Thanks to: Alexial, Sasami Jurai, Sikokid and Jodi! I hope you like this
chapter as well as everyone else who reads (but doesn't review *sigh* oh
well!!) Alexial this chapter is dedicated to you since you figured out that
Peg likes Ron :-D
CHAPTER FOURTEEN- Ron and Peggy (Jasmine's point of view)
I rolled over and squinted my eyes open. I was in the hospital wing. Rolling back onto my back, I stared at the ceiling. Groaning, I sat up and blinked around me. I saw the sleeping figure of Hermione across the room from me.
"What?" I asked, running my fingers through my hair. The last thing I remembered.... I went to the Astronomy tower to find Harry.... I closed my eyes and could see the images around me. Wizards and witches, most of them strange, fighting off the dragons. I was too near the edge.... I didn't hear one of them shout a dragon was coming....
I clenched at my hair and tried remembering more. The dragon swooping.... I turned just in time to see it there.... I fell over backwards and plummeted to the ground....
Everything was dark for a while then I felt immense pain.... I felt my body....
I began crying now. I had felt it.... I felt like I would die.... then I heard Harry calling for me. I was weak.... but I replied. He ran out.... then carried me inside.
I knew it.... I knew I'd die....
Then.... why was I alive?
I looked around the hospital. In the bed next to mine, lay Harry. I slowly swung my legs out of bed and rubbed my head. "Jasmine!" I looked up and smiled as Remus ran into the room.
"Remus." I lifted my arms and hugged him as he bent over. I felt a rush of happiness as his arms tightened around me.
"Oh thank Merlin you're all right." He whispered.
"What's wrong with Harry?" I asked as he pulled away.
"Well...." Remus put a bunch of flowers in a vase and sat down. "You've heard of the Life-Giving charm?" He asked.
"Yes...." I said then looked at Harry. "He didn't...."
"He did." Remus said, eyes staring at my brother's body.
"But.... oh no wonder he's here.... help me up." I grabbed Remus's hand and he helped me up, and over to his bed. I sunk down on it next to him and looked at his pale face. The Life-Giving charm....
"You know the only reason he's still alive?" Remus asked and I looked up at him.
"Indulge me." I said.
"The stronger the love someone has for you.... the better the charm will work...." Remus said, staring into my eyes. "I doubt there would be another alive who could make this work as well for you." He whispered, holding my hand.
I turned back down and stared into Harry's face. "I know...."
"Jasmine...." I looked up and saw Draco, holding a yellow acacia.
"Draco...." Remus helped me up and Draco ran over. I fell into his arms and smiled.
"Oh thank Merlin you're okay."
"That's what Remus said." I said, giggling as I rested my head in the crook of his neck.
"I'll leave you two alone." Remus said and left.
Draco helped me to the bed and sat down, me in his lap. I wondered if I should tell him what happened. then figured he'd be better off not knowing.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
I stared at Harry.... Jasmine.... and Hermione. But no Ron. Where was Ron? I asked this to Madame Pomfrey and she shrugged. I asked Harry and his eyes got wide.
"That night Ron ran outside for something.... I don't know what but he-"
"Came for me." I spun around and saw a medium height, muscular wizard with flaming red hair, freckles, and burns and blisters on him. "Hi, Charlie Weasley." He said, shaking my hand.
"Peggy Morlins." I said.
"Ah yeah.... Ron's mentioned you."
"Where is he now?" I asked.
"Hospital back at the R.D.I."
"Romanian Dragon Institute." I said and Charlie nodded.
"He used Floo powder in a fireplace in Hogsmeade. I told the whole story to Dumbledore. He came to get us. His back was burned really badly, and he was really weak. He's at the hospital at the R.D.I. but too weak to be moved right now. He should be fine soon. Able to come back by Monday." Charlie said and sat back in a chair. Staring at me.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" I demanded.
"Well.... Ron keeps mumbling stuff in his sleep.... mostly its your name."
"Oh....?"
"Yeah and how much he LOVES you." Charlie said with a smirk. "And something about a tattoo?"
I felt my cheeks burn and I turned back to look at Harry, who was playing cards with Jasmine. "Tattoo?" Harry asked.
"It's, uh, nothing." I said, going even redder.
"Hey.... look...." Hermione said and held up the paper she was reading. "we're mentioned.... well not US but.... the paper says Hogwarts was ransacked by dragons.... and that the teachers, and the wizards and witches of the R.D.I. saved it."
"Am I mentioned?" Charlie looked at the paper.
"Not by name. The only names mentioned are Dumbledore, McGonagall, and.... Harry."
"Me?" Harry asked.
"It says rumor has it the dragons were sent by You-Know-Who to kill Harry Potter." Hermione read and folded the paper. "Well at least it isn't Rita Skeeter writing it."
"Hell yeah." Harry said, shaking his head.
I just sat back in my chair, trying not to think of Ron.
Trying.... but not succeeding.
*** (Ron's point of view)
"Ron!" Harry shouted. I looked around as people cheered for me. I smiled, stepping into the Great Hall Sunday evening at dinner.
Dumbledore stood to calm everyone down. "There are a few things I'd like to announce.... first off to Mr. Harry Potter I award him twenty points for helping bring down a dragon though he really shouldn't of been out." Dumbledore said. Harry grinned sheepishly. "Twenty-five points for rescuing Hermione Granger, and thirty points for risking his own life and saving Jasmine Potter's.
"And second.... to Mr. Ronald Weasley for getting your brother and the others of the R.D.I., I award you one hundred points." I began blushing from head to foot as everyone cheered. "You risked your own life by running out amidst the dragons. I also award you with a Special Awards for Services to the School." I blushed even deeper and made my way to the Gryffindor table.
"Good job Ron!" Seamus shouted.
"Thanks!" Donnie said, grinning.
"Yeah, thanks for saving us." Dean said, patting my shoulder.
I sat between Harry and Hermione and looked across from me at Peggy. She looked right back. "You were a total idiot for doing that." She said, adjusting her glasses.
"I wasn't thinking." I said with a shrug.
"That is obvious." She said and looked down at her plate.
I sighed and ate my dinner, which had appeared on the tables. Why did she have to act like that? Couldn't she show some happiness for me? After dinner, I went to the common room and stretched out on a couch by the fire (everyone seemed willing to let me do what I wanted so a bunch of Seventh years gave it up for me.). I stared into the flickering flames and felt a warmth spread over me. I felt.... odd. I wanted something with me. I wanted.... Peggy.
"Ron...." I looked up and Peggy was there. Hmm.... I want ten pounds of chocolate! .... .... .... .... darn it didn't work.
"Peggy." I said and she sat down.
"I'm sorry.... about at dinner." She said.
I shrugged. "It's okay."
"Ron...." She placed her hand on mine. "I.... I...."
"Aye?"
"I...." She took a deep breath. "I've been thinking...."
"Yes?"
"I...." She looked down at her hands which he wrung. "I think...."
"You think what?"
"Oh God, forget it." She snapped and stood up. "No.... yes...." She began mumbling stuff to herself. "I can't.... but I have to.... why does it have to be this way?!"
"Why does what have to be like what?" I asked. She turned around, looking about to cry.
"Ron, I love you."
The words impaled me like a sword. But a good sword. "You what?" I whispered.
She collapsed on the couch beside me. "I love you."
"You do?" I asked, holding her hands.
"Yes.... very much." She said.
"Peggy." I stroked her cheek then leaned over and kissed her. The first was gentle and sweet. The second, tender and romantic. The third full of much passion, hunger, lust, craving. I put my arms around her and pulled her close, never wanting to let go.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
I had no clue what overcame me.... something so amazing I told Ron the truth? Was love really that powerful?
The first week of November went by quickly. I spent every waking moment with Ron. I couldn't bear to be away from him. I don't know why. I was so happy.... happier then I ever had before. I couldn't decide which I liked better. Spending romantic time together with him, just sitting together talking.... or the snogging. Hmm....
Soon it was that Saturday, the Ninth, and Ron's first Quidditch game. I knew he'd do well on his Dragonfly. I wondered vaguely if he ever found out who gave it to him. I wasn't sure if I should tell him that I did....
"Welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season!" The new Commentator, first year Lisa Jordan (who had dreadlocks and looked remarkably like her older brother Lee), announced and the crowds burst into cheers. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin!"
"Go Harry! Go Draco!" Jasmine shouted.
"How can you cheer for both sides?" Hermione asked.
"Easy." Jasmine said and turned back to watch the teams flying about. Draco zipped by on his broom, flashing a smile at Jasmine who grinned.
I turned my gaze at Ron, the fastest one out there. I was really worried about him. He really is quite weak. He stopped his broom and smiled at me. I grinned back and gave him a thumbs-up sign. "The players take their position as Madame Hooch steps out onto the field!" Lisa announced. Soon the game was going. I had my hands clasped tightly together, watching as Ron kept narrowly dodging the Bludgers. I kept glaring at the two new Beaters, third year Betty Johnson, and second year Fern Owen.
"Do your job...." I whispered and winced as a Bludger missed Ron's head by inches. I really didn't like this game.
Jasmine nearly screamed as Fern smashed a Bludger in Draco's direction and it slammed into his side, nearly knocking him off his broom. "Draco!" Jasmine yelled as he dropped in the sky slightly.
"He's fine." Hermione said, watching as Harry did a sharp turn and dive down. Did he see the Snitch? No.... he was doing the Wronksi Feint.
Jasmine nearly fainted as Harry pulled out of the dive but Draco slammed head-on into the ground. "Draco!" She yelled, leaning over the side.
"Good job, Harry!" Hermione yelled and Jasmine threw a punch at her. "Hey, Malfoy is YOUR boyfriend. I don't care beans about him."
"Think he's okay?" Jasmine asked, turning back and smiled as Draco slowly got up. I could see he had blood running down his face from a cut over one eye. He wiped it off, hopped on his broom and flew into the air again. "Oh thank Merlin." She breathed.
The game was quite nasty. Two of the Slytherins got Ron caught between them and he nearly slammed into the stands. "CHEATERS!" I screamed, raising my fist.
"They are Slytherins, of course they're cheating." Hermione said.
"Hey!" Jasmine snapped.
My nerves were all bundled up during the whole game but finally it was over. Gryffindor won by fifty points. I ran down onto the field, and to Ron. "You did it!" I shouted, jumping in his arms.
He hugged me tightly. "I had my good luck charm in the stands." He said, kissing my cheek. We left the field and headed to the castle.
"Ugh, I was all frayed during the game." I said, shaking my head.
"How come?"
"It's a dangerous game." I said, brushing bits of grass and stuff off his uniform.
"It's a fun game."
"Not to the girlfriends. Jasmine and I were all nervous." I said.
"Oh man that was great when Malfoy smashed into the ground. But don't tell Jasmine I said that." Ron said with a grin.
"I didn't think the Beaters did a good job." I said as he put his arm around my waist.
"They did great. Not as good as job as my brothers, mind you. But good anyway." He said with a shrug.
"Umm...." I said, resting my head on his shoulder. We finally got the common room and sat near the fire. It was nice and peaceful till the rest of the Gryffindors appeared and wanted to party. One of them got a Wizarding radio and tuned it into a station. Lupus and Luna appeared carting a ton of snacks and drinks.... as well as Remus, Sirius, Ivana, Emerin and my aunt.
"You five aren't supposed to be in here!" Hermione said.
"Shhhhhh.... ....!" Sirius exclaimed with a grin. He tapped the radio with his wand and swing music began playing. My aunt dragged him into the middle of the room.
"Oh you'll never beat us." Ivana said, grabbing Remus and pulling him into the middle of the room.
I smiled and sat back, watching the two couples battling it out. But it was quite obvious Remus and Ivana were the better swing dancers. "I think it was a dangerous thing bringing those guys back here." I informed Ron.
"Oh yeah...." He agreed.
I smiled and leaned against him, feeling quite good. Which made me feel bad. I wasn't supposed to be doing this.... but I couldn't help it. The force of love was really too powerful. I knew I'd pay for it in the end but.... as I looked up at Ron, I knew it was worth it.
***
Monday, November eleventh. I woke up.... and saw snow. I pushed my blankets back and ran to the window. "Snow! Girls wake up! Snow!" I shouted.
"Who?" Parvati asked, yawning.
"Too early...." Rose moaned. I turned and stared out the window. There was about five inches of snow on the ground, and it was snowing very thickly. All RIGHT!
I jumped into my uniform, grabbed my backpack and ran down the stairs. "Morning, Peggy." Ron said as I skid to a halt.
"You're up early. For you." I said.
"Didn't sleep well. Insomnia." He informed me, standing up.
"It's snowing." I said, grinning.
"I saw." He said, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my forehead. He was exactly three inches taller then me.
"C'mon, let's go to breakfast." We headed downstairs and sat at the Gryffindor table. I stared up at the ceiling. Snow fluttered down and disappeared three feet below the ceiling. I smiled then looked down at Ron, still smiling.
"So what do you want to do in Hogsmeade this Saturday?" He asked.
"I dunno.... maybe I'll go ahead and get my Christmas shopping done." I said with a shrug.
"Hmm, what do you want for Christmas?" He asked.
"My two fwont teeth." I said in a little kid voice. He stared at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. "What?" I demanded. "Haven't you ever heard that song?"
"What song?" He asked and I spit out my orange juice.
"YOU'VE NEVER HEARD THAT SONG?!" I shrieked. Everyone in the Great Hall stared at me.
"No....?" He asked.
"You have never heard 'All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth'?"
"No." He said.
"You poor deprived child." I said, shaking my head. Unfortunately the soonest I could go outside and play in the snow was not until the next day after lunch, when we had a free period. I bundled up and ran outside. It had continued snowing and now it was ten inches deep. I threw myself into the snow and rolled over, grinning. "This is wonderful!" I said, making a snow angel. Ron helped me out and I drew a halo.
"I have never met anyone who likes snow as much as you do." Ron laughed, holding my gloved hand in his.
"Mm, I love snow." I said, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I can tell." He laughed, sliding his arm around my waist. He leaned down and kissed the back of my neck, above my gold and scarlet striped scarf.
"Your lips are like ice." I giggled, pulling away.
"Help me warm them up then." He said. I giggled as he continued kissing my neck.
"You're freezing my neck up!"
"But you're warming me up!" He exclaimed, wrapping his arms tightly around me.
"Let's get inside. We'll have plenty of time Saturday." I said.
"Hogsmeade trip." He reminded me.
"Oh yeah well.... we'll still have time." We went inside and back to the common room. I peeled off my hat, gloves, scarf, boots and robes. Ron did the same and we huddled by the fire.
"I still say you can warm me up better." He said with a grin. I rolled my eyes and rubbed my hands together. I suddenly felt an icy hand on my waist. I shrieked and pulled away from Ron.
"Oh come on!" He laughed, pulling me close.
"No! Your hands are frozen!" I yelled, trying to wiggle free. He kissed my neck and I finally managed to push away from him. "Ron, there are first years in here." I said, glancing at the students.
"So?" He asked. I folded my arms and looked at him. "Okay fine, want to go to a secret passage?" "That's better." I said and we left the common room.
*** (Draco's point of view)
"Draco Malfoy." I glared up and saw the six other members of the Quidditch team surrounding me in a semi-circle.
"Yes?" I asked.
"We think you have been purposly losing to Gryffindor because that ----- of a girlfriend of yours's brother is on the team." The Keeper, Vorin Knott, sneered.
I slammed my book shut. "I would never lose on purpose! And don't you DARE call Jasmine that." I sneered.
"Whatever the case, we've come together and decided to kick you off."
"WHAT?!" I screamed, jumping to my feet. "Y-y-you're kicking me off the team?!"
"That is what we said." Vorin sneered.
"You son of a-" I flew at him and tackled him to the ground. I knew I'd lose. Vorin was bigger, stronger and had the entire Slytherin house at his back. Sure enough, just after I managed to land a punch at him, Crabbe and Goyle were dragging me off. "Let GO of me!" I screamed.
"Why don't you transfer out of here? Slytherin is too good for a Gryffindor trash like YOU!" Vorin snapped.
"Don't you bloody well call me a Gryffindor!" I screamed, kicking my legs but the two gorillas held tight.
"You ARE a Gryffindor. A goody two shoes piece of Gryffindor trash. Like your girlfriend." He sneered and I tried wrenching myself loose.
"DON'T YOU DARE CALL JASMINE THAT! I swear, Vorin, when I get loose so help me I'll-"
"You'll what?" He asked, folding his arms. The rest of the sixth year boys as well as the seventh, fifth and fourth were behind him. "Let him go and we'll see what he does." I fell to the floor as Crabbe and Goyle let go. I scrambled to my feet and glared at Vorin. "Go on, Draco. What will you do?"
I wanted to kill him. I wanted to grab him by the neck and wring the life out of him. I wanted to shoot every horrible curse I knew at him and the rest of the Slytherins. I wanted them all to burn in a horrible agonized death.
But I couldn't win if I fought them. I'd be pulverized. And then Jasmine would be mad at me for fighting them....
I went over to the chair I had been sitting in, grabbed my backpack and wand, and faced Vorin. "Voldemort will be crushed and you and your stinking families will die." I sneered and walked out of the common room.
As I walked down the halls, I felt an anger inside of me. Anger and fear. If my father had found out what I said.... sure ever since I started dating Jasmine, and everything he hated me. Thought I was scum and wanted me dead. But if he found what I just said he wouldn't just want me dead, he'd hunt me down himself
I began running down the corridors, clenching my teeth and trying not to think of it. I was dead....
I wandered down the corridors, feeling lost and confused.
Finally I pulled my scarf out of my backpack, pulled on my gloves and earmuffs and went outside. My breath rose up in front of me in a little cloud as I walked through the snow. A lot of kids were outside playing. Having fun.
I ignored them and went down to the lake. The edges were frozen over and I sat down beside it, staring at the thin ice. Thin. Easily broken. I could walk out over it and be done with it. My life was trash now. No friends, the whole house wanting to kill me, the rest of the houses hating me (though I didn't really care about that), my own FATHER wanting me dead, I was kicked off the house team, I was no longer rich, powerful and the heir to the biggest Wizarding fortune in England.... well one of.
I stood up, still staring over the lake. I had thrown everything into the bin. All for some girl. A GRYFFINDOR girl. Plus Harry Potter's little sister. Was I stupid? Yes, I was.
I dropped my backpack and took a step out on the ice. It was thick here and didn't break. Sure it'd be painful at first but then I'd be frozen and wouldn't feel myself die.
I took another step. My boots crunched on the layer of snow on the ice. No one would miss me. They wouldn't even know I was gone. Not for a while, anyway. By then I'd be at the bottom of the lake.
I took another step. The ice was getting thinner. Just a few more steps and it'd break. But what did I care? What did anyone care?
I took a fourth step out and nothing happened. That was one problem about being lightweight.
A fifth step. A sixth step. Ah, I heard cracking then.
A seventh step. I could see the cracks spreading along the ice now. I inched slightly forward and saw the cracks surrounding my feet. I hoped it was deep enough and I wouldn't just be waist deep or something.
Maybe just another step.
I took another step and the ice gave way underneath me. But I didn't go under. I felt someone grabbing my arm. Some awesome force telling me not to do this.... I could hear it! I could hear a voice not telling me to do this! It sounded like.... it sounded like.... it sounded like....
"POTTER!" I screamed, realized Potter was above me on his broom, holding my arm.
"I SAID what the hell do you think you are doing, Malfoy?!" He yelled and flew me over to land. He dropped me and landed beside.
"None of your business, Potter." I sneered.
"You were doing that on purpose, weren't you?" He demanded. I folded my arms and turned my back to him.
"Why do you care anyway?"
"I don't.... but I think Jasmine would. And as much as I hate you, Jasmine loves you and it'd break her heart if you.... if you died. And I don't want her heart broken. Though why she cares for you I have no idea."
"I thought you wanted us to be apart, Potter." I asked, whirling around and glaring at him.
"I do."
"Then why did you-"
"See, if you DIE Jasmine would never realize what a ------- you are. But when you break up with her-"
"I'D NEVER BREAK UP WITH HER!" I screamed.
"Then why were you doing that?!" He yelled back.
I glanced over the lake and saw where I would of fallen through. Fallen through and died. And Jasmine.... "Oh God." I said, closing my eyes.
"I won't tell her what you were going to do. Just don't try it again." He glared at me for a second then turned and left.
I sunk down in the snow and buried my head in my arms. If Potter hadn't of saved me, Jasmine would of been hurt so badly....
I slowly looked up at the gray sky. Jasmine was what made all I had done worth it. I realized I did not care about the Slytherins or my team position or my richness so long as I had Jasmine.... okay well maybe I cared about my richness a little bit.
*** (Hermione's point of view)
I looked over the many books surrounding me. I leaned forward, yawning slightly and trying not to get too sleepy. The end-of-term exams were coming up and I had to get top grades. Top. As in me getting the best. And not Ron. He may of beat me in O.W.Ls but that had to be some sort of mistake. It HAD to of been! I glanced up and glared over at him. He and Peggy were sitting on a couch talking, giggling and kissing now and then. Stupid slacker taking my grades and-
"Hermione?" Harry sat down.
"Yes?" I asked.
"You seem.... troubled." Harry said, looking over my mounds of books.
"I'm not." I said sharply. He raised his eyebrow and I sighed. "I just.... need to get good grades."
"Ah..... does this have anything to do with Ron getting thirteen O.W.Ls?" He asked.
"No what makes you say that ofcourse it doesn't this has nothing to do with it how dare you assume that geez Harry you're being extremely presumptuous." I said very quickly and he arched his eyebrows again. "Yes."
"I thought so. Hermione don't push yourself. It'll make things worse."
"I HAVE to push myself. Ron isn't. He'll get nearly failing grades like always." I said, throwing my quill down. "How is it that he beat me in our O.W.Ls? It's just not logical its like.... Bart getting better grades then Lisa." I said and Harry frowned. "'The Simpsons', an American show on the telly...." I said and he still looked confused. "Harry you live with Muggles you do know what a tell-"
"Yeah I've just never heard of that show." He said with a shrug. "Dudley never really let me watch anything other then what he did. Heh, heh, I remember this other American show he loved to watch. 'Baywatch'. Oh man oh man were those girls-" He stopped short at my glare. "Er.... I don't know what you're talking about, what's 'Baywatch' never heard of it well gotta go." He pushed back his chair and ran off. I shook my head and returned to studying. Men....
***
That Saturday, Harry and I sat in the Three Broomsticks alone. Well, not alone. There were other students and people there but at our table we were alone. Ron and Peggy had gone off somewhere and Jasmine was with Malfoy.
"So, haven't heard you complain about Malfoy in a few days." I commented to Harry.
"Eh well...." He said with a shrug.
"Hey kids!" Sirius and Trixie came into the place, covered with snow since it was snowing heavily. They joined us at our table and decided to see who could chug beer the fastest. After they went through their fourth beer each, Harry and I decided to go.... anywhere else. I didn't really want to see a drunk Sirius.
We went to Honeydukes and bought some snacks, then walked through the snow blanketed village. "This is romantic." I sighed, wishing Viktor was with me.
"Yeah, its really- OUCH!" Harry fell over, a snowball on his head.
"Ha, ha!" I looked over and saw Luna, packing up snowballs.... "Oh sorry Harry, we weren't aiming for you." Luna said and I saw Ivana with her. A snowball flew past me from the other side. I turned and saw Lupus and Remus also packing up snowballs.
"Want to join in our snowball fight? Hermione can join the girls side. Harry you can come with us." Remus said.
"It's, uh, okay." Harry mumbled and we continued on. Next we found Emerin, building a snow woman. After we passed her, more snowball fights, and kids going sledding we continued talking. "Are you visiting Krum for Christmas?" He asked.
"Yes." I said with a smile. "I can't wait to see him. I love him so much.... he's actually getting pretty good at saying my name now. Hermininny. He's almost got it." I said with a giggle.
"You really like him, huh?" Harry asked slowly.
"Yes." I said. He didn't speak for a few minutes. "Harry, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Well...." He glanced up and I followed his gaze. Ron and Peggy were snogging under a tree. "It seems Ron's found his perfect girl.... Jasmine is in love with Malfoy.... and you and Krum are together...."
"Oh." I said and touched his arm gently. "You'll find someone...."
"I did like Amy but you know...."
"Yeah." I said.
"I.... uh....."
"Yes?"
"I did like Cho Chang...." He admitted.
"I know."
"You knew?!"
"Yeah like, the whole school knew." I said.
"What?!" Harry demanded.
"Sheesh, Harry, it was so obvious!" I said and he went red.
"Ah."
"Anyway.... you'll find a girl soon." I said. He just shrugged and walked forward, shuffling his feet kicking up snow. I sighed heavily, feeling bad for him. I winced as a snowball hit Harry.
"Harry I am so sorry!" Luna ran to his side. I frowned and watched as Luna helped Harry up, brushing the snow off of him. "I'm sorry, I was trying to hit Lupus the Braveheart over there."
"You kin take awah mah snowballs. But you kin nevah take awah mah FREEDOM!" Lupus screamed from behind his fort.
"He's been doing that all day." Luna groaned
"FREEDOM!" Lupus screamed again.
"Lupus you're grounded." Ivana said just to 'take away his freedom'.
"Awww...."
I turned my attention back to Harry and Luna. She was picking his earmuffs off the ground and handing them back. My eyes got wide as I realized.... those two would be a perfect couple....
"I agree Hermione." I jumped as Jasmine appeared.
"Agree with what?"
"Harry and Luna."
"I never said anything."
"It was on your face."
"Oh."
"So, how should we get them together?" Jasmine asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"We need to get them together." Jasmine said.
"But shouldn't we just let them-"
"No way! They need our help. I mean it is my brother here we're talking about, and REMUS'S kid."
"You have a point, Jasmine." I said. "They need all the help they can get."
"Exactly." Jasmine said, smiling.
"How come I have a bad feeling about this?" I asked.
"It'll be fine, Hermione." Jasmine said with a smile. "Perfectly fine."
*** (Ron's point of view)
"This probably leads somewhere outside." Peggy said as we went down a new secret passage we found.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Cold draft." Peggy replied.
"Oh of course." I said, rolling my eyes. "Do we have to explore it?"
"What else would we-oh." Peggy turned and smiled. "Maybe."
"Maybe?" I asked, giving her puppy dog eyes. She straightened up and pushed her hair off her shoulders.
"Ron don't you have ANY control?"
"Not with you." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist. "You drive me crazy, Peg."
"Ron...." She put her hands over mine and tried prying them off (but not too hard, I noticed).
"Peg...." I replied, kissing her neck. "You don't really want to explore the passage do you?"
"Yes...." She said slowly, still smiling.
"No you don't." I said, kissing the other side of her neck.
"Don't I?"
"No." I said, staring deep into her eyes. My eyes were nearly pressed against her glasses.
"Are you trying to hypnotize me?"
"Maybe." I replied. "Is it working?"
"Maybe." She replied with a mysterious smile. I gently kissed her lips.
"I love you so much, Peg, you know that?" She frowned slightly and looked away. "Luv, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She said quietly. I stroked her cheek gently.
"What is it?"
"Its just...." She turned back and looked sad. "No one..."
"No one what?" I asked.
"No one's ever... really told me that-that they've loved me."
"No one?" I asked in slight shock and she shook her head. "Your parents?"
She snorted. "Hell no. My dad telling me he loved me? Well, I suppose he has in his own odd ways but never, you know, directly. No 'I love you'."
"Never?" I asked, now completely shocked and she shook her head.
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does." I said, horrified. I couldn't imagine growing up without someone telling me they loved me. I mean sure with five brothers I heard 'I hate you' more but still...
"Ron just drop it." She said sharply.
"I-I just can't believe it!" I pulled back and spread my arms out. "Its just... unfathomable for me."
"Please, drop it. I shouldn't of said-"
"Peggy! I can't! What kind of dad doesn't tell his daughter he loves her EVER?!" I demanded. Before I went to school, I couldn't go one day without hearing dad telling Ginny he loved her.
"Ron, PLEASE!" She said. I saw she was crying and stopped rambling.
"I'm sorry." I whispered, holding her close.
It was a few minutes before she spoke up. "Ron?"
"Yes?"
"Since when did YOU say words like 'unfathomable'?"
CHAPTER FOURTEEN- Ron and Peggy (Jasmine's point of view)
I rolled over and squinted my eyes open. I was in the hospital wing. Rolling back onto my back, I stared at the ceiling. Groaning, I sat up and blinked around me. I saw the sleeping figure of Hermione across the room from me.
"What?" I asked, running my fingers through my hair. The last thing I remembered.... I went to the Astronomy tower to find Harry.... I closed my eyes and could see the images around me. Wizards and witches, most of them strange, fighting off the dragons. I was too near the edge.... I didn't hear one of them shout a dragon was coming....
I clenched at my hair and tried remembering more. The dragon swooping.... I turned just in time to see it there.... I fell over backwards and plummeted to the ground....
Everything was dark for a while then I felt immense pain.... I felt my body....
I began crying now. I had felt it.... I felt like I would die.... then I heard Harry calling for me. I was weak.... but I replied. He ran out.... then carried me inside.
I knew it.... I knew I'd die....
Then.... why was I alive?
I looked around the hospital. In the bed next to mine, lay Harry. I slowly swung my legs out of bed and rubbed my head. "Jasmine!" I looked up and smiled as Remus ran into the room.
"Remus." I lifted my arms and hugged him as he bent over. I felt a rush of happiness as his arms tightened around me.
"Oh thank Merlin you're all right." He whispered.
"What's wrong with Harry?" I asked as he pulled away.
"Well...." Remus put a bunch of flowers in a vase and sat down. "You've heard of the Life-Giving charm?" He asked.
"Yes...." I said then looked at Harry. "He didn't...."
"He did." Remus said, eyes staring at my brother's body.
"But.... oh no wonder he's here.... help me up." I grabbed Remus's hand and he helped me up, and over to his bed. I sunk down on it next to him and looked at his pale face. The Life-Giving charm....
"You know the only reason he's still alive?" Remus asked and I looked up at him.
"Indulge me." I said.
"The stronger the love someone has for you.... the better the charm will work...." Remus said, staring into my eyes. "I doubt there would be another alive who could make this work as well for you." He whispered, holding my hand.
I turned back down and stared into Harry's face. "I know...."
"Jasmine...." I looked up and saw Draco, holding a yellow acacia.
"Draco...." Remus helped me up and Draco ran over. I fell into his arms and smiled.
"Oh thank Merlin you're okay."
"That's what Remus said." I said, giggling as I rested my head in the crook of his neck.
"I'll leave you two alone." Remus said and left.
Draco helped me to the bed and sat down, me in his lap. I wondered if I should tell him what happened. then figured he'd be better off not knowing.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
I stared at Harry.... Jasmine.... and Hermione. But no Ron. Where was Ron? I asked this to Madame Pomfrey and she shrugged. I asked Harry and his eyes got wide.
"That night Ron ran outside for something.... I don't know what but he-"
"Came for me." I spun around and saw a medium height, muscular wizard with flaming red hair, freckles, and burns and blisters on him. "Hi, Charlie Weasley." He said, shaking my hand.
"Peggy Morlins." I said.
"Ah yeah.... Ron's mentioned you."
"Where is he now?" I asked.
"Hospital back at the R.D.I."
"Romanian Dragon Institute." I said and Charlie nodded.
"He used Floo powder in a fireplace in Hogsmeade. I told the whole story to Dumbledore. He came to get us. His back was burned really badly, and he was really weak. He's at the hospital at the R.D.I. but too weak to be moved right now. He should be fine soon. Able to come back by Monday." Charlie said and sat back in a chair. Staring at me.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" I demanded.
"Well.... Ron keeps mumbling stuff in his sleep.... mostly its your name."
"Oh....?"
"Yeah and how much he LOVES you." Charlie said with a smirk. "And something about a tattoo?"
I felt my cheeks burn and I turned back to look at Harry, who was playing cards with Jasmine. "Tattoo?" Harry asked.
"It's, uh, nothing." I said, going even redder.
"Hey.... look...." Hermione said and held up the paper she was reading. "we're mentioned.... well not US but.... the paper says Hogwarts was ransacked by dragons.... and that the teachers, and the wizards and witches of the R.D.I. saved it."
"Am I mentioned?" Charlie looked at the paper.
"Not by name. The only names mentioned are Dumbledore, McGonagall, and.... Harry."
"Me?" Harry asked.
"It says rumor has it the dragons were sent by You-Know-Who to kill Harry Potter." Hermione read and folded the paper. "Well at least it isn't Rita Skeeter writing it."
"Hell yeah." Harry said, shaking his head.
I just sat back in my chair, trying not to think of Ron.
Trying.... but not succeeding.
*** (Ron's point of view)
"Ron!" Harry shouted. I looked around as people cheered for me. I smiled, stepping into the Great Hall Sunday evening at dinner.
Dumbledore stood to calm everyone down. "There are a few things I'd like to announce.... first off to Mr. Harry Potter I award him twenty points for helping bring down a dragon though he really shouldn't of been out." Dumbledore said. Harry grinned sheepishly. "Twenty-five points for rescuing Hermione Granger, and thirty points for risking his own life and saving Jasmine Potter's.
"And second.... to Mr. Ronald Weasley for getting your brother and the others of the R.D.I., I award you one hundred points." I began blushing from head to foot as everyone cheered. "You risked your own life by running out amidst the dragons. I also award you with a Special Awards for Services to the School." I blushed even deeper and made my way to the Gryffindor table.
"Good job Ron!" Seamus shouted.
"Thanks!" Donnie said, grinning.
"Yeah, thanks for saving us." Dean said, patting my shoulder.
I sat between Harry and Hermione and looked across from me at Peggy. She looked right back. "You were a total idiot for doing that." She said, adjusting her glasses.
"I wasn't thinking." I said with a shrug.
"That is obvious." She said and looked down at her plate.
I sighed and ate my dinner, which had appeared on the tables. Why did she have to act like that? Couldn't she show some happiness for me? After dinner, I went to the common room and stretched out on a couch by the fire (everyone seemed willing to let me do what I wanted so a bunch of Seventh years gave it up for me.). I stared into the flickering flames and felt a warmth spread over me. I felt.... odd. I wanted something with me. I wanted.... Peggy.
"Ron...." I looked up and Peggy was there. Hmm.... I want ten pounds of chocolate! .... .... .... .... darn it didn't work.
"Peggy." I said and she sat down.
"I'm sorry.... about at dinner." She said.
I shrugged. "It's okay."
"Ron...." She placed her hand on mine. "I.... I...."
"Aye?"
"I...." She took a deep breath. "I've been thinking...."
"Yes?"
"I...." She looked down at her hands which he wrung. "I think...."
"You think what?"
"Oh God, forget it." She snapped and stood up. "No.... yes...." She began mumbling stuff to herself. "I can't.... but I have to.... why does it have to be this way?!"
"Why does what have to be like what?" I asked. She turned around, looking about to cry.
"Ron, I love you."
The words impaled me like a sword. But a good sword. "You what?" I whispered.
She collapsed on the couch beside me. "I love you."
"You do?" I asked, holding her hands.
"Yes.... very much." She said.
"Peggy." I stroked her cheek then leaned over and kissed her. The first was gentle and sweet. The second, tender and romantic. The third full of much passion, hunger, lust, craving. I put my arms around her and pulled her close, never wanting to let go.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
I had no clue what overcame me.... something so amazing I told Ron the truth? Was love really that powerful?
The first week of November went by quickly. I spent every waking moment with Ron. I couldn't bear to be away from him. I don't know why. I was so happy.... happier then I ever had before. I couldn't decide which I liked better. Spending romantic time together with him, just sitting together talking.... or the snogging. Hmm....
Soon it was that Saturday, the Ninth, and Ron's first Quidditch game. I knew he'd do well on his Dragonfly. I wondered vaguely if he ever found out who gave it to him. I wasn't sure if I should tell him that I did....
"Welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season!" The new Commentator, first year Lisa Jordan (who had dreadlocks and looked remarkably like her older brother Lee), announced and the crowds burst into cheers. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin!"
"Go Harry! Go Draco!" Jasmine shouted.
"How can you cheer for both sides?" Hermione asked.
"Easy." Jasmine said and turned back to watch the teams flying about. Draco zipped by on his broom, flashing a smile at Jasmine who grinned.
I turned my gaze at Ron, the fastest one out there. I was really worried about him. He really is quite weak. He stopped his broom and smiled at me. I grinned back and gave him a thumbs-up sign. "The players take their position as Madame Hooch steps out onto the field!" Lisa announced. Soon the game was going. I had my hands clasped tightly together, watching as Ron kept narrowly dodging the Bludgers. I kept glaring at the two new Beaters, third year Betty Johnson, and second year Fern Owen.
"Do your job...." I whispered and winced as a Bludger missed Ron's head by inches. I really didn't like this game.
Jasmine nearly screamed as Fern smashed a Bludger in Draco's direction and it slammed into his side, nearly knocking him off his broom. "Draco!" Jasmine yelled as he dropped in the sky slightly.
"He's fine." Hermione said, watching as Harry did a sharp turn and dive down. Did he see the Snitch? No.... he was doing the Wronksi Feint.
Jasmine nearly fainted as Harry pulled out of the dive but Draco slammed head-on into the ground. "Draco!" She yelled, leaning over the side.
"Good job, Harry!" Hermione yelled and Jasmine threw a punch at her. "Hey, Malfoy is YOUR boyfriend. I don't care beans about him."
"Think he's okay?" Jasmine asked, turning back and smiled as Draco slowly got up. I could see he had blood running down his face from a cut over one eye. He wiped it off, hopped on his broom and flew into the air again. "Oh thank Merlin." She breathed.
The game was quite nasty. Two of the Slytherins got Ron caught between them and he nearly slammed into the stands. "CHEATERS!" I screamed, raising my fist.
"They are Slytherins, of course they're cheating." Hermione said.
"Hey!" Jasmine snapped.
My nerves were all bundled up during the whole game but finally it was over. Gryffindor won by fifty points. I ran down onto the field, and to Ron. "You did it!" I shouted, jumping in his arms.
He hugged me tightly. "I had my good luck charm in the stands." He said, kissing my cheek. We left the field and headed to the castle.
"Ugh, I was all frayed during the game." I said, shaking my head.
"How come?"
"It's a dangerous game." I said, brushing bits of grass and stuff off his uniform.
"It's a fun game."
"Not to the girlfriends. Jasmine and I were all nervous." I said.
"Oh man that was great when Malfoy smashed into the ground. But don't tell Jasmine I said that." Ron said with a grin.
"I didn't think the Beaters did a good job." I said as he put his arm around my waist.
"They did great. Not as good as job as my brothers, mind you. But good anyway." He said with a shrug.
"Umm...." I said, resting my head on his shoulder. We finally got the common room and sat near the fire. It was nice and peaceful till the rest of the Gryffindors appeared and wanted to party. One of them got a Wizarding radio and tuned it into a station. Lupus and Luna appeared carting a ton of snacks and drinks.... as well as Remus, Sirius, Ivana, Emerin and my aunt.
"You five aren't supposed to be in here!" Hermione said.
"Shhhhhh.... ....!" Sirius exclaimed with a grin. He tapped the radio with his wand and swing music began playing. My aunt dragged him into the middle of the room.
"Oh you'll never beat us." Ivana said, grabbing Remus and pulling him into the middle of the room.
I smiled and sat back, watching the two couples battling it out. But it was quite obvious Remus and Ivana were the better swing dancers. "I think it was a dangerous thing bringing those guys back here." I informed Ron.
"Oh yeah...." He agreed.
I smiled and leaned against him, feeling quite good. Which made me feel bad. I wasn't supposed to be doing this.... but I couldn't help it. The force of love was really too powerful. I knew I'd pay for it in the end but.... as I looked up at Ron, I knew it was worth it.
***
Monday, November eleventh. I woke up.... and saw snow. I pushed my blankets back and ran to the window. "Snow! Girls wake up! Snow!" I shouted.
"Who?" Parvati asked, yawning.
"Too early...." Rose moaned. I turned and stared out the window. There was about five inches of snow on the ground, and it was snowing very thickly. All RIGHT!
I jumped into my uniform, grabbed my backpack and ran down the stairs. "Morning, Peggy." Ron said as I skid to a halt.
"You're up early. For you." I said.
"Didn't sleep well. Insomnia." He informed me, standing up.
"It's snowing." I said, grinning.
"I saw." He said, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my forehead. He was exactly three inches taller then me.
"C'mon, let's go to breakfast." We headed downstairs and sat at the Gryffindor table. I stared up at the ceiling. Snow fluttered down and disappeared three feet below the ceiling. I smiled then looked down at Ron, still smiling.
"So what do you want to do in Hogsmeade this Saturday?" He asked.
"I dunno.... maybe I'll go ahead and get my Christmas shopping done." I said with a shrug.
"Hmm, what do you want for Christmas?" He asked.
"My two fwont teeth." I said in a little kid voice. He stared at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. "What?" I demanded. "Haven't you ever heard that song?"
"What song?" He asked and I spit out my orange juice.
"YOU'VE NEVER HEARD THAT SONG?!" I shrieked. Everyone in the Great Hall stared at me.
"No....?" He asked.
"You have never heard 'All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth'?"
"No." He said.
"You poor deprived child." I said, shaking my head. Unfortunately the soonest I could go outside and play in the snow was not until the next day after lunch, when we had a free period. I bundled up and ran outside. It had continued snowing and now it was ten inches deep. I threw myself into the snow and rolled over, grinning. "This is wonderful!" I said, making a snow angel. Ron helped me out and I drew a halo.
"I have never met anyone who likes snow as much as you do." Ron laughed, holding my gloved hand in his.
"Mm, I love snow." I said, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I can tell." He laughed, sliding his arm around my waist. He leaned down and kissed the back of my neck, above my gold and scarlet striped scarf.
"Your lips are like ice." I giggled, pulling away.
"Help me warm them up then." He said. I giggled as he continued kissing my neck.
"You're freezing my neck up!"
"But you're warming me up!" He exclaimed, wrapping his arms tightly around me.
"Let's get inside. We'll have plenty of time Saturday." I said.
"Hogsmeade trip." He reminded me.
"Oh yeah well.... we'll still have time." We went inside and back to the common room. I peeled off my hat, gloves, scarf, boots and robes. Ron did the same and we huddled by the fire.
"I still say you can warm me up better." He said with a grin. I rolled my eyes and rubbed my hands together. I suddenly felt an icy hand on my waist. I shrieked and pulled away from Ron.
"Oh come on!" He laughed, pulling me close.
"No! Your hands are frozen!" I yelled, trying to wiggle free. He kissed my neck and I finally managed to push away from him. "Ron, there are first years in here." I said, glancing at the students.
"So?" He asked. I folded my arms and looked at him. "Okay fine, want to go to a secret passage?" "That's better." I said and we left the common room.
*** (Draco's point of view)
"Draco Malfoy." I glared up and saw the six other members of the Quidditch team surrounding me in a semi-circle.
"Yes?" I asked.
"We think you have been purposly losing to Gryffindor because that ----- of a girlfriend of yours's brother is on the team." The Keeper, Vorin Knott, sneered.
I slammed my book shut. "I would never lose on purpose! And don't you DARE call Jasmine that." I sneered.
"Whatever the case, we've come together and decided to kick you off."
"WHAT?!" I screamed, jumping to my feet. "Y-y-you're kicking me off the team?!"
"That is what we said." Vorin sneered.
"You son of a-" I flew at him and tackled him to the ground. I knew I'd lose. Vorin was bigger, stronger and had the entire Slytherin house at his back. Sure enough, just after I managed to land a punch at him, Crabbe and Goyle were dragging me off. "Let GO of me!" I screamed.
"Why don't you transfer out of here? Slytherin is too good for a Gryffindor trash like YOU!" Vorin snapped.
"Don't you bloody well call me a Gryffindor!" I screamed, kicking my legs but the two gorillas held tight.
"You ARE a Gryffindor. A goody two shoes piece of Gryffindor trash. Like your girlfriend." He sneered and I tried wrenching myself loose.
"DON'T YOU DARE CALL JASMINE THAT! I swear, Vorin, when I get loose so help me I'll-"
"You'll what?" He asked, folding his arms. The rest of the sixth year boys as well as the seventh, fifth and fourth were behind him. "Let him go and we'll see what he does." I fell to the floor as Crabbe and Goyle let go. I scrambled to my feet and glared at Vorin. "Go on, Draco. What will you do?"
I wanted to kill him. I wanted to grab him by the neck and wring the life out of him. I wanted to shoot every horrible curse I knew at him and the rest of the Slytherins. I wanted them all to burn in a horrible agonized death.
But I couldn't win if I fought them. I'd be pulverized. And then Jasmine would be mad at me for fighting them....
I went over to the chair I had been sitting in, grabbed my backpack and wand, and faced Vorin. "Voldemort will be crushed and you and your stinking families will die." I sneered and walked out of the common room.
As I walked down the halls, I felt an anger inside of me. Anger and fear. If my father had found out what I said.... sure ever since I started dating Jasmine, and everything he hated me. Thought I was scum and wanted me dead. But if he found what I just said he wouldn't just want me dead, he'd hunt me down himself
I began running down the corridors, clenching my teeth and trying not to think of it. I was dead....
I wandered down the corridors, feeling lost and confused.
Finally I pulled my scarf out of my backpack, pulled on my gloves and earmuffs and went outside. My breath rose up in front of me in a little cloud as I walked through the snow. A lot of kids were outside playing. Having fun.
I ignored them and went down to the lake. The edges were frozen over and I sat down beside it, staring at the thin ice. Thin. Easily broken. I could walk out over it and be done with it. My life was trash now. No friends, the whole house wanting to kill me, the rest of the houses hating me (though I didn't really care about that), my own FATHER wanting me dead, I was kicked off the house team, I was no longer rich, powerful and the heir to the biggest Wizarding fortune in England.... well one of.
I stood up, still staring over the lake. I had thrown everything into the bin. All for some girl. A GRYFFINDOR girl. Plus Harry Potter's little sister. Was I stupid? Yes, I was.
I dropped my backpack and took a step out on the ice. It was thick here and didn't break. Sure it'd be painful at first but then I'd be frozen and wouldn't feel myself die.
I took another step. My boots crunched on the layer of snow on the ice. No one would miss me. They wouldn't even know I was gone. Not for a while, anyway. By then I'd be at the bottom of the lake.
I took another step. The ice was getting thinner. Just a few more steps and it'd break. But what did I care? What did anyone care?
I took a fourth step out and nothing happened. That was one problem about being lightweight.
A fifth step. A sixth step. Ah, I heard cracking then.
A seventh step. I could see the cracks spreading along the ice now. I inched slightly forward and saw the cracks surrounding my feet. I hoped it was deep enough and I wouldn't just be waist deep or something.
Maybe just another step.
I took another step and the ice gave way underneath me. But I didn't go under. I felt someone grabbing my arm. Some awesome force telling me not to do this.... I could hear it! I could hear a voice not telling me to do this! It sounded like.... it sounded like.... it sounded like....
"POTTER!" I screamed, realized Potter was above me on his broom, holding my arm.
"I SAID what the hell do you think you are doing, Malfoy?!" He yelled and flew me over to land. He dropped me and landed beside.
"None of your business, Potter." I sneered.
"You were doing that on purpose, weren't you?" He demanded. I folded my arms and turned my back to him.
"Why do you care anyway?"
"I don't.... but I think Jasmine would. And as much as I hate you, Jasmine loves you and it'd break her heart if you.... if you died. And I don't want her heart broken. Though why she cares for you I have no idea."
"I thought you wanted us to be apart, Potter." I asked, whirling around and glaring at him.
"I do."
"Then why did you-"
"See, if you DIE Jasmine would never realize what a ------- you are. But when you break up with her-"
"I'D NEVER BREAK UP WITH HER!" I screamed.
"Then why were you doing that?!" He yelled back.
I glanced over the lake and saw where I would of fallen through. Fallen through and died. And Jasmine.... "Oh God." I said, closing my eyes.
"I won't tell her what you were going to do. Just don't try it again." He glared at me for a second then turned and left.
I sunk down in the snow and buried my head in my arms. If Potter hadn't of saved me, Jasmine would of been hurt so badly....
I slowly looked up at the gray sky. Jasmine was what made all I had done worth it. I realized I did not care about the Slytherins or my team position or my richness so long as I had Jasmine.... okay well maybe I cared about my richness a little bit.
*** (Hermione's point of view)
I looked over the many books surrounding me. I leaned forward, yawning slightly and trying not to get too sleepy. The end-of-term exams were coming up and I had to get top grades. Top. As in me getting the best. And not Ron. He may of beat me in O.W.Ls but that had to be some sort of mistake. It HAD to of been! I glanced up and glared over at him. He and Peggy were sitting on a couch talking, giggling and kissing now and then. Stupid slacker taking my grades and-
"Hermione?" Harry sat down.
"Yes?" I asked.
"You seem.... troubled." Harry said, looking over my mounds of books.
"I'm not." I said sharply. He raised his eyebrow and I sighed. "I just.... need to get good grades."
"Ah..... does this have anything to do with Ron getting thirteen O.W.Ls?" He asked.
"No what makes you say that ofcourse it doesn't this has nothing to do with it how dare you assume that geez Harry you're being extremely presumptuous." I said very quickly and he arched his eyebrows again. "Yes."
"I thought so. Hermione don't push yourself. It'll make things worse."
"I HAVE to push myself. Ron isn't. He'll get nearly failing grades like always." I said, throwing my quill down. "How is it that he beat me in our O.W.Ls? It's just not logical its like.... Bart getting better grades then Lisa." I said and Harry frowned. "'The Simpsons', an American show on the telly...." I said and he still looked confused. "Harry you live with Muggles you do know what a tell-"
"Yeah I've just never heard of that show." He said with a shrug. "Dudley never really let me watch anything other then what he did. Heh, heh, I remember this other American show he loved to watch. 'Baywatch'. Oh man oh man were those girls-" He stopped short at my glare. "Er.... I don't know what you're talking about, what's 'Baywatch' never heard of it well gotta go." He pushed back his chair and ran off. I shook my head and returned to studying. Men....
***
That Saturday, Harry and I sat in the Three Broomsticks alone. Well, not alone. There were other students and people there but at our table we were alone. Ron and Peggy had gone off somewhere and Jasmine was with Malfoy.
"So, haven't heard you complain about Malfoy in a few days." I commented to Harry.
"Eh well...." He said with a shrug.
"Hey kids!" Sirius and Trixie came into the place, covered with snow since it was snowing heavily. They joined us at our table and decided to see who could chug beer the fastest. After they went through their fourth beer each, Harry and I decided to go.... anywhere else. I didn't really want to see a drunk Sirius.
We went to Honeydukes and bought some snacks, then walked through the snow blanketed village. "This is romantic." I sighed, wishing Viktor was with me.
"Yeah, its really- OUCH!" Harry fell over, a snowball on his head.
"Ha, ha!" I looked over and saw Luna, packing up snowballs.... "Oh sorry Harry, we weren't aiming for you." Luna said and I saw Ivana with her. A snowball flew past me from the other side. I turned and saw Lupus and Remus also packing up snowballs.
"Want to join in our snowball fight? Hermione can join the girls side. Harry you can come with us." Remus said.
"It's, uh, okay." Harry mumbled and we continued on. Next we found Emerin, building a snow woman. After we passed her, more snowball fights, and kids going sledding we continued talking. "Are you visiting Krum for Christmas?" He asked.
"Yes." I said with a smile. "I can't wait to see him. I love him so much.... he's actually getting pretty good at saying my name now. Hermininny. He's almost got it." I said with a giggle.
"You really like him, huh?" Harry asked slowly.
"Yes." I said. He didn't speak for a few minutes. "Harry, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Well...." He glanced up and I followed his gaze. Ron and Peggy were snogging under a tree. "It seems Ron's found his perfect girl.... Jasmine is in love with Malfoy.... and you and Krum are together...."
"Oh." I said and touched his arm gently. "You'll find someone...."
"I did like Amy but you know...."
"Yeah." I said.
"I.... uh....."
"Yes?"
"I did like Cho Chang...." He admitted.
"I know."
"You knew?!"
"Yeah like, the whole school knew." I said.
"What?!" Harry demanded.
"Sheesh, Harry, it was so obvious!" I said and he went red.
"Ah."
"Anyway.... you'll find a girl soon." I said. He just shrugged and walked forward, shuffling his feet kicking up snow. I sighed heavily, feeling bad for him. I winced as a snowball hit Harry.
"Harry I am so sorry!" Luna ran to his side. I frowned and watched as Luna helped Harry up, brushing the snow off of him. "I'm sorry, I was trying to hit Lupus the Braveheart over there."
"You kin take awah mah snowballs. But you kin nevah take awah mah FREEDOM!" Lupus screamed from behind his fort.
"He's been doing that all day." Luna groaned
"FREEDOM!" Lupus screamed again.
"Lupus you're grounded." Ivana said just to 'take away his freedom'.
"Awww...."
I turned my attention back to Harry and Luna. She was picking his earmuffs off the ground and handing them back. My eyes got wide as I realized.... those two would be a perfect couple....
"I agree Hermione." I jumped as Jasmine appeared.
"Agree with what?"
"Harry and Luna."
"I never said anything."
"It was on your face."
"Oh."
"So, how should we get them together?" Jasmine asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"We need to get them together." Jasmine said.
"But shouldn't we just let them-"
"No way! They need our help. I mean it is my brother here we're talking about, and REMUS'S kid."
"You have a point, Jasmine." I said. "They need all the help they can get."
"Exactly." Jasmine said, smiling.
"How come I have a bad feeling about this?" I asked.
"It'll be fine, Hermione." Jasmine said with a smile. "Perfectly fine."
*** (Ron's point of view)
"This probably leads somewhere outside." Peggy said as we went down a new secret passage we found.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Cold draft." Peggy replied.
"Oh of course." I said, rolling my eyes. "Do we have to explore it?"
"What else would we-oh." Peggy turned and smiled. "Maybe."
"Maybe?" I asked, giving her puppy dog eyes. She straightened up and pushed her hair off her shoulders.
"Ron don't you have ANY control?"
"Not with you." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist. "You drive me crazy, Peg."
"Ron...." She put her hands over mine and tried prying them off (but not too hard, I noticed).
"Peg...." I replied, kissing her neck. "You don't really want to explore the passage do you?"
"Yes...." She said slowly, still smiling.
"No you don't." I said, kissing the other side of her neck.
"Don't I?"
"No." I said, staring deep into her eyes. My eyes were nearly pressed against her glasses.
"Are you trying to hypnotize me?"
"Maybe." I replied. "Is it working?"
"Maybe." She replied with a mysterious smile. I gently kissed her lips.
"I love you so much, Peg, you know that?" She frowned slightly and looked away. "Luv, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She said quietly. I stroked her cheek gently.
"What is it?"
"Its just...." She turned back and looked sad. "No one..."
"No one what?" I asked.
"No one's ever... really told me that-that they've loved me."
"No one?" I asked in slight shock and she shook her head. "Your parents?"
She snorted. "Hell no. My dad telling me he loved me? Well, I suppose he has in his own odd ways but never, you know, directly. No 'I love you'."
"Never?" I asked, now completely shocked and she shook her head.
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does." I said, horrified. I couldn't imagine growing up without someone telling me they loved me. I mean sure with five brothers I heard 'I hate you' more but still...
"Ron just drop it." She said sharply.
"I-I just can't believe it!" I pulled back and spread my arms out. "Its just... unfathomable for me."
"Please, drop it. I shouldn't of said-"
"Peggy! I can't! What kind of dad doesn't tell his daughter he loves her EVER?!" I demanded. Before I went to school, I couldn't go one day without hearing dad telling Ginny he loved her.
"Ron, PLEASE!" She said. I saw she was crying and stopped rambling.
"I'm sorry." I whispered, holding her close.
It was a few minutes before she spoke up. "Ron?"
"Yes?"
"Since when did YOU say words like 'unfathomable'?"