Finally, Harry and Luna went inside. Ron was standing at the doorway waiting for them to come in. He didn't look mad, angry, or upset. Overall, he didn't have any expression on his face. Luna didn't seem to notice this at all. Harry really admired her for that. That she didn't care what a single person thought of her or what they said about her.
"Ronald," Luna said, smiling.
"Hi, Luna." Ron replied dully. "Do you mind if I have a private word with Harry? Private meaning without you."
"Of course, I don't mind. I don't own Harry, do I? You should be asking him. Not me, you hanging puckle! And besides, there's a lot of catching up to do. You know, for the whole school thing. Meaning you need your education."
Ron walked into the hallway and halfway up the stairs. Harry followed him closely behind. "Harry, what were you doing out there with Luna?" Ron asked.
"Oh, about that Ron, how could I explain this? I like Luna. A lot, actually. And, well, she likes me, I guess." Harry replied nervously. Ron had a look of great dislike and disgust on his face.
"Harry, I'm not going to do what I did in our forth year. You know, go totally berserk. But, I've got to ask. Why would you go and steal the only girl that likes me?"
"Ron, there's plenty of girls that like you." Harry nearly yelled.
"Oh yeah? Name one?" Ron replied even louder then Harry.
"Well, you see, there's um."
"What did I-", Ron tried to ask but was cut off by Harry.
"Hermione!" Harry said loudly. Ron stood there looking at Harry as if it were a joke. Harry just slapped his hand over his mouth and looked behind his back to see if Hermione had heard him.
"Harry, how in the world could you tell me such a lie? You know for a fact that she doesn't like me!" Ron whispered. "And besides, how do you know I like her?" Harry looked at Ron like he was about to laugh.
"Are you kidding? Everyone knows. Except Hermione."
"Well, we'll see, won't we?" Ron said hastily. "Oh, Hermione! Could you come here for a bit?" Hermione ran into the hallway looking excited.
"Yes?" She asked as soon as she caught site of the two of them.
"Harry's telling me something that I know isn't true. Now, could you help us clear this up?" Ron asked walking down to Hermione and away from Harry.
"Okay, I'll help."
"Harry thinks you -this is quite funny, actually- like me!" He chuckled. Hermione stood there frozen for a second then looked at Harry disgusted. Her eyes were full of tears.
"Harry? Why would you go off and tell him?" She said pushing Ron and Harry out of the way, running up to Ginny's room.
"Hermione, wait! You said you were going to tell him this year anyway!" Harry yelled as he followed her, leaving Ron behind staring after them. Harry opened the door to Ginny's room and saw Hermione laying down on her cot. "Hermione, I'm really sorry. He was mad at me for liking Luna. And you know he likes you, so what's the matter?"
Hermione turned around and stared at Harry with a face full of tears. Harry hadn't seen her this upset since their fourth year when Draco Malfoy had enlarged her teeth, meaning to hex Harry. "Whether he likes me or not, I never asked you to tell him!" Hermione cried hysterically.
"I'm really, really sorry, Hermione." But just then Ron walked into the room. He looked like he had been thinking really hard, if it's possible to tell.
"Harry, mind if I give it a try?" Ron whispered so only Harry could hear him. Harry nodded and walked down stairs. ~*~ -Mean while, still up stairs- ~*~
"Look Hermione, I haven't even told Harry."
"Told Harry what? That I was despicable? That I'm ugly, annoying, and always get to over whelmed?" Hermione half yelled.
"No, it's not that. Because your none of those things, Hermione!" Ron said, his ears turning scarlet. "I haven't told him that I. I like. you." Now, Ron's ears were brighter then ever. He hadn't looked up at Hermione since he came into the room.
"Ron, you're not helping. I know you want to make me feel better, but lying to me isn't the answer."
"Hermione! Listen to me! I've liked you ever since our little troll incident! If anything I'm glad it happened! If it hadn't I more then likely wouldn't be telling you this right now! Ron said, hotly.
Hermione sat there, frozen to the spot. She couldn't look at Ron. So, instead, she stood, walked past Ron, and out the door. Ron thought that she would never believe him. ~*~ Back down stairs (F.Y.I. These are going on at the same time.)
"Check!" Ginny yelled, watching her queen knock Harry's king down with its chair. "I win!"
"Only luck. Don't get to excited!" Harry said looking at the stairs. Ginny saw him and wanted to cry.
"Harry, I know you didn't mean to tell him. Even if Hermione never does, you can always talk to me. You do know that she didn't mean to get all upset. I mean, what if you told Ron that you were in love with someone and then he went and told that person. I bet you'd be mad yourself. Not to mention embarrassed. I mean, I know Ron really likes her, he says her name in his sleep." Ginny said. Harry suddenly saw Ginny in a whole new light. She was really smart. He used to just think of her as Ron's little sister. But now, she was all grown up. She was a young lady now, not just a little kid.
Harry was still looking at the steps when Hermione walked down, still crying. But she wasn't mad at Harry. Instead, she ran over and gave him a hug. They stayed like that for a while, Hermione crying on his shoulder. And suddenly, Ginny got up and ran out side. When Hermione saw her leave she got up. "What's 'matter with her?" Hermione asked, tears still drizzling down her face.