THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!
Ginny's appearance in the Burrow is explained in this chapter. Thanks for pointing that out ï
Disclaimer: J.K Rowling is my aunt. Yes, I helped name the sixth book. NOT.
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Hermione's return to Hogwarts wasn't unannounced. Dumbledore informed the school at breakfast on a fine sunny day, that Hermione would be returning to them today and warning them against asking her too many questions.
Harry's face lit up in a handsome smile and he looked across the table at Ron, whose smile was broader than his as the redhead fidgeted with the sleeve of his robes nervously. Shockingly, Ron ate very little at breakfast, his hands trembling slightly and his face furrowed in thought.
As the sound of pots and pans scraping filled the air, Harry and Ron also got up and headed back to Gryffindor tower. Back at the common room, Harry watched Ron silently before interrupting his wistful thinking.
"What are you thinking about Ron?" he asked, even though he had a good idea.
"Nothing..." Ron remarked, a distant look on his freckled face.
"Or should I ask WHO are you thinking about?" Harry asked slyly. A small grin teased its way through Ron's composure and he looked up at Harry.
"Will she be ok?" He asked, a definite trace of worry in his voice
"Of course she will be. She has us." Harry said, immediately knowing that "she" meant Hermione.
Butterflies invaded the peace and tranquility of Ron's stomach at the thought of her beautiful face.
"You are going to tell her... aren't you?" Harry asked, another grin emerging on his face.
"Tell her what?" Ron asked, eyeing Harry suspiciously.
"Tell her that you love her, of course" Harry replied, his smile now smaller
"WHAT!?! Are you mad? I don't LOVE Hermione!Well yes I do! But just like you do! Just like Ginny does. Nothing more and nothing less!"
"Bollocks" said Harry, and indignant frown creasing his features. "You love her and you know it!"
Ron's stomach fluttered wildly but he forced it down, willing himself to deny that he loved Hermione.
Ron's face flushed angrily as he glared at Harry and stomped out of the common room, fuming and muttering something that sounded faintly like "Codswallop... maybe I could poison him with some flesh eating slug repellent. Excellent idea."
Dinner was a solemn affair as everyone awaited the arrival of their Head Girl. Ron had resumed fidgeting with his robes, throwing Harry an occasional glare.
A huge banner in red and gold hung above them with an enchanted picture of Hermione smiling softly. Ron's heart jumped at the sight of her picture and he looked across the Gryffindor table, smiling at his friends' pleased looks.
Hermione, though considered bossy and domineering, had been a close friend to most of them. They loved and cherished their head girl and Ron couldn't help but feel a small spark of jealousy light up at the thought of having to share his best friend with all the Gryffindors.
Anxiety grew in the pit of his stomach and his overprotective instinct took over him as the night grew longer and Hermione still hadn't come. Unwilling to participate in the chatter at his table, Ron sat in deep thought. On the other side of the table, he noticed that Ginny wasn't back yet either and scowled.
Despite Ron's and Harry's severe protesting, Dumbledore had refused to let them visit Hermione at the Burrow, insisting that he needed them at Hogwarts.
Ron had almost decided to apparate from Hogsmeade without Dumbledore's consent but Ginny had stopped him. She got permission from the headmaster and left to the Burrow, assuring Ron that she'd take good care of Hermione.
(How come SHE could go visit Hermione and not me? After all, I was the one who comforted her the night she left.)
Ron's heart gave another lurch as he thought of that fateful night. As much as he hated to admit it, Ron loved having Hermione in his arms. She had grown considerably over the years, her height 5'8. However she was still dwarfed by Ron's height of 6'2. Hermione's golden brown hair had felt extremely soft against his calloused fingers, her slim body pressed against his as he held her protectively.
(Merlin. BEST FRIEND. Best friends don't affect each other like this do they? I wonder...)
Ron let out a wistful sigh at the thought and almost groaned in frustration. Harry shot him a questioning look before looking away.
Ron's thought process was rudely interrupted by the applause and cheer that had broken down at the Gryffindor table. Ron looked up, his heart thudding wildly, his eyes searching for Hermione. His face lit up with happiness as he spotted her at the entrance, her eyes transfixed on him and Harry. She ran up to them, an angelic smile on her face, robes billowing behind her.
"HARRY! RON!" she yelled waving. Ron's smile faltered at her priorities. (She said Harry's name before mine. Could it mean that she loves him?) Ron shook his head at the absurdity, a wide grin never leaving his face.
Ron watched as Hermione flung herself at Harry, hugging him tightly and not letting go. Ron's heart pitched painfully as he watched the embracing couple and turned away.
A minute later, he felt slender arms holding on to his back and he turned, coming face to face with Hermione Granger's beautiful golden brown eyes. He put his arms around her gratefully, holding her close to him, his cheek resting against her soft curls.
Her warm body against his felt so right, so good, that he never wanted to let go of her. (You love her.) A voice inside him taunted him. He shook it away and smiled happily, slowly and reluctantly releasing Hermione from his embrace. She smiled faintly at him, pulling Harry and Ron into another hug.
"I've missed you..." she whispered to them, her voice hoarse with unshed tears. In response, Ron and Harry hugged her tighter, as the applause in the Great Hall died down, everyone's eyes transfixed on their head boys and girl.
Malfoy's voice cut through their happiness like ice, jarring them into reality.
"SO... the Mudblood is back I see. It is awfully touching to see the Weasel and Scarface comforting the loss of the Mudblood." Malfoy sneered; his white-blond hair slicked back, no sign of remorse of sympathy in his cold eyes.
Ron instinctively let go of Hermione and turned to Malfoy, shaking with anger.
"Mudblood's loss is a gain to the wizarding world" Malfoy continued, smirking slightly.
Ron looked at Hermione, her eyes shining with tears, a cold steely look upon her face, silent against the ruthless taunting of Malfoy. Ron attempted to lunge at Malfoy and tackle him to the ground, but the other Gryffindors beat him to it.
A warm hand touched his trembling arm, calming him immensely. He strode up to Malfoy, who was now sporting a black eye, sneaking back to the Slytherin table.
"Watch it Malfoy. Ferrets like you should watch out. Else you'll end up just like your father. In Azkaban prison." He said menacingly.
Then with a smile, Hermione, Ron and Harry strode to the Gryffindor common room silently.
Once they entered the common room, Ron and Harry looked at Hermione uncomfortably, not knowing what to say or do. Hermione calmed herself, blinking back tears. As much as she attempted to ignore Malfoy's insensitive remarks, she couldn't. The sight of her mother's lifeless body flashed before her eyes and she winced painfully.
She looked up and saw Ron staring at her intently with worry and concern.
"'Mione...are you-"
"I'm fine" Hermione answered quickly, not meeting his intense gaze. She knew how Ron's eyes toyed with her emotions. Everything he said and did intensified her love for him. She had almost lost her resolve, when he had held her gently. So tenderly, so secure.
After deriving comfort from his sweater for days, Hermione had been immensely glad to be there with him. With the REAL Ron. Her senses were quickly spiraling out of control and she needed to get away from him. Close proximity would destroy her plan. Reduce it to shambles.
His large hand rested on her shoulder, jerking her from her reverie. She quickly brushed it away, noticing the flicker of pain flash through Ron's face. (WHY am I doing this again?) She thought, cringing as she slowly raised her eyes to meet his cool blue gaze. Faltering slightly, she got up unsteadily to her feet and smiled at Ron and Harry.
"Good night. I think I ought to get to bed" Hermione said.
Harry murmured goodnight while Ron merely nodded. Another twinge of pain ran through her and she sighed, walking up the stairs into the girls' dormitory.
(Will I ever be happy again?)
Ron stared silently at a rather interesting speck on the couch.
"I can't believe she won't talk to us" he said softly
"Ron... she's tired. She's been through a lot." Harry reasoned
"Bloody heck. I don't think I've ever seen her so upset before..." he continued, as if he hadn't heard Harry
"Don't worry about it mate. It'll blow over. I'm anxious to see her normal too. But we have to give it time" Harry retorted yawning
"NOT WORRY!? She's my best friend apart from you! It's PAINFUL watching her waste away! It's suffocating. I can hardly breathe watching her like this. HOW come YOU don't feel the same way? You are her best friend too! " he accused angrily.
Harry stared at Ron speechless. Ron's outburst had only confirmed Harry's suspicions.
"Yes Ron. I worry about her too. But not the way you do" he said
"What do you mean?" Ron questioned, his face flushed with annoyance.
"I'm not in love with her mate" Harry said simply. He then turned and walked up the stairs leading to the boy's dormitory.
"I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH HER EITHER!" Ron screamed back, his voice echoing in the hollow room, falling only to deaf ears.
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Did you guys like it? I hope so but leave me reviewssss =]
And I'm thinking of changing the category of this fanfic to Romance/drama because there isn't too much action and adventure as yet. I'm not sure I want to write action/adventure scenes anyways
So what do you guys think?