Chapter Five: A Resolution of Sorts
Ron picked up his things and headed to the door. He waited for Hermione, who got
up quickly to avoid any unnecessary attention from Malfoy. Why was he looking at her that
way? If he did anything to her...
His thoughts were interrupted when a voice said, "Hey, Ron."
He turned around. "Listen, 'Mione, I'm sorry for being such a selfish, thoughtless git.
I didn't mean any of it, it's just that..."
She sighed. "I know, Ron, you get jealous sometimes, Harry does get a lot of extra
attention and all, but always remember that we're friends. Best friends. We're supposed to
be there for each other. Harry would like more than anything else to be out of the
spotlight, but he can't. He's learned to deal with it, and you have to, too. Look, Ron, I
don't love either of you more than the other, and you have to realize that. You're both
special in your own way."
He looked around. "Let's talk some more at lunch, okay?"
"Sure."
With that, they both went up to the Library, telling Harry on the way that they were
going to talk...
The library was quiet. Ron and Hermione sat down at one of the tables towards the
back, where they could see anyone coming, and were well out of earshot of Madame Pince,
the librarian.
Ron took Hermione's hand in his, and looked into her eyes. "Look, I'm sorry about
what I said earlier --"
"You don't have to --"
"Let me finish." He paused. "I'm sorry. I guess sometimes my temper gets the
better of me. It's just that, putting my feelings aside, you and Harry, you're like family to
me, and I don't want either of you to get hurt, but if this is how you want things to be, then
I'll respect your decisions --"
A look of realization came across Hermione's face. "Ron! There's nothing going on
between me and Harry!"
He was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
She laughed. "Dating either of you would be... You guys are like brothers to me...
That would be gross!"
"I guess." Ron paused. So Hermione and Harry were not anything more than
friends. That was good. He really liked her, even if she didn't feel the same way about
him... He could live with that... But for Harry to again get something he so wanted...
Harry had everything... It just wasn't fair... He wouldn't say anything for now... At least
she would continue talking to him that way...
Harry walked into the Great Hall, leaving his two friends to resolve their problems in
the library. He sincerely hoped they would be able to work things out. Ron seemed to be
very easy to set off lately, and Harry found himself wondering why. He had a certain
possessiveness about Hermione that was just... disturbing. Ron had liked her for what
seemed like ages, up until fifth year, when he had professed that he liked Pavarti. Why the
sudden change now? 'It was probably the compliments I paid Hermione.' Harry thought.
That would be it. When Harry had told her at Daigon Alley how much she had changed
since they started at Hogwarts, Ron seemed to shoot daggers at him. But why? If Ron
didn't like her anymore, then why shouldn't someone else have a chance? Harry was taken
from his thoughts when Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas sat next to him and started
asking about the upcoming Quidditch season...
In the Great Hall, Draco looked around for Granger. It was halfway through lunch
and he hadn't seen her since class. That was odd. She always came to the Great Hall with
Potter and Weasley. If one was here, the others would likely be in tow. But he didn't see
Weasley or Granger anywhere. Potter was there, chatting with Finnigan and Thomas, and...
being watched by Brown. She was giggling furiously and whispering something to one of
the Patil twins. Hah, that was funny. Brown had a thing for the famous Harry Potter. Wait
until everyone heard about this...
Sitting at the Slytherin table, he suddenly found himself in the presence of Pansy and
Millicent. 'Great, just what I need now,' he thought. 'But then again...'
After lunch the Gryffindors had Transfiguration, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione
met up. The class went by uneventfully, but dinner was to bring more interesting
occurrences...
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table that evening, watching the
Slytherins. It had been rumored that they had gone over cheering Charms in Professor
Flitwick's class, leaving them in quite jovial spirits. This was highly unusual, in light of the
fact that they were always sneering at students from other Houses, and as such, their
positive demeanor was noted by everyone.
Ron laughed. "Look at them; they seem human, for once."
"Yeah, not like their usual, demented, I-want-to-break-every-bone-in-your-body
selves," Harry added.
"What do you think, 'Mione?" Ron asked.
"I think it would be a good idea to make these things a daily requirement for anyone
sorted into Slytherin," she remarked.
They all laughed, but Hermione noted in particular not the general behavior of the
group, but that of one individual specifically, who kept stealing glances at her through the
entire meal...
Author's Note
Well, I hope that cleared up some of the thing with Ron and Hermione. It was short, I
know, but the next chapter will be good, I promise... I really wanted to get this up...
Thanks to Crystalline Lily for your help and being the first to review (made my day!)... I
fixed the thing with the anonymous reviews, and thanks again; I would have had no idea...
To everyone else, please R&R, and as always, thanks for your time...
E. Caddy Compson (persephoneia)