A/N: WOW! I'm really glad to know that so many people are still interested in my story! I agree, though, with one of my reviewers. I see now that it was selfish to keep my story from being posted just because of my lack of reviews. I guess I was just desperate. I know now that this story is for my own benefit as well as that of my fans and even if I'm not getting reviews I should still keep writing it for my own pleasure. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED getting all those reviews and I hope that all those who read my story choose to review, but for the love of writing I will continue on with this story till the last word!
Chapter Six: Simple Explanation (again)
July 23, 1995
An odd thing happened (which was also quite embarrassing). I woke up and I thought Hermione was in my bed. It turns out that I was in her bed and I was a little more than just embarrassed at the reason. It turns out that I'd had a bad dream and come to Hermione nearly in tears asking to sleep in her bed. IN TEARS! I don't even remember the dream but to be crying in front of any girl is a humiliating prospect to say the very least. I don't know if I'll ever be able to look her in the face again.
On the bright side I don't think that I'm as infatuated with Hermione any more. Partly because of the embarrassment of everything that happened yesterday and partly because I think I finally found an explanation as to why I felt that way in the first place. It's simple. When I thought that Hermione looked like Pavarti I was telling myself how that must mean Hermione was pretty. I tried to convince myself that if Hermione looked even a little like Pavarti then I should like her too just because I like Pavarti. Well that's all over with now. I've finally realized that I don't need to fall head over heels for every look alike because there's only one true Pavarti and she's the only one for me.
I really wish I knew what my dream had been about. To have been crying means that the dream must have been dreadful. Oh well, I guess that I'll remember it eventually. Either that or Hermione will forget about our ordeal. Whatever way, I'm trying not to think too hard about it till then.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ron had, for days, been avoiding eye contact with Hermione for various reasons. At first it had been the embarrassment of his attraction to her. Later it had been due to the fact that every time he looked at her he had a strange feeling in his stomach. Finally, it had been due to his total and complete humiliation at crying in front of her. Ron had finally seen the light though.
"Mornin Hermione," Ron mumbled through a mouthful of eggs and sausages as Hermione entered the kitchen. It was only a week before Harry's birthday and they planed on going into Diagon Alley together to search for gifts.
"Good morning Ron, Harry," she replied politely, looking from one to the other. Hermione sat opposite of Harry and helped herself to a generous portion of eggs as she struck up a conversation. It was almost odd to see her eat so much at a time thought Ron supposed this was just because at Hogwarts she didn't like to eat food prepared by the house elves. He laughed inwardly at his friend and continued eating.
"So, what are you three up to today?" asked Mrs. Weasley, spooning more sausages onto Harry's plate. Ron and Hermione looked at each other for a split second before Ron said in a would-be calm voice,
"Nothing much, just hanging about." Content with his explanation, Mrs. Weasley went about cleaning out the frying pan. Harry already knew that he wasn't invited though he didn't seem sure why.
Once they were sure Harry was nowhere to be found (and after the tedious de-gnoming of the Weasley garden) Ron and Hermione threw a few pinches of floo powder into the hearth and in seconds they were standing on the cobbled streets of the bright and bustling Diagon Alley.
"So what do you think Harry would want?" asked Hermione looking around apprehensively.
"And you call yourself his friend! Not even knowing that his deepest ambition is to be in a band and play lead guitar!" he mocked Hermione.
"Oh Ron, I'm not a 15 year old boy and thus I don't know they way they think. Besides, you and Harry are both so odd that even if I were a boy I wouldn't know what to think of the two of you!" Ron could tell that he was annoying her and thought it best to continue later when Harry present wasn't at stake.
"Never mind Hermione, I was just joking with you. So let's go get Harry's present before it's too late and his birthday is already passed." Hermione agreed and they went off through Diagon Alley searching for the perfect gift. About an hour had passed and they were still lacking any inspiration or clue to what they should by for him until Ron stopped abruptly in front of a shop window. "THAT'S IT!" he shouted as Hermione nearly ran into him.
"What's it?" Hermione inquired as she dusted the imaginary flecks of dust off of her robes and for the first time Ron noticed something.
"Is that a prefects badge Hermione?"
"What? Oh, well no. I mean... well if you must know-"
"I think I'm going to be ill! Is there anything else that you've neglected to tell us? Maybe they've made you minister of magic as well?" shouted Ron, quite clearly overreacting though he didn't care in the least if he was.
"Ron calm down, it doesn't change anything at all. It's just a title!"
"And why are you wearing the badge all around the wizarding world? You're gonna turn out to be just like Percy, that stupid git!"
"Ron, calm down and let me explain-"
"No Hermione! I thought we were friends and now I found out that you've been keeping this from Harry and me! What next, are you going to become the new transfiguration teacher without telling anyone? I suppose you were going to make us wait till we all found out at the start of term feast with the rest of the bloody school?" Ron was now rambling on with no concept of Hermione or her expression, going from sad to infuriated.
"Ronald Arthur Weasley! I can not believe that you would shout at me over something so... so... STUPID! How dare you say things like that to me? I'm sorry that I didn't tell you and Harry sooner, I really am but you need to grow up and pull your head out of your ass before you say something really unfortunate and risk losing me as a friend!" Hermione was now breathing heavily and Ron was in a stupor.
"Sorry Hermione," he mumbled, eyes focused intently on the ground.
"Now Ron, what was it that you were saying before? I suppose you've found something that Harry would like?"
"Well, I guess so. I mean I think he would like it," Ron continued to mumble at the ground.
"Well let's hear it then." Ron pointed timidly at something in the window of a second hand shop. On closer inspection Hermione saw that it was a wizard electric guitar, and one that had long ago lost it's gleam and much of it's paint along with a few considerable bits of the wood. "Well it looks like a good start, only fifty Galleons and it looks like it comes with an old drum set at no extra charge. We won't find a better deal than that."
"Well then I guess I'll go in and ask about it. Poor condition though, needs a lot of work on the paint and stuff but it's good for starters. With the drums along with it Harry and me could get a band started without even having to save up," said Ron getting more excited by the moment, almost forgetting his and Hermione's fight. Ron, closely followed by Hermione, walked into the dingy, smoke-filled shop and right up to the counter where a grungy looking wizard with shoulder-length hair sat reading a guitar catalog.
"Excuse me," said Hermione politely to the man who looked up at her through his green-tinted glasses.
"What can I help you with?" came his deep voice, as he looked Hermione up and down. Ron decided that he didn't like this man at all.
"We were wondering about the guitar and drums in the window, they look like about what we wanted," Ron replied, drawing the man's attention away from Hermione's chest.
"Those old pieces of crap? They've been here for ages. We finally lowered the price and made it a package deal just to get rid of them. If you have the money they're yours. Hell, I'll even have them delivered when and where you like!" laughed the man. This was too good for Ron and Hermione to pass up.
"We'd like them delivered to The Burrow on July thirty-first. Pretty early in the morning if you can manage." Said Ron, once again having to draw the man's attention away from Hermione. They split the price (25 Galleons apiece) and walked quickly out of the shop only after they had the man's word that the instruments would be delivered promptly on Harry's birthday.
"I didn't like that man at all," muttered Hermione, shivering a little.
"Me neither. You want my jacket? You look cold." Chatted Ron as he removed his jacket and handed it to her. "Honestly, he was looking at you like a hungry animal. What a pervert, huh?"
"I know, I wanted to be wearing three more layers of clothing just then and I think I might need to take four or five scalding hot showers when we get back to The Burrow just to rid myself of that feeling."
Ron and Hermione stepped out of the Weasley's fireplace just as Mrs. Weasley announced dinner to the rest of the house.
"Well nice to see you two finally, help me set the table after you wash up."
"Mum, can't we skip all that just this once? I just want to eat before my stomach implodes on itself," complained Ron, looking at the steaming bowl of mashed potatoes, a platter of lamb chops, and a full dish of green beans.
"Ronald Weasley if you don't go upstairs and wash right this very second I swear you won't have a bite of supper. Now go before I'm forced to keep my word!" Grumbling to himself, Ron trudged up the stairs and onto the fifth floor landing where the bathroom was located. Harry was already there, washing his hands when Ron and Hermione walked in.
"So where have you two been all day that I wasn't invited?" Harry teased, knowing full well by now that it was something to do with his birthday.
"None of your business," scolded Hermione as she tried to suppress a smile. They all finished washing up and went down to the kitchen together, all laughing at Harry's wild guesses at what they might have gotten him.
"So it isn't a dragon then?" Harry joked.
"Well not quite so big but nearly as cool," hinted Ron when they'd gotten down to the table. They all piled their plates high with the delicious food and by the time they were finished they all felt sleepy and full.
"Just like Hogwarts food only ten times better," yawned Harry, patting his stomach.
"Nope, has to be fifteen times better at least," replied Ron, getting up and starting the long trek back to his bedroom with Harry close behind. The last thing he thought before he dozed off was how happy Harry would be with his present.
Chapter Six: Simple Explanation (again)
July 23, 1995
An odd thing happened (which was also quite embarrassing). I woke up and I thought Hermione was in my bed. It turns out that I was in her bed and I was a little more than just embarrassed at the reason. It turns out that I'd had a bad dream and come to Hermione nearly in tears asking to sleep in her bed. IN TEARS! I don't even remember the dream but to be crying in front of any girl is a humiliating prospect to say the very least. I don't know if I'll ever be able to look her in the face again.
On the bright side I don't think that I'm as infatuated with Hermione any more. Partly because of the embarrassment of everything that happened yesterday and partly because I think I finally found an explanation as to why I felt that way in the first place. It's simple. When I thought that Hermione looked like Pavarti I was telling myself how that must mean Hermione was pretty. I tried to convince myself that if Hermione looked even a little like Pavarti then I should like her too just because I like Pavarti. Well that's all over with now. I've finally realized that I don't need to fall head over heels for every look alike because there's only one true Pavarti and she's the only one for me.
I really wish I knew what my dream had been about. To have been crying means that the dream must have been dreadful. Oh well, I guess that I'll remember it eventually. Either that or Hermione will forget about our ordeal. Whatever way, I'm trying not to think too hard about it till then.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ron had, for days, been avoiding eye contact with Hermione for various reasons. At first it had been the embarrassment of his attraction to her. Later it had been due to the fact that every time he looked at her he had a strange feeling in his stomach. Finally, it had been due to his total and complete humiliation at crying in front of her. Ron had finally seen the light though.
"Mornin Hermione," Ron mumbled through a mouthful of eggs and sausages as Hermione entered the kitchen. It was only a week before Harry's birthday and they planed on going into Diagon Alley together to search for gifts.
"Good morning Ron, Harry," she replied politely, looking from one to the other. Hermione sat opposite of Harry and helped herself to a generous portion of eggs as she struck up a conversation. It was almost odd to see her eat so much at a time thought Ron supposed this was just because at Hogwarts she didn't like to eat food prepared by the house elves. He laughed inwardly at his friend and continued eating.
"So, what are you three up to today?" asked Mrs. Weasley, spooning more sausages onto Harry's plate. Ron and Hermione looked at each other for a split second before Ron said in a would-be calm voice,
"Nothing much, just hanging about." Content with his explanation, Mrs. Weasley went about cleaning out the frying pan. Harry already knew that he wasn't invited though he didn't seem sure why.
Once they were sure Harry was nowhere to be found (and after the tedious de-gnoming of the Weasley garden) Ron and Hermione threw a few pinches of floo powder into the hearth and in seconds they were standing on the cobbled streets of the bright and bustling Diagon Alley.
"So what do you think Harry would want?" asked Hermione looking around apprehensively.
"And you call yourself his friend! Not even knowing that his deepest ambition is to be in a band and play lead guitar!" he mocked Hermione.
"Oh Ron, I'm not a 15 year old boy and thus I don't know they way they think. Besides, you and Harry are both so odd that even if I were a boy I wouldn't know what to think of the two of you!" Ron could tell that he was annoying her and thought it best to continue later when Harry present wasn't at stake.
"Never mind Hermione, I was just joking with you. So let's go get Harry's present before it's too late and his birthday is already passed." Hermione agreed and they went off through Diagon Alley searching for the perfect gift. About an hour had passed and they were still lacking any inspiration or clue to what they should by for him until Ron stopped abruptly in front of a shop window. "THAT'S IT!" he shouted as Hermione nearly ran into him.
"What's it?" Hermione inquired as she dusted the imaginary flecks of dust off of her robes and for the first time Ron noticed something.
"Is that a prefects badge Hermione?"
"What? Oh, well no. I mean... well if you must know-"
"I think I'm going to be ill! Is there anything else that you've neglected to tell us? Maybe they've made you minister of magic as well?" shouted Ron, quite clearly overreacting though he didn't care in the least if he was.
"Ron calm down, it doesn't change anything at all. It's just a title!"
"And why are you wearing the badge all around the wizarding world? You're gonna turn out to be just like Percy, that stupid git!"
"Ron, calm down and let me explain-"
"No Hermione! I thought we were friends and now I found out that you've been keeping this from Harry and me! What next, are you going to become the new transfiguration teacher without telling anyone? I suppose you were going to make us wait till we all found out at the start of term feast with the rest of the bloody school?" Ron was now rambling on with no concept of Hermione or her expression, going from sad to infuriated.
"Ronald Arthur Weasley! I can not believe that you would shout at me over something so... so... STUPID! How dare you say things like that to me? I'm sorry that I didn't tell you and Harry sooner, I really am but you need to grow up and pull your head out of your ass before you say something really unfortunate and risk losing me as a friend!" Hermione was now breathing heavily and Ron was in a stupor.
"Sorry Hermione," he mumbled, eyes focused intently on the ground.
"Now Ron, what was it that you were saying before? I suppose you've found something that Harry would like?"
"Well, I guess so. I mean I think he would like it," Ron continued to mumble at the ground.
"Well let's hear it then." Ron pointed timidly at something in the window of a second hand shop. On closer inspection Hermione saw that it was a wizard electric guitar, and one that had long ago lost it's gleam and much of it's paint along with a few considerable bits of the wood. "Well it looks like a good start, only fifty Galleons and it looks like it comes with an old drum set at no extra charge. We won't find a better deal than that."
"Well then I guess I'll go in and ask about it. Poor condition though, needs a lot of work on the paint and stuff but it's good for starters. With the drums along with it Harry and me could get a band started without even having to save up," said Ron getting more excited by the moment, almost forgetting his and Hermione's fight. Ron, closely followed by Hermione, walked into the dingy, smoke-filled shop and right up to the counter where a grungy looking wizard with shoulder-length hair sat reading a guitar catalog.
"Excuse me," said Hermione politely to the man who looked up at her through his green-tinted glasses.
"What can I help you with?" came his deep voice, as he looked Hermione up and down. Ron decided that he didn't like this man at all.
"We were wondering about the guitar and drums in the window, they look like about what we wanted," Ron replied, drawing the man's attention away from Hermione's chest.
"Those old pieces of crap? They've been here for ages. We finally lowered the price and made it a package deal just to get rid of them. If you have the money they're yours. Hell, I'll even have them delivered when and where you like!" laughed the man. This was too good for Ron and Hermione to pass up.
"We'd like them delivered to The Burrow on July thirty-first. Pretty early in the morning if you can manage." Said Ron, once again having to draw the man's attention away from Hermione. They split the price (25 Galleons apiece) and walked quickly out of the shop only after they had the man's word that the instruments would be delivered promptly on Harry's birthday.
"I didn't like that man at all," muttered Hermione, shivering a little.
"Me neither. You want my jacket? You look cold." Chatted Ron as he removed his jacket and handed it to her. "Honestly, he was looking at you like a hungry animal. What a pervert, huh?"
"I know, I wanted to be wearing three more layers of clothing just then and I think I might need to take four or five scalding hot showers when we get back to The Burrow just to rid myself of that feeling."
Ron and Hermione stepped out of the Weasley's fireplace just as Mrs. Weasley announced dinner to the rest of the house.
"Well nice to see you two finally, help me set the table after you wash up."
"Mum, can't we skip all that just this once? I just want to eat before my stomach implodes on itself," complained Ron, looking at the steaming bowl of mashed potatoes, a platter of lamb chops, and a full dish of green beans.
"Ronald Weasley if you don't go upstairs and wash right this very second I swear you won't have a bite of supper. Now go before I'm forced to keep my word!" Grumbling to himself, Ron trudged up the stairs and onto the fifth floor landing where the bathroom was located. Harry was already there, washing his hands when Ron and Hermione walked in.
"So where have you two been all day that I wasn't invited?" Harry teased, knowing full well by now that it was something to do with his birthday.
"None of your business," scolded Hermione as she tried to suppress a smile. They all finished washing up and went down to the kitchen together, all laughing at Harry's wild guesses at what they might have gotten him.
"So it isn't a dragon then?" Harry joked.
"Well not quite so big but nearly as cool," hinted Ron when they'd gotten down to the table. They all piled their plates high with the delicious food and by the time they were finished they all felt sleepy and full.
"Just like Hogwarts food only ten times better," yawned Harry, patting his stomach.
"Nope, has to be fifteen times better at least," replied Ron, getting up and starting the long trek back to his bedroom with Harry close behind. The last thing he thought before he dozed off was how happy Harry would be with his present.