Chapter 3 - Of Cakes and a Plan

Ron saw Hedwig come flying through the air and quickly opened his bedroom window. Hedwig plowed through the space and dropped a piece of mail. Obviously, it was from Harry. He tore it open and read it.

Ron, How are you? I am fine other than the Dursleys, but what can I do about that? I was wondering whether you would let me live with your family for the rest of the summer. No pressure or anything, I was just wondering. It gets really lonely here. I'm just lucky enough that Hedwig can come. After what Dumbledore said I was worried I'd even get to go back to Hogwarts. He's still really worried about Voldemort, with him trying to kill me and all. Please respond soon. Say hello to your family for me. Harry

Ron rushed downstairs and flew to the kitchen. "Mum, can Harry stay with us for a bit? That aunt and uncle of his are being really mean and uncaring."

"You know what Dumbledore said! No none of that. Tell Harry we'd love to have him over but it just isn't safe with you-know-who on the loose and all," scolded Mrs. Weasley. "Now come sit down and have some breakfast."

"Okay," Ron grumbled miserably. He understood what Harry was going through. He missed Harry, too. But, he was irritated at his best friend's stupidness. Sometimes he just was blind to things. Like how other certain females felt about him... "Oh yes, Harry says to say hello to you all for him."

"How nice of him. Tell him hello for us and give him well wishes. Oh yes and send Harry back some of that cake that we made. No wait, send it all. I'll make another for us. Yes, that will do. I just hope he'll live. With those dreadful muggle relatives he has to live with, it will be greatly appreciated."

Ron finished his breakfast and went up to his room. He gave Hedwig the cake and a note for Harry. He told Hedwig that she could relax for a bit. He plopped on his bed and began to think. How could Harry be so dumb? Seriously couldn't he feel the tension between him and Hermoine? And the attraction? He had. But not until he had unadvertently caught Hermoine day- dreaming in the Gryffindor Common Room last year. He had caught her off- guard saying,"If only he loved me back.."

He had said, "Who? If only who loved you back?"

"Oh nobody. Nobody at all", she replied too quick. He went through everyone she knew and could possibly like and thought of no one. She wasn't close to any guys except for him and Harry. Wait, Harry. Of course she likes Harry. Why wouldn't she?

"It's Harry isn't it?"

"No!", she replied too quick like she was expecting it.

"It is, isn't it?"

"Okay so I like him a lot. Maybe even love him. But you can't tell him."

"And why not? He'd be lucky to have you."

"Yes, but I'm just a girl. Just another one of those girls who has fallen in love with the great Harry Potter. He'll see me as nothing but a bookworm and a jerk."

"No, he won't. You're his best friend. Come on!"

"But even if he did, there's a million other girls out there much prettier. It's not like he's ever going to ask me to a dance with him or anything. He's had plenty of chances and I was only a last resort. Never first pick. I mean I don't look nothing like Cho or Fleur. Maybe if I did, I'd have a chance."

Ron looked at Hermoine. No she didn't look anything like Cho or Fleur. But she still was a knockout now. She had suddenly blossomed and the guys noticed. It was all they talked about now. She had changed from a stick thin figure into a petite and slightly curvy one. Her hair had looked a lot nicer lately. No, not nice, beautiful. It had calmed down and was perfectly straight except for a little bit of a curl on the end. And frizz, what frizz, it was gone.

"Herms?"

"Yes"

"You're not that bad-looking. I mean you have been the talk of all the guys' dormitories and been turning every guy's head. Harry has pretty much ignored it. But, no one would even dare ask you out for the fact that they think you and Harry are a couple."

"That's ridiculous!"

"You and I know it is, but so what if they don't. I've been encouraging it kind of because I kind of wish you two would get together. You accent eachother so perfectly. And for all they know it's true!"

She hit him lightly in the shoulder. "Liar!"

"Yeah so what? I've been trying to let it be known any guy that gets to you will be beat up by Harry. This could be your chance to let him know your true feelings."

"I don't think I can."

"Ok. I'll tell him for you."

"Don't you dare Ronald Weasley! I'll curse you!"

"Okay I won't. But you really should tell him."

"Okay I will."

"Good. Promise?"

"Promise what?," stumbled in Harry, smiling at Hermoine and Ron. "Come on tell me."

"Well Ron was trying to get me to promise to take a break from studying so hard, but I was going to tell him I would but when I'm ready to.", she said glaring at Ron.

"Oh okay", he said confused.

Ron remembered that day. If only he could figure out a way to find out how Harry feels about Hermoine.

*end of chapter*

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