Chapter 6: A Crush and Surprises
Josh? Josh Rodehimer? Hermione must be out of her senses. Ron paced the Sixth Year Boy's dormitory, with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked at Harry who's eyes were watching him move back and forth, a look of interest on his face. Ron just shook his head. He really wasn't good enough for her. If he was, she wouldn't be after Josh. Besides, if she was changing herself she must be looking for someone who wasn't him. She'd never liked him, and he was stupid to think she ever had.
"I can't believe what she's gotten herself into. The next thing you know, she'll be smoking out back with Draco Malfoy!" Ron cried, throwing his hands in the air. Seamus and Dean had opened the door a crack, but turned away as they caught a snippet of the conversation.
"No," Harry said absentmindedly. Ron took little notice and started walking faster, as if the pain increasing in his heals would help the pain in his heart. What was this pain anyway? Since when was a girl able to do this to him? He sat back thoughtfully on to his bed, as a memory played into his mind.
"Whatcha doing Bill?" A three-year-old boy with fiery red hair and freckles asked, walking up to his older brother who was seated at the kitchen table, writing on some parchment. The little boy was in light blue pajamas, and a teddy bear was clasped in one hand.
"I'm writing a letter, Ronnie. Come here," Bill replied, helping Ron onto his knee.
"Who's the letter to Bill? Is it to Charlie Bill?" Ron asked, poking the parchment, making a slight smudge in the ink.
"No Ronnie, I wouldn't write to someone I live with. It's to Amelia," Bill said, a slight smile on his lips. The small boy appeared confused. He turned to face his older brother.
"Who's Amelia?" Ron put his thumb in his mouth and poked the letter again with his other hand. This time Bill restrained him.
"Amelia is my girlfriend."
"GIRLFRIEND? What's that?" Ron asked. If it had to do with girls in the way he thought it did, he wanted no part in it.
"A girlfriend is when you pick a girl you - eh - like, in a special way," Bill replied, slightly flustered. He wasn't sure how to answer so a small child would understand. "You like her a lot. You want to be with her all the time. It's like love, but not like how Mommy and Daddy love you. How Mommy and Daddy love each other, the reason they got married and you came along." Bill tapped Ron on the end of his nose and picked up the quill to continue his letter.
Ron stuck out his bottom lip. He was quiet for a moment, but then he turned to look at Bill again.
"Love? Like you want to marry her? A girl? Do you KISS her Bill?" Ron asked, eyes wide, obviously disgusted.
"Well - uh -yes Ron," Bill replied, feeling slightly intimidated by the small boy. Ron wrinkled his nose.
"Ewwwwwwwwwwww! That's gross! Girls - yuck!" Ron stuck his tongue out and pulled his teddy bear off of the table. He began to sing, "Billy likes 'Melia, Billy likes 'Melia, nanny nanny na na."
He hopped off of Bill's knee and started running in circles around the kitchen table, obviously proud of himself for coming up with such a thoughtful song.
"Ron, someday you'll understand. You'll like girls, too." Bill watched his brother fall onto his bottom and grasp his forehead.
"NO! I will never like girls! Never ever ever! Girls are yucky!" And with that Ron grabbed his teddy and ran out of the room, looking utterly disgusted.
Ron sighed to himself, leaning back on the comforter of his bed, a smile playing on his lips. How young and naïve he'd been then. If only he'd known what a girl, something so simple, could do something so complicated to him. He turned over on to his side.
"I don't understand Hermione, Harry. I don't understand girls, period," Ron complained, looking over at Harry.
"Huh - oh - join the club Ron," Harry said off-handedly, as if he wasn't expecting to need to talk. Ron gave Harry a strange look and propped himself up on his elbow.
"I'm just worried about her. I don't want her to get hurt," Ron said. His stomach did a small flip. Did he just say what he thought he did? He'd known that he liked Hermione, but that much? The thought of being really serious about a girl scared him. "I just want the old Hermione back."
"Really? Or do you just want help so you can pass Transfiguration?" Harry asked, propping himself up on one arm. Ron glared at Harry, who smiled.
"What's been up with you, anyway?" Ron asked in a sulky manner.
"Nothing, really."
"Uh-huh. Something's on your mind Harry, you've been hardly speaking the past few days. What's up?" Ron looked intently at Harry, hoping this would convince him to answer.
Harry was quiet for a moment, staring at his hands. He appeared to be pondering whether or not to reply to Ron's inquiry about his thoughtfulness.
"I - uh -" Harry said, clearing his throat, and not making eye contact with Ron. "Well there's this girl and-"
"Ohhhhhh," Ron teased, a smile spreading across his face. "I know what's been up then!" Harry tossed his pillow across the room, hitting Ron square in the face.
"You're sick," Harry said, blushing.
"Oh, so it has?" Ron's mouth twitched, causing Harry to glare daggers at him. "You didn't deny it."
"Well for your information Ron, it hasn't," Harry said firmly. "She's really nice though, a Ravenclaw."
"I thought you said you were through with Ravenclaws," Ron reminded, pointing at Harry in a know-it-all manner.
"Oh, well, I lied."
"So… When are you going to ask her out?" Ron asked nosily.
"I don't know. When are you going to ask Hermione out?" Harry said in a high pitched, shrill voice.
"Ha… ha. Very funny Harry. You know that won't happen!" Ron yawned, and looked over at the clock on his nightstand. "Wow, it's late. We'll continue this chat in the morning." And with that, Ron blew out the candle on his nightstand and pulled himself under the covers.
"Ron?" Harry asked quietly a minute later. "Can I have my pillow back?" Ron tossed it over to him without looking, but he know it got there, because Harry let out a small "Mmph." Ron sighed and drifted off to sleep.
"Ron…"
A voice echoed into the depths of Ron's mind the next morning. Ron turned over.
"No mum, school isn't for an hour. Just five more-"
"I'm not your mum, you prat. Now get up!" He felt a pillow being tossed at his head, and came to the reality that he'd just called his best friend "Mum." He smiled quietly to himself and looked up to see Harry straightening his tie. He watched as Harry tried hopelessly to flatten his hair.
"You know it's useless," Ron said, pulling his Gryffindor robes out of his trunk and looking at Harry.
"Yeah," Harry sighed. "Hurry up, or we're going to be late to breakfast."
Ron quickly dressed (not in front of Harry of course) and they walked down the stairs to the Great Hall. It was peak breakfast time. The roof of the large room as bright and cloudless, and a loud chattering a many conversations came to his ears. He followed Harry to the Gryffindor table. Hermione was there, waiting for them. Ron took a seat next to her, getting a whiff of Hermione's new perfume. Wait. Perfume? Hermione didn't wear perfume. She didn't even wear that stuff he got her last Christmas!
"G'morning Hermione," Ron said, hoping that Hermione wasn't too angry with him for sneaking up on her a few days before.
Hermione seemed ready to spit venom, but thought better of it, seeing how Ron was obviously trying to be nice. Ron watched her hair shine in the sunlight as she moved. It was very hypnotic-
"Good morning to you too, Ron," Hermione said, quite cheerfully. Ron was surprised, seeing as how he expected her to bite his head off. She turned to Ron, smiling. Ron took in mind how white her teeth were, and how shiny her lips were.
"Uh, Hermione," Harry asked, snapping Ron out of his trance. "You didn't, by any chance, finish the Transfiguration homework did you? I didn't get the chance."
Hermione smiled widely, sitting up straighter in her chair. She looked obviously proud of herself.
"I didn't do it," Hermione replied, waiting for Ron and Harry's reaction.
"WHAT?" Ron and Harry both yelled this at the same time, causing the majority of the attention at the Gryffindor table to be directed towards them.
"I said-"
"I know what you said," Ron looked at Hermione as if she was out of her mind. Hermione not do homework? What was wrong with the girl these days? "But Hermione, if you don't do your homework, how are we supposed to copy off of you?" Ron's eyes were wide, almost as big as golf balls.
Hermione just shrugged and ate some celery. Just then, Ron looked up to see Parvati and Lavender entering the Great Hall. Hermione dropped her food and ran off to meet them. Ron couldn't help but notice that Hermione was wearing nail polish. Clear nail polish. He shook his head and looked over at Harry who's eyes were gazing dreamily off into space. Ron followed his gaze over to a pretty girl at the Ravenclaw table. She had shoulder length golden blonde hair that was straight and curled at the shoulders. She had darker skin, with flushed cheeks and pink lips. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, that seemed to read into the soul of anyone she looked at. Ron elbowed Harry in the side.
"Ow-"
"What's her name?" Ron asked, under his breath.
"Laura," Harry whispered, attempting to eat his scrambled eggs but just achieving a stab in the face with the fork.
"You're hopeless." Ron stood up, and deciding he'd need to use force to get Harry's eyes off of Laura, he grabbed his arm and tugged. Harry slapped him away.
"Okay, okay, I get the point," Harry stood up, and took one last look at Laura before he followed Ron out of the Great Hall.
"What is wrong with her?" Ron exclaimed when they were safely out of earshot. "What did I do to her? How come she's gotten like this? Why doesn't she like me?"
Harry jumped, obviously taken aback at Ron's sudden outburst. Ron hadn't been expecting this suppressed emotion that spewed out of him like a fountain, either. He was just so angry with her. How was it possible to love someone so much but hate them even more at the same time? He just couldn't believe her. What she'd done, how she'd been acting. This wasn't Hermione! It was some alien, some sort of being from outer space who had taken Hermione's appearance and locked her up on the moon!
"Hey Ron!"
Ron heard Hermione's voice and just began to walk faster. He wasn't in the mood for talking to her right now. He wasn't in the mood for talking to anyone. If he did, his head might blow off. But Hermione did not heed this signal.
"Ron wait up!"
Ron sighed heavily and stopped, folding his arms. Hermione was running to catch up with him, her hair flowing behind her. She stopped in front of him, glowing. What is she so happy about? Ron asked himself, watching Hermione's expression. He had to admit, she was beautiful. He mentally shook himself. He was mad at her.
"Ron, finally! I've been meaning to talk to you! There's just been so much on my mind-"
"Like what? Josh? Has Josh been on your mind lately?" Ron exploded. He couldn't pretend everything was alright with her for any longer. Hermione frowned, looking hurt.
"No, Ron," Hermione's eyes turned sharp. "Why do you care about him, anyway?"
"Why do I care?" Ron repeated Hermione's words as if the answer was obvious. "Do you even know his reputation? How he would treat you?"
"You think I want to date him Ron? I'm afraid you've made a terrible mistake-"
"I've made a mistake? Me? I've made a mistake?" Ron yelled, the anger flowing out of him faster than he could stop it. "Look who's talking, Miss Cover Girl! I never would have expected you of all people, to start acting like the most ditziest girls at school, who by the way, are the people least like you if there ever were any!"
At this, Hermione no longer looked hurt. The pain in her eyes had been replaced with fury, and she took a step closer to Ron. He could feel her body heat, she was so close. He almost liked it, minus the fact they were fighting.
"Lavender and Parvati are some of the nicest people I've ever met, for your information. Just because you're too blind to see them doesn't mean I'm not! You're just jealous because I can be friends with someone popular, you're stuck with that stupid red hair and freckles, and are too tall for your own good to get real friends! I knew when I met you and Harry that he was the only person you'd ever have! You just can't accept the fact that I'm pretty, and now that I am I can do better than you and Harry!" Hermione was getting closer and closer, jabbing him painfully in the chest with her index finger. Her face was red with anger, and her eyes narrowed dangerously. Ron was furious that Hermione would think that he was jealous. He was anything but jealous!
"Me jealous? Of you! Hell no! Why would I want to be jealous of someone who's so obviously insecure about who she is that she has to change her appearance to make friends? Admit it, Pavati and Lavender hardly even talked to you before you got your makeover! You're missing one vital clue, I'm happy with my friends, and I may not be perfect, but I'm not going to change who I am to be what other people want. What's most important is being true to yourself! And if you think you're going to find happiness like this Hermione, you're wrong. For someone who always seemed so smart and was telling me what I was making mistakes in, you don't seem so intelligent now. Look at you, following Parvati and Lavender, forgetting to do your homework! You were top of the class! This isn't you, no matter how hard you try to make it who you are it won't be! You will always be yourself, and to tell you the truth, the whole reason I'm upset with you is because of what you've done to yourself. I don't know who you are and what you've done with my best friend Hermione, but if you do speak with her, let her know that I want her back!" Ron stood stunned, amazed at what had spilled out of his mouth. He had no idea all of the feelings that had been mixed up in his mind, and they'd all just spouted out without warning.
The rage in Hermione's eyes was replaced with yet another emotion. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, threatening to run down her face. He lip trembled and she looked at Ron intently, despite her weakness. Ron suddenly felt mad, mad at himself for hurting her.
"Ron," She said quietly. "You have no idea why I changed. None! I'm not insecure. I'm happy the way I am. I don't understand why you'd be so horrible to me. I thought I could still be friend with you. But alas, that's too bad. So I'll just go meet Parvati and Lavender. And you know what? They're better friends than you ever could be. And no matter how many times you say you're not jealous, you are. I know you are. And all I can say is that it sucks to be you. I have to go meet my real friends. Goodbye. Goodbye forever Ron." Hermione shifted her bag on her shoulder and turned.
Ron watched her leave. He watched how her legs moved, how her shoes clicked on the stone. He swallowed hard to himself, trying to rid his throat of the growing lump. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to lose her. He didn't want to lose her. The whole point of this was to get her back. Oh well, He thought to himself. She's going to have to figure this out on her own. And when she does, I'll be waiting for her.
Ron just roamed the school pointlessly. He didn't know what he should do. He didn't know where he could go, or who he could talk to. Harry was too blinded by Laura these days to even think straight, and Hermione was the only other person he used to go to for help. He stopped and looked up. Just then, he saw a flash of blonde hair.
"Luna!"
The girl sighed and paused, looking at him intently with her hands on her hips. An old copy of "The Quibbler" was sandwiched under her arm.
"What do you want now, Ronald Weasley?" Ron tried to keep the smile back that was threatening to play on his lips.
"Luna, I'd be really happy if you'd help me," Ron said, a pleading look on his face.
"Me help you? Ha!"
"Please Luna! Hermione's being so difficult and-"
"Tut, tut, tut. Someone's forgotten what I said to them on the train." Luna shook her head in Ron's pity.
"What are you talking about? You never said anything on the-"
"Oh really? Poor Ronnikins has a problem and lost his memory?" Luna smiled to herself. "Remember when you and Harry shooed me out of the compartment?"
"No-" Ron stopped, thinking to himself. Now he remembered. "Yes.. Luna, I'm sorry. Please help me, please!"
"No can do. Toodles Ron."
"Women," Ron said under his breath when Luna had left. He frowned to himself and headed back to the Common Room to meet Harry, hoping he'd be able to help him.
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A/N: So there you have it. I loved the flashback, I thought it was cute. I hope you all liked it too. I hated writing the Ron/Hermione argument, but it had to happen. I really hope you all liked this chapter. It might not have been so good, but I tried. Some people have said that this story is moving slow. All I can say is that I write slow stories. I don't know how to speed them up. So please just bear with me here. Also, I don't like any of the ships with Harry because… well I don't know. I don't like him with Ginny cause I have never really liked Ginny (no offense to anyone else). I don't like writing OC's and don't usually like reading them, but I hope you all understand and don't turn away from this story cause of Laura. He he. Well have fun and review!