I'm SOOO SORRY that I haven't written in soooo long!!!!!!
Please do forgive me
All of you guys are faithful reviewers and I thank you soo much for reviewing! I'll have a personal thank you page when I finish this story where I can personally thank you for taking the time to read this
One note before the story : This fanfiction is MOSTLY romance.. it is also quite angsty as I love writing angst.
Thus, there will be plenty of fluff, but not without a story line.
This chapter is mostly forwarding the story line... pay extra attention to the encounter with our favorite Slytherin as it will come up again.
Now enjoy this chapter
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"The DA?" Ron asked vaguely, his eyes darting to Hermione's downcast face every two seconds.
Harry smiled sadly at his friend's plight and nodded. "Hermione, what do you think?"
Hermione looked up at Harry, blinking blankly.
"Huh? Think about what Harry?"
"I was thinking about recreating the DA" Harry repeated impatiently.
"I reckon that recreating the DA is a wonderful idea. Especially, since it will be legal, now that that old bat's gone." Ginny retorted angrily. Her hand, which was now entwined with Harry's under the table, traced random patterns on the back of Harry's hand. Harry gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled at her.
Ron and Hermione, completely oblivious to the whole exchange under the table, nodded and smiled at Harry.
"That would be brilliant. There's no way Professor McGonagall will be able to handle practical defense lessons along with Transfiguration" Hermione stated wisely, her quick brain working furiously.
Professor McGonagall had been requested to teach Defense against the Dark Arts for a few months, until a substitute teacher was found. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny knew how stressful juggling two subjects were for the head of Gryffindor. They watched her work relentlessly and thought it wise that she take a break from practical defense lessons and allow the students to practice on their own.
Ron smiled at Hermione, and she blushed, dropping her spoon with a clatter. Hermione bent down to retrieve her spoon and her sharp eyes caught the entwined hands of Harry and Ginny.
Eyes widening, she held back a snicker and straightened up, returning to the chatter at the table. She glanced at Harry and Ginny and smiled at them, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
"We have Transfiguration next. If we stay after class, I reckon old McGonagall will be glad for our help." Ron said, now gazing transfixed at a spot above Ginny's head.
Ginny scowled suddenly and Harry's gaze turned towards her questioningly. She sighed heavily and her scowl deepened.
"I have Potions next. Snape absolutely loathes me. Automatic detentions are awarded and house points deducted for being a Weasley."
"Or... a Potter" Harry added, giving her hand another small squeeze.
Ginny's face was graced with a small smile, just as the lunch hour came to a close.
Hermione, Ron and Harry set off towards the Transfiguration classroom, while Ginny descended glumly to the dungeons.
Once out of the great hall, the trio began ascending the stone staircases when Harry let out a small yelp.
"I forgot... something at the Gryffindor table... you guys go on, I'll catch up with you." He said, flushing slightly.
"We'll come with you" Hermione said quickly, terrified at the thought of being left alone with Ron.
"NO!..." Harry said, a little more harshly than he had wanted to. Realization dawned upon Hermione and she winked at Harry, smiling indulgently.
Seeing the startled looks on his friends' faces, Harry added much more softly.
"No. Old McGonagall will be raving mad if all three of us turn up late. You guys go ahead and tell her that I'll be there in a couple of minutes."
Ron and Hermione exchanged an oddly furtive look and nodded. Harry sprinted back into the Great hall and down the staircases heading for the dungeons.
He caught up with Ginny a few feet from the Potion's classroom and grabbed her arm, twirling her, so she faced him.
"Harry... what are you doing here?" she said, her surprised happiness evident in her sweet smile.
"I- I came uh to see you" Harry gasped for breath, having ran down three floors.
"You just saw me" Ginny remarked, one eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Well, I didn't get to do this" Harry replied, a wicked grin playing on his handsome face.
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his arms. He buried his face in her silky red hair, breathing in her refreshing scent. Sighing in contentment, he drew back and softly touched her cheek, gazing deeply into her deep blue orbs.
Ginny blushed shyly, her heart thumping wildly again.
Merlin. Why can't I stop blushing? I'm acting like a 10 year old again.
That was exactly how Harry made her feel. His smile drove her crazy and his emerald green eyes gazed at her with such intensity, she felt her knees grow weak.
Her smile grew wider as Harry leaned forward, clearly intent on kissing her. The next minute however, a harsh cold voice broke the magic surrounding them and Ginny winced.
"Now Ms. Weasley, if you are done with your little love chat, I suggest you get back into class before you lose more points for Gryffindor" Snape's voice rang through the corridor. Several Slytherins snickered down the hallway and Harry glared at Snape.
Snape smirked slightly and walked into the potions classroom, his black robes billowing behind him.
"I hate him." Ginny said, her teeth clenched with frustration that Snape had interrupted such a tender moment.
Sighing deeply, Harry leaned and kissed her cheek softly. Ginny's smile reappeared and Harry grinned back at her.
"See you at Dinner Gin" Harry said, turning around to walk back up the stairs. Ginny stood at the doorway to the classroom for a moment, reveling in the warmth of his lips on her skin before disappearing into the classroom.
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Harry, Ron and Hermione lingered behind, to talk to Professor McGonagall after Transfiguration. McGonagall looked absolutely exhausted. Dark circles lined her eyes and her lips were set out in a thinner line than usual. The trio approached her cautiously and cleared their throat. Hermione was the first to speak.
"Professor..." She trailed off as McGonagall raised her eyes from her parchment to look at the three of them.
"What is it Ms. Granger? Hurry, I don't have much time" She said wearily.
"Professor, we have a request. We'd like to reform the DA – the defense association – in order to practice some defensive spells ourselves." Hermione said quickly.
"Since Voldemort's return and rise to power, we just thought that we'd like to help train ourselves and the other students be alert and be able to defend themselves" Harry added hastily.
McGonagall stared at them seriously for a minute before smiling slowly.
"I think that's an excellent idea Mr. Potter" she said, her eyes bright. "It will take some of this stress off of me if we had a practical defense club of sorts"
The three of them grinned in delight.
"Infact, I'd like to make it a mandatory class for all 6th and 7th years and optional for all those above 3rd year" she added, evidently pleased with the idea.
"I'll talk to the headmaster about this Potter. Meanwhile, the three of you may start recruiting members for the defense Association, formerly called Dumbledore's army if I remember right" she continued, her eyes twinkling.
Pleased and excited, the trio trooped out the doors and down the staircases, forgetting to grumble about their upcoming Potions lesson. The awkwardness between Ron and Hermione melted and they laughed and talked casually till they neared the dungeons. Harry fell silent immediately, a blush creeping up his cheeks at the thought of his previous encounter with Professor Snape.
Ron, Harry and Hermione walked around the corner and into the nearly empty corridor when they heard cackles and screams echoing down the hallway.
Sprinting towards the source of the sound, they found themselves face to face with Malfoy and his cronies who were bullying a couple of first years by levitating them off the ground and dropping them down a few feet.
Screams issued from the first years while Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy Parkinson laughed loudly. Hermione looked furious and stomped to where Malfoy was standing and slapped him tight across the face.
Malfoy looked stunned for a moment and then sneered nastily. "What's your problem Mudblood? So uptight you can't stand to have a little fun? He asked
"Shut up Malfoy. You just broke rule 546 in the Hogwarts code book. You are in serious trouble now." She retorted, her face flushed with anger, a few loose tendrils of her hair blowing around her face.
"Merlin. Granger, if you weren't such a filthy little mudblood, I'd say you look quite sexy right now." His smirk widened. Hermione's eyes widened in shock, but she maintained her angry glare at Malfoy.
She felt Ron's presence beside her and extended an arm to prevent him from fighting with Malfoy.
"It'll only get you in more trouble. Besides, I don't want you hurt" Hermione whispered to him
"50 points from Slytherin and a week's detention with McGonagall should set you all right" Hermione said, her voice radiating icy calm. As Head Girl of the school, she could issue detentions and also take away House Points. Malfoy's face outgrew his sneer and he advanced on her menacingly.
"Take that back, Granger" he said, his teeth clenched
"What if I don't?" Hermione replied, her voice still calm.
"If not, I'll show you EXACTLY what filthy little mudbloods like you are good for," he said suggestively, his eyes now lingering on her body.
Ron pushed aside her hand and glared at Malfoy, his wand in hand. Hermione and Harry had both experienced Ron's flaming temper at various intervals, but neither of them had seen such fury emitting from the redhead. The grip on his wand tightened and the raw energy flowing through him, ignited his wand and his being in a threatening red glow.
"You'll have to get through me first." He growled, his tall frame shielding Hermione from Malfoy's view.
"STUPEFY!" Ron shouted, his wand directed at Malfoy. Malfoy fell to the ground stunned and silent.
Ron's arm was trembling with rage and Hermione placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and sighed softly.
"Bloody Git" Ron muttered, lowering his wand. Crabbe, Goyle and the rest of the Slytherins had fled after seeing Ron in such a towering temper.
He put his wand back into his robes and strode angrily towards the Potions classroom, leaving Harry and Hermione behind.
Potions was a disaster, with Ron and Snape in towering tempers. Ron savagely cut his roots, succeeding in slicing his finger. He howled in pain and his blood dripped into his cauldron, giving it a strange foul smell. Hermione healed with a wave of her wand, but Ron was too angry to acknowledge the pained look on Hermione's face.
Snape strode over to the three of them and smirked coldly at them. He looked at Ron's potion in distaste and vanished the whole lot with a swift wave of his wand. Ron, furiously glared at Snape and lost 10 points for Gryffindor, for "disrespectfully regarding the teacher".
Hermione and Harry avoided Snape's gaze and steered clear of Ron's temper, carefully stirring the concoction in their cauldrons. Hermione's cauldron was now emitting reddish silver wisps of smoke that signified that she had brewed it correctly.
Harry's potion however, sputtered and bubbled, emitting strong odors of foul socks and eggs, while brown vapor floated out of its contents. Snape looked at Hermione's cauldron and satisfied himself with a dismissive wave before turning to Harry's cauldron.
His gaunt face turned paler and he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Well Potter, if you paid as much attention to this potion as you do to Ms.Weasley, I can hope for it to be admissible as a Hypnotizing draught. Alas,..."
Harry flushed and glanced quickly at Ron. Even through his temper, Ron's face flushed to such an angry purple that Harry averted his gaze quickly.
Welcoming and dreading the end of class, Harry murmured an excuse about needing to meet Professor Dumbledore and ran quickly away from a fuming Ron.
Ron and Hermione walked slowly towards the Great Hall for dinner. Ron was silent throughout dinner and didn't find Ginny or Harry at the Gryffindor table. Growing highly agitated, he grabbed Hermione and headed for the common room.
Once inside, he stopped and stared around the common room, looking for his little sister. He was feeling particularly murderous when his thoughts drifted to Harry and he scowled.
"Where are they?" Ron asked, his fists clenched with anger. Hermione walked towards him and shook her head slightly.
"I don't know Ron..."
"WHAT THE HECK IS POTTER THINKING?" he roared, scaring Hermione out of her wits.
"RON!" she bellowed, louder than him, forcing him to pay attention.
"WHAT?" he yelled back.
"You need to trust them. I-I think they are going out."
"OH! I'm going to kill him"
"RON! Stop being such a prat. You can't stop Ginny from dating other people, and who better than your best mate?"
Ron didn't comment. Hermione's logic couldn't be refuted; yet, he felt anger surge through him. Unjustifiable anger. Anger at Malfoy for saying what he did to his 'Mione.
Hermione's gaze lingered on him and she sighed. "Ron... Malfoy is a git. Snape is unfair. We all know that. There is absolutely no reason to get so worked up over it."
Blimey. How is it that you can read my mind 'Mione?
"I know. But still..." he growled in frustration.
Hermione's cool hand rested on his forearm and he felt his anger ebb away slowly.
"It's ok... Thanks for standing up for me" Hermione said, looking straight into his eyes.
Ron looked up and managed a small smile. He placed his hand over hers and laced their fingers together.
"I'll always stand up for you 'Mione" he said softly, his blue eyes sincere and determined.
Hermione smiled back at him, tugging at their linked hands and steering him towards the portrait hole.
"Where are we going?" Ron asked
"Anywhere you want" Hermione replied grinning at him.
"Let's go fly a bit" Ron said promptly.
Fear colored Hermione's features and she shook her head vehemently.
"Anywhere but up in the sky" she said
"C'mon Hermione! I'll teach you how to fly. It's brilliant. You definitely need a break from all the studying you do" Ron pleaded
After much coaxing and begging, Hermione agreed for one short trip with Ron. Ron raced upstairs to the dormitory and fetched his Cleansweep. Throwing the broomstick over his shoulder, Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and led her towards the Quidditch pitch.
The pitch was deserted and a cool breeze played alongside the twilight hour. The sweet smell of honeysuckle filled the air and Hermione took a deep breath.
After reaching the Quidditch pitch, Ron asked Hermione to mount his broom and sat down behind her. Nervously, Hermione closed her eyes as Ron kicked off the ground and hovered for a few moments.
Then, with a swooping sensation in her stomach, Hermione felt herself being lifted higher and higher. She shut her eyes tightly, both hands clutched around the broom's handle.
"Lean back against me" came Ron's soft whisper from behind her.
She obliged and leaned back into his chest, feeling the warmth of his body suddenly envelop her. Some of her fear left her as she felt Ron's presence behind her.
"Open your eyes now" Ron whispered into her hair.
She reluctantly opened them and gasped.
It was like flying over a fantasy kingdom. The dark blue lake beneath them sparkled, the lights of the castle illuminated brightly against the velvety blue of the sky. Stars peeked out of their concealed homes and shone gaily over them.
"I-It's beautiful," Hermione murmured, still taken aback from the breathtaking scenery.
Not as beautiful as you.
"Now you know what you've been missing" he said, holding back on commenting how gorgeous she looked.
Hermione nodded slowly, her eyes still wide with mingled surprise and bliss. She shivered slightly, despite the warmth of Ron's body.
Or maybe, it's his close proximity that's making me shiverRon swooped downwards, heading towards a tower on the other side of the castle. As they drew nearer, Hermione recognized the tower with the shadowed telescopes and lunascopes as the Astronomy tower.
Grinning slightly, Ron flew over the balcony and gently stopped a few feet from the stone floor. He dismounted gracefully and helped Hermione down.
Slipping her hand in his, Ron conjured up a warm blanket for them to sit on. Hermione smiled and they sat in silence, watching the last rays of the sun sink beyond the horizon.
With Harry and Ginny's increasing disappearances, Hermione was being forced to spend more time with Ron, alone. Not that she minded.
Her mind screamed protests and relived for her the nightmares that haunted her sleep.
Yet, she couldn't stay away from him. Every minute spent away from him frazzled her anxious nerves. His increased interest in her, the shy glances, the soft blushes teased her heart into acceptance.
He is just being friendly with me. Like he is with Ginny.
She attempted to convince herself. She really did.
Still. He had outgrown his boyish tendencies. His fiery temper and clueless nature persisted, but his increased maturity, care and bravery had caught her off guard. For instance, the 12 year old Ron Weasley, would've never been so romantic.
Realizing that she was staring into oblivion, she shook her head slightly and lowered her eyes.
Ron gazed affectionately at her, her curly hair blowing into his face, her soft complexion glowing in the starlight, a pleased smile curling on her rosebud lips.
Hermione's smiles were rare these days, and Ron lived to see each one of them. Every smirk, every smile was precious.
A stray curl teased her soft cheeks, enticing. Ron's eyes following the gentle path it traced alongside her face. Unknowingly, driven by primal instinct, he reached up and tucked it behind her ear. Her shy gaze lifted, meeting his fiery blue eyes in child-like innocence.
As if in a trance, Ron brought a calloused finger and tenderly ran his fingers over her soft cheeks, spellbound at the pleasant shivers that raced down his spine. Her eyes fluttered close, her long golden eyelashes resting lightly on her silken ivory skin. Ron stared at her in rapture.
His gaze shifted to her lips, luscious and glossy. They trembled slightly in anticipation and he sighed.
An uncontrollable urge spread through him.
I want to kiss her... Snog her senseless, lose myself until we are the only two left in our dimension. Just us.
He shook his head but the dizziness lingered, making him feel lightheaded. The desire growing stronger, he raised a hand to cup her cheek...
...But stopped in midair.
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MUAHAHAHAHA another cliff hanger
Haha im evil..
do review! I would like to be upto my 100 review mark by chapter 15 that would be awfully nice... so everyone.. PLEASE review!