THREE

"RON"

Ron adjusted his house robes from where he sat at the Gryffindor table in the main hall. His wiggled his foot, bored already with the Sorting Hat Ceremonies. It was unlike him to be like this, but he didn't know any new first years, being in his last year himself. He applauded each new student that nervously jogged over to the Gryffindor table. He sat at the head of the table, close to the podium where the hat sat crooked on its stool. Hermione was seated across from him, her eyes watching the group of first years diminish as they were all sorted to various houses. Harry was beside him, absorbed with looking around the room, taking it all in, as Harry always did.

Ron glanced down the table, smiling at those who met his gaze. Neville, Parvati, Colin, so many names and faces. And the new faces as well. Ron knew many of their names, but it was getting harder and harder to keep them all straight. He and Hermione were Head Boy and Head Girl this year, an honor that he accepted with due surprise, as it was always a surprise to receive an honor he doubted he deserved. They would be sharing their own private quarters, which he was unsure what to think of. He was glad it was Hermione and not someone he was less fond of, but he wasn't looking forward to not sharing a room with the boys from Gryffindor again, especially Harry.

He sighed, lost in his thoughts until he spotted his sister Ginny who waved at him, her cheeks bright pink. He waved back, and then realized her eyes weren't on him. Beside him, Harry had turned his head and given a small wave to Ginny. Ron turned back to the Sorting Hat and scowled as it cried out, "SLYTHERIN!" and a slender honey haired girl sprang toward the serpent's claimed table.

Thinking of Ginny and Harry becoming chummy made Ron's blood boil, and his face began to show the effects of it. Instead of lingering on it, he paid strict attention to the Sorting Hat, clapping hard when it finally reached "Young, Gretchen" and she was sent to Ravenclaw. Dumbledore staggered to the podium, his beard stark white as always and his eyes a clear blue. His opening was shorter than usual this year, which was saying something. His usual warning about the Forbidden Forest was followed by a warning to listen to all Head Boys and Girls, and finally to have a good year at Hogwarts. With a wave of his hand, Dumbledore retreated as the food and drinks sprang upon the table. This act was responded with the usual cries of delight, and as Ron reached for a goblet of pumpkin juice, he couldn't help feeling a little better despite his current disposition.

From across the table, Hermione put a small quantity of food on her plate in small organized piles, which was so like her. She looked up at Ron with a smile and carefully forked a bite of candied yams into her mouth, chewing in small bites. He nodded back, piling chicken and green beans onto his plate, leaning across Harry to do so. Harry was busy eating a turkey leg, his eyes off Ginny for the first time in two seconds.

"Ron?"

Ron looked up to Hermione who was glancing at him quizzically.

"Yeah?" he asked, stuffing green beans into his mouth.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

"'Bout what?" he replied, reaching for his pumpkin juice.

"Being Head Boy," she said, taking another forkful of yams.

"Well, a little, I guess, but there's not much to be worried 'bout. I mean, we get our own rooms, which is brilliant! Though I'll miss Harry," he said with a smile, nudging Harry with his shoulder.

Harry turned to smile at him and as he did Ron wondered how much he'd really miss Harry if his friend went with his sister.

"But all those responsibilities?" Hermione asked.

"Easy peasy, lemon squeazy. I've got the smartest girl at Hogwarts for a roommate!"

Hermione blushed as she finished off her yams and turned her eyes to her plate. Ron grinned inwardly. She wasn't so bad, really, when she blushed or smiled. She was pretty, even.

"Ron?"

"Yeah?" Ron asked, suddenly horrified of his thoughts. Hermione!? Not ever.

"You've got pumpkin juice in the corner of your mouth."

"Er, thanks." Yeah, not ever.