes, Luna Lovegood came into the compartment, blinking her eyes, as if she was just waking up. Harry sat up straight, and I looked over at him. He and Ron were seated side by side, across from Ginny and I. Harry had a strange look on his face, a mixture of apprehension and, well, happiness. Then suddenly, it hit me. Harry liked Luna! I almost laughed out loud! It was so funny. I looked over at Ron. I wonder if he knew? He was looking at Harry too. With that look on his face, the one I call the Light bulb look. The look he gets when he has just figured something out. I settled back into my seat. This was going to be interesting.
Luna smiled vaguely at everyone. "Do you mind if I join you?" She asked. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and I all shook our heads. Since Crookshanks was taking up the third seat on our side, she opted to sit beside Harry, instead. Harry's face lit up, and he grinned at her. She smiled back, and pulled a rolled up copy of her Father's magazine out of her robes. Harry sat gazing at Luna, and I nudged Ginny, just barely tilting my head in Harry's direction. She gave me a quizzical look, but I just nodded towards Harry again. She studied him for a moment, then I heard her gasp, and snort. I grinned. She could see it too. Harry was so obvious about his feelings; it was cute. Ron was watching Harry watching Luna, with a disgusted look on his face. I stood up. "I'm going to go find the snack trolley," I announced. "Want to come with me, Ron?" Ginny glanced up at me. Ron looked up too. "Um.Yeah, I guess." He stood up and walked with me out of the compartment. Once we were out of earshot of the others, I turned to him. "You'd better talk to Harry. It's so obvious he likes Luna-" "He's practically drooling over her." Ron chimed in when I said it. I looked at him in surprise. How did he know what I was going to say? He grinned. "I think the corners of his mouth were wet." I laughed. "Maybe you should talk to him, let him know what he's doing." Ron got the Light bulb look again. "Hey! Do you think this is what Harry was going to tell me tonight before bed?" I had no idea what he was talking about, and I said so. "But what I do know is that Harry is going to make a complete fool of himself." Ron nodded. "I'll go talk to him." I spotted the snack trolley up the corridor a little ways. "And I'll go buy something to boost our story. Don't let Harry know we all know unless you need to, ok? I'd like to see when he plans on telling Ginny and I." Ron raised his eyebrows at me. "Ok." I ran up to the trolley and bought a flagon of pumpkin juice and a stack of cauldron cakes, and a bag of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans. Then I ran back to the compartment and nodded at Ron. He held the compartment door open, and I sat down in my seat, with a smile on my face. "Anybody want a cauldron cake?" I asked. Ginny took one, and Ron took a rain check. "Harry, can I talk to you?" Ron asked.
~Ron's POV~ I did it! I can't believe I did it! I held my temper! That wasn't so bad. But I wanted to punch him so badly, I think I bruised Hermione's arm. We had just gotten on Platform 93/4 when Malfoy knocked Hermione down. I was about to say something to Malfoy when I remembered my promise. I just swallowed and helped Hermione up. I asked her if she was ok, and she gave an answer to the affirmative, but she was giving me a strange look. I think she was expecting me to blow up. I took her arm and started to guide her away from Malfoy. I didn't let go of her at all. I didn't want to give Malfoy a chance to lay his grubby hands on her. Malfoy stopped me though and said Hermione had to apologize to him for knocking him down, which was stupid, because he hadn't been knocked down at all, Hermione had. He called himself the 'better species.' I felt Hermione's hand on my arm, and I knew she was worried about my darn redheaded temper, and that made me mad. I wanted to prove to her, that I could control myself. So I decided to ignore him again, and I tried guiding Hermione away. Malfoy stopped me again. "I said 'no' Weasel." I gritted my teeth, and stared at the wall behind Malfoy. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Harry and Ginny arrive. I didn't know where Mum was, but I hoped she got here soon. Finally an idea struck me. "Harry, I just had the weirdest sensation, like someone was grabbing my arm, but yet, I don't see anyone. Do you see anyone?" I said. "Uh." Harry said. I think I shocked him. I shook my head. "I guess I'm just imagining things." I must have shocked Malfoy too, because this time he let me walk away. I was still holding onto Hermione, but I didn't feel like letting go, and she didn't try to pry me off or anything, so I just held on to her. I was worried Malfoy might attack from behind. You can never trust a Slytherin. In any case, I wasn't going to let my best friend get hurt. Mum popped through the barrier and asked if she missed anything. "Oh, yeah." Harry said. He still sounded as if he shocked. Mum looked at me holding Hermione's arm, and so did Ginny. So as not to give them the wrong impression, I let go of her arm. I admit I did it reluctantly, but I knew Draco wouldn't try anything with an adult around. I think, secretly, that I needed Hermione's support. As well as feeling the need to support her. My legs were shaky after relaxing from being so tense. But I found when I let go of her I could stand on my own, so that was ok.
Soon after we boarded the train. We found a compartment in the middle somewhere, and after stowing our luggage away we sank down into the seats. Hermione had asked me why I did that, and I said I would tell her later. So now, later, in the train compartment, she looked at me. "It's later." She said. "Now explain." So I told her my promise to myself, and how I had told myself that I would ignore Draco. Surprise and shock flitted across her face before she rested on surprise and happiness. "Oh, Ron, I'm so proud of you!" She threw her arms around my neck, and hugged me. I was surprised, but pleasantly so. I realized something then. I like to hug Hermione. There's something about her hug that makes you feel so.loved. I think I like it even more that a kiss on the cheek. A kiss on the cheek, seems so stuffy, so French, you know the polite thing they do in France, that half the time they don't even do to people they know. I have to admit though; it sure is nice when she does kiss me on the cheek. Maybe I would like it better if it lasted longer.what the heck am I thinking? I'll just stick to hugs, thank you very much. I laid my arms loosely around her back, and soon she broke off the hug. I felt the bout of disappointment I feel every time she stops hugging me. I felt like I had failed her, by not hugging her well, when she deserved it. I told myself that next time she hugged me, I would hug her back just as tightly as she hugged me. Then she hugged Ginny and Harry, and I realized that she wasn't hugging me for me; she hugged lots of people. Mainly Harry Ginny and I, but she hugged her parents, too, and my parents. She didn't want to hug me she just wanted to hug. I was still determined to hug her better the next time though.
Not too much later, Luna Lovegood came in and asked if she could join us. We all nodded and she sat down beside Harry, because Crookshanks was sitting in the empty seat beside Hermione. I noticed Hermione grinning at Harry, and I looked over to. He was sitting in between Luna and I, and he was gazing at Luna with a goofy smile on his face. Then it dawned on me. He liked Luna! I looked over at Hermione, and saw her elbow Ginny in the ribs, and nod her head ever so slightly in Harry's direction. Ginny looked confused, but she looked at Harry and I saw her eyes widen, and heard her hold back a laugh. I looked back over at Harry. He was still smiling at Luna. I was disgusted. How sappy! He was so obvious. Just then Hermione stood up and asked me if I wanted to go find the trolley with her, the one that went around with the snack. I saw Ginny narrow her eyes, as she looked from Hermione to me. "Um, I guess." I said. Yeah, good answer Ron. I stood up, and we walked out of the compartment. I could feel Ginny's eyes on me, the whole way out. When I closed the door, Hermione turned to me. "You'd better talk to Harry. It's so obvious he likes Luna-" "He's practically drooling over her." I finished with her. She looked at me in surprise. "I think the corners of his mouth were wet." I said. Hermione laughed. "Maybe you should talk to him, let him know what he's doing." Suddenly I had a thought. "Hey! Do you think this is what Harry was going to tell me tonight before bed?" "I have no idea what you're talking about, Ron, but what I do know is that Harry is going to make a complete fool of himself." I nodded. "I'll go talk to him." Hermione smiled. "And I'll go buy something to boost our story." She said, gesturing at the trolley a little ways down the hallway. "Don't let Harry know we all know unless you need to, ok? I'd like to see when he plans on telling Ginny and I." I raised my eyebrows at her. "Ok." She ran up to the trolley and bought a flagon of pumpkin juice and a stack of cauldron cakes, and a bag of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans. Then she ran back and nodded at me. I held the compartment door open, and Hermione sat down in her seat, with a smile on her face. "Anybody want a cauldron cake?" She asked. Ginny took one, and I told her that I would take a rain check. "Harry, can I talk to you?" I asked him.
Harry looked up in surprise. "Sure," He said. He followed me out of the compartment and leaned against the door. "What's up?" I almost laughed. How clueless. I laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, I know you like Luna." Harry looked up at me in surprise. "Wha-how did you-?" I laughed. "It's pretty obvious, Harry, the way you're staring at her. Harry turned pink and spluttered, "But I-Yeah but-But, but, but." Oh this was hilarious. "Harry," I said kindly. "You're paying too much attention to her for no one to notice." Harry looked angry. "Well!" He said. "If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black!" I was confused. "Huh?" Harry leaned close to me. "Don't even start with me Ron. Obviously you aren't exactly an expert on girls or romantic relationships are you?" I stared at him. "Huh? What are you talking about?" Harry rolled his eyes. "You think I'm obvious, look at you!" "I blinked. "What?" Harry looked very irritated. "Never mind." He hissed. He pushed his way back into the trolley. I followed him, very confused. What had just happened here?
~Hermione's POV~ Surprisingly, when Harry and Ron came back into the trolley, it was not Harry who was flustered, like I had expected, but Ron. He looked confused, and like I said, very flustered. He sat down, and he didn't seem to know what to do with his hands. He looked over at Harry, who just grinned back at him. Harry looked kind of frustrated, too, like Ron was acting clueless. I know how Harry was feeling. When I help Ron with his homework, and he just doesn't understand, and it's so easy, I feel like shaking him into understanding. What had happened out there? What had Ron said to Harry? What had Harry said to Ron? I guess I would just have to wait to find out.