((A/N: Hey everyone,
I was SO surprised when I checked my e-mail and saw that I had gotten so many reviews! I'm supposed to be going to bed around now (meh, my mum wants me in bed by 2 tonight because school starts soon), but I can take the time to write back to you guys. After all, you guys took the time to review my story! I'm eternally grateful and really touched. Chapter eight is pretty lengthy at the moment, but definitely not finished. Chapter 7 is a short chapter, but 8 will make up for it. I can guarantee it will make you grin, hopefully laugh, and no doubt you'll be furious at the end of it.
I'm pretty sure I promised you guys a chapter per week, and I'll try my hardest to keep up that promise. Really, I swear I will. But the more you review, the more incentive I have to write faster! In fact, I have a whole bunch of incentive at the moment to go and type away. I heart you guys!
Now on to the reviews (these are in no particular order)!
Pepstepper16: You said you'd be back to read more, and you held true to your statement! Let's hope I can hold true to mine about updating more frequently. If you liked that bit, you're sure to love a few lines that Harry says to Ron in chapter eight. It happens over dinner and I think after this Ron should die -- I mean, there will be so much blood in his face from his blushing that none should be left anywhere else. Anyhow, I've given too much away. Maybe. Maybe not. I really hope you like this next few chapters, and, when I get it up, chapter eight!
Evil Scientist: Yes, I have quite the amusing imagination and thinking up the awkward scenarios are, while sometimes a challenge, so much fun. I just love what I've got in store for you guys. And I love writing this story because everytime I think of how much I've been planning, how much everyone doesn't know (even though I've given away loads to my friends -coughhellopigletcough-), I have to smile. It's all so much fun!
I know how that writer's block/boredom can get to you. Lately I haven't written much because I've been feeling icky, and I can't write when I'm not feeling good, because it's oh-so-obviously reflected in my writing. Anyhow, I hope that you get over your writer's block, boredom, and anything else that's been keeping you from updating soon -- I'm sure your readers are anxiously awaiting your update!
Vanna Mave C: Thank you so much for your review. I've gotten complaints that it was far too poetic, but ... I don't know, I figured that it's a dream and therefore allowed to be that way. I myself like it; I also write a lot of poetry and I was glad to be able to incorporate a hint of that style into that chapter. I also think that starting it off as a dream was more original than just having it start out at Hogwarts or the Burrow. And I love standing out!
I ramble constantly, too, so don't worry -- I didn't even think of it as rambling. A lot of the reviews are so much lengthier than yours -- And it's not because I have all that much to say usually, I just can't stop myself from typing. By the time I'm done, I'll have put down 15 or so ways of saying that I liked the writing. It's terrible of me, but I don't know how to break that habit.
I'm sure you've got great ideas from all the fics you've read, and I wish you the best of luck when you write. Thanks again for your review!
angeD'espoir: Thanks, I love humor and, although I'm not a particuarly funny person, I try to give my writing that quality. I really hope that the funny parts don't seem too stressed. You guys want more pillow snogging? Heh, I think they're amusing. If anyone else wants them in here, just tell me, and I'll find a way to put more in. In fact, I think I just got some ideas!
HollyHottie: These are for both of your reviews: thanks! No, prat is what I intended to put there -- It's a british word, though, so if you live in the US or pretty much anywhere besides Europe, you probably wouldn't know. I only know it because Ron said that Harry was once (I believe in the fourth book, after ... the second task. I think). Plus, I have a british friend and I have been called a prat by him before (but no worries, he's a git. =P I mean... Heh, if you're reading this... Hey Tom. Just kidding. -cough- Yeah. No, you've never been a git. Never. -cough-).
Timra: Wow, people sure like putting their favorite tidbits in their reviews! . I like it -- you guys have favorite parts! Yay! Ron's so dim, so pathetic, that you just have to love him.
shortie522: Thanks very much. I try to be thorough in my writing and I suppose it shows. However, if there's anything you don't understand (as I know some have had problems), just drop me a line by e-mail ). I'll reply much faster that way.
ilive4cake00: Thanks! Cake is awesome, too! =D
NetMarie: That's a very good point about you killing me. Hm, now if only I can manipulate that explanation around so my teachers won't murder me for not doing my homework...
Your review made me giggle -- not at you, of course, but just because I've done the same thing. Not with my story, but with michelleywelley's. I've gotten so many weird stares from my family because I'll be reading and suddenly go "YES!" or start giggling profusely. My mum tells me all the time that I am in fact laughing at a box, and that that's very weird. I in turn stick up my nose, look offended, and tell her that if she wants me to stop oggling at a box then she should go out and buy me some more books to read.
You've read the story -summary- to your friends? Wow, I'm flattered -- I've never gotten thumbs up for a summary before!
iLuvDuckies29: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. I will keep updating it -- more faithfully, from now on.
wandgirl: Actually, I've heard of it happening quite often, even with friends. Even if they don't have the exact same dream, it's extremely similar. I figured why not for Ron and Hermione? It proved to be an interesting plot point, I think.
PS WOOt! TWO thumbs up! The only two thumbs you have, and you're pointing them up... -sniff- for me! -sobs dramatically in that way that sappy mums do when they watch an ending to a chick flick, a good Gilmore Girls, or a Hallmark commercial-
Lain-Iris: I'm glad to have provided a good chuckle. . There's no doubt in my mind that this fic will have another ten chapters or so, and after that I've got another five fics already planned -- most of them r/hr, one h/g, and I think one is both r/hr and h/g. About the dream -- see above. Usually I don't think that the people would have exactly the same dream, only very similar, but they're in a magic school and I think that that would enhance the similarities between them.
Yes, I agree, it was low, but I know my friends have pulled mean jokes and tricks, as I've done to them. Don't worry, there won't be any long lasting damage to Ron's ego.
Marel88: Wow, that's a lot of repeating! I'm really flattered by your review and I've got a new resolve to write more frequently. When I first started this fic I was writing it every day but then I kind of stopped. I will -not- let myself do that again, I promise. I hope you enjoy the rest of the fic and I hope you'll review again.
way2greek: Oh, so you're into short fics? I read a one shot every now and then, but I really like the process of a good, long, and thorough plot development. I hope that you won't lose interest after this chapter -- I assure you, there's plenty of mishap to come; what I've got planned is hardly boring.
Polaris09: I love "Fan. Bloody. Tastic." =D I think it's time for that phrase to appear more often, and I've got just the place for it. Your 'pleezy' has sticken me and my cold, black heart (heh, just kidding! I'm a very loveable person, I swear it -hides several murder weapons behind back-), and I'll be sure to update.
Raiining: You left me three reviews, so I'll reply to them all here:
chapter one: Yeah, he couldn't be so suave if his life depended on it. But I do think that he might try to be romantic -- In fact, I'm going to show yall later how I think his romance attempts will come off.
chapter two: Nope, the dream sequence in chapter two was just that -- a dream. It never happened.
chapter three: Yes, it's pretty long. I'm sorry if you don't like long fics, but I don't know how to write short ones! Maybe I'll try one in the future, but not until I've written the other fics I've got planned (Hmm, that reminds me. Note to self: Write down plots of the fics you've been planning, because if you don't, you're bound to forget them. You probably have already. Also: check into sun's demise). I do hope you'll continue to read despite my long pause in between updates and the length of this. I'll do my best to keep you all satisfied!
Topaz Waters: For your chapter one review: I KNEW I had to get someone saying something like that. A friend of mine said the same thing at first. I'm really weird with my writing, and I like to write things that would never happen, and I love to write little twists and turns in my plot -- you'll see that a few chapters from now.
chapter two: You fell for it AGAIN?! Tsk tsk. Although I'll concede to playing the sympathy card. I suppose unless you're really used to it, as am I, you can get into some trippy thinking after three in the morning.
You stopped reviewing, but I REALLY hope that you're enjoying my fic. Thanks for your two reviews!
missHermioneWeasley: Oh no, I mustn't have a reader die! BAH! -types as fast as possible- I hope that you're still reading, as opposed to slumped over dead on the keyboard! Thanks for your review, and believe me -- I've had to muffle my laughs -so- often while reading fan fics, because I've been up reading through the entire night several times. I can't do that now that school's starting in two days, most unfortunately. Anyhow, I hope that you got good rest after reading that impossibly large chapter.
Jessie McDonald: Yeah, Ron's got some issues .- I really like his mental contemplations; I think that when the story needs humor he's the easiest outlet as he's so naturally amusing the way JKR wrote him.
artemisgirl: I'm sorry you were confused. I get that way all the time and my brain hurts! =( Lol, but I am glad that you enjoyed that tidbit, and in chapter eight Dumbledore has another amusing line.
NetMarie: I already addressed you, but it was waaaaaaaay on the other page of reviews (WOOt, I have so many reviews that I have multiple pages now! You have no idea how awesome that is). So thank you, and now I can say -- yes, you have mentioned that you love my summary twice. Tee hee, I never thought when I wrote that that people would actually get a kick out of it.
Evil Scientist: Again, you reviewed again (thanks VERY much, I'm thrilled when people review and then continue to come back and review when I update), but it was awhile ago, so I'm addressing this one, too. Alas, I no longer update as frequently, as the sun sets on the horizon of summertime. -tear- But now at least you won't be so sleep deprived.
Get some rest! =)
Gabrielle88: Thanks, I'm touched. Keep an eye out for other stories by me; I'll be writing another one by the end of the year.
SweetiePye2332: You reviewed twice, so I'll reply to both of them here.
chapter one: Nope, I don't think I could ever write a one shot. Maybe I can write a shorter story one day, though. Oh, and yes, Ron has odd sleeping habits in my stories. I don't know why I make it that way, but I just imagine him being the one who would drool or talk in his sleep, and even snog his pillow. But he's not aware of it -- he says in book five that he hardly ever remembers his dreams. So other people know it but he's only vaguely aware of that fact.
chapter two: I've had quite a few dreams, but they won't happen all the time. I'm done with them for the moment until chapter ten or so. I'll need another one by then, and I think I can put one there, as long as no one objects to them.
Evil Scientist: Another review! . Heh, no, Krum's still there. She's not dating him, though -- That will all be explained... Let's see, in chapter eleven.
Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Thanks! I really love your story, too, and I take your words to heart. I can't wait to read your next chapter!
AmyChris: I hope that you enjoy this next chapter. It's short, but with all these review replies, it'll seem gigantic!
artemisgirl: Another review from you . Harry and Ginny won't be forcing them upon each other in this story, but your suggestion was surprisingly close to the plot of a story I will be writing this year.
Weasley's Girl-35: I know that situation all too well. I'm glad I could make you laugh, and I hope that you will continue to read and review! Thankies!
drummergrl472: Thank you, you're too kind. I hope you enjoy this next bit.
little pink sock: I know, it's hardly possible that Ron would push aside food for anything, but if he didn't there wouldn't be much to the story. Hmm, someone should look into that. It's a love triangle! Hermione loves Ron, but Ron can only gaze longingly at his mashed potatoes.. Hmm, but what about the potatoes? Will they ever confess their feelings for Hermione? DUN DUN DUN! (I'm so sorry. It's late. I'm weird. And I need mental help.))
M.Anne: Thank you. I was trying to think of ways for Ron and Hermione to finally get together, as well as some help with the ending of the first chapter. I came across that quote and decided that I could not go on without having that line in there. It was too perfect!
AmyChris: Woah, I'm surprised at how many people actually reviewed more than once. Thank you, and I think Ron is adorable as well.
Magnolia Lane: Hey! I donno if I ever got around to thanking you for this review. But THANKS! By the way, where have your updates been? =P Heh, as your beta I should be getting them, but you haven't sent any. Have you been having writers block like me? Maybe it's contagious.
artemisgirl: I keep seeing your name! Tee hee, thanks for your faithful reviews. I heart you guys; it really does give me the motivation to keep writing. If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't do this.
little pink sock: I forgot to mention that I absolutely adore your sn. It's so cute and random .
Also: -joins in- RON SNOGS A PILLOW! Yes, I love that idea.
Shinegami's Little Sis: Thanks, I think it's cute, too. Thanks for your review!
Alright, my internet is shaky and I think I've replied to just about anyone. If I forgot you, I'm SO sorry! E-mail me and yell at me all you like.
While you're not reading this, please feel free to stop by my Xanga at and read my daily musings. Also, if you're in need of a good book, at the moment I'm reading Lady Knight -- the fourth book in the Protector of the Small quartet. It's by Tamora Pierce and HIGHLY recommended. I think if you like this and Harry Potter, you'll love her books. I know I do, and I hope yall will stop by your local library or bookstore to read them.
Also, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my friend Tegan. I haven't talked to her hardly at all this summer, she's been so busy. Whenever I do talk to her, I find that she CONSTANTLY forgets the URL to my fan fic, but I miss her terribly all the same. Teggie, I heart you, and I hope you're doing well!
Thus concludes the longest A/N EVER!!! WOOt! I hope yall are satisfied with your reviews, because I was supposed to be in bed an hour and a half ago. But you guys are worth me getting in trouble. TOODLES!))
Chapter Seven
Ways to Spill the Bertie Botts
The following few weeks passed in an agonizingly slow manner. At least, it did for both Hermione and Ron. The rest of the school continued on without notice of its two exasperated prefects.
However, it didn't really matter that the school did not take notice of this pair, because what was troubling them had nothing to do with schoolwork.
In fact, their minds were so far from schoolwork that even Hermione had ceased taking notes in most of her classes. No one knew this, of course, as she continued to write feverishly during lectures. No one pestered her, as she knew they wouldn't; her professors saw no reason to question their top student about her note taking habits, and her fellow classmates knew better than to disturb her (having been present during exam times for the past several years), lest they should suffer her wrath.
Ron was paying less attention than usual in his classes -- if that was even possible. Of course, whatever attention he lacked in Transfiguration, he more than made up for when he thought of Hermione. It seemed that every moment was devoted to dwelling on her. Or, if he was not thinking of Hermione, he was instead wondering how to tell her of this true feelings. He often dreamed up scenarios while he slept at night ... or when he slept during the day (in his lessons).
However, Hermione, being much more organized, chose to write out her ideas in a list. That way, it would be easily accessible, and she wouldn't run the risk of forgetting one of her brilliant plans.
That is to say, if she could ever formulate a brilliant plan.
She was now down to number forty-three on her list, and she let out a snort of disgust nearly as soon as she wrote it.
43.) "Let's buy furniture!"
"Oh yeah, Hermione. Real good thinking." Hermione thought. She didn't think that Ron would react well to this type of outburst.
Ron, meanwhile, was having no more luck than Hermione.
"Okay, maybe if I just walk up to her, and pull out a ring, and, you know, like, we get married and all, I won't have to tell her! She's smart, she shold be able to figure out that I like her, right?" Ron thought in Charms one afternoon.
That night, as Hermione sat in the corner of the common room, struggling with her Charms homework (which had NEVER happened before -- it was Charms, her easiest subject! Hermione thought she was losing it ... But then again, Ron had been there and all, and he was SO cute, how was she supposed to concentrate on schoolwork?), Ginny sad down in the armchair to Hermione's right. Slightly startled, Hermione looked up at her friend, who was looking at her as if she almost didn't know Hermione. hermione tried to ignore this fact and greet Ginny warmly, but all she could offer at that moment was a weak smile.
"Hermione, we need to talk," Ginny said as soon as she saw that she had her friend's attention. Then without waiting for a response, she plowed on. "You've been acting weird lately. Way weird. And I think that I know why." Ginny looked concerned. "It's been three weeks! How can you not have told him yet?"
"Ginny, you don't get it. I don't get involved with boys! You do, I don't. I wish I knew how to start, but I have no clue. And he's my friend! What if I tell him and he freaks out? Then ... then I'd lose him forever." Hermione replied. Ginny noticed that her eyes were becoming steadily glossier.
"He won't freak out." Ginny assured her confidently. Which wasn't entirely true; she thought Ron had a good chance of freaking out -- only not in a bad way. She may think that he could freak out, but she knew that he would not turn down Hermione.
"I've been working on this list," Hermione said, drawing out a sheet of parchment directly under her unfinished Transfiguration essay. "It's got all my ideas of how to tell Ron that I like him."
Ginny took the list from Hermione and looked at it, her eyes skimming down the list. Her gaze halted, however, when she reached number fifty-eight. She gave a small snort and looked up.
"Hermione, as much as I think Ron would actually enjoy being handcuffed to you so that he literally couldn't say no to being together, I don't think that it would be the best way to go about this."
Hermione heaved a big sigh and began to respond when her words were interrupted by the arrival of two people -- her best friend and her heartthrob.
Harry and Ron spotted Hermione and Ginny right away. As they walked toward the two girls, Hermione freaked out and snatched her list ouf ot Ginny's hand -- at least, half of it. The paper ripped and Hermione's jaw dropped -- she had worked on that for weeks! She quickly recovered, however, as Harry and Ron approached. She grabbed the other half of the parchment from Ginny, and crumpled both halves of the list into a wad. She then grabbed Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six and placed the ball of paper inside. However, when she attempted to shut the volume, it wouldn't close. In a last minute attempt to hide her list, Hermione took her wadded up list and stuffed it into the cushion of her chair.
By this time, Harry and Ron had reached the corner of the room. Harry looked very confused.
"Hey Harry," Ginny said cheerily.
"Oh my God!" Hermione thought. "How can she be so calm? I almost got caught!"
"Hey Gin," Harry smiled. Then he turned to Hermione. "What was that?" he asked, inquiring about the list.
"Er ... whatever do you mean, Harry?" Hermione paniced and stalled.
"I mean that peice of parchment you just crumpled up." Harry replied.
"Oh, that thing?" Hermione said, laughing nervously. She found herself unable to look Harry in the eye. "That was ... for ... those are ... er, you know ... official government documents. Er, nothing important." She said; still that nervous laugh lingered in her voice.
"Right," Harry muttered, raising an eyebrow, but he did not press the matter. Instead, he took a seat next to Hermione.
Ron followed suit, sitting next to Ginny. There was a short pause, before Ginny asked:
"So, how was practice?"
There had not actually been Quidditch practice that night, or else Ginny would have been with Harry and Ron, being on of Gryffindor's chasers this year, but Harry and Ron felt they needed to have their skills at their sharpest, and therefore had been practicing extra for the past two weeks.
"Fine," Harry answered.
They chatted steadily for a while. Or, Harry and Ginny did. Hermione didn't input much to the conversation (although this wasn't a surprise; everyone knew that Hermione was not particuarly interested in Quidditch), and Ron never spoke a word, even though Quidditch was his favorite sport (he loved it so much, in fact, that he decorated his room with Chudley Cannon merchandise -- the Chudley Cannons being his favorite Quidditch team ... though why he loved this dismal team, no one knew).
As the conversation carried on, Hermione averted her attention to her new favorite activity: Ron Watching. In that moment that her gaze settled upon his face, she saw perfection. His cheeks were still a little red against his adorable freckles, and his hair still had that windblown look. She also noticed that he seemed quite intent on not looking up at her. And in that moment of perfection, her heart sank ...
Hermione remained quiet for the rest of the conversation, which wasn't too long, because ten minutes later, Harry got up, saying he was tired from Quidditch practice, and that he was going to turn in. He bid Hermione and Ginny goodnight before turning to walk up the boys' staircase. Ron rose and mutely followed Harry. Ginny waited until the pair had disappeared up the staircase before she turned to Hermione.
"Hey ... you got really quiet. Are you okay?" she asked.
"I ... I can't do it. I just ... he's so great, Ginny! I feel so inadequate." Hermione looked up at Ginny, salty tears threatening to spill over on to her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gin, but I have to go, I just ... I just can't ..." her voice faltered at this point, so she stood up and, abandoning all her things, hurried up to her dormitory, wiping her eyes as she climbed the staircase.
Up in his dormitory, Ron changed into his pajamas silently. Harry didn't bother him as he was immersed in conversation with Dean, for which Ron was grateful. Now changed, he ot into bed, pulled the curtains shut around his four poster, closed his eyes, and waited for sleep to come ...
Ron walked down the steps, into the Gryffindor common room, and walked straight towards its only other occupant.
"Hey, 'Mione," he said.
Hermione looked up from something she was writing. It appeared to be a list.
"Hey," she answered.
"What are you planning to do today?" Ron tried to make conversation.
"Hm, I don't know. Maybe go outside, visit Hagrid, sit out by the lake?" Hermione responded.
"Oh. How's the weather?" Ron questioned.
"Er, well, it's been fairly nice lately ..." replied Hermione.
"You know ..." Ron said, now taking a seat beside Hermione," I think that the weather can stand for other things, like someone's love for another. Say ... your love for me. So, really, Hermione -- how's the weather?"
Hermione smiled and blushed.
"What? Don't tell me my feelings are unrequited," Ron said, with his best hurt look.
"I'm not. I'm going to tell you that I predict a sunny say, and a clear night sky." Hermione laughed.
"That's all your fault," Ron remarked.
"What?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"Hermione, the worst way to miss someone is when they're right beside you, but you know you can't have them. And every time that I miss you, a star falls from the heavens. So if you ever look up and see a blank sky, with no stars , then it's your fault ... for making me miss you so much."
Hermione pondered this for a moment.
"No, it's you're fault," she said.
"Why?" it was Ron's turn to be puzzled.
"For thinking you couldn't have me." Hermione answered softly.
Ron smiled at her words, took her hands in his, and drew her closer ...
Ron smiled in his sleep, and embraced his pillow tightly.
Ron was up the next morning just as the sun began to make its mark on the horizon. He stretched and began pulling on his robes as he chuckled a at the latest dream he had (remembering his dreams was once a rare occurrence, but now he dreamed of Hermione almost nightly, and could recall every blissful moment. Ron thought this was only fair -- after all, if he couldn't have her in real life, shouldn't he at least be able to hold he in his dreams?).
"Like I could ever pull something like that off." He muttered to himself, thinking of his smooth lines in his latest nighttime adventure.
Ron sighed and looked out the window -- the sun was just rising. He wanted to wait for Harry to get up to go to breakfast. He knew he had been distant lately and should probably apologize. Besides, maybe Harry could take his mind off of Hermione.
But what to do until then? Hmm, maybe he could get caught up on all that homework he had been neglecting lately ...
It wasn't until Ron reached the bottom of the stairs that he registered what he was doing: homework.
IT WAS A SATURDAY!
Ron decided to look into seeking professional help later. Maybe Hogwarts had a psychologist ...
As Ron walked over to his favorite squashy armchair near the fireplace, he noticed something: it was occupied. By two people ... fourth years, by the look of them. Stupid fourth years, sleeping in chairs together when he couldnt' even be more than friends with Hermione! Not even a little more! He considered waking them up and making them move out of spite (he was a prefect, after all, and he was sure he could make up some sort of rule against this), but he restrained himself. Instead, he retreated to the very corner of the room and sat down. Now what? Maybe he'd write a letter, or ... throw stuff at the couple in His Chair, or -- wait a moment ...
Something was scratching at his side. Ron glanced down and saw a bit of parchment poking him in the side. He tugged at it, but the corner he was holding on to tore off. The parchment was wedged in to the cushion pretty tightly. Now he was curious. He reached down and retrieved ... a wad of paper.
He almost immediately chucked the ball at the couple, but stopped as a vision surfaced in his memory ...
A frantic Hermione, last night, sitting in a chair -- this chair -- tucking some parchment -- this parchment -- away, into a cushion -- this cushion.
This belonged to Hermione. What was it she had been so nervous about? What was it that she didn't want them all to see?
He flattened out the parchment immediately, which turned out to be two halves of a sheet of parchment, it had been ripped -- and his eyes fell upon the title of a list:
Ways To Tell Ron How I Feel
His jaw dropped as he scanned the list. "Funiture?" he thought, confused. "Handcuffs?" A more forwards side interrupted his freak out "Hm, handcuffs, there's an idea ..." Ron struggled to push that out of his mind ...
"Bloody hell," Ron croaked.
((A/N: DUN DUN DUN! =P … Oh, by the way, I chose this chapter title over "Ways to spill the beans," for obvious reasons -- I thought Bertie Botts was a creative yet easily understood substitute.
I hope to update soon! I'm going to send the next chapter to my beta (who hasn't had the chance to do anything yet as I wrote this chapter awhile ago, before she volunteered to beta for me… but whatever) by Thursday. Updates will come either this weekend or early next week. But I'll work faster the more yall review!))
