Chapter 6: Blossoming Love


Harry awoke the next day feeling refreshed and relaxed, something that had not occured since
Sirius' death. Seeing that Ron was still asleep, he headed downstairs to get some breakfast.
Upon reaching the foot of the steps, he could smell the huge breakfast that Mrs. Weasley had
been baking for them. He entered the spacious kitchen and saw Remus, Tonks, Hermione, and 
Mrs. Weasley inside. As usual, Mrs. Weasley was at the stove flipping pancakes. Harry sat 
down next to Hermione.

"Feeling okay today, Harry?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes, loads better, thanks," he repiled. 

"Really, Harry? I'm glad to hear that," Remus said, looking happier than Harry had seen him
in a very long time. 

"Uh... thanks, Remus," Harry replied, somewhat confused.

"Actually, Harry, maybe you should start calling me Professor Lupin again... just for practice,
you know, so that when we get back to school you won't forget." His face broke out into a huge
grin. Hermione shrieked.

"Professor Lupin! You're, well, a professor again!" Shrieking again, she hugged him.

"Really?" asked Harry.

"Really," Remus replied, smiling. "Well, Tonks has to go to work now, and I must go to Diagon
Alley to pick up some more supplies for my classes next year. I'll see you two later this 
afternoon. Thanks for the wonderful breakfast, Molly."

"Oh, any time!" Molly replied, beaming. Tonks smiled at Harry.

"Wotcher, Harry. I'll probably see you tonight, we've got a meeting for the Order." She and
Remus apparated. Molly returned to the stove and Harry and Hermione remained alone at the table.

"I can't believe Remus is going to be our professor again! This is going to be the best year
ever," Hermione sighed happily. 

"Hermione..." Harry said, making sure that Mrs. Weasley was out of earshot, "thanks so much for
last night. You helped a lot, you really did."

"Sure Harry, that's what friends are for, right?" she answered, squeezing his hand. They returned
to their breakfasts and continued eating. Just then, the door to the kitchen swung open loudly
and crashed against the wall.

"RONALD WEASLEY! WHAT do you think you're doing, causing all that racket?? You know you're sister's
still asleep, it's quite early, you shouldn't go around making noise and waking up the entire house
every time you open a door..." Mrs. Weasley continued to scold Ron as she turned back to the food
that was cooking, continuing on as she gave him a plate filled with pancakes. Looking angry, Ron
took the plate and sat down on the other side of Hermione. He began eating silently.

"Ron? Is everything okay?" Hermione asked, as soon as Mrs. Weasley had left the kitchen to check on
Ginny. Ron rolled his eyes and snorted.

"Oh yes, everything's just peachy," he replied sarcastically. He pushed away his half-finished plate
and walked out of the kitchen. Hermione cast a worried glance at the door he had just left through.

"He's been quite odd lately, Harry, especially since you've been here. He was really talkative 
before you arrived... I don't really know what's wrong with him." Harry smiled; then he grinned.
For ONCE,he thought to himself,I know something that Hermione doesn't!

"Harry? What are you smiling at??" Hermione asked, looking quizzically at him. He coughed, trying
to hide his laugh.

"Er, nothing. Nothing at all," he said, getting up from the table. "I think I'm going to go get 
dressed now."

"Okay..." Hermione replied, looking even more confused.

*******************************************

Getting off the bus one stop after Voleta Voile, the man in the dark hooded cloak doubled back quickly, 
attempting to find her. Finally, he spotted her burgundy jacket, and slowed to keep a considerable
distance between them. He watched as she went to an older apartment building, climbed the steps to
the second floor and went into the third door on the right. He closed his eyes momentarily, trying
to memorize these directions. The apartment door shut; the man in the dark cloak stared at the door
for a moment, then apparated.

******************************************

Harry reached his and Ron's bedroom and flung the door open happily. Ron was inside, playing Wizard's
Chess by himself. He paused for a moment to glare at Harry as he entered.

"Hey, Ron. Want to play against me?" Harry asked. Ron laughed coldly.

"I don't think so," he mumbled. Harry rolled his eyes and sat down next to Ron on the floor.

"You know, I don't even like her Ron, so you can stop being like this." Ron's eyes narrowed.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about, Harry?" 

"You know exactly who I'm talking about. Hermione. I can tell you like her, it's extremely obvious,
and I just wanted to let you know you don't have to be mad at me, because Hermione and I are just
friends." Ron made a sarcastic noise.

"Oh, right. Then what exactly was going on last night, hmm? You and her all over each other, it was
enough to make me sick!" Harry paused uncomfortably before answering.

"We were talking... about Sirius," he mumbled.

"Oh," Ron answered quietly. "Sorry I brought it up." Harry cleared his throat.

"No, it's okay. I just wanted you to know that I don't like her that way, and if you want me to talk 
to her and tell her you do..." he trailed off, smiling.

"Whoever said I did??" Ron asked, looking alarmed. "I never admitted it!"

"You never denied it either, mate, and you get jealous about her quite easily," Harry said, laughing.
Ron blushed bright red.

"Maybe I like her...a little," he mumbled. 

"A little?? Ron, you like her a LOT!" Harry exclaimed. They looked at each other and cracked up.

"okay, okay, a lot," Ron managed to say, still laughing. Just then the door opened.

"What's so funny?" Hermione asked curiously, looking around the room to see her two best friends
lying on the floor laughing until they were crying, surrounded by various Wizarding Chess pieces.

"Nothing..." Ron mananged to say, gasping for air. He looked at Harry and the two began to laugh
again, even harder this time. Hermione rolled her eyes and walked out the door. 

"Boys," she said to herself, exasperated.

*********************
Next Chapter