Chapter Five
Harry went straight to the dormitory after Potions on Friday afternoon. After thinking about it, he had come to realise that he didn't really want to believe that Ron and Hermione were- were... that they didn't really need him. But why this was so upsetting? He couldn't say.
But he could say that their goodbyes were bound to make it obvious that they were an item – a display that he wouldn't be able to avoid or play dumb about.
Why was he so upset?
It wasn't jealousy, he was sure of that at least. He just didn't think about Hermione that way. Or-
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Ron entered the dormitory, looking puzzled. "What're you doing up here?" he asked. "Hermione said you were in a right hurry to get out of the Common Room. Something wrong?"
Harry forced a knowing look into his eye. "Hermione said that, did she?" he grinned. "Nah, I'm a bit tired."
Ron performed a kind of facial groan. To Harry's horror, he felt a little stab of animosity when said, "At least you'll have Hermione. I don't fancy spending the whole trip with Ginny."
A despised voice somewhere in the deepest, visceral regions of Harry's brain said, But he has Hermione the rest of the time.
"It's only a couple of weeks," reasoned Harry. He kept his face hidden. It was going red; he couldn't think why.
What was going on? Was he jealous – and why? Why couldn't he stand the idea of Ron having Hermione? Why couldn't he bear the thought of Ron bettering him? It had been the same with the prefect badges last year.
This was going to be more difficult than he imagined
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Okay, big thanks to everyone who reviewed –sorry I can't name everyone who asked for longer chapters but I either keep it concise or I ramble. It's a problem. :
RmGuccione: thanks for the tip – but I believe 'realise' is acceptable in the UK (where I am). You're right about the rest though. :P
Have to stop here, something very exciting's just happened.