Chapter Three: Tug O' War
''What does your heart tell you?"
-Aragorn
Authors Note: Yes, I know, I know. An HP/HG. What the h-e- double is she thinking (not my favorite pairring either)? But that's about to change. Just hang with me and it'll change, I swear!
Disclaimer: I'm getting so tired of writing these. Prism- mine. Others- not. Please R&R!
The three emerged in the Weasleys' fireplace floor, and stood up dusting off soot.
''Mum, we really ought to....'' Ron said to Mrs.Weasley, stopping short when he saw Prism standing beside Mrs.Granger, ''H-hi, Prism.''
Prism chuckled and routinely flashed her eyes at him, ''Hello, Ron.''
''What are you doing back here Pris?'' Hermione asked, unlinking from Harry and walking over to her.
''Hermy, tomorrow's Saturday.''
''Yes, dear, I invited her to come stay a day early with us, Ron. She'll be going to Hermione's, along with you and Harry, tomorrow.'' Mrs.Weasley said.
''Oh, that's great, mum. Is she staying in my room?''
''Yes, she will stay with you, Hermione, and Harry.''
''Yes! Oh, I mean..... yeah, good. Let's go get you settled in then.'' Ron said patting Prism on the shoulder slightly.
''Alright.'' Prism said blushing just slightly.
''Alright then. This way.'' Ron said taking her gently by the arm and leading her up the three sets of stairs to his room, Harry and Hermione behind him.
''Wow!'' Prism exclaimed walking into the florescent orange room, ''I guess it would be kinda stupid to ask you for your favorite color, huh?''
''Yeah, I guess that would be kind of stupid. Well, let's get your bed set up then.''
''All right. Where?''
''Hm, you can sleep here,'' he said noting to the spot at the end of his room.
''All right then.''
Fifteen minutes later they were summoned to the gardens for dinner.
''Who do you think will be the new DADA teacher this year?'' Hermione said cutting her meat into square sections politely.
''I don't know,'' Rons said pausing to pick his roast up with his fork and tearing a gigantic chunk out of it with his teeth, ''But I fure hope if's no' that bloody bas-''.
''Ronald Weasley! Watch your language.'' Mrs. Weasley yelled from her seat.
''Forry mum,'' he swallowed his food, ''Won't happen again.'' he said smiling.
''True right it won't! Or I'll.... what was it that muggles do with kids who have a dirty mouth, Hermione?''
''Wash their mouths out with soap.'' Hermione replied stifling her laughter.
''I'll do what she said.''
''Thanks Hermione, giving her ideas.'' Ron mumbled.
''You're perfectly welcome now what were you saying?''
''I just hope that Snape doesn't get it.''
''Me to! Oh wouldn't that be dreadful.'' Hermione said.
''Who's Snape?'' Prism asked next to Ron.
''You don't want to know.'' Harry said, ''You just.... nah, you don't want to know.''
''Yeah. We'll save your brain until the first day of term.''
''Heads up!'' Fred yelled as he sent a chair he and George were dueling with crashing into Ron's food.
''Fred! Why did you do that?!''
''I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Accio chair! There, better?!'' he said pointing his wand at the broken shards of the chair.
''You best fix that Fred.'' Mrs.Weasley said.
''I will mum, I will. Oi, George! Get another chair!''
''Oh no you don't! No more furniture wrecking! You two are through for tonight!'' Mrs.Weasley said standing up and grabbing Fred by the ear.
''Ow, mum! Gerroff! George, George, mate run for it!''
Mrs.Weasley toed Fred into the kitchen and set him upon the task of dish washing... the mortal way... and quickly chased down George. ''I could have sworn I told you two not to do that! We can not afford to have our furniture broken into pieces every week!'' she said dragging George into the kitchen.
''Mum. Ouch! We do not break furniture /that/ often.... just every other month or so.'' George said moving his head quickly out of his mothers grasp.
"Yeah, and it's not like we don't fix them."
''Not every month! More like every week! Well, now it's one week to many! Dishwashing, the both of you, and no magic!'' she said slamming the door behind her.
''Mum! You can't do that to us!'' George said.
''No use mate. Better get started or we'll be up all bloody night doing dishes.... the muggle way.''
-In the garden-
Ron chuckled dishing potato salad onto his spoon, ''That serves them right.''
''I don't know. Dishes can be pretty angering.''
''Yeah, well maybe I'll just let these potatoes 'accidentally' air out onto this plate.'' he replied patting his stomach, ''Hermione, how are we getting to France? Floo Powder?''
''Are you absolutely /mad/? Of course not!''
''Well then how?''
''We'll fly there.''
''Oh /this/ should be interesting.'' Prism mumbled quietly.
''Hey!'' Ron said punching Prism gently in the arm, ''You think I can't handle it?!''
''No you can handle it. I'm not saying you can't.''
''Well... good, because I can.'' then he very gently slipped his arm around Prism's waist.
Prism hesitated for a moment then stood up hastily, ''Perhaps I'll go help Fred and George with the dishes.''
Hermione watched her cousin leave and enter The Burrow then looked over to Ron, ''You imbecile! What do you think you're doing?!''
''I was just..... making a move I suppose, if you wanted to call it that.
'''Making a move'?! What did I tell you?! These things take time, you will not win her over night! You are getting to her, yes, but she does not go that easily into a relationship. It takes time for her to get to know people. Trust me, I am her /cousin/!''
''You're right.'' Ron mumbled.
''Well of course I'm right! I know these things!''
Ron fumed momentarily, ''You just know everything don't you?'' then he stood up and stormed into the house.
Ron packed his trunk, later that night with Harry.
''Why did you get mad at Hermione earlier tonight?''
''What, are you sticking up for your 'beloved' now?''
''Ron, she is not my beloved and you know that!''
''What do you mean? There is another?''
Harry looked down at the sweater he was folding and slowly nodded.
''It's Cho isn't it? Are you two still seeing each other?''
Harry looked up to Ron, ''No. But you know as much as I that she likes me, and that I like her. But now my heart is pulling at it's seams. One half is going Cho's' way, and the other....''
''I know that feeling.''
''How?'' Harry asked, readjusting his glasses.
Ron very slowly set his dress robes into their protective plastic sheeting and put it in his trunk. ''I like Hermione too.''
''For how long?!'' Harry said.
Ron hesitated.
''For how long?'' Harry said shaking Ron slightly by the shoulders.
''Since.... the day that I met her.'' Ron said.
''I have to end this. It is clear to me now. Hermione and I are not meant for each other.''
''Harry, you can't do that! It would break her heart! I can't stand to see that happen again!''
''I have to Ron. We do not belong to each other. It doesn't feel right. I am going to end this, now.'' then he walked briskly out of the room and down the hall to Ginny's room where Hermione was packing.
''Ginny, if you would excuse us for a moment.'' Harry said knocking on the door.
''Yes, certainly.'' Ginny said walking out and past Harry down to Ron's room.
''Harry! It is pleasant to see you here.'' Hermione said wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Why does she have to do this at a time like this?!'' ''Hermione,''
''Yes. Harry, what's wrong?!'' she asked alarmed.
''It's nothing.'' he lied, ''Can I talk to you for a moment?''
''I suppose I can spare one. What do you need?'' she said leading Harry to sit down on her bed.
''You know I love you right?''
''Right.''
''And I wouldn't want to hurt you.''
''Yes....''
''I don't really think.... we are meant for each other, Hermione.'' he said not looking up at her.
She felt tears stinging her eyes. ''Of course,'' she said, voice trembling trying to hold her tears, ''Of course we're not.'' she blushed as one escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek.
''I think you've known all along that we're not really meant for each other. I love you more than anything just.... not like that.''
''I know. The same goes for me.''
''Oh, Mione' please don't cry.''
''I'm not. I'm not.'' she said quickly rubbing the tear away.
''I am sorry Mione', truthfully sorry.''
''I understand. It's better this way,'' she ended, kissing his cheek and leaving the room.
Harry sighed and went back to Ron's room.
