Chapter 3
"So you going to tell me what's going on yet? Or would you rather me just rely on my suspicions and deductions?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Harry." Ron shot Harry a warning glance as Hermione approached them, ending the conversation for the time being.
"Well, Harry, don't quit your day job is all I have to say," Hermione said with a mischievous smile.
"What?!"
"You may be a brilliant Seeker, but you Chaser skills are ... lets just say, not up to par." Hermione unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.
"Hey, she's right mate. Leave the Chasing to Johnson, Spinnet, and Bell. Brilliant those three are." Harry and Ron stored their brooms in the locker rooms and the three started back towards the school.
"Whatever you say, Master Yoda." Hermione and Harry dissolved into a fit of laughter, as Ron looked at them, confused.
Library
Ron sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, sighing exasperatedly. "Is there something wrong, 'Mione?"
"What? Of course not Ron." Hermione gave him a dazzling smile and, had he not been so annoyed with her, he would have melted right there in his seat.
For the past forty-five minutes, Ron had been trying to get Hermione to help him with his essay. But every time they made any headway, she'd get distracted by something or other. Whether it was Harry and his quidditch magazine, Ginny coming in with news about some celebrity, or a stray Witch Weekly magaizine, it annoyed Ron to the brink of his sanity. He was starting to wonder when, exactly, the pod-people had invaded.
"Hermione!" Ron whined. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm looking at this magazine, why Ron?" Hermione bit her lip; she was trying not to be the nagging know-it-all that she was so infamous for.
"I thought you were going to help me with this essay?!" Unable to come up with an excuse, Hermione just smiled innocently. Ron let out a strangled cry of frustrated and chucked his quill, unintentionally hitting Harry in the chest.
"Oy! Watch it mate! Why don't we go back up to the Common Room? We can play chess or something, yeah?" Harry knew, or thought he knew, that a fight was imminent and he was desperately trying to avoid it.
"No, you two go ahead. I'm going to finish this."
"Come on, Ron. We –"
"No, 'Mione just go." With that, Ron shifted in his chair, turning his back to his two best friends. Hermione sighed sadly as Harry grabbed her arm and led her out of the Library.
Gryffindor Common Room
"Okay, now I know something is up. I've never beaten you that horribly. What's on your mind, 'Mione?" Harry had just won a game of Wizard's chess in 8 moves flat. Even though Hermione wasn't the best chess player in the world, she was definitely a lot better than 8 moves.
She ran a hand through her straight hair and sighed tiredly. "Nothing's on my mind, Harry. I'm just ... tired, I guess."
"That's bullshit and you know it."
"Fine! Fine maybe there is something! But I ..." Hermione trailed off and avoided Harry's eyes.
"Hermione, you know that you can tell me anything ... this, oh my god! You too! That explains everything!" Harry grinned as he ran a hand through his hair. Hermione looked up with a dark expression. Without saying anything, she grabbed him by the collar and dragged him up the stairs to her dormitory (A/N: I know about the stairs ... but I have a theory on that, see the A/N below). She pushed him inside and closed and locked the door behind her.
"What do you know?" Harry was practically cowering before the seething Hermione.
"I know that you're changing yourself because you think Ron will like you better that way. You're trying to get Ron to love you because you love him, but you don't see that he already does love you. I know that you and Ron have been in love with each other since the day you stepped onto the train and told him he had dirt on his nose. I know that Ron is doing the exact same thing you are. And I know that neither you nor Ron is happy with the changes you've made." Hermione deflated and sank into the chair that as conveniently standing behind her.
"He ... he doesn't love me ... the same way I love him," she said in a sad, defeated tone.
"Bullox." Harry knelt down in front of her, forcing her to look him in the eye. "I know you and I know that you're not going to let me change your mind about this whole thing. Just promise me that through all these changes, you won't lose yourself, okay?"
"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione sighed exasperatedly.
"I mean, don't lose the person that Ron fell in love with." Hermione scoffed. "He loves that nagging, know-it-all, worry-prone, caring witch that told him he had dirt on his nose. So make sure she doesn't disappear amidst the straight hair and makeup," Harry finished rather sagely. With that, he exited the dormitory, leaving Hermione to her thoughts.
Gryffindor Table, Great Hall
"Morning you two. Sleep well?" Hermione asked in a cheery voice. Ron and Harry were both pleased to see that her hair was no longer straight. It wasn't frizzy either; it hung in long, soft, spiral curls, but was a lot closer to her normal than the straight hair had been. She was wearing a light blue v-neck sweater and a pair of black trousers. Much to Ron's delight, the pointy heels were gone and replaced by a pair of dark brown suede Mary Jane's. She was wearing some makeup, similar to the previous day; nothing excessive, but it did look good.
"Fine, I suppose. You?" Ron answered as he cut his sausage into smaller pieces trying, for once in his life, not to eat like a pig.
"Lovely." The small talk between the two friends continued, while Harry zoned out. He didn't like this, he didn't like this one bit. He'd rather them be biting each other's heads off than making idle chatter like strangers. Finally, when he heard Ron make an offhand comment about the weather, he lost it.
"That's it!! Both of you are acting like spoiled ... ah!!"
"Harry, mate, settle down. What're you talking about?" Ron asked, giving Harry a worried look.
"DAMNET RON!" Harry stood up and started out of the Great Hall. "On second thought," he muttered to himself. He whirled around and stormed back to the table where Ron and Hermione were still sitting. After throwing a look that could melt ice at Hermione, he grabbed Ron by the ear and dragged him out of the Great Hall.
"OW! Harry! Stop! Get off me you arse!" But Harry wouldn't respond to anything Ron said; he didn't even look at Ron until they were under the tree next to the lake, when he pushed Ron to the ground and glared at him.
"You are the biggest sodding prat I have ever met in my entire life!"
"Harry ..." Ron said cautiously, not really wanting to invoke the wrath of his best friend.
"Don't you see it?! BLOODY SODDING FUCKING HELL! That's it!" Harry grabbed Ron by the ear again and started trudging back to the school. "I'm not going to sit here and watch my two best friends become completely different people simply because they're both daft." They walked pas the Great Hall, where Hermione was still sitting, eating and reading the Daily Prophet. Harry whipped out his wand and pointed it at her. "Wingardium Leviosa." Immediately, Hermione rose into the air with a squeal. "Quiet, 'Mione." Hermione glared down at Harry but didn't say anything.
Now it was definitely an interesting sight; one that the portraits of Hogwarts would not easily forget. Harry was storming through the halls like a madman, holding Ron's ear rather tightly between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand. Ron was bending over and following after Harry at an odd angle, shouting his protests every few feet. Meanwhile, Hermione was levitating behind him, glowering. And Harry's expression ... suffice it to say that Voldemort would have been cowering in a corner had he encountered Harry at that particular time.
When they had reached the 7th floor corridor, Harry stopped in front of the tapestry and started pacing, dragging/levitating his friends with him. The door appeared and he flung it open. He pushed Ron inside and levitated Hermione in after him.
"You two better sort things out or you won't EVER be coming out of here!" Hermione gave an indignant yelp as he lowered his wand and she fell to the ground with a 'thump'. "Figure it out," Harry stated irately before slamming the door of the Room of Requirement.
"I guess we need to talk then." Ron laughed nervously, avoiding Hermione's eyes. Both were silently cursing and thanking Harry at the same time.
A/N: Wow! Hehe, that little jump off the deep end by Harry was totally NOT in the original plan for this story. But hey, I let the creative winds take me where they willed and I ended up here! I hope you all liked it and I hope it was believable. Tell me if its not and I'll go back and change it to the original plan I had for this chapter. Or if most of you like it then I'll leave it. Either way, REVIEW! So that I know! BTW: Kitten Heels are very small heels. They're high-heeled shoes but the heel is only like an inch, two inches max. Sorry for any confusion that caused. I didn't really see Hermione in 7-inch spiky-heeled shoes, so I thought Kitten Heels would be a good alternative. We have about one more chapter left, and perhaps an epilogue if I feel up to it. So please review!
Beckysue2: I'm so glad you liked it. Yeah, Ron studious ... right! Oh the explanation of Kitten Heels is in the A/N! How was this one? I'm happy I made you laugh!
MasterHarper Menolly: Yes, yes, I'm so sorry for that. It didn't occur to me until I got those reviews that I should explain it. So the explanation is in the A/N. I'm so glad you liked it anyways, LOL. I'm not sure about Harry's reaction, so let me know pls! How was this?
Disclaimer: Me owning Harry Potter is like Ron being studious and Hermione having straight hair ....... It's just ... not right!