Every time I close my eyes

A/N: Sorry if its taking me ages to update. Again it's because of my exams, but don't worry i'll try my best to give youz updates as soon as I can.

Thanks to all who've reviewed:

PaulaS, missmetalic (thanks again!), Mortari (also, many thanks!), genieinabottle22, Broken Rain, Shinyu, Shakaku Gekkani, Mistress Dark and wolvesm0on.

You guys make me write on!

Oh... and sorry if there were some mistakes in the last chapter, just been writing at night and I get really sleepy after studying so couldn't be bothered to proof read.

::: note: those in " " are thoughts of the characters.

Disclaimer: Well, really, do I have to? Youz all know I don't own any of this...

Chapter 6:

'Look mate, its just that we think your taking this too far. You should really talk to Hermione. I mean, she didn't do anything Ron.' Harry said as him and Ron strode past the same tree for about the tenth time that night.

'Harry, I will talk to her ok. Can we drop this? Stop making such a big fuss.'

'Ron, your making the fuss mate. Well... I know that she misses you and all. You haven't talked to her since the train, and even that was just a second', Harry paused then breathed out loud 'why don't you just admit that you like her and get it over with... and' he said as Ron started to open his mouth to protest '... don't say that you don't like her cause Ron, I'm the boy who lived! I know stuff...'

Ron hesitated. Telling Harry would be a big mistake, but then again not telling him would be a bigger one.

'Ok, look Harry, if you promise not to tell anyone I'll tell you the truth alright? Not even mum. She'd go all weird and start talking to me about... stuff', Ron sighed.

'Don't need to promise anything cause everybody knows already but yeah sure'

Ron either ignored this answer or just didn't hear it because he just went on 'alright, I admit it... I...'

'Yes?'

'... I... ahem...'

'Come on Ron, what are you afraid of? It's just me, Harry Potter, your best friend.'

'Harry would you give me a minute, I'm still trying to register it in my head. I'm all confused!'

Harry sniggered and put his arm round his best friend's shoulder. 'You know Ron, they say that confusion is the first sign of falling in love'.

'Harry what are you playing at? I just fancy Hermione, I don't love her!' Ron blurted out, frustrated.

'Well there you go Ron. At least I've made you admit one thing. Now if you can only say that to Hermione'

'The hell I will. Harry do you know what she'll do to me if I tell her? She'd tell me to go to the library and look up what a 'crush' means, make me write 2 rolls of parchment about it and then laugh in my face! I can't possibly handle that sort of rejection. Remember Fleur in fourth year? I just asked her to the dance and I already went mental about it'.

'Ah... yes! Of course', Harry smiled broadly.

'Harry, it was not only I that got rejected remember? Or do you want me to go to more detail?' Ron laughed.

'Ok Ron I think I've got the idea. So, you and Hermione huh? Doesn't it seem better for it to be out in the open?

'No, not really because this means that you'd be teasing me whenever she's around and Harry I don't want you getting any ideas but that won't help me at all.'

'Don't worry Ron, you can trust me with your secret. As much as you can trust me with your life!'

'Well, that's reassuring' Ron muttered.

-----------------------

The sky was growing darker by the second when Harry and Ron decided to take their lengthy and private conversation indoors.

As they neared the end of the hall and about to turn the corner to Gryffindor tower, they heard familiar voices growing nearer.

Ginny and Hermione appeared around the corner looking quite shocked. Ginny whispered something under her breath then said smiling wildly 'oh, hey Harry, Ron. Where did you guys get up to?'

'Oh, Ron and I just had a...uh...manly talk. You know. Guy stuff', Harry winked at Ginny.

'Ah... right'. Ginny replied smiling slightly.

There was silence in which the only sound to be heard was Peeves laughing heartedly at something in the floor upstairs and then some girls screaming.

'Right. Uh... Harry. Do you mind helping me with this potions essay that Snape made us do during the holidays? I think he expects it to be done by tomorrow', Ginny started, breaking the silence.

'Yeah sure Ginny', Harry replied, getting the hint.

'I'll go too. I can help', Ron said putting his shoulders around Ginny 'so what's this essay bout?'

'Ah... no you won't. I've seen your grades for potion Ron and I think Snape can only handle one failing Weasley at a time. Come on Harry', she said as she pulled Harry towards the direction of the library.

'Well, we know why those guys want to be alone', Ron said, his back still facing Hermione.

Again, there was an awkward silence.

'Ok... I guess I'd just turn in for the evening then', Ron uttered. He turned and tried hard not to catch Hermione's gaze. As he sauntered past her and started for the portrait of the Fat Lady, he felt a hand grip his own. All the blood rushed to his brain and his heart pounded a hundred miles an hour.

'Ron wait', Hermione whispered.

"Oh, no please don't say we need to talk... please don't say we need to talk", Ron thought.

'I think we need to sort some things out'

"Great! Same difference"

'Uh... what do you mean?' Ron asked still avoiding her gaze.

'Ron... about not going to your house in the summer holidays...'

'Oh... that? Hey 'mione it's alright', what a lie!

'No Ron it's not. I know that you're angry because I went to Bulgaria for the holidays but it wasn't my idea you know. My parents really wanted to go...'

'Look Hermione, I said its fine ok', Again with the lying! Why do I have to lie to her, but then again, I cant possibly say 'I know its not alright Hermione. You should've just stayed at the burrow with me instead. I don't want those bloody Bulgarian hands on you!' Ron thought.

'Ron! You're not even listening!' Hermione snapped now furious. 'Fine! You know what? I was going to tell you this nicely but since your being such a git about it I'll just tell you...that...that...'

'What Hermione? Well spit it out! You cant say that I don't listen now can you?' Ron snapped back.

'Viktor asked me out again while I was in Bulgaria and I said yes!' Hermione shouted.

Ron's eyes widened and his jaw dropped for the second time that evening.

'He... what? And you...' Ron stammered.

"Ok remain calm. You can't show her that your... your jealous or... or angry, she'll catch on! Right, new tactic then! Pretend you don't care... alright."

'Well - that's good for you... Her-mi-o-ne. I hope you guys have fun and... stuff', Ron said through gritted teeth.

'You're... you're not angry?' Hermione asked, thoroughly confused.

'Course not. Why'd you ask?'

'Nothing... well, I guess that's all sorted then', "Looks like that plan did not work out as good as I had planned, he did not get jealous at all, all right time for plan B Hermione"

'Yup. So, shall we, go to the common room I mean.'

'Yes. Sure', Hermione replied as Ron lead her back up the corridor and towards Gryffindor tower.