Chapter Three- Promises
The following week they all gathered for dinner at the great hall. Before the food appeared on the long tables, Dumbledore rose with an announcement.
"Good evening students. While I trust that most of you have had an enjoyable first month back, for some it has been a violent experience." Ron trepadatiously snuck a look at Hermione. Her eyes were fixed, gazing intently at Dumbledore. "You all must understand that nothing gives you the right to attack another student. Young wizards and witches from any magical background are welcome to study here. As innumerable detentions have proved unhelpful, I am passing a new decree." There were some murmurs at this. No one could ever remember Dumbledore passing a decree, even though the foul Umbridge woman passed one nearly every day. He cleared his throat to silence the students and continued. "I decree that an attack on a student, magical or not, will be a crime worthy of expulsion. This violence will not continue in my school. If you have any questions, your head of house can answer them. Now," he clapped his hands and food appeared on every table on shining silver platters, "it is time for dinner."
He sat down and the great hall slowly turned back to normal. Hermione was very quiet, poking at her food with a fork. Even Ron's powerful appetite had been diminished slightly.
"So what's that going to mean?" voiced Dean Thomas, who was sitting up the table from them.
"I recon it means", said Harry, "that he's tired of us fighting." He cast an eye to the Slytherin table, all of whom were wearing scowls.
Ron felt relieved that Hermione would be a little safer, but wondered aloud, "What about if someone attacks us? What about self defense? Are they gonna chuck us out for that?
"Hope not, mate." Harry then noticed Hermione still staring off. "Hey, Hermione! Tuck in, you can't study on an empty stomach."
Her mind came back to the great hall and her eyes focused on Harry with a soft "oh", as if in her thoughts she had been a thousand miles away.
"Alright, Hermione?"
"Yes, I'm all right."
Ron turned to her and said lowly so no one else would overhear, "What were you thinking of?"
"Nothing." She said, staring down at her empty plate.
Ron knew it was a lie, but didn't feel he should press her then and there for the real answer. Curiosity bit at him and he asked her in the same low tone, "Will you talk to me later, than? In the common room?" He asked as he spooned mashed potatoes on her plate. She nodded slowly.
For the rest of dinner everybody discussed what they thought the new decree would bring. Some hoped it would bring the end of Slytherin house while others complained that they could no longer be able to jinx their friends without being carted off. At any rate, it looked to be another tense year.
The time passed slowly as Ron waited to be alone with Hermione back at the common room. It was nearing midnight when only the Creevey brothers were left, finishing up on a game of exploding snaps. Although he loathed to do something Percy-like, he decided to throw his weight around a little, being a prefect. "What do you say we call it a draw for tonight, boys," he said, thumbing at his badge a bit.
"Oh, all right Ron," Colin said disappointedly. He and his brother went up the stairs, leaving them alone at last. She sat by the fire, looking up from the book she was reading. He came over and sat down across from her.
"Alright, out with it." Hermione had barely smiled all day and it didn't look like she was going to start now.
"Ron, I want you to listen to me. If any of the students here who support Voldemort are going to ignore the new decree than they are going to do their best to take everyone they can with them. Ron, you must promise me you won't break the new decree!" Her voice seemed unnaturally shrill in her argumentive tone.
"What do you mean?" He asked slowly.
She spoke as clearly as she could. "If you see some one get attacked, you must not retaliate. Just find a teacher, but don't act back, promise me," she pleaded.
Ron sat back and wondered what the worst-case scenario would be. He shuddered inwardly at the horrible image his mind made up. "No." He said firmly. "I can't promise you that.
"You'll be expelled!" She squeaked. Hermione had lost some nerve. She hadn't come here to fight a war. All she ever wanted to do was learn. But the sorting hat had put her in Gryffindor house, home of the brave and loyal, so if she was going to be attacked for being a 'mudblood', than Ron wasn't going down with her. He had his own future to worry about.
"Look, I know you may find this hard to believe, but there are some things worth being expelled for." 'Some things like you, Hermione,' he thought but did not say. In a sudden burst of courage that came out of nowhere, even taking his self by surprise he reached out and covered her hand with his. They were so small and soft compared to his own. Hermione's heart caught in her throat but she would not be deterred.
"You won't risk your future. I...I can take care of myself." She tried to be defiant but her words were weakened when he closed his hands over hers. There were so warm.
'My future?', he thought to himself. 'What good is a future without you?' When he spoke again, he occupied soft tones that she had never heard him use before. "Our future is uncertain, Hermione. We don't know what it will bring. I only know that this is a time to protect what's important... family, and friends." Her gave her hand a little squeeze. He could hardly believe he was here with her, holding her hand. It was like a dream. And she was worried about him, Ron Weasley! But she was mad if she thought that he would stand idly by while Malfoy or any other scum tried anything on her.
"You're daft, you know," she said quietly through a small smile.
"Maybe just a little bit," he smiled back.
They stayed like that for a small time, knowing they should be getting to bed. They sat delayed by the union of their hands that was in between friendship and something else, something neither of them was going to admit.
After a while they said goodnight and went up to bed. Hermione's head was very light. 'How much to I mean to him? He was holding my hand, but he said we were friends...nothing more.' She tried to push it out of her head but that night, her dreams were covered in freckles.
AN- Too many capachinos make you feel sick. There's my nugget of wisdom for today.