* ~HERMIONE'S POINT OF VIEW~ *
I leaned forward slightly in my chair, completely engrossed in the chapter of Death Stoppers in my Potions book for the coming term. It was a famous potion for the dark arts...nobody used it since it was against the Ministry's laws, except for Death Eaters, of course. It was disgusting what it could do to you if it went wrong...
In the Gryffindor house, I was practically famous for tuning everything and everyone out when I read. It was a trait most people didn't have, and when someone did, the others would be constantly annoyed at the fact that they couldn't get your attention. Harry was one of these people. He would sigh, annoyed, and stalk over to a different end of the Common Room. Ron, however, was never annoyed in the slightest. He always had a wonderful a time trying to knock me out of my trance, and it was amusing to see the look of pure disdain on his face when it didn't work. Tonight was no exception.
We were in the Common Room the night after the welcoming feast, and I was stuffed. Most everyone had gone to bed early, wanting to be rested for the start of the term tomorrow. However, a few of us had lingered in the Common Room, talking quietly to their friends about their summer vacations, or just lounging about. I hated to see that I was the only one getting a head start on schoolwork. Why wasn't everyone so responsible? I quickly pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the next paragraph.
It wasn't long, though, until I felt a quill prodding my leg. I knew it was Ron; he was the only one close enough (sitting on the couch next to the chair I was in), so I didn't bother to look. I simply shifted my leg and continued reading: the Death Stoppers were used in place of the Sorcerer's Stone when someone couldn't get a hold of it. Just reading of the Sorcerer's Stone sent chills up my spine as I remembered what had happened to us in our first year...
There it was again. Someone...well, Ron...was running the feathery end of the quill up and down my arm. Goosebumps were rising slightly at the tickling sensation and I tried my hardest to suppress the grin itching my mouth. It didn't work. I broke out into a smile and started laughing.
"Okay, fine," I said, turning to Ron with a bit of annoyance. "You win. What do you want? I'm really trying to study here!"
"Come on, 'Mione," he said, settling further into the couch. He leaned his head against the back of the cushion and gazed over at me with a smirk across his face. "We haven't even been to class yet. No homework. What could you possibly be studying?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't tell me you're reading up on the N.E.W.T's already. That's a bloody two years away!"
I rolled my eyes at him, trying to tune out the thought of how cute he was with his hair rumpled and wearing a too small white T-shirt "First of all, no, I'm not studying for those. Second of all, it wouldn't matter if I was, and third of all, watch your language!"
"Enlighten me, then," he said, ignoring my last argument. He raised one eyebrow challengingly; something I recognized from all of the fights we'd subjected each other to over the years. "What are you studying for this time?"
"For your information, I'm studying for the test to become a prefect for next year. I have to pass a test and an interview. Are you happy now?" I turned back to my book, curling a leg underneath me, slightly embarrassed. He wouldn't let me forget this one.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ron's stance changing from defiant to... affectionate? He chuckled softly. "Why bother? I know you. You've memorized practically everything in the entire Hogwarts library, and you're sweet as hell. Of course you'll get the job!" A light pink glow inched itself into his cheeks, and he glanced downwards, obviously embarrassed at the slip of his compliment.
I blinked at him, surprised. Compliments were rarely said between us in day-to-day life, much less than in an argument. I wasn't really sure how to respond, just like he wasn't sure what to say next. An awkward silence filled the emptying Common Room. I decided to chance a glance over at him and I saw him fidgeting with his robes, his face still slightly flushed. "Thanks, Ron." I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. "That means a lot to me...to hear that from you, I mean." I didn't know why I said that. It seemed that all too soon, our conversation was getting a little...personal. "Um...it's getting late. I should...you know...go to bed." Wow, very intellectual, Herm! I could've kicked myself. What's the point though? This is Ron, here.
I got up and quickly headed towards the girls dormitories, until I felt a hand catch my wrist.
"Hey, Hermione?" Ron asked, making me turn towards him. "G'night." He smiled, and I thought my heart would literally melt.
Yeesh, maybe the house elves had the fires too hot these days!
* ~RON'S POINT OF VIEW~ *
The first few days of classes flew by since, for one, we weren't getting much work done; just going over the rules and such, and second, Hermione was being extra nice to me.
It was kind of unnerving. Since our little...discussion after the welcoming feast, we both felt a little awkward around each other. I told myself it wasn't anything major though. After all, we're just friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Friday!" Harry flopped himself down on an armchair in the empty Common Room and I rolled my eyes at him. Although I couldn't say I wasn't thrilled that the weekend was finally here, but...I was nervous. We had just come in from our last class of the day, and the setting sun glowed through the large window separating the girls and boys dormitory staircases, brightening the view of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid's hut, and the Quidditch Pitch way in the distance. The sight of the large hoops and tall stands of bleachers made my stomach churn. This weekend. This weekend was it. This weekend I was...
"Nervous for the Quidditch tryouts?" Harry quipped as he appeared next to me. He smirked at me slightly, and all I could do was nod. Harry slapped me on the back in a friendly...and painful...way. "Don't worry, Ron! We've been practicing all summer. You're going to be great, and you know it." He turned and headed towards the chessboard obviously assuming I would follow him.
For once, chess was the last thing on my mind. "Harry," I started. I had to have some kind of conviction. Some kind of assurance. "What if I fall off my broom? What if my hands sweat and I can't catch anything? I mean, it's kind of important to be able to catch if you want to be Keeper..." I began pacing, twisting my hands painfully.
"Ron, give it a rest. You know you'll be having too much fun to even worry about sweating while you're up there." Harry seemed to give up on the chess idea and headed toward the dormitory staircase. "Besides, if you're that nervous, there must be some kind of sweat reduction spell. Ask Hermione about it."
"Ask me what?" a voice asked from the girls' staircase.
I whipped around. Had Hermione heard everything? Ugh! I hadn't planned to tell her about my trying out for the team. She would just get me more worked up by constantly asking if I was nervous. I knew her well enough to know that much. Besides...what if I disappointed her?
That last thought, as well as seeing Hermione's outline framed against the dazzling sunlight, made my heart stop. Since when did I care if I disappointed her? And as for the more pressing question, when did she start to look so extraordinarily...beautiful? She stood in front of me with her hands on her slender hips, her legs slightly spread in a determined stance, and her hair...her gorgeous hair...flowed around her shoulders in soft curls framing her angelic looking face. Her lips were glossy and parted questioningly, and it took every ounce of my strength to not throw myself at her.
I was having these thoughts so often recently that it didn't even seem strange anymore.
"Well?" Hermione arched an eyebrow at me, and I realized how long I had just been staring at her. For some reason, though, my mouth felt like it was filled with cotton balls, and words failed me.
Harry cleared his throat from the staircase, and we both turned to look at him. He had a puzzled and knowing grin playing across his face while he looked at Hermione, then at me, then back again. He took a breath, as if to say something, but he must have caught my deadly stare because he stopped smiling and turned toward Hermione nervously. "It's nothing, Herm. I was just joking around." He glanced at me, then turned and bounded up the stairs.
I sighed, relieved, and Hermione turned back to me, confused.
"What are you not telling me?" she asked quietly, a bit of hurt visible through her long lashes.
I sighed inwardly. I couldn't tell her. I just couldn't. What if she laughed at me? Okay, stupid argument. Hermione would never laugh at anyone she cared about. Cared about... I grinned at the thought. Did she really care about me? Like that? I know I...
"Ron?" Hermione waved a hand in front of my face, obviously forgetting her previous question. When I blinked and glanced over at her, she laughed quietly. "Jeez, Ron, what's up with you? You seem so spacey lately..." She stepped closer and gazed up into my eyes worriedly. "You're alright, aren't you?"
I had to touch her. I couldn't be this close to her and not touch her in some way. I didn't know why, but I felt that if she left right now, and I hadn't made physical contact with her, I would die. My body obliged without thinking twice. "I'm fine, 'Mione." I smiled, and softly rubbed my hands up and down her arms.
She blinked and glanced up at me with pleasant surprise. Her eyes glazed over for a moment, and I could tell that her mind was reeling. Great, did I just step out of the lines of friendship? Honestly, I didn't know what I was doing anymore...
She blinked herself out of her trance and slid her arms around my neck. "Good," she whispered. "I wouldn't want to worry about you."
I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around the small of her back. A stray curl licked the side of my face, and the scent of her shampoo and perfume combined made me shiver. Suddenly, I had the unsettling sensation of having no control over my actions. I took a deep breath, and I knew I was about to say something I was going to regret.
The door of the Common Room swung open abruptly, and Hermione and I sprang apart.
"Hey guys!" Ginny bounded into the room, completely oblivious to the awkwardness filling the space around us. "Did you hear?" She noticed our blank expressions and sighed exasperatedly. "Honestly! There's to be a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow! We get to leave early, but come back in the early evening. Apparently, we have to be here for some reason..." Quidditch tryouts were in the evening. Thank god she didn't know about it or she wouldn't spilled it to Hermione.
"Did I hear Hogsmeade?" Harry asked, coming down from the dormitories.
Ginny blushed slightly at the sight of him, but nodded obediently. "Yep yep! Tomorrow morning until early evening."
"Sweet. I haven't been there for ages. Anyway, it's time for dinner. Let's go." Harry and Ginny hurried around the Common Room gathering their things while Hermione and I stood there, frozen to our spots, smiling secret smiles.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, guys, this is my first fan fiction on this site! I would appreciate it so so much if you reviewed! I know you want to. Just press that little review button. Go on. Do it. For me. Unless, of course, you don't want more of this story. BLACKMAIL! lol, no, I'm just joking. I would never do that to you. Just review, though, k? I would love it. Just love it.
~* MORE CHAPTERS ON THE WAY *~
I leaned forward slightly in my chair, completely engrossed in the chapter of Death Stoppers in my Potions book for the coming term. It was a famous potion for the dark arts...nobody used it since it was against the Ministry's laws, except for Death Eaters, of course. It was disgusting what it could do to you if it went wrong...
In the Gryffindor house, I was practically famous for tuning everything and everyone out when I read. It was a trait most people didn't have, and when someone did, the others would be constantly annoyed at the fact that they couldn't get your attention. Harry was one of these people. He would sigh, annoyed, and stalk over to a different end of the Common Room. Ron, however, was never annoyed in the slightest. He always had a wonderful a time trying to knock me out of my trance, and it was amusing to see the look of pure disdain on his face when it didn't work. Tonight was no exception.
We were in the Common Room the night after the welcoming feast, and I was stuffed. Most everyone had gone to bed early, wanting to be rested for the start of the term tomorrow. However, a few of us had lingered in the Common Room, talking quietly to their friends about their summer vacations, or just lounging about. I hated to see that I was the only one getting a head start on schoolwork. Why wasn't everyone so responsible? I quickly pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the next paragraph.
It wasn't long, though, until I felt a quill prodding my leg. I knew it was Ron; he was the only one close enough (sitting on the couch next to the chair I was in), so I didn't bother to look. I simply shifted my leg and continued reading: the Death Stoppers were used in place of the Sorcerer's Stone when someone couldn't get a hold of it. Just reading of the Sorcerer's Stone sent chills up my spine as I remembered what had happened to us in our first year...
There it was again. Someone...well, Ron...was running the feathery end of the quill up and down my arm. Goosebumps were rising slightly at the tickling sensation and I tried my hardest to suppress the grin itching my mouth. It didn't work. I broke out into a smile and started laughing.
"Okay, fine," I said, turning to Ron with a bit of annoyance. "You win. What do you want? I'm really trying to study here!"
"Come on, 'Mione," he said, settling further into the couch. He leaned his head against the back of the cushion and gazed over at me with a smirk across his face. "We haven't even been to class yet. No homework. What could you possibly be studying?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't tell me you're reading up on the N.E.W.T's already. That's a bloody two years away!"
I rolled my eyes at him, trying to tune out the thought of how cute he was with his hair rumpled and wearing a too small white T-shirt "First of all, no, I'm not studying for those. Second of all, it wouldn't matter if I was, and third of all, watch your language!"
"Enlighten me, then," he said, ignoring my last argument. He raised one eyebrow challengingly; something I recognized from all of the fights we'd subjected each other to over the years. "What are you studying for this time?"
"For your information, I'm studying for the test to become a prefect for next year. I have to pass a test and an interview. Are you happy now?" I turned back to my book, curling a leg underneath me, slightly embarrassed. He wouldn't let me forget this one.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ron's stance changing from defiant to... affectionate? He chuckled softly. "Why bother? I know you. You've memorized practically everything in the entire Hogwarts library, and you're sweet as hell. Of course you'll get the job!" A light pink glow inched itself into his cheeks, and he glanced downwards, obviously embarrassed at the slip of his compliment.
I blinked at him, surprised. Compliments were rarely said between us in day-to-day life, much less than in an argument. I wasn't really sure how to respond, just like he wasn't sure what to say next. An awkward silence filled the emptying Common Room. I decided to chance a glance over at him and I saw him fidgeting with his robes, his face still slightly flushed. "Thanks, Ron." I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. "That means a lot to me...to hear that from you, I mean." I didn't know why I said that. It seemed that all too soon, our conversation was getting a little...personal. "Um...it's getting late. I should...you know...go to bed." Wow, very intellectual, Herm! I could've kicked myself. What's the point though? This is Ron, here.
I got up and quickly headed towards the girls dormitories, until I felt a hand catch my wrist.
"Hey, Hermione?" Ron asked, making me turn towards him. "G'night." He smiled, and I thought my heart would literally melt.
Yeesh, maybe the house elves had the fires too hot these days!
* ~RON'S POINT OF VIEW~ *
The first few days of classes flew by since, for one, we weren't getting much work done; just going over the rules and such, and second, Hermione was being extra nice to me.
It was kind of unnerving. Since our little...discussion after the welcoming feast, we both felt a little awkward around each other. I told myself it wasn't anything major though. After all, we're just friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Friday!" Harry flopped himself down on an armchair in the empty Common Room and I rolled my eyes at him. Although I couldn't say I wasn't thrilled that the weekend was finally here, but...I was nervous. We had just come in from our last class of the day, and the setting sun glowed through the large window separating the girls and boys dormitory staircases, brightening the view of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid's hut, and the Quidditch Pitch way in the distance. The sight of the large hoops and tall stands of bleachers made my stomach churn. This weekend. This weekend was it. This weekend I was...
"Nervous for the Quidditch tryouts?" Harry quipped as he appeared next to me. He smirked at me slightly, and all I could do was nod. Harry slapped me on the back in a friendly...and painful...way. "Don't worry, Ron! We've been practicing all summer. You're going to be great, and you know it." He turned and headed towards the chessboard obviously assuming I would follow him.
For once, chess was the last thing on my mind. "Harry," I started. I had to have some kind of conviction. Some kind of assurance. "What if I fall off my broom? What if my hands sweat and I can't catch anything? I mean, it's kind of important to be able to catch if you want to be Keeper..." I began pacing, twisting my hands painfully.
"Ron, give it a rest. You know you'll be having too much fun to even worry about sweating while you're up there." Harry seemed to give up on the chess idea and headed toward the dormitory staircase. "Besides, if you're that nervous, there must be some kind of sweat reduction spell. Ask Hermione about it."
"Ask me what?" a voice asked from the girls' staircase.
I whipped around. Had Hermione heard everything? Ugh! I hadn't planned to tell her about my trying out for the team. She would just get me more worked up by constantly asking if I was nervous. I knew her well enough to know that much. Besides...what if I disappointed her?
That last thought, as well as seeing Hermione's outline framed against the dazzling sunlight, made my heart stop. Since when did I care if I disappointed her? And as for the more pressing question, when did she start to look so extraordinarily...beautiful? She stood in front of me with her hands on her slender hips, her legs slightly spread in a determined stance, and her hair...her gorgeous hair...flowed around her shoulders in soft curls framing her angelic looking face. Her lips were glossy and parted questioningly, and it took every ounce of my strength to not throw myself at her.
I was having these thoughts so often recently that it didn't even seem strange anymore.
"Well?" Hermione arched an eyebrow at me, and I realized how long I had just been staring at her. For some reason, though, my mouth felt like it was filled with cotton balls, and words failed me.
Harry cleared his throat from the staircase, and we both turned to look at him. He had a puzzled and knowing grin playing across his face while he looked at Hermione, then at me, then back again. He took a breath, as if to say something, but he must have caught my deadly stare because he stopped smiling and turned toward Hermione nervously. "It's nothing, Herm. I was just joking around." He glanced at me, then turned and bounded up the stairs.
I sighed, relieved, and Hermione turned back to me, confused.
"What are you not telling me?" she asked quietly, a bit of hurt visible through her long lashes.
I sighed inwardly. I couldn't tell her. I just couldn't. What if she laughed at me? Okay, stupid argument. Hermione would never laugh at anyone she cared about. Cared about... I grinned at the thought. Did she really care about me? Like that? I know I...
"Ron?" Hermione waved a hand in front of my face, obviously forgetting her previous question. When I blinked and glanced over at her, she laughed quietly. "Jeez, Ron, what's up with you? You seem so spacey lately..." She stepped closer and gazed up into my eyes worriedly. "You're alright, aren't you?"
I had to touch her. I couldn't be this close to her and not touch her in some way. I didn't know why, but I felt that if she left right now, and I hadn't made physical contact with her, I would die. My body obliged without thinking twice. "I'm fine, 'Mione." I smiled, and softly rubbed my hands up and down her arms.
She blinked and glanced up at me with pleasant surprise. Her eyes glazed over for a moment, and I could tell that her mind was reeling. Great, did I just step out of the lines of friendship? Honestly, I didn't know what I was doing anymore...
She blinked herself out of her trance and slid her arms around my neck. "Good," she whispered. "I wouldn't want to worry about you."
I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around the small of her back. A stray curl licked the side of my face, and the scent of her shampoo and perfume combined made me shiver. Suddenly, I had the unsettling sensation of having no control over my actions. I took a deep breath, and I knew I was about to say something I was going to regret.
The door of the Common Room swung open abruptly, and Hermione and I sprang apart.
"Hey guys!" Ginny bounded into the room, completely oblivious to the awkwardness filling the space around us. "Did you hear?" She noticed our blank expressions and sighed exasperatedly. "Honestly! There's to be a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow! We get to leave early, but come back in the early evening. Apparently, we have to be here for some reason..." Quidditch tryouts were in the evening. Thank god she didn't know about it or she wouldn't spilled it to Hermione.
"Did I hear Hogsmeade?" Harry asked, coming down from the dormitories.
Ginny blushed slightly at the sight of him, but nodded obediently. "Yep yep! Tomorrow morning until early evening."
"Sweet. I haven't been there for ages. Anyway, it's time for dinner. Let's go." Harry and Ginny hurried around the Common Room gathering their things while Hermione and I stood there, frozen to our spots, smiling secret smiles.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, guys, this is my first fan fiction on this site! I would appreciate it so so much if you reviewed! I know you want to. Just press that little review button. Go on. Do it. For me. Unless, of course, you don't want more of this story. BLACKMAIL! lol, no, I'm just joking. I would never do that to you. Just review, though, k? I would love it. Just love it.
~* MORE CHAPTERS ON THE WAY *~