Friends...I Guess
Chapter 8
~Hermione's Point of View~
I twirled my fork between my fingers uneasily. Today. It was today, and I felt like there were still hundreds of books I should study. First of all, the Prefects' Test was TONIGHT, and if there were any place I should be at this very moment, it would not be at breakfast. My eyes slid up to Ron and Harry again, who were seated in front of me, giving apprehensive looks at each other, and at me. I didn't blame them. After all, they were the ones who forced me to come down here. 'You need nourishment before an exam like this,' they had said.
Please. What I NEED is studying!
Ron began to squirm even more, and his gaze became apologetic.
I felt myself soften, and I immediately clamped my lips shut. If I did poorly on the test, it would be their fault, and I was NOT going to make them feel better. Even if one of them was my date to the ball.
I attempted to fight off the grin tugging at my lips at this thought.
A loud bang sounded from above our heads, and everyone's eyes shot upwards and were greeted with an open window and fluttering owls.
"Crikey! Look at how many there are." Harry said, bewildered.
It was true. For some reason, there were many more owls cluttering the ceiling than usual. Perhaps it was because the ball was announced last night, and boys were inviting girls through the post? Or perhaps it was because they were...for me?!
My eyes narrowed, perplexed as to why I was receiving post. As the medium brown owl lowered itself...a school owl...I noticed it was carrying something more than a letter. I felt my eyebrows shoot up as I saw it was a single red rose.
"What the..." I barely got it out before it dropped the flower on my plate, as well as a note. I reached for it, and carefully untied the knot holding it shut.
Hermione: Twelve reasons why you're bound to become
a prefect.
1) You're the cleverest witch at Hogwarts.
But there it stopped. I read it again, confused as to why it said twelve, and only one was listed. I glanced up at Harry and Ron.
"I don't understand-"
But was cut off yet again. A second rose was being dropped off by a second owl. With a second note. I couldn't help but laugh. I burst into a thrilled set of giggles, a sound completely unlike me. I looked up at Harry and Ron again to see how they were taking this. Harry looked amused, but Ron...Ron wasn't looking. His eyes were cast down to his lap, and I knew that he was twisting his hands again. That nervous habit. And his face was the color of a cherry Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean. And I knew.
I looked up as 10 more owls with 10 more roses were circling above my head, waiting for their turn to swoop down. One by one, I read the reasons, and smiled. The owls were attracting quite a bit of attention, and cheers could be heard throughout the Great Hall.
A few minutes later, the owls were gone; I had a dozen roses stacked on my plate, eleven opened notes, and feathers in my goblet. The attention had left, and Harry was deep in conversation with Fred.
And Ron was still twisting his hands. I carefully untied the last knot.
12) You are the best and most beautiful friend anyone
could ask for, and I am lucky to know you.
Good luck.
Love,
Me
Meanwhile, Ron looked as if he were about to hyperventilate.
"Ron?"
He jumped, and slowly slid his gaze to meet mine. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
His eyes widened and darted everywhere but at me. "I...I didn't...it...it wasn't...I mean..."
I smiled and squeezed one of his hands that made its way onto the table. "I'm lucky to know you to." At that, I got up and left the table.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Ron's Point of View~
I watched the clock on the hearth above the fireplace in the Common Room. 11:47. And counting. Everyone else was in bed, but I simply couldn't bear it.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The other Gryffindor applicants had returned from the test at least a half hour before. Where was she? I had been nervous enough to give her those flowers this morning. This nervousness of wanting to find out how she did was eating away at me.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
I heaved a sigh and began to pile my books into my knapsack in a desperate attempt to divert my thoughts.
Bang!
I jumped as the Common Room door swung open, hit the wall behind it, and shut just as quickly. I whirled around and faced an obviously very upset Hermione. Tears were streaming down her face, and ragged hiccups escaped her throat every few sobs. Her hair was tangled, and her eyes were in a puffy state from about...let's say a half hour of crying?
My breath caught in my throat and all I wanted to do was make it better.
"What happened?" I all but croaked.
She sobbed even louder, if that were possible, and she looked as if her knees were about to buckle and land in a heap on the floor. I hurried toward her and wrapped my arms around her, half in hopes of keeping her standing upright, and half in hopes of taking away all the hurt.
I cradled her head with my hand, and instantly felt the wet tears soak into my shirt. Her hands gripped fistfuls of the back of my shirt as she sobbed harder.
Wordlessly, I led her over to the couch in front of the fire, and we sat together.
After a few minutes in partial silence (besides the crying), I got a word in.
"Hermione?"
She nodded.
"It didn't go well?"
She shook her head.
"How come?" I whispered. I didn't understand. The top girl in our entire year was turned down?!
With one last hiccup, she got it out.
"He...he said...Dumbledore." * Hiccup * " Dumbledore said that...with...with You-Know-Who on the uprise, it would be..." * Hiccup * "It would be 'unwise' to have a Muggleborn Prefect. He...he said..." * Hiccup * "He said it was for my own safety. He said that You-Know-Who would target me out sheer anger. I...I guess he's right...but..." * Hiccup* "It's just not fair."
And then the sobs began again. Her head slid onto my shoulder, and I held her close for the second time.
A quarter of an hour passed, and the sobs had quieted to a soft whimpering. The news still had not sunk in completely. Yes, You-Know-Who was making a comeback, but it wasn't like Dumbledore to change his ways just because they were against the grain. Of course, Dumbledore always has his reasons.
I gently lifted her off my shoulder to an upright position. I left one hand on her shoulder, not completely sure that she could sit without help, and the other hand lifted her chin so her eyes would meet mine.
"Hermione, you have to know by now that you are THE smartest witch at this school. If anyone deserves to be a Prefect, it would be you, but I guess you could say this is a special circumstance. Dumbledore wouldn't do something like this unless he thought it was absolutely necessary...we both know that. And, when you think about it, in the grand scheme of things, being Prefect isn't that big of a deal. If it doesn't happen, who cares? I know for a fact that you'll still accomplish many things in the wizarding world. And...even though it hurts now, I know you won't let it hold you back. You're amazing, Hermione. And I admire you for that."
Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around my neck. I vaguely heard her whisper something incomprehensible in my ear, but I didn't bother to ask what it was. I glanced at the clock that read 12:35.
"You should get some rest."
No answer.
"Hermione?"
Still no answer.
I gently moved my head to look at hers, and I could see she was sleeping. On my shoulder. I stifled a laugh and scooped her into my arms. "Time for bed, Mione."
I walked up the five flights of stairs to the fifth year girls dormitory. Poking my head in, I saw that everyone else was asleep, and silently made my way in. Hermione's bed was in the far corner, and I pulled the curtains back and turned the comforter down. I pulled the blanket up to her chin and began to close the curtains, when something stopped me.
In front of me was my sleeping best friend. Her hair was a mess, and her face was a blotchy red, but the thought could not escape me that she was still beautiful. Yes, I'd only known her for four and half years. Yes, we were only fifteen years old. But a thought struck me so suddenly that I was dumbstruck as to why I hadn't noticed it before. I was in love with this girl. My best friend. And I couldn't wait to tell her.
I stared at her for a moment longer, then began to tuck the blanket around her. Then, I leaned down and barely kissed her cheek. "Good night, Mione."
This time I was going to close the curtains for real, when:
"Ron..."
I stopped. Did she just say something?
Her eyes fluttered open for a moment then closed again, confirming that she was awake. Barely. Her hand reached for mine. "Stay with me."
I leaned closer. "Pardon?" I couldn't have heard her correctly.
A tired grin slid onto her lips. "I said stay with me, you git."
I grinned too. "I thought that's what you said. Are...are you sure?"
She tugged on my hand. "Of course I'm sure."
"And if we get caught?"
She laughed quietly. "Would you stop thinking so much? We need to sleep..."
Her eyes fluttered shut again, and I smiled. I glanced around me, then slipped my shoes off and climbed in. I lay there for a moment, unsure of exactly what she wanted me to do, when she buried her face in my chest draped an arm around my waist. I smiled and wrapped my arm around her.
After a few moments, when I was positive that she was asleep, I kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, Hermione Granger."
She shifted in my arms, and made a soft, contented sound. "I love you, too, Ron."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's note: Please forgive me for taking so long. Life's throwing me some curve balls lately, and I'm just trying to deal. Thanks to all my readers who have not given up on me.
This includes: phi cong, Tamsy Diane and Lilac, codes778, strayc@t, Silver Ice, powerpetal, Emma, moemoeisu, alyshia, OneDayFamous, Phoenix72389, RonPLUSHermione4eva, HPnLOTRrox, mool, Hermione_granger_27, AnonymousPHancock, BlueFullMoon, Ron_Weasley2, Summer, and Erica The Flying Tree.
Thanks to all of you!
Next Chapter coming soon.
Chapter 8
~Hermione's Point of View~
I twirled my fork between my fingers uneasily. Today. It was today, and I felt like there were still hundreds of books I should study. First of all, the Prefects' Test was TONIGHT, and if there were any place I should be at this very moment, it would not be at breakfast. My eyes slid up to Ron and Harry again, who were seated in front of me, giving apprehensive looks at each other, and at me. I didn't blame them. After all, they were the ones who forced me to come down here. 'You need nourishment before an exam like this,' they had said.
Please. What I NEED is studying!
Ron began to squirm even more, and his gaze became apologetic.
I felt myself soften, and I immediately clamped my lips shut. If I did poorly on the test, it would be their fault, and I was NOT going to make them feel better. Even if one of them was my date to the ball.
I attempted to fight off the grin tugging at my lips at this thought.
A loud bang sounded from above our heads, and everyone's eyes shot upwards and were greeted with an open window and fluttering owls.
"Crikey! Look at how many there are." Harry said, bewildered.
It was true. For some reason, there were many more owls cluttering the ceiling than usual. Perhaps it was because the ball was announced last night, and boys were inviting girls through the post? Or perhaps it was because they were...for me?!
My eyes narrowed, perplexed as to why I was receiving post. As the medium brown owl lowered itself...a school owl...I noticed it was carrying something more than a letter. I felt my eyebrows shoot up as I saw it was a single red rose.
"What the..." I barely got it out before it dropped the flower on my plate, as well as a note. I reached for it, and carefully untied the knot holding it shut.
Hermione: Twelve reasons why you're bound to become
a prefect.
1) You're the cleverest witch at Hogwarts.
But there it stopped. I read it again, confused as to why it said twelve, and only one was listed. I glanced up at Harry and Ron.
"I don't understand-"
But was cut off yet again. A second rose was being dropped off by a second owl. With a second note. I couldn't help but laugh. I burst into a thrilled set of giggles, a sound completely unlike me. I looked up at Harry and Ron again to see how they were taking this. Harry looked amused, but Ron...Ron wasn't looking. His eyes were cast down to his lap, and I knew that he was twisting his hands again. That nervous habit. And his face was the color of a cherry Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean. And I knew.
I looked up as 10 more owls with 10 more roses were circling above my head, waiting for their turn to swoop down. One by one, I read the reasons, and smiled. The owls were attracting quite a bit of attention, and cheers could be heard throughout the Great Hall.
A few minutes later, the owls were gone; I had a dozen roses stacked on my plate, eleven opened notes, and feathers in my goblet. The attention had left, and Harry was deep in conversation with Fred.
And Ron was still twisting his hands. I carefully untied the last knot.
12) You are the best and most beautiful friend anyone
could ask for, and I am lucky to know you.
Good luck.
Love,
Me
Meanwhile, Ron looked as if he were about to hyperventilate.
"Ron?"
He jumped, and slowly slid his gaze to meet mine. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
His eyes widened and darted everywhere but at me. "I...I didn't...it...it wasn't...I mean..."
I smiled and squeezed one of his hands that made its way onto the table. "I'm lucky to know you to." At that, I got up and left the table.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Ron's Point of View~
I watched the clock on the hearth above the fireplace in the Common Room. 11:47. And counting. Everyone else was in bed, but I simply couldn't bear it.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The other Gryffindor applicants had returned from the test at least a half hour before. Where was she? I had been nervous enough to give her those flowers this morning. This nervousness of wanting to find out how she did was eating away at me.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
I heaved a sigh and began to pile my books into my knapsack in a desperate attempt to divert my thoughts.
Bang!
I jumped as the Common Room door swung open, hit the wall behind it, and shut just as quickly. I whirled around and faced an obviously very upset Hermione. Tears were streaming down her face, and ragged hiccups escaped her throat every few sobs. Her hair was tangled, and her eyes were in a puffy state from about...let's say a half hour of crying?
My breath caught in my throat and all I wanted to do was make it better.
"What happened?" I all but croaked.
She sobbed even louder, if that were possible, and she looked as if her knees were about to buckle and land in a heap on the floor. I hurried toward her and wrapped my arms around her, half in hopes of keeping her standing upright, and half in hopes of taking away all the hurt.
I cradled her head with my hand, and instantly felt the wet tears soak into my shirt. Her hands gripped fistfuls of the back of my shirt as she sobbed harder.
Wordlessly, I led her over to the couch in front of the fire, and we sat together.
After a few minutes in partial silence (besides the crying), I got a word in.
"Hermione?"
She nodded.
"It didn't go well?"
She shook her head.
"How come?" I whispered. I didn't understand. The top girl in our entire year was turned down?!
With one last hiccup, she got it out.
"He...he said...Dumbledore." * Hiccup * " Dumbledore said that...with...with You-Know-Who on the uprise, it would be..." * Hiccup * "It would be 'unwise' to have a Muggleborn Prefect. He...he said..." * Hiccup * "He said it was for my own safety. He said that You-Know-Who would target me out sheer anger. I...I guess he's right...but..." * Hiccup* "It's just not fair."
And then the sobs began again. Her head slid onto my shoulder, and I held her close for the second time.
A quarter of an hour passed, and the sobs had quieted to a soft whimpering. The news still had not sunk in completely. Yes, You-Know-Who was making a comeback, but it wasn't like Dumbledore to change his ways just because they were against the grain. Of course, Dumbledore always has his reasons.
I gently lifted her off my shoulder to an upright position. I left one hand on her shoulder, not completely sure that she could sit without help, and the other hand lifted her chin so her eyes would meet mine.
"Hermione, you have to know by now that you are THE smartest witch at this school. If anyone deserves to be a Prefect, it would be you, but I guess you could say this is a special circumstance. Dumbledore wouldn't do something like this unless he thought it was absolutely necessary...we both know that. And, when you think about it, in the grand scheme of things, being Prefect isn't that big of a deal. If it doesn't happen, who cares? I know for a fact that you'll still accomplish many things in the wizarding world. And...even though it hurts now, I know you won't let it hold you back. You're amazing, Hermione. And I admire you for that."
Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around my neck. I vaguely heard her whisper something incomprehensible in my ear, but I didn't bother to ask what it was. I glanced at the clock that read 12:35.
"You should get some rest."
No answer.
"Hermione?"
Still no answer.
I gently moved my head to look at hers, and I could see she was sleeping. On my shoulder. I stifled a laugh and scooped her into my arms. "Time for bed, Mione."
I walked up the five flights of stairs to the fifth year girls dormitory. Poking my head in, I saw that everyone else was asleep, and silently made my way in. Hermione's bed was in the far corner, and I pulled the curtains back and turned the comforter down. I pulled the blanket up to her chin and began to close the curtains, when something stopped me.
In front of me was my sleeping best friend. Her hair was a mess, and her face was a blotchy red, but the thought could not escape me that she was still beautiful. Yes, I'd only known her for four and half years. Yes, we were only fifteen years old. But a thought struck me so suddenly that I was dumbstruck as to why I hadn't noticed it before. I was in love with this girl. My best friend. And I couldn't wait to tell her.
I stared at her for a moment longer, then began to tuck the blanket around her. Then, I leaned down and barely kissed her cheek. "Good night, Mione."
This time I was going to close the curtains for real, when:
"Ron..."
I stopped. Did she just say something?
Her eyes fluttered open for a moment then closed again, confirming that she was awake. Barely. Her hand reached for mine. "Stay with me."
I leaned closer. "Pardon?" I couldn't have heard her correctly.
A tired grin slid onto her lips. "I said stay with me, you git."
I grinned too. "I thought that's what you said. Are...are you sure?"
She tugged on my hand. "Of course I'm sure."
"And if we get caught?"
She laughed quietly. "Would you stop thinking so much? We need to sleep..."
Her eyes fluttered shut again, and I smiled. I glanced around me, then slipped my shoes off and climbed in. I lay there for a moment, unsure of exactly what she wanted me to do, when she buried her face in my chest draped an arm around my waist. I smiled and wrapped my arm around her.
After a few moments, when I was positive that she was asleep, I kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, Hermione Granger."
She shifted in my arms, and made a soft, contented sound. "I love you, too, Ron."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's note: Please forgive me for taking so long. Life's throwing me some curve balls lately, and I'm just trying to deal. Thanks to all my readers who have not given up on me.
This includes: phi cong, Tamsy Diane and Lilac, codes778, strayc@t, Silver Ice, powerpetal, Emma, moemoeisu, alyshia, OneDayFamous, Phoenix72389, RonPLUSHermione4eva, HPnLOTRrox, mool, Hermione_granger_27, AnonymousPHancock, BlueFullMoon, Ron_Weasley2, Summer, and Erica The Flying Tree.
Thanks to all of you!
Next Chapter coming soon.