A/N: I don't own any characters...you know the rest. Thank you SOOOO
much to all the people that reviewed this time around! So many nice
comments were made and it really made the difference in my week. Good
reviews truely do mean a lot to me. I get so ridiculously giddy. lol.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Ok everyone, this is a good
chapter (or so I'd like to think), so enjoy every minute of it! Review
please if you have time! I'd truely appreciate it. Happy reading!
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Hermione moved the food on her plate around with her fork. She was staring longingly over at the Hufflepuff table, not paying any attention to the conversation around her. Ginny sat down on one side of her and Ron (rather uncomfortably) sat down on the other side. Hermione gave them both a quick smile before returning into her dream-like stare.
"What's up with her?" Dean asked as Harry took a seat across from him. Harry shrugged and shot Bonnie a glance down the table.
'I can't....too far...Ginny..' she mouthed and pulled the bottle from her robes.
"Ginny....Ginny..." she whispered. Ginny looked up from her meal and looked at Bonnie curiously. Bonnie pointed to the bottle in her hand and motioned for Ginny to pour it into Hermione's drink. Ginny nodded and took the bottle as Bonnie passed it to her under the table. Hermione didn't notice the blue liquid being mixed with her drink. Ron's eyes widened.
"What are you doing!? Trying to poison her!" he shouted. Ginny put a finger to her lips and shook her head 'no'. Ron sighed and sat back, trying desperately to control himself. He was a little jumpy since he promised to....well..you know. After most of dinner had passed and Hermione had yet to take a drink, Harry decided to speak up and end the uncomfortable silence.
"Hermione! HERMIONE! You know you should really drink something," he suggested and Hermione gave him a blank stare.
"I'm not thirsty," she replied and ignored him once more. Harry looked at Ginny with worry in his eyes, but Ginny just gave him a look that suggested she knew exactly what to do.
"You know, Gaven would never kiss you if your lips are dry and your throat parched," she said as she took a sip from her own drink. Upon hearing 'Gaven' escape Ginny's lips, Hermione quickly grabbed her drink and with one swig finished it off. Harry sighed with relief and Hermione quickly put her hands to her temples.
"Ahhhh!," she screamed and jumped up from the table. Harry and Ginny assumed this was because of the headache she had as a side-effect from the potion, but instead she stared nervously at Ron and took off at top speed out of the Great Hall. Ginny quickly punched Ron in the arm.
"Go after her! Why are you still sitting here!?," she started to yell, but Ron had already left his place at the table and took off after Hermione....
Hermione wasn't quick enough to out run Ron. He quickly caught up with her outside in the snow.
"Hermione, wait up! Would you stop!" he yelled, panting with lack of air. Hermione refused and kept on her feet though she knew he wouldn't back down. Eventually he had thrown his arm around her and sent her tumbling to the ground. Her eyes narrowed to slits and she glared at him with anger.
"What!? What do you want!? Why can't you just leave me alone!?" she yelled and kicked some snow as she stood up. Ron continued to stare at her sadly.
"I just...well Hermione....why do you hate me?" he asked as he gave up and collapsed into the snow on his knees. Hermione's face lightened a bit as she took a step closer.
"I don't hate you Ron Weasley! Where did you get an idea like that?" she asked and crossed her arms. She'd do anything to make Ron believe she was perfectly okay. He meant so much more to her than he knew.
"Ever since I first met you on the Hogwarts Express you've done nothing but criticize everything I do! It's like I'm a walking example of a moronic git in your eyes!" he explained and rubbed his face in frustration. He hadn't meant to say that. 'Hermione you are the most beautiful creature I've ever met....do you know that?' he thought to himself. Hermione let a tear fall down her cheek.
"Ron! I never meant to make you think that! That's not true at all! I mean....I know I'm hard on you sometimes.....but it's just...it's nothing. I'm sorry," Hermione said and sat down alongside him. He wiped the tear that had remained wet upon her face and stared at her for a few moments without saying anything. She was shaking from the cold, but more from the nervous feeling he was giving her inside.
"You scared me so badly in there you know. I didn't know what happened to you. I know I say that I hate how you always nag at me....and I tease you for not wanting to play quidditch, and sometimes I make it seem like...like I think you're just a nosey bookworm. But the thing is...I don't mean any of it Hermione. Not a single thing of it" he explained and took a deep breath. This was working his nerves to exhaustion.
"I know Ron. I don't mean everything I say to you either....you're a good friend," she said and smiled at him, still a hint of sadness behind her eyes. Ron gulped at the word 'friend'. 'It's now or never...' he thought and gulped harder. Hermione brushed off her robes. Ron realized what she was doing and opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Hermione was starting to get up! He panicked and threw his arm around her again. She fell face first into the snow and Ron's face became so hot he could have melted the entire school grounds in an instant! Hermione wiped her face with her sleeve and Ron stumbled to say anything at all.....
"I'm sorry..I just....Hermione!" he whined and put his face in his hands. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder and he let out a large sigh.
"It's ok Ron. What's the matter?" she asked, genuinely concerned. He took her hands in his and looked upon her face silently. 'C'mon Weasley....c'mon...' he thought.
"Ok...Hermione...I'm really scared right now, but I'm gonna do this anyway. I....uh...want to talk to you about that. That..being a friend thing..." Ron choked out. Hermione quivered and nodded slowly.
"The thing is...I don't want to be your friend..." he said and paused a moment. Hermione's eyes flooded with tears as she stood up and shook her head. She quickly took off running again, this time toward the door of the castle. 'YOU IDIOT!' Ron's head screamed as he took off after her again. Hermione could sense he was behind her and gave up. She let herself slide down slowly back into the snow and looked up at the sky. Ron quickly threw himself down beside her and tried to get her attention.
"Hermione...let me explain..." he started to say, but Hermione put her hand to his lips and shook her head.
"It's ok Ron. I understand. You were only friends with me this long because of Harry. I get it....don't bother to explain. I know I'm not the kind of person you'd....you'd..." she said to him sadly, but couldn't finish. She buried her face in his robes and sobbed. Ron put his hand on her back and stroked her hair gently.
"Hermione....I thought you knew everything! I guess I was wrong because you obviously don't understand," Ron said and laughed slightly. Hermione looked up at him with terror in her eyes. He smiled at her and took another deep breath. 'Finish....finish! Nothing will be the same again either way' he thought to himself. Suddenly the Gryffindor bravery was returning to him and he began to speak again.
" I should have worded what I wanted to say differently than I did, but you just make me so....I don't know, nervous. I just meant that...Hermione...I like you a lot, and I still want to be your friend, but I was hoping that..maybe...maybe you'd like to try being more than...well...friends..." Ron mumbled, shaking with nerves. Hermione's face lit up and she threw her arms around him, this time taking her turn in knocking him to the ground.
"I never ever ever ever thought you'd say that to me! But I was hoping you would Ron! I was hoping everyday!" she shouted and Ron gave her the biggest grin she'd ever seen.
"Do you mean it? Really? I never thought you'd even consider....I mean, Hermione? Would you be..my..girlfriend?" Ron asked, gulping for what seemed the millionth time that night. Hermione's heart was beating so fast she thought it would break in two.
"I...I...yes!" Hermione answered in shock. Ron sighed with relief and enveloped her in a loving hug. She kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand. "Ron?" she asked. Ron remained smiling and even shaking some for that matter.
"Yeah 'Mione?" he replied. Hermione smiled and sniffed a bit.
"I'm really cold," she said and laughed. Ron chuckled and picked her up over his shoulder, carrying her back into the Hogwarts castle. Harry and Ginny were waiting at the door expectantly.
"They have to be a couple by now... I mean..Ron loves Hermione, I know it!" Ginny said nervously and bit her nails. Harry laughed and shook his head.
"You're really something Ginny," he said and turned away so she couldn't see his face. She blushed a little and nodded in response.
"Harry look! Here they come!" she said excitedly and tugged on his robes. He laughed and watched as Ron came walking in with Hermione draped over his shoulder.
"Put me down! C'mon!" she yelled. Ron laughed and shook his head in response. Harry coughed and Ron turned to face him.
"So...uh...things went well?" Harry asked. Ron shrugged and Hermione shrieked.
"Ron Weasley!! You put me down right now! You could have dropped me on my head!" she shouted.
"You know you love me!" he yelled and she sighed. She frowned and let her arms fall loosely at her sides. Harry's eyes twinkled as he watched them.
"See you at the common room then," Ron said and walked off, still carrying Hermione. Ginny giggled and waved goodbye.
"Finally! I'm so happy for him! And for Hermione too!" she said excitedly. Harry kept a small smiled on his lips and sighed.
"Well you know....with those two off doing their own thing now..I'm going to have too much freetime, and I won't know what to do with it," he said and glanced sideways at Ginny. She smiled shyly at him and scratched her head.
"Yeah, well...whenever you need company, I'm around," she replied and walked off. Harry followed a few minutes after, deep in thought. He was doing a lot of thinking recently.....
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Valentine's Day came and went, as did the rest of February. Hermione and Ron were back to their normal selves, though once in awhile they'd sneak in a hug or a trip to Hogsmeade together. Once in awhile you could also catch them conversing in the common room at night, Hermione abandoning her books and snuggling up close to Ron on the couch. Harry spent as much time with them as was possible, but respected their need to be alone. When he was showing his respect he would run off to join Ginny in studying, and sometimes would stay alone in the dormitories planning his next quidditch practice. But most recently, something Dumbledore had mentioned to him had been making its way into his thoughts.
'I was under the impression I had my own army here at Hogwarts...'
After hours of playing with the coin in his pocket, he finally took it out and stared intently at it. ' Maybe they still have these....maybe they'll still want to come...' he thought to himself and rubbed his chin. After more time had passed Harry finally pulled out his wand and changed the date on the coin. It was time for a D.A. meeting.
Ginny walked along the corridor between her charms class and her potions class, staring blankly ahead of her. So many things had changed in the last year. It was hard to keep up! She stopped suddenly and stared at the pocket of her robes. Something was burning! It was getting warmer and warmer against her side. She fumbled with the things in her pocket until she had grabbed the hot object. She saw a glimmer of gold before dropping the thing onto the floor. It had burned her hand. She stooped down to pick it up, but before her hand could reach it a foot covered up the coin. It remained there still until Ginny lifted her head to find Pansy Parkinson's cold eyes staring into hers.
"Drop something Weasel?" she asked with a cackle. Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up, brushing off her robes in the process.
"I'm sorry, is that against the 'pureblood' code I'm supposed to be following?" Ginny asked in a fake sugary voice. Pansy scowled.
"I guess whatever this is must not be important, so I'll just take it for myself. Finders keepers, right?" Pansy asked Ginny and grabbed the coin from under her foot.
"Stuff it, Parkinson!" Ginny yelled furiously. Pansy tutted with her tongue.
"5 points from Gryffindor Weasel. No fighting with a prefect. Now how did you get something like this? Stole it most likely..your parents can't afford to just give you this much money at one time. Or wait....did your famous boyfriend give it to you? You know I heard he screams in the middle of the night, terrified after dreaming about the thought of possibly losing you...." Pansy rambled off, juggling the coin between her hands.
"What would you know about it Pansy?" Ginny asked furiously.
"Oh I have my inside connections....it's a pity really..brave Harry Potter, crying over a Weasel...Oh Ginny! Don't leave me!" she shouted and pretended to faint. Ginny clenched her fists.
"Just because Draco left you and the school doesn't give you the right to place yourself on a pedestal Pansy! If I were you I'd be hiding in the bathrooms with the things I've heard about that," Ginny remarked and rolled her eyes. Pansy let out a shrill shriek.
"How dare you! Draco left because he was too good for this school!" she yelled and shoved Ginny against the wall. Ginny starightened her robes and stood up.
"Sure he did Pansy. He didn't leave so that he could run off and join the death eaters and kill innocent people. It's really a shame though....that leaves him no time to even bother with girls like you.." Ginny said calmly, her eyes in narrow slights. Pansy whipped out her wand and pointed it directly at Ginny's body.
"I can't do anything now Weasel....but just you wait! Draco and I will get you! We will! We'll get this school and everyone in it! Starting with you and your stupid brother! And then, when we've finished, we'll drag your crying boyfriend off to Lord Voldemort, so that he can be finished off there!" she whispered and put her wand back in her pocket. She retreated quickly down the corridor, chucking Ginny's coin at her before she went. Ginny crumpled herself up against the wall and breathed heavily. 'She's just being a Slytherin....don't listen to her...' Ginny thought to herself and placed her head in her hands. She looked down at the glowing coin beside her. ' A D.A. meeting! I'll learn everything I can and I'll help Harry..and Dumbledore.and everybody else! I'll stop those death eaters from hurting my family! Nothing can change my mind' she thought and stood up slowly. 'Nothing'
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Harry walked with Ginny up the staircases. She was dead silent as they went. Harry coughed and looked at her questioningly. She just ignored him and kept on walking.
"What's the matter Gin? Did I do something?" Harry asked worriedly. She sighed and stopped.
"No. I'm sorry. It's just...Pansy was at it again today," Ginny said and smiled at him sadly. Harry grabbed her arm and stopped her from climbing any higher.
"Don't listen to her Gin. I heard she's been nothing but harsh words since Draco left. She's never done anything too serious," Harry reassured her. Ginny shook her head.
"Maybe not, but she threatened me and the people I love. And she made nasty comments about you too Harry, though she had the wrong idea about half of it.." Ginny said and walked a bit further. Harry followed behind.
"Like what? Don't worry...I've probably heard it all already," he said to her as he held onto the railing. She continued her upward climb and sighed.
"She said that you were having nightmares about losing me....and screaming out my name or something like that. She didn't know what she was talking about. She only said it because she thought you and I were together. She was just trying to get a rise out of me.." Ginny explained. Harry stopped dead in his tracks, his face pale.
"Uh.yeah..must be.." he replied and found his feet again. Suddenly the staircase started to shake violently. Ginny bit her lip and turned to look at Harry.
"I hate when they do this..." she whispered. Harry stood behind her and held himself and her against the railing as the staircases switched positions. The staircase they were on twisted around and connected to another platform before the shaking stopped and things were quiet again.
"Hmn..this puts us in an odd position," Harry said letting go,"we can either go back down or....go back down.." Ginny sighed and shook her head.
"Well I guess we could wait until they decide to change again," she said and shrugged. Before Harry could answer, another voice floated around them.
"Hullo!" a voice said merrily. Ginny looked frantically around, her eyes finally settling on a portrait she'd never seen before.
"Is that you speaking?" she asked quietly. The man in the picture nodded his head and smiled.
"Well, hello then.." Harry said walking over to get a good look.
" I was wrong...you aren't them...but the spittin image you two are, no one would be able to tell the difference unless you looked real close.." the portrait said rubbing his chin. Harry cocked his head to the side and stared curiously at the man. Ginny did almost the same thing.
"Excuse me sir, but who are you? I've never seen your portrait around before," Ginny said politely. The man smiled and hit his forehead with his hand.
"Ah! Must be excusing me, m'am. My name is Alfred Boggle. Used to teach here at Hogwarts...back in the day. Never made it to headmaster, but that was never my intention you see. I've hung by this here staircase for ages, well...you wouldn't know of course. Some of those slimy Slytherin pups did some damage to my picture awhile back and I've been in storage since. I'm too shy to say anything you see, so I was in there quite awhile. That Mr. Filch didn't get around to me till just now. I couldn't help but move the staircases to get a look at you two though, hope you don't mind," he explained thoroughly.
"That's fine, but why did you want to get a look at us?" Harry asked. Ginny crossed her arms and leaned up against the rail of the staircase.
"Well you see...I was thinking maybe I'd been sent back in time abit impossible maybe, but I had thought so... I know otherwise now, but did you know you two look a good deal like two other students who used to go here? They were some of my favorite to watch, knew em quite well. They always walked together talking and laughing. They'd always stop for a chat on their way by as well. Gryffindors just like you two they were. One with bright red hair.....very pretty, and one with dark hair and glasses, much like you sir. In fact, you look almost identical to him, save for your eyes.." he said happily. Harry's heart beat rapidly. He felt his throat choke up and took a moment to rub his head.
"Do....do....you know..their names?" Harry asked. The man closed his eyes and took a minute to think about it.
"Uh...I don't suupose you'd know 'em, died a few years back poor dears....broke my heart...uh the one was called Potter I believe. Oh yes! Now I remember! James Potter and Lily Evans." he said and smiled brightly. Ginny's eyes widened and she linked her arm with Harry's to let him know she was there.
"I've heard of them....many times..."Harry mumbled quietly. Alfred's portrait nodded and let out a sigh.
"Good people they were. Makes me happy to see you two walking together, just like they did.What did you say your names were?"he asked them. Harry gulped and Ginny smiled shyly.
"Uh..I'm Ginny Weasley...and this is....um..."Ginny started to say, but Harry cut her off.
"I'm Harry Potter," he said softly. Alfred Boggle's portrait clapped his hands and his eyes twinkled.
"James's son are ya? Shoulda known! You look just like him, but you've got Lily's eyes. Oh what a fine boy you're turning out to be. Well I guess I better let you go, its getting late and I know you Gryffindors shouldn't be out past curfew. Stop by and see me sometime!" Alfred said happily as the staircases shook again. Ginny waved and stared up at Harry's face. To her surprise he was looking down at her with a smile.
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Bonnie's jaw dropped as Ginny told her what had happened on the staircase.
"Oh my gosh Ginny! It's like...a sign or something!" she whispered excitedly. Ginny rolled her eyes and flopped down onto her bed.
"Oh sure it is. It means some guy in a portrait knows who Harry's parents are and brought up painful memories for him right there on the staircase! not to mention made me completely and utterly uncomfortable," Ginny groaned and shoved her face into her pillow. Bonnie sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed Ginny was occupying.
"No silly! Think about it.... you look like Lily, and Harry looks like James. Maybe it's like....history repeating!" Bonnie said and Ginny sat up.
"Can it do that?" she asked. Bonnie nodded feverishly and put her hands over her heart.
"Oh..that would be so romantic! And you could be with Harry, just like I know you want to!" she said and bounced up and down. Ginny sighed and supported the weight of her head in her hand.
"I wish that were possible, but I don't know..." Ginny said sadly. Bonnie rolled her eyes.
"Of course you don't know.... you never know with these things. You didn't hear it from me, but I think he may have a bit of those lovey-dovey feelings for you too!" Bonnie said and grinned mischievously.
"That's never gonna happen. Where would you get an idea like that?" Ginny asked, her face looking a bit more flushed than normal.
"Oh that's simple...Seamus said he thought you were cute, and then Dean said that Harry was practically in love with you......and then Seamus told this to Gordon, and Gordon told me at quidditch practice. i watched harry the whole time, and he did seem to spend more time staring at you than any of the other members of the team...." Bonnie rambled. Ginny stopped her.
"Wait wait wait, Seamus said he thought I was cute?" Ginny asked.
"Well yeah, but that's not the point..."Bonnie answered. Ginny sighed and shook her head.
" I know, but I think maybe you are all just reading too much into things..."Ginny replied. Bonnie shrugged.
"Maybe we are, but maybe not. Just wait and see Ginny. Things will reveal themselves in time..."
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Hermione moved the food on her plate around with her fork. She was staring longingly over at the Hufflepuff table, not paying any attention to the conversation around her. Ginny sat down on one side of her and Ron (rather uncomfortably) sat down on the other side. Hermione gave them both a quick smile before returning into her dream-like stare.
"What's up with her?" Dean asked as Harry took a seat across from him. Harry shrugged and shot Bonnie a glance down the table.
'I can't....too far...Ginny..' she mouthed and pulled the bottle from her robes.
"Ginny....Ginny..." she whispered. Ginny looked up from her meal and looked at Bonnie curiously. Bonnie pointed to the bottle in her hand and motioned for Ginny to pour it into Hermione's drink. Ginny nodded and took the bottle as Bonnie passed it to her under the table. Hermione didn't notice the blue liquid being mixed with her drink. Ron's eyes widened.
"What are you doing!? Trying to poison her!" he shouted. Ginny put a finger to her lips and shook her head 'no'. Ron sighed and sat back, trying desperately to control himself. He was a little jumpy since he promised to....well..you know. After most of dinner had passed and Hermione had yet to take a drink, Harry decided to speak up and end the uncomfortable silence.
"Hermione! HERMIONE! You know you should really drink something," he suggested and Hermione gave him a blank stare.
"I'm not thirsty," she replied and ignored him once more. Harry looked at Ginny with worry in his eyes, but Ginny just gave him a look that suggested she knew exactly what to do.
"You know, Gaven would never kiss you if your lips are dry and your throat parched," she said as she took a sip from her own drink. Upon hearing 'Gaven' escape Ginny's lips, Hermione quickly grabbed her drink and with one swig finished it off. Harry sighed with relief and Hermione quickly put her hands to her temples.
"Ahhhh!," she screamed and jumped up from the table. Harry and Ginny assumed this was because of the headache she had as a side-effect from the potion, but instead she stared nervously at Ron and took off at top speed out of the Great Hall. Ginny quickly punched Ron in the arm.
"Go after her! Why are you still sitting here!?," she started to yell, but Ron had already left his place at the table and took off after Hermione....
Hermione wasn't quick enough to out run Ron. He quickly caught up with her outside in the snow.
"Hermione, wait up! Would you stop!" he yelled, panting with lack of air. Hermione refused and kept on her feet though she knew he wouldn't back down. Eventually he had thrown his arm around her and sent her tumbling to the ground. Her eyes narrowed to slits and she glared at him with anger.
"What!? What do you want!? Why can't you just leave me alone!?" she yelled and kicked some snow as she stood up. Ron continued to stare at her sadly.
"I just...well Hermione....why do you hate me?" he asked as he gave up and collapsed into the snow on his knees. Hermione's face lightened a bit as she took a step closer.
"I don't hate you Ron Weasley! Where did you get an idea like that?" she asked and crossed her arms. She'd do anything to make Ron believe she was perfectly okay. He meant so much more to her than he knew.
"Ever since I first met you on the Hogwarts Express you've done nothing but criticize everything I do! It's like I'm a walking example of a moronic git in your eyes!" he explained and rubbed his face in frustration. He hadn't meant to say that. 'Hermione you are the most beautiful creature I've ever met....do you know that?' he thought to himself. Hermione let a tear fall down her cheek.
"Ron! I never meant to make you think that! That's not true at all! I mean....I know I'm hard on you sometimes.....but it's just...it's nothing. I'm sorry," Hermione said and sat down alongside him. He wiped the tear that had remained wet upon her face and stared at her for a few moments without saying anything. She was shaking from the cold, but more from the nervous feeling he was giving her inside.
"You scared me so badly in there you know. I didn't know what happened to you. I know I say that I hate how you always nag at me....and I tease you for not wanting to play quidditch, and sometimes I make it seem like...like I think you're just a nosey bookworm. But the thing is...I don't mean any of it Hermione. Not a single thing of it" he explained and took a deep breath. This was working his nerves to exhaustion.
"I know Ron. I don't mean everything I say to you either....you're a good friend," she said and smiled at him, still a hint of sadness behind her eyes. Ron gulped at the word 'friend'. 'It's now or never...' he thought and gulped harder. Hermione brushed off her robes. Ron realized what she was doing and opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Hermione was starting to get up! He panicked and threw his arm around her again. She fell face first into the snow and Ron's face became so hot he could have melted the entire school grounds in an instant! Hermione wiped her face with her sleeve and Ron stumbled to say anything at all.....
"I'm sorry..I just....Hermione!" he whined and put his face in his hands. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder and he let out a large sigh.
"It's ok Ron. What's the matter?" she asked, genuinely concerned. He took her hands in his and looked upon her face silently. 'C'mon Weasley....c'mon...' he thought.
"Ok...Hermione...I'm really scared right now, but I'm gonna do this anyway. I....uh...want to talk to you about that. That..being a friend thing..." Ron choked out. Hermione quivered and nodded slowly.
"The thing is...I don't want to be your friend..." he said and paused a moment. Hermione's eyes flooded with tears as she stood up and shook her head. She quickly took off running again, this time toward the door of the castle. 'YOU IDIOT!' Ron's head screamed as he took off after her again. Hermione could sense he was behind her and gave up. She let herself slide down slowly back into the snow and looked up at the sky. Ron quickly threw himself down beside her and tried to get her attention.
"Hermione...let me explain..." he started to say, but Hermione put her hand to his lips and shook her head.
"It's ok Ron. I understand. You were only friends with me this long because of Harry. I get it....don't bother to explain. I know I'm not the kind of person you'd....you'd..." she said to him sadly, but couldn't finish. She buried her face in his robes and sobbed. Ron put his hand on her back and stroked her hair gently.
"Hermione....I thought you knew everything! I guess I was wrong because you obviously don't understand," Ron said and laughed slightly. Hermione looked up at him with terror in her eyes. He smiled at her and took another deep breath. 'Finish....finish! Nothing will be the same again either way' he thought to himself. Suddenly the Gryffindor bravery was returning to him and he began to speak again.
" I should have worded what I wanted to say differently than I did, but you just make me so....I don't know, nervous. I just meant that...Hermione...I like you a lot, and I still want to be your friend, but I was hoping that..maybe...maybe you'd like to try being more than...well...friends..." Ron mumbled, shaking with nerves. Hermione's face lit up and she threw her arms around him, this time taking her turn in knocking him to the ground.
"I never ever ever ever thought you'd say that to me! But I was hoping you would Ron! I was hoping everyday!" she shouted and Ron gave her the biggest grin she'd ever seen.
"Do you mean it? Really? I never thought you'd even consider....I mean, Hermione? Would you be..my..girlfriend?" Ron asked, gulping for what seemed the millionth time that night. Hermione's heart was beating so fast she thought it would break in two.
"I...I...yes!" Hermione answered in shock. Ron sighed with relief and enveloped her in a loving hug. She kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand. "Ron?" she asked. Ron remained smiling and even shaking some for that matter.
"Yeah 'Mione?" he replied. Hermione smiled and sniffed a bit.
"I'm really cold," she said and laughed. Ron chuckled and picked her up over his shoulder, carrying her back into the Hogwarts castle. Harry and Ginny were waiting at the door expectantly.
"They have to be a couple by now... I mean..Ron loves Hermione, I know it!" Ginny said nervously and bit her nails. Harry laughed and shook his head.
"You're really something Ginny," he said and turned away so she couldn't see his face. She blushed a little and nodded in response.
"Harry look! Here they come!" she said excitedly and tugged on his robes. He laughed and watched as Ron came walking in with Hermione draped over his shoulder.
"Put me down! C'mon!" she yelled. Ron laughed and shook his head in response. Harry coughed and Ron turned to face him.
"So...uh...things went well?" Harry asked. Ron shrugged and Hermione shrieked.
"Ron Weasley!! You put me down right now! You could have dropped me on my head!" she shouted.
"You know you love me!" he yelled and she sighed. She frowned and let her arms fall loosely at her sides. Harry's eyes twinkled as he watched them.
"See you at the common room then," Ron said and walked off, still carrying Hermione. Ginny giggled and waved goodbye.
"Finally! I'm so happy for him! And for Hermione too!" she said excitedly. Harry kept a small smiled on his lips and sighed.
"Well you know....with those two off doing their own thing now..I'm going to have too much freetime, and I won't know what to do with it," he said and glanced sideways at Ginny. She smiled shyly at him and scratched her head.
"Yeah, well...whenever you need company, I'm around," she replied and walked off. Harry followed a few minutes after, deep in thought. He was doing a lot of thinking recently.....
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Valentine's Day came and went, as did the rest of February. Hermione and Ron were back to their normal selves, though once in awhile they'd sneak in a hug or a trip to Hogsmeade together. Once in awhile you could also catch them conversing in the common room at night, Hermione abandoning her books and snuggling up close to Ron on the couch. Harry spent as much time with them as was possible, but respected their need to be alone. When he was showing his respect he would run off to join Ginny in studying, and sometimes would stay alone in the dormitories planning his next quidditch practice. But most recently, something Dumbledore had mentioned to him had been making its way into his thoughts.
'I was under the impression I had my own army here at Hogwarts...'
After hours of playing with the coin in his pocket, he finally took it out and stared intently at it. ' Maybe they still have these....maybe they'll still want to come...' he thought to himself and rubbed his chin. After more time had passed Harry finally pulled out his wand and changed the date on the coin. It was time for a D.A. meeting.
Ginny walked along the corridor between her charms class and her potions class, staring blankly ahead of her. So many things had changed in the last year. It was hard to keep up! She stopped suddenly and stared at the pocket of her robes. Something was burning! It was getting warmer and warmer against her side. She fumbled with the things in her pocket until she had grabbed the hot object. She saw a glimmer of gold before dropping the thing onto the floor. It had burned her hand. She stooped down to pick it up, but before her hand could reach it a foot covered up the coin. It remained there still until Ginny lifted her head to find Pansy Parkinson's cold eyes staring into hers.
"Drop something Weasel?" she asked with a cackle. Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up, brushing off her robes in the process.
"I'm sorry, is that against the 'pureblood' code I'm supposed to be following?" Ginny asked in a fake sugary voice. Pansy scowled.
"I guess whatever this is must not be important, so I'll just take it for myself. Finders keepers, right?" Pansy asked Ginny and grabbed the coin from under her foot.
"Stuff it, Parkinson!" Ginny yelled furiously. Pansy tutted with her tongue.
"5 points from Gryffindor Weasel. No fighting with a prefect. Now how did you get something like this? Stole it most likely..your parents can't afford to just give you this much money at one time. Or wait....did your famous boyfriend give it to you? You know I heard he screams in the middle of the night, terrified after dreaming about the thought of possibly losing you...." Pansy rambled off, juggling the coin between her hands.
"What would you know about it Pansy?" Ginny asked furiously.
"Oh I have my inside connections....it's a pity really..brave Harry Potter, crying over a Weasel...Oh Ginny! Don't leave me!" she shouted and pretended to faint. Ginny clenched her fists.
"Just because Draco left you and the school doesn't give you the right to place yourself on a pedestal Pansy! If I were you I'd be hiding in the bathrooms with the things I've heard about that," Ginny remarked and rolled her eyes. Pansy let out a shrill shriek.
"How dare you! Draco left because he was too good for this school!" she yelled and shoved Ginny against the wall. Ginny starightened her robes and stood up.
"Sure he did Pansy. He didn't leave so that he could run off and join the death eaters and kill innocent people. It's really a shame though....that leaves him no time to even bother with girls like you.." Ginny said calmly, her eyes in narrow slights. Pansy whipped out her wand and pointed it directly at Ginny's body.
"I can't do anything now Weasel....but just you wait! Draco and I will get you! We will! We'll get this school and everyone in it! Starting with you and your stupid brother! And then, when we've finished, we'll drag your crying boyfriend off to Lord Voldemort, so that he can be finished off there!" she whispered and put her wand back in her pocket. She retreated quickly down the corridor, chucking Ginny's coin at her before she went. Ginny crumpled herself up against the wall and breathed heavily. 'She's just being a Slytherin....don't listen to her...' Ginny thought to herself and placed her head in her hands. She looked down at the glowing coin beside her. ' A D.A. meeting! I'll learn everything I can and I'll help Harry..and Dumbledore.and everybody else! I'll stop those death eaters from hurting my family! Nothing can change my mind' she thought and stood up slowly. 'Nothing'
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Harry walked with Ginny up the staircases. She was dead silent as they went. Harry coughed and looked at her questioningly. She just ignored him and kept on walking.
"What's the matter Gin? Did I do something?" Harry asked worriedly. She sighed and stopped.
"No. I'm sorry. It's just...Pansy was at it again today," Ginny said and smiled at him sadly. Harry grabbed her arm and stopped her from climbing any higher.
"Don't listen to her Gin. I heard she's been nothing but harsh words since Draco left. She's never done anything too serious," Harry reassured her. Ginny shook her head.
"Maybe not, but she threatened me and the people I love. And she made nasty comments about you too Harry, though she had the wrong idea about half of it.." Ginny said and walked a bit further. Harry followed behind.
"Like what? Don't worry...I've probably heard it all already," he said to her as he held onto the railing. She continued her upward climb and sighed.
"She said that you were having nightmares about losing me....and screaming out my name or something like that. She didn't know what she was talking about. She only said it because she thought you and I were together. She was just trying to get a rise out of me.." Ginny explained. Harry stopped dead in his tracks, his face pale.
"Uh.yeah..must be.." he replied and found his feet again. Suddenly the staircase started to shake violently. Ginny bit her lip and turned to look at Harry.
"I hate when they do this..." she whispered. Harry stood behind her and held himself and her against the railing as the staircases switched positions. The staircase they were on twisted around and connected to another platform before the shaking stopped and things were quiet again.
"Hmn..this puts us in an odd position," Harry said letting go,"we can either go back down or....go back down.." Ginny sighed and shook her head.
"Well I guess we could wait until they decide to change again," she said and shrugged. Before Harry could answer, another voice floated around them.
"Hullo!" a voice said merrily. Ginny looked frantically around, her eyes finally settling on a portrait she'd never seen before.
"Is that you speaking?" she asked quietly. The man in the picture nodded his head and smiled.
"Well, hello then.." Harry said walking over to get a good look.
" I was wrong...you aren't them...but the spittin image you two are, no one would be able to tell the difference unless you looked real close.." the portrait said rubbing his chin. Harry cocked his head to the side and stared curiously at the man. Ginny did almost the same thing.
"Excuse me sir, but who are you? I've never seen your portrait around before," Ginny said politely. The man smiled and hit his forehead with his hand.
"Ah! Must be excusing me, m'am. My name is Alfred Boggle. Used to teach here at Hogwarts...back in the day. Never made it to headmaster, but that was never my intention you see. I've hung by this here staircase for ages, well...you wouldn't know of course. Some of those slimy Slytherin pups did some damage to my picture awhile back and I've been in storage since. I'm too shy to say anything you see, so I was in there quite awhile. That Mr. Filch didn't get around to me till just now. I couldn't help but move the staircases to get a look at you two though, hope you don't mind," he explained thoroughly.
"That's fine, but why did you want to get a look at us?" Harry asked. Ginny crossed her arms and leaned up against the rail of the staircase.
"Well you see...I was thinking maybe I'd been sent back in time abit impossible maybe, but I had thought so... I know otherwise now, but did you know you two look a good deal like two other students who used to go here? They were some of my favorite to watch, knew em quite well. They always walked together talking and laughing. They'd always stop for a chat on their way by as well. Gryffindors just like you two they were. One with bright red hair.....very pretty, and one with dark hair and glasses, much like you sir. In fact, you look almost identical to him, save for your eyes.." he said happily. Harry's heart beat rapidly. He felt his throat choke up and took a moment to rub his head.
"Do....do....you know..their names?" Harry asked. The man closed his eyes and took a minute to think about it.
"Uh...I don't suupose you'd know 'em, died a few years back poor dears....broke my heart...uh the one was called Potter I believe. Oh yes! Now I remember! James Potter and Lily Evans." he said and smiled brightly. Ginny's eyes widened and she linked her arm with Harry's to let him know she was there.
"I've heard of them....many times..."Harry mumbled quietly. Alfred's portrait nodded and let out a sigh.
"Good people they were. Makes me happy to see you two walking together, just like they did.What did you say your names were?"he asked them. Harry gulped and Ginny smiled shyly.
"Uh..I'm Ginny Weasley...and this is....um..."Ginny started to say, but Harry cut her off.
"I'm Harry Potter," he said softly. Alfred Boggle's portrait clapped his hands and his eyes twinkled.
"James's son are ya? Shoulda known! You look just like him, but you've got Lily's eyes. Oh what a fine boy you're turning out to be. Well I guess I better let you go, its getting late and I know you Gryffindors shouldn't be out past curfew. Stop by and see me sometime!" Alfred said happily as the staircases shook again. Ginny waved and stared up at Harry's face. To her surprise he was looking down at her with a smile.
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Bonnie's jaw dropped as Ginny told her what had happened on the staircase.
"Oh my gosh Ginny! It's like...a sign or something!" she whispered excitedly. Ginny rolled her eyes and flopped down onto her bed.
"Oh sure it is. It means some guy in a portrait knows who Harry's parents are and brought up painful memories for him right there on the staircase! not to mention made me completely and utterly uncomfortable," Ginny groaned and shoved her face into her pillow. Bonnie sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed Ginny was occupying.
"No silly! Think about it.... you look like Lily, and Harry looks like James. Maybe it's like....history repeating!" Bonnie said and Ginny sat up.
"Can it do that?" she asked. Bonnie nodded feverishly and put her hands over her heart.
"Oh..that would be so romantic! And you could be with Harry, just like I know you want to!" she said and bounced up and down. Ginny sighed and supported the weight of her head in her hand.
"I wish that were possible, but I don't know..." Ginny said sadly. Bonnie rolled her eyes.
"Of course you don't know.... you never know with these things. You didn't hear it from me, but I think he may have a bit of those lovey-dovey feelings for you too!" Bonnie said and grinned mischievously.
"That's never gonna happen. Where would you get an idea like that?" Ginny asked, her face looking a bit more flushed than normal.
"Oh that's simple...Seamus said he thought you were cute, and then Dean said that Harry was practically in love with you......and then Seamus told this to Gordon, and Gordon told me at quidditch practice. i watched harry the whole time, and he did seem to spend more time staring at you than any of the other members of the team...." Bonnie rambled. Ginny stopped her.
"Wait wait wait, Seamus said he thought I was cute?" Ginny asked.
"Well yeah, but that's not the point..."Bonnie answered. Ginny sighed and shook her head.
" I know, but I think maybe you are all just reading too much into things..."Ginny replied. Bonnie shrugged.
"Maybe we are, but maybe not. Just wait and see Ginny. Things will reveal themselves in time..."
