Author's note: Alright, well, I'd like to thank grahamcrackers, Red and Gold, Vera-Sabe, slytherinrules85... and everyone else that reviewed my story... you guys rock! And don't miss the author's note at the bottom... thanks! Enjoy!
"So, finished your homework then?" he asked, tossing a quaffle up and catching it over and over while lying on his back.
I snorted. Ever since we'd been discovered by the Oliver Wood Fan Club in the library, it had become a death trap even walking in there. They'd watch me like a hawk, as if Oliver would pop out of the woodwork. And forget us going in together… or anywhere together come to think of it… I felt like Posh and Becks… it was too much attention – much more than I was used to…
So, we were hiding out under the willows by the lake. It was actually a very peaceful and beautiful place to be, I noticed, watching the sun set over the lake. I felt very detached from the world. I hadn't really spoken to anyone lately… I'd been avoiding Ron especially… I just couldn't face a lecture from him.
"Well?" he asked impatiently.
I looked over. He had stopped tossing the quaffle and was lying on his side, studying me. A smile grew on my face. "Of course," I replied haughtily. "Haven't you?"
He laughed, grabbing me and rolling so he was above me. "Of course. I think your smarts have rubbed off on me…"
I pushed against him playfully. "It would take a lot of smarts to get you above the I.Q. of a caveman, Mr. Quidditch."
He pretended to be shocked then leaned down to kiss me. "Just because I've taken more bludgers to the head than I can remember doesn't mean it knocked any of my intelligence out…" he replied good-naturedly, then kissed me. He explored my neck and I sighed.
"Oh, Oliver, whatever am I to do without you next year…" I said, half to myself.
It seemed to kill the moment, for he sat up and studied me seriously.
After a few moments, I started to get uncomfortable. I didn't know what to say. Why wasn't he saying anything? Did this mean that… no, wait, we'd been through this before… So why was he so unnaturally still and quiet? "Oliver?" I asked softly.
He blinked. "Sorry, I was trying to figure out my schedule this summer…"
"Schedule?" I asked curiously.
He nodded. "Yes…" he replied distractedly. Then his eyes lit up. "Oh, bloody hell! I forgot to tell you! I've been accepted on Puddlemere United's reserve team!"
I threw myself at him. "Oliver, that's wonderful!" Nothing else really mattered at the moment. I kissed him fiercely. "That's… just… that's…" I was so happy for him that I couldn't form complete sentences. "That's wonderful," I settled on finally.
He hugged me and kissed me back just as fiercely. "Yeah, and so I got the schedule and I think I've figured out when I can come and visit you…" He suddenly became shy. "I mean, if you didn't mind…"
I laughed. "Mind? Of course I don't mind! I'd like to come visit you too…"
He grinned. "That'd be fantastic, Hermione… absolutely fantastic…"
¤ ¤ ¤
I knew the time would come to talk to Ron but I really didn't want to do it and so avoided him at all costs. But you can't avoid someone forever and as much of an ass that Ron was at times, he was still a good friend… or had been… So, when I spotted him in the library, sitting by himself, I had to go over. I stood on the other side of the table and cleared my throat. "Hello Ron," I said quietly.
He didn't even glance up from his parchment. "Hermione…"
I stood there for a few minutes while he promptly ignored me. I knew Ron's moods and the way he acted and how to get them out of it. I'd either have to throw myself into danger (not something I felt like doing at the moment) or confront him. I slammed my books down, creating a loud noise then sat down and hissed at him, "This is all your fault you know!" Madam Pince glared at me but I ignored her. "If you hadn't been with Pavarti then I would not have walked in on you and then I would not have been pushed away by you because you had your 'new girlfriend and the love of you life' and had to fend for myself. If you hadn't stopped talking to me to be with her then I would not have had to hide out the library where Oliver found me." I didn't really blame him… it was just a tactic that I had found works quite well when dealing with Ron… hitting his pride would do the most damage and make him talk to me.
"What?" he exploded, glaring at me. "Hermione! If you had actually paid any attention to me when I liked you then I would not have had to go to Pavarti! I liked you so much over the past few years! You talk about leading people on then ignoring them, what about you and Krum, huh? I liked you so much when you were with him but you were totally with him…"
I stared at him. Alright, a little too much information. "I'm sorry Ron…" I started but he cut me off roughly,
"It's fine. We both have what we want now…" And went back to his work.
I wanted to cry. "No, it's not fine, Ron. Why, if we both have what we want, can we not be friends?"
"Because," he replied, taking a breath. "Because it's hard Hermione. As much as I like being with Pavarti, I still have those feelings for you. You still make me happy when I'm around you… and seeing you with Oliver kills me… partly because I still have those feelings and partly because I've heard about the bloke, Hermione. He's a player…"
I stiffened. "Not with me."
He gave me a knowing look. "Oh, sure, just like Krum wasn't a player? Hermione, he's going to be a bigshot Quidditch player soon with a million fans screaming his name and clawing to get a piece of his jersey… you think the fan club at Hogwarts is bad? This'll be worse… and then it'll go to his head and he's not going to have time for someone like you…"
I stood up, tears stinging my eyes. "You're wrong, Ron… you're just… just wrong… he's not… and I'm sorry that you can't deal with him and me together but whenever you are ready to do that let me know…" I practically ran from the library up to my room.
Author's note: Alright, alright, fine… it's not the end… more chapters to come… you talked me into it… :) Let me know what you think! I know it's a little on the dramatic side but meh… whatever… oh, and any ideas that anyone wants to throw at me, that would be great... Thanks! ciao!
